Watch this before it vanishes...
WP in Parliament (11 April 2007) - Sylvia Lim
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Narrow-minded Nincompoops
I am blogging after a long time cos I am pissed. I haven't been this angry in a couple of years.
Among the North Indians, there has always been a small Hindu Uttar Pradesi community in Singapore that comes together for festivals, events and prayer. The kinsmenship is alive, and so is the gossip. Typical Indian-society style issues- I dont need to say more.
Recently, there was a wedding. About 60 guests from the UP community were invited- only 12 turned up. Why? Because the woman, RN, married a muslim man and converted to Islam.
I'm so shocked.
This is taking immaturity and narrow-mindednes to a new level. In this day and age, and in a such modern city where inter-racial and inter-religious marriages are common- I'm disgusted from my community can have such lowly thinking...
Is this some village in India? There is a reason why these people are in Singapore and not in rural corners-- Have they forgotten this? It is laudable to preserve traditions and heritage in a 'foreign' and modern land--- but when you have a choice about what to leave intact, why preserve the evil with the good???
Also, you'll hear many people in the UP community lamenting about how God is one, and we all have different ways of reaching Him. If this is not hypocrisy, I dont know what is! The best part is this--- the children of most of these Uncles and Aunties have married (or will marry) non-Uttar Pradesis, Non-indians, Christians and Buddhists! The only difference here, is that N has chosen to adopt Islam.
And why is that a problem? If they have a personal issue with Muslims, and think its difficult or inconvenient to convert to Islam-- they can keep their prejudice in their own hearts. No one is telling THEM to marry a muslim and convert! We do not attend weddings to make a philosophical or religious statement- we join the families to share in their joy and wish the couple a happy married life!!! It is RNs full right to make a bold decision about her life. Whether this is simple or difficult, she has agreed to a lifestyle change-- and that's none of the community's business.
My parents told the bride's family that they couldnt make it for the wedding because we had a family function ourselves. When my mum later went to congratulate the bride's mum, she teared and confided how upset she was that people could do this to her. How SAD the bride's parents must have felt! Its like ostracizing and punishing the family...and its EVIL. Its insensitive, immature, backward, disgusting...
Mum, Mahesh and I feel terrible. If I had known about this, I'd have taken all my friends along to the wedding!
No wonder younger Uttar Pradesis in Singapore dont seem to want to acknowledge this community. Has India itself has moved lightyears ahead and left its lowly and unthinking deposits in the form of the UP community in Singapore?
My loyalties to my own (country, school, religion etc) are always reasonable and fair: I acknowledge the negative attributes, and I'm proud of the positive parts... However, I see no excuse for this behaviour... I am truly ashamed.
Among the North Indians, there has always been a small Hindu Uttar Pradesi community in Singapore that comes together for festivals, events and prayer. The kinsmenship is alive, and so is the gossip. Typical Indian-society style issues- I dont need to say more.
Recently, there was a wedding. About 60 guests from the UP community were invited- only 12 turned up. Why? Because the woman, RN, married a muslim man and converted to Islam.
I'm so shocked.
This is taking immaturity and narrow-mindednes to a new level. In this day and age, and in a such modern city where inter-racial and inter-religious marriages are common- I'm disgusted from my community can have such lowly thinking...
Is this some village in India? There is a reason why these people are in Singapore and not in rural corners-- Have they forgotten this? It is laudable to preserve traditions and heritage in a 'foreign' and modern land--- but when you have a choice about what to leave intact, why preserve the evil with the good???
Also, you'll hear many people in the UP community lamenting about how God is one, and we all have different ways of reaching Him. If this is not hypocrisy, I dont know what is! The best part is this--- the children of most of these Uncles and Aunties have married (or will marry) non-Uttar Pradesis, Non-indians, Christians and Buddhists! The only difference here, is that N has chosen to adopt Islam.
And why is that a problem? If they have a personal issue with Muslims, and think its difficult or inconvenient to convert to Islam-- they can keep their prejudice in their own hearts. No one is telling THEM to marry a muslim and convert! We do not attend weddings to make a philosophical or religious statement- we join the families to share in their joy and wish the couple a happy married life!!! It is RNs full right to make a bold decision about her life. Whether this is simple or difficult, she has agreed to a lifestyle change-- and that's none of the community's business.
My parents told the bride's family that they couldnt make it for the wedding because we had a family function ourselves. When my mum later went to congratulate the bride's mum, she teared and confided how upset she was that people could do this to her. How SAD the bride's parents must have felt! Its like ostracizing and punishing the family...and its EVIL. Its insensitive, immature, backward, disgusting...
Mum, Mahesh and I feel terrible. If I had known about this, I'd have taken all my friends along to the wedding!
No wonder younger Uttar Pradesis in Singapore dont seem to want to acknowledge this community. Has India itself has moved lightyears ahead and left its lowly and unthinking deposits in the form of the UP community in Singapore?
My loyalties to my own (country, school, religion etc) are always reasonable and fair: I acknowledge the negative attributes, and I'm proud of the positive parts... However, I see no excuse for this behaviour... I am truly ashamed.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Penn Masala & Aditya Pathak
LOL...Despite the fact that it SEEMS like all I do at work is watch funny videos on youtube---it IS part of my job (i.e. my few hundred responsibilities) to look up ideas for videos. I am an idea-generating machine it seems... In the process, I stumble upon the most interesting things, which I share:)
The following is a video by a hindi a capella group in the University of Pennsylvania. All you Frienster fans--- this is what CREEPINESS means. Watch The Face Book Stalker Skit.
