Ten thousands thundering typhoons ...

and billions of blistering barnacles!

Ohhh ... I love Tin Tin! And Snowy! And Captain Haddock! And Prof Calculus!

Check out Tin Tin here.

Perhaps I should get all the adventures of Tin Tin on VCD too. But movie can be so slow sometimes. Still the comic books are the best. When was the last time I read them? Two years ago? Hmm, maybe I should read them every two years then. heh.

Snowy is a wire haired fox-terrier. :)

*****

And when am I going to learn that we shouldn't do our homework 3 hours before lesson? heh.

*****

Oh wow .. Tin Tin's official webpage is damn impressive!! *eyes big big*

heh heh

Look at all the nice things to buy too! :P

Just came back from the new Jurong East Regional Library. Wow. The place is HUGE. Very NICE! New and nice. And lots of new books! and too many bloody people. What are so many people doing there anyway? If you ask me, I'd say Singapore is getting too crowded. Crazy. The queues are crazy. And we want the population to grow? Anyway, the library is really a nice place now. I shall go there at night when it's less quiet and when all the hype has died down. I drool at all the new books! heh heh. I might even pick up some Terry Prachett's books. At least now they are brand new!

Got some videos - Tin Tin and the Black Island! *lol* And A.C's Evil under the sun. Got this book 'Bible Code 2' hmmmm ... end of the world in 2006. You believe in this stuffs? Who knows?

Anyway, roast chicken wings for dinner ... *drool* :) :) :)

Dogs and Cats

I once thought of getting a dog and a cat when I move into my new house. My dog will have to be an intelligent one, not like those irritating ones which go 'yap yap yappity yap yap' all day. I also don't want a dog which is small and furry - cute, yes, but looks quite stupid and vain.

My friend W's greyhound is actually a good choice. He's smart, doesn't bark a lot, runs fast and is really quite sweet. I baby-sat him once, and it was quite fun, we did tugs of war, ran around the house and he tried to get on the sofa with me. (Friend said he's not allowed on sofa though) The only thing he didn't do was to obey my orders when I tried to get him to do tricks. *humf* My friend said he's too clever to take orders from me. Not even for his favourite snack! *growl* Well, at least he didn't throw up on me like he did with my friend's brother. heh heh. To digress, what happened was that when her brother came home from Aus, her dog took a look at him and threw up all his dinner! Seriously! Honestly, her brother isn't the ugliest looking human in the world, but oh well, who knows what a dog thinks?

Then there's this dog staying at my in-laws' next door. Now, that is the most irritating and annoying little peskie breed of dogs. It's a silly terrier I think, whoops i mean sul..silky terrier, and it thinks it owns the whole neighbourhood. You can hear its high-pitch yelping all day round. Never get tired, that little brute. Runs around in circles barking its head off. I wish it would - bark its head off. Once it was actually out of the house, saw my hubby and started its usual yelping. My hubby stared at it, held out his hands in a grip and started moving in, the stupid dog actually turned and ran, stayed at a distance and started yelping again. *GROWL* I sure feel like squeezing its neck too!

Anyway, coming back to the types of dogs I like, I'd prefer a beagle, like Snoopy. But beagles are considered big dogs, and not allowed in apartments, or so I've heard. :( Hmm, second choice would be a Jack Russell I guess, but JR are so common nowadays, and not all JR's are cute too, as a matter of fact. The starhub one is very cute, just a little shaggy, but definitely cute. I don't like JR's all white with a brown head, looks dumb. heh heh. An italian greyhound like Biscuit might be good, but .... he's legs are really too long! Just like a deer, think we not very keen on that too.

Oh yeah, my friend's dog was actually selected for the UOB mini ad, but they changed their mind at the last minute. Damn.

Mongrols can be quite nice too, actually. And they are usually intelligent. At least they are not interbred and have all those defective genes. Hmm, a beagle will be really nice. :P But taking care of a dog is really time-consuming. I'm not sure if I will have the time. *sigh* Taking care of hubby is already taking up a lot of time too. heh heh.

Now cats, on the other hand, don't really need to be taken care of. I'd like to 'steal' the CAT and keep her for ourselves next time. But she'll not be used to her new surroundings and it'll be cruel to take her away from where she's used to be. *sigh* Unfortunately, she is a really bad mother, all her off-springs are cowards and unfriendly and only make lots of mewing noises when they are hungry, expecting us to feed them and refusing to return the affection. There's two of them left and they hang around the front of the house mewing at the top of their tiny voices when they are hungry and slunking away after they are fed, and getting free lodgings too. humf. Give me my CAT anytime. I miss the CAT. If she's here right now, she'll be having her head on my feet and purring away like anything. And she's one cat who really loves to be hugged too. Will we ever find another cat like her? :(

Learning on the Job - Photoblogging

Everyone is doing it. I shall do it too. heh heh. Here are some reeeaaally cute pics of my friend W's dog. Her dog is called Biscuit. Too intelligent for his own good, I'd think. heh heh

Problems encountered: Damn, can't put all the photos in one post!! Ack! Unless I do it manually? ... nah ... too much trouble. Isn't there an easier way? *rolls eyes*

Oh well ... isn't her dog cute? :)

Next up: When I get my pics of my CAT ... heh heh heh. Now where is my digital camera?

