Sunshine, freedom and a little flower

Hit Or Miss

2010-08-23T16:19:00.002+08:00

Suddenly... I just want to play tennis under the 5 PM sun; while blasting Britney Spear's Stronger.

Think I'll kinda look cool and play better too...

Reality: Going to mop the floor at home while blasting Britney Spear's Stronger.

I Miss...

2009-07-18T01:44:00.002+08:00

... this blog. My thoughts are so blocked these days; the mind has not the time to twitch. I keep thinking of $$$. And Facebook is so invasive.

... my Geekdom too. Stopped when my then new Ixus's macro shots did not measure up compared to my old, original, world's first Ixus - and the service crew insisted it was due to my photo taking skills. New, is not necessarily good. But reminiscing the good old days is always a part of our lives.

I am newly armed again, so I'm rubbing my hands in glee.

Hopefully. Because I really miss. But am lazy. *smiles*

02 Men From Singapore in Top 50 List for Best Job in the World

2009-03-23T12:35:00.003+08:00

Lierliar: Why are you not shortlisted?? :(

Mr. Gecko: I asked them if I could bring my loggie doggie along, they say cannot. So I opted out.

Happee *18th Burpday To Me!!!

2008-04-28T16:28:00.000+08:00

This *18th burpday, I've gotten a "P" from Mr. Gecko.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Nope, it's neither a pressie nor proposal.

It's only a promise I wanted from him this year. And this promise means a lot to me - much more than a marriage proposal. That said, a Missus Gecko is still very much desired of course! *heehee~~*

This year, I wish for both good health and contentment for myself. And... *Cheers to Forever 18!!!

Thanks to everyone for your love, well wishes and your time to have burpday dinners with me!

DO THIS FOR ME THIS LONG WEEKEND!!!!

2008-03-26T18:58:00.004+08:00

Date: 12 April 2006
Sender: lierliar
Receiver: Mr. Gecko

HEY "Mr. Gecko",

do something interesting for me this weekend by completing the sentences. I saw some bloggers do it and was surprised by so so so many perspectives everyone has. I wanna post yours and mine also lah... on my blog lah! where else... DO FOR ME HUH THIS WEEKEND!!!!

________________________________

Date: 10 February 2008 (lierliar: what the f*ck!)
Sender: Mr. Gecko
Receiver: lierliar

hello qiu qiu, (refers to "lierliar" - as fondly nicked by Mr. Gecko)

finally reply my fat kid!
almost one year later
:)

1. My ex is: none
2. Maybe I should: quit and go someplace else to lead a quiet simple life with qiu qiu
3. I love: qiu qiu and having nothing to do
4. I don't understand: how the universe came to be and what the purpose of life is
5. I lose:, you lose, better for all to win together
6. People say I'm: quiet and boring
7. Somewhere, someone is: earning money by doing seemingly senseless stuff (eg. bartering paperclip for house)
8. I will always: love you is one of Whitney's classics
9. Forever is: until we die lor
10. I never want to: go through NUS computer engineering again
11. I think the current US President: is good with words
12. When I wake up in the morning: i like to turn over and sniff qiu qiu's head
13. My past was: ok lar
14. I get annoyed when: they are too many things going on
15. Parties are for: getting drunk
16. My dog is: n.a.
17. My cat is: n.a.
18. Kisses are the best when: they are unexpected
19. Tomorrow: is Monday
20. I really want: to retire soon
21. I have low tolerance for people who: are rude/unreasonable

________________________________

Date: 11 February 2008
Sender: lierliar
Receiver: Mr. Gecko

1. My ex is: Quite a jerk.

2. Maybe I should: exercise more!!

3. I love: YOU!

4. I don't understand: why i am finding difficulty completing the sentences here

5. I lose: I throw tantrums, I'm quite a sore loser.

6. People say I'm: sweet.

7. Somewhere, someone is: really hating me to the core?

8. I will always: want to stay together with you

9. Forever is: not applicable to anything in life

10. I never want to: not have "Mr. Gecko" by my side

11. I think the current US President: was voted in based solely on his family's name

12. When I wake up in the morning: I wonder if I can sleep in another 5 mins esp. on working days

13. My past was: not exactly exemplary but I credit my street savviness to it

14. I get annoyed when: things are not going the way i had planned

15. Parties are for: fun! Especially if i had hermit-fied myself for some time

16. My dog is: dead 23 years ago. Choked on a fish bone

17. My cat is: probably adpoted, if any, by YOU! I don't like cats

18. Kisses are the best when: the lips are moist and your heart is warm

19. Tomorrow: I have to go to work!

20. I really want: to have millions sitting in our joint account

21. I have low tolerance for people who: are snobs or are inconsiderate generally

Well, at least I finally did get a response from Mr. Gecko nearly after 2 years!!! Not 1 year huh, Mr. Gecko *Grrrs...*

I don't quite remember what others had posted - where I gleaned this meme from though I did remember being quite impressed by some of the answers I read and had wanted to know then how would Mr. Gecko respond to it.

My conclusion after I read ours? I think both of us are really quite boring people leh (Read: Mr. Gecko's Qn. 6).

Quite sad huh? :l

Mr Gecko's A Most Sought After Employee?

2008-01-31T19:08:00.000+08:00

Yeah... he had gotten employers' praises too good for me to ignore; again~~~

This time round, he's remembered fondly by his previous employer from his first job upon graduation. *He's only into his second job while I had changed jobs like 6 times liao?!*

Ahh~~, praises are best savoured without conscious expectations...

Mr. Gecko, way to go for the new year ahead for you! Now, share your bonus with me please~~~!

A Christmas Carol

2007-12-23T23:31:00.001+08:00

Aaahhh~~~ don't we all love the dreamy, wistful Christmas mood...

DORAEMON

2007-11-19T17:42:00.000+08:00

Was looking forward to book myself the Doraemon movie ticket last Friday. I was in the midst of confirming the ticket details online when I decided to be on the safe side and check the movie language; and was both relieved and *mock* incensed when I realised ... there is only the Mandarin version AND only Cathay is showing the Doraemon animation in the whole of Singapore!!

Like all my true blue Singaporean compatriots (I hold a blue S'pore I/C leh!), I launched a *polite* complain to Cathay immediately loh! How can like this hoh??

Was crossing my fingers that Cathay would realise what they are missing from my complaint and will quickly put out the animation in Jap when...

:( Well... at least Cathay replied promptly. No choice, I will wait for the DVD then. No, no, no. No way I will catch the animation in Mandarin.

________________________________

Mr. Gecko: I can't believe you are so free to do these things. *shakes his head*

Happee Burpday, Dear Mr. Gecko!

2007-11-01T20:30:00.000+08:00

Happee Burpday, my dear Mr. Gecko!

The State of His Hair-y Being: The Before & After

2007-10-10T19:08:00.000+08:00

BEFORE:

AFTER: a win what I imagine should be by a hair's margin
(Read: Mr. Gecko's Hair-y Glory!!)

AND ALL THANKS TO:

haha... his prized stash of $100 worth of GATSBY'S hamper

月亮帶走了我的心

2007-09-26T15:20:00.000+08:00

最近, 他的时间一直很紧迫, 我也了解这不是他所愿.
百忙之中他坚持这天要有所安排, 我为他的疲惫反而有所不愿.

这一好小段的时间, 偷来得不容易.

那晚, 月亮帶走了我的心.

沉醉在若隱若现的暗光里, 我有一点捨不得离开...

二零零七年的中秋

I Actually Found My Fave Ditty - Paperboy On Youtube

2007-09-18T17:52:00.001+08:00

Oh my goodness... I have been trying to find this single / album at every CD shop in Singapore but to no avail... was just trying my luck here. Too bad, there's no MTV version *was there one? Coz' I dun remember* and the volume is way low for a good, old school listening relish.

Ditty by Paperboy was the very first rap song I really like. Ice Ice Baby's not counted huh. It's fake anyway.

I still remember my big bro and I used to play this single on repeated loop in the early nineties. Anybody remember this ditty??

I say bring back the 1990s! *flooding reminiscences~~*

Mr. Gecko's Hair-y Glory!!

2007-09-08T16:57:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko bought 2 Gatsby Moving Rubber Hair Styling Gel from Watson's sometime last month. Along with this purchase was a contest form inviting anyone who had bought at least 2 of the said hair gel to send in their photo in a bid to win the honor of having the trendiest hairstyle.

Now, I am a sucker for any kind of contest especially those that requires no talent and little efforts. Mr. Gecko knows and when he showed me the contest form - I was already running through mentally all our photos that possibly showed the Mr. Gecko in all his hair-y glory.

Hmm... I think Mr. Gecko is a good looking fello all right... but trendy??? One word - hardly.

His style and fashion sense are somewhat conservative and he is definitely not one who bothers to keep up with trends anyway. He only has 2 hairstyles in my opinion - natural or gelled with centre parting. *Hahahahahahahahaha~~ Sorry huh... but this statment had me laughing very hard*

Anyway, as we always have a load of photos taken in good fun, we sent in a photo of Mr. Gecko out of curiousity without really expecting anything.

And he received an email 3 days' ago...

Congratulations Mr. Gecko!! You had been chosen having the trendiest hairstyle in the recent Watson's Trendiest Hairstyling Competition! You have won for yourself $100.00 worth of Gatsby Hamper!

We were truly flabbergasted, mightily pleased and highly amused by this unexpected win! Because the winning shot...

... was taken when we were goofing about in our hotel room during a moment's dull while we were holidaying in Hong Kong 3 years ago!

____________________________________

Mr. Gecko *in a serious tone*: Do you think I should cut my hair before I go and collect my hamper??

Our Tale Of The Second City: Beep Beep Bop Bop Ho Chi Minh

2007-08-06T16:48:00.000+08:00

*Wow~~*... it's been some time since the last entry on Angkor Wat. I was and am still busy with a project on hand but I don't want to procrastinate further - it's time to post Our Tale Of The Second City - Beep Beep Bop Bop Ho Chi Minh (HCM); before I forget what it was like immersing perpetually in an audio sea of motorbikes' beeping.

At HCM, motobikes and scooters rule and jam pack the road and traffic lights are non-existent. The 2 tyres steel-stallions weaved in and out from everywhere-anywhere-everytime-anytime. The beep beep bop bop start very early at the crack of dawn till way past midnight. You can imagine the beepings are so part of everyday's life, the locals are literally "deaf" to it. Bring ear plugs to HCM if:

1) You are a light sleeper
2) Your hotel room is facing the main road
3) Your hotel is one of the many those undergoing extensive renovations

No joke man. HCM is one noisy city all right. Hehehe...

But I must say the traffic anarchy in HCM was quite a memorable travelling experience for us. On our first day there, we were really at a loss and so desperate on the big streets that we took to shadow the locals closely while crossing the streets. By the 2.5 day there, we had learned that the trick is to just cross, the vehicles look out for pedestrains and not the other way round in HCM. By then, we could just shut our eyes and cross with the utmost ease and we were quite proud of our new road pluckiness.

*Beep! Beep! Bop! Bop!*

The streets at District 1 (HCM's City / Tourist Area) are always so abuzz and chokeful with bikes and people

The 1 Day City Tour

The first thing we did after we dumped our luggages at our hotel upon arrival was to locate Sinh Cafe - a popular local tour agency in HCM. Despite the explicit cafe name tag, Sinh Cafe's main business activity is far from serving coffee to the tourists - most who depended on their daily group tours to HCM's most popular but remote tourist destinations like Cu Chi Tunnel and Mekong Delta. This agency is highly recommended and clearly enjoys a sound reputation. We saw alot of similar agencies dotting District 1... but none as packed with tourists as Sinh Cafe. And make sure you get to the right Sinh Cafe, we also heard there were alot of counterfeit agencies using their name - even for websites!

We had only wanted to book a half day trip to Cu Chi Tunnel with Sinh Cafe initially but eventually ended up booking another one day trip around HCM's main city for ourselves. We were probably physically tired from the temple visits in Siem Reap and we deemed it safer to sit on a tour coach than exploring HCM on foot, what with HCM's chaotic traffic. Either way, the rates was most attractive to give us an excuse to be lazy - it was only US$6 per person anyway.

Thien Hau Temple

Chinese temples look the same everywhere

At HCM's War Crime Museum - There were a lot of graphic photos and war weapons used during the Vietnam war on display. Mr. Gecko and I felt for those civilians who had to go through these cruel wars. Often, those who waged wars always remain safe and sound at the expenses of innocent civilians and brave men at the frontlines.

And you find the war didn't and couldn't end even when peace is made and weapons ceased. The people had to deal with war-torn poverty, physical disabilities; and for generations to come, babies were born deformed - and if survived, they had to deal with the psychological implications of chemical and biological war weapons - even if they didn't go through the war. Sad huh.

Reunification Hall - Essentially the President's Palace during Saigon's past democratic era

Trivia: When we took this picture, the tourists around us were so amused with our toys that they even took their pictures with our toys in it.

We also stopped by the HCM's General Post Office - An old but grand remnant of HCM's French colonial past

At the Notre Dame Cathedral just diagonally opposite the General Post Office

Going to Ben Tranh Market - Bargain is the word there

Cu Chi Tunnel

No decent tourist in HCM will give this famous network of narrow tunnels, lauded for contributing big time to Vietnam War's victory, a miss. We booked a half day trip over there and took almost 2 hours from the city to reach the remote underground fortress.

History lesson before the trek in the jungle

Very, very small entrance to the depths of the tunnel. Clearly built for Asian body size only.

Ok lah, unless you count in Kate Moss.

Also need a bit of arm strength for support as one immersed the whole body vertically into the narrow depth

Booby traps everywhere in the jungle. Most were man-made and primitive but just as deadly as modern metal weapons

These days, the jungle is packed with friendly tourists instead

Mr. Gecko gunning for a weasel experience. That Mr. Gecko actually took his time to bask himself in the dark and dankness of the tunnel - even took pictures of himself without using the flash.

Trivia: Lotsa ang mohs retreated halfway into the tunnel because they were afraid they would either get stuck or lose their way in the dark. Everybody made a concerted effort to headcount within their group after they climbed out even though it was just 15 mins of tunneling.

One of the many bomb craters scattered around

Miscellaneous Stuffs In HCM

Our "suite" at Indochine Hotel for only US$45.00 per night. Nothing exciting about it but at least all essentials were available. Worth a stay because it's affordable and clean. Most of the French colonial-style hotels in HCM were undergoing extensive renovations the time we were there.

Vietnamese coffee is an acquired taste. One enjoys it only if you learned to put in the right proportions of sugar and milk. I felt like I was drinking the vilest traditional chinese herbal concoction the first time I tried it. Of course, the coffee addict me soon learns how best to enjoy the Viet coffee - lotsa milk needed!

Mr. Gecko artistically manifested HCM in ink while writing his thoughts on a postcard for me

We couldn't help snooping a shot at this ang moh guy trying to chat up with the Viet woman on duty in the War Musuem repeatedly; while she try to reciprocate his friendliness by nodding her head endlessly with enthusiatic smiles. Hahaha~~... I am not implying anything huh!!

We were waiting for our coach to Cu Chi Tunnel early in the morning at Sinh Cafe when we saw this old couple waiting too. I rarely see old couple opting for free and easy package while travelling. So adventurous and so sweet huh. I want to go on adventurous trips with Mr. Gecko still when we are as old too!

While Siem Reap was an eye opener to ancient ruins, HCM was an unassuming trip in my opinion. I was quite disappointed with the chaos and lack of attractions in HCM initally But I gradually warmed up to the local flavor and made unexpected discoveries along the way. Be it street cussings at motorbike drivers, the paper rice gourmet that failed to delight our palates and the aimless wanderings - it's all about laughing in the face of bad travel experiences taken in good stead.

Our Tale Of The 2 Cities - The End

Our Tale Of The First City: Angkor Wat Wat Wat

2007-08-02T17:39:00.000+08:00

We love to go a-wandering

Along Angkor Wat track

And as we go, we love to sing

With our knapsacks on our back

Angkor Wat! Angkor Wat!

Angkor Wat~~!!

Angkor Wat Wat Wat Wat Wat Wat
Angkor Wat! Angkor Wat!

With our knapsacks on our back...

- Song sung from the tune of The Happy Wanderer -

*You know the Valderi Valdera song?

Us, taking the first few steps on the dirt track to the gateway of Angkor Wat - which is semi-obscured by foliage but highlighted by the perfect blue sky in the middle of the picture

Angkor Wat is only one of the vast ancient temples in Siem Reap. But Siem Reap is almost all about Angkor Wat. From pictures that showed Angkor Wat in all her colossal grey stones and sculptures - intricate wall impressions - green woodland rusticity, one almost gets the idea of being in an Indiana Jones movie set.

But in reality, there is no grand adventure when one explores the temple grounds unless you are an avid photographer. One truly enjoys Angkor Wat in all her ancient splendour only if you care to delve deep into her history. So, you either read up big time on Angkor Wat's history before you set out or get a good local guide to fill you in the details and trivials. Getting "templed-out" is a common phrase for tourists who ain't interested enough in history and may get bored exploring temples ruins which all look about the same by the second day there.

