Friday, October 12

"My Desktop View" Tag

Am on a tag roll of late. haha. Got reminded by Angie that I still otang this one from MamaTang.
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My Desktop Free View Instruction:

A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop.It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun. You can do a screen capture by:

[1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right side of the F12 key).

[2] Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V).

[3] If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.

B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want. You can explain why you preferred such look or why is it full of icons. Things like that.

C. Tag five of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well.

D. Add your name to this list of Free Viewers with a link pointing directly to your Desktop Free View post to promote it to succeeding participants

iRonnie - I Set No Corner Thess - Thesserie Rebecca - Skippy Heart Knoizki - A Dialogue With K, Beng - Kauderwelch, Vanidosa Marie, ,Vanidosa at blogspot , MyGoodFinds with KK, Dom Lawrence, Rebecca, BluePanjeet, ROSE , KNOIZKI, SARDONICNELL, Girlie the hipncoolmomma, Happy Family with Jacelyn, LovelyMummy with her family,Healthfreakmommy - picture of her 2 girls , Anggie – a happy laughing boy, chanelwong-OurFamily, MamaTang’s simple desktop view, Clement's Sentosa Trio

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Well, here it is. The screen that greets me each time I power up my DELL Inspiron 640m:

Mostly shortcuts to video and photo editing applications. Pic was taken (by ezrababy) at Sentosa Palawan beach on 9 Aug 07 during a BayB Supplies Forum gathering.

Would the usual suspects who have not yet done this one please raise your hands, thank you. Ah, that'd be:
  1. Stardust
  2. Idy
  3. Angie

Thursday, October 11

"Dokodemo Door" Tag

Wah. This is the first time Angie initiates a Tag, so of course must support support.

Hmm....first of all, I've gotta translate this Tag post from it's original Chinese explanation into one that contains plain English instructions, else before this can go anywhere (aha!), we'd be flooded with questions on what is 任意门 etc.

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1. Dokodemo Door (任意门) literally means "Anywhere Door", and is a gadget that is often used by Doraemon and his friends, which allows the users to travel to anywhere simply by walking through the door.

2. Strictly speaking, the dokodemo door doesn't allow the user to travel to other dimensions or fantasy worlds, in this tag the taggee is free (and encouraged) to choose your favourite place from any world that exists in any books or movies, fiction or otherwise.

3. Choose your desired destination that you'd like the dokodemo door to bring you to, and indicate why you'd like to go there.

4. Forward this tag to whoever you'd like to extend this magical journey to.

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I'd like to walk through the dokodemo door and come onboard the hovercraft Nebuchadnezzar. There, I'd be able to meet the great Morpheus and offer myself to become part of his crew so I'd get the opportunity to fight alongside The One. Of course, the real attraction is the opportunity to get plugged in, and get loads of cool stuff uploaded directly into my brain via my skull socket. There're just too many things that I'd then be able to learn that I'd otherwise never master in the Real World. And all I have to do is to ask Tank to upload me the (fill in the blank) programme.

Besides the mandatory Jump training programme, I want to learn to paint like Michelangelo, sing like Jacky Cheung, fight (and yell) like Bruce Lee and cook like Chef Gusteau. If I prove to have 'talent' I might even learn a lesson or two from Neo on dodging (or even stopping!) bullets. I wouldn't mind meeting the Woman in the Red Dress either. I'd pass on the Tasty Wheat, though.

I know Kung Fu.

I'd now like to invite you to step forward and through the dokodemo door. This way please :

  1. Joyce
  2. Idy
  3. Stardust

Monday, October 8

苦命的老Chio

看到我们的车,我不禁要为它悲惨的命运哀叹两声。

前前后后(真的是前前后后!)被别人吻了几次,几天前又凹了一个洞。为什么呢?因为车主(不是我…)在停车的时候一时失手,磨擦到了停车场的柱子。只是外国人礼貌的亲吻脸颊,又不是法国式的舌吻,我们玉洁冰清的老Chio就看不开了。

老Chio是我们最喜欢的一辆车。但是天嫉红颜,这辆车越要守身如玉,它越被别人侵犯。上一辆车子Toyota Vios,它专门引来一些狂蜂浪蝶,干些“偷”情的事儿。扫水器被偷、轮胎打风入口的螺丝也被偷!莫名其妙!看来,每一辆车都有它们的个性。

老Chio啊老Chio,我们都知道你洁身自爱。你其实不用整天去撞墙或撞什么的去证明你的清白。好吗?

The "Turn Back the Clock" Tag

Thank you MamaTang for being my regular supplier of tags. I have been receiving a healthy dosage from her recently.

