Laughter On A Cold Dreary Day

It's one of those days- rain, hot soup and general zzzzziness... What might usually be not quite funny, when placed into a certain context, is absolutely hilarious. When we were walking around Bugis Junction When eveeleva told me about this phrase used by a judge, I couldn't stop cackling. I haven't heard this phrase used for such a long time, and a courtroom is the last place I expect for it to pop up at!

(The phrase is in red bold in the extract below. Click here to read full article.)

"Justice Chao asked Lee, 63, if he was a grandfather. When Lee said yes, the judge continued: 'We are supposed to act more responsibly. // 'I would expect things like this to be said by a youngster trying to 'act hero'...but I don't expect such things to be said by you, especially after serious proceedings in court.' "

Later in the afternoon, back in front of a laptop, I googled the piece of news for more details. I read it and dissipated into further peals of giggles. Truly 'act hero!' No other phrase better encapsulate the offender's actions. Justice Chao is as Singaporean as any of us- he has demonstrated complete comprehension of the phrase. And pfffft- the Laguna Park saga is truly a what I call a shining example of Singaporean narrow-mindedness. What neighborly feelings?! I suspect we all secretly want to murder our neighbors, especially all these people living in fancy condominiums or old condos ready to be sold off en-bloc.

To the offender's increased fine, I could only think, "Orbeee-good." Heeeeeheeeeheeee.

Vegetable Juice

No wonder they say the rainy months are best to lay on the fats. We can't do squat outdoors in this fickle weather with its recent inclination to rain buckets in the evenings (after work hours). Neither do I want to hide in the gym nor swim in indoor pools.

But I can eat, drink and be merry! Haha. Those are rain or shine events! Since the ambitious exercise plans have melted away into puddles, the girlfriend and I plonked ourselves on a big sofa at Postbar and exercised our rights to alcohol.

Since we were at Postbar, of course we had to have Bloody Marys. My favorite cocktail!!! The tangy spiciness! The girlfriend was in the mood for Bloody Marys too. She refused to do her usual martini dry and eat those juicy olives. She insisted that our current choices were healthier than a martini. Riiiigght. The girlfriend proclaimed Bloody Marys as 'veggie juice'. Such lovely liquid sloshing about in our stomachs.

What a luxury to get off work at 6pm and chill out. Plus we still get time to do other stuff after drinks and dinner.

What A Great Couple of Lines

I read the papers this morning and rolled my eyes so far back till the colleagues peeped at what I was reading to see what could cause such a reaction. Oh dear me. There was a quote from an article in Today that sent shivers down my spine-

"Mr Lee also said that while he started wrong, "I'll put it right, and it's not completely right but I will get it right if I live long enough." "

Aiyoh! Is he ever going to retire and behave like any other sweet old man who is a doting grandparent?! He should really really let it go. Further lines gave cold comfort. He should have listened harder then, isn't it? Not to his aides, but to the young children who are sitting in the classroom and resent learning the language.

"He also admitted that he was wrong to insist on bilingualism in the early years. "At first I thought, you can master two languages. Maybe different intelligence, you master it at different levels." But his conclusions after over 40 years are different. Reiterating a point he has since made several times, he said: "Nobody can master two languages at the same level. If you can, you're deceiving yourself." He added: "Successive generations of students paid a heavy price, because of my ignorance, by my insistence on bilingualism. And I wasn't helped by the ministry officials, because there were two groups, one English speaking, one Chinese teaching." "

It's easy for me to criticize, but let's think at a lower level before expanding it to the national level. How many adults actually listen to the children and are able to discern the little ones' real concerns in their (music, ballet, art, calligraphy, judo, yoga, pilates, etc) classes amidst whines and whims? Since when do we ask the young ones if a certain curriculum and pedagogy suit their needs? Allow me to make a sweeping statement- appropriate curriculum and pedaogy have always been dictated by certain guiding principles; pedagogy committees don't exactly go out to survey students to ask what they want or what they think they would like to see in schools. Perhaps we do have more enlightened educators nowadays who are better attuned to learning development trends. Still, we face the perennial argument of the quality Singapore's public schools vs (non Singapore) international schools in all fields.

