The Opera Populaire

I want to always remember YC's words that:"...it's not flipping burgers :)" Being a high-strung individual, I push myself too hard sometimes. Yet, life is a bit difficult at the moment and I fear it may get more and more uphill. I was pretty sad that some people whom I used to get counsel from did not respond to my queries.

It was a lovely gathering at Chingling and Alex's house on Tue, the 2nd day of LNY. I received the message at the last min, but because I was literally dying for the company of these guys, immediately made up my mind to make it no matter what. Thank goodness we had finished the visitings. I couldn't bear it; it was so awfully tiresome to pack in as many visits as possible within the day. Things were so much more fun as a single. You only needed to doll up, say your sweet greetings and prepare for the angbao windfall. This year, I could barely smile, let alone greet people. I swear that from now onwards, I am joining the crowd to fly out of S'pore every CNY. I think I'm becoming the CNY version of Scrooge's "humbug!"

Labels: Rambles, Saya Affairs

Happy 2012 to all who still read this blog (which I am assuming are: Me, Myself and I)!

Like some people I know, I am wary of the entire tradition of making New Year resolution. However, in the past 2 years, I have found them useful principles upon which to lead my life and have actually made conscious efforts in adhering to them. Therefore, I am making more principles (don't wanna call them resolutions!) for 2012:

1) Shop and buy far less fashion-related stuff. I have finally reached a point when I am happy with what I have. Having less means that mixing and matching becomes a necessity, with sometimes breathtaking results that can perhaps be called, ahem, personal style. This also means no to the "Buy It Now" button, unless I absolutely need the item, cannot find it here, no possibility of getting it unless I am willing to camp overnight in some foreign country, is crazily expensive to buy here and fill that intense, inexplicable desire within me.

2) Find a new job. Yes, despite this slow economy *sigh* It has come to this. But God's will pervails. That is another long story.

3) Give more time to the people I care about in my life: Hubs, family, friends. People seem fundamentally lonely and empty in this age, it seems. Would love to help in any way I can. Oh, I'm so excited to be a jie-mei for Audrey's wedding! For the 1st time! A bridesmaid for a dear friend! *gush gush* I'm so stoked!

4) Save up for that epic trip. More details when it comes. Woohooo!

5) Okay, I know this shouldn't have been last, but I really wanna learn the lesson of surrender to God's will well. It hasn't been an easy few years for me, and consequently for Hubs as well. I don't know how to explain the details of something so private over a public domain, but yup, for now, that is that.

Happy Lunar New Year in advance too!!! Huat lah!!!!

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

I know most of my friends no longer blog. Indeed, in the era of Twitter, Facebook and what-have-you, personal blogs especially, are outdated. I have been following some fashion blogs and found them very inspiring for my consumerist habits. It also acts as some kind of a vent for this painful period of my life, which I hope is ending soon.

Sent in my notification letter 2 weeks ago. Instead of relief, however, I felt more lost than before. I was recommended for a job and went for the meet-up session (it felt more like that than an interview as I know it). I don't believe I ever screwed up more than that...it kinda reinforced the fact that my jobs thus far has not provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge for being successful in this world. The guy still wants me for ad-hoc projects and initiation into his company, though. Now that creates bigger dilemma for me. But, at this point, I think beggars can't be choosers. It may provide opportunity for me to learn something new, which the current jobs can't teach me. But it will be tough...gosh.

I do wonder, however, if the "iron rice bowl" still exists in this era. At times I do think I need that.

Anyhow, this was not the first time it happened, but I was pretty annoyed yesterday at the manner in which I was treated by some elders here. We all arrived at the same time for work and I smiled and said hi, but the personnel did not appear as if he has seen me. A few months ago, he offered a ride to my colleague and I and we accepted. I noticed that he had a phone attached to his car and commented on it. No response. I felt like a fool. Then it happened again yesterday. Well, lets just say that I'm not about to let it happen a 3rd time. He is not the only person who does that. This place makes me wonder, what is the use of being up there if you have your nose in the clouds as well?? Don't you remember that perchance you might have been like me in the past? Why do you extend so-called kindness and courtesy only to the rich and famous? Do you still live in the illusion of past glories? I'm fed up. Period.