Mr. Gecko & I were lucky we got an excellent value-for-money private tour package with our accomodation and even luckier to be guided by a seasoned & patient local guide - so I can tell our tale of the first city well enough through my eyes. Warning first, long entry ahead and it's pretty picture intensive.

Angkor Thom was our very first temple we explored in Siem Reap. Above shows the very magnificent gateway to Angkor Thom which is big and wide enough even for heavy vehicles to pass through

I usually became bored & restless by the 15th minute from the history lesson my guide often conducted due to my short attention span and walked around with the camera in hand.

I love this picture as it shows the perfect connection Mr. Gecko and the guide shared throughout the trip. Mr. Gecko was really interested and cared to listen.

Are you ready to set off now??!!

(Pic shows another shot of the gateway to Angkor Thom with the road fringed by ancient statues)

Stony Stories

Discounting the luscious backdrop of nature elements' colors, the ancient temples are a semblance of boredom with just greyish pieces of stones / statues set upon hard brown mud, very unlike the reddish-goldish gaudiness of Chinese temples. Look closely enough though and the thousands of etchings on the stones and statues tell vast and elaborate stories from the long gone Khmer period which you will never be able to finish even if you have a few days to spare.

It also translates to me the commitment to art quality on such a grand scale and the creativity of past artisans - how their work manage to survive and appreciated today after more than 10 centuries had passed. I posted some stony stories I personally like and thought intersting to share.

I thought the square face statue quite out-of-the ordinary among all the other statues and jestingly commented to Mr. Gecko, "Look, a nerd!" . In truth, the square face is notches above in value in terms of antiquity than the 2 statues behind as cleaner and lighter grey slab of stones meant they are newly constructed to replace those pillaged.

A wall impression of a deity dancing. I like how one can still admire the intricacies despite the layers of lichen and moss covering the wall over the centuries - and give the etching a somewhat soft carpety look.

These 3 stone men is what I meant previously about an artisan's committment & creativity. If you look carefully at their tops, you will notice that all the 3 men wore tops of different patterns!

Hey! You realise they cared about guards depicting individualistic fashion sense even then! And I took this picture of these 3 men from a grand wall of hundreds of such men. *phew~~*

A group of men enjoying a game of cock fight. What arrested my amusement was that the right group of men were ancient Chinese (hair buns on top of their head) and the left group was probably local Khmer themselves (long extended ear lobes). Chinese really go places huh?

We didn't really see much quality ancient statues in Siem Reap. Those good ones were all being looted even at these days as security over at the temples is lax esp. at night. Our guide will tell us, "I saw the statue's face just a few months' ago and now it's gone."

Just like the the picture above, I bet the face was probably sold to some collector. It's saddening but the people there are poor, they have a ready supply of ancient treasures and I guess there are lots of willing buyers.

Board games were probably a pastime reserved for the nobility. Look, I thought the settings were somewhat more fanciful and there were 2 henchmen behind the players. But I may be wrong, they could be just spectators. Hehe...

Need I say more? Looks like it wasn't the Khmers who invented sashimi.

I like this piece of stone slab just for just its realistic family of monkeys playing-dallying on a tree.

Our guide told us the fonts on the wall came from a language known today as Pali. It's a very strange language as there is apparently no verbal sounds to the words, it's just purely for read. Mr. Gecko was puzzled and asked how then is the language being taught since Pali is still passed down to this day and the guide said they just know it.

Well, I was more smart-alecky as usual when our guide asked if we know what kind of langauge it was and I answered straight-out-of-the-mouth "I know, Sanskrit!" Duh...

Now, tis's interesting. It clearly shows a form of torture or death sentence used in ancient Khmer period with a man skewered on a long stick. I took this picture from a very long wall that shows hundreds and hundreds of human torturings taking place in hell.

What's interesting was our guide telling us that during the Cambodia's Pol Pot's regime, the militia actually referred and used similar torture methods found on the very same slabs of stones; and this human skewering was also apparently one of the methods they used to kill and instilled fear.

Hahaha... this is so fascinating that I am using it to close my section of Stony Stories. An even more ancient stegosaurus-like dinosuar in ancient Khmer period? Totally swept us off our feet man when our guide pointed it out to us.

There is only 1 such dino wall carving that our guide showed us and upon further research on the internet when I came back, there is no real claims from experts if the carving is real or a hoax. Talk about things turning up in the most unlikely places huh?

It's quite a common but nevertheless spectacular scene to see huge and broad tree trunks with roots thicker than a python bursting through temple roofs. We felt so tiny standing under the tree.

Woh, I totally dig this picture. Took me lotsa tries to get it only OK as I was on much higher ground. I had to lie almost flat on my stomach to get Mr. Gecko and guide; and the faraway glimspe of Angkor Wat at the end of the dirt track - all in one.

I wanted that Indiana Jones feel, like as if Mr. Gecko and guide were discussing about strategies with the map in hand to break into forbidden grounds. Please excuse my occassional personal achievement claims.

That said, our guide is the only one who bothered to bring a map and explained the vastness and history behind the geographical location of temples dotting Angkor Wat. Dedicated huh?

We were passing through one of the few gateways to Angkor Wat's main compound.

When We Reached Angkor Wat

Unless you are into abseiling, the steps up to the top of Angkor Wat was freakingly scary, for us. Esp. the time when we turned around to face our guide to take photos. The moment we saw how STEEP the ascent was, our bravery plummeted as low as our heart.

You can see from the first pic on the left that we were not climbing, we were crawling up on all fours as the steps were narrow and sandy so one could hardly get a proper grip on hand or foot. The middle pic shows Mr. Gecko gripping me protectively as we turned around for a shot. The last pic? I wished you can see our shaking like jelly legs for the last few steps up.

Really. A mis-slip is definitely fatal.
*I apologise to a few friends who had been been there and whom I had doubted inwardly when they claimed how scary the ascent was. I thought they were just being wussy and all.

But the view that greeted us at the top made it a bit worthwhile. We could see the whole stretch of Angkor Wat surrounded by lush woodland.

Trivia: I must say it was a hazardous ascent and will not recommend to children & the elderly. However, to my utter surprise, I saw ang moh kids as young as ten up there too! I can only say they are daredevil parents, the ang mohs...

It is local belief that if you stand on this same spot we were standing at when the sun shone down, one will get blessed. Tourists waited for their turns to take their pictures here. Our guide was quite shy to take his photos with us and I guessed he didn't want to share our blessings but we would hear nothing of it.

Trivia: Our guide himself comes with a pretty neat personal life story. His father, a prof in the university was murdered during the Pol Pot regime because he was considered an intellectual. For his own safety, his mother told him to escape to Thailand where he became a monk for 10 years. He's now in his early fifties but his comrades call him a lady-killer for his still chiselled good looks with greyish-green eyes.

The Sunrise @ Angkor Wat

We woke up at around 4 am-ish to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. A good guide will take you to a few vantage points around Angkor Wat to view the rising moment at Angkor Wat's main compound.

Going to Siem Reap and not catching the sunrise or sunset at Angkor Wat is akin to going Hong Kong and not eating the dim sum or going to Phuket and not indulging in body massage - you can considered your trip kinda wasted.

We waited in the dark

Awww~~... Awesome...

Mr. Gecko: I thought you wouldn't be able to wake up in time! But we did it!!!

Tonle Sap @ Siem Reap

Tonle Sap is the biggest freshwater lake in S.E. Asia and located about 2 hours away from Siem Reap's central area. We had a rather bumpy ride as there are no proper roads but mostly mud or stone tracks to get to the remote floating village at Tonle Sap. What I saw when I arrived was a long wide stretch of brown river with lotsa floating homes built closely together on both banks of the river. And the sight was pretty grim.

Most of the families populating the floating village are poor and they live in home conditions much like the boat people in Hong Kong in the early 70s. Some live on big floating sampans while some had grander floating homes built on wide planks with even a kitchen & living room built in. A consolation for us when we passed by floating schools with separated floating facilities (the schools come with separate floating basketball court, how cool!) set up by NGOs from rich countries like Korea and Belgian.

I saw a woman and a little girl in a small and thin sampan trying their darnest to row toward our ferry when our ferry reached the end of the stretch that leads to the boundless sea and we were preparing to turn back. The little girl was paddling furiously to reach us. Their small sampan looked really dangerous and out-of-place in the big open sea - I actually wondered initially if their sampan had problems and they were trying to save themselves and climb onboard our ferry instead. Turned out that the little girl only wanted us to buy her canned soft drinks for US$2 per can. When we declined and gave her some money instead, the mother-daughter pair rowed their small sampan hurriedly to the next tourist ferry. The little girl looked less than 7 years old...

The stretch of brown river with floating homes at both sides

The sampan is a common travel mode for the villagers

A small floating shack and sampan are what some familes have only

Relaxing and gossiping at the kitchen area

A group of resolute child peddlers-beggars. We stopped by a floating souvenir shop for about half an hour and these group of children had never stop their verbal pleas to buy their merchandise even though all the tourists were blatantly ignoring them. They stopped only when most tourists left.

This little girl was the most determined amongst all. She was the last to leave and eventually had Mr. Gecko's US$1. She was trying to sell us bananas but when she received the money, she didn't offer us the bananas but gamely posed for Mr. Gecko when she saw him taking her picture.

These kids are seasoned *a pity*. They know tourists' behaviour.

A good picture Mr. Gecko took of a little girl we passed by who happened to look into our camera lens curiously while lunching on a sampan.

Our room @ HanumanAlaya Boutique Hotel.
We had a very good package deal with everything (3 days private temple tours, guide, driver and temple passes) threw in for only US$370 per person - accomodation for 4 nights inclusive.

Relaxing at the hotel's second level lounge. We even requested and had our lunch there!

Our Last Day @ Siem Reap

We rented bikes for a full day and cycled around the small central / old market area and had lots of thrills while cycling-exploring the central and most of Siem Reap's notable hotels. We had the most fun that day.

One of our many thirst quenching stops on that day

Hotel De La Paix - One of the notable hotels we stopped by to explore (Angelina Jolie stayed there while filming Lara Croft).
We eventually had our brunch there and booked a body massage package with the hotel's spa for the evening.

Their masseuse were really good and gave the rub down with just the right pressure.

Mr. Gecko was content with his rub-rub while I was pleased with my very first pedicure!

We had a mini accident while on our way to the airport. A drunk motorcyclist banged against our car and punctured our tyre. While the driver stopped by the roadside to change the tyre, some small curious onlookers also came by and gawked at the mini drama happening right in front of their makeshift stalls.

Bye Angkor Wat! Hello Ho Chi Minh!!

Our Tale Of 2 Cities

2007-07-27T10:32:00.000+08:00

We Started With Serene & Ancient Angkor Wat

Mr. Gecko & I took a week long break in Siem Reap & Ho Chi Minh (locals prefer the more exotic sounding old name - Saigon) earlier this month. We came back almost 2 weeks ago... and I would have written our travel entries out by last week if not that I am still recovering from a bout of dengue fever.

Yeah... we think I got bitten by mozzies in Siem Reap. It was fortunate for us that the onslaught of the dreaded disease hit me only when I came back to Singapore. Fortunate because I needed the energy for the next half of our Saigon trip and I couldn't imagine seeking professional medical help either in Siem Reap or Saigon - both cities still a long way to recover from post civil war poverty.

In a lot of ways, the physical characteriestics of the 2 cities are very similar - not surprising as both are communist countries emerging out of their genocide through booming tourism; especially Siem Reap. Gosh...! I shall write about my experience getting through the Vietnam custom upon arrival at Saigon later.

Being economically poor, there are hardly any common modern infrastructures in both Siem Reap and Saigon. There're absolutely no skyscrapers, proper tar roads are limited to the city / tourist areas, there's not even a decent shopping centre anywhere in both cities.... even public transport's a big hassle for the locals themselves since most own and get around easily by motorcycles anyway.

In a way, it's a kinda travel blessing *for me lah* coz for the first time anywhere other than my own homeland - Malaysia, I didn't have to navigate around train stations and got around in either a hired car or cabs. For our usual travel standards, tis's luxury to us.

But the more physically comfortable I was, the more uncomfortable and guilty I felt inwardly as we took in all the extreme poverty we saw around us silently. Like how everytime the moment we got out of our sedan to new temple grounds in Siem Reap, we would be surrounded by local children begging us to buy souvenirs from them... we never buy or give money to children in groups as there was no end to such toutings so we really have to bear with the determined children in dirty and tattered clothings who would even walked some distance with us just for that US$1. Same goes for Saigon when the children roamed the streets and begged all the foreigners in sight to buy their wares and their parents just watched them from a near distance.

It was heart wrenching to know that adults often make use of children to gain tourists' sympathies just to put dinner on the table. I mean, there are such child beggers everywhere... but never that staggering amount of child beggers I had encountered over there! Mr. Gecko told me India has it far worse... I really cannot imagine. That kinda feelings hit me real bad when I was visiting Tonle Sap river at Siem Reap. But that's how poor they are...

Despite these close similarities, I was more surprised and mildly amused by the vastly different tourist treatments / social interactions we encountered between the 2 cities - their service disparities really could not be more distinctive. The Cambodians in Siem Reap are all heart into the tourism business - very eager to please and their locals friendly and polite - we gave alot of service tips in Siem Reap but hadn't bother to dispense any in Saigon. Though they were never rude, the locals in Saigon seemed somehow indifferent to foreigners - like how they don't really bother to smile or how we would sometimes be pushed aside suddenly from behind just because we were blocking their way. Oh, their indifferences certainly don't stop the ang mohs from chatting up with the local women at any opportune moments... hahaha... there must be something about Viet woman that ang moh men really like.

Between Siem Reap and Saigon, we certainly enjoyed our temple sightseeings at Angkor Wat slightly more than our stay at Saigon. Maybe it was because we had a really knowledgeable guide, maybe it was pure comfort to be chauffeured between temple sites but certainly big credits to the Cambodians who made me feel like a VIP anywhere...

But at the same time, we were gratified that we were not swamped by must-go touristy places of interests in Saigon and could take our time to experience a raw city relatively untouched by mass tourism hypocrisy common almost everywhere - yet.

We went and came back; and our tale of the 2 cities?? We hope we will never have to live through any war.

And We Ended With Busy & Noisy Saigon

P/S: More pics & travel sentiments to come in the next 2 entries

Introducing... Jawsie & The Buggytrap

2007-06-25T17:31:00.000+08:00

Random weekday lunches with Mr. Gecko often led me wandering aimlessly around China Square Central when he left me for work after lunch hour. It was then and there I chanced upon this just-established outlet selling quaint English countryside garden & living-lifestyle merchandise where I saw this little pot of plant I only read about in my Science textbook. So overwhelmed I was with this discovery, I obviously wasted no time and brought Mr. Gecko with me to the shop and showed it to him.

And... Mr. Gecko really surprised me with the little pot of exotic green when we met up for lunch last week. Look! It's my little pot of Venus Flytrap - which we named Jawsie!

Jawsie

I was quite drawn to the morbid nature of Jawsie, I mean - look, have you ever kept any carnivorous plant? Ironically, with such a mean streak for a plant, they are named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty! Perhaps, the person when naming this plant had just been married to a beautiful woman. Hee.

Some fast facts I had wikipediaed over the weekend so I can better care for Jawsie:

✺ They are not houseplants and should be grown in pots under conditions that mimic those in their natural habitat - they have a large reputation for being difficult to grow. *me glups~~*

✺ Venus Flytraps ideally should not be watered with tap water as accumulated salts in tap water may kill carnivorous plants. Both distilled water or clean rain water are ideal. *I run down 7 flights of stairs these and every rainy days to collect rainwater just for Jawsie.*

✺ The temptation to trigger the traps manually should be resisted. *Opps~~* Venus flytraps are entirely capable of catching their own food; thus, feeding them manually is not necessary... *That said, Mr. Gecko was apalled and strictly warned me against it when I first suggested I will catch some bugs to feed Jawsie :/*

✺ The trap rarely catches more than three insects in its lifetime *So much for looking forward to alot of live action - what was I thinking about man....*

Eating Up Poor Laybbit - Jawsie Wasted No Time Satiating Her Lust For Red Meat

Domestic Humour: Stock Supply

2007-05-13T21:50:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko caught the flu bug from me early this week; the day I popped the last Panandol (For Cold Relief) pill into a recovering me.

He was also suffering from flatulence and had slight tummy pains. I remembered that my mom had taken away with her my Tiger Balm after her last visit.

I felt guilty as I watched a sick, sniffling Mr. Gecko trying to sleep that night.

The next day saw me marching into a pharmacy and buying emergency medical supplies for the household worth over $45.

Mr. Gecko: Wah! Are we stocking up for war?

-------------------------------------------------

It was a lazy Sunday mid afternoon. Both of us were inclined to breakfast indoors.

I was contented with 2 pieces of bread from yesterday's breakfast leftovers. Mr. Gecko wanted his weekend staple - instant noodles.

I told him that his mom slurped up the last packet of instant noodles last week. Hence, he had to go and buy fresh supply from the provision shop downstairs.

Me: Wah! Are we stocking up for war?

P/S: There're only 2 of us living together.

Kawaii Desu Ne ~~~~ In My Mock Jepun Voice Tone

2007-05-10T11:44:00.000+08:00

Hiragana Never So Delightful Before!!!

