This is a blog...

Motifs

2011-08-19T01:29:00.007+02:00

While people are fairly young and the musical composition of their lives is still in its opening bars, they can go about writing it together and exchange motifs......., but if they meet when they are older,... their musical composition are more or less complete, and every motif, every object, every word means something different to each of them.

~ The Unbearable Lightness of Being

More coming..

2011-08-15T22:56:00.002+02:00

First time visiting the city during summer... the other times were during winter/spring...

New York still strikes a chord ...

Quotation #52

2011-08-03T01:48:00.004+02:00

All things in the universe start from a point and return to a point. One point calls up a new point, and extends into a line. Everything is a scene of gathering and dispersal of points and lines. Existence is a point and life is a line, so I am also a point and a line.

~ Lee Ufan

Randomly from the mountain last weekend...

2011-07-09T00:18:00.003+02:00

Nature is an amazing thing. And it is for me the best thing this country has to offer.

I am always impressed by the way transportation is designed to allow people to be closer to nature.

Approaching the train station

Do not lean out of the windows

On the way

Wooden shed

At cloud level

I think it says Plant Protection Area

The view while descending

Hanging by the cables

Summer is here

Old bridge

Randomly from Bruges and Brussels last last weekend...

2011-07-07T22:51:00.005+02:00

In Bruges

A cute little town peppered with tons of chocolate stores. So many that I secretly suspect their supplies are coming from the same source...

Rainy...

... and grey

A banner

Peering into one of the many stores

Red and white packaging

In Brussels

A relatively small city. I was simply contented that it was a sunny day to be outside.

There were too many people surrounding this little guy

Grand place

Comics

I didn't realize it says Merchant of Venice until I examine closely

La Presse Socialiste Cooperative

Randomly from Vienna last last last weekend...

2011-07-07T22:11:00.011+02:00

The weather was really erratic during that weekend. It was sunny, windy and rainy - all within that 2 days. Not to mention that I had a little mishap in the subway.

Anyway, I wasn't doing anything touristic. It was just a laid back weekend.

Coloured pillar

What do I see

A speedometer

Spot the flying creature

An overview

Something was happening in the city

A Gothic church

A sunny moment

Sculptures

Behind

2011-07-07T22:04:00.002+02:00

Admit I have been pretty behind in my posts and pictures.

Had some crazily packed travel over the weekends last month.

One by one, I will put them up.

Slowly but surely...

A toughie

2011-06-28T20:19:00.003+02:00

Running when it is 34 deg C is no joke
I thought it should be home ground for me
I was wrong
I was drenched in perspiration
It was a toughie

In 5 bullet points

2011-06-21T21:53:00.002+02:00

27 deg C
60 minutes
10km
1 word
Awesome

Tube

2011-06-17T00:36:00.006+02:00

5 things I like about the tube....

I like how wide the gap is...

I like how the lights sometimes go out for split seconds when it is moving...

I like how white tiles are being used consistently...

I like how there are mirrors placed at the corners for you to watch whose coming your way...

I like how complicated the tube map is...

English weekend

2011-06-17T00:33:00.004+02:00

Well, not exactly coz I was eating a lot in Chinatown...

Dumplings in the making

Waiting for dinner

Let's talk numbers

2011-06-08T21:06:00.000+02:00

Here's the statistics over the last week:

Watched 8 movies over the last week. 5 in the plane on the way there, 2 on the way back and 1 in the cinema.
Suffered 0 jetlag night while back home. I considered that 1/2 the battle won.
Bro brought me 44 movies dvds. He said am gonna watch till am wooden (his exact words).

Brought 5 rolls of films with me, thinking I will use them. In the end 0 was touched. Instead I brought back with me the existing 5 rolls and 6 more new ones.
2 rolls of used film that I had brought along were left undeveloped as well. I was told that 10 work days would be needed to develop medium format films. The efficiency one gets for developing standard 35mm films do not apply in this case.
There is 1 angry bird sitting at home now.

There were 2 thunderstorms during the week. I haven't experience one in ages. I still jump when I hear an unexpected thunder. Strangely, it was also a feeling of familiarity. You see, I don't get tropical thunder showers in where I live currently.
Managed to squeeze in 3 early morning swims. My 1 lament is the sun was not scorching hot enough.
2 good pals created a surprise for me. A book of all my blog posts over the last 2 years. It makes me all nostalgic as I flipped through the pages.

Dad celebrated his birthday during the week. He revealed that the birth date indicated on his identity card is actually wrong. It is 1 year more than his real birth year and the date was based on the lunar calender which is different from the standard one. So much for trying to remember my parents' birth date after all these years.

My luggage exceeded the limit by a mere 2.5kg on departure day. I was relieved.

Recently... Currently...

2011-05-24T00:00:00.004+02:00

Recently... an overpriced dinner

Currently... keeping the fridge empty

Ready to take off. Almost.

Nicest thing

2011-05-20T22:40:00.000+02:00

Nice animation...

Recently...

2011-05-18T23:23:00.002+02:00

Looking at the rain...

Looking at the fish...

