Mountain Man's weekend (in Beijing):

Saturday went by relatively quiet, but on Sunday Les went to give English tuition! The company ahyi asked Les if he could teach her son English, and in return she'd cook him jiaozi (dumplings).

Les packed some jiaozi home and i had them for lunch today. It doesn't look tht great here cos i kinda mashed it up, but its uber yummy and healthy, everything made from scratch and ingredients were fresh.

This is my first time eating real homecooked jiaozi. Les shd have traded for the recipe instead of just one meal.

Anyway, tuition didn't happen cos ahyi's son had something on- he is 30 years old by the way. So Les got away with a free meal, and on top of that ahyi gave him chinese tuition!! He learnt that that it's very insulting to call someone 文盲 (wen2 mang2) cos it means "uncultured". And then ahyi told him that it's even worse to scold 白痴 (bai2 chi1). Obviously, Les was like... "i use 白痴 all the time".

Honestly, the chinese are relatively polite when it comes to swear words. We've been here for almost 2 years and haven't learnt anything. Not say we want to swear, but gotta at least know when someone scolds you right? =P

Anyway, i did learn one very rude phrase, it's apparently so rude that girls don't say it. This is not Chinese swear words 101. But there's an interesting reason behind it that's why i'm revealing on the blog.

我日死你 means "I want to F*** you". "日" means F***, and the word originated from 日本 (Japan). And basically that makes 日本人(Japanese) a very rude word because you F*** 本人 (yourself). Follow?

日本人(Japanese)= 日本人 (F*** yourself)

Talk to any older generation chinese (like taxi drivers) and they'll tell u their hatred for the Japanese. In fact the japanese are often referred to as 小日本 (Small Japan). It doesn't sound rude at all at first, but its actually very der0gatory because it's juxtaposed with China being called Big China. So it's very belittling. Then again, i think the English calls the French much worse names... tht's why i say the chinese are actually quite polite when it comes to swear words.

Goodness how did i get to this topic.

Shanghai madness

I'm back in Shanghai... Here for a training program i'm conducting for the first time, a conference, and also some R&R with friends i haven't seen for 2 weeks and miss badly.

Shanghai indeed lives up to the adventures i had anticipated. In fact it started on the plane on the way here. This women behind me put her toes up to my elbow, and i only realised it was her toes when i felt it wiggling. Eeeew..... And then this lady by the name of Wong Lili spoke so loudly on the plane (therefore i know her name) that everyone turned to stare. And on the way home i saw this woman on the bike wearing work clothes with mickey mouse house slippers, the fluffy kind.

Anyway i'm sitting here, munching on snacks that i've bought for the training tomorrow. I'm worried that it'll make me an embezzler of company funds, and also that it'd ruin my appetite for dinner, so i'll stop. Now.

oogiiieboogiiewooochiiiieee...

Photos by Gabriel Mendes


I love love love these shots. This baby is 1 week old and mommy looks hot already! If memory serves me right, chinese women are not supposed to bathe 40 days after birth, so i think i probably won't look like this. Plus i have the XL genes so my arms would be 5 times the size of this woman (i'm scaring les away).

Well done Gabriel!

Beijing UpdateS

Friends and family have been concerned and curious about our progress in Beijing. Many have asked if i prefer Beijing or Shanghai... Truth is, i don't know. yet. All i can say is, we've survived 7 days here.

All 63 boxes of our belongings have arrived safely, without damages. Thank god we didn't bother with the insurance and blow all that money- it could have come up to almost 2K sing.

Building a new home can be the most fun and rewarding process for a couple (after parenting i suppose). It's like working on a project together so your life can be enabled- does it make sense? You build your house in a way you forsee ur future to be. Like if u want an extra room so you can put the baby there, or u want a music corner so u can enjoy music together, or a well-set dining table so we can share good meals.

So yes... Les and I are doing fine here. We're enjoying ourselves.

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Anyways, here are some pictures we took today. we were at Sanlitun (again) for mexican food. The restaurant is called LUGAS... Very cheap and cheerful so we like. pardon the picture quality i was using my camera phone.