Felt like indulging in some giggling schoolgirl whims. Hehe... couldn't resist shelling out money to buy the stickers though I don't foresee myself using it - I can't bear to use it anyway!

I take out the sheet of sticker once in a while to get a feel of the characters' contour by pressing my fingers on them and relishing it all in its pretty primary poster colors.

Would have bought a few more sheets if it wasn't so exorbitant for a sheet of stickers. Selling at Daiso (Vivocity) at $2.00 apiece.

BAH............

2007-05-09T14:03:00.000+08:00

It's been nine months since I volunteered to tutor my cleaner auntie's 2 daughters. (Read: Stumped...... And Embarrassingly So) One of the ways I have been trying to improve my now Primary 5 kid's English is by expanding her vocabulary. And I believe(d?) vocabulary is best learned in context.

My conventional method is to task the student to find the meaning of a word in the dictionary and make a structured sentence out of it. You know, making sentence? In fact, it does not matter to me if my this kid's sentence structure is grammatically incorrect as long as I could see that she understood the gist of the word. I understand her English proficiency is really substandard compared to peers in her level.

With the already low expectations, I was nevertheless shocked into near catatonic state when I marked her homework [making sentences] last week. The mind blower ones as below:

Blaring (Blare) - When the wind blow, the leaves on the ground make a blaring sound.

Instinct - All humans even animals had their own instinct.

The moment I read those sentences, I had only one classic mentor's grouse in my mind: I don't know whether to laugh or cry...

Bah. She makes me feel I'm lousy at my job .

Mecha *18th Burpday

2007-04-28T16:28:00.000+08:00

Ah~~~... it's the time of the year again when Mr. Gecko lavished extra, extra, extra lub and pamperings just on me.

While April is my fave month of the year for one obvious reason, I also like all the self-generated, very visible anticipation and hype in the weeks leading to my burpday, making one very. stressed. Mr. Gecko outta it.

It's strange to know thereafter on the day itself that I always feel more than a slight tinge of guilt when I eventually receive my burpday pressie from him. I guess it's the same as when I am more excited to see him guessing, unwrapping and eventually appreciating his burpday pressie from me - while he felt bad I spent money.

Not that I'll return the pressie out of guilt anytime soon though. Hehe...

Receiving Pressie!!!

A Relaxing Round of Drinks After Dinner @ Giraffe

Also, not forgetting my most sincere thanks to my family and friends who remembered too. For all the pressies, well wishes and lub. Thanks! Thanks!

*Cheers to Forever 18!!!

Mr. X - The Office's Farthole Saga (Part II)

2007-04-16T15:46:00.000+08:00

Remember my friend, Mr. X - the one who farts in office? Seems like this poor guy's farting-in-office woe is not a one-time thingy.

His online messages to me sometime last week:

Mr X: I farted 4 - 5 times today

Mr. X: Smelly ones - I seem to be doing that frequently

Mr. X: Dunno whether they [office colleagues] paiseh to say

I asked him why he cannot step outside the office to fart, he said he really could not anticipate the urge to fart - comes like the wind. *suppressing my laughter*

Simply Attracts

2007-02-28T22:30:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko simply pulls my heartstrings when he is at his simple best.

Like while lunching at Hans, I asked him to take a stirrer for my mug of coffee, he gave me the normal-sized spoon without thinking twice. So looking at how he just plopped down the spoon in my coffee mug I just laughed and said, "You made me look so kampung!"

Or just simply contended to snack on cream crackers with a hot cup of milo on a cold, rainy day. Ahh... *tugs tugs*

I like it. Being simple yet still a dreamer. By the way, he was browsing FHM while indulging in his milo time.

Find A Way Home

2007-01-31T17:25:00.000+08:00

These days, Mr. Gecko acutely felt the sense to divert his financial resources for our house rental to something more tangible and that can be used as future collateral - yeah, you read it here first, we are at the infancy of searching-for-our-homey project, to the extent that everyday when he came back home from work, he'd ask for my homey research progress *yeah, it's my job to do research for anything-everything since he's the busier and richer one :/*

Nay, it’s not what you are thinking now - marriage is not on the cards. *There MUST be a proposal huh!* It's pure financial sensibility at work here.

We're pleased with the flat we are renting-living in currently, our Mrs. Landlord (mother of a close friend) charges us rental very charitably and thanks to her kindness, Mr. Gecko and me managed to scrap a living while living it out in a spacious 5 room flat - especially the time when we had just graduated. Just that we know it's about time we do something.

We only just started and because we don’t owe a car, we hadn’t managed to scout around much. We had been to a few private property launches and their prices-future bank loan repayments turned our knees to jelly.

Some online conversations on our find-homey-project:

Mr. Gecko: WHERE IS YOUR HOMEY LIST??

Piggee: Piggee look for homey huh... it'll be easier if we can shortlist the areas we want to stay in - or the areas we definitely dun want to stay in.

Mr. Gecko: Look forward to decorating / designing our own homey. Build a cell to lock u up.

Piggee: Oh! i wanna my own workshop to do my toy projects and painting. You know I have my own easel... if we have a 3 + 1, that corner will be piggee's own little corner!!

---------------------------------------

Mr. Gecko: Watcha been reading Tiong Bahru thread during lunchtime. Think we should get an agent who specialises in Tiong Bahru old flats!!!!!!

Piggee: :) You like Tiong Bahru too?? We’re so alike; what's the Tiong Bahru thread? Send the link to me?

So far, one of the areas that touched both our hearts is the quaint post-war Tiong Bahru flats. I’m glad Mr. Gecko shared the same sentiments.

It’s really only the beginning huh.

Those Were The Rainy Days

2006-12-26T18:24:00.000+08:00

Some of my favourite rainy memories raining on me these raining cats and dogs days.

I was in P6. My classroom was situated on the 4th level beside a big patch of green grassy field and I was seated beside the window. There was a day the winds carried the sweet smell of grass mingled with the strange smell of a breaking thunderstorm... I remembered loving the smell of the beckoning rain thereafter. It's a pity I lost that sensitivity.

We walked the causeway in the rain - the whole lot of girls, laughing and making a spectacle of ourselves in school uniforms in full view of the lorry drivers stuck in the causeway jam. A girlfriend coiled a thin wisp of her wet short fringe like a comma on her forehead and shouted "SUPERMAN!!" We were thoroughly drenched and the outline of our bras shown through the thin polka dotted uniforms. Did we care about the wolf whistles from the bored lorry drivers? Banded girl power took care of that. You say the rain dampens mood? Not that day. *Sigh~~ I miss everybody*

Both of us were doing our guesswork. We were not very sure yet quite sure. There was a scary thunderstorm somewhere west-end of Singapore. I "uh-oh" him about sleeping alone in the room with rolling thunders overhead. He acted macho and offered his assuring companionship under my duvet. I acted coy and asked him to queue up. Of course there was no queue. I felt more assured there would be a beginning.

What's with the rainy days... that paints a mildly melancholic picture and triggers nolstagia in one as you listen to the soft drone of the pattering rain?

Notwithstanding the mental auditing of the past one year's events - unfolding before you as the full force of the year end festivities reel by. And you feel like an outsider, a non-participator.

What happened? What's going to happen? I truly feel a teeny weeny lost now.

I Am Forever 18

2006-12-15T13:51:00.000+08:00

It's true!

Went to MoS last night for a round of drinks with Mr. Gecko and bros... I was stopped by the girl at the tic counter who asked for my I/C.

Get this. Disbelief was registered on her facial expression when she glanced at my birthdate.

TA-DAH!! TA-DAH!! TA-DAH!!

Never a better form of flattery than this huh? *humming happily to myself*

You're Lucky Your Fart Is Not Loud!

2006-12-13T13:35:00.000+08:00

A good friend of mine, Mr. X, told me an incident that had me laughing in stitches last night.

Told me he let out a huge, silent and smelly fart while sitting beside his female boss in office yesterday and denied the crime quite innocently *nonchalantly more like it* when the boss demanded if he was the culprit. She believed him.

Now, this female boss was getting really irritated. She asked loudly and acidly who farted, why the person had no decency to pass farts outside the office and proceeded to spray the air freshener vehemently.

I don't really blame her. The funny part is she had been smelling such hugeass farts for some time to come and nobody owes up. And you guess it, those were all my good friend, Mr. X's farts she had been smelling this past half year.

Now Mr. X really had no idea why he seemed to be generating silent killers for her these days. I told him never ever to let out a loud fart while with her.

Or he's never going to escape being the office's farthole.

You Monkey Face!

2006-12-01T10:29:00.000+08:00

Just gotten myself a haircut with a hairstyle I had thrown off to the winds since I reached the cusp of teenage-hood. Snipped off my long fringe and am now wearing bangs just below the eyebrow; straight across with the entire back hair length cut all the way up to the ear level.

Never thought I'd have the guts to be so adventurous with something as serious as my image - I told my hairstylist: "I don't want so blunt huh... I still want the soft girly look... don't layer my hair so much huh, I don't want to wake up like a lion"

The end result is satisfactory with kind reviews so far. *snickers*

Took a bit of time getting used to my new look these 2 days, I guess for Mr. Gecko too. He took a picture of me and used it as his mobile phone screen.

I just received one random sms from him today - "When I open up my phone and see your monkey face i smile :)"

Na-beh.

Taipei! 我来也!!

2006-11-22T11:25:00.000+08:00

The year-end holiday trip will always be one big affair for Mr. Gecko and me. Though we have not gone for any rugged backpacking - our very one location centric (we try to explore one location / state to its death) and very public-free & easy traveling mode is also not any weakling's cup of tea! Mr. Gecko will say I am the weakling. We, or rather me; *it's always my job since he coughed up the cash* actually do intensive research and draw up the itinerary two - three months prior to the actual travel period.

It was especially stressful to plan the itinerary for this Taipei trip coz' for the first time, Mr. Patriarch & Mrs. Matriarch Gecko came along with us. I had to make sure the trip will not be too tough for the fogeys. Well, credits to the fogeys for being so game and all but we are definitely booking a tour package for them the next time. Not for anything other than their comfort.

Frankly, I was a tad disappointed with Taipei city. Blame it all on Chinese MTVs which heighten my expectations of Taipei. The city is not as architecturally modernised as I had expected. I wasn't impressed with Taipei's city landscape at all. The Taipei 101 tower is kinda expected though it definitely is a dandy piece of structure but whole point being, that's just it! There ain't any Central (Hong Kong) or George Street (Sydney) kinda city / shopping experiences.

Mr. Gecko and me sneaked out to Ximenting (西門町) almost every night *after the parents retired to bed* for own intensive exploration but we didn't managed to buy anything. We didn't have anything to buy lah. Both Ximenting and Wufenpu (五分埔) - a wholesale garment district like Bangkok's Chatuchak; are catered for the Far East Plaza *teenagers* market. Taipei's most famous Shilin's night market (士林夜市) is real streetside shopping haven and has all kinds of accessories and food imaginable though I still didn't buy anything. I felt quite paiseh if the parents had to wait for me while I inspected the numerous stalls. Kinda regretted the quick walk through Shilin's night market. It's a must go on a weekend night!

*Eeeks* Taiwanese certainly have weird taste in food. They love to eat all kinds of animals' innards. Even the bulls' testes and pig's blood cake (猪血糕) are local treats and you can buy it anywhere from most of the streetside hawkers. Mr. Gecko met up with one of his Taiwanese associate for one casual dinner, guess what Taiwanese food he ordered as recommendation for Mr. Gecko? Chicken testicles [Taiwanese hawker lingo]!!! *hahahahaha* Mr. Gecko hardly touched his dinner that night.

Just to pique my curiousity, do chickens have testes? I thought chickens are of female sex and only cocks have cocks right?? Anyone knows?

Besides the main Taipei city, we also journeyed further to Chuifen (追分) and beyond to Hualien's Taroko Gorge (花蓮 - 太魯閣). Both places are nice get-aways for us city dwellers and we took the railway train to get there. Argh... the whole Taipei railway experience was so mind boggling! Every instructions is displayed in traditional Mandarin, there were so many train routes and rude-unhelpful-confused-themselves Taiwanese was certainly no help! But I really like to go up the trecherous mountainous road by public bus and explore the small, old Chuifen town. The village is built on the side of the mountain and there are quite a few old Chinese teahouses with a nice view of the ocean.

We also had a great day out and night stay in peaceful Hualien. We booked a cab for one whole day and the driver double acted as our local tour guide and brought us around Taroko Gorge's and Hualien's famous haunts.

Eight thumbs up (from 4 persons) for our hotel accomodation in Taipei & to Taipei's weather the whole period we were there. The Taipei weather was much, much better and comfortable than I expected. In fact, the mild weather was the best thing that happened for my Taipei holiday! The temperature was comfort cool and I only had to don a light sweater with nary any sweat though I walked almost the whole day and in constipated night markets! And the rain stayed away! Yeah!

Mr. Gecko and I also highly recommend TS Hotel (大順大飯店) should you holiday in Taipei. A night's stay in a standard double room with breakfast costs less than SGD90! And the room's ornate decor, comfort and facilities rivals that of any 5 star hotel for its price! I can surf more than 80 over TV channels in the room and there's even two free porn channels! Goodness! *giggles giggles~~* No wonder Taiwanese men are known to be more "humsup" *Cantonese: lecherous*.

Ah yes!! Mr. Gecko! You still owe me a session at Taipei's Partyworld!! The Partyworld KTV is HUGE in Taipei. There's this tall building owe by Partyworld at Ximenting and you can find another of their luxurious KTV just opposite the building. Mr. Gecko loh! Depriving me of a karaoke session in the world of Mandapop! Despite his promise... *Idiot!*

Hmm~~, that about sums it all. Overall holiday ratings for Taipei? A miserly 2.5 stars out of 5 rating. Blame it all on Chinese-Taiwanese MTVs and Jacky Wu's TV roadshows. They paint too good a picture and I didn't spot Jay Chou...

p/s: A small gallery of pics on my trip to Taipei. Couldn't direct some nicer shots with my toys as per my usual travel shots as the parents were around. What would they think?? Geez... that contributes to my low rating for Taipei too.

At the Jian Guo Flower Market( 建國假日花市) which is held under an entire car expressway! A very big weekend floral market with really nice blooms due to Taiwan's weather I guess - from seeds to vases to fountains to flowers to 6 feet trees in a bucket!

On our way to Chuifen (追分) - Going up to the mountain town in a public bus

Bird eye's view of Chuifen's town from a hillside cafe

Father & son sharing quality moments at Taipei's Danshui Old Street (淡水)

Looking down *no pun intended* at Taipei from 101 Observatory Tower which allows panoramic view of Taipei City

Hualien (Taroko Gorge) - The aboriginal lodge we stayed in for one night. Brrr... it's very cold over there at night

Hee... well said!

Hualien (Taroko Gorge) - I like this pic. Very new yorky-autumny feel... though I wish the leaves were reddish & brownish

Hualien (Taroko Gorge) - Mrs. Matriarch Gecko doing a jiggly dance. We were very impressed with the crisp clean mountain air and scenery

Hualien (Taroko Gorge) - This bill was pasted everywhere in Taroko Gorge. Apparently the couple on the fugitive run was wanted for murdering their 5 kids. As told by our cabby, forensic evidence showed that this couple murdered their kids daily and subsequently for 5 days - 1 kid a day! The poor innocent kids! This poster gives me the creeps...

You won't believe it, Taipei is quite deprive of ang-moh tourists - big time! You don't see ANY European / Indian tourists around the city (at least for the 6 days we were there) and it's strange given that ang moh tourists can be found anywhere esp. in an Asian city. So when we see this big group of ang mohs eating at the 101 Tower food court - We thought it quite spectacular in fact; and so snapped it!

Shopping at Wufenpu (五分埔) - I bought only ONE bag!! There's a lot of shoes stores but I was too thin-skinned for the parents to wait for me while trying on shoes. I can only go shoes-bags shopping mad here. Your younger teenage sis will go more frenzy-shopping-madness here though. Wide variety with wholesale prices

The Taipei public transport mode. There were so so so many yellow cabs everywhere in Taipei

Mecha trying to win a vintage 70s looking Hello Kitty figurine at a game stall at Snake Alley night market

The parents are pious Buddhists so we were on vegetarian mode for the whole Taipei trip. Mr. Patriarch Gecko is a big fan of oyster omelette prior to his current entrenched Buddhist faith... so we had 2 plates of oyster omelettes at Ximenting on our last night in Taipei - without the oysters please!

Happee Burpday! My Dear Mister!!

2006-11-21T12:16:00.000+08:00

'Tis so late!

Because there was so much work since the last week of October leading to his birthday. Because there was the last minute detailed plannings for our Taipei trip where we were heading at the second week of November. I'll post on that next.

I was tearing out my hair two months prior his birthday month; not knowing what to get for him. In fact, I just got his burpday pressie today!!! And burnt a big hole in my pocket too. But it's worthwhile since I will get to share the moments with him too.

But yeah... it's still November. So still can HAPPEE BURPDAY to my dear Mr. Gecko.

- -

*kissy kiss*

You've got me on my feet, Gecko...

