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The day of empowerment

Just yesterday, I was helping Vai with a powerpoint presentation that he needed help in. Vai was a classmate from Jurong Institute.

Me : What? So simple like this also you dont know?

Vai : $*&$*(&@$!

Me : Be nice. You’re at my mercy now. I can dont help you if I want to!

Vai : Ok ok … I’ll buy you pizza.

Me : Hey, I wanna tell you something shocking after this.

Vai : What? What is it? Tell me now. Please? Now I’m so curious. Is it about you? Tell me lah, wait, you’ll forget.

Me : Nope, you’ll have to wait.

During the powerpoint, Vai started to drum on the table. It was impressively fast!

[audio:vaidrumming.mp3]

Me : Hey you got to teach me how to do that

vai : It takes practise, you got to tap your fingers one by one slowly and then progress from there.

Me : How come you dont practise the tabla?

Vai : Those takes years to master and it uses all 5 fingers including the pinky. I just want to drum tables.

At length we were done with the powerpoint presentation.

Me : (jokingly) Now we’re done! Now get out! Get out of my house!

Vai : What? You toot you!

Me : So now I can tell you the surprise! (Hands him a helmet) I’m taking you home

Vai : Oh. My. Goodness! You have a bike? I’m so jealous. I’ve been trying for ages to get a motorcycle license.

We walked to the carpark and I showed him the scooter. After I started the scooter, he jumped in and the scooter was so unstable! I think I underestimated his weight and started to wobble and was not able to balance. I wasnt used to it that we nearly dropped the scooter at the junction.

But after that it was smooth sailing, I adjusted the way I was riding and Vai stopped fidgeting and rested comfortably at the back.

And luckily for me, We arrived in one piece. Vai thanked me profusely and we said our goodbyes.

Oh how I felt so empowered! A girl taking a guy home? On a motorcycle? Maybe its getting more common but at that point of time, I felt like wonderwoman 🙂

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Celebrating National Day at Shuqun Secondary School

Today we celebrate Singapore’s 41st year of independence, and I breathe a moment of respite from a day off work.

I had a rather nice day yesterday. The school where I was attached to had a celebration. It started off with a marching parade. With the colour party holding on to the flag and ready for the march in.

The colour party

Guards of honour

Marching in parade

As the band plays along

After the parade, the students were given cards which were directions to go to their respective stations. Some went to the ‘learning stations’ where the activities reflected about Singapore and her people.

Like this Henna decoration which is commonly done by the Malays and the Indians. Isn’t this gorgeous? Just look at her intricate design.

This is supposed to be Rangoli, a traditional Indian art made of coloured rice that decorates the entrance of the house.

And this is a stick game where you’re supposed to move a stick one by one without moving the other sticks. I used to play this alot as a kid 🙂

I suppose this is another version of 5 stones? A really old school game that I haven’t seen anyone play for ages.

Down below in the canteen, a whole hubhub of activities. Bazaar games by the students and well loved pasar malam (night market) wares.

These girls are selling adorable clips and paraphernalia. I couldn’t help but to buy some. Isn’t it cute? 🙂

These girls are buying custom made keyrings.

And these girls are selling Nasi Lemak. Coconut Rice! Mmm! A delight, morning, afternoon or night time!

The cotton candy almost gave me grief. I didn’t realise how sticky and how easily it melts … It almost ruined my precious camera. It made my flash stuck and wouldnt open when I pressed the button and when I saw an error message on the display, it almost gave me a heart attack.

But cotton candy are such a staple in my childhood. I’d have one every time there was a carnival or a night market going on, with pink clouds in my hands.

This lady is from the Parent Support Group and she was selling this drink called the ‘Red Ruby’. Oh my … it was heaven I tell you. It’s made of crunchy coconut, jellies of different colour, sago seeds and fresh coconut cream and it tasted like creamy nectar of the Gods.

I loved it so much that I didn’t realise till late that someone took a picture of me drinking it.

Wht r u doing?!?!

Lovely day. I loved the whole atmosphere. One could really feel the radiation of happiness and excitement exuded by others. 🙂

So what will you be doing on national day?

