We could go so far but sometimes, for the majority of us, I feel that it is a catch 22 – we are potential victims with the choices that we make.
Sometimes I dont understand why we can be so egoistical. That we would not seek help when we are in trouble. What is it that makes a person make decisions unfathomable to us, rather than to seek legitimate help? Is it because they are unaware of the help rendered?
And why is it that we can be so apathetic? That we would rather keep quiet and willingly let others take advantage of us. How did this happen? When did this happen? What is the root? I dont understand.
I believe in the law of attraction – we think of what we want to achieve and we can control our destiny. Of course, success would need effort on our part.
True, some of us may not be rich enough, or famous enough, or know the right people. But what would make me upset is that we dont at least try.
We could have so much potential.
We could have prodigies in our mist but even prodigies need to be nurtured. To spot out and nurture these talents, they will need the support of their environment.
Its a cycle really. What qualities are we imparting to our future generation? Is this the future that we want?
Last night, after our yoga session , my good friend Juli and I decided to have dinner together. During our dinner, I pointed out that the practises are getting more challenging and that most of the people in our yoga class are annoyingly skinny.
She quipped, “Leos gain weight the easiest!” (Juli and I were both Leos)
I looked at her with skepticism for some time. And she looked at me beamingly, “Its true!” But she didnt give me an explanation. I looked at my glass of water and was suddenly inspired.
Is it because our bodies are made up of 70 percent water? We all know that the moon causes tidal effects on the sea. When the moon turns one direction, it will cause the sea to go to high tide and vice versa.
Thus it is possible that it could effect our moods and also our weight.
I was also reminded of a book that I read in regards to a Japanese scientist, Dr Masaru Emoto. He believes that because our bodies has a capacity of water, human thoughts will affect a person, depending it be positive or negative.
A crystal formed with the words Love and Appreciation
Can it be possible that our constellation affect our weight gain? Hmm …
p.s Last evening, my host was down for four hours! I almost went ballistic. Calm down Marina, calm down … Ohm … Ohm … Ohm …
I think that this is a beautiful, beautiful gesture and this is the first I’ve ever seen done in the Singapore blogosphere. If you are free on the 2nd of September, please consider joining us 🙂
I dont like many high impact exercises. They are quite challening. I’m losing my joy in running. Doing aerobics with my mum (!) leaves me embarassingly half dead.
But I like yoga.
I like the fact that I am able to bend and reach and twist about. It makes me feel good. Yoga is about reaching out the best that you can but you never overexert yourself.
There’s something about yoga is sensual to me. Many of the poses and asanas are so sexy. This is one of them :
The above is called the pigeon pose. It looks challenging when I first saw it, but surprisingly, I was able to do it on the first try. I’m amazed that I’m actually more flexible than I thought I was!
I guess I’m naturally inclined to yoga. When I was a kid, we’d challenge each other to see who can bend their fingers the most. I realise then that I was able to bend it quite far.
I’d always scare cartcart by doing this :
He seems horrifed to see that, but it really doesnt hurt for me.
Its the second lesson for me at the Jurong East Sports stadium and Juli and I are really enjoying our workout so far. According to the weighing machine, I havent lost any weight, but I do feel healthier and stronger than before.
If you’re interested in yoga or any other type of sports, do join us at the sports complex. Its more affordable and is as profesional and fun as commercial ones 🙂
Here’s a quick video of one of my yoga sessions conducted at my workplace. Surely I’m not the only one who thinks yoga is sensuous 🙂
I was awarded the slackiest latecomer award. In my defence for being the last to arrive, it was an extremely rainy day and I didn’t want to risk having an accident on the road.
But I’m sorry that I didn’t get to meet new faces like Snowbiscuits, Nannywen, Shey, Yuhui and others as by the time I reached there, everyone was leaving the cafe already!
The remaining pingsters then ajourned to have dinner at Zamzam which I think serves one of the best murtabaks around. Whenever I go to Kampung Glam, I’d usually buy a packet or two of these delightful meat stuffed dough cooked over a flat pan.
Truly delightful! It’s a must get if you’re nearby. Here’s a quick video of us enjoying our dinner 🙂
Hi everyone, first of August is here again. Its my birthday! Time really flies by, doesnt it?
