Sydney Day 3 – Of brunch, Rabbit Without Ears and the Sydney Opera House

Though I did plan of seeing some of the museums, it looked like I wasn’t gonna get much of a cultural experience. We only got up about noon, and headed to Kings St, just behind Uni Syd for brunch. We ate at Urban Bites, a pretty nice café that is frequented by the students. I had a bacon and egg roll, recommended by Steffen, and we shared a sandwich with grilled aubergine and melted cheese.

We headed straight to Bondi Junction (after much gasps from Steffen that I hadn’t been there! It’s only like the biggest mall around!) So there we were, looking for a jacket for myself.

Bvlgari has a new scent, Aqva Marine, and it smells really good. I miss my Bvlgari Aqva. And since I wasn’t going to spend $80 on a new one, I went to the counter and asked for a sample. Again, the Singaporean emerges.

I was also going to meet Craig, who studies medicine in UNSW. Steffen wanted to leave us alone to hang out, but I insisted he came along since we were just meeting for coffee. We had drinks and some tea, Steffen a chai latte, Craig a café latte, and myself the usual hot chocolate. Mmmmm. Only Steffen and I had something to munch on though, he a strawberry tart and what else but a lemon tart for myself.

In the evening we decided to go to the German Film Festival, and after a few bumps, we got to the theater about 10 mins before the start of the film, Keinohrhase or Rabbit Without Ears. As you could predict, the film was sold out. Normally, I’d probably give up hope (there were signs EVERYWHERE saying it was sold out) But not Steffen. We queued, and when we got to the cashier, he asked her pretty persistently, but nicely, if she could squeeze us in the back. In the end she gave and told us to wait until everyone went in and took their seats, then she’d try to help us. What an angel.

She came to us when the crowd was comfortably in their seats and brought us in through the side door. Surprisingly the first row was empty so she told us we could sit there but then came back a few minutes later telling us to sit on the steps first because there were late-comers and when the film started we could just slip in the empty seats.

We eventually got pretty good seats somewhere in the middle though we weren’t seated together.

The film was great, and while it had a pretty predictable storyline, a good first German film. It was a about a celebrity gossip writer who is sentenced to community service or face jail term. He is sent to a kindergarten, where the head is a girl from his younger days he used to bully. Of course they fall in love, but it was a nice take on it, since he’s a player and she’s this sweet schoolteacher. Or at times "an animal in bed", as she put it.

There was a gem in the movie, little Cheyenne-Blue. The weird name because her “mum’s an actress and her dad’s an arsehole.” She said that! And that her “mum goes through many men, but only I get breakfast in the morning.” Her real name is Emma Schweiger, but I can't find any pictures of her adorable face online.

She really is super adorable. (If you watch the below videos, she’s the one who sticks her tongue out in the rain while on the tricycle with Ludo)

The official website (though you probably wouldn’t understand a word): http://wwws.warnerbros.de/keinohrhasen/

And there’s a Youtube link, though the English subtitles are all crappy, it’s good enough to understand: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmalF-6QQec



After the film it was still relatively early so we headed to the Sydney Opera House (More gasps that I hadn’t seen it.) It was beautiful and because it was not crowded with tourist you really get the feel of the place, and then I realize why it’s world famous. Pictures really don’t do it any justice and you really have to be there, standing on the long and wide expanse of the steps, looking up at the sail-like roof of the opera house do you then get the magnificence of the building.

I also learnt something new – the roof is not smooth, like it looks in the pictures. It is actually tiled, and from up close doesn’t look smooth at all.

Sydney Day 2 – Of factory outlets, Korean hairdressers and filthy rich Asians

I decided to go to Strathfield, a twenty-minute train ride and a fifteen-minute bus ride out of town. But, there was a major factory outlet there and by default, every starving student’s place to go.

It was huge and I bought six books, for $90. That is cheap, considering a couple of them originally cost close to a hundred each. Having settled the books, I went to have more fun – clothing. The place is oragnaised like a shopping mall except everything is cheap. Oh gosh, so this is what it feels like to be Singaporean! I took one walk round the place, browsing everything. And then went to buy things only on the second round. I only picked up this sweater for $30. Of course there was plenty of nice clothes around… but since I didn’t find them particularly nice, I didn’t buy them. Pretty surprised at my self-restraint.

