When did you come to Singapore from China?

Random pic:
What are these?
Bought them from Tekka Market.

Somehow I've been meeting up with quite a few former colleagues in the past few weeks. Some planned, others not. Ran into one while window shopping in a furniture store just before my Korean class. Ran into another while meeting up with yet another.

Some of these people, I used to interact with every single working day. Our recent catch-ups made me realise  how little we knew of one another.

During our conversation, this particular former colleague mentioned bilingualism twice, and, after 10 years,  revealed that he had always thought that I was Chinese. As in... from People's Republic of China?!

I gathered that a combination of factors led to his conclusion:

• My command of Mandarin
• My name
• The interior decoration of my parent's house

WIN. O_o
Remember how my St Nicks classmate likes to call me 'Commie'?

After the 'shocking revelation', we proceeded to discuss the definition of 'being Chinese' in today's context.

• What are 'Chinese values'? 
• Are these values limited to Chinese only? 
• Or are they really Confucian values? 
• If so, Confucian values aren't 'racial'. More cultural. 
• Koreans subscribe to Confucian values too. 
• Which is the more 'Confucian' group? Mainland Chinese or Overseas Chinese? And amongst Overseas Chinese, which sub-groups are more 'Confucian'?
• Etc. 

Halfway through the conversation, we began to realise that our upbringings were similar, i.e. a pair of 南大 Chinese-educated folks who ended up in teaching/academia.

Side note: This demonstrates why I am unable to enjoy social group gatherings, and much prefer one-to-one interactions. The former does not allow indepth interaction, which results in a total waste of time (a few hours each session, each person taking polite turns to contribute something trite to the group conversation). One leaves a group gathering wasted mentally, i.e. not being able to learn more about someone/ something.

Snaps of Our Mundane Life

At around 2am last week, 2 cats were found attempting to prevent 'Good Fren' from packing for his work trip.

Over the XMAS weekend, the Casio I bought for 'Good Fren' 2 XMASes ago gave up on us. This brought us to Bras Basah Complex on Boxing Day, in search of a replacement.

I spotted this golden Casio, and thought it's kinda of retro, but 'Good Fren' refused to wear it because 'gold' is too 'shiny'.

So, in the end, we bought a pair. One in 'silver' for 'Good Fren', and one in 'gold' for me.

I'm sure he will come round to wearing 'gold' in due course. =)

What is the area under your happiness curve?

If you ask the next person you meet about his goal in life, he is most likely to say,"I just want (my wife, my family, myself) to be happy.

What makes happiness?
That's uber subjective. But for the sake of discussion, let's not debate on what who should be happy about. If gaining happiness means one likes to crush bunnies under a thick sheet of glass, so be it... at least, let's not dissect that for this discussion.

Instead, let's focus on happiness maximisation in a relationship.

Take a look at this diagram. If one's life objective is to maximise happiness before one's time on earth expires, it means the net area under the curve has to be maximised. More net area covered, more happiness. Very simple.

Now, ideally, one should find a partner who can, together with you, maximise the net area under the curve, by constantly bringing the happiness level to greater heights. See the green curve for the ideal partnership.

Of course, the Ideal Couple hits rough patches sometimes, and the green curve dips into the Combined Happiness zone. But keeping the ultimate goal in mind, the couple works together to bring themselves back on track for happiness maximisation.

Does cooperation always lead to happiness maximisation?
Not true.
Introducing the Boring Couple using the blue curve.

Basically, this flat relationship is kept at a constantly cordial level which is marginally above feeling negative. This strategy is primarily employed to avoid unhappiness, while also avoiding growth.

At the end of the relationship, when either partner passes on, the area under the blue curve is merely a fraction of the green curve... and is possibly even shorter than the couple with the red curve who broke up before Death came along.

The red curve belongs to a couple in a volatile relationship. This relationship hits super highs and super lows, and is, most often than not, terminated quickly.

While the blue curve couple may be (privately) scorning the reds for not 'completing' the relationship, i.e. till death do us part, we must bear in mind that the area under the volatile red curve may just as well outdo the boring blue curve. The reds, in their shorter relationships, get to experience more happy memories, than the boring blues.

In other words, boring blue is 'safe', but forgettable, and not really that happy afterall.

But nothing beats the yellow curve. It's so special that I have featured it on its own.

As you can tell, the net area under the yellow curve is NEGATIVE. The actors in this relationship spend their lives in the Combined Unhappiness zone... till Death comes along to relieve them of their burden.

