While out grocery shopping yesterday evening, my female owner noticed a happy occurence... that the sky turned dark only at about 1745hr. This was later than the usual 1700hr. This can only mean one thing... that Brisbane is getting out of winter soon.
Yay! Back to sunny weather!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
socks
In response to her sluggishness, my female owner has decided that she will start working hard on 1 Aug. Sounds familiar, as if she is embarking on another of her countless dieting plans. They say that failure is the mother of success. So far, my female owner has failed to stick to any of her dieting plans… Ah, or maybe I’ve been too harsh. She had pockets of success before. Like years ago, when she decided that she was too fat and was going to abstain from suppers, fast food and fried food. She actually did lose weight without compromising on her three regular meals. It was literally trimming the fats away!
Anyway, back to her work hard resolution. Yah, she decided that since she has paid exorbitant fees to study at her university, she might as well make full use of the available resources to increase her knowledge and skills in her chosen field. So there, a resolution to pull up her socks and resume the momentum when August comes!
Anyway, back to her work hard resolution. Yah, she decided that since she has paid exorbitant fees to study at her university, she might as well make full use of the available resources to increase her knowledge and skills in her chosen field. So there, a resolution to pull up her socks and resume the momentum when August comes!
burnout
My female owner finally found the word to describe her current state of affairs – burnout (guised as post-holiday blues perhaps). Thanks to Potahto who never fails to put her vague feelings into words.
The lecturer coordinating the research component of the programme recently told the class that even if they were to research on something which they are interested in, they will find that they will start to dislike that area as they research more… and their interest will rekindle when their thesis is completed.
My female owner is in that “dislike” stage now. Everything else looks more exciting and promising than seeing clients. She had fun with her tutorial groups (she has always loved training, there was a Singaporean in her class. She was so tempted to release all her pent up “lohs” and “lahs” on him) even though she made some bimbo mistakes. Even RA work (randomly offered by her supervisor) seems more appealing than her current coursework. Anything. Anytime. Anywhere but Block 24/ 24A.
The lecturer coordinating the research component of the programme recently told the class that even if they were to research on something which they are interested in, they will find that they will start to dislike that area as they research more… and their interest will rekindle when their thesis is completed.
My female owner is in that “dislike” stage now. Everything else looks more exciting and promising than seeing clients. She had fun with her tutorial groups (she has always loved training, there was a Singaporean in her class. She was so tempted to release all her pent up “lohs” and “lahs” on him) even though she made some bimbo mistakes. Even RA work (randomly offered by her supervisor) seems more appealing than her current coursework. Anything. Anytime. Anywhere but Block 24/ 24A.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
out
Even since my female owner returned from her double life in Singapore, she has been feeling out of sorts. Doesn't help that she's been abstaining from chocolate chip cookies - her tangible source of emotional support in Semester 1.
She kinda broke her abstinence today, when she bought a white chocolate and blueberry scone from the baker's. Doesn't matter that she's actually still sick and playing host to a nasal voice.
My female owner can't help but feel that she has lost control of her life. You know, the "merely existing" feeling. And the best evidence yet, she cancelled on her client tomorrow. Because she's not prepared to meet the set of parents and didn't want their child to catch her bug.
She kinda broke her abstinence today, when she bought a white chocolate and blueberry scone from the baker's. Doesn't matter that she's actually still sick and playing host to a nasal voice.
My female owner can't help but feel that she has lost control of her life. You know, the "merely existing" feeling. And the best evidence yet, she cancelled on her client tomorrow. Because she's not prepared to meet the set of parents and didn't want their child to catch her bug.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
double offer
During her usual “wasting time” hour, my female owner stumbled upon two websites which might be of interest to her friends who have the time and money to spare.
First, Singapore Airlines is offering promotional airfares to Brisbane! Just $998, all in. That’s a really cool deal. Period of travel from Aug to Oct 08. Just about right. It's spring!
Second, Hot Deals in Queenslands for Singapore Airlines Boarding Pass holders!
Cheap airfare, free lodging and local tour guide anyone? Pack me in the suitcase please!
First, Singapore Airlines is offering promotional airfares to Brisbane! Just $998, all in. That’s a really cool deal. Period of travel from Aug to Oct 08. Just about right. It's spring!
Second, Hot Deals in Queenslands for Singapore Airlines Boarding Pass holders!
Cheap airfare, free lodging and local tour guide anyone? Pack me in the suitcase please!
ill
My female owner woke up an hour later than she intended to… and realised that overnight she has caught the fever bug that has been circulating around. And she congratulated herself for being able to wake up despite being ill. Wahaha cheap thrill.
Finding out that she has fever explains a few things such as
- Waking up the past few days with a lumpy feeling in her throat
- Feeling sore in her back after skipping 300 times yesterday
- Even the difficulties she faced trying to reach 300 yesterday
- For oversleeping this morning
- For her general sense of lethargy and swimming vision
Does being ill explain her profound sense of homesickness that she even dreamt of her parents last night? Dreaming of them seems to bring them closer to her.
Monday, July 28, 2008
split
My female owner is known among her long-suffering friends to be really blur. Even her father says it of her “blur like sotong”.
So today, before school, she started looking for her tutorial materials (she is a tutor this semester and tutorials are held today) at home and couldn’t find them. She had a vague impression that she brought them home to prepare and decided to check through again, just so that she made sure they were not at home. And that she would not kick herself for not double-checking. Then she left for school, convinced that she had left them in her locker.
And of course, she couldn’t find it in her locker.
She was now not sure where her materials were, but figured that her best bet was to rush home during her one hour break to find them, even though she had already made sure that they were not at home.
She sped home (through chilly weather I must say) and found her materials after two minutes, neatly organised in a file. My female owner couldn’t help but kick herself for her absentmindedness. I mean, who wouldn’t?
In a flash, she remembered that she had filed her materials within a two-minute span when one of her multiple personalities came on (the one who wants to be neat and organised). Alas, her dominant personality which operates best with “organised mess” was functioning throughout the day… until she was home during lunch to find her materials and her other persona came on.
Yeah, her personalities obviously don’t communicate with each other.
So today, before school, she started looking for her tutorial materials (she is a tutor this semester and tutorials are held today) at home and couldn’t find them. She had a vague impression that she brought them home to prepare and decided to check through again, just so that she made sure they were not at home. And that she would not kick herself for not double-checking. Then she left for school, convinced that she had left them in her locker.
And of course, she couldn’t find it in her locker.
She was now not sure where her materials were, but figured that her best bet was to rush home during her one hour break to find them, even though she had already made sure that they were not at home.
She sped home (through chilly weather I must say) and found her materials after two minutes, neatly organised in a file. My female owner couldn’t help but kick herself for her absentmindedness. I mean, who wouldn’t?
In a flash, she remembered that she had filed her materials within a two-minute span when one of her multiple personalities came on (the one who wants to be neat and organised). Alas, her dominant personality which operates best with “organised mess” was functioning throughout the day… until she was home during lunch to find her materials and her other persona came on.
Yeah, her personalities obviously don’t communicate with each other.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
weighty issues
My female owner finally figured out that she can skip better and longer if she shortens her rope. Hence, through much struggle, panting and stops, she managed to complete three rounds of 100 skips. Given the short duration of each cycle, she didnt manage to perspire much but she certainly felt her heart beating faster and her body warmer.
My female owner tried to bring in a weighing scale from Singapore (coz it cost a lot to get one in Australia) but couldnt in the end because her luggage was overweight and she had to sacrifice the non-essentials. Actually she felt that the weighing scale was a huge essential, to her mental and physical well-being at least, but knew that her mother would certainly not agree with her. So anyway, she has decided to use her never-shrinking clothes as a gauge of her weight fluctuations.
Given that her BMI had never been above 20 for the longest time ever, my female owner was shocked when she calculated it again yesterday and found it to be 21.something. Hence, she has set a weight loss goal of 4kg, so that her BMI will reduce to about 20. Now, for those who are good in maths, that's still a net gain of 2kg from her original weight. But she probably learnt not to be so ambitious anymore.
While her clothes are still tight and snug (strange that it's so easy to put on weight but so difficult to lose it. One of my female owner's colleagues used to say "a moment on your lips, a lifetime on your hips")... my female owner is still hopeful that she can lose some weight... somehow...
My female owner tried to bring in a weighing scale from Singapore (coz it cost a lot to get one in Australia) but couldnt in the end because her luggage was overweight and she had to sacrifice the non-essentials. Actually she felt that the weighing scale was a huge essential, to her mental and physical well-being at least, but knew that her mother would certainly not agree with her. So anyway, she has decided to use her never-shrinking clothes as a gauge of her weight fluctuations.
Given that her BMI had never been above 20 for the longest time ever, my female owner was shocked when she calculated it again yesterday and found it to be 21.something. Hence, she has set a weight loss goal of 4kg, so that her BMI will reduce to about 20. Now, for those who are good in maths, that's still a net gain of 2kg from her original weight. But she probably learnt not to be so ambitious anymore.
