Planning For New Year's Eve

Finally it is New Year's Eve, officially the last day of the year. What will the new year bring? What will people be doing today?

 

For me, I will be going to a beach party of sorts. There is a live band featuring songs from the eighties, and there will be food provided. We have a choice between a five-course set meal, a barbecue menu, or just a drinks package. The five-course meal consist of a set menu with champagne. The barbecue menu consists of different kinds of barbecued meat, salads and free flow of non-alcoholic beverages. The drinks menu consist of three drinks. But all comes with free entrance to the live band and countdown party.

 

I chose the barbecue menu because it is cheaper and have much better variety of food. This is the first time I actually go to something like this. Most of the time on New Year's Eve, I would either be home, or out with friends or overseas or just go to a foam party. But this time round I thought of trying something different just to experience how it would be like.

 

With this countdown, I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2013 and that all your resolutions and dreams come true for the new year! Happy New Year!!

Amour ...

Today I watched two movies, "Won't Back Down" and "Amour". Amour is a French show, literally translated to "Love". It is a story of an elderly couple who have been married fifty years. They only have each other to fall back on since their only daughter is living overseas with her family, and only drops by to visit them once in a while.

 

When the wife suffered a stroke which left her paralysed, the husband took care of her, carrying her into her wheelchair, bringing her to the bathroom, bathing her, washing her, doing all the household chores. When she could no longer function normally and started wetting the bed, he engaged a nurse to take care of his wife, but the nurse was not gentle and he fired her for bullying a defenseless patient.

 

The whole show is on how he took care of his wife, even when his own health was failing and he could hardly walk properly anymore. The wife became totally bed-ridden and delusional, and she even lost sense of her own speech and was rambling on all the time. The husband did everything he could to comfort her whenever she went into any of her fits, by massaging her, telling her stories and giving her back her memories.

 

One day, he could take it no longer. After comforting her and calming her down, he took a pillow to smother her and she died. He then dressed her up and mourned her. Shortly after that, he died in his sleep too.

 

This is a really touching show beacuse it shows true love and commitment between a married couple. How often do people forget that a marriage last forever, and it is really for better for worse, in sickness and in death, in good health and bad, for richer and poorer, till death do them part? Chances are most people will run away at the first sign of trouble. I have heard people tell me that they have an agreement with their other halves, that if either of them fails in health, the one who is sick would just go to a nursing home, divorce and let the other half go on with his or her own life so they would not be a burden to the other.

 

But if you love each other, would it then really be a burden? Does marriage work that way, that if you become a burden, you just leave the person? Is marriage not supposed to be a full commitment, which means even if the other person is sickly and frail, you stay by the side and take care of the other person instead of leaving?

 

Of course, if both are sick at the same time, then that is a different story altogether. If I ever get married and my husband becomes bedridden for whatever reason, I would be the one taking care of him, no questions asked. Simply because he is the man I married, and it is my duty, obligation and perogative to be there for him when he needs. Similarly, I hope whoever I marry will think and feel the same way about me too when the time comes.

 

This movie reminds me of someone I know, who married his wife despite knowing she is sick, and after so many years and in and out of hospitals, he is still there by her side, taking care of her, loving her, comforting her, being with her. And it is still on-going as his wife still needs treatment, and he is still by her side, taking care of her. They have no children of their own because of her condition, but he accepts it and accepts her wholeheartedly. Whenever I hear of this, it really brings tears to my eyes, to see a man so committed and good, beacuse this is indeed love.

 

On the other hand, many men I know claim they love a girl and want to be with her, yet drop her the moment they find something a tad wrong with her, like she may be infertile, or quirky or chirpy or too outspoken for his liking. And here, I have a real life example of a man who marries his wife despite knowing how she is like and that he will never have a normal future with her but still went ahead.

 

It kind of changes one's perspectives, is it not? What is love then? Love is not being lovey dovey and sticky to each other. Love does not mean writing letters and declaring your love. Love does not mean being physically intimate. Love is much more than that. It is accepting the other person, warts and all, and being with the other person through thick and thin, no matter how the person may be and what the outcome may be, and at the end of the day, you are still with the person despite everything. That, to me, is true love. It is shown in the actions you do and not what you say.

The Musical That Ignited My Passion

I just came back from watching Les Miserables for the second time. I have been waiting to catch Les Miserables ever since I knew the movie was coming. It opened on Christmas Day, but I managed to catch the preview on Christmas Eve, and now I watched it again. Thank goodness I watched it on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day which I originally planned, since I got so sick during Christmas. Sometimes impatience do pay off as the reason I watched on Christmas Eve was because I wanted to catch it when it first came out instead of waiting!

 

And my verdict? It is an excellent show, by far the best movie of the year! I may be biased because I love the musical, but I find this movie version just as good, or even better, than the musical, except for a couple of actors who cannot really sing.

 

When I knew some years back that a movie of Les Miserables was in the works, and it would be starring Hugh Jackman, one of my favourite actors and my own version of sexiest man alive, I knew it would definitely be a musical. I have always loved to hear Hugh Jackman singing, and after Anne Hathaway proved she could sing too, I knew instantly this movie would be a hit.

 

And I am not wrong! It is a fantastic show from beginning to end! The songs, the emotions, the acting, all were perfect from beginning to end! Hugh Jackman as the prisoner 24601 aka Jean Valjean who atoned for his sins by being good, who met Fantine, took pity on her and promised to look after her daughter as his own, and later his own conflict when his adopted daughter Cosette fell in love with the student revolutionary Marius, and how he ensured Marius' life would be saved by bringing him to safety in the sewers, and his going away before Marius and Cosette's wedding so Cosette would never find out his true self.

 

But later on he prepared to die and joined Fantine upon his death. Marius took Cosette to see him before he died and beseeched him to come live with them as Marius was so grateful for him saving his life and giving him Cosette, but he refused and still chose to die.

