That's My McDonalds...

Just had a very satisfying McD cheeseburger with fries lunch. Washed down with mint ice tea. It's a treat i give myself once in a while. Not that i don't eat junk, but McD is different. I eat it when i feel i've been a good girl, or when i need comfort. Everytime i eat McD, a little bit of me becomes a child again. I pop the a fry in my mouth, chew loudly (sometimes with mouth open), and i need to finish a fry in one full sweep no matter how long it is.

McD and i go way back. When i first came to Singapore at the age of 5, i never had McD yet cos indonesia didn't have it then. But i've heard all about the golden arches and was so eager to try this thing that was supposedly like KFC but better- no bones and comes in round shapes. Late Grandpa loved to bring the grandchildren out on weekends, i remember he was the one who gave me my first McD experience. I had milkshake and fries, and i felt instantly cool for having tasted McD.

What i hated about being a kid was that the adults always fed me happy meal, thinking i wanted the toy. I was 5, not 3. I wanted the stuff adults ate. McChicken, or Fillet-O-Fish (but not Big Mac cos that's what big burly men with beer bellies ate). I always struggled to finish a McChicken by myself but i had to show my aunts that i could do it so i'd get the adult stuff. Soon enough, it no longer was a problem.

And later in Primary School. I used to hangout at Toa Payoh McD. I told my sis that i had remedial, but actually i was hanging with my 2 friends, Shiling and Yuling. Because of our McD adventures, i learnt how to take the bus by myself WAY young.

McD then became a totally different place by the time i was in Secondary School. It's my lunch go-to every weds, which was tennis eca day... but then all other school days we still hung out at McD, playing funny games we invented, "studying", daring each other to go order Coney Dogs.

Those were the good days.

I hold on to those memories everytime i eat McD now. And it doesn't matter what it's been rebranded to, my story is my McDonalds...

Scuba scuba scuba...

I am not called beach girl for nothing. Water is more my element than land is. I can't climb the great wall, but i can go deep into the ocean, no problem. I used to be an avid diver, i went on diving trips at least every quarter for 2 years, whether it's nearby in Malaysia, or a place 27 hours away by road, then air, then sea ( taking up to 3 different types of boats).

Something triggered my sudden need to scuba dive again. I was looking through a friend's Open Water Course photos, and i was reminded of how much fun it was learning how to dive. It's like... Hey, God made other things other than chicken and beef! Curiosity and a sense of adventure led me to advance in diving even tho i was quite a "kambing" (a term often used on newbies who kinda act stupid and panicky underwater).

The addiction is really the high of seeing magnificent creatures. Whether its the size of ur fingernail, or the size of ur bedroom... One can also get much closer to a shark than a lion. I used to pray before i dived (dove, whtever), for safety and also for God to show me his wonderful creation. Every creature is intricately created to survive, made to be part of a bigger system, they're part of a plan, not a coincidence.

Alot of people may think it's unsafe to dive... well, i m more likely to fall off the greatwall frankly. I won't say diving doesn't come without it's dangers, but as long as u dive with the mentality to live another day, always be conscious of what's around u, don't cheong all the way, don't put urs and other's life at risk, 99% of accidents are preventable.

Now get pass all that... and this is what u'll get to see. A manta ray, largest of the ray family (can get as big as 7.8m wingspan), but eats only plankton. Photo was taken at Irian Jaya by Felix tan- fellow dive kaki.

Jiaozis anyone?

饺子Jiaozi's are a type staple food (apart from baozi) for indigenous beijingers. Every household would have their own secret recipe. All the children would learn how to knead doughs from the time their hands were able.

So over the weekend. Les and i made our first attempt, from scratch! I even minced the meat myself cos i hate grinded pork with fatty bits. So it's wholesome healthy, almost fatfree jiaozi with Nappa cabbage.

It was fun! I think les enjoyed the process. His nimble hands were hard at work!

His XL jiaozis next to my XS jiaozis.

The final outcome. 爱心饺子 with Nappa Cabbage, vinegar and ginger on the side...

Fresh from the Ng household...

For more instructions and pictures on wrapping jiaozis, click here.