While her clothes are still tight and snug (strange that it's so easy to put on weight but so difficult to lose it. One of my female owner's colleagues used to say "a moment on your lips, a lifetime on your hips")... my female owner is still hopeful that she can lose some weight... somehow...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
hibernative
My female owner says that the weather has turned bitterly cold. Too cold for comfort. She spends her time fighting the cold, trying to keep warm. And to keep warm, she eats a lot. And after eating a lot, she feels sleepy, almost “hibernative” state. Not to mention, the chill has bestowed upon her sneezing fits which leaves her dehydrated, tired and drowsy.
In short, she finds it hard to be productive… and blames it wholly on the weather.
In short, she finds it hard to be productive… and blames it wholly on the weather.
puffy
Speaking of gaining weight, my female owner was horrified when she laid eyes on me for the first time in 5 months. "Nooki grew puffier again!"
I stretched out my neck in a bid to look slimmer... but failed miserably.
This is me, a few days later, trying to look sporty... by climbing into the feeding tank for food. My female owner says I look like a pelican.
My frontal view. See my manicured nails? (That's Nanook behind me, her shell seems to blend into mine, making me look bigger than I actually am).
This is me, a few days later, trying to look sporty... by climbing into the feeding tank for food. My female owner says I look like a pelican. 
My frontal view. See my manicured nails? (That's Nanook behind me, her shell seems to blend into mine, making me look bigger than I actually am). 
Friday, July 25, 2008
gym
Did anyone ever tell you how gullible my female owner is?
There was once her Onli Fren and her went to a local gym, meaning to redeem a free one week’s trial of gym access. Before going in, they reminded each other that they were not going to sign up for any gym packages.
At the entrance, they were served by a fat, oversized employee who tried to introduce various gym packages. The two of them had always found it difficult to say no to people, even to sales personnel. Hence, they were coaxed and cajoled by the Fat Man who used this powerful line “surely you don’t want to end up like me?”
And the two silly gals actually ended up signing up for a year’s membership, without even seeing the gym’s facilities, equipment or shower rooms! They fell victim to a Fat Man’s persuasive powers at the door-step of a gym! This was despite the fact that my female owner was aware of the various psychological techniques that he was pulling on them (e.g. door-in-the-face) and that all logic points to a NO (e.g. my female owner could get a staff gym package if she waited a while longer). My female owner tried to justify her irrational action by saying that having to pay for gym would motivate (or force) her to exercise regularly. And hopefully, after one year, she would have formed the habit of exercising and hence, would not need to join a gym.
Ya, right. The rest, they say, is history.
There was once her Onli Fren and her went to a local gym, meaning to redeem a free one week’s trial of gym access. Before going in, they reminded each other that they were not going to sign up for any gym packages.
At the entrance, they were served by a fat, oversized employee who tried to introduce various gym packages. The two of them had always found it difficult to say no to people, even to sales personnel. Hence, they were coaxed and cajoled by the Fat Man who used this powerful line “surely you don’t want to end up like me?”
And the two silly gals actually ended up signing up for a year’s membership, without even seeing the gym’s facilities, equipment or shower rooms! They fell victim to a Fat Man’s persuasive powers at the door-step of a gym! This was despite the fact that my female owner was aware of the various psychological techniques that he was pulling on them (e.g. door-in-the-face) and that all logic points to a NO (e.g. my female owner could get a staff gym package if she waited a while longer). My female owner tried to justify her irrational action by saying that having to pay for gym would motivate (or force) her to exercise regularly. And hopefully, after one year, she would have formed the habit of exercising and hence, would not need to join a gym.
Ya, right. The rest, they say, is history.
skipping
My female owner had a chat with one of her clinic secretaries, G today. The conversation started because my female owner was wearing her yellow sleeveless dress without any jumper and it was a cold, slightly rainy day.
G: did anyone tell you that it’s a cold day today?
FO: no, but I’ve got functional fats. they insulate me.
Stunned silence.
G: functional fats?
FO: yes, I put on 6kg in 6 months!
Astonished look.
G: but you look slim. I can’t imagine how you look, 6kg lighter! You look alright and don’t you go lose any of the 6kg.
FO: you are too kind.
G: no no. Let me look at you again (and my female owner had to go around the counter to stand in front of her for a full-body scan). Yes, you are alright, I can’t see where the 6kgs went. Now, go and celebrate this weekend.
__________________________
Seems as if people in different continents have different standards. Anyway, my female owner brought a skipping rope over from Singapore, in her feeble attempt to lose weight. The skipping rope hasn’t worked well for her, coz the rope is too light, and tends to get tangled with her feet. Also, she finds that she has to make big circles with her arms in order to circumvent the “weightless” rope. These limitations exhaust her quickly. The other plausible explanation is simply that she does not know how to skip properly!
Anyway, in her quest to maximise her new exercise regime (she has had many in the past), my female owner stumbled upon a skipping website which she wished that she saw before buying her rope.
G: did anyone tell you that it’s a cold day today?
FO: no, but I’ve got functional fats. they insulate me.
Stunned silence.
G: functional fats?
FO: yes, I put on 6kg in 6 months!
Astonished look.
G: but you look slim. I can’t imagine how you look, 6kg lighter! You look alright and don’t you go lose any of the 6kg.
FO: you are too kind.
G: no no. Let me look at you again (and my female owner had to go around the counter to stand in front of her for a full-body scan). Yes, you are alright, I can’t see where the 6kgs went. Now, go and celebrate this weekend.
__________________________
Seems as if people in different continents have different standards. Anyway, my female owner brought a skipping rope over from Singapore, in her feeble attempt to lose weight. The skipping rope hasn’t worked well for her, coz the rope is too light, and tends to get tangled with her feet. Also, she finds that she has to make big circles with her arms in order to circumvent the “weightless” rope. These limitations exhaust her quickly. The other plausible explanation is simply that she does not know how to skip properly!
Anyway, in her quest to maximise her new exercise regime (she has had many in the past), my female owner stumbled upon a skipping website which she wished that she saw before buying her rope.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
thankful
Been less than a week since my female owner left. Time crawls when she is not around, even though she is hardly around when she is in Singapore. At least we know that she is somewhere near. We feel more secure too. Coz we know that if we fall ill again, she would not hesitate to bring us to the Vet. I know that her mother would not bother to do such things, simply because she thinks it’s a waste of money.
My female owner has been thinking about her time in Singapore, and realised that she has many things to be thankful for. First of all, her family who had been supporting her very expensive and time-consuming endeavour (and possibly suffering in silence too). She mustered up her courage to dedicate a flute item to her family during her father’s 60th birthday. Not perfect playing I must say (I was there!) but the sincerity was there.
Second, to her friends who made time to be with her, often at the last minute. Some even took leave to spend time with her. That really touched her heart, coz leave has always been something so sacred for the Singapore worker.
For these, my female owner concluded that the trip back was worthwhile, despite the implications on her coursework.
Third, for the financial support from different individuals. At his first opportunity, her brother shoved $500 in her hands, saying it was to off-set her air-ticket (as previously offered) and when she said she had already paid for it, told her to use it as spending money. Her father also tried offering her a wad of money, but knowing that her father is semi-retired and feeling embarrassed to sponge off him, my female owner took $50 from him as a token gesture. Her father ended up changing some AUD dollars for her, which she had no choice but to receive with grace. Her friends, many who are earning average income, also insisted on paying for her meals, or refusing to take her money for things that she should be paying for. The biggest “donor” was her auntie who gave her a $1000 note in a red packet on the day of her departure. This auntie is not financially well-off so her kind gesture warmed my female owner’s heart greatly.
Looking back, my female owner realised that although she didn’t binge-eat in Singapore, the reason why she put on so much weight in such a short time was because she spent a lot of time eating with her family and friends. For this, the weight gain was in vain. (Hey, it rhymes!)
Now it’s time to lose those kilos.
My female owner has been thinking about her time in Singapore, and realised that she has many things to be thankful for. First of all, her family who had been supporting her very expensive and time-consuming endeavour (and possibly suffering in silence too). She mustered up her courage to dedicate a flute item to her family during her father’s 60th birthday. Not perfect playing I must say (I was there!) but the sincerity was there.
Second, to her friends who made time to be with her, often at the last minute. Some even took leave to spend time with her. That really touched her heart, coz leave has always been something so sacred for the Singapore worker.
For these, my female owner concluded that the trip back was worthwhile, despite the implications on her coursework.
Third, for the financial support from different individuals. At his first opportunity, her brother shoved $500 in her hands, saying it was to off-set her air-ticket (as previously offered) and when she said she had already paid for it, told her to use it as spending money. Her father also tried offering her a wad of money, but knowing that her father is semi-retired and feeling embarrassed to sponge off him, my female owner took $50 from him as a token gesture. Her father ended up changing some AUD dollars for her, which she had no choice but to receive with grace. Her friends, many who are earning average income, also insisted on paying for her meals, or refusing to take her money for things that she should be paying for. The biggest “donor” was her auntie who gave her a $1000 note in a red packet on the day of her departure. This auntie is not financially well-off so her kind gesture warmed my female owner’s heart greatly.
