| Friendship |
[26 Aug 2009|01:15am] |
It's been a long time since I'd updated my journal. Here I am, lying in bed at 1.06am on a weeknight, unable to get to sleep.
Maybe it's the spin and self-practised yoga earlier on whereby a headstand was involved or the sufficient sleep I had the night before (slept at a record-breaking 10.30pm!).
I got to think about friendship suddenly in my insomniac state. Over the years, friends came and went... few have sustained the decade-old test. I must admit I am not exactly the easiest person to get along so to have these dependable true friends who I am assured that they'll be there for me when I need them most is indeed assuring.
Perhaps it's age... when I was younger, I could do nothing but pine for love, a boyfriend, a soulmate. What I failed to grasp was the importance of friendship. Indeed, love is way overrated whereas friendship is too underrated in society today. As I try to get some sleep tonight, I would like to thank all my decade-old friends out there for being there for me, and tonight I actually really thought of all of you. Thanks for being there for me.
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| Update: On Romance and Work |
[26 May 2009|12:14pm] |
To prove that I wasn't superficial and a potato queen, I dated a 48 year old local guy briefly. He is a legal advisor who lives in a rented room in Orchard area. In paper, he does seem like a very eligible bachelor to be "married" to.
However, my stereotypes of local gay men just manifested in him.
Why?
1) Very tactless in his choice of words and conversation. For someone with a Masters degree in law, I am baffled by his lack of etiquette and tact.
2) Roving eyes. Claiming that all men are guilty of it but at least he's honest enough to admit it as opposed to secretly perving.
3) We end up arguing more than making out. While I respect a different opinion or mindset, I also love a challenge in sharing the different perspective in life, be it on sexuality, politics, economy, family values etc. The person need not be sharing the same view as me but at least put up a civilised, coherent and intelligent exchange of opinions, basically to stimulate me intellectually. He does none of that, all he achieved was pissing me off with his baseless and narrow-minded point of views.
4) His dislike for women and the delusion that all women are in love with him.
At one point of time when I knew he wasn't the right one (when we first kissed, there was absolutely no stirring in the loins for me. Can't say the same for him), I dreaded to have the "Let's not see each other again" talk, but knew it won't be fair to him to be wasting his time. Hence I opened my ex-files, shared with him in sordid details on how I used to stalk my ex with a little bit more exaggeration as well. Worked like magic! It has been almost two weeks and I haven't heard from him since! (he used to call or sms me almost on a daily basis)
Work. I am beginning to find myself a commitmentphobe when it comes to work. There seems to be an expiry date attached to my interest level in whatever work I am in. The date is usually a year or so. Lost the passion in advertising and PR for the Mall i am working in mainly due to my fastidious boss who seems to be a more complex puzzle than the Da Vinci code to decipher. The other reason is that things are become a little too routine-like for me. I find myself doing the bare minimum just to show that I'd done my job. Most of the time were spent on Facebook on quizzes and such.
However, I doubt I will be resigning soon. The economy has not fully recovered, not much employment opportunities and this current job does pay me enough to sustain my current lifestyle hence I shouldn't complain too much. However I feel the wages paid to me is more like for putting up my boss's nonsense rather than doing a good job.
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| Sunday is Eye Candy Day |
[26 May 2009|11:18am] |
The terrible lack of eye candies in Singapore has led me to look forward to Sunday's yoga class every week.
Reason? There's a total of four guys who I can't take my eyes off. There's:
1) The strong silent type from Switzerland.
2) The intense-looking bohemian chef from Australia.
3) The jovial and humorous lad from Germany.
4) The arrogant-looking guy with sheer determination to better his yoga from America.
The above four are not your typical good-looking guys who can easily appear in magazines and such, however I find them to be so full of character and personality that it ignites my interest to know them better. Though the probability of them being straight is relatively high, I can't help but find myself gravitating towards them.
On the other hand, I have seen so many gorgeous-looking male models through my job and gym built guys in the gym which may capture my attention for a split second but that's just about where the interest ends as well.
Looks like as I grow older, the superficial side of me dissipates as well.
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| A Teacher's View on Sex Education |
[14 May 2009|03:07pm] |
Below is an essay by a teacher which I read on Facebook. Apparently MOE received an anonymous complaint and has instructed her to take it down. She is obligated to as she is after all working for the civil service but I am not. The public cannot be deprived of such insightful and well written piece of work!
