My female owner watched the best movie she ever watched in a long time today - Kite Runner. It's based on the same book by Afghanistan author, Khaled Hosseini. It's probably the only time where she read the book and watched the movie.
Go watch it. Read the book too.
You won't regret it.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
remark
There's a cleaning lady who comes every alternate Wednesday to clean the house. She would also give the Balcony a good scrub. In order to do that, she has to get us out of the way, so she would put us in a super big container for the whole day. (Keep us out of harm's way!)
A close-up of us in the big container. Nanook looking sad after the remark. That's Dona's sexy butt.
Some pictures of us in the big container. We tend to stack on one another - trying to find a way out..
This is Dodo on top of Nanook and me.
This is Dona. Despite his small size, he managed to tower over all of us!
Me resting on top of Nanook and Dodo. Dona is in the corner. 
Me finally managed to rest on all my siblings. They love me, don't they? 
Me resting on top of Nanook and Dodo. Dona is in the corner. Me finally managed to rest on all my siblings. They love me, don't they? 
For the first time today, the cleaning lady made a comment about Nanook to my female owner. She told my female owner that "that fat one" is very "ill-mannered" coz she, being so big, sits on top of the small turtle (aka Dona). Nanook was upset at this remark. Personal attack, she insisted.
A close-up of us in the big container. Nanook looking sad after the remark. That's Dona's sexy butt.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
stalled
Another precious part of my female owner's life stalled today - the aikido part. She attended her final lesson in Singapore. It was easier to bear than expected. Previously, she teared quite badly at the farewell dinner her aikido friends arranged for her. And that was at the mere reminder that she would not be able to train with one of them after the following Tuesday as the friend would be gone for holidays until my female owner leaves. When that Tuesday came, my female owner teared again after class, when that friend stood next to her, coz she knew it was that the last time they would train together.
I guess my female owner has succeeded in building a thick wall of defense around her. So although she knew that logically she should feel sad, emotionally, she had conquered her sadness and sense of loss.
Or was it just a weak facade?
The final lesson was not as unceremonious as the last flute lesson or her last day at work though. Her beloved aikido instructor called her out at the end of class to ukemi (i.e. attack him, so that she would receive the techniques) him, using the attacking technique which she is most afraid of (she always get scolded when executing that move). After being thrown around by him, her aikdio instructor presented her with a gift (very sweet of him, coz he had earlier played a big part in the farewell party). At the end of class, he took a class photo and despite her being more junior than other women (photo-taking for aikido classes also has a senior-to-junior/ women kneel in front arrangement protocol), got her to sit close to him, as he regarded her as a "guest".
I guess my female owner has succeeded in building a thick wall of defense around her. So although she knew that logically she should feel sad, emotionally, she had conquered her sadness and sense of loss.
Or was it just a weak facade?
The final lesson was not as unceremonious as the last flute lesson or her last day at work though. Her beloved aikido instructor called her out at the end of class to ukemi (i.e. attack him, so that she would receive the techniques) him, using the attacking technique which she is most afraid of (she always get scolded when executing that move). After being thrown around by him, her aikdio instructor presented her with a gift (very sweet of him, coz he had earlier played a big part in the farewell party). At the end of class, he took a class photo and despite her being more junior than other women (photo-taking for aikido classes also has a senior-to-junior/ women kneel in front arrangement protocol), got her to sit close to him, as he regarded her as a "guest".
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
class 1 pest
Can you believe it? The place where my female owner is going declared red-eared slider turtle (aka my siblings and I) as Class 1 pest under the Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002. It is an offence to sell or to keep these animals without a permit, attracting fines of up to $60 000. It is also an offence to release a Class 1 animal into the natural environment.
This is certainly a cultural shock. I didn't know we are so hated! Here's what one website said about us.
Trachemys scripta elegans
The red-eared slider is a freshwater turtle with a distinctive red stripe behind the eyes, which fades as the animal ages. The turtles have many narrow stripes on the shell, and males have extremely long, narrow claws.
Like all exotic turtles, the red-eared slider retracts its head straight back into the shell (our native turtles wrap their heads around to the side of the shell). Red-eared slider turtles grow to around 30cm in length, although hatchlings may only be about the size of a fifty-cent piece.
The turtles have a life span of around 40 years, and are prolific breeders. After a single mating, female turtles can continue to lay up to 70 fertile eggs per year for five years.
A native of the Mississippi Valley area of the United States, the turtle is now a well-established problem in many parts of the world. It has been nominated among 100 of the ‘World's Worst’ invaders by the World Conservation Union, and is considered a major threat to biodiversity.
The turtle is very aggressive, and will out-compete native species for food and space in our waterways and lake systems. Large specimens can inflict a painful bite.
The turtle has few natural predators in Australia and is a Class 1 declared pest animal. If you think you have seen one of these turtles, or have one in your possession, please contact the Department of Natural Resources and Water on 1800 999 367.
The website even ended with a Red-eared slider turtle warning brochure! This is so painful. We are certainly not aggressive and we don't bite!
Boo hoo hoo. Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'm going to eat some worms...
This is certainly a cultural shock. I didn't know we are so hated! Here's what one website said about us.
Trachemys scripta elegans
The red-eared slider is a freshwater turtle with a distinctive red stripe behind the eyes, which fades as the animal ages. The turtles have many narrow stripes on the shell, and males have extremely long, narrow claws.
Like all exotic turtles, the red-eared slider retracts its head straight back into the shell (our native turtles wrap their heads around to the side of the shell). Red-eared slider turtles grow to around 30cm in length, although hatchlings may only be about the size of a fifty-cent piece.
The turtles have a life span of around 40 years, and are prolific breeders. After a single mating, female turtles can continue to lay up to 70 fertile eggs per year for five years.
A native of the Mississippi Valley area of the United States, the turtle is now a well-established problem in many parts of the world. It has been nominated among 100 of the ‘World's Worst’ invaders by the World Conservation Union, and is considered a major threat to biodiversity.
The turtle is very aggressive, and will out-compete native species for food and space in our waterways and lake systems. Large specimens can inflict a painful bite.
The turtle has few natural predators in Australia and is a Class 1 declared pest animal. If you think you have seen one of these turtles, or have one in your possession, please contact the Department of Natural Resources and Water on 1800 999 367.
The website even ended with a Red-eared slider turtle warning brochure! This is so painful. We are certainly not aggressive and we don't bite!
Boo hoo hoo. Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'm going to eat some worms...
a mother's love
It's time to talk about my female owner's mother. She is the sole reason why my female owner is able to take the giant leap of faith, resign from her job (instead of waiting for her company to sponsor her study and be bonded for three years) and pursue her dream of being able to study overseas and obtain postgraduate qualifications.
Her mother is the main sponsor of her current exploit. More than S$100k (not counting opportunity cost) would be needed to see my female owner through these two years and her mother, in her usual gungho style, told her many times that "you just go and study, I can support you".
M: Girl, I don't want you to suffer, so even if the rent is expensive, just take it. You must stay in a good place.
FO: It's ok, I can make do with less.
M: Don't worry, money can be earned back. You just need to be willing to work hard next time.
FO: But I scared I don't do well and disappoint you.
M (with surprised look): You don't have to do well, just need to pass only.
FO: HUH?
M: Yah, just pass the course, do well means get distinction. People say once graduate already, the child should support herself, but I feel its my responsibility to support you all the way. I am willing to sacrifice, be stingy on myself so that you can have enough. Just pray for my good health, so that I can continue working.
A mother's love, nothing else comes close.
Her mother is the main sponsor of her current exploit. More than S$100k (not counting opportunity cost) would be needed to see my female owner through these two years and her mother, in her usual gungho style, told her many times that "you just go and study, I can support you".
M: Girl, I don't want you to suffer, so even if the rent is expensive, just take it. You must stay in a good place.