BBS uncovered

BBS (Bulletin Board System) is very very popular phenomenon in china. It's essentially what we know as forums... Out of the 200 million people online, 200million of them are a part of some BBS in one way or another. Whther its health BBS, Car BBS, Fashion BBS or what have you. When i first moved here, i never really understood the deal with it. How can one possibly spend SO MUCH time on a BBS.

Then about 6 months ago, i signed up for this very famous forum that discusses handbags. I am sooo hooked. It's become a daily ritual, just looking through pages after pages of information, learning about the favourite brands, pros and cons, leather quality, different designs, colours and who else has the same bag as you do. And also, i feel like I'm not alone in this obsession of handbags, constantly getting ideas on the next purchase (husbands beware).

To sum it up, it's like soccer for women.

Actually there's also another psyche of joining forums... The validation of others who are the "same kind", an ego boost. Once in a while, i'll post a couple of things and i'll feel very encouraged by the positive responses. But mostly i'm just a bystander.

Most of the women in the forum are really nice and helpful. However, like joining any social groups, there will be pitfalls. Like for example, say something bad and u may get ostracised? Or maybe u're not rich enough and u're just not INcluded to begin with? OR maybe... U got into an argument with an opinion leader and the group kinda divides? Some people really put up a fight, and some choose to call truce to avoid further conflicts (BORING)...

All these are harmless fun and honest exchange of opinions. Makes the forum lively and addictive. Like watching soap opera with live updates.

But honestly, i am a bit turned off by this one person . It seems to me that she's really loaded, successful, has everything she needs AND wants, and maybe even attractive. But too bad she's insecure and has this need to flex her million dollar muscles all the time. I mean come on, it's a bag forum. Show me ur gazillion collection of handbags and i'll be fine with it. Start showing other things like cars and i'll say, go to another forum.

But then again, the day I become a millionaire, i may save my porche till my pet tortoise learns how to drive.

Working in china is....

Imagine 3 parties involved- A,B,C. And all i did was ask them 1 question, the same question. All 3 came back with different answers.

A says B is lying, B says A is lying, C says A and B are lying, and i don't trust C. When i did my own investigation, turns out ABC all said half-truths. And in the meantime, like a lamb white and pure and innocent, i stepped into a minefield where A,B,C laid their traps long ago. This lamb will soon become lambchops...


*Lambchops themesong starts playing...*

This is a song that doesn't end, and it goes on and on my friend... some pple started singing it not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it just because this is a song that doesn't end, and it goes on and on my friend... some pple started singing it not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it just because this is a song that doesn't end....


I hope my career will last as long as this song... Maybe there's a part 2, IF i live that long.

Blogs

I love reading blogs. My daily to-read list is as many as 20. But i won't reveal which ones cos i prefer to stalk in private.

Personal Blogs (like the one u're reading now)
I'm just naturally voyeuristic. But i only like good writers who see the humour in mundane things. By good i don't mean grammar perfect, queen's english type of writing. I like those who are particularly good at dramatising their oh-so-common lifes. Those who are observant about life and make insightful meaning out of boringness. Those who care to write, afterall if u don't care to write, no one will care to read.

To quote Alfred Hitchcock Drama is life with the dull bits cut off...

i particularly hate those who treat blogs like diaries. Report word after word of things that happened, take picture after picture of food they've eaten, things they've seen, and then... and then... and then....

disclaimer alert!
But the appeal of personal blogs are very subjective, what's interesting to you may not be interesting to me. If blogging is a cathartic form of expression, then i say please don't try to save unlimited server space.

Star Bloggers vs Stars who blog
Celebrity bloggers Eg. Xiaxue, Mr Brown, PerezHilton, Sartorialist etc...can be quite entertaining. They have a perspective to offer, whether its politics, or general news, or life of the common people, mostly elegant or feisty in delivery. But surprise surprise i don't read celebrity blogs (not the same as celebrity bloggers) cos i believe its all written by highly paid PR reps. And i never believe what celebrity says anyway. If Paris says she ain't pregnant, she probably was and got rid of it. (ouch)


Themed Blogs
These are more of a challenge to write as it requires a certain expertise, or a unique angle. One that shows off a certain flair can be quite interesting. Photography blogs for example. I see, i awe, i feel, i learn... Foodie blogs are good when i need ideas for dinner or that pot-luck event. I love handbag blogs cos it keeps me updated on brand launches.

