Shanghai Wonders

Nostalgia & Flies

2008-11-08T14:44:00.003+08:00

I haven't been posting to this site for a long while. The funny is that when it's time to for my bosses to decide whether I'm going to stay in Shanghai or go back to Singapore again, I suddenly felt a strong pang of nostalgia and a sinking feeling that I will miss this place greatly.

So... I am going to start again.

From today, I will reminisce the things that we had in the house that helped us tide us through the last summer.

The fly swat and the moth that we caught

Shanghai Olympics

2008-08-24T14:18:00.007+08:00

I had to join in one of the games since I am in China right?
So I did.

2008.8.12
Women's soccer, Japan vs Norway.

No prize for guessing which team I supported and who won ultimately.

Olympics English

2008-08-24T13:44:00.006+08:00

While they were taking steps to clean up the English signboards and roadsigns, they forgot about the ridiculous menus in the many restaurants we have! Here's what I found again and bothered to take pics on ...

Try telling me what drink is 20013 and 20014?

What about 20002, 20003 and 20005?

Finale, what's 19013?

Airplane Gimmicks

2008-03-18T00:32:00.004+08:00

Funny... they actually do lucky scratch high up in the sky!

Here you go. My lucky... or not so lucky ticket.

For those of you who can read Chinese, the instructions are all here.

For the un-inducted, basically, you scratch the area on the bottom right with a coin and if your mahjong pic matches the pics on the left, you win!

I obviously didn't.

UFO

2008-02-12T15:22:00.000+08:00

We found this UFO Spaceship looking thingy near our house. Cool isn't it?

Simpsonize Me!

2008-02-12T15:14:00.000+08:00

This is what I will look if I were a Simpsons.

I think I look better after being Simpsonized. What do you think?

A New Year Begins...

2008-01-02T18:42:00.000+08:00

As the new year begins, the decorative plant behind my desk started its own growth in a very new way.

It's time for me to take stock of 2007 and move on to 2008.
I started with Jan 2007 and decided to simply stop there and then.

"Ignorance is bliss" Thomas Gray once said.

For 2008, I just wish that through life's topsy-turvy journey, there's always someone to share its joy and sorrow with me.... like the dogs I found on the streets in Wu Han.

Happy New Year 2008.

Wu Han-Stone Age Pancakes

2007-10-01T19:03:00.000+08:00

I have been to a few China inter-province trips recently and found some interesting sights.

Here's one of many to come - The Making of a Stone Age Pancake
Giving you a glimpse of how life began.

First, how the pancake was shaped into place:

Then, how the pancake was roasted into place:

WaLah! Done.

Wedding Mood in Shanghai

2007-10-01T13:35:00.000+08:00

When the Oct hols start, once again the 3rd wedding period in a year in Shanghai has started as well.

Here's startling wake to our day - Firecrackers

The mess they left on the floor

And a Limo to go along.

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Private English Lesson

2007-09-19T15:37:00.000+08:00

Usually I don't post other people's pic but this one is really funny! Enjoy.

Get the joke? Hahaha..

Who needs a husband

2007-09-19T13:48:00.000+08:00

I have a "boyfriend" at work.

He surprises me flowers... or plants... every other day.

Here's a quick example.

He's our office gardener. :D

Airplane Food

2007-09-19T13:29:00.000+08:00

Was on a trip to Beijing via China Eastern Airlines.

And here's a quick look at what I received as my "snack" for the 2-hour flight.

A lousy Chinese-ham with overly buttered egg sandwich, a vacuum-packed beef jerky and....

Chinese health vinegar!!!

Here are the details (read the fine prints):

Now this is the part I can't stand.

Suitable for "high bloodfat persons"?!?!?!?!

Feeling sensitive... I am not eating any of this.

Sleeping Beauty

2007-09-06T11:00:00.001+08:00

We were on a trip to Nanjing as part of our team building.

