Thursday, August 21, 2008

  • When I die...

    Do not mourn my passing but celebrate my life.
    I want to be remembered, but in the most important way,
    within the hearts of those I love, and those who loved me.
    Toast the happy memories, only shed tears of joy.

    I refuse to be a source of sadness, any part of regret,
    for any who held a grudge, please forgive and forget.
    If I said anything to offend, I hope you understand,
    No point in getting upset, or it will never end.

    So when I die...

    I wish for everyone to smile, party on, and play games.
    Have a potluck at my funeral, make my favourite cocktails.
    Play mahjong, texas hold-em, scrabble and monopoly.
    Spin a bottle, guess a number or find out who has never.

    Make sure the funeral is a pink affair,
    right down to the coffin, candles and chairs.
    Hold an auction, of my possessions,
    raise money to donate to charity.
    Adopt a child, build a school, help someone. Anyone.

    And when I'm burnt into ashes, with dust to dust,
    give me to the ones I love,
    I want to travel, to the corners of Earth.

    So when I die, please remember.
    I don't want to ever see anyone cry.
    Smile, laugh, be happy and gay.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

  • The MasterCard Moments...

    We just got home... after 5 hours of walking and talking...

    New Balance Cross Trainers = $89
    Durian@ Roadside Stall = $10
    100 plus from Petrol Station = $1.80
    Thermos filled with Ice = $0.20

    Precious Moments with my Bunny = Priceless

    NightWalk 

    The Route We Took

     You can use this map to look at the route we walked in detail


    I'll have to say that in a surprisingly spontaneous move, we walked home from Theatreworks at 72-13 Mohamed Sultan Road. Given that we both have to work in a few hours time, it was still very comforting to simply give in to our free spirit and do whatever the heck we felt like. We walked, talked, stoped for durians, purchased ice at various 7-11s and coffeeshops to feed my ice-craving, used the loo at a petrol station and even had discussions about how we wanted our respective funerals to be like while walking along an old graveyard during the 7th Month. The things we do when we are with the person we love :)

    Almost 5 hours and 14 km later, we are home, tired, but extremely happy.

    A totally MasterCard Moment...

Sunday, August 03, 2008

  • Childhood Dreams...

    I think the very first childhood dream I ever had was to be a writer. And after attending Otto Fong's talk today - From Classroom To Comics (Part of Indignation 2008) about how he gave up teaching to become a full-time comic artist makes me wonder if I will ever be brave enough to venture back into the realm of writing.

    I was never a talented writer. Sure, I had some vivid imagination back in school and I enjoyed classes that allowed me creative freedom, but I was never brilliant at it like Michelle who is one of the best among my peers.

    Yet while I sat there listening to Otto recount his coming out story and how he slowly realised that what he really wanted was to return to his first love, it made me wonder if I could return to my first love as well. Among all the different "hobbies" I had listed as a child, the first and foremost passion was writing. Nothing had ever come close to this hobby that had started when I was about 8 years old, scribbling with my childish scrawl in an old Jotter Book about the fictional Joanne and her handsome prince.

    A part of me wants to go and recreate some fairy tale world much like Roald Dahl of the past or the Harry Potter phenomenon we have now. Another yearns for the simple stories that Enid Blyton brought to us - Famous Five, Secret Seven and my personal favourite, The Five Find-Outers. My strong command of the English language would never have been possible without these companions while I was growing up. I recall losing myself in mountains of books when I had chicken pox, re-reading the entire Famous Five series and delving into the other Enid Blytons when I had finished those in 3 days. By the time I had left my primary school, I had read just about every single book in the library, aided by the fact that I was the head librarian and spent so much time there. Lord of the Rings came alive for me when I read the trilogy in Secondary 2, even while cheering on Elizabeth and Jessica in the Sweet Vally series which I collected to the point where my bookshelf was over-run by them. Later on, I discovered Eddings, Feist, Gaiman, Card even as I read Danielle Steel and Judith McNaught on the side.

