Trivial Pursuits

Wham Bam

2010-03-02T00:31:00.001+08:00

The havaianas gave way, sent me flying mid-air off the steps, only to be cushioned by the right cheek of my butt.

Best part: It happened after a swim. Bikini-clad and toweled.

Consolation: I get to laugh it off with him, and him only. Plus the deep purple patch and no spinal injury. Phew.

- Posted using iPhone

Fantasies

2010-02-25T23:45:00.002+08:00

A completely random dream, tugging at my heartstrings.

You know how it is that some dreams come in episodes? Maybe I should turn in early tonight, & check in on part II.

- Posted using iPhone

MRT

2009-12-02T19:24:00.001+08:00

I actually miss taking the train.

- Posted using iPhone

Meow

2009-10-20T01:03:00.001+08:00

"hey fat mama, eat less if you want neverending legs like mine!"

- Posted using iPhone

Test 1, 2, 3

2009-07-27T23:49:00.002+08:00

i'm a slave for you.

hey sis, photos can be uploaded LA!

Yawn

2009-07-06T22:43:00.003+08:00

Mondays used to be good, awesome if not.

can't even type a word mor..

She's got style

2009-06-21T23:54:00.009+08:00

My very own wallpaper.
Katy Koda on her favourite sleeping spot. Such a beauty, such class. She sure knows how and where to work her thing (i mean sleep). You see that little dot of imperfection on the top left quadrant? That's a scratch on the table.

p.s: I still haven't got to editing. =X

But I think I like it the way it is.

His against mine

2009-06-15T22:08:00.010+08:00

Ironic as it sounds, days without money seem better than days with those precious pieces of rectangular sheets tagged with a value. Back then, I earned barely enough but I was living life, loving it. These days, I try to be sustainable but I am just catching up with. Some call it the rat race, some think of it as acquiring status and pride, while others simply coin it as capitalism. I thought about it, and what heck, it is but a matter of choice.

So I visited this kelong on a weekend, and observed their way of life (more so to play around with my bff). People live on stilt houses above waters, rear fishes, smoke and drink warm beer. And they seemed genuinely happy. Carefree. They accept life as it is, simple and easy.

Given the option of leading his way of life or mine, I still chose mine. I couldn't sit still for 4 hours on the kelong, couldn't focus on fishing, got restless and frustrated from the humidity. Went from chair to stool, stool to hammock, and back to chair. Called out to smelly Lucky (the most loyal of dogs) every now and then. Decided I can't eat fish that feeds on my crap. That I need refrigerated beer, won't do well with salty sea breeze slapping on my face 24/7, will itch for the internet... ... ...

In the end, there's noone to blame but myself. DAMN.

Having sprocket holes gave my photo a tinge of blue. Not sure what happened but apparently my photos were over-exposed. Wanted it rustic and raw but somehow I am not quite feelin' it. The blue makes it look abit forced and out of context. What I did like are the words and numbers running along the edges. '400 KODAK', how old school.

If anyone needs prints for flims/slide films, here's the place to go to:

Triple D Mini Lab Centre

175 Bencoolen Street

#01-07 Burlington Square

Singapore 189649

Tel 6224 4006

Sex in a glass

2009-06-09T22:25:00.015+08:00

Fun (and rowdy) as board games can be, the highlight of the day was the wine appreciation session. A white, a red, followed by a dessert.
I used to prefer white wine, semi-sweet and perfumed, something delicate and somewhat flat. But today, there was a sudden realisation, in the most meaningful yet profound sort of way.
Pinot noir, full-bodied, complex and intense, almost like a novel with secrets or surprises unfolding chapter by chapter. I thought of a word to describe it and I knew for sure it had to be 'sensual'. And it made me feel really comfortable, with the place, the company, and with myself.

So now, I think I can truly appreciate the film 'Sideways'.

By the way, the release of 'Sideways' resulted in a 16% increase in sales of Pinot noir over in Western US, with a similar trend in British wine outlets (yes, I wiki-ed).

p.s: gorgeous photo taken by hi, im pez.