Found this pic really funny. :D

To protect the innocent , we have greyed out the face concerned.

We are COOL!

2007-09-06T10:49:00.000+08:00

See the cool bike in the middle? It's ours!
We bought a new electric scooter-bike few months ago after my hubby complained that I am way too heavy now to be a passenger on his bicycle.

Few indications:

Its back tyre bent when I sat behind one fine day
Husband perspired as though he just came from the gym after an hour's workout.... In reality, he had me on his bicycle from point A to point B for only 10 mins
Bike repair is becoming a monthly affair.

Either I lose weight or we get a cool electric scooter bike.

I obviously chose the latter.

Eskimos

2007-06-03T13:43:00.000+08:00

Found this Alaskan plane really classy.
Watch out for the eskimo!

I would like to have a...

2007-06-03T01:00:00.000+08:00

And I thought my English was bad.

Flower Power

2007-06-02T22:11:00.000+08:00

Went on a business trip to Taiwan recently. I had thought it was a reward trip for all the management team. But when we were already there thanking the sun, the moon and the earth (and God) for our good fortune in this company, we were all kindly requested to pay 1500 RMB (~300 SGD) and apply 4 days annual leave in the system. To be with a bunch of people who have no considerable amount of any personal relationship with one another, forced to sit for long hours in a tour group and going on a journey none of us chose... all in the name of team building.

Anyway, enough of gripe. While stuck on the bus with these guys, I just realized that I am one of the rare individuals with a idiot camera in my bag. Simple idiot stuff. Point and shoot. Point and shoot. While the rest of the group had those cool black stuff with extra long long extensions. While I might brush it off as a male vs female thing, somehow deep in me, there was a feeling of smallness that started to grow. It didn't help when I took a quick peek at their pics. Sigh...

Just before I threw my cam out of the window, I found a pic I took sometime ago in my cam. Not bad afterall I think...

I am keeping my camera.

Cup Noodling Up in the Air

2007-05-27T22:24:00.000+08:00

Have been doing a lot of travelling recently. Found it quite cute that United Airlines give us cup noodles from Los Angeles to Shanghai. And they made sure it's CHINESE Cup Noodles. Small, cute and unhealthy like most Chinese food.

And I didn't know cup noodles are called "Ramen" in Japanese.

Nanjing Small Lobsters

2007-05-27T21:57:00.000+08:00

Went to Nanjing mid-Apr. Had a feast full of the largest "small lobsters" (小龙虾) I have ever seen and they tasted really good!

From my lousy phone camera again

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VIP Now!

2007-05-27T21:25:00.000+08:00

Yup, we are officially knighted as the VIP customers of a local Japanese restaurant in Shanghai. Finally! 3 visits per week for a period of 2 months, they finally took courage to offer this VIP card. It's time they did!

lousy pic from phone cam

We are not going there so often any more now that we know there's such thing and they did not offer it to us earlier.

Shanghai Wonders Information Co, Ltd

2007-04-01T23:16:00.000+08:00

I tried doing a search on "Shanghai Wonders" to see if my blog ever comes up on Google. And I realized it doesn't! Geesh, no wonder there are so few visitors to my site.

Nevertheless, Shanghai Wonders Information Co, Ltd came up beautifully. Interesting!

Check this out:

Company: Shanghai Wonders Information Co., Ltd.
Address: 5-6f, 20/481 Guiping Rd, Chaohejin, Shanghai
Zip Code: 200233
Liaison: Mr. Li
Job Title: Manager
Telephone: +86-21-64950118
Fax: +86-21-64952022
E-mail: Members Only
Website: www.wondersgroup.com

Company Profile
Products/Services We Offer: Application software.
Primary Business Type: Manufacture, Trader
Code for Imp. & Exp.: No Supply
Business Started In: 1998
Number of Employees: 154

I am still upset that Google doesn't show my blog. I mean this Blogger is part of the Google apps right?!

Spring is here...