Why would anyone do this to themselves?
Coz not having a partner would drop them further into the Combined Unhappiness zone permanently. They would rather have no happiness and/or some unhappiness, than to be extremely unhappy.

In summary:

• The Green Curve - Maximises happiness through sustained cooperation
• The Red Curve - Experiences extreme highs and lows, relationship truncated
• The Blue Curve - Avoids extremes, leading to no happiness maximisation
• The Yellow Curve - Not interested in happiness maximisation, only interested in being in a relationship (form over substance)

Which curve are your partner and you on?
Is this what you want?

FREAKY

Guess what came in the mail today, addressed to me?

A set of purple Victoria's Secret bra and panties, with no note/ message/ card or return address.

It's so freaky that I can't even bring myself to take a pic of them.

I washed my hands in dettol after touching the stuff.

'Good Fren' doesn't think it's funny either.

Fire at Marina Bay Sands!!

At around 6.30pm today, we were on our way to MBS to check out CUT, when we saw this from a distance.

Smoke rising from the exhibition centre at MBS.

I turned to 'Good Fren',"Uh oh! MBS on fire! No medium rare steak for us tonight!"

As we got nearer, the source of the fire became clear.

The burning crane has smoked out one of the 'lotus petals'.

Well, since the building is not on fire, we thought we could carry on with our dinner. But we were all too wrong. The entrance to the north carpark was blocked with a sign attempting to direct drivers to park at Marina South. WTF?!! There is no way we are gonna park away from MBS, and have to walk to and fro MBS for a meal.

And such, we decided that the fire is an omen. Today was not a good day for steak. And so, we drove home. =)

Kidney recipient finds out donor is wife's lover

Kidney recipient finds out donor is wife's lover

I find this story disturbing.

The wife is an inhumane drama queen.

Even if her marriage is unhappy (she claims spousal violence), she has no right to extensively cheat on her husband by:

1. Having an affair
2. Having another man's child and misleading her husband into thinking she's his; and 
3. Lying about her relationship with the husband's transplant donor. 

She probably feels better about herself by offering her lover's kidney to her husband. She has 'made up' for everything.

I cannot express my sympathy for the husband enough.

It is only reasonable for the husband to get mad, and in the process, unfortunately hurting the poor security guard. For that, the poor husband has to go to jail, while the wife and her obedient lover continue to their special relationship with their love child, and enjoy one another's company.

Instead of ending her so-called unhappy marriage, or simply killing her husband, she subjects him to such extreme humiliation and suffering. She's inhumane. If this is not fucked up, what is?

Love has no recourse. Not even marriage.

Geeks Rule!

Facebook co-founder named TIME magazine person of the year

Check out the Adidas slippers?!

PS. Cafe A.S.H Park

If you are looking for a cosy and long dinner of great steak (and other stuff) in a not-so-glossy part of town, PS. Cafe A.S.H. Park is a wonderful option. A.S.H. stands for Ann Siang Hill.

We weren't headed for PS. Cafe that evening, but Les Bouchons at Ann Siang Hill. Alas, we had no reservations and the waiter/manager was extremely rude. HJ, who works in the area, suggested that we ought to head to PS. Cafe. 

Initially, I wasn't keen. Coz my previous encounters with PS. Cafes were not too positive. Paragon and Dempsey. Waited too long for service. Paid too much for average stuff. And the overall concept was too yuppie for me. And that was a few years ago...

But, we wanted steak, and HJ sounded really sure about the new PS. Cafe at ASH. So, we gave it a try. And we are VERY HAPPY that we did!

Apart from high quality food, this honest house rule sets PS. Cafe A.S.H Park apart from its competitors. 

This house rule ensures the quality of your dining experience. I applaud the owners for placing it upfront, i.e. at the door and on its website.

The entrance of this PS Cafe opens up to its bar. Have a drink and chat while you wait for your friends and table.

The dining area is on the second floor, lined with aged mirrors and oversized leaf arrangements. While you wait for your food, you will feel that you do not have enough time to consume all the little details which the owners have put together.

This is just for record, i.e. 'Good Fren' had dinner with me that day. =)

I hear from a friend in the design circle that the owners have paid special attention to the unseen areas of this PS Cafe, i.e. the kitchen. No stinging on floor area devoted to the kitchen as 'the chefs need to be happy in their space'. I didn't get to see the kitchen. Maybe another time.

Let's get down to the food!!