FO: It's ok, I can make do with less.
M: Don't worry, money can be earned back. You just need to be willing to work hard next time.
FO: But I scared I don't do well and disappoint you.
M (with surprised look): You don't have to do well, just need to pass only.
FO: HUH?
M: Yah, just pass the course, do well means get distinction. People say once graduate already, the child should support herself, but I feel its my responsibility to support you all the way. I am willing to sacrifice, be stingy on myself so that you can have enough. Just pray for my good health, so that I can continue working.
A mother's love, nothing else comes close.
Monday, January 28, 2008
23 or 32?
My female owner brought all of us out for a walk around her house today. Nanook and I promptly planted ourselves into a corner to snooze, much to my female owner's chagrin (We need our beauty sleep to stay young and vibrant). Boys being boys, Dodo and Dona went on their grand walk around the house.
Today's walk was exceptionally hazardous. My female owner finally started packing her luggage - right in the middle of the dining area. My brothers had to watch where their little feet tread, in case they step into a landmine.
My female owner had been feeling vexed regarding her luggage as the airline granted her a grand total of 23kg baggage weight. There was no special allowance for students. Her mother also called up the airline and got the same response - 23kg. How much can 23kg translate to, for an overseas student, I wonder?
My female owner, never one to give up, surfed the website (she finally did something else besides chatting!) and found out that until November 2008, she can carry up to 32kg without excess charge. She called up the airlines to confirm. Yay, it's true! (Maybe we can squeeze into her bag now and sneak in with her).
What puzzled her was that only when she mentioned this to the airline, then they admitted that the limit was 32kg. Otherwise, the standard reply was 23kg. Hmmm... these customer service people ah.
Today's walk was exceptionally hazardous. My female owner finally started packing her luggage - right in the middle of the dining area. My brothers had to watch where their little feet tread, in case they step into a landmine.
My female owner had been feeling vexed regarding her luggage as the airline granted her a grand total of 23kg baggage weight. There was no special allowance for students. Her mother also called up the airline and got the same response - 23kg. How much can 23kg translate to, for an overseas student, I wonder?
My female owner, never one to give up, surfed the website (she finally did something else besides chatting!) and found out that until November 2008, she can carry up to 32kg without excess charge. She called up the airlines to confirm. Yay, it's true! (Maybe we can squeeze into her bag now and sneak in with her).
What puzzled her was that only when she mentioned this to the airline, then they admitted that the limit was 32kg. Otherwise, the standard reply was 23kg. Hmmm... these customer service people ah.
finally
Random picture of me. Cute?
---------------------------------------------------
My female owner managed to do a few things today which made her happy.
Firstly, she went to church after several weeks of absence and played the flute for the church service, together with the rest of the wind ensemble. This was the first time she played the flute since her flute exam last year. She felt a little shaky playing but her confidence was boosted when her flute partner told her that her flute sounded nice. Wahaha. Still can fake people.
Secondly, she started packing. Finally.
Thirdly, she had a farewell dinner with her erm... badminton friends? The group is made of firstly, her closest couple friend, then friends of the couple, and the girlfriend of one of the friends of the couple. Something like that. Human relations are sometimes so complicated. Anyway, so the group of them gathered, despite busy schedules, for a Japanese hotpot meal.
It was the most fun meal my female owner ever had in a long time. Each serving was humongous (why can't my female owner feed us such big helpings?) and everyone had problems finishing his food. The friends ended up challenging one another to finish up the veggies (the bane of many of them... me too! My female owner even wanted to bring home the cabbage for me. Please no!). One of them, was so egged on to finish all the food that he persisted despite being bloated. Even the watiresses joined in the fun.
The beef option. Half a head of cabbage is hidden under the beef!
Cooking all his cabbage, just so that he could show that he could finish all his food.. unlike the rest of the group who didn't down all the vegs. 
After 2hrs.. he's finally down to his last portion. My female owner and friends had to wait for him to finish his meal, before they could proceed to dessert. Cheers!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
FAQs
Frequently asked questions posed to my female owner these days:
1) So where are you going?
2) What are you going to study?
3) How long will you be gone?
4) When are you leaving?
5) Eh, what's going to happen to your turtles when you leave? (Thank you, for asking about us!)
6) Have you packed?
7) Are you being sponsored or paying it on your own?
8) Will you be bringing your turtles over? (I like this question too!)
1) So where are you going?
2) What are you going to study?
3) How long will you be gone?
4) When are you leaving?
5) Eh, what's going to happen to your turtles when you leave? (Thank you, for asking about us!)
6) Have you packed?
7) Are you being sponsored or paying it on your own?
8) Will you be bringing your turtles over? (I like this question too!)
support
Today, my female owner finally told her aikido instructor that she broke up with my male owner. He was very shocked to hear the news (although he might have suspected it). It all started when my female owner declared that she did not want a boyfriend. Visually startled, her aikido instructor asked her why and persisted in finding out what happened.
When my female owner revealed that my male owner did not support her plans to pursue an overseas education, he was quick to support her, saying that any guy who would not support his partner through further studies was not worth it. The other guy in the group (her hotel friend) also shared about how he supported his then-girlfriend (now wife) through school in New York (including financially).
Well, to absolve my male owner from further responsibility, my female owner also said that they had different goals which did not match. That kind-of helped to appease her friends' indignance and changed the topic.
Nanook, my older sister (but sometimes I feel that I'm older than her), has never really gotten over the break-up of my owners. She tends to act out by over-eating and sometimes blames my female owner for driving my male owner away. My brothers, Dodo and Dona, are generally well-adjusted. After all, my female owner adopted them BEFORE she got together with my male owner. So technically, they are "earlier loves". As for me, well, I'm resigned to current reality. Meditation and yoga help me to manage my emotions.
When my female owner revealed that my male owner did not support her plans to pursue an overseas education, he was quick to support her, saying that any guy who would not support his partner through further studies was not worth it. The other guy in the group (her hotel friend) also shared about how he supported his then-girlfriend (now wife) through school in New York (including financially).
Well, to absolve my male owner from further responsibility, my female owner also said that they had different goals which did not match. That kind-of helped to appease her friends' indignance and changed the topic.
Nanook, my older sister (but sometimes I feel that I'm older than her), has never really gotten over the break-up of my owners. She tends to act out by over-eating and sometimes blames my female owner for driving my male owner away. My brothers, Dodo and Dona, are generally well-adjusted. After all, my female owner adopted them BEFORE she got together with my male owner. So technically, they are "earlier loves". As for me, well, I'm resigned to current reality. Meditation and yoga help me to manage my emotions.
fresh
My female owner is a changed woman! She's so happy these days, it's telling.
She went clubbing last night and reached home at 1am. Being addicted to MSN, she went online and got off only at 2am (there was still people online to chat with!). The only reason why she reached home at 1am instead of 6am as in the previous week was because she wanted to attend the 9am aikido training today (she had earlier promised her instructor that she would turn up). Hence, she set the alarm at 7am and somehow despite having not enough sleep, managed to jump out of bed at 7.30am (she threw in 30mins of snooze) and reached in time for training. Saturday trainings are notoriously strenuous and tiring as majority of the people are senior belts.
After training, she went for brunch with her instructor and some other friends. While walking, her instructor looked at her and asked her "if you came home so late and still come for training, how come you still look so fresh?"
My female owner was stumped by the question and replied "Dunno, maybe because I'm happy!"
It's telling. She's energetic and smiling all the time.
She went clubbing last night and reached home at 1am. Being addicted to MSN, she went online and got off only at 2am (there was still people online to chat with!). The only reason why she reached home at 1am instead of 6am as in the previous week was because she wanted to attend the 9am aikido training today (she had earlier promised her instructor that she would turn up). Hence, she set the alarm at 7am and somehow despite having not enough sleep, managed to jump out of bed at 7.30am (she threw in 30mins of snooze) and reached in time for training. Saturday trainings are notoriously strenuous and tiring as majority of the people are senior belts.