Labels: Rambles, Saya Affairs

When you are frustrated career-wise, your entire attitude becomes one closely resembling a hermit crab. You don't bother performing on the job. You feel like shouting everytime a certain Her Wickedness makes her presence felt. You slither away, hoping to go unnoticed everytime you pass by "neutral" colleagues, not bothering to establish long-lasting relationship.

But the one person impossible to run away from: the cleaning aunty. I had seen a change of 3 aunties in this 1 short year I'm here. Each with her own quirks. But the 2 newest ones are the strangest by far. Lets skip the competitive one who used to work for Jap family. The current one is making me wonder if friendliness towards the underclass pays. Not that she was mean, no, far from it. She errs towards friendliness, esp towards me in fact.

2 weeks or so ago, when 2 of my colleagues were not in office, she sat down and talked to me for an hour or so. The next week, she actually appeared eager to continue further conversation when she saw that my colleague was back in office. Thank goodness, I thought secretly. She whispered stuff to me as she came sweeping my side of the room, mostly repetition of what was previously talked about. Then, the cleaning aunties must have gotten told off by someone higher up because she apologised for having talked for so long. And things were peaceful for a few days.

But today, it started again. "You will only be here another 2 months?" (I told you before, auntie, yes) "Will miss you. We miss everyone who has left, used as we are to you all." (But we barely know each other) "Are you happy here?" (I told you before, nope) All repetitions again.

My biggest fault in life is being an anti-socialite. I'm not born with good EQ and neither do I crave human companionship as much as I know some people do. I'm particularly bad with people not from my age group. Children: attention-deficit and I'm scarred by a child specialist telling me that my low voice potentially scare children during a supposed job interview long ago. Those in my parents' generation: incredibly bossy, with the pervasive "I had eaten more salt than you have rice" attitude. Old folks: naggy, thinks too much about minutae and some cannot get past their dialects.

Ever since finding out that I am a task-based personality, I experience a sort of freedom. Sometimes it should not matter what people thinks.

Yet, it should be a happy affair, right, to know that someone in this world will miss you, insignificant as you are in the eyes of everybody else in the organisation. I need to learn to be more patient with long-windedness...I'm particularly abhorrent of...may I say lesser-educated people who tend to make their point by repeating it again and again and are deficient language-wise to phrase it differently.

Oh well. On a brighter note, it's Fri and that means the end of the work week is clicking closer by the minute.

Labels: Saya Affairs

I had decided, after reading numerous blogs, fashion, current affairs etc, that this blog's template is simply a disaster. Does everyone like this new one better?

As you can see it is reflecting my penchant for long-lasting classics that is fuss-free and shines in its simplicity.

Labels: Saya Affairs

(Source: Hardwarezone)

Hubs and I bought this during the recent Tangs 12% rebate sale day and have been exploring its endless functions. FYI, this is a microwave, convection oven and grill, steamer etc all in one. For $300++, this seemed to us a very good deal. A church friend recommended this to us. It was $700 when she bought it 7 years ago. You can see how good an electronic product is when it has been in the market so long.

So far, we had made: baked pasta (success!), banana cake (success, but we need to buy a smaller baking pan), roast chicken wings (it has an Auto function specially for this...not bad except that it was programmed for whole chicken and we removed it a little late, resulting in a dry, though edible chicken, shepherd's pie (success!!! but I could have made smaller portion...it's hard to cook for 2 ppl hehe...and oh, I stumbled upon the BEST mashed potato recipe in the process).

Cooking is therapeutic, Raine once said. It's true...takes my mind off various worries that have been plaguing me for 2 years now and probably less expensive than retail therapy. So our awful Cornell toaster can finally be retired.