The second one is : A must watch Aditya Pathak video- Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina
Child tabla-playing prodigy, with one my favourite old hindi songs. I think he is 3 or 4 yrs old in this video. I remember learning some of this in Hindustani vocals. FYI, Roopak taal is the name of the tabla beat- one of the simpler ones. Except I can't play like this kid! His parents have a website with info about him, and lotsa videos showing how he discovered the tabla ....I wish I had THAT kind of talent. Sigh.
And he is so heartbreakingly adorable, I need to kidnap him. NOW this is what I call cute (not that loser with the shag and caterpillar eyebrows hahaha)
Oh ya, the older one... Heeheehee... the one who actually knows the lyrics, he isnt bad either. Nice voice ;)
The following is a video by a hindi a capella group in the University of Pennsylvania. All you Frienster fans--- this is what CREEPINESS means. Watch The Face Book Stalker Skit.
The second one is : A must watch Aditya Pathak video- Tere Mere Milan Ki Yeh Raina
Child tabla-playing prodigy, with one my favourite old hindi songs. I think he is 3 or 4 yrs old in this video. I remember learning some of this in Hindustani vocals. FYI, Roopak taal is the name of the tabla beat- one of the simpler ones. Except I can't play like this kid! His parents have a website with info about him, and lotsa videos showing how he discovered the tabla ....I wish I had THAT kind of talent. Sigh.
And he is so heartbreakingly adorable, I need to kidnap him. NOW this is what I call cute (not that loser with the shag and caterpillar eyebrows hahaha)
Oh ya, the older one... Heeheehee... the one who actually knows the lyrics, he isnt bad either. Nice voice ;)
You know you're Singaporean when...
I once had a post entitled "You know you're Indian when..."
That tickled me quite a bit. Look what I found online while researching a concept at work hehehehe...all of them are freaking funny n so TRUE! We're nuts.
41 signs to tell you're Singaporean
1. Thanks to SMS, you have an extra large thumb.
2. Tks 2 SMS, u oso dun no how 2 spel n e mor.
3. You pat MRT and bus seats to cool them before you sit down.
4. At lunch, you start discussing what to eat for dinner.
5. When speaking to foreigners, you somehow feel a need to adopt an accent. (If you're a DJ, this happens even when you're not speaking to foreigners.)
6. You won't raise your voice to protest policies, but you'll raise your fists to whack someone over Hello Kitty.
7. You're forever talking about businesses you want to set up but will probably never get around to starting.
8. You don't know ¾ of the people attending your wedding.
9 You marry for the real estate breaks.
10 You have kids for the tax advantages.
12. You move to where you want your child to go to school.
13. You feel you can't walk around naked in your own flat. (HAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, you cant!)
14. You force your children to take Speech & Drama classes, but pray they won't wind up in Arts later on.
15. You suddenly realise you're very interested in biotech. Before that it was e-commerce, engineering, and before that, medicine and law.
16. You think being an entrepreneur is setting up a bubble tea, Portuguese egg tart, a chestnut stall - right next to an existing bubble tea, Portuguese egg tart or chestnut shop.
17. You think people are inconsiderate when they don't leave their table immediately after eating at the food court but think you have every right to take your own sweet time with your ice kachang.
18. If you're a guy meeting other guys, you invariably trade army stories.
19. If you're a girl with other girls, you must talk about your 'stupid' guy friends who're forever trading army stories.
20. You somehow feel that food tastes better when eaten next to a longkang (drain).
21. It actually makes a difference to you being called an 'NSMan' rather than a 'Reservist'.
22. You've eaten more times at the Esplanade than you've actually seen shows there.
23. You need campaigns to tell you how to be courteous, to flush toilets, have sex, etc.
24. You feel the urge to add the suffix '-polis' to everything, viz. Biopolis, Airtropolis, Fusionopolis, Entrepolis, etc.
25. You meet in hotels a lot.
26. Your children have a rudimentary knowledge of Tagalog or Bahasa Indonesia.
27. You work at McDonald's when you're old rather than young.
28. You'll gladly spend $50,000 on a car, but will go to great lengths to save a few bucks on ERP charges or even a few cents on a parking coupon.
29. If you're pregnant, you have the magic to make people on the MRT train fall asleep instantly.
30. You've started referring to foreign employees as 'talent' instead of 'expatriates'.
31. You copy down number plates of cars involved in accidents. Then you go buy lottery tickets.
32. You think your boyfriend doesn't really love you unless he gives you part of his liver.
32. You pronounce the letter 'R' as 'ah-rer' and the letter 'H' as 'haytch'.
34. You believe that you can generate 'creativity' through rules and committees.
35. You 'chope' a seat by placing a packet of tissues on the chair.
36. You're very forthright with your criticisms of the "Gahmen" (government), unless there's a chance they might actually hear you.
37. Your mother probably can't speak your 'mother tongue'.
38. You secretly find that the best part of the Speak Good English Movement is hearing the Singlish bits in their ads.
39. You think we're living in a modern, sophisticated country even when our leaders still insist on wearing white school uniforms.
40. You wish your constituency is in a walkover, otherwise it's damn 'leceh'. (troublesome to vote)
41. During elections, you decide that there is no credible opposition even though you don't know the name of the opposition candidate in your constituency.