Secret Agent Gecko

2006-10-15T18:20:00.000+08:00

Some time back on a certain weekend, Mr. Gecko slumbered outta of his afternoon nappy and while lumbering towards the bathroom - suddenly stood still for 10 seconds, craned his neck most forward gazing intently out of the kitchen window and sprinted back to the living room for the cammy. Started clicking away.

Thought I was an unsuspecting girlfriend to a voyeur I never knew. The thought vanished as soon as it came and I rushed to his side not wanting to miss whatever he was spying on too.

*chey~~* Mr. Gecko was only spying on this air-con man risking his life to eke out a living. *Kinda anti-climax huh*

Thought I might as well not waste Mr. Gecko's efforts to capture this air-con man on film for no reason; and share it here.

But seriously, on hindsight, this orangey air-con man really couldn't afford any mis-slips then huh.

He Spied The Carrier Man Without Harness High Up

The Close Up Shot

Theory VS Logic

2006-10-14T00:10:00.001+08:00

The Primary 4 kid I tutored; presented me with a Science question set by her teacher from a top convent primary school in Singapore. She was asking me to check if she had answered correctly.

I'm sure we all know teachers usually set questions within the textbook's context expecially for the primary science subject. And this question tested on the student's knowledge both on the basic theory of expansion for matters when heated and the conductors of heat.

I did come across some questions bordering on impracticality for the sake of testing one's knowledge on a basic theory before. But this question had me thinking if the teacher while setting this question had a bit of mental block then.

The question and my student's attempted answers. Make your own judgement.

Mr. Gecko carried out the experiment above. He wrapped half of a copper rod and half of a glass rod with a piece of white paper as shown. He heated the middle of the paper above a candle for 15 mins.

A) Describe what he would observe on the paper after 15 mins.
The paper will burn.

B) Explain your answer.
Paper gets burnt easily.

C) Describe what Mr. Gecko would observe on the paper if he replaced the glass rod with an iron rod
The paper will be burnt.

After going through my student's answer, I found it difficult for me to explain to her why she had answered wrongly and why she is not to give such common sense answers especially for a 5 marks science question for her end of year exams.

Theory versus common logic. For a Primary 4 science question, which wins?

Baby Victory

2006-09-13T02:17:00.000+08:00

I just had to grab this picture from my sis when I chanced upon it on her web. Mr. Gecko and I broke into wide grins upon seeing it...

It's about this little toddler, who is a cousin of mine, mastering the chessy "V" handsign for the first time.

Check out the the little one's concentration to get V right.

Stumped...... And Embarrassingly So

2006-08-12T19:34:00.000+08:00

An idle chat with my come-in-once-a-week cleaning auntie revealed she has two daughters - both failing their primary level English. And one of the daughters is taking her PSLE this year.

At the back of my mind [while chatting with her], I knew my cleaning auntie would not have the money to cover her daughters' private tuition fees, else she will not be cleaning my house and it's pittance she earned from me [I engaged her thru' an agency one huh]. Maybe it was out of pity, maybe I just felt like doing something good, I volunteered to tutor her two daughters on all English-based subjects FOC once a week, the day when she comes in to clean.

Now, I have very limited experiences tutoring; especially in Singapore's education context. The only one extensive time I gave tuition was while I was awaiting entry to Uni. For half a year, I gave English tuition to a bunch of Chinese educated students in Johor Bahru - you know the "is", "are", "singular", plural" kinda elementary phases.

I didn't even consider giving tuition for that extra cash supplement during varsity days basically I knew any student under my care would / might eventually end up worse than before! No joke. I was the kind of student who memorised, kept formulas in my bird brain and the instant exams finished, my brain cells expired too.

But what is so difficult about primary level subjects for me, a graduate at least, right? I had thought so very smugly to myself...

And the very first day, I was already so stumped by one Primary 6 maths problem sum. I was so freaking embarassed!!! I had to call Mr. Gecko for the solution on the spot and due to work distractions, he couldn't explain to me in details. I sent the girl home with the problem sum unsolved and sheepishly told her to ask her teacher in school tomorrow.

Tom and Jerry ran in a race. When Jerry had completed the run in 20 mins, Tom had run 5/8 of the distance. Tom's speed for the race was 75m/min less than Jerry's.

a) Find the distance of the race

b) Find Tom's speed in m / min

Tell me, do you remember solving SUCH a complex maths problem for your PSLE level?

SO FREAKING EMBARR-ASSED!!!!!!!!!!!

The Video: Semi-Finals @ Wala Wala

2006-08-03T15:24:00.001+08:00

Rubberband Performing A Cover: Pain Killer by Turin Brakes

It's a pity. Rubberband was ousted and would not proceed to the finals.

The competition was tight. Mr. Gecko though disppointed, thought the final 8 bands *except for one* won deservedly.

The Video: Quarter Finals @ Wala Wala

2006-07-26T18:05:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko and friend actually called themselves Rubberband... Haha... I wondered but did not dare to ask Mr. Gecko what was goin' through their minds for them to come up with such an insipid tag.

Stripped: Acoustic Live @ Wala Wala (Quarter Finals)

2006-07-26T17:15:00.000+08:00

I couldn't find an online poster to better announce the event. Mr. Gecko did a duo performance that night, I could not vid the other friend because the duo was sitting too far apart.

Anyhow, Mr. Gecko and another of his longtime songwriter pal clinched the "Best Original Song" for that night and breezed through to the semi-finals - to be held in Wala Wala @ Holland Village this coming Sunday evening where they will play an original and a cover.

Check out this space for more updates!

**The vid will be posted as the next entry. The site revamped their technicalities powress so I cannot play with their html anymore to suit my entry layout...bummer**

Appreciativeness & Gratefulness

2006-07-18T03:41:00.000+08:00

My life mirrored a minor upheaval for the past one and a half weeks. Especially from the start of my sickness to the 2 days' of hospitalization. Yet, the fears were not mine alone.

Mr. Gecko teared while explaining to his colleagues why he needed the half-day off to accompany me to the hospital.
He stayed up till late in the night in the hospital with me for two working days.
He made two trips in the morning to buy me breakfast before work just so I could breakfast while resting at home. We have no car.
And today, he is sick himself. Now at home, it's the sick taking care of the sick :)
Sorry for the troubles, Mr. Gecko. I feel like such a baggage.

My dad choked on his tears and couldn't speak to me on the phone.

My mom stroked my chest and softly urged me to sleep while I was lying half-concussed on the hospital bed. Through my half-lidded eyes, I noticed her white hairs and red rimmed eyes. I am burying all 18 years of our estranged mother-daughter relationship, forever.

Mr. Patriarch Gecko released animals twice, just for me. Mrs. Matriarch Gecko prayed every night for me.

My sis made a special trip to have dinner with me while I was recovering at home. My little bro waited on my beck and call the whole of this week. My relatives crowded around me with worried faces.

I am on a social circuit whirlwind this week. To meet friends; anxious to know how I am getting on.

There were alot of times in my private thoughts, I felt I had given too much... I had the indecency to think I was the only one giving.

How little do I realise. How late do I realise.

Thank you everyone. Though my personal luck's so down, I really feel much warmly cocoon.

Geekdom's Updated Again!? So Fast This time?!

2006-07-17T02:15:00.000+08:00

This shows I am resting well and have too much time on hand.

I hope it also shows how serious I am about my Geekdom!

You Know Who You Are :)

2006-07-16T14:57:00.000+08:00

When Art Imitates Life

Geekdom's Updated!

2006-07-15T19:49:00.000+08:00

Apologies. I am lazy. Yes, I do know :)

Check if you guess the author correctly! I hope it's good enough as I tried my best to process out my thoughts for this entry while recovering from my ailment.

Now... I think I am ready to do out my next Geekdom entry!!!

*sigh~~* I never change huh?

Getting Out Of Entanglements

2006-07-09T17:38:00.000+08:00

It's been a trying and difficult two months, grappling with a tough decision playing out in my head for months before reaching the ultimate decision to untangle myself outta whole work mess.

It was difficult because I love the freedom that came with my job. Ask my friends who can meet me anytime, anywhere for a tête-à-tête except during the weekends! Ironic huh? Too bad I couldn't handle the office politics that came all the way from Hong Kong in the form of poison emails. It's time for personal career progression anyway.

Thought I ended good and ready to start anew. Now I am not so sure again. *sigh~~*

The new job environment does not seem to sit well with me, some kinda foreboding. I am dreading going for it and I have yet to start work! Well, I just feel like I am going to step into another bigger battleground. For a start, the company is infamous for its high staff turnover and the office though situated in the shopping belt of Singapore, reeks of the 80s. I can expect alot of old farts aiming darts at my back, just for fun or just outta plain boredom. My supervisor who interviewed me TWICE, never once went through my work scope with me but instilled the word 'tolerance' in every sentence she uttered to me. It's useful and I sincerely thank her for the advice because I am famous for not giving face; and this time round, I gotta play my cards right.

Well, just as I reasoned that gritting my teeth and getting ready for compliance may be all worth it... I was stricken with a stange ailment two days ago. Sorry, I cannot reveal because my sibs read my blog I don't want them to worry for me. I am in good hands, I am strong mentally and I am still crossing my fingers.

The whole point being, I have to delay my work commencement for another week and I do not know if this will sit well with my new management. Even if I eventually recover, my level of recovery is not certain and this will definitely affects me work wise and personally.

I bought The Recruit today, for the play-it-safe buffer. It feels like a never ending cycle.

Bad karma is definitely at work.

Apologies for the hiatus though. There's just too much goin' on.

Our Phuket Getaway

2006-05-10T00:34:00.000+08:00

Idyllic bliss

Mr. Gecko and I arrived in Phuket and were nearly blinded by the shimmering sea reflected from the sunny rays. We whiffed in our first breath of the humid salty sea breeze, taking in the soothing sounds of the sea waves and imaginary "Wecome To Bummer's Paradise!" chorus started playing in my head - even before we truly checked out the island.

OK, I exaggerated slightly. Because Phuket's our first beach holiday. Because Mr. Gecko had initiated a stress-free, worries-free and guilt-free holiday! Because it's moi's birthday!!!

We NEVER bummed during our previous travels. Because Mr. Gecko does not allow it. Really. So, Phuket's a complete refreshing style of travelling comfort for us, or rather me. Hehe...

Like how we bummed the minute we checked into The Phulin Resort at Karon Beach. We couldn't help it, both of us were so won over by our room's aesthetic appeal. There were fresh flowers on the bed upon our arrival, swathes of delicate fabrics overhanging above the bed and the couch gave the the room the perfect finishing touches for a tropical feel and best of all, we even had a reading corner by the window! Is there anything more pleasant than flipping a book by the window in the afternoon, propped comfortably by fat cushions with a cup of coffee in hand while nursing your sun burn? And it was only a standard room we stayed in!

The Phulin Resort truly exceeded our expectations

A trip to the The Baray Spa for a good traditional spa and whole body massage completed our bummer package. How I wish I could afford the same treatment in Singapore for its price. The Baray Spa, in its exotic Thai grandeur resplendence, offers a complete spa and massage experience for only 2,000 baht per person!

Mr. Gecko seemed adamant on a all-relaxing holiday this time round when he booked a 3 hours massage and spa package for us.

For almost the whole of this trip, we hanged out at the beaches most of the time. Patong Beach area for the crowds and hubbub and Karon Beach for its romantic and relaxing atmosphere.

We had some interesting finds at the beach...

Nothing beats the day trip to the Phi Phi islands, for me lah coz' Mr. Gecko was quite seasick from the 2 hours speedboat ride. Maya Bay, where The Beach was filmed around the area, is gorgeous. The emerald-colored sea is so alluring, it does not even look salty to me... I know that's a weird thought of mine but really, I cannot imagine how anything so beautifully colored be salty? Isn't the image of saltiness more like, the depths of armpits?

We spent the whole day dipping in and out of the sea, snorkelling, swimming in lagoons and feeding the fishes with fungus bread. Our skin was practically screaming PAIN! from being overexposured in the sun. Mr. Gecko was labelled Mr. Itchy Back-o when he kept grinding his back on the bed when we retired for the night, like a snake.

THE PHI PHI ADVENTURE

Off to Phi Phi adventure!!

As we sped away from Maya Bay...

Mr. Gecko snorkeling

At Pi Leh Cave - The emerald lagoon is so ideal for swimming

Speeding towards Phi Phi Don island

Thai's very kawaii english neh

Moi enjoying feeding the fishes, they eat even banana skin!

If the video does not display properly
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Aquamarine Sea

For us, Phuket is really all about having fun in the Sun, Sea, Sand, Spa, Street Shopping and of course, the inevitable Sunburn. *ouch*

At the end of the day, we loved sitting down on the beach mat soaking in the soft glow as the vision of the beach silhouetted by the setting sun, wholly complemented with pinkish and orangey streaks in the sky lay before us. As the evening sun quietly slid down the horizon, words need not be spoken as Mr. Gecko circled his arm around my waist. I know.

The Phuket Sunset

Feelin' Very Pampered Indeed

2006-04-24T01:05:00.000+08:00

In and out
Of situations
I take the good with the bad
Ups and downs
Get complicated
But I don't have the right
To be sad

Every night
Before I go to sleep
I count my blessings
Instead of sheep
I say a prayer
My soul to keep
I count my blessings

I've got some money in my pocket
A hand I can hold
Somebody standing by me
When the winter gets too cold
Count My Blessings ~ NYLONS (Sung By)

Mr. Gecko A Goin' Solo!!

2006-04-16T18:23:00.000+08:00

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Mr. Gecko's solo debut!!! Just for your pleasure.

Please enjoy La Cumparsita strung by Mr. Gecko. This is a famous Latin classic synonymous with Tango, I am sure most of us heard snatches of the riffs from somewhere before.

Mr. Gecko gave himself 5 stars!!!............ out of 10 stars lah *hehehe*

You will see two parts outta this single solo performance because I could not post the whole 2 mins of the vid due to software errors. Will try to re-post the whole vid again later. Took me half a day just to post this entry. *so tired~~*

Mrs. Matriarch Gecko Swings Into Town...

2006-04-12T23:52:00.000+08:00

... and bombarded me with 101 tales from Mr. Gecko's and his bros' childhood for the one millionth times!!

*Grins and bears it with no choice~~*

Mr. Gecko, you are so lucky *or unlucky*?! Two ladies in your life - as sticky as a jell0fish!!! :)

Happee 21st, My Dearie Sis

2006-04-08T23:28:00.000+08:00

From a monkeying tyke I looked after and love

To today's blossoming missy

I remember...

... I was just starting out Primary One when mommy carried you home. I was acutely glad my status in the family was being elevated to an elder sis with your entrance. All because our eldest bro was quite a bully and I needed to feel older and important too.

... how I loved it when you or Didi refused to be carried by strangers as babies and instead, clung on to me tighter.

... you burst into indignant but hurtful sobs and ran to mommy when Didi, Si Mink *my young cousin who lived with us* led by me shunted you out of our play group because you were such a little tell-tale who spoilt all our schemes.

... accompanying you to your kindergarten for two whole months and eagled-eyed all your movements. I was only twelve but acted like all other mothers present.

... how you liked to create dresses for your barbie dolls using just tissue papers and rubber bands and everyone thought you could be a potential fashion designer. Ha! Now we know, 'tis so not true.

... too, you drew eyebrows and mustache on the only doll I had with a blue pen!! And after the big scolding I gave you, proceeded with Didi to throw all my bras and panties to the ceiling fan with glee!!! *Grrrr...*

... one night I went home after a long absence from staying in uni campus and you laid beside me in bed relating all your growing up pains for nearly four hours.

... when you told me recently everyone in the family seemed to prefer Didi than you. It hit upon me that you may have carry that baggage for years and I felt somehow guilty for not realising this and assuring you that you are loved just as much.

... I regretted exploding on you and returning my birthday gift from you out of pride. Sorry.

... telling myself to learn and trust you as a young adult who is capable enough to look after herself though I am still craving you will turn to me when you need someone for advice - just like when you were just my little sister.

I am glad you have a loving boyfriend and a bunch of great friends you can count on now.

A happiest and sweetest 21st to you.

From your elder sis here.

Coffee, Tea or Teeth

2006-04-05T10:01:00.000+08:00

My love affair with coffee started since I was eight from sipping my parents' coffee mug. Not the "atas" read: high class coffee-maker expresso kind but the coffee-powder-found-in-provision-shop kinda expresso. My mom makes a good and just-thick-enough kampung expresso brew. Not too bitter, not too sweet.

My taste has develop to either coffeshop kopi (with condensed milk) or Starbucks mocha. No ice please. My day gets a kickstart when I *hmm*~~ smell the great scent of coffee. Woh, I love that smell. Perks me up real good!

The only time I laid off coffee for a good five years was when vanity got the better of me. I decided to put on those ugly braces when I was a chubby fifteen year old. Why not? I thought I could slim down since I couldn't really bite and voila, my teeth would just be in time for me to meet boys in university.

Being fed with lotsa horror stories from my braces-sistas gang *lotsa girls wore braces in girls' school then* on yellowing teeth from drinking colored drinks while wearing braces, I decided to suppress and overhaul my physical senses. I had a girlfriend whose mom fed her with orange juice every morning while wearing braces and till today, she is still blaming her mom for her straight but terribly yellowed pearlies. Umm... from what I see, really quite yellowish leh...

