Astons Specialties

After numerous failed attempts in queueing for Astons Specialties, we finally thrived and pulled through the waiting ordeal!

Well, Astons was declared really marvellous before I've even tried, and I must say it has proved me darn right! Go and try for yourself, seriously. :)

I'm having a chalet with my girlfriends and our respective beaus tomorrow! Ahh, to mark the end of 2007 and hope for a brighter 2008 for all of us!

Happy New Year's eve! :)

New camera!

I bought myself a digital camera as promised. I feel bliss. Yay!

Well, I reckon this would be the present I'm rewarding myself for what I've achieved in 2007, be it in little ways or another. *pats my own shoulders* Hee!

It's a black colour Panasonic Lumix FX12 digital camera, supposedly quite a good camera yah? I know nuts about gadgets man so I'm quite grateful to one of Dan's friends who works in Sim Lim. Thanks Ben!

Hmm... Let me cross my fingers and see how pictures will turn out from this camera. No more 2 megapixel camera phone for me! :)

Chesty Nutty Bang Bang!

I'm catching this performance on 23 Jan! Hmm... very unusual of me to watch a commercialised and overrated performance like this but well, I don't mind a little mindless entertainment at times. *grins*

Here are the details...

Chesty Nutty Bang Bang: The Hairspray of the Phoenix

Chestnuts is back with another car-flying, wand-waving, papaya-fondling rollercoaster ride of madcap spoofs!And this year, we’ve got 3 moisture-inducing celebrity guests joining us to spoof the heck out of this year’s biggest shows...!!

YEO YANN YANN in 88251 - After Little Papaya floated away on a crescent moon, the search began for a new Papaya partner – and homegrown chronic over-achiever Annabelle Chong is determined to get picked! Together, will they manage to repeal 881A, the ancient British law that makes 7th month getai illegal?

CELINE ROSA TAN in HAIRSPRAY POTTER60s dance-diva Tracy Turnblad heads to Hogwarts for a dance-off with Lord Voldemort, and shows them all that nothing stiffens a floppy wizard’s hat like a burst of hairspray!

JOAKIM GOMEZ in HIGH SCHOOL BEAUTY WORLD 2Beauty World has never been so teenage, and what better way to get your head in the game than with a young celeb who certainly has a way with his balls. We’re like … SO breaking free!

Welcome the lunar new year with this hamper-full of spoof songs, parody sketches and moments of sheer comic ecstasy!All accompanied by the irreverent musical genius of Bang Wenfu!!Look out for…Our unique brand of shameless movie spoofs - from 881 to Hairspray, from High School Musical 2 to Hostel, from Transformers to The Queen! Delicious digs at local theatre shows like The Swimming Instructor, Asian Boys Volume 3, SRT’s , If There Are Seasons, the 20th anniversary of Beauty World, and others!

Madcap parodies of TV favorites like Heroes, Asian Idol, The Search for the Next Doll, Deal or No Deal, 80s Rewind, The Arena, Foreplay and more!

Merciless Chestnuts spin-offs of concerts by Gwen Stefani, Olivia Newton-John, The Black-Eyed Peas, Suzanne Vega and more, as well as imported shows like the RSC’s King Lear, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The King & I and Finding Nemo On Ice!

PLUS lots of rapid-fire parodies of TV ads, government rap songs, drunk driving scandals, and a certain big parade on a floating platform…

BONUS: Also featuring more of the Chestnuts Ten Year Series – bringing you classic gems from the past 10 shows!!

A Chestnut of Possibilities...

Venue- Drama Centre (Level 3, National Library)
Dates Preview - 23 Jan 8pm Shows - 24 Jan to 3 Feb, 8pm nightly (except Sun and Mon), 3pm matinees on Sat & Sun

Tickets Preview -$20, $15
Nights -$40, $30, $20
Matinees - $35, $25, $15
Prices exclude $1 GATECRASH booking fee.

Early Bird sales from 21 Dec-10 Jan - 20% off
Concessions: 10% off Students, Senior Citizens and Full-time National Servicemen
No discounts for preview.

Get your tickets:- Online at www.GATECRASH.com.sg- Call GATECRASH Hotline at
6222-5595
At all SingPost Branches & S.A.M. Kiosks
For Corporate/Group booking rates, please contact us at info@nowstagethis.com
Visit us at www.nowstagethis.com!

Just another commercialised day

I can definitely say for sure that I've lost the zealous feel towards Christmas, unfortunately once again. Every year, I try to rekindle and relish this joy-spirited festive holiday but the aura of it just seems to continue to diminish with time. It's just not tangible anymore.