I needed a haircut badly and saw a Korean hairdresser at Strathfield (which it turns out is Little Korea) and having heard that Koreans were the better hairdressers, I tried my luck. They were cheap, at only $15 but I think the cut could have been better.

I was back in Sydney by the late evening and finally went to meet up with Steffen. He is from Germany and a model. His latest shoot possibly for D&G though he might not take it if it clashes with his school. Argh, some people! Turning down a D&G shoot!

We went back to his dorm (which is huge and he is allowed to pull in a spare bed, that’s how big his room is!) had a shower and headed out for a movie – my first in a few months! We watched Step Up 2, which was pretty nice for all the dancing. Steffen enjoyed it on another level since he is a trained ballet dancer.

After that we headed to Capitol Square, where we met one of his girlfriends, Judy a Singaporean, and her friends. We took some silly neo-prints and then headed back to one of their apartments. Apart from Steffen, Judy and I there were three others: Clarence and Vanessa, siblings from Singapore and Pear from Thailand. They all know each other because they stay in the same apartment.

But apartment hardly begins to cut it as it’s more like a hotel. We were in Clarence and Vanessa’s unit, which was on the 54th floor and had a fantastic view. They have an incredible sound system, loaded with a pretty impressive gaming system. For most of the time we were there they played this game which where you had to synchronise the drums, guitar and the singing so three could play at a time. There was also a DJ console in the balcony.

Needless to say, they were dripping with cash. I just find it hard to fathom this immense wealth, where the kids simply have no inkling of the value of money.

Sydney Day 1 – Of missing trains, smelly feet and free cookies

I had been lazy to get off my butt and go into Sydney. I suppose I have been getting too comfortable in my little room. Plus it’s been getting cold! I just wanted to sleep under my blanket!

I was planning on leaving in the afternoon – say about 3. But my mobile wasn’t in order and I couldn’t make outgoing calls – I wasn’t going to go to Sydney without a working phone!
So after all the waiting on the line with the operator and my problem fixed, it was after 4pm, so I thought what the heck? I’ll just have dinner here (since it is provided) and head down after that. I went for dinner at 5.30pm, left 15 mins later for my room, left my room just before 6pm, and still managed to miss my train at 6.09pm. Damn. The next one was not due till 7.15pm! I wasn’t going to go back so I took out my book and read in the frigid wind.

I reached Sydney about 10.40pm. I did not secure a place to stay for the night, but then again I thought that was “fun” and at most I’d just sleep in the train station. Ok lah, I had done some prep… I checked online and from what I saw the YHA was still vacant. There’s two within walking distance of Central station in Sydney but I was hoping to stay at the Railway YHA because they converted some old train cabins into rooms! I opted for a dorm-type room, where I share with three complete strangers. Two were Germans on a 4 month-long vacation and another Asian guy, who was asleep when I got there, and had left by the time I got up.

The moment I walked into the room, the pong of smelly feet hit me. Boy, it was gonna be a long night.

I didn’t want to stay with Steffen just yet – he had an assignment due on Friday and I didn't want to get in the way.

So, I hurriedly put down my things and left, for a very late supper of a subway sandwich, along with TWO free cookies. I suppose they were closing and were just trying to get rid of them. I walked around town a bit – most places were closed – and then headed back to my dorm about 1.30am, to the smelly feet and my waiting bed.

I slept with the sheets over my nose for most of the night.

Amazing

I came across this marvel. (Picture on Right) And since I got the picture from flickr, I'm not too sure of the credibility of it.. But, pictures 4, 6 and 7 take my breath away.

It just CAN'T be real right?!!!

Also, there's this building in Dubai, the Shuffle Tower. It can change it's shape.

I'm still not sure to what extent it can change, and from the little I've read it only moves so that the views change. While I think the building is lacking aesthetically, imagine the possibilities! It's just mind-boggling. Built by James Law Cybertecture, it's supposed to be ready by 2009 and is an all-in-one from a mall at the base to offices in the middle and then residences at the top.

http://www.jameslawcybertecture.com/

Madonna Gap/Parody

Watch the first one first. Super funny.. Or at least I think

Madonna Gap (Long Video)


Madonna,Britney Spears,Missy Elliott-PARODY

I wish that...