However, there's a type of blog that i abhor. I actually hate fashionsita wannabe blogs. A. Too many of them. B. Most of them are not even inspiring C. Too poserish and narcissistic. I don't need to know how many Chanel and Balenciaga bags they can afford, or how well they can copy their favourite idols but then try to pass it off as their "own". All they want are praises from readers who give blah comments like "oh u're cute", "nice outfit". I mean come on have an angle. I say put on 10 kilos and show the world how great a fashionista u can still be. Any takers?

Having said that, 1 year into blogging. We're ABOUT TO reach 10,000 hits since the counter started in August 07. Okay that's less than what xiaxue gets in a day but STILL it's a mini milestone... thanks so much to friends and family who've been very encouraging.

xoxo
mountain man and beach girl

Carina and Tony get married!

It's about time. Tony looks super 80s, cannot afford a stylist for his own wedding.

Damn corny pre-wedding shoot at Bhutan.

the moment i've been waiting for...(updated: link added)

I collected this from Gabriel on my last trip back to Singapore. I've been so looking forward to this...

It's wrapped in a bow that matches my chocolate colour theme...

Bottega-esque leather bound cover...

The first page...

Tada... Lester and Stella's Coffee Table Book- bound in love and perfection.

Here are some of my favourite shots and recaps from the day...I know it's a bit delayed but it'd be nice to just chronicle them.

At this point, Gabriel was directing us to "look here look there"... and that's what we did.

When Gabriel said "let's do a fun shot", and this was what we came up with. Not bad la hor.

The boys (or rather the men) have hidden comedic talents.

Leslie doing his first reading. Mom was so proud of him...

Les offers a sign of peace to his new family. Left to right: Anthony (my brother), Angie (Anthony's wife), Sonia (their youngest daugther) and Uncle Erdhi who flew all the way from Vancouver.

My little angelic flowergirls Shannon and Sonia. Sonia came up to me with the sweetest smile, i picked her up and in that instant Gabriel said "Stel look here" and SNAP. picture perfect. I didn't even know Shannon was dilligently holding up my train the whole time. Gabriel if u're reading, can these make potential mates for Yang and Jay? haha. 2 other angels Mischa and Russel were not photographed but i'd still like to acknowledge them (and their parents of course) for being there.

The hand on my shoulder is not just any hand. It was my sister Wina's hand. It was the first time that day that i saw her and had a proper conversation. She was so busy taking care of the children all day. It was just nice for us to spend some private moments together.

Our first walk-in. Moments before Sze Yong and Mel (the emcees) announced that Mas Salamat couldn't come to the wedding due to prior engagements.

We walked in to Iron and Wine's cover of Such Great Heights (original performance by Postal Service). It's my dream wedding song.

We debated over the 2nd walk-in song. In the end we came to an agreement with AC/DC's Shook Me All Night Long. Other options were Suede's Can't Get Enough, and T-Rex's 20th Century Boy.

Soundbites from speeches that night...

Pat: The only marriage advice i can give you is not to go to bed in anger, just STAY UP and QUARREL all night! That's how my dad did it, that's how I'm doing it, and it turned out alright so far.

Me repeating my mom's words of wisdom: 男人不可以入错行， 女人不可以嫁错郎。我找到了我的郎... (Translation: Man cannot enter the wrong career, Woman cannot marry the wrong man. )

Many people later told me that they thought i meant 色"狼" (translation: lecher).

Dad: I am not trained for public speaking... But you are not public to me. You are family... I am blessed with no daughters, but daughters in law....I am impaled with joy.

There, i'm almost done gushing about my own wedding. But there's one more surprise coming but i won't spoil the fun yet.

PS: Rest of photos have been uploaded unto facebook. click here.

April and Chong's wedding (Alwin's Pictures)

More pictures of April and Chong's wedding on Alwin's blog (who is apparently indonesian too!)