    For everything that reading has brought me, I wish I could give the same in return. Of course not in hopes of being the next J K Rowling, but perhaps in some small measure, a Singaporean version of Roald Dahl. I would be content to be able to build a world that some may find comfort in and if it encourages them to read more, it would be an added benefit.

    So maybe the childhood dream may not have to remain as just a dream after all...

Saturday, August 02, 2008

Friday, August 01, 2008

  • I pamper my hammies and my bunny pampers me :)

    About a week ago, I finally decided that bungalow vs terrace house wasn't working out for my hammies. For one thing, whoever was living in the terrace house wasn't getting enough exercise as the wheel in that house was too small. For another, it just didn't seem fair that someone was always getting the short end of the stick.

    Therefore, I decided to upgrade the bungalow into a uber-villa-mansion. Presenting the new playground for my hammies:


    Uber cool double bungalows with added connectors, sand baths and exercise wheels.

    My bunny has since protested that I spoil the hammies more than I spoil her. I would have to disagree on this though... I spoil her plenty as well :P

    Although I have to admit, I was utterly spoilt by her when I came home tonight and was greeted at my front door by this:


    A heart made of light sticks that simply makes my day...

    I too, am too spoilt for words... :)

Thursday, July 31, 2008

  • Indignation 2008


    Singapore’s 4th annual Pride Season is coming again - in August 2008

    Rainbow bridgeThere are talks and forums, art and literature, and of course, fun social and outdoor events - for learning, celebrating and building bridges with those outside our communities. So please keep your evenings free in August and come to as many as you can.

    All events are free of charge unless otherwise stated.

    Sayoni will also be hosting events during Indignation. Please check out the full list of events HERE.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

  • The one with the DisneyCafe, some balls, a few bruises and that BITCHY MOM!...

    My body is aching from 3 straight days of hitting the gym, but I must admit that as I get into the groove of gymming, I am enjoying it again. Reminds me of back in 2005 when I used to gym after work with Liz and Irene... We would go to a class, do the treadmill, dip in the pool and finally relax in the steamroom before heading for har jiong kai at the great zi-char stall at Hong Lim. Those were the days... Well, hopefully I'll find myself really getting into my workout routines and get myself in shape again.

    Last weekend was a blast. Met Em for her semi pre-birthday celebration on Sat at DisneyCafe and as always, it was nice to spend some time with my godson Jayden. Unfortunately he was kinda cranky so we couldn't get him to smile for the pics. However, he is still as adorable as ever. They didn't really serve any real food there, so all we had were some drinks and Em had Mickey Mouse shaped waffle.

    Happy Birthday Sis! Hope you had a good one!


    Myself, Em and Bon with baby Jayden :)


    Jayden looking at Mommy while playing with my pendant

    Went paintballing with the Sayoni girls on Sunday. After all that hype, in the end only 8 people turned up. But it was all good and we all had a hellofva time shooting balls at each other. I must say that despite all the trouble we had booking the slot for the game, the people at Red Dynasty are alright and we had a swell time. Even though we all got shot (Irene was totally fearless so I think she got hit the most, Manqin had a nasty fall and thus had a terrible wound on her butt, someone hit me on the arm and it started bleeding), I think the pain was definitely worth it.



    The people who didn't wimp out!


    Our team that totally kicked ass!


    Irene's massive bruise on her thigh which is now twice that size and even MORE colourful!


    And all the other spots on her tummy that totally swelled up.

    Despite all those bruises, I think I can vouch for everyone when I say that we had a great time and definitely want to do it again sometime. So who is game for the next round? :P