What is especially scary, is how he more or less admitted that the bilingual policy was pushed through at his insistence. What happened to making team decisions and group wisdom? Our bilingual policy should be made into a case study for our policy makers, a lesson of what to confess and what not to after 40 years at the helm of any organization.

To Osvaldo We Go

What better than hearty Italian fare at Osvaldo Ristorante for dinner on a rainy evening?

Well, I saw many well dressed people tonight. The after-work crowd definitely. But yours truly was in jeans, ratty tee and rubber flip flops. I got wear edgy leather jacket and toted a big Prada slouchy though. Still. I'm just trying to say that this is a casual place. Not bermudas-birkies casual (Although if you look damn good, I bet you're not going to get thrown out). But casual, ya know?

See this little blob of cheese wrapped in parma ham on a bed of rocket all so lightly grilled? The tomino was the special for the evening. It was such an appetizer indeed.

The man had a not-mindblowing but decent braised lambshank. His spinach and ricotta pansotti with butter sage and parmigiana was really good and surprisingly light. I went for the deceptively simple saffron risotto. I judge all Italian restaurants by their risotto. It takes a good kitchen to churn that out. I liked Osvaldo's version of it. It's a good, proper saffron risotto alright. I wonder what went into the stock. It definitely wasn't vegetable stock, probably a mixture of veal and chicken? But honestly, the man's saffron risotto equals it.

The new Osvaldo is refreshing. It's homely. I don't mind at all. It's a convenient location for us and the friends. Casual, back-to-basics fare that is great for a quiet night out. The kitchen is really focused on bringing out the full flavors of each dish. I like it that they're very lighthanded with the salt.

I was a little scared of the service since many early reviews commented on the splotchiness of it. I had full confidence in the Forlinos, but wasn't so sure about the floor staff. However, during our visit, service was rather excellent. The restaurant was humming nicely at full house. Floor staff was unhurried, efficient, amiable and pleasant. Except for 2 dour-faced skinny girls who didn't so much so as smile or say thank you. One of them told me that no photo-taking was allowed. VERY STRANGE. Nobody else stopped me from taking photos even though they walked by all the time. Maybe they sent her to do the dirty job. *shrug* Chef Osvaldo Forlino, as usual, welcomed us and brought us through his specials for the evening. When we left, the ladies yelled a cheery bye to us from the kitchen and we were graciously walked to the door. Service was ummm.....good.

Obviously, we had no space for dessert. I'm so lazy and so not a food blogger. I only know how to eat. For specifics on other food items and desserts, do hop over to check out ice's thoughts. :D

That other oddly-named Forlino restaurant by the waterfront should really change its name, stat.

Lloyd Cole @ Esplanade Recital Studio

We didn't have to hustle to Sydney or Melbourne for an evening with Lloyd Cole. He made a stop in Singapore to hold an intimate acoustic set for an audience of 245 or so.

We couldn't stiffle our giggles when he told us how he did the romantic thing- went to the Long Bar and had a Singapore Sling, and sheepishly commented that the drink wasn't very nice. AIYOH. If he tweeted, we'd have told him that way before! Whatever you do, do not recommend any of your foreign guests to have a Singapore Sling. It is so medicinal and vile tasting. Singapore Sling is NOT a yummy cocktail at all. We'd have directed him to any fruit cocktail at Orgo upstairs or a chilli padi Bloody Mary at St Regis' Astor Bar.

There was a 15-minute intermission. Half the audience didn't make it back in time and was locked out. They missed a song. So he very obligingly repeated it for us- "Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken?"

He also covered the first stanza of The Killers' 'Human'. DOH. What was that all about? But it wasn't too bad. It seems like the covers of the song sound better than the original. :p Heh, nope, I'm not a fan of The Killers.

I overheard a remark that Leonard Cohen would be better than this evening's set. Oh no no no. I beg to differ! This is way more interesting than (with all due respect) a Leonard Cohen gig. I'd watch still though. Hello, little red dot people are deprived here. But I'd prefer a slightly more raw Darren Hanlon. I'm not sure if he'd come back to Singapore again after that dismal turnout 2 years ago where there was no publicity for his very good gig at this same venue.

