13 ways ECL stays young - Thursday Thirteen #01

13 ways eastcoastlife stays young

1. Stay the weight I was at age 25
I'm slightly overweight now. Carrying excess fats raises the risk of some cancers. Lean people halve their chances of premature death. From time to time, I have to try to slip into the dress I wore when I was 25. I aim for a body mass index of about 23.5.

2. Skip a meal
People who eat 30% less than normal live 30% longer than usual. Their hearts appeared 10 to 15 years younger than those of regular eaters. Eating less food may reduce tissue wear and tear from excess blood sugar, inflammation, or free radicals. I skip lunch often, fast one day a week and drink plenty of water.

3. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables
They have cancer-preventing abilities. I have 2 servings of fruits and vegetables each meal.

4. Get more sleep
Not having enough sleep raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes — maybe even obesity. I sleep 8 hours a day.

5. Get help for what hurts
I had depression once, it weakens my immune system and push levels of the stress hormone cortisol higher. After consulting a doctor, my mood improves and my immune system perks up, too.

6. Take brisk walks
I walk briskly for an hour everyday to make the walls of my arteries twice as flexible as those of a couch potato. (I hadn't been able to do that for the past month due to my injury.)

With age, blood vessel walls tend to stiffen up — the main reason 2/3 of people older than age 60 have high blood pressure. Exercise keeps vessels pliable. Mild exercise also reduces the risk of diabetes, certain cancers, depression, aging of the skin, maybe even dementia.

7. Keep my waist trim
The tape measure is better than the bathroom scale in determining if my body is staying young. My weight can remain the same while I lose muscle and pack on fat, including visceral fat, the culprit behind a thick waist. It's linked to a higher risk of age-related ills such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. If your waist measures more than 35 inches (for a woman) or 40 inches (for a man), you probably have too much belly fat.

8. Stop and plant the roses
Gardening or being around plants relaxes me.

9. Strength-train a few times a week
Cardio exercise and strength-training are key to slowing the advance of time. After their mid-40s, people lose about 1/4 kg of muscle mass a year, gaining fat in its place. I lift weights 3 days a week, for a minimum of 30 minutes.

The payoff : more endurance, stronger bones, less risk of diabetes — and better sleep and thinking.

10. Drop that hot potato
I don't take sugary drinks and the potato. They can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, contribute to overeating and diabetes risk — which accelerates aging. I still can't control my love for bread.

11. Sup from the sea
I eat fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines and trout. They contain the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which help prevent sudden death from heart attack. Omega-3s also helps ward off depression, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness. I use canola and olive oils for cooking. I avoid unhealthy foods which are loaded with trans fats.

12. Fight fair
Nasty arguments increase the risk of clogged arteries. Women's hearts suffer when they make or hear hostile comments; men's hearts react badly to domineering, controlling words.

I avoid getting nasty, sarcastic, or personal, or using body language like rolling your eyes on my loved ones. hehe... I can still count with my fingers.

13. Keep a positive outlook
People who have a goal in life — a passion, a purpose, a positive outlook, and humor—live longer.

(Portions of info from my doctor's list of 25. ^-^)



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Yummy Indian Eats - Wordless Wednesday

Bhatura

Thosai


Tissue Prata

......with our Japanese Youth Exchange Students

What's the trend now?

I was chatting with my next-door neighbour this afternoon. She's older than I and has 3 grown-up children. She's a sweet lady, often sharing her lovely homecooked food with us. Today, she lent me her latest women's magazines to pass my time. The magazines are more suitable for younger women, I wondered aloud why she bought them.

She replied that she read them to keep up with the ever changing fashion trends of her children. Oh, right. The clothes they wear, the music they listen to and the activities they enjoy doing are so different from our era time.

Her two daughters, who are working after their graduation, are always shopping. She doesn't like the clothes or fashion accessories that they bought, but she kept mum about her displeasure. ish.

She feels that either there is too little fabric to amply cover the body, or the dressing style looks weird. A knee-length dress over tight 3/4 pants. yikes. Then there is the wide choice of hair colourings to match the look. And the tattoos and piercings in the most unmentionable places.

My neighbour maybe a traditional Asian lady but she is able to accept the latest trend. She doesn't criticise her children's dressing or likes, no matter how weird it seems. Therefore, her relationship with her children is one that's close and loving.

