2008 Christmas Carol

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

It's hitting you once,
It's hitting you twice
It doesn't care if you've been careful and wise
Recession is coming to town

It's worthless if you've got shares
It's worthless if you've got bonds
It's safe when you've got cash in hand
So keep cash for goodness sake, HEY

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town!

Finance products are confusing
Finance products are so vague
The banks make you bear the cost of risk
So keep out for goodness sake, OH

You'd better watch out
You'd better not cry
You'd better keep cash
I'm telling you why:
Recession is coming to town.

Singapore Biennale 2008: Address (Project: Another Country)

Artwork:
Address (Project: Another Country)

Type:
Installation

Description:
Domestic objects cast on balikbayan (homecoming) box

Artists:
Alfredo Juan Aquilizan
Maria Isabel Gaudinez-Aquilizan



Inspired by their own relocation from Phillipines to Australia, the husband and wife team, Alfredo & Maria Aquilizan created this "room" by using tons of personal objects that have been collected from all over for more than 10 years. They then "cubed" the personal belongings, in a very artistic manner, by using the Balikbayan boxes. Balikbayan boxes are used a lot by Filipino migrants to store and relocate their belongings from one place to another. And yes, you can read more about the "Balikbayan boxes" from wikipedia.

Now, if this art project was simply collecting personal items, arranging them in a certain way so that they'll hold up in the Balikbayan boxes, and that make sure when the box is removed they are able to be stacked with the rest of the other items, then you are wrong.

As I walked and paid more attention to the details, each items were carefully placed. Not only the structure aspects were very well taken care of, but also the fun aspects of it. Yes, this "space" actually interacts with the viewer and sometimes you'll find some "spooky" items and sometimes you'll find that the artists were simply want to joke around with you. Like the following items I managed to find here.




First of all, I have to applaud the patience that the artists have in putting all the things together in a "chaotic" and yet organized manner. But what I adore the most from these piece of art is the fun and nostalgic feeling the viewers get while going through items over items. Well, the feeling of nostalgic may be really to the "older" people like me :p what I am trying to say is that everyone will find at least one item speaks to him/her in a special way. What's the item for me? Ah well, may be the duckie (or is it a chickie?) who loves her cocktail below is my personal favourite. Don't ask me why! :-)

Wall Arts

Recently I'm quite in the "artsy-fartsy" mode. Just recently been to the Singapore Biennale 2008 and took more than 400 photos (which I promised I will share a few of the artworks that I'm impressed with soon) and now I am being introduced with a different type of work of art. Something that is actually functional for the house.

And this website has quite a few "unique" designs of wall art that either make your jaw drops or wonder if that is really a piece of art, like this piece over here.

Normally, when we think about wall art, we tend to think about canvas oil paintings/canvas wall art, being one of the most common piece of art for most homes. I personally love more abstract pieces but everybody has its own tune to to arts.

There's also another kind of art that is revolutionizing home owners now. Metal wall art. Yeah, it may be heavy and bulky but I have to admit, some of their metal wall art are really exquisite! You should check out this page and after seeing some, you wouldn't even realize that they are actually made of metals!

Even though I don't own my own roof yet at this moment, but I can't help to appreciate such items. It's a feeling I can't really describe but when certain "art" speaks to you, even though it may just be on in the display window of a shop, you know it has touched you in a special way. Hope you'll find your special "wall art" one of these day. I haven't really found mine too, may be till I get my own roof. :)

How Did One Do That?

Recently, I was being mentioned in my plurk friend's blog and ho-boy I'm really honoured :-). Then I saw that at every post of hers, she has the word "NaBloPoMo" on each and every title of her blog post recently. I was wondering what on earth that is.

So I checked it out at the following website - www.nablopomo.com and found out it actually means National Blog Posting Month. It's a "movement" to help blogger commit and support each other in writing on a regular basis and their challenge for a start is to write everyday for a month including weekend!

Geez, I can't even keep up with a weekly post and here they are suggesting every day. Hmm ... may be this is just what I need to kick my lazy "a**" up into the flow of writing but I am not sure yet if I am up to it.

But well, no harm for me to share this piece of information just in case any of you fellow bloggers out there who are very ACTIVE and would like to turn it up a notch. So, why not just sign up and commit to a daily blogging habit. :D

But if you are already blogging daily and still want to turn it up a notch, may be you should create your own community of nablopoho.com - national blog posting hour, instead! :D

I Need to Write

Geez ... time has passed so fast ....

• I've gone to Penang and back
• I've enlarged my social circles (other than that, nothing else has been enlarged yet :p)
• I've passed my first ever French test
• I've watched Avenue Q and realized even in funny things wisdom exist

• I've celebrated my 1st Halloween ever in my life and met MY PRECIOUS!
• I've witnessed USA made a historical move by having the very first African American president
• I've witnessed the stocks go up and down crazily in a mere 2 weeks
• I've lived in the era of possible bad recession coming
• I've taken a pic with one of the prettiest little girl ever exist in my life (and very well mannered too even though her mom is so nottie) :p
  
• I've realized the biceps that I've trained so hard before, they have now turned into Cordyceps. So so sad .....
  

Yes, lots have passed and happened and one thing hasn't really been moving much is my blog. URGH! Yes, I know, I know, I've not been writing. I'm so sorry.

There are so many occasions when I have the urge to write, alas, I have no access to my computer. Then when I have the access, I have writer's block!

So now, I force myself this time to write, if not I'll be poked by ma chère tante (It's French for "my dear aunty"). She's someone special I met from my French class. Not only we are both monkey of different cycle in the Chinese zodiac, our mobile number is so creepily similar that when I dial, I'll feel like I'm calling myself. So, I wouldn't want to step on her monkey-ish tail and hence I am writing!!!! *humf* :p

Even though this post will not make much sense and it's seriously incoherent, but I have come to learn, any momentum is better than inactivity. Unless too much of activities have crippled your ability to keep a balance in your life.

Am I talking sense at all?