Hence I am taking the liberty to repost what she wrote because am awed by what she has wrote. Please enjoy:
I Teach General Paper, not Homosexuality
With all due respect to the well-meaning “concerned parents” out there, this is starting to sound like a dodgy GP essay to me.
Apparently, because my students and I “discuss topics such as the legalisation of gay marriage and parents of the same sex forming families through adoption” in class, I am guilty of promoting homosexuality.*
Right.
But never mind. MOE has already come to the rescue with their statement that “GP lessons are meant to promote critical thinking” and GP teachers “should also adhere to social norms and values of our mainstream society”.*
Oh yes, apparently one can facilitate critical thinking, that is, the reasoned questioning of assumptions, norms and values AND fully reinforce and adhere to social norms at the same time.
And wait, I see this again, in the debate on sexuality education and just what should be said about homosexuality:
1. Homosexuality is against the social norms and values of mainstream society.
2. Homosexuality is illegal and considered unnatural under Singapore law.
The first thing any student of GP (or indeed, any human being who knows anything about world history) will realise, is that social norms change.
Secondly, if you insist on going by “mainstream” values and beliefs, you may like to follow 43% of Singaporeans and look to Buddhism, which views homosexuality on neutral grounds, as opposed to Christianity (15%) and Islam (15%).
In any case, the legal argument will only hold as long as homosexual acts are considered illegal in Singapore.... and judging from the force of change in the world, frankly my dear, you can't hold the dam for much longer.
Singapore's law criminalising homosexual acts is based on British law – which decriminalised this in 1967.
Other countries which have decriminalised homosexuality include France (1791), The Netherlands (1811), Brazil (1830), Ottoman Empire (1858), Germany (1871), Japan (1880), Italy (1889), USSR (1922), Denmark (1930), Iceland (1940), Switzerland (1942), Sweden (1944), Greece (1951), Thailand (1956), Israel (1963), Chad (1967), Canada (1969), Kosovo (1970), Australia (1981), South Africa (1994), China (1997) etc.
This shows an increasing acceptance that personal preferences that do not harm anyone else should not be governed (in this case, criminalised) by the state. As with the wearing away of all other forms of inequality, I believe this discrimination of homosexuals cannot last.
So what are we left with?
Are we justifying a brand of education with reasons that won't hold weight for much longer?
You may argue that making something legal doesn't make it right, and you have a point.
But then that would depend on what you consider “right”, which really is a moral issue and one that concerns personal belief.
So I have two points for you:
1. Personal beliefs – religious or otherwise – should not influence the laws of a secular society. The onus is on parents and preachers to educate their children in these beliefs. Say what you want at the pulpit, not in Parliament, and certainly, do not foist this responsibility onto your child's teachers in secular schools.
2. It is unfair, impractical and dangerous to insist that youths be given only the old rules when they live in a completely different world. Parents, if you insist on a black-and-white moral education for your children, you only drive them into secrecy when they need you most. If teachers cannot teach openly and factually, rest assured that the internet will.
As an educator and maybe future parent, I admit I am less concerned about whether my children are homosexual/transsexual/(fill in the blank) or not, and more concerned that they should always respect others and themselves, never discriminate, always critically examine issues, always feel free to share their thoughts with me without fear of condemnation, always love and always be loved no matter what.
This is my hope.
XXXX XXX
11 May 2009
PS. If you think your children will rush to become homosexual/transsexual/(fill in the blank) because of my words, I THANK YOU for crediting me with such influence! By the way, your children are smarter than you think....
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PS (from me): I hereby announce that I am in no way related (family or platonic) to the writer. Do let others know about this essay as MOE is trying to eliminate this pieceof work.
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| The Defragmenting of the Human Race |
[27 Apr 2009|09:57am] |
The world is already chaotic as it is. With different nationalities, races and political beliefs fighting for power. There's one difference that is redundant to fight over, i.e. religion. Can't humans learn to get along? Do we need an entity of a non-human form (natural disasters) to threaten our safety in order to stay united?