2007-04-01T23:04:00.000+08:00

Haven't been blogging for the longest time. Incidentally I realized that my last blog was when my husband joined me in Shanghai. Now that explains everything doesn't it?

Spring's here in Shanghai. It's quite a nice sight to see fresh blooms of flowers everywhere. Some pics from my new camera.

where pic was taken

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I Can't See Grand Hyatt

2006-11-26T15:14:00.000+08:00

The weather in Shanghai is really getting bad. I am not just referring to the flu-causing cold but the hazy clouds. I am dead sure it's P-O-L-L-U-T-I-O-N!

See pic below for the view of the Grand Hyatt from my window. Yup, the arrow indicates where it should be!

And now let me show you the passing polluted clouds.

Please do not come Shanghai during this period.
There's not enough space in my house as well.

Now...errrrm...that's really secondary, don't you think?

Dead Cold

2006-11-16T00:33:00.000+08:00

It's getting colder in Shanghai. Hubby definitely isn't used to it.

During lunchtime I was out braving the cold, proving to no one but myself that I can do it...I can be like the Chinese & take a stroll!

Then I found a local friend doing this...

...his lunch siesta.

Now THAT is a feat I cannot handle.

Crabby Season

2006-11-10T20:31:00.000+08:00

Yah really lousy days at work. Forced to review and approve projects that have no benefits at all but impact impact impact. Need to bring dog back to Singapore, so much hassle! Hubby's pathetic 3 boxes require at least 10 phone calls with DHL China and emails here and there. Feeling really crabby.

That brings us to the main topic of this post! HAIRY CRABS! *drool drool*

This season I have had 13 of them already! More than average Shanghainese.
So proud of myself. Breaking new record every year.

Here's a video I took at the original Yang Cheng Lake Crab Supermart.

*drool......*

Dancing Queen

2006-11-01T21:13:00.000+08:00

Hehe.. I bought a dancing mat. It comes with 30 hip hip hop hop songs. It connects to the TV and you just jump and tap with your feet. Easy and fun, isn't it? I get to learn more about myself too!

I just realized I have two left feet.

In Stride with Civilization

2006-10-22T13:05:00.000+08:00

I never failed to be amazed at the number of people there are in Shanghai. I mean, I come from Singapore which is densely populated. But the amount only stretches up to 4 Million max. Here in Shanghai, if I am not mistaken, we are talking about 16+ Million. That's a whooping 4 times.

No wonder they need such signs below.

It says "In stride with civilization, be a lovely Shanghainese".

My Dog Saved Me!

2006-10-07T14:12:00.000+08:00

Ok, I know I should be writing about things in Shanghai. But hey, I bought Gogo (my dog) in Shanghai! That qualifies right?

Now, back to the subject proper. My dog saved me from getting my Chinese dumpling (水饺) burnt! Yeah!!! What a smart dog!

As usual, I was hungry, put some Chinese dumpling into the shallow pot of water and wait for it to boil. As usual as well, I went on to watch my DVDs and totally forgot about the potential hazard in my house.

Some 15 minutes later, guided by some un-explainable instinct, my dog decided to walk to the kitchen. She came out, stood near the kitchen door where I could see her and beckoned me to come with her dopey eyes.

Then it occurred to me! I have left the Chinese dumpling boiling!!!

In the end, the dumpling was boiled to perfection and my doggie got a nice crispy chicken snack accompanied by a bowl high calcium low fat milk. We enjoyed our meals in silence, with smiles on our faces and gladness in our hearts that we have each other. And of course, food before us.

Ahhhh... A mini "Lassie" in my house.

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Cabby Chant

2006-10-07T10:21:00.000+08:00

Something has always intrigued me for years and with my new faster & better camera, I managed to capture it and imprint it in my memory FoReVeR!!! Now, may I present to you... the Cabby Chant!

First, let me tell you where it is found...

