Litterbugs.
Saturday, August 22, 2009, 03:07 p.m. #1624.
Was waiting at the bus-stop when this lady in her early thirties with many plastic bags came to stand beside me. Then she decided to change into a new pair of slippers that she just bought, so she took out her shoes and socks and brought out the new slippers. All that was fine by me despite the awkward location chosen for the shoe-change, until she tore out the brand tag and conveniently tossed it on the floor. I was about to let that go but she continued to tear out the price sticker on her slippers and stuck it on the pillar in front of her.
I confess that I'm usually a passive onlooker in such situations but this time I really couldn't stomach this blatant lack of civic-consciousness - walked up to the lady, tapped on her shoulders, and said in a sufficiently loud voice so that the other people at the bus-stop could hear, "Excuse me, miss, the trash bin is just over there - if you want to throw things away, please throw them in the bin."
The lady was suitably embarrassed and didn't even dare to look at me, as she quietly pulled out the sticker and tucked it into her bag.
When my bus came and I boarded the bus, I saw some newspapers on the seat at the bus-stop - most likely left behind by someone else again... Seriously, what is wrong with all these people?!
Blissful Birthday.
Sunday, August 16, 2009, 09:49 p.m. #1623.
The first half of the day was spent slogging at the computer, setting exam papers.
Ended the day with a lovely dinner at 千禧楼 with my family.
The food turned out to be pretty good and reasonably-priced - a 6-course dinner cost only slightly more than a hundred bucks - and no service charge (but the service had been really good)!
To top it all off, Sis got me some super-nice Japanese Royce chocolates. (Isn't the insulating bag super-cool as well?) Slurp!
P.S. Am really warmed by the hundreds of Facebook well-wishes and sms-es. Thanks to all!
Early Birthday Thanks.
Saturday, August 15, 2009, 03:14 p.m. #1622.
Have been really busy for the past few weeks - I don't even want to talk about them. Anyway, am really warmed by the early birthday wishes from the people around me.
The first birthday "gift" came from JJ, who painstakingly helped me reserved seats for a restaurant one month ago as I mentioned that I wouldn't mind bringing my family out for a meal on my birthday (the restaurant allows one-month advance booking, and the seats will usually be snapped up within minutes when the call lines are open). But I had to cancel the reservation after I researched on the place as the food didn't exactly fit my parents' palette. Nevertheless I was really touched by the fact that she had to constantly remind herself to make the call booking at the right time early in the morning. Really, really appreciated it!
The second gift came from a student yesterday. She asked me to look into my pigeonhole for a surprise, but I was so busy that I couldn't go to my pigeonhole. When I finally did at the end of the day, I found an envelope containing a handmade card and some sweets. The card was made from a piece of drawing block paper, and she had drawn pictures using color pencils. There was also a handwritten thank-you note. Loved the card for its simplicity and sincerity (yes, I especially love handmade cards).
Then today I got my third gift from Eriko.
Lovely curry chicken pies.
A Bjork live album and a note written on Japanese letter paper. I told her it had the "Hao Jiao 7 Hao" (海角七号) feel.
Not sure whether I'll be going out for a meal with my family tomorrow. I have so many deadlines to meet - may well end up slogging my birthday away in front of the computer...
Up and the Merlion.
Saturday, August 8, 2009, 04:37 p.m. #1621.
Guess how much this cost?...
Taiwanese chicken cutlet with rice, and a big, hot pot of dongfen soup with soya-sauce-marinated egg... Only $4.50! It may not look very impressive, but it is surprisingly tasty and extremely value-for-money, at Tampines Mall Kopitiam. Highly recommended.
Watched "Up" last night with my 2007-batch of ex-students after having dinner with them. The first part of the movie was really touching - a love story that spanned fifty years told in ten minutes. There were a few boring moments later on, but overall it is really a great animation for all ages nevertheless.
When the lights came on, I realised my present batch of graduating students were just one row in front (they didn't see me), and when we went to the toilet, I met another ex-student who was of the 2006-batch. Met a few students again when I was waiting at the bus stop. Tampines is really not a place where I can walk around anonymously.
Shall end today's entry with my student's unique depiction of Singapore's famous merlion.
NDP Preview.
Saturday, August 1, 2009, 11:15 p.m. #1620.
Thanks to Clarine's hubby, my sis and I got to watch the NDP preview today. The last time I attended the NDP was when I was in the army, and I had to usher the children performers. And I think many years ago when I was still a child, I've attended one as an audience, but my memory of that experience has become extremely vague by now. Have tried to ballot for NDP tickets for the past few years, but I haven't had much luck.
The journey to Marina Bay had been long and tedious. We had to make detours and go up and down many flights of stairs (one was even unlit) before we got to the venue. But once we settled down, the show that started made it worth all the while.
This segment is always a crowd-pleaser. A giant bird circled above the stage at the same time.
Unmissable in every NDP.
Sang Nila Utama almost looked cross-eyed here.
One performance after another...
From day...
To night...
And the Flyer...
Joined in the celebration as the evening got darker.
The most beautiful prop of all...
The heart-shaped lanterns that created this spectacular sea of waving lights.
The stage changed color at every scene.
Woot!
Wooh!
Wow!
Wee!
The night ended with these charming paper boats floating over Marina Bay. As I was taking this picture, plastic bags full of trash were flying over my head as people were shooting their trash into the dumping area beside me.
The goodie bag was really full of goodies. Besides the hand-shaped drum, the heart-shaped lantern and the Singapore flag (with a standing post), there were the priceless NDP DVD (containing 16 MTVs of past NDP songs, from this year's "What Do You You See" to "Count on Me Singapore"), the programme booklet (in ten chapters), a thick "Our Dream for Singapore" booklet (especially love the dreams written by children), 8 Days NDP Special, face tattoos, postcard, discount coupons, food...
But the cutest of them all has to be this little hand-drum set, with a little Mr Bean at the end of the drumstick. =)
P.S. Took nearly three hundred pictures today, wish I could upload them all!