I have to come up with an idea for a national day video clip for the National Heritage Board...Like the Petronas Deepavali video- if you guys remember... (Man that was hilarious!
That tickled me quite a bit. Look what I found online while researching a concept at work hehehehe...all of them are freaking funny n so TRUE! We're nuts.
41 signs to tell you're Singaporean
1. Thanks to SMS, you have an extra large thumb.
2. Tks 2 SMS, u oso dun no how 2 spel n e mor.
3. You pat MRT and bus seats to cool them before you sit down.
4. At lunch, you start discussing what to eat for dinner.
5. When speaking to foreigners, you somehow feel a need to adopt an accent. (If you're a DJ, this happens even when you're not speaking to foreigners.)
6. You won't raise your voice to protest policies, but you'll raise your fists to whack someone over Hello Kitty.
7. You're forever talking about businesses you want to set up but will probably never get around to starting.
8. You don't know ¾ of the people attending your wedding.
9 You marry for the real estate breaks.
10 You have kids for the tax advantages.
12. You move to where you want your child to go to school.
13. You feel you can't walk around naked in your own flat. (HAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, you cant!)
14. You force your children to take Speech & Drama classes, but pray they won't wind up in Arts later on.
15. You suddenly realise you're very interested in biotech. Before that it was e-commerce, engineering, and before that, medicine and law.
16. You think being an entrepreneur is setting up a bubble tea, Portuguese egg tart, a chestnut stall - right next to an existing bubble tea, Portuguese egg tart or chestnut shop.
17. You think people are inconsiderate when they don't leave their table immediately after eating at the food court but think you have every right to take your own sweet time with your ice kachang.
18. If you're a guy meeting other guys, you invariably trade army stories.
19. If you're a girl with other girls, you must talk about your 'stupid' guy friends who're forever trading army stories.
20. You somehow feel that food tastes better when eaten next to a longkang (drain).
21. It actually makes a difference to you being called an 'NSMan' rather than a 'Reservist'.
22. You've eaten more times at the Esplanade than you've actually seen shows there.
23. You need campaigns to tell you how to be courteous, to flush toilets, have sex, etc.
24. You feel the urge to add the suffix '-polis' to everything, viz. Biopolis, Airtropolis, Fusionopolis, Entrepolis, etc.
25. You meet in hotels a lot.
26. Your children have a rudimentary knowledge of Tagalog or Bahasa Indonesia.
27. You work at McDonald's when you're old rather than young.
28. You'll gladly spend $50,000 on a car, but will go to great lengths to save a few bucks on ERP charges or even a few cents on a parking coupon.
29. If you're pregnant, you have the magic to make people on the MRT train fall asleep instantly.
30. You've started referring to foreign employees as 'talent' instead of 'expatriates'.
31. You copy down number plates of cars involved in accidents. Then you go buy lottery tickets.
32. You think your boyfriend doesn't really love you unless he gives you part of his liver.
32. You pronounce the letter 'R' as 'ah-rer' and the letter 'H' as 'haytch'.
34. You believe that you can generate 'creativity' through rules and committees.
35. You 'chope' a seat by placing a packet of tissues on the chair.
36. You're very forthright with your criticisms of the "Gahmen" (government), unless there's a chance they might actually hear you.
37. Your mother probably can't speak your 'mother tongue'.
38. You secretly find that the best part of the Speak Good English Movement is hearing the Singlish bits in their ads.
39. You think we're living in a modern, sophisticated country even when our leaders still insist on wearing white school uniforms.
40. You wish your constituency is in a walkover, otherwise it's damn 'leceh'. (troublesome to vote)
41. During elections, you decide that there is no credible opposition even though you don't know the name of the opposition candidate in your constituency.
I have to come up with an idea for a national day video clip for the National Heritage Board...Like the Petronas Deepavali video- if you guys remember... (Man that was hilarious!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
TO MY LOVE ON HER 25th B'DAY!!!!
Your Mysterious Gift will reach you soon, Jalpa Shah:)
Can't wait for u to see it!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Madhuisms
Bimbotic, witty and dadima-type of things I've let slip from my head or stolen or always say...
(Lali’s migraine is making her pukish and she is fighting it) Are u feeling better? You need to be distracted. Shall I sing to you?
The light at the end of the tunnel…might be an on-coming train.
Can I make you into a ball and carry you in my pocket wherever I go?
If anything can go wrong, it will, expect it….this is my life we’re talking about.
There is something to learn from everyone. Even your 3 year old neighbor. Even if you’re the chairman of Mensa. The only smart people are the ones who understand this.
Don’t bother arguing with know-it-all self-centered men. Shut up, smile, and leave them for the bimbos.
Fishah: Don’t worry Mad, there are many fish in the pond.
M: But there is only one goldfish!
To my brother: Humans are flawed. But if you use that excuse to cut your principles some slack- you’re flawed before you even tried. I am idealistic, and knowing full well that it’s unrealistic, I’d like to stay that way to be the best I can.
The delight is in the discovery.
The only reason you’re talking to me is cos you like my hair.
Guess what? I think.
Dips I know I whine cos things keep going wrong and never do look up, but I never stop trying again and again and again.
I’m your best friend, if I don’t understand then who will?
All my life I wanted to be someone. Now I realize I should’ve been more specific.
Before yelling at someone, think about whether their intentions were in the right place.
I want to get out of this country...But I know no place will sing to me the way home does.
You cant go to the loo until you tell me the password.
