I have a bit of a problem with regards to personal space. If I’m having a bad day, it’s usually its triggered by my morning ride on the MRT or bus.

I’m not comfortable with strangers invading my personal space. Every time someone stands too close… I think they are:
1. trying to brush their body against me for a cheap thrill
2. trying to smell my hair
3. about to grab my ass

I get uncomfortable when someone:
1. is standing too close to me
2. walks pasts and brushes against any part of my body
3. breathing down near my neck
4. yawning at close proximity, especially if they have morning breath! Pls cover your mouth
5. burping at close proximity, especially durian burbs, that’s just foul!
6. digging their nose right next to me, and proceed to flicking it off their fingers! Or god forbid, rolling, then flicking!
7. Picking eye dirt, it could easily fall on my shoes or shirt!
8. picking their pimples in public
10. Scratching their drandruff scalp, this one is horrible, because dandruff flakes are light and will travel when airborne.
11. Reading smses/magazines/books off my shoulder
12. Body Odour
13. After school smell

The list could go on, but I’m trying not to sound like a brat. But some people just have zero spatial empathy!

Testing…very testing…

Anyone else feel the same? Or do I seriously have a problem?

Eye bags and hand bags. Ready to fly home!

Testing out the slow motion function on my canon P&S, probably should have been taken in proper lighting.

Elzena looks like she is being eaten up by her own hair

I interrupt my India travel posts to write about something which really annoyed me 2 weekends ago. We were at the family dinner table one evening discussing about AccordingToPatients, a website that allows you to rate and review healthcare professionals in Asia, what we coined like a TripAdvisor for healthcare professionals, when my mum told me about her worse experience with a doctor.

Opthomologist by profession, brown-noser by name. This is not a post to question his capabilities as a doctor,but to bring to light REAL experience at his clinic. I really hope you can take the time to read how the day unfolded.

 CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STORY (opens in new window)

Absolutely appalled by this story. My mum isn’t the sort of person who would react to the situation, but on hindsight she wished she has given him her piece of mind, reported him to the Singapore Medical Council, and asked for a refund.

She did send a complaint letter to his clinic, but as expected, no reply.

I was furious after hearing this and what my mum had to tolerate that day at the clinic. So in addition to writing here, I’m posting it on AccordingToPatients.

If you’ve had bad (or good) service, I think it’s important to share this information. If not, more people are going to be sucked in and sent to doctors who don’t give a damn.

I think patients needs a voice. Well I’m going to rate and review that doctor tonight on behalf of my mum.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

1927 prose poem by American writer Max Ehrmann (1872–1945)

I found this terribly amusing. During our trek in Manli near sundown, you would see cows walking back home to their master’s house, down the hill and into their pen on their own!

Remember the idiom “Till the cows come home”? Don’t think that doesn’t apply here in India. The cows are back home on time before dark! Probably because they have food waiting for them back home.

Till the cows come home
Meaning: For a long but indefinite time.
Source: Cows are notoriously languid creatures and make their way home at their own unhurried pace. That’s certainly the imagery behind ’till the cows come home’ or ‘until the cows come home’, but the precise time and place of the coining of this colloquial phrase isn’t known.

In India, cows are usually reared for their milk and their poo. Their dung is made into dung cakes used as a mosquito repellent and burnt as fuel.

Another interesting fact. When the time comes when the cow isn’t useful any more (unable to produce milk), alot of them are left loose to wander on their own. They can’t be killed because of their holy status, but are sometimes sent off to non-hindu butchers.
fuel.

And this I didn’t know until today. These neglected cows are sometimes sent to cowsheds called goshalas. Goshalas are protective shelters in India for cows that have been neglected, focused on treating cows in accordance with Hinduism philosophy.

So what did you do this Valentines Day? I just spent it at home with food poisoning, but did manage to get out of the house and see the lil one at the hospital.

I’m one of those girls who doesn’t like the idea of Valentines Day, and I’m especially bitter this year because it seems like everyone else around me is in love.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss being in a relationship, but at the same time I don’t want to waste my youth on duds or people who don’t know what they want.

People say don’t go looking, it will just happen. Well I haven’t been looking. Maybe I should turn to the Laws of attraction, if you want something really bad, it will happen right? But that would just prep me for major disappointment. I think I will start living up to my disappointment, that way it’s easier to achieve.

I think it’s official, there are no men in Singapore for me. Where are you Magenta!

*Update
Aiyo… no he is just a friend. Was just using this photo for the post.

So level 1 Español Classe is over, and I should be signing up for Level 2. But I missed out the last few lessons at Las Lilas and don’t feel like I’m ready for it yet. Guess I need to self-tutor myself those last few chapters.