To start, 'Good Fren' and I decided on the same combination of Roasted Roma Tomato Bread Boule and Crispy Triple Cheese Toast without consulting each other. FREAKY!

Of course, Mr Steak Man ordered steak. And a double-steak. It was a wagyu and another. Ask for the grill menu.

And guess what? We were at Mortons just a week ago. Those over-priced and over-sized pieces of obscenities would be an embarrassment in the presence of the above. On top of that, the Mortons waitress just kept pushing and pushing in her fake American accent. The experience was so bad that (i) I couldn't bring myself to photograph the food, and (ii) I felt like I was in a cheap themed restaurant. ROAR!!

Ok, back to really good experiences...

Here you see 'Good Fren' requesting for different types of sauces to go with his steaks.

Still scarred from the Mortons episode, I couldn't bring myself to order beef or lamb, so I went for prawns instead. These are flamed prawns, off the regular menu.

I eyed it suspiciously as it landed in front of me. All ready for a not-so-great experience due to the size of the pasta and the thick creamy sauce coating everything. Fortunately, I was proven wrong! It was utterly enjoyable! Would have been great with a glass of wine, but I have stopped drinking for a while. I even finished the tomatoes.

Pardon the picture, but these have got to be the best profiteroles I've ever had. Even better than those I've had in the UK.

We also had a slice of cake. Chocolate banana, I hope. It was good too, but I couldn't get a good pic of it under the dim light.

PS. Cafe A.S.H. Park definitely gives our favourite regular steak place, Bistro Petit Salut, a run for its money.

Next stop: CUT at MBS. << 'Good Fren' loves steak. O_o

Tuition hike protesters attack car carrying Prince Charles, Camilla - CNN.com

Tuition hike protesters attack car carrying Prince Charles, Camilla - CNN.com



This will never happen in Singapore. What do you think?

Hello Stranger

A Thai film about a pair of Thai strangers who ended up in Seoul. Suffering from relationship problems, this handsome pair found solace in each other's anonymity and the seduction of Seoul city.

A sweet sweet love story. One which I admit I had ever daydreamt about while on a holiday.

Not mind-blowing, but definitely feel-good.

Where do maids/helpers sleep?

Where do maids/helpers sleep, especially in a HDB flat context?

I grew up in an apartment with an extra room at the back, after the kitchen. That's our maid's room. A good size room that could easily fit a single bed, a wardrobe, a large ironing board and even a sewing table, all with easy circulation ... the room's possibly bigger than some condo bedrooms these days. I remember bringing home stray kittens and hiding them in the maid's room. 


25 years later, we moved to a house, where there was a maid's room after the kitchen too.


But these days, flats and apartments are so tiny. So where do the maid sleep?

The great internet suggested the following alternatives:

• In the kid's room - I guess the sleep cycles for the kid and the maid could be similar, but doesn't a constant lack of privacy affect the psychological welfare of the maid? Also, squeezing an adult and a child into the same room must mean a double-decker/pull-out bed? What about her stuff?
• In the bomb shelter - This option allows for privacy by the bomb shelter wasn't built for this purpose. Ventilation is a huge problem, isn't it?
• In the living room - Isn't this arrangement that weird for the maid and the family? How does the maid rest well by sleeping in the living room?

The Wrong SMS

This is one of those stories that you listen to and forget. At least that's what I have been doing, until I recently realise that it's common. So common that it may be termed as a phenomenon. I must have heard similar stories more than 10 times since I've started working.

So what's the story?

Different friends have told me that either they or someone else had sent an SMS or, in even more perplexing situations, an email to X containing content which is essentially bitching about X. O_o

Usually, the story-telling would start with a huge bitch fest about X.

A: I tell you... This X... She's absolutely a bitch... She doesn't do much in the office... Dunno how she got this job... I heard she was asked to leave from her previous firm...

BM: Really?

A: Yeah... And that time... We were working on the same project... She was a freeloader. She didn't do much... Always trying to push work to other people. Y and I got so pissed with her...

BM: Wah... Can like that meh?

A: And once, I got so pissed with X, I was complaining to Y about her over SMS when I accidentally sent X the SMS!

BM: WTF? Then how?

A: Act blur lor... She didn't dare to ask me about me... All the more shows that she is guilty, RIGHT?! BITCH! ... blah blah blah... 
....................................................

Regardless how frustrating the situation had been for A, I am amazed at how emotional one can get to send an SMS to the wrong person.