Feb 07: After 25, it’s all downhill. I am not going to get quicker, prettier, thinner, or more energetic. Life is now now now.
It’s not the waitress’s fault the cook takes a long time to make your dish. You have a right to complain, but no one needs your attitude.
Say, hail priceline?
If you go out with the cute guy who yells at the waiter—you deserve him.
Vig, if only you’d marry me dowry-less, I wouldn’t have to date such ridiculous men…Can I have a discount?
If he likes you, he will call. Everything else is an excuse.
Vig, those who matter wont leave yr life and those who leave dont matter.
At work: They pretend to that you’re overworked or underpaid until you open your mouth and say it. And say it loud.
At least 10% of clients and projects are from hell. Always.
Your strengths are so easy you think everyone can do them. They can’t!
Delegate your weaknesses. If you can’t, ask for advice and help!
Only promise something you’re 200% sure of….100% surety isn’t enough.
The secretary is not your slave. You’re not the only busy one. Book your own family holidays, redeem your own coffee coupons.
I do not want to be the prize in some competition for your ego.
Spare me the “let’s be friends” bit. It’s all or nothing.
Who says Singapore’s concrete creativity, cleanliness and man-made gardens don’t count as beauty. I think they’re beautiful in the fact that they have been labored over by several people. Someone planned this, someone implemented it, and someone maintains it. Nature has been granted to us, but what the human mind and hands can create is beautiful too.
If I was bald, would you still talk to me?
(Lali’s migraine is making her pukish and she is fighting it) Are u feeling better? You need to be distracted. Shall I sing to you?
The light at the end of the tunnel…might be an on-coming train.
Can I make you into a ball and carry you in my pocket wherever I go?
If anything can go wrong, it will, expect it….this is my life we’re talking about.
There is something to learn from everyone. Even your 3 year old neighbor. Even if you’re the chairman of Mensa. The only smart people are the ones who understand this.
Don’t bother arguing with know-it-all self-centered men. Shut up, smile, and leave them for the bimbos.
Fishah: Don’t worry Mad, there are many fish in the pond.
M: But there is only one goldfish!
To my brother: Humans are flawed. But if you use that excuse to cut your principles some slack- you’re flawed before you even tried. I am idealistic, and knowing full well that it’s unrealistic, I’d like to stay that way to be the best I can.
The delight is in the discovery.
The only reason you’re talking to me is cos you like my hair.
Guess what? I think.
Dips I know I whine cos things keep going wrong and never do look up, but I never stop trying again and again and again.
I’m your best friend, if I don’t understand then who will?
All my life I wanted to be someone. Now I realize I should’ve been more specific.
Before yelling at someone, think about whether their intentions were in the right place.
I want to get out of this country...But I know no place will sing to me the way home does.
You cant go to the loo until you tell me the password.
Feb 07: After 25, it’s all downhill. I am not going to get quicker, prettier, thinner, or more energetic. Life is now now now.
It’s not the waitress’s fault the cook takes a long time to make your dish. You have a right to complain, but no one needs your attitude.
Say, hail priceline?
If you go out with the cute guy who yells at the waiter—you deserve him.
Vig, if only you’d marry me dowry-less, I wouldn’t have to date such ridiculous men…Can I have a discount?
If he likes you, he will call. Everything else is an excuse.
Vig, those who matter wont leave yr life and those who leave dont matter.
At work: They pretend to that you’re overworked or underpaid until you open your mouth and say it. And say it loud.
At least 10% of clients and projects are from hell. Always.
Your strengths are so easy you think everyone can do them. They can’t!
Delegate your weaknesses. If you can’t, ask for advice and help!
Only promise something you’re 200% sure of….100% surety isn’t enough.
The secretary is not your slave. You’re not the only busy one. Book your own family holidays, redeem your own coffee coupons.
I do not want to be the prize in some competition for your ego.
Spare me the “let’s be friends” bit. It’s all or nothing.
Who says Singapore’s concrete creativity, cleanliness and man-made gardens don’t count as beauty. I think they’re beautiful in the fact that they have been labored over by several people. Someone planned this, someone implemented it, and someone maintains it. Nature has been granted to us, but what the human mind and hands can create is beautiful too.
If I was bald, would you still talk to me?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
In case you kick the bucket soon, note this number...
so.
We had this crazy dancing night night and dipti dropped one of her lenses. While we were doing the whole loser-squinting-at-the-floor routine, I had (yet another) epiphanic moment. It struck me what a long way we've come from being the self-conscious teenagers. For example- now when we fall down (nothing changed there) we laugh, get up and smile dazzlingly at everyone like "there. Your freak show for the day. Now move on with yr lives."
Its not a big talent, and of course I'd just prefer not to be clumsy, but I like me better now. Now that I am done with the self-congratulatory trip, let's move on....
I spent the night at dips place, and in the morning her sister was reading the papers and she burst out laughing. You all probably remember the murder at the Soup Spoon (how scary is that, I eat there all the time.) and the sunday paper had a photo of the covered body being taken away, by four men in dark t-shirts.
The part that struck us---was not the poor family of the deceased, not the fact that two customers in a corner had cluelessly continued having their soup (hahaha that was hilarious), and not even that N the meano pointed out that one of the undertakers was so old he looked like he needed to be carried himself...it was the t-shirts of the undertakers.
!!!!