This one goes out to all the army guys out there...

We had commencement dinner today. Don't ask me why commencement dinner was four weeks into the school term.

So the dinner was alright, above average. I have had better food. But I suppose it was fun. Lol. After dinner and a few speeches, we had a bus chartered to town to Great Northern.

On the way, boys being boys, broke out in song:

I wish that all the ladies, were waves in the ocean.
And I was a surfer, I'd ride 'em with me motion.

Oh bub a rue bub, Oh bub a rue bub.

I wish that all the ladies, were bricks in a pile.
And I was a brickie, I'd lay them in style.

Oh bub a rue bub, Oh bub a rue bub.

I wish that all the ladies, were buns on a rack.
And I was a baker, I'd cream 'em in the crack.

Oh bub a rue bub, Oh bub a rue bub.

I wish that all the ladies, were statues Venus.
So that they'd have no arms, to push away me penis.

Oh bub a rue bub, Oh bub a rue bub.

The list can just go on... Just whatever rhymes. But it just reminds me of army days... completely senseless songs, but oh-so-fun.

You Tube rocks!

Volkswagen banned tv commercial Bollocks


Very creepy, disturbing children's cartoon, banned from TV

Mardi Gras 08

The Mardi Gras was fantastic. Of course I think of all the people I’d like to spend it with (That’s you, the gang from tp_aj.. Of course the blondes as well, though Nadia, you wouldn’t want to be in a position of a “see-no-touch” right? ;D) The colours, the sights, the sounds, the smells (Yes the smells, the hotdogs being grilled, which I burned my tongue on, to the piss in the back alleys)

I was gonna stay over at Danny’s place (Danny is a guy I met on the plane on the way to Sydney! Haha… Well, he’s a student from Thailand and he’s got really cute dimples.) So, after meeting dad (who passed me my winter clothing) I went to Danny’s, which thankfully was walking distance away and left my stuff at his place. He went to run some errands and I eventually met up with his at Arq, a gay-only club.

Eventually later on in the night, Danny decided to party till a staggering 8am (he ended up reaching home at 10am) Of course I wasn’t going to party to that late, and I have no idea what I’d have done, until Steffen (the 5th I’ve know here) offered me his room for the night. He’s a student with Uni of Sydney and stays in the Jewish college. He isn’t Jewish but says he likes is because it has less people and isn’t as rowdy.

He pays a whopping $365 a week with all meals except Sat and Sun dinners provided for, and he’s allowed to bring in an additional bed, which is provided for, unless someone has already taken it which was so in my case. No problem, he pulled in the couch. Lol. So, thanks to him I didn’t freeze my ass off (it can get pretty cold at night) and had him as my guide since my map got lost in the throng of queer people in the parade.

Tips on how to survive the Mardi Gras:

1. Get a chair / something to stand on.
The crowd was insane. And unless you are very tall, or managed to secure a good location (like the bus stop or a balcony somewhere) you aren’t going to be able to see much. Some guys were selling chairs, for ten bucks, or milk crates, for five.

2. Where shoes.
The people start drinking early – like 5pm early. So you can imagine the amount of bottles piled up in the bins by say… 7pm. So, with no more bins left, bottles fall, break and then there’s the odd rouge that actually breaks their bottles, so there’s glass everywhere.

3. Don’t be “pai-seh”.
The makeshift toilets would have long lines and that’s where you’ll be glad you were a guy – back alleys are your best friends. Every guy was pissing in the back alleys – some even right next to the doors. Oooh! So you do see the odd girl who just can’t hold it anymore and decides to mark the road with her piss.