After training, she went for brunch with her instructor and some other friends. While walking, her instructor looked at her and asked her "if you came home so late and still come for training, how come you still look so fresh?"
My female owner was stumped by the question and replied "Dunno, maybe because I'm happy!"
It's telling. She's energetic and smiling all the time.
Friday, January 25, 2008
back
My female owner got back Nanook the husky! Just 2 days after being sent for wash. No need to wait for 2 weeks or pay an exorbitant price for laundry. Her friend was really efficient (he told his staff that the soft-toy belonged to his niece. Wahaha). Now my female owner can sleep easy, now that she has her security blanket back.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
mad
My female owner is very pissed off with a certain internet provider customer service. This was what happened. Her father signed up for an email account a year ago and wanted her to terminate the service as he did not need it. My female owner did the following:
i) Called up 1633 and followed the complicated options to speak to a customer care consultant (CCC) who told her that this was not under her care and she would need to "escalate the matter" to the right department who would call her back within 48 hrs.
ii) After 48 hrs, my female owner called back 1633 and again, followed the complicated options to enquire why the relevant person did not call her back. The CCC told her that someone tried to get her the previous day (Sunday) but she did not answer. My female owner did not notice any missed calls and granted, even if there was, wasn't the onus on the CCC to try until he reaches her?? There was no offer made to get the relevant department to call her back and my female owner did not request for that.
iii) Being the great procrastinator, my female owner sat on the issue for a few days before calling back 1633 and followed the complicated options to get help. The CCC said that she should call 1633, followed by choosing some options (say 1-3-2-0). My female owner dutifully did that and hit a wall, coz there was no option for "0" at the end!
iv) Getting frustrated, she tried again. This time, another CCC said that firstly, he was not able to help her and secondly, termination should be done online (what?!). However, she needed to know the login ID and password for the email account. When my female owner highlighted that she would not know the password and did not expect her father to remember, the CCC said that it could still be done online. Apparently not. The password was needed.
iv) Annoyed with having to dial 1633 and following options only to get to the wrong person who instruct her to follow other options which led her nowhere, my female owner decided to email helpadm@starhub.net.sg as printed on some letter. 19th Jan till today - no response.
v) Not giving up, she tried another email customerservice@starhub.com at about 1am this morning and received an auto reply saying that someone would contact her as soon as possible. Before anyone could contact her (as soon as possible), her father received a "final reminder" letter politely asking him for payment for the email service for 2008 by 27 Jan 2008. And, get this, if there is any special reason for the delay in payment, please contact them at 1633 (??) or fin@starhub.net.sg
vi) Feeling very indignant, she forwarded her email to fin@starbhub.net.sg, only to receive a delivery notification that said Delivery failed: Over quota (?!)
vii) Now boiling, she called back 1633 and followed the complicated options to reach a CCC who told her that she needs to call 1633, followed by dunno-what-number. She didn't bother listening to the random string of numbers coz by then, she was MAD. She insisted on her problem being solved today and the lady asked her to wait (without telling her why) and suddenly, she found herself talking to the right person and the right person told her that, yes the account would be terminated at the end of the month.
No need to wait for the relevant department to call back.
No need to terminate online.
No need to write in.
Just be firm and hopping mad.
i) Called up 1633 and followed the complicated options to speak to a customer care consultant (CCC) who told her that this was not under her care and she would need to "escalate the matter" to the right department who would call her back within 48 hrs.
ii) After 48 hrs, my female owner called back 1633 and again, followed the complicated options to enquire why the relevant person did not call her back. The CCC told her that someone tried to get her the previous day (Sunday) but she did not answer. My female owner did not notice any missed calls and granted, even if there was, wasn't the onus on the CCC to try until he reaches her?? There was no offer made to get the relevant department to call her back and my female owner did not request for that.
iii) Being the great procrastinator, my female owner sat on the issue for a few days before calling back 1633 and followed the complicated options to get help. The CCC said that she should call 1633, followed by choosing some options (say 1-3-2-0). My female owner dutifully did that and hit a wall, coz there was no option for "0" at the end!
iv) Getting frustrated, she tried again. This time, another CCC said that firstly, he was not able to help her and secondly, termination should be done online (what?!). However, she needed to know the login ID and password for the email account. When my female owner highlighted that she would not know the password and did not expect her father to remember, the CCC said that it could still be done online. Apparently not. The password was needed.
iv) Annoyed with having to dial 1633 and following options only to get to the wrong person who instruct her to follow other options which led her nowhere, my female owner decided to email helpadm@starhub.net.sg as printed on some letter. 19th Jan till today - no response.
v) Not giving up, she tried another email customerservice@starhub.com at about 1am this morning and received an auto reply saying that someone would contact her as soon as possible. Before anyone could contact her (as soon as possible), her father received a "final reminder" letter politely asking him for payment for the email service for 2008 by 27 Jan 2008. And, get this, if there is any special reason for the delay in payment, please contact them at 1633 (??) or fin@starhub.net.sg
vi) Feeling very indignant, she forwarded her email to fin@starbhub.net.sg, only to receive a delivery notification that said Delivery failed: Over quota (?!)
vii) Now boiling, she called back 1633 and followed the complicated options to reach a CCC who told her that she needs to call 1633, followed by dunno-what-number. She didn't bother listening to the random string of numbers coz by then, she was MAD. She insisted on her problem being solved today and the lady asked her to wait (without telling her why) and suddenly, she found herself talking to the right person and the right person told her that, yes the account would be terminated at the end of the month.
No need to wait for the relevant department to call back.
No need to terminate online.
No need to write in.
Just be firm and hopping mad.
without regrets
I have never seen my female owner this happy in such a long time. Melancholic by nature, she tends to feel blue and solemn. There were nights when she would just sit in the Balcony and watch us while she tried to deal with the issues which were bothering her. But recently, she had been spending a lot of time with her friends, and that makes her very happy.
Someone asked her yesterday "do you feel as if there are a lot of things which you want to do, but haven't?"
My female owner's reply was "Not really, I feel as if there are a lot of things I want to continue doing, but I know I am unable to"
Perhaps it's like being at the end-stage of life, where you know that your time is limited and you need to maximise whatever time you have, so that you can leave without regrets.
I wish my female owner will be with us forever, everyday. I'm feeling sad already.
Someone asked her yesterday "do you feel as if there are a lot of things which you want to do, but haven't?"
My female owner's reply was "Not really, I feel as if there are a lot of things I want to continue doing, but I know I am unable to"
Perhaps it's like being at the end-stage of life, where you know that your time is limited and you need to maximise whatever time you have, so that you can leave without regrets.
I wish my female owner will be with us forever, everyday. I'm feeling sad already.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
laundry
My female owner is a great procrastinator. She tends to leave things till the last minute, thinking that everything will work out according to her assumptions. Well, if things are within her control, she would be able to get things done by the deadline but sometimes... others are involved and that's where the problem starts.
My female owner has a favourite soft toy. He's a husky called Nanook. She has him for about 7 years (Dodo and Dona are older).
This is Nanook and his girlfriend, Nooki (the names are familiar yah?)
This is Nanook and his harlom of husky bitches.
So anyway, my female owner intended to bring Nanook the husky with her when she leaves. She decided to send him for dry-cleaning so that he will look white and clean. She sat on this for a long time, as she was too lazy to bring him to his regular laundry (yes, she has one for him, the way she has regular vets for us).
My female owner has a favourite soft toy. He's a husky called Nanook. She has him for about 7 years (Dodo and Dona are older).
This is him, naked.
This is Nanook and his girlfriend, Nooki (the names are familiar yah?)
This is Nanook and his harlom of husky bitches.
