Just found out that I won the "I've Got My Pioneer!" competition! The results were printed in today's Today newspaper.
The contest required me to submit a photo of my home with any Pioneer product, as well as a short description on how the Pioneer product has changed my life (or something along those lines). The win came as a surprise as I received an email from a Pioneer staff a few days back informing me that my submission had been selected as part of the Top 40 entries, and they would like to come to my place for a short photoshoot and interview, which I assumed was to facilitate the selection of the winning entry.
Here is my original entry: The first two things we do when my hubby and I are back from work are: switch on the lights, and then the TV. Watching TV programmes has become a daily necessity – of similar priority to brushing our teeth. We decided on the Kuro Plasma TV for our 1st home because of rave reviews we have heard, as well as its aesthetic appeal. My hubby and I were aware that the TV would be our home’s key feature, and we needed it to fit in with the “raw” feel of our home. Our Kuro has done a perfect job – it has a simple and stylish pure black design that complements our home’s white walls and cement floor, it gives us crystal clear pictures, and we have endless hours of fun in front of our Kuro watching movies, playing Wii, browsing through our holiday photos. Our hours after work and on weekends centers around Kuro. Now, we spend more time at home than we ever had – seriously! One can never underestimate the importance of a good TV – it is of essence if you value quality entertainment like us.
And an abbreviated version was printed: We decided on the Kuro Plasma TV for our 1st home because of rave reviews we have heard, as well as its aesthetic appeal. Our Kuro has done a perfect job – it has a simple and stylish pure black design that complements our home’s white walls and cement floor, it gives us crystal clear pictures, and we have endless hours of fun in front of our Kuro watching movies, playing Wii, browsing through our holiday photos. One can never underestimate the importance of a good TV – it is of essence if you value quality entertainment like us.
It's a pity there are no cash prizes to be won. But nevertheless, still quite happy and I am so proud of my bee-e-u-ti-fuul home =)
Coincidentally, I had also entered into this Women's Weekly Best Beauty Buys Promotions and received a letter earlier this week informing me that I won a Eyelash and Eyebrow Treatment Stick. I had to choose a particular product and sms the product number in order to enter into the promotion. Now I wonder why did I even pick this product in the first place.
Looks like it has been a week of wins! Admittedly, the prizes are not very useful. But for the moment, the thrill of winning still beats the practical aspect of wondering what I will do with the prizes... =)
It is not uncommon to see people indulging in the disgusting but perhaps self-gratifying act of digging one's nose in public. I see that sometimes..usually from old uncles along the street, doing 'the act' with much oblivion as if it is as natural as blinking one's eyes. I usually look away of course...in disgust at 'the act'. But it becomes more horrifying when one sees a lady picking away at her nose and the feeling of horror cum disgust is immediately multiplied when I am unable to look away. This exact scene prompted today's entry.
I was innocently sitting across her and listening to the instructor when I suddenly noticed that she had her index finger to her nostril, with her face towards me. I took a quick glance at her and then immediatly refocused my eyes at the instructor standing diagonally behind her. But I could tell that she had quietly turned her head away from the rest of the class and was facing the instructor and digging away profusely. She would stop for a moment and rub her index and third finger to probably rid them from any debris she had excavated from her nose..then she continued the act. I tried to look away, but it was hard as she was seated right in front of me and I had to look past her in order to look at the instructor. Suddenly, I realised that I could no longer focus on the class and was just hoping and hoping that she would not stretch her hand out towards my direction. The act continued for at least a torturing 5 min and I had to muster all my acting skills to pretend that nothing was happening. I wondered whether anyone else saw that act.
Then after that, she took a small piece of yellow post-it pad and used it to mildly slide it between her teeth. And then she used her fingers (the same ones engaged in the previous act) and slide them along the paper to clear whatever was on the paper. That act was repeated a few times and I just didn't have the heart to look anymore. I just couldn't look any more and I was thrown back to yesterday when she was seated beside me.
She had this habit of scratching her scalp vigorously and then swinging her head slightly so that her hair (which is almost waist length) sweeps around like the Patene hair ad. But in contrast to the ad, the problem is that her back was usually in my face, so I get the 'brunt' of her frequent hair sweeping habit. Frankly, it disgusted me each time she scratched her scalp as she scratched with such strength that the motion is audible. And then with each swing of her head, I had to lean back a little to avoid the hair hitting me. Her hair slightly brushed my face once, but at least her hair did not stink. In fact, I could smell the remnants of the hair product whenever she swept her hair. Not a bad smell, but nonetheless a smell that I'd rather not be acquainted with.