One can imagine how the brain, all charged up with negative emotions about X, gets short-circuited, causing the thumbs and fingers to search for X's name in the mobile phone, ultimately pressing the SEND button.

The current day and age are extremely dangerous for one without much self-control, because there are tools within reach everywhere for great damage to be done. Irreparable damage. One can ignore or deny the consequences, but eventually, it will come back and bite you in the behind. *ouch*

Singapore should have its own definition of being modern

TODAYonline | Voices | Singapore should have its own definition of being modern

I am of the view that Singapore, starting from its post-independence days till about 1980s, had been 'modern' in its own right. Figuring out its own direction and standards.

However, the obsession with 'benchmarking' set in in the 1990s. One must be reminded that the objective of 'benchmarking' is not to copy.

脱掉。。。 脱到 K Pop!

Since Alex To 杜德伟 released his smash hit 脱掉 in 2004, it has made its round in East Asia.

Mr To's piece...


Japanese version by DJ Ozma. It's called Age Age Every Knight.


Most recently, the Korean version by DJ Doc. It's called Run to You.

Apparently, this song was so hot in South Korea that major discos played it repeatedly. =)

But I still prefer Alex To's version. =))

主妇的日子

双卜汤. Was inspired by 'Good Fren's attempt when I was uber sick about 2 weeks ago.

.

Can't consume chicken now, so I used pork ribs, instead of chicken. And I added my usual stash of dried wolfberries, dates, huaishan and scallops.

These days, I have to wear gloves when doing the dishes, because ever since my Cambridge days, I had begun to develop 主妇湿疹 very easily. Super tragic.

梅菜猪肉

Where is a good place in Singapore to enjoy this?

Some friends have confused me on Facebook. Confusion as follows:

1. Is Mui Choi Pork Belly a Cantonese dish?
2. Is Mui Choi Pork Belly the same as Kong Bak?
3. Great Mui Choi Pork Belly is available at Beng Thin Hoon Kee Restaurant at Chulia Street. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

I caught Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in a St Nicks T-shirt and a Cathay theatre full of St Nicks juniors.

Remember the chicks at my table in the Korean class? It turns out that 2 of them were from St Nicks. And they told me about this St Nicks Alumnae event, organised by St Nicks alums from as young as batch of 2004. O_o That's a full 12-year cycle from my batch.

And so, I was inspired and went to the supplier to buy some St Nicks PE T-shirts. I've been waiting to buy those to complete what's left of my uniform.

Before the film started, someone shouted,"St Nicks ROX!"

It's cute. =))

Ok... About the film... I think it's getting lame. The magic and all were intriguing in the first 2 books, but by now, it's almost draggy. The story line is like twisting and turning in a large concrete channel. You know where/how the end is, but the author refuses to take the most direct route.

Instead, she borrows themes and motifs from other great works. This part of the HP series most definitely reeks of Lord of the Rings meets 1984.

And along the way, the author tries to distract you by stitching some laughing moments, such as Harry Potter in a lacy bra, or an imaginary frolicking moment between the young misshapen-ed wizard and his hot best friend witch.


If you are really out for a tightly woven fantasy novel masterpiece, you should read Jin Yong's works. Now, that is a true master story teller. Too bad, you'd need to be culturally in-tuned to appreciate his works in full glory. I wish the West's film-making could be applied to Jin Yong's stories someday.

小姐，我们可以交个朋友吗?

Today, I got into a cab and the driver, probably in his late 40s, started speaking to me in Japanese. I was like... HUH?

He then realised I was Singaporean and proceeded to exclaim how unSingaporean I looked. My usual response to that = I am 100% Singapore and was born in KKH to top it off.

Realising that conversation thread was leading nowhere, Mr Cab Driver started to tell me about his job history. That he used to work in Tokyo, Taipei, somewhere else, and somewhere else. He was a procurement manager of sorts... Blah Blah Blah...

Then Mr Cab Driver started to talk about his trips back to his hometown (Guangdong) in China, and how he had tried to look for a wife back there recently, but has been unsuccessful because they didn't meet his criteria. So I asked him if he was looking for someone who would take care of his folks. He said his folks were dead and he was alone. I had nothing to add to that but didn't want to be rude, so I said something like "If so, it shouldn't be a problem to find a Singaporean wife for companionship." He went on and on about how Singaporean chicks have very high standards... It's very tough to find a good wife...

The cab ride couldn't have lasted more than 15 minutes. Just as he stopped the cab for me to alight, he turned around, flashed his tobacco-stained teeth at me, and asked,"小姐，我们可以交个朋友吗?" THRICE.

