Sometimes I wonder if it's just me, or maybe I'm possibly the only one who verbalises or shows a clear disdain for people who continues to do things which clearly are not right but don't seem to be to these people..
Give you several examples...
1) The escalator....it's a simple rule to follow, stand on the left...let the faster moving people walk up / down the right lane...why do many people still insist on standing on the right and holding up traffic?
The weird thing is the offender always end up standing right beside me....which makes it even more tempting for me to just turn to my right and give the person a smack on the head
I usually give the escalator hogger a disgusted look, after which I will make an obvious glance towards the back to look at the long line of disgrunted people, who is obviously pissed off at being slowed down by the moron.
2) Highway Road Hoggers....similar to (1), but this one is on the road. Maybe this one is not as bad, because you can always drive around the road hog on the left...but does it piss me off just the same? HELL YEAH!
I'm very tempted to pin this on the ladies, but I remember seeing wussy men committing the sin too.
3) Taxi Drivers who skid to an abrupt halt right in front of your car just to pick up a passenger.....man, this one really makes me lose it....just encountered one the other day....i didn't take my hand off my car horn until the passenger got in and the taxi moved off....to my glee, that took a good 15 seconds....so my horn was clearly making a big ruckus along Upper Changi Road...hehehe...
I probably have several more on my list but at this moment...these are the top 3 on my cheesed-off list...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Bring out the BROOM AGAIN!
Lebron James and the Cleveland Caveliers continue their playoff domination by sweeping the Atlanta Hawks 4-0 to charge into the Eastern Conference Finals against either the defending champions Boston Celtics or Orlando Magic.
The 2nd-round series involving Boston and Orlando is now tied at 2 games a piece.
What this means is that the Caveliers have another 9-day lay-off before they see some real court action again.
The Caveliers are the first team to start the playoffs 8-0 since 2005 Miami Heat, and they have won each of those 8 games by double-digits.
Check out these stats for King James :
Game 1 : 34 Pts, 10 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 4 Steals
Game 2 : 27 Pts, 3 Rebounds, 5 Assists, 4 Steals
Game 3 : 47 Pts, 12 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 1 Steal
Game 4 : 27 Pts, 8 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 1 Steal
There is no stopping Lebron; the man's a one-man wrecking crew and that look of destiny is etched on his face every time he takes to the court.
Just get out of the way.....
Monday, May 04, 2009
KING JAMES NAMED REGULAR SEASON MVP
Was there ever any doubt?
Not in my mind at least....He received 109 votes out of a total 121 first-place votes to easily outdistance the wannabe, Kobe Bryant...maybe next year Kobe.
Lebron James is the first Cleveland Cavaliers player to win the award. He averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season, his sixth as a pro.
This man is phenomenal, he was born to play basketball.
For the uninitiated, please feel free to have a look at Lebron's Top 10 Plays of the Regular NBA Season here.
Pay close attention to Play 7 and Play 3..my personal favourites...
LEBRON TO THE "GREAT WALL OF CHINA" -> DON'T BRING THAT WEAK STUFF IN HERE!!
Sunday, May 03, 2009
AWARE SAGA has ended..
All I can say is....DAMN I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE!!!
That would have been the BEST $40 I would have ever spent!!
MUAHAHAHA!!
TWO WORDS -> LEGALISED BITCHING
That would have been the BEST $40 I would have ever spent!!
MUAHAHAHA!!
TWO WORDS -> LEGALISED BITCHING
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Great Article about AWARE
Found this Great Article on someone's Facebook's Page...a perfect writeup about what's going on in AWARE.
To those who do not know what's going on, read on...
To those who do and are confused, hope this clarifies...I am...
Christians in Singapore, listen! You should not be this conflicted about the AWARE debacle. It appears that a few churches have already taken the opportunity to preach on the issue of homosexuality from the pulpit. Some Christians have also been rattling on about it being time to make a stand and be counted for what one truly believes.
So this is me making a stand right here. I have been a Bible-believing Christian for 25 years now. I want first to acknowledge fellow believers who, like me, are shocked, angered, and saddened by the takeover and feel that their faith has been hijacked and their views ignored. I know that a lot of such affected Christians are out there. There is also another group which may not agree with the new team's tactics but admires its fervour or sympathises with it for the heat it has been getting.
But, most of all, I want to address a crucial third party: Christian women who have been encouraged to stand up and be counted for their beliefs. I wish to appeal to their good sense in these last hours. You may be one of these and have even joined, or are planning to join, AWARE to help swing the votes in favour of the new ex-co on Saturday. Especially if I am describing you, please read on!
Yes, there are times when a Christian needs to make a courageous stand – but, in every event, always ask yourself: For what cause is this? What context does it serve? The current scenario is not one where we are being asked what our beliefs on certain issues are or whether Christianity and homosexuality are compatible or we are being mocked or discriminated against. It is a simple context where a group of well-meaning Christians infiltrated a secular organisation in order to be in a position to dictate their own values in its daily running. In this light, what a Christian may feel about issues like homosexuality is besides the point!
As a secular body, AWARE rightly cannot have a vision that treats women from different backgrounds through the outlook of just one religious system. Indeed, I dare say that an appropriate Christian response is to resist the actions of these Christians. Just as God gave every person free choice and the opportunity to believe, we ought to support the sanctity of this right for others to make up their own minds and live their own lives. Just as we do not force the Christian faith down someone's throat against his or her will, we should not take over a non-religious organisation for the single purpose of making others unlike us behave as we believe. To do this would be a gross misapplication of the message of Jesus.
If you support the new ex-co's actions, be aware that you are sending a string of possibly irreversible wrong signals to every Singaporean. Consider carefully whether you are willing to shoulder the responsibility of damages that would affect the longstanding good work of Christians in Singapore. Since the government has chosen not to be involved in the matter so far, whatever happens will be seen clearly by all as the response of particular sectors of society.
Here is my short list of obvious implications:
[1] Support the new ex-co, and you are effectively saying that you condone its quasi-corporate act of infiltration, with related strategies of secrecy, disinformation, moral coercion, and fear-mongering. You are saying that you support its less-than-Christian covert moves more than traditionally Christian ones like dialogue, open engagement, honesty, and clarity.