So anyway, my female owner intended to bring Nanook the husky with her when she leaves. She decided to send him for dry-cleaning so that he will look white and clean. She sat on this for a long time, as she was too lazy to bring him to his regular laundry (yes, she has one for him, the way she has regular vets for us).
She finally got down to doing it today and under the hot sweltering heat of Singapore, took the highly inefficient public transport to the shopping centre that required her to climb an overhead bridge to reach the regular laundry (her point of telling us so much details was to highlight that it was really out of the way to bring Nanook the husky to his regular laundry).
The last time she sent him for dry-cleaning, it cost her $10.30 or something like that and she had to wait a week to get him back. This time, the lady charged her $1.60 per inch and because Nanook the husky was deemed to be 13 inches, the dry-cleaning would set her back by about $20. My female owner was willing to pay for this 100% increase in charges, but she had to wait 2 weeks to get him back - a timeframe which she could not afford.
Cursing her bad luck (or procrastinating habit, I would say), she left. She went to another laundry and waited patiently for her turn. The customer before her was depositing 14 items for wash. Even before she could find out the charges, the lady rejected her, coz it was peak period, so they don't entertain soft toys.
My female owner then decided to give up dry-cleaning Nanook the husky (after all, can save money and he will get dirty after a while). Until, she remembered that she has a friend who manages a hotel.. and decided to tap on his network. After all, all hotels run their own laundry services. Bingo!
Hopefully my female owner would learn to start on things earlier and not wait till the last minute and end up having to do damage control.
Monday, January 21, 2008
missing these
Another chapter of my female owner's life ended unceremoniously today. This time, it's her job of 3 years, 1 month and 13 days (not counting the remaining days where she would be clearing leave). And I realised too that she seldom talked about her work. Rather, she often spoke about the great friends she make through working at her current (or former?) workplace. She often said that the best thing that came out of the job was the friendships that she formed with several people.
Well... still... she managed to come up with some things which she would miss.
i) Continuous training in the area of counselling (her favourite field)
ii) Endless supply of titbits (somehow there was always budget for that)
iii) The "I will go all the way to help you, simply because we are part of the same organisation" culture (my female owner is a major beneficiary of this culture!)
iv) Spontanteous email chats with people from other departments
v) The "hey! what are you doing here?!" greeting when meeting people she had not seen for a while at major events (makes you feel that you are surrounded with friends)
vi) The various social activities like retreats, parties, visits to external places etc.
vii) Jargon/ humour that no one else will understand
viii) Corridor chats with various people
I guess there are some more, just that she can't recall them now. Wait a few weeks, when absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Well... still... she managed to come up with some things which she would miss.
i) Continuous training in the area of counselling (her favourite field)
ii) Endless supply of titbits (somehow there was always budget for that)
iii) The "I will go all the way to help you, simply because we are part of the same organisation" culture (my female owner is a major beneficiary of this culture!)
iv) Spontanteous email chats with people from other departments
v) The "hey! what are you doing here?!" greeting when meeting people she had not seen for a while at major events (makes you feel that you are surrounded with friends)
vi) The various social activities like retreats, parties, visits to external places etc.
vii) Jargon/ humour that no one else will understand
viii) Corridor chats with various people
I guess there are some more, just that she can't recall them now. Wait a few weeks, when absence makes the heart grow fonder.
church friends
My female owner met up with a group of friends from church today. I rarely talk about them, because she hardly meets them. So today was a grand gathering of sorts, for long-time friends who had/ have been so important in her life. I'm not kidding. Even though the youngest is 24 years old and the oldest is probably 32 and there was about 25 of them, their friendships spans more than 10 years each. In fact, she knows some of her friends for more than half her life!
My female owner managed to catch up with her friends (though not as much as she wanted to). Certainly one of the parties which she would remember for a long time, because of the people who turned up.
Being EMO nowadays, my female owner started tearing BEFORE a group of gals (whom she used to lead in church when they were 12-13 years old) presented a song to her. There were tears and laughter, even through this special item. Was really heart-warming for my female owner, to see how "her girls" blossomed after all these years.
Then, there was the C's girls (and their partners) whom my female owner grew up with when she herself was 12 years old (They are now called the Oldies Club). They saw one another through O levels, A levels, tertiary education and for some, marriage. My female owner's Onli Fren falls into this category. She was the self-appointed Party Planner who ended up opening up her house for the gathering, cooking for everyone and coordinating all the RSVPs.
Another subgroup present was her bridge (and sometimes drinking) gang. They did not like crowds but because of my female owner, turned up to spend some time with her. For their efforts, they managed to squeeze in a few games of bridge, with champagne threw in as a bonus!
Finally, there were a few people who had seen my female owner through good and bad times (one was even her diving buddy, poor guy!) They were present when my owners were together. When people opposed the relationship, they stood by my owners.
I think my female owner enjoyed herself. There were lots of interaction in the group and people managed to catch up with those who no longer attended the same church. It's a pity that it had to end early (coz it's a Sunday).
Oh well.. maybe my female owner's Onli Fren can start planning for a welcome back party!
My female owner managed to catch up with her friends (though not as much as she wanted to). Certainly one of the parties which she would remember for a long time, because of the people who turned up.
Being EMO nowadays, my female owner started tearing BEFORE a group of gals (whom she used to lead in church when they were 12-13 years old) presented a song to her. There were tears and laughter, even through this special item. Was really heart-warming for my female owner, to see how "her girls" blossomed after all these years.
Then, there was the C's girls (and their partners) whom my female owner grew up with when she herself was 12 years old (They are now called the Oldies Club). They saw one another through O levels, A levels, tertiary education and for some, marriage. My female owner's Onli Fren falls into this category. She was the self-appointed Party Planner who ended up opening up her house for the gathering, cooking for everyone and coordinating all the RSVPs.
Another subgroup present was her bridge (and sometimes drinking) gang. They did not like crowds but because of my female owner, turned up to spend some time with her. For their efforts, they managed to squeeze in a few games of bridge, with champagne threw in as a bonus!
Finally, there were a few people who had seen my female owner through good and bad times (one was even her diving buddy, poor guy!) They were present when my owners were together. When people opposed the relationship, they stood by my owners.
I think my female owner enjoyed herself. There were lots of interaction in the group and people managed to catch up with those who no longer attended the same church. It's a pity that it had to end early (coz it's a Sunday).
Oh well.. maybe my female owner's Onli Fren can start planning for a welcome back party!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
appreciative
My female owner is busy meeting various groups of friends over the weekend. For example, she partied with aikido friends on Friday, BBQ-ed + chilled out with colleagues today and would be having a house party with her church friends on Sunday.
She's appreciative of her friends who made the effort (and in some cases, sacrifices) to spend some quality time with her, despite the late hour or having to give up other personal appointments. Some even had to put with her bad driving (I know, coz I have been her victim a few times! I amost choked on my water.)
She's appreciative of her friends who made the effort (and in some cases, sacrifices) to spend some quality time with her, despite the late hour or having to give up other personal appointments. Some even had to put with her bad driving (I know, coz I have been her victim a few times! I amost choked on my water.)
Saturday, January 19, 2008
party
My female owner scored another first by coming home at 6am this morning, undrunk, after partying the night at St James. It was her first visit to this well known club. Her GM friend, who is a member of the club, decided to bring her for a visit before she leaves.
The party of four, mutually agreed to stay till 12 midnight, as two of them intended to attend a morning training class today. Note, they intended to. But they had so much fun in Bellini Room, listening to jazz music at the front table (thanks to her friend's arrangement), that the mutual agreement was broken and the party stretched till the wee hours of Saturday morning.
Her fren, a very steady drinker, also opened a bottle of Johnnie Walker (43%!) and a bottle of champagne. That's a lot of alcohol for a group of four! My female owner's potato friend was so traumatised when she heard that she was drinking again, that she called my female owner to advice her to stop drinking.