Looking back, my female owner realised that although she didn’t binge-eat in Singapore, the reason why she put on so much weight in such a short time was because she spent a lot of time eating with her family and friends. For this, the weight gain was in vain. (Hey, it rhymes!)
Now it’s time to lose those kilos.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
commitment
My female owner has commitment issues apparently. She stated this squarely to her unsuspecting bible study group leader who was asking her to join the church as a member.
My female owner never used to be like that. I mean, she committed to a relationship for 6.5 years, despite facing objections and pressure from her family. She spent her weekends largely with one person, at the expense of her social life. She led an uneventful life then – no late nights, no drinking, no dining at gourmet restaurants (because the other person had dietary restrictions) etc. Look what commitment brought her. Lost youth, wasted opportunities, undeveloped potentials.
She committed herself to her work. Being on call 24/7, hardly taking sick leave and covering for disappearing colleagues. Yet, her boss said that she “spread herself too thinly” with her flute and aikido endeavours.
No wonder she has commitment issues now.
My female owner never used to be like that. I mean, she committed to a relationship for 6.5 years, despite facing objections and pressure from her family. She spent her weekends largely with one person, at the expense of her social life. She led an uneventful life then – no late nights, no drinking, no dining at gourmet restaurants (because the other person had dietary restrictions) etc. Look what commitment brought her. Lost youth, wasted opportunities, undeveloped potentials.
She committed herself to her work. Being on call 24/7, hardly taking sick leave and covering for disappearing colleagues. Yet, her boss said that she “spread herself too thinly” with her flute and aikido endeavours.
No wonder she has commitment issues now.
hymns
My female owner finally sent an email to the church wind ensemble she used to play with today. The reason was that someone started sending out some hymn jokes.
Do you know your HYMNS?
The Dentist's Hymn........ .......Crown Him with Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn........ There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
The Contractor's Hymn........The Church is One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn........ .......Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn........ There is a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn........ .........Standing on the Promises
The Optometrist' s Hymn........Open My Eyes That I Might See
The IRAS Agent's Hymn........ ......... ......... ...I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn........ ......... ......... ......... ..Pass It On
The Electrician' s Hymn........ ......... ......... ..Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn........ ......... ......... ...Sweet Buy and Buy
The Realtor's Hymn......... I've Got a Mansion Just over the Hilltop
The Massage Therapists Hymn ............ He Touched Me
The Doctor's Hymn........ ......... .The Great Physician
The emails started shooting around and my female owner couldn’t help but ask “any hymns for the psychologist?”
And the answers came quite quickly:
Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord
God Be In My Head
Whispering Hope
Haha!
She also received a short email from one of the veterans of the ensemble who asked how she was and added that he was waiting for her to return to join them. My female owner thought that he was referring to the ensemble and replied accordingly. It turned out that he was referring to joining his organisation. The history is that, before she left for Brisbane, he had briefly broached the subject to her, but my female owner had forgotten about it until today. My female owner is not keen coz it’s a governmental department dealing with restricted information.
After all, my female owner didn’t resign from the civil service, to hop back into the civil service. Then she might as well have taken a sponsorship!
Anyway, more hymns were compiled by the end of the day. You probably can find one that suits you.
The chiropractor's hymn - STAND UP, STAND UP.
The electricians hymn - SEND THE LIGHT.
The poor person's hymn - I CARE NOT FOR RICHES.
The rainmaker's hymn - SHOWERS OF BLESSING
The surgical patient's hymn - I LONG TO BE PERFECTLY WHOLE. T
he day you find out you're pregnant hymn - O HAPPY DAY.
The day you find out you're NOT pregnant hymn - O HAPPY DAY.
The Mountain Home Builder's Association hymn - MY HOUSE IS BUILT UPON A ROCK
My kid's getting even with me hymn - O THEY TELL ME OF A HOME.
The ranger station hymn - ON A HILL FAR AWAY.
The physical therapist hymn - ONE STEP AT A TIME.
The divorced person's hymn - OUT OF MY BONDAGE.
The WIDE LOAD hymn - PASS ME NOT.
The rescuer's hymn - SEEKING THE LOST.
The fisherman's hymn - SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER.
The last payment hymn - SINCE I CAN READ MY TITLE CLEAR.
The seamstress hymn - SOWING IN THE MORNING.
The dater's hymn - THE NIGHT IS FAST PASSING.
The thirsty person's hymn - THERE IS A FOUNTAIN.
The slingshot hymn - THERE IS A ROCK.
The telephone repairman's hymn - THERE'S A CALL COMES RINGING.
The dieter's hymn - THOU, MY EVER LASTING PORTION.
The chain gang hymn - GO LABOR ON.
The hiker's hymn - WALKING IN THE SUNLIGHT.
The car accident hymn - WE SAW THEE NOT.
The lawyer's hymn - WHEN ALL MY LABORS AND TRIALS ARE OVER.
The street crossing guard hymn - WHY DO YOU WAIT?
The prisoner's hymn - WOULD YOU BE FREE?
The home builder's hymn - A MIGHTY FORTRESS
The parade master's hymn - FLING OUT THE BANNER.
The weatherman's hymn - FROM EVERY STORMY WIND THAT BLOWS
The Darning Association's hymn - HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.
The Girdle Association's hymn - HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION.
The caterer's hymn - ALL THINGS ARE READY, COME TO THE FEAST.
The salesman's hymn - ALMOST PERSUADED.
The insurance man's hymn - BLESSED ASSURANCE.
The cowboy's hymn - DAY IS DYING IN THE WEST.
The accountant's hymn - EARTH HOLDS NO TREASURES.
The traveler's hymn - FAR AND NEAR.
The scuba diver's hymn - FAR AWAY IN THE DEPTHS.
The whisperer's hymn - HARK! THE GENTLE VOICE.
The whining spouse hymn - HAVE THINE OWN WAY.
The wagon master's hymn - HE LEADETH ME.
The hearing aid salesman's hymn - HEAR THE SWEET VOICE.
The lost traveler's hymn - HERE WE ARE BUT STRAYING PILGRIMS.
The oxen hymn - HIS YOKE IS EASY.
The new kid in the class hymn - I AM A STRANGER HERE.
The rookie hang glider's hymn - I AM DWELLING ON THE MOUNTAIN.
The Vegetable Grower's Association hymn - I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE.
The explorer's hymn - I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND.
The watch repairman's hymn - I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
The Job Service hymn - I WANT TO BE A WORKER.
The ironing lady's hymn - I'M PRESSING ON.
The distiller's hymn - I REACHED THE LAND OF CORN AND WINE.
The lost dog hymn - I'VE WANDERED FAR.
The half time Alaska hymn - IN THE LAND OF FADELESS DAY.
The birthday hymn - IS IT FOR ME?
The night watchman's hymn - IT MAY BE AT MORN.
The nervous groom's hymn - JUST A FEW MORE DAYS.
The perfect person's hymn - JUST AS I AM.
The drunkard's hymn - LEAD ME GENTLY HOME.
The psychiatrist hymn - LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND.
The pie maker's hymn - PEACE, PERFECT PEACE.
The Gold Collector's Association hymn - PURER YET AND PURER.
The Rock Collector's Association hymn - ROCK OF AGES.
The dynamite specialist hymn - SAFELY THROUGH ANOTHER WEEK.
The race car hymn - SPEED AWAY.
The payment book hymn - WE GIVE THEE BUT THINE OWN.
The escaped convict's hymn - FLEE AS A BIRD.
The coal miner's hymn - SOMEWHERE THE SUN IS SHINING.
An Alternative Hymn for LTA and the ERP gantries --- And Can it Be that I Should Gain
The Hymn for Peer Pressure --- Come Let Us Join Our Friends Above
The Trumpeter's Hymn --- Blow Ye the Trumpet Blow.
The Big Band's Hymn --- Christ Lay in Death's Strong Bands
The Weatherman's Hymn --- Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending
The Port Operator's Hymn --- Come To The Water. :)
The Hymn for Impatient People --- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
The Hymn for the Pro-China faction --- Day is Dying in the West
The Pro-Globalisation Hymn --- In Christ there is no East or West
The Hymn for Slow Learners --- We Understand it better By and By
Do you know your HYMNS?
The Dentist's Hymn........ .......Crown Him with Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn........ There Shall Be Showers of Blessings
The Contractor's Hymn........The Church is One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn........ .......Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn........ There is a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn........ .........Standing on the Promises
The Optometrist' s Hymn........Open My Eyes That I Might See
The IRAS Agent's Hymn........ ......... ......... ...I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn........ ......... ......... ......... ..Pass It On
The Electrician' s Hymn........ ......... ......... ..Send The Light
The Shopper's Hymn........ ......... ......... ...Sweet Buy and Buy
The Realtor's Hymn......... I've Got a Mansion Just over the Hilltop
The Massage Therapists Hymn ............ He Touched Me
The Doctor's Hymn........ ......... .The Great Physician
The emails started shooting around and my female owner couldn’t help but ask “any hymns for the psychologist?”