[2] Support the new ex-co, and we will go down a slippery road with wide-ranging repercussions for all. Don’t believe for a moment that the manoeuvring will stop here. What this invites others to see is that infiltration is the most effective way for small groups of like-minded individuals to seize power quickly -- and where will this end? What is to stop any religious or ideological group from doing the same to any social institution at every level? In the long run, who do you think loses?
[3] Support the new ex-co, and you potentially make light of the freedom that is God’s gift to every human being. Against your best intentions, you may send out instead the message that we Christians think that we know better than everyone else and that we are willing to outflank, overpower, and overwhelm if we do not get our way.
[4] Support the new ex-co, and, if they stay and behave as predicted, you will be directly responsible for undoing the trust that many Christians have taken years to build with their non-Christian friends. This is a trust built on mutual respect. You will have made the Gospel of Christ more difficult to hear for years to come because people will think that they know what it is about. You will have created a new generation of Christ-haters.
This matter, in short, is not to be treated lightly. Jesus tells us all to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves". There are times to be passionate and helpful in a gungho way, but this is not the time. Christians can be wrong about many things too. So please, by all means, pray for the AWARE debacle to be resolved amicably and for Christians in AWARE, but do not, in the name of our common faith, go in blind support of other Christians because you are Christian!
Yours Truly,
Gwee Li Sui
To those who do not know what's going on, read on...
To those who do and are confused, hope this clarifies...I am...
Christians in Singapore, listen! You should not be this conflicted about the AWARE debacle. It appears that a few churches have already taken the opportunity to preach on the issue of homosexuality from the pulpit. Some Christians have also been rattling on about it being time to make a stand and be counted for what one truly believes.
So this is me making a stand right here. I have been a Bible-believing Christian for 25 years now. I want first to acknowledge fellow believers who, like me, are shocked, angered, and saddened by the takeover and feel that their faith has been hijacked and their views ignored. I know that a lot of such affected Christians are out there. There is also another group which may not agree with the new team's tactics but admires its fervour or sympathises with it for the heat it has been getting.
But, most of all, I want to address a crucial third party: Christian women who have been encouraged to stand up and be counted for their beliefs. I wish to appeal to their good sense in these last hours. You may be one of these and have even joined, or are planning to join, AWARE to help swing the votes in favour of the new ex-co on Saturday. Especially if I am describing you, please read on!
Yes, there are times when a Christian needs to make a courageous stand – but, in every event, always ask yourself: For what cause is this? What context does it serve? The current scenario is not one where we are being asked what our beliefs on certain issues are or whether Christianity and homosexuality are compatible or we are being mocked or discriminated against. It is a simple context where a group of well-meaning Christians infiltrated a secular organisation in order to be in a position to dictate their own values in its daily running. In this light, what a Christian may feel about issues like homosexuality is besides the point!
As a secular body, AWARE rightly cannot have a vision that treats women from different backgrounds through the outlook of just one religious system. Indeed, I dare say that an appropriate Christian response is to resist the actions of these Christians. Just as God gave every person free choice and the opportunity to believe, we ought to support the sanctity of this right for others to make up their own minds and live their own lives. Just as we do not force the Christian faith down someone's throat against his or her will, we should not take over a non-religious organisation for the single purpose of making others unlike us behave as we believe. To do this would be a gross misapplication of the message of Jesus.
If you support the new ex-co's actions, be aware that you are sending a string of possibly irreversible wrong signals to every Singaporean. Consider carefully whether you are willing to shoulder the responsibility of damages that would affect the longstanding good work of Christians in Singapore. Since the government has chosen not to be involved in the matter so far, whatever happens will be seen clearly by all as the response of particular sectors of society.
Here is my short list of obvious implications:
[1] Support the new ex-co, and you are effectively saying that you condone its quasi-corporate act of infiltration, with related strategies of secrecy, disinformation, moral coercion, and fear-mongering. You are saying that you support its less-than-Christian covert moves more than traditionally Christian ones like dialogue, open engagement, honesty, and clarity.
[2] Support the new ex-co, and we will go down a slippery road with wide-ranging repercussions for all. Don’t believe for a moment that the manoeuvring will stop here. What this invites others to see is that infiltration is the most effective way for small groups of like-minded individuals to seize power quickly -- and where will this end? What is to stop any religious or ideological group from doing the same to any social institution at every level? In the long run, who do you think loses?
[3] Support the new ex-co, and you potentially make light of the freedom that is God’s gift to every human being. Against your best intentions, you may send out instead the message that we Christians think that we know better than everyone else and that we are willing to outflank, overpower, and overwhelm if we do not get our way.
[4] Support the new ex-co, and, if they stay and behave as predicted, you will be directly responsible for undoing the trust that many Christians have taken years to build with their non-Christian friends. This is a trust built on mutual respect. You will have made the Gospel of Christ more difficult to hear for years to come because people will think that they know what it is about. You will have created a new generation of Christ-haters.
This matter, in short, is not to be treated lightly. Jesus tells us all to be "wise as serpents, and harmless as doves". There are times to be passionate and helpful in a gungho way, but this is not the time. Christians can be wrong about many things too. So please, by all means, pray for the AWARE debacle to be resolved amicably and for Christians in AWARE, but do not, in the name of our common faith, go in blind support of other Christians because you are Christian!
Yours Truly,
Gwee Li Sui
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Dugong's take on AWARE...
I know I may be threading on thin ice with this post but after deliberating for a week, I'll do it anyway.
Wanna know why this AWARE saga is a total mess?
Here's my take...
I have the utmost respect for woman leaders everywhere..infact, I've had to work under two ladies in my past two roles and the both of them were great leaders in their own unique ways.
I think women run governments, organisations and countries just as well as men. So where's the problem?
The problem lies in "GROUPS of WOMEN".
Women simply cannot co-exist with one another...if you put a group of women to work together...you get the AWARE SAGA!
It's a simple thing....if you spend some time to think this through, how ridiculous is it that an organisation comprising of ALL WOMEN cannot co-exist and see eye to eye on issues and they are suppose to be championing causes for women elsewhere?
All this cat-fighting about overthrowing the board, planned coup, not inviting the old board for EOGM....ssspppiiiiccccyyyyy....and I LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT....it is SO BITCHY!!!!