 

Anne Hathaway as Fantine gave one of the most haunting and emotional performances of her career, with the unforgettable song "I Dreamed A Dream" sung to perfection. I am really rooting for these two to win Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress respectively! Although I am not sure what other competition is out there, but so far as I can see, Les Miserables is a hot favourite to set to win Best Picture, and I really hope it does, as the rest of the movies I have watched this year is not of the same calibre as this.

 

So far I have been pretty accurate where Best Picture is concerned. Those who know me know I go for really intense and "artistic" films, movies where most normal people could not bear watching. Hence every year, my prediction of Best Picture is always on the best and favourite movie I have watched for the year.

 

For instance Forrest Gump. When I first watched the show, I fell in love with it, and now years later, it is still one of my ultimate favourite films of all time. It won the Best Picture and Best Actor for Tom Hanks.

 

When I watched Titanic, American Beauty and A Beautiful Mind, I knew that these would make Best Pictures, simply because they were the best shows I have watched for the respective year. I also predicted Kevin Spacey would win Best Actor for American Beauty and Rusell Crowe for A Beautiful Mind, which came true.

 

Same goes to Chicago, The Pianist, Slumdog Millionaire (although that year I tied it with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), and The Artist. I predicted Chicago would win Best Picture although I do not think the actors and actresses were outstanding enough for Best Actor / Actress wins, and The Pianist would take Best Picture and a Best Actor win for Adrien Brody, which also came true. I also predicted the French guy playing The Artist would win Best Actor and The Artist would win Best Picture, because if someone can make a silent film this good, then it is one heck of a film and should go down as a favourite classic of all time.

 

The only time when my guess was wrong was in Avatar. However it won almost every other category it was nominated for, but lost the Best Picture to The Hurt Locker, which I also like, but to me, I find Avatar better. Black Swan did not make Best Picture too, although I predicted Natalie Portman would win Best Actress. But that year was a very good year for movies, and I was actually tied between Inception, Black Swan and The King's Speech, with the latter winning Best Picture.

 

So I really hope Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway would sweep Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, and that Les Miserables would get Best Picture because so far for this year, the movies are not that impressive, although there are a few good ones, but none as fantastic as Les Miserables. Perhaps better movies are coming? After all the Best Picture nominated movies normally come around January and February in line with the Academy Awards, so perhaps there are better shows coming up?

 

Incidentally, Les Miserables was the very first musical I watched. I remember I was fourteen, and my parents brought me to watch the musical when it was running in one of the older theatres here. I was so entranced that I was glued to my seat and could focus on nothing except the musical. I love the songs, the plot and the character of Jean Valjean. It was because of this that I fell in love with musical theatre and performing arts and one of my dreams would be to be a perfomer myself, which I did for a brief time. I even sang "On My Own" duing one of my singing auditions.

 

Now watching this again, my passion is re-ignited. My passion for performing arts and musical theatre have never died, it was just buried somewhere, waiting to resurface. Perhaps I should take up singing and start performing again. And yes, I will definitely be watching Les Miserables again, as long as the movie is still showing. Now I cannot wait for the musical to come back!

Last Weekend Of The Year

Today marks the start of the last weekend of 2012. Come Monday, it will be the last day of the year. I cannot believe another year just flew by! What have I done for this year? Seems to me to be another wasted year, since I still have not reached any milestones after all the false starts that not only wasted my time, my years away and left me dry and depressed.

 

The only memorable things are that I get to travel a bit more this year. After hibernating for the last three years where I had not gone on a single vacation, this year I managed to make two trips, a long one and a short one. I ventured into Sarawak for the first time, experiencing the jungle and forest and nature at its best. I went to Sydney again, on my own instead of with family, and really explored the place this time round.

 

Major upheavals included losing my job, after a "battle" with my backstabbing supervisor. The good thing that came out of this was that I got a new job, not as exciting or interesting as the one I lost, but can do.

 

What is going to happen next year? I really do not know. Will next year bring new hopes, new dreams, and actually let me have something that I really, really want, something that I have been praying for all my life but have never ever fulfilled and came true, something that will really come true this time instead of all the fiascos and time-wasting again?

 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the new year will be better and more fulfilling than this year. Meanwhile, I have to see how I am going to spend the last weekend of the year, culminating on a New Year's Eve party on Monday!

A Disastrous Christmas

Christmas Day has come and gone, and I did not get to enjoy it at all, being sick in bed with bad stomach upset and fever after that. I wanted to enjoy Chrismas Day since everyone in my family would be away, and I thought it would be such bliss to have some peace and quiet for once. Alas, when I woke up on Christmas Day, I felt my insides moving, and went to the bathroom, intending to "cleanse out my system".

 

Unfortunately the problem was more serious than I thought, and after going to the bathroom to "cleanse out my system" five times in less than two hours, I felt so drained and weak. I was not in the mood to entertain anyone and just wanted to sleep, which I did for almost the rest of the day. I did not even have any appetite to eat anything, and just lounged around lying in bed.

 

I spent almost the whole day sleeping, and by the time evening came around, I was having a fever. My body was feeling hot and cold at the same time and I was feeling so weak that I could not even pull myself out of bed to go to the bathroom or take a shower. Then I went back to sleep for the whole night.

 

When I woke up the next morning, I was feeling much better. At least the fever was gone, but the stomach problem persisted. I still had diarrhoea. Still, I dragged myself to work but excused myself later on in the day as I was really feeling unwell and needed to rest.

 

Finally I feel much better today, although there still seems to be wind in my stomach, making me feel really bloated. Hopefully this can wear out soon as I do plan to enjoy myself on New Year's Eve!

Christmas Checkout!

I am done with work for the day, we have had a Christmas lunch party in the office, and now I am going off to enjoy the holiday! First will be the preview of Les Miserables, then midnight mass, and then Christmas Day itself!

 

Yahoo!!! Finally the holiday season is here! Happy Holidays everyone!