Goodbye, baby?

2009-06-07T23:23:00.006+08:00

You make me wish I have my own place.

If I have to let you go,
will you still remember me?

Little Life

2009-05-30T18:23:00.004+08:00

Learn to live, laugh, and love a lot.
Be kind, rewind.

Sleeping to the tunes of Rachael yamagata, again.
An people wake up, people get moving
There's a life waiting here
Get up, people start doing
There's a life waiting here

隔墙有耳

2009-05-21T22:32:00.003+08:00

Kings Park, Perth.

Sound travels. Further than I thought it would. Up, down, and sideways.
Maybe that was how 360 feedback came about.

That's the way, uh huh uh huh.

2009-05-16T15:46:00.002+08:00

Be inspired.

I've been thinking a lot, of late.
Awaiting an epiphany.

Koda Tan Janice

2009-05-08T00:01:00.004+08:00

Koda, 2 weeks old.

At 1 month, no longer palm size, and her eyes are no longer solid black.
But still adorable as ever.

Plan E

2009-05-05T21:55:00.003+08:00

Tonight, I've devised a plan.
A plan to rid dishonesty, or rather the lack of honesty.

watch me.

0105270405

2009-05-04T00:44:00.003+08:00

4 and more.

Kitten Koda for Adoption

2009-04-19T01:51:00.012+08:00

Kitten Koda up for adoption.
Roughly 2 weeks old. Found in a box with 2 others.
Girl, with brown & black patches, beautiful eyes.

I've always wanted a pet, one that is able to roam around the house, and sleep right next to me, non-enclosed. I've played surrogate mother to Koda for the past 24 hours, feeding, cuddling, bathing, letting her snuggle beneath my chin, and pee on me. Unfortunately, my parents are unwilling to let us keep it, for well grounded reasons. Koda needs a lil' TLC (tender loving care) for now, but once she's grown, I'm sure she will be able to fend for herself. So if you have a room, and a heart for Koda, please email me at janice.tansw@gmail.com. I am willing to pay for his initial expenses, vaccination required, and basic amenities.

Meet me by the water

2009-04-16T22:11:00.009+08:00

We'll have a really good time.

Dear Rachael, I love that your songs are brutally honest. Your performance last night was impeccable despite having caught a cold. No airs, no pretense. I don't think I have met an artiste as genuine as you. Thank you for giving 101% on stage, for sharing your almost irrelevant stories, for chewing the endearmint we offered without fear of us poisoning you, and for signing on Jordaan's smelly white vans. Sorry I forgot about the flowers. I was rushing to meet you by the water.

P.S: The cellist is an awesome addition to your band.

P.P.S: Promise to come back again?

Of all those talk on cigarettes, CATS, ghost trumpeter, foolish teenage years, I think I like the sex interjection best.

xoxo.

Miss you much

2009-04-13T23:41:00.004+08:00

I miss it, long.

So quick, just grow.

& I miss those rollin' good times,

while I sift through photos of yesteryear.

Sooner or Later (It all comes crashing down.)

2009-04-07T23:26:00.006+08:00

Tonight, I shed a tear for you.
Wrench of my heart, of ours, time and again.
The wanting yet dreading to know.
The forseen circumstances, and unforseen heaviness,
amassing through and through.
It is getting harder to handle the truth of tales.
It is setting us further apart.
Maybe this is what it is,
a standstill,
ground zero.

Maybe this is what it is.
A punishment for you and me,
and everyone close,
most undeserving.
Maybe it is just time to let go,
to let you go with the wind.

First

2009-04-01T22:50:00.005+08:00

Another corner of the earth that's like me in many ways.
What's not to love?

Soakin' up the sun, the sand, the sea.

The countless virgin experiences we all had, even at someplace so familiar to us.

Down under was THE choice, made in a hurry, flew in a flurry.
All the familiarities (9RP, Fremantle markets, King's Park, Mandurah...) aside, the experiences were surprisingly refreshing. And as the boy said,"it's the companions that count". I couldn't agree more.
Thank you Doreen, Nic, Iggy, and Aunty Alice.
To Doreen: Why are you not as hilarious as Iggy? p.s: I like him, he's nice!