Previous years I’d be quite emo on this day, as every year means that I’d get closer towards the big 30, by then I’d imagine that I’d be a spinster, with no major accomplishments, left on the shelf, unwanted.
But these days, I dont even think about my age anymore. Even though I’m in my late 20s, I dont feel old. On the other hand, I feel thankful to have lived and experienced all the things that I’ve been through.
Most important of all, to have the wonderful people who came into my life who makes me feel beautiful, cared for and loved.
I am a long time admirer of Mr Lee ever since I’ve read his comics from the Sunday times. Mr Lee is a truly witty, funny and talented comic artist. I still remember back in 1997, when he still hosted his cartoons in Singnet. Then for about 2 years ago, he started his own blog and I was really engaged by his comics.
Mr Lee is a very talented man and enjoy reading his creations.
2. Bubblemunche
I stumbled upon his blog in early 2005 and was hooked on it since. He was a really funny guy. His entries ranges from all sorts of topics. Some of the memorable and touching one was the one to ‘Boon Lay girl from a Pasir Ris guy’ which I found incredibly sweet. I’d always secretly wish that the guy will get the girl in the end.
I guess we wouldn’t find out the ending as he has stopped blogging at about mid 2005 🙁
I only got to know her after she nominated an article about me and Cartcart for tomorrow.sg. How she stumbled onto my blog, I still have no idea.
Mari is one of the most sweetest person’s that I am blessed to know online. She exudes calmness and is beautiful, inside and out. I enjoy reading her thought provoking posts.
Sha is a talented guy with many merits. He’s a funny blogger, he is shrewd and has the know-hows on making money on the internet. He has a really fit and toned body but most of all, he is a decent, humble and down to earth guy.
It’s not hard to like him.
5. Reversed Edge
Ridzuan was a friend of Juli’s and I got to know about his blog through her. His blog was deep, profound and thought provoking. He would write about a multitude of things about life, about reverberations and I looked forward to reading his next entry.
Why he closed his blog, still remains a mystery to me.
I got to know about him while we were at a Secondlife meet and I find him an interesting, intelligent and thougtful person. It’s amazing to find out at such a young age, he was teaching for a Polytechnic.
Even in her 50’s, my mum is an exercise buff. Since being interested in exercise some years back, she is now currently participating in various activites, such as line dancing, kebaya-robics and conducting an aerobics class herself!
Now that she’s already completed her Basic Exercise Course, she is currently persuing her Advanced Exercise Course that will make her a qualified aerobics trainer. Wow! I really admire her determination.
That makes me reflect about myself.
This is me at 12 years old
I used to be a really skinny kid. For years, I’ve been pretty much that way. I’d enjoy my daily run in the Jurong Lake Park.
This is me at about 22 years old
But since I’ve started working, I’ve really neglected myself. I don’t exercise at all and it shows. Clothes that were loose some years back, are really very snug now. Some of which, were deemed as inappropriate by my mum that she actually threw it away!
My weight in 2005. I’m 65kg now.
Sometimes I look at myself and I wonder how I got so large. (Ok, so I binge eat a lot) Back in school, I’d never go more than 50 kilograms. Nowadays, I’d be lucky if I dont tip the 65kg mark. Lets face it, I’m almost overweight.
But the truth is, it does get depressing when trying to buy new clothes, finding that you need several size larger than what you normally used to wear.
It is even worse now that I feel more lethargic than have ever felt before. I can’t do 2.4 km without gasping of air. Just climbing up the stairs will leave me panting.
Just on Monday, after having dinner with some of the ping.sg gang, I was so tired, that I dropped my scooter and almost couldn’t concentrate on the road.
This is bad.
Luckily for me, I have my mum for guidance. Even my good friend Juli is asking me to join her for Hatha Yoga. At least with friends, they give you some form of motvation. Hopefully it won’t be so bad after all.
Just signed up for the course at the newly opened Jurong West Sports Complex and was just astounded at how lovely the place was. I explored the building and I found the place to be as posh as a country club.
The view from the gym and the dance hall was really picturesque. In the distance, you can see bungalows and a temple, all surrounded by trees.