Post workout meal

2011-05-10T23:42:00.002+02:00

As always, I tend to overeat after a workout

Running outside...

2011-05-08T21:17:00.000+02:00

... has commenced today.

Towels

2011-05-02T23:37:00.002+02:00

Last week, I went to the gym and forgot to bring my towel.

This week, I left my towel in the gym.

What is wrong with me?

Are you (A), (B) or (C)?

2011-05-01T21:27:00.009+02:00

In about a week's time, the general election will be taking place in my country. I am going to lose my opportunity to vote as am currently overseas and I had already missed the registration as an overseas voter.

In fact, in order to register, I need to indicate the exact dates I had resided in my country over the last three years and to get to the nearest overseas polling station, I believe I need to catch a flight to London.

The government had definitely made it easy for its citizens living overseas to exercise their voting rights.

Recently while on a chat with a friend back home, she asked me on my political stand - - if I am (A) Apathetic, (B) Pro XXX (the current ruling party) or (C) Pro the opposition party. To which I admit rather sheepishly I am (A). So this post may most probably be the one and only post about politics in my country.

Anyway, the point I want to make here is that in the past two weeks, I have been reading lots of posts and videos on facebook, being posted by friends back home about the hype and buzz of the upcoming election. It seems like this year the public has been paying a lot more attention on the election. The people are definitely more concerned about having more voices in the Parliament and it is perhaps an indication that the nation is indeed growing.

I grew up in a country where one dominating (and it still dominates right now) ruling party had done a good job in the past to make things work. I don't deny that I feel proud when foreigners spoke well of my country. And being away for some time now, I admit the many things I've learnt to appreciate of my country. But every coin has its two sides. I've also learnt the things I couldn't have learnt if I haven't left my country. Some things perhaps my country could have done differently.

So I will be watching the election buzz from afar. But I hope the politics buzz on facebook will still continue even after the elections.

One day I hope I would be able to pick (B) or (C) as my answer.

Turkish delights

2011-05-01T20:39:00.008+02:00

Easter break was spent in Istanbul.

It was a welcome change - - the crowds of people, the shop owners who tout for businesses and the cab drivers who tried to charge sky rocket fares.

Haghia Sofia

Making use of my wide angle lens

It used to be a church

Blue mosque

A long Q waiting to get in

Inside the blue mosque

Taken while Q-ing outside Topkapi Palace

In the Grand Bazaar

Cushion covers

Carpets

A fishing spot

Balloons

At Ortaköy

It's broken

Quotation #51

2011-04-27T22:52:00.000+02:00

The ugly truth is better than a pretty lie...

Changing the way I look at things...

2011-04-20T22:19:00.005+02:00

My new wide angle lens

This purchase gives me the feeling that I will change the way I see things, people, life in general. Literally.

Revisiting... part 2

2011-04-12T23:05:00.007+02:00

So the other city which I revisited was Copenhagen.

Why?

Simply because the air ticket was cheap.

Yes, I know. Sounds like cheap thrill.

On that particular Saturday, the city contains all the three elements of a winning formulae.

Which are namely...

- Sunshine

- By the waters

- People out enjoying the sunshine by the waters

Waiting for lunch

Open sandwiches

Curtain call

All three elements are present- see above text

Am a sucker for blue backdrop

Reflection

Ship

Canal cruise

Dusk falling

Waiting for dinner

Revisiting... part 1

2011-04-12T22:49:00.006+02:00

Recently I repeated some of the cities which I had visited.

Rome was one of them.

Simply because I didn't make it to the vatican city during my first weekend visit.

Hordes of tourists - a common sight at the sights of Italy.

View from far away

I love a blue background

Part of a structure

Spanish steps

Drawings of a waiter

While waiting for food

Red checks

Dinner

Recently...

2011-03-28T22:49:00.003+02:00

On the ground

2011-03-15T22:18:00.000+01:00

Quotation #50

2011-03-02T23:37:00.000+01:00

If it makes you laugh,

if it makes you cry,

if it rips out your heart,

that's a good picture.

~ Eddie Adams

Hotpot

2011-02-27T23:13:00.004+01:00

Rainy day - a perfect day to stay in and enjoy hotpot...

Fresh ingredients

Putting them into the hotpot

Let them cook

Ready to dig in

Followed by chirashi

Language barriers

2011-02-20T22:13:00.002+01:00

While attending a workshop last week about cultural differences, the facilitator presented this video. Hilarious.

Laksa udon

2011-02-20T17:44:00.000+01:00

Next month and last month

2011-02-20T17:39:00.004+01:00

Finally, I will be going to my first concert in Europe next month.

I don't know what took me so long... Too long.

Last month, when am cleaning up my place.

Lomo anywhere

2011-02-14T19:34:00.004+01:00

It took me about a year to get my two rolls of film developed and from the whole lot of lousy shots, I managed to pick out eight of them which I thought ain't too bad.

