Goodbye to an old friend July 8, 2009

Don’t misunderstand, I’m not referring to Michael Jackson. Heh. Not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ve officially stopped my dizi lessons. Reasons?
- My new workplace just got busier and busier.
- Realised I developed extremely stiff shoulders after 4 years of dizi

But I know from the bottom of my heart, that the real reason, is that I couldn’t take the pressure from QL anymore. After having reached Grade 6, I find his expectations of me too stressful and 吃不消. Its like no matter how hard I tried, I just could not meet his standards. At one point of time, I asked myself, “Why am I paying money to suffer?” and this led me to re-evaluate my priorities and of course, the reason why I had taken up lessons in the first place. I guess as what my cousin Xiang said, the more effort I put in, and the higher level which I obtained, the more QL will expect out of me, and so the pressure will just keep building up. Sometimes, I just don’t feel like practising cos I know no matter how hard I try, I’ll never be able to get a nod from him.

Of course, I understand his good intentions behind all this lar. Which teacher doesn’t want his student to get better and better? But I guess I really reached a point where I don’t see any incentive in carrying on. You’ll never know how hard and long I thought through, and how much I struggled with the final decision to quit. Offhand, the one thing which made me 最舍不得, is the level which I’ve already obtained. I jolly well know that once I stop lessons, there will be absolutely NOTHING to push me to practice regularly. Which means all the hard work which I’ve put in for the past 4 years, is gone. Just thinking of that, makes me want to pick up my dizi again. And at the same time, I had also not wanted people to say that I do things 半途而废. Everything also 三分钟热度.

But later, I decided that I don’t need to do things to get other people’s acceptance and approval. I realised my happiness is what mattered most. In the first place, my main aim of learning dizi is to be good enough to play a song. Yup, just that. One song. Hence, at the stage I’m at, I have already surpassed all my wildest dreams. Back in 2005 when I first started lessons, I really wouldn’t have believed that at 4 years later, I’ve achieved a Grade 6. It had never even been my intention to take exams in the first place.

Hence at the end, I gave in and told QL my decision. Rather surprisingly, I did not feel as relieved as I thought I would. There was this empty hole somewhere buried in my heart. Really. For the past 4 years, my dizi had been with me almost everyday, and I’m sure I’ve also blogged about my lessons, the good, bad, difficult moments, everything. Just all of a sudden, it is gone. I tried to pick it up again but as expected, there was absolutely no drive to play it anymore. Goes to show I’m really quite shallow…hur hur. Need people to push before I will work hard. Sighhhh….

But nonetheless, its been a good 4 years. I learnt what it feels to be able to play classical pieces, to endure exam performance, to go through my 师傅’s strict teaching, to force myself to practice at least 4 times a day, to get to know the history behind dizi and chinese music, to 偶尔 receive a nod from my teacher (it feels GOOD!), to receive my Grade 4 and 6 exam certificates…For now, I only know I want to take a 悠长假期. To concentrate on my work, and maybe eventually pick up another hobby. Learning the dizi has never been defined as a hobby to me, but it did become something really important and the experience is what I will never give up in exchange for. I believe in the process, I did become stronger (in character), and perhaps more resilient,especially to failures and rebukes. So even if at the end, I forgot all my dizi skills and don’t remember how to hold on to a 8 count note, I will remember the hardships and good experiences I had. And who knows, maybe at some point of time, I will pick up my flute again.

Hong Kong’s Stefanie Sun July 2, 2009

Want to k this for quite some time liao. But not an easy song, the words like 绕口令. So put it on my blog for my easy access, in case I need to practise. Heh.

Nothing could stop us.. June 29, 2009

Ok so cannot go Thailand (which btw, the H1N1 situation is scary lo…got deaths somemore). We had postponed our flight till end of this year…don’t say we didn’t warn you beforehand hor. We’ll be going in the 2nd weekend of Dec. My sis and I are adamant that we’ll eventually get to travel together successfully.