4. Plan your route.
It is madness, to try and get to the other side of the road. There is no way to cross to the other side during the parade. And I was supposed to meet Danny at Arq, a local club, and I thought it was on the other side. So, I was on the left side of Oxford St and walked all the way down all the way to the stadium – that’s a good 30 to 45 mins away. And when I eventually reached the right side, and walked about 30 mins down did I coincidentally bump into Benjamin (Who came down from Queensland) and he pointed out Arq, just across the street. I was so bummed. So, plan before you embark. (Yup, I’ve sealed my fate as a fantastic navigator)

Toga Party

Sneaky Sound System - UFO

Sneaky Sound System - Picture


Sneaky Sound System is pretty popular here… It’s at almost every club and dance party. Nice to dace to, esp if you get some of the remixed versions.

It was a good day.

Today was the Toga Pa
rty. It was something I was looking forward to, mainly because I haven’t heard of anything like it, unlike the back to school party.

Through this party, you get to see people who actually go out of their way to dress up for the party – The Australians know how to throw a party. The bulk of the day saw people sewing together their togas and accessorising them.

And, to top it all off, there was a guy who did a nudie run right around our blocks – twice. Haha. Now that was funny.

Update...

Things have been going good and I suppose I am almost getting used, maybe too used to, things here. I like the lazy pace of life on the weekends, the quiet evenings to myself (and of course my current indulgence, The O.C. - of which I've just finished watching Season 2 of) and the general quietness of life. Though it's not exactly quiet since there are parties almost every other day here.

I've two planned this week - on Wednesday is more of a dinner get together, it's potluck and I'm making a pork and apple stew, I think. On Friday is Toga Night! Now that's something I've been looking forward to! Lol. Shameless. Yeah, I've my navy-blue bedsheets, my leather slippers, the white, braided cords to tie around my waist... and a gold crown! Kinda. It's this hair band I painted gold... Oooo! Can't wait.

I'll also be taking the train down to Sydney this Saturday afternoon with a couple of people from the Queer Collective. (Ah-hem... To the people who don't know, ie, Mr Pooh, well, er... Now you do. :P Ok ok, don't shoot me.) And like I've told a few of you, it amazes me how well-organised the queer community is here. This group, along with a few others like the Womans' Collective are funded by the school. Of course it can be pretty scaring walking into a room for the first time with all these fruitcakes (I'm the cherry) sitting around in a circle. One of the funnier members doesn't shave her pits and has fantastic one-liners. No surprise she's also from the Womans' Collective.

Last Saturday was very Asian. For lunch I had the fried udon I prepared earlier and froze while dinner was Asian take out, a "Combo-box" of fried noodles, which can be compared to Singapore's Hong Kong noodles. Not too bad I must say. Oh dear, it's been awhile huh. I'm saying Aussie-fried Chinese noodles are not bad! But really, it wasn't that bad. I also had my first try of fortune cookies! They were pretty much like butter cookies.

Now the reason for the take-out was because we were watching a movie! Yes! The Cinema Under the Stars was a pretty good experience. Next time I'll bring a big cushion though. My neck hurt.

Tomorrow we're going to the beach for our first assignment - The Wall. We're supposed to build a wall with sand as a group of ten and then choose a part of the wall and "define" it as your own. Sigh... Isn't this what school should be like?

Miss you all back home.

I don’t wanna get fat!

The past few days have passed well enough. I suppose to a certain extent I have tried not to stick out like a sore thumb. Also the fact that I’m one the few Asians around make me feel all the more self-conscious.

I spent a lot of time on Wednesday enrolling in my courses. I had so much problems and I think I’ve only just begun to understand the working customs of the Australians. At times I almost wanted to scream at them.

On Wednesday night we had a “Back to School” party. It was held in town near Civic station. I did actually force myself to come out. The fact that I did have something to wear had nothing to do with it. I think I looked pretty good. Ha.

It was cheap though – the beer was only three bucks and trains another three (only coz we didn’t pay on the way to Civic – the machine was spoilt.)
Right now, parties seem all around, the next upcoming one being the toga party, which I think, will be fun. Then there’s the 3Ps – Prostitutes, Pimps and Porn. Now that’d be something to talk about!

Tomorrow there’s this speed-dating thing at night. We’re having it only because it’s Valentine’s Day. (The speed dating was a horror. The noise, the forced conversations. Bleah!)

