Hurls & Runs

Food poisoning doth make the mind hurl forth its ruminations.




It's a curious sensation really.

First the sickly feeling and the initial retching, followed by chest heaving and stomach wrenching as the body seeks to expunge every pathogen and everything else - even if it's a favourite breakfast of banana nut cereal. Even the sides hurt as one tries to expedite the upward purgation.

Eventually the heaving ceases and one is left tearing and drippy-nosed, with a throat sore with the sour burn of gastric juices. Staring at the mess of half-ingestions, one can't help but wonder, why bother to eat properly if everything looks the same within anyway?

For now, it's sweet catharsis...

Early this morning, a cheeky sms from a church friend intones, "Remember to say grace next time."

Approach

Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. Exodus 33:13

What a friend I've found

By Delirious?

What a friend I've found
Closer than a brother
I have felt your touch
More intimate than lovers

Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, friend forever

What a hope I've found
More faithful than a mother
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other

Day Out at the Zoo

Spent a relaxing day out at the Zoo today, generally enjoyable but photographically not tt fruitful. View pictures here.

Certainty Amidst Uncertainty

Made a decision to take on new work. Am feeling apprehensive for more than 1 reason. But am prepping myself to take up this challenge.

If peace is elusive, what does it mean? Yet I can only look to God and stand on His promises, Fear not, for I am with you. (Isa 41:10)

And just as God has equipped His servants before me, I pray that He'll do the same for me.

"I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." (Gen 41:16)

Me, Posthuman?

Chanced upon this in Wikipedia, Transhumanism, an international intellectual and cultural movement supporting the use of new sciences and technologies to enhance human physical and cognitive abilities and ameliorate what it regards as harsh and unnecessary aspects of the human condition, such as disease and aging... Transhumanist thinkers postulate that human beings will eventually be transformed into beings with such greatly expanded abilities as to merit the label "posthuman".... Transhumanism has been described by a prominent sympathizer as the "movement that epitomizes the most daring, courageous, imaginative, and idealistic aspirations of humanity," while according to a prominent critic, it is the world's most dangerous idea.

SG Explorers

Took the day off today and hurried myself out of the house shortly after 10am (before homely lethargy won over).

Explored more of SG today or rather, more of the same. See slideshow here.

Today's walking escapade started along Pitt Street aka Thieves Market. But didn't risk many photos there; just didn't feel safe.

For some reason, wasn't feeling very inspired at Little India till I starting shooting vegetables. Must have triggered some domestic instinct...

Pottered along to Sim Lim Square. Met Iv for lunch & thus began his "total defence tour" (kindly reminded by Ms Sam) - the ultra high-tech National Library, the monstrous new Supreme Court, Raffles Green, Clifford Pier & our good ol' Merlion.

What a tiring but infinitely satisfying day :)

Up & Down

Money matters get me down... well, not quite the whole picture but yeah. I can only thank God for His grace & empowerment!

Question: What are you passionate about? I've realized that there's something I should be passionate about... Jesus! After all, He's sacrificed so much for us and who else is the lord of all? The Christianly walk ain't easy though, simply because the spirit battles the flesh.

Am glad I went for church this morning, been feeling a little down. But an inspiring & uplifting word was preached - (paraphrased) of remembering who I am, what I have and what I can achieve. It ain't smoke & mirrors and polished motivational speak, that much I will at least attest to.





After church today, visited SAM, mainly for the Fiction@Love exhibit and had a enjoyable time. Pictures speak for themselves (all sneakily taken, of coz!).

Frayed

Alas! One of my web favs, Fray.com, went on hiatus as of Oct 2005. A casualty of the weblog phenomenon?

Pumpkin Soup

Read this guy's recipe - ordinary but entertaining read.

Red & Glistening

During my teenage angst days, I was nicknamed "Ang Gu Kueh". No prizes for guessing why.

Pic courtesy of Flickr SGPOW.

Stratification

It's acknowledged tt SG perpetuates elitism, particularly through our education system - a well-honed (& versatile?) factory tt serves to efficiently churn out the workers the country needs.

Well, am no political nor social critic, but it is a sobering fact to observe. Of course, in the name of egalitarianism, one feels for the unprivileged masses, yet in the name of economic progress, it seems like a necessary evil (that is, "evil" in a loose sense).

As always, food for thought...

Read Singabloodypore: Elitism in stratified education & 17yo Gayle's take: Elistism: Who, Us?.

Recently there was some coverage on China's 10yr Cultural Revolution and it struck me how ideologies can take Man to the extreme... "Those who fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it." - Winston Churchill

Voting

Read Today Online: Voting must be seen to be secret.