Labels: Saya Affairs

(source: Garance Dore)

And so I walked out of the Ferragamo pre-sale empty-handed. It seems that everytime you plan your purchases, get yourself all psyched up over it and then finally go, something inevitably happens to make you not part with the money. Actually, I did part with my money, but not on SF. Let me tell you the story bit by bit.

I arrived at Paragon SF, waited for Hubs to come and then went in, proudly flashing the Citibank mailer, smiling somewhat smugly at the "Preview Sale: By Invitation Only" sign outside the glass door. I braced myself hard not to get sidelined by the small leather goods section and went straight to the shoes section. Asked for black calfskin Vara in size 6 and a half D. Nice salesgirl told me the black is not on sale, but I could try it on, if I proceed upstairs (aka the level where shoppers should not step on unless they have enough moolah to throw on non-sale items and croc-skin bags). Only khaki and navy Vara were on sale. Bummer. Nehmind. I decided to check them out for a bit.

If you have imposed a shopping ban on yourself, the last thing you should do is to check out sales. And I had an agonising time deciding if I want a denim or a crackled Varina instead of the original black. We went to the forbidden 2nd floor and I asked another salesgirl to bring me a black calfskin Vara and patent Varina in the above size. She somehow managed to think I asked for a black patent Vara in size 7 D, even though she asked me twice. Sigh. When I asked her nicely for calfskin, she said they ran out of it?? Damn. I knew I just saw it at the very same branch the past weekend. Asked me for my contact so that they could inform me when they have stock.

So we went back downstairs. Asked for my size in both the denim and crackled skin, in bronze. No more, sorry. I swear I heard the salesman said there was one, just before we went upstairs. See where a few minutes of pondering leave you during sales?? Dejected, we decided to try ION.

I thought I struck gold when I saw a chocolate brown Vara on sale. Sadly, my size was no longer available. I managed to try on the demin Varina, but finally I decided that they were not too comfy and the workmanship was bad (the one at Paragon had bits of glue all over the beads and this one had an uncut bit of plastic sticking out of the denim which threatened to cut my right foot). No more size in copper crackled as well, although I tried on the silver crackled one. Comfy (check), size (check). But why the hesitation? I had worn silver shoes before, to their deaths as well. So why not this? But something in the silver did not quite say "okay" in the same way the copper did, so I hesitantly put it away and led Hubs away to Tangs, where we blew about the same amount on a microwave convection oven and other stuff. It may be some time yet before I get that dream pumps, but I guess since it's the classic collection, it will be available for some time yet.

It is impossible to wear outer wear, much less jackets in this sweltering weather, but doesn't this one from Isabel Marant looks divine?

Labels: Rambles, Saya Affairs

Is it a little late to start a new year resolution? Hehe.

I did not begin 2011 with a clearly formulated resolution as I did last year. If you ask me, I am not sure of the exact reason as well. Maybe it's inertia, or that sense of helplessness when you had been trapped in a certain circumstance beyond your control for longer than you like. Or maybe it was because it is difficult to top the good resolutions I made last year! Hohoho. Anyhow, the result is to lead the first half of 2011 in an aimless manner.

But I think this needs to change. Because, whenever I made a certain decision, there was always a direction that I could stick to. And I'm usually pretty good at sticking to decisions. So I have decided that something has gotta be done to shake me out of this lethargic state of being. And the first step is probably setting down some ground rules in the form of resolution.

Enough. Here goes:

1) To change my bad habits and lead a healthy lifestyle. More fruits, vegetable and exercise twice a week at least. Less processed and "bad" food.

2) In terms of shopping, quality rules over quantity. Only buy what looks perfect, as if tailored to fit my physique and personality. If possible, stick to shopping list, unless certain unexpected buy is too perfect to resist.

3) Read more.

4) Be more generous. To loved ones, charity, etc.