I was like... WTF?!! but it came out as "不好啦！不好啦!" I then got off the cab as quickly as I could.

Mental note to self: Never be too chatty with cab driver.

I've never been hit on by a cab driver. This must be a milestone of sorts. A quantum leap for me.

And guess what 'Good Fren' had to say about this? He merely laughed. =_=

Green with Mucus

It's taking really long for this viral infection to go away.

I remember feeling weak halfway through Korean class last Wed, then on Friday, my throat started to hurt really badly and couldn't sleep all night. Since I was awake, I decided to go to the polyclinic on Saturday morning. The clinic is new and still partially under renovation, and was packed with people.

2 hours and $16 later, I was back home with medical advice to rest and 4 types of meds. Afterwards, it was the sleep-eat-sleep cycle for the next 48 hours.

Something funny-scary happened on Sunday night.

While I was drifting in and out of my drowsy sleep cycle, I woke up in my dark bedroom. Just as I turned to my right, I saw a glowing green face staring at me. What the... so I SCREAMED!!!!

... For about 5 seconds... before realising that it was 'Good Fren' playing Robo Defense on his mobile phone. The basic terrain map is green, and therefore illuminating his face with an eerie green glow.

Fear is a tiring response. After screaming, I felt very tired, and went back to sleep almost immediately.

瑛姑 says... Guilt is...

做错事就出家，

难怪世间有那么多出家人。

Reference: 神雕侠侣 (Return of the Condor Heroes) (1959)
......................................................................

While Return of the Condor Heroes is merely fiction, I cannot help but to wonder about how the modern man deals with his guilt? Any type of guilt.

It seems there are a few guilt-soothing tools available:

• Denial
• Forgiveness
• Making amends (direct/indirect)
• Repentance
• Religion

The World's Most Irritating 돼지 & Invaders

These days, I look forward to 'Good Fren's knocking off from work even more than before... Because that means I can get my hands on his Samsung Galaxy for the games.

I have discovered 2 sets of irritating enemies...

That grinning pig from Angry Birds!!! ROOOAAARRR!!

And the flying invaders in Robo Defense!! ROOOARRRR!!

'Good Fren' is not surprised that I took to Angry Birds instantly, coz it resembled LocoRoco, but my obsession with Robo Defense is beyond him.

I feel very happy when I watch the enemy soldiers trudge and get shot at within the cruel maze I have built. I would laugh, and 'Good Fren' would get very amused by my killer satisfaction.

And... Playing Robo Defense when one is high on cough syrup and chlorpheniramine 4mg can bring one to the next level. Ooooooooooh...

I seriously believe there is a rather underdeveloped male nerd deep within my psyche. I bet if I do allow it to develop, I may even become obsessed with computer programming, coz I think the AI for Robo Defense can be smarter. O_o

进了厨房, 然后呢？

St Nick's informal school maxim was drilled into me for 11 years by the former principal and modern founder of St Nicks, Mrs Hwang. The original version is:

进得了厨房，出得了厅堂。

This maxim embodies the ideal St Nick product. A woman, successful in her career, effectively manages her family (life).

Just the other day, the Rafflesian was driving home when he came up with his 'ingenious' version of my school maxim.

进得了厨房，上得了天堂。

Meaning that if the woman can cook, she is of exceptional virtue, and therefore is offered a place in heaven.

I dunno whether to kill him for ruining my school maxim. 

So rude... yet so true.

The Rational Miracle

This little anecdote of mine... I wish to share with you.

I got out of the apartment 40 minutes before an appointment. The cab ride should take no longer than 10 minutes, and it's relatively easy to grab one just outside my place. I thought I was more than prepared for any extraordinary situations.

As you would have figured out by now, the cabs were simply not available. 4.20pm is an exceptionally lousy time to be catching a cab. Most of them are making their way out of the city. To Tampines... to Hougang...

So, I started to walk towards the shopping centres. I'm sure I could grab a cab at the cab-stand. No... I was wrong. The queue at the cab-stand looked impatiently stagnant. I continued to walk. Perhaps the main road would be better. Orchard Road is a fertile stretch for cabs!!

I must have walked for 2km in heels, and was just only beginning to accept my lousy luck...

"NB!!... This is not happening... KNN!! I'm perspiring like a pig... My heels hurt... I wish someone would stop and pick me up," I thought to myself desperately. 