Well, that's all for now, folks. I'll be back. I promise I'll be back more often! Gggrr ... I need to give my writing mojo a few spanking. And at least now I have ma chère tante who's kinda experienced in the spanking area as she's very well equipped with the knowledge of canes. "I'm oh so scared." So ... I'll be back. :-) Thanks for still staying with me despite of my absence.

Promises Like Pie-Crust

I am mesmerized by Carla Bruni, her life, her songs and her creativity, after my teacher shared one of her work - Raphaël - which apparently was kinda inspired by her own love life.
She used to be a model who then gave up her modeling career to pursue her passion in music. She's also the first lady of France at the moment after marrying the President Nicolas Sarkozy.

One of her album, No Promises, which majority of her songs are actually adapted from poems by deceased authors. I stumbled upon "Promises Like Pie-Crust" which was written by Christina Georgina Rossetti. Can't help it but to get lost in the words.

Hope you'll enjoy the words as much as I do. I've also embedded the song version. If you are unable to view through email, click the following link - http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/10/promises-like-pie-crust.html.

Promises Like Pie-Crust

by Christina Georgina Rossetti
(1830-1894)

Promise me no promises,
So will I not promise you:
Keep we both our liberties,
Never false and never true:
Let us hold the die uncast,
Free to come as free to go:
For I cannot know your past,
And of mine what can you know?

You, so warm, may once have been
Warmer towards another one:
I, so cold, may once have seen
Sunlight, once have felt the sun:
Who shall show us if it was
Thus indeed in time of old?
Fades the image from the glass,
And the fortune is not told.

If you promised, you might grieve
For lost liberty again:
If I promised, I believe
I should fret to break the chain.
Let us be the friends we were,
Nothing more but nothing less:
Many thrive on frugal fare
Who would perish of excess.

What Good is A Religion?

What good is a religion?
If it doesn't stop one to lie
What good is a religion?
If it doesn't stop one to disrespect

He can go to church every week
And be the nicest men there
When he's back home
He's worse than an atheist

What good is a religion?
If he has no courage to speak the truth
What good is a religion?
If he shows hatred when pride is hurt

What a shame
Such man exists in close proximity
I don't blame the religion
But the man that he turns out to be

My Friend, Fancy

This humble poem is dedicated to my dearest flatmate, Fancy. She's my MSN, Plurk, Facebook, Friendster, hanging-out, anything-goes kind of buddy. (We can do all those all at the same time, next to each other too). So, it's time for me to do something "nice" to her.

*Evil laughter*

Here we go ...

My Friend, Fancy

Her name is Fancy
Her nick is Panci
Her beau is Franky
Her car is Suzuki

Her mind’s quite blurry
But she ain’t a dummy
She thinks she’s groovy
We think she’s "clownie"

Her blood is AB
Her jokes are crappy
Her life is funny
But never lonely

That’s my friend Fancy
Who is quite lovely
Even though she's silly
Still a GREAT company

Story of A Sign

What a beautiful super short film (only 5 minutes) that portrays how words that are written differently will strike different feelings on others.

If you can't see the video, please click this link - http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/09/story-of-sign.html

So, What Do You See?

Recently I have too many wake-up calls through unexpected sources. TV shows, newsletter, stupid activities, etc. Most of the words of wisdom I've posted at my quotes blog, including this following quote that I'm going to share with you.

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. --John Lubbock

Simple words, aren't they? But ponder deeply upon them. They are too profound and too true. And its simplicity has been taken for granted by so many and in this following context, by me.

I think this particular quote should be on everyone's head all the time. It should be a great reminder to our breathing moments to focus on what we want to look for.

Yes, I still have my starstruck moment and I think that incident itself will not recover so fast on me. You may think it's just another celebrity, yes she is. Diana Krall is a human too but ... what I found interesting in this incident is what my friend was looking for. From the first day we mentioned about the concert, she saw nothing but her signed CDs. She talked and acted as if Diana Krall was going to sign her CDs. And looked at what we've got? Not only the autographs but we MET, TALKED, and ARE in a photo together.

What my friend saw all along was the signed CDs but the universe has rewarded her persistence in perspective with a chance to interact and simply be present with the star. And I was just happened to be under the radar coverage that silly and skeptic me had the chance to tap on her gift from the universe.

Back to the message - what we see depends mainly on what we look for. From now, try instill the habit of asking yourself in the mind ... "At this moment, what am I looking for?". For example, how many times you found yourself doing things for the sake of doing without knowing why you are doing it. You simply take the activity as a chore. But if you have a specific "thing" to look for, you may be surprised with what you found. If you are in a meeting and what you are looking for subconsciously is a piece of boredom, then no surprise that's how you'd feel. If you think you'll find a new friend in that meeting, naturally, you will find a new friend there.

From now on, let's set in our mind's eyes that we only want to look for things that we want to. Don't accept anything lesser than that, unless, that's what you are looking for. You won't know what you'll get, you may just get what you wish for and more. :-)

I Met Diana Krall

I thought the title is just my hallucination but it's not. It's REAL and I still can't believe it happened. I, this small little monkey from Singapore, managed to meet the Grammy winning jazz vocalist Diana Krall. Yes! Grammy winning! It's on par with Academy Awards of the music industry. I'm in temporary heaven.

The journey in getting to know Diana Krall's music was a pure serendipity. It was 1999, I was still a student and I was walking around in a local bookstore which happened to sell CDs too. Then I went to the jazz section and discovered the following cover.


I didn't know who she was and what kind of songs she sang. I was not sure if she was famous then too. But well, I took a chance on it. The cover was nice and the box was pretty unique (for that era). And I've never regretted since. I'm a fan who collected most of her albums.

That album has accompanied most of my university time. When the hostel was empty as it was the holiday season, I blasted her voice throughout and chilled in the dark. It was so heavenly. The best album one can ever own. I then evangelized how great her album was and now vividly reminded by 2 of my friends that I was the one who introduced her works to them.

So now, 2008, 9 years later, one of my friend asked whether I'd like to watch her concert. The ticket was pricey. But heck, it's for Diana Krall so we all went ahead. The 2 friends that I happened to introduce her music too, were the ones who shared this special moment with me.