Somewhere in Paris

Somewhere in Berlin

Somewhere in Zurich

Somewhere in Interlaken

It's dangerous where I was

Somewhere in a mall in Singapore

Footprints going up and down

Somewhere in an airport

Lanterns

2011-02-14T19:32:00.003+01:00

It came hopping in...

2011-02-03T21:03:00.004+01:00

So the rabbit has hopped in.

The ferocious tiger year had been sent off and we welcome the tame and cuddly rabbit.

Hopefully, the year will be representative of the animal - calm and peaceful.

And I have been partly right. I have been hit with a bad jetlag this time.

Late night shopping

2011-02-01T17:34:00.003+01:00

At 10.30pm on the eve of CNY eve, its time to do last minute shopping.

Then the search for the mandarin oranges continued...

The return

2011-01-30T17:12:00.003+01:00

Am back again in Singapore.

Part of me suspect am gonna be hit by a pretty bad jetlag this time.

Another part of me hope I will conquer it in no time.

Control

2011-01-26T20:57:00.004+01:00

A magazine says...

"When it comes to racing, you can't control the competition, only yourself."

I say...

"When it comes to living, you can't control life, only yourself."

The best sentence I've received today...

2011-01-25T18:11:00.002+01:00

Ignore the noise, you know yourself best.

Badges of honor

2011-01-25T01:05:00.002+01:00

Today as I examine my toenails (or the lack of them), I figured my future with pedicure is over if I continue to run the way I do.

I doubt I will stop running. So I will console myself by treating the destroyed toenails as badges of honor.

Strawberry

2011-01-16T21:31:00.003+01:00

I recalled when catching up with friends last holiday, one of the inevitable topics was about switching jobs... how often should we change our jobs, etc.

Then came the topic of generation X as compared to the younger generation Y...

And that was when I learnt about the term Strawberry generation - the generation which cannot withstand pressure or hard work, being brought up in a prosperous economy and environment. Just like strawberries which can bruise easily.

I remember laughing into fits when I first heard the term. But for some reason, this seem to stay on my mind. Is true how each new generation changes with time.

And I doubt there will ever be another generation like our parents' - the baby boomers - who were loyal and worked hard without complaints. Some of their beliefs may be labelled as outdated today. But I say it is their resilience which is lacking in us today.

Groovy rock

2011-01-12T21:44:00.002+01:00

Ma Po tofu in a pan

2011-01-08T21:15:00.002+01:00

A visual life

2011-01-08T21:07:00.007+01:00

A day at SAM

2011-01-08T20:00:00.002+01:00

During Dec, I visited the Singapore Art Museum with them (of course their mummy included, otherwise I would be utterly lost).

Kayden and Sophie made me truly realize that of all the subjects one can choose to photograph, kids must be the most challenging among all.

There's the occasional moment when they get intrigued with something (in this case a jigsaw puzzle) and they don't realized that they were being snapped.

I was able to snoop low to capture Kayden's red crocs. He sat truly still while trying to figure out the puzzle.

But for the rest of the time, I get shots like the above.

Sophie swinging the museum brochures at me...

Kayden stopping me like am a paparazzi...

When mum finally got them to sit down, I figured shots like that ain't that bad afterall...

And I get a decent one with them in front of the museum too. Thanks to mum, TT, who dished out the instructions.

Then they cheekily decided that they would like to hide behind the shades.

Sweet moments like that flee by too fast for me. I hope the next time I catch moments like these, they will turn out sharper.

For the time being, I will stay contented snapping at stationary objects or landscapes.

Randomly from last 2 weeks of last year

2011-01-08T19:41:00.002+01:00

Wings of the jet from ZRH to SIN

Villa stay in Hua Hin

Pool lazing

Some winnings, some losses

Beach overcrowded with umbrellas and deck chairs

The beach dog that dug and dug

At the Singapore Art Museum

One week later

2010-12-23T16:48:00.007+01:00

I have been back for a week already.

Where should I start?

I arrived.

Then I departed again.

Left for Thailand the following day after touching down in Singapore for a lazy weekend with a bunch of school friends whom I haven't met for a year. Can't believe it has been a year. We picked up from where we left off and kept one another updated.

On a different note, these are things which I've realized over the last week.

The crowds of people in the city during this festive period did not turn me off as much as I thought it would.
I miss the sun quite a lot. I can't get enough of it.

The house which my family stayed for more than 20 years is falling apart.
The city that I grew up in has changed so much within a year. I have yet to revisit the old places, let alone discover the new ones.
I feel like a tourist in my home country.

Heading home

2010-12-15T21:05:00.001+01:00

Heading home.

This is all I can think of right now.

I will be the happiest girl on earth when I board that plane tomorrow morning.

An old fashion city

2010-12-12T11:48:00.010+01:00

Lisbon - in my opinion an old fashion city.

Buildings are old and not too well kept. Along the streets, one can easily find a simple, nondescript hardware store or a shop selling tinned sardines with its original retro packaging.

This to me is what travel is about. Pure discovery. Looking for the little gems along the streets. These are the little things which make the streets of Lisbon look like a living museum. The city spells authenticity even without trying.

