Further to my earlier email I wanted to say, I can even take you to New York with me if we play our cards right and if you want to come. Try and convince Mummy and Daddy to let you come alone. And let me know what you wanna do so I can look into what's feasible. Obviously don;t tell mummy and daddy.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
Finally have got a bit of spare time to myself and thought I'd check up on my sister's blog and all the denizens of her mad world. Or all the mad denizens of her world.
It's literally freezing here-- I understand why people wear ski masks to keep their faces warm now. Gotta get myself a pair of earmuffs too. It's like every inch of exposed skin leaches the heat out of your whole body. And I'm going to Scotland in a couple of weeks. In the middle of bloody winter. When the wind starts in the Arctic and sweeps down the Russian Steppes, gathering frost and snow and ice and ends by billowing across the barren moors and bleak fields. Think Macbeth. Think Wuthering Heights. I am going there. Bleargh! Not nice. Still, it's meant to be a big party too.
Yesterday we, the LSE jessups team, had a nice little chat with our Professor (actually it was mostly him talking and making jokes and me being expected to laugh politely). Interestingly, he was brought up in Singapore. And as the introductions progressed, it became apparent that 3/4 of the team had some connection with our fair city. There are 2 Sgeans, 1 Malaysian who was brought up in Singapore, 1 Canadian who having spent 3 years in Singapore, now says 'wah lau' with conviction, and an English guy who now knows how to say 'wah lau' like a true blue. Wouldn't it be funny if we really made it to the finals in Washington and if we came up against the Singapore team? The organisers probably wouldn't be able to tell us apart!
Other news: Gloria's birthday is on the 8th of February! Don't forget in all the CNY rush. I'll probably be improvising a steamboat over here-- we'll use a rice cooker to keep the broth boiling. How sad we are, lonely little chinese people in a strange and foreign land! Argos (like Tangs in SG) does not have steamboats we can buy then deviously return the next day saying that we don't want it anymore-- a perk of the western idea of being able to return clothes, consumer durables and other useful things you sometimes need but don't want to buy and store, eg. champagne glasses.
But of course I don't do that. I return them a week later.
Last night was Australia Day. Having a good friend who had a good friend over from Sydney, not to mention an aussie boyfriend, I had to go out and see what the fuss was all about. You see, while national day in singapore is an excuse to laze around the house, catch up on some much needed sleep or online entertainment or reading of the non-academic sort, watch the parade and alternately scorn or revere the LKY weepy speech according to political bent, look out for the planes and the flag and the fireworks, then have a good dinner and go to sleep,
in London, Singapore National Day is wearing red and white and going to a park (since it is a nice summer day in august) where many other singaporeans are already drinking canned tau huey chui and the occassional illicit tiger for the boys and red wine for the matrons. It is standing still for the national anthem and saying the pledge and secretly thinking what a wanker you look like except other people are deadly serious about this. Ok don't laugh. These are the future leaders of Singapore, man! They are your civil servants, your teachers, your policemen, your future politicians, all only in London for a short stint before returning to loyally serve you people! You should be damned relieved that they are taking their patriotism very seriously!
National day in London is eating slightly sub-standard curry puff that tastes like heaven although it is potato mush instead of chunks of potato, exchanging cooking tips with other singaporeans, and watching Kenny unsuccessfully trying to wrangle a part time job from a lady he just found out runs an extremely profitable and well known real estate business. It is a 'net-working' avenue, although I find the way Sgreans explicitly say 'I am here to network' quite disturbing.
Australia Day in Australia is, apparently, going to the beach/bar/someone's house to party and drinking yourself silly. Until you make a technicolour pavement pizza or ralph or throw your voice which means in SG, to merlion. Which is what they do every weekend anyway.