It is found on the plastic panel that protects the cab driver from us mere meek humans who might just decide to use a hammer and knock on the driver's head since many a times, they either couldn't hear our directions or pretend not to hear and go a wrong way. *hammer appearing from my pocket*

The panel not only shields the driver but also shields us from the air conditioner that is supposed to blow right through the middle to the rear seat. This is especially irritating in hot summer and cold winter, which practically dominate the Shanghai weather 80% of the time.

Ok back to the chant. Unfortunately, you have to read Mandarin to fully appreciate this one.

It reads (Mandarin with Singlish translation)
我的服务，您的满意 (My service, Your satisfaction)

客人上车讲“您好” (Customer in car say "Good day")
结算车费应“唱票” (Trip finish must "Sing bill")
付款方式需“询问” (Pay method need "To ask")
车费结清道“谢谢” (Bill is paid say "Thank you"")
随身物品要“提醒” (Hand carrys need "Remind")
客人下车说“再见” (Customer get down say "Bye bye")

Amazing isn't it? They put the whole process of a cab driver into a chant that rhymes! If the driver missed any of the steps, you can actually request that the starting fee be waived. Coolio!

I'll start paying more attention whenever I am in a cab.

Mood

2006-10-04T13:54:00.000+08:00

Just found that I took some interesting shots of Shanghai some time ago. Thought I'll share them here as well. Enjoy.

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Evil evil

2006-10-04T01:27:00.000+08:00

I attended a wedding some moons ago. In Shanghai, there is supposed a "wedding dinner tradition" among the younger generation these days i.e. to sabotage the newly wedded couple through "table games".

This shouldn't be a surprise to me since in Singapore we do the same thing too... when we were younger.

However, the trick I had at my table was way too evil!!!
See for yourself!

Ok, the pic isn't that clear as it was taken in utter disgust & shock via my phone camera.

Basically, there is a 1.25 litre plastic soda container. Someone has to poke holes in it with burning cigarettes. Yah, he has to huff and puff just to get it right. Not easy you know. After all, we all know that these soda containers are not that environmentally friendly.

After the guy nearly fainted with too much smoke in his lungs all at once, lit cigarettes were then placed carefully in each of the holes.

The couple appeared at our time at the opportune time. The groom has to smoke the "HUGE cigar" by inhaling from the mouth of the bottle. Of course, he nearly died of the massive smoke inhale and coughed a few times.

Evil isn't it?

Obviously the ethical rule of not smoking in air-conditioned places doesn't quite hold in Shanghai. Evil too...

Sleeping Beauty

2006-10-02T19:10:00.000+08:00

Ok I have been missing in a while. Dormant. Lying low. Or simply sleeping.

During this time, I have managed to
1. land myself a new position in office and no one has the guts to terminate me yet
2. plan and execute a wedding in 3 months (mine)
3. buy a dog, keep it alive and stay with me till now

I deem the last item as the most extraordinary feat I have ever done. No kidding.

Just to give you a feel of my traumatic past with living things

Fish
- 2 angel fish
- Fish A died after 2 days
- Fish B was so depressed that I caught him trying to commit suicide.
Yeah, many times he flipped and swam on his belly just for fun and then flip back.
He eventually succeeded after 1.5 weeks
Terrapins
- Thought these were the hardiest of the lot.
- Well, they were... and they ran away.
Plants
- They all died on me within 1 week
- Once... too much water
- Then... too little water
Cactus
- I don't believe I can kill this one after much advice from well concerned friends
- It died before I had a chance to name it.

There you go... Thankfully GOGO (name of my dog) is still alive and kicking.
Here's a video to prove it.... My Sleeping Beauty.

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Doors Wide Shut

2006-04-04T22:51:00.000+08:00

After many moons of not taking the metro/subway, just realized that Xu Jia Hui Metro station has newly installed sliding doors. Cool! Time for some safety measures as there were horror stories of my friend's leg being caught in the gap between the train and the platform.