So for those five years, NO colored drinks. From orange juice to coca-cola and yes, I even ended my love affair with coffee. But you see, I am quite vain and thinks it's really a worthy sacrifice. *smiles widely for all to see*

These days, embittered by my church mice corporate lifestyle, coffee once again, proves to be my antidote to stress-related wrinkles. Though I take care to maintain my only-one-cup-per-day policy, by and by, my teeth seems lightly tinge. Or am I paronoid? Mr. Gecko makes matters worse by teasing me whenever I showed him my evil sneer with "EEEE... yellow teeth"... though his own vampire-like teeth is even more stained than mine from drinking teh-si.

Oh dear... it's been on my mind for weeks to avoid the coffeeshop behind my office building.

It's time for the big crunch again. It's either coffee or my teeth. I've decided my teeth comes first, tomorrow.

A Little Peek At Our Future

2006-03-15T11:18:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko chid me always, for mis-managing my hard earned petty cash. There were times I turned a deaf ear to his 'orders' and it was these times, he would be very disappointed with me.

Last night, kinda out of the blue; he showed me his secret cache, online. Patting my head, he said "This is for our future home huh."

I fell hard for that line.

My Mister, The House, The Laybbit... hmm~~ something's missing...

Picture Perfect... Almost!! *hee*

Introducing The XBox Geeko

2006-03-14T00:02:00.000+08:00

Ever since my mom confiscated my hand-held Super Mario nintendo like 5 years back, I've had chronic hand twitching cravings. Some months back when I was seriously contemplating getting the new handheld Playstation at the airport whilst in transit to Sydney *coz I was damn bored*, Mr. Gecko managed to disuade me with the promise to go to the makeshift vendor and modify our Xbox console so we can buy, umm, more affordable games for our dormant Xbox.

Surprise! Surprise! Turned out Mr. Gecko was the one hooked to the Xbox console since the last two weekends. I'm quite taken by surprise. It's the first time I've seen him addicted to some I.T. game coz' he was never a big fan. In fact, I'm usually the one coaxing him with promises or bulldozing him with threats to play games with me.

The hours he clocked:

Sat: 3 PM to 9 PM (6 hours non-stop!)
Sun: 6 PM to midnight! (6 hours non-stop too!)

Think I'll hide the Xbox console this coming weekends. I miss his hugs.

The X-Box Geek @ Work

Who Is Cuter?

2006-03-03T08:28:00.000+08:00

For the longest time together, Mr. Gecko and me cannot agree on this one issue...

Who is the cuter baby between us two??!!

Of course, I am definitely the cuter baby. Look at me! So chub chub!!

Mr. Gecko thinks he sets the benchmark for cute babies. Doesn't help me when his mom sides with him too.

Our supporting evidence to our claims:

Me: My mother's friends and other strangers always gathered around me. The little me never fail to amass compliments as such - "She's so cute, she's not human! She's a doll!!!"

Mr. Gecko: In kindergarten, there was this Indian girl *slightly older than him* who was always bringing me to the back of the school to kiss me!!!

Geez!!??? Indian girl???

Anyhow, I decide to seek outside opinions and let loose the debate. Please, let us know who is really the cuter baby.

Note: You can ONLY stand on neutral ground if you were cuter as a baby than the both of us. No claims allowed. Submit supporting evidence please.

Mr. Little Gecko

Baby LierLiar

Cheers To Good Self

2006-02-24T12:42:00.000+08:00

I just gotten over some kinda big health scare. For now.

The apprehensions and anxieties had been quite unnerving for me since the start of the new year. For one month of fretting and mental stress, I was losing bunches of hair.

I do not want to revive and relive the old nightmares. If ever.

The painful test. Over. The good news. Out.

Am breathing much easier now and unmasking the face of mock nonchalance. Because I know it's not easy for those who cared too.

Cheers to good health! For all of us.

Am I Stoopid?

2006-02-15T14:21:00.000+08:00

One tele conversation took place in the late evening on the thirteenth February 2006:

Me: Wei? Are you going home already?

Mr. Gecko: Nope. Going to buy your Valentine's Day pressie.

Me: Tell me what are you buying for me please??!!! Tell me lah!!!
*Several similar pestering pleas follow suit in rapid succession*

Mr. Gecko: *reluctantly* Still looking at a few shops. I am thinking of a small diamond necklace or ring for you...

Me: *dramtically* NNNNNOOOOO!!!! I no need no expensive jewellery please!!! And I only want ONE expensive diamond ring from you but only at the right time!!!! Dun buy the jewellery for me please please...
*pleaded several times*

Mr. Gecko: Woo~~ What you want then?

Me: mmm... you can buy some books for me. I will go choose.

Mr. Gecko: Huh............

Am I stoopid? Stones for books? Stupidly, I think not leh.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Only for those who are interested to know, we had a nice dinner on Val's Day.

Mr. Gecko asked me to relate the story about how long we had to wait to be served at a particular Indonesian restaurant which was not even crowded in the first place. We eventually moved to another location for dinner. I see no point expanding the tangy flavors since I appreciate the loving notes more.

All In The Name of Good Fun!

2006-02-13T18:04:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko and me set up a little flea market booth outside Cineleisure in the name of fun last Saturday!!! We were just selling Etude, a Korean brand of make-up and skincare products - the one Korean movie star Song Hae Gyo uses to doll herself up!

And I make a LOSS!!! :(

A small loss though, in exchange for alternative fun and a joyful way to spend another weekend. I also like how all the initial event plannings effected excitment to those who were concerned about my first flea market venture, with lotsa suggestions coming fro from what, where, how to whom I could pitch my little fleamarket business.

In the end, all the sales were supported by family and friends only. *blushing deeply~~* I want to thank all my friends and sibs who came down specially and lend support in all sorts of way.

Special mention goes to Mr. Gecko who repeatedly disuaded and turned a blind eye to my bizarre bazaar idea initially but eventually caved in to my stubborn streak and lent a big hand to set up and man my little stall throughout the day. And had some fun himself too.

Also, not forgetting my gratitude to Mr. Gecko's brother, AK3, and his girlfriend. Both of whom stayed on for more than 3 hours in Cineleisure just to wait for us to close stall and drive us and my unsold stocks home!

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! From the bottom of my heart.

Piggee pengsan *Hokkien for fainted* from poor sales

Geekdom's Updated!

2006-02-08T12:20:00.000+08:00

I'm happy though I heaved a big breath of relief when I finally approved my own blog entry.

While I felt there's room for further improvement for Geekdom, I am slowly getting the hang of it and loving the whole creative process. Am looking forward to update my Geekdom more often.

Hope you will enjoy my very humble thoughts on Enid Blyton!

Spring Cleaning

2006-02-07T10:01:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko's mommy and sis-in-law think me kiddish *not childish huh*

Mr. Gecko bought a piglet soft toy for me when he visited Hong Kong's Disneyland. Or anywhere.

A mutual friend of ours bought a Piglet glass globe for me when they went for their honeymoon in Paris.

My friends bought only toys for me on birthdays until recently they realised when we laughed these days, we all have crows' feet.

I never buy soft toys myself but am not guilt-free from buying too many related merchandise. Like glass painted mushrooms that look like they sprouted from fairyland.

I never knew the clutter of toys I have until it's time for spring cleaning.

Till now, with a still burgeoning toys' population, I always have to dig for new space at home and ended up having to migrate some older toys to wherever space is.

Too Many Toys • Too Little Space

Rainy Days

2006-01-12T10:54:00.000+08:00

It was raining heavily on my way to work this morn. Was waiting for my kind colleague to fetch me with an umbrella from the short distance between Raffles Place's station to my office.

While waiting, I met two kind women who took the initative and offered to shelter me with their brollys to cross the street. Such nice little gestures from strangers to show they cared. Makes my day.

May not mean much to some but Mr. Gecko knows it takes little to make me happy. I needed the boost of even small cheers these days.

Whoever says rainy days bring only the gloom?

Geekdom's Finally Updated! HOORAY!

2005-12-28T22:16:00.000+08:00

After a very trying *coz I keep putting things off* six months' period, I finally posted my first review in Geekdom!!! *phews~~~*

Very nearly comtemplated giving up the ambitious Geekdom. Still, I'm glad my baby's growing by an entry!! :)

Gosh...

Popo, Please Get Well Soon

2005-11-30T14:57:00.000+08:00

I couldn't sleep well last night. Despite the long working hours I endured during the day. My whole mind was swirling with how-am-I-going-to-get-through-tomorrow's-work and how-long-do-I-have-to-wait-to-move-on thoughts. I am having some problems with work currently.

It was amongst these self-centered thoughts when I remembered Popo (Cantonese for Grandma) is scheduled for an operation today. I knew about this since last week and had made mental check to call and comfort her on the day of the op. Sadly, I realised I had totally forgotten about her well being. I tried praying for her instead but still, my mind was constantly distracted.

I thought of a childhood incident when I was still living in my Ipoh ancestral home with just Gong Gong (Cantonese for Grandpa) and Popo for company. Actually I do not remember the incident as I was all but two years' old but Popo always retell the story to me till today. She gleefully related to me how very greedy and fat I was and would stuff almost anything I could get my hands on, into my mouth. To the extent that I would even drink the bottle of soya sauce. It was Chinese New Year and I think I was gorging on too many mandarin oranges for my own good. Stomach upsets and diarrhoea soon wrecked up the little me and I had to be hospitalised for two nights.

Popo told me she stayed with me throughout the two nights in the hospital and forgone the Chinese New Year celebrations for my sake. She had only me on her mind. I wish I was old enough then to remember this.

Popo is now in her late seventies. For all Popo had done for me, how could my thoughts not even be with her? She is probably going under the knife now as I write along these lines. Seriously, I am quite unhappy with myself. Whoever says adulthood is fun when only work and money dictate your life? Or had I allowed work to consume me? Decided to write my thoughts down for the better of me, as future self reminders too - to spare thoughts for my loved ones still well and around me from time to time.

So Popo, please get well soon. I will make a trip down to KL as soon as I can.

Popo & Me

To Sydney!!! (Final Installment)

2005-11-05T17:20:00.000+08:00

Truth be told, this third and final installment of our Sydney trip is markedly emotional for me. I'd just say Mr. Gecko and I had to battle and thaw the frostiness building up between us. As usual, I was the troublemaker. I should have known better than to hurt him with offensive remarks. Well. Mr. Gecko, I am terribly, terribly sorry. :'(

Other than that, Sydney can't be more beautiful and favourable on our last 2 days in the city. We were particularly happy with our new accommodation at Altamont Hotel. It's certainly a value-for-money boutique hotel though with only gay mags as reading materials at the hotel lobby, we suspected the hotel being frequently patronised by gays. :) We did not see any gays around during our stay but even if there were, so what yeah? We love the place!

Having Breakfast At Altamont Hotel's Tuscan Styled Garden Rooftop

We took our last 2 days slow and easy. Quite tired to narrate our trip any further and so I shall just paste pictures to replace words. Only one other thing I had to comment no matter what, we were at our busiest - swatting flies away from our faces there. Flies are really omnipresent creatures in Sydney! Maybe it's due to the approaching summer I don't know, what we do know is THEY ARE REALLY EVERYWHERE and they stick to you like you are a moldering leg of ham!!!

The Quieter Side of Manly Beach - We Took A Half-Hour Ferry Ride From Circular Quay To Reach The Beach

Watsons Bay - The Gap is Really Beautiful. High & Sharp Cliffs with Huge, Smashing Waves Below. This place is famous for having the highest number of suicidal cases in Sydney)

*Grrr...* The Very Pesky Flies. Flies Everywhere!!!

The Long Winding Road To Mrs. McQuaries Lighthouse

*heehee* Do not underestimate the sun in Sydney!!! My face was reddish and started peeling on the last day. Slap on those moisturiser and sunblock please!!! My poor chapped & terribly wrinkled face...

After a day in the CBD (St. Martin) and George Street's very llllooooonnnngggg shopping strip *Queen Victoria's Building is really magnificent*, it was about time to head for the airport and back to Hougang. No doubt we left with a heavy heart but after a week's hols, home sounds like good music to our ears too. On the ride home, I couldn't help but started wondering where will we head for our next adventure? Huh? Mr. Gecko? :)

Adios Sydney!!! Thanks for all the happy times!!!

To Sydney!!! (Part 2 - To Blue Mountains)

2005-11-04T19:26:00.000+08:00

Life Fleets By As We Move On To Blue Mountains

One 2 hour train ride from Sydney's Central Station promptly took us out of the concrete jungle to Sydney's less populated but famous mountainous countryside. Greeneries and majestic Mother Nature rule the game here. It was a nice and refreshing change of scenery as we arrived at Katoomba train station - greeted by the ultra-fresh air and cold mountainous winds. We felt almost like we were on Hogwart's express train ride as we toot-toot to a stop at the small but quaint train station lugging our luggages and first stepped onto the platform.

Blue Mountains is truly nature at its best. We were awed struck by the grand backdrop of blue sky, blue swirling mist amidst the expanse of lush foliage and dominating rugged cliffs. I felt like a tiny ant and Mr. Gecko? A little lizard lah! :)

The thought of bush-walking and basking in mommy nature made Mr. Gecko all the more excited. The backdrop fuelled his leggy powress as he egged and dictated the his lazy sidekick to charge full steam ahead!

The Blue Mountain's trolley made life easy for me as it took us along the mountain trail to explore Gordons Fall and other Blue Mountain famous sites. We also went a trail-walking, stopping by at the oh-so-cute Leurella Toy Musuem and stopped by *overhype again* Leura Cascades. All we see is a small trickle of water in comparison to what our guidebook claimed to be one cascade of pour. Geez.

Left Row - Trail-Walk / Overhype Leura Cascade / Spring Blooms
Middle Row - Blue Mountain / The Three Sisters
Right Row - Gordon Fall / Piggee At Toy Museum / Nature Lovers

Things went downhill *no pun intended* for me in the mid-day with the increasingly inclement weather as sheer physical strains took its toll on me. It was big mistake for me to belittle the weather conditions in Sydney, I did not bring clothes to provide me sufficient warmth and Mr. Gecko was already damn irritated with me and tagged me as a pampered brat. Still, we had to call it a day after exploring The Three Sisters in a Scenic Train and a cable ride and I was, to my horror, nose bleeding! I feel guilty till this day for marring the whole day for Mr. Gecko.

Ahh... it was not too bad an idea to retire early as we got to enjoy our night stay at Old Leura Dairy - Studio. It was my major-est highlight of the trip and proved to be one of the greatest delights for us!! We felt we were being tucked away in a little world of our own much like The Little Prince story. I swear, it's almost magical.

Us - Enjoying Old Leura Dairy - Studio In Blue Mountain

The second day in Blue Mountains started great with the balmy weather and a van ride to Jenolan Caves with an experieced guide. We explored the Temple of Baal and the guide kindly stopped at some site visits like Govett's Leap, another rugged landscape and to an open field to spot wild wallabies along the way. *Arrgh!* It's a dung infested minefield. We had to side-side-step-step a long way of shit to justfiably observed the wild wallabies from a safe distance. Can you imagine the wallabies shit and eat all on the same patch of grass and they can do the same thing at the same time (eating while shitting)??!

Top Left - Jenolan Caves (Limestone Formation) - I call it the Devil's Mouth
Top Right - A Seemingly Angel-Like Formation Inside Temple of Baal
Bottom Left - Beautiful Flowery Blooms
Bottom Right - Jameison Valley, Another very Beautiful landscape we stopped by on our way to Jenolan Caves

All too soon...it was time to head back to Sydney's city late in the evening. I felt a pang of loss for no reason. I can't explain why too. Perhaps because I knew with the pulling away of the train, I will not feel the Blue Mountains' magic again with Mr. Gecko for some years to come? Perhaps I felt the whole trip's coming to end soon? I can't pinpoint. I am only too glad I had the chance to experience all Blue Mountains has to offer, courtesy of my good, old Mr. Gecko.

To Sydney!!! (Part One)

2005-11-03T19:03:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko and I came back from a week's trip to Sydney just last week. From unpacking, destressing from jetlag, dealing with the mountain of work accumulated to Mr. Gecko's birthday celebration plans, I was kinda hard pressed for time to post this holiday entry and I so want to do so before my feelings and enthusiasm wear thin.

Sydney, definitely is one of our most independent and researched travelling experiences. We raced against time to book our air tickets and in the event, paid for 2 days of entrance fees at the NATAS Travel Fair. We practically combed every budget hotels online in Sydney / Blue Mountain for 2 months before eventually we settle down on 3 budget boutique hotels over the week's stay which stretched Mr. Gecko's dollars and cents to its limits.

By far, Sydney also broke many first travel records for us: Longest distance travelled (10 hours of flying), longest time in transit (Spent 4 hours in transit in Malaysia's KLIA airport), longest stay in one destination (7 days, 6 nights) and most travel research done for a destination. We really spent a lot of time beforehand, at least 2 months, to do our research and planned our 7 days travel itinerary - being our first time there and our mode of transport in Sydney all public and damn lots of legpower needed. Sydney public transport and cab fares - not cheap! Well, we really did our homework quite diligently that I felt I already knew Sydney even before I went there!