U can get their t-shirt for just 50RMB! Question is, why would i do that?

Nice murals on the wall...


hawt. hheehe.

Narrow Stairs

Death Cab for Cutie falls under a league of bands that i am quite crazy over. I follow album to album (since Transatlanticism) and it's the kind that i will go back and rediscover.

I am in love with Ben Gibbard's soothing ethereal voice quality. Their songs either deliver on the melody, or powerful lyrics, or a beautiful use of metaphors that'll make a sad song romantic, or all of the above... They have range so fans don't get bored, but in every album they give you the familarity that makes us recognise them...

I will possess your heart is the first single released from their latest album Narrow Stairs.
If you have time watch this, it's the original video, 8 minutes long.


If you don't have time, then listen to this 4 minute version.


AND, they will be performing on August 12 in Esplanade. So go get your tickets if you love em. Enjoy...

Sanlitun

It's my 2nd night back to Sanlitun... It's an area on the northeast of Beijing. Lotsa cool stuff, shopping, markets, DVDs, drinks, food and people of all races, most of whom we don't see in daylight. Rusta man, hippies, middle-aged aunties who'd sit in alfresco bars to enjoy a beer and a cigarrette.

So les and i were hanging out with a friend when suddenly a whole buncha cops came in trucks to raid some roadside DVD stalls. No one was arrested, assumingly the sellers got wind of the cops arrival and abandoned their stalls.

On a random night, along a random street... a 5 to 6 piece Mariachi broke out into song... This dude looks pretty happy.

Shortly after, a bunch of neighbourhood security- oddly enough consisted of kids around the age of 18 -came rushing down in an attempt to stem down on the "noise" pollution. But then later on they kinda chickened out when they saw that the band were angmohs.

Here they are standing around wondering what to do.

Beijing is experiencing this weird energy as the Olympics draws near. Suddenly, everyone is out of character, the whole city is undergoing redecoration. Beijing definitely wants to be prepared when every camera in the world points at her.

Venus and Mars...

This is what i call a chick magnet. A handsome man with a kid in arm. When Les hangs out with Shannon, i melt instantly.

This is what i call a dude magnet. SKIN and boobies.

Mountain man to the rescue...

Sometime last week, i read a blog entry by Yann recounting how her fiance came to her aid when she had this nasty food poisoning. I felt very touched by the fiance's act of chivalry... I wondered if Les would have done the same if we weren't living together. I got my answer last night.

China is going through this season called the 黄梅时节, basically the monsoon equivalent which usually takes place late spring early summer.

So last night, i went out to Sanlitun's 3.3 (local shopping mall) for manicure/pedicure and it started pouring cats and dogs!! All the shops were closed by the time i was done, i couldn't get any umbrellas and there were like a million people waiting for cabs along the street. I called les to lament and surprisingly he offered to come pick me, AND he was having a beer when i called! so i was doubly touched.

When he arrived at 3.3, there were hoards of people rushing to the cab Les was in, assuming he was gonna get off.

This is a typical cab-fight scene in china:

Ang moh girl to her angmoh friend: Man i'm so ready to hop on that cab right now.

(i went infront of them and reached for the door handle)

Angmoh girl to me: Oh wait i don't think so...

(she and her friend rushed towards me and wanted to fight for the cab)

Me: Sorry ladies, my husband came to pick me.

(I hopped on the cab, feeling super "lawak")

My mom used to complain that when she was pregnant with us, she'd have funny cravings in the middle of the night and dad never once went out to buy supper for her. So i was extrememly grateful and proud that i have a loving husband who'd come to my rescue over such a small matter, i wasn't pregnant, or vomitting, or green in the face. I promise not to abuse it!!

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Here's a picture of the Santa Fe workers moving stuff from 2nd floor to 1st floor. So clever and efficient!

We've moved!!

Literally and figuratively...

After having gone through an entire week of agony in tech-hell, it is finally done. http://lovexiaolongbaomore.blogspot.com/ has now moved to http://www.thirdmay.net/.