Today is another first. I think I'm likin' it.
Let's hope this positive energy never runs dry.

Burp.

2009-03-24T01:08:00.008+08:00

8 course dinner, Furama City Centre Hotel: Bad, Bad & Bad.
1. Cold Dish with lousy ingredients and inferior quality, especially the fried spring rolls.
2. Shark's fin soup which is pure starch, crabmeat, and tiny bits of black jello (supposed to be sea cucumber). Baby Huey was complaining about bones in the broth.
3. Prawn & broccoli that is edible only if we dip it in soy sauce. Baby Huey practically drank up all his soy sauce.
4. Crispy chicken with GOLDEN garlic, lacks crisp, lacks color, with an overdose of oil.
5. Steamed whole fish with meat that wasn't tender enough and which hung stubbornly onto the skin. Not a fan of fish skin so I had a problem with that.
6. E-fu noodles served plain, with a few chopped up strands of scallion
7. Not sure what dish, no impression of it at all. But I suspect it's some veggie dish.
8. Red bean soup with sesame stuffed glutinous rice ball. I gave up by then and we all went home feeling hungry.
All in all, banquets and events should be banned at the hotel.

Buffet Lunch at Azur, Crowne Plaza Hotel: So-so
Haagen Dazs ice cream was what I liked best. Strawberry, yum!
But according to reliable sources, the New Year buffet spread was worth the money.

Nothing beats sexytime with a girlfriend. And when all else fails, there is always Crystal Jade to fall back on. But we still grumble about it, and food in non other than HK comes into the conversation.

Lurbch, Grass (In luluism).
Let's have more of the-most-happening-thing-in-your-life-right-now sessions.

She wants to move

2009-03-22T01:03:00.011+08:00

Twin set at Tonkichi, Suntec. Original Mojito & Stella Artois at 7atenine.
N.E.R.D Live in Singapore for the friggin FIRST time.
Fridays should always be like that.

N.E.R.D is DOPE. Absolute pandemonium. The level of energy was insurmountable. They ended up inviting...or rather hauling 40 odd fans up on stage in a few batches, defying the bouncer's request for the fans to stay where they belong. Totally punk (I can't help but speak teenager here)! Awesome awesome stuff. And no, I have not gotten over their performance yet. Really leaves you on a high, really.

So I was thinking about comments and reports on how Singaporeans can't dress. But hey, guess what? I could distinctively differentiate those going for a McKnight gig & those headin to PARRTTAAAYYYY at N.E.R.D's. Those who went for the former were all prim & proper, shirts and dresses, mostly glamorous. N.E.R.D drew a totally different crowd of caps, tees, jeans, and vans, very hip, very hop, and some pretty quirky.
They have to come again, they MUST.

Give me the green light

2009-03-20T03:58:00.004+08:00

by Chi King

I promise i'll be the (or one of the) best rat when the race starts.
just one more getaway, please?

i'm ready to go right now.

ABC, Easy as 123

2009-03-08T14:28:00.014+08:00

Baby huey, Kiddos from New Zealand, & in Tibet.

Kids love me as much as I adore them. It's universal and I know it. In future, I will be a resident Supermom. If I can afford it, I'll adopt as well. Abandonment shouldn't be the bane of one's life. Definitely wouldn't be mine.

D.A.N.C.E

2009-02-16T00:02:00.003+08:00

On replay, D.A.N.C.E by Justice. I would love to own every single tee seen in this kickass MTV.

Strike

2009-02-11T23:16:00.002+08:00

If shit happens, miracle happens too.
If there are people who can win toto, surely money can rain upon you.
May luck be on your side.

Don't wake me

2009-02-10T14:59:00.005+08:00

When I have the strangest, most vivid dreams, I plan on sleeping in.
It always amazes me how random people congregate in an unknown space, taking up roles that are most improbable. Enemies become friends, acquaintances become soulmates, friends become family... ...
So even when I've been woken up, I'd shut my eyes and think the dream till I finally immerse into it again.
That's my excuse sleeping for the past 12 hours.