1. Arrival - Took a train from Sydney International Airport station to Central station
2. We got lost for a while in the maze of streets while hunting down our hotel. Pic taken at the end of George Street
3. Yipee! We found Vulcan Hotel!

Two things that really amazed us in Sydney, besides the costly standard of living there, were the erratic weather and how early Aussie shops / businesses retired from a day's work. Even their hotel concierge! We were given keys to enter the hotels from a locked SIDE door if we came back any later than 7 in the evenings! The weather was still pretty chilly (late Spring) especially when it rained. A day in Sydney starts early. Strong sunlight was streaming into our window as early as 6 in the morning, like it's 9 in Singapore and you guess it, night creeps in pretty early in the evening too. So having a well-planned itinerary was of utmost importance as we wanted to squeeze in as much activities as possible during the daytime.

For the first 3 days in Sydney's city heartland, we were venturing to most of the touristy places like Darling Harbour, The Rocks, Wooloomoolloo, Sydney Fish Market, Chinatown and of course, the renowned Bondi Beach. Ahh... I hate to write this but Darling Harbour, to the both of us, is really all name, vastly overhyped and *kekekeke* expensive! The scenery was nice only in some areas around Cocke Bay Wharf which is really unexciting in itself, unless night life to you is a must. It is really just a long row of upmarket restaurants and pubs. Don't even get me talking about Darling Harbour Mall. What mall? BUT, I will not recommend you to give this place a miss if you are a first-timer to Sydney, just like nobody should not give Sentosa a miss if coming to Singapore for the first time.

Ohh... but we do love walking the short distance from our hotel to Sydney Fish Market in the morning and arrived there with a hungry stomach for the bounty of fresh seafood. It'd be even more glorious if we could eat under the canopy of bright sunshine, the winds carrying the smell of the sea with the Sydney Harbourbridge view... if only the seagulls and seabirds will leave us alone *sigh~~* and there are really many, many birds which will only be too happy to share your breakfast! :)

It also helped that we had strategically planned to arrive in Sydney during the weekends so I can explore all those infamous weekend markets!! Paddington market, The Rocks market, Bondi Beach market... gimme more! Gimme! Gimme! Seriously, I saved all my money so as to shop to my heart's content over there. Disappointingly for me, this was not to be so. Prices at these flea markets are not dirt cheap nor bargainable as those markets in Hong Kong or Bangkok. Aussies are very proud of their own handiwork and crafts, you have to pay to duly appreciate. But it was still pretty exciting to throng through all the knick knacks and to rest our tired feet in one of those quaint little courtyard cafes for a cuppa. The Rocks will be best place to experience that! You truly wish you can own one of those charming little stone cottages that will transport you back to those old English times.

I did venture to Oxford Street but by the time we arrived after getting lost and walking all those spacious winding streets... I only wanted to sit down after I arrived. The few shopping strips I went to along Oxford Street... gosh! A normal Charles and Keith lookalike soles sets me back by at least a hundred Aussie dollars. I where got the heart to spend? Mr. Gecko was sweet and kept on encouraging me to swipe his plastic card despite the price but I felt it was not worth buying something I can get in Singapore for a much lower cost. Yeah?

1. View of Sydney Harbourbridge - The Rocks area
2. We discovered this charming, underground puppet-maker store in The Rocks area
3. The famous Harry's Cafe de Wheels in Wooloomoolloo - A Must!
4. Exploring our way to Oxford Street to go to Paddington Market

I really could yada on but you may hard it hard to stifle your yawns. I realised it's kinda long huh? Generally, it was fun-filled the first three days as we explored every nook and canary of Sydneysiders' everyday life. I'll cut this short by declaring Bondi Beach's the best for our first three days. It was the brighest and sunniest that day though the seawater's temperature still not for the faint hearted. Still... woo~~woo~~~ the whole beach strip was packed (hunks a galore!!), these people really loves the sun over there. There were also quite some nudies sunbathing and we top off the day by having a hearty Chi-na meal in a Chinatown foodcourt before we packed for Blue Mountains for the next 2 days. Ahh... by then, we were already missing our rice and sick of the bread / meat affair Western style.

Hee-ya!!! To the Blue Mountains!!!

1. Suntanning At Bondi Beach (or trying to)
2. Hmm... Soft sand
3. A Bikini Babe For Me Please!

The Birthday Race

2005-11-01T22:43:00.000+08:00

It was the time of the year again when my head was crammed with half baked ideas how best to celebrate Mr. Gecko's birthday. There's been a whirlpool of events for me lately and also having just came back from holidays, I hardly have the luxury of time to gather all the ingredients and mesh them all into one perfect plan.

I planned to make him work hard for his present this year so I had clues scattered around the house for him to hunt and to guess where I had hidden his prize. A la a mini Amazing Race. The hardest was to come up with all those poem-like riddles for each clue. Gosh, I am really too brain dead to write futher details. Will let the pics do the narration instead.

Piggee gave the first clue

Found the second clue - in the toilet

Found the third clue - Piano

and... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. GECKO!!!

A nicely wrapped birthday present

Mr. Gecko, may all your wishes come true!

Pure Oxygen For Me Please

2005-10-07T17:16:00.000+08:00

Some classics portraying I, shooting my mouth before I breathe in oxygen:

1) To Mr. Gecko's cousin (first meeting): "So how much your company pays you huh?"
The cousin's eyes popped when I questioned him. Mr. Gecko warned me NEVER to ask that kind of question to anyone he knows ever, ever again. Ok.

2) To one missus from Mr. Gecko's gang (Bumped into her with her boyfriend while I was shopping alone: "Wah! I couldn't recognise you. You look so office." The missus gave me a blank look.
Freak me! I really meant - first time I see her in office wear so I was not used to see her in this kind of attire. By the way, she does look good. Till today, I have no idea if she takes offense what I said that day.

3) To a friend of mine (Abit butch looking but not sure if lesbo): "So you have boyfriend already?" She did not hesistate to shoot me down.
I had to be reminded not everyone liked this kind of question posed to them. Sensitivity is so not in my dictionary loh.

4) To one hoity-toity customer when I was in a part-time job: " You are like a mosquito buzzing around my ears"
She's a lawyer and threatened to sue my pants off. Really - my boss had to step in and apologise on my behalf.

These days, I tend to be more conscientious with my big mouth. I have no money to fight lawsuits lah. If I had ever hurt you unconsciously before with my insentitive usage of words or at the wrong timing, please do forgive this dork.

I am still learning to breathe in before I open my mouth to speak.

Letdown... And My Brownie Points Gone

2005-09-29T17:54:00.000+08:00

I offered to help Mr. Gecko to deposit his cash at a cash deposit ATM in town today. Thought I could save some trouble on his part as my working hours are more flexible so I can drop by to the ATM anytime.

I deposited the cash on my way to work, happily in fact because I love collecting brownie points from Mr. Gecko. I even wrote an email 'report' to him for this miniest favor done. Yes, I am one of those who loves exaggerating my little acts of convenience but only to him.

Guess what??? I left the bank without realising his ATM card was still in the machine. I did not even realise my BIG blunder till very, very much later in the afternoon. IF... the bank account gets cleaned out, I think... oh dear... oh dear... I don't want to think.

*Sigh~~* Luckily all's well now. Mr. Gecko had to call the bank to cancel the card. The money's intact but all my brownie points are wiped out by my stupid act of carelessness. What a letdown...

:( Sorry, Mr. Gecko.

Good Eating Places In Johor Bahru, Malaysia

2005-09-29T12:06:00.000+08:00

When I am known as one who hail from JB town, I always have friends and associates asking me for advice on the yummiest places to go across the causeway. Sadly, I am not the expert they should look up to as I am actually more well-trod in Singapore than on my own land. I am a true blue Ipoh gal by the way. Ipoh is my rightful birthplace where I also live out my childhood before I moved on to JB purely for my educational purposes in Singapore.

I don't eat out much when I am back home as mommy ensures I take home-cooked instead. But I do have a few fave eating places / outlets in JB. Some of them I do not know their addresses as I am driven to locations all times coz' I don't know how to drive, so I don't know how to direct others too. But there are these places I strongly recommend and which you will find appealing to your dining palate should you drive down with friends or family.

1) Da Ma Ba Sa (Literally translated from Mandarin - Big Horse Market): This is one sheltered, open air food court haven you must not miss. With all kinds of hawker fares from authentic claypot chicken rice, Chay Keow Teow, Bakar Fish and seafood - almost reminiscent to Singapore's Newton Hawker albeit with much more alternative food varieties. My fave stall can be found in the middle of the hawker centre selling only "猪肠粉". Served in original Hong Kong / Ipoh dim sum style, the pasta is made fresh and only when you order. Comes in only 2 kinds of fillings though, either chinese BBQ pork or prawns. But it is yummy enough and not very filling so big eaters can order this as a side dish. Hygiene is not a factor here but it's bearable lah - it's a Malaysia hawker centre leh, what you expect? The place is active only at night. Please don't venture there in the day or you will find minimal stalls open for business.

If I am unmistaken, the address is Jalan Tebrau / Jalan Kris. Ask any JBians if you are lost and you shall be directed there quite fine. It's pretty near Holiday Plaza. If you are driving down from the JB custom expressway that will lead you to Pelangi Plaza towards Holiday Plaza, the market / hawker centre is on your right side, after you pass Pelangi Plaza and before you turn left to the Holiday Plaza area. This place is a MUST GO!

2) Peking Restaurant - This is one of our family's fave chinese restaurant. It's quite well known and is busiest during weekend evenings so you may want to make reservations beforehand. Do try the braised trotters or "mei cai kou rou" (preserved vegs + 3 level pork) with the traditional steamed buns. According to my dad, it's nostalgic hometown flavor for these two dishes. The curry prawns with deep fried buns is a winner too!
The address is JLN BALDU 5, TAMAN SENTOSA, 80150 JOHOR BAHRU Telephone : 07-333 2928.

3) Bakuteh Tradisional - My family loves the Ba Ku Teh here. We usually have it for lunch on weekends and the place is often full house. Besides the usual Ba Ku Teh with the usual "油条", you may want to try the other cooked dishes offered. My parents love the Asam Fish (kampong fish) though I am contented with eating white rice flooded with the Ba Ku Teh soup alone. Yeah, it's that yummy to me. This restaurant is only open for business during the day and do not serve dinner. It is also a very starkly furnished restaurant / coffeeshop, in case you think you step into the wrong restaurant.
The address is JLN SRI PELANGI, TAMAN PELANGI, 80400 JOHOR BAHRU Telephone : 07-332 3331

4) If you and your friends / family have the time to travel further up north, you may want to proceed to Kukup for a day. Seafood there is dirt cheap, fresh and served in big helpings. There are also fishermen who take passengers in their bumboats to visit their kelongs in the late afternoon. It'll be a fun activity for both the adults and kids before dinner. Well, may I add, an eye-opener for those are wont to city life.

Anyway, I do hope that those who happen to chance upon this entry will find my info useful. I wrote all these down so when the next person asks me the same question, I can just copy and paste from here. Yeah, this's for my convenience too.

The Jerms - In Love On Monday

2005-09-27T22:27:00.000+08:00

The Poster

Foremost, let me give The Jerms a standing ovation for their performance. *stands up, claps and nods my head in respect*

Their performance was tight, good songs delivery, some originals were remixed and this gave the core fans a good listening change. Ken the drummist gave a few comical actions, Mr. Gecko, the lead vocalist was relaxed and put in more efforts to engage the crowds. Summarily, they had good stage presence this time round. Well, it helps that Mr. Gecko had a new fan base that night. His whole posse of ex and current colleagues came just to lend him support, they even gamely screamed his name. The boy was suitably touched at the end of the night.

The Jerms on Bar None Platform

It was so coincidental when I last mentioned Bar None was a new platform for them (Read: The Jerms @ Prince of Wales). My word could be read like I was already prophesying! Geeez. I can change my career path. In fact, I am declaring that their performance standard is reaching a whole new plateau like never before. Even the usually stringent Mr. Gecko was pleased with himself.

Well done Mr. Gecko! Well done The Jerms. I was impressed :)

Postnote: Check out mtvasia.com for more juice on Bar None's Mondays local music sessions.

I SSSSOOOOO WANNA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005-09-21T14:46:00.000+08:00

Oh dear... I so wanna go to both Sam Hui's and Beyond's farewell concert in Singapore...

But I can't because then I WILL BE SO BANKRUPT till the end of this year. I am saving every cent for our Sydney trip coming in October. Mr. Gecko's paying for the whole trip beforehand so there's no extra cash for him to indulge me further. Why? Why must they both perform at the same time of the year? Huh? Huh?

Sigh~~~ I SO WANNA GO!!!!

I am secretly hoping they will sing only Mandarin songs so I don't feel so missed out and pained. I will not pay to go if I know beforehand that they will be singing only Mandarin songs -pandering to Singaporean's taste. Yeah, I gotta be evil since I cannot go.

But still... if only I am not so cash-strapped... *whines*

The Jerms @ Prince of Wales

2005-09-19T23:42:00.000+08:00

The Jerms (Mr. Gecko's band) jammed in Prince of Wales last Sunday night, playing a string of familiars and debuted two originals, one of which I kinda liked upon first hearing - think it's called Swimming In Dreams. The Jerms packed quite a punch in their song delivery, I say, this was one of their best performances for the year. The band is on a massive gig circuit with THREE!!! gigs lined up this month alone and this is their first gig of the month. They are jamming at the outdoor Esplanade stage next week and I am eagerly awaiting for the Bar None gig end of this month. That's a new platform for them!

Well, nestled in the heart of Singapore's Little India, Prince of Wales is one intimate pub cum backpackers' lodge serving mostly Caucasian backpackers. Seemingly out of place whereby hordes of Indians weave in and out of each corner on the outside street, yet you feel like you're in holiday mode by the beach once you're soaked in the pub's laidback atmosphere. Like having an Italian fogy going round asking for help to light up his weed, went up to my friend and I and tried to strike up a conversation by showing us some kids' tricks... oh please...!

Malcom is the friendly owner, bartender and check-in registrar all roll into one. When he's free of tasks, he walks around the pub with his frisky curr which will sometimes curl up on your lap and give a wet licky-lick on your face if you are seated on the couch. It was my first time there and I was already quite taken to the place and took little to settle myself comfortably. I felt good watching The Jerms performing that night - relaxing with the usual gang of friends cum core fans and observing the motley crowd. Was this what it means to wind down the night by going for a drink at a pub? I sure feel like it.

The Jerms jammin' away in The Prince of Wales

What more can I say about that night...? Great music. Great crowd. Great pub. Great night.

The Great Birdy Rescue

2005-09-04T23:39:00.000+08:00

It was an unexpected rescue mission. Mr. Gecko and I were taking a leisurely walk back home after lunch when we spotted the distressed bird; and just in time too!

We Rescued This Birdy

I spotted a pigeon keeling clumsily backwards like as if it was drunk and I was puzzled why it couldn't fly. I knew the story when I saw a cat nearby with an arching back, ready-to-ponuce stance and all. If we had not interfered, that would be its second killing attempt at the pigeon.

I don't hate cats but I don't have a soft spot for them either. I think they are kinda evil because they like to prey on and torture smaller animals just for pleasure. I had once witnessed a cat clamping its paws at a bird's tail and enjoying the scene how the little bird tried to escape but can't. Believe me, that was called slow killing. I can almost imagine the cheshire grin on its face. If cats eat birds, I think Mr. Gecko and I would have gladly left the cat to do its killing, after all we do understand the workings of a food chain. BUT CATS ARE EVIL! *ahem*

Anyhow, we found it so funny how both of us were so mightily afraid of holding the injured bird in our hands. We are such city kids. It was a blessing we managed to find a thrown carton box and lured the bird inside or we would really, really be at a loss. You should hear how Mr. Gecko did the birdy sounds and all. *kekekeke*

I hope the pigeon is recovering comfortably in SPCA now...

How's The Smell, Miss?

2005-08-26T12:55:00.000+08:00

Read this entry only if you are on a Friday high and want to be shocked! Contains graphic contents appreciated only by those who can see beyond disgust...You've been warned!

Related to me animately in details by Mr. Gecko no less, what he had witnessed in the train on the way to work yesterday. He, while happily zoning away like all other zombie-commuters saw this young lady in her mid-twenties sitting down with her hands enveloped in the warmth of her armpits. Nothing unusual, UNTIL to his horror, he witnessed this lady started scratching and digging her pits... and proceeded to smell her fingers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, altogether now. **EEEEEWWWWWWWWSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!**

Some quirks people have huh?

Book-A-Shopping-Trip

2005-08-25T13:28:00.000+08:00

I lugged a bagful of second-hand books home yesterday, with more than a satisfied smile on my silly face.

I had happily spent half a day in a second-hand bookstore at Bras Basah, turning over mountains of dusty books to add on to my collection of vintage books. My! I actually felt dizzy after standing-squatting up and down so many times just to scan all the titles carefully. It's real silly if you think about it. I find my treasure trove from other people's castaways.

It was a real harvest for me yesterday I must say. I got almost what I was looking for with some unexpected rare finds. I found an original Peter Beatrix 's children nusery rhymes book printed in Britain and in very, very good condition! Just for a dollar!!