During the set, I saw a couple of people sneaking photos (or recording). Even though hidden under a jacket or bag, those little blinking lights were so obvious! I really wanted some photos too. But I sighed and didn't turn on the camera.

And Lloyd Cole is finally looking like his age.

Fark, I Am A True Blue Aquarian

I cancelled a dinner date with the man yesterday because I had a big fight with him. Eating at Osvaldo and smiling at him across the table were the last things I wanted to do. Till now, I haven't quite smiled at him kindly.

To be fair, he only gently questioned my decision on not attending the friends' wedding dinner. I definitely over-reacted, because when it comes to discussions about weddings, I'm completely illogical, insane, unreasonable and unforgiving.

I also didn't like it because the man questioned my editorial rights and integrity on this blog and twitter. WTF. As it is, when I blog or tweet, I indulge in heavy self-censorship. It has only gotten more stringent through the years. I don't tolerate his questioning of my ethics. It's my farking blog. Would he rather me remove posts and act like a hypocrite then, just to please our friends? I damn well won't. This is me, take it or leave it. The entire world reads it (for dunno what reasons)- my bosses, colleagues, my friends, acquaintances, friendlies, enemies, weirdos, and a mishmash of humans. I'm well aware of that. I can bloody track the IP addresses. (I paid for that function to provide a breakdown of details!) If I want privacy, I'd have turned this damn blog private and lock it all up till autoscripts can't crack the password.

I've got some hard decisions to make. I'm not afraid to make them. Since Somebody Important doesn't want me in Ho Chi Minh City, I'm resigned to being in Singapore. But that doesn't mean I'm going for the friends' wedding dinner-regrets have been sent for that and informed that I would attend their solemnization only. As much as I love my friends, everyone knows my aversion towards Chinese wedding dinners. There's a calculator in my head to decide which to attend.

What I have chosen to do, is to attend another Chinese wedding dinner that same evening and give a bigger angpow for that bridal couple. I've told the man that if he faults me for making this decision, he should bloody examine his conscience. And no friends of mine/ours, if they have a strong moral compass, would take this as a snub. To this accusation, he objected. Loudly so. He said he understood. Well, he'd better.

I don't make decisions in my personal or work life because of friendship or guanxi. (See why I will die if I work in China or any other ASEAN country?) I make decisions based on necessity, integrity and the greater good. I especially make sure that I adhere to this principle in my personal life. I do not make concessions just because you are my friend, not for anything. All the more, I expect you to understand what it means to be my friend. I will miss my friends', the man's and whoever's birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, whatever, if my roster needs me. Now, because I love my job, there are certain things I will give up for certain work commitments too. The man and my friends must understand that. This explains why my inner circle is so narrow.

Aunty MK's only child is getting married on the same date. Aunty MK is a single mom who braved tremendous difficulties and overcame them to bring up her low-IQ son. Yet, for the past decade, she found time to volunteer with us. She unerringly cooks and packs the food for our twice-a-week lunch deliveries. If she can't make a date, she takes it upon herself to secure a replacement so that our lunch deliveries are uninterrupted. More than that, she has been a mother figure to us when we fought with our parents during those rebellious years.

Her son CH has grown up with us. CH doesn't have the healthiest constitution. But he's got the most cheerful outlook in his life. We remember the nights/days when CH was in hospital and Aunty MK still cooked for us or pretended to be our guardian to get us from school or out of detention when we were naughty.

CH is getting married. I'm sure you know how significant that is to Aunty MK. This milestone is Aunty MK's best gift in her life. Like all mothers whose son finally marries, Aunty MK is a proud and happy woman. She doesn't have much family left. She has personally asked if we (the volunteer group) would go, if I could go, because it would mean the world to her if we are there. This morning, I called to accept her invitation.