I don’t wanna grow fat! The way these people eat! The way I’ve been eating at dinners. I don’t like it! (Oh, today, Sunday, I had macaroni and cheese for dinner! One of those you pour out form a packet and mix with water. It was super unhealthy, but super yummy.)

I feel loved

There are a couple of similarities between Newcastle and Singapore. For one, the mosquitoes still attack as ferociously. There are also stag-horn ferns, frangipanis and bougainvilleas too.
It’s mighty chilly for summer – a cool 17 degrees when I touched down. After what seemed like a long bus ride from Sydney (on which drooling in my sleep occurred) we reached the University of Newcastle. Of course no one was working (it was a Saturday, what do you expect!) and Itried to call the number displayed for people arriving after office hours, and what do you know? I can’t make outgoing calls! So here I was… Stranded… Cold… Hungry…

Nah, I just sent dad a message to ask him too call the number for me.

I spent most of Saturday alone and slept early. Most of my housemates got in on Sunday – in my unit is Aurelie, a girl from France, Rosie from Sydney, Peter from Kenya, Steffen from Norway and Scott from Port Macquarie. Of course there’s Yedda, my residential assistant who is extremely helpful.

Oh, and guys, I had a wonderful send-off. Missing you guys. :)

Outlook for the year of the Rat

General
Good News! You have a premium ticket throughout this year. This is especially so for males. For females, you would gain more benefits if you could get assistance and support from males. In general, you will do very well in terms of career and wealth. If you have any plans, personally or professionally, this year is the time to put them into action. Despite your success in career and making more money this year, you will still feel a strong sense of insecurity and emptiness within. You will tend to be moody and depressed. Your moodiness will affect your emotions, relationships, wealth and health this year. This may lead you to indulge in activities in order to escape from the truth. The deeper you try to bury the issues, they will come back to haunt you. Why not take the opportunity of being in such a good year to work on these issues?

Career
This is a good year in terms of career. There are chances of promotions. Your bosses and authority figures will give you ample opportunities to shine. You are going to exceed their expectations. You will be given more trust and responsibilities. There are also signs of salary increases. If you are in business, this is also the year to consider expanding your business, increase your market share and grow your revenue.

Wealth
It is very good for both your main sources and side sources of wealth. However, you might overspend this year. Whether your money will be able to grow exponentially depends heavily on whether can you save this year.

Relationship
For those who are married or attached, it will be a rocky year. This is mainly due to the insecurities and moodiness. The relationship tends to grow weak and brittle when one party is always not in a good m ood. Gossip or devious third parties could easily worsen the situation. Communicate clearly as to how you feel to your partner. If you are unhappy and it has nothing to do with your partner, let your part ner know. For those who are single, the chance of getting attached is slim due to your emotional instability. Before you can attract the love of your life, you need to stabilize your emotions first.

Health
Your health is average in general. Do not indulge in activities that might harm your health such as drinking and eating excessively.

People
Average. You do not need to worry about back-stabbings and betrayals.

Action
Place a Citrine or an Agate in your room or office to stabilize your emotions. Place a Vanadinite to curb overspending.

Krung Thep Day 2 - Of Khao San

Friday, 4th of January

So the rough translation for the proper name of Bangkok is 'The city of angles, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city of the God Indra, the grand capitol of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated God, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.'

We did intend to wake up early, setting our clocks at an impressive 8 or was it 8.30am. We didn't wake up till about 9.15am. I do recall Nadia at my bedside waking me up.. The angel had come from the adjoining room to switch off my alarm clock, which was beside me and of course I had no idea it was ringing.

I wanted to go to two places today, the Khao San area and the Jim Thompson house.

We decided to go to Khao San first as it was the one which was further away. Khao San is a back-packers' haven. Cheap lodging, bars and cafes tailored to the Caucasian market and right next to the Chao Phraya.

It was this morning we met our favourite driver, Om. Everyone, take down his number: +66-085-1293141. If you're ever in BKK, or in Changmai during the water festival (which is in April) Give him a ring! He's a great guy.

If you've read Nadia's blog you'd know all about our lack of self restraint when we saw all those sparkling gems. Om was willing to take us to Khao San for a mere 100 baht. That's dirt cheap. The only condition that we go to a jewellery store. Store ain't the word though, it's more like a factory! So, for bringing us to the gem store, he gets 5 complimentary litres of petrol.