And the answers came quite quickly:
Take Thou Our Minds, Dear Lord
God Be In My Head
Whispering Hope
Haha!
She also received a short email from one of the veterans of the ensemble who asked how she was and added that he was waiting for her to return to join them. My female owner thought that he was referring to the ensemble and replied accordingly. It turned out that he was referring to joining his organisation. The history is that, before she left for Brisbane, he had briefly broached the subject to her, but my female owner had forgotten about it until today. My female owner is not keen coz it’s a governmental department dealing with restricted information.
After all, my female owner didn’t resign from the civil service, to hop back into the civil service. Then she might as well have taken a sponsorship!
Anyway, more hymns were compiled by the end of the day. You probably can find one that suits you.
The chiropractor's hymn - STAND UP, STAND UP.
The electricians hymn - SEND THE LIGHT.
The poor person's hymn - I CARE NOT FOR RICHES.
The rainmaker's hymn - SHOWERS OF BLESSING
The surgical patient's hymn - I LONG TO BE PERFECTLY WHOLE. T
he day you find out you're pregnant hymn - O HAPPY DAY.
The day you find out you're NOT pregnant hymn - O HAPPY DAY.
The Mountain Home Builder's Association hymn - MY HOUSE IS BUILT UPON A ROCK
My kid's getting even with me hymn - O THEY TELL ME OF A HOME.
The ranger station hymn - ON A HILL FAR AWAY.
The physical therapist hymn - ONE STEP AT A TIME.
The divorced person's hymn - OUT OF MY BONDAGE.
The WIDE LOAD hymn - PASS ME NOT.
The rescuer's hymn - SEEKING THE LOST.
The fisherman's hymn - SHALL WE GATHER AT THE RIVER.
The last payment hymn - SINCE I CAN READ MY TITLE CLEAR.
The seamstress hymn - SOWING IN THE MORNING.
The dater's hymn - THE NIGHT IS FAST PASSING.
The thirsty person's hymn - THERE IS A FOUNTAIN.
The slingshot hymn - THERE IS A ROCK.
The telephone repairman's hymn - THERE'S A CALL COMES RINGING.
The dieter's hymn - THOU, MY EVER LASTING PORTION.
The chain gang hymn - GO LABOR ON.
The hiker's hymn - WALKING IN THE SUNLIGHT.
The car accident hymn - WE SAW THEE NOT.
The lawyer's hymn - WHEN ALL MY LABORS AND TRIALS ARE OVER.
The street crossing guard hymn - WHY DO YOU WAIT?
The prisoner's hymn - WOULD YOU BE FREE?
The home builder's hymn - A MIGHTY FORTRESS
The parade master's hymn - FLING OUT THE BANNER.
The weatherman's hymn - FROM EVERY STORMY WIND THAT BLOWS
The Darning Association's hymn - HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.
The Girdle Association's hymn - HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION.
The caterer's hymn - ALL THINGS ARE READY, COME TO THE FEAST.
The salesman's hymn - ALMOST PERSUADED.
The insurance man's hymn - BLESSED ASSURANCE.
The cowboy's hymn - DAY IS DYING IN THE WEST.
The accountant's hymn - EARTH HOLDS NO TREASURES.
The traveler's hymn - FAR AND NEAR.
The scuba diver's hymn - FAR AWAY IN THE DEPTHS.
The whisperer's hymn - HARK! THE GENTLE VOICE.
The whining spouse hymn - HAVE THINE OWN WAY.
The wagon master's hymn - HE LEADETH ME.
The hearing aid salesman's hymn - HEAR THE SWEET VOICE.
The lost traveler's hymn - HERE WE ARE BUT STRAYING PILGRIMS.
The oxen hymn - HIS YOKE IS EASY.
The new kid in the class hymn - I AM A STRANGER HERE.
The rookie hang glider's hymn - I AM DWELLING ON THE MOUNTAIN.
The Vegetable Grower's Association hymn - I COME TO THE GARDEN ALONE.
The explorer's hymn - I HAVE HEARD OF A LAND.
The watch repairman's hymn - I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR.
The Job Service hymn - I WANT TO BE A WORKER.
The ironing lady's hymn - I'M PRESSING ON.
The distiller's hymn - I REACHED THE LAND OF CORN AND WINE.
The lost dog hymn - I'VE WANDERED FAR.
The half time Alaska hymn - IN THE LAND OF FADELESS DAY.
The birthday hymn - IS IT FOR ME?
The night watchman's hymn - IT MAY BE AT MORN.
The nervous groom's hymn - JUST A FEW MORE DAYS.
The perfect person's hymn - JUST AS I AM.
The drunkard's hymn - LEAD ME GENTLY HOME.
The psychiatrist hymn - LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND.
The pie maker's hymn - PEACE, PERFECT PEACE.
The Gold Collector's Association hymn - PURER YET AND PURER.
The Rock Collector's Association hymn - ROCK OF AGES.
The dynamite specialist hymn - SAFELY THROUGH ANOTHER WEEK.
The race car hymn - SPEED AWAY.
The payment book hymn - WE GIVE THEE BUT THINE OWN.
The escaped convict's hymn - FLEE AS A BIRD.
The coal miner's hymn - SOMEWHERE THE SUN IS SHINING.
An Alternative Hymn for LTA and the ERP gantries --- And Can it Be that I Should Gain
The Hymn for Peer Pressure --- Come Let Us Join Our Friends Above
The Trumpeter's Hymn --- Blow Ye the Trumpet Blow.
The Big Band's Hymn --- Christ Lay in Death's Strong Bands
The Weatherman's Hymn --- Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending
The Port Operator's Hymn --- Come To The Water. :)
The Hymn for Impatient People --- Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
The Hymn for the Pro-China faction --- Day is Dying in the West
The Pro-Globalisation Hymn --- In Christ there is no East or West
The Hymn for Slow Learners --- We Understand it better By and By
Monday, July 21, 2008
resolve
My female owner started school today. She wanted to reach school at 9am to settle some banking matters, but was so exhausted by the previous day that she woke up at 9am instead. This was despite using a new alarm clock, in addition to her handphone!
After 2 weeks in Singapore where “it’s as if she never left”, my female owner figured that she did not miss Brisbane at all because she never felt at home in Brisbane. While Brisbane, in itself, is a lovely place, it offers a different lifestyle and quality of life from what my female owner is accustomed to and she is still trying to find her equilibrium.
Starting a new term, my female owner has set some new goals with relation to her unexpected non-pregnancy-related weight gain. This is her heaviest weight in her 18+++++ life.
- to exercise 3 times a week (method not firmed up yet -> high chance of failure)
- to eat healthy food (i.e. no binge-eating of chocolate chip cookies, potato chips and biscuits à easiest way is NOT to buy them)
- to avoid buying and consuming most things creamy, buttery and sweet (i.e. homecooked or home-baked things are ok -> what a loophole in her resolution!)
Now she just needs someone to be her human conscience. Any takers?
old friends
Two pairs of my female owner's friends got married when she was in Brisbane. Each couple had just established their homes in the northern part of Singapore. As part of my female owner's homecoming, the female half of Couple Fren decided to host a dinner. The menu was decided on the spot by her and my female owner at the supermarket. Cooking took about 3 hours. The dinner was attended by the two couples, my female owner and her Ex-Er-Zi who happened to be in town (currently studying in Denmark).
It was an evening of food, fun and fellowship. Catching up with old friends has always a joy for my female owner. In addition to the food featured below, there were various goodies from Japan and alcohol (my female owner's indulgence in Singapore). And the good old Tai-Di.
Quite obviously, they overbought.
My female owner's maiden attempt at washing squid.
5-spice Chicken that didn't turn out correct
Mapo tofu that...again...didn't turn out right
Sambal seafood (that's where the squid went!)
Stir-fried vegs with mushroom. In her typical blurness, my female owner cut up all the mushrooms, except one.
The entire dinner (plus a pot of soup, eggs with sausage and pineapple rice). 7 dishes for 6 people! 
The traditional shot - one of the husbands was late in coming home. 
A surprise birthday celebration for her Ex-Er-Zi. Yes, he is only 2 years old. =)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
mug shots
Before my female owner left, she took close-up photos of us (without using the zoom function!). Hence, the camera was about 10cm from our faces and that scared the daylight out of some of us turtles. Anyway, here's our mug-shots (me, Dona, Nanook and Dodo). Although Dona looked really calm, he struggled the most. Nanook was quite sulky too. Dodo was the most cooperative, but he looks the saddest.
really gone
My female owner really left yesterday! Sob. Actually the flight was overbooked and the airline offered to compensate her with 400USD if she would volunteer to postpone her flight to today. However, she thought about the people who made the effort to go down to the airport to send her off and decided to spare them the agony of making a wasted trip. It was only a while later that she realised that the money would have come in handy, given her financial situation. To put things into perspective, the compensation was almost half the cost of her return ticket.