Fridge Magnets Galore!

Many thanks to generous friends from their recent travels, I have a few more fridge magnets to add to my collection.

 Fridge Magnet from Hong Kong, showing the harbour and Central area. Sorry for the blurred visual as this is a 3D magnet with frosted glass covering, so the picture turns out this way due to the reflection.

 

 Fridge Magnets from Macau, showing the Macau casino chips in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000.

 

And one from Rome, which can also double up as a bottle opener.

 

Besides the fridge magnet, my friend also went to Vatican City and got me a Rosary, even though she is not a Catholic. Which is why I say my friends are the greatest blessings God gave me besides my family. And I went back a happy person. :-)



My Favourite Gift For The Year ...

Out of the gifts I have received this year, my favourite is this electronic bookmark dictionary that one of my friends gave me. The moment I took off the wrapping and saw the item, I was immediately fascinated!

 

This is really such a perfect gift! How it works is that you put the bookmark into your book, and wihle reading, you type in any word you come across that you do not understand, and immediately the meaning and answer is flashed out on the small screen! This is so handy! For someone like me who loves reading, this is indeed the best gift ever! Most importantly, it is in my favourite colour - pink!

This is what the electronic bookmark dictionary looks like. Contrary to what it looks like, this is not a toy. It is battery-operated and really does work. It is also small and handy and fits into any paperback. Strange thing is I never came across anything like this before. Kudos to my friend for finding this! This is really my favourite gift ever!

Thank God For Friends!

I just finished a Christmas lunch party with my closest girlfriends from school, and their other halves of course. We have been doing this every year since 2009, and we would have gift exchanges to each other and each other's kids.

 

I really want to thank God for blessing my with great friends who have always been nice, generous and supportive, no matter what I do, and the decisions I made. Even though I have cried and whined and grumbled and flared up, they still stick by me, believed in me and listened to me. The saying is true - one does not need to have many friends, just a few who are true to you is enough. I have learnt this through experience, some may claim to be your friends, but they run away and start judging and ostracising the moment you get into trouble or they feel you let them down.

 

True friends do not judge nor ostracise nor run away when you get into trouble. They will stick with you through thick and thin and believe in you even if the whole world think otherwise. They will support and accept you even if they do not approve what you do. These are real friends, and not fair-weather friends.

 

Which is why I always look forward to meeting up with my girlfriends, because the close girlfriends I have are those that are really the epitome of true friends. Even though most have married and have kids, we still remain close and they will still have time for me and care about me. And for sure I will do the same if and ever I get married and have kids of my own too.

 

In this holiday season, the one thing I want to be grateful for besides my family, are my friends, who always place their unwavering faith in me and help me up when I am down. This is something God has really blessed me with beyond my dreams.

Not Yet End Of The World?

So it is finally 21.12.2012, and I am still alive. The so-called "End Of The World" have come and gone! Haha.... many people in the world have speculated, anticipated and keeping on their toes just to see if the world will stop, but apparently things go on as per normal, work is still being done, holidays are still coming and people are still breathing. The world will go on for a long long time more.

 

Hooray for life ....

One More Day To World's End?

Today is 20122012, the last date like this for probably the next hundred years. Tomorrow would be the end of the world if speculations are true. I wonder then will I get to live to see Christmas Day? Or New Year's? Or even live to see myself getting married, having kids and raising a family?

 

Will update when I am still around tomorrow... ;-P

Should Guns Be Banned?

After the elementary school shooting incident that kind of shook the world, the one question that was being asked is that, should there be a revision to the gun laws? If I am not mistaken, in certain states of America, everyone is allowed to carry a gun for self-defence or security purposes. I can understand because not everywhere is safe, and sometimes it is better to have self-defense.

 

However, if people abuse the law, what then? Personally, I am never an advocate of any arms. Arms and dangerous weapons should only be carried by those licensed and trained for it, like the police or military. They should never be allowed on a lay person, because things like these do more harm than good.

 

This is not the first school that had incidents like these. There have been other schools, including the famous Columbine High School, where Michael Moore did a documentary on the school shooting. Jodi Picoult also wrote a book on school shooting in her novel "Nineteen Minutes". Even though that is fiction, it was a masterpiece on the aspects of school shooting and the effects and consequences involved.

 

The thing is, after all these incidents, the distress of the parents, the innocent victims and the clean up by the local police, should the government not do something already? This time round the victims are so young. What can a six-year-old harm you with that you have to kill him? And the teachers and staff who protected the children were killed too.

 

How many more kids have to be innocently killed before someone actually steps in and put a stop? Why not just put a nationwide ban on the buying, collecting and storing of firearms for lay people, unless one is licensed to carry a gun or work for a unit that needs a gun? Guns are for self-defense, but when innocent people, especially children, are involved, then it becomes an abuse of weapons and the perpetrator should be charged and executed, if he is not already dead.

 

I really hope the American government can take this issue seriously and not cause anymore innocent deaths of schoolchildren. The issue of firearms is really going to get out of hand if this continues.

A Mixed Wedding

During the weekend, I attended the wedding of two fellow cathechists, who met each other in cathechism. They were in the same class so met each other's eyes. By this, I mean the two of them were conducting the same cathechism session to the kids, not the two kids getting married. It was a journey of slightly more than two years, and the proposal was about one and a half years after they got together.

 

Why is this a mixed wedding? The groom is local Chinese, the bride is Filippina. She came here to work as a single lady, and the year she decided to serve the church and conduct cathechism, it was the year she met her husband. How lucky!

 

Even though this is a mixed couple, the wedding is very Chinese style. As in there is still the tea ceremony, the traditional banquet, and then of course the full church wedding mass since both families are catholics. The church wedding was held at the very church I was baptised and confirmed in, and the bride looked so beautiful and regal walking down the long aisle of the church. Incidentally, this is also the church I always thought I want to marry in.

