After Hitch

I have noticed a trend!!!!

Men are starting to need help with their love life (ok, so maybe they always did) but the point is, now there are services to help them!!! Services by men for men to teach them how to date! And its all university based..you don't wait till you start work and feel "old" and "on the shelf" anymore..nip the problem in the bud!

Theres the LOVE CLINIC in Singapore, set up by 3 NUS med students, who by the way, have never dated before. And if you want to see more antics, search for the dating episodes of girls out loud on youtube. Girls out loud is a Singapore tv show hosted by Xiaxue and Rosalyn...

And in UC Berkeley, theres this, set up by 2 Computer Science majors I think (notice the trend here), though from their profiles they do seem more successful with love than their counterparts in Singapore. Then again, it could just be plain marketing. Its is pretting interesting though......
http://attractionessentials.com/

Can someone set up one for my school?

Singapore Politics... When to let go?

My blog is definitely not politically inclined... Its just one of my life. Yes, my puny life on this planet of billions. Its not of national issues or hot babes or politics or whatever else pple like to gripe about. Damn its fun to bitch aint it.

But this article caught my eye...And this definitely did not come up in the Straits Times newspaper at all. (cos I was pretty damn bored on friday afternoon and was reading ST online)
While I can't say I particularly respect the SDP (my friends and I agreed over coffee at Cafe Amalfi in SOHO that for whatever reason, Singapore lacks a credible opposition), I'm not sure this is the way to go for the government. We also agreed that a problem in Singapore politically is that people FAIL to separate the civil service from the politicians. After all, technicaly, the civil service is suppose to be apolitical. It serves whoever the incumbent party is that wins the general election.

I always try to hard to defend Singapore's lack of "human rights" from my westernised friends when I am abroad. After all, who are they to complain? I don't feel particularly oppressed honestly so stop comparing us to yourselves you human rights activists!!! What makes you think you can use your benchmark to judge me/ us? After all, in the USA, to be a politician, you have to know the right people (this is the case MOST of the time). Human rights? BAH

But this definitely does not help my case... go to Singabloodypore.blogspot.com for more. Can't say I like the blog name...sure bitch against the government