My female owner has been quite bothered about her rapid weight gain. No, not the 4-5kg she put on in Brisbane but the 2kg she put on 2 weeks in Singapore. That, to her, is a monstrosity. At 6kg heavier than 6 months ago, she looks bloated in photos. Again, to put things into perspective, her Onli Fren who got pregnant about the same time as when my female owner left for Brisbane has put on only a mere 8kg! As a result of her weight gain, my female owner finds herself bumming into random things, losing her balance and not being able to roll during aikido. In addition, her once loose clothes (which she left in Singapore) can no longer be worn. Things got so bad that 2 nights ago, she wore track pants to her friends’ house. She could not find any shorts which fitted her.
My female owner has been quite bothered about her rapid weight gain. No, not the 4-5kg she put on in Brisbane but the 2kg she put on 2 weeks in Singapore. That, to her, is a monstrosity. At 6kg heavier than 6 months ago, she looks bloated in photos. Again, to put things into perspective, her Onli Fren who got pregnant about the same time as when my female owner left for Brisbane has put on only a mere 8kg! As a result of her weight gain, my female owner finds herself bumming into random things, losing her balance and not being able to roll during aikido. In addition, her once loose clothes (which she left in Singapore) can no longer be worn. Things got so bad that 2 nights ago, she wore track pants to her friends’ house. She could not find any shorts which fitted her.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
leaving
After 2 weeks of holidays, my female owner has to leave today. I know she will leave with a heavy heart. My female owner just came home from her final gathering, with her Impromptu Frens. She hasn’t done much over the fortnight, except to catch up with different groups of friends/ individuals. Needless to say, she relished in those times. At the same time, it was difficult to say goodbye to her friends, to a point where she has become numb and somewhat helpless.
Many people have asked her if she had the chance to catch up on all the local food she missed in Brisbane. My female owner’s response was that she didn’t really care about the food, it was the friendships which mattered most to her. As long as the company is good, the food will taste good. After all, you can somewhat replicate the local delicacies overseas (whether by buying or cooking), but it’s certainly difficult to replace friends/ comrades who have been through so much with and for you.
May the friendships never end, as though she never left.
Many people have asked her if she had the chance to catch up on all the local food she missed in Brisbane. My female owner’s response was that she didn’t really care about the food, it was the friendships which mattered most to her. As long as the company is good, the food will taste good. After all, you can somewhat replicate the local delicacies overseas (whether by buying or cooking), but it’s certainly difficult to replace friends/ comrades who have been through so much with and for you.
May the friendships never end, as though she never left.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
holiday
My female owner sometimes take things to the extreme, or too literally. This time round, it’s about her holiday in Singapore. Although she made some vague but grand plans to do some schoolwork in-between appointments, she hasn’t opened a single file or document. She hasn’t even printed out her new time-table! A true holiday, she insisted of herself.
Also, she took a spiritual holiday. She didn’t attend any church-related activities (e.g. bible study or Sunday service). Neither did she read the bible or spend much time praying. It seems as if she is leading a double life! But truth be told, she also hasn’t been drinking much or getting herself drunk silly. Then again, she didn’t really have the chance to, coz her usual drinking buddy, Potahto, was out of drinking action. Then then again, she could have drunk to her heart’s context at the BBQ, but my female owner didn’t want to re-traumatise her long-suffering Impromptu friends (all of whom, she realised, had been victims of her drinking escapades).
Also, she took a spiritual holiday. She didn’t attend any church-related activities (e.g. bible study or Sunday service). Neither did she read the bible or spend much time praying. It seems as if she is leading a double life! But truth be told, she also hasn’t been drinking much or getting herself drunk silly. Then again, she didn’t really have the chance to, coz her usual drinking buddy, Potahto, was out of drinking action. Then then again, she could have drunk to her heart’s context at the BBQ, but my female owner didn’t want to re-traumatise her long-suffering Impromptu friends (all of whom, she realised, had been victims of her drinking escapades).
cry
My female owner comes across as a very emotional person (whether she really is or not depends on your relationship with her) – I heard that as a child, tears would well up in her eyes even when she is only quarrelling with someone. This propensity to tear is a great source of embarrassment for her, because her level of emotional distress does not necessarily match up to what people equate tears to mean and it makes the situation awkward. Objectively, she thinks she has over-reactive tear glands.
Her over-reactive tear glands have placed her in difficult situations before. For example, when her big boss talked to her about her work performance (or lack of it?!). Try as she might, she usually ends up crying in his office. She hates it, coz it makes her look weak and vulnerable, or even seemingly trying to get his sympathy.
Sometimes when she quarreled with her previous boyfriend, the tears would come. He used to get very irritated and would scold her (even more) for crying – “stop crying, when you see a problem, fix it, crying won’t help”.
Yet, over the past few months, when she was struggling with the vast changes in her life, my female owner found it difficult to let the tears out, even in the comfort of her own room, away from public eye.
Actually, why do humans cry? What is the function of tears? Why do sad people cry and why do happy people cry too? How does crying help to make people feel better? Can you feel better if you cannot cry (maybe no tear glands)?
Her over-reactive tear glands have placed her in difficult situations before. For example, when her big boss talked to her about her work performance (or lack of it?!). Try as she might, she usually ends up crying in his office. She hates it, coz it makes her look weak and vulnerable, or even seemingly trying to get his sympathy.
Sometimes when she quarreled with her previous boyfriend, the tears would come. He used to get very irritated and would scold her (even more) for crying – “stop crying, when you see a problem, fix it, crying won’t help”.
Yet, over the past few months, when she was struggling with the vast changes in her life, my female owner found it difficult to let the tears out, even in the comfort of her own room, away from public eye.
Actually, why do humans cry? What is the function of tears? Why do sad people cry and why do happy people cry too? How does crying help to make people feel better? Can you feel better if you cannot cry (maybe no tear glands)?
deceptive
My female owner scolded us today for being deceptive!
You see, her conscience got the better of her today and she actually fed us in the morning (feeding time is usually at night). So, we turtles came out of our respective nooks to feast on breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper. An hour later, her father, unaware that we had been fed, decided to feed us too! Wahaha! Bonus!
My female owner found out just 30secs too late and came just in time to see me climbing into the feeding tank. That’s when she started scolding us for being deceptive and for not owning up that we had been fed already. Erm… it’s never too much to eat again right?
You see, her conscience got the better of her today and she actually fed us in the morning (feeding time is usually at night). So, we turtles came out of our respective nooks to feast on breakfast/lunch/dinner/supper. An hour later, her father, unaware that we had been fed, decided to feed us too! Wahaha! Bonus!
My female owner found out just 30secs too late and came just in time to see me climbing into the feeding tank. That’s when she started scolding us for being deceptive and for not owning up that we had been fed already. Erm… it’s never too much to eat again right?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
wind
My female owner has been going out so much and staying out so late so often, that her friends have individually expressed concern about whether she has spent enough time with her parents. Some even express surprise if she’s home before midnight.
For the record, my female owner has not really spent much time with us turtles too! Firstly, she forgot about Nanook’s and my birthday until today! We happen to share the same birth-date as her Onli Fren. Sighz..
Secondly, for the 12-13 days she had been here, she only remembered to feed us ONCE. She seems to think that we are like her plant in Brisbane, that we need only water to survive.
Gosh. The whole Balcony is upset with her now. Gone like the wind. Nothing’s changed? Something certainly did.
For the record, my female owner has not really spent much time with us turtles too! Firstly, she forgot about Nanook’s and my birthday until today! We happen to share the same birth-date as her Onli Fren. Sighz..
Secondly, for the 12-13 days she had been here, she only remembered to feed us ONCE. She seems to think that we are like her plant in Brisbane, that we need only water to survive.
Gosh. The whole Balcony is upset with her now. Gone like the wind. Nothing’s changed? Something certainly did.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
birthday ops
My female owner had an impromptu pre-dinner meeting with Potahto. It was impromptu as my female owner had 1.5hrs to spare between appointments and Potahto was available and more importantly, willing to meet her at last minute's notice. Although it was only about an hour long (my female owner had to leave for a dinner appointment), my female owner enjoyed that short encounter with Potahto. It's not how long you spend with someone that matters, it's how that time is spent with someone that matters.
After dinner, my female owner received an impromptu supper jio by her Second Onli Fren. While driving to pick up Goat (whom my female owner actually met earlier in the day for lunch), they decided to perform a birthday ops on Onli Fren, as it was her birthday. Hence, the three Frens turned up at her doorstep at about 2330hr (with the help of Onli Fren’s husband, who let them into the house). And the four of them (who coincidentally went to Phuket together a few years ago around this time), managed to both celebrate Onli Fren’s birthday, and have a few games of bridge – something which Onli Fren had always wanted to do since my female owner came back to Singapore.