Australia Day in London is a completely different affair. For one, the patriotism in the air is palpable, not in a sombre 'Singapore made it so far with so little, we are so proud' way but in a 'Happy Australia Day mate! Yay! Woohoo! VB! Ralph!' way. Many people wore T-shirts with the flag on them and even had little aussie flags painted on their faces. I cannot imagine the same happening in a singaporean bar on national day. The bar was awash with various local aussie brews which I sampled at first with trepidation then with less and less inhibition until I, as well, was singing along to such perennial favourites as Stand By Me, Losing My Religion and Time of Your Life, putting my arms around complete strangers, and cheering the aussie atheletes on the screens all around. If there are 3 things that define australians, they may be devotion to sport, beer, and affinity for stopping in the middle of conversations to shout out lyrics of the chorus of a song. No, I did not hear anyone sing waltzing mathilda, although I expect if someone had started you wouldn't be able to stop the whole crowd. No, I did not know that Stand By Me was a song you could sing along to in a pub either.
I loved it.
So did Cecely, my BBC (to the uninitiated, British born chinese, which is what english honkies here call themselves) friend and her ABC (aussie born chinese, apparently) friend up from Sydney on a holiday, and my ABV boyfriend too. Do you know that if we are to follow this acronym we would be called SBCs, Singaporean born Chinese?
Living here does have its bright spots sometimes. Although I really really really miss old chang kee curry puffs! A lot!
PleasAnt Gloria, not Pleasent! Please tell me you knew that.
It's literally freezing here-- I understand why people wear ski masks to keep their faces warm now. Gotta get myself a pair of earmuffs too. It's like every inch of exposed skin leaches the heat out of your whole body. And I'm going to Scotland in a couple of weeks. In the middle of bloody winter. When the wind starts in the Arctic and sweeps down the Russian Steppes, gathering frost and snow and ice and ends by billowing across the barren moors and bleak fields. Think Macbeth. Think Wuthering Heights. I am going there. Bleargh! Not nice. Still, it's meant to be a big party too.
Yesterday we, the LSE jessups team, had a nice little chat with our Professor (actually it was mostly him talking and making jokes and me being expected to laugh politely). Interestingly, he was brought up in Singapore. And as the introductions progressed, it became apparent that 3/4 of the team had some connection with our fair city. There are 2 Sgeans, 1 Malaysian who was brought up in Singapore, 1 Canadian who having spent 3 years in Singapore, now says 'wah lau' with conviction, and an English guy who now knows how to say 'wah lau' like a true blue. Wouldn't it be funny if we really made it to the finals in Washington and if we came up against the Singapore team? The organisers probably wouldn't be able to tell us apart!
Other news: Gloria's birthday is on the 8th of February! Don't forget in all the CNY rush. I'll probably be improvising a steamboat over here-- we'll use a rice cooker to keep the broth boiling. How sad we are, lonely little chinese people in a strange and foreign land! Argos (like Tangs in SG) does not have steamboats we can buy then deviously return the next day saying that we don't want it anymore-- a perk of the western idea of being able to return clothes, consumer durables and other useful things you sometimes need but don't want to buy and store, eg. champagne glasses.
But of course I don't do that. I return them a week later.
Last night was Australia Day. Having a good friend who had a good friend over from Sydney, not to mention an aussie boyfriend, I had to go out and see what the fuss was all about. You see, while national day in singapore is an excuse to laze around the house, catch up on some much needed sleep or online entertainment or reading of the non-academic sort, watch the parade and alternately scorn or revere the LKY weepy speech according to political bent, look out for the planes and the flag and the fireworks, then have a good dinner and go to sleep,
in London, Singapore National Day is wearing red and white and going to a park (since it is a nice summer day in august) where many other singaporeans are already drinking canned tau huey chui and the occassional illicit tiger for the boys and red wine for the matrons. It is standing still for the national anthem and saying the pledge and secretly thinking what a wanker you look like except other people are deadly serious about this. Ok don't laugh. These are the future leaders of Singapore, man! They are your civil servants, your teachers, your policemen, your future politicians, all only in London for a short stint before returning to loyally serve you people! You should be damned relieved that they are taking their patriotism very seriously!
National day in London is eating slightly sub-standard curry puff that tastes like heaven although it is potato mush instead of chunks of potato, exchanging cooking tips with other singaporeans, and watching Kenny unsuccessfully trying to wrangle a part time job from a lady he just found out runs an extremely profitable and well known real estate business. It is a 'net-working' avenue, although I find the way Sgreans explicitly say 'I am here to network' quite disturbing.