What did I do today? Nothing christmasy at all. I met Shihui for KTV and chit-chat at the heartland of Ang Mo Kio, and adjourned to Dan's aunt's place for some food and home I reach.

What truly encompasses an authentic Christmas season? Seriously, I've never bothered to find out, other than knowing it's to mark the birth of Christ. While I attempt to absorb the meaning of Christmas during Dan's church mass yesterday, I still couldn't quite manage it. To be frank, I'm not a Catholic nor a Christian, so I think the reason lies in this. I bet not all Catholics and Christians fully decipher the perfect meaning.

Yes, commercialism of Christmas over the years has led to today's hype. I've forgotten when I started buying gifts, perhaps out of obligation, for colleagues and friends. Of course I must admit it's a fun thing to do afterall. Who doesn't like receiving presents with or without a reason? It's always thanks to Christmas that we're at the luxury of that. Hence, who doesn't look forward to Christmas?

While Christmas will be over in about an hour plus, I'd like to look ahead with practicality for 2oo8 to usher in. I don't know what's expected ahead of me, but I somehow feel it'll be a path of stumbling blocks. I know that time will continue to tick fast and perhaps before I realised, the ever-commercialised Christmas will be back again. :)

On 23 & 24 Dec... and Merry X'mas!

23 Dec

Steamboat @ Dan's aunt's place @ Laguna Park!

Check out those escargots coated with herbed butter... Heavenly marriage!

I love this mind-calming scene - taken from the balcony

24 Dec

Christmas's eve - with some colleagues in office

Lots of Christmas pressies from colleagues!

25 Dec

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Disheartened

Indeed, it was a disparaging day for me. It shouldn't fall on a Friday, a festive-atmospheric weekend like this.

The feeling of being breathed down your neck is intolerable. I hate myself for being unassertive at times, hence causing unnecessary misunderstandings and awkward situations. I hate myself for often being the saint and yet being deemed as the devil. In the end, I end up feeling self-reproached and lousy. Do I really deserve all these? I abhor this treatment.

I really ponder over the same thing again and again. Why are humans so complicated? Human emotions are such unnerving and compelling elements that serve to wreck and weaken your propensity, making you fallible and vulnerable to all things exposed.

I long to be someone ordinary. But it doesn't seem to materialise wherever I go, whatever I do. My life doesn't need to command such mind-entangling stories. But it's happening almost constantly, in every phase and chapter of my life. Only I know it deep within because I knew how my life has been ruled and how it will be ruled.

I really do not know how to extricate myself from these soul-boggling episodes.

I know I should learn. I know I'll learn, but I do not know when I can fully learn.

Momentary Holiday

Aww. Why must such impermanence exist? *frowns*

Well, I'd consider it a good break though. Thank you Hari Raya Haji! Ha.

I'd yummy buffet dinner @ Hotel Rendezvous with my colleagues yesterday! Urm, actually I only loved the salad. Okay I know I'm boring but I can't help taking a few rounds of salad. Hee. Overall, the food wasn't fantastic but I guess the company I had enhanced the whole dining experience. :)

The buffet line...
Self-created salad - my favourite of the buffet!
I can't miss this for sure!
With Fiona and Angela

Beloved colleagues
From left - Wendy,Fanny and Ai Lian
Top left - Foong Har, Sock Kiaw, Angelina

Bottom left - Jessie, Melanie and myself

With James, Melissa and Shinta
With Caroline, Wai Ling and Eng Hock


After the buffet, some colleagues and I proceeded to St James Power House. It was inevitably crowded on a holiday's eve. Fortunately, some of the colleagues who were there earlier got a table for us. Phew. It was my first time to Boiler Room, had previously been to Movida and I totally adore that Spanish-atmospheric place!

Boiler wasn't too bad, except that there were some cheesy performances by the band. But I think the crowd seems to indulge in their performances. Oh well, who wouldn't mind some mindless entertainment on a holiday eve anyways? *grins*

Pictures next!

No doubt it's already Friday, I'm gonna be busy in preparation for the department's Christmas party. I wished all these will be over soon!

Things to look forward till end of 2007!

-Gathering with Dan's close buddies @ Timbre at Substation on 22/12

-New Year's eve chalet @ Downtown East with my girlfriends on 31/12

Before I close my chapter for the day, I hope I'll be blessed with sufficient zest to last me through the whole of Friday later. I need it badly!

Goodnight Earth.

Rights - whose?