It is not a modern city and I don't feel any bustling energy like in some big cities. Yet it is the understated atmosphere and its low key energy that I find attractive.

I definitely appreciate the fact that I do not see hordes of tourists wherever I go. Maybe it is the low travel season or this country is not as popular as its neighboring Spain?

Nevertheless, I can see myself wearing my rubber sole sneakers to conquer the hilly, cobbled steps of this city again.

At the bank of Tagus River

Praca do Comércio

Peephole

Elevated coastal view

Portuguese cat

Castelo de São Jorge

At the hilltop castle

View from the castle rampart

Crooked shelf

Laundry day

Rossio in the evening

Mosteiro dos Jerónimos

The cathedral

The facade

Evening walk

Padrão dos descobrimentos

Torre de Belém

The miniature and the real stuff

Pasteis de Nata - my staple tea snack

Cafe a Brasileira - an Art Nouveau cafe

Fish in a tin

Window shopping for ceramics

Rooster ceramics

Trams spotting

The end

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

2010-12-01T21:43:00.002+01:00

On my way home this evening...

My pathway covered by white stuff...

The ticker below moved ...

2010-11-24T23:03:00.001+01:00

... but the running didn't help me today...

Paraprosdokians

2010-11-24T22:41:00.002+01:00

A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to re-frame or re-interpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists.

1. I asked God for a bike, but I know God doesn't work that way. So I stole a bike and asked for forgiveness.

2. Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

3. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather, not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car.

4. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

5. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list.

6. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

7. If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.

8. We never really grow up; we only learn how to act in public.

9. War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

10. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

11. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

12. To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

13. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.

14. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

15. Some people are like Slinkies ... not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.

16. Dolphins are so smart that within a few weeks of captivity, they can train people to stand on the very edge of the pool and throw them fish.

17. I didn't say it was your fault; I said I was blaming you.

18. Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars but check when you say the paint is wet?

19. Why do Americans choose from just two people to run for president and 50 for Miss America ?

20. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.

21. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

22. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

23. The voices in my head may not be real, but they have some good ideas!

24. Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won't expect it back.

25. A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you will look forward to the trip.

26. Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were.

27. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.

28. Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.

29. I used to think I was indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.

30. When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.

31. You're never too old to learn something stupid.

32. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

33. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be. It is a thing of the past..

34. Some people hear voices. Some see invisible people. Others have no imagination whatsoever.

35. A bus is a vehicle that runs twice as fast when you are after it as when you are in it.

36. If you are supposed to learn from your mistakes, why do some people have more than one child?

37. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

Lake, fountain and a chair

2010-11-23T00:07:00.003+01:00

Three snapshots of my weekend in Geneva.

No specific sightseeing.

Wandering in search of a good dinner upon arrival.

Continued wandering in search of a good brunch the following morning.

This is my kind of lazy weekend.

By the lake

The spurting fountain

In front of the UN building

Land of U2 and Guinness

2010-11-14T00:34:00.014+01:00

Even though it is a city often plagued by rainfall, I like the fact that it doesn't allow the rainfall to dampen its spirit. Definitely a much more lively city as compared to some other cities in Europe. Restaurants, pubs and shops are scattered over the main city center and people are out (despite the gloomy weather).

St Patrick's Cathedral

Stretch

The site

The Guinness Storehouse

The whole building is an archive

The contents

Water is precious

The art works

Follow the arrow

Not all follow the arrow

Immobilise before entry

The barrels

The labels

The drink

Dinner at The Church

The congregation

The mini Irish breakfast

Dublin castle

The tower

The street performer

Ran for my life

2010-11-03T22:50:00.001+01:00

I ran earlier...

In the last km, I ran very hard...

So hard that it felt like I was running for my life...

Advertisements should be done this way...

2010-11-01T23:47:00.004+01:00

Nice one... Made me can't wait to get back next month...

Also a pretty nice one they did last year...

M&M Pretzel

2010-10-31T00:00:00.007+02:00

I remember this cracks me up when I first saw it on TV in the States this summer.

Rose tinted

2010-10-28T22:30:00.004+02:00

"When life doesn't look too good, put on your pair of rose tinted glasses."

~ sms from bro today

Blue sky, white snow and black birds

2010-10-25T23:22:00.002+02:00

The following pictures were taken when I visited Jungfrau. At the viewing gallery, there were many black birds flying around. For a while, I was taking more pictures of these birds instead of the mountains. So that explains why I have enough pictures of these black guys to create a mini pictorial. I thought they make a pretty nice contrast against the white snow and blue sky.

Warning! Pls skip this post if you don't like black birds...

Standing on the edge

Walking along the edge

Peering from the edge

Looking both ways

Oblivious to the backdrop

Not afraid of human

The lone bird

Basking in the sunrays

Weekend peak

2010-10-16T22:46:00.012+02:00

Spent the whole saturday at the mountains last weekend in order to take full advantage of the good weather. Visited Jungfrau - the Top of Europe.

Swiss lunch before conquering the peak

Boarding the train that will take us through the mountains

It's quite amazing that this railway was built almost 100 years ago

Looking down

The view from the top

The clouds looked low here

Repairing the alps?