Oh and I watched the Grammys, Chasing Pavements is awesome, so is Adele.

Oh bummer!

2009-02-05T18:10:00.004+08:00

If there's one thing i hate most, it has to be excessive idling. I'm like the epitome of NUA-ness (i can't find a better word) right now and it's making me sick, and i mean literally sick. I think it's my body's way of reminding me I'm the kind who needs to have something on the ball, but my mind's just not cooperating very well. So given that I have been paid and thus still employed in January, I am currently into my fifth day of unemployment, and counting. And to the right is what I have been up to on facebook.

It's not fun to be hanging midway, to be unconfirmed. I'll progressively pick up my pace and by next week, I must know, so that things will be up and running again.

Year of the Ox

2009-01-26T01:45:00.014+08:00

So far, I've had 2 steamboat reunion dinners, 2 gambling sessions , and 2 ang baos placed underneath my pillow.

This year's 春到河畔 at the floating platform is unmistakably offering us the advice of "tighten your belts and treasure your job (if you even have one)", as did our 08 christmas/new year lightings along Orchard road.

We enjoyed it nonetheless.

And I'm pretty darn sure the determined will pull through, no matter how exhausting and frustrating it can get along the way.

Alter ego

2009-01-19T00:15:00.011+08:00

It's light and fluffy. Most days it goes wild, so it has to be tamed by soft wax or headbands. I can go psycho, dork, cute, cool .... etc. with it, so I can be whoever I want whenever I like. So far it's been fun, and we've (m&ms, j, and bg) decided that in a few months time we'll all head over to tokyo to get our next haircut.

We wish.

Shane thinks of me as Grace Kelly today. Bestie, your boy really made my day. I was more ah soh-ish than anything/anyone else to be honest.

There, for those who have requested.

Black bird, fly meets Agyness

2009-01-07T18:20:00.010+08:00

Today was an exceptionally eventful day, propagating my mood in a pendulum fashion. First was the trip to Ghibli Museum, featuring Hayao Miyazaki's works. One of which was Princess Mononoke, which brought back such fond memories of DHSSB. I was listening to Mononoke Hime at the museum shop and it was as though a time machine had transported me back to the small, cosy, grey carpeted band room. I remembered Yuanqin sitting beside me skillfully playing the euphonium while dozing off at the same time, I remembered Terese's countless solos on the oboe, sexy Grace on the saxophone, Amanda on the French horn, Ivy on the flute, Khee Cong the tubist keeping time, oh-so elegant Font on the harp, flute, and piano, Kenneth having to stand on a stool to play the snare, Yirong on the trumpet and us hitting THE note for Credentium during SYF, and so many others I've failed to mention running those notes on their instruments. All the hard work and the pain was only secondary to the joy felt on stage, with my dear friends. Ahhh, that feeling. Let's do it again one day, shall we?

Next was Harajuku, where I did the most outrageous thing, out of spontaneity or stupidity I'm not sure. The whole process was agonising, 99.9% of it fell to the floor and as I watched it being swept away, I got scared. Really scared. He had it permed too, to give it volume and I had the most hideous looking curls till it was blown dry. The aftermath? I cried when I stepped out of the shop and when I looked at my own reflection. I cried and I laughed and I cried again. I'm still grappling with the fact that I had it cut and I'm beginning to like it now. I can finally understand why some models in America's Next Top Model had to cry after a haircut. It is a pretty tough ordeal, especially for those who have never had it boy short before. I know now.

Meet my BBF.

and the new me, with a lil' bit of Agyness, when I'm back in Singapore.
Just don't freak out.

Let me be

2009-01-03T00:01:00.004+08:00

WA-TAAAAAAAA! (by Bokz)

i need a miracle, a kickass 2009.
please let my written oracle(s) come true.

Shogatsu

2009-01-01T19:57:00.006+08:00

click HERE.

