Thank God for Disney :)

I've realised there's being responsible, and then there's being Responsible.

Sure, there are always things on the agenda, and also the thing about being a man (or woman) of one's word - just do it, or die trying.

But let me share: we've all heard of stories, where someone dies, and everyone comes forward to say how helpful the deceased was, bla-bla-bla. In fact, I personally heard a story from my parents about their friend that died; at his wake, descriptions to describe him included: generous, magnanimous, kind, gentle, helpful, always willing to buy coffee, beer for a friend that was in trouble.

Problem was, after speaking to his family (his wife in particular), they painted quite a different picture: Despite the fact that the family obviously loved each other, the wife tearfully confided that although he wasn't a bad man per se, one thing that really got to her was that he he was quite calculative, controlling and had quite a temper too.

I don't want to judge, maybe he had his priorities backwards, coz he craved acceptance. Or maybe he ran into donor-fatigue with his family ... Either way, rather sad and tragic, don't you think?

Life isn't always that simple. Unforeseen circumstances do happen, therefore it is so important to be able to switch, juggle and prioritise; Much as I'd like to make everyone happy, I also know that there are some people I'd rather make more happy than others, and if I have to, I'd drop these 'others', in order to be there for the VIPs in my life.

Some may disagree and think it's so go-with-the-flow and tidak apa.. Well fuck it, I don't care! Given the choice, I certainly wouldn't do it any other way.

For these VIPs - come rain or shine, hell or highwater - are majority stakeholders in my future, and would go to the ends of the earth for me. I don't think I can really say the same for the rest of 'em others though!

I used to scoff and roll my eyes at those days, way back, when Youth Group was a huge part of my life. Then, we were so young and innocent.. and we (or at least, I) thought we were smart-as-hell. Despite being only 17, 18?

But after being tagged in a 10th anniversary video that one of the pioneering members put up, it hit me that, although I was a totally different person then I'd not exactly be broadcasting to everyone about having once been in a youth grp, there were certainly things to be thankful for:


• Firstly, that I got to play a role (small one though, but still!) and be present in the early days, to watch a group start.. And I seriously never thought it'd last this long. Although it's not my cup of tea anymore, I'm glad I was proven wrong and wish them the best - of course, that doesn't mean I can't crack jokes at their expense as / when the mood strikes!

• Getting to know (some) people that I still count as friends (e.g. Mr. A) - We may not call, text or even talk to each other regularly, but when we do, it's genuine with much laughter and kind words.

• The fact that if not for youth group (and the YISS youth camp!), I wouldn't even have gotten to know M & A, who have become like sisters to me. We're all busy with our very different lives, but what I love is that there's always time to sit down for a good meal with partners (and M's kid) in tow. And of course, the fact that M's a fantastic cook. Wouldn't have seen this comin' a decade ago!

• Cementing my friendship with J, who has turned out to be one of my besties - although we went to the same pri / sec schools, it wasn't till youth grp that we really got close and yakking, and still make it a point to update each other about whatnot even though she's halfway round the world away ...

• And last, but certainly far from least, A - The bestie that has been around since we were 5, and that has been there all the time. And I've got Confirmation Camp (Sec3) and youth grp to thank.

Current beauty obsession: False eyelashes! Putting them on takes some patience and practice, but once on, they're such good fun! Found this fantastic site that sells a huge variety wholesale: www.madamemadeline.com/online_shoppe/categories.asp

I've realised, yet again, that food at Adam Rd Hawker Ctr is just over-rated; the fact that parking was a bitch, and few stalls were closed (of all times, on a Fri night?!?) didn't help at all.

But at the same time, my eyes were opened today by what was, to me, probably the best-ever Chinese food: multiple, way-too-generous servings of abalone, and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall - at a wake of all places!

Posted via m.livejournal.com.

So. LJ asked this question above:

If I had to choose, I'd choose to be super-rich, with just average intelligence.

Truth be told, money does indeed buy a lot of things and opens many doors.

In short: Money talks.

PS: I've looked at peoples' responses, and I'm surprised so many of them wanted to be super-smart.
I must say this though - half of them were saying they'd be super-smart and then get super-rich from their smarts. NO!! You are NOT answering the qn; it's one OR the other; you can't have both! (In this qn, at least).

With the brother on a 6-month attachment in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh, the rest of the family thought we'd make a really short trip there.. cheap and good.

A fair bit of time was spent at the Ben Thanh Market, in the heart of town and just a 2-minute cab ride from  the Asian Ruby 3, where we were staying at. The night market here is one of the more popular items on the to-do list here; but if you're used to the huge Thai night markets where there's simply not enough time to shop, be prepared to lower your expectations. And quite a lot.

But while the selection of stuff at Ben Thanh aren't as dizzying as, say, Swan Lom in Thailand (which hasn't been that fantastic of late anyway), don't strike it off just yet - basic sundresses, casual wear and things like bags are relatively cheap here. Nothing should cost you more than VND150,000 (approx.S$10), after bargaining of course.

