A Nice Weekend

It has been a nice relaxed weekend. Nothing spectacular, leisure, laid back but filled with a general sense of happy-ness. And three feel good sessions with 3 different frens.

Had planned to do some work over weekend to clear some backlogs and i'm glad i had the good sense to decide against it. Need to draw a line on work else will be too 对不起自己 liao.

I realise that we are all generally too busy, trying to squeeze more and more activities into less and less time. That we fail to slow down, to savour, to enjoy and appreciate, all the potential sources of happiness that is all around us.

Such as waking up naturally and not to the sound of alarm clock on a saturday morning, and nauwing comfortably in bed, in a semi dreamy state, listening to the sounds outside, thinking of whatever things that comes to mind.

Such as a good movie and catching up with a fren over a nice piece of chocolate walnut cake and reminiscing the past.

Such as doing nothing but just spending time at home. Letting mom fuss over you, making you a cup of coffee and chat and taking videos of mom for no reason but just for fun.

Such as meeting a sweet fren who comes fetch you and see you home and takes care of you, not for anything but just because that's the way he was brought up to treat a lady with chivalry.

Such as listening to stories of fren's recent vacations and being inspired to go on a trip soon too.

Such as spending some alone time hitting some golf balls at the driving range.

Such as spending some time with a dear fren who is based in states and going back soon.

Life is good.

Fund Manager Pays $2.1 million to lunch with Warren Buffet

NEW YORK, June 29, 2008 (Reuters) — A Chinese fund manager has won a lunch with famed U.S. investor Warren Buffett after bidding $2.11 million for the opportunity in a charity auction, more than three times what the lunch fetched last year. More details from this link. http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n29460010-buffett-lunch/#

Would anyone pays me $200K for lunch?

I should go to bed now.

The problem with Being Single at 30

is that many people can’t wait to peddle any single guy they know to you. It is as if you are without choices. That any Tom, Dick or Harry would do for you, as long as the person is single.

They meant well of course. But such blind enthusiasm is often more an irritation than anything else. And it often happens with people who don’t know you well. Such as one kaypoh ex colleague, who once remarked, “Why don’t you consider XX. He not bad ma. All the gals here are either attached or married. You also not young anymore…”

I felt like telling her. “No thanks. I’m a lesbian.”

Of course I’m not a lesbian. But the point is, how do you know if a guy’s my type? You don’t even know me. How do you know if I’m not dating? Why must I be attached or be married at this age? What if I made the choice to come out of a long relationship, risking marriage plans and at an age where most of my peers would be looking to settle down because it works best for me? Why are you not single? It’s great to be single and without attachment? Why don’t you join our club?

I believe there are two sides to every coin. There are things I missed having someone and being in a relationship. But there are equally many things which I really appreciate being single at this point. I guess we all go through different phases and experiences in life, which shape where we are now and how we view and appreciate life, people and things around us at a particular point.

Only we know ourselves if we are better off or not. And we should respect others for the personal paths in life they took, whether it is to remain single, divorced, married, dedicated to work, religion, dreams, whatever.

I think it is pure rudeness to try to impose one's values upon others without knowing the person behind.

And I’ll like to end off here with this poem I used to recite to a dear fren of mine whenever he tried to tell me what he thought was best for me (who at least has the right to give advice being a good friend who knows you and have your interest at heart).

AFRICA’S PLEA
Roland Tombekai Dempster

I am not you –
But you will not
Give me a chance,
Will not let me be me.

“If I were you”
but you know
I am not you,
Yet you will not
Let me be me.

You meddle, interfere
In my affairs
As if they were yours
And you were me.

You are unfair, unwise,
Foolish to think
That I can be you,
Talk, act
And think like you.

God made me me.
He made you you.
For God’s sake
Let me be me.

He wrote " two and two is ten, the Moon is made of cheese and Christmas Day does not fall on December 25th.."

Meant to do a quick check of my emails and get down to complete some work tonight. Side tracked to read some news on channelnewsasia instead. Ended up googling on Gopalan Nair, the ex Singaporean lawyer and ex Workers Party election candidate who is now charged with "insulting a Singapore judge in his blog.."

Anyway, think i super jilat. rather do boliao thing than to do my work which is in dire need of my attention. Hmm. should i go to bed now or work a little to feel better. Hmmm...

Week of Friends from Afar

My zodiac forecast last week must have read "Expect friends from afar to visit this week."

Francois came and left last week.

He was here for work and wrote to me a few weeks before that we must catch up while he's here. It's really nice to see him again. But his schedule this time is really rushed. Arrived on Tuesday night and flying off on Fri, and in between, has gotta go Malaysia. But we did managed to squeeze in a dinner. But anyway, it was always a happy feeling whenever i see him. :)

We didn't have time to take some pictures. But here's some old pics to share.

Francois and me. Catching up at Dempsey.

Francois and Guillaume. That time when we drove up to Le Touquet from Abbeville to check out the "Parisan Beach" and they treated me a nice french dinner there.

Back in 2004.

And Kheryi called on Thursday that she's flying back! :)

We catch up on Sunday afternoon for lunch, coffee and more ice cream and we have so much to chat about. It was really great seeing her again. Still pretty much the silly gal. :) My dear silly happy pretty friend who always makes me laugh.

And a close fren from the past drop by on Mon night via sms to say hi. my ex..

"Hey hey..hw r u n ur new job? Settled down swee swee liao? Me just passed by tuas custom from Melaka. :). "

Photoaid 2008

Last sunday was quite meaningfully spent doing my little bit to help raise fund for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar through the PhotoAid 2008 campaign, an initiative by volunteer photographers from Clubsnap.

Was rather tired by the end of the day but nevertheless felt rather good. And it was rather interesting too, observing the behaviour of people at the Merlion park, especially the different reactions and behaviours of tourists and visitors who were being approached to donate funds.

And here's some picture taken from Yunfen's camera...

Me "drinking" from the merlion fountain and Yunfen looking shock. haha

Jingshi and me

Jingshi, Yunfen and me.

And here's the group picture.

Best Risotto in Town

Normally, i'm not a fan of Risotto. However, Pasta Brava got me last night with their RISOTTO NERO ALLA SINFONIA DEI NOSTRIL MARI, squid ink risotto flavoured with white wine. It was really superb. Love it so much i have already made plans with another friend to visit the restaurant again. Yum yum..

The restaurant's located at Craig Road. And the ambience's nice too. Do check it out!

Buon appetito.