I think that should be enough for now ;)

Labels: Saya Affairs

This GE is very exciting. As other people have noted, never had there been such a ground-level engagement with politics. I had always been terribly apathetic when it comes to politics, but these days, the first thing I check out every morning is news about the GE, videos of what those jokers (ooops, politicians) say about the state of being of our country, etc etc. And I'm amazed at what these so-called guardians of the state can come up with...mud-slingings, with their defence mode high up. Says a lot about the standards of some people without their speech-writers. Gosh. Unfortunately, I had been denied the right to vote...which can be good or bad depending on which angle you see it.

Anyhow, being still a deep believer in NOT putting everything I think online, let's keep my thoughts on the GE off the cyberspace and move on. Well, that came a bit literally. My jailterm is almost ending. Time to think about the next step. Hence comes the difficult question. Sigh. Sorry, all of a sudden I don't feel like elaborating, except to say that I have been having strange dreams for the past 2 nights. Dreams that are, if you see them objectively, not sad. But I felt emotionally down in the course of its running. Perhaps they are feelings that my conscious self have been attempting to suppress. It is true that my being for the past 2 years or so can be seen by others as "normal", even enviable at times. Who will not feel happy to be granted a scholarship to pursue higher education, got a house at an enviable location and settled down with a great life partner? But things are really not what it seems. Deep down, I know that my Maker knows why I am unhappy and had long ago "settled" it for me. For that, I am holding on and trying to keep positive.

Labels: Saya Affairs, Se-lat-por Affairs

Hi there...(whether anybody still reads this blog or not!)

I am finally back after a loooong hiatus. Spent a good part of the 1st 3 months of the year moonlighting. Yes you heard me right. Been working as a part-time lecturer at some place every Wed evenings. Now that the stint is finally over, I am having a ball just chilling away the remainder of my time in this jail again. No, actually, I'm waiting impatiently for some late paper submissions. What are these guys thinking of??? I never thought mark deductions are fun. Anyway, let's start the story from the very beginning.

Let's just call the institution I was lecturing at "X." From the very beginning, admin there had been very screwed up. I went for interview in Dec and din hear anything more about them. So I spent X'mas and New Year in a sort of desolation that no institution want me, I screw everything in my life up these days, and what other self-pitying thoughts you can have. Then, all of a sudden, in Jan, I was informed by email to attend training for teaching. A bit annoyed that my weekend had to be partially burnt, I went, after inquiring as to what the matter was. After abt 2 trainings, I was informed at the last min to meet my co-tutor, who passed me all the reading list for the 6 weeks less than a week before the 1st lect as well as spent 3 hrs briefing me when it could have been done in 1 hr due to her propensity of wasting time. Apparently it spoke a lot about how she conducts her classes as well, according to my colleague who had worked with her b4. After that I was basically pushed off the shore to sink or swim in my 1st ever lecturing stint.

1st lect: disaster. The 21 slides of Powerpoint presentation, which I thought should have been sufficient for 3 hours, were completed within 1 hr. Upon looking back, I had also not managed to provide much content, spending too much time on "entertainment" such as Youtube videos. And discussion was managed badly. Exhausted, I let them off early and went home to a sleepless night (which was to follow every Wed evenings with active brain and headaches).

2nd lect onwards, I got better and better at time management. I also tried to improve on content, which the co-tutor who designed the course obviously never provided for. I was annoyed at how she structured the entire course, but of course it would do no good to redo the entire thing except to tweak it to suit myself here and there. She had suggested that we do half of the Powerpoints each, but under my colleague's advice, thankfully I rejected it in the end. I don't think I'm a terribly entertaining person when it comes to presentation; at times I believe my students fell asleep or chose not to come any longer for class because of this dull girl standing in front of the class.

