My summer Dogi

My summer dogi has arrived!

This is the first time I have purchased dogi from Yamato and I must say the dogi feels so light to the extent that I did not feel as if I was wearing a dogi. You see my body is accustomed to the thicker and thus heavier dogi so this is an adjustment. But it will be wonderful for our weather though and I wished I have bought 4 instead of 2. Next time then.

I sent it for name embroidery on the left sleeve last week and was hoping to collect it this week, only to find out that the owner is away and have not programmed the design into the laptop before leaving. That means I will have to wait until next week before I can use it. Nevermind, it is not like I have no dogi to wear and I have a seminar to attend. I can't wait to use it!! hu hu.

"And what would you like to drink, sir?"

I must say I have loss a fair bit of weight since the beginning of this year and I think it was for a variety of reasons. Mourning, vegetarian diet, training and more training etc. Clothes that I bought 10 years ago still fit and I am feeling good about myself, barring certain days when I do not have enough sleep or eat.

I got myself a couple of haircuts too. First I cut off about 4 inches of my hair which took me 6 months to grow. The hairdresser was cutting and cutting and finally she commented "you have ALOT of hair!" hahahaha. The subsequent haircut saw more hair been chopped off and after work today I am going to get yeat another haircut. I like my hairdo nevertheless. It is very manageable and it take a much shorter time to dry. I don't even need to comb it, just slap on some hairwax and ta-dah!

Not many people are agreeable with my current hairdo though. My family members think that I have lost a big chunk of feminity along with the hair that was chopped off. One commented that I look like a boy. Others have said that they prefer me with long hair. Makes me look more ladylike. The list goes on. But I have one notable addition. Please read on.

So it was another night of hard training at the dojo. There were only the 3 of us seniors that night and the effects of lack of sleep, warm temperature and serious training manifested in frequent requests for water break and catching of air. I can't begin to think of the "intensive training" that awaits us in August 2009!



I went for supper after training. The waitress came over and before she could say anything I ordered a bowl of mushroom soup, to which she asked "and what would you like to drink, sir?" The question didn't register at first because I was feeling rather knackered, but after 3 seconds the last word of the waitress' question echoed in my mind.

Inner reaction--->Apa? Sir???
Outward reaction---> Really ah? Do I look like a sir to you?

Obviously the waitress was embarrassed. I don't think she meant any offence at all. Sometimes you get stuck with certain words when you keep using them again and again. Or maybe I DO look like a boy hahaha. But it didn't get to me, honestly. Because it was what it was. The moment has passed and attachment to that moment is pointless.

Amusing though, do you agree with me?

Majlis Bersanding of Chin and H

The cool couple. Chin looks absolutely gorgeous.


A look of a very happy man!

"Why do human beings die so miserably, so unhappily, with a disease, old age, senility, the body shrunk, ugly? Why can’t they die naturally and as beautifully as this leaf? What is wrong with us? In spite of all the doctors, medicines and hospitals, operations and all the agony of life, and the pleasures too, we don’t seem able to die with dignity, simplicity, and with a smile… As you teach children mathematics, writing, reading and all the business of acquiring knowledge, they should also be taught the great dignity of death, not as a morbid, unhappy thing that one has to face eventually, but as something of daily life—the daily life of looking at the blue sky and the grasshopper on a leaf"

~Jiddu Krishnamurti~

Chin's malam berpacar

When I arrived at Chin's place Andre was doing the finishing touches on Chin's hair. There is a debate on whether to put the veil which will cover that nice bun of her's.



After a while the bride decided that she will do without the veil and opted for flowers instead.



And ta-dah!



What a stunner this bride is.



Posing with sis-ta Zana



Cousin Sophy came in and said that he wanted a picture with the bride too!



Evidence of Sophy's attendance someone murmured hehehe.



Bride taking her seat.



Looking all smiles.



I am ready!



Bride's daddy







Don't forget to turn and smile for the cameras!


With Lulu and the stunning bride

Congratulations to R & H on their marriage

Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness together!

Suz's BBQ birthday do

One happy family!


Birthday girls smashing K.I.S.S cake


The girlies having a good time


Until the monkeys started to eye on our things


The ladies going after going after the mung-key


"Catch me if you can!" They got Lisa's water bottle.


Eljaz and his daddy taking a walk.


"What are you looking at?"



Feeling the heat.


James and Eljaz at the seesaw

Makan Makan

Time sure flies and in another 2 weeks my vegetarian days will officially end. It is not that I am really looking forward to eating meat but it is just that when I started off on it 100 days seemed like quite a long time. It is not actually. I am sure though that I will need to slowly ease myself back to meat eating again...first of which being LAMB. Maybe I will have a lamb shank at Saffron.

Whatever it is nothing (well almost nothing I think) will deter from enjoying food!

Below are some of the recent photos I took in one of my need-to-take-shots episodes.

My soup noodles with mock duck


Fried dumplings - no go




Vegetarian cold platter. Nice


Peking duck- looks good but no go


Oink chops - no go


Sweet and sour chicken - no go


Minced tofu - as much as I would like to have some, it has meat in it and hence no go


Stir friend peking duck - no go


Belgium waffles with ice cream and hot chocolate - YESSSSSSS

"you are free to go"

Those 5 words have different meaning to different people in different circumstances. for some it may be a phrase they hear regularly on dispensation of service. It may also be a phrase that a parent says to his child who has served his domestic detention order.

Today however, this phrase was said to someone who REALLY wanted to hear it. I will never forget the look on his face when it was said to him. He had a look of utter relief and uncontrollable joy as he looked upward to the ceiling. As he tilt his head to the floor, he buried his face in his hands, and uttered words of thank to the Almighty. This man was convicted of drug trafficking and was sentenced to be hung until dead. He fought for his innocence. His appeal was heard and granted by the Court of Appeal. After the Court delivered its sentence, the interpreter walked to the dock where he was sitting and said to him, "You are free to go."

I cannot imagine at all how much those 5 words must have meant to him at that time. His life was on the line and it was his last bet to prove his innocence. It paid off in the end and the cuffs will be taken off his wrists. He gets to go home, where he will be received by all, eat warm home cooked meals and spend time with his love ones. Now he can go and earn a living, provide for his family and have some quality of life.

I lamented the fact that I have to come back after obtaining my CLP. I lamented the fact that I lacked options because of my national status then I complained that there was nothing much to do. I feared that I will regress and rot. I worked hard at my job, look for things to do to spend my time, taking time out with family, go on holidays and visit my friends and relatives, take up scuba diving, train in aikido, drive a fast car. I refused to give up and try to make my life the best I can.

But if I didn't have some sort of freedom in the first place, I couldn't even complain of my lack of options. I wouldn't be doing whatever I am doing now and having a great time. I am sure the accused would want to trade his life for mine at any time.

Don't take anything for granted Chui, because you don't know what will happen tomorrow. As long as you keep yourself in good health, earn a decent living and keep away from the long arms of the law...there are plenty of things you are free to do.

Carpe Diem.

Lo and behold! I am coming for you in July 2009!

Lamb shank!