Wahaha. Didn't work. But my female owner decided to pace herself (after all, she don't want to traumatise any more friends, her two male friends are in their 40s already AND she didn't want to be barred from going to St James again) and managed to finish all her alcohol (it was like free flow, her friends expressed disappointment that she drank so little and kept topping up her drinks) without vomitting or passing out.
Drinks tally for the night: at least 6 mixers of whisky and green tea (she lost count coz they kept moving around), 3 glasses of champagne, one whisky on the rocks (that was potent but the manager insisted on it, since she was leaving town!).
As usual, she woke up, without any hangover AND with less sleep than usual. So happy that my female owner enjoyed herself.
The party of four, mutually agreed to stay till 12 midnight, as two of them intended to attend a morning training class today. Note, they intended to. But they had so much fun in Bellini Room, listening to jazz music at the front table (thanks to her friend's arrangement), that the mutual agreement was broken and the party stretched till the wee hours of Saturday morning.
Her fren, a very steady drinker, also opened a bottle of Johnnie Walker (43%!) and a bottle of champagne. That's a lot of alcohol for a group of four! My female owner's potato friend was so traumatised when she heard that she was drinking again, that she called my female owner to advice her to stop drinking.
Wahaha. Didn't work. But my female owner decided to pace herself (after all, she don't want to traumatise any more friends, her two male friends are in their 40s already AND she didn't want to be barred from going to St James again) and managed to finish all her alcohol (it was like free flow, her friends expressed disappointment that she drank so little and kept topping up her drinks) without vomitting or passing out.
Drinks tally for the night: at least 6 mixers of whisky and green tea (she lost count coz they kept moving around), 3 glasses of champagne, one whisky on the rocks (that was potent but the manager insisted on it, since she was leaving town!).
As usual, she woke up, without any hangover AND with less sleep than usual. So happy that my female owner enjoyed herself.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Astrud Gilberto So Nice
A jazz version. would prefer it to be slower though like how Stacey Kent did it.
Walter Wanderley Summer Samba
The melody to So Nice. I prefer the jazz version though. It's more romantic.
So nice
Someone to hold me tight
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
And be a team with me
So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me
Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me
Oh yeah, that would be so nice
I could see you and me,
that would be nice
Someone to hold me tight
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
To be a team with me
So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me
Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me
Oh yes, that would be so nice
Shouldn't we, you and me?
I can see it will be nice...
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
And be a team with me
So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me
Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me
Oh yeah, that would be so nice
I could see you and me,
that would be nice
Someone to hold me tight
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
To be a team with me
So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me
Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me
Oh yes, that would be so nice
Shouldn't we, you and me?
I can see it will be nice...
deja vu
My female owner went out for a hotpot dinner tonight (I know, coz she came home smelling like an assortment of things... meat... veggies... egg... mushrooms... beancurd... and even coffee!) Anyway, during the post hotpot chill-out session, she found out that her functional friend recently had some disagreements with his partner as she wanted to go overseas to pursue her PhD.
His sharing was like a deja vu of what happened between my owners last year. My female owner had wanted to pursue her postgraduate qualifications (she needs it in her line of work) since she started working in 2003. However, she kept delaying it as she wanted to work things out with my male owner. Finally, she decided to explore this option with him and he blew his top.
I suppose each of them had their valid point of views. My male owner did not believe in long-distance relationships and felt disappointed as he saw this path as not working towards a future together. My female owner wanted to study, as she saw it as a necessity and since my male owner was still in the process of building his career, she wanted to complete this in the meantime.
Like her functional friend, my male owner also said things like he did not want to stop her from pursuing her dreams, that if she wanted to study, to just go.
My female owner chose to go, and not to subject my male owner to a long-distance relationship.
His sharing was like a deja vu of what happened between my owners last year. My female owner had wanted to pursue her postgraduate qualifications (she needs it in her line of work) since she started working in 2003. However, she kept delaying it as she wanted to work things out with my male owner. Finally, she decided to explore this option with him and he blew his top.
I suppose each of them had their valid point of views. My male owner did not believe in long-distance relationships and felt disappointed as he saw this path as not working towards a future together. My female owner wanted to study, as she saw it as a necessity and since my male owner was still in the process of building his career, she wanted to complete this in the meantime.
Like her functional friend, my male owner also said things like he did not want to stop her from pursuing her dreams, that if she wanted to study, to just go.
My female owner chose to go, and not to subject my male owner to a long-distance relationship.
feeding
Ever wondered how we get fed? Or how we show our female owner that we are hungry and would like to be fed? Here's a step-by-step illustration.First: One arm goes over the tank to check out if there's fresh water
If there's fresh water, it means that its feeding time!
Stretching to see if my female owner is near. 
Side view: Gotta lift my hind legs to climb into the tank. 
Law of physics (principle of moments?) dictates that I would tip over, into the tank
Phew. I'm in and good to start on my meal. 
Thursday, January 17, 2008
emo meals
My female owner is getting emotionally tired, attending farewell dinners. She had another one today with three of her aikido friends (2 of them, J and K, were not able to attend the one on Sunday). She was really happy to be able to meet up with them, especially since it had been about a month since she last trained with them, or spoke to them even.
Was a "relac" dinner, coz K made all the decisions (my female owner hates making decisions, even if it's as simple as where to eat for dinner) - where to eat, what time to meet, what to eat, even choice of desserts. In addition, the service was super good. The staff helped to serve almost every dish (e.g. prepare the Peiking duck, distribute the easier to handle crab pieces to the gals, refill their plates with more food when empty etc etc), cleared their plates quickly and were so polite. Certainly one of the best dining experiences she ever had in a Chinese restaurant.
More importantly, the company was good. Four aikidodas, bonded through common experiences, speaking the same language. K, the food connisseur, must have been freaked out, because the other three were clueless about how to savour some of the dishes (J jokingly asked for the "breast meat" when the waitress asked him which part of the crab he wanted).
Oh well, but all good things must come to an end. My female owner hates this part the most, where the meal ends and the laughter dies down, when it's time to say goodbye. She is left wondering, when would be the next time she would meet her friends? Is this really the final goodbye?
Was a "relac" dinner, coz K made all the decisions (my female owner hates making decisions, even if it's as simple as where to eat for dinner) - where to eat, what time to meet, what to eat, even choice of desserts. In addition, the service was super good. The staff helped to serve almost every dish (e.g. prepare the Peiking duck, distribute the easier to handle crab pieces to the gals, refill their plates with more food when empty etc etc), cleared their plates quickly and were so polite. Certainly one of the best dining experiences she ever had in a Chinese restaurant.
More importantly, the company was good. Four aikidodas, bonded through common experiences, speaking the same language. K, the food connisseur, must have been freaked out, because the other three were clueless about how to savour some of the dishes (J jokingly asked for the "breast meat" when the waitress asked him which part of the crab he wanted).
Oh well, but all good things must come to an end. My female owner hates this part the most, where the meal ends and the laughter dies down, when it's time to say goodbye. She is left wondering, when would be the next time she would meet her friends? Is this really the final goodbye?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
yoga vs aikido
Nothing much happened today. Didn't really see my female owner too. She was home in the morning, but I was having my yoga session (i.e. maintaining the same position, leaning onto Nanook for an extended period of time) and so, didn't quite see her.
As per usual practice, she went for aikido training in the night. But that's not before she got a vendor whom she was working closely with on a video production interested in taking up aikido classes.
Well, she always tell people that learning aikido was one of the best decisions she had ever made in her life. I guess people can see her sincerity when she ratters on about why she loves it so much...
For me, I will stick to yoga. Less movements, less contortions of the body.
As per usual practice, she went for aikido training in the night. But that's not before she got a vendor whom she was working closely with on a video production interested in taking up aikido classes.