So in the few days leading up to our original departure date (which was Fri, 19 Jun), my sis’s bf asked if we wanna consider going to Batam instead. Just for a 2 day 1 night thingy, nothing fanciful. It sounded like not too bad so I agreed. At least the 3 of us, should be able to go. Then around 4 days before Fri, I developed this rather nasty sore throat. In fact, it was one of the worst I ever had (all thanks to my colleague’s wasabi peas). Even the doctor said “I’m going to prescribe some antibiotics for you. Hope it works”. Wah lau. But I was very diligent in taking my medicine and drank lots of water. On Wed, it was only slightly better (hurts so damn bad whenever I sneezed). At that point I told my sis to go ahead without me cos I didn’t want to go there suffering.

Then on Thursday, I had the worst day of my life at work. I was given two huge tasks to complete. And after that, more and more stuffs just keep coming in until I wanted to scream my head out. Really just keeping coming and coming and piling up. At that point of time, wanna quit lo. Crazy hor?

I went home with a heavy heart that day. And when I told my sis about it, she said,”Well, if you change your mind and still want to go to Batam, still can leh. You want?” It was then I decided…WHAT THE HECK! Since I already took my leave, might as well leave the country to take some time off everything here. And my sore throat was also getting better, so the night before departure, I told my supervisor I was going overseas.

Well, it turned out to be a great decision. I left all my work problems in Singapore and didn’t think about it during the 2 days 1 night in Batam. And things are so cheap there, you could cry. I only changed $200, and had spa everyday. We went for all kinds…hair spa, massage (the 4 hands 2 persons one), foot reflexology, spa pedicure. Food was cheap and good, and I really had about the most relaxing holiday ever. No worry about fulfilling any itinerary or taking photos. We swear we would go there at least once every year.

And guess what? Indonesia became one of the affected country in MOH’s list, the 3rd day we returned. So glad I went before this happened. And don’t worry, my sore throat healed completely while I was there. And I only went to work knowing I was in good health. My sis though got quarantined by her employer. But she took it as extended vacation lor. Heeh.

Okie. Shall leave you now with the ending song of Zettai Kareshi (or Absolute Boyfriend). Simple 11 episodes which I finished watching in leisure speed. Ending was well-intentioned, though VERY SAD. But there was no way a robot could be together with a human lar. The 悲伤thing was that she did not even get the chance to say goodbye.

Song is sweet, and is written by the singer Ayaka, just for the show. Zettai Karshi is actually a manga written by Yuu Watase. When it got turned into a dorama, she asked the popular singer to write something which can match the theme.

It does. The title is called Okaeri, meaning “Welcome home”. Just what the robot always greets the girl in the show, when she returns.

It takes a pandemic… June 17, 2009

Its just so suay lor. If our trip was just one week earlier, we would have still made it. But noooooo….its just fated that we cannot go ahead with it. XIAN!!!

Earlier remember my sis and I had booked the trip to Bangkok? It was supposed to happen this Fri – coming Mon. All along, the H1N1 situation in Thailand had been ok ok one….about like less than 30 per week. Then dunno out of a sudden, last week, it shot like 8 freaking times above normal, and they have 100 plus cases. Yesterday, it finally 突破 300 cases. Yes, the word they used was 突破. Machem like Olympics, some country 突破 xx 金牌. Wah lau.

Today, Thailand is officially listed as one of the affected countries on MOH website. Hence the advice is “to prevent non-essential travel” to these countries. Sian…just when we were about to depart. Actually I wouldn’t have minded so much (as in would still proceed), but my sis being a teacher, not very civic-minded to go and with school about to start, really not a sensible thing to do lor. I’m like ok cos at most I can just self-quarantine for 7 days after we return…I’ve got tons of leave anyway.

Gosh I so wish we had stuck to our Sentosa plan. At least its something. I even bought travel insurance liao lor, wonder if I can claim anything? Haha…must ask ET!!!

And the best part. This is our second attempt in trying to go on a trip together. The first (to Japan) we also have to cancel. And guess when it was?

2003. SARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the title goes, it takes a pandemic to stop us 2 sisters to travel overseas together. Wah lau! My colleagues was saying to inform them whenever we plan to go overseas. Then they will die die avoid going the same period.

How FARNIE.

最近比较忙 May 23, 2009

Wah sorry man, too busy watching dramas to blog. Ha Ha Ha. But forgive me lah, cos its been like ages since I last ‘chased’ a drama serial, cos with work and stuffs. I literally had to slowly and properly select the right show to watch, so that I don’t waste time over those which are not worth the effort and time to sit and stare at my computer screen.