Pretty sure many would have known about the AWARE sage from The Straits Times by now. For once, I am impressed with the local paper's reporting. It was clear that even the media wasn't on the New Guards' side. In my opinion, ST deliberately mocked Thio Su Mien, mother of Thio Li Ann (who was once described homosexual sexual habits as drinking from a "straw up your nose" during the Repeal 377A debacle), self-claimed "Feminist Mentor" - term clearly and shamelessly derived from Lee Kuan Yew, Minister Mentor of Singapore, by putting up her picture on the front page last Friday.
Many asked why am I so affected by this fiasco and it's a woman organisation. AWARE is a recognised organisation that can influence our country's legislations and I find it really sad that many of my homosexual friends and acquaintances who are mostly happily attached are completely oblivious to the freedom they are enjoying in Singapore. Compared to our neighbouring countries and certain countries, any men or women found guilty in homosexual activities are liable to a death penalty in the eyes of their law TODAY! Many may find it unbelievable but it actually happened in 2005: http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Execution_of_two_gay_teens_in_Iran_spurs_controversy
Call me dramatic if you must but if the government do decide to enforce the Anti-gay law in Singapore, it can mean that, not limited to:
1) Gay clubs, gathering, venues will be closed down and deem illegal.
2) More cops going undercover to execute entrapments to arrest homosexuals.
3) Cops barging into the homes of homosexual couples without a search warrant if they received news that a gay couple is living in a building. Should they find any paraphernalia that proves the two are indeed in a relationship, the couple will be arrested.
4) Singles/unmarried men and women of a certain age will be closely scrutinised by the authorities.
I am fortunate to have a mother who has been accepting who I really am and will be attending 2nd May's EOGM meeting to vote against the New Guards. In her very own words, "They shouldn't be imposing their views on others." I must say I didn't share much of my thoughts about AWARE with her, she read it through the papers and news by herself.
In order to help ensure that AWARE maintains in safe hands, a group of people are gathering women to sign up as members of AWARE. If you are a woman in Singapore and are keen to help maintain the mission statement of AWARE, please turn up during the coming EOGM to cast your vote.
Membership is at $40 per year and if you are a student below 25, you can purchase it at just $5.
Sign up at http://www.aware.org.sg/
For those who can't attend the EOGM for whatever reason, go sign the ONLINE PETITION: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/gender-equality-for-all.html
For an archive of related news, visit http://helpsaveaware.blogspot.com/
PS: Thio Su Mien's nephew - Dr Alan Chin Yew Lian runs a clinic, Practice Place Lifeline Bukit Panjang Medical Clinic at Blk 103 Gangsa Rd #01-37 Singapore 670103 whose wife is the president (New Guard) of AWARE. His wife, Josie Lau is the VP of Consumer Banking Group Cards and Unsecured Loans for DBS Bank. I beseech those who are disgusted with their anti-gay views and despicable ways of gaining control of AWARE to boycott this husband and wife's workplace. Cancel your DBS accounts and not patronise any clinics from Lifeline.
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| A New Flame |
[16 Mar 2009|03:02pm] |
Barely 3 months when things ended with B, I find myself having yet another crush on someone else.
Agreed to help out ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) chris_leow's friend who is sourcing for a local gay guy to share about his views on being gay in Singapore. The project is based in Netherlands and so are the TV crew. Lust at first sight occurred when I was introduced to the Dutch cameraman - Vincent. Lean and grungy-looking,  oedipussy knew immediately he is so my type and she cannot be more right. He said he'll come see me at my workplace to do some shopping tomorrow, unsure if he meant what he said. Am so keeping my fingers crossed.
I wonder if getting over someone gets easier when exposed to an increasing number of heartbreaks. Or maybe things between B and I didn't get as deep as it did with my other dates.
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| My Date with 5 Cities |
[09 Mar 2009|12:59pm] |
Instead of sharing my European itinerary, I thought it’ll be refreshing to put it in a dating perspective.
For those who prefer to see visuals than to read, please refer to my Facebook but be warned the postcard-oriented photos are amateurishly taken as I was alone and using B's camera. B commented that I am the only person he knows who relies on a mobile phone camera to capture pictures whilst on holiday! Hence he loaned me his digital camera.
Day 3 – Rome/ Roma Rome is like the knowledgeable date with an ex-file full of sordid details! Details that did not bore me but held my full attention despite the long train ride to see my date, his ex-es include Julius Caesar, Caligula and Nero. The weather was cold yet I was perspiring behind my Abercrombie and Fitch hoodie, am unsure if it's the adrenaline rush or the fact that I was walking and climbing the steps A LOT...