One of my friend in particular was so obsessed with the whole concert that she has made a mission for herself that was to get all her CDs signed by Diana Krall. Honestly, I was so amused by her ambition that I teased her all the time. I only brought one of my CD as I seriously didn't think it's going to be possible. (My friend brought 3 and a brand new black marker pen).


The concert was awesome even though it was really too short and the F1 racing cars' noise affected the mood a little bit, but overall, it was a splendid experience. After the concert was over, my misson-oriented-friend quickly ran off to the stage with her heels in the muddy terrain. She didn't care. She has been plotting ways to talk to the security personnels the whole day and was really ready to do whatever it took for all her CDs to be signed. Another friend and I just followed, and seriously I was still a skeptic then.

Finally, we were in front of the stage, standing with a bunch of people with VIP pass. I thought, hmm... things are looking good here, we may just have the chance to meet her in person. So, I was not at all worried. I was busy playing with the camera. But my misson-oriented-friend was still panicky as it's uncertain we're able to go through since we are not VIPs! But the bouncer was really nice enough to arrange us into one line and let us in after the VIPs were done with their businesses. (When I mentioned VIPs, one of them were a group of Canadian ambassadors!!! We were just right behind them ...)

Then, I saw her ... OMG! It's Diana Krall. She was busy catching up with the VIPs. Diana Krall was just so close to me ... I mean it! She's so so so so close that ... I started to react like a papparazzi. And yes, I'm the only un-civilized monkey doing such things. (I was so surprised but I didn't think my friends were at all)



And then she was approaching. It's our turn. Even though Mr. Bouncer said she didn't want to give any autographs but HEY! She's so friendly and she signed every single thing that we gave her! She's so down to earth and approachable even though she's not at the very best of her health, she got cold. (And as she was signing stuff ... you guess it right, I was still playing my role as papparazzi). I have some proofs of my ugly photos taken. :p


Then ... the ultimate moment ... she agreed to take photo with all of us ... let me tell you, nothing can beat that feeling. Everybody was in the moment of absolute high. I am still "high" even the event has been over 2 days ago. I'm sickly starstruck!

So she signed all the CDs... with my friend's marker (I thought it's my marker but she said mine was almost out of ink and she didn't want to risk it! Geez...)


and she sang beautifully with great song choices ...


but ultimately ... the most priceless moment of all was that my friends and I have captured the whole experience in a photo.



Ticket: $196
Dinner: $18.20
Photo with Diana Krall: Priceless
My silly grin: Erm ... no comment

Lesson learned ... I'll never laugh at my friend's silly ambition again as you seriously won't know what the universe has in store for you. I am so glad things happened the way it was and I was able to spend the special moments with my dearest friends.

Thank you everyone! It's been S'wonderful! And enjoy the S'wonderful song below. (For those of you who couldn't view the video in the email, you may click the following link: http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/09/i-met-diana-krall.html)

Online Shopping

A few weeks ago I read in the newspaper that online businesses are blooming in Singapore, especially in the area of fashion and accessories. Lots of people, especially women, are following their passion for fashion and monetize it. What a great idea. The low start-up cost for online business make it possible for everyone to jump into the bandwagon. Some even use free blogs as a platform, zero operating cost.

So since everybody is doing it, I wonder how do these people differentiate themselves apart from their products, styles and prices. One of the company I found is pretty creative. They are tapping into the celebrity path. What does it mean? Well, the products they carry are not necessarily dirt cheap but they do keep a close lookout to the current trends and hence they carry unique designers' items such as Alberto Makali, Beverly Feldman, Be&D, etc.

In this tough economy, one needs to find a unique niche and be more creative than ever. If not, one will just waste their money and time in things they thought will be a goldmine when they may be just better off doing something else with their life. But then again if you are passionate about something and doing it, then, life will be more worthwhile.

Happy shopping and selling, people. :-)

A Cuppa For You

One of my plurk buddy from Outback, Australia - Peter "Dingobarbie" Willowtree has just gave me a cuppa coffee and I'd like to share it with everyone since the coffee looks like me (especially with the two front teeth. it just needs glasses to complete the DD look). So, here you go. Hope you'll have a great day ahead and enjoy the monkey coffee.

Eyé àdaba

There are singers who have great hype.
There are singers who have great fame.
Then, there are those rare ones who have no hype nor tremendous fame, but what they have is a sincere voice with soulful message.
This time I found it through Aşa, Paris-born Nigerian singer-songwriter.
Even though I don't understand the lyrics of the song - Eyé àdaba, but it just seems to speak to me.

I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Below there's the lyrics and translation too. What a beautiful song about peace.

If you are unable to view the video as you are subscribing to my email newsletter, do visit the following link to listen to the song.
http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/09/ey-daba.html


Lyrics:
Eyé àdaba
by Aşa

Oju mo ti mo
Oju mo ti mo mi
Ni le yi o o
Oju mo ti mo - mo ri re o

Eye adaba
Eye adaba
ye adaba ti n fo lo ke lo ke
Wa ba le mi o o
Oju mo ti mo mo ri re o

Translation:
I wake up at dawn
As it dawn’s upon me
I wake up to the sun
Shining upon me

I see doves in the sky
Birds flying high
Then in silence
I pray for peace
For my people

The Old Indonesian Textbooks

Ever wondered how the textbooks look like for some of the Indonesian students in the 80s? Think most of them are for Primary schools. Someone found some of these here I am sharing them. Geez, they are sooooo old!

Bahasa Indonesia = The official language of Indonesia

You will learn phrases such as:
- Ini bapak Budi. = This is Budi's father
- Ini ibu Budi. = This is Budi's mother

Matematika = Mathematics


Pendidikan Moral Pancasila = Erm ... The moral education of Pancasila (The Indonesian State Philosophy)

One of the thing I remember learning was in a multiple choice question:
If you found a wallet on the street you should:
a. Keep it to yourself
b. Return the wallet and keep the money
c. Bring it to the police station

Now, I do wonder which one will people really practice nowadays. :D

Ilmu Pengetahuan Social = The Social Education

I can't really remember what I've learnt here. OMG ... I do remember a bit of geography in it. Erm .... never mind ...