You can just feel the love of the couple don't you! I sincerely wish them all the best! Have little ones soon cos the world could do with more Aprils and Yew Chongs.

the Great Wall Conquest

I sort of did it, i climbed the great wall.

Jo's in Beijing for the weekend. Don't believe i've mentioned Jo before. Say hi... Jo and I got to know each other through Hazel (part of the dive kaki group). And then Jo and I learnt that we have tonnes of common friends, which really isn't a surprising.

Okay so i've never been to the great wall. Les warned that it'd be tough, life endangering, and at any moment i'd have to maintain my presence of mind or its byebye...(or rather, "bye byyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee" as i fall off the great wall).

There are 3 main parts of the wall, in order of increasing difficulty...

1. Badaling

2. MuTianYu

3.Simatai

Jo's fit as a fiddle, so no prizes for guessing which wall she chose. Not only did she just choose Simatai, she chose a 10KM hike to Simatai. And it's no ordinary 10km, its about 70degrees incline, on unrestored bricks, and upward climb on stairs as narrow as 10cm but as high as 50cm.

This is part of the unrestored wall. The bricks are all loose.

This is one of the steepest towers, and there are 30 of such towers. and its was about 32 degree celcius. Actually, this was the point i had to admit i'm not naturally athletic and gave up. But by giving up i don't mean packing up and going home. The great wall doesn't make exits for weaklings like me. I had to take a shortcut which was about an hour long detour through the forest. it wasn't easy at all! It required a certain level of skill to climb down the earthy slopes.

This is the view of the great wall from the "short"cut.

We got back unto the wall at tower 26. By then i was smashed. My thighs were shaking, my head was spinning from the blazing sun. But my heart was humbled by the strength and perserverance of our forefathers who built the wall. Imagine the hardship they went through, the number of lives laid down.

To those who are attempting to climb the great wall, my advise is to do the easiest one if u're not the exercise type. But if u really wanna go to Simatai and do what i did, i strongly suggest some form of physical training.

For more Great Wall pictures, click http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62180&l=07c7a&id=611505872

Hangzhou

I'm currently in Hangzhou train station, waiting for a train back to SH. Summer here smells like this giant accumulation of BO. It's HOT as hell and everyone wished they had worn less. Opposite me there's a lady flashing me her skin coloured ahma panties, and the woman with on my left took off her shoes to show off her undesirable toenails, propped her leg up and is probably peeping at me blogging about her. Who cares...I could use the distraction.

Business brought me to hangzhou this time, i've been treated like a queen the last 2 days, stayed in hyatt (or shall i say THE hyatt) and everything in hotel just screams posh. The food was impecably delicious, service was top notch, the view of the westlake was breathtaking, and the bed was soft and inviting. It's just sinful, probably explains why i'm paying for this now.

(PAUSE here, boarding train)

Okay now i'm in the train cabin, happy to have a nice seat enjoying the aircon. I went through quite an ordeal getting here. As usual, even with assigned seats, people would rush and push their way through. An old lady tried to get ahead of me and i grunted "农人!" (peasant), i hope she heard me.

My battery is running out. I need to go. Aircon is good... zzz....

April and Yew Chong's Wedding

I'm back and recharged! Finally managed to sleep 10 hours straight. Didn't sleep much at all in Singapore, esp the night before the wedding, i tossed and turned for 8 hours, feeling the nerves of daunting tasks the next day. I was so afraid of screwing up and ruining the wedding.

Anyway, there were high and low points for me personally. The haggling was very successful, it was meaningful and the boys were very sporting and did everything we asked them to. But the emceeing was a disgrace. I just wasn't very engaging, and i forgot the brides' parents' name!!! I was tired and distracted, just wasn't my usual charming self (haha). I still feel a bit bad seriously. I don't know how Mel and Sze Yong pulled it off so smoothly at our wedding, they were so comfortable and fun.

I really wanna talk more about the haggling cos it was SO interesting, educational and meaningful.

The games were designed around the 5 languages of love. FOr those who are not familiar with this concept, basically LOVE can be given or felt by a person in 5 different ways.