Should all Moms (and Dads) be well-informed on the latest trends of the young?

I would say,"Yes."

Photo Hunters - Happy

I dread the thought of growing old, it's not a happy one. Recently, I'm slowly losing my memory and perky breasts, I can't seem to remember things that I have done a moment ago. Not that my hubby is complaining. He's having fun, twice every session. *wink*

I came across these senior citizens doing a country dance one Sunday evening. There were actually more than a hundred of them. They looked young and happy. They were so cool in their hip attire! Everyone was having great fun!!!

At a community event, these senior citizens dressed in their colourful Peranakan costumes, sang and danced for us. They made the other elderly folks from various homes happy.

Even when you are old, you can be funny HAPPY!!

Oh, the Poor, Miserable Millionaires!

Many people have this idea that China is poor and its people are starving. If you have not spent some time there, you wouldn't know that there are lots of millionaires in the major cities of China. And many Chinese are living the good life like us.

Many of the rich Chinese who apply for Singapore Permanent Residency through its Investment scheme have high net worth of S$10 million.

This is the story of Mr Li, 51, a self-described billionaire, who has bought a S$2.4 million apartment in Singapore. He and his wife own several million-dollar apartments in China. The couple's net worth places them in the top 1 percent of families in China.

Yet each day Mr Li continues to crack his head, still striving for his next big strike. Two years ago, he lost a major bid for the construction of a US$80 million commercial building. He had spent half a year preparing for the bid. Employing extra staff and doing everything he could to secure the bid.

He's usually at his desk by 7. He typically stays awake 19 hours a day due to stress and insomnia. He travels a lot. Spending weeks in hotels. He also has lots of medical problems. Every week he has to see a Chinese Physician and take various herbal concoctions. He spends thousands of dollars on massages to relieve his tensed muscles. He's always on the look out for doctors to solve his insomnia problem. I have recommended almost all the best doctors in Singapore to him, yet the problem persists.

He seldom sees his children. They aren't close to him. And they have nothing much to say to one another when they have the occasional meal together. Mr Li keeps himself updated on his kids through me.

Several of his business friends have similar problems. Not that they are short of money, they have enough to last them for 3 generations, yet they are still actively pursuing more wealth. Even with their worth of S$10 million, they see that sum as relatively paltry.

"You're nobody here at $10 million," they said. Gosh. Where there are many people struggling to make a living daily, there are the rich who have what they need but are unhappy that they haven't got that sports car they've always wanted or the million-dollar yacht etc.

Well, the tendency to compare is not reserved for the very rich. When I was single, I never thought I would try to 'keep up with the Jones'. Later, mixing with an affluent crowd, it's hard to not get caught up in it. There's always someone with a bigger house and more branded stuff." When the comparison game starts, it never ends. Depressing, isn't it?

When money is their focus, people will never have enough.

Truly, none of us will ever have "enough." Is there a point where I will have enough things? I have reached that point now. I have all the things that I need. The few luxury items I would like, if I never get them won't make a difference in my life.

Temporary Out of Action - Wordless Wednesday #2

A dislocated ankle, in a cast for a week.

itch itch itch itch itch itch itch.....

In a Korean Bath House

I tried the Korean bath houses when I went to South Korea. I had to strip & bathe with the Koreans..... ladies only although you can choose to go to the pool where men and women bathed together. I also had my body scrubbed by an acuma (Korean language for aunt).

It wasn't easy going stark naked in front of others, especially your students and their mothers. Once in the bath house, we each had a locker to keep our clothes & valuables and was given a small towel. You either cover your breasts or the pelvic area with it, there's not enough cloth to wrap around your butt. It was quite awkward for me at first, but when you step into the women's bath area, you would not bother covering yourself anymore.

You guys must be thinking, "Whoa! So lucky to see a whole roomful of naked women!" To tell you the truth, I was the most attractive naked woman there. It being working hours when I was there, most of the women were elderly housewives & their young grandchildren, young toddler boys too.

I tell you it was the most depressing sight I have ever seen. The saggy, wrinkly, droopy skin....... arrrgh.... Knowing I'm gonna look like that one day, I'm going to show more of my still youthful naked body to hubby whenever I have the chance. ^-^

It is very natural for the Korean ladies to walk around naked in the bath house. They would bathe right there, washing their private parts for all to see. And they would scrub one another's backs. Korean ladies have great complexions.