The pup at 8 weeks.

the DOG! So cute!! *sniff sniff*

See my bat's ears? All the better to hear you with. muhahahaha!

You bury me? I shall ignore you ... the sea is beautiful! *humf*

Oh Wise One .... we bow to you. Bow Wow Bow Wow.

Cats and Dogs revisited

Which is cuter? Cats or Dogs?

Cats:
the CAT;
Puss in Boots in Shrek 2. Oohhh ... the big cutie eyes! *melts*

Dogs:
My friend W's greyhound. That is I think it is a greyhound. He is cute because he looks damn intelligent. Description: Think - small deer with bat's ears and rat's tail. *LOL*

Don't know any other cats or dogs. Stray cats are usually not very cute. Overall dogs are cuter. But all cannot win my CAT. :)

Musings

Can words ever wear out?

I read somewhere a long time ago that when kids are small, they get lots of positive encouragement from their parents and loved ones. The first step they took is accompanied by ooohs .. aahhh .. look! he walks! Smiles, hugs, cheers and lots of love glowed from the proud parents. Babies' googoogaga are met with exclaimations of joy and the first moment the baby says mama or papa is even captured on film! Err, not me of course, but I believed I had my fair share from my parents. Though not as much as my brother. *humf* As one grew older, such encouraging praises became less. Parents became extremely critical. Why did you not get 100 for this test? Why only 90? Keep quiet! Don't make so much noise. You're fat. You're ugly. You stupid bloody #&(@&* etc etc. And kids grow up to become just as critical and it became a vicious cycle.

So why not be encouraging? Why not tell your loved ones everyday that you love them? Do the words become meaningless and insincere if such positive reinforcements are said many times? If one feels that they do, then they become so. But perhaps if they are said many times the words do not fade away, instead the feelings for one another becomes stronger. Besides I don't ever want to regret not saying the things I want to say until it is too late. I don't believe words get worn out. It's just like reading. A book. I'll read it again if it's a good book and if I liked it. It's just like writing this blog, my diary. I'll read what I've written now and then to remind myself of my being. These are my memories, my feelings of the days of yesterdays. It helps to make me a better person, to remind myself of the little things that happen in my life. I am self-centered. heh. And it also helps me to improve me English! :)

When I first started teaching, I found it very difficult to give praises and encouragements. Are we always scolding? Are we always so critical? Do we hide the good things from friends and only say things to hurt them or not say anything so that we will seem better than them? Words of praises and encouragements, little things like admiration, how often do we keep them to ourselves, for fear that if we do say them, we would be ridiculed, or accused of flattery, or be brushed off like bread crumbs? How often do we accept compliments with a graceful thank you and a smile and still remain humble? I'm not sure if I do feel good telling people good things about themselves. It doesn't take much to be honest. Sometimes I'm really amazed and impressed by the creativity of my kids. heh heh. Other times, I got carried away and shouted at them at the top of my voice. Lesson learnt: Throwing tantrums may work. But only once. Do not repeat. But seriously, if something is good. Say so. Look for the nice things around you and coax them out with words. heh heh heh, now I sound like I'm fishing for compliments. *grins*

It's amazing how much I have learnt from my kids. I can still remember my first class I taught. And the trials we went through together. They weren't the most 'guai' students around but they were nice and forgiving. Strange, the younger ones are always much nicer than the older ones. Somewhere along the line as they grew up they become different from what they should have been. Must be all the stress and pollution they get. hmm.

Perfection

If you have been following my blog, you'd realise a subtle difference in my blog. Gone are the irritating underlines for the links! Yeeeeaahhhaaaa! And I managed to get a different colour when the mouse hovers above the links!!! Also managed to fix the missing links in the archives. Heh heh ... maybe not a big accomplishment for the experts out there, but seeing that I know peanuts about web stuffs. Ohhh ... I feel so proud of myself! :) Here *pats myself on the back* ... don't worry I won't sprain my arm!

Okie, had some help from:
Lissa Explains
html colours

And took a peek at some highly admirable bloggers too. :)

Ack! Katakana is so damn difficult! Totally crazy! My brain hurts! OUCH!!

:(

More on Books

Murders and Mysteries

Agatha Christie

Ten Little Soldier Boys

Ten little soldier boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were Nine.

Nine little soldier boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were Eight.

Eight little soldier boys travelling in Devon;
One said he’d stay there and then there were Seven.

Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in half and then there were Six.

Six little soldier boys playing with a hive;
A bumble bee stung one, and then there were Five.

Five little soldier boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then there were Four.

Four little soldier boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one then there were Three.

Three little soldier boys walking in a Zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were Two.

Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up, and then there was One.

One little soldier boy left all alone;
He went and hanged himself,

And then there were none.

Frank Green 1869

~ Agatha Christie: And then there were none (1939)

With a simple nursery rhyme like that, she spun an incredible murder story out of it. It is a masterpiece. I love her books! Simple yet efficient. Every book she wrote is like a piece of art. You can see her dedication in each of her books. Her detectives are quirky and amusing. Her murders are done most ingeniously but they are not too incredible to the extent of unbelievable like Sir Authur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Oh, I like Sherlock Holmes too, but AC's just different. :) I first started reading her books 15 years ago, now I'm reading them again and I'll read them again 15 years from now. heh heh.

Her webpage is found at: Agatha Christie Official Webpage

E books:
The Secret Adversary
Mysterious Affair at Styles

Que Sara Sara

When I was just a little girl,
I asked my mother, "What will I be?
Will I be pretty?
Will I be rich?"
Here's what she said to me:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."

When I was just a child in school,
I asked my teacher, "What will I try?
Should I paint pictures"
Should I sing songs?"
This was her wise reply:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."

When I grew up and fell in love.
I asked my sweetheart, "What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows
Day after day?"
Here's what my sweetheart said:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be."

Now I have Children of my own.
They ask their mother, "What will I be?"
Will I be handsome?
Will I be rich?"
I tell them tenderly:

"Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future's not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be.
Que Sera, Sera!"

Somehow the tune of this piece is running in my head. Beautiful piece ... wonder who was the original singer? I have it sung by Janet Seidel. :)

Ohhhh .... Me?

WATER OF EARTH. Mommy! Well, you could be. You are good with plants and small creatures such as children. You're very generous and basically great hearted. You probably make mad whack cookies and are good at managing the household; also businesses. You'd make a good tax person, book keeper, gardener, massage therapist, etc. The ever domestic and practical one, you can stretch a penny and make ramen noodles go a long way.

Quiz created by Polly Snodgrass.

*LOL*

I certainly don't want any children at the moment. Arrgh, can't stand those screaming ones. Some idiotic kids were actually screaming in the stairwell the other day and the echo .... Good gawd, sounds like an army of banshees swopping down for an attack! Mad whack cookies? I don't really like baking. Stuff them in the oven and you don't get to see anything - where's the fun? I did cookies once with my friend's secret (and fermented) dough, quite fun but difficult to find people to consume them. I think I gave some to my now-hubby, and he still had them three months later. *LOL* Stretch a penny? Gosh, I'm spending way to much as it is! :)

Darn, I've found my hardcopy of my C.V. ... hey, but you can still keep the donations coming in! :)

*****

Movie: Zatoichi

Caught it last night. Wasn't really something I had wanted to watch. Was planning for Shrek 2 or Harry Potter. Felt like throwing tantrums, really. Was in an irritable mood. Was glad hubby was patient (well, he almost lose it ;P) ... but I'm really really glad he didn't. To hubby: I love you, dearest! :) :)

Interesting movie, lots of blood splurting everywhere. Quite artistic at times - music and all that, somewhat funny too, as in 'haha' funny. Thought the dance at the last part was too much like Riverdance, it definitely looked wierd to have Japanese people in kimonos (YES KINOMOS) and clogs jumping, well, dancing I mean, to the drum beats. And whistles. Wierd. Overall: hubby 6, myself ... 6.5?

:)

*****

I love you, hubby! :)

My life is in a mess.

Or rather, my room is in a mess.

And so is my desk at work.

Arrgh.

And I can't find my bloody C.V.!

I thought I had a copy in my home computer, I remembered deleting the one in the laptop, and guess what? I must have deleted the one in the home computer too! DUH. That's why one shouldn't be spring cleaning too much. ;) Now, all I need to do is look for the hardcopy, which I think I had it somewhere. I remember seeing it the last time I *tidied* my room. So everything is super neat now, I do not know where it is. There are too many stacks of papers around, neat stacks okie! And anything unsightly is hidden in the cupboards. Hmm, I'll have to dig everything out again. *sigh*

And there's still so much work to do! Arrgh

Now if you are reading this, would like to donate $1 to me? See, if 100,000 people were to donate $1 each, then I'll have $100,000! Or if there were 150,000 people who were to donate $1 each, then I'll have $150,000! Then I could buy my dream car - which is the New Beetle, though I'm not sure now if it's still my dream car, since so many people are seen driving around in it. Besides I'm terrible at parking. Perhaps if 200,000 people were to donate $1 each to me, then I could even buy a Mecs S. Sounds like a great idea eh?