"Don't be stupid," my rational heart scolded. "Just keep your arm stuck out there and keep walking."

Just then, I heard the loud sound of a car horn, and a grey Mazda stopped by. I immediately dismissed it as a case of mistaken identity, and kept walking, scratching the view for that coveted blue/green cab light.

A minute later, my phone rang. It's my DAGE 大哥.

DG: Was that you?

BM: NO WAY!! NO WAY!!

DG: HAHAAHHAA!
BM: NO WAY!! 不会吧？怎么可能? 这么巧 meh?!!

DG: Where are you now?
BM: Still there lor...

DG: Where are you going?
BM: I'm going to XXX for an important XXX appointment, and I am so damn late.

DG: Still no cab?
BM: No.

DG: You wait there. I come get you.

BM: No need la. 

DG: You just wait there.

So sometimes... One has to rationally believe in miracles.

Megamind

Did I mention that I like Dreamworks' productions?
Is it because Puss in Boots in Shrek looks too much as Tiger?
Or because Toothless in How to Train Your Dragon is in fact Blinky's last life?
I'm so biased but that's just symptomatic of a fan being.

Megamind doesn't have the most original storyline, nor jokes, but I am happy before, during and after the 3D film. So I think it's worth 'Good Fren's buck!

Somehow, Megamind reminds me of Mark Zuckerberg... At least that Zuckerberg in the Social Network. Maybe it's the braininess... Maybe it's the blue colour... You tell me.

1 in 10 of Singaporeans is OBESE

• 1 in 10 Singaporeans is obese
• Obesity rates in the US will reach 42% (Now at 34%)

Read these 2 articles on obesity rates today?

Why is the Singaporean obesity rate higher than those of Japan and South Korea?

Singapore = 10.8%
Japan = 3.4%
South Korea = 3.8%











Does one become obese solely because one lacks self-control?
In my earlier working days, one of the bosses commented that X was not a good worker because it was clear that X lacked self-disciplined. The visible symptom was X's body mass.

If so, do Singaporeans have much less self-control than Japanese or South Koreans?

Or perhaps, the problem is not because the individual lacks self-control, but society lacks 'harshness'. In simpler terms, perhaps the Singaporean society is more tolerant of obesity, and so the individuals care less about becoming obese in Singapore.
不是个人的疏忽，而是社会的纵容.

Or perhaps, that "10% of Singapore" is a misnomer. Those 10% of Singaporeans who are obese are not really Singaporeans. Maybe they are PRs or new citizens?

What is the profile of the obese Singaporean?
What are the plausible contributing factors? Any regression analysis done?
It is a fact in other developed countries that the obese individuals tend to be from the lower income group as they make less money and tend to consume mainly cheap processed foods (usually infused with fats to improve taste).

I always wonder how many pieces of confectionery does Breadtalk have to sell in the span of just a few years for its owner to able to afford a Good-Class Bungalow worth more than S$20m. Imagine how many people have consumed how much saturated fats from those pork-floss buns. Those buns are priced and placed just right for people to keep buying them. Brilliant.

Regardless what the real causes of obesity are, I know for sure that skinny people would love to put down and discriminate against fat people. Same goes for people with good grades, of a certain class/race/looks etc. These people tend to exclude people without those 'assets' from their activities (e.g. jobs, promotion, social mingling, facebook maybe?). Refer to the example cited above. Ironically, such 'haves' do not have self-control over their obese egos.

What's wrong with being obese?
The last thing anyone should do is to feel inferior about one's lack of assets. These days, most assets can be bought, tweaked, and enhanced. Even race. I am serious.

At the individual level, the point of losing any weight is not to join the skinny group so as to feel superior about oneself. But to lose excess weight so that it does not choke you to death with its physical and health consequences, which will negatively affect you and your loved ones.

Nonetheless, if one cannot stop oneself from feeling superior by losing weight or self-righteous about being fat or simply 'discriminated against', then there is something wrong with one's self-control.

At the societal level, it will be useful to determine the root causes of increase in obesity level. Not point just making assumptions and then proceeding to spend loads of money on 'promoting healthy living'. Leaving it vague or alluding that it's up to the individual ain't gonna solve the 'problem'.

Istana is looking for a Butler

I came across this rare job posting.

Do you have:

• Singapore Citizen
• GCE 'N' level
• Professional Certificate in Food and Beverage Service in Professional Institution/NITEC; and
• Two years relevant working experience, eg Assistant Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Captain?