Getting out to the path

The little tunnel where we came out

Someone left his glove hanging

Blue sky white snow

It was tough walking in high altitude

Footprints

On the way back in the evening

A pleasant ride through the greens

Some trees are changing their colours

The stopover at Murren

A fallen leaf

Back in the kitchen

2010-10-03T23:33:00.005+02:00

It has been a while since I cook decent meals for myself...

Last Thursday evening.

Not much cooking required here, except for the rice and vegetables.

Earlier this evening.

I cooked chicken rice.

In fact I cooked too much...

What's important when it comes to chicken rice?

The chicken?

Nah...

It's the rice....

And the sauces....

Normalization

2010-09-28T22:28:00.004+02:00

For 2 hours, it feels normal again.

Finally ran after almost 2 months.

Running creates seratonin.

Seratonin is a bunch of happy hormones.

The future seems hopeful again.

Red dusk

2010-09-19T21:45:00.002+02:00

This was the view I had yesterday as dusk was falling...

It was over within a few minutes...

Today, I tried to see if I can spot the same dusk... but it didn't happen again.

2 weeks ago

2010-09-05T22:26:00.002+02:00

While I was somewhere outside the city of Zurich...

While in my apartment and spotted this creepy crawley...

Built for a reason

2010-08-21T01:11:00.009+02:00

As mentioned in my previous post, DC is one city built for a purpose - to be a capital. And I can safely conclude that cities built with a certain purpose in mind are not my cup of tea.

Some other cities that I can think of - Dubai and Las Vegas. In my opinion, these are cities built to impress. I guess the sheer size and extravagance of these cities can leave one in awe. But I think I still prefer cities that have 'evolved' naturally.

During my dreadful wait at DC airport, I was chatting with a stranger who asked me what I think about DC. I told him that DC lacks a certain character. To which he replied that was what he heard about Singapore as well (I have already told him that am from Singapore). I nodded my head slightly and replied " well... is a young nation"...

The Singapore government does play a big role in urban planning. But at the same time, I like to believe that out there somewhere in the neighbourhoods, the bustling wet markets or along the narrow alleys, one can still find some authenticity lurking in the corners.

So enough said. Below are the visuals from my US trip.

Watch before step

Outside National Air and Space Museum

Inside National Air and Space Museum

Uber cool specs for the movie

At the Supreme Court

Lincoln Memorial

Swimming away from me

Stay on the side

Flags around Washington Monument

One way is the right way

They were trying to get a shot...

.. of this house in white

At Georgetown

Long wait at DC airport

Alert and Asleep

Quincy Market

Push, wait and walk

At the end of my US trip...

2010-08-07T01:52:00.002+02:00

I ended with an all American meal before heading to the airport...

What happened the last 72 hours (in a nutshell)...

2010-08-06T08:54:00.006+02:00

Bought a pair of sensible sneakers in camel colour. Satisfied.

Finally got my long overdue haircut. Delighted.

Made a huge mistake in ordering a nachos combo at the movies. The nachos and drink were way too huge. Overwhelmed.

I thought my internet shopping did not reach the hotel. Hounded the hotel staff and got it the morning before check out. Relieved.

All ready to fly from DC to Boston and then to Zurich. Alas, thunder storm started ten minutes before take off and it turned out to be a 3 hour wait inside the plane before the pilot decided to head the plane back to the gate. Traumatized.

More mess at the DC airport trying to get the next flight out and change my Zurich flight. Anguished.

Finally arrived in Boston past midnight. Checked myself into a hotel for the night. No more US flights for me for a long time. Believe it or not, am actually looking forward to get back to lil' Basel. Tired.

Size matters

2010-08-03T04:56:00.006+02:00

I am in a nation where size matters.

Coffee comes in a big mug - albeit diluted coffee.

Food portions meant for one over here can easily feed two back home.

Size matters. This statement becomes even more evident after my arrival in Washington DC.

A colleague told me that DC is a city built to be a capital. Wide roads, spacious sidewalk pavements, green spaces, huge monuments and buildings. He is right. Everywhere I turn, I get the feeling that am being reminded that this is a superpower nation. After immersing in this nationalistic atmosphere for two days, it became too much. So I embrace the other thing which this nation is well known for. I embraced consumerism.

I did shopping on the internet and I did shopping in a mall (a huge one of course). Consumers here are spoilt for choices and consumption is made easy. Different stores housed under one roof. Can't find what you need, they will place an order and deliver it to you, free of charge. The convenience and the variety of choices is great. Something which I miss while staying in Europe. This is very similar to some other asian cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. These are cities where changes are constantly taking place. Shops or restaurants are easily out of the game coz there are so many of them and it is a competitive game. This is what I like - as a consumer, you can always expect something new.

Yet at the same time, I feel consumed by consumerism. In my opinion, consumerism has somewhat became a self fulfilling prophecy. Companies believe consumers need to have choices or to use a marketing term - be differentiated. Pampered with choices, consumers naturally welcome more options and expect more. And it goes on and on like a vicious cycle.