And I don’t even have to pay that much for attending a course here as the sports complex is government funded. 12 sessions is about $76. I think that’s more affordable than a commercial one.
I think I will like it here.
p.s I don’t believe in diet pills and I don’t intend to take it.
One of the reason in my visiting Cartcart was to give him a form of ‘hand holding’ in introducing him to Islam. We left home early on Wednesday to head visit one of the largest mosque in Rome. It was open to visitors only from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.
It was a very large place. We tried going there yesterday, but surprisingly, there were less than 5 people there and it didnt seem that there was anyone who could help us.
This time round, we were able to have an appointment with the ustadz. We waited about half an hour at the lounge area and I smiled at Cartcart. There were a lot of thoughts running through my mind. I was nervous and at the same time, raring to start the first step to overcome one of our first hurdles.
When we were called in, we walked across the corridor and entered the ustadz’s office. I saw a young lady with a head-dress, one stout looking man in office clothes whom I found out later was a translator and finally the ustadz himself in his robe.
“What can I do for you, sister?”
It was interesting to me as the ustadz was from Saudi Arabia, and he was able to speak in English but not in Italian, hence, the need for the translator. But we were all able to speak in English, there wasn’t any problems.
We spoke of conversion, he gave us a booklet pertaining the information. We spoke of marriage procedures, he asked me where I was from, then told us that I will need to have an official national marriage certificate and then have a ceremony in the mosque itself. Then I asked him if there were any courses on understanding Islam like the Darul Arqam, he said no, but he will give cartcart a contact on someone whom he could consult with.
We talked a for a little more, and then said our goodbyes later.
Cart and I both knew that there were alot of tasks in front of us. But I felt slightly better, now that at least we’ve started the first step. We looked at each other and promised that we will make it work.
Cartcart was adamant to cook some Asian food. On our way to his parents house, we stopped by a place called the Ricercaterre where food items from around the world were sold.
I saw some interesting items and recognized a few food stuff there, like the popular Meiji Panda biscuits, Dorito chips and Nissin instant noodles. But there wasn’t that much of variety of Singaporean daily foodstuff though. I dont think that I could get a dose of home here. Where can I have my daily Roti Prata and Nasi Lemak?
As this area is in a tourist spot, and you could see many different types of nationalities here, strolling and relaxing in the summer afternoon.
I liked looking at the buildings around here. As it has been around for a long time, the buildings looked rustic and full of character. I was even lucky to see a building with my name on it! 🙂
Beside Ricercaterre, there is a place called the Castroni which I liked to visit. Inside the shop is full of goodies like chocolates and sweets. Each time I visit, I’d be sure to get a bag of Gianduiotto chocolates and a box of Cremini Fiat. It’s really delightful!
The first thing that hits you as you enter the shop is the wonderful aroma of freshly made coffee. There is one area where you could buy ground coffee or have a cuppa. Mmm! Wonderful smell!
The biscuit display and the chocolate display alone was alluring enough to make my heart stop and my mouth water!
By the way, this is my current wallpaper 😀
A funny incident happened in Castello which made it memorable. I accidentally bumped into a Chinese guy and we both simultaneously said “sorry!”. Immediately I knew that he was Singaporean. It’s a typical Singaporean gesture, I think.
We took some time over at the area till Cart’s mum called him up and complained, “What’s taking you guys so long? The food is getting cold!” We rushed and then finally reached Cart’s parents house about 20 minutes later.
I have to admit that I was quite nervous meeting them again. They are future in laws after all and I do worry about what they think of me. We entered the house and I gingerly stepped and peeked in.
The only sounds I heard was from the apartment was the television. “Where’s everyone?” I asked Cartcart. And thats when his mum and dad came out of the room. His mum kissed me left and right while his dad shook my hand.
I mustered the miniscule amount of Italian that I knew
“Buon Giorno! Come stai?”
They replied back to me, speaking in rapid Italian. I looked at their face smiling, trying to fit the jigsaw puzzle with the bits that I can understand.
They were very nice to me. We had lunch together and over minestrone, they were pertinent and asked me some questions. Like how my dad was doing, how I liked the food they made (of course I liked it! Complimenti al cuoco!), how I liked my stay here.