Australia Day in Australia is, apparently, going to the beach/bar/someone's house to party and drinking yourself silly. Until you make a technicolour pavement pizza or ralph or throw your voice which means in SG, to merlion. Which is what they do every weekend anyway.
Australia Day in London is a completely different affair. For one, the patriotism in the air is palpable, not in a sombre 'Singapore made it so far with so little, we are so proud' way but in a 'Happy Australia Day mate! Yay! Woohoo! VB! Ralph!' way. Many people wore T-shirts with the flag on them and even had little aussie flags painted on their faces. I cannot imagine the same happening in a singaporean bar on national day. The bar was awash with various local aussie brews which I sampled at first with trepidation then with less and less inhibition until I, as well, was singing along to such perennial favourites as Stand By Me, Losing My Religion and Time of Your Life, putting my arms around complete strangers, and cheering the aussie atheletes on the screens all around. If there are 3 things that define australians, they may be devotion to sport, beer, and affinity for stopping in the middle of conversations to shout out lyrics of the chorus of a song. No, I did not hear anyone sing waltzing mathilda, although I expect if someone had started you wouldn't be able to stop the whole crowd. No, I did not know that Stand By Me was a song you could sing along to in a pub either.
I loved it.
So did Cecely, my BBC (to the uninitiated, British born chinese, which is what english honkies here call themselves) friend and her ABC (aussie born chinese, apparently) friend up from Sydney on a holiday, and my ABV boyfriend too. Do you know that if we are to follow this acronym we would be called SBCs, Singaporean born Chinese?
Living here does have its bright spots sometimes. Although I really really really miss old chang kee curry puffs! A lot!
PleasAnt Gloria, not Pleasent! Please tell me you knew that.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Ooh, haven't been posting huh. Busy with school and all, yes I actually bother to pay attention and learn something. Have to listen to lectures as normally don't do homework. Hanging out with the MI bunch quite a bit (it's school what) and am starting to get quite comfortable with them, though am missing the RK. Coffee meeting is in order, ne?
Actually, had a decent conversation with Andrew today, when a whole bunch of us went to the swings near Veronica's place after school. Unlikely person, unlikely conversation. But pleasent indeed, wish I had more friends like him. The sort you don't really know, but can have coffee with anyway. They're the sort of people whom I'd think would not want to be friends with me, but then again I like to think that I can think, too.
Today had its downs though.
Never in my decade worth of school have I ever had a teacher as infuriating as the Econs teacher here. I clearly remember Mrs Kunna, and that patronising tone she would use for students who thought too far ahead in her lessons (Or thought at all, come to think of it...). Taking the effort to smile and nod dumbly put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.
With this woman, it's like that all the bloody time. She treats us like kindergarden students. As such, if one treats me in such a manner I am compelled to act that age, by flinging my brick wallet, or worse, my phone, at the stupid woman.
As I sat in school with the (now) usual bunch, I realise how much I've turned into a teenager. Grudges against teachers, spending break time oogling at boys (well, they are nice to look at) and general angsting.
Am not sure what to make of it.
Althea~! Hair is quite growing out now, but obviously still quite short, even if not spike/mess-able anymore. You'll see it larh, eventually. Take care too, haven't seen you for ages!
Drama indeed, Amanda. Equilibrium in life and all that, I know... thanks for the reminder as quite needed it. How are the books coming along?
Been ok lah, Mavis. Got net connection again or what? Take care, don't let schoolwork get you down.
Am trying to call you right now, Jenny. But line is engaged, will chat later tonight, perhaps?
Hallo Khayce~! How long more are you going to be in there ah? How come you got computer access also? What exactly do you do in camp anyway?
Actually, had a decent conversation with Andrew today, when a whole bunch of us went to the swings near Veronica's place after school. Unlikely person, unlikely conversation. But pleasent indeed, wish I had more friends like him. The sort you don't really know, but can have coffee with anyway. They're the sort of people whom I'd think would not want to be friends with me, but then again I like to think that I can think, too.