There it was. So plain you could take their number down from the photo in the newspaper. The t-shirt seemed to comically jump out at me, complete with imagined jingle. (you know, Ally McBeal style hallucinations of dancing objects? sigh. Me and my mind)
Besides the fact that its degrading to wear a phone number printed on yr shirt (or am I too much of the Little Miss Pride?)- does the undertaker company seriously think people are gonna take the number down just in case someone in their family kicks the bucket? And even if they did know someone who had a terminal illness, isnt this whole procedure a tad crass and completely irreverent?
How many times in a lifetime does one call undertakers anyway? If plumbers or electricians were wearing the shirt, it might make some sense.
I am willing to bet money on the fact that the same msg is printed on the back of the shirt, in Mandarin.
I love the fact that there are so many different types of people in this world. But some of them have a thought process (or lack of one) that I can never fathom.
We had this crazy dancing night night and dipti dropped one of her lenses. While we were doing the whole loser-squinting-at-the-floor routine, I had (yet another) epiphanic moment. It struck me what a long way we've come from being the self-conscious teenagers. For example- now when we fall down (nothing changed there) we laugh, get up and smile dazzlingly at everyone like "there. Your freak show for the day. Now move on with yr lives."
Its not a big talent, and of course I'd just prefer not to be clumsy, but I like me better now. Now that I am done with the self-congratulatory trip, let's move on....
SOUP SPOON MURDER
I spent the night at dips place, and in the morning her sister was reading the papers and she burst out laughing. You all probably remember the murder at the Soup Spoon (how scary is that, I eat there all the time.) and the sunday paper had a photo of the covered body being taken away, by four men in dark t-shirts.
The part that struck us---was not the poor family of the deceased, not the fact that two customers in a corner had cluelessly continued having their soup (hahaha that was hilarious), and not even that N the meano pointed out that one of the undertakers was so old he looked like he needed to be carried himself...it was the t-shirts of the undertakers.
"Ah Kow (cant rem the exact name) Undertakers
Telephone No: 9876543"
!!!!
There it was. So plain you could take their number down from the photo in the newspaper. The t-shirt seemed to comically jump out at me, complete with imagined jingle. (you know, Ally McBeal style hallucinations of dancing objects? sigh. Me and my mind)
Besides the fact that its degrading to wear a phone number printed on yr shirt (or am I too much of the Little Miss Pride?)- does the undertaker company seriously think people are gonna take the number down just in case someone in their family kicks the bucket? And even if they did know someone who had a terminal illness, isnt this whole procedure a tad crass and completely irreverent?
How many times in a lifetime does one call undertakers anyway? If plumbers or electricians were wearing the shirt, it might make some sense.
I am willing to bet money on the fact that the same msg is printed on the back of the shirt, in Mandarin.
I love the fact that there are so many different types of people in this world. But some of them have a thought process (or lack of one) that I can never fathom.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
gd grief
Stranger tried sooo hard to pick me up last night. Happened many times, but I don't think anyone has ever tried so hard before. Fact is, stranger wasnt exactly interested in getting to know me as a person.
I think its my skin. I THINK...In a country of chinese people, Madhu has "If you're an African stranger, I might just sleep with you" slogan stamped on her forehead.
Around my workplace, we're starting to see many Africans. No one can miss this- as they're a rare sight in this part of the world... For me its a welcome change- the more diversity the better. However, my brief encounters with all of them in Singapore wouldnt exactly be called pleasant. (which is weird cos many I met while traveling were wonderful people)
After work, I am walking to the bus stop all dog-tired, and I pass by this group of black men playing pool.
50metres later, someone taps my shoulder. One of the guys had run after me...
Oh no Madhu, not again...And then I laughed. Entirely on accident. Before he even said anything.
Note: Something you should never ever ever do in these situations cos then the guy thinks he is cute or witty and that you like him. And then he will NEVER leave. Unless, of course, you make up an imaginary boyfriend.
yes. Another one.
Why? He had these roaming eyes. Some men, sadly, do not realise they do not have peripheral vision.
You're very intelligent. My name is Edward. (handshake)
My name is Madhu and I have a boyfriend. (smile)
The impromptu story this time: Imaginary boyfriend is Indian, born in the US. And I’ve known him since I was a toddler, but didn’t like him until 2 years ago... And he is "very very possessive" (strategically placed comment, delivered with the psycho look) ...yup I cooked up a whole story to put even Bollywood to shame.
He bought it. No kidding. If only fibbing was a career.
Even that didn’t put that guy off! He was so damn insistent!
And then he asks me if I am Hindu, and starts questioning Hinduism!Some parts of the dialogue...
How many Gods do you believe in?
One.
Can you explain to me why you have so many Gods then?
I can. But do you really want to go into philosophy at the bus-stop? And are you sure you Want to understand?
And then
How do you know I am trying to hit on you? And I dont just want to be friends?
Would you run after and try to be friends with a guy like this?
ummm....no ....hahaha, you caught me there...You're very smart.
I know
And then
You're very pretty...(leer) Your boyf is very lucky
He knows.
(laugh)Can I ask you for your number again?
No. sorry. My bus is here.
The highlight was this. "You dont look local, or indian...you look European"
Must be my gray eyes and blond hair.
I think its my skin. I THINK...In a country of chinese people, Madhu has "If you're an African stranger, I might just sleep with you" slogan stamped on her forehead.
Around my workplace, we're starting to see many Africans. No one can miss this- as they're a rare sight in this part of the world... For me its a welcome change- the more diversity the better. However, my brief encounters with all of them in Singapore wouldnt exactly be called pleasant. (which is weird cos many I met while traveling were wonderful people)
After work, I am walking to the bus stop all dog-tired, and I pass by this group of black men playing pool.