In this latest one, the taggee is supposed to write about the age that he/she wishes to get back to. I have always openly confessed that the year I spent in UK doing my MSc(WES) course has been a real highlight in my life. In the case of this tag, however, the UK year would have to settle for second place.

Top position brings me back to the year 1992, when I matriculated into NUS. That was the year I fell head over heels in love. I was 20 years-old. She was 18. We chatted over the campus computer network. Ok lah...a bit of qualification here - the falling "head over heels in love" bit didn't really take place until 1993 lah. Anyways, the reason why this holds top spot for me is because unlike many of my peers, the number of romances that yours truly has ever had stands at a staggering grand total of....

One.

Satu.

一。

いち

Une. Comprende?

I mean, 初恋 = 终恋? Come on! What was I thinking? So yah, it'd be great if I could have another go at it. Insert token. Ready. Fight. That'd really double my score, wouldn't it? From 1 to 2. Yay!

*******************Start copy************************
Instructions:

Title: The Age That I Wish To Go Back To
Requirement: Write about the one age that you wish to go back to and why?
Tag Mode: 5 blogger

1st - You list down their blog name and blog url and add to the list below.
2nd - Let the blogger you want to tag know they have been tagged by commenting in their blog or etc.

Amidrin wish to go back to age 22 to correct back some mistakes in life.
Lemonjude wish to go back to age 6 to enjoy kid’s life.
Hui Sia wish to go back to age 16 to meet her first lover again.
Shireen wishes to go back to age 14 to relive her fun-filled childhood days.
Anggie wishes to go back to age newly born to have a full complete & loving family.
MamaTang wishes to go back to the time where she last saw her dad.
Clement wishes to go back to age 20 to fall in love again.

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Now, for this tag, I'd just like to pass it on to she who is the subject of my time-travelling fantasy.

Saturday, October 6

十八的姑娘一朵花

My dear little Jae-Jae.

You are 18-months old today. That's midway between your first 365 days and your next one. Here, Papa has a few words for you to commemorate this little milestone you've reached.



Be unafraid to stand tall.


Reflect on your past footsteps, your current standing and your future path.


Have the courage to take that next step forward. There's no shame in accepting help from others.


Cast your sights far...


...and soar to great heights.


Celebrate the tiniest of your victories. Be grateful for the smallest of successes.


Enjoy the journey. Take a break when you're tired.


Most of all - Be confident. Be comfortable. Be yourself. There are bound to be others with different opinions - they are entitled to them. Don't let them bring you down. Remember, dear...


...you'd always be the best in our hearts.

Lotsa Love,

Papa.

[All photos above captured by Mommy on 6 Oct 2007 (Sat)]

Friday, October 5

几时进托儿所?

本来,我们是相当肯定要在媛媛过了2岁不久后就把她送进托儿所,让她学习独立、学习群体生活。但是,最近她生的一场病,让我有点却步。

一个小小的孩子,生病了却不能说明自己哪里不舒服,想如何被安抚,只能通过痛哭来抒发自己的情绪。晚上因为身体不适而睡不着,要趴在妈妈身上寻求安慰。我的心,真的是揪成了一团。媛媛发烧了一个星期,今天终于完全退烧了。但是鼻子还是卡着浓浓稠稠青青黄黄的鼻涕,喝奶的时候还是要停顿下来张开口呼吸。心疼,心疼,心疼。

每个把孩子放进入托儿所的妈妈都说,进托儿所开始时一定会比较常生病。我一想到之前连续几晚的煎熬,我根本都不忍心了。如何让一个小小的孩子忍受更多身体上的折磨呢?不忍,不忍,不忍。

于是,和老公商量,等媛媛稍微再大一点再送她进托儿所吧。托儿所是肯定要去的。我们商量了之后,觉得明年11/12月的时候会比较好。那时媛媛大约30/31个月大,表达能力、适应能力、免疫能力都应该比较强。到时,再让她去过愉快的学习生活吧!