I loved the jewellery store! Will look for the name of it and post it here. I got this pendant for my mum which resembles a beetle and thought it was unique. She loved it. For the two sisters, I got a similar pair of black star sapphires like Nadia, and a garnet one.

If I had the means, I'd have gotten myself this citrine ring. It was beautiful. Honest.

Looking back, I enjoyed Khao San more that I did Chatuchak. Chatuchak was just too big, and the endless sois were really more trouble to navigate through - unless like Dan and Rui, you had planned out where and what they wanted to see.

Khao San was relatively small, just one road. We walked down one stretch and back up on the other side. There were alot of "cool" stuff here. Tee-shirts with funky designs and cool logos. Bags which were made with graphic designs of the iconic Andy Worhol Campbell soup advertisements, and various graphics of canned food you found in the 60's.

We left Khao San a little late, after 3pm , and headed straight to the Jim Thompson house. If you are under 25 years of age, remember to bring ID - it's half price for the entry ticket which is 100 baht at full cost.

I wanted to see his place, since he was the bloke who popularised Thai silk and brought it to international acclaim. His place was undoubtedly beautiful and coupled with the guide, was very interesting and some parts downright eerie. Like the part where a Buddhist fortune teller foretold that a particular date in 1967 would be an unlucky date for him. It was on that day he disappeared.

After the Jim Thompson house we headed to MBK for more retail therapy and then headed to meet Dan and Rui for dinner at another recommended place - Crepes and Co.

Crepes and Co. was run by this French (?) man and, as the name suggests, had a array of crepes, from the traditional, ham and blue cheese which Nick and I shared, to the local variety, the curried one Dan had.

There were Moroccan specials which we chose in the end and were just exquisite. The lamb, sweet and tender, was just delectable while in contrast the chicken with olives was just alright.

Of course no visit to a creperie is complete without desert and for that we customised our own. Mostly bananas for what else goes with crepes no? Coupled with either chestnut cream, Chantilly and caramel. We could name our own crepes, as pictured on the right.

The night ended at... What's the name of the place? I dunno, some seedy go-go girl area. But we weren't ready to get ripped off a second time.

Krung Thep Day 1 - Of ping-pong balls

Thursday, 3rd of January

She looked at us and pointed a finger at us. Like she was trying to get us to step up to her challenge. A slight thrust, and the ping-pong ball was propelled out of her nether regions towards us. Screaming and scuttling ensued as we tried to get away from the incoming.

Oh my gosh, Amir was right.. That does sound like a primary school composition.

We were at this club and I was not exactly having a good time. Except when I took up the bat and hit back the balls to the talented lady. *shudder

Before that we went to see the go-go boys. All I can say is that some of the boys were pretty well endowed! And yes, as Nadia says not good for the boys' egos.

Waking up was a bitch - Amir and I only slept about two plus and when darling Nadia called us when she was nearing the airport, we were still in bed! We touched down in Bangkok at about 9.30 in the morning. The temperature a surprising 21 degrees Celsius. The temperature, coupled with the hot sun and the breeze was a tropical delight.

D'Ma Pavilion Hotel was better than I had anticipated, but perhaps just a tad far away from the stations. But with the many tuk-tuks and cabbies around, it was no problem... And if you come to think about it, 200 baht is really just about nine bucks.

I decided to dedicate the first day to the more cultural activities so we could get down to the real holiday - the shopping! The first on the list was the Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace and then the Amulet Market which was just next to it. It was only that afternoon that we found out the Grand Palace was closed due to the passing of the Thai Princess and would remain closed till the 7th - a day after we left. So the next best alternative was the Wat Pho - the temple with the reclining Buddha.

I do have two regrets for not planning better though - 1) We didn't go for a massage at the Wat Pho which was the real thing as that is where they train in traditional Thai massage and 2) We didn't go to the Amulet Market and hop onto the Chao Phraya River.

We were pretty hungry by then, the only other meal that day being the Burger King breakfast at about 6am, having slept through most of the flight over.