The next one, I knew it as Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam = The Education of Nature (Biology)

I don't really have comments on this. Guess we'll learn that chicken lays eggs and humans don't from here.

Zat dan Energi = Minerals and Energy

I don't remember studying this book. That's how old this book is!

So, do you remember how your text books look like and what have you learned from it?

PS. Thank you, Panci! :D

Little Gordon

I think the following videos are brilliant in conveying its message by creating a parody towards one of the most famous chef in the UK (or may be the world) - Gordon Ramsay. I hope Big Gordon is as entertained by them.

For those who can't view the video through the email, please go the following link:
http://www.donnadaritan.com/2008/09/little-gordon.html

Little Gordon - Part 1


Little Gordon - Part 2


Little Gordon - Part 3

Les Champs-Élysées

This following French song - Les Champs-Elysees will always remind me of my very first French teacher - Linda Hung. Not only it's my ringing tone but it's a basic song where you can really pick up a lot of words and not to mention, if you've never gone to Paris (like me), will make you dream about it more. I hope you'll enjoy it and as I'm going to share it with fellow classmates, I'll paste the meaning below too. :D Enjoy!



Les Champs-Élysées
by Joe Dassin

Je m'baladais sur l'avenue le coeur ouvert à l'inconnu / I trotted on the avenue my heart opened to the unknowns
J'avais envie de dire bonjour à n'importe qui / I wanted to say hello to no matter whom
N'importe qui et ce fut toi, je t'ai dit n'importe quoi / No matter whom, it could be you, I'd said anything to you
Il suffisait de te parler, pour t'apprivoiser / It was enough to speak to you, just to calm down.

Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées / At Champs-Élysées, At Champs-Élysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit / In the sun, under the rain, in midday or midnight
Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Elysées / That's all you'd ever want at Champs-Élysées

Tu m'as dit "J'ai rendez-vous dans un sous-sol avec des fous / You said to me "I was pinned in a basement with fools
Qui vivent la guitare à la main, du soir au matin" / Who live guitar-in-hand from dusk till dawn"
Alors je t'ai accompagnée, on a chanté, on a dansé / Then I accompanied you, one sang, one danced
Et l'on n'a même pas pensé à s'embrasser / Any one who did not even think of embracing oneself

Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées / At Champs-Élysées, At Champs-Élysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit / In the sun, under the rain, in midday or midnight
Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Elysées / That's all you'd ever want at Champs-Élysées

Hier soir deux inconnus et ce matin sur l'avenue / Yesterday evening two unknowns and this morning on the avenue
Deux amoureux tout étourdis par la longue nuit / Two in love all dazed by the long night
Et de l'Étoile à la Concorde, un orchestre à mille cordes / And to the Star of Concord, form an orchestra with thousand cords
Tous les oiseaux du point du jour chantent l'amour / All the birds at day-break singing for the love

Aux Champs-Elysées, aux Champs-Elysées / At Champs-Élysées, At Champs-Élysées
Au soleil, sous la pluie, à midi ou à minuit / In the sun, under the rain, in midday or midnight
Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Elysées / That's all you'd ever want at Champs-Élysées

Physical, Emotional and Mental Growths

I am not sure how to write this post but I need to. It may be a series of questions or it may just be gibberish but I need to "pen" this down.

There comes a time when I realize and internalize that physical growth doesn't equate to one's emotional and mental growths.

You can be older but not necessarily wiser.
You can be older but not necessarily make you more mature.
You can be older but not necessarily make you take full responsibility of your life.

I am looking back at how I used to act when I was a kid (though I am still pretty much a kid at heart), one common thing I can pull is that I always blame everything and everybody else but me. Nowadays I tend to look at myself first before I point fingers to others though if the PMS period is lurking around the corner, someone may just need to bite the bullet once in a while. For that I sincerely apologize. I do know when I am wrong even if it needs to be told, I will eventually know and admit I am wrong.

But I realize, not everybody's mental and emotional growth are growing at the same rate as their wrinkles. It's a surprising fact but some acts are so amusing that I can't help but be so awed by them. Even though it is supposed to get on my nerves but I can't help to smile as it resembles a kid whose toy was being taken away and trying all ways and acts to gain the attention from others.

Anyway, enough of me blabbering. I just hope everybody has a more balanced and stronger growth in all areas of your life.

Life is An Investment

If life is an investment, that make you, an investor.

Like any great investors, they hardly put all their eggs in one basket, they diversify it into different tools. It'll be no surprise if successful investor may have portfolios in property, stocks, currency, businesses, etc. They are all different vehicles to achieve their goals. Though they may not be good in all areas, but at least some will be really great.

That's how all our lives are when we view them as investments. Each areas of our lives are the different vehicles we use to reach our goals - a happy fulfilling lives. Everyone may have different vehicles but generally our vehicles consist of:
1. Our health
2. Our career
3. Our family
4. Our friends
5. Our spiritual side
6. Our finance
7. Our personal developments
etc

And each and every area is an investment by itself. Like any investment model, the simple formula is you need to put in something (as little as possible) to get something in return (as great as possible). Hence there's the term ROI - Return on Investment. So, any areas of your life do require you to put in something even as little as your thoughts, your time, your money, your emotion, your knowledge, your passion, etc.

As you walk through life, you realize, you don't really have great investments all the time. Sometimes, what you've put in is more than what you get. Nothing strange about it, isn't it? That's life. That's just how things work. But that doesn't mean you need to go through life and make the same mistakes all over again. You learn from your bad investments and hopefully make a better investments the next round.

You may say, if I view life in such a way - as an investment, wouldn't I be selfish? Shouldn't we give unconditionally and be giving anytime we can? Well, besides "investment", the rich also do charity and donations. If you do feel like over-giving and not expecting anything in return, nobody stops you. As long as it doesn't cut into your well being and sanity. Give as much as you want. Who stops you?