But what's the use of the doors if they were never close? I wonder...

Opened doors of Xu Jia Hui train platform (pics just added)

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Modern Scarecrows

2006-04-04T00:22:00.000+08:00

Don't know why they put aluminium foil on the fire hydrants but they sure looked scary to me! The funny thing is that, it happened on most streets instead of just one.

Scary fire hydrants along Hengshan Road

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Surreal? Staged?

2006-03-15T21:38:00.000+08:00

Yes, what looked real might be staged but unless proven otherwise, it is just a wild guess on our part.

Roppongi Magic

2006-03-12T15:01:00.000+08:00

Now that I've got videos all worked out. Here's a really interesting one that I received recently.

Anyone going to Japan Tokyo soon, check out this restaurant and let me know if this is really real.

Jungle Cubicle

2006-03-12T14:27:00.000+08:00

Now I understand why my office desk is always in such a clutter.

Pancake Wonder

2006-03-12T12:53:00.000+08:00

Until now I still don't get it. Why is there always such a loooooooonnnng queue at... *gasp*... Pizza Hut in Shanghai?!

Pic taken from Pizza Hut at Xu Jia Hui's Grand Gateway

Few possible explanations from my equally puzzled expat friends:
1. this is one of the cheapest western food restaurants around (not true) and makes the locals feel upclass by being in there
2. they are crazy! (maybe)
3. pizzas are similar to Chinese pancakes with fillings so it is foreign yet familiar (doubt so)

Or perhaps, they simply like the food THAT much.
To each his own.

Water Woes

2006-03-12T00:32:00.000+08:00

Ok, I admit I have been really slow in posting. Now that I have gotten a post on Shanghai done, just a little on my personal life recently.

See, on Mar 11 few things happened:
1. my specs fell into a toilet bowl of my own shit
(no, I am not using this specs anymore even AFTER much washing)
2. my earphones fell into a cup of coffee
3. last but not least, my toilet paper fell into a pool of water

final state

Well, in everything give thanks.
Thankfully due to vanity I have greater than 5 pairs of glasses.
Thankfully due to quick reflex actions, I managed to pull my earphones out before it had time to enjoy a thorough dip in my daily caffeine dose.
Thankfully water still works even if toilet paper doesn't.

Knight in Shining Metal

2006-03-11T23:53:00.000+08:00

This is a much postponed post. I took the following picture on Valentine's Day in Shanghai.

It was raining. No cabs in sight.
Then came Mr Knight in a dark suit, struggling to balance his vehicle with the big bouquet of pink roses. Such a romantic sight.

Ah, no wonder in Proverbs 30, it is written
"There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:
the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden."
...Proverbs 30:18-19

Phoenix Tree

2006-03-01T19:40:00.000+08:00

Funny, it is already March and it is still VERY VERY cold in Shanghai.

I am never one to bother about plants and trees, flowers and bees. (Come to think of it, birds and bees are not that bad after all *wink)
BUT I realized that my future mother-in-law loves them. So, me went hunting and look what I found on one of my idyllic walks around town?

梧桐树 Phoenix Tree

Isn't it interesting to see such barks? There is a Chinese saying "栽好梧桐树自有凤凰来". Literal translation = plant good Phoenix Tree well, phoenix (aka good luck) will come.

I wonder if taking pics of a good one will help.

Changes

2006-02-22T14:36:00.000+08:00

Not sure what happened. I am suddenly going a lot of changes recently.
1. changing job
2. changing phones (don't remind me!)
3. changing apartments (forced to move out due to cost)
4. changing status (getting permanently hitched)

Found a pic to depict the emotions I feel inside

Yup... Colorful life but BLUR.

Ok, enough about me. I promise to come back with more of Shanghai! Stay tuned.