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Scootering : The week after

Its been a week since I’ve got my ride and life is good. I’m slowly getting used to the roads and slowly getting a little more confident in parking at public places.

First few days wasnt like that though. I kept turning to the wrong junction and then rode round and around the area wondering where the heck I was. Actually I still get lost till now, but the good thing about Singaporean roads is that there are prominent signs everywhere around the major roads that you will eventually get your bearings again.

When I arrived at my workplace with my scooter, the look of the guard, Mr Singh, was priceless! His mouth was literally agape.

Mr Singh : Marina! You’re riding?!?!

Me : Yes!

Mr Singh : When you were telling me that you were getting a bike, I thought you were joking!

Me : Heh heh heh

There were many people who were surprised that I could ride – Teachers and students alike. Even my classmates at night class were in disbelief.

Classmate : Goodnight Marina

Me : Goodnight! (walks to scooter)

Classmate : Huh? Where are you going? Arent you going to take the bus?

Me : Nope, I’m taking the scooter

Classmate : You’re joking right!

Me : No lah. I really am taking the scooter.

Classmate : But .. But … You’re wearing a skirt!

I think there’s nothing wrong with wearing a skirt while riding. The scooter is designed in a way that there is a free area to rest your legs in front, unlike regular bikes that require you to sit with legs apart. Thats what makes a Vespa popular choice with women.

At the same time, being females on bikes, bring along unwanted attention.

I was riding along night class and there were a two men on a bike teasing about the way I ride, “Way go go sis! Go on behind the car!”, they shouted while they continued to snake along in the traffic.

Yesterday, while I was on my way home from the highway and stopping at the red light, I saw a man in a lorry, first looking in surprise and then he waved and smiled at me!

Even after parking my scooter at the commercial center, IMM, I heard cheering and whistling from the construction workers. And I looked around to see what they were cheering at. I finally found out that they were cheering for me.

So wierd.

But I’m really loving my new baby 🙂 She’s just magnificent and wonderful and stylish and smooth. Really wonderful 🙂

*smooch!*

The only negative thing about it for the moment is that I think that the fumes from the exhaust pipes are bringing my immune level down. I’ve started to sniffle, have sore throat and random migranes. Maybe its the flu season upon us again.

Not so pleasant.

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The Korean Reporters

A group of men from the Korean News came over to Shuqun Secondary, the school where I was attached to. They were reporters, doing a coverage of the school.

I guess it was largely because of the wide participation of the school in inviting many guests from different countries like Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, USA and others.

Or maybe it was because of the students’ large contribution to the school such as the beautiful gardens and organic farm that we have here.

In either way, it was really exciting for me to see the press.

I could even be on Korean TV!

Heh heh heh

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What I’d like for my birthday

Uh oh. Guess whose birthday it is today 😐

There comes a point of time when you stop wanting to celebrate and hang on tenatiously to your current age.

I wonder what it will be like when I finally hit the magic 30?

— Updated —

I guess I could ask for some presents like an LCD monitor to replace my CRT one or Creative Vision M.

But at the moment, one small gift that would be greatly appreciated would be for your help in helping out for the Lebanese Cause. Any form of contribution, manpower, food supply or donation will be greatly appreciated.

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Hungry Ghost Festival

As I walked back home from my night class, there were many people by the roadside lighting up joss sticks and burning of paper.

The hungry ghost festival is here again.

The Chinese Buddhists Taoists believe that during this month, the gates of hell opens up and the spirits of the dead goes back to earth to seek food and visit their living relatives.

There’s not much to eat in hell. Thus on this month, you will see plates of buns, cakes and fruits left by the roadside. You will also see people burning articles, like hell money, even paper version of television and shirts as they believe that these articles will materialize for their deceased loved ones.

Its was rather somber atmosphere but at the same time, eerily peaceful as the wind gently caressed my face.

Will I still be remembered when I am gone?

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Racial Harmony

Last friday, the 21st July, the school where I worked at celebrated Racial Harmony day. I saw many students and teachers decked in beautiful and colourful costumes – the Malay baju kurongs or the Indian Sherwani and Saris, and a few Chinese Cheongsams.