As long as in the end of your life when you make a review and realize your ROI is negative in most area of your life and you feel miserable, please do not blame the vehicles. As there are 1001 ways to go to Rome but there will always be that one person who makes the choice which road he/she should take.

May everyone makes the best investments decisions in all areas of their lives. :-)

Ka-ching!

Pisang Goreng

It means "fried banana", is something I happened to share to a new friend, Linda (USA) whom I've known from Plurk. (Thanks to Myrna now I'm having so much fun and friends on Plurk. :D).

She was sharing that she had plenty of bananas and not sure what to do about it. So, I suggested she fried them and they'll become tasty snacks. I can't believe she actually did it though not exactly the Indonesian Pisang Goreng, but she put some twists in it.

And what's even more marvelous, she's a video blogger and she recorded the whole process of how she's making it. Isn't she cool?

Do check out her work titled "Fried Banana" here - http://thedesertnut.blogspot.com/2008/08/fried-banana.html

And hope everyone enjoys this little dancing banana too, especially Panci. Her tummy needs it very much.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold

I had a chat over the weekend with my friend. She had tummy ache due to the "woman" thing and she mentioned about the price women have to paid through that "monthly thing". I told her that it's great to be a woman (it's great to be a man too, I believe, if I am a man, but since I am not, I don't know). And honestly I am amused with the "price to be paid" statement. :-) No further comment needed.

The focus of the conversation with her that made me uttered a phrase,"Great things come in all shape and size and sometimes it's in the form of pain."

And that made me realized, if pain can be a form of greatness, then what is perceived to be greatness may just be absolutely rubbish.

It is relative.

No wonder Einstein is crowned as a genius for discovering the "Theory of Relativity".
Though I don't know what that theory is all about but I believe he understands the whole concept of how things can be relative. Nor good nor bad. Things are just things.

Sans Rancune

Just learn another phrase in French - "Sans rancune". Got it from a song that I'm listening by Corneille. It means "without resentment".

Just wondering, can one be angry and yet not resent?
The answer is yes.
You'll be surprised you may be angry at that moment and pissed off and agitated but that doesn't mean you need to hold on to your anger and grow it to resentment.
It is actually not that difficult.

Focus on what you think is better for your well being, if nothing falls into that category, don't hold it for too long. Toss them away.

When you succeed, trust me, you'll feel so much lighter.
And you'll laugh at how ridiculous most things are.
How simple life can be but most of the time we try to complicate for nothing.

The Dead Ones Did Not Die

I would like to share an excerpt from a beautiful poem (though in French) written by a Senegalese poet - Birago Diop (1906 - 1989). In the following poem titled "Les Morts ne Sont Pas Morts" which based on the online translating device means - The Dead Ones Did Not Die - he addressed the popular African belief that those which and who have died (e.g. ancestors), are still present in the natural world.

Hope everyone will enjoy this beautiful poem which translations I've put after the French version. As the translation was quoted from online dictionary, it may not have been depicted accurately but the gist of it is still there.

Les Morts ne Sont Pas Morts
by Birago Diop

Ecoute plus souvent / Listen more often
Les choses que les êtres, / To the things than the beings
La voix du feu s'entend / To the voice of the fire, Listen
Entends la voix de l'eau / Listen to the voice of the water
Ecoute dans le vent / Hear in the wind
Le buisson en sanglot : / The sobbing of the shrub:
C'est le souffle des ancêtres. / It's the breath of the forefathers

Ceux qui sont morts ne sont jamais partis / Those who died have never left
Ils sont dans l'ombre qui s'éclaire / They are in the shades that become clearer
Et dans l'ombre qui s'épaissit, / and in the shades that thickens
Les morts ne sont pas sous la terre / Deaths aren't under the earth
Ils sont dans l'arbre qui frémit, / They are in the tree that quivers
Ils sont dans le bois qui gémit, / They are in the wood that wails
Ils sont dans l'eau qui coule, / They are in the water that runs
Ils sont dans l'eau qui dort, / They are in the water that sleeps
Ils sont dans la case, ils sont dans la foule / They are in the huts, they are in the crowd
Les morts ne sont pas morts. / The dead ones did not die

What Not to Say in the Airport

Thanks to Panci, I received this forwarded email. I didn't know in Singapore such thing happens. Well, not sure how true it is but there's no harm to be aware of what's happening. Please beware that the following letter is quite long. Read if you have the patience.

SHOCKING EYE-OPENER!!

IS THIS CALLED WORLD-CLASS SERVICE ???

**********************************************************************************************

Dear everyone

Thank you so much for your concern for asking why I did not make it for my trip to Australia . I have told some of you, and not had the chance to explain to all of you. In short, something completely out of my imagination happened and I could not board my flight.

Following is an email complaint that I have filed with CAAS, cced to whoever that is important.

It's 4 pages long – for your leisure reading and entertainment.

=) Sandra

**************************************************************************************************************************

Subject: A FAMILY HOLIDAY RUINED BY ILLOGICAL SECURITY OFFICERS

Dear Mr. Foo,

My name is Sandra Tan (I/C number 7328669G). It is with great disappointment and distress that I am filing a complaint to you with regards to my situation.

My family (including myself, my husband, my daughter, and my son) planned a Darwin holiday for the March school vacation period and was supposed to depart on 09 March. Unfortunately, we were put in a situation by the security officers at the departure terminal, that was way beyond our control and we were not able to make our trip. The following is an account of what had happened : -

I entered the Immigration gantry at about 7.15pm with my daughter (Belle Lee, 13 yrs old) to have our passport scanned and our hand carry luggage checked whilst my husband (Lee Ming Chong) stayed behind with my son (Caius Lee, 8 yrs old) at the ticketing counter to sort out my son's visa. After having mine and my Belle's passport scanned, we proceed to the security gantry to have our hand luggage and our bodies scanned. Belle passed the security gantry first, whilst I followed right behind her. A lady officer asked me to remove my boots for scanning, and I did as told immediately and put my boots inside the basket provided, for it to be scanned together with my hand luggage. I then proceed to the metal detector of which I cleared without the gantry beeping or detecting any metal objects. I was then asked to collect my luggage and my boots. In the mean time, Belle was throwing away a sweet wrapper and retuning to me and saw me putting on my boots.