Well, don't flame poor litle old Dugong me....I had my share of "AWARE" madness...during Li-Anne's first confinement month when she had Terelle, we made the mistake of spending the month at my mum's place...
Imagine this...Li-Anne vs Confinement Nanny vs My Mum vs My Grandmother...
One woman in each corner of the ring and Dugong right in the middle!!!!
I rest my case...just sit back and enjoy the show...
Wanna know why this AWARE saga is a total mess?
Here's my take...
I have the utmost respect for woman leaders everywhere..infact, I've had to work under two ladies in my past two roles and the both of them were great leaders in their own unique ways.
I think women run governments, organisations and countries just as well as men. So where's the problem?
The problem lies in "GROUPS of WOMEN".
Women simply cannot co-exist with one another...if you put a group of women to work together...you get the AWARE SAGA!
It's a simple thing....if you spend some time to think this through, how ridiculous is it that an organisation comprising of ALL WOMEN cannot co-exist and see eye to eye on issues and they are suppose to be championing causes for women elsewhere?
All this cat-fighting about overthrowing the board, planned coup, not inviting the old board for EOGM....ssspppiiiiccccyyyyy....and I LOVE EVERY SECOND OF IT....it is SO BITCHY!!!!
Well, don't flame poor litle old Dugong me....I had my share of "AWARE" madness...during Li-Anne's first confinement month when she had Terelle, we made the mistake of spending the month at my mum's place...
Imagine this...Li-Anne vs Confinement Nanny vs My Mum vs My Grandmother...
One woman in each corner of the ring and Dugong right in the middle!!!!
I rest my case...just sit back and enjoy the show...
Dugong Dissapointed...
Our family makes it a point to go back to my Dad's home for dinner at least once a week...primary reason is for my parents to spend some time with our kids.
That's a cool arrangement...the grandparents get to see the grandkids, my kids get to play with their cousins...Li-Anne and I get to see my parents and sister and brother-in-law.....there's free food...
Why am I dissapointed?
Well, I think there's a distinct difference between spending time and spending quality time..
In this case, I just wish my mum had more chances to spend quality time with my kids.
My mum is a simple lady...never someone who would complain about anything...and is always happy and contented with what she's given. She's more than happy to see us once a week, although I know deep down, she wishes we could come home more often. She was probably the happiest person when our family had to bunk in at their place for 1 month when we were moving house in December.
Imagine this...she's taking care of my niece and nephew full-time and when we were bunking over, she had both my kids in daily attendance as well. She was happy...she just wanted every one of her grandkids together.
Nowadays, when we go back, it's usually for 2-3 hours and it's right smack in the middle of dinner time. Within that time slot, there's the mad scramble to feed my nephew and niece and even after feeding, the other un-ending needs of the two kids will bog her down for the entire timeslot.
I wanted to show my mum some photographs from Terelle & Thane's blog last night...it was the best way to keep her updated about the ongoings in their life...
It was tough...I could NOT catch her attention for longer than 5 seconds at a time and I was busy trying to narrate to her as I scrolled through the blog but it was an almost impossible task...
My Dad doesn't really help calm the chaotic scene, most of the time, his attempts to help makes things worse...in any case, I don't feel he sees the need to keep abreast of the happening's in the grandkid's lives...maybe to him that 2-3 hours a week is sufficient...
I am truely upset...and I said a silent prayer last night that I will see to it that things change. My kids won't be little and THAT cute for long, and there won't be many years left for my mum to enjoy them as they are now.
For all the quirky-ness of my in-laws, especially my mum-in-law, I'm deeply grateful and appreciative of the quality time they spend with my kids. There is undivided attention, although many a times, it borders on spoiling them, but hey, nothing's perfect....
Maybe it's because there are no "other grandkids" to contest for their attention...maybe...but I guess for now, it's up to me to change things on this side of the fence..
That's a cool arrangement...the grandparents get to see the grandkids, my kids get to play with their cousins...Li-Anne and I get to see my parents and sister and brother-in-law.....there's free food...
Why am I dissapointed?
Well, I think there's a distinct difference between spending time and spending quality time..
In this case, I just wish my mum had more chances to spend quality time with my kids.
My mum is a simple lady...never someone who would complain about anything...and is always happy and contented with what she's given. She's more than happy to see us once a week, although I know deep down, she wishes we could come home more often. She was probably the happiest person when our family had to bunk in at their place for 1 month when we were moving house in December.
Imagine this...she's taking care of my niece and nephew full-time and when we were bunking over, she had both my kids in daily attendance as well. She was happy...she just wanted every one of her grandkids together.
Nowadays, when we go back, it's usually for 2-3 hours and it's right smack in the middle of dinner time. Within that time slot, there's the mad scramble to feed my nephew and niece and even after feeding, the other un-ending needs of the two kids will bog her down for the entire timeslot.
I wanted to show my mum some photographs from Terelle & Thane's blog last night...it was the best way to keep her updated about the ongoings in their life...
It was tough...I could NOT catch her attention for longer than 5 seconds at a time and I was busy trying to narrate to her as I scrolled through the blog but it was an almost impossible task...
My Dad doesn't really help calm the chaotic scene, most of the time, his attempts to help makes things worse...in any case, I don't feel he sees the need to keep abreast of the happening's in the grandkid's lives...maybe to him that 2-3 hours a week is sufficient...
I am truely upset...and I said a silent prayer last night that I will see to it that things change. My kids won't be little and THAT cute for long, and there won't be many years left for my mum to enjoy them as they are now.
For all the quirky-ness of my in-laws, especially my mum-in-law, I'm deeply grateful and appreciative of the quality time they spend with my kids. There is undivided attention, although many a times, it borders on spoiling them, but hey, nothing's perfect....
Maybe it's because there are no "other grandkids" to contest for their attention...maybe...but I guess for now, it's up to me to change things on this side of the fence..
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
X-Dugong Origins : Dugong-rine
If you have not planned to watch X-Men Origins : Wolverine this weekend, then do it...
It is an amazing movie...and I'm proud to say : RB and I might have been one of the first few people in Singapore to have watched the previews today.
I think a lot has already been said about how cool and macho Hugh Jackman is as Wolverine...it's all true but on top of that, I think Liev Schreiber's potrayal of Sabretooth was equally good.....finger-licking good...