There was a cafe & they would sit there in their birthday suits eating or drinking. Nobody would stare, except us foreigners. I didn't dare to stare but I couldn't keep my jaws closed. hahaha.....

A scrub-back costs 25,000 won each (S$42.50).

I had to first lie face-up on a bench, the acuma poured 2 pails of warm water on my whole body, and rubbed bath lotion on my whole body with a sponge. Then she took a bath scrub and started scrubbing away. She doesn't understand English but she was chanting, " Dirty! Dirty! Dirty!". She made me touch the dead skin she had removed from my body. Oh my God! I'm so dirty! kekeke.....

I do scrub myself when I bathe but yet there is so much grime & dirt! Gosh! It's embarrassing! She told my friend,"Singapore dirty!"

Oh my, what has this got to do with my country? But I had my revenge when my friend's turn came. She had as much grime as me, so I screamed back,"Korea dirty, dirty! Very dirty!" And Koreans are supposed to have a good scrub every week! hehehe..... embarrassed eh, Sook Hui?

I felt good after that scrub. My skin felt so smooth & clean! The acuma didn't scrub very hard, it was very enjoyable actually. She washed my face with a seaweed cleanser & specially put on a yoghurt mask for me. I was told to rest in the Steam Room after that. I was so pleased with the acuma that I wanted to hug her, but she was taken aback & started screaming. hahaha....

hmmm.... What would you do?

Two of my South Korean students and their parents were in Singapore for a short holiday. The family has returned to Seoul 2 years ago after the father's contract ended. They came to visit my family and we had dinner with them.

It was great seeing my boys again. They are studying in a University in Seoul now. We had a wonderful time catching up. During dinner, the father shared with us a story.

Koreans like to visiting bath houses for their baths. Many many years ago, Mr Park and his parents went to a bath house for their weekly scrub-back late one night. An hour into their bath, while scrubbing one another's back, they heard a commotion outside.

Later they realised a fire had broken out in the front part of the bath house. Quickly they ran out to retrieve their clothes, only to discover the lockers where their belongings were kept, were in flames.

There were 15 bathers, all naked, except for a small face towel each. They decided to make a dash out of the burning bath house. By this time, there were many spectators gathered outside the bath house. And to make things worse, the media was alerted. Camera men, reporters and TV crew were waiting to take pictures.

The 15 naked bathers had to think of a way to run out of the bath houses without feeling embarrassed. Now readers, with the small face towels that they had, how are they going to do that?


Answer will be given in the comment section on Monday. ^-^

Happy Sunday!!!!

Photo Hunters - Two

eastcoastlife's Fearsome TWO

Sometimes I can be a terror, I'm an impatient person. I want things done or a decision made at a count of 3. My hubby and son tremble whenever I start counting. They know that they cannot let me count to 3, or else they would be in hot soup! hahaha .......

The worse is when I don't say anything but use my fingers to signal the countdown. No warning given too. By the time I show my 2nd finger, they would almost piss in their pants!

1 .... 2 ..........

When Jaymes was younger, if you asked him what things he would want to be discarded, he would always reply, "Mummy's fingers!"

That is how powerful my two fingers are!
wahahahaha....!!!

Too young to get Married!? Noooo!

Many people gasped at my suggestion of getting my son married at age 16. Even my father couldn't help chiding me. hehehe......

Marrying at such a young age was not a big issue 20 years ago. People were not so educated and having many children was considered a boon as it meant more helping hands and greater prosperity.

But times have changed now. Nowadays young people choose to go for higher education and a good financial position before they marry. They set their own magic age number of 30 and beyond to get married. Marrying in their 20s are considered 'young'. They know more about sex and are more conscious about how to avoid unplanned pregnancy.

As a result, more and more marriageble young adults are delaying marriage and child bearing to achieve ambitions before taking on the responsibility. And some took it too far! I have friends who are in their 40s, realised all their ambitions years ago but have missed the boat of Marriage. They go home to a big empty house, spend their time online or in front of the HDTV.

Imagine how shocked they were when they discovered I'm preparing to become a mother-in-law and grandma and they are still looking for their Right One to come along!

When I decided to marry in my early 20s, some people tried to dissuade me. I had a good job and there were lots of fun places and guys to check out. I had made the decision earlier to get married and start a family and I thought I might as well get it over and done with and then concentrate on my career. No regrets on my decision.

er.... the people who tried to dissuade me from getting married young, they are still checking out fun places but fun guys are not checking them out, not even taking a look at them. duh.