Thursday, October 4

Sleepless in Bt Panjang

贱。

命贱的人就是这样。有多一点睡眠的时间都无福消受。病了两天,爽爽睡了两天,今天,现在,凌晨4点,喂了媛媛吃退烧药后,就无法入眠。

从前的我不会这样的。我可以连续睡12个小时以上。睡到中午12点,睡到当时的男朋友现在的老公打电话约我出门吃午餐我才爬起床。那时,可以心无旁骛地睡觉。时间可以任我挥霍。有了孩子,这样的奢侈就不再有了。跟时间赛跑,在工作,家庭和自我中游走,寻找平衡点。被牺牲的,是睡眠。后来也就习惯了,所以从前不能想象的只睡4-5小时,变成支持我第二天继续冲刺的精力源泉。

所以我说,贱。天生的劳碌命。

2007年10月4日,武吉班让未眠夜。

Wednesday, October 3

媛媛的月亮

最近,我利用“月亮”作为媛媛的“赏识教育”。

只要一看到月亮,我就猛地称赞媛媛,说是因为她很乖,所以月亮才会跟着她。比如说从她奶奶家看到月亮,我就刻意在坐车的时候指月亮给媛媛看,然后从停车场走回家的时候,也大声惊叹月亮喜欢乖小孩,所以跟媛媛回家了。

为此,媛媛感到非常快乐和自豪。每次看到月亮,她都很兴奋地拍怕自己的胸口,喊:“媛媛!”意思是月亮喜欢乖乖的媛媛。

有一次,媛媛在晚上哭闹。我瞥见窗口的月亮,就抱她到窗前看月亮,对她说:“月亮叫你不要哭哦!”她几乎是马上就噤声。抽抽噎噎地说:“媛~媛~”

这一招真的蛮好用的。看不到月亮的时候,我会告诉她今天月亮要跟别的乖小孩回家,月亮要轮流看不同的乖小孩啊!看到月亮的时候,就称赞她是一个听话的好孩子。有时媛媛任性不听话,我只要搬出月亮,她就合作了。月亮,成为媛媛的守护天使。

虽然这样讲很不科学,但是我希望媛媛的心中,永远有一个美丽的月亮。

Monday, October 1

"5 Posts" - Tag

Thanks to MamaTang, I've got this tag to work on, to ease those draggy hours that are my standby duty. Thanks to those draggy hours that are my standby duty, I get the opportunity to complete this tag in record time - MamaTang's own entry was dated 1 Oct 07, and it is now barely 2 hours into the day!

Here are the rules for this tag:

--------------------------------------------------------------
1. Post 5 links to 5 of your previously written posts. The posts have to relate to the 5 key words given below.

2. Tag 5 other friends to do this meme. Try to tag at least 2 new acquaintances (if not, your current blog buddies will do) so that you get to know them each a little bit better.

3. Don't forget to read the archived post and leave comments.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Simple enough (but hor....simi see "meme"?). Anyways, here are my 5 links:

Link ONE must be about FAMILY:
The New World - In which the word "Family" literally takes on brand new meanings for the original incumbents.

Link TWO must be about FRIENDS:
Super Uncle/Aunty Band - In which a group of overaged friends put up a spirited attempt that eventually crashed and burnt.

Link THREE must be about YOURSELF:
Yours Truly, Factually - In which personal disclosures were made in my very first tag entry.

Link FOUR must be about your LOVE:
最重要的小事 - In which reference was made to a song I love and inferences drawn with regard to the people I love.

Link FIVE can be ANYTHING you choose:
Sleepless in Ubi - In which the namesake of this blog was explained, in an early entry made during yet another span of draggy hours that were my standby duty.

Now that I'm done, I'm pleased to announce that this tag shall be passed on to...(The usual suspectson blogroll lor. Who else?!)
  1. Stardust
  2. Noelle
  3. meekfreek
  4. Angelcow
  5. Chinmama

Sunday, September 30

The International Gal of Mystery

The little chameleon can easily slip into one of her many guises, adopting different nationalities even, to fool the untrained eyes of those who conspire against her (e.g. attempts to feed her foodstuffs that do not agree with her tastebuds).

Jae the Chinese gu-niang.

Jae the Dutch Lady.

Jae the Iranian girl.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wars

Greetings. I am Baybi-wan Jialoti, the youngest ever Jae-di to graduate from the Jae-di Academy. Observe how skillfully I wield my light-sabre. My master tells me I am too young to use the heavy-sabre now. How do you like my new Jae-di robe? I inherited this from my Master.



"Use the Force, Baybi-wan.", my Master never fails to remind me. I train hard each day, under the harshest of conditions and the strictest of discipline. This is the only way to develop a keen mind, an agile body, and a green hand.



This is me with my venerable Master, Jae-di Master Yoma.

Me : Yo, Ma. What's up?
Master: Beware the Dark Side, my young apprentice. Things you can't see can trip you. Always remember to turn on the lights.

Little Miss Messy II

They say we should let our children explore with crayons too!

Look at my master piece!!!!!!!!

Little Miss Messy

Mommy finally decided to let little Jaimie try her hands (literally) on the Crayola children paint set that she purchased eons ago, but which had been kept in storage until the lazy afternoon that was yesterday's.