It took me almost 1 week to realise why my new domain didn't work, i did everything as i was told... or so i thought! I only discovered my "mistake" today, but i won't bore u cos you probably won't understand anyway.

Anyway, the timing couldn't have been better. Today also marks the first day of our Beijing Chapter, we're both now officially part of the Beijing office (our names in the contact list already!) Shanghai is now history....

So why not lovepekingduck.com...
A. I hate duck.
B. I hate peking duck.
C. I have gotten over naming blogs after metaphorical food.

So thirdmay.net really best represents us as it marks the day we began our lives as Mr and Mrs Ng, a unit, a team...

Don't worry if u can't remember the new URL (even tho its darn easy to remember!). http://lovexiaolongbaomore.blogspot.com/ will automatically link to this blog.

Last day at work in Shanghai...(self-interview)

So, today is your last day at work in the shanghai office...
Yes indeed.

How do you feel?
I feel okay, a little sad to leave behind the familarity i've build up over the last 16 months. But i'll come back to Shanghai office pretty often so it's not goodbye.

What/who will you miss most about Shanghai?
Definitely friends. Especially Jackson, Aileen, Daren (already back in malaysia), the whole chain gang hangin out.
I will miss Taikang Rd cafes, Element Fresh food, and H&M.
I also can't bear to leave my masseur (No.1 Shifu from Kangjun), my facial lady (Meidi), my tailor (Li Shifu), and the person who puts on my fake lashes (Ming Ming).

Are you looking forward to Beijing?
Uhm, mixed feelings really. Excited about exploring a new city, but I also feel like i've been lifted out of a comfort zone so there's a lot of anxiety and fears.

Like what?
Finding friends all over again, getting used to where everything is- supermarkets, tailors, drycleaners, facial places, yoga studios..

But what about your job? is this move good for you?
I am doing the same things but i sit in the shanghai office. I'll just have to find other ways to make myself useful.

Have you gotten a house in Beijing?
Yes. Its a two bedroom apartment. We've downgraded only cos Beijing houses are expensive due to the Olympics.

Right you'll be there during the Olympics, got free tickets?
No.

You don't sound excited about the Olympics...
You're right i'm not.

So when are you leaving for beijing?
This sunday afternoon.

Oh that's quick. Have you packed?
NOT REALLY!!! i hope the movers will do a good job cos i can't be bothered to fill in the insurance form. Okay maybe i should. Can't continue with the interview anymore i have to go count the number of pins and needles i'm shipping over the beijing!

America's got talent, so does China...

This is super entertaining. Don't try this at home.

America's talent

China's talent.

Apparently face changing is some national best kept secret passed down from generation to generation.

Frodo meets Hagrid...

hur hur hur...

Upgrading Blog

The blog is getting a facelift. Unfortunately the surgeon is not very skilled (me). So pls be patient...Will be back soon.

China's Pareto

The 80-20 principle usually applies to wealth distribution of a country, but i also realise today that it applies to another aspect of China.

80% of China's total common and good sense, is possessed by only 20% of the population.

The Brains (20%)
Enviromentalists can rejoice in the fact that China has banned free distribution of plastic bags with effect from June 1st. We either have to buy, or bring our own bags. That's 3billion shopping bags saved per day, 20% of the worlds plastic saved.
Read here for more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/09/china.plastic.bags/index.html

To quote premier Wen Jia Bao..."Any trivial matter multiplied by 1.3 billion will become a big problem;Any astronomical figure divided by 1.3 billion will become a tiny number....A little kindness multiplied by 1.3 billion will become an ocean of love;A great problem divided by 1.3 billion will become a trivial matter."

China gah-men has definitely dealt with the entire earthquake debacle with grace, sophistication and compassion. Soft propaganda definitely evoked feelings of nationalism and a sense of unity.

The duhs (80%)
There is no explanation for why we find ashtrays in non-smoking sections, grave translation mistakes on menus, and the million excuses we hear everyday.

Chinese are also extremely lacking in the department of proxemics communication (the need for physical personal space). This is why they like to push, squeeze into trains, or sometimes "touch" you in inappropriate places when they want your attention.