In Loving Memory

2006-02-05T20:46:00.000+08:00

He has been with me faithfully for awhile.
Friends and family loved him. My mum especially.
Whenever I am down, he has been both a comfort and a joy to me.
Whenever I am lonely, he's the one who will play with me.
Yet the time has come for us to part.
I never wanted us to end this way.
I have never parted in such a manner.
Alas, my friend. What's lost cannot be recovered.
This post is for you...

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Fine City

2006-01-30T02:11:00.000+08:00

You have heard all about it. Let's see the proof.

Pic taken in a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) aka metro train station nearby.
All fines indicated are in Singapore dollars unless otherwise stated.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I am back in Singapore for Chinese New Year.

Free urine

2006-01-27T01:35:00.000+08:00

For the Mandarin illiterates out there, the signs read (direct translation)

Top: "Every one (每位) collect fee (收费) 30 cents (3角)"

Bottom: "Gentlemen (男士) urine (小便) free (免费)" <-- ok, this translation is unintentionally funny

I wonder, why guys can use the washroom for free? Is it because they don't need to flush? Or use the toilet paper? Or wash their hands?

Or the simple fact that lady's urine are more precious than men's?

I knew we were a special breed all along!

**Picture courtesy of my dad, taken in Shanghai of course.

So corny!

2006-01-27T01:27:00.000+08:00

I just realized something. You need to refer to the previous post.

REEB = BEER spelt backwards!

So corny!

The REAL thing

2006-01-23T16:46:00.000+08:00

Hehehe I haven't seen a bottled Coke for the longest time!

And guess what, I think it's not the real thing even though it had a real Coca-Cola bottle. It tasted awful and definitely much diluted than normal. Hope some Coke management will look into this immediately! And give me a small sum for telling tale.

By the way, the Reeb beer behind was much worse!

What do you mean by "getting off"?

2006-01-21T23:55:00.000+08:00

Musical Notes

2006-01-14T18:32:00.000+08:00

Sad but true. Many beggars in different sizes and forms litter the streets of Shanghai. Some on trolleys, some carrying babies and some simply lie on cardboards, all with a metal tin in front of them.

Even students do it too, perfectly abled, knelt on the floow, bowing their heads and writing Chinese words on the floor with white chalk telling everyone their life story and financial needs.

Such sights are so prevalent in Shanghai that people literally don't see them anymore lest to talk about searching for a coin or two from their pockets to give them.

Few common reasons I have found after bringing this topic up with some locals:
1. they are literally just too many of them.
2. some are really fakes. Not helping themselves but hurting their own bodies to continue the trade of old
3. syndicates at work. Yeah, there are many "beggar" organizations around. You don't know who's real or not anymore.

Either way, as my mum tells me, we should not forget the less fortunate in our midst. Even if they might be bluffs or crooks, it is the heart of giving that counts. It's not about them but how you respond when faced with such scene. With that, I digged into my tight jeans pocket and managed out a coin for him.

As I heard the coin made a crisp "cling" when it reaches the base of that metal cookie tin, I knew I have made my mother proud that day.

Fluffy Power

2006-01-09T21:09:00.000+08:00

What do you do when you want to ride a scooter but is afraid of the cold wind gushing through your fingers in winter?

In comes Fluffy, the nice Motor Mittens. All you have to do is to slip your hands in them and feel the comfort of the warm cushy drive.

Now I understand why there are so many road accidents in Shanghai.

Bird Flu

2006-01-08T21:22:00.000+08:00

No wonder birds flu are so apparent in China.

I would have caught a cold too if I am like this.

Why I think Xu Jia Hui folks like Star Wars

2006-01-03T17:11:00.000+08:00

Don't you think Xu Jia Hui looks just like the light sabres in Star Wars?

Indeed, this is a city of lights... and sabres.

We are on Fire!

2005-12-31T00:44:00.000+08:00

Something I found along Yan An Tunnel, the most famous and unpopular (due to the jam) underground tunnel connecting Puxi and Pudong.
You see lots of such signs along this tunnel.