"They say to let the child wear mommy's old t-shirt." - and so Jae put on mommy's t-shirt, one from eons ago, but for some reason had survived the garung-guni visits.



I guess "they" also said to lay a piece of majong paper on the floor for the child to doodle and/or paint on. Mommy tasked daddy to "draw something for her to colour in." Hence the Elmo face.



With some prompting, little fingers began to explore the different colours on the palette, a little hesistant at first, but quickly warming up to a messy eagerness.



Here's little Miss Picasso at work. "Draw something for her to colour in." ? Yah, right. When Jae paints, its without confines and boundaries.



Thank goodness the paint is fully water soluble. "Crayola® Washable Fingerpaints provide a worry-free fingerpainting experience!"



"You think I can only do paint, and not other mediums? Well, think again!"



Jae's handiwork.

Tuesday, September 25

Medicine - The Non-Drowsy Kind

Still coughing quite a bit today, despite medical orderly's assurance that the cough mixture prescribed to me by the MO is the powderful kind. Took half day leave in the afternoon so I can take my meds and get knocked out within the safe confines of home.

You know what they say about laughter and medicine...

This ad here made me laugh (2 times - one for each time I played it). Hope it works.

Monday, September 24

Sick Man of the East

That'd be me. Thank you very much.

Since last Thursday, I've been having these bouts of 'attacks' where out of the blue and without warning, I'd start sneezing, my nose would run and be blocked at the same time, I'd cough and wheeze compulsively until my voice is reduced to a tiny and hoarse croak. The worst of these 'attacks' happened on Friday night, when we went to Keming Primary School to attend their Mid-Autumn Festivel event, and on Saturday when we made a trip to the Bottle Tree Park. The strange thing was that the symptoms were really quite transitionary - a pill of Clarityn, bit of rest, and I'd be fine again the next morning.

This morning, however, was different. I felt unwell. The hoarseness in my throat didn't go away despite my deliberate attempt to get to bed earlier the previous night (after I'd expended like half a box of tissues blowing my puffy red nose).

"Better not let this drag on anymore, I thought. So I came to see you to grab some meds to hopefully put an end to this.", I replied the MO at the Medical Centre.

"Good call.", the MO said. "Not to worry. You'd be fine."

And then he sent me off to the prescription counter, to get these.


Potent stuff, these are.
  1. Difflam: Suck on these for your sore throat; 4 times a day.
  2. Piriton: For the flu; 1 tablet after meal; 3 times a day; may caused drowsiness.
  3. Procodin: This is for your cough; 10mils 3 times a day; DEFINITELY will cause drowsiness.
"I know lah. This is the usual cough mixture that causes drowsiness right?"

"Er, sir. No leh. This one is very strong one. MO seldom give one.", said the medical orderly at the counter.

Ok....I thought. Like that today don't have to work liow lor. And I was right. After popping the tablet and downing 2 spoonfuls of the mixture, it didn't take long to feel my head swirling. I was nuah the whole day (not that normally I'd be exceptionally goot lut lah).

***************************
I was supposed to meet up with Idy and Stardust today for lunch at Lucky Plaza, originally. Ended up the lunch appointment gotta be called off cos little Iden came down with a fever and mommy Idy had to rush back home to attend to him.

Stardust got her lucky stars to thank for not having to risk life and limb being ferried in a car driven by a half-awake man.

Anyway, I ended up walking over to Novena Square foodcourt to grab lunch by myself. And I saw this.




They were organising this Singapore-International bowling competition, or something, and had this two-lane bowling alley installed right smack in the centre of the mall's atrium. And from the second floor, you get to view the machinery that sort and position the pins working. Quite cool.

A visit to the MPH bookstore on 2nd storey later, I bought this, because it had a 20% discount sticker slapped onto its cover. Even then, it still managed to reduce my wallet's contents by $42.71. Wonder when I'd actually pick it up to read, and if it'd suffer the same fates as my recent book purchases which invariably ended up half-read.



*****************************************
Oh, during lunch at the food court, I made two new friends from Taiwan.

I was carrying my tray with my lunch (Grilled Fish Set) on it, and looking for a seat in the very crowded place.

"Excuse me, are either of these seats taken?"

"Oh, no. Please." The bespectacled man gestured to the seat besides him.

The other man sitting opposite the first looked up from his plate and stared at mine. He was a little on the plump side and wasn't wearing any specs. "这是什么饭?", he asked me.

"啊。这是 "Grilled Fish Set". 我是在那个摊位买的。" I offered.
"哦不,我是想知道这饭里有什么,为什么是青色的?"
"哦。那是用斑兰叶煮的饭。"
"你是本地人吗?你的国语讲得很标准。" The slimmer bespectacled man spoke again.
"哈哈。是吗?还可以啦。呃,我是本地人。你们是外地来的吗?"
"是啊!我们是台湾人!"