I would encourage the young people I know to marry young. Have your kids early when you have the energy to run after them and play with them. Having the means to feed them shouldn't be a great problem. If you don't insist on having the best for everything or keeping up with the Jones, you could still get by. Having a family motivates you to work harder. Being married makes you healthier and wealthier.

Although my son is not going to get married any time soon (duh. Disappointment is written in capital letters over my forehead, Jaymes!), I'm trying to plant the seed of marriage in his mind and hope that it would germinate well. hehehe..... I'll keep watering and nurturing it. It will eventually bear fruits. I'm hoping for a bountiful harvest!!!

My Proudest Achievement

Isn't the business deals that I made,
Isn't the money I gain,
Isn't the awards that I received,
Isn't the latest Mercedes car model I could finally afford............

I put in a lot of effort, hard work, tears, sweat and blood on my part to care for and guide the young people left in my care. Some were willing to learn, many were not.

But I'm always glad to meet them again, and to see the joy on the faces of my students and their parents when they come back to thank me! They are my proudest achievements!

Offerings to our ancestors - Wordless Wednesdays #1

Should my son marry at age 16?

My cousin from Malaysia came to visit during our National Day holidays. She came with her two elder daughters and 3 grandchildren. They stayed with my family while they were here.

My cousin is only one year my senior and she is already a grandmother to 3 young children!!! She became a grandmother at age 36! Gosh. It does make me envy her.

My cousin Hua hails from a small town in Johor, Malaysia. She worked for a year as a domestic helper in Singapore before going back to get married, at age 16! She had her eldest daughter the following year. She has 2 girls and a boy.

Her eldest daughter married at age 19 and had a son and a daughter within 3 years of her marriage. Hua's second daughter married at age 20 and is a mother to a toddler son. Hua's son is getting married end of this year!

Hua's mother, who is my mother's younger sister, married young too. She is only 62 and she is already a great grandmother! She is likely to see her great-great grandchildren in her lifetime! My mother is 70 and her eldest grandson is only 15!

After my relatives left,I actually discussed with my son, Jaymes about him getting married next year. hahaha...... I showed him a list of the benefits of getting married young. I offered him incentives and help with his kids. He's so smart, he doesn't want to be tied down so young. duh.

For now, I can only day-dream. About me being a grandmother. Could you imagine me being a grandma in 2 years' time? kekeke.......

I speak Tamil and 4 Chinese dialects!

Since my freak accident, I have been stuck in my bedroom, spending my free time watching Korean drama VCDs. Not a bad thing though, my eyes have attained a certain glitter from ogling at so many hunks. hehehe.....

And it inspires me to learn another new language - Korean. kekeke..... not bad eh.

I live in a multi-racial country. When I was a child, my neighbours were made up of all races and they speak different languages and dialects then. In order to play with the other kids, I need to communicate in their respective languages and dialects. So I picked them up through our daily play and conversations.

I can speak and write English, Chinese, Malay and Indonesian languages. I speak Teochew, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hainanese, Tamil and a smattering of Thai, Japanese. hahahaha.... what a feat! blekkk.....

I learnt English in school. Chinese was my mother tongue. I picked up Indonesian language from my Indonesian maids, students and their parents. The rest was picked up from the neighbours, foreign students, through watching TV programmes and at the market place. ^-^

Knowing a few languages do give me an advantage when communicating with my clients. Oh, I created lots of jokes too with my 'half-cooked' foreign languages. And it definitely caused unhappiness when other races speak bad about me in their own language, thinking I can't understand. I didn't bring my chopper then, if not........ hahaha.........

Oops. aiyoooooo..... now many people know already lah!

How many languages and/or dialects do you know?

Photo Hunters - Row

It was June 2006, I was accompanying my son to Fushun, China on his Student Exchange Trip. One early, freezing morning, we were brought to Dahuofang Fishery to see the fishermen bring in their catch of the day.

It took more than an hour by motor boat for us to reach the middle of the lake. We were greeted by a row of fishermen, who braved the freezing temperature to show us how they bring in their catch.

Slowly they pulled the net in and you could see the fish jumping in the water. It was an awesome sight! The students were jostling with one another to take photos, it almost triggered a row.