Well, she always tell people that learning aikido was one of the best decisions she had ever made in her life. I guess people can see her sincerity when she ratters on about why she loves it so much...
For me, I will stick to yoga. Less movements, less contortions of the body.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
round 2 of Ops Cards
My female owner bit off more than she could chew. Having used up a majority of her non-Christian (i.e. no scripture message) cards, she went to the bookshop to get some more to write to her non-Christian colleagues. When she decided to spend the night/morning writing cards to start writing to her colleagues, she realised that she had suffered a burnt-out from writing cards (her threshold very low, right?) to her aikido friends. Apparently, round 1 of Ops Cards was too intensive for her (she stayed up till 4am to complete the cards).
To ease her burnt-out, my female owner decided to cut down on the number of colleagues she would write to and to shorten her messages. But then, she realised that by cutting down, she would have extra cards now.
Oh, the struggles of a disorganised person.
To ease her burnt-out, my female owner decided to cut down on the number of colleagues she would write to and to shorten her messages. But then, she realised that by cutting down, she would have extra cards now.
Oh, the struggles of a disorganised person.
new skin
Like my new skin? Feeling a little down these days, so decided to change my skin to blue. It's also in line with the renovation which I promised you a few months ago. Actually, nothing much has changed, except that the observant reader may notice that the clock is gone. I deleted it by mistake...
short walk
My female owner did not go to work this morning. Remembering that we had not gone for a walk for a long time, she removed the wooden plank barricade for us to climb over the Balcony. We must have surprised her, coz within 5 minutes, Dodo, Dona and Nanook had climbed into the Living Room already (I was too lazy to move. With all my siblings away, I had the whole Balcony to myself.)
Dona and Nanook hiding in a small corner - did I mention that Dona likes Nanook?
Dodo and his usual climbing antics..
Dona and Nanook hiding in a small corner - did I mention that Dona likes Nanook?Dodo and his usual climbing antics..Monday, January 14, 2008
one farewell down
My female owner's aikido friends organised a farewell dinner for her at a Chinese restaurant today. With three tables of friends tucked in a corner, it was like a mini wedding dinner. Given my female owner's shy nature (yes, she is shy, like us, although many people think that she is just aloof), I can just imagine how hard it was for her to host the dinner (i.e. hop from table to table to talk to her friends). She tried but failed miserably. But her aikido instructor came to her rescue and did the social butterfly thing on her behalf. So sweet!
Recall I mentioned before that my female owner's love language is first, acts of service, then quality time. Given the setting, my female owner felt so loved having her friends around her. At the end of the dinner, her aikido instructor presented the gift on the behalf of everyone (she felt so awkward being in the centre of the limelight). My female owner then took out the cards which she painstakenly wrote for each of her aikido friends. I must say that the efforts were worth it, to see the look of appreciation on their faces for the personalised messages.
Dodo was right on this after all. My wise brother.
Recall I mentioned before that my female owner's love language is first, acts of service, then quality time. Given the setting, my female owner felt so loved having her friends around her. At the end of the dinner, her aikido instructor presented the gift on the behalf of everyone (she felt so awkward being in the centre of the limelight). My female owner then took out the cards which she painstakenly wrote for each of her aikido friends. I must say that the efforts were worth it, to see the look of appreciation on their faces for the personalised messages.
Dodo was right on this after all. My wise brother.
first watch in ten years
My female owner went for a random lunch with the friends she travelled with to Shanghai. Needless to say, they had some Shanghainese food. 
My female owner's eggplant friend also gave her a watch, much to her delight. It's the first watch she's got in more than 10 years! What's more, it's has an "ambiguous" clockface which my female owner likes. Hopefully my female owner would never be late, now that she has a watch.
One thing's for sure, she will look at the watch whenever she feels lonely and homesick and be comforted by the good times she had with her potato and eggplant friends and smile at such memories.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
badminton
It has been a long time since our female owner let us out for a walk in the rest of her house. She used to let us out mostly on Saturdays coz that's when she's home and she can make sure that we are ok. However, she has been going out so much that we have been stuck in the Balcony for many weeks now.
Anyway, my female owner joined her JC friends for some badminton today. Again, she had been so busy with other stuff that this was the first time in many weeks that she joined her friends. My female owner fell in love with badminton slightly more than a year ago (I remember coz her parents gave her a badminton racquet 2 Christmases ago and we turtles were so worried that she would use the racquet to hit us. Don't ask us why we had such fear. Survival instincts maybe?) when she started playing with her colleagues. Then (as she always manages to sell sports to her friends), she spread the badminton bug to her JC who then, played badminton weekly for the past one year (talk about commitment!).
My owners used to play with them and ever since they broke up, my male owner vanished from this weekly activity while my female owner became less regular, to the point where she almost vanished ... until today.
Oh.. and whatever little form she ever possessed, was evidently gone in today's session. But it doesn't matter, coz her friends accepted her for who she is, and how badly she played. The important thing was that they managed to spend some time together, after so long.
Anyway, my female owner joined her JC friends for some badminton today. Again, she had been so busy with other stuff that this was the first time in many weeks that she joined her friends. My female owner fell in love with badminton slightly more than a year ago (I remember coz her parents gave her a badminton racquet 2 Christmases ago and we turtles were so worried that she would use the racquet to hit us. Don't ask us why we had such fear. Survival instincts maybe?) when she started playing with her colleagues. Then (as she always manages to sell sports to her friends), she spread the badminton bug to her JC who then, played badminton weekly for the past one year (talk about commitment!).
My owners used to play with them and ever since they broke up, my male owner vanished from this weekly activity while my female owner became less regular, to the point where she almost vanished ... until today.
Oh.. and whatever little form she ever possessed, was evidently gone in today's session. But it doesn't matter, coz her friends accepted her for who she is, and how badly she played. The important thing was that they managed to spend some time together, after so long.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
KTV
Today, my female owner went out with a group of colleagues which she hardly/ never goes out with to do something which she seldom does. She went out with a mixed group of colleagues, comprising of NS boys, a regular, a reservist and a civilian to sing karaoke. The reservist had earlier "arrowed" the civilian to arrange this, as a form of farewell for my female owner.
Being tone deaf and clueless at songs, my female owner did not sing a single song throughout the 4 hours. However, she immersed herself into the superb singing, fellowship and managed to get to know some of her distant colleagues better. She knows that she's so going to miss hearing Chinese songs!
Anyway, at the end of the 4th hour, the regular suddenly grabbed the remote control and starting scrolling down the list of chosen songs and one song popped up on the television screen - 祝你一路顺风 - The group then dedicated this song to my female owner as a form of sending her off.
So sweet of them. My female owner was very touched. She wished that the song would never end...
Being tone deaf and clueless at songs, my female owner did not sing a single song throughout the 4 hours. However, she immersed herself into the superb singing, fellowship and managed to get to know some of her distant colleagues better. She knows that she's so going to miss hearing Chinese songs!
Anyway, at the end of the 4th hour, the regular suddenly grabbed the remote control and starting scrolling down the list of chosen songs and one song popped up on the television screen - 祝你一路顺风 - The group then dedicated this song to my female owner as a form of sending her off.
So sweet of them. My female owner was very touched. She wished that the song would never end...
Friday, January 11, 2008
kindness
My female owner came home today in a good mood. I know, coz she came over and called us and even fed us! (I can't remember how many days it has been since my last meal. Apparently I have gained weight again, so my female owner is restricting our food intake)
She met the kindest person in a long time today. This lady works at the university which she will be going to and among many things, offered to pick her and her mother up from the airport when they arrive at 0700hr, provide lodging for them while they look for a permanent place, bring them around the campus and loan them an extra SIM card so that people could contact them over there.
Bless her soul.