And so we chatted while having our lunch. About food and about tourist attractions in Singapore, mostly. I found out that both of them are from Taipei, were here for leisure, and would be departing Singapore this coming Wednesday. They've already been to the major shopping arcades including Orchard Road and VivoCity, and have also visited the Mid-Autumn Festival decorations at Clark Quay. I asked if they'd gone to Sentosa yet. They said no, although they've been told about it. Told them that I just brought my family over there yesterday. They both seemed surprised that I'm married, so I guess they probably are single themselves. Both of them looked to be in their late twenties/ early thirties. The bespectacled guy (范) is working as a medical representative in some German Medicine Company. The other chap (李) is an entrepreneur who sells "过滤器". I wonder if they were the air or the water types. But I didn't ask.

Before we parted, we exchanged namecards and contact information.

“现在我们是朋友了。下次你到台北,来找我们。我们一定招待你。不必跟旅行团!”

Nice chaps, these two.

Sunday, September 23

Fleeting Fun

As soon as Jaimie woke up this morning, we prepped ourselves and set forth to Sentosa, for some early morning fun. By the time we reached Palawan Beach, it was only 8.30am.


We manouvered to one of the beach bences and settled ourselves in. Mommy promptly slipped little Jae into her swim wear, and matching shades!


Little Miss Vainpot, all dressed up for that Kodak moment.


Mommy packed breakfast so we could have a little picnic by the beach.


Being the early birds meant we practically had the beach to ourselves~!


The new sand playset was a present from Jae's 姨婆. We have only gotten hold of it yesterday and immediate deployed it to action today.


There was a water feature area nearby, and as usual Jae enjoyed the splashing fun time. As usual, I ended up getting very wet.


Back to the beach. This was Jae's second dip into the sea. This time she got to experience just how salty sea water was, when a big wave splashed up onto her face!


Shortly after this shot was taken, rain clouds started to appear. We quickly packed our stuff, showered down Jaimie and headed home. By that time, it was pouring cats and dogs.

A very short, early morning funtime at the beach. Just by ourselves. It was fun while it lasted.

Showtime At Granny's (Again)

Inevitably, this afternoon's visit to Granny's turned out to be yet another of Jae's matinee performances. With the little Ng's innate desire to hao-lian fueled by the elder Ngs' appreciative laughters and supported by mommy Ng's encouragement and prompting, it became a session where Jae just went on showing off the new tricks and stuff that she has picked up recently (some of which we have no idea on their origins...).

Saturday, September 22

BZ SAT

That's what happens when the weather is too good on a weekend - we can't help but pack in many activities to fully optimise the 'rare opportunity'...way too many.

After her morning nap, Jae went over to 奶奶's place for lunch and to play.


Jaimie the little botakhead has several caps and hats accessories which she'd sometimes put on to look more feminine or when she wants to look 美美. Today she put on the Disney Princess hat that Aunty 恬敏 bought for her from HK Disneyland.


While Jae was having porridge at granny's, Angie and myself walked out to the nearby row of eateries to grab our lunch. On our way back, Angie couldn't resist buying this box of animal pastry. These 3 cuties are made of 月饼皮 and have 红豆 fillings in them. Cost only $2.50 per box.


When Jae was going to have her afternoon nap, we promised her that when she woke up we'd bring her to the swimming pool. The weather remained good, so we got to keep our promise and proceeded to Yishun SAFRA. Mommy left Jae's swim wear at home, but that didn't stop Jae from getting her dip in her diapers and shorts! With her botakhead, she'd just looked like a topless little boy, so none would be the wiser. Haha!


The moon was visible even at 6 o'clock. I snapped this shot while waiting for the girls to shower. This is the face of the moon 3 days before 中秋节.


After having dinner, we went from Yishun Ave 4 to the Bottle Tree Park along Ave 1. Once there we met up with the Chiah family. This was the shot that got our little jealous Princess into a brief crying fit.


Shortly after, BabyJaz showed up too. Here're the 3 maidens, lined up in ascending age from left to right.


Jazel 姐姐 and Jaimie, showing off her Mickey Star lantern that blasts the "Home Sweet Home" tune.


This was our second visit to the Bottle Tree Park, and the first at night. It's really a beautiful place, but pity...both Angie and me started to display symptoms of falling sick, probably due to fatigue.

That's what happens when the weather is too good on a weekend - we can't help but pack in many activities to fully optimise the 'rare opportunity'...way too many. *Sigh*