First up, of course the wildly popular ‘Boys Over Flowers’ from Korea. I’ve watched both the Taiwan and Japan version, so thought I should 意思意思 give this a shot too. Reviews both online and print had been quite enthusiastic, of course not denying the fact that they had gotten a pretty satisfactorily looking cast. I tell you, its not easy to do casting for the so important F4 fellas. You already have like 言承旭 setting such a sky high standard for the F4 leader. As for 花沢類 I find the Japanese actor Shun Oguri a tad better performing than 仔仔. But if you ask me, of course the first version of whatever is always the most 印象深刻 one lah. True, the Japanese version is most authentic, given that the comic had originated from Japan, and there is better acting in it too. But somehow, I didn’t get the 兴奋 and excitment when I watched it. But fortunately it was better paced and faster moving than the Taiwanese version. Dunno why, Taiwan dramas have the tendency to start off with a loud bang, and then later at the end, become so slow moving that you want to tear your hair out, but cannot stop watching cos you have already gone this far. Oh, but soundtracks wise, both are good. I love the Japanese theme song Planetarium and Flavour of Life by Otsuka Ai and Utada Hikaru respectively. Fitted the show to a tee.

Ok anyway, I’m supposed to talk about the Korean one. Need to confess first, I watched the first episode on TV, then watched episode 16-25 online. The rest I haven’t watched. Don’t ask me why, but I felt a bit sian having to sit through the same plot and lines over and over again. The Korean version plot is pretty much the same with the Japanese one, so I guess the Taiwanese one must have been the most ‘made-up’.

 

First things first, I’m not too crazy over the change of names though. Both the Taiwanese and Japanese version had stuck faithfully to the original names in the comic, hence I don’t understand why the Korean version cannot do the same. I know the names might have sounded weird in Korean, but the Taiwan one also what. And it still did not stop people from going gaga over the show.

Cast wise though, I think its the most perfect out of the 3 versions (love the school uniforms!). I especially liked Kim Hyun-joong as Ji Hoo (花沢類 – the guy on the most right hand side). My first impression of him was…wah lau, young version of Bae Yong Joon lor. Very 耐看 and can pull off a pretty decent 花沢類. As for 道明寺, well last I heard, Lee Min-ho has finally gotten the popularity he desired after acting as Jun Pyo cos it seems like he had not received much attention and praise from his previous works. Not bad lah, but GREAT body man! Haha, you watch and then you’ll understand what I talking about. Wonder if he was selected for his uncanny resemblance to the ultra drool-licious Jerry Yen. Really look like lor (minus the bulky frame). And interestingly, I thought Lee looked the most un-Korean, among all the Korean stars I’ve seen. If you said he was Chinese, I would not have been surprised. Hence it felt a bit weird hearing him talk in Korean, when his face look so Chinese. Haha. Just my thoughts.

As for the female lead, I think all of us would have seen Koo Hye Sun in a not too distant Korean drama which had ended its run here this year. Think she acted as a country bumpkin, who (of course) catches the eye of the heir of some big corporation. Sounds like Boys over Flowers anyway. In here, so-so lor. Aiyah, so many guys to drool on, think I didn’t pay much attention to her as Jan Di anyway. Hur hur. Not too bad acting, but nothing to shout about too. Just like the female protagonists in the earlier 2 versions as well.

Soundtrack…rather impressive and one of the positive features of the show. But generally, I always think well of Korean drama OSTs. Cos I feel the producers do spend some effort in selecting interesting and appropriate songs for their dramas. For this show, I thought some of the BGM sounded eerily like those which was used in another wildly popular drama “Goong”. Both used a lot of violin classical music during the sad scenes. But its ok, cos I love the violin. Hah.  

Ok, all in all, I think the show’s quite worth the time to watch and 追. I’m now contemplating between spending some time catching the earlier part of the drama, or to continue watching the Taiwanese drama 敗犬女王. Show’s not bad, and very easy to buy the OST. Cos they practically used all the songs in Fish Leong’s newest album. Haha. Corinni introduced 情歌 to me, and I’m now addicted to the song. Nearly teared while watching the MTV. Touching mah.