Today had its downs though.
Never in my decade worth of school have I ever had a teacher as infuriating as the Econs teacher here. I clearly remember Mrs Kunna, and that patronising tone she would use for students who thought too far ahead in her lessons (Or thought at all, come to think of it...). Taking the effort to smile and nod dumbly put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.
With this woman, it's like that all the bloody time. She treats us like kindergarden students. As such, if one treats me in such a manner I am compelled to act that age, by flinging my brick wallet, or worse, my phone, at the stupid woman.
As I sat in school with the (now) usual bunch, I realise how much I've turned into a teenager. Grudges against teachers, spending break time oogling at boys (well, they are nice to look at) and general angsting.
Am not sure what to make of it.
Althea~! Hair is quite growing out now, but obviously still quite short, even if not spike/mess-able anymore. You'll see it larh, eventually. Take care too, haven't seen you for ages!
Drama indeed, Amanda. Equilibrium in life and all that, I know... thanks for the reminder as quite needed it. How are the books coming along?
Been ok lah, Mavis. Got net connection again or what? Take care, don't let schoolwork get you down.
Am trying to call you right now, Jenny. But line is engaged, will chat later tonight, perhaps?
Hallo Khayce~! How long more are you going to be in there ah? How come you got computer access also? What exactly do you do in camp anyway?
Monday, January 17, 2005
I swear my life has been copied and pasted from a book. These damned things that've happened in the last few weeks, like from soap opera like that larh?! And one can tell when am really annoyed when self starts to use Singlish but at least am still amused enough to be laughing about it.
Those damned things that happen in stories really happen, and are liable to happen to anyone, even a poor sod like me, wah lau. Nevertheless, I Am Annoyed. It's the whole teenager thing, you know? The sort that nearly everyone gets caught up in, unfortunately.
Ever since school started, I've been trying to act like the teenager that I am now. It's getting tiring and I just want to settle back to the book-reading nerd in the corner I've always been. Good thing I've not worked through the pile of books on loan from Nick, yet.
We've cleared it up and have had the sense not to do any bitch-slapping, so to speak, so s'all good now. Though I can't help but feel that there are going to be remnants of it all, on my part.
That's a scarily accurate way of looking at it, Jamie. I do think about IJ quite a bit now actually, but we must all change and move on, or what is the point, no?
Those damned things that happen in stories really happen, and are liable to happen to anyone, even a poor sod like me, wah lau. Nevertheless, I Am Annoyed. It's the whole teenager thing, you know? The sort that nearly everyone gets caught up in, unfortunately.
Ever since school started, I've been trying to act like the teenager that I am now. It's getting tiring and I just want to settle back to the book-reading nerd in the corner I've always been. Good thing I've not worked through the pile of books on loan from Nick, yet.
We've cleared it up and have had the sense not to do any bitch-slapping, so to speak, so s'all good now. Though I can't help but feel that there are going to be remnants of it all, on my part.
That's a scarily accurate way of looking at it, Jamie. I do think about IJ quite a bit now actually, but we must all change and move on, or what is the point, no?
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
An Average Day in the Life of TOR (In London)
7:02am
Wake up with the sense that it is actually 10am. Get up and turn lights on only to have them short circuit on me. Try lights in bathroom only to find that they are probably on the same shorted out circuit. Barge quietly into flatmates Cat and Florian's room to get to fuse box. Reset fuse.
7:06am
Smell Bolbol.
7:12am
Get out of bed and grudgingly start work on Jessup statement of facts again. Type half-heartedly while hanging on to Bolbol.
10:35am
Finish typing and save. Look up at clock to realise one has lecture at 11am. Run around the house in underwear unpacking bags to look for various personal items.
10:56am
Leave for uni.
11:00am
Lecture followed by class.
1:00pm
Have lunch with JD, Leila, Qianru and Clive at Belgo. Bounce excitedly with schoolgirl glee at seeing friends again! Eat nice chicken with mushroom and cream sauce which cost S$20 and drink Trappist ale. Buy toilet paper and orange juice from Sainsbury while continuing to chatter excitedly to friends. Hang out with friends in delinquent fashion.