It took almost 30 minutes to haul in their catch. The fish were so fresh and plump. We had a great feast of fish after that, 3 days in a row! ^-^

Falling in Love with a Blogger

When you have been blogging for a while and read hundreds of blogs a week, you would have inadvertently make many friends online. From these friends, you would find some good ones. You may wonder how they look like and even go out of your way to meet them in person.

I have met some pretty awesome bloggers - men and women, young and old. We become good friends. We not only read and comment on one another's blogs, we correspond through email, msn, text and even long distance phone calls. Some leave the most heart-warming messages in my comments and emails.

I have never met many of my blogger friends. I wonder how some of them look like because they don't have a picture of themselves on their blogs. Anyway, I don't care how they look. I like them for who they are.

Yesterday, I was asked by another blogger friend if I had ever fallen in love with a blogger of the opposite sex. er...... er........

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I didn't fall in love but I have a special feeling for him. Eeeeeek!

*run to hide face in pillow, blush blush *

Please don't torture me for his blog! ish.

He is someone I've never met. I don't even know his real name. He has a great sense of humour, really caring, always ready to lend a listening ear, offer advice and suggestions. Period. Look like Richard Gere? I hope. hehehe......

Singapore's 42nd National Day!!

Happy Birthday Singapore!!!

新加坡又度过了一个好年头，大家愉快地庆祝国庆日!

To view the parade via the webcast on the official National Day Parade website (http://www.ndp.org.sg/).
National Day Parade @ Marina Bay 2007 国庆庆典

Following the closure of the Singapore National Stadium this year to make way for the contruction of the new Singapore Sports Hubs (to be completed in year 2011), National Day 2007 Celebration was held at the Marina Bay. The world's largest floating platform was built for this event.

Our National Day is always a big affair. No expenses was spared in such celebrations. There were many sponsors for the event too. Many months were spent on the preparations, training of parade particpants and rehearsals.

For Singaporeans who couldn't get tickets to NDP, every year without fail, they will be glued in front of the TV to watch the National Day Celebration.

It's traditional for the crowd to wear red on this day, so whether we're at the event or going about our lifes around the country, we get into the spirit by wearing one of the red T-shirts that would be on sale throughout the island.

Singaporeans celebrated our 42nd National Day of Independence with an impressive parade and mass cultural displays. The parade also features death-defying stunts by the Singapore Armed Forces parachutists and a 2000-strong combined schools choir. It ended with a big bang with awesome fireworks! When the parade ended, spectators and participants in eye-catching costumes take to the stage and turn it into a giant dance floor!

Oh boy! This is the BEST National Day Parade I have ever seen! It gave me goosebumps and made tears swell in my eyes all through the event!! Congratulations to the organisers. Promotions coming liao!!! ^-^

Singapore has the highest standard of living in Asia and is the 22nd wealthiest country in the world. It is a financial hub with a liberal economy. It's the world's easiest place to start a business but not necessarily to make money. hehehe......

Human for Sale - $2.86 million!

My family lived with my grandmother, two of my father's elder brothers, an aunt and their family members for years before moving out to live on our own. There were about 27 of us in one big house, only 9 were adults. So you can imagine the constant bickering and fights amongst the children.

My grandmother used to threaten us when we misbehaved, that we would be sold like 'piglets' (卖猪仔) to factories or even abroad as labourers. The thought of never seeing our parents again made us very frightened and thus we would be good...... for a while and then we would irk our grandmother again. hehehe....

Even up until today, we hear of humans being sold into slavery and prostituition.

Ever wonder what is your worth if you are put up for sale? Try this interesting quiz and you will know your worth. ^-^

I am worth $2,861,906 on HumanForSale.com
How much are you worth?

I'm worth $2.86 million! Wow! Wonder who would pay such money for a rich old hag. Even if I'm sold as a chicken, I would have problem earning back that amount!

Hey, put your worth in my comment, let's see who can command the highest price!! ^-^

Alternatively, you might want to post your worth on your blog. ;)

Friends with Benefits (FWB)

I learnt a new meaning to boy-girl relationship yesterday night. It got me excited. kekeke.....

I received a visit from my single girlfriend W, who is in her late 30s and has her own successful business. Conversation inevitably came to the subject of relationships. And she let out that she is still dating occasionally but not seeing anyone serious. She did shock me with this FWB thingy.