Ok, last thing. Not sure whether you guys caught any episodes of Britain’s got Talent 2009? I know Susan Boyle like blew the audience away, with her amazing voice and frumpy image. There were a couple of other gems unearthed during the show, and one of them is the 12 year old Muslim fella Shaheen Jafargholi.

I cried while watching his audition. Serious. Watch this, and tell me you are not impressed.

A more relaxing sleep May 13, 2009

Because of reasons which my GUTS people would know, I’ve been working quite hard the last couple of days, even weekends. Somehow right, when you have to work on Sat and Sun, its like no matter how much you rest, you are just not as energised as before. And with nights not being any cooler too, its quite hard to get a really really really restful sleep.

Was shopping for some stationery at a bookshop near my place, when I chanced upon this range of pillows being sold at the bookshop. Yes you did not hear or see wrongly….the bookshop was also carrying a range of very interesting pillows. The sales assistant said their boss brought them in, after having bought and felt they were good.

Not sure if you’ve heard it before, this range of pillows is called 茶枕…literally meaning TEA PILLOW. The pillow core is filled with tea leaves…new of course (NOT after someone had used it to brew tea LAH!). And they have different kinds of tea leaves for different purposes.

Like the one I bought, Jasmine Tea pillow (above), is for relaxation. They have another one…more herbal in smell…which is for those who find it hard to fall asleep or suffer from frequent nightmares. And what I like about it (apart from the heavenly smell), is that the tea leaves will adjust to your neck contour when you sleep on it. Hence, one would not have to suffer from neck or head pain after waking up.

Of course, these are what they claim lah. But to me, I’m a sucker for pillows. I’ve tried like really a lot of different types, even the super expensive Tempur, but none really quite suited me. And most of them get out of shape quite easily and in a short while, it would get too flat for me. So bo bian, I’m always on the hunt for the best pillow! Hope this will be a good investment for me.

If you are like me, always looking for the most ideal pillow, do check this out. You can find more information about it on this website . The bookshop where I bought the pillow is called Evergreen, located at Novena. Not sure though, if there are other places which carry it. I really like the Jasmine tea smell in my pillow. They also have other variations like eye pillow, car cushion pillow, etc.

The problems of the 30s April 28, 2009

Just one year ago, it had never crossed my mind to be concerned over turning 30 cos I thought nothing would really change a lot. Its just a different first digit of my age, that’s all. And plus, I’m not gonna have any major makeovers to my lifestyle and stuffs. So yup, things shouldn’t really be much different.

How wrong.

Its like the body knows damn so well that I’m crossing over to the 3rd decade of my life, that out of a sudden, I started experiencing changes to my body, such that for a while, my life had certainly gotten disrupted.

First up, early this year Mar, small red bumps started appearing on my entire 2 legs. Its really scary! And the worst part was that it started getting itchy now and then, and if I scratches it, the bumps will swell and turn into a ugly red shade. To say it was a terrible experience is an understatement. Till now, I never quite understand the full reason behind this breakout on my legs. The symptoms came the day after I went for a foot reflexology session, but I could not fault the massage place cos I’ve been there like more than 10 times, and nothing had ever happened after that. I visited the doctor, applied the medicinal cream given, changed my body wash and lotion, etc etc. Eventually, it subsided and although my legs look like the same as before, its actually not. If I look closely, or run my hands against my legs, I can still feel the bumps, but they are really tiny and inconspicuous. One would have to touch my leg to feel them. Its sad leh, cos the skin on my legs used to be like so smooth. SIGH! And now, I’m really particular on the type of body wash and lotion I apply on my legs. I dare not luan luan buy the cheap cheap kind. Can only go for those specially or sensitive skin, which are usually slightly pricier than the drugstore brands.

Secondly, the skincare products which I use on my face are no longer suitable. I’ve had to change the range cos my skin started getting a bit drier than before, and yes, I’ve got wrinkles (aka laugh lines) around my mouth area. Wah lau. If this is happening  just when I’m turning 30, I cannot imagine what its like when I in my 40s. Fortunately, after a series of hit and misses, I did manage to find something which is suitable for my face.