Have always loved the Spanish language, and I’ve got this ‘in-my-gut desire’ to go to South America.

And an idea came about early 2010 to quit my job, go to South America and volunteer for 3-6months. So I took up Spanish lessons to make it easier for me to communicate while I’m there.

But as all laid out plans turn out, it DIDN’T go as planned. I DID quit my job, but I soon fell into another one straight after and had to shelf that idea for now.

But having said that, I’m not that upset by it at all. I’m doing something I truly enjoy and will continue to enjoy for years to come.

Got a lil excited when I saw this ad below. From 28 March 2011, Singapore Airlines flies three times weekly to Sao Paulo, their first South American destination. And even better, via Barcelona!

I may not be able to go there for 6 months at a go, but I definitely feel with this new flight route a trip is in the horizon. The places I’d like to go: Cuba, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil.

Since we’re on the same topic, here’s one of my fav Buena Vista Social Club song.

A more modern version of the same song

Someone asked me on formspring recently what is my ideal man? There are lots of qualities and criteria that makes up a really good man, but for entertainment sake, here is my combination of The Superficial “One”.

John Mayer + Gael Garcia Bernal + Johnny Depp + Orlando Bloom + Alex Rose + Jared Leto

What is your combo? Write it in the comments!

Ok… it’s that time again for the ‘POP’ day poll! We did this last year with about 101 votes cast.

Jie Jie’s ex-colleagues have already put in their coke bets for #2. Basically their wage is a can of coke. So if there are 9 of them, the one who guesses the right date gets 8 cans of coke.

Doctor has given the 12th February as THE day for Benjamin to be born, but it’s always + – 1 week. The poll is back and I’m going to throw in a bit of fun this year.

This pregnancy has been a bit different from the last, Jie Jie has been craving sweet stuff like ice-cream! So I’ve decided to give away 3 tubs of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream to whoever guesses the correct ‘POP’ day! I know there will be quite a few names for each date, but when that day comes, I will get my sister to pick out a winner from a bag.

Step 1: Submit vote on the poll below.

Step 2: Leave a comment on this post and repeat your answer.

Don’t forget to leave your name and valid email address in the fields or I won’t know how to contact you!

Polls will close on POP day. Any votes cast after then will be not included into the draw. Contest only opened to those living in Singapore for obvious reasons.

Also check out these two Chinese New Year promotions for Ben & Jerry’s.

The lil fella is growing up so fast, every week he surprises me with his intelligence and abnormal growth spurts. He is only 2 1/2 and he can’t fit into trousers of a 4 year old!

Here are two photos of Jie Jie and Jules taken last year at Jalan Kebaya.

Since we arrived in Niseko, Andre kept asking us if we could go out and build a snow fort, and have a massive snowball fight! We were never short of snow, and he pictures below speaks for itself.

So instead, we did the more mature thing of building a snowman, dressing him up and taking lewd photos with Mr Snowman. Then went off to hurl snowballs at each other with badly compressed snowballs, which in the end looked like we were sprinkling fairy dust!

Hey, I never said I knew how to make good snowballs! Apparently, there are techniques, of which I had zero.

Such a dodo, before I went to India, i posted about the Ben & Jerry’s giveaway. Didn’t realise the comments were off.

So… today is your last chance to win the specially commissioned Ben & Jerry’s retro-hip, pigeon bicycle!

Leave a comment on my blog telling me why you deserve the customised Ben & Jerry’s bicycle.

Among 16 of us Ben & Jerry’s ambassadors, Ben & Jerry’s will give away a custom bicycle a lucky reader with unique comments on 31 December 2010 (2359hrs).

YOU HAVE 12 HOURS LEFT!!

Sometimes, all you need is someone to articulate what’s in your head. And this does it for me.

“Life is like a box of crayons. Most people are the 8-color boxes, but what you’re really looking for are the 64-color boxes with the sharpeners on the back. I fancy myself to be a 64-color box, though I’ve got a few missing. It’s ok though, because I’ve got some more vibrant colors like periwinkle at my disposal. I have a bit of a problem though in that I can only meet the 8-color boxes. Does anyone else have that problem? I mean there are so many different colors of life, of feeling, of articulation.. so when I meet someone who’s an 8-color type.. I’m like, “hey girl, magenta!” and she’s like, “oh, you mean purple!” and she goes off on her purple thing, and I’m like, “no – I want magenta!”” – JM

Where are all the 64-colour boxes! Where are the Magentas!

Ben & Jerry’s has chosen me to be one of their ‘moolets’, ice cream ambassadors. Will be bringing you the latest flavours, events and merchandise before anyone else. Brought my sister down for the small Xmas gathering earlier this week and spend some sister time before i fly off.