Exceptionally good was that last scene which was shot on top of the energy reactor...gosh...that scene alone was worth the $8 I paid for the movie.
Probably the only gripe I have about the movie was the casting of Lynn Collins as the leading lady Kayla Silverfox ...just thought that they could have found someone more striking to play the role....someone like maybe Kristin Kreuk would be just nice :)
All in all, a good movie to start of the "good-movie season".....please no more crap junk like 17 Again!!!
Dugong Dehydrated!
Is it just me, or is the weather in Singapore getting FREAKY, DICKY unbearable? I made the wrong decision to wear a long sleeve shirt to work today....I realised it the moment I stepped out the front door this morning.
I was "LAO-GUA-ING" like a XIAO-GAO even before I reached the bus-stop!
Its so bad that I don't even feel like taking my daily dose of hot caffeine in the morning. What that means is that I've been struggling to stay awake in office.
Well, not that I'm trying to blame the weather...it's actually a combination of factors but the weather DOES play a big part in it.
It certainly does not help that the aircon vent in my office is faulty, which never did seem to bother me in the past, but now, it's just killing me.
I truely wonder when this heat wave would end, but i'm not really optimistic. Even the occasional downpour has not brought any relief so for now, I'll have to run from one aircon place to another!!
I was "LAO-GUA-ING" like a XIAO-GAO even before I reached the bus-stop!
Its so bad that I don't even feel like taking my daily dose of hot caffeine in the morning. What that means is that I've been struggling to stay awake in office.
Well, not that I'm trying to blame the weather...it's actually a combination of factors but the weather DOES play a big part in it.
It certainly does not help that the aircon vent in my office is faulty, which never did seem to bother me in the past, but now, it's just killing me.
I truely wonder when this heat wave would end, but i'm not really optimistic. Even the occasional downpour has not brought any relief so for now, I'll have to run from one aircon place to another!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
King James getting it DONE in Detroit!!
King James has done it again....4-0 first round playoff sweep of the passe Pistons...not that anyone was expecting any less. 2 assists shy of a triple double...the man's getting it done IN STYLE!
The Caveliers now have > 1 week of rest while waiting for the winner of the Miami vs Atlanta series..which may or may not be an advantage since you would want your team to remain hot and not start winding down with the extra rest.
But having said that, I don't think a team led by Lebron will have any chance of taking things easy...the man's hungry....
Thursday, April 23, 2009
NBA Playoffs 2009
Was racking my brains for something to blog about after such a long time...so I think I'll write about the NBA Playoffs.....not too taxing on the brains...
King James....who else is more deserving of the title this year?
If you have not seen him play, make sure you catch Sportscenter's Daily updates at 7.30pm and a repeat at 10pm....he's in the news almost everyday now...
I've always had a weakness for sports icons who totally dominate their opponents.....and Lebron James is the perfect example of someone like that....
He can destroy you in SO MANY ways...he'll beat you on the dribble, post up, step back shot, 3-pointer, draw the double / triple team and dish out for an uncontested 3-pointer...the man has done it all and does it so well..
He's got the physique of Wolverine but floats like a butterfly when he drifts in for the monstrous windmill dunk...
Anyway, the Caveliers is already 2 games up on the Pistons and I'm predicting a 4-0 sweep, just like everyone else.
I seriously don't see any team in the Eastern Conference today who is capable of stopping the Caveliers...so to the Lakers, I would say "See you in the Finals!"
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Tis the season to be FRIED!!!
Would it be a Merry Christmas this year?
Not sure... Strangely enough, my employers found it fitting to make announcements for a major reorganisation 2 weeks before Christmas.
Its like..."Hey guys, it's the final stretch, please remember to bust your arses for the company you love so we can meet our financial commitments for 2008. And oh by the way, did I already tell you that your jobs are not guaranteed come 1st Jan? Oh well, it doesn't matter, I'm sure all of you will be mature enuff to accept this because you love this company rite?"
Timing and empathy has never been a forte in this company. Worse yet, rewarding excellence with crap is certainly not something you would associate with "THE MOST ADMIRABLE COMPANY"
Not to say i'm totally surprised since we've already been treated like that for the past 24 months. From being an organisation that delivered on it's financial commitments 8 quarters in a row, had it's leader yanked out and had to go rudder-less for 2 quarters and still cross the line smelling like a rose in 2 weeks time, it sure is nice to have a BIG FAT CUTTLEFISH waiting to shake your hand at the finishing line.
The last month has felt like walking around with a bullet in your head, just waiting for that moment when it dislodges and kills you instantly.
People pass you in the hallways, break out into a smile but deep down, wondering if they'll still see you next month.
It's been as real as HELL, so I'm carrying no illusions that I might be that lucky guy who would come out of this unscathed. Better to be prepared than pretend that it's never going to happen to me.
8 years in this company, straight out of graduation.....in here, people like us are termed as LIFERs.... we have the "system" genetically engineered into our DNA, so as to bleed and die for the company, to feel pain when the company falters and to treat company above self....
Huh...right now, I just feel like a BIG MEATBALL CRAP...topped off with a BIG STINKY FART..
Maybe it's time to set up that noodle stall I've dreamed about....like PO, the Kungfu Panda....
Not sure... Strangely enough, my employers found it fitting to make announcements for a major reorganisation 2 weeks before Christmas.
Its like..."Hey guys, it's the final stretch, please remember to bust your arses for the company you love so we can meet our financial commitments for 2008. And oh by the way, did I already tell you that your jobs are not guaranteed come 1st Jan? Oh well, it doesn't matter, I'm sure all of you will be mature enuff to accept this because you love this company rite?"
Timing and empathy has never been a forte in this company. Worse yet, rewarding excellence with crap is certainly not something you would associate with "THE MOST ADMIRABLE COMPANY"
Not to say i'm totally surprised since we've already been treated like that for the past 24 months. From being an organisation that delivered on it's financial commitments 8 quarters in a row, had it's leader yanked out and had to go rudder-less for 2 quarters and still cross the line smelling like a rose in 2 weeks time, it sure is nice to have a BIG FAT CUTTLEFISH waiting to shake your hand at the finishing line.
The last month has felt like walking around with a bullet in your head, just waiting for that moment when it dislodges and kills you instantly.
People pass you in the hallways, break out into a smile but deep down, wondering if they'll still see you next month.