That warm and snuggly feeling, so hard to replace or let go.
After dinner, my female owner received an impromptu supper jio by her Second Onli Fren. While driving to pick up Goat (whom my female owner actually met earlier in the day for lunch), they decided to perform a birthday ops on Onli Fren, as it was her birthday. Hence, the three Frens turned up at her doorstep at about 2330hr (with the help of Onli Fren’s husband, who let them into the house). And the four of them (who coincidentally went to Phuket together a few years ago around this time), managed to both celebrate Onli Fren’s birthday, and have a few games of bridge – something which Onli Fren had always wanted to do since my female owner came back to Singapore.
That warm and snuggly feeling, so hard to replace or let go.
Monday, July 14, 2008
worth it?
My female owner is slowly turning emo again… She has been wondering if it’s worthwhile returning to Brisbane and posed that question onto MSN. So far, three people replied her.
Intuitive Fren
Having deserted Singapore as an infant for Sunny Brisbane, his answer was a certain “it’s worth it”. In fact, he told my female owner that it was never worth leaving Brisbane. With a personal bias in his answer, my female owner was left unconvinced.
Sunflower Fren
A newly named fren, she studied in UQ and was part of the church my female owner is currently attending. Having not spoken to my female owner for a long while, she broke her silence by replying that “it’s worth it!” She added that she always looked forward to returning to Brisbane after spending her holidays in Singapore. However, because she was pursuing her undergraduate studies then, my female owner remained unconvinced.
Christian Aikido Fren
Her answer was by far, the most convincing. She told my female owner that she has to complete her studies and return as a better person, and use her knowledge for the better good. Her fren accurately pointed out her thought processes had been clouded by the “warm and snuggly feeling” which her friends and family had showered over her over the past week. Her fren encouraged her to return to Brisbane, with the love and blessings of those around her.
Intuitive Fren
Having deserted Singapore as an infant for Sunny Brisbane, his answer was a certain “it’s worth it”. In fact, he told my female owner that it was never worth leaving Brisbane. With a personal bias in his answer, my female owner was left unconvinced.
Sunflower Fren
A newly named fren, she studied in UQ and was part of the church my female owner is currently attending. Having not spoken to my female owner for a long while, she broke her silence by replying that “it’s worth it!” She added that she always looked forward to returning to Brisbane after spending her holidays in Singapore. However, because she was pursuing her undergraduate studies then, my female owner remained unconvinced.
Christian Aikido Fren
Her answer was by far, the most convincing. She told my female owner that she has to complete her studies and return as a better person, and use her knowledge for the better good. Her fren accurately pointed out her thought processes had been clouded by the “warm and snuggly feeling” which her friends and family had showered over her over the past week. Her fren encouraged her to return to Brisbane, with the love and blessings of those around her.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
pride
My female owner’s mother’s colleague recently took a lift from them (this was a day when my female owner tagged along in her father’s car to pick her mother up from work, before dropping at the MRT on the way home to go for aikido. She was apparently trying to squeeze in some family time in order to soothe her conscience). During the short 15mins ride, my female owner found out certain things that astonished her.
The colleague told her that that her mother is very proud of her (and has obviously been talking about her to her friends. So embarrassing!). More surprising for my female owner were the things that made her mother proud. Firstly (but expectedly), for being able to pursue postgrad studies. Secondly, for being able to bake (check out the mini muffins she baked for her father’s birthday party!).
The colleague told her that that her mother is very proud of her (and has obviously been talking about her to her friends. So embarrassing!). More surprising for my female owner were the things that made her mother proud. Firstly (but expectedly), for being able to pursue postgrad studies. Secondly, for being able to bake (check out the mini muffins she baked for her father’s birthday party!).
Thirdly (this is the most astonishing part), for going to church and bible study regularly. My female owner never knew how much this meant to her mother, until that day.
early
It’s yet another hot and sweaty Sunday afternoon. I was taking my afternoon suntan when, surprise surprise, my female owner came home! That’s early. A quick glance at the clock showed that it was only 4pm. Hmmm…
Apparently, she went out for lunch with a meet-twice-a-year-but-still-close fren and after that, came home to spend the day with her parents (of which one is still working and the other sleeping!). Not sure why, but this fren also started talking about how everyone around her is either getting married or having kids and here she is, still single (but attached) and not having much of a career (I think she has changed job about 3-4 times already). Although she felt lousy about her situation, she revealed that she would think about my female owner and feel comforted that she can rely on my female owner to keep her company in her plight!
A second blow to her already bruised ego/ confidence and self-esteem.
The first hard blow was inflicted yesterday (see my previous entry). What I didn’t mention was that Functional Fren asked my female owner whether she spent time with her parents since she had been going out so often. The sudden question was like her conscience screaming out at her. By the end of the conversation (note, it took place at a bus-stop and lasted the most 15 mins), my female owner concluded that:
She’s a lousy and ungrateful daughter because she hardly spent time with her parents (who are the sponsors of her studies). Instead, she kept going out with her friends. She’s the most un-accomplished among her peers (as mentioned, no career, no savings, in great debt, no assets like car or house, no relationship, body load of fats, no talents, no direction in life).
Some of her friends tried to tear down her argument by saying that she would be able to recoup her “losses” in a few years’ time when she graduate (her Onli Fren even scolded her “silly turtle”!). The thing is, my female owner is unable to look beyond her present circumstances. She’s still in the dark tunnel, questioning if all this is worth it.
Apparently, she went out for lunch with a meet-twice-a-year-but-still-close fren and after that, came home to spend the day with her parents (of which one is still working and the other sleeping!). Not sure why, but this fren also started talking about how everyone around her is either getting married or having kids and here she is, still single (but attached) and not having much of a career (I think she has changed job about 3-4 times already). Although she felt lousy about her situation, she revealed that she would think about my female owner and feel comforted that she can rely on my female owner to keep her company in her plight!
A second blow to her already bruised ego/ confidence and self-esteem.
The first hard blow was inflicted yesterday (see my previous entry). What I didn’t mention was that Functional Fren asked my female owner whether she spent time with her parents since she had been going out so often. The sudden question was like her conscience screaming out at her. By the end of the conversation (note, it took place at a bus-stop and lasted the most 15 mins), my female owner concluded that:
She’s a lousy and ungrateful daughter because she hardly spent time with her parents (who are the sponsors of her studies). Instead, she kept going out with her friends. She’s the most un-accomplished among her peers (as mentioned, no career, no savings, in great debt, no assets like car or house, no relationship, body load of fats, no talents, no direction in life).
Some of her friends tried to tear down her argument by saying that she would be able to recoup her “losses” in a few years’ time when she graduate (her Onli Fren even scolded her “silly turtle”!). The thing is, my female owner is unable to look beyond her present circumstances. She’s still in the dark tunnel, questioning if all this is worth it.
afraid
My female owner is afraid of returning to Brisbane. If the rest of 2008 is going to be like the past 5 months, she wonders how she is going to come out of it, fired up to help people. This struggle, though temporal, seems endless. Slow and insidious pain. Stretching her in every direction, testing her tolerance and resources. The journey had been like the proverbial frog which was slowly being cooked in the boiling pot and didn’t know that he should jump out of the pot in order to avoid eventual death.
It was like her aikido partner who locks her down to the ground, and slowly twists her arm, testing how much pain she could bear before she surrenders to his lock.
It was like her Function Fren who tried to drive her manual car up a slope and struggled with the biting point. They ended up hovering between moving up or sliding backwards, with the car emitting strange noises.
In some ways, it was also like drinking! Each (binge) drinking session increases her tolerance. It also makes her thread with caution, and forces her to know when to stop, before being intoxicated and losing control of her senses (and embarrassing herself in the process). (For the record, my female owner is a better drinker now! No thanks to her increased body mass!)
It’s like finding a balance between pain and gain. In the words of a wise friend (she can’t remember who), “what is tough, will be worth it.”
It was like her aikido partner who locks her down to the ground, and slowly twists her arm, testing how much pain she could bear before she surrenders to his lock.
It was like her Function Fren who tried to drive her manual car up a slope and struggled with the biting point. They ended up hovering between moving up or sliding backwards, with the car emitting strange noises.
In some ways, it was also like drinking! Each (binge) drinking session increases her tolerance. It also makes her thread with caution, and forces her to know when to stop, before being intoxicated and losing control of her senses (and embarrassing herself in the process). (For the record, my female owner is a better drinker now! No thanks to her increased body mass!)
It’s like finding a balance between pain and gain. In the words of a wise friend (she can’t remember who), “what is tough, will be worth it.”
worst
My female friend had a BBQ with her Impromptu Frens and Mr Squabbles today. The event, however, was not impromptu. It was planned many weeks ago and despite operating on an “impromptu” basis, everyone who could turn up, turned up.