Belle then asked casually "Mummy, why do you have to remove your shoes?"

Whilst putting on my boots, I replied her and said that "they (the security officers) are afraid that we might keep bombs in our shoes (which is why I need to take it off to have it scanned)"

Immediately, a security officer standing at the conveyor belt (Stephen S Naidira) who was standing in front of me said with a very rude tone "repeat what you just said". I clarified with him what he meant - is it for me to repeat what I had told my daughter? He said loudly again, to repeat what I had just said. So I did exactly what he told me. I said to him that "my daughter asked me why I need to take off my shoes, and I told her that you guys (the security officers) are afraid that we will keep bombs in our shoes." He immediately asked me to stand aside and said that he had to report it to his superior that I said the word "bomb" twice.

Then an Indian lady (Sivamalar) at the customs started hurling at me and my daughter and said that I said the word "bomb" twice and it is against the law and I can be sent to jail and they are calling the police. She (Sivamalar) was so loud and rude and she shoved us to the side, and refused to listen to my explanation. In fact, she got so aggressive that another officer Ricky Lim (I guess it's her supervisor) had to come forward to stop her from further attacking me and my daughter verbally, and specifically asked Sivamalar to "shut up". I told Ricky Lim that I would like to know the names of his staff because their attitude and rudeness were simply beyond any acceptable level.

Immediately Sivamalar got so angry and aggressive that she started charging at Ricky Lim and hurled "What?! What?! What?! She (she meant me) said the word "Bomb" twice, so what is wrong with arresting her (which is me) and we were told that if we heard the word twice, we will arrest!!" At that time, Stephen S Naidira came to me again to intimidate me further by asking me to repeat what I said earlier to my daughter again. I refused to repeat again then because I believe he was deliberately asking me to repeat so that he can count the number of times that I mentioned the word "bomb". I also believe that that the officers were deliberately provoking me by being rude and intimidating, in the hope that I will retaliate in kind, thereby making their unreasonable actions justifiable.

Despite my anger and the fact that my daughter was scared to tears by the situation, I knew I had to keep my cool. I sat aside with my daughter taking down names of the personnel involved on my mobile phone. I was told to wait for another officer of a higher rank to decide on the matter, and I was still hoping whoever the higher ranked officer that was coming will have the logical thinking to acknowledge that what I had said to my daughter was a simple, harmless private conversation taken completely out-of-context.

At about 7.30pm , the Sergeant-in-charge, Amran Buang came. After I explained the full context of the incident to him, he refused to make a decision and decided to escalate it further to the Auxilary Police and State Police. He said that the word "bomb" is very sensitive and I should not have mentioned it twice. I explained to him that I did not know saying the word "bomb" is against the law, and I further explained that I did not say the word "bomb" in a threatening context to the officer, the word "bomb" was taken completely out of context as part of an answer to my daughter's question. Despite my explanation, he said he cannot make the decision and my case has to be escalated to higher authorities.

Meanwhile, at about 7.40pm, my son's visa cleared and my husband and my son came in through the customs. After knowing what had happened, my husband tried to talk to Sergeant Amran Buang, further explaining to him that we are just a family going on holiday and what I have said to my daughter had been taken out of context. Again, no one was bothered to listen.

And again, we were told to wait for another officer with an even higher ranking. With time ticking away and at 7.55pm with no sign of the higher authorities appearing, we knew then our hope of boarding our flight had diminished.

Whilst waiting, Stephen S Naidira (the security officer) gathered with a few security officers at the side, including Sivamalar to discuss how they should present their statement to the police when they arrive later to make sure that they are adequately covered, and that they are just following the rule and doing what they were told to do. They said by insisting that they are taking actions "by-the-book", they would be ok.

I hope by now you have a clear picture of the situation. My kids were both crying then, with more and more policemen arriving which scared the living daylights of them, and with no hope to continue our holiday plans. I believe every action inside the terminal is recorded and I would insist that your review the CCTV recordings on that night to know that I am only stating the truth without exaggeration. You can also see that during the entire episode, I was not at any point defiant or rude or refused any further check by the officers, despite the infuriating situation that me and my family were put through.

I know it is important to stay vigilant to protect Singapore . I have young children, I know how important it is, which is why I complied without complaining when I had to remove my boots for scanning. However, here is an obvious case of the security officers trying to get away with their rudeness and aggressiveness by taking things way beyond what was necessary, in the name of following the security protocol. They were really angry when I asked for their names from Mr. Ricky Lim, and they knew very well then that they can abuse their power to make things very difficult for me and my family.

At around 8.05pm, we were informed by the Tiger Airways personnel that the plane will have to depart and they will off-load our luggage from the plane. At around 8.10 p.m., the State Police and other policemen arrived to take our statement.

In the entire episode, the State Police and the SWISS PORT personnel were the only ones who conducted themselves professionally and offered us consolation and meaningful advice. They have also at some stages expressed their personal views that they acknowledged this incident was gravely mis-handled on the part of the security officers. The State Police further confirmed that there is no case against us, and they would just need to complete the paperwork.

The Budget Terminal manager came to meet me and said that whilst he empathized with our situation, it is an airport security protocol and frankly, it's "just too bad" that this happened to us.

My statement and my daughter's statement only completed at about 10.45p.m. The counter service staff, Ms Nur Aisah Bte Ali Hassan was very helpful and advised us on our next steps. She was kind enough to ask us to return the next day to change the traveling dates and advised the additional charges involved.

I am not given a report for this case, but my case number with the State Police is P/20070309/0015. I was already told by the State Police that the case is closed without further action.

For the ordeal that my family had been put through, I would want an official reply from CAAS and all relevant authorities addressing the following : -

Whether the security officers were trained to handle passengers with such bad attitude and rudeness and if such actions by them are condoned by authorities. I would insist you to refer to the CCTV recordings during the period of the incident.