Once a touter tickled my back to get me to turn. When i did turn and found out he wasn't Lester, i glared at him, pushed him away as hard as i could and yelled, "who gave u permission to touch me? Who do you think you are? Are u trying to molest me?"

And today, i wanted to get a bra during lunch. When I was in the fitting room trying on, suddenly the door swung open and a very enthusiastic middle-age lady came in and wanted to help me adjust my bra. I don't think they even understood why i stormed out of the shop.

We change our minds everyday about this place. One day it's good, One day it's goon.

I hate hotlines

Not so much the dating hotlines cos i've never tried them before. But i really really abhor the banking and service provider hotlines.

They are an international bank, claim to have worldclass standards, citi that never sleeps, so please why can't they just live up to their promises!

Firstly, let customers calling from overseas call-in a separate hotline, not the normal hotline. Obviously when you're overseas, circumstances would be far more urgent. What if you're really in a stranded situation, robbed, and ur cell phone has only 1 bar left... Or even worse you're borrowing cell phone from a kind passerby... Obviously you can't wait 20 minutes! It's absolutely plausible that conditions are dire and therefore you need to call ur bank for immediate rectification.

They also have this state-of-the-dumb CONTACT US system online which requires one to fill in options on the best time to call back. They have options for Monday-Sunday, but no options for anyday, or how about IMMEDIATELY. And options for best time to call back are between 0000-23:59, but no again no options for IMMEDIATELY. What if you put Tuesday 1200 and somehow the email only reaches the service officers at Tuesday 1201, does that mean i have to wait one week before the call?

Right now, as i'm writing this, i am STILL ON HOLD. The classical music is confusing my emotions, it puts me to sleep, but i am at the same time infuriated. I feel very sorry for the customer service officer I'm about to speak to.

Our final weekends in Shanghai

Our days are numbered here. And that means, time to spend splurge on overpriced places we don't normally go!

So we were at Xintiandi's Ye Shanghai for brunch on Saturday. Turns out, is RMB 98 for a buffet dimsum, and the food was reallly yummy! The portions served were quite small, so it's good for 2 people.

Here's Sheng Jian Bao. Its like xiaolongbao but the skin is bready and panfried so the bottom is crispy. I think i shd change the blog name to loveshengjianbao.

This is friend yellow fish with black beans. I don't know if yellow fish is the same kuning that we eat with Nasi Lemak. It's very more-ish.

Lester looks slim here. Maybe he has slimmed down from working non-stop after the wedding.

For Sunday brunch, we were at SLICE.

This branch is quite far in Pudong, we were there cos we were enroute to try out a new church. The environment is very expat. At the back of me, there were people playing Cricket!! So it really doesn't feel like we're in Shanghai.

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Anyway, we've survived our first month as Mr and Mrs Ng!

Les just bought a new iPhone over the weekend. As usual, Apple products are not compatible with any other non-apple devices. Les couldn't transfer the phonebook over from his N95, he was manually punching in the data all weekend.

At one point, i went through his new list and asked, "Who's Stella Ng?" It was a sudden moment of cognitive dissonance.

Last night i was watching Desperate Housewives Season 4. Gabrielle Solis became Gabrielle Lange when she married the mayor Victor Lange, and then became Gabrielle Solis again when she re-married Carlos Solis . Bree Van Der Kamp became Bree Hodge when she married Benjamin Hodge. Susan Meyers became Susan Delfino when she married Mike Delfino.

So, i wonder if i'm the only one who has problems adjusting. Or maybe it only happens on TV shows, especially one called Desperate Housewives. I think adopting a new role is easy, but having a different identity is not.

Like who is Stella Ng? What's her story? what defines her except for the fact that she's married to an Ng, or that she used to be an Antakusuma. But i don't used to be an Antakusuma, I still am!

So for now, I am back to being Stella Antakusuma on Lester's phonebook, but then i also readily respond to Mrs Ng or 黄太太. =)

Grendel's mom

Brad Pitt is the luckiest man alive.