    Anyway, before we went for paintball, Irene and I went to AMK Hub for lunch. We decided on New York New York as I felt like having the spare ribs that I had first tasted just 2 nights ago. So there we were, happily tucking into our food when a family of 4 sits down at the table next to us. From the moment they sat down, the mother started complaining about the daughter, the restaurant, the service, the food, etc. It went from "Aiya girl, why you come here and eat? The things here so expensive. How you pay? You share 1 main course with your friends is it?"  descending to "I tell you what, next time you go Botak Jones and eat with your friends. Got anyone who drives? I don't know how to take bus there, but if your friends drive, I teach you how to go. But must go before 5 pm ok? Or else no more french fries. Their french fries really good leh."  and finally to "Wah, why so few wedges? Botak Jones the french fries is better. The salad so small, the coleslaw at Botak Jones is like a mountain you know?". All this while, the poor girl, who actually looks kinda gay, was looking miserably at her food, at the ceiling, at her brother, never really looking into her mother's eyes. Later on, the conversation evolved into being about the girl..."Why you cut your fringe like that? So not nice. And why you look so unhappy? We come all the way here because you said you wanted to eat here, now your face so sulky. If you keep on sulking like that, the sulk will get stuck on your face and people will draw your face as :( instead of :) Why you keep slouching? Can sit up straight or not? Why you playing with your food? You are the one who wanted to eat here. Don't want to eat already? Give your brother lah. If I know this is what you want to eat, I can also cook for you. Why don't you come home and eat? I cook this same pasta for you everyday." And it went on and on and on.

    Irene and I couldn't wait to get out of there. I swear if I sat there any longer, I would have turned around and slapped the mother who was sitting right next to me. I mean for freak's sake. There is a damn reason why your daughter doesn't wanna go home and have dinner with you. BECAUSE YOU CAN'T KEEP YOUR DAMN MOUTH SHUT! I honestly pity the girl and since she looked really gay, I wish her all the luck when she wants to come out. I can just imagine it now "I knew it, it was because you don't come home to eat dinner and keep eating at those expensive restaurants with your friends, that's why you become gay."

    Which brings me to the point... Thank God for my mom. For everything she is to me which has made me everything that I am. If I had a mom like that girl, I think I would have killed myself by now :P

    Love ya mom ;)

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

  • The Bintan Mis-Adventure

    After much planning and going back and forth among friends, we finally got to go on the Bintan trip. All in all, most of it went according to the plan, which was really, just to enjoy ourselves. It was fun, relaxing and overall a great vacation! Can't wait til we go on another weekend break!

    28th June 2008

    8:45 am - Get SMSed by Halima who informs me that she is at SGH emergency ward right now and won't be able to join us on the trip.

    9:00 am - Call up Indu and try to see if she can convince her parents to allow her to go on the trip as a last minute replacement for Halima.

    9:10 am - SMS back and forth with Indu while in the cab, giving her reasons for her to convince her parents to let her go.

    9:45 am - Arrive at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and get off the phone with Indu who says her parents have said "No". Meet up with Edna and proceed to wait for everyone at Killiney Kopitiam. SMS Halima to let her know Indu can't go and call up Bintan Lagoon resorts to cancel 1 extra bed.

    10:00 am - Meet at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal. Wait at Killiney Kopitiam for everyone else is who are "On the way". Cady, Jessica and Enjiao arrive relatively on time. Indu calls back and says her parents have had a change of heart. Order her to jump on a cab and immediately call back the resort to get the 'cancel 1 extra bed' request cancelled.

    10:15 am - Call up Manqin who says "We're on a cab and at <urrrrrm> Bedok" Call up Alina who says "I'm <urrrrm> on the way" Call up Sharon who says "Be there in 5 mins". Wait patiently for them while attempting to get Indu's details over the phone.

    10:30 am - Cajole the ferry ticket counter to allow a last minute name change and replacement. Almost bring out the waterworks, but turns out is un-necessary. Nice ticketing lady allows for name replacement at only $5 instead of paying for a new ticket.

    10:40 am - Wait for Indu while everyone else goes through the boarding gate first. Indu arrives and very soon, we are on our way through the boarding gate as well!

    11:00 am - Board Ferry in a rush with all the other holiday makers.

    <enter unknown timezone at sea and warp into Indonesian timezone>


    Everyone doing their own thing on the ferry... We have the sleepers, the readers and the grinners!


    11:00 am -     Arrive at Bintan

    11:30 am - Exit Bintan Ferry Terminal and wait for Halima Indu and Enjiao while they get their visas done. Board transfer coach when everyone is ready.

    12:30 pm - Arrive at Bintan Lagoon Resorts

    01:00 pm - Check in at the villa and squabble about who gets which room Get informed by resort that villa is not ready for check in yet, so we proceed for lunch instead.