Having said that, there is much to be said about the quality of the students. Of course, there are brilliant ones who managed to provide pleasant suprise in their assignments. But in general, many are not bright. In fact, I feel a deep sense of annoyance at our system of edu, which emphasized far too much on results rather than learning process. I only got undivided attention whenever I spoke about assignments. At times, some decided that discussing essay questions during class discussion was much more interesting. Spoonfeeding seemed to be the expectation of every student. I was flabbergasted to find out that most of them cannot tell the difference between an e-journal and an actual book in their reading list. Many did not seem to know how to use the library catalogue. That showed a lot from an organization who photocopied every reading for the students and hand them out every sem. It is a contrast to NUS students, who generally can qualify as photocopying uncles/ aunties by the time of their graduation.

Many of the conceptual issues I tried to instill was also lost on them. I try and tell myself that these are not the guys who would go on to become professional social scientists, so don't take it personally. But the sense of disappointment can be acute.

In addition to all these was the continuing ineptitude of the X admin. I was not given the marking guide and proceeded to give them grades that are too high for the 1st assignment. And my co-tutor, whom I tried to avoid talking to because she talks too loudly and too much and gives me earache everytime I speak to her. And because of the general dissatisfaction with how she handles everything.

I also tend to get insomnia after every lect.

Anyhow I'm glad that the stint is more or less over. I did learn something and could add a thing or 2 into my CV. But I have learnt that I am 1) not a night person, 2) cannot do more than 1 job at a time.

Labels: Saya Affairs

A huge love and thank you to all my dear friends who kindly came for my housewarming on Sat! And for those lovely presents (some of which were promptly hijacked by Mister). I had always thought that my flat is too small (darn those land constraint!) for housewarming, but God was good in arranging for the right number of visitors that day. And I do believe He was especially pleased with the both of us, because an unexpected parcel arrived that day! It was Sat, when Singpost is no longer supposed to deliver and I had already arranged for a redelivery to another post office!?! Happy :)))

Labels: Saya Affairs

Hello....

These days, whenever I see friends or relatives, they will ask me how married life has been. Inevitably as well, before I could answer, they would respond to the question themselves. "Good, eh?" "Relaxed, right?" "Cooking yourselves? Bo pian hor?"

Don't get me mistaken. This blog post is not to grumble about the misery of married life. In fact, it has been good. Okay, it has been good as long as it's about the both of us. Put other people in the equation and that's when it becomes less than perfect. We never realised how getting married actually involved taking care of other people's needs and demands and expectations into play. In fact, the many advice that people warned us about never quite came into being. Instead of spending too much time together and therefore getting bored of each other, we find that we have less time than before. The neverending household chores, demands of work as well as expectations of family members...these take up the bulk of our time.

It may be difficult for some people to imagine, but it is not household chores I dread. My close ones know that I have been washing my own clothes and miscellaneous stuff even before marriage. Now that it has become a daily necessity, I am actually hoping I can be a homemaker in order to finish it all. Our house, located in a central area, actually gets unbelievably dusty if you don't clean it up everyday. I like sweeping away those dust (and my endless hair supply) and wiping the floor with Magiclean (yes, there is that auntie side of me after all...I can blog all about the wonders of Magiclean but we gotta stop!) before mopping it with my lavender-smelling floor wipe. And brainstorming dinner recipes. And did I tell you about my garment steamer? Best thing for my wardrobe since sliced bread (erm then again, maybe that didn't quite go together).

What I dread is, what I am unable to fulfil is...meeting the expectations of people and work. Hubs is leaving on various overseas assignments from this week on. These will see him flying off at least once a week. Then, there are those obligatory visits to in-laws. Dividing our times between those, not much is left over for dating and time together anymore. I don't know how much of this is because of so-called "honeymoon period" of marriage, but well!

I woke up feeling incredibly sad last night. Not very comfy sharing word for word what exactly was bothering me and Hubs, but am trying to hold firmly onto God's promise and believe in His provision, despite the unhappy circumstances.