But at the moment am not complaining. My choices diminish as I get back to Switzerland. So I will still walk down the aisles of a supermarket here and be overwhelmed by the choices..... and the sizes.

纸上谈兵

2010-08-02T03:15:00.012+02:00

So it has been a week in the States already. Where should I begin?

As mentioned in my previous post, I was glad to be out after a week of long nights at work. But I wasn't ready for the jetlag (waking up in the wee hours of the morning) and this is on top of the lack of sleep in the previous week. It was a double whammy.

Furthermore, with the week of training in a certain college in Boston, the experience felt like an intense brainwashing regime by the US executive education system.

Perhaps it was impatience and irritation from the lack of sleep + jetlag.

Or perhaps I can no longer tolerate an academic environment after these years of working. I know this sounds cynical but if I can use a particular chinese saying to describe how it felt to be back in a classroom it will be 纸上谈兵. In essence, this saying means to discuss warfare on paper.

Don't get me wrong. I still believe in the importance of a good education. But I also believe that life's most important lessons are outside the safe haven of the classrooms.

Off...

2010-07-24T09:56:00.004+02:00

It was a crazy week.
Tired and sleepy.
The weather for some reason has gone berserk again - nothing like summer.
Am catching the flight out to Boston today.
Boston for a week of training then DC for 5 days of roaming.
Why DC?
I guess I need to visit the capital at least once.
Looking forward.
The shopaholic in me is waiting to be unleashed.
And it will be good to get away.

Trains, boats, lakes and peaks

2010-07-10T01:00:00.006+02:00

Three days spent in Interlaken with my family last month. These were days filled with trains, cable cars, boats, lakes and mountain peaks.

The short trip was dampened by the cloudy and cold weather on the first two days. Luckily, the last day went well and we managed to conquer one of the many peaks.

Lake Brienz

Cloudy clouds

At Brienz

Lake Thun

At Thun - spot spidey's web

Finally a blue day

Where do we go?

First to Murren

Then to Schilthorn

A shot of a shot of 007

At 2970m elevation

Reflection

Signal 112

Spotting the peaks

Spotted the peaks

Flipped

2010-07-05T23:42:00.005+02:00

I get a kick out of being able to flip my fried egg without breaking it apart. Maybe it is easy for most of you. But for me, it's no mean feat.

Reenactment

2010-07-03T23:12:00.004+02:00

So everyone has left.

Am home alone again. Today I tried to reenact the dish which my mum cooked while she was here.

1) Add chicken wings with soya sauce, sesame oil, ginger and garlic.

2) Let it marinate over the Germany vs Argentina quarter-finals match

3) After the match (which btw was disappointing) add some water and simmer it for approx 45 minutes over low heat

The outcome - not exactly the same as my mum's but good enough for dinner before the next match starts.

Top up with rice, spinach and fried egg.

It was a big dinner.

Nature

2010-06-28T23:01:00.003+02:00

I thought it is a pretty awesome advertisement when I first saw it on TV.

But after watching it for the second and third time, I find it a tad too dramatic.

Nevertheless, don't you like an advertisement which doesn't tell you what it is trying to sell until the very last second?

Last 3 weeks...

2010-06-27T22:57:00.005+02:00

Many events happened over the last couple of weeks

Late nights at work. Not enough sleep. I was grumpy.

Spilled a big cup of coffee (with lots of sugar and milk) onto my Mac. Brought it to a shop for servicing and was told that replacing the parts could cost as much as buying a brand new one. So I was advised that the best option will be to back up my files regularly and let it die a natural death. The service guy must had seen my devastated look and tried to offer words of comfort. He told me his wife spilled coffee on her Mac twice and it is still working. On the bright side, I learnt that there is this thing call the logic board (the very expensive part) in the notebook and the space bar is no longer sticky.

With the drama of late nights and coffee spill unfolding, my parents and sister arrived from Singapore. So happy to see them. Below is one of the various goodies they brought along. I am crazy over these sugar coated biscuits.

I need to find a way to 'import' them.

My sister became my personal shopper after I gave her a long list of items to bring along. Of which heavy books and magazines. I've got lots of reading to do.

After their arrival, I have not stepped into the kitchen to cook a meal and yet I have been having lots of homecooked dinners. I am thankful to have a sister who enjoys cooking and willingly cook us dinners despite being on vacation. So now you know, I cook when am forced under circumstances.

3 days after my parents and sister's arrival, my brother arrived - albeit a day later from his original plan coz he missed his flight. Amazing how he managed to miss his flight.

Who will be able to give you a book call 'Pessimisms' and get away with it other than your own brother? How encouraging when the first quote about Life in the book tells you the following - "Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable" ~ Woody Allen. But am enjoying myself reading each page of it. It cracks me up.

MIA... but will be back

2010-06-26T15:23:00.004+02:00

I have been missing in action for a while. The last couple of weeks have been frenzy and busy. There are a couple of backdated posts which I will try to put them up soon.