What actions would be taken by CAAS and all relevant authorities with reference to both the security officers, Mr. Stephen S Naidira and Ms. Sivamalar, for their unruly behavior and attitude? Surely, characters as such do not belong to a national airport that aspired to be a world class traveling hub.

What actions would be taken by CAAS and all relevant authorities with reference to Sergeant Amran Buang, who had the authority to end this episode promptly, but instead decided to prolong our ordeal for no justifiable cause? Is it a protocol that even after establishing the facts that we, as a family poses no security threat, there is still a need to escalate the matter to the authority and have the State Police and other policemen carry out a full investigations only to end up in vain?

Why is it that even at level of Sergeant, whom I reckon is better educated, experienced, and able to make logical sense of the whole situation, refuse to make a simple decision and end our ordeal quickly? Is this a Singapore civil service practice where decision making is pushed and shoved from one level to another no matter how obvious what the final decision should be from the very beginning?

Whether all the officers concern are properly trained and competent to handle such situation. Besides hardware ( i.e. the protocol book), are they taught to apply the software ( i.e. common senses)? Is it really a protocol that as long as the word "bomb" is mentioned twice by a person (once being asked to repeat by the officer) – then no matter what context, tone, situation and profile of the person who said it, it would not be taken into consideration? What if my daughter instead of asking me a simple question about my shoes, decided to say: "mummy, according to news report, there are speculations that the recent Indonesian air crash may be attributed to a bomb inside the plane." Would your security officer would come up to her and ask her to repeat one more time, and she would be put under arrest? Your staff kept telling me that saying the word "bomb" in the airport is illegal and I can go to jail. They quoted newspaper examples of how people have gone to jail because of that. I think your staffs need to be trained to understand and differentiate situations and circumstances.

As far as I knew, the people that went to jail had VERBALLY THREATENED staff members in the aviation service or had DELIBERATELY caused public alarm using sensitive words. My case was clearly none of the above. Even if, I am saying if, indeed its illegal to mention the word "bomb" in the airport no matter what context, the person involved need to be warned ahead of time. You cannot arrest a person for committing something illegal when the person has no idea that the word is illegal in the first place. Your staff could have given me a verbal warning to say that such sensitive words should be refrained in the airport and I would have walk away remembering the warning. But instead, they decide to let the matter escalate further.

Who is to compensate for the expenses that are already incurred and forfeited for this trip, and our emotional stress and duress during the entire episode? The total cost incurred, including air tickets, accommodation, and land tours amount to about $4,200. We had to put up with hours of humiliation with more than twenty policemen and officials surrounding us, questioning us, checking our luggage through and through. We had put up with never-ending questioning from different departments, and best of all, repeated checks on my same pair of boots. My kids were terrified, puzzled, disappointed and exhausted from this entire ordeal. My husband and I are left with one week of applied leave and no vacation and holiday to look forward to.

I would like to state that not everyone that we came across in this episode had been unpleasant. I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the empathy shown by the State Police and the SWISS PORT personnel.

I will be waiting for your reply. Please let me know when to expect it in email. In the mean time, I may seek legal advice for my rights and entitlement in this incident.

Yours sincerely

Sandra Tan Hong Lian

What Do You Find Most Inspiring About Nature?

I've been subscribing the newsletter from Charity Focus for quite a while now and find them really inspirational and provoking at times. Though I must admit I didn't really read them all but I really love their quotes (as I'm a quirky quotes collector) and the question they'll pose to make you think once in a while.

One of the article shared this time is from Ode Magazine about nature titled "Sustainable Extravagance". I must say it's quite a long article (erm ... I'm quite lazy in reading long articles) but it has a very interesting opening line - "Nature is nothing if not extravagant.", followed by the following statement - "Responding to unique local conditions, ants have evolved into nearly ten thousand species, several hundred of which can be found in the crown of a single Amazonian tree. Fruit trees produce thousands of blossoms—an astonishing abundance of blossoms—in order that another tree might germinate, take root, and grow."

It just makes me so amazed of how we have taken nature for granted all these while. We may not be the "green warriors" who are trying to save the earth by using everything organics and decompose our trash, but we tend to forget there were so many other living organisms that we overlook as we are too busy living our lives. We are so ignorant about the abundance of this earth that we think we are the only powerful species exists. Oh, how selfish.

As today's thought of the day asked in the newsletter - What do you find most inspiring about nature? It brought me to a mini write-up I've done inspired by a family member of mother earth who was once resided in my bathroom.

I love nature and everything in it. Some may be ugly (like the natural disasters) but some are really astounding (think of the views and produce we've been enjoying). Whatever they are I believe, if you look and listen close enough, nature tends to communicate in their own melodies. And you'll be surprised at the right time and right place, those messages will just be what you need at that point of time.

So, what do you find most inspiring about nature lately?
Don't forget to pay attention.

Beijing Olympic - 080808

What an eventful day, the 080808.

To us Chinese, it's a very auspicious day as we love number 8 for luck, prosperity, wealth or simply good fortune. The fact that China managed to secure today as the day they host Olympic game still awes me. Despite the negativity and threats they have faced, the show must still go on. And I'm glad they pulled through the opening ceremony part. I hope everything goes well till the end. All the best, China.

As I'm sitting here twisting my head once in a while as the opening ceremony is still going on, I can't help but be amazed with the shows they have put up in the beginning. Though I've missed quite a lot of it but I was so amazed with the preparations and the "dome" itself was spectacular. It's called the bird's nest? (Erm, I think) at night it just looks so magical. Seriously magical ... like I was being transported to another realm. It seems like that building has been there for the longest time.