She met the kindest person in a long time today. This lady works at the university which she will be going to and among many things, offered to pick her and her mother up from the airport when they arrive at 0700hr, provide lodging for them while they look for a permanent place, bring them around the campus and loan them an extra SIM card so that people could contact them over there.
Bless her soul.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
cards
My female owner is busy writing cards these days, to give to some of her friends before she leaves. She embarked on Ops Cards by first drawing up a list of names to write cards to. After this, she went shopping all over for suitable cards. Finally, the painful process of writing personalised messages to each friend. With 15-20 mins spent on each person and more than 50 cards to write (she stopped including names at number 56, coz that's the number of cards she has), I think she's in for a hard time!
Personally, if you ask me, I don't think writing cards are necessary. I mean, it's not as if she's going to be gone forever. Even if she's physically gone, she will still be hovering around online (you know that she's addicted to MSN!). So why bother writing cards to say goodbye? Dodo doesn't agree with me on this. He thinks that it's a nice gesture to write cards to show appreciation to people for all that they have done for you. Sometimes, I wonder if he's gay.
Anyway, back to my female owner. I think she's getting depressed writing the cards, coz firstly, it reminds her of the people and experiences she's leaving behind, secondly, she feels as if she is saying her last words to her friends before she fizzles out from the surface of the earth and thirdly, she wonders if her friends would throw away the card after one read (some are young boys ah).
That's why I say, don't write cards.
Personally, if you ask me, I don't think writing cards are necessary. I mean, it's not as if she's going to be gone forever. Even if she's physically gone, she will still be hovering around online (you know that she's addicted to MSN!). So why bother writing cards to say goodbye? Dodo doesn't agree with me on this. He thinks that it's a nice gesture to write cards to show appreciation to people for all that they have done for you. Sometimes, I wonder if he's gay.
Anyway, back to my female owner. I think she's getting depressed writing the cards, coz firstly, it reminds her of the people and experiences she's leaving behind, secondly, she feels as if she is saying her last words to her friends before she fizzles out from the surface of the earth and thirdly, she wonders if her friends would throw away the card after one read (some are young boys ah).
That's why I say, don't write cards.
lost relative
My female owner told us that her friend called her to tell her that she saw a brown tortoise walking along the road today. (For a split moment in the conversation, my female owner actually wondered if the brown tortoise was me!) Her friend did not know what to do but decided to carry the tortoise to the grass as the tortoise kept trying to walk towards the road.
Oh man. Who was the thoughtless person who left my distant relative to fend for himself in unfamiliar surroundings?
Oh man. Who was the thoughtless person who left my distant relative to fend for himself in unfamiliar surroundings?
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
myriad
So depressing. I'm getting all the negative and depressive vibes from my female owner! She came home from the first aikido class of the year, looking down and unfulfilled. She didn't even come to look for us, that's how bad she's feeling. It didn't help that it has been raining since she reached home.
Turned out that a myriad of emotions flooded her during class today.
i) Her youngest colleague came for class.
- happy to have introduced this sport to more people
ii) The senior belt whom she depended a lot on previously to guide her through new techniques has stopped coming for class due to some misunderstandings. She missed having him around.
- feeling of loss and helplessness
iii) Her aikido class has planned a "all the best" party for her. Today, she caught glimpses of her kakis trying to tie up loose ends as they finalise payment for a gift (It was supposed to be a surprise, but they were not discrete about it. In fact, two of them were happily having a conversation about it when she was right behind them!)
- very touched by their efforts
iv) She has only 3 more lessons before she's gone.
- upset at the reality of how little time she has left
v) Her instructor taught the senior belts how to "slam" for the first time (meaning, to be flipped into the air like roti prata by someone and land unscathed on the mat). The instructor "slammed" his students at least twice. He called up my female owner last, as he knew that she had fear of slamming. Being sensitive to her weakness, he told her that he would slam her only once and after slamming her, praised her for a technique well-executed.
- sense of longing to be able to learn more and gratitude towards her instuctor for his sensitivity and faith in her
vi) Being the first class of 2008 and having not been training since Christmas, she was simply delighted to be back with her kakis, catching up and laughing even during training.
Turned out that a myriad of emotions flooded her during class today.
i) Her youngest colleague came for class.
- happy to have introduced this sport to more people
ii) The senior belt whom she depended a lot on previously to guide her through new techniques has stopped coming for class due to some misunderstandings. She missed having him around.
- feeling of loss and helplessness
iii) Her aikido class has planned a "all the best" party for her. Today, she caught glimpses of her kakis trying to tie up loose ends as they finalise payment for a gift (It was supposed to be a surprise, but they were not discrete about it. In fact, two of them were happily having a conversation about it when she was right behind them!)
- very touched by their efforts
iv) She has only 3 more lessons before she's gone.
- upset at the reality of how little time she has left
v) Her instructor taught the senior belts how to "slam" for the first time (meaning, to be flipped into the air like roti prata by someone and land unscathed on the mat). The instructor "slammed" his students at least twice. He called up my female owner last, as he knew that she had fear of slamming. Being sensitive to her weakness, he told her that he would slam her only once and after slamming her, praised her for a technique well-executed.
- sense of longing to be able to learn more and gratitude towards her instuctor for his sensitivity and faith in her
vi) Being the first class of 2008 and having not been training since Christmas, she was simply delighted to be back with her kakis, catching up and laughing even during training.
Emil Chau - Peng You (朋友)
My female owner heard this song on the radio today, while her youngest colleague was driving her home. It has always been one of her favourite songs (plus the singer!) and the words are even more meaningful now, given her situation.
Wish that she would stop brooding coz she has been having late nights just thinking about having to leave everyone.
replacement therapy
Knowing that she would be gone in a matter of months, my female owner decided a while ago to do something so that her friends would not miss her when she's gone (so thick-skinned actually!). She tried to organise many gatherings with different individuals so that they would feel comfortable hanging out and chilling together and would continue that practice without her.
Today, she almost hit a goldmine in another area. She managed to convince her youngest colleague to try out aikido. You see, my female owner had previously introduced 2 colleagues to aikido (the 2 colleagues in turn introduced 2 more colleagues to aikido). One of them is now attending the same dojo as her and they would go home together after class. Now that she would be gone, my female owner was wondering if she could do anything to make things better. Well, it seems my female owner has replaced herself. The youngest colleague looked keen to try out more classes and if she continues, the two colleagues can now go home together after class. Keeping her fingers crossed
Now, my female owner is trying to get a replacement owner for us. Her longsuffering mother looks unkeen to adopt us. But we are so big, no one would want us!
Today, she almost hit a goldmine in another area. She managed to convince her youngest colleague to try out aikido. You see, my female owner had previously introduced 2 colleagues to aikido (the 2 colleagues in turn introduced 2 more colleagues to aikido). One of them is now attending the same dojo as her and they would go home together after class. Now that she would be gone, my female owner was wondering if she could do anything to make things better. Well, it seems my female owner has replaced herself. The youngest colleague looked keen to try out more classes and if she continues, the two colleagues can now go home together after class. Keeping her fingers crossed
Now, my female owner is trying to get a replacement owner for us. Her longsuffering mother looks unkeen to adopt us. But we are so big, no one would want us!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
analogue
My female owner has been late for most of her appointments recently. At first, she thought she was just being slow in leaving the house or was another victim of the unpredictable transport system. Later, she realised that it's because she changed her handphone. Hmmm... far shot right?
Actually, not really. Her previous phone showed the time digitally. Hence, she was able to read time accurately. Now, not only is the clock on the phone analogue, it does not even have the hour markings (see picture for example)!
Actually, not really. Her previous phone showed the time digitally. Hence, she was able to read time accurately. Now, not only is the clock on the phone analogue, it does not even have the hour markings (see picture for example)!