It's been as real as HELL, so I'm carrying no illusions that I might be that lucky guy who would come out of this unscathed. Better to be prepared than pretend that it's never going to happen to me.
8 years in this company, straight out of graduation.....in here, people like us are termed as LIFERs.... we have the "system" genetically engineered into our DNA, so as to bleed and die for the company, to feel pain when the company falters and to treat company above self....
Huh...right now, I just feel like a BIG MEATBALL CRAP...topped off with a BIG STINKY FART..
Maybe it's time to set up that noodle stall I've dreamed about....like PO, the Kungfu Panda....
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Dugong's Log 251108 -> The Move (Part 1)
We finally decided that we've had enuff of the old maid (pardon the pun) and got rid of her on Monday.
The scheduled "Operation Maid Swap" was on Wednesday (today) but over the weekend, we found out that she had been telling my mum that Terelle's ill-mannered and always being rude to her and as parents, we've never corrected nor disciplined her.
Wow....that was certainly the last straw....it sure felt like dragging all ten of your fingers across the chalk board...
Early Monday morning, Li-Anne suggested we give her her "final task" -> which was to clear out my ENTIRE storeroom and wipe it clean (including all the shelfs) from top to bottom.
When she was done, Li-Anne calmly told her to pack up all her things because the agent will be picking her up at 2pm and she was going home for good.
No comment from her. Just a calm nod. (and did I detect a slight hint of a smile?)
Just to be sure that she understood what we told her, I repeated it to her again after 5 mins -> that she was going home for good and not coming back. (I told her I did not process her home leave)
Still no comment from her. Just a calm ok.
We concluded that she never had the intention of coming back to Singapore. She basically wanted to "break her contract" and go home. All those excuses about having family issues, having no money to pay for her return trip etc...
She was all packed in 15 mins....she then went across the hallway to our neighbour's house, chatted excitedly with the maid there, giggled happilly and soon was hugging each other...it was like a scene from a chinese prison movie...after doing time for 30 long years..all the suffering and pain...she was finally free to go home...
That was my cue.....i could feel it.....it was like i could see myself turning into "THE INCREDIBLE BULK" !!!!
It started like this...."Mxxx, did you know that you are contracted to us for 2 years.....
The rest is too vulgar to put down here in words .....nah i'm kidding :)....but I sure had a good time letting her rip....at one point, Li-Anne was thinking I was about to send something flying across the room...
Our new maid arrived today, her name is R -> we took little Thane with us down to the agency and brought her home. Terelle was at the zoo with my in-laws and Yoongi...we needed some time to go buy her a toy -> it was going to be R's "hello" gift to Terelle, a little trick which Li-Anne picked up from some book. It worked like a charm...Terelle's so "in-to" her right now, I was relegated to the role of substitute over dinner time..."I want Auntie to push my stroller"
Why you little.....did you know that Daddy was the one who bought you the....ahahaha nevermind...Daddy still loves you :)
Just before bedtime, Li-Anne and I were marvelling at how smoothly things had turned out today with R...way better than what we've expected...even better than the first time my "old maid" arrived in our home (we had thought that that was good..but this is even better)
Even though this is only day 1....we concluded that maybe, just maybe, it was meant to turn out this way....
The scheduled "Operation Maid Swap" was on Wednesday (today) but over the weekend, we found out that she had been telling my mum that Terelle's ill-mannered and always being rude to her and as parents, we've never corrected nor disciplined her.
Wow....that was certainly the last straw....it sure felt like dragging all ten of your fingers across the chalk board...
Early Monday morning, Li-Anne suggested we give her her "final task" -> which was to clear out my ENTIRE storeroom and wipe it clean (including all the shelfs) from top to bottom.
When she was done, Li-Anne calmly told her to pack up all her things because the agent will be picking her up at 2pm and she was going home for good.
No comment from her. Just a calm nod. (and did I detect a slight hint of a smile?)
Just to be sure that she understood what we told her, I repeated it to her again after 5 mins -> that she was going home for good and not coming back. (I told her I did not process her home leave)
Still no comment from her. Just a calm ok.
We concluded that she never had the intention of coming back to Singapore. She basically wanted to "break her contract" and go home. All those excuses about having family issues, having no money to pay for her return trip etc...
She was all packed in 15 mins....she then went across the hallway to our neighbour's house, chatted excitedly with the maid there, giggled happilly and soon was hugging each other...it was like a scene from a chinese prison movie...after doing time for 30 long years..all the suffering and pain...she was finally free to go home...
That was my cue.....i could feel it.....it was like i could see myself turning into "THE INCREDIBLE BULK" !!!!
It started like this...."Mxxx, did you know that you are contracted to us for 2 years.....
The rest is too vulgar to put down here in words .....nah i'm kidding :)....but I sure had a good time letting her rip....at one point, Li-Anne was thinking I was about to send something flying across the room...
Our new maid arrived today, her name is R -> we took little Thane with us down to the agency and brought her home. Terelle was at the zoo with my in-laws and Yoongi...we needed some time to go buy her a toy -> it was going to be R's "hello" gift to Terelle, a little trick which Li-Anne picked up from some book. It worked like a charm...Terelle's so "in-to" her right now, I was relegated to the role of substitute over dinner time..."I want Auntie to push my stroller"
Why you little.....did you know that Daddy was the one who bought you the....ahahaha nevermind...Daddy still loves you :)
Just before bedtime, Li-Anne and I were marvelling at how smoothly things had turned out today with R...way better than what we've expected...even better than the first time my "old maid" arrived in our home (we had thought that that was good..but this is even better)
Even though this is only day 1....we concluded that maybe, just maybe, it was meant to turn out this way....
Friday, November 21, 2008
Happy Birthday to me...Part II
We finally made it out for Part II of my birthday celebrations, nothing fanciful but at least some quality family time.
The past two weeks has seen our house turned upside down from all the packing; there's dust everywhere, boxes in every corner of the house...there's hardly any space to sit and take a breather without being caught in a cloud of dust...
The past two weeks has seen our house turned upside down from all the packing; there's dust everywhere, boxes in every corner of the house...there's hardly any space to sit and take a breather without being caught in a cloud of dust...