We spent some time later relaxing on the sofa and watched TV. Cart’s dad wanted to rest for a while, while Cartcart joined his mum in making an espresso.
He came back with a cup of espresso and sat down beside me and held my hand while we were watching TV. I smiled sheepishly every time his mum walks in the room every now and then. It was hilarious that I am a grown woman and I still feel very self conscious.
Sometime later we said our goodbyes, and I waved to his mother as we closed the elevator door.
Cartcart : How do you feel?
Me : I’m fine, still a bit nervous
Cartcart : (Jokingly) Why? Were they mean to you?
Me: Of course not!
Cartcart : Mum was very nice to you. I think she likes you
Me : Do you really think so? Wow!
After the visit to his parents, we decided to stop by Gianicolo.
Gianicolo is a special place for the both of us. Cart took me here for the first time back in 2005 and we’ve made it a point to visit this place each time I was in Italy. Gianicolo was elevated, from here you can see many monuments such as the Vittorio Emanuele II below.
There’s a little gelateria in Gianicolo where we’d have ice cream and relax while just enjoying the view. I can still recognize the guy who is serving ice cream from since I first came here in 2005.
I remember an incident last year while cart and I were in Gianicolo in the evening. We were standing by the lighthouse admiring the view and lights of the monuments below when a bus stopped by the roadside and out streamed a bus-full of tourists snapping pictures with flash (!) at the scenery. I was stunned. They left as immediately as they came.
We headed to Larchetto Due again for a lovely and sumptious dinner. This time I tried having the salmone pasta while Cartcart had a variation of arrabbiata – Instead of chilli, it uses bell peppers. It was really delightful. I liked cart’s pasta better though, as it was tomato based. 🙂
The place was less lively today with no man playing the guitar and children with balloons. So it was a quieter dinner for us. It was still a lovely night, but in a way, I guess it was a reflection of what I felt.
Today’s experience was overwhelming to me. The visit to the mosque, the meet with the future in-laws. Cart even mentioned to me that he doesn’t want me to become a cleaner.
Suddenly something jolted inside and everything seemed more real to me. I may actually have to stay in Italy. Have a job in Italy. Spend my life in Italy. What on earth can I work as here? Can I really leave my present life?
In Rome, there is a bridge called the Ponte Milvio. Its a charming place where you can see see loads of lamp posts heavily laden with locks.
There seems to be a custom here whereby you take a lock, write your name and your sweetheart’s name, hang it on the lamp post and throw away the key in the Tiber River.
I first knew about this place when I stumbled upon Shelley’s blog and I became really curious about the place. Cart and I were along the way and decided to take a look. We stopped for grattachecca before heading to the bridge.
When we reached the bridge, there was a tv crew resting by the benches – I saw them interviewing some couples beforehand.
It was impressive to see the amount of locks on the lamp post. There were some lamp posts which were so overladen with locks, I wondered how the posts were able to hold up!
Cart told me this funny story about how there were so many locks in one particular lamp post that it broke under the weight and fell into the river below. Initially, it was suggested that the locks and lamp post be thrown away, but there were alot of people who got upset about it. Finally the governer decided to keep it in his office as a mark of respect.
Its quite a different experience to have the sun set at such a late time since in Singapore, the sun always sets at about 7pm. Cartcart took me to a place called La Rotonda for dinner.
Its a nice place, you enter an African themed area with nice looking decor :
We had a seat facing the sea and in my mind, I was thinking of how romantic is was being here. And for the first time, it struck to me that I was actually on a date with cartcart. Hehehehe!
Perhaps the stop to Ponte Milvio brought out the romance after all 😉
However the food here was just meh. Although we enjoyed our appetizer, I didnt quite like my tonnarelli with lobster. The pasta was too hard and tough to be considered as al dente. And the lobster was tiny! For 21 euros (thats about $42 singapore dollars) one would expect that it would taste good. I felt so bad that I wanted to pay my share for the dinner. It was just unsatisfying.
Gah!
We went back home after dinner and on our way back, cartcart tells me that we may be stopping by his parents place. Last year, I was quite embarassed that I was not fluent enough to converse with them. I wondered how it will go this time.
Hi everyone, first of August is here again. Its my birthday! Time really flies by, doesnt it?