Furthermore, I have (unexpectedly) caught on the world cup fever. For the past three days am glued to the gogglebox at very specific times - 1600 and 2030 CET. But my vacation is ending soon and the computer monitor will be replacing the gogglebox.

About a month ago, while I was toying with my camera, I took some random shots in my apartment.

Quotation #49

2010-06-23T23:27:00.002+02:00

“Life has a way of keeping things in balance.
Just when someone great sees you as small,
there's always someone small who sees you as great.”

— Dr. Mardy Grothe, American psychologist and writer

Venice (part 2)

2010-06-14T00:29:00.004+02:00

Parking spaces

Navigating the lanes

Gondola man in the making

Fallen hat

At Salute island..

... where we feasted

On the water bus

Lido is where you find the beach

While waiting for dinner

Boat spotting

Venice (part 1)

2010-06-13T23:57:00.006+02:00

Venice - the city where one can spot no cars. I must say this place is really beautiful and unique. Getting lost in the small lanes. Cruising along the canals. Travelling from island to island.

I guess it also explains why the city is flooded with tourists.

I would like to visit again. Maybe during autumn or winter when there ain't a crowd.

View from Ponte de Rialto

It was crowded

Venetian Masks

At Piazza San Marco

Basilica of San Marco

The bell tower

Doge's Palace

Pigeons' view of Piazza San Marco

The reason for stopping

Introducing Giovanni - our gondola man

Peaceful ride

Watching the corners

Still waters run deep

What happened today...

2010-05-30T23:19:00.002+02:00

For lunch... I made my own Salmon bowl.

For dinner... I was invited.

The salad

The oven baked duck

My contribution - Sayur Lodeh

Quotation #48

2010-05-19T22:16:00.001+02:00

"If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner."
~ Tallulah Bankhead (1903 - 1968)

Quotation #47

2010-05-18T23:10:00.002+02:00

“When we're young, we test the limits.
When we're old, we limit the testing.”
— Dr. Mardy Grothe, American psychologist and writer

Is it true? But doesn't it work the other way as well?

The older you get, the more you want to experience...

Afterall time is limited. So why limit the testing?

Is about time...

2010-05-18T22:44:00.000+02:00

... to be on the roads again

When do you quit?

2010-05-16T21:52:00.004+02:00

Yesterday, I read this from an article in a magazine...

"For someone who has quit jobs, left relationships, forgotten dreams, and often quit when the going got tough, running has been the exception. I haven't quit. I'm not going to quit, even if I take a break."

More often than not, I have sought refuge in running.

Running and music together is a lethal combination.

And more often than not, they almost never fail me.

When I read the above, I thought how true...

I would quit on some jobs.

I would quit on some people.

Many other instances where I would call it a day.

But when it comes to my refuge, I will never call it a day.

Currently listening to...

2010-05-13T22:30:00.001+02:00

Sometimes we need to listen to music like this... Uncomplicated.

Catchy tunes with lyrics that even rhymes...

Go get 'em

2010-05-11T00:16:00.002+02:00

" You're either in the race or you're not. In your case, you are. Go get 'em"

~ Bro to me today via sms

Tulips and wooden clogs

2010-05-09T01:04:00.016+02:00

Unknowingly, last weekend was my fourth visit to Amsterdam. The first and second visits were years ago with family and friends. Third was last year for the half marathon. The theme for the latest visit is flowers (afterall is Spring). Though Sunday was dampened by the rain, the Keukenhof is still one pretty garden worth a visit.

At the flowers market

Tulips for sale

Bulbs for sale

Hanging flowers

The dried...

and the fresh

Aftermath of Queen's Day

It's crowded

While waiting for canal cruise

Cruising along

Dinner at Chinatown

At Keukenhof

Hiding from the rain

Staying indoors with the orchids.. in green,

in strips,

in purple,

and in white

The wooden version

Rain continued

In the end, need to get a brolly

Am not the only one that bought the big tulip brolly

Braving the rain

Grey skies

Wet

Drenched

Bottles..

and leaves

Mona Lisa has a tulip

So does Sponge Bob

Standing out in orange..

and red

Close up of the pink

Wallflowers

Looking ahead

They seem endless

Waiting patiently

Rows of tulips..

.. along the pathway

First row tilted to the left

I am a swan

The photograph itself doesn't interest me. I want only to capture a minute part of reality.

~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

Quotation #46

2010-05-08T10:44:00.000+02:00

I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.
~ Pablo Picasso (1881 - 1973)

Listening to...

2010-05-04T23:17:00.002+02:00

Rainy weekend

2010-05-03T16:36:00.001+02:00

Just got back from a rainy weekend in Amsterdam.

It moved

2010-04-28T22:07:00.002+02:00

Finally got the ticker below moving again this week.

I almost forgot how good it is to be outside, juz me, music and running.

Although in the end, I was panting real hard...

Quotation #45

2010-04-25T11:15:00.000+02:00

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.

~Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)

Quotation #44

2010-04-20T00:17:00.000+02:00

Last night somebody broke into my apartment and replaced everything with exact duplicates... When I pointed it out to my roommate, he said, 'Do I know you?'