I should be able to update my geekdom this coming weekend.

Support The Underdogs!

2005-08-24T09:57:00.000+08:00

While traversing under the long Raffles underground tunnel on my way to work for the past few days, I always see this man standing astride conspicuously in the middle of one of the many paths there. He boomed out loudly and somewhat inaudibly "Ba De Boa" *I dun know what* every other seconds and handed out squarish slips of paper with simple prints that read "Work From Home". You couldn't miss him unless you are deaf or walk with your head down all the time.

It is just very direct advertising, a common scenario and nothing out of sorts I must say. Just that this scene led me to this one time Mr. Gecko and I, during our church mice days in campus, took on one similar "handing-out-phamplets" job that came with an embarassingly huge signage covering our torsos and we had to walk around hippy-hip Raffles City. We had nothing to do and it was school holidays anyway. Thank goodness it was only for a day. We bore it all well and took comfort by flashing grins encouragingy to each other. Still, our egos took a beating especially when passer-bys blatantly ignored our presence and when we spotted amusing grins directed at us. After that stint, we swore no such jobs for us in the future even if we had to eat grass! :) From then on, I make it a point to take handed out phamplets even if I am in a rush.

I realised naively then that there is no such thing as a simple job. Simple, lowly paid and alternative job stints do come with social stigma. Coming back to the underground man, I had total admiration for him. You need an elephant hide to accomplish this job even for a day. No matter how the masses snubbed, this man continued his mission with an unwavering charge-ahead attitude. I do not know why but this is very aspirational to me.

Maybe I love supporting the underdogs. I make it a point to buy food from the hawker stall with no queue, I forge friendships with the unpopular girls, I buy otah from the man with a mobile, makeshift charcoal pit, I buy sweepstakes only from the blind or handicapped man outside the mall, I buy prawncrackers from the man who hawks from office to office. Maybe my actions are bourne out of a mixture of both support and pity. But won't you feel nice too if someone takes notice of your works or at least acknowledge that you are trying hard? However small my efforts, I hope my actions create chances for others to take similar steps for the society underdogs. My way to give back to the society, at the same time, note my life's little blessings.

Spin Dry

2005-08-02T21:31:00.000+08:00

Sometimes I wish

... I keep my mouth shut and not hurt others' pride

... I make peace and check my pride

... I am broad-minded and forgive

... I am humble and not eager for success

... I abide to live simply and truly

Life goes on despite already, having a thousand and one regrets. I still, do not learn.

*feelin' sad, angry and confused*

Queen of Hearts

2005-07-25T10:25:00.000+08:00

It was a late Sunday evening. We were just preparing to go out for a heartlander's dinner fare.

He held out a deck of cards and asked me to think of a card. I knew he had some tricks up his sleeve but how spectacular could his trick be with a deck of cards? Casually, I asked for the Queen of Hearts all while sleuth-watching for any slick hand movements I might missed. A few short, dramatic shuffling of cards later, he asked to check out what's hidden beneath the dish towel beside me.

It was the Queen of Hearts card.

I laughed and laughed. He laughed along, rather pompously I must say. His trick's going good.

I could just imagined his state of high when I requested for the Queen of Heart card. That was what prompted my laughter. What a jackpot hit for him. I asked him how he managed to keep his face dead straight before the final reveal and we laughed hard again.

He could have hidden other cards. Or I could have requested for any other cards. Both ways, the probability for choosing the same card is one out of fifty-two. To him, it may be a random case of Midas touch. To me, this is mental bondage. For a couple together for six years. That night, even the familiar path to the coffeeshop for dinner seemed moonlit to me.

Girls just love romantic notions huh?

My GEEKDOM

2005-07-18T13:13:00.000+08:00

As the chinese saying goes "Marry a geek, follow the geek", staying true to Mr. Gecko's geekiness, I founded my own geekdom.

This is Me in my true blue geek form!

Your ardent support is much needed over at my other geeky blog. Let's just say I am also giving you the chance to let free your hidden nerdy self too!

See you at geekdom soon! Long live the geeks!

P/S: Nerdos can also proceed to GEEKDOM thru' the link at my sidebar!

Nothing Can Redeem Mr. Gecko's Reputation Now

2005-07-16T22:42:00.000+08:00

I mentioned before that Mr. Gecko oozes some kinda toxic aura that kills all the greens he ever tried growing. From the very first three tomoto plants, one of which we even aptly named as Tomatee (Sounded like: To "Mati" - Malay for "Die"), to 'organic' fertilizer he spread around MY healthy growing fauna, all the greens met their demise too early. Just their pure bad luck.

Before you say and he claim I am maligning him, I present my case with unequivocal evidence which a good buddy of mine took more than a few weeks' of hard work to gather before we came to this conclusion. Let us look at the evidence first:

Day 1: Mr. Gecko's futile attempts to redeem his reputation AGAIN.
Victims: Colorful balls of Liliputs

Day 6: Investigator Grover-Around found six healthy seedlings pushing out from the soil.

For a while, we thought Mr. Gecko turned the tables round this time and I was not so loud at taunting him anymore. However, just another one and a half weeks' later, guess what?

Day 15: All the to-be Liliputs die!
But you know why Investigator Grover-Around is celebrating?

Well, all of Mr. Gecko's six seedlings died. Just as we predicted. Poor Mr. Gecko, he does love plants you know. The remaining one stout stalk you see in the picture actually grows from a lychee seed which I had nonchalantly push into the soil just for fun and it grows. We were quite taken by surprise too! My buddy, Investigator Grover-Around was just happy the case ended well and his syping efforts are not wasted. Good work buddy!

Now, you've been warned. Mr. Gecko's a serial PLANT KILLER..

He Ain't Infallible, He's My Mr. Gecko!

2005-07-15T12:18:00.001+08:00

Mr. Gecko made a mistake at work yesterday. Was in pretty low spirits when he came home and I could see he was being hard on himself. Makes me feel awful for him too.

Consolations and hugs can only do so much... I had even allowed him to tie knots with my hair *hoping he is not venting his frustrations on it though* and he only managed a laugh too briefly.

Wish I had the power to set back the time for him.

The Jerms' Renault's Gig

2005-07-04T09:54:00.001+08:00

The Jerms Rockin' Away @ Devil's Bar

Mr. Gecko and band, The Jerms were invited to play a gig at a Renault's Formula 1 event at Devil's Bar yesterday evening. It was the usual kinda corporate shindig held at some watering-hole. Boring at some time, eventful at some point and The Flying Dutchman did more than jiving up the whole party with his lively banter.

The Jerms were invited to showcase their songs during the boring intermission of the Formula 1 race. Just for your tidbit, The Jerms consists of 4 handsome albeit slightly overgrown boys with a common passion for music and chicks, so for almost all their gigs, the missus of the members were mostly present to rein in their man. You never know when the other gals on the floor will act up and fling their panties while they rocked. I, for one play it safe everytime :)

It was also yesterday then I managed to catch up with the lead guitarist's missus who is currently being groomed to be the next A-lister for Singapore's export of Chinese pop singers though I am not mentioning names here. Anyhow, I was much enthralled with the bits and pieces of information throughout our conversation, particularly when she was telling me how it is such a common scenario for business men to "bao" female singers / actresses in Taiwan and is hoping she will never have to face such a scenario. She will never be tempted but is afraid of offending those entertainment big-wigs who may otherwise hamper her road to honest success. Now, to "bao" an entertainer generally means some rich business men pay to seek a muse and my friend concludes most of these business men probably had some inkling with the entertainment circles.

Actually both of us do not exactly understand what does being "bao" really consists but we came to the conclusion, it may either make or break a singer's path to stardom. Well, she let on to me that a particular local singer is rumored to be "bao" but she is currently not famous yet leh. So, I think only talents matter then and my friend has oodles of singing powresses. A true talent.

All the more I want to wish her the best for her debut and may she shine like Stephanie Sun. Of course, I took the opportunity to take more photos of she and the boyfriend together. Who knows, if I need some quick buck one day, maybe I can then sell the photos to some entertainment magazines. *kekekekekeke*

I Am Such A Hag

2005-07-01T15:52:00.000+08:00

Most of us don't forget our first love or relationship. Depends on how the relationship ended, it remains either our best memories or life's biggest mistake.

While I may relate my first love one day (Mr. Gecko's my second boyfriend), I am turning the spotlight on my little sis's love life for today's entry. A little entertainment gossip for those who tune in to Channel U's Project Superstar show faithfully though I am not going to point fingers, I'll leave the guess work to you.

My little sis is now, happily attached to the second guy in her life. After a tumultuous relationship which I think was a downright betrayal from her first boyfriend, she rightly derserved her current bliss. Her first love ended during a holiday trip with her first boyfriend and a group of primary school friends. Coming along together was this one girl, a contestant in the chinese singing contest, who is my sis's now ex's first crush.

This shamless couple hugged and held each other's hand openly throughout the whole beach holiday while it is no secret to the group of friends my sister was the girlfriend! How very brazen the couple was I must say. How hurtful and humiliated my sis would be. How I felt her silent hurt.

The way back home after the trip in the coach was the ultimate final blow for my sis. The idiotic guy chose to sit and hold hands with the bitch throughout the five hours bus journey! *Sigh...* My sis related to me how some of her friends were casting pitiful looks at her but refrained from humiliating her further by keeping quiet. There was no need on my sis's part to negotiate anything... the bitch made no apologies anyway. Till much later and my very stoopid sis actually went as far to shake her hands and accepted her friendship!!! Outrageous! I would have spat in the girl's face. Twice. That's me!

As an adult, I can only pity my sis and am glad she is young and can treat this experience as part of growing up pains. But my main concern remains how some youngsters can be so irresponsible to actually inflict such pain in someone's life. Someone you claimed you cared before even. Do they not feel ashamed? Could they not had spared a thought to my sis's feelings then?

Hmm... I hope the girl will not make it to the final rounds of the singing contest. She hasn't been kicked out of the contest at this stage. She's no singer lah anyway. You can't say I am biased. Some people just do not deserve chances.

Mr. Gecko's In The Limelight Again!

2005-06-30T09:57:00.001+08:00

Mr. Gecko had a verbal work evaluation with his direct boss yesterday and got nothing but PRAISES all the way.

Ahhh... not surprising coming from Mr. Gecko except this is the second time in a span of only 4 months he was heaped with all these positive verdicts. The most worthy comment being having the direct boss revealing to Mr. Gecko that the MD verbally commended his work performances. And this MD is not known to be generous with praises for staff. *Pops champagne!*

I asked Mr. Gecko his feelings on the open affections his company heaped upon him. And the boy besides being over the moon is slightly apprehensive about living up to high expectations. It seems the management may be planning more challenging roles for him and he does not want to buckle under unnecessary pressure just to live it up.

Ah. I'll leave that for him to worry. Meantime, I am only thinking about his year-end bonus. It is not too early to make elaborate plans for a Christmas holidays now, yeah??

I Feel So Indulged

2005-06-21T17:02:00.001+08:00

I took a day off work as fever plagues me, so am physically feelin' a little out of sorts today.

Mr. Gecko shown an indulgent side of his to me yesterday. We visited his brothers' home last Sunday night and I discovered they had these animes I had wanted to borrow but could not when I realised I needed a DVD player and I did not have one at home. I did not kick up any big fuss, did not display any tantrum nor a disappointed face... so I was very, very, very heartened Mr. Gecko remembered my wants and went all the way to purchase a DVD player just for me! Just so I can watch my cartoons!!

Aww... Mr. Gecko, you shouldn't have but thanks!

The DVD Player for my animes

One downside though - Mr. Gecko bought his stash of Alfred Hitchcock's films. We last watched all 3 episodes of The Godfathers on Valentines' Day no less and my eyes were half-closed almost throughout the shows...

Dream A Little Dream

2005-06-20T22:03:00.000+08:00

Mr. Gecko and I love our striking sweepstakes and quitting our jobs pronto! daydreaming - every day on our way to work each morn. We have other similarly lazy but quaint and much gratifying notions on weekend nights while luxuriating in each other's laidback company under the duvet. Like how Mr. Gecko makes my heart miss half a beat (in horror actually) everytime he basks in his dream retirement scenario. A little peek into his dream retirement world reveals:

Mr. Gecko The Lettuce Farmer

*Ahem* Well, my protests said it all! :) By the way, Mr. Gecko is no Mr. Green-Thumb. He has a knack and well-documented history for killing all the greens he ever tried growing. More on this trivia next time. But now you know Mr. Gecko's early retirement dream as one simple, laidback lettuce farmer! Much as I do not want to be Missus Farmer, I am delighted to know I am included in his happy, sunny picture.

Mr. Gecko conjured a new and beri, beri interesting daydream for ourselves yesterday. He, an anime artist and I, his model! Some time ago, Mr. Gecko created and drew out moi's anime version *shy~~* named Baby Busted. It's quite a cute caricature of moi and both of us had some delightful, tinkling moments blueprinting The Adventures of Baby Busted from there yesterday. Of course, our business acumen say Baby Busted soft toys will be profitable too! No one will therefore be spared from the phenomenon of Baby Busted for the sake of our early retirement dreams! Hope you'll be anticipating the birth of Baby Busted as much I do! Cheerios.

Baby Busted

Baby Busted The Telly Toot

*I even have piggee with me*

A Little Nice Gesture For Me

2005-06-15T11:17:00.001+08:00

One sms from my little bro touched my heart today:

"Jie, I got fifty dollars worth of Robinsons vouchers. You want? I never use. Share with Gecko gor gor (Cantonese for Big Bro) or what lor."

This coming from my little bro who is still studying and whose monthly stipend comes from me. I know he could have used the vouchers for himself or buy something to pamper his girlfriend, so I was pleasantly surprised by his generosity and touched by his thoughts.

Some say a little gesture goes a long way. I agree.

Timeline

2005-06-04T17:08:00.001+08:00

I went with Mr. Gecko and his gang to the Eski Bar for a round of drinks yesterday. It was suppossed to be a raucous guys' night-out only but I tagged along becase no one told me so and I was already out with Mr. Gecko to dine and shop like any typical Friday night. So, all the other missus of the guys were missing, only me.

Eski Bar is really cramped with narrow walkways. It is not as antartically cold as some pubs reviews claimed to be. Still, if you are dressed in your summer wear like me, you can be chilled to the bones. I was saved by the nice waiter who gallantly stripped off his Heineken jacket for me, warmed gradually by the rounds of drinks and heated up by the intense rounds of guys' banter and the usual discourse on BGR. (Read: Boy-Girl Relationship)

The subject on BGR rested mainly on one of the guys who is engaged to his girlfriend of 4 years. While the girl felt it was the right time for her to settle down, the guy on the other hand, felt he would like to have a little bit more time to stabilise his career so as to cover the cost of marriage more adequately. Not that the girl is not chipping in, it's just that marriage is really an expensive affair in Singapore. So the couple contributed much of their monthly income and even their bonuses for their marriage plans: Wedding dinner, wedding package, car, flat and home renovations. And the guy seemed pretty much resigned to his fate like there is no escape. I asked if he was not happy with the whole arrangement, he answered the wedding taking place late next year is too far away for him to grasp in reality now. To me, marriage sounds like just another route one must trod, another phase in a boy-girl relationship. But just for clarification, the guy is sure she's the one.

One of the guys then jokingly suggested if I am dying to marry Mr. Gecko and he is not taking any action, I should use the pretext of buying a flat to ensnare my prey. I know my answer well. NO MATTER WHAT, Mr. Gecko must propose. This is the only way for me to know Mr. Gecko wants to spend the rest of his life together with me. No marriage obligations for me though I do not wish to be a wrinkled bride. Come on, it's the only day I can play princess.

Recently I was disturbed inwardly having seen and heard a slew of broken relationships - all marathon relationships like mine. While I am still eager to seal my destiny as Mrs. Gecko, these recent break-ups had me rethinking if fulfilling life's timeline at the appropriate moments is preeminent. Maybe there is really a right time to do the right thing but I guess having the right feel is as important and will make a whole difference to do the right thing at the right timing? Enlighten me...

Someone Teach Me How To Be Thick-Skinned Please

2005-06-01T17:30:00.000+08:00

I am not a particularly shy girl. In fact, in some aspects taken from real life situations, I think I am quite courageous and my occassional devil-may-care attitude surprised myself too. Once, I pulled a man away with one strong swing when he tried to cut the queue right in front of me. I had asked a muscle-man to give up his seat in an overcrowded bus to an old woman carrying a baby by jabbing at his overgrown biceps. Freakingly hilarious now that I think about the situations I put myself in sometimes. Anyway, the point being I do know an acquiescent personality is definitely so not me.

I thought I am SO courageous, nothing can beat my spirits down for anything. When I first started being the little boss, I also thought I'd be thick-skinned enough and would encounter no problem promoting my own business to all my business contacts. Layman terms - salesgirl.

Boy... am I prideful and boastful. How mininal I know thyself! Simply put, I am just not thick-skinned enough. Not enough. I tried calling some of my closest business contacts to let known my private venture and I found myself beating round the bush! Umm... Umm... In the end, some of my contacts thought I was just paying them a courtesy call!!