This Chinese wedding dinner will be a modest affair to be held in the function hall of a community club/centre. There will be no sharks' fin, no fancy table decor or lighting. But there will be good, homemade food. I look forward to the promised handmade fishcakes and sambal. There will be tears, and there will be faith within our close-knit group to affirm that something beautiful does happen to good people.

This is one wedding I must attend because I feel very strongly that it is the right thing to do.

Tung Lok Signatures

We watch alot of movies at Vivocity. Invariably, we end up having alot of meals in the mall.

As much as we like Carl's Jr, we don't quaff the burgers usually. Although I like the low-fat version with lots of greens. Fast food works great when we're, well, rushing for time.

But when we manage to catch an early show that ends at a reasonable time, we have the luxury to have dinner at 9.45pm or so. But when we're not inclined to drive out of the mall or eat at Brotzeit, that's when we head to Tung Lok Signatures at the ground floor.

The friends introduced us to the restaurant. Since then, I've grown quite fond of the food. It's decent. The man and I pop by rather often. By and by, Tung Lok Signatures have learnt that we don't like the xo special sauce or whatever on bamboo clams. We aren't adventurous. We like bamboo clams steamed with garlic and light sauce. The man loves the spinach and egg yolk thingy which is done really well at this branch.

I like it that they have a range of lobster noodles for me to choose from. So depending on the mood for the day, they offer me noodles ranging from S$18 a serving to whatever daily market price for an Australian lobster. I've tried what they term as 'local lobster'. It isn't too bad! The sauce/gravy saves the dish.

As often as I eat at Tung Lok Signatures, I haven't tried the range of its dishes. You know how severely limited my tastebuds are when it comes to Chinese food. So in every other restaurant, I kinda stick to eating the same stuff. Boring, I know. But that way, I can suss out my favorite restaurants and see if they maintain the quality of food purely through the tastebuds! Very dependable. :D

Bright Red

Decided that I needed a little color to add to the wardrobe. I couldn't seem to shrug off the consistent inclination to buy clothes and shoes in black. In that case, it would be very acceptable for my accessories to be brighter.

Since I was still annoyed with Somebody, I figured that retail therapy would be the most suitable avenue to vent my annoyance.

While the purchase made me happy, a bunch of customers in the shop made me frown. But in the end, I found them quite hilarious actually.

This bunch of loud people in trousers belted at the waist zoomed into the shop, interrupted the sales executive and I to ask in Mandarin where the men's section was. We were a little stunned. The sales executive wasn't even Chinese, but she made a good guess and pointed to the far end. The bunch of loud people still repeated their question in Mandarin, directed it at me and asked if that far end was it.

WTF. They thought I was also an employee of the shop! I so wanted to glare and ignore them. But you know what this loser did? I automatically replied them in Mandarin and affirmed the direction of the men's section.

Bloody hell. I blame my reaction entirely on the conditioning received at work.

Plans Awry

I've a work trip coming up in Vung Tau. The dates have fallen nicely into place. So I intended to spend the weekend with Somebody Important in Ho Chi Minh City and then have the driver send me down to the province.

Truth be told, I don't just want to spend time with the Somebody. That would be nice, but not completely necessary. I'm not a needy baby. What I want to create, is a valid, solid excuse/reason to be away that weekend. There is a wedding that I've been invited to where the later half of it goes against all my beliefs and principles. Rather than to hurt my friends' feelings because I don't share their beliefs, I rather take myself out of the whole equation by being properly away, out of the country.

But the Somebody refused to let me do that, citing all sorts of nonsensical reasons. Somebody didn't even want to loan me the house to bum around in or the driver for a short drive down to my destination. I'm very annoyed. What happened to special privileges accorded to the imp??!

So this rejection by Somebody, leaves me in a bit of a quandary with regards to attending the friends' wedding. While I would very much like to witness the earlier part of their solemnization, I can't bring myself to do the Chinese wedding dinner anymore. I'm happy to pop that angpow into the box and sneak off. I'll have to skip the dinner somehow. I can't sit at the table and look at the bowls of sharks' fin without feeling a stab of pain and wishing I am somewhere else instead. Besides, there's nothing I'd eat at the dinner.

At this moment, I don't like the grouchy Somebody very much.