Another good place to shop at, as we found, was Saigon Square; a Mall, so expect to pay a little more. Still, prices post-bargaining are affordable;  a steal I'm quite pleased with was this blue&white sundress for VND150,000 - nicely hemmed, fully lined, the works.

One thing I found particularly endearing about the Vietnamese sellers was that they were just so sweet and full of smiles, even if you chose not to buy from them. A very nice difference from Thailand, where things are getting expensive and they don't want / need your money and just casually go back to doing their stuff when you decide not to buy.

Looking at the Vietnamese, it's hard to imagine that not too long ago, these seemingly gentle people went through an awful war. Beneath that veneer of mild-temperedness lie characters so strong and tenacious, so well-hidden; my heart went out to them at the War Remnants Museum and my respect for these people only grew (while I found myself drawn into the action and feeling anger towards the Americans) from learning more about the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels, which I really wanted to visit but unfortunately couldn't and had to give it a miss, thanks to a chest infection ... Just as well, as I found out later that sufferers of asthma / breathing difficulties were discouraged from entering the tunnels. But since HCM is a mere couple of hours away, I've bookmarked this for my next trip, and would love to channel my inner marksman (woman?) by fiddling with the various guns.

Of course, no trip is complete without including even my 2cents' on something that's so close to my heart. Yes, FOOOD!!!

Creperie & Cafe was one of our first stops. Beautiful, charming surroundings - you'd be forgiven if, for a minute, you thought you were along Champs-Elysees. Crepes weren't too bad (although I've had better), but the steaks were a letdown; even the fantastic red wine sauce, possibly one of the best I've had so far, couldn't redeem them.

We kept finding outselves going back to Wrap & Roll, making a grand total of 2 trips in 3.5 days, and I certainly look forward to more. It's been featured before and it's clean and the food is yummy, it's a wonder it's barely packed - not that I'm complaining though. Must try: beef tenderloin wrapped in vine leaves; grilled beef with glutinous rice; and pandan chicken with glutinous rice.

And no trip to Vietnam is complete without tasting their awesome coffee, which seriously kicks ass. Screw you, Blue Mountain - I'd gladly have this everyday, many times a day and just keep begging for more. While this fucking awesome ambrosia is available almost anywhere, Trung Nguyen (aka their local Starbucks but only a million times better hands down) is THE place to go and enjoy your daily poison in clean, plush, air-conditioned comfort. (PS: Saigon's Top 10 cafes linked here)

Would've also loved to try Quan An Ngon, if we had more time. From what I understand, it's an open-air market-styled place that houses the top 20 streetside stalls which were specially picked for this dining concept. Bookmark, check!

PS for the ladies: Do make a trip to one of their many salons such as the Ngia Salon at Ben Thanh - get your hair and nails done, pile on the nail-art (the nail-artists are so talented) and just bask in the aura of your inner ditz.

*Ugghh, need to vent even though it's almost 5 in the morning!!* Had one of the worst suppers tonight and has had it with foodstall owners being BOTH incompetent AND not-so-nice. .

Was at Raimah's for supper and wanted chilli padi, originally to go with the maggi goreng. Well the other stall has really gd kicap manis chilli padi so I thought I'd just buy an egg and have chilli padi on the side. They, however, were really stingy with the chilli padi because they claimed they were running low. Fair enough. But here's what I didn't like:

1. They didn't even give me enough chilli padi for my bloody egg;

2. I gave them a DOLLAR coin (not even a note, mind you) and they had trouble finding change, suggesting that I give them exact change, which I didn't have;

3. Which thereafter left the makcik grumbling away; if not for her much nicer assistant, I would've walked off. .


If it's so much "trouble", why bother to even operate a stall, with the leceh sour grapes face + fucked up attitude as if they're doing us a damn favour and that we bloody owe them a living?!!?

With the conscious "lifestyle decision" I've made pretty recently to cut unnecessary calories - which by the way absolutely shouldn't be wasted on below-par food, but which I'd be more than happy to spend on good food - and eat/drink healthier for the past 3 weeks or so (fresh veggie juice almost daily ; coffee / tea sugar-free, which is frankly a breeze as I'm not really into the sweet stuff anyway).

Unfortunately, I find myself wavering barely a month into this healthy-eating jazz. A sad, uphill battle indeed. Don't get me wrong: I enjoy a good salad, more often when it's loaded with heavier, more substantial plantstuff - corn, beetroot, broccoli, tomato, avocado, nuts & seeds, strong cheese .. (ok I know that's not actually a plant but then does blue cheese count?)

( Read more... )

"Beni," as lipstick is known in Japan, is also the name of a luxurious shade of red extracted from the orange-petaled "Benibana" (safflower) pigment that has been favored by Japanese women for centuries. The Benibana contains a pigment that is 99% yellow; the remaining 1% is the special red pigment that is beni. The flowers are soaked, steamed to make a compound that turns red when water is applied. Richness of the color can be changed with the amount of water that is applied, ranging from pale pink to rich ruby red..... Read more!

Can be purchased at: http://japanbrandonline.com/cosmetics/komachi-be-5.html