Friends with Benefits (FWB) or F*** Buddies (FB). It means "Two friends who have a sexual relationship without being emotionally involved. Two good friends who have casual sex without a monogamous relationship or any kind of commitment".

This is definitely going to cause a moral issue debate in our conservative Asian society. I'm not one to judge my friends on their lifestyles. They would tell me things they do in their private life and I offer my views if I'm asked, but I don't criticise.

It seems this FWB relationships are very common today, especially among the young. But what happens when a lonely 30something girl finds herself in one. A good thing?

W has 2 male friends whom she likes but wouldn't consider marrying them. These 2 guys are busy working professionals. They have no time for serious relationships. They meet for meals and have hot, sizzling sex, (Wah! The details really make me blush.) whenever they don't have to travel abroad for business. This is mainly a relationship based on sex, no strings attached. Either party is free to terminate it.

W is pretty and capable and has no lack of suitors despite her age. But she is not ready to settle down and prefers such an arrangement. A shrewd businesswoman woman who lives in a luxurious condo, drives the latest Beemer and goes for holidays in exotic destinations. I wonder how many more such single ladies like her are out there.

No never-ending household chores to do. No need to pick after someone. No need to yell at kids or worry about university fee hikes. Tempting.

I want a divorce!

eastcoastlife the smart alec! ish.

My foreign friends ask me, 'What's a youtiao?'. Well, this is it.

Dough fritter. You can eat it on its own. You can dunk it in coffee or hot chocolate or hot soya bean milk. We sometimes add it to our famous Bak Kut Teh (Pork Rib Soup) or porridge. I would also spread cuttlefish paste on it & deep fried it, then coat it in mayonnaise sweeten with a little condense milk.

I remember a silly story when I was in my teens.

During my secondary school years, my classmates & I would spend time at a public library near our school. We would be in the Reference Room, doing research for our numerous projects. We would be eating when the librarians were not looking. We would challenge one another to bring bigger food items.

One day, I gleefully brought out a youtiao. My idiotic classmates scattered. I was caught sitting alone like an idiot at a big table, holding up the damned, limp youtiao. Basket, sabo me. I was the model student in school, okay? And the pet of every teacher who taught me. Those idiots.

But again, I was trying to be a smart alec. Who would think of bringing yu cha kuay? So stupid!!!! Anyway, I won. hehehe.....

Where are my secondary school classmates now?

If I see you idiots again, I'm going to stuff youtiao into your mouths. All of you didn't eat my youtiao then.

Whoopeee! Out of the house, but ......

Finally, I was able to get out of my bedroom after almost 2 weeks of being cooped up in it. Yeah!!! Although it was just for lunch and marketing at the supermarket, it was no small feat for an invalid. hehe...

My boys had to helped me down the stairs. It was slow and we had to be extra careful. We don't want any more accidents even though we had increased our Personal Accident Policies. :) The boys were sweating profusely by the time I got into the car. It seems like I had added on a few kilos. duh.

We had lunch at the mega Ikea Tampines, that was built at a cost of S$125 million and the first one to open under the Warehouse Retail Scheme. The restaurant was packed with lunch crowds. We ordered its famed Swedish meatballs, Poached Salmon and deep-fried chicken wings. *burp*

Ikea Restaurant has handy trolleys like this to carry our food.

At 50m apart is lifestyle store Courts (cost S$80 million to build). Giant Supermarket, occupying 139,000 sq ft, joined its mega-store neighbours as the largest hypermarket at this warehouse cluster site. There are shuttle bus services plying from Tampines MRT station. All these stores offer easy, one-stop shopping.

It wasn't easy for this handicapped to shop at crowded stores. I couldn't read nor reach the products on the high shelves in Giant without help. I also wonder why some shoppers like to chat along the aisles or stand in front of displays, blocking others from doing their chores. Heck!

And the kids. OMG! Why do their parents leave them with the trolleys? They were pushing it around recklessly, oblivious of the shoppers and displays. Some were left to play 'police and thief' among themselves. They are a hazard to us serious shoppers.

Contrary to what I thought all my life, sitting in a wheelchair doesn't earn you special privileges nor compassion from able people. They rushed for seats at the crowded Ikea restaurant despite seeing a person in wheelchair waiting beside it. I couldn't possibly be faster than them in plonking themselves down on the empty seats. They rushed for the lift and worst, they took the lift for the handicapped. And nobody bothered to press the 'OPEN' button to wait for me, they just watched as the door closed in my bewildered face. I'm appalled.