Although the head scratching and hair sweeping actions are bordering on my tolerance limits, I think it can be forgotten with time. But today's 5 minute's live digging, topped with the creative use of paper in lieu of dental floss is in my honest opinion, totally disgusting and unforgettable. I know the next and everytime I see her, I'll recall the act she committed in class that fateful day. And I have actually decided not to touch any of the pencils in the pencil holder tomorrow as one of the pencils was held in the same pair of hands that committed the act of excavation.
I think she is probably a nice gal and intelligent as well. But I take the view that personal ettiquette plays a much larger role. I wonder if it could be a nationality issue, but I have friends from the same nation who are perfectly hygienic. And I wonder if it could be a lack of understanding social norms, but she seems to be an intelligent girl. But whatever, the sad thing is that nobody (other than her close friends and family - provided they don't share the values) will tell her that her acts are bordering on being termed disgusting.
Anyway, she has made such an impact on me that I am still blogging at this time of the night. And I actually bothered to google the following.
(Warning: Video has potential to ruin your appetite)
The eyes of the world will be on Beijing for sixteen days in August of 2008, as the drama of the XXIX Summer Olympics unfolds. But there are two Asian pastimes which have not yet been declared Olympic sports, in spite of the fact that hundreds of millions of Chinese learn them at their parents’ knees and practice them daily throughout their lives. They are the sports of nose picking and “air hanky” tossing, and each is part of the Golden Quintet of Asian Xtreme Hygiene Sports: Nose Cleaning, which really encompasses the two skills of Nose Picking and Air Hanky Tossing; Ear Cleaning; Spitting, and Belching.
The Asian sport of nose picking, which some claim is actually more of an art form, is not limited to any one Asian region. With the exception of Singapore, nose picking is a common occupation in many of Asia’s great cities from Beijing to Tokyo. But it may be, thanks to the upcoming Olympics, a dying art in Beijing.
As China makes a leap forward into the 21st century’s first tier of nations, and in anticipation of the Olympiad, its authorities have taken the unusual step of distributing 4.3 million pamphlets to the citizens of Beijing, instructing them in the art of nasal etiquette and the use of tissue. But in a country where toilet paper is considered such an oddity that tourists are cautioned to carry their own, tissues are as foreign to millions of Chinese as foreigners themselves.
The citizens of Beijing, Hanoi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo are not at all bashful about their nasal cleaning habits. Those who do not engage in a bit of exploratory excavation while standing in line for the bus or enjoying a restaurant meal may instead hurl the infamous “air hanky.” The air hanky technique entails pinching one nostril shut so that the nostril with the most promising content is subjected to the full force of the nose-blower’s exhalation, and those promising contents are expelled into the air.
There’s also the backward snort technique, which allows the mucus-afflicted to draw the phlegm from their nasal passages down into their throats, and expectorate it onto the nearest convenient surface. It usually lands on the ground, but there is no guarantee that your shoe won’t be an obstacle to its safe landing.
Given the heavily polluted air of China, it’s understandable that someone would want to clean out his or her respiratory tract at frequent intervals. But even in Tokyo, where the citizenry otherwise are fanatical about cleanliness, the male commuters spend a good part of their daily travel mining their nasal passages.
In Bangkok, it’s the tuk tuk drivers who usually introduce tourists to the practice of nose picking. In Hanoi, it can be anyone from the restaurant waiters to the fruit vendors. On the busses of Hong Kong one can be treated to a visual smorgasbord of nose picking and ear cleaning accompanied by a cacophony of belching and yawning. The moral of the story?
If you’re hankering for a trip to the 2008 Olympics, you may find Beijing congested with nose pickers. Plan your trip carefully during this time or you’ll be in a sticky situation.
It has been a good 3 months since I've blogged. It is a luxury to be able to sit in front of my laptop to pen my thoughts. For some reason, I always have 'better' stuff to do than to sit down unhurriedly in front of my laptop. One mantra in my life is 'Time is precious'...I'd prefer to buzz around getting things done than relaxing and doing nothing. But I'm trying to change that.