Just when I thought 'they' are at the mercy of mine... to my thorough dismay and greatest irony, it turns out that I am actually at 'their' mercy! Goodness gracious.

I could feel a whole surge of imbalanced emotional hormones swimming inside me today. Who are 'they'? Who else but my dear debtors - a group of distinguished bank consumers who has kindly bestowed me indispensable work duties.

The frustrating chronicle goes like this. I have good reasons and every right to turn down customer W who wants us to reduce her interest rates for her loan. However, customer W spoke to customer X who is one of the bank's major customer about the rejection. Hence customer X, being a saint and wanting to lend a helping hand, talks to bank's head Y. Thereafter, Head Y speaks to Head Z and Head Z talks to my Head (not literally) and request is back to me.

So in the end, who wins the battle? Customer W! Well done Customer W, who truly understands her rights and how to go about obtaining it. Should I count her lucky that she actually knows a reputable customer of the bank? Without a doubt! Well for this, I concede defeat.

This is not the worst situation. How about this? A customer appealing for lower interest rates for his loan who has all the flawed reasons for bank's outright rejection. Guess what he did? He wrote to CEO. That was rather shrewd brilliance I thought. And the next day, I have to prepare the papers for the rate change. How easy for these people to get what they want. I'm really appalled by their behaviour.

And I finally fathom the fact that I'm nothing but a slave at the mercy of them whose falsified rights can be so magnified and if they knew the short cuts. This is agonising.

Work? This is it.

Mid December

Yeah it's mid December today - 15/12. Can you feel the breath of X'mas spirit drawing nearer to you?

And I'm proud to announce that I've completed my shopping for X'mas presents... FINALLY! Okay, I just left with some wrappings to do and I'll call it a deal! Indeed, this yearly distressing ordeal is not easy to get by. Ha!

I'm in quite a chirpy mood today. I should be... it's a Sat anyways. I'm gonna meet up with Fiona to have a good lunch and catching up later. I can feel my stomach rumbling now. No wonder... it's 12pm now! It's funny how the stomach knows its timing for consumption of food. Hee.

It'll be a feasting dinner with Dan's family at Grand Mecure Roxy Hotel tonight! It's a sinful thought but who cares! I'm still looking forward to it... Hee...

Good weekend to everyone! :)

A Letter from Nepal

It was a little bolt of bewilderment when I opened a letter sent all the way from Nepal.

It is written by this benevolent nun who resides in Kopan Nunnery, Kathmandu in Nepal. Her name is Tenzin Salje and she is also a teacher in the nunnery. I knew her back in 2004 when I was doing a 16-days fasting retreat then.

Her letter briefly reads like that:

Hello my dear friend, Xann Tay. Do you remember me? I am your old dharma friend Tenzin, a teacher in Kopan nunnery. Now its been almost 3 years since we didn't meet. So sad that we didn't meet again. I am looking forward to meet you very soon. Do you have any plans to visit Nepal or not? I understand that you are busy with work, but sometimes do remember us. Those cute friends Yeshi and Palkyi are thinking about you so much. Please do not forget us and if possible do come back in our life. We will be waiting for you people with open arms to hug you.

Such simple and sincere usage of words to deliver their blessings and memories of this precious friendship.

I suddenly feel ashamed of myself. But I have not forgotten them, really. It was such a rare opportunity that our paths have crossed in sacred Nepal. These group of big-hearted nuns who have touched my heart and soul.

I hope to visit them next year. I know they will be really exhilarated. :)

Is it me?

I feel restless. And the day just seems lackadaisical. I just don't feel much inspirations to act on things I should. I could feel spirit once soared up diminishing. Give me back that spirit!

I really must say this again - I want December to end soon!It's such a demanding month. Argh. Can I meet all the targets and expectations? I need to hope and pray well and hard.

I just took the Picture Personality test via Facebook and I thought it sort of describes me aptly. Those who know me, do you have the same sentiments as well?

Temperament
Flexible
Nothing seems to bother you - you sail through life crisis free. It's not that your life doesn't have its ups and downs, it's just that you handle everything without unnecessary drama and antics. You approach each day fresh, not worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. You are confident that you can handle anything that comes your way and experience has shown that you are absolutely right about this.

Interests
Simple
You are continually pursuing a simpler and less complicated life - you don't allow yourself to fall victim to all of the "should do's" that society continually bombards you with. You are thoughtful about your life choices and think in terms of yourself, others and the world in which we live. You have a great sense that we are part of something much bigger and we must be good to others, if we want others and the world to be good to us.