4:40pm
Realise one has lecture at 5pm. Rush in panic to uni in cold rain. The kind of rain where it is too windy to carry an umbrella and the raindrops are small and close together. Wind spatters small small raindroplets into face, rendering useless hoodie thing on head.
5:00pm
Lecture.
6:00pm
Jessup meeting.
8:16pm
Dinner. Rice and vegetable katsu curry from NTUC. Mmm. Wash up and chat to Cat and Florian.
9:32pm
Write blog entry on sister's blog. Email boyfriend who is 10,120miles away (according to SIA airmiles accrual calculator).
9:52pm
Surprise call from boyfriend! Miss him. Hug Bolbol instead.
10:07pm
Go to sleep.
7:02am
Wake up with the sense that it is actually 10am. Get up and turn lights on only to have them short circuit on me. Try lights in bathroom only to find that they are probably on the same shorted out circuit. Barge quietly into flatmates Cat and Florian's room to get to fuse box. Reset fuse.
7:06am
Smell Bolbol.
7:12am
Get out of bed and grudgingly start work on Jessup statement of facts again. Type half-heartedly while hanging on to Bolbol.
10:35am
Finish typing and save. Look up at clock to realise one has lecture at 11am. Run around the house in underwear unpacking bags to look for various personal items.
10:56am
Leave for uni.
11:00am
Lecture followed by class.
1:00pm
Have lunch with JD, Leila, Qianru and Clive at Belgo. Bounce excitedly with schoolgirl glee at seeing friends again! Eat nice chicken with mushroom and cream sauce which cost S$20 and drink Trappist ale. Buy toilet paper and orange juice from Sainsbury while continuing to chatter excitedly to friends. Hang out with friends in delinquent fashion.
4:40pm
Realise one has lecture at 5pm. Rush in panic to uni in cold rain. The kind of rain where it is too windy to carry an umbrella and the raindrops are small and close together. Wind spatters small small raindroplets into face, rendering useless hoodie thing on head.
5:00pm
Lecture.
6:00pm
Jessup meeting.
8:16pm
Dinner. Rice and vegetable katsu curry from NTUC. Mmm. Wash up and chat to Cat and Florian.
9:32pm
Write blog entry on sister's blog. Email boyfriend who is 10,120miles away (according to SIA airmiles accrual calculator).
9:52pm
Surprise call from boyfriend! Miss him. Hug Bolbol instead.
10:07pm
Go to sleep.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Have quite settled into new school, Millennia Institute (MI for short). Made a whole bunch of new friends and feel very odd hanging out in such a large group of teenagers. On the bright side, they really do seem like interesting people and am going out with them after school pretty much every other day. They're nice (with exceptions, of course) , and am happy to be making friends so fast in new school.
On the other hand, the school song here is rather, erm, propaganda-ish. Like the songs you sing on national day. And the tune is horrible too, am miss IJ a quite a bit.
Speaking of IJ, met a girl masquerading as an IJ girl. Apparently, she borrowed the pinafoe from a girl, from IJ TP no less. It got me strangely annoyed, as have never been the patriotic (?) sort. I can't explain it, but it just seems offensive when someone does not sound, act or carry herself like an IJ girl yet pretends to be one. At least she was apologetic about it.
Urgh, school. Have been keeping funny hours, a leftover from the hols. Am falling sick now, with cough and fever.
Victoria's gone back to London already, arrived at about 6 in the morning, Singapore time, I think. Shan't miss her too much though, will be going there in June. Can't wait!
Wow, been so busy that tags have built up.
Yes she did, Stephanie. Thank you very much for it.
You're welcome Rosie, provided that I'm home lah. Which is only in the evenings, nowadays.
It's no problems Amanda dear. Friends are there for a reason and am always at your disposal.
Hallo again Adam. Nice to see you as well, how's everything been with yourself?
Will only be able to make it for games in the afternoon, Khayce, you know that. But will make an effort to see you guys more this year lah.