Looks as though there's nothing suspicious isn't it? Look again!

Still don't see it? Here it is again ZOOMED for maximum clarity.

Did you see that? It reads "FIRE COCK".
Ooooh ahhh.. we are on fire!

Winter Mystery

2005-12-28T00:36:00.000+08:00

Can anyone tell me why are the plants wrapped up in winter? They too, feel cold?!

Red packets

2005-12-26T21:34:00.000+08:00

Ronni was out finally, roaming the streets of Shanghai. As usual, she found her victims in the neighbourhood supermarts right in the smack of this cosmopolitan city.

Yup, it's no longer a myth. Local Chinese DO wear red socks during Chinese New Year a.k.a Spring Festival for luck and prosperity.

Wait, what do I see on the top right corner of that picture? Red underwear?!

Yes, they were selling that too. Seems like this is a quite a popular tradition. Though tried as I might, after asking some local Chinese men, none of them would admit to actually wearing it.

Then again, this is China... you never know....

p/s: To all who asked, yes, all pics taken with my lousy camera phone. Think I should start to plan to upgrade to a better phone. Any sponsors?

Christmas Greetings

2005-12-26T00:37:00.000+08:00

It's Christmas time! While I spend the day pondering on the meaning of Christmas (i.e. Jesus came to earth of course, not Santa!) and lament on how I have lost the spirit of it not just on Christmas day but in everyday life, here's a pot of hollies for your viewing pleasure. Found in the lobby of my block, courtesy of the estate management. I never knew such flowers were real!

MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a
HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Horse Mouth Gum

2005-12-25T23:12:00.000+08:00

Ok I haven't ventured out enough to capture more sights of Shanghai, I thought I would put something significant, something meaningful in this post.

It might mean nothing much to you but to me, it was a gruesome 2-year wait! Not for the perfect gum but the chance to chew it.

Yup, I finally took off my braces! Hurray!

Some have commented that I looked different. Note, they never complimented that I looked different. Yeah, my set of teeth looked like that of a horse. Sad but true.

I'll go back to chewing gum.

Cabin Comfort

2005-12-21T02:01:00.000+08:00

My blog has died... or is experiencing near death, for the lack of interesting things to find in Singapore in my dear trip back. I was in despair, in deep shame of myself. Perhaps I have gotten way too familiar with everything that I stopped having an eye for interesting or unusual things around me?

Only 1 thing can console me now...

My dearest on-demand movies on Singapore Airlines. 60 movies to choose from. Heck, if you have not gotten enough of work ethics, you can even choose to learn or listen to the "8th habit" from Steven Covey or understand the deep insightful "Rules of Work" without needing to read or carry the hefty books around! Of course, I have always opted for surfacial movies above all else. Not forgetting the brainless audio on-demand pop-songs ringing between my ears.

Call me patriotic, I really do loooooooooooooove my SQ flights. :)
By the way, I am not a Singaporean.

Traditions Kept Alive

2005-12-16T19:22:00.000+08:00

I was steeped into a world of traditions for the past few days. All in the name of marriage... not mine, but my brother's. If not for the many surprises my mum had, this would be just another simple Chinese wedding. Here are just two of them...

Red lamps that need to be kept lit for 3 days & 3 nights.
To my mum's horror, the batteries died after 5 hours :P

See the three incense sticks in the middle?

At 1am the night before the big day, my mum remembers their non-existence in my home. Hence, nearly 4 relatives were awoken at that hour to find out who has friends who had stores that sells these things and can be woken up at that time. They were purchased and safely found in my house at 2:45am.

Three Skinny Blind Mice

2005-12-11T01:17:00.000+08:00

Spotted at Orchard Road near Metro Paragon.

Even mice have better figures than me. I am definitely going to start my diet again!

Uniquely Singapore

2005-12-10T00:16:00.000+08:00

I'm back in Singapore on a business trip. Coolio! Singapore is in the mood for Christmas as compared to the cold hard non-Christmassy feel in Shanghai.