Now, time reading has become an art for her.
interrupted sleep
So tired.. my female owner just came home from her supper appointment. Her grand arrival home woke all of us up from our beauty sleep. With interrupted sleep, it's no wonder that we are tired out in the day-time!
Yawn...
Oh, did I mention that she had to parallel park again? It never rains but pours...
Yawn...
Oh, did I mention that she had to parallel park again? It never rains but pours...
Monday, January 07, 2008
happy and sad
My female owner went out for a random shopping trip with her potato friend and bought a pair of sandals. Happy with her buy, she proudly showed them to us, expecting us to go ga-ga over them. But sandals and turtles don't connect you know.
Anyway, her potato friend has caught my female owner's trigger happy bug and brings her camera around to snap anything and everything. The potato friend even "zing" her camera recently, in order to act cute, act sweet, act virgin. Check out the blue hearts below!
Although my female owner was in high spirits today, the same could not be said for us turtles. In the afternoon, my female owner's mother asked my female owner if the SPCA would adopt us. At night, her father asked her to put an advertisement in the papers to see if anyone would adopt the four musketeers aka us! Sob, we are nobody's child...nobody wants us, we are nobody's child...
Sunday, January 06, 2008
2nd parallel parking
My female owner drove again today, to a shopping centre where she would go to once in a while using public transport. This time, as a driver, she was confronted with a full carpark and had to wait her turn just to enter the carpark. Cruising all the way to basement 3, she finally found an empty lot... which required parallel parking. Determined to overcome her spatial-visual-psychomotor handicap(s) and to get over the previous day's booboo, my female owner attempted her second parallel parking in as many days.
Bingo. She getting better at handling machines!
Bingo. She getting better at handling machines!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
parallel parking
I think my surrogate owner (i.e. my female owner's mother) was very traumatised just now. Mother and daughter went out in the evening to attend a seminar and reached home rather late. Shortly after her bath, daughter received a call from her friend, asking her out for a drink and daughter left the house, bringing along the car keys.
Reacting to the effect of the flash
Check it out - one of my eyes is open, the other is closed. 
Mother obviously did not want daughter to go out since it was already 2300hr++ but through her growing years, daughter was used to being called for supper at last minute's notice (the difference is that someone would usually pick her up). Oh well.. daughter won. So daughter left.
Anyway, my female owner came home in one piece (her driving has improved tremendously over the past few months. I heard that she even parallel-parked for the first time today, but not before holding up a long line of traffic and being high-beamed by the car behind her. To add to her embarrassment, she had to call her friend to run over to help her park and there were people at the nearby coffeeshop looking at "how a female driver parallel parks")
My female owner came home to find me sleeping (of course right? so late already). So she decided to take photo of me sleeping. The bright flash kind-of stirred me from my dream and she managed to capture me in the process of waking up..
Me sleeping soundly..
Reacting to the effect of the flashCheck it out - one of my eyes is open, the other is closed. flute
And so... after 3 years 8 months, $13000+ , 2 flutes (one beginner and one semi-professional), 5 exams (1 distinction, 1 merit, 2 passes, 1 fail), subtle criticism from some people for spending too much time on it, hours of practice, immeasureable self-doubts, undying tolerance from us turtles and her neighbours, and many more unspoken investment.., my female owner finally obtained her grade 8 in flute.
In her words, she "finally completed her flute education" (ya, she realised that she is not cut out musically, so good riddance to her fantasies of doing a diploma and teaching flute in future).
For those who were with her through her flute journey, they can testify to her countless struggles and frustrations, especially when it comes to exam period. My female owner will intensify her practice time, by staying home as much as she can (this includes Friday nights and weekends).
Her journey with flute started innocently. She was feeling bored at work and wanted to develop herself musically. Her friend happened to be interested in the flute and both of them signed up for group classes. Her friend quitted after one lesson. My female owner stayed on. She never imagined at that point in time, that she would go all the way to grade 8. She just wanted to learn to play the flute.
In her words, she "finally completed her flute education" (ya, she realised that she is not cut out musically, so good riddance to her fantasies of doing a diploma and teaching flute in future).
For those who were with her through her flute journey, they can testify to her countless struggles and frustrations, especially when it comes to exam period. My female owner will intensify her practice time, by staying home as much as she can (this includes Friday nights and weekends).
Her journey with flute started innocently. She was feeling bored at work and wanted to develop herself musically. Her friend happened to be interested in the flute and both of them signed up for group classes. Her friend quitted after one lesson. My female owner stayed on. She never imagined at that point in time, that she would go all the way to grade 8. She just wanted to learn to play the flute.
Friday, January 04, 2008
spring-cleaning
My female owner is spring-cleaning her room. Ever since she moved into her present home more than 10 years ago, she has been stocking up her room with turtle paraphernalia, many of which, are courtesy of her friends and mother's friends. This is a picture of the cupboard above her bed. She was made to empty the cupboard and did so reluctantly...
Some close-ups of her turtle mess
Some close-ups of her turtle mess
Thursday, January 03, 2008
it's really true
I can't sleep (that's unusual, coz I sleep like a koala). The thought of my female owner leaving us .. and me, is simply nerve-wrecking. We have already lost our male owner. Now, we are losing our other owner. No, it's not that I have attachment issues. It's just separation anxiety. We are still young, we need the nurture and care of our main care-giver. Okay, I know I sound hysterical and am sprouting all sorts of psychological terms. I can't help it. I'm..., yes, shellshocked.
Gosh, a sleepless night for me.
it's true
So it's really true. My female owner is really leaving us. We thought that there might be a chance that she would cancel her overseas plans. But today, when she came home with bags filled with things she packed from her office, we know that the inevitable is going to take place soon (it was hard not to see her carry in that huge garbage bag filled with soft-toys. I thought she was trying to play Santa Claus).
Turns out that she tendered her resignation today. So it's really point of no return for her ... and us.
My female owner's mother has been nominated to take care of us in her absence (surrogate female owner ya?). Although she always had a love-hate relationship with us (she probably loved to hate us, or hated to love us), she took it in her stride and tried to learn our names today. So sweet...
But...that doesn't mean that we would be ok! Can our female owner not go?? How can she leave us just like that?
Turns out that she tendered her resignation today. So it's really point of no return for her ... and us.
My female owner's mother has been nominated to take care of us in her absence (surrogate female owner ya?). Although she always had a love-hate relationship with us (she probably loved to hate us, or hated to love us), she took it in her stride and tried to learn our names today. So sweet...
But...that doesn't mean that we would be ok! Can our female owner not go?? How can she leave us just like that?
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
name-tags
My female owner finally tore herself from MSN for a grand total of 1.5hrs to play with us (we were so excited, especially Dodo who kept running around. Yah, turtles can run too!) and to pack her room.
In the midst of her packing, she unearthed some stuff which my male owner gave her during their marathon courtship. Thought that I would show you this. The items came in a box filled with shredded paper and little hearts.
Yes, you didn't see wrongly. My male owner once made all of us turtles a name-tag each. Nice or not?
In the midst of her packing, she unearthed some stuff which my male owner gave her during their marathon courtship. Thought that I would show you this. The items came in a box filled with shredded paper and little hearts.
Yes, you didn't see wrongly. My male owner once made all of us turtles a name-tag each. Nice or not?
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
cabbage
I'm mega upset. My female owner is addicted to MSN and has been neglecting/ ignoring us/ giving us the cold shoulder. For example, she came home yesterday at 2pm and stayed online till 9pm.... she was chatting even through a steamboat dinner.
To make matters worse, when she finally fed us our first meal in several days, she gave us cabbage! Yucks! I hate greens.
To make matters worse, when she finally fed us our first meal in several days, she gave us cabbage! Yucks! I hate greens.
Me rejecting the cabbage. I want my pellets
My siblings enjoying their greens. 
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My siblings and I
From top left: Dodo, Dona, me (Nooki) and Nanook