Hey yourself, Peter. Well, it's not amazing, seeing as how you can find pretty much anyone online in this day and age. It's fine, just as how I remember it. You want me to bring it this Sunday?
Don't we all, Jenny! How's school coming along, for that matter? Don't kill yourself ok? Drink lots of water and try not to fall sick, like me.
On the other hand, the school song here is rather, erm, propaganda-ish. Like the songs you sing on national day. And the tune is horrible too, am miss IJ a quite a bit.
Speaking of IJ, met a girl masquerading as an IJ girl. Apparently, she borrowed the pinafoe from a girl, from IJ TP no less. It got me strangely annoyed, as have never been the patriotic (?) sort. I can't explain it, but it just seems offensive when someone does not sound, act or carry herself like an IJ girl yet pretends to be one. At least she was apologetic about it.
Urgh, school. Have been keeping funny hours, a leftover from the hols. Am falling sick now, with cough and fever.
Victoria's gone back to London already, arrived at about 6 in the morning, Singapore time, I think. Shan't miss her too much though, will be going there in June. Can't wait!
Wow, been so busy that tags have built up.
Yes she did, Stephanie. Thank you very much for it.
You're welcome Rosie, provided that I'm home lah. Which is only in the evenings, nowadays.
It's no problems Amanda dear. Friends are there for a reason and am always at your disposal.
Hallo again Adam. Nice to see you as well, how's everything been with yourself?
Will only be able to make it for games in the afternoon, Khayce, you know that. But will make an effort to see you guys more this year lah.
Hey yourself, Peter. Well, it's not amazing, seeing as how you can find pretty much anyone online in this day and age. It's fine, just as how I remember it. You want me to bring it this Sunday?
Don't we all, Jenny! How's school coming along, for that matter? Don't kill yourself ok? Drink lots of water and try not to fall sick, like me.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
An Average Day in the Life of TOR (On holiday in Singapore):
9:33am
Wake up. Sniff Bolbol. Hang out with and chat to grandmother downstairs. Ask her how to make 'smore'.
10:01am
Go for a run on track behind house and continue to Bishan Park. Nod to old aunties vigorously swinging arms while walking. Swear to oneself not to eat chocolate or fried fatty stuff for whole year while acknowledging impossibility of resolution.
10:45am
Convince onself that self has run 4km and cool down by stretching. Shower.
11:00am
Smell Bolbol.
11:05am
Go out to 24hr prata shop and eat S$1.50 masala thosai and drink teh peng.
11:25am
Come home and gush about cheapness of thosai to grandmother. Drink orange juice to extinguish burning in mouth.
11:30am
Write blog entry in sister's blog detailing the average day in the life of TOR on holiday in Singapore. Think of what did yesterday and day before so can continue entry. Smell Bolbol while thinking what did yesterday.
11:35am
Read book: Peter Biddlecombe's 'I came, I saw, I lost my luggage'. Funny travel book that inspires self to visit Vienna.
Interrupted by phonecall from boyfriend in Australia. Disputes contention that self is a lazy sod that has done nothing all day while he himself has been up since crack of dawn doing healthy aussie watersports. Maintains that self has gone for run too and so has done some form of physical activity. Valiantly defends self against laughter when reveals one has only run for 40 mins. Moan about having an essay and the second draft of pleadings for the Jessup competition due yesterday. Boyfriend reiterates opinion that one is a lazy sod that should have done it instead of watching CSI last night. But one cannot help it since CSI is best TV show ever in one's opinion. Not, do take note, CSI Miami. Which as everyone knows, is shite.
12:05am
Hang up phone, continue blog entry. Hug Bolbol.
12:10am (2 days ago)
Go to Junction 8 en route to Town. Eat old chang kee currypuff and fried squid head, thereby breaking fat-free resolution. Moan to boyfriend about fat-ness. No reply since engrossed in cheapness of exotic and never-seen-before (and therefore exciting) fruit like jambu and chiku. Buy jambu and chiku for S$3. Listen to ecstatic exclamations of cheapness.