1. Quality Time
2. Acts of Service
3. Givng of Gifts
4. Physical Touch
5. Words of Affirmation

So the deal was for Yew Chong to learn about all 5 of these, and how to apply them to his marriage with April. At each stage, upon receiving an angpao, the boys will receive an envelope with an explanation of each love language and the task at hand. They have to complete the task within a certain time, failure to do so will lead to a certan forfeits (read: mindless, senseless torture).

Mean Bitch haggler from hell: So are u ready boys?

Boys: Bring it on..We feel cool wearing matching 喜喜 T-shirts.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

1. Quality Time

The bride is a TV-holic, she loves watching TV and hopes that the groom will watch them with her in future. The boys had to play a game of charades to guess Aprils favourite TV shows.

Out of 30 shows, they got only 1 right. haha.

Forfeit was horrible... They had to eat a spoonfool of Mystery powder (either spices, pastes, flour, or fybrogel!!!) and then down a shot of cooking oil.

2. Acts of Service

April needs to know that Chong will share her chores, especially in caring for their future babies. So the groom had to change diapers, feed and sing a lullaby to the "babies". THis part was very funny. The adult pampers we got were too small, and there were funny adult pictures drawn all over them. The milk bottle was half filled with sugar. But they said it was delicious!

Ruperto: it's not my size daddy...



The forfeit was for them to experience one of women's worst pain- HAIR REMOVAL. it was so fun watching them growl in pain.

Stella: Where's the hair? not thick enough, pluck again!!!

3. Givng of Gifts

THis was the simplest. The groom had to fill in a questionnaire on important dates and April's favourite gifts and brands of things she uses.

4. Physical Touch

This one i borrowed from Esther's haggling session. The groom had to identify his bride's lips amongst a group of lipstick marks (most of them belonged to siblings of the bride).

Of course he failed and he had to kiss his brothers...

Jasper: Woah Chong how come u eat so much garlic early in the morning?

5. Words of Affirmation

Okay this part is the sweetest. All the groom had to do was to serenade us with the bride's favourite song "The Way You Make Me Feel". They sang in the garden while the bride peered out of her window. So sweet, the groom and groomsmen are all talented musicians so they really pulled it off impromptu. I teared a bit.

The groom(extreme left) and his bestman (Ruperto, extreme right)also gave very touching speeches during the night.

If i recall correctly, he said "the person u want to marry is not the one u can live with, but the one u cannot live without. I was a weirdo, but i hope today i'm your hero". *wipe tears*.

They also prepared a special item for the bride during the night. In these Arms by Bon Jovi. *Wipe Tears* I want to get married again.

You want commitment

Take a look into these eyes

They burn with a fire, just for you now

Until the end of time

I would do anything

Id beg, Id steal, Id die

To have you in these arms tonight Baby

All photos taken by Jo Chua, Alwin Lim's photos coming up soon.

Back in Sunny Island (3 days only)

Back for April's wedding. Now at Pacific Coffee Company (Red Dot) waiting for my 2nd appointment (I have 6 appointments today), my fellow emcee for the wedding. Lucky got internet cos he is 30 minutes late already!

Anyway, flight yesterday was horrible, BJ -> SG is about 2 hrs more than SH ->SG. I took the early morning and didn't sleep well the night before, i spent about 7 hrs on flight drifting in and out of twilight zone, waking up in weird positions (like my head suspended 45degrees away from my neck). Also experienced T3 in beijing, the terminal built especially for the Olympics. Super big and chic, but the terminal shuttle train broke down! we were brought to the carpark in the basement where we had to take the bus.

Okay gotta run sorry for the abrupt entry, Ruperto shd be arriving any minute!

Coping with failure

I had my worst night in the kitchen. My 2nd attempt at kung pao chicken was a failure, and actually i had succeeded at KPC the first time, it was delicious and was such a breeze to cook.

I wasn't thinking. I put the nuts in before the meat, something i NEVER do. i ALWAYS put the meat in first. And then the chicken was overmarinated so it was super salty. And then somehow the new kitchen is not equipped for crisis management, so i kinda spilled stuff on the floor, clogged the sink, plates were overturned....

By the time i was halfway done with the KPC, i was depressed and wanted to cry. I wanted to give up on the meal and just order in.