    Lunch was Satay Campur!

    01:30 pm - Proceed for lunch Halfway through lunch, admiring Manqin's stack of Jenga fries. Check in at the resort after lunch.


    Angsoka 07, our home for the next 24 hours

    02:30 pm - Choice of A) Snorkelling Trip ($35/pax for 1.5 hours) [Manqin, Sharon, Jessica, Irene, Enjiao (who cannot swim and was brave as hell to go with us) and myself.] or B) Windsurfing ($35/pax for 1 hour) [No one wanted to go for this] or C) Kayaking ($15/2 pax for 1 hour) [Alina and Indu went for this]


    The snorkellers... plus 1 extra...

    04:00 pm - Beach Volleyball We played pool captains ball instead.


    Pool captains ball!

    05:00 pm - Rest and relax on beach at pool


    Rest and relax at the pool

    06:00 pm - Return to Villa to prep for BBQ dinner

    06:30 pm - DINNER! Call up resort and yell at them for dinner not arriving and not assigning someone to BBQ for us.

    08:00 pm     - Board games/ mahjong

    10:00 pm     - Push drunk people into the pool Sleepy people went to bed, non sleepy people went to the beach to admire the stars...

    11:00 pm - Neighbours come over to ask us to stop partying, but end up joining the party instead.  Neighbours seemed like they were having a much rowdier party than us.

    12:00 am - Resort security come to our villa to ask us to keep the noise level down. Resort security seemed to be quite slack, so this didn't happen.

    03:00 am - We chase everyone back to where they came from and attempt to get decent rest. Everyone went to bed except for myself, Sharon, Alina and Cady who were happily playing mahjong until 5 am :P

    29th June 2008

    06:00 am - Get up and drag everyone Only Irene got up on her own accord and so we went to the beach to watch sunrise


    When we first got to the beach


    First peek at the Sun


    A bit brighter now


    See the sun behind the clouds


    And the sun in its full morning glory


    In between waiting, we decided to cam whore lah... Sleepy looking at first...


    But awake when the sun has come up :)




    07:00 am - Buffet breakfast Back to villa after watching sunrise, suntan by the pool on my own while everyone else was still sleeping.

    09:00 am - Choice of A) 2 hours guided bike tour ($22/pax) or B) Mangrove Tour ($33.90/pax) We ended up chilling by the pool while waiting for the sleepy heads to get up for breakfast.

    11:00 am     - Sleep & Suntan@ beach or poolside. Was too hot after breakfast, so some ended up sleeping, others played monopoly where I am told Manqin and Indu were declared victors.

    12:00 pm - Lunch Chillout and pack up before checking out of villa at 1 pm

    02:00 pm - Free and Easy, lounge around at Villa or around resort Attempt to spend 30 free tokens at leisure centre. Watch Jessica morph into Monica as she deceminates people at foosball and table tennis. Laugh at Cheyenne as she attempts "butt on table" pool shots.

    04:00 pm - Check out Late lunch and some crazy "My Secret Garden" game that no one manages to decipher... Btw, Sharon, I wanna play version 3!!!

    04:30 pm - Board coach for ferry terminal

    06:35 pm - Board ferry for Singapore

    <enter unknown timezone at sea and warp back into Singapore timezone>

    08:00 pm - Arrive at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal Singapore

    09:00 pm - Get through immigrations and out who should share cabs with who on the way home.

    10:00 pm - Get home and collapse in bed, dreaming of the great vacation!
             
    All in all, it was a great vacation. Had a good time, with fantastic company and such a good rest and relax trip. Even though we didn't follow everything according to the schedule I had planned out, no worries, cos the most important thing was that we had fun. I'm looking forward to our next rest and relax trip already :)

jessliv

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    • Name: Liv
    • Birthday: 1/24/1980
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  • aw you were supposed to make a new thing for me << Thinking of starting a new blog.. and making a new web page total.. with links to my two blogs << we'll see if i can get the motivation or not.
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    • Posted 12/10/2007 2:23 PM
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