Oh and did I mention that my living room TV has died and gone to TV Heaven? And to think I was hoping he'd hang in there till I move to my new place but alas, it was not to be....which also means that staying at home now is even more unbearable because you're sitting in a cloud of dust and have no TV for distraction.
Anyway, I decided to bring the kids to this quaint little ice cream joint called UDDERS after dinner. I picked it up from HungryGoWhere.com...it's a really cool website. The ice-cream shop is located at the side of GOLDHILL CENTRE along Thomson Road.
Anyway, I decided to bring the kids to this quaint little ice cream joint called UDDERS after dinner. I picked it up from HungryGoWhere.com...it's a really cool website. The ice-cream shop is located at the side of GOLDHILL CENTRE along Thomson Road.
They've got some really good flavors going -> gotta give it to them for their creativity and actually making the ice cream taste really good! (at least for the 3 flavors which we had tonight)Some of the flavors were really out-of-this-world! It was truely a case of "spoilt for choice".
In true Dugong-style, I jumped straight into my favorite -> MAOSHANWANG DURIAN FLAVOR! We decided to pick another one, on top of the Strawberry Flavor which Terelle had been pestering us for since we left the house 3 hours ago. We selected the GILA MELAKA Flavor (a pun on the famous Malaysian brown sugar) which had Atap Chee bits embedded inside.
The ice cream was truely amazing, I would DEFINITELY recommend this place.
Anyway, we got some really nice birthday pictures taken with Thane this time round.
Happy Birthday to moi....another year older, feels a little wiser but still trying very hard to lose my spare tire -> or at least not add to it....
Terelle's already focusing on the ice cream...and not on the camera..
Terelle in Seventh Heaven....
Do we REALLY look alike?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Dugong is Humbled.....
Seems like all my postings these days are about unhappy incidences...but then again, I can't really claim that to be true since this is only my 2nd real post after a year...
We've had our current maid or "home-helper" since Thane was born....so that's about 10 months now... (don't wanna get flamed for using the wrong terminology but to simplify my blogging from this point forth, I shall use the word - maid)
She's been really good help till today and especially with taking care of my baby boy. In terms of chores and work around the house, if you gauge against my "Dugong High Standards", she's maybe a 7/10, which is really more than anyone can ask for in a hired-hand.
Between Li-Anne and I, we've ALWAYS taken pride in how we treat our maid. We've wanted, from day one, to treat her as part of our family, we've always made it a point to tell our children that we're lucky that "Auntie" chooses to stay with us, we made it a point to teach our kids to respect her, say their P's & Q's, we included her in everything even down to the jelly soya-bean drinks which we buy 3times a week, we even made sure she had her meals on time and that she had her extra portion of rice because we know she's a carbo maniac.
Here's the clincher -> LiAnne and I would take turns at night (and still do) to tend to Thane when he wakes (2-3times a night) just so that our maid get's uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep. Only on the rarest of occasions when we're both totally worn out by our baby boy, will we wake her to help out and even so, I would make it a point to tell her to wake a little later in the morning to compensate for the waking hours.
Why humbling you ask?
Because of our firm believe (and we actually tell people this) that if we all treat our maids like the way WE DO, things will turn out alright, and you won't have all those maid issues which we frequently hear and read about. We sometimes judge others for how they treat their maids and I'm not even talking about maid abusers -> i'm just talking about deviations from how we treat our maid.
Its funny how things turn out sometimes and how God uses these little things to teach you a lesson....just when you THINK you've got it all figured out and you're all proud about it, you find you've got it all Wrong somehow...
We just recently found out that our maid has been "bad mouthing" us to our parents in our absence.....it seems like she thinks she's now an indispensable piece of our family. We're apparently "lazy" and needs her help in everything...
We also found out that she's plotting to go on "home leave" in December, just to avoid having to help us pack and move to our new home. On the pretext that she has urgent personal issues at home to settle, she's requested for home leave (right smack in the middle of our move) and wants to only return in mid-January.
And the finishing move!! -> she says she's got no money to pay for her return ticket and embassy fees (for processing home leave) and that if we do not sponsor her, she will not return back to Singapore.
Can you believe she had the audacity to say that?
Is she entitled to home leave after 11months on the job? NO!
Am I obliged to sponsor her return trip home only after one year on the job? NO!
Does she have the right to say she does not want to return to Singapore? NO!
She's ON 2-YRS CONTRACT for crying out loud!! But does anyone care??
How are employers protected from something like this?
Sure I can say no and forbid her to leave the country but do I really want to keep an unhappy maid in the house, at the expense of my children's well-being and safety?
Well, we made a snap decision to get rid of her...she's gone in 3 days..she ain't a keeper...that's for sure...
I guess the worst part of this entire drama is that Terelle and Thane has gotten so used to having her in the house and they really treat her as part of our family. Her name is always mentioned together with "family" and we're terribly, terribly dissapointed at how things have turned out.
We managed to interview and secure a replacement maid on short notice..this will be our 3rd maid -> I must already be on the grey-list in MOM for BAD EMPLOYERS.
We've had our current maid or "home-helper" since Thane was born....so that's about 10 months now... (don't wanna get flamed for using the wrong terminology but to simplify my blogging from this point forth, I shall use the word - maid)
She's been really good help till today and especially with taking care of my baby boy. In terms of chores and work around the house, if you gauge against my "Dugong High Standards", she's maybe a 7/10, which is really more than anyone can ask for in a hired-hand.
Between Li-Anne and I, we've ALWAYS taken pride in how we treat our maid. We've wanted, from day one, to treat her as part of our family, we've always made it a point to tell our children that we're lucky that "Auntie" chooses to stay with us, we made it a point to teach our kids to respect her, say their P's & Q's, we included her in everything even down to the jelly soya-bean drinks which we buy 3times a week, we even made sure she had her meals on time and that she had her extra portion of rice because we know she's a carbo maniac.
Here's the clincher -> LiAnne and I would take turns at night (and still do) to tend to Thane when he wakes (2-3times a night) just so that our maid get's uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep. Only on the rarest of occasions when we're both totally worn out by our baby boy, will we wake her to help out and even so, I would make it a point to tell her to wake a little later in the morning to compensate for the waking hours.
Why humbling you ask?
Because of our firm believe (and we actually tell people this) that if we all treat our maids like the way WE DO, things will turn out alright, and you won't have all those maid issues which we frequently hear and read about. We sometimes judge others for how they treat their maids and I'm not even talking about maid abusers -> i'm just talking about deviations from how we treat our maid.