1:30pm
Proceed to centrepoint to engage in serious heavy duty shopping at Robinsons, since mother and aunt possess Robinson's card that entitles one to 5% off. Drop in at PI to say hit to Sheena since indicated that would be there. Sheena and Elton out to lunch, boyfriend fascinated by PI.
2:16pm
Subject to deferential treatment by Shisedo salesgirl once gives mother's name. Realised mother is ultra-super platinum member. Automatically entitled to 2 free gifts after buying only one product. Nicely suprised. Met aunt.
3:03pm
Revelled in nice-ness of chicken rice and cheng tng in food court. Satisfied self to great extent eating nice food in deprived state of mind.
4:12pm
Proceed home with bags of shopping to resume lazy sod-ing.
5:20pm
Sniff Bolbol. Shower.
7:30pm
Meet Sheena and Elton for dinner. Insist on going to now defunct S11 at Dhoby Ghaut even though cautioned against by said parties since sure establishment has been demolished. Wander around ex-national library area in distressed state as if part of self has also been torn down. Area is now ugly. Sadness reigns in heart. Boyfriend just wants food.
8:02pm
Eat at Plaza Sing food court. Recover in spirit. Eat the famous mee pok. Gush on about niceness of mee pok. Enjoy Sheena's and Elton's and boyfriend's company. And think: this is the life. Nice mee pok, nice friends, nice public transport and air con cinemas. Then think: I am so sad about the national library.
9:26pm
Have debate about NUS's no smoking rule over whole campus. Argue that it is repressive and excessively paternalistic for the government to make such a decision without consulting the student body. Stress that it is not decision being attacked but way made. Suppose if made by students through voting at UGM would be totally acceptable to self. Hold forth on how university days should be days of freedom to smoke, do lighter drugs, have casual but safe sex (free birth control is key) and experiment with one's sexuality on path to finding one's own identity.
Of course own self did none of above.
But ability to make choice to do above is key. Doing or potentially doing above will not and has not made people into drug addicts or prostitutes. Look at educated-in-Australia boyfriend who has done all of above and more and is fine, upstanding pillar of community. And also self who is same except not earning money yet.
Sheena and Elton say 'but this is singapore' like everyone else but in their own minds, agree. Boyfriend thinks am cute when get excited and wave arms around. Hugs me and asks me to do it again. Suspect he is not really listening but taking the piss.
12:05am
Rush for MeRt but miss last one. Take cab. Boyfriend insists on taking comfort one 'cos they are better', causing uncle in tibs cab at front of queue to come out and shout at us.
12:32am
Arrive home to find whole family still up. Smell Bolbol. Annoy sister while showing free gifts to mother.
1:04am
Annoy sister while hugging Bolbol and announcing desire to sleep to house in general. Boyfriend says why is your house so noisy I want to sleep.
1:06am
Leave boyfriend and sister fiddling with and admiring new exciting creatif zen mini mp3 player and go to sleep. Sniff Bolbol.
Wish I could be on permanent holiday in SG and not have to do work.
9:33am
Wake up. Sniff Bolbol. Hang out with and chat to grandmother downstairs. Ask her how to make 'smore'.
10:01am
Go for a run on track behind house and continue to Bishan Park. Nod to old aunties vigorously swinging arms while walking. Swear to oneself not to eat chocolate or fried fatty stuff for whole year while acknowledging impossibility of resolution.
10:45am
Convince onself that self has run 4km and cool down by stretching. Shower.
11:00am
Smell Bolbol.
11:05am
Go out to 24hr prata shop and eat S$1.50 masala thosai and drink teh peng.
11:25am
Come home and gush about cheapness of thosai to grandmother. Drink orange juice to extinguish burning in mouth.
11:30am
Write blog entry in sister's blog detailing the average day in the life of TOR on holiday in Singapore. Think of what did yesterday and day before so can continue entry. Smell Bolbol while thinking what did yesterday.
11:35am
Read book: Peter Biddlecombe's 'I came, I saw, I lost my luggage'. Funny travel book that inspires self to visit Vienna.