 

The church and high tea reception was on Saturday, and dinner banquet was yesterday. During the banquet, the bride and groom had fun with the speeches, and their family members performed for them and made speeches too. The bride even threw a surprise birthday party for the groom as his birthday is approaching. The groom's parents even praised the bride and said how honoured they were to have her joining their family.

 

I do not know about others, but I always love attending weddings. I know many singles may not feel the way I do, because whenever they receive a wedding invitation, they will get depressed and think about their own status. Hence many singles prefer not to accept the invitation to attend a wedding, especially since they will be going on their own.

 

But to me, I feel the wedding is for the bride and groom, and not on myself. Afterall, when people share their joy with you, the last thing you should do is to focus on yourself, is it not? Which is why I do not understand why people make a wedding invitation into some fiasco where they must cater the kind of food, go according to the kind of timing, and send according to the kind of invitation other people want, and not what the bride and groom wants.

 

I have a friend who told me, he will not accept any email or facebook invitations for a wedding. He says if people are sincere enough to invite him, they will have to call him personally. I told him that is not feasible, because if the couple is going to invite three hundred guests, are they able to call all three hundred guests? He is rather adamant on his stand, he says email and facebook invitations are so impersonal, if the couple really wants to invite him, then why can they not show their sincerity by calling him?

 

Personally, I feel if the couple even think about inviting me to share the happiest day of their lives and the start of the rest of their lives, I will be so honoured! Does the mode of invitation really matter? It is the couple's choice after all, who is anyone to dictate how and why the couple should or should not send out their invitations?

 

The same friend also said, he would not bother turning up early to a wedding dinner. He would only leave his house at eight and reach the venue around nine. He says after all the wedding reception would not start early anyway.

 

Well.. it is people like these who spoil the couple's joy! Wedding receptions do start on time nowadays, especially for those I have attended in recent years. The banquet manager will shoo us into the ballroom five minutes before the stipulated time, and the bridal couple would then start marching in right on time, or the most five to ten minutes later. Gone are those days where the wedding reception start an hour later than what is stated.

 

Anyway back to why I love going for weddings, because I can see the intense love the couple has for each other. Somehow, every wedding I attended, I find the couple so right for each other. Do not ask me how I know, I can tell. There has been no wedding I attended where the bride and groom look unhappy, except for one, and that ended in divorce. In all the other weddings I attended, I can see how much the groom loves the bride and that he is willing to do everything for her because he really wants to marry her and take care of her.

 

Is that not just beautiful? To be able to find a man who loves you enough to marry you and take care of you. I always hear of people saying this guy is so honoured and lucky to be with this girl, but actually all I want is someone I feel really honoured and lucky to be with, whose family loves and treats me like their own, and who is willing to love me enough to marry me and take care of me and my family, and not end up in false hopes and promises. Of course, I, in turn, will do the same for him and his family.

 

So all I am trying to say is, it is indeed a real blessing to be able to find someone like that to be with. Not everyone is so lucky. For those who are lucky, treasure your other halves, and tell each other how much you love each other everyday. Trouble occurs when you start taking each other for granted, but little words of affirmation, little hugs and kisses everyday do make wonders and do not require much effort.

Four Movies, One Musical, And One Ballet

In a matter of two weeks, I have watched four movies (more than that actually, but I am only going to speak on the better ones), one musical and one ballet. What an "achievement"! It has been so long since my time is filled with consecutive activities like this.

 

The first show I watched was of course "Life Of Pi", the 3D version. I must say, Ang Lee really managed to capture most of the description in the book. The movie followed as closely to the book as possible, including the last part where the Bengal Tiger story overrules. Even though like the book, the movie also lets us question which story is more true and whether is Pi just blessed or he really had a guardian angel, these questions are still unanswered no matter how many times I read the book or have now watched the show. But the essence of the story is that, people all chose to believe the more implausible story, simply because it sounds more amazing than the other one.

 

The second movie I watched was "Back To 1942", another China war show. This time, it was about the Henan famine in 1930s before the war when Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek was still in charge before he fled to Taiwan. It was a heart-wrenching story on how people escaped the famine, hoping for a better life, but yet it was nothing but an illusion. Many people died along the way. The government was not doing anything except pandering to the Japanese, they took the grain that was already scarce to the people just to feed the military, and when the people reached the border of the next province, they were turned away.

 

Mr Pianist himself was a war reporter who reported on the actual sitaution of the famine and how the local government was doing nothing or refusing to do anything. The article was published in Time magazine, and when it was translated by the Chinese press, Generalissimo Chiang suspended and closed down that particular Chinese publication and published another translated version that downplayed the actual famine situation.

 

When I watch biopics like these, it makes me feel so lucky to be born in this era. Yes, we may have no money and struggling to make a living, but at least we are not starving until we had to run away and die along the way, and eat anything, snakes, grass, cats, just to survive.

 

The third show was "Intouchables", a French show based on a true story about an invalid man in a wheelchair, and how he found his jolly life again after engaging a caregiver from the slums who let him view life from another angle, instead of the usual uptight aristocratic way. This is a really touching show which I hope would win Best Foreign Film for the Oscars next year.

 

The fourth show was of course "The Hobbit". The first part was on how the dwarves crashed into Bilbo Baggins' house, and how he followed them to try to retrieve back their kingdom. The movie followed the book closely, and Peter Jackson, again, showed his perfectionist streak by making all the sceneries and settings perfect. Many of the scenes look familiar as I visited the exact places and locations when I was in New Zealand a few years back.

 

The musical was "Jersey Boys", and it was above average at best. The story was on the beginnings of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, and even though the songs are great and I enjoyed them, somehow I find this musical overhyped by winning several Tony Awards, because it is not in the calibre of other musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables, which I am still waiting for the movie to be released!