Seriously, this is not easy when I have almost zero portfolio to speak of. My unswallowable gob of pride comes in the way when I mind how others will judge me. I will need major tweakings to that unnecessary pride of mine, taking into heart not to rush the notions of success too soon in my brains.

All that said, I still like being my own boss. I am A little boss sounds good to my ears. Nothing is as satisfying as clinching a deal and making good out of it. Maybe except the day when Mr. Gecko slip a rock on my finger. But that's a different story altogether yeah?

Give Me Da Money!

2005-05-30T09:53:00.001+08:00

Ever since the landlord raised our home rental and I am sick of walking the distance to the nearest MRT to and from work, I had been eyeing this new condo (still under construction) situated right smack beside the MRT station further down where I live.

Mr. Gecko and I went to check out the showroom yesterday for curiosity's sake. We had helped a friend to check out a condo apartment while holidaying in KL a few weeks' ago; and were vaguely impressed with not only the communal facilities but more on how contemporary and comfortable the interior of the private apartment can be... of course we all know the interior is all nicely done up because it is THE showroom. But that is an afterthought.

I was suitably impressed with what I checked out yesterday too, especially when I knew the apartment comes intact with a built-in microwave and oven. MMmm... I can already smell the chocolate cake baking nicely. But Mr. Gecko and I agreed that the kitchen / laundry area was too narrow and cramped for our liking. Both of us also do not like to be greeted by the sight of the dining room upon entering the front door. We noticed this had been a trend in most home interiors these days, even the layout of the new HDB flats in Seng Kang area is as such. Not to our taste though, we like to have doorway-living room-dining room nearer to the kitchen. :)

We also realised that where we are living in currently (Old HDB 5 Rooms Flat) seems to have a bigger space area than what the condo can offer for the same number of bedrooms. In comparison, our kitchen is at least 3 times more spacious. Ah... but we are paying for a yuppie lifestyle yeah? Think: Tennis courts, swimming pool, gym and a suana - all for me to enjoy with Mr. Gecko just by going down the lift literally.

Sigh~~ of course this is all but an empty dream - unless we win the sweepstakes. A 3-bedroom apartment costs at least $600k! How long will we take to pay off all the installments? It was good enough to dream for a while.

Just as I told Mr. Gecko after viewing the apartments, home to me is wherever Mr. Gecko will be. And I mean it truly.

My Toys' Pic Again

2005-05-28T23:59:00.001+08:00

At Home

Just want to be more familiar with posting pictures on my blog as I am thinking of creating one other new and more ambitious blog (if this test works out fine). Some pet project I wanted to do yonks ago.

This pic happened to catch my attention. I love it - totally reflected how I love being at home with Mr. Gecko :)

Superficial?? Me??! Maybe....

2005-05-26T10:32:00.000+08:00

Your Heart is Pink

What Color is Your Heart?
brought to you by Quizilla

Mr. Gecko Gets Some Real Compliments

2005-05-20T09:32:00.001+08:00

Mr. Gecko came home yesterday and beamingly related the following to me with his faux shy face:

"I've got an email from my boss today hoh, she forwarded to me an email from one of the company's most hard-to-pleased trader who had sent an email to the MD stating that I am VERY VERY efficient and good and the colleague mentioned that I probably should be doing something more challenging at some point!"
Note: In the email, the words "VERY VERY" is really in CAPS.

So happy for my Mr. Gecko!!! :) *do 3 backflips*

Well, Mr. Gecko truly deserved the compliment. He just started on this current job *read KILLJOY entry* and his probation period is not even over. But this is Mr. Gecko. He has this special quality that even if one puts him in any nondescript job, he will be able to perform above par; and make people notice and like his work performance.

He's definitely no bootlicker and a very humble guy by nature. Anyone, well I am, will be impressed with the kind of dedication and responsibility he puts into any roles he takes on in life. Be it as a son, a boyfriend, a brother, a friend, an employee, or even just as a passer-by (过客). Those who know him well will agree.

I say, I am going to work hard too. Not for the need of just anyone's compliments, just Mr. Gecko's will do!

Rental Alone, Can Sink A Business

2005-05-12T10:40:00.000+08:00

I read in yesterday's Straits Times's WORLD section headlined 'Rent Sinks HK Bakery' about one famous egg tarts and pastries stall in Hong Kong throwing in the towel and closing their operations for good by the end of this month. The reason? The shop lot's landlord increased the rental by a whopping 110%! This means the bakery have to allocate SGD$16,800.00 per month from their take-ins just to continue their operations! To me, a 110% increment is equivalent to daylight robbery! The landlord might as well hand over the land title-deed to the bakery. Although I never try the egg tarts in the famous store and do not know how tasty the pastries are, it's obvious they must be good! Or how else do you explain the survival of a simple pastries' store for half a decade? I see their closure as a country's loss of a breed of vintage local brands synonymous with the history and growth of HK's prosperity.

I personally do not understand the mind mechanisms of these so-call landlords, especially for this case. If the shop lot is located in the prime belt and businesses are highly dependable on the traffic volume the location provides, I understand the need to increase the rental within a REASONABLE range. But for this case, I can only say the landlord is in a classic lose-lose situation. Not only is he losing for good a stable income, he may not find another shop to fill in the space, not with that rocket-high rental fees packaged along. Not that anyone should care for this stupid landlord anyway.

Some of my friends will know I am taking baby steps in entreprenuship since the start of this year, pawing my way through the business world like a country bumpkin's virgin trip to a neon-lit city with naive hopes to stike gold someday. Like all other start-ups, I hope to find a place to call my working space and for practical reasons like putting the address on my namecards and to receive correspondences. As I scoured through the list of office spaces for rental in some certain areas I considered suitable, there is none I can afford! Not in my current pauper position.

A cramped space for two with zero facilities in an old building sets me back by $500 per month at least, not taking into account your other various overheads expenditure. What really gets into me is I can also foresee landlords who will always try to increase your rental once your contract expires. In such cases whereby the company deems the rental unaffordable, they are forced to move their operations elsewhere, get slapped with the hassles of movement and the cost of changing their contact details. Or in the case of the HK bakery, wave the white flag.

Though I am eager for my own space, I am determine not to fall into this rental black hole as I've yet to see real moolah. I really wish there are more affordable, readily available spaces for start-ups like mine. I do not see how some old buildings especially those with perpetually vacant lots cannot be flexible and work out a short-term rental clause for ambitious people like me but with empty pockets for the time being...

Drop me a note if you are one such flexible landlord and see the potential in me.

Post Note: Came home and was informed by Mr. Gecko our house landlord raised our rental by another $200 today... what a day...

The Beginning of A Week's Break

2005-04-26T19:07:00.000+08:00

*Skipping merrily and singing to the Smurfs theme song on the lane home*

*LA LA LA LA LA LA~~
Sing a happy song~~
LA LA LA LA LA LA~~
Laze the whole week long!*

Geeez... I can't wait! :)

A Surprise Awaiting Weekend

2005-04-25T10:18:00.001+08:00

The weekends had been very kind to me.

I received my birthday gift early, as nerdy Mr. Gecko himself could hardly contained his own excitement and enthusiasm. He had already pressed me if I wanted to receive my pressie as early as Friday night itself while we are in the event of celebrating another friend's birthday! I declined to steal the friend's thunder though.

Eventually by Saturday afternoon, his excitement was so contagious, I have to give in as I admit, I am dying of curiousity too.

*YEAH!!!* Mr. Gecko did not give me a watch as I had initially presumed. Still, the birthday surprise was not beyond my sixth sense radar. Mr. Gecko is after all such a nerdo. Yeah, your nick shall remain as such in future, gecko nerdo.

I like! Thank you Mr. Gecko. For listening to me with your heart.

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,

Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,

Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine,

With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.

- A Midsummer Night’s Dream -

Hello, Missy Paranoid

2005-04-15T11:30:00.000+08:00

On my way to work this fine morning, I accidentally brushed against this middle-aged woman's handbag while on the ascending escalator to bring me out of the Raffles underground tube. This woman turned back her head slightly, huffed one big *bad breathe and immediately upon exit, fished around her bag to check for missing contents!!!

All while I am still behind her!!! Hello? Hello?? Missy Paranoid??? Talk about an undue insult man.

I am so, so, so miffed and ruffled up now. My fingers were itching to give her the universal handsign her actions deserved! (nah, take this! . l . )

While I understand the need to be conscientious with your belongings, that's like way overboard, no? Heck, I am in my so chic, so 2 power colors office wear, am wearing heels that could spike the concrete pavement and - I only brushed her bag ever so slightly!

Even if I theft for a living in my power suit, she doesn't qualify anywhere near as prime target with her LB handbag from Bangkok and Giodarno get-up, I'd so choose a much better target than her loh!

Hello? Hello? Missy Paranoid???

*Note: writer's imagination

Mr. Gecko! I Found My Watch!

2005-04-11T13:21:00.001+08:00

Dear Mr. Gecko...

I found my missing watch!!! :)

I can't fathom how the watch could had landed up inside my office's tissue box but at least it wasn't dropped anywhere outside and picked up by some vagrant? You know, I could be so upset with that scenario. This watch that you gave means a lot, a lot to me. Ok lah, I admit there were some shabby treatments to it sometimes. The sentimental notes hit me only when I realised the watch was missing, to the extent I went to retrace my lunch time route with hopes that no one would pick up the watch after 5 hours.

When I went for my appointment with Dr. Loh the other day, he said: "Well "lierliar", you are looking good. Another 7 more months and you'll cross the threshold of 5 years and can be pronouced as cured!" Of course, we know I can never be completely cured. Still, that feels real good to come thus far. You gave me this watch when I was on the prep to a new me and I have since, wore only this watch on my wrist for these 5 years too! But it was not on my wrist when the doc gave me his congratulations... aawww~~... Do you remember the mad scientist photo we took when you first gave me the watch? Hehe...

You must be quite disappointed that I found my watch! Now you have to start all over again to think of a surprise birthday gift for me! Nah... I know it was going to be a watch right???? Talk about my acute 6th sense, you are a real nerd when it comes to surprise pressies. Ever since my birthday is *looming* nearer with each passing day, I can see the vein above your right eyebrow throbbing hard even when you are asleep! :)

After all my successive complaints about the lack of ooppmmhh for my past 2 birthdays, you must have been in a real fix trying to make my this birthday a most memorable one for me, yeah?

The Monday Blues

2005-04-04T09:35:00.000+08:00

Lamenting with resigned bitterness of the passing weekends have always been a cyclical ritual for me, weekly. I never feel oiled enough to set my old wheels in motion for the week ahead despite having laze around the house for 2 weekends straight.

Mondays blues and fatigues set in immediately right after I plop down and away to dreamland on Sunday night. Well, in defense, last counted, I only managed a total 5 days of annual leave for a year of slog and shit. The fact that I can't even smell a whiff of bonus anytime soon...

I need a doctor who can certified me unfit for work every working Mondays.

Passé

2005-03-30T13:26:00.000+08:00

Haven't been blogging lately.

My workload is not really the excuse. Truth is, my inherent lazy streak is rearing its ugly head again though I'd rather attibute my virtual absence to a sore lack of life materials to blog on. I am such an ordinary gal with a capital O. Well, this also means I am losing the novelty to blog every minute details of my everyday life.

For a start, I lead a mandatory slogger's life, my thoughts for the day are usually flat and conservative (though I have some friends who claim I am one zany sweet fart), I am so in love and contented with the SO sedate Mr. Gecko, contrary to what some think we are having a combustible relationship (one friend asked us to stop shagging so much coz' I always appear tired - for the record, I'm still a virgin), that said nothing pleases me more than rolling around the bed with Mr. Gecko (clothes on) on a lazy Saturday morn.

Basically, I am a classic crowd pleaser and no oddball. I act too sweet for my own good so friends revert with their own placidness. I no bitch to others except secretly to Mr. Gecko so all bitchiness towards me is also behind my back which I don't get to hear. So no life materials lah, geddit? Ten points for my blatant honesty.

I did keep a sorta diary when I was sixteen. That, I kept concealed to everyone bacause of all my angst and vulgarities burnt into the pages. Not ashamed though. The entries were mainly about my struggles to get over my first boyfriend whom I had liked since we first met when we were just ten! I was so bloody humiliated he dumped me for another fat girl, I moped over this for a year or so and trying to justify my pain through expressive writing.

Flipping thru' and re-reading the pages, I can be taken into surprise by the doodles all over the book. It truly felt like that was the golden age of my creativity. Writing / scribbling manually with differing colored felt pens and markers, the pages strewed with lyrics of love-pop songs, my sista-friends' encouragements and nonsenses, quotes of the day, attempted poems, pages scented with St. Michael's dewberry... the book was totally bursting with colors and to me now, a really heart warming memory lane. Picasso would have felt the same way, after ten years looking back at his masterpieces, "How would they all come about?"

Fast forwarding to my present pratings here, this is about a mellowed me who finds a certain sense of ordinary fulfillment at this point in life. Yeah, I know my kind is so passé but that is good, I don't have to live up to expectations and can keep on with my self-consolations. I really don't need too much excitement now.

Still, I am definitely keeping my space here . Somehow I am convinced I can morph into another D.H. Lawrence if I keep trying in this space. Mr. Gecko will SO tsk in disapproval at my modesty.

S.O.S.

2005-03-23T14:05:00.000+08:00

Help!

I am buried. Under a pile of work.

I am moldering. Cheese anyone?

A Killjoy

2005-02-22T13:47:00.000+08:00

This is an entry written for my other well-mentioned personality in my blog, none other than Mr. Gecko.

It started with him taking the earlier half of today off work for the second round of interviews in this giant, finance corporation (Mr. Gecko warned me not to mention names just in case they sue... hahaha... nobody reads my blog anyway). Straying a little off the main subject, well, he was definitely not impressed with having to meet so, so, so many interviewers for an executive position he was applying for. In total, there will be 6 interviewers seizing him up separately. Why do some corporations take so much efforts, garner so much manpower to interview one right candidate and evetually missing out on grooming and making an employee happy? Hey boss, read and ponder!

Anyhow, back to main subject. Eventually, either feeling satisfied with his own performance with the round of interviews or in a rare display of laxing mental discipline, Mr. Gecko while choosing his lunch menu of the day, succumb to the golden-fried, crunchy and irresistibly tasty chicken wing! Wait, this is not the shocker. Both of us are 90% vegetarians with low tolerance and preference for mock meat, so we do eat meat at times though Mr. Gecko is more disciplined than me, for one who started being a vegan a few years ago.

But who should come traipising round the corner while Mr. Gecko is happily tucking into the wings? For this, you must know a few details about Mr. Gecko's family whom everybody is strictly into Buddhism and thus vegetarianism. To apt my entry title and of all people, he had to bump into his second elder brother who, is the most pious of them all. I could just imagine Mr. Gecko's immediate regret in either choosing the wrong food or the wrong place to eat.

He was telling me how he was thinking quickly whether to hide himself physically or the chicken wings from his brother. But the milk 's spilt and the brother I guess, is now making mental notes to invite Mr. Gecko for more Buddhism sessions, and to bring me along - all thanks to Mr. Gecko's chicken wings...

Well, Mr. Gecko is a tad upset with his weakness revealed so upfront in a most unexpected circumstance. But I am sure his brother will not be so noble-minded to judge him based on one very rare act. No one's perfect to a T. Who has never unknowingly flashed their undies before? ;)

You know what I mean MR. GECKO.

Call Me A Prude

2005-02-18T16:23:00.000+08:00

My little bro, younger than me by 8 years is staying with me for a week to get away from my parents. I always wonder why when both my younger sibs stay put with me, they seemingly think they are on some kind of a holiday or chalet stay. All the pigging attacks on my little snacks and precious Yakults, not to mention all the television and computer hoggings. Whatever I am watching on TV, they will JUST plopped down - right beside me on the carpet and watch along with me, robbing me of my few precious huggable moments I can have with Mr. Gecko. *Gggrrrr...* Everybody knows I hate anything that comes between Mr. Gecko and me!

But everything was TOLERABLY BEARABLE till I received this sms note from the baby of the family and reads like this "Jie, can I bring my girlfriend back to your place tonight? I will send her home later."

I was totally stunned for a moment coz' I really do not know how to react or answer from there. Wah! I never encounter this kind of situation before leh. Then a body alarm system was activated. Quickly and more on instinctive reflexes than anything else, I message back a 'NO!' to dash all his hopes first *hehehehe* and later added another message 'Only if I am home'.

Being the prude / kaypoh that I am, I called him to ask if there's a reason why he wants to bring her to my place, just in case my worries were needless. Wah piang eh... his answer was a couple of cheeky GRINS! That fellow totally justified all my flustered up mother-hen claims! Aiyoh...

And I'm glad I answered a NO to him but at the same time, how can I ignore the rubba rubba phase my little bro is now at, like all other spotted teenagers?

Hmm... I reckon and conclude my mother-hen fussings is not totally out-of behaviour. Just like how girls remain forever sweet and innocent in their fathers' eyes, little bro will always be my little bro and I, always his overbearing big sister. Too bad for my little bro that such ties remain strong and will never change.

Didi, you have to find your own turf yah?

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Kawaii Desu Ne ~~~~ In My Mock Jepun Voice Tone