Labels: Saya Affairs

I never realised moving house is so problematic until I met with movers. Today marked the 2nd time I faced problems dealing with them. Now my family runs a business and I can understand that movers have problems keeping to time because of the nature of their job: delays, traffic, etc, etc. But it is terribly annoying to keep being made to wait and then told at the last minute that they were unable to make it on time, can they deliver, like 6-7 hours later than scheduled?? This is more so when we are not staying at the said place and had to make special trips down, just to wait! And it is even more difficult when we have to study and work...meaning we ourselves have precious little time to waste waiting!

If they fail to deliver my furniture by the said time tomorrow, I will just leave for my appointment. Period.

One more paper. Done forever? Yes, never again. Academia drives you nuts.

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

Friday marked the last day of evening lessons at NUS. Time certainly flew by; it's been nearly a year and my time as a student had once again ended. We took plenty of pics with the 2 profs...all on FB. As I drove home in the drizzle, a wave of nostalgia swept over me.

I had hated evening lessons and that heavy feeling of needing to revise during free time, as well as finish your assignments. I thoroughly disliked not earning a salary when I needed money to pay for so many things in the course of planning for wedding and renovating my new house. God took care of them all. I'm grateful for my scholarship, although I've decided not to serve the bond after weighing the costs. My hostility towards the gahment has increased a lot since my last job and it has not been lightened by the study. I hope not to be involved in a place that served the state so directly. And, not to forget, my health also suffered badly in the course of all these activities.

And all this is coming to an end. I'm feeling this syndrome, which I forgot the name of...the one where you actually weep for your kidnapper?? LOL I know this sounds really extreme, but that's what I've been feeling.

I will miss the intellectual satisfaction of being a student, despite not having enough time to properly digest all that I had learned. I'll miss NUS food! It's cheap and good here. NTU is seriously sad. I'll miss the centrality of the place, despite the difficulty of getting home in the evenings. Will miss the profs and classmates.

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

I have decided to skip lecture tonight. This obsession with doing a dissertation-worthy term paper has reached its limit for me. I actually emailed D about feeling angry at what he did about 1998: reducing it to mere statistics and downplaying the existence of rape victims. He responded to a later email about statistics, but not to that issue. I don't know if he had seen it; the lack of reply does make me feel like I'm in the wrong but I think deep inside my heart, I know everyone feels the same. I'm the only idiot who spoke our minds. Well, it's not the first time. Asians are not known to be the most assertive. I am not either, but I think time and age have changed me somewhat. I am not about to let something that matter to me and to my kind be treated lightly.

I am not the smartest person around. In fact, I suspect I'm prolly the dumbest since Hons days or even prior to that. But I try my best in everything I do and I think I've been reasonably well-regarded, career-wise, so I don't fear for my rice bowl.

Speaking of career, I am getting less and less partial towards the idea of serving my bond in a certain place. Bureaucracy and the resulting inflexibility annoy me like nothing else. Why must I pay 50 cent to deposit my belongings in a locker, fill up endless registration forms for my details and purpose for being there and promise to send my thesis to them just to use the damned library? Oh, and buy a new photocopying card just to use that one and only photocopy machine in the entire place. If it wasn't because I was desperate, I would not have deigned to step in! And even then, I didn;t really find what I was looking for. So I just have to suck it and plough through that paper the best I could. Thankfully, Boss had asked me back.

Can't wait to finish this whole damn study. Can't wait for the holidays. Can't wait to wedding day. Can't wait to start earning a proper salary. Meanwhile, back to the paper I go.