Much has been said about voting and whatever else that can be said, elections are over and done with. Now it's back to our normal lives and "wait & see"...

Cousins & Mommy

My cousins are such a joy! My uncle is indeed blessed to have 3 daughters (decibel-breaking shrieks & laughter notwithstanding). One's yakky, the other's giggly and the third's not in the picture.



My latest domestic obsession - card making. Made a card for mom and left it on her pillow (and still unbeknownst to mom, managed to steal a shot in the dark).

How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! ...her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her. He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all." (Pro 31:10, 28 & 29)

The Weekend Beckons

For some reason, this week's passing too slowly... perhaps it's the slowing pace at work.

Come Friday come... Anyone up for a cuppa?

Saturday Out

First up: What does one do in a contested GRC on Polling Day? Why, vote, of course! It was over in 20min. The kiasu S'porean in me wanted to queue at 7.30am, honest! BTW voting is secret, so don't ask :)

After tuition, decided to zip to the flea market at Timberlux Centre. T'was hot & crowded inside the warehouse, sweaty bodies filing through narrow aisles, peering at used knick knacks. For some reason though, there were quite a few good-lookers in there, sellers & shoppers alike.

Didn't spend more than 10min in there; am into neither designer t-shirts nor women's fashion. Was intrigued by a Polaroid camera which for was going for $60, except was discouraged tt wouldn't be able to get film locally. In the end, I couldn't resist getting Omnibus, a compilation of Roald Dahl's bedtime stories for $8. Oh joy! :)





Next activity: Exploring Chinatown (see more pics here)

From a bustling People's Park to fresh chinese pastries to a trishaw contingent to elders fellowship to ah peks playing chess to a peaceful comics haven (i imagine readers trapped in pugilistic fantasy worlds) to... it's truly sights & smells galore :)

Must say though, Chinatown seems to have lost some of its character, with the wanton commercialization & relentless upgrading over the past decades. Treasure your memories, folks.



G brought me to Qun Zhong Eating House for xiao long bao. Quite good, I must say. Each dumpling is bite-size, a fine balance of meat, dough and the "dumpling essence" tt floods the mouth on first bite... Mmmm... As usual with G, we ate for 3 ppl - I blame it on the quaint dynamics we've.

Loti "Gu Yew"

Courtesy of Yawning Bread

Missed WP's rally at AMK last night. Didn't realize the scale of these rallies, esp. the WP's, till I saw pictures for myself (see above) - spectators must have easily added to 10K or more (a picture of another night's rally at Hougang that better depicts the numbers here). Dad reported hearing both cheers & jeers during the speeches - the main point he caught from WP was how a first world country requires an opposition and how the costs of living in Singapore are soon to increase.

It's the first time I'm taking an interest in local politics, so I guess I should be grateful to the 5 young upstarts contesting against PM Lee's team.

Had an interesting conversation this morning with my colleagues. One attended last night's WP rally and was actually impressed by a few of the speakers - issues raised included how the poor & needy are being neglected, how ministers getting top-dollar should be made more accountable and how the PAP is perpetuating a system built around itself.

I couldn't help but expressed how I disagree with the mode of delivery in appealing to emotions and instead I pointed out achievements in the PAP's favour. That's when K remarked (rather insightfully, I thought) that he shared my idealistic sentiments in his younger days. But his personal experiences with various Government policies through living in, raising a family & taking care of an ailing parent in Singapore made him realize how harsh the pressures of life can be. CK then shared about dismal living conditions at one-room apartment HDB block where elderly dying unnoticed is a common scene.

Suddenly I feel like a young upstart, untried by life, genuine bread & butter issues unbeknownst. But one thing I've realized, that the Government's responsibilities are truly multi-facted.

After that discussion, somehow Lim Boon Heng's words in Today's broadcast rang somewhat hollow - that is, simply words. Now what is progress if society leaves behind the disdavantaged? Suddenly I'm glad for my church's social outreach efforts.

Do read Guardian Limited's Fear is the weapon that stifles dissent though I deem it an accurate but incomplete take on our sunny island (though now gloomily wet).

Flea Day

Flea Day this Saturday at Timberlux Centre.

Vae victis

Vae victis is Latin for "Woe to the conquered"... and almost conquered I am, expending tissue after tissue trying to plug one nose tt runneth over. But woe is me because there's no Grey's Anatomy on the telly tonight.

And so there the long weekend past - above is collage of lunch at rochester, thankfully pals didn't mind one sniffly, sore-nosed dude.

Read some interesting thoughts about the general elections. Truth be told, I haven't decided yet; am still mulling over issues as lotsa food for thought. Hope a conclusive decision is near.

Music for a rainy evening: Ray Lamontagne - Until The Sun Turns Black