Since seeing Jun-li’s past pictures of the Colosseum made me full of envy and I’d always been a big fan of Roman/Greek mythology, the interest stemmed from stories I read (Pegasus, Medusa, Minotaur, Hercules etc) when I was young and the first film to piqued my interest further was Clash of the Titans! Followed by Spartacus, Gladiator and 300. Perhaps my interest has also something to do with men wearing those skimpy skirts...
From rich historical monuments to the Renaissance sculptures and paintings at the Vatican City. This refined date sure does know his Michelangelo-s and Raphael-s, and it has nothing to do with ninja turtles. There were many orbs captured in the digital camera, reminding me of what clairvoyants at Whatever used to say about them being angels. The experience was a little too cryptic and religious for me. Nevertheless it sure still was an eye-opener (I meant the arts, not the orbs). My poor legs carried me through the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, The Forum, Capitol Hill, St Peter’s Square, Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel. I hopped onto a bus to enjoy the bus-top experience which enhanced my visual treat of Rome and also to rest my tired feet. Then it got a little chilly for me to be on the bus-top once the sun sets. To sum up, this date impressed me a lot with his cultured and religious ways. However it was only after the date that I found out in a gay paraphernalia that Rome has the highest number of sex on premises venues as compared to the rest of Italy. This is one date that sure advocates the saying - never judge a book by its cover . Day 4 – Florence/ Firenze This date has good word of mouth. A friend back in Singapore did mentioned to me that the people at Florence are more receptive to Asians and hence friendlier, in other words, Asians have a higher market value there. Interracial couples were a rare sight in Italy. Florence is a date that I typically jumped into bed with before knowing him first. Truth be told, out of the 11 hours I was there, I spent 4 hours in a gay sauna. Before that I spent an hour in an internet cafe to do some emailing, both work and personal, and then exploring Florence's Duomo. Barely 5 minutes in the sauna, I was being cruised already. I finally understand where the term “Italian stallions” come from, these guys are hung! After a brief blow job, my jaws started to ache and I refused to let that thing near my ass! Subsequently, I went around enjoying the Jacuzzi and Steambath, only to be approached by yet another fella. We were making out in a room with opened doors whereby a stream of other men started to join us. There was this smorgasbord of hot, dark-looking men! Due to this unexpected popularity, I decided to be a selfish lover, i.e. I just laid there, receiving the pleasures these men willingly gave, pushing away the hands of those who weren't my type. I refused to give blow jobs, kiss and let anyone enter my orifices. It was a great sexperience, nostalgic to my Melbourne days. After an explosive orgasm, I proceeded to change in the locker room where yet another Italian tried to cruise me by saying hi in Japanese and then when I said I am not Japanese, he went on to say hi in Chinese. These guys sure are trained to cruise in every possible language, leading me to believe what my friend said earlier. This guy was really good looking, totally my type but I had to say no as I was exhausted and hungry.
I went out to grab a bite and did a bit of shopping on the streets since the sun was down and I couldn’t take anymore decent pictures. The boutiques were all already closed as well, hence the street market was my only option and it reminded me of HK, only the touts are all Italians. Guess I never really got a chance to know my date better. Day 5 – Venice/ Venezia Venice ignited the hopeless romantic side of me to explode out from the closet! It sure dispelled the cynic side of me. It is the most romantic city I’d ever been to, followed by Paris and Amsterdam, it literally puts people in the mood for love. If I were to get a dollar for every couple I saw kissing, I think I would have my return railway tickets to Venice all paid for.
The moment I first set sight on my date, he took my breath away. It was definitely love at first sight! He possesses old school (and by old I mean medieval times) charms and modern taste in dressing and food. Romantic antics were aplenty from my date, including the ferry rides, gondola, strolling by the street lamps, standing at the bridge looking at all the boats passing by... I loved walking along the narrow paths with no cars in sight! The whole experience is so medieval yet at the same time modern lifestyle choices such as pizza eateries and boutiques such as Prada and Camper were also available. I was so in love with my date that I nearly missed my train back to Milan! All because I thought of taking a “car-ride” on the Vaporetto (the public bus system in the form of a motorboat, a la ferry to Tekong) which took longer than expected to return to the train station. My train was scheduled to leave at 8pm and it was 7.41pm when I was still at one stop before the train station and the ferry driver had to change his shift! Desperate, I ran to the next station via a connecting bridge. Running in my Gucci boots when the floor was wet from the drizzle was no easy feat, I managed to catch my train two minutes shy from the stipulated time, I didn't even have a chance to say a proper goodbye to my date... It was such a Cinderella moment. Day 6 – Mendrisio (Switzerland) This date is one who I will only agree to go out with with an ulterior motive. Having minimal interest in his background and interests, I just wanted something out from him, case in point - Foxtown.