 

The ballet was "Sleeping Beauty", a new version of the fairy tale. Even though it was a great ballet and this rendition was really good, I find the last part too draggy. The first part was on the three fairies, the witch and the curse on the new baby princess, and then the princess grew up and she was pricked and the whole palace fell into a deep sleep. 

 

The second part was on a hundred years later, the prince heard about the legend of the castle and he went to hack his way in, saw the princess sleeping, kissed her and she awoke. The third part was actually on their wedding and their coronation as the new king and queen, but a lot of unnecessary details like the individual dances of all the "guests" at the wedding, could be totally cut out. It made the whole ballet too long. The cherographer(s) should have just done the ballroom ballet, the couples' dance, and a few twists and turns, instead of doing every individual dance. 

 

Still it was a good rendition, although it was the longest ballet performance I have ever attended, longer than even Swan Lake. I believe the Dance Theatre was trying to showcase their performers' talents, but it kind of backfired because many people went off during and after the second interval and did not even come back for the final scene. I also saw many people going off during the final scene as it got too long.

 

All in all, I have had a great time seeing all these great films and performances! I think this is going to be a good Christmas ahead!

The Funny Antics People Do ...

I just received an email on some work query from my colleague. It is a very simple question that can be answered in two words. It is no big deal, except she is seated directly opposite me and facing me! In that case, why can she not just raise her head and ask the question directly instead of emailing back and forth?!

 

I really do not understand human beings sometimes ...

Opposition On The Rise?

With all these scandals going around lately, coupled with the public transport problem that had been going on since last year, I wonder how our main political party will fare in the next election? Already, due to yesterday's scandal, the opposition is pushing for election in that constituency newly vacated due to the resignation of that politician. Another politician is now taking over in the interim, but the opposition is pushing for election as soon as possible, so they can contest for the constituency and let the people in that constituency have more choices.

 

Will our Minister Mentor be heartbroken if the main political party that has been in charge ever since our country became a republic almost fifty years ago, lost the next election? Even if the opposition takes over, what then? Would the country go downhill or becomes better?

 

With so much insecurity right now, I wonder how it will be like in the next four years before the next election. Our ruling party better find a way to salvage themselves before anymore damage is done and their credibility is lost once and for all.

Dating Vouchers, Anyone?

Last week, there was news about government-accredited matchmaking agencies promoting dating vouchers as Christmas promotions. Essentially, we can get dating vouchers at a good price, to be used to offset any social events or packages we like to sign up in any of the accredited agencies. These vouchers can also be given away to others.

 

This creates an uproar. Some people feel it is downright insulting that we have to be offered dating vouchers, especially those who are happy being single and feel it is just the government butting into their business. It is a choice of life afterall, do singles really have to be ostracised and discriminated, and being pointed at for being single?

 

I cannot say for others, but personally, it is never my choice to be single. The earliest dream I have, which I have yet to fulfil, is to marry a nice guy, have a good family, raise up my children, and dedicate my time teaching them the right things. This dream has still not faded. In fact, it is even stronger in me, and no matter how old I am, I still hope against hope this can ever come true.

 

I have also talked to many people I know, and most of them did say they do not want to be single, but just cannot find someone, or rather, even if find someone, the guy can be such a big jerk. Even the men, many of them are not single by choice, but they just feel they cannot find a girl to be with.

 

So with this kind of mentality, is it necessary to shove dating vouchers at their faces, reminding them that it is NOT okay to be single? That something must be wrong with these people, that is why they are still single?

 

The female friends I know are smart, established, mature and have beautiful souls. They are also well-maintained and eloquent. These are all very good qualities. Unfortunately, these ladies often meet shallow men who are turned off by their intelligence and success.

 

The male friends I know are also smart, established, high-flying jobs and are gentlemanly. They are sociable and cheery. Again, these are all very good qualities. Unfortunately, these men often meet ladies who have no romantic chemistry whatsoever with themselves.

 

So is it really so hard to find someone suitable that our government has to resort to dating vouchers to encourage people to date? And many people I know do go for dating packages and social events, me included, but somehow nothing ever progresses out of there. Does the number of dating vouchers and price really help then?

 

From what I have learnt, sometimes the harder you try, the worst things become. It is like Murphy's Law, you will never meet someone if you keep expecting to meet someone. Rather, the right person can come anytime, anywhere, anyhow, at the most unexpected times. I have seen this myself in several examples, from my friends to my own cousins, where they met their other halves so unexpectedly that it was really a fairytale story that every girl dreams about.

 

So there is still hope out there. Most important is to always hold on to the hope and never lose hope. I am sure each and everyone of us can find someone wherever and whenever, but we just have to open our hearts and accept whoever God or destiny arranges for us and make things work out instead of being picky and perfect.

 

Here's wishing everyone best of luck for finding their one true love!

Is There A Need To Pry Into Scandalous Affairs?

Yesterday the "big" news is on a politician resigning due to his confession of an extramarital affair with one of his staff. Does that kind of remind you of the unfortunate Bill Clinton and the intern? Ever since the news broke out, immediately the letter of resignation, speech from the other ministers and press conferences were published in major newspapers and online media.

 

Last night, the girl in question was found out, and her name and photo was published. Today the messages they sent to each other were published. I seriously wonder what is it with our local media nowadays? Yes, he did something wrong, yes, he regretted his action, yes, he decided to resign to atone for his mistakes, but honestly, must people dig out their entire story and broadcast to the public?

 

Can anyone imagine the distress to the parties in question and their families? So why must the media flashed out everything to remind the parties in question about what transpired, when they probably only wanted to forget this incident and start over anew? Is people's private lives so important to anyone else?

 

I am not saying that what he did was right. He should not cheat on his family in the first place, but then he is human after all. Everyone makes mistakes. Even though as a woman, this kind of mistake is unforgiveable and unacceptable, still, if his wife is willing to forgive him, that is all that matters, is it not? Why must others then pry into their affairs when they are already going through this difficult period?