Interrupted by phonecall from boyfriend in Australia. Disputes contention that self is a lazy sod that has done nothing all day while he himself has been up since crack of dawn doing healthy aussie watersports. Maintains that self has gone for run too and so has done some form of physical activity. Valiantly defends self against laughter when reveals one has only run for 40 mins. Moan about having an essay and the second draft of pleadings for the Jessup competition due yesterday. Boyfriend reiterates opinion that one is a lazy sod that should have done it instead of watching CSI last night. But one cannot help it since CSI is best TV show ever in one's opinion. Not, do take note, CSI Miami. Which as everyone knows, is shite.
12:05am
Hang up phone, continue blog entry. Hug Bolbol.
12:10am (2 days ago)
Go to Junction 8 en route to Town. Eat old chang kee currypuff and fried squid head, thereby breaking fat-free resolution. Moan to boyfriend about fat-ness. No reply since engrossed in cheapness of exotic and never-seen-before (and therefore exciting) fruit like jambu and chiku. Buy jambu and chiku for S$3. Listen to ecstatic exclamations of cheapness.
1:30pm
Proceed to centrepoint to engage in serious heavy duty shopping at Robinsons, since mother and aunt possess Robinson's card that entitles one to 5% off. Drop in at PI to say hit to Sheena since indicated that would be there. Sheena and Elton out to lunch, boyfriend fascinated by PI.
2:16pm
Subject to deferential treatment by Shisedo salesgirl once gives mother's name. Realised mother is ultra-super platinum member. Automatically entitled to 2 free gifts after buying only one product. Nicely suprised. Met aunt.
3:03pm
Revelled in nice-ness of chicken rice and cheng tng in food court. Satisfied self to great extent eating nice food in deprived state of mind.
4:12pm
Proceed home with bags of shopping to resume lazy sod-ing.
5:20pm
Sniff Bolbol. Shower.
7:30pm
Meet Sheena and Elton for dinner. Insist on going to now defunct S11 at Dhoby Ghaut even though cautioned against by said parties since sure establishment has been demolished. Wander around ex-national library area in distressed state as if part of self has also been torn down. Area is now ugly. Sadness reigns in heart. Boyfriend just wants food.
8:02pm
Eat at Plaza Sing food court. Recover in spirit. Eat the famous mee pok. Gush on about niceness of mee pok. Enjoy Sheena's and Elton's and boyfriend's company. And think: this is the life. Nice mee pok, nice friends, nice public transport and air con cinemas. Then think: I am so sad about the national library.
9:26pm
Have debate about NUS's no smoking rule over whole campus. Argue that it is repressive and excessively paternalistic for the government to make such a decision without consulting the student body. Stress that it is not decision being attacked but way made. Suppose if made by students through voting at UGM would be totally acceptable to self. Hold forth on how university days should be days of freedom to smoke, do lighter drugs, have casual but safe sex (free birth control is key) and experiment with one's sexuality on path to finding one's own identity.
Of course own self did none of above.
But ability to make choice to do above is key. Doing or potentially doing above will not and has not made people into drug addicts or prostitutes. Look at educated-in-Australia boyfriend who has done all of above and more and is fine, upstanding pillar of community. And also self who is same except not earning money yet.
Sheena and Elton say 'but this is singapore' like everyone else but in their own minds, agree. Boyfriend thinks am cute when get excited and wave arms around. Hugs me and asks me to do it again. Suspect he is not really listening but taking the piss.
12:05am
Rush for MeRt but miss last one. Take cab. Boyfriend insists on taking comfort one 'cos they are better', causing uncle in tibs cab at front of queue to come out and shout at us.
12:32am
Arrive home to find whole family still up. Smell Bolbol. Annoy sister while showing free gifts to mother.
1:04am
Annoy sister while hugging Bolbol and announcing desire to sleep to house in general. Boyfriend says why is your house so noisy I want to sleep.
1:06am
Leave boyfriend and sister fiddling with and admiring new exciting creatif zen mini mp3 player and go to sleep. Sniff Bolbol.
Wish I could be on permanent holiday in SG and not have to do work.