Located in Mendrisio right by the motorway close to the Italian border, I scouted 250 brands in 160 shops in Foxtown at prices up to 70% lower than in the boutiques for more than four straight hours with no rest in between! It was the best cardio workout I ever had! There were brands such as Hugo Boss, Dolce & Gabana, Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Y-3, Tod’s, Yves Sant Laurent, Jil Sander, Bally, Burberrys and Valentino (to name a few), I was like a kid in a candy store with limited funds. This date is cheap compared to the real deal but it still cost me a bomb! I blew S$1.8k in 4 hours... gulp!
I was overwhelmed with euphoria after returning to Milan from Mendrisio with my purchases, at the same time filled with regrets, regrets of not exercising discretionary spending on my previous dates so that I could have more to pay for this date, i.e. Mendrisio.
Day 2 & 7 – Milan Milan is one snobbish date. Someone who has no qualms in showing his impatience if the party he’s talking to does not speak Italian. It’s easy to assume initially that they have something against Asians, however, I had witnessed some who speak to Italian-speaking Asians very hospitably. Sure it has the best boutiques, cafes and restaurants but the price to enjoy these recreations is sure high! I fell in love with H&M's merchandise, they make Topshop look outdated and "uncle". The shirts are well cut and the texture feels like silk on my skin. Another discovery is that Zara and Camper are cheaper there than in Singapore.
I loved the cafe culture there where expresso seems to be the most popular order. I had hot chocolate which is called Choco Latte there. It was thick and creamy, just the way I love it, yummmm... was great to be sipping it out in the cold. B treated me to this restaurant called Papermoon at Bagutta St, despite having customers waiting outside, they still kept us waiting and only opened the doors at 7.30pm sharp! Talk about "atas" (Malay for snobbish). I personally fell in love with this joint in between Castello Castle and Duomo, they have great food (even though they reheat with microwave), great coffee and pastries. That was the place where I finished reading Johann S. Lee's books.
Epilogue Can anyone explain to me the perpetual littering of confetti in the streets of Italy? All 4 Italian cities I’d been to shared this same predicament, it’s like having a Mardi Gras parade on a nightly basis! In case you are wondering what happened to Day 1. Let's just say due to fatigue, I stayed in bed almost the whole day! And with my days filled with endless sightseeing and travelling, I didn't get the urge to go clubbing when night falls. I guess that's how most people in my demographic behave.
For a last minute and unplanned holiday vacation, I must say everything went pretty well, though I did wish I could have more rest since work's been so hectic. Despite me not doing any spin or yoga for the entire trip and consuming tons of carbo, I still managed to lose weight. Must be the walking...
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| My 7-Day Rendezvous with Italy |
[09 Mar 2009|10:49am] |
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Early February, I received news from B who left Singapore for good, saying that he got an assignment in Milan and I, as usual was grumbling about work and Singapore hence he invited me to crash with him at the Hilton Milan Hotel from 24th Feb to 2nd Mar. Needless to say, I jumped for it. My colleague will be going on maternity leave soon and won’t be back till June, this will be a great opportunity for me to clear my 7 days of leave from last year. Work was so hectic leading to the day of my departure. On the 24th, I still had to report to work due to two important meetings which involved the media and our annual advertising budget. Flight was at 11.30pm but I was practically still unpacked, my Gucci boots unpolished, winter-wear stored away Godknowswhere, I went straight into panic mode when I got home. Flaring unnecessary temper at both my maid and my mother. Needless to say, guilt got over me and I rang my mum up at the airport to apologise. Then I boarded on a 13-hour flight to Paris CDG airport where I missed my connecting flight to Milan. Thankfully I just needed to wait for another hour and a half to catch the next flight!