Am I expecting too much?

Photo Hunters - Funky

For some women aged over 40, they thought it's the end of the world. For me, it's a another phase in my life, a new beginning ..........

Funky eastcoastlife!

Crazy, hip-hop Mom....... (photo taken 5th January '07)

The traditional wife and Mom......... (photo taken 18th January '07)

The glamour Mom......... (photo taken 8th May '07)

New-age SuperWoman!!! (photo taken 18th May '07)

I have a certain funky charm, I guess. hehehe.....

oi ..... meant to bring a smile to your face not ROTFL.......

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone! ^-^

Me? Loser with a Capital 'L' !?

I thought my 2-week sick leave was about to end when another medical problem surfaced on Wednesday afternoon. I had to spend a few hours visiting doctors and the hospital. Looks like I have to 'hibernate' for quite some time. duh.

A good friend who came a visiting, told me that I was really suay (unlucky) and that I have a kiam chye mia (loser's life). Do I?

I have been working very hard on my new projects these few months. It hit a snag with the local government officials of a certain country. I was to dine and fill their pockets - again.

Subsequently, I decided to have a short orgy holiday trip before plunging into my work again. Less than 10 minutes of getting my hotel room key, I tumbled and spent my holiday, with a broken heart *sob sob*, cooped up in a hotel room. ish.

Good things happened though. I gained some great friendship - real life and virtual. Enjoyed some yummy delicacies. Met up with friends and relatives whom I haven't seen for some time. My bad, I was too busy. Had a long and wonderful rest.... and a small fortune. hehehe.....

Throughout my ordeal of the past two weeks, I remained optimistic and high-spirited. I'm broken in body, not in spirit. Well, I think I'm a good example of 'when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.' hehehe....

Woot! One Million Singapore Dollars

misti tagged me with this meme. She gave me S$1 000 000 and asked me how I would spend it.

Woot! First thing, go online book airtickets, book hotels! hahahaha ..... I'm tempted to spend it on travelling around the world and meet my blogger friends!

One million Singapore dollars isn't a lot of money these days. The hot property boom in Singapore has caused the prices of property to soar like an eagle! Even condominiums are hitting the million dollar mark. Why would anyone want to buy a S$5 million condo? Too much money, don't know where to spend it? *scratch my head*

Since I already have a house, I might buy a commercial shop unit and rent it out. The rest of the money will be used to make me more moola!

The stock market has been on a roll these few months. Although there was a huge correction on NYSE and the regional stock markets this week, I believe Singapore's economy is fundamentally safe. I would make use of the lower stock prices to buy some more shares. Blue chips.

Not one to squander money away, investing it is the best way to go.

Pray for Korean Hostages

On July 19th, 23 Korean Christian aid workers were abducted while travelling by bus to southern Kandahar, a Taleban stronghold. Most of the captives are women.

The Taleban have demanded the release of eight prisoners in return for the aid workers release.

They are also demanding that Seoul withdraw its 200 troops serving with US-led coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has pledged not to swap prisoners for hostages.

8 days after the abduction of the Koreans in Afghanistan, Im Hyun-joo (32), a former nurse from Seoul, in a phone interview with U.S. broadcaster CBS, pleaded “We are in a very difficult time. Please help us. All of us are sick and in very bad condition. We are all pleading for you to help us get out of here as soon as possible. Really, we beg you.” She was with 17 other women while the men were being held separately.

On 25th July, the leader of the South Korean Christian aid workers, 42-year-old Bae Hyung-ku, was killed. His body was found in Ghazni province.

On 30th July, the second hostage 29-year-old Shim Sung-min was shot dead and his blood soaked body left in the Qarabagh district of southern Ghazni province.

The insurgents killed the hostages because Afghan and South Korean governments are "playing games and cheating." Killings will continue unless the Afghan government agrees to trade imprisoned Taleban militants for the hostages.

From 3.30pm Singapore time today, they will start killing the hostages again. As I'm writing this post, text messages to pray for these Korean hostages are being sent all over the globe. Please pray for their safe return.

Latest, 12.08pm : Families of the Korean hostages are appealing to international community to help.

The Taleban has announced that they would kill the hostages with greater frequency with each passing hour.