Thirdly, my metabolism rate has really taken a nose dive man. But sadly, I still eat the same amount as before. Huh Huh Huh. I find myself having to exercise more frequently and diligently in order to stay trim and maintain the weight. And of course, people in their 30s really shouldn’t stay up whole night playing mahjong or etc. When I was at the chalet recently and spent the entire night chatting with colleagues, I couldn’t really recover the energy back even after 1 whole day of sleep after that. Back when we were in the uni, we only slept like from 2am – 8am if we have classes at 8.30am. But it was a ok, and the cycle would repeat itself and we wouldn’t feel a thing. Now, I always think twice before staying up late (not mentioning not sleeping at all). 12am is like the latest I can go, if I need to work the next day.

However interestingly, I gained a new insight into the inevitable process of turning 30 when I spoke to my Aunt Lydia a while back. She’s happily single in her 40s, and I enjoy talking to her on her life experiences and she looks really young for her age. That day, she asked how old I was and I replied with a frown that I would be approaching 30 soon. Here’s what she responded:

” That’s a good age! I always feel that my 30s had been the prime of my life, not the 20s as what the popular belief is. In our 20s, we are still like a fledging youths trying to search for the best job, best hobby, and figuring out the clothes and makeup which best suit us. Hence the 20s are somehow filled with more mistakes and failures as we fall down and pick ourselves up again. But the 30s….by that time, we should have landed ourselves in a job of our choice, and would have figured a lifestyle which best fits our expectations and needs. Hence, the 30s should be the prime of your life, the part where you enjoy the fruits of your 20s labour and where you are at your most confident and self-assured .”

I like that. Heh heh. Knowing that I’m stepping into the best years of my life, and not degenerating into a old auntie….that’s nice. But of course, I admit that the above may only apply to singles, and not married couples. Cos for them, the 30s would usually be filled with starting a family and having children. But come to think of it, that may also be the best years of their lives as well…watching your baby grow up, etc etc.

So if you are also stepping into your 30s now…fear not! YOU ARE AT YOUR PRIME!!!

Enjoy it while it lasts! =)

Pampering myself April 13, 2009

Guess after 2 years of complaining and suffering under my ex-boss, I still have to thank him for giving me an unexpectedly good grade in my work performance. I have to say the bonus I received was much much better than I usually get, and also more than what my peers got. But of course, given the current economic climate, I knew I should really save up most of it….just in case.

Hence, I decided not to go on long overseas trips, and anyway, I don’t think I’ve also recovered totally from last year’s Paris and London trip. Wah lau, really can kill lor (but the experience is priceless, I guess). Oh by the way, I know I said that I’ve booked the Sentosa Resort Weekend package. Well, after thinking it through, my sis and I decided to go Bangkok instead. Haha. With hotel and flight combined, its about $60 more expensive than the Sentosa package. But we were thinking with the savings expected from food and spa there, it should come up to about the same. Haha. So there, I ate my words lah basically. (So suay, after we booked the flight and hotel, the emergency thing at Bangkok had to happen. A bit scary lor, but will see how it goes in June period, which is about the time we are going there).

Then I decided to get another bag. Yes yes, I know. Just bought my Prada last year in Paris. But I decided I needed another hand carry. One in a colour which I don’t have. Just something DIFFERENT. So I went to a shopping expedition with an ex-colleague Sara, who was also looking for a bag (and who btw, already has a Chanel lor. $4500, from husband). The other reason for getting a bag was also because we had a friend who would be traveling to Paris soon, so we thought we could get the model number of the bag we want and ask her to help us buy. At first, I had settled on a Miu Miu, which was functional, practical, not too bad looking, and cost $2300. With the discounts if purchased in Paris, it should come to about $1800. But I didn’t get the 兴奋 and exhilaration that I usually experience when I’m buying a new bag. I know I felt that when I bought my first Burberry, and the Prada. This Miu Miu one was nil, zero.

So I continued on in my spree…and found this.

The Lady Dior Bag in lambskin. Cost a whopping $3200 and was totally out of stock in Sg when I visited the Christian Dior outlet at Ngee Ann City. The model I saw is the one with the patent leather (as featured above).  It definitely got my heart fluttering quite a bit and the feeling was the exact kind when you see something you really really like. The size was just right, and it really makes one look so classy when you carry it. At that point, I really got so 心动.