Steven Wright (1955 - )

+_+

2010-04-18T22:38:00.003+02:00

I threw my wool cardigan into the washing machine and shrunk it.

Sophie, am going to pass it to you when I next see you in Singapore.

I need to find a place for a haircut.

The ticker at the bottom of this page has not moved for more than a week :(

Photography

2010-04-18T01:15:00.010+02:00

It is official - I have added photography as my newfound interest. Though photography has its technical aspect, in my opinion it is very much an art - a subjective art. Afterall, the pictures represent the 'eyes' of the photographer.

If I can use photography as an analogy for life, it is about capturing the moment. Once you miss the moment, it is gone forever.

You may still remember this post which I created more than a year ago. I did something similar and from the pictures which I have taken since last year, I have picked my favorites for this post. They are in chronological order and they are not my best coz like I said photography is subjective. They are just my favorites.

New York City, USA - March 2009

Nice, France - April 2009

Basel, Switzerland - August 2009

Stockholm, Sweden - August 2009

San Francisco, USA - October 2009

Rome, Italy - November 2009

Barcelona, Spain - November 2009

Basel, Switzerland - November 2009

Singapore - December 2009

London, UK - February 2010

Paris, France - February 2010

Berlin, Germany - April 2010

"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst."

- Henri Cartier-Bresson

-_-

2010-04-18T00:24:00.003+02:00

On Wednesday this week, I got home from work so exhausted that I squeezed my facial wash onto my toothbrush. Didn't realise it until I thought that the 'toothpaste' tasted funny.

Then I saw the tubes of facial wash and toothpaste sitting beside each other, by the basin. Both tubes are white in colour. I quicky rinse my mouth.

On Saturday, I woke up at 15:00, sleeping through for more than 12 hours.

It is now almost 00.30 on Sunday and I have just cooked myself noodles.

I need some order in my life.

Berlin - part 2

2010-04-11T22:29:00.007+02:00

Outside Altes Museum

Let's spot the Trabis...

.. in xmas colours

... and in different shades of blue

At Sony Center

Let's reflect

At the Jewish Museum

Looking down

Looking up

At Sanssouci Palace

Spotted bread in the kitchen

The Chinese house

Roaming in the park

At Hamburger Bahnhof

Pop art

Childhood toy

While roaming

Street art

Art gallery...

Let's hit a note

Along Oranienburger Strasse

The end

Berlin - part 1

2010-04-11T21:47:00.008+02:00

Berlin - perhaps the most un-european city I have seen so far? High rise modern buildings right beside old european buildings. I like the old and I like the new but put the two side by side I can't decide if I like it. Clearly, its history was the reason for what the city is today. Modern, fast developing, with an unforgettable history which seem just so recent.

At Reichstag

Joining the long Q

Spotting sparrows while Q-ing

Inside the parliamentary building

Viewing gallery of the glass dome

Let's go around in circles

Outside the glass dome

Let's play spot the bear in front of Brandenburger Tor (Level 1)

Let's play spot the bear in front of Brandenburger Tor (Level 2)

At the Berliner Dom

View of the city from the cathedral

At the East Side Gallery

Start of the 1.3km walk

How will infinity look like?

Let's examine the colours

Another 1.3km from the other side of the road

Favorite red guys

Favorite green guy

Staple mode of transport

At Charlie checkpoint

At the wall...

... whatever remains

Back ...

2010-04-05T23:13:00.002+02:00

Got back from the Easter break.

Will sort through my pictures from Berlin and post them soon.

My quick fix for dinner upon return

It has arrived!

2010-03-28T22:58:00.006+02:00

Have been wanting to post this! I received the package from TT during the week on Weds :)

I had told her to send to my office address and it brighten up my day when I got it. But of course I was not able to open it immediately in the office.

Carried this whole package with me from office back home that evening.

I let it sit on the table for a while. Silly as it may sound, there is a sense of reluctance to open it (even though I already know its content) so that I can enjoy the feeling slightly longer - the feeling of receiving something from someone back home.

Took some shots of it as I let it sit longer on the table.

Finally open it and here's the bag in it.

Styrofoam filled the bag - TT did a good job in packing it!

While laying out the contents, I started to feel lost and overwhelmed already.

So I decided to first read the little card that came along with it.

Finally got down to putting it together. Of course I have yet to finish going through the user manual.

Almost a month ago, I toyed with the idea of upgrading my camera. I have always been using a point and shoot camera which has served me well. Travelling around Europe during the last year and trying to capture interesting and nice shots have sparked off my interest in photography. Friends like TT and Za both managed to convince me that dslr is the way to go (yes, there is a part of me that can be easily influenced by friends).

So now am pretty excited with this new gadget. But I still have lots of homework to do and hopefully I can make good use of the dslr.

And thanks to TT for helping to source a good bargain (with tons of freebies) and sending it to me. I will be taking it to Berlin with me this easter weekend.

Fried again

2010-03-28T22:50:00.003+02:00

Fried rice in 2 consecutive days...

This time is sambal chilli chicken fried rice...