And now, I'm enjoying all the countries parading their flags, costumes, pretty faces, athletes (who were busy taking photos or video taping the audiences), leaders of their countries, etc, I can't help but cheering on my own when my country showed up - Indonesia! I went WOO HOO and WAA HAA over them. And now I'm waiting for 2 more countries: China and Singapore. I love this crazy experience and I'm glad nobody is at home at the moment to witness this horrendous action of mine. :p

(120 teams have paraded and 85 to go as I am typing ... Crazyyyyy)

Seriously, this is the time I'm so proud to be Chinese. Well, I'm proud of my heritage all the time, every breath I take, but today, especially, I am prouder than usual. I am proud to be part of the big family of China or even though I am not holding Chinese passport but I feel blessed my ancestors have come from such a great country. How they ended up in Indonesia (and now I am in Singapore), is still a mystery. We may have our flaws, which country is perfect anyway, but I am dedicating my respect to all things Chinese today. It has given birth to Tao, Yin Yang, Feng Shui, compass, paper, Tai Chi, Qigong, cheap things (erm...), chinese cuisine, the language of hokkien, cantonese, hakka, teowchew, etc. Countless countless thing that as a Chinese myself, won't be able to grasp in just one lifetime.

Enough of my pride of being Chinese, I'd also like to address how I love it when in an event like Olympic opening ceremony, you'll see so many diversities and yet you have the feeling of unity. And the theme song which was sung by Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan managed to capture the essence of this event. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact lyrics but it's about how by just being in the same planet/world, we are already one family.

I hope on this auspicious date of the year, everyone will be filled with good luck and fortune. Let us appreciate our diversities and path a better way to unity.

May everyone have a little bit of Olympic spirit in this wonderful time of the year.

Boo!

I sincerely apologize for being missing for quite sometimes. Didn't realize that till I got some spanking to wake me up from my blogless world.

So here I am not fully charged yet but I shall write in this post what has been happening for the last few weeks.

The activities:

1. I took 8 days leave after long thought and some zen session with "a master"
   
2. I am loving my French lessons (it's my 6th week now), haven't felt so passionate about something for the longest time
   
3. I bought a Macbook on impulse (though I don't know how to use one at all)
4. I watched free jazz performance @ Esplanade on impulse
5. I test-drove a Suzuki Swift a day before my test
6. I passed my driving test and test-drove 2 more cars straight after that
   
7. I watched my friend performing live in a piano concert
8. I stood for almost 3 hours watching the dancing sky
9. I went to Bintan alone for 3 days 2 nights and even so, that's not enough
10. I went for mangrove and firefly tour and for a second thought I could just be ONE with the snakes and alligator in the river
11. I got myself right down muddy and dirty by riding the all-terrain bike (almost kiss the bushes too) then I went back and busy washing my shoes when all my life I've been avoiding to do that task! -.-"
12. I went snorkeling and even 2 hours in the sea under the hot sun till my skin peels (yes, still peeling!), still not enough to be amazed with mother nature. And I am glad I met Dory (not the dory fish but the Dory in Finding Nemo)
    
13. I witnessed when someone who has religion doesn't necessarily mean he/she knows how to be a decent human being (yes, even though he/she may be a leader in that religious arena)
    
14. I met up with my lovely student and found out we both love Gordon Ramsay and gonna save up to eat his cooking one day and pray very hard we both can get to meet him in person
15. I watched a French fairy tale which was made in the 70s - Peau D'ane - and realize it's not really a story for the children and the French was indeed artistic and creative and make me love the language even more
16. I experienced how priorities affect someone's behaviour with or without he/she realizes it
    
17. I attended a museum tour with a French curator who was explaining about the work of photographer, movie maker, etc - Alain Fleischer and totally at awed at his works
18. I drank beer and ale and pretended I was The Dark Knight from Batman in the wrongest way ever
19. I decided to go and watch Diana Krall concert in September. One of the most expensive ticket I've ever bought for concert and looking forward to it
    
20. I splurged on a bling2 (.... hmmm ...) how did that happen again? ... Well, I'm an Ah Beng, you see. So, kinda have the inclination towards things that are shiny
    
21. I had tough lectures and punches from my "master" as I've been "sleeping" for too long
22. I had a few mental shifts and attitude shifts
    
23. I had quite a few childish moments, literally and internally. Not so good but managed to de-clutter some of my mental blocks
24. I tried authentic Ipoh Old Town Coffee and it was heavenly
    

So, those are the activities, but what are my realizations from these period of my life?

1. Being impulsive is fun if it's properly thought through. Sounds ironic but well, who said you can't think to be impulsive?
2. Having a laptop is so heavenly for an self-proclaimed internet addict like me! Even though it may not be the lightest gadget around, it's still worth carrying that baby around every where. Though the hunt for power points can be sickening I'm glad my "Mac-qie Bebe" (Yep, that's the name of my Macbook haha) is empowered with very long lasting battery life. 5-6hours when he is in a very good mood. What more can I ask?
3. Any doses of arts can never do any harm to the soul. Be it a visual or auditory exhibits, it can never do anything wrong to your soul. Just make sure there's balance in everything.
4. I am falling in love and totally lost in French. Loving every moment of it.
5. I am constantly grateful I have the best teacher ever in opening the path of my baby steps in the French world. Thank you, Professeur Linda.
   
6. A "ME" time is a must. Nothing can compromise that. Nothing! A time solely and purely for yourself with your own thought is much more refreshing than any spa packages that I've ever experienced. Highly recommended.
7. Losing external things may not be that bad but when you lose yourself, you'd better buckle up.
8. Quoting from a friend a mine who didn't even realize she has shared an important wisdom is "Priority changes behaviour". Simple and yet profound. Though it was said due to an observations we made on someone else, I have found this wisdom absolutely useful even in my own life. Thank you, Lala, for your uncommon wisdom.
9. I realized Singapore has so many fun things to do and to your surprise, they are free too. What you need just an eye towards details and curiousity towards what's happening around you is definitely a must. Who said Singapore is small and boring? Then they haven't looked enough yet. God is in the details. (Oprah said one .... :p)
   
10. Never give in just because you want to accommodate or please people. If you are not happy in doing it, don't do it. It's your life, not others. No matter how ridiculous it is, just do and be it.
    
11. Drink lots of water, though in my case I need to go to the toilet so many times but I think water has an effect not only to your body but to your state of mind.
    
12. Be aware of your thoughts at all time ... not easy but it's a must

There may be much more that I haven't shared from all the experiences that I have gathered but so far I hope it's been a good summary.

It's 080808 now and I hope everyone will have a great auspicious day ahead.

Bon week-end!