As part of Ben & Jerry’s Christmas campaign, for one day only, you can exchange any 4 Ben & Jerry’s pint lids for an exclusive iPhone 4 cover.

Date: 17 December 2010
Time: noon – 9pm
Venue: At any scoop shop. Click here to find their 12 islandwide locations

That’s great and all, but I think the real pull would be this. There are 12 mystery iPhone 4 covers that will released on that day, and if you’re the lucky one to receive it, on the night before Christmas, Ben & Jerry’s will be cycling down to your house
with a specially commissioned Ben & Jerry’s retro-hip, pigeon bicycle that’s yours to keep!

But as a reader of my blog, you get an added advantage.
Leave a comment on my blog telling me why you deserve the customised Ben & Jerry’s bicycle.

Among 16 of us Ben & Jerry’s ambassadors, Ben & Jerry’s will give away a custom bicycle a lucky reader with unique comments on 31 December 2010 (2359hrs).

Blog contest period: 13 – 31 December

Final post for Shanghai is about my last night there. After all the press activities circulating the HSBC-Men’s Champions, I wanted to have 1 night out to experience the Shanghai nightlife.

Adrian was spinning at Monkey Lounge/Bar so he asked me to drop by and check it out. Another friend forewarned that the crowd is quite ABC, but is was worth a visit nonetheless. He gave me the address and also mentioned that it’s a bit hard to find. And Good luck!

Monkey Bar was introduced as a “secret” bar, just because it’s so hard to find and hidden in some dark alley with no signage. That must have been such a great marketing ploy, because the whole elusiveness just made you want to try hunt it down. And that, I did.

I hopped into the cab and got dropped off on Donghu Lu, and I must have walked up and down that stretch 3 times. So much for blending in, you might as well stamped a ‘LOST’ across my forehead. Finally I succumbed, and asked a group of girls where this elusive Monkey lounge was. They pointed towards a dark alley and said I’d had to walk further in to find the main door.

The only indication you have that you’re at the right place is by the black door with a cryptic etched-print of a monkey-philosopher.

As you pass the heavy velvet curtains and Roman columns, the room suddenly opens up to a high ceiling, lush warm and cozy lounge. Monkey lounge isn’t catering to the beer drinking frat boys, the crowd were well-dressed and sipped delicious but expensive cocktails. They either popped champagne as easily as opening a can of soda, or swirled their glasses of premium whiskies pretending that actually like that throat-burning shit. It was a tad pretentious to be honest.

But oh since I was here, “Excuse me, can I have a Lavender 75 please!” which was a cocktail which consists of Bombay sapphire, prosecco, fresh lemon and lavender syrup.

Feeling a bit hungry? You can order small plates of “atas” food like caviar, foie gras terrine or crispy frog legs. Or if you want to be a bit more adventurous, go outside to the roadside yakitori stall and sit on the tiny stools by the side of the road. If I were you, choose the vegetables, you never know what kind of meat they are skewering there .

Next stop, an underground club called Shelter and back to my hotel. Got back just in time to pack my bags and leave for the airport. Goodbye Shanghai!

Monkey Bar
Address: No 22, Lane 56 Donghu Lu,
near Xinle Lu
肇嘉浜路807号2楼（近高安路）
Xuhui, Shanghai, China

Greetings from Shanghai!

Need to take a break from the Japan posts for awhile with the interruption of a little trip to China. The lovely people at Hill & Knowlton and HSBC have invited me here to let you know more about the The HSBC Men’s Champions 2010. The tournament officially starts today, but press activities already started on Tuesday, and since it was jammed packed with activities, I thought it might be fun to do a “Yesterday, Today” video to summarise it all.

There is more than the golf happening during tournament week. Instead of the usual golf news, I’ll show you something things happening off the golf course.

Highlights of the Day
- Flight to Shanghai – Love travelling, especially by air.
- Watched 2 movies – “Eclipse” and “Despicable me”, both of which I missed in the theatres
- WGC-HSBS Champions photo call – Held at The Peninsula on The Bund, where I got to see Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood, Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer try Tai Chi.
- WGC-HSBC Champions Welcome Reception – exclusive private party with golfers, celebrities and business leaders at the Waldorf Astroria on The Bund

Previous Yesterday, Today videos
Yesterday, Today – 28 October 2008
Yesterday, Today – 12 March 2009

She had this dog since she was 4. She is now 34.

Stolen from my cousin. Loved. Broken. Patched. Torn. Patched again. Boxed.

And now finally, time to say goodbye to Danny Dog.