Such fun my female owner had, that she felt sad knowing that she would be leaving her friends yet again. The group didn’t do much, except to sit down and talk about absolutely nothing. Laughter punctured the air readily. Everyone got on well with each other and there were no cliques. Just a sit-down-laugh-about-anything-chat-about-anything group. One of her frens even asked about us turtles (the Clever Fren who told my female owner about the meaning of my name).
Anyway, my female owner felt a sense of non-accomplishment when she realised that out of the group of eight, she is doing the worst, with no career, no money (plus in great debt), no assets and fat. While four of them (with her included) are currently aimless in their lives, at least the other three have some career/ money/ asset/ no fats to their name.
With one week left before she’s out of Singapore for the rest of the year, my female owner wonders if Brisbane is worth returning to. I think she would quit if she had the choice.
Such fun my female owner had, that she felt sad knowing that she would be leaving her friends yet again. The group didn’t do much, except to sit down and talk about absolutely nothing. Laughter punctured the air readily. Everyone got on well with each other and there were no cliques. Just a sit-down-laugh-about-anything-chat-about-anything group. One of her frens even asked about us turtles (the Clever Fren who told my female owner about the meaning of my name).
Anyway, my female owner felt a sense of non-accomplishment when she realised that out of the group of eight, she is doing the worst, with no career, no money (plus in great debt), no assets and fat. While four of them (with her included) are currently aimless in their lives, at least the other three have some career/ money/ asset/ no fats to their name.
With one week left before she’s out of Singapore for the rest of the year, my female owner wonders if Brisbane is worth returning to. I think she would quit if she had the choice.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
one week
One week after returning home, my female owner finds that she has no problems adjusting back to the Singaporean lifestyle - humidity, crowds and the local slang. She hardly thinks about Brisbane. The only thoughts she has would be at about 5pm, where she would tell herself that “it would have been dark in Brisbane by now”. Save for the school emails she received on a daily basis, she was totally out of contact with anything Brisbane. It was as if she never left.
Even her friends hardly ask her about her life in Brisbane. Not that she has much to say about Brisbane. Talking about it only reminds her of the impending doom she feels, know that she will be returning to that foreign lifestyle once again.
One more week…. And the nightmare begins again!
Even her friends hardly ask her about her life in Brisbane. Not that she has much to say about Brisbane. Talking about it only reminds her of the impending doom she feels, know that she will be returning to that foreign lifestyle once again.
One more week…. And the nightmare begins again!
walk
My female owner has been back for a week! 7 precious days. Today, she finally had a little bit of time in the day... and decided to let us out for a walk in her whole house. It was a nice feeling, being able to explore a bigger area at our own pace and timing (Remember, the last time we did this excursion was more than 5 months ago).
I decided to play a little game of hide-and-seek with my female owner and walked all the way to her parents' room and hid under the cupboard. Alas, she found me without much difficulty. My female owner is always complaining about how Dodo and Dona know how to make their own way back to the Balcony on their own, while she always has to search for Nanook and myself. Oh well...
Dodo finally making his way into the rest of the house. 
All of us, gathering near the edge of the Living Room
Close-up of Dona
I decided to play a little game of hide-and-seek with my female owner and walked all the way to her parents' room and hid under the cupboard. Alas, she found me without much difficulty. My female owner is always complaining about how Dodo and Dona know how to make their own way back to the Balcony on their own, while she always has to search for Nanook and myself. Oh well...
Dodo trying to climb out of the Balcony. That's me in the background.
Dodo finally making his way into the rest of the house. All of us, gathering near the edge of the Living RoomClose-up of DonaFriday, July 11, 2008
weight
How many ways can you tell someone that she has gained weight?
“You have gained weight!” and five minutes later, “you have really gained weight” and five minutes later, “you really gained weight”
Note: you can only say this if you are really close to the person and the person is able to appreciate your honesty.
“Eh, you gained weight”.
Short and crisp. Make your point known and do not repeat it. Good if you are not so close to the person, but you don’t want to lie.
Testing water: “You haven’t looked like you gained a lot of weight, just 1-2kg the most”
“You have gained weight!” and five minutes later, “you have really gained weight” and five minutes later, “you really gained weight”
Note: you can only say this if you are really close to the person and the person is able to appreciate your honesty.
“Eh, you gained weight”.
Short and crisp. Make your point known and do not repeat it. Good if you are not so close to the person, but you don’t want to lie.
Testing water: “You haven’t looked like you gained a lot of weight, just 1-2kg the most”
The logical remark: "You have gained weight, but it's only a phase. You are studying now/ It's winter and you need the fats."
A not-committal comment: “You are not fat not thin now!”
Changing perspective: “Eh, you look fitter now. I don’t mean fat, you were too thin last time.”
The half-truth: “Only your face looks rounder. The rest of you look ok”
The ultimate PC comment: “You where got gain weight?”
nothing's changed
My female owner must be enjoying herself being back in Singapore. I say this because I hardly see her at home, especially at night. She has reverted to her old lifestyle of hanging out late at night and sleeping in in the mornings. She had another impromptu moment just now when she reached home at about 2230hr and felt that the night was still too young. Feeling restless, she managed to jio someone out for supper (power of MSN). The feeling of being able to go out as and when she likes is certainly something she misses having.
My female owner and her friends have unanimously agreed that even though she had been away for 5 months, it was as if she had never been away. In fact, nothing seemed to have changed and every meet-up was like the ones they usually had in the past.
Very obviously, my female owner has not gotten comfortable with her life in Brisbane. Perhaps it’s her age – she has gotten used to the hectic and activities-filled lifestyle in Singapore and finds change hard to handle. Perhaps it’s her circle of friends – there are not many people in Brisbane whom she can relate to on an emotional level. Perhaps it’s her financial dependence – she is currently on a “student welfare fund” where her parents are the President and the Treasurer and that is a psychological burden. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
Since going back to Brisbane is a soon-to-be eventual event, my female owner has decided to enjoy the rest of her remaining days without getting depressive or moody. Why brood over something that cannot be changed?
My female owner and her friends have unanimously agreed that even though she had been away for 5 months, it was as if she had never been away. In fact, nothing seemed to have changed and every meet-up was like the ones they usually had in the past.
Very obviously, my female owner has not gotten comfortable with her life in Brisbane. Perhaps it’s her age – she has gotten used to the hectic and activities-filled lifestyle in Singapore and finds change hard to handle. Perhaps it’s her circle of friends – there are not many people in Brisbane whom she can relate to on an emotional level. Perhaps it’s her financial dependence – she is currently on a “student welfare fund” where her parents are the President and the Treasurer and that is a psychological burden. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
Since going back to Brisbane is a soon-to-be eventual event, my female owner has decided to enjoy the rest of her remaining days without getting depressive or moody. Why brood over something that cannot be changed?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Impromptu frens
My female owner created a new category of frens today – her Impromptu Frens. This is a group of about 7 friends who used to be her colleagues at her former organisation. Most of them, like her, have left the place while a couple of them are still working there. She calls them as such, coz they are easily “activate-able” for a last minute meetup. In fact, you have a better chance of meeting up with them if you call for a last minute dinner, than if you plan for one way in advance. For example, on Monday, her Functional Fren and her (who had met "impromptu") activated 6 other people to meet for dinner within an hour. 6 people turned up, which was not bad, for a super last min jio.
My female owner feels very loved coz a few of them had taken leave just to spend today with her. They (group of 5) had lunch at Functional Fren’s new house (he cooked for them), and watched a silly movie in the afternoon…. After that, they made an impromptu decision to race to the cinema to catch a movie, before meeting up for dinner with 2 other Impromptu Frens. And despite having bad experiences with her drinking escapades, some obliged to go to her favourite club for some drinks at night.
Yummy chicken wings! My female owner and her Potato Fren's favourite. This was in addition to the additive fried rice and chicken nuggets prepared by Functional Fren. My female owner is always impressed by guys who take the trouble to cook for others. 
My female owner didnt know that her Functional Fren would get durians. This was an added bonus coz she loves durians! 
My female owner and her friends bought some fruits for the family and they served the fruits back to the guests. See how pretty they are.
The group's efforts to reinitiate my female owner to booze. A trip down to her favourite club, on a Wednesday night which provided free entry for both genders and FIVE drinks for ladies. Nothing eventful happened (which is good)
My female owner feels very loved coz a few of them had taken leave just to spend today with her. They (group of 5) had lunch at Functional Fren’s new house (he cooked for them), and watched a silly movie in the afternoon…. After that, they made an impromptu decision to race to the cinema to catch a movie, before meeting up for dinner with 2 other Impromptu Frens. And despite having bad experiences with her drinking escapades, some obliged to go to her favourite club for some drinks at night.
Yummy salad!
Yummy chicken wings! My female owner and her Potato Fren's favourite. This was in addition to the additive fried rice and chicken nuggets prepared by Functional Fren. My female owner is always impressed by guys who take the trouble to cook for others. My female owner didnt know that her Functional Fren would get durians. This was an added bonus coz she loves durians! My female owner and her friends bought some fruits for the family and they served the fruits back to the guests. See how pretty they are. The group's efforts to reinitiate my female owner to booze. A trip down to her favourite club, on a Wednesday night which provided free entry for both genders and FIVE drinks for ladies. Nothing eventful happened (which is good) Tuesday, July 08, 2008
greetings!