We hailed a cab down to to Th Sukhumvit Soi 12, to much publicised Cabbages & Condoms, a restaurant which makes it their business to promote safe sex in the Sin City. The meal was better than average with the delightful Tom Yum Goong, which was perfect for me since I don't like mine overpoweringly spicy. Another superbly cooked dish was the steamed sea-bass. Perhaps it was the Canto boy in me.

And the coconuts! To die for, so refreshing, after that long trek through the temple in the Sun.

We met Dan and Rui that night since they touched down at about sevenish. They came over to our hotel to pick us up since they had a chauffeur. Though we got rammed from behind by a taxi just as we were leaving the hotel area onto Patpong, the heart of Sin City.

Bangkok's official name in Thai is a torturous mouthful - Krungthepmahanakhon Amornrattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilokphop Noppharat Ratchatthaniburirom Udomratchaniwetmahasathan Amonphiman Awatansathit Sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit. Hence "Krung Thep" the shortened name.

My gosh. I think I pulled a muscle in my finger.

The Best

The best athletes don't care about whether or not they're the best. What they care about is the game.
The best actors, musicians, doctors, scientists, teachers and businesspeople are not consumed with being the best. They're consumed with a passion for what they're doing.
If your desire is to be the best merely for its own sake, you will strive and struggle against a world that absolutely does not care. If, on the other hand, your most abiding desire is to make a positive difference, you will surely end up being the best at some particular thing or another.
The real substance of accomplishment is never in the trophies or the praise or the recognition it brings. The substance of accomplishment is in the value it delivers.
The best performers in any field are not the ones who hope to be the best or even the ones who already think they are. The best performers are those who never have to even think about where they stand in the rankings.
Commit yourself to delivering value, and you won't be burdened with the need to keep score. Indeed, you will always be on top of the game.
-- Ralph Marston

Bad Luck

With 300 resumes on his desk and a need to pick someone quickly, my boss told me to make calls to the bottom 50 and toss the rest. "Throw away 250 resumes?" I asked. "What if the best candidates are in there?" "You have a point," he said. "But then again, I don't need people with bad luck around here."

- Becky Horowitz in Reader's Digest Feb 2007 issue

Christmas 2007

It was almost a perfect day yesterday.

I remember sitting in the garden in the late afternoon, the sun on my face an the wind blowing.

That was after most of the preparations had been done - the flowers bought from Far East had been arranged and put up, the floor swept... The 2 heavenly slabs of beef gently roasting in the oven, with their delectable smells wafting through the air.

The menu that night was two 2kg slabs of roast beef and a 3kg slab of pork, rolled and stuffed with prunes and apples. That was accompanied with the perfect red cabbage. There was also a platter of roast vegetables which I had to force myself not to gobble up - the roast pumpkin was to die for. There was also my favourite roast sweet potato! Oooooo! And for carbs, we baked our own bread! I can tell you, you've got to hand it to bakers who knead their own bread! It took forever. We baked two types, a flaxseed and black sesame with wholemeal and a poppy seed loaf! Yup, poppy seeds which we bought locally.





I don't know how genuine they were and I can't tell anyway, so I'll just take the lady's word for it that they were poppy seeds.

You don't get high on them. At least I don't know how to prepare them such that they wil make you high. So, will poppy seeds cause you to fail a drug test?

Poppy seeds come in two colours, the black and white. If I am not mistaken, the white is generally used for pastries and savoury dishes, while the black can be used for curries and stews.

We went for the usual midnight mass after dessert of a annual flaming christmas pudding with rum and some strawberry port to wash it down.

Of course we didn't get seats at church. I don't know what it is... But I am beginning to questions my faith, or the lack of it.

Popped by Chin Sin and Thad's place after mass and but I didn't drink. Thad was pissed drunk. Lol.

Can't wait for tomorrow. Will be seeing the blondes. Amir is playing for th RJ alumni band. but I think you know who I'm wanting to see, no?

Distractions

Been wanting to post for sometime now. Damn videostic.com - the cause of my delay? Heroes.