50metres later, someone taps my shoulder. One of the guys had run after me...
Oh no Madhu, not again...And then I laughed. Entirely on accident. Before he even said anything.
Note: Something you should never ever ever do in these situations cos then the guy thinks he is cute or witty and that you like him. And then he will NEVER leave. Unless, of course, you make up an imaginary boyfriend.
yes. Another one.
Why? He had these roaming eyes. Some men, sadly, do not realise they do not have peripheral vision.
You're very intelligent. My name is Edward. (handshake)
My name is Madhu and I have a boyfriend. (smile)
The impromptu story this time: Imaginary boyfriend is Indian, born in the US. And I’ve known him since I was a toddler, but didn’t like him until 2 years ago... And he is "very very possessive" (strategically placed comment, delivered with the psycho look) ...yup I cooked up a whole story to put even Bollywood to shame.
He bought it. No kidding. If only fibbing was a career.
Even that didn’t put that guy off! He was so damn insistent!
And then he asks me if I am Hindu, and starts questioning Hinduism!Some parts of the dialogue...
How many Gods do you believe in?
One.
Can you explain to me why you have so many Gods then?
I can. But do you really want to go into philosophy at the bus-stop? And are you sure you Want to understand?
And then
How do you know I am trying to hit on you? And I dont just want to be friends?
Would you run after and try to be friends with a guy like this?
ummm....no ....hahaha, you caught me there...You're very smart.
I know
And then
You're very pretty...(leer) Your boyf is very lucky
He knows.
(laugh)Can I ask you for your number again?
No. sorry. My bus is here.
The highlight was this. "You dont look local, or indian...you look European"
Must be my gray eyes and blond hair.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
My Favourite Place in the world...
Botanical Gardens with the family. Was missing mahesh quite a bit that day.
The people who gave us everything they had...and more.
Dad was being bitten by invisible thingies so mum suggested he fling is shirt. Then she is finds it so funny she yells for us to look, your daddy is mad!!!
It was much prettier in reality...And esp so when it does not RAIN!
I love this one:):):) When I was young, my kid mind imagined my parents looked like Amitabh Bachan and Jaya Bahduri when they were together...cos of their height difference...How silly.
They didnt know I was snapping. They were waiting for us to stop being amazed with...um...ourselves...
The Gazebo. A million memories here. 
Bet you didnt know it was built in the 1800s, for musicians to play in:)
As we were leaving. This one is to frame one day. Took it with my cell phone.
Thank you PB:)
got birthday presents from vig last night...I promised him pics.
Wonder how I found him. He's like my sunshine even when he's so far away. (I am quite sweet too I must say.) Good taste. He chooses things for Lali and I that we never have the guts to buy for ourselves- and everyone compliments us on them. (except never ask vig to choose you a sari--ugh! )
Thanks Amy and Celia for partaking in this:) I love the gifts, I was a little sad and they really brightened my day. Lali took pics so now u can see my reaction.
Walked to Lali's place after gym, was completely beat & cldnt wait to shower. Looking a little less than perfect:P
I once told him that Cadbury Eden are the best dark chocolates I've EVER had! Mmmmm I cant even describe how good they are. Told arch to keep half away from me...Thank God they dont sell them in Sg.
Very J-LO, vig...
Mad the gleeful housefly...Wonder how I manage such moronic expressions sometimes;)
the outfit!
Wonder how I found him. He's like my sunshine even when he's so far away. (I am quite sweet too I must say.) Good taste. He chooses things for Lali and I that we never have the guts to buy for ourselves- and everyone compliments us on them. (except never ask vig to choose you a sari--ugh! )
Thanks Amy and Celia for partaking in this:) I love the gifts, I was a little sad and they really brightened my day. Lali took pics so now u can see my reaction.
Walked to Lali's place after gym, was completely beat & cldnt wait to shower. Looking a little less than perfect:P
I once told him that Cadbury Eden are the best dark chocolates I've EVER had! Mmmmm I cant even describe how good they are. Told arch to keep half away from me...Thank God they dont sell them in Sg.
Very J-LO, vig...
Mad the gleeful housefly...Wonder how I manage such moronic expressions sometimes;)
the outfit!
Happy Vig???
Random artistic shot I took at lunch time today. See my milo? Thought there was smthg abt the shot composition n colours. 
I am so full of crap.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
holiday highlights
Ok Sonia, this is dedicated to you cos you asked and were v.patient :):):) Took me a whole week to put this together bit by bit-- Been crazy busy, but it's finally done!
1. Photos connected to specific memories.
2. Shots I knew would turn out beautiful.
In no order...To enlarge a pic, just click on it
Debbie attacking every baby there:)
I had no idea Subin was related to Debbie...until he said so...
then I had to be wary with my ragging :)...Umm I tried
The Ottawa canal that was supposed to be frozen so we cld skate on the longest skating rink in the world! No such luck. But it was beautiful anyway...
Debbie's mum was really funny n cute...and debbie is right, our mums are alike in some ways!
The perfect Christmas with Shoba and Sunils family in Ottawa. I didnt feel like a stranger for a second. Storybook-like...Everyone was so warm n chatty... And on Xmas night, it snowed for the first time. Was perfect. I ran and stood outside while everyone laughed...Tamara has a photo of this i think hehehe
hahahahaha:)
Loved the simplicity of Shoba's place. And their tree was magical.