When I am in front of my laptop, I'm usually checking emails or reading financial news - my brain feels abit empty when it isn't soaked with the latest financial news of the day. Otherwise, I'll be ironing clothes while watching TV. And in the recent past weeks, I've had friends over my place which means lotsa cleaning up and packing and preparing for these gatherings.
Today is one of those days on which I have finally decided to reward myself with a bit of blogging. Arghh, there's still ironing to do and an evening jog later, but well let me pen down some thoughts first.
Thoughts for 2009:
1) Thankfully in the midst of the mega financial crisis, I have found a job. There're still classes everyday, so I do not really feel like I'm doing actual work. But come March when training ends and I'll be an official working professional. I am still unsure of the actual work hours I'll be clocking, but I'll definitely try to work hard. I pray and hope that it'll be a conducive work environment. God had led me to this job - given that this function was not what I initially applied for and I wasn't sure I would clear the numerous rounds. But it happened and I'm hoping that I will be able to contribute & value-add in many ways to this organisation.
2) I have changed. There is a practical streak flowing in me now. From the girl who loved screamingly loud colours like shocking pink and cheery orange, I've evolved to become a black-and-white person. I think I have been partly influenced by the basic colours in my home - there is only room for grey, black, white and a bit of red items. All other colours are strictly no-no. Recent updates to my wardrobe were generally black and white items - partly because they are easier to match, and also because these colours are more invisible to perspiration stains. And oh, skirts/pants should be black or dark coloured because light coloured bottoms get dirty easily. The shopperholic in me has been restraining from purchasing more footwear for work. I used to have at least 8 pairs of work shoes and these have dwindled to half the number. And all of them are covered-toes for that professional image.
3) I now prefer to simple things in life and I think it has to do with age. Regular visits to expensive restaurants are now reserved only for blue moon events. Nothing to do with tightening the purse strings though...its just that I have discovered my inner love for local food and the best local food are served at hawker centres and coffeeshops (just look for the longest queues), not posh nosh restaurants. But I will never tire of the Wagyu Beef at Shiro, the only beef steak that I enjoy from Mortons and the great dining experience at Ember. These will be the restaurants I pop into for the occasional indulgence.
4) I am postponing my dream purchase of a Mini-Cooper and staying loyal to my almost 4-year old Colt. COE prices are at a low, and there is a temptation to switch to my dream car. No other car will do. But the depreciation rates are disgustingly high and it makes no sense to purchase a new car when I am better off saving the money for investments.
5) I have started attending cell group - something I have postponed for years. I hope attending cell will help me grow closer to the Lord. I am still adjusting to the new church, but I know in time I will. I know that just as Lord had led me to my current job, He had also led me to this church.
6) Getting rid of the old pessimistic self and learning to realise that there is no point getting upset over events out of my control. I am consciously trying to be positive and making the best of my situation, especially when I'm treading on unfamiliar grounds. With a new workplace & a new church, I feel tired at times. But I know in time, all will work out well.
7) I have found a love for baking. And I can officially claim that I am a better baker & cook than my hubby =)
8) I still love shopping, watching movies, and continue to have an insatiable appetite for chocolate. But I am hoping to find time to do a bit of regular reading.
9) I am starting to experience the decrease in metabolism with age increases. Its not difficult to figure out the solution to the following equation: Older Age + Lower Metabolism + Same Intake of Calories + Perennial Love for Anything Chocolate + Constant Inner Debate on How to Make Exercise More Enjoyable This is why I have to go for that evening run later...not to mention the chocolate truffle cake I had yesterday and the yummilicious peannut butter cupcake the day before.
10) I hope to continue my interest in keyboard. With zero music background and more workload coming my way, I hope to continue attending keyboard classes and improving my keyboard skills. I play once in a while now..I'm not great, but at least I can sing and play simple rhythms.
Now that my thoughts have reached a perfect 10, I think it is an appropriate to end my first blog for 2009. I hope I will accomplish much and all that I wish for. Will definitely update in my first blog for 2010.
New Year's Day @ Pulau Ubin Chinese New Year - Ladies Galore!
Someone who doesn't feel her age and (hopefully!) doesn't look her age either. Someone who loves to laugh and yet loves to cry, who loves to help but yet fears rejection. Someone who has decided that life is best lived meaningfully, purposefully, optimistically. Someone who does not want to live life with regrets, and tries to do what she can to live life to the fullest, within the constraints in her life.