 

I feel it is very brave of him to even stand up and admit to the mistake made. Not every man will do that. Most men will deny and give excuses, but he actually admitted his mistake and willing to take responsibility and face the consequences of his action. For that, I salute him for being a true man. So now that this is done, must people then distress the family and the other party further by digging up everything and flashing it as some "juicy" news?

 

For God's sake, leave them alone already! It is not the end of the world! How many of you men out there dare to say you would never cheat on your family or have never cheated on your family? Of course it is not the right thing to do and it is a blatant betrayal of your marriage vows, but everyone, men or women, may fall into temptation and succumb to weakness anytime. Would you then like the whole world to judge your actions when you are truly repentant?

 

I wish our local media would really report on true news instead of broadcasting people's private lives to everyone. It is really no one's business what transpired, and I really hope people can realise that - it is not their business and be more considerate to other's feelings and not judge and pinpoint mistakes that were already made.

Public Transport Cost To Increase Again!

Due to all the hype over the recent bus strikes, the bus companies are looking into reviewing the drivers' remuneration, and they have promised to increase the market value of bus drivers. The reason for the strike is because those perpetrators felt that they were being paid too little compared to the working hours and what they needed to do.

 

I guess it is good to increase the remuneration of the bus drivers, because afterall, they are human, and they do have to be on the road for many hours a day. They work irregular hours and whereas the rest of us can take the weekends off, they may have to slog during the weekends too.

 

Unfortunately, by doing so, starting next year, public transport fares are going to increase again, from the already high cost. The trouble with people is that they want everything - they want more wages, and yet they want lesser cost. It is true that our cost of living is very high, and if we talk about our wages, for most of the general public, what we earn is really minuscule as compared to what we have to spend on necessities. Which is why most people are struggling everyday to make ends meet, especially when one has kids.

 

Sometimes I really wonder what our government do with our tax money. We are literally debt-free, as compared to other countries. But if that is the case, should we not have more money to spare to help improve living standards and welfare for the population? There are many of us who are really struggling, and even though the income is considered low, but they are not low enough to warrant help.

 

Does it mean to say if we earn just enough, we should not need help, even if the family is really struggling to make ends meet? Does it mean to say only kids and senior citizens can get rebate for everything and working adults, even if they bring in very minimal amounts, are not entitled to?

 

Sometimes I wonder if the welfare system in other countries is better, because the government takes care of the people no matter what. On the other hand, this creates laziness as people will take for granted they need not work and just rely on the government to take care of them.

 

I hope the fare increase will not be too much though, otherwise I seriously wonder how some people will fare in the next election. Already there are lots of people with grievances in lots of areas. The last election, the ruling party won by the lowest margin ever, and lost an entire constituency due to some "old school" thinking and opinions, so for the next election, perhaps there will be a better show to see.

12 12 12

Today is 121212, 12 December 2012, the last "repeated" date in a hundred years. I wish I can live that long to see the next "repeated" date, but alas, I am no Duncan McCleod aka the Highlander. If events are going to be true, then it would be another ten days to the end of the world. By then I wonder if I am still alive? Or perhaps washed overboard and drowned in a tsunami?

Today happens to be mid-week. Normally I will start off feeling blue on Monday, then my mood a bit better on Tuesday, by mid-week I get my gears on full speed, and by Friday, I cannot wait to just go off and enjoy the weekend, and then it will be depressing again on Sunday with the impending work week on Monday.

Today also happens to be mid-December. Which means it is just about two more weeks to the end of the year. I still have not achieved anything this year. Wonder when my time will come for me to achieve at least one of my dreams?

I am also approaching middle age. If this goes on, I will really be alone for the rest of my life, without getting anything done at all, and I would feel as if I have wasted all my life away!

The Perfect Makeup Kit?

The new makeup kit I bought from Sephora is really great! The colours are nice, it is smooth in applying, and most importantly, the lip colours do work and show some colours on your lips, unlike the Victoria Secrets makeup set that gives the feeling and texture of a colourless lip balm for its lip colour.

 

Most importantly, the Sephora makeup kit comes in a very small handy box, which can be opened up to reflect the many layers of colours of foundation, blusher, eye shadows, eye liners, lip colours and lip gloss below! It is truly a woman's handy kit!

This is what the original box looks like

 

This is what the kit looks like after opening in full

 

The box may look big, but when it is closed up, it fits snugly on my palm, about the size of a rubic cube. Do note that I have very small hands, so when I say the box is small, it is really small and handy for everyone else. Yet in that small cube, it opens up to a variety of colours perfect for any occasion!

 

I used to dislike makeup palettes because I always thought those palettes are created from cheap and fake kits. I have sensitive skin, so I cannot use cheap cosmetics that may contain nickel during the production. Hence I always used to buy separate foundation, blusher, eyeshadow, lipsticks and lip glosses. However, ever since Victoria Secrets and Sephora came up with these palettes, my interest in these resurfaced as these are good brands, so definitely would not irritate my skin.

 

These makeup palettes are really useful because they have colours for just about every skin tone, occasion and dress. So they go with just about everything one has in one's wardrobe. For a woman, makeup is one of the basic "necessities", together with clothes, shoes, bags and accessories. And for me, I like my things to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye too. So something small and handy, with every shade possible, is the perfect makeup kit for me!



From Prank To Suicide

Last week, the newly pregnant Princess Kate was hospitalised due to acute morning sickness. Prince William, as a good husband, visited her everyday, was with her when she discharged, and even cancelled some of his engagements to be by her side.

 

Honestly, I really do not see why this kind of thing is also considered "news". Afterall, it is their own private life, and when a woman is feeling so sick, she would not appreciate people updating about her status all the time.

 

To make matters worse, some idiots in a radio station thought it would be a good joke to impersonate the Queen and Prince Charles on air, and called the hospital, asking about the princess' condition. The nurse on duty thought it was true, and so updated the "Queen" and "Prince Charles" about the princess' condition.