That was what I read at Kino the other day I was there. Shessh, this lady (true life story, really!) actually got people to donate money to her, after writing a sob story about how she had overspent her credit limit and couldn't pay her bills. People actually donated money to her!!! And after she had enough money to pay her bills, she wrote a book, got it printed and that leads to more money!! Okie, remind me again why I am looking for my C.V. ... see, if 100,000 of you human beings out there were to give me just a single $1 ... please .... I would not need to start digging out my C.V. now right? :) Hey, I donate a dollar every month to the CDAC fund! And I do have credit bills to pay too!

*LOL*

Email me if you wish to donate $1. :)

Reading other people's blogs ...

There are many different types of blogs one reads. There are those which felt happy, superficial, skirting through the waves, riding on the wind; emotions - happy, anger, honest ... their blogs are breezy, touches on here, now, short. There are those who describe very well their day, events that impacted them, steep with feelings, thoughts; emotions - deep, unyielding, sometimes un-understandable. Then there are those who wrote in dispair, blaming themselves, wallowing, depression; emotions - confused, mixed, unhappy. There are many different styles of writing, each beautiful in their own way, each mysterious and impressive in their own rights. I wouldn't want to critisize or be judgemental. To each his/her own.

But depressed writings affect me still. There's a feeling of dread deep down in my gut when I read them. It reminded me once of how I felt, of nightmares and things unknown which reaches out their fingers around your neck to squeeze. Deep within ourselves, we all have a hidden something kept locked away. If left unchecked, perhaps it will well out and overwhelm our normal selves. Be it the evilness you have, or the cruel streak in you, or simply depression which may cause dispair, desolation and finally destruction.

Once a long time ago, I was also entrapped by such feelings. The feeling of dispair, emptiness, meaningless, doom ... It was overwhelming, and thoughts swirled round and round in my head, while I stared at the ceiling all day or sat on the window ledge feeling listless, moody and useless. There was no one to talk to, nor an outlet like blogging for me. And it went on, tears every night and using up all energy to face another day. I only snapped out of it when my Grandfather passed away, and I realised that my life is in my own hands, and no one can make me happy. I simply decided to do things instead of waste more of my time and life. Took up driving lessons, yoga, violin, called friends whom I've not spoke to for years, kept myself busy with the things I wanted to do to drive the ghosts of misery away. Being happy simply to exist, to be here. Be thankful that I am still young and healthy. Took control of my life of what I want. Instead of spiralling into the deep negative black hole.

And it worked. :) I bubble with joy and happiness almost everyday. Look forward to the day most of the time, though not when I have an extremely busy day. ;P I am happy and am able to share my happiness with people I love. To be happy, one must have the will to want to be happy. Perhaps some people enjoy being unhappy because that is the only thing they know. Or it is a safe choice where they will not be hurt further. Or they do not know that happiness must come from within, not from people around them. You cannot rely your happiness on someone else! You cannot be happy only because there is someone who loves you. To be happy, it must come within the core of your self, and only then can you reach out and love others, which leads to others loving you. It all starts from yourself. Take control of your life. Be mindful of what you really want. And just do it. Do not let external circumstances dictate your life. Change your mindset! If something doesn't turn out the way you want, look for another alternative way perhaps? *arrgh, I sound like a cliche* :P

I knew a person who was somewhat like someone I read on the blog. Well, it happened a long time ago. She was writing suicidal letters to us, focusing on all her faults and emphasising on her unhappiness. Perhaps it might simply be better to end it off. We tried, from being encouraging to being blunt, to make her see that she wasn't the way she saw herself. At the end of it all, I realised that whatever we say didn't matter. She didn't need us to be truthful, she just needed us to be there for her to listen. I don't know how much I had helped, or if I had made it worse. Eventually she grew out of it, and I hope she has found happiness for herself. Even now, I still don't know if she's happy or perhaps she is simply existing. I still regard her as a good friend, and I hope she does too. I can be very blunt and now sometimes I'm afrad of saying the wrong things. So best just keep my mouth shut. No one likes to listen to advice. :)

To that person on the blog, I wish him all the best and hopes that he recognises that he actually has a lot of friends who are concerned about him. No one can help him step out of his own misery. Only if he wants to then will it work.

Wow. I'm impressed with myself. I actually got my bum out of the house to go for yoga. Managed to conquer the blue sticky cloud of inertia which tends to glue the bum on either bed or chair. I am amazed. There's this feeling you get like when you drop your little grub's ss onto the enemy trapped in a small hole and you do 700+ damage. Or when Hobbs manages to surprise Calvin yet again in their daily tussle. Ohh Hoo! Wham! Incredulous look.

And yoga today was fantastic. :) I'm glad I went. Vinyasa style - non stop. First time I dripped (really dripped). Lovely.