Its funny how things turn out sometimes and how God uses these little things to teach you a lesson....just when you THINK you've got it all figured out and you're all proud about it, you find you've got it all Wrong somehow...
We just recently found out that our maid has been "bad mouthing" us to our parents in our absence.....it seems like she thinks she's now an indispensable piece of our family. We're apparently "lazy" and needs her help in everything...
We also found out that she's plotting to go on "home leave" in December, just to avoid having to help us pack and move to our new home. On the pretext that she has urgent personal issues at home to settle, she's requested for home leave (right smack in the middle of our move) and wants to only return in mid-January.
And the finishing move!! -> she says she's got no money to pay for her return ticket and embassy fees (for processing home leave) and that if we do not sponsor her, she will not return back to Singapore.
Can you believe she had the audacity to say that?
Is she entitled to home leave after 11months on the job? NO!
Am I obliged to sponsor her return trip home only after one year on the job? NO!
Does she have the right to say she does not want to return to Singapore? NO!
She's ON 2-YRS CONTRACT for crying out loud!! But does anyone care??
How are employers protected from something like this?
Sure I can say no and forbid her to leave the country but do I really want to keep an unhappy maid in the house, at the expense of my children's well-being and safety?
Well, we made a snap decision to get rid of her...she's gone in 3 days..she ain't a keeper...that's for sure...
I guess the worst part of this entire drama is that Terelle and Thane has gotten so used to having her in the house and they really treat her as part of our family. Her name is always mentioned together with "family" and we're terribly, terribly dissapointed at how things have turned out.
We managed to interview and secure a replacement maid on short notice..this will be our 3rd maid -> I must already be on the grey-list in MOM for BAD EMPLOYERS.
Anyway, I just wanna say that I'm truely humbled.... does this mean it was wrong for us to be nice to our maid? HELL NO....of course not.
But there is no absolute right nor wrong, I guess at the end of the day, we do what our conscience tells us is right...but all of us are never in a position to judge someone else just because they are doing something different....
Hmmm...maybe this time round with this new maid, I shall pretend I'm some big ear-hole debt collector or something...don't mess around with this SIR!!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Happy Birthday to me....
What's so happy about my 32nd birthday anyway?
No...I'm not going through a mid-life crisis...neither does this have anything to do with the financial crisis or that I'm hearing there's going to be some serious retrenchment in the coming months in my company...
In fact, I'm clearly thrilled to the bone that our impending move to our new place is but several weeks away. I'll write more about this in my next post but this one's about my birthday.
Somehow, it took me quite a while to realise that life really sucks when you're trying to gain the acceptance of someone...the person in question here is my dad. Not to mention tiring, emotionally sapping and a total drain on the soul.
I mean...it's like growing up in his likeness...being taught the values and ways of the world thru his "bible" and then when you're old enough to decide and think for yourself, almost everything you do seems to come into question and punctuated with a look of disapproval or disdain.
I'm tired...very tired....for crying out loud...i'm 32 this year...have a lovely wife and two kids....a stable job....
I'm sure I've gotta be doing something right...
I'm tired...really tired....
My mum thinks it's because he loves me and I'll always be that little boy in his eyes....sure...
For once...I'd really like to hear him say that he's proud of me....
Primary School - coming up tops in class at PSLE after having to assimmilate into the S'pore education system in mid Primary 5
Secondary School - ace-ing my 'O' levels when he thought I was spending too much time playing computer games
Junior College - ace-ing my 'A' levels after practically flunking my prelims 2 months before the 'A's" and having hormonal-surges, leading to multiple girlfrens at any one time...
NUS - getting hired into GE 4 months before I even graduated and when I was 90% hostelite and 10% student for the entire 4 years of my undergraduate life (and I'm still here after 7 years...)
HELL YEAH I like to do things my way.....I may not be the exact conformist you want me to be but I deliver....EVERYTIME...
I'm done trying to make him proud of me....maybe he is proud but then again maybe someone needs to take him through a course called "Parenting in the 21st century"
As I watched Terelle dance across the living room yesterday, I said a silent prayer...that never, ever will I subject my children to what I have had to live with all these years...God help me...
I love my kids...I will tell them that....I'm proud of my kids....I will tell them that....
My birthday yesterday ended with a nice Durian cake, but most importantly, it's with the people I love and who care about how I feel inside.
RB : Thank You for showing me that my 32nd birthday is not so bad after all.
Thane baby : I'm sorry we didn't include you in this picture...you were sleeping so soundly, we didn't want to turn you into a Grouch by waking you....Daddy promise we'll go take a picture today with a nice big birthday icecream and you'll definitely be in that one.
No...I'm not going through a mid-life crisis...neither does this have anything to do with the financial crisis or that I'm hearing there's going to be some serious retrenchment in the coming months in my company...
In fact, I'm clearly thrilled to the bone that our impending move to our new place is but several weeks away. I'll write more about this in my next post but this one's about my birthday.
Somehow, it took me quite a while to realise that life really sucks when you're trying to gain the acceptance of someone...the person in question here is my dad. Not to mention tiring, emotionally sapping and a total drain on the soul.
I mean...it's like growing up in his likeness...being taught the values and ways of the world thru his "bible" and then when you're old enough to decide and think for yourself, almost everything you do seems to come into question and punctuated with a look of disapproval or disdain.
I'm tired...very tired....for crying out loud...i'm 32 this year...have a lovely wife and two kids....a stable job....
I'm sure I've gotta be doing something right...
I'm tired...really tired....
My mum thinks it's because he loves me and I'll always be that little boy in his eyes....sure...
For once...I'd really like to hear him say that he's proud of me....
Primary School - coming up tops in class at PSLE after having to assimmilate into the S'pore education system in mid Primary 5
Secondary School - ace-ing my 'O' levels when he thought I was spending too much time playing computer games
Junior College - ace-ing my 'A' levels after practically flunking my prelims 2 months before the 'A's" and having hormonal-surges, leading to multiple girlfrens at any one time...
NUS - getting hired into GE 4 months before I even graduated and when I was 90% hostelite and 10% student for the entire 4 years of my undergraduate life (and I'm still here after 7 years...)