Last night we celebrated Holly's birthday. Mum made an amazing, and I mean AMAZING roast pork. It was a 2kg slab of pork loin that was rolled with a stuffing of chopped prunes, apples, coriander and spinach leaves. After rolled the pork was tied and roasted fat side up at about 180 degrees for about 2hours. With the fat crackling, the only word to describe it was exquisite!

There was a red cabbage side as well. Initially I thought that it would go and hey, how tasty could cabbage be? But the cabbage was an explosion of flavour. Baked in a dish with apples and onions, it was the perfect complimentary dish for the pork. Also it didn't hurt that it looked so bloody good with the purple cabbage.

Dessert did not disappoint either - a Chocolate Amer - a flourless chocolate sponge layered with bitter chocolate mousse from Bakerzin. Thankfully didn't get the bigger cake - this was was a size 5 and just nice for the 6 of us.



Well, dinner time!

Home

Met De and Nick today after work. 

Nick got me two tailored shirts! Very nice. And pants too! Argh, feel bad. It still amazes me when we finish each others' sentences or when we know each other's humour so well that it just cracks us up. Lol. I was laughing on the way back in the cab. 

De got great Christmas presents too. They were early and not wrapped, but they were #1 issues of some of my favourite comics like Wonder Woman (Wonder-f**king-Woman!) and Supergirl. I think I am gonna frame those up. Can't believe he got them. And I suppose it has been awhile since I have been reading comics but I so miss doing that. 

We ate at the above Tonkatsu restaurant, Tonkichi. Great food, and you would probably never have realised that there were a few variations to the seemingly-common tonkatsu. It is quite a different experience - to start with you get to grind your own sauce! Well, just the sesame seeds and then you can add your own chili powder... I loved the pickles. Always have.  I could just eat them with rice on its own. To wash it all down we had ume-shu. All very tai-tai like. 

Also spent a bomb on facial cleansing products. From no less than Kiehl's. I shan't say how much, but I suppose it was an investment for my face. Oh dear, what a blonde. 

I should go to bed. 

Christchurch – Day 8

Christchurch – Day 8

Didn’t write last night. There wasn’t much to write about anyhow.

The weather this morning was great! The Sun was actually out and it looked to be a great day. Though about three it turned for the worst and didn’t get better.

I went opposite Bealey to Circa today since Jacksons was closed today. I didn’t see the last time, but there was this rubber-stamp shop which sold an incredible about of rubber stamps. You could go crazy just looking at them. And then I bought about twenty bucks worth of paper and the lovely lady gave me oneof her catalogues. Really makes you realize how small art is a part of Singapore.

Went to the Art Gallery and the weekend Art Centre market today. They really had unique stuff there.

There was this green woolen jacket I had been eyeing since Wednesday and I finally decided to get it today. I mean it was hand-woven and didn’t cost much – about $89 as compared to the Icebreaker. So I rushed back to the cathedral square about four thirty and went to the stall. I was hoping he hadn’t closed yet, because they normally start to close about four and lo and behold, it was the ONLY piece he hadn’t kept!

We finally got a chance to go to Strawberry Fare. On the whole the mains weren’t fantastic – they were good but I think I’d probably rather got there for a dessert or a light meal instead. Sarah and I shared the entrée of Glazed Figs with creamy blue Castello, proscuitto and fig vincotto with crostini. Now that was fantastic. The cheese was Brie but was more like blue, strong and almost pungent. I really enjoyed the way the cheese and the figs mix in your mouth or the way the saltiness of the proscuitto cuts across the sweetness of the figs. Truly a match made in heaven. The mains were a duck confit and a sweet Briar Merino Lamb rack. The duck wasn’t what I was used to as a confit – the skin was pretty soft, like it was stewed. The texture of the lamb was only so-so but the taste was fantastic. There were two complimenting sauces – a yoghurt mint and some spiced chutney, which complimented it perfectly.

Dessert was the highlight – I had the Ultimate Chocolate Dessert, which consisted of a rich chocolate brownie, a chocolate mousse, a chocolate ice cream and another dark chocolate pudding. To top it off there was a raspberry coulis and a bunch of sliced strawberries thrown in. Sarah had the sticky date pudding with butterscotch sauce.

It’s the last night. Time to pack.