We've immersed ourselves into the crowds doing hatsumode at Zojoji and Meiji shrines, eaten our soba which symbolizes longevity, made wishes and purchased lucky charms, watched the kohaku uta gassen that brought back memories of the J-pop wave, and let the new year's first sunrise shine on our lazy asses. Tomorrow, we'll be greeting the Emperor at the Imperial Palace.

It's only been a month and I feel like a Japanese already.

HAPPY MOO YEAR one and all!

Pachinko

2008-12-25T22:30:00.003+08:00

one word - addictive.
How are we suppose to resist those hip pachinko parlors in sin city, Osaka?

Harajuku Girls

2008-12-22T01:13:00.007+08:00

Tokyo at its best.
I like.

Patience much required, for the Harajuku girls to warm up to you.
And what's Love.Angel.Music.Baby compared to the real deal?

Just a few hours time to...you.

Tokyo Husky

2008-12-21T01:11:00.002+08:00

Between the tower and him, I choose him.
Like I've mentioned, give me a husky and I'll give you me.

Lost in Translation

2008-12-20T00:07:00.010+08:00

For the love of the movie, I attempted a Scarlett today. I think I can sit at THE Starbucks for hours people-watching, daydreaming, and letting all suppressed thoughts invade my mind, together with my caffeine fix. Unfortunately, a Mocha frapp cost about 7SGD, which is pretty ridiculous. And the waiter who combs the entire 2nd level, watches his customers like a hawk, preventing his prey from lingering and taking pictures.

I'll head back there again, with a transparent umbrella.

Shibuya crossroads.
Everyone wants to be found.

This corner of the earth is like me in many ways
I can sit for hours here and watch the emerald feathers play
On the face of it I'm blessed
When the sunlight comes for free
I know this corner of the earth it smiles at me
So inspired of that there's nothing left to do or say
Think I'll dream, 'til the stars shine

Winter wonderland

2008-12-12T22:55:00.007+08:00

Furano - Kamifurano.

I've never been so engulfed in snow before. Snow that is immaculate and untainted, pure and white as can be. This is the winter that I have been longing for, frozen fingers and toes aside.

TGIF

2008-12-06T02:45:00.018+08:00

First there was a photography session,

Here's the Shi fu, in one my favourite photos of the day.
And I realize that best poses are often assumed by photographers themselves.

Christmas inspired.

S'pore F1 track trek.

and then there was fishing,

Such are the lil' things, the trivialities in life that are much pursued, often spontaneous, and the most memorable. For today, and every other day, I'm thankful to be tangled up in the lives of people so close to my heart, through thick or thin and even when obstacles seem to get in our way ever so often.
A family like mine is just hard to come by, and most definitely a blessing in disguise.

Mommy...it's overrrrrrrrrrr!

2008-12-03T01:58:00.002+08:00

First there was supper from Spize, a 5-hour long heartfelt conversation that meant the world to me, 5 hours of shuteye, 2 hours of cramming, and the very last 2-hour paper in NUS. I was so overwhelmed with such positive emotions that there was a constant tension at my zygomaticus major muscle. And I caught some people eyeballing me, giving me the why-are-you-grinning-to-yourself-and-are-you-mad look.

Here's to a new beginning.

Animals crossing

2008-11-28T00:52:00.009+08:00

Chickadees & Mummy, roaming around Angkor Balloon compound, Siem Reap.

Pretty 'ugly' ducklings, somewhere around Angkor Thom, Siem Reap.

Mr. Take-a-picture-with me, taking 5 to admire Angkor Wat, Siem Reap.

Goat herding, along the way to Tonle Sap lake, Siem Reap.

The little goatherder.

Pet monkey's life on Tonle Sap lake.

Poochi & me, en route to Mui Ne, Vietnam.

Just one more left.

Reap what you sow

2008-11-21T01:29:00.005+08:00

Kids posing (for quick cash) every time a tourist walks by, at Angkor Thom.
The makings of tourism at Siem Reap.

I'm more than just fine with Cs. So please let me scrape through miraculously, even with my ever-waning will.