HELL YEAH I like to do things my way.....I may not be the exact conformist you want me to be but I deliver....EVERYTIME...
I'm done trying to make him proud of me....maybe he is proud but then again maybe someone needs to take him through a course called "Parenting in the 21st century"
As I watched Terelle dance across the living room yesterday, I said a silent prayer...that never, ever will I subject my children to what I have had to live with all these years...God help me...
I love my kids...I will tell them that....I'm proud of my kids....I will tell them that....
My birthday yesterday ended with a nice Durian cake, but most importantly, it's with the people I love and who care about how I feel inside.
RB : Thank You for showing me that my 32nd birthday is not so bad after all.
Thane baby : I'm sorry we didn't include you in this picture...you were sleeping so soundly, we didn't want to turn you into a Grouch by waking you....Daddy promise we'll go take a picture today with a nice big birthday icecream and you'll definitely be in that one.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE....IT'S just me, returning to moi blog...
Yup....that's the truth...i'm back after 15 months...
Lots of things have happened....I'll give a short summary soon...stay tuned boys and girls !!
Oh by the way....for those of you looking for me, I'm in the LAND OF MELAMINE this week.
No wonder that cuppa of latte tasted weird this morning..
Lots of things have happened....I'll give a short summary soon...stay tuned boys and girls !!
Oh by the way....for those of you looking for me, I'm in the LAND OF MELAMINE this week.
No wonder that cuppa of latte tasted weird this morning..
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
DUGONG DOWN UNDER AGAIN
Sydney Australia -> that's where I'm holed up this week. This time round, I brought my girls along with me to the land down under. It was nice to get away from the everyday heat for a week but boy was it cold when we landed on Tuesday morning -> 10degrees, even the blubber around my waist was shivering.
Check this out -> AUD$21 for all-you-can-eat mussels the WHOLE NIGHT! Mr Gung-Ho = me was aiming to devour 4-to-5 pots at least......the first green curry pot was excellent...succullent, fat mussels....second pot was laksa flavor......same succullent fat mussels as well. By then I was up to my neck in mussel meat, I must have had a years supply, there was no way on earth I could have stuck my fork into another one. Must be an Asian thing but I was just ready to down a packet of instant noodle at that stage!!
Thought it would be nice to spend some time with my girls especially when it's Li-Anne's birthday this weekend and also, we took a trip during "Terelle's 2nd Trimester" so as an impartial father, I have to do the same for "Thane's 2nd Trimester" :)
Met up with Jason (the Sydney 'Beng') and Miranda last night for dinner, we had amazing stuff at the Bungalow8 restaurant down by the King Street Wharf.
Check this out -> AUD$21 for all-you-can-eat mussels the WHOLE NIGHT! Mr Gung-Ho = me was aiming to devour 4-to-5 pots at least......the first green curry pot was excellent...succullent, fat mussels....second pot was laksa flavor......same succullent fat mussels as well. By then I was up to my neck in mussel meat, I must have had a years supply, there was no way on earth I could have stuck my fork into another one. Must be an Asian thing but I was just ready to down a packet of instant noodle at that stage!!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Marathon Dugong Gaining Ground
July 22nd 2007 : the first time I've ever voluntarily attended a running event -> in fact paid $20 to subject myself to 10km of torturous running on a beautiful Sunday morning. Thats the MIZUNO Wave Run. It was my virgin attempt at a long distance running event and I'd say I came out none the worse.
It wasnt' smooth sailing the entire 1+ hour, especially around the 7km mark when I was ovetaken by a huge lady dressed in a skin tight sweatsuit. I didn't let her get too far ahead before my pride took over and I almost blew my lungs out in the event. The cool weather from the early morning rain helped a hell lot....and to think that an hour before the run, Daniel the "lung-less man" who is my good-running buddy, was contemplating not turning up. Only the lure of the goodie bag convinced him to make the trip down to Bedok Reservoir with me....nah...I'm kidding, he's the well-seasoned runner whereas I'm only the wannabe Kenyan runner.
Now on hindsight, it was rather pleasant and strangely addictive...i may be weird but at age 31, I've somehow found a liking for running. Oh well, I've set a target to do the 21km run in December this year....a couple more 10-12km runs between now and then, some dark tanning lotion should be enough to make me "that Kenyan runner" who will finish on the podium in December!
Oh, I rewarded myself with a brand new pair of Asics trainers - I'm telling you, these are the best built running shoes on this planet...ok i'm a little bias but you've really gotta try out one of these babies.
HAPPY NATIONAL DAY SINGAPORE!
Ok i'm back and this time hopefully, I'll be staying for a while....staying referring to more consistent postings on my blog.
What better way to unofficially re-start my blog but to write about National Day. Ok, don't slam me for sounding patriotic but I like National Day, more so this year cause we got tickets to the Parade Preview last week. Well, in previous years, I just really liked the public holiday. But it was really nice that this year, Terelle attended her very first National Day Parade, and so did daddy.
It was great, honestly...it was close to amazing. Giant floating stage, military display with planes, boats etc...the mass participation, the remote control kites...it was all just great. But nothing really beats the last part of the parade when the everyone was singing the national anthem (well maybe 75% of them were lip synching) but it's the thought that counts. It's at that point when the full sense of pride courses through your body and sends that tingling feeling all the way up to your head. And for the record, I sang through every one of those national day songs at the end (the retro ones which were written in the early 90s -> those were the best!!)
I love this country -> not so much for the horrible taxi drivers, kiasu practices, inconsiderate people who never gives up their seats on the MRT to my pregnant wife...but I make it a personal choice to see beyond these things.
For an unnatural Singaporean (I wasn't born here), I appreciate every blessing that this country provides for me and my family. It certainly beats the rampant murders, rapes, armed robberies, corruption and biased-ness in my 'home' country.
Many things to be thankful for, among them, the efficiency of this country, the fair-ness in opportunity for everyone and most importantly, I can go to work everyday, knowing that my wife and children are safe wherever they are and in watever they are doing.
I love this country -> enough to give 2.5 years of my life to the military service when I was 18 and another 2 weeks every year in reservist training since I was 21.
Happy Birthday Singapore -> there probably isn't another country in this world where I would want to raise my children.
However, retirement is another story.............................Switzerland, here I come!
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