But of course, I didn’t get it. Crazy lor. Even if I were to get my friend to buy it in Paris, it would easily set me back by at least $2700 I think. I’m not that siao yet.

So I went on another shopping trip, this time with my room mate, Corinni. I was thinking that with her being more calm and level-headed than me, I should be able to get something more suitable for me, if I shopped with her. And indeed, I got myself a bag which I never thought I would get, and with a brand which I had even considered.

But unfortunately, I could not find a picture online to show you guys. Anyway, you can view it at the Celine website. Yes, I got myself a Celine bag. And in a very sweet PINK colour somemore. Definitely a colour which I had never considered ever before. And at $1850, it was so much more affordable than the CD bag. It was love at first sight…haha. The salesgirl called it the 魔力包包. Its supposedly one of the best-selling item from Celine, and the Japanese female tourists just can’t seem to get enough of it. So, if you have the time, do visit the Celine website to have a look. Its under the deerskin section, and its called the Pillow Bag (in pink).

Oh ok, I found a pic of the bag, but in brown and black though.

Just imagine it in this colour

This by the way, is the Celine Blossom tote. When I saw this online (which was after I bought my Pillow bag), I thought wow, this looks even better than my bag! Why didn’t I see it at the shop? Maybe I would have bought this instead.

Lucky I didn’t see it. Cos don’t think I would have gotten it anyway. It costs $3000.

中 孝介 – それぞれに (In Each and Every) April 6, 2009

You would have seen this Japanese singer on the wildly popular Taiwanese movie 海角七号. I watched this with P last year and while I wasn’t that particularly impressed by the show, I got introduced to 中孝介(Kousuke Atari). Granted his voice is not one which everyone can appreciate cos its really quite unique, but I thought it was something different from the usual commercialised fare.

And I PARTICULARLY love this song.

陈绮贞2009新加坡演唱会-太阳 April 5, 2009

Upon recommendation, Corinni had bought the tickets to the concert to watch with Irene. But around last month, Irene informed she could not make it, and offered the ticket to me at a cheaper price. I’m not a super big fan of 陈绮贞, but thought it should be a concert worth going cos even if I don’t know many of her songs, she is still one of the current few female artistes who is lauded for her song-writing talent and good voice.

As suspected, I think I barely recognised 20% of the songs she performed yesterday at the Indoor Stadium. Think the ones which I knew were those frequently played on radio, such as 九份的咖啡店, 躺你的衣櫃, 還是會寂寞, 讓我想一想, 太陽,  告訴我 and my personal favourites, 旅行的意義 and 華麗的冒險. But it was still an enjoyable 3 hour concert (the longest one I’ve attended so far). The encores came again and again, and she accomodated everytime with more songs. I think in the last hour, it was purely just her and her guitar. No other instruments, and very unplugged. She has some very ardent fans in Singapore (which Corinni and I had not expected!). They knew almost all her songs, and some even came prepared in attire which matched hers. Think they must have seen her recent concert in Hong Kong bah.

But her guitar skills are AMAZING…..I must say. Really is 不赖的! Costumes wise, not much to shout about, but I particularly like this rocker babe outfit below. And oh yes…CHECK OUT HER TATTOOS ON HER LEFT ARM (sorry couldn’t find a better pic).

It was nearly 1130pm when the concert ended. And so late that we did not make it for the last train at Kallang station. So had to settle for the cab, which wasn’t easy to flag cos there were also other concert goers who were in the same plight as us. By the time I reached home, it was about 1230am, and I only got to sleep around 1.30am. And this morning still have to wake up at 7.30am for dizi lessons. Really zonked out!

 Interestingly, while on the bus 11 to Kallang station (in an attempt to see if we could make it for the last train home), we were actually still unsure if the bus would take us to the station. Corinni then commented that maybe the bus only goes up to Geylang Interchange, or maybe Geylang train station. That’s when we realised we are not really familiar with the east-west line of the MRT, cos SINCE WHEN GOT GEYLANG STATION ONE? And for one moment, I really thought there is,  given that Geylang is such a prominent place in the east.

Think we must have been quite tired to think of that!