Check out the lights near Tang's Shopping Center.

While I was mesmerized by the many lights around town, I was awestruck at what I saw at the escalator (the thing that looked like staircase but actually moves).

Singapore has many rules for mere citizens like us to follow and obey. But I never realized that it was THAT many until now. Does this happen in other countries? Or is this what makes this country Uniquely Singapore?

Retro Revival

2005-12-09T01:10:00.000+08:00

Went to a well known local bank today and I can't believe what I saw!

A good old abacus right in front of a computer! Cool!

For those of you who are too young to know what an abacus is, here is the dictionary's explanation:

ab·a·cus n. pl. ab·a·cus·es or ab·a·ci (b-s, -bk)
A manual computing device consisting of a frame holding parallel rods strung with movable counters.

And you thought calculators were in. Retro's the word now...

Snow White's Apples

2005-12-08T10:51:00.000+08:00

I have reached a point where people actually chase me for updates in Shanghai Wonders! Yeah!!! Finally the day has arrived!!!

Anyway, not to create further disappointment, here it is... an update.

This post is dedicated to Snow White. Call me ignorant, Mountain tortoise or in Singaporean term "suaku", I found a strange sight when I shopped at the Lian Hua supermarket recently.

See? Doesn't it remind you of the apples that the Wicked Queen gave in the Snow White & 7 Dwarves fairytale? I will try to hunt down the 7 dwarves in next post...

Becky calling

2005-12-07T00:11:00.000+08:00

Singapore, Thai, Japanese, Chinese
Homely, Spicy, Steamboat, Fast food.
These are the various kinds of food I have been having with my neighbour lately... or rather, for the last 3 days.

Neighbour tucking into Chinese fast-food

Reading, Haircutting, Shopping, Massage.
These are the various kinds of activities I have been doing with my neighbour lately... or rather, for the last 3 days.

I wondered silently to myself. Have I become so un-friendly that I don't have friends to hang out with anymore? Is it ok to have a beck-&-call, someone you can always count on to hang out with when you are bored? Or when you simply need someone to have dinner with? Have I became HIS beck-&-call?

Trying to recall all the things we did and said. We basically chatted most of the time rather than do things together. It seemed as though the doing part was secondary but chatting key. We can chat about anything... world affairs, home affairs, his love life or the lack of it, my love life, his house, my house, his work, my work and so on.

It isn't everyday when you can find a clique-able friend to share your thoughts and life with. It isn't everyday when you can find a friend with whom you can simply be yourself and feel the total acceptance. It isn't everyday when you can have the bond and be honest with each other without guessing whether both of you have likings for each other. It isn't everyday you can find such a pal, a friend, a brother...

Perhaps having a beck-&-call isn't that bad after all! Perhaps, we should call this a "miracle".

Vote for my friend!

2005-12-06T01:04:00.000+08:00

http://www.canon.com.sg/dvfest/vote/bestfilm/film11.html

Yeah, the pervert looking protagonist is my friend.
He is very nice actually.
He viewed my blog when it launched.
Nice.

A little bit of Korea in Shanghai

2005-12-06T00:22:00.000+08:00

Since I don't quite have time for a blog but would like to blog, I thought it would be easier if I could start a photo-blog, journaling my Singaporeanized Malaysian days in Shanghai.

First let's start with my visit to the salon!

Juno Salon on Shui Cheng Lu

This salon is so cool for the simple reason that it is a getaway for me when I am sick of all the bustling and hustling of Shanghainese people spouting Shanghainese dialect in such vigorous tone to each other.

In Juno, Korean's the word. The hair stylists are all from Seoul and macho cool (note, not your typical Shanghainese sensitive new age guys). The assistants are from Northeastern part of China but North Korean tribe. They not just shampoo your hair but perform translation services as well!

Can't wait for my next haircut...