As I admired their lovely costumes, and smiled at the laughing and chattering students, I reflect back and visualise what happened on this same day about 40 years ago.

Though I wasnt there to witness it, I could picture it in my mind. Especially when I see a photograph, its easy for me to immerse myself in the atmosphere, and to see, to hear and even feel what was going on.

The racial riots of 1964. 36 people dead. 556 injured. Needless deaths and injuries due to the lack of understanding between different races and propagated with much hatred between the Chinese and the Malays.

The Maria Hertogh riots is another haunting event that must never be forgotten. A simple adoption between a Dutch and a Malay, to turn out with a riot with many injured and deaths.

May we hope and pray that nothing like this should ever happen for our future.

I feel Racial Harmony day should transcend from just the wearing of traditional clothes to the deeper appreciation of the freedom and liberty we have now.

But one question nags my mind. If we emphasized so much on race, does that make us racist?

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Why Siti?

Siti Nurhaliza, 27, a prominent Malaysian artist is to wed businessman, Datuk Khalid Mohammad Jiwa, 47, on the 21st August 2006. Siti says that she is attracted to him because of his love towards his children.

Question

If he truely loves his children, would he divorce his previous wife so readily and get into the new marriage just a month or two after the divorce?

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Bad incident at the swimming pool

It has been a while since I went swimming. About 5 years I think. So many changes in the Jurong East Swimming Pool.

I noticed that there were more ladies in bikinis compared to the last time where all of us would be in one piece suits. At the same time, I noticed that there were some ladies in full swimgear attire that covered their entire arms and legs, something like a diving gear.

On the increase were the amount of people sporting tattoos on their bodies. I can’t help but think how those tattoos will look like in 20 years time, when the bodies will sag and not be youthful any more.

I finally went to the pool under the persuasion of my sister

“Along! Why haven’t we been going to the pool for so long?”

“Shall we go swimming this weekend?”

“I want to go swimming!”

I started swimming since I was a kid. I think it was instinctive when everyone went in the sea and I did what seemed natural to me. But I stopped swimming ever since I had the notion that I was really unlucky at the pool.

When I was a teenager, there was the time when I went up the water-slide. It was about 3 storey high and had water flowing from the sides. We were supposed to sit and hold on to the board tightly while sliding down.

At the first go, it was thrilling and exciting. I wanted to go again!

So I did, and I lay on the board and swooshed down the slide ala superman. Unfortunately for me, the board gave way and the water flow pushed against my swimsuit, pushing my top down all the way to my chest.

It was embarrassing!

I felt my face burn as the guard, the swimmers and the people who happened to pass by the end of the slide tried to act nonchalant at the sight.

But what made me really stop was the bad incident at the swimming pool where I was hassled by a group of men. Even when I shouted at them, telling them to stop, they kept on hassling me. With no guards in sight, I couldn’t seek for help.

I left as immediately as I could. At the time, I didn’t even had the thought of reporting it to he authorities. I just needed to get away.

But I guess, I had to end my mini phobia of the pool someday. So I went with my sis and bro, and insisted that we stay together the whole time.

We had a relaxing drift on our buoys around the ‘lazy-river’ and then bopped up and down in the ‘wave-pool’ and even went up those 5-storey-high tunnel-slide things.

Even though I got breathless trying to swim the first 1/2 lap at the Olympic sized pool and had to stop many times, I’m rather pleased with myself for managing to complete five laps.

I think I’m slowly getting used to it. Maybe we could even go swimming again. And maybe I could do many laps without stopping, like before!

But at this point of time, I’ve got this incredible itch all over my body since yesterday.

Blame it on the chlorine.

Oww… Oww .. Owww …

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Fat?

I saw my colleague and she said

“Marina! Look at your tummy! You’ve gone fat!”

I meet up with my friend and she commented

“You’ve put on weight!”

Even mum teased me

“Looks like I’M the slim one now!”

I know that I’ve gained quite a fair bit of weight …

BUT!

I’m still gorgeous

Fantabulous

And smashing bay-bah!

For those who dont like it … I just got one thing to say