 

I am sure she did it in all innocence. No doubt she should not be disclosing a patient's medical status, but on the other hand, if she really thought it was the Queen calling, I guess she felt obligated to disclose the medical condition of the princess. Little did she knew it was just a prank. When the hospital found out, they did not blame her and instead tried to see how situations like this could be improved. A few days later, her body was found in the nurse's quarters, most likely from suicide.

 

What started off as an "innocent" prank, albeit done in very bad taste, is now the indirect cause of an innocent person's death. What was originally a joke now became an international case, as the two radio personalities were put off air, hidden from sight, and now Scotland Yard is looking all over for these two pranksters to assist in their investigations of the nurse's death.

 

In the first place, why would anyone want to create this kind of mischief? I can just imagine the fury of the royal family. Yes, they are celebrities, but are they not entitled to their own privacy as well? Can people not let a pregnant lady in peace and not aggravate her? Afterall, her state of health and unborn child should be the utmost priority, is it not, rather than "sensational" news?

 

I have never condoned people for creating mischief. I mean, I am all for a good joke and whatnot, but a line has to be drawn. First, we should not take someone's life and experiences and create a joke out of it. Second, we should not take what someone say to you in confidence and treat it as a joke. Third, we should not even impersonate a real living person and take the real living person's sob stories and make a joke out of it.

 

One can just imagine the distress caused by someone else who wants to create that kind of mischief. This kind of prank is childish, in bad taste, and totally inconsiderate and oblivious of other's feelings. The two perpetrators really ought to be given a warning and stopped from ever presenting on air ever again.

Surrendering All ...

Starting this year, I joined a woman's group consisting of mostly Catholics. Their fellowship is on every Friday night, and I am ashamed to say I have not been very regular because somehow Friday nights, everyone wants to have events like wedding, dinner, work. However, I try to attend as many sessions as possible.

 

This group benefits me because they consist of only women (duh!), so the things I share, my experiences, and God's message to women, really relate to me. Whereas they can also relate to the things I have experienced, especially pertaining to men and relationships. So even though I am not one who speak up a lot when it comes to religion, I find myself looking forward to going whenever I can.

 

The books we are asked to read and do reflection on are really meaningful and I find the exercises so relevant. When I was reading the books and doing the reflection, I find myself opening up more and more and discovering more about myself. I start to appreciate what God has given me and what God has made me learn and experience. I start to believe more.

 

Last Friday was the last session of the year. Since it is Advent, the session consisting of each and every one of us lighting a candle, kneeling at the altar and surrendering all our fears to God. After that, the rest will pray over the one that was kneeling. By the way, they do pray in tongues, which I find better than normal prayers because you really go into the heart and soul of prayer even if you do not understand anything that came out of your mouth, as compared to praying the normal way.

 

When it was my turn to "surrender", I knelt, lighted my candle, and told God that I surrender all my fears - fears of being lonely, being alone for the rest of my life, of not having my own family, of the unknown, of the future, of being judged and misunderstood, and of conforming to other's expectations of me.

 

The rest then started praying over me. Each of them would say their vision of me while they prayed, and I would have to write down what they said. One of them said she saw me as being curious, always having an inquisitive mind. Another one said she saw me as being compassionate and noble, always putting others before myself and never wanting anyone to get into trouble. Another one said she saw me getting married in church. Another one said she saw me as Snow White, with the seven dwarves in a locked room in a castle, and we were all dancing happily.

 

Wow... can people actually see all these while praying? I know I cannot, as I have never seen any vision of myself, let alone anyone else. Or maybe I have not been praying hard enough or praying the right way.

 

In any case, I am really grateful to all these women who have journeyed with me and helped me along the way. I should be joining them again next year if possible!

A Fulfilling Weekend

I had a really fulfilling weekend, one of the most fulfilling weekends for the year. Nowadays every weekend I would either bum around at home, go watch a movie, or have family gatherings. But the weekend that just passed was really great!

 

On Saturday, I helped my mum do something at home in the morning, then went out for a haircut. My hair is now slightly past shoulders, and I feel so much more light-headed already! Then I went for lunch, after which I went to the hospital to see my aunt who fell and had a hip replacement operation. I was not there for long though before she needed to change her dressing and then had a nap, so I did not disturb her.

 

After the trip to the hospital, I went shopping. I bought the makeup kit from Sephora that I was eyeing, as well as some other gifts. Then I went over to Marks and Spencers, but could not find anything nice.

 

After the shopping trip, I went to watch Hotel Transylvania and Silent Hill, the former a rather funny comedy, the latter, not very impressive. By the way, Life of Pi which I watched the previous week was excellent! Somehow Ang Lee managed to make the whole show come to life!

 

On Sunday, I went out again in the morning to catch the matinee of Jersey Boys. After the enjoyable show, I went for evening mass at Novena Church, then dinner, and finally another movie, Back To 1942, an intensive and dramatic war show, featuring Adrien Brody as a war reporter. Ironically, he was a Jewish pianist in another war show ten years back, the role that won him the Best Actor at the Oscars, the youngest ever to win a Best Actor, which incidentally is also one of my favourite shows of all time.

 

Hence it was a really fulfilling weekend! Oh, and one of my very good friends gave birth on Sunday too, but I did not know until today so did not get to see her. But she sent me the picture of the baby, which is so cute and adorable!

 

It was really a happy weekend, and I hope to have more fulfilling weekends like this in the new year ahead.

Brazil No More ...

I received an email from the organising committee of the World Youth Day and was told that due to overwhelming response, they are no longer accepting anymore applications, and all applications ended end of November instead of mid-December.

 

What a bummer! Oh well.. but at least that solves my dilemma of whether to go or not to go. In fact, ever since I sent in my application, something has been troubling me, so I guess this is probably God's way of telling me not to go, and perhaps He has something else planned for me?