It's raining men

2008-11-17T14:38:00.000+08:00

a storm is brewing, in Nha Trang.

and I'm enjoyin the ankle-deep waters.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2008-11-08T23:25:00.001+08:00

It's about time, even if it's a wrong time.
Godspeed.

Can't believe it

2008-11-04T00:41:00.005+08:00

From ecstasy to shock, to disbelief, and to despair. All in a matter of 30 seconds. I absolutely cannot believe it. School's not helping (Damn those endless essays and the jeopardy I have mindlessly crafted!). Neither is work (Damn the unresponsive replicating of emails on lotus notes!). The hospital, much dreaded. The flood, in Hanoi. The plans, both ruined and unintended.

I'm estimating that I am a quarter way down the abyssal depths of infinity.
Drop me a lifeline, quick.

Time travel

2008-10-31T01:51:00.007+08:00

I was so intrigued by the book that I finished it within a short evening, and a night. Was up till 6am, and it kept me pondering till 7. Then the weird dreams started invading. It was like a movie of short films playing in my head. I could remember certain screen shots vividly but it's too complex to elaborate.

So, about the book. It is raw, random, and a lil' confusing, only to be redeemed by it's intelligent concept and idiosyncratic style. I guess I like whatever that makes me mull over, or muse upon. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for time traveling. When Heroes came about, I always imagined myself to be Hiro Nakamura. So there, I guess that explains why I like 'The Time Traveler's Wife'.

I had a hunch that it would be made into a movie to I wiki-ed it. And sure enough, this is the first thing I see, "For the upcoming film based on the novel, see The Time Traveler's Wife (film)." They should use the main cast of 'Ensemble, c'est tout' though. Audrey Tautou always feels right for warp films.

Please be gentle with me

2008-10-28T23:23:00.005+08:00

45% discount, 15 books, 248.11SGD
2 sci-fi/fantasy books for the neurotic lil' sis, who will cringe at the sight of dog ears and whine the entire night over untidy creases (almost like me, minus the whining). 3 psychology books for the other sis, who collects ALL books from any one author she likes. 2 fiction/literature, 1 non-fiction, and another business book for myself, who hasn't the time in the world to spare.1 shared makansutra. 5 other books, ranging from finance to survival guide, for one who doesn't quite like to read.

The days seem so long and dreary this week that my time, or rather my date came to a halt on the 26th of October. I very nearly miss saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY to someone special today. Worse, I got her to proofread an almost negligible report for me. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! and I'm sorry.

By Your Side

2008-10-22T23:41:00.003+08:00

As I was laying by your side on the hospital bed, I secretly wish we were somewhere more familiar, and more comforting instead. Somewhere like home, where I could watch the overplayed teochew (or hokkien) show with you. So that I could pretend not to know what is going on and ask you rhetorical questions in exchange for your nodding in agreement and grinning in amusement. More so, I wish for you to remind me of how you would call my name, because it seems to be fading with time. Maybe I could even get a chance of walking next to you again, holding your hands in mine. Just maybe.

横行霸道

2008-10-21T23:34:00.012+08:00

Because we wanted 馒头(mini buns),

we decided to order one humongous chilli crab,

and it amounted to $48.00.

So the bestie, witty as she is, came up with an excellent story.
The crab moves sideways, therefore it is 横行霸道, so you channel all the anger you can garner on this single outlet by cracking its already broken armor and devouring the flesh within.

She, the moral center of the universe, has saved the day again.

Sidenote: Black pepper crabs highly recommended at 螃蟹之家(behind Bedok 85).
If I'm not mistaken, the chef is from Eng Seng restaurant (Joo Chiat Place). The taste is too similar.

Regress

2008-10-21T12:20:00.003+08:00

Child-like antics and spitefulness, what do they have in common? That's right, they possess this annihilative power which has the potential to ravage what seemed like an almost indestructible bond between two loving souls.

I'm not too happy.

because it's abominable.
ugh.

Catharsis

2008-10-20T18:37:00.000+08:00

On hiatus for slightly more than a year now, since the shanghai stint. I decided it could be rather cathartic to leave some rambling on webspace, so here goes nothing.