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

I wish that I possess just some of that zzzz genes that my maternal side of the family have. These people can sleep anywhere, anytime they want (or don't want). Then I dont have to think that much about the kind of mattress and pillow that I need to buy. And I won't have to spend so much. Getting married is an exorbitant affair. Or at least it applies more to moi *sigh*

I think I'm forced to skip lecture tmr. D is annoying the life out of everyone in class with his Marxist interpretation of virtually everything in this planet (he managed to believe that even gender and sexuality is influences by class) and breathing down our necks for the research note. It's crazy. This is not a thesis class. We are all either working part-timers or students struggling with 4 other modules. And he puts us all in stereotypes. Yes, I am Indon Chinese, but we are not just "petty bourgeoisie". We work hard for our money. And we do not throw our hard-earned cash like the Lim family on frivolous things. And statistics do not speak the whole truth. Do not attempt to convince me that rapes do not occur during 1998 just because you can't find reliable data. If one can find reliable data about anything in Indonesia, it won't be the way it is.

I just discovered that Mannelli bracelets are actually a must-have for fashionistas: http://mannelliflorence.com/index2.php?pag=1 Not as famous as Hermes bracelets, but way more affordable! Anyone going to Florence? I want one (or maybe 3!)

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

I was made to chair class discussion twice this week. Gosh, public speaking is something I fear the most. It was many years till I found the best method that work for my Powerpoint presentation: prepare the script (complete with cue as to when to click the mouse) beforehand and read off it! But it is something else to chair class discussion, esp when it was impromptu! Thank goodness Dr. T was pretty encouraging, despite his ah beng ways. And I guess a masters level class was less intimidating than PhD one. Still I know I have a long way to go before perfecting my public speaking skills. I don't even like to ask questions in class, because the first words that come out of my mouth tend to sound so raw and awkward. I much prefer penning down my thoughts, where they can be subject to a little editing to sound more polished.

Been waking up automatically at 4 plus am and having a hard time trying to fall back into sleep. It makes for a tired and not to mention grumpy person the next day.

I'm sick of being pressed for decisions. For months now, I've had to make decisions about my house, my wedding, my MA stuff etc etc etc. Can someone pls help me decide, esp when things involve lotsa money, for now?

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

God does indeed deliver when you need the most. I'm having a car to school today. Feel really grateful, esp as it is looking like rain.

I don't think I have the making of an academic. I can't think, I don't argue my case well and I find it really difficult to understand what authors are trying to put across sometimes. So what is my future? Anything other than civil service? That would be surrendering my life to the darkest side.

Sometimes I wonder why others my age are already living it up, having those things that me and my bro can only dream about. It is strange, too, how those who can actually afford them are the ones who lost/ never have the taste to pull the style off. I saw this tai-tai wearing an all-yellow ensemble (yellow silk shift dress and yellow Vivienne Westwood high heels with large heart at the toes) striding purposefully around CK Tangs. Never mind her bad taste, the salesgirl greeted her warmly while coolly ignoring poor ol' moi. Was it because of that Birkin bag she was carrying?? I also know someone my age who gets these invites to Lamborghini and Hermes parties, but look strangely like any of those S'porean lians even with those Chanel 2.55 bags and Ferragamo shoes. Which brings me to the point that expensive need not equal style. But anyway, I'm probably showing more of my inherent dissatisfaction with my life.

Perhaps I should go into some kind of entrepreneurship? Which I know nothing about. But I still hold fast to that promise God showed Mister and I. Speaking of him, it has been a few days no almost no contact, save a few emails and MSN conversation one lucky night. I realised how much we have both grown to care for and depend on one another for emotional support. The week feels lonely and slow to pass. It must be hard to be singles at this point in our lives. For us, I just wish that this difficult and horribly busy period will be over soon.

I keep thinking about my house, which renovation just started yesterday. The colour scheme and chandeliers may make it resemble the French opera house! At least, it made me think of The Phantom of the Opera musical set-up. I remember photographing the large chandelier with those red curtain backdrop. Let's pray it turns out beautiful and not over the top. I looking at this silver Arabian ship lamp that I'm hoping to incorporate into the house and hoping it will not look out of place in the French-inspired setting. Maybe my next house, if I ever buy any, will be Moroccan/ Persian/Arabian 1001 Nights themed! I'm so interested in the Jewels of the Mughal Empire exhibition at ACM, but have no time to visit it. We are also lucky for the donation of cutlery and kitchen utensils from our parents. I have this Wedgewood or something tea cup set that my folks never used! So happy. Now here's praying that we find good mattress and dining room set.