Greetings from Singapore! My female owner arrived safely last week. We turtles were so excited to see her again!
Dodo
Me
Nanook
Dona
Dodo
Me
Nanook
Friday, July 04, 2008
home
My female owner is coming home today!
Many of her friends have been asking her when she is coming home. Even those who hardly talks to her on MSN have made contact. One claimed that the whole of Singapore knows about it (hur hur, nice try). Some of them actually sounds more excited about her going back than my female owner herself.
I know why my female owner is feeling “flat”. One thing is, she has little time to feel excited, with all the things that have been bogging her down. Another thing is that, she knows she’s going to be really upset when it’s time to say goodbye again. And try as she might to stop the clock from ticking away, the next two weeks are going to fly by her… and she would be back for cycle 2 of the madness.
Although it’s an official school-break, she still feels as if she’s in the dark tunnel and these two weeks is like an uncovered manhole above her, allowing some light to pass through. A temporal pit-stop while the school finds the right cover to seal the manhole for another five months.
Anyway, welcome home!
Many of her friends have been asking her when she is coming home. Even those who hardly talks to her on MSN have made contact. One claimed that the whole of Singapore knows about it (hur hur, nice try). Some of them actually sounds more excited about her going back than my female owner herself.
I know why my female owner is feeling “flat”. One thing is, she has little time to feel excited, with all the things that have been bogging her down. Another thing is that, she knows she’s going to be really upset when it’s time to say goodbye again. And try as she might to stop the clock from ticking away, the next two weeks are going to fly by her… and she would be back for cycle 2 of the madness.
Although it’s an official school-break, she still feels as if she’s in the dark tunnel and these two weeks is like an uncovered manhole above her, allowing some light to pass through. A temporal pit-stop while the school finds the right cover to seal the manhole for another five months.
Anyway, welcome home!
five
My female owner arrived on Sunny Brisbane exactly five months ago. When she first arrived, apprehensive and somewhat reluctant, she wished she was able to look into the future to see where she would be in one month’s time and half a year’s time. Knowing how the future would unfold can be soothing to the nerves at times. Of course, if you look into the future and realise that you are going to end up in an accident, that’s not particularly exciting. Some would argue that you can then take precautions to prevent or minimize the outcome.
So, five months sped through. There were ups and downs for her. Most of her downs were related to school work or missing her hometown. The ups were times when she could tell that she made a difference in her clients’ lives or when her friends from Singapore sent messages to ask how she was and to encourage her.
Five months on, my female owner can’t say that she knows Brisbane very well. She still gets lost in the city, doesn’t know the bus schedule, and hasn’t bought more than 10 clothes/ bags/ shoes from the shops (excluding groceries or food, or the time when she went to Gold Coast for a getaway). She watched a grand total of one movie in the cinemas, half-watched one full programme on Aussie television (The State of Origin – Aussie football or something), and only knows one radio station (ABC Classic). Even then, she doesn’t know what FM it operates on. She wonders what “Modern Australian Food” means and catches no ball with much of the slang. She muses at the locals who think that Singaporeans speak Singese and are thus, impressed with her “fantastic” English. She is genuinely amazed at the number of clients who can tell that she is from Singapore (looks like her attempts at sounding more aussified have failed miserably). She walks around like a true-blue Singaporean, with minimal extra clothings (i.e. no sweater or warm clothings, because she forgets to bring them out) and causes others to wonder why she's not cold. "Sufficient fats" she explains.
According to what she set out to do…
She has renewed her relationship with God and has been spending more time praying and reading the Bible. Of course she still struggles with being consistent, especially when the day’s busy or when she had a bad day. Sometimes, her negativity comes back and she gets depressive or emo but the frequency and intensity are not as severe or debilitating as previously.
She has not really honed herself musically. The occasional practice on the flute, but not as intense as previously (lucky housemates!). But, she probably made it up by being more adventurous in trying out new recipes. So at least she is picking up some new skills.
She hasn’t really served in any area in church yet, although she did sign up for an outreach ministry. But then, they needed her to get her bible study leader to agree to that and my female owner never got down to that. So it’s still status quo. However, she has been using MSN to help some of her friends think through some of their struggles. Some has feedback that she should venture into MSN counseling. Hur hur. Combining work and play?!
Slowly but surely, she is aligning her life and values to be more Christ-like. Definitely not an overnight change, but a life-long process of being a better Christian.
So, five months sped through. There were ups and downs for her. Most of her downs were related to school work or missing her hometown. The ups were times when she could tell that she made a difference in her clients’ lives or when her friends from Singapore sent messages to ask how she was and to encourage her.
Five months on, my female owner can’t say that she knows Brisbane very well. She still gets lost in the city, doesn’t know the bus schedule, and hasn’t bought more than 10 clothes/ bags/ shoes from the shops (excluding groceries or food, or the time when she went to Gold Coast for a getaway). She watched a grand total of one movie in the cinemas, half-watched one full programme on Aussie television (The State of Origin – Aussie football or something), and only knows one radio station (ABC Classic). Even then, she doesn’t know what FM it operates on. She wonders what “Modern Australian Food” means and catches no ball with much of the slang. She muses at the locals who think that Singaporeans speak Singese and are thus, impressed with her “fantastic” English. She is genuinely amazed at the number of clients who can tell that she is from Singapore (looks like her attempts at sounding more aussified have failed miserably). She walks around like a true-blue Singaporean, with minimal extra clothings (i.e. no sweater or warm clothings, because she forgets to bring them out) and causes others to wonder why she's not cold. "Sufficient fats" she explains.
According to what she set out to do…
She has renewed her relationship with God and has been spending more time praying and reading the Bible. Of course she still struggles with being consistent, especially when the day’s busy or when she had a bad day. Sometimes, her negativity comes back and she gets depressive or emo but the frequency and intensity are not as severe or debilitating as previously.
She has not really honed herself musically. The occasional practice on the flute, but not as intense as previously (lucky housemates!). But, she probably made it up by being more adventurous in trying out new recipes. So at least she is picking up some new skills.
She hasn’t really served in any area in church yet, although she did sign up for an outreach ministry. But then, they needed her to get her bible study leader to agree to that and my female owner never got down to that. So it’s still status quo. However, she has been using MSN to help some of her friends think through some of their struggles. Some has feedback that she should venture into MSN counseling. Hur hur. Combining work and play?!
Slowly but surely, she is aligning her life and values to be more Christ-like. Definitely not an overnight change, but a life-long process of being a better Christian.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
half-year
Half a year has gone by and this time to do my quarterly reflection on life. Not that there’s much things happening in the life of a turtle. But you know, no news is good news in this case. The only time when things happen in my life, is when I suffer a prolapse! Nono, I don’t want to go through that experience again. It’s traumatising for everyone – myself, my siblings, my female owner, her parents and her friends.
This year has of course been different, starting out as a “single-parent” family, to a no-parent family/ foster-parent family. We thought we could never get through the days without my female owner and her idiosyncrasies. But hey, we manage well, somehow. Then because she is gone, our diet changed too. Our foster parents (her parents) decided to start us on a fresh diet of veggies. Yucks to that initially, but I got used to fresh greens and hey, they taste quite juicy too.
We also learnt to respond to new people in our midst and learnt that our world is not made up of just our female owner. Wahaha. She’s still the most important person in our lives, just that we have grown to enlarge our repertoire of human relationships.
i guess the next few years would be like that...
This year has of course been different, starting out as a “single-parent” family, to a no-parent family/ foster-parent family. We thought we could never get through the days without my female owner and her idiosyncrasies. But hey, we manage well, somehow. Then because she is gone, our diet changed too. Our foster parents (her parents) decided to start us on a fresh diet of veggies. Yucks to that initially, but I got used to fresh greens and hey, they taste quite juicy too.
We also learnt to respond to new people in our midst and learnt that our world is not made up of just our female owner. Wahaha. She’s still the most important person in our lives, just that we have grown to enlarge our repertoire of human relationships.
i guess the next few years would be like that...
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
crashed
My female owner had a bad day because of her blurness. She included wrong information for an IQ report and her client pointed out the errors to her. She has to face the music with her supervisor tomorrow.
The errors she shouldn’t have made and the damage control she tried to do in trying to salvage the situation resulted in ethical guidelines and common sense rules being crashed bugged her the whole day. Questions about her competence in making clinical judgments and decisions and whether she would ever “get there” kept swimming in her mind.
......
The errors she shouldn’t have made and the damage control she tried to do in trying to salvage the situation resulted in ethical guidelines and common sense rules being crashed bugged her the whole day. Questions about her competence in making clinical judgments and decisions and whether she would ever “get there” kept swimming in her mind.
......
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My siblings and I
From top left: Dodo, Dona, me (Nooki) and Nanook