Amusement
Thoughtful
You are easily stressed out and overwhelmed - you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. Because you tend to be self reflective, you know your limits quite well and must remember to not exceed those limits. When you overwhelm your life with obligations and responsibilities, you tend to shut down and go into yourself even further. Take some time to find your serenity and kick back your feet.

Passion
Emotional
For you passion is less about romance and sex - it's more about friendship and family. Strong emotional bonds and connections are your passion and your pleasure. You always let your loved ones know how much you love, respect and admire them. You do this through kind words, loving actions and simple gestures. You count your blessings each day and express your love openly. You expect the same from others.

Open Minds - Singapore Design Festival 2007

All in the name of art!

This is how bounteous local artists should feel about themselves. Yay!

Check out those attention-grabbing big signs resided at the open field just outside Raffles Place MRT station.

Awesome stuffs isn't it? I dig all of them! Let's support the Singapore Design Festival with pride and tribute! :)

X'mas Pressie from Dan

Dan and I decided to brave our way through the narrow aisles of the nostalgic lanes and surroundings, where the Indians are proud to call themselves... Mustaffa Centre! Haa...

Mustaffa Centre is really quite an effective one-stop shopping place where you can find anything and everything under one roof! The best thing is, it's 24-hr! But of course, other than having to face some of the constipated-looking and grumblesome staffs, shopping in Mustaffa Centre can be a pleasure, if you're able to spare at least an hour looking and browsing through their items.

Dan bought me a Casio watch! The design is very simple but I adore the purple-coloured digital face as I think it's rather sophisticated. Seriously, I didn't quite fancy wearing watches in the past but I guess I'm beginning to appreciate it. Having said that, it doesn't signify that I've a poor concept of what's punctuality. Ha. Thanks Darling Dan for the X'mas present! In return, I bought him Altec Lansing computer speakers with sub-woofer. Impactful stereo effect I must say!

Anyhow, my new watch! (P.S: Picture is not clear. Geez, I think I want to buy a digital camera. :P)

"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." - Theophrastus

Too much?

Too much expectations to self-actualize?

Too much commitments to shoulder?

Too much regrets to wallow in self-pity?

Too much relinquished memories to pursue?

Too much conjured-up thoughts/perceptions?

Too much desires and inclinations to hanker?

Is too much of something really bad?

Is it too much in this mortal world that I can't accept?

Am I thinking too much?

Harry's @ Dempsey Hill

If you're looking for a tranquilizing place to chill out accompanied with some jazz-guitar acoustic music, I strongly recommend Harry's @ Dempsey Hill.

It was actually surprisingly quiet on a Saturday, but all the more better. It has a spacious indoor area with splendour decor and ambience. Totally perfect for a nice chill-out evening.

And not to dismiss the high credits of the solo guitarist cum singer, Randolf. Trust me, you almost thought you're listening to a band of 3-4 people but it's just him alone. His brilliant guitar-strunging skills and singing voice could really mesmerize you! Randolf plays on every Wed-Sat. Be sure to catch him there!

I feel so guilty that I'm slacking at home while people are running 42.195km now. Ha! I really hope I'll be able to do it next year. Yeah!

蒲公英的约定

Has anyone heard of Jay Chou's self composed '蒲公英的约定'? Aka Dandelion's Promise.

If you've watched his first directed movie <不能说的秘密>, you might find the beginning piano part familiar as it was heard in frequent scenes in the movie.

I'm not exactly a fan of Jay Chou but this song sort of just speak to my heart so affectionately. It evokes a stirring sensation whenever I hear it. Marvellous creation Jay.

Unfortunately, there's no MTV for this song and the best I can find on Youtube is this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwmmFhdG-m4&feature=related

Managed to extract the lyrics as well. Enjoy!

蒲公英的约定 作词：方文山　作曲：周杰伦

小学篱芭旁的蒲公英　
是记忆里有味道的风景
午睡操场传来蝉的声音　
多少年后也还是很好听
将愿望折纸飞机寄成信　
因为我们等不到那流星
认真投决定命运的硬币　
却不知道到底能去哪里
一起长大的约定　 那样清晰　
打过勾的我相信
说好要一起旅行　
是你如今　唯一坚持的任性
在走廊上罚站打手心　
我们却注意窗边的蜻蜓
我去到哪里你都跟很紧　
很多的梦在等待着进行
一起长大的约定　 那样清晰　
打过勾的我相信 说好要一起旅行　
是你如今　唯一坚持的任性
一起长大的约定　 那样真心　
与你聊不完的曾经
而我已经分不清　
你是友情还是错过的爱情