At that point Les came back home. I was whining and whining about not wanting to cook even tho my hands just kept on working and cutting vegetables. I guess i wanted to hear him say my KPC was delicious. But all he said was, it's EDIBLE!!! Booohoohooo....

Well I really shouldn't demand more in such circumstances. He has always been appreciative of my cooking, he finishes up everything (on good kitchen days and BAD kitchen days). He even endures my after-cooking high, I'll keep asking him if it's nice (to which there is only one correct answer), and he'll have to counter my own self-criticism with his praises. In yesterday's case, he knew i was so depressed that he let me hog the Wii while he play his PSP. so sweet.

The night actually got better when we finally won the last guitar battle against Loucifer. We've been playing for the past 3 nights and we NEVER got past this "whammy" attack. Basically as u play the notes, players accumulate different attacks and the attacks can be undone with time or a particular counter-attach action. So i suspect that our Anti-Whammy attack button has malfunctioned, so i devised a strategy to overcome the whammy attack by attacking the opponent before he can accumulate the whammy. It's OK if u're confused. To cut the long story short, i kept urging(bugging) Les to keep playing and eventually we overcame Loucifer! Woohoo...

It's really important for couples to constantly give each other words of encouragement. The promise of love and acceptance when the tough gets going. =)

New function on Blog

Hi all,

I've added a new function called "Categories" on right hand column.

You can now access the entires by different topics of interest. It's not a foolproof categorization, and i haven't categorised everything. But i hope it somewhat improves the reading experience! This entry is categorised under "unclassified". haha.

Toilet Time

U know how sometimes the toilet cubicle is quite a boring place... I tend to observe the "surroundings" if i forget my magazine.

So i saw this in our company toilet. I assumed that the hook was originally placed much higher than where my bag is now hanging. Of course when i saw this i was seated, but i was curious to find out how high it was originally.

Then i stood up. wearing 3 inch heels. I am almost 1.7m. I am taller than average office height. I would have needed to stretch my hand all the way up before i can hook my bag if it were on the upper hole.

At least they figured it out and made it lower. Hehe. i think i need a section on the blog which says "useless information".

Nu Ren Jie + Nan luo Gu Xiang...(Updated Wii Section)

The weekend was quite fullfilling... Saw enough, ate enough, rested enough and also met new friends who are very nice pple. The house is really coming together. Won't show u pictures till our new furniture arrives next week!

Anyway, on Saturday, we were out hunting for an umbrella stand, so we went to Nu Ren Jie (Street for Women). Unlike the Nu Ren Jie in HK, this one has alot more household stuff. Lamps, ceramic casseroles, tablecloths....

We saw this spastic donkey toy... the head just goes round and round and round. The rustafarian toys at the back look pretty Hahppy.

Nothing special bout the clocks except after i took this picture, the lady walked over to say, No pictures allowed! so this must be priceless.

******************************************************************

On Sunday, we were at Nan Luo Gu Xiang. THis place is best compared to Taikang Lu, but a much bigger version. Quaint, old but charming, a little artsy fartsy. I have a feeling i'm gonna be exploring this place quite a lot. This is also the place to go if u want to buy musical instruments.

Pls ignore my untamed hair. It's 30 over degrees and i'd been out the whole day.

China Boy. Once he realised i was there, he ran away.

******************************************************

I forgot to mention that Les and i been playing Wii all weekend! Guitar heroes 3 is a rockstar wannabe's greatest addiction.

Btw, can someone help. We're down to our last battle with Lou. I can't seem to get undo the whammy attack. Pls help!!! I suspect my whammy lever is not working properly!!!

Well Done Zheng Jie!

For the first time in history, a chinese made it through to the semis of a big tournament. I can't describe how proud i am, and i am sure that at least 1.3 billion other people would share my sentiments.

Even though Zheng Jie didn't beat Serena Williams who apparently is at the peak of her form, she gave a good fight. 6-2, 7-6 (7-5) is not a bad score.

BTW, I'm a little behind with the scoring system now, i don't know wht happens during tiebreak, is it sudden death? Maybe someone can enlighten.