Labels: Rambles, Random, Saya Affairs

My mood swings between extremes on weekdays and weekends. Now it's back to low. Sick and tired of evening lessons so I decided to skip class tis evening. Hope Thu comes soon. I say this because, despite the heavy workload, I actually enjoy Dr. A-T's lesson. And also becos it's in daytime, when everything is more sane. I think there is a time frame for studying in human lives, so if you are past it, forget about it if you are not called towards academia.

Had my hair cut at a salon I saw in Liang Court. I figured that any place frequented by Japs would not be too bad. Turn out that I was right. Although I fear it may not grow long enough for my wedding, it looked pretty decent. The price is a bit higher than my regular salon, but it's acceptable. The stylist confirmed my worst fear: I looked like a monster before I entered the salon. This hair of mine is the most unmanageable thing in the world. How I envy girls with normal, un-frizzy hair.

Should I invest in a rose-scented body scrub? Loved the smell, but it is a bit pricey. Need to get down to looking beautiful for the wedding. I'm the laziest bride-to-be, but I figured that I have no need for facial. Just good exercise will do, which I have no time for. Will 2 months be sufficient to get me looking toned and glowing?? I don't think so, but oh what the heck.

Speaking of Japan, Mister is in Tokyo now. Guess his handphone can't be used there.

Wishing for the weekend to come asap.

Labels: Saya Affairs

I've always adored French fashion. In my opinion, the French style is inimitably beautiful. When I visited Paris, I remembered being struck by the shoes that the ladies wore. Almost all high-heeled, they always compliment the outfits and looked different from what women elsewhere wore. I also remember our local guide, who was French, married to a Taiwanese and spoke some Chinese. She wore pink moccasins and carried with her pink Longchamp bag (it was so chic on her, before it was reduced to school bags and the bag every aunty could afford). I had wanted moccasins ever since, but never found them complimentary to me. And I truly regretted not buying shoes back then, but as a student, cash was always an issue.

Anyway, I have recently developed an addiction to all things from the French brand starting with "H". Got myself some of those coveted scarves and enamel bracelets (all fake), which drew much admiration. But after a while, I decided to splurge on the real thing. Ebay, of course. I still dare not step into those boutiques and anyway they cost much more here than in Paris. Anyone going to Paris, let me know okay!!

My online purchases were supposed to have arrived on Fri, but as no one opened the gate, I had to arrange for re-delivery. Nothing beats the rush that I get when they arrive. Like Weijin said, it's like Christmas, minus the surprise :) And the feeling when you see those orange boxes and plastic bag! Doctors should recommend it for any girl suffering from stress.

Okay, okay. Back to all things French. I have always loved those French-inspired sofas etc, but had resigned myself to never having them, because we can only afford Ikea and V-Hive stuff after paying for wedding and renovation expenses. But God recently directed me to a website selling French furniture at Ikea prices! I went down to the owner's house and she is selling those in her house at discounted prices from the website! So what else can 2 cash-strapped people do except to buy and buy and buy. Now I am having 2 chandeliers, sofa, ottoman, Baroque bedhead and side tables at the price of one 5-seater sofa! I couldn't be happier. God is really good to those who obey Him.

I am still a bit worried that my house will look excessive with those French furniture and lightings and wall colour. As it is, I think my bedroom is going in the direction of Anna Sui showroom. And my living room...all I can say is hmm! If it end up looking excessive, it will all be my fault for selecting those lights and opting for those furniture and colour. Lets pray for the best. At least, the French boudouir style I was saying to Lorraine is coming true :p It's a pity that the Morrocan/ Persian/ Arabian Night inspiration could not be realised for now, but maybe we may buy some stuff from our honeymoon in Turkey!

Labels: Saya Affairs