On a separate topic, on flight I watched the Dark Knight, Nick and Norah Playlist and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, I'm finally convinced how good an actor Heath Ledger was! He so deserved the Oscars and Golden Globe awards. He portrayed the Joker's character better than what I'd imagined the villain's character would be from the comics and Jack Nicholson's days. That's what I call foreign talent! (From Ozland to Hollywood) Nick and Norah was a sweet tale in which I would have appreciated more if I were still in my teens, on the other hand Vicky Cristina definitely was definitely more relate-able to me due to its unconventional relationship dynamics. Woody Allen is sure one twisted pervert, I wonder what kinda sex he indulges with his ex-wife's adopted daughter - Soon-Yi. Upon arrival in the land of pizza, pastas, gelati, expresso, panini, gave birth to Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Dolce & Gabana, Armani, Prada, Bottega Veneta…, I just felt so worn out that B’s first words to me was “You look like hell!” To be continued...
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| 2008's Epilogue and 2009's Prologue |
[01 Jan 2009|11:05am] |
Am actually appalled that I did not write an epilogue for 2007. The last epilogue I did was for 2006, perhaps I was "enjoying" Steve's company too much or was too affected in my previous job.
Being free from any emotional entanglement and settled in my current job, I can finally write an epilogue for 2008.
2008 was the year of some dramatic events such as the Sichuan earthquake, the Beijing Olympics, the Edison Chen scandal, the collapse of Lehman Brothers that degenerated the worldwide economy, the election of the new US president - Obama, the hurling of size 10 shoes at former president - George Bush... In the domestic front, there were the heated properties market which escalated the high inflation rate, the Chee siblings vs. the "royal" Lee family court case, the inflation that graduated to a technical recession and the new Singaporeans who brought an end to a medal drought during the Olympic Games.
What about my life in 2008?
In terms of work, I need to remind myself again - NEVER to resign without a job! Being complacent and fed up with my new boss back then, I resigned from Dunlopillo without a job, thinking that I will be able to get one very soon. I paid the price of complacency by having no income for three months (exception of helping Steven Kong in his styling assignments).
In May, I landed myself another marcom position with a shopping mall. I put in obscene number of hours at work and have to put up with a very fastidious and fickle-minded boss. At the end of the year, I was rewarded with AWS + variable bonus + pay increment. The pay increment came as the biggest surprise as I was so worried that there'll be a pay-cut or retrenchment due to the economic crisis, I was just hoping they'll just freeze my salary. The 5.2% pay increment was the real bonus to me. Though I did not get a promotion but the year end bonus were fruits of my labour. My career path had become more fixed in Marcom as dreams of being in SPH is slowly diminishing as my interview to be a Sub-editor has been unsuccessful again. I'd also given up hope to fly with SQ after 4 unsuccessful try-outs. On a broader spectrum, I just don't think I can see myself being a flight attendant in my 40s which is just less than a decade away. I might consider a career switch from Marcom to teaching (in polytechnics) in my 40s.
As for matters of the heart, I was single and very much available in the most of 2008, though my job commitments beg to differ on the available part. Most of my buddies whom I'd known for a decade are now all taken, attached. Can't help but feel a little left out. The heartbreak during the first day of Chinese New Year left a deep scar that made me more cynical and sour than before. It took me months to heal each time I have my heart broken, this can't go on as I no longer have time on my side. Remained celibate till recently as I am beginning to treat my body with more respect and as a temple for the soul. On a positive note, being single made me achieved things (good and bad) that I knew I would not have done if I were with someone.
My virgin trip to Korea has definitely taken my mind off the heartbreak and the pressure to find a job in March. It was a great family-bonding in which I found a very apt romantic distraction during the tour. Though nothing came out from it, I certainly did enjoy the attention. My second trip overseas in 2008 was my favorite Asia destination - Bangkok. This is the third consecutive year I paid pilgrimage to the Land of Smiles. Enjoyed the great food, shopping and er... men. This trip also marks a first for three friends who knew each other since secondary school to travel overseas together! I plan to travel to Melbourne, Bali and Bangkok (annual pilgrimage) in 2009.
