The little bird flys!

My little sister is going to France this coming Friday and I am really excited for her. She's 25 now, but to me, still so little. I hope she has the courage to explore a lot more things outside of Singapore. She's heading over with her "teacher" and a bunch of others to do a 2 weeks French language course. Of course, that includes staying at a school and some sightseeing excursions. She will be seeing a lot of France more than I ever did (which was sadly only Paris). After that, she will extend 2 days to spend some time with her friend living in France. I wish her a safe trip and may this gives her a good head start to future Europe trip (maybe with me ;) this time round)!

WWWhooot!

After the last complaint about the train frequency, this morning I boarded a train WITHOUT AIR CON! Can you imagine with the stupid weather and the crowd at peak hours!! SMRT, what the hell are you doing...! Everyone inside was trying to fan themselves with anything they could and when it got crowded, the air was so still and humid!! It was getting so stuffy inside that I alighted a few stops after to wait for the next train. Imagine when I stepped out, the air outside (which was warm) felt even cooler than the air in the cabin, gosh, I wonder how those people survive another 20 minutes to get to town! I'd rather be late than arrived hot, sweaty and frustrated.

Freakish

I lost my memory. Is it selective memory or was I pre-occupied with something? What happened??

I was in the shop, making a purchase. I was asked to pay by NETS, the next moment, I got an approval NETS receipt but I don't remember keying in my pin. I swear I still can't recall. It almost freaked me out that the transaction went through without my authorization. Or is it that, I really lost my memory?

It is a sign that I am getting old...

Fated

"One peach, regular," I said to the Yami Yogurt auntie.

She didn't move for a few seconds and stared at me. Her eyes, large as goldfish, it then hit on me. Why are they so familiar?

"AAAaaahhh," I exclaimed. The auntie went on to fetch a cup of frozen peach yogurt, at the same time, she asked,"Do you remember me?" "Yes, yes, we used to work in the portuguese egg tarts cafe!" I suddenly recalled.

Oh my lord... that's almost 10 years ago. She still recognises me. This is fate, we meet again. I was having a hunger pang at 5pm, and decided to head out to Mr Bean nearby. I was craving for Yami Yogurt but I knew there wasn't any around. But I was so wrong. I stood in front of Mr Bean, and there was nothing I fancied on the menu. So I swang my head around. That instant, I thought God must have read my wishes, suddenly there is YAMI YOGURT! (I learnt that it just opened last week, so whose reading my mind!!) I was thrilled and I went up to have my usual favourite. That is how I bumped into her.

We had a short conversation and I am sure it won't be the last time I am seeing her. Yami Yogurt, here I come :)

Life indeed is a spin, sometimes it takes you round and round.

A storm tonight

Floods have visited Singapore again. Singapore seriously has to look into flood prevention and prepare for stormy weather for the future. It never used to be this rainy during May or June.

As I pulled in the window pane, I felt the stillness outside, the trees were barely swaying. But the breeze brushed against my skin and knocked on my bamboo chimes. I looked up, the sky was red... almost dark red. It was as if it was bruised and awaiting revenge. I could feel it coming.

I lay in bed. Minutes ago, I read about a tsunami from the sky in the west of Singapore from a friend. I'm also getting live updates about it hitting Sengkang, the north-east side. I hear the chimes from my kitchen, the sky moaning softly... and I know it will all be here very soon.

Hotcakes

My second attempt and the shapes get better each time. This is done with buttermilk pancake mix :)  I didn't make these this morning as the rain kept me in bed till late!! I miss making banana pancakes, maybe next weekend ya!

Tip: Use butter/margarine to grease pan.

生日快乐Carrie

I designed a birthday postcard for a friend in Taiwan. I hope the bits didn't fall off by the time it gets to her! She was a great help during my trip there and is a joy to have as a friend :) And I am so jealous of her natural curly hair that's as Q as the maggie mee... I think I will give it a try one day!

Made with love, packed with belated birthday wishes.

Paint it

Recently, something caught my attention and definitely got a hook on my wallet. I was never too keen on painting nails until something just hit me hard. I started to look at swatches on blogs and after getting hold of a few online shops, it began my crazy spree for nail polishes. It's a phase, but the kind that will revisit from time to time. At one point, I would change the colors every few days once it started to chip... but sometimes I am just too lazy, and I'd give them a matte look with a coat of base coat.

Below are some of my moments.

Orly Lollipop with China Glaze Sea Spray. They go well with the rings, doesn't it?

Similar to OPI shatter, this is China Glaze Crackle.

OPI Suede Russian Navy. Taken after a few days... so kinda coming off by then.

OPI Suede Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees. Taken after a few days too.

Nail colors can be such a good fashion accessory too, don't you think?

Simple things in life

This morning, the security guard uncle echoed my morning greetings. He made my day and I hope I made his.

In the train today, I witnessed acts of kindness and it touched me. An middle aged auntie was losing her balance whilst the train was moving. And the person besides her suddenly held her gently by her arm, and she managed to break the fall. Then it happened another time as the train was moving fast underground, the other person on the other side of her helpfully gave her another handgrip. As we were packed tightly in the middle of the cabin, she had nothing to hold on to. I was pleasantly surprised the people around her offered help. Another lady offered to swap places with her so she could hold on to the nearest pole. I looked on and suddenly wish the world is filled with more considerate people like them :)

I also watched on when I saw a few backpackers alighting the train. My heart yearns for another backpacking trip, one that I can rest my mind, put technology and the rat society behind... But as I grow older, less taxing activities seem to appeal to me more, such as going on a yoga retreat, a beach holiday, a foodie trip... Trekking or water sports are the last things on my mind.

Recently, I have cravings. Sometimes, I like to have a cake, marzipan chocolate, some pineapple tarts, bubble tea or a little chewy cream puff. I didn't resist, I went ahead to have it. It's such simple things that make my life happy!

I noticed someone carrying exactly the same bag I am carrying today... How embarassing! But at least we're not wearing the same things!!!

Be grateful

This evening, I paid a visit to little Charmaine and my friend, Cyn (you can check out her blog by clicking the banner on the right hand side). It's good to see them again, especially that Char is recovering well from the operation on Friday. Now she can move her legs!

Whenever I see them, I often think those whom have complained about all the smallest things in life should get to know them. They should feel for those whom are struggling to survive, those whom are starving in the poor countries, those whom cannot afford a roof over their heads... Those people whom are unhappy, you have a choice to be happy, do something. Some people are left with no other choices, they are terminally ill, they are borned in a country with poverty, they are borned handicapped. But the rest of you, you're not... So get a life! Be happy you have a job, be happy you have enough money to survive, be happy you have limbs to use, be happy you always have food to eat.