Opening the gifts below the tree, on Xmas morning!!!!
Debbie reading my Christmas love letter to her, which she had to do in private cos I was shy...Can u believe the ONE Christmas I was there, they didn't have snow for the 1st time in 8 years!...look over debbie's shoulder, its GREEN!
(and then it snowed late that night:))
I got presents too!!! How unexpected..and how sweet!
After opening up all the gifts we laid the table for an Xmas breakfast!
hmmmmm
I have no words for this place...(oops I already spoke...)
we were actually celebrating Xmas in Ottawa...but Debbie and Zed made a mini-Xmas tree JUST for ME in Debbies place (Mtrl)...So I had one for myself, which made me smile every morning...took this shot just before leaving Canada...sorrowful goodbye at the bus station followed...
Do not ask if my butt was cold...I got my snow, so I'm not complaining!
Can you see the falling flakes against my jacket? I was so so amused!
Was great not having to wake up to go to work! Debs speaking to Imar 
Portugese chicken near dips old place....its been years and she still dreams about it...and now I dream about it too...
Pretty:)
Madhu's photo-taking skills rock!
Bought the earrings, shoes and top separately n then realised they all matched.
NEW YORK CITY
Our friendly tour guide:) Who suddenly mentioned tt the only stuff he knows about Singapore was from a National Geo prog called "Megastructures"....I gasped..."My company made that...and we got awards for that one" I tell him...Damn it, work is following me across the world!
Jal and I were on the carriage and I spotted the moon...
wherever, whenever, I always know where it is...
Posters at Ground Zero....spent a long time gazing at some of these...
This is just a nice shot of Jal and I cos the day was great:)
Took this shot of a fluttering flag on liberty Island...There are flags at literally every corner in New York.... You know, just in case people forget they're in America?
Sex & the city group pic....except we're all bundled up:)
Ferry ride back....sunset....bliss:)
Everyone was snapping away. Was hauntingly gorgeous.
Very Titanic...So i took the shot and Dorota didnt even know!
Sonja and I....Was so damn good to see her again...
NYC is exactly the way I imagined it to be. Like Robinson road times infinity...
You know whose apartment this is hehehe....
loved the fire escape thing u always see in American sitcoms....
(some of MAY LAUGH, but when u come to Sg u'll be snapping the HDB apartments away ok)
Gotham City-like shot
Always wanted to take the bull shot...finally
Had to take the kind of photo they sell on the streets at crazy prices..
Jal and I :) Kept declaring how much we love each other and
how glad we were to meet on New Yrs on the other side of the globe, after sooo long.
WASHINGTON
there were GAZILLIONS of birds circling the lake...and it was an Absolutely gorgeous day!
Jal and Senal the druggies....smoking sheesha in Baltimore
Salsa with Jalpa hahahaha...even though I felt like a corpse being sick n sleepy...
Earrings and a blouse for Dips...and a pretty t-shirt for my sister (no pic)...
not to mention the stuff I bought jal hahaha
For Mahesh hahahah who's busy having too much fun in Utrecht...
Dipti with the blouse and earrings I got her...
Pearl & crystal earrings look really good on mum...
Made french toast breakfast for the family with Maple Syrup:)
trying on vig mammoth sunnies..black & white:)
One of vig's melancholic shots..
he's good with the camera:) Love the way this tree spreads out..
Like the reflection of the world in our eyes...
1. Photos connected to specific memories.
2. Shots I knew would turn out beautiful.
In no order...To enlarge a pic, just click on it
Photo Highlights of our N.America trip (& post trip)...in no order
OTTAWA
Meeting a whole bunch of people at the church in Ottawa on the EVE of Xmas eve. Random people just came up to talk, conversation was so easy...
All the aunties had cooked n contributed yummy food...
All the aunties had cooked n contributed yummy food...
Debbie attacking every baby there:)
I had no idea Subin was related to Debbie...until he said so...then I had to be wary with my ragging :)...Umm I tried
The Ottawa canal that was supposed to be frozen so we cld skate on the longest skating rink in the world! No such luck. But it was beautiful anyway...
Debbie's mum was really funny n cute...and debbie is right, our mums are alike in some ways!
The perfect Christmas with Shoba and Sunils family in Ottawa. I didnt feel like a stranger for a second. Storybook-like...Everyone was so warm n chatty... And on Xmas night, it snowed for the first time. Was perfect. I ran and stood outside while everyone laughed...Tamara has a photo of this i think hehehe
hahahahaha:)
Loved the simplicity of Shoba's place. And their tree was magical.
Opening the gifts below the tree, on Xmas morning!!!!Debbie reading my Christmas love letter to her, which she had to do in private cos I was shy...Can u believe the ONE Christmas I was there, they didn't have snow for the 1st time in 8 years!...look over debbie's shoulder, its GREEN!(and then it snowed late that night:))
I got presents too!!! How unexpected..and how sweet!
After opening up all the gifts we laid the table for an Xmas breakfast!
MONTREAL
Emar getting us all drunk with his silly memory game...I already cant remember things when SOBER...lol Debbies house party was fun, we were in pj's and played taboo hahaha
hmmmmm
I have no words for this place...(oops I already spoke...)
we were actually celebrating Xmas in Ottawa...but Debbie and Zed made a mini-Xmas tree JUST for ME in Debbies place (Mtrl)...So I had one for myself, which made me smile every morning...took this shot just before leaving Canada...sorrowful goodbye at the bus station followed...