Then you can apply to be a Senior Butler at the Istana and expect to be paid a gross monthly salary between $1,880 - $2,180.

Don't you wonder about what such rare jobs entail? What kind of people they meet? What kind of work stress there is? What kind of encounters they would have?

Should Members of Parliament serve Foreigners?

"In my Meet-the-People sessions,

I see more appeals by foreigners who can not get permanent residency."

~ MP Indranee Rajah,

NUS Forum "Economic growth: At what cost?", 3 Nov 2010,

(Refer to ST, 4 Nov 2010, Page B5)

I cannot help but ask, why are our members of parliament spending time on attending to foreigners' appeals?

Shouldn't MPs be devoting 100% of their Meet-the-people session time to Singaporeans instead?
That's the point of giving them our votes, right?
That is to represent us in the greater governance and decision-making system.

This is hardly the same as, say, foreigners utilising government hospitals/polyclinics and depriving the Singaporean to be served first. In the healthcare context, minimally, the policy-makers can presumably argue that foreigners pay 'full-price', and so deserve to be treated equally at government hospitals/polyclinics.
*Foreigners pay 'full price' the consultation fees at public hospitals/polyclinics. However, because meds and other charges are at the same price, the price differentiation between the Singaporean and foreigner patient's bills isn't really that great, but that's a separate topic altogether.

But here... at the Meet-the-People sessions... Each MP devotes only a precious X no. of hours each week. It's invaluable time, and should entirely and exclusively be expended on Singaporeans, and no one else. If not, what's so sacred about the vote each Singaporean has???

Of course, if the MP has a foreigner friend who wishes to appeal to the Singapore Government for xyz purposes, the former can help by forwarding the appeal to his/her (political) contacts in the Government in his/her personal capacity. Whether such requests ought to be forwarded or dealt with, will then depend on the MP's code (if there is such a thing) or the appeal policy of the respective ministry/public agency.

The point remains that the Meet-the-People session ought to remain exclusive to Singapore Citizens only.

Furthermore, each session is also staffed by volunteers. The grassroots people. Are they also keen on serving foreigners? Or do the MPs have the power to decide for all involved?

Even if some foreigners are indeed being 'marginalised' and require representation to the Singapore Government for appeals, requests etc, they should be doing so through their own embassies, or perhaps election of their own representative.

In the words of MP Dr Amy Khor some years ago, this is indeed 'betrayal'. It's just plain wrong.

The Social Network

The Social Network attempts to paint a dramatic picture of the birth of Facebook.

That aside, what kept hitting me throughout the film was relentless aggression in various forms. The story seems to suggest that, regardless of IQ and SAT scores, sexual desire, catalysed by ego, results in extreme aggression, which sometimes lead to great inventions in the internet world. (Refer to creation of Napster and Facebook as told in the film.)

You don't hear about guys inventing a cure for cancer to impress that special chick. Although that would be most romantic.

Personally, I like Facemash. It's like this 'A' or 'B' game I like to play with people during drinking sessions, as conversation topics dried up quickly. Coz regardless of context, culture, age etc, people enjoy that simple game. It's accessible and most importantly, it's rude.

What I didn't understand was that if Mark Zuckerberg's background was definitely upper-middle class (folks are psychiatrist and dentist), why didn't he come up with the first $1,000 to fund Facebook?

Those 'Harvard Gentlemen' who sued Mark Zuckerberg for 'stealing' their Facebook idea? The Winklevoss twins? Their antics remind me much of what I had observed during the Cambridge MBA. This "Smart-Stud" syndrome is outstanding. While I thought it's a largely undergraduate thing, I remember quite a few of my MBA classmates attempting to get on their college rowing team. One even came to class with a serious nosebleed coz he had been rowing too hard in the cold. No blood, no glory. Ooh Gaa Ooh Gaa! Oozing Aggression. And chicks are supposed to dig that?! Different strokes for different folks. O_o

By the way, the Winklevoss twins eventually headed for Oxford, and read the MBA at Said Business School in 2009 (after their 6th in the world rowing ranking at Beijing Olympics), while rowing for the ultra powerful Christ Church (aka where Harry Potter was filmed). And yes, the twins have Facebook accounts, with Tyler Winklevoss having more than 2,000 Facebook friends.

Back in Singapore...

I had the good fortune of catching the Social Network alone at the Grand Cathay on a Tuesday afternoon at all but the price of S$6. The theatre was half-filled with groups of young adults in their early 20s and late teens. Some of them were taking pics before the film started. I used to do that before the age of the digicam. Some used to comment that I was trying so hard, and now it's a norm?!