My yoga practice in 2008 has been stagnant. I did not manage to achieve any new poses except for Tripod Stand though my yoga instructor has been pushing me a lot. My love for yoga is still very much intense but am only addicted to Josephine's class in the gym as she conducts the most rigorous class compared to the rest of the instructors. In an attempt to lose weight, I'd also taken up spin classes as it burns the most calories out of rest of the other classes. However, my weight and waistline has not changed a bit, in fact have received feedbacks that my tummy is now more visible. Nevertheless I enjoy the adrenaline from spin. The pumping music just brings me a trip down memory lane whereby I spent my heydays in dance clubs in which instead of dancing my ass off, I prefer to ride the bike to sweat off those calories nowadays.
Dance clubs is becoming a history in my life now, I think I can count the number of times I'd been to a club this year with both hands. I even missed 2008's Zoukout, my very first miss since I got back from Australia. No biggie as I much prefer private parties where one can mingle with strangers in brighter lights and less blistering music. Gay men sure make the best host in such parties, the food is excellent, the selection of background music is impeccable and they actually bother to decorate the home or hotel room they hold the parties in. I've to thank Jeremy for unveiling another world of the gay community which I never knew existed in Singapore.
Since resolutions are always made to be broken so this year I resolve to make only one simple resolution i.e. to cut down on my sugar intake. Yes, known for being a sweet tooth, I'd increasingly found a need to end my meal with something sweet. I suspect the reason for not losing weight is due to my intake of sweet stuff as I'd already abstain from oily and fried food.
Last but not least, I really want to start saving up in 2009, not spend foolishly like I used to splurge on luxury items when I was much younger. I am looking to make my money work harder for me hence will be looking into investing which I forsee more white strands of hair, the perils of being a grown up. Hopefully by the time I reach 35, I will be able to pay off study debts and secure a flat of my own.
In my previous epilogue, I ended the post with:
"Overall, 2006 was a year of realising my potential, was of further growth and development as an individual, an employee, a son, a friend and an uncle. It was a year of personal milestones that I failed to forsee at the start. 2006 is a definite year worth remembering, a year passed too quickly and a year too short.. It was also a year of who I know more than what I know.
I look forward to 2007 and face what opportunities, obstacles and challenges lie ahead of me. I finally realise the true meaning to “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” " For 2008, I would say my growth was stagnated due to the many obstacles that were presented to me unexpectedly. Many mishaps came disguised as happiness making me more close-minded, calculative, impatient and cynical. If 2006 was a year of growth and development, I would say 2008 was a year of lessons. Lessons that can never be taught in school, lessons that can't be bought. 2008 also made me realise that I can't fight destiny. It's said that I'm destined to be alone and due to my work experience and educational background, I am unable to make a career switch, both of which I find myself slowly resigning to. This is a reversal of what I experienced in 2006, 2008 was a year of what I know more than who I know. Definitely a bittersweet year for me. The challenges in 2009 are greater and truth be told, I am intimidated to face it but again I will stick to the mantra - "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."
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| The Man Who Melted My Heart |
[11 Dec 2008|04:00pm] |
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Being a cynic for this long, just when I was beginning to believe my heart has turned cold.... I met him. He is the literal translation whatever the zsa zsa zoo is meant to be - he let the butterflies into my stomach, imprinted his image into my mind, puts a spell on me that I find myself rewinding the times we were together. The day just don't feel right if I don't see or hear from him.
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| Random Tidbits on Singapore, Obama, James Bond and Ave Q |
[12 Nov 2008|11:19pm] |
- I'd just experienced multiple orgasms in a cinema... watching Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace. Never been a fan of James Bond series until Daniel Craig took over the reigns from Pierce Brosnan, though I do have vague memories of watching James Bond when I was a kid with my dad, they were Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton back then, but none of them epitomises masculinity and male hotness like he did. Didn't get to see as much gratitious topless shots of him in this sequel as compared to Casino Royale. His bikini-clad appearance in Casino Royale created more hype than Halle Berry ever did in a bikini suit.I can so imagine him screwing me senseless.
- Gong Li is now Singaporean. Wonder if Singapore is gonna be as proud of her as they did with the Olympic table tennis China-Singaporeans if Gong Li wins an Oscar or Golden Horse award.
- Avenue Q was quite a letdown. It was predictable and its ending was too Hollywood-ish to my liking. Though the songs "Internet Is For Porn" and "If You Were Gay" did crack me up big time.