Do not ask if my butt was cold...I got my snow, so I'm not complaining!
Can you see the falling flakes against my jacket? I was so so amused!
Was great not having to wake up to go to work! Debs speaking to Imar 
Portugese chicken near dips old place....its been years and she still dreams about it...and now I dream about it too...
Pretty:)
Madhu's photo-taking skills rock!
Bought the earrings, shoes and top separately n then realised they all matched.Zed found that so bizarre..
Debbie's Double Whammy (you do not need to know what that means) Clubbing during Xmas in mtrl...was great dancing...Met shy Spanish person danced a safe distance behind me for a whole hour but was too scared to speak until Debbie made him, much to my protests...He refused to believe I wasnt S.American n insisted I met him the next day for a lunch date... I didnt...but I did take his number cos gentlemen in clubs need to be encouraged.
Debbie's Double Whammy (you do not need to know what that means) Clubbing during Xmas in mtrl...was great dancing...Met shy Spanish person danced a safe distance behind me for a whole hour but was too scared to speak until Debbie made him, much to my protests...He refused to believe I wasnt S.American n insisted I met him the next day for a lunch date... I didnt...but I did take his number cos gentlemen in clubs need to be encouraged. They thought I'd gone mad ("except you're always a little nuts")
but look:) I told you it would be nice!
but look:) I told you it would be nice!
NEW YORK CITY
Central Park...many fantasies...I can only dream how this place would be in summer!
Our friendly tour guide:) Who suddenly mentioned tt the only stuff he knows about Singapore was from a National Geo prog called "Megastructures"....I gasped..."My company made that...and we got awards for that one" I tell him...Damn it, work is following me across the world!
Jal and I were on the carriage and I spotted the moon...wherever, whenever, I always know where it is...
Posters at Ground Zero....spent a long time gazing at some of these...
This is just a nice shot of Jal and I cos the day was great:)All you need is some green, good temp and the sun to brighten the entire day...
I have a thing for ferry rides...not just a thing, a mammoth liking...
I have a thing for ferry rides...not just a thing, a mammoth liking...Took this shot of a fluttering flag on liberty Island...There are flags at literally every corner in New York.... You know, just in case people forget they're in America? Sex & the city group pic....except we're all bundled up:)
Ferry ride back....sunset....bliss:)
Everyone was snapping away. Was hauntingly gorgeous.
Very Titanic...So i took the shot and Dorota didnt even know!
Sonja and I....Was so damn good to see her again...
NYC is exactly the way I imagined it to be. Like Robinson road times infinity... 
You know whose apartment this is hehehe....loved the fire escape thing u always see in American sitcoms....
(some of MAY LAUGH, but when u come to Sg u'll be snapping the HDB apartments away ok)
Gotham City-like shot
Always wanted to take the bull shot...finally
Had to take the kind of photo they sell on the streets at crazy prices..
Jalpa & Moushmi sobbing away suddenly on the phone lol :)
She cries EVERY New Year, I so knew this would happen…
Everyone looks at me questioningly in shock & I grin n tell them to relax…
She cries EVERY New Year, I so knew this would happen…
Everyone looks at me questioningly in shock & I grin n tell them to relax…
The Rockefeller Xmas tree was very very pretty! Love my shot of the flags in the wind...We met Dorotas friend, and his friends after this.
Bumped into them again on New Yrs...and the drama ensued...
After Victoria Secrets...
Bumped into them again on New Yrs...and the drama ensued...
After Victoria Secrets...
NEW YEAR IN NEW YORK!
Partying does not get any better:) We had SO MUCH FUN dancing- drinking- talking with one another and new people. I, being me, made friends with the lesbian drummer...Just had to tell her she was good, n she stopped frowning long enough to flash a super huge grin.
...Were out till 6am, n spent the next day too tired to live...
Sonja was making me laugh with her faces!
United Colours of Benetton :)...Pictures of globalisation.
...Were out till 6am, n spent the next day too tired to live...Sonja was making me laugh with her faces!
United Colours of Benetton :)...Pictures of globalisation.
Jal and I :) Kept declaring how much we love each other andhow glad we were to meet on New Yrs on the other side of the globe, after sooo long.
WASHINGTON
there were GAZILLIONS of birds circling the lake...and it was an Absolutely gorgeous day!
BALTIMORE
The sheesha place at Baltimore...Tired fun...Mad= 48 hours without sleep
Jal and Senal the druggies....smoking sheesha in Baltimore
Salsa with Jalpa hahahaha...even though I felt like a corpse being sick n sleepy...BACK HOME!
Just some of the gifts:)
What debbie chose for me!
What debbie chose for me!
Earrings and a blouse for Dips...and a pretty t-shirt for my sister (no pic)...not to mention the stuff I bought jal hahaha
For Mahesh hahahah who's busy having too much fun in Utrecht...
Dipti with the blouse and earrings I got her...
Pearl & crystal earrings look really good on mum...
Made french toast breakfast for the family with Maple Syrup:)
THEN Vig and I went frolicking in sunny east coast and yakked our stories away...sigh I miss him to bits...We took some AMazing shots, and of course I have to show off....Its my blog...
Brightened the image and added lens flare to this one...Vig and his model looks!
trying on vig mammoth sunnies..black & white:)
One of vig's melancholic shots..
he's good with the camera:) Love the way this tree spreads out..
Like the reflection of the world in our eyes...
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