 

In any case, I can always go and tour around South America as a trip in the future, and would probably get to see more things too! Hopefully I would be able to make it for the next World Youth Day, if I am still accpeted that is!

Hooked On Games ...

After a period of time where I had nothing much to do since I am not as busy with work as before and my semester has ended, I was wondering what to do with my time, and discovered some interesting games on my smartphone.

 

I am not one who likes to play games, especially violent games. I prefer educational games, as in games that help improve my knowledge and vocabulary at the same time. My favourite games are still word games like Scrabble, Boggle and Hangman, as well as strategy games like Risk and Cluedo.

 

Recently I found out that there are many games that can be downloaded on smartphones. Some of the games are exclusively only for iPhones, but there are many that can be used on any smartphone. I went to search around and found my favourite type of games - the adventure / strategy kinds. I like these because they help exercise my mind, train my observation skills and enable me to have a sharper eye.

 

However, these games are not free. The trial is free, where I was allowed to play a few stages. And if I shared my "achievements" on facebook, I can play another stage for free. But that was it. If I want the full game, I would then need to pay, and I am not for the idea of paying for something like this even though it is a very low price for a lifetime game. What if I need to change phone in the near future? Do I then need to pay again if I find the same game?

 

Hence I will just have to finish playing, delete, re-download, and start playing the same thing again and again. Until the time comes when I absolutely cannot live without the games, otherwise this will just have to be repeated again and again.

Registering For World Youth Day

I have done it! I sent in the registration form, together with a scanned copy of my passport and a cheque for the deposit amount to the organising committee of next year's World Youth Day. So there is no turning back now. If I get accepted, I will go, if not, then so be it!

I must say, I am rather excited about going to Brazil. This is the first time I will be venturing somewhere so far away, literally at the other end of the world! Even a plane ride would take more than a day at least. And it is a place that is so steeped in culture, latin songs, dance and beautiful people.

Of course, if one is going to the World Youth Day, it will be a religious trip, so we should not be thinking of travelling around or living luxuriously. Still, I cannot help being excited about the trip, as every trip is an exposure and an immersion experience to me.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to go!

Le Petit Cup ...

I cannot believe I found this mug while Christmas shopping - the Little Prince mug! Or in the original language, Le Petit Prince. This is my ultimate favourite book of all times, as I never tire of reading it and I still cry even after reading it for the umpteenth time!

 

In fact, it is because of this book that I have my own self-proclaimed nickname - Le Petit Femme, or roughly translated to "the little lady", which fits my physique so well!

This comes with a matching cover too, so I can use it in the office for both cold and hot drinks! I am so happy with this purchase!

Super Cream!

I am so glad I am finally done with my Christmas shopping! Nothing else to buy already, as I have covered all bases. That also means I am more broke than usual. :-( But I am happy because Christmas is a time of giving after all, and nothing gives me greater pleasure than giving, in the form of anything, to my family and friends, and people I love and care about. That is the meaning of Christmas, is it not?

 

In any case, during my shopping trip, I bought a new hand cream for myself. I have tried several hand creams, but they do not seem to have much effect on my hands. I bought this new hand and nail cream set from The Body Shop, consisting of two Wild Rose Hand Cream (one for mature skin) and one Almond Nut Hand Cream.

 

I tried out one of the hand creams, and guess what? It is so effective! Immediately, my hands look brighter and feel softer and smoother! It is just one application and I did not even use a lot, just one dab on the hand! Wow... I cannot believe the effect this has!

 

Finally I found the perfect hand cream! I have been fretting over the condition of my hands for ages, especially when one gets older and the skin just goes duller and drier. Even though I do not use my hands in that way for work, I have to type a lot, and this contributes to the dryness and dull skin. So having a "super" cream for my hands just make things much easier!

The set is the Heavenly Hands Set at Body Shop. It makes a great gift to others, and yourself too! I believe most ladies are like me, fretting over their hands as hands do show your age, and it is good to be well-maintained just so to look younger!

Striked Down!

An update to my previous post on the bus strikes. The case is closed. The main perpetrators have been punished. Five have been charged, about thirty had their work permits revoked and sent back to their own countries with immediate effect, and the rest received warning letters. The general public is happy with the conclusion, and I guess no one would dare to pull that stunt for a while. I also hope that there will not be anymore shallow people who try to take law into their own hands again!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas ...

The Christmas lights are up! Finally I feel the atmosphere around. However, I am not that impressed with the lights at Orchard Road, because personally, I feel the red streamers and small round designs give me a more Lunar New Year feel than Christmas. I much prefer the silver streamers and other colours of previous years.

 

Touch Community, that runs a few churches here, also decorated one of the neighbourhoods near my place. I went to take a look earlier and I much prefer the decoration. The colours are of white and blue, with white streamers that look like snow, and blue bells and decorations. Now, that is what I call Christmas! That place feels much more Christmassy than Orchard Road itself!

 

Time to go Christmas shopping!

The Greatest Show On Earth?

I went to watch "The Greatest Show III" earlier on, and it was a disaster. First, it was hardly a circus experience. There was no ringmaster, no animals, no fire walking, no human cannon. All they had were acrobats, stunts and clowns performing funny tricks. After fifteen minutes into the show, I was so bored and could hardly wait for it to finish.

 

I guess because this would be a show for children, they should not make it too difficult. But children love the circus, especially the animals and the performance. I know I do, although I never had a chance to go to a real circus before. But I have read from books and descriptions what a real circus should be like.

 

I am not saying the acrobats were not good. They were, but just not appealing. They are not in the league of Cirque du Soleil which I had the priviledge of watching in Orlando last year. Now, that is one real good acrobatic troupe, as the stunts were just simply amazing!

 

Thank goodness the tickets were free due to a union event, otherwise it is totally not worth the money! I hope there can be better events coming in, like Cirque du Soleil for instance. That is something I will not mind watching again!