Anyway, I was flanked by a group with a chick on my left and a pair of boys on my right.

During the scene where Erica Albright was trying to break up with Mark Zuckerberg, he told her that he had a perfect SAT score of 1600, and that she didn't have to leave him that night to go study for her SAT coz she was gonna end up in Boston University anyway (i.e. not good enough for Harvard). The scene was meant to demonstrate the assholic side of Zuckerberg.

Just then, the chick on my left whispered loudly to her friends,

"But Boston U is better than NUS, RIGHT??"

I was like... WTFBBQ?! I laughed very hard and loudly.

After the film, the pair of boys on my right started to move in their seats after being relatively silent for the past 121 minutes, except for some delayed laughing moments during the film.

Boy (away from BM): *stretching* So... What you think of the film?
Boy (next to BM with huge yuppie watch): ... Yeah... It's... errr... good.
Boy (away from BM): *mumbles something*
Boy (with yuppie watch): Yeah... So he's not the bad guy, rrrriiiight?!

O_o

Do catch the Social Network, especially at the Grand Cathay on a Tuesday afternoon.

Menya Shinchan

Menya Shinchan is tucked away in an odd corner of Riverside View.

We chanced upon it while wondering around the river bank.

Judging from the Japanese to non-Japanese ratio of 7:3, it's probably pretty authentic.

Very Japanese indeed.

Complete with Japanese comics to keep your kids or you occupied while you waited for your food.

'Good Fren' said this was probably a poem. I then asked him if his Japanese was better than my Korean (which is very very basic). =))

It's one of those rare places in Singapore where Pepsi is served once you order a cola.

There were some multiple coloured shochu and shochu cocktails in the menu. But as you know, this former alcoholic has been on a sabbatical since her year in the UK, no shochu were ordered. =_=

I ordered this irresistible bowl: No. 31, Madam Sinjiro.

The fatty pork simply melts in your mouth. The noodles is steeped in a rich garlicky savory broth. And each mouthful is crunchy, thanks to the beansprouts and veges. Mmmm...

'Good Fren' ordered Senma Noodles, which somehow looked like Hor Fun to me because of its slightly starchy sauce.

绊脚猫

He doesn't give a damn whether he is in the way.

Difference between Dog and Cat (People)

Click on image to enlarge.

There is no need for exaggerated displays of inter-personal relationships.

Little Nicholas

For a light-hearted well-made film, catch Little Nicholas at the Picturehouse quickly. It's a rare funny film to be screened at the Picturehouse. I seldom hear people laughing in the tiny theatre. I shouldn't be suggesting this, but I think it's a great film for children too. =)

Adapted from a French story of the same name, this film is a story about a little boy, Nicholas, who is very satisfied with his life, until he thought he was gonna have a little brother. With the help of his enthusiastic classmates, Nicholas attempts to get rid of this impending little brother.

Bentendo vs Waraku Pasta

I love Japanese-Western cafes. As a kid, I remember going to Petit Monde at Isetan in Parkway Parade very often. I could not take my eyes off the food models on display, and would always order the kid's meal that came in a tray with a TOY. Happy times! =))

30 years later, there are more of such cafes in Singapore. However, the quality is inconsistent.

Within the same week, 'Good Fren' and I visited 2 Japanese-Western cafes, Bentendo and Waraku Pasta.

Conclusion: NO FIGHT!! Bentendo wins hands down.

Bentendo (Great World City)
We had a late lunch on the weekend. Around 4pm. There was nobody at Bentendo then.

2 different 'genres' of pastas. The typical tomato/garlic-base Bentendo Fisherman pasta. I love the garlicky sauce. Mmmm...

A Japanese-inspired pasta.

Both are wonderful to see and taste. Fusion, but not confusion.

And this combo pizza. Chewy cheesy on a thin crust. What more can you ask for?

Waraku Pasta (Changi Airport Terminal 2)
Just before 'Good Fren' went off to KL for a work trip, we had dinner at Terminal 2. Because of childhood memories, I was seduced by the glossy food models.

There were so many of them, ok!!

Unfortunately, Waraku is a really lousy example of the Japanese-Western cafe. Mainly because the food tasted like they just got reheated out of the freezer.

A combo set. Steak and pasta.

This pizza tasted like cheap cheese on hardened pita bread-ish biscuit.

The only saving grace in this pasta is the Kimchi, which you can hardly see.