- Hot topic on Euthanasia is being discussed again in local papers. Dunno why they are so particular with "Youths In Asia", it's so racist. (Pun very much intended) Jokes aside, religious leaders should just get over it. Abortions were illegal before but now it's legalised. Just a matter of time with euthanasia, especially with the increasing aging population. Though through this hoo-ha, I am curious on how to get my AMD (Advanced Medical Directives) done, would love to just pull the plug if I am put on life support. The medical industry is doing well, there's no need to make them any richer.
- Am so glad Obama won the election, not entirely because of his skin colour but it'll be good to how the world will fare if a Democrat is elected for the next 4 years. Then again, anyone could have been a better president than farking Bush. It's so entertaining and intense watching the two political parties fight for votes. Whereas in Singapore, it's always by default PAP.
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| Romance is Officially Dead... Again |
[17 Oct 2008|02:34pm] |
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It's official. My Fairy(tale) Godma is filing for a divorce with her hubby of 8 years. Yep... Madonna and Guy Ritchie are divorced. For some reasons, even for a cynic like me I am very saddened by this piece of news. I always thought they were a match made in heaven.
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| What Future For Table Tennis Team? |
[16 Oct 2008|01:58pm] |
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Again the papers are splashing headlines like the subject heading again, especially for the 2012 Olympics. Oh gawd... just get over it already... the government can go buy over some foreigners again. JUST DON'T TAKE IT OUT ON US POOR CITIZENS BY increasing our taxes. I am so feeling the economic downturn and recession already.
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| Revenge of the TV Addict |
[04 Oct 2008|10:45pm] |
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K-drama move over... here comes US TV!
Heroes season 3
Ugly Betty season 3
Desperate Housewives season 5
Brothers and Sisters season 3
Why do they all have to come out together?
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| Lesbians Alert |
[25 Aug 2008|10:48pm] |
This is no joke.
If you'd been in a long term relationship with your partner and is yearning to start a family unit. I am willing to offer:
1) Marry you in name.
2) My sperm to impregnate you. Of coz via artificial insemination.
3) 16 weeks of maternity leave.
4) Relieve my duties and responsibilities as a father. (am willing to sign a pre-nup)
5) Tax relief.
6) You get to keep the baby bonus.
In return:
1) I want a 3-room flat (in which I will pay myself) under my name with the subsidy given by the government.
Pre-nuptial agreement to include but no limited to:
1) I will not claim custody of the child/children.
2) In the event of a divorce, I will not be entitled to any of your assets and vice versa.
3) Both parties will not ask for alimony payments.
If interested, do drop me a email at alvinaw@gmail.com, we can meet up and discuss further. Singaporeans need apply only.
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| Men in Their 40s, Hello There! |
[23 Aug 2008|01:42am] |
Some time back, WH, rqfsimons and I bumped into Maggie Cheung and her beau walking along Orchard Road. She looked really good for her age and was really petite and her complexion was like porcelain. Most importantly, I was fascinated with her architect beau as well.
When I was in my 20s, I always longed for men in their 30s.
Now that I am in my 30s, should I be looking for men in their 40s? Well YES, if they look anything like the men Maggie dated:
 
Their profession would be a great bonus as well!
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| Olympics Hits & Duds |
[23 Aug 2008|01:32am] |
A picture tells a thousand words:
Ms Li Jiawei's lacklustre way of carrying her new national flag.
Been admiring the hot sexy Chinese nationals doing gymnasts and diving on TV, how did this eye candy slip past my sight?
I can't even fathom why is everyone else going ga-ga over Michael Phelps with this piece of art around.
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| Having My Voice Heard |
[22 Aug 2008|11:17pm] |
peidanzhok was saying "And if you are really that unhappy, apart from venting online, what are you doing to change this very state of unhappiness?
Taking baby steps...
Sometime June 2008 My Paper
2nd Aug 2008 My Paper
22nd Aug 2008 The New Paper
Waiting to get slam for my last letter. The editors over at TNP actually censored my original copy whereby I highlighted where will the monetary rewards given to the three girls (excluding 20% to the Sports Council) for winning a silver be going to. And if the three girls did beat China to win a Gold, how will the whole of China label them even if some of us in Singaopre will be so proud of them. Let's put it this way. Imagine Joscelin Yeo migrated to Australia and competed with us in the Olympics and she won gold, how will we Singaporeans label her? Traitor? Ingrate?
Guess the tone was rather aggressive, hence it's only right the editors censored it.
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