Simple mind, simple life.
I never see failure as failure, but only as a learning
experience.
I’m not a soccer fan but since the final was to be shown on our national tv free-of-charge, I didn’t mind watching. So I bought some munchies and soft drinks and even napped a bit in order to stay awake during the game. It’s scheduled at 2.20am Monday morning.
Netherlands vs Spain; thought it would be exciting to watch. I don’t know much about soccer and the rules. But I do know what’s ‘off line’ and ‘yellow cards’. Many yellow cards were given as the players from both teams played very roughly.
I didn’t particularly support any of the team; I don’t even know the players. I planned to cheer for any goal into the net.
After 90mins and still no goal; extra time was given. At the 116th minute, there’s a goal! I gave a soft cheer (as I didn’t want to wake up my family members). I thought Netherlands had scored but when I looked at the score on the screen, it stated Netherland:0; Spain:1. All along I thought the players in orange shirts were the Spanish and the ones in blue were the Dutch. Oops… Nonetheless I was happy for Spain. They are the champions.
Valentine's day is just around the corner. This year the day coincides with the first day of Chinese New Year.The latter is an important occasion for all Chinese to be with their families and loved ones. Many couples may choose not to celebrate on the day itself as priority is given to their families.
There are many ideas of gifts for her:
A simple box of chocolates and a card would just touch her heart; provided she's not on a diet. Or else after she finishes the box of chocolates, no doubt she would feel the warmth in her heart, but she would also put on an extra 5 pounds at her hips. lol
A dozen or more beautiful roses would bring a broad smile on most girl's face (also on my face); unless she's not a flower-lover..
If you want to show how much you love her (and don't mind paying more), jewellery would be nice. Diamonds, gold and gemstones are many girls' (mine too) best friends.
Those who want to be more romantic, could consider lingerie.
Too late to get gifts? Since this Valentine's Day is also the first day of Chinese New Year, why not give her a red packet (with cash or cheque) instead?
Here's wishing everyone a prosperous Chinese New Year and a romantic Valentine's Day!!
When I was young, I used to look forward to Chinese New Year celebration as there were lots of goodies to eat (normally I won't get to eat that much of junk food); receiving ang paos and seeing my relatives (whom I don't get to meet for 364 days). Spring cleaning were usually done by the adults.
Ever since adulthood, the duty of spring cleaning and preparation for the new year had fallen onto my hands. Clearing of unwanted stuff accumulated throughout the year is actually quite a headache. Getting each curtain down to wash was a bigger headache. Imagine I had to climb the ladder to get the curtains (piece by piece) down, machine washed, hang it to dry, iron it before climbing up the ladder to put it up. We have at least five big windows in the house and each has day and night curtains. Thank goodness I had just completed hanging the last piece of curtain back.
For groceries, I had to make a few trips to the supermarket to buy soft drinks, mandarin oranges, tit-bits and finger food. Fortunately, for the past few years, my family has decided to dine out for our reunion dinner (or lunch to avoid crowd). So that makes less to stock up.
Then, two days ago I'd decided I wanted to do some light decoration for the house. I'm not that good at craft work. So I just folded some butterflies and fans using red packets.
(The lantern and the two fireworks were purchased, of course).
I was on my way walking home after buying lunch today when I heard tiny chirping sounds on the grass patch beside me. I turned to see a very young bird resting on the grass. Up on a tree (behind me), there's an adult yellow bird ( it looked like a black-naped oriole except that it's in yellow and green) 'calling out' loudly. I figured it was looking for her young who might had disappeared from the nest.
There were traffic passing by and the young bird's chirping sound was quite soft. Perhaps the mother could not hear its cry. The adult bird, on the tree, was looking around and calling out non-stop but never looked down at the grass patch. Soon, the young bird was tired and closed its eyes to rest. I tried whristling to catch the attention of the adult bird but to no avail. It flew from one tree to another and it never stop calling loudly. Usually these birds sing beautifully in the morning. Whenever I walked pass these trees I could hear them singing. But today, the sound was definitely not normal. It sounded like loud caws of crows. I could detect the urgency and desperateness in her calls.
(Below is the usual sound of the bird)
As I stood helplessly looking at the young bird, an old lady was passing by, stopped and asked me what's the matter. In my broken hokkien, I managed to explain to her. I told her I do not know how to help. We watched the adult bird flew from tree to tree. Then the young bird opened its eyes but was not making any more sound. We spotted a shorter tree nearby (newly planted; not fully grown yet). I told her it would be good if the young bird could rest on the branch instead of on the grass as I was afraid it might be harmed by cats or dogs.
She agreed and immediately put down her groceries and went to pick up the little bird and placed it on the tree branch. I applauded the old lady's bravery as I would not dare to touch the little bird for two reasons: (1) I feel uneasy touching the soft bones of the bird and (2) I'm afraid of bird flu.
I thanked her for her help. The old lady said she was going to hang around to see if her action was successful. I walked back to my block feeling pretty pleased.
In the evening, I passed by that tree again. The little bird was not there anymore. I really hope it has reunited with its mother.
The recent news of our Miss Singapore World 2009 has reminded me that I had participated in a beauty pageant before. Yes, me, someone who kept a low profile back in school days; who didn't run for student counsel or made as many friends as possible in school, had dared to join a beauty contest.
Memories of those days came back to me now. Well, I was young then and super slim. I don't remember the exact reason of me wanting to join. Perhaps I wanted some sort of an 'achievement' (since I didn't pass my exams in flying colours but I did pass though) and to gain experience from such events. So I sent my picture and the form to the contest organiser and very soon I got a call from them telling me that I was selected. I was to prepare my own dress and do my own make up for the selection round.
Umm..here's the problem. I was freshed out from school and really didn't know how to prepare for it. So I called a friend, Louis (who was then working for a local designer) for advice. He told me I should get a cocktail dress and offered to design one and got it tailored for me free of charge. How sweet of him. He actually paid for the expensive French velvet and organza and got a tailor with superb workmanship to work on the dress. The dress was indeed beautiful: black velvet with orangey organza trimings; sexy and classy.
What about my hair and make up? A friend was a trainee in a hair salon and got his boss to style my hair and my make up was done by his friend who was working at a cosmetic counter. All free of charge!
On the day of the contest, we had some time to do our last minute touch up in the powder room. Try guessing what was the topic some of them were discussing? The sizes of their boobs. One of the girls even asked me:"Do you think my boobs are bigger or yours' bigger"? Well, I assured her, hers were bigger (as if I care). She then let out a satisfactory grin. Sigh..So shallow minded..Each of us had to parade ourselves for the judges. When my name was called, I did my 'cat walk' as told. At the end of it, I realised I'd made a huge mistake. Guess again? No, I'd zipped up my dress properly and my dress didn't fall off. I had forgotten to smile!! That was a beauty contest and I did not smile! And so you would have guessed, I wasn't chosen for the semi finals.
Was I disappointed? No I wasn't. I had experienced the process of participating in the contest and had also seen how my friends helped me to get there and those who came and supported me.
Did I join other beauty pageants after that? No I did not. I felt that I don't need to join beauty contests to feel pretty or confident. I would feel more confident with more knowledge I gained; be it academic or work experience. I wanted an experience and I had that. In fact, I went back to my daily routine of going to school (which I'd enrolled) and working part time for my school fees.What's the name of the contest? I really don't remember. But I still keep that dress in my wardrobe. Just the other day I took a look at it and wondered: how did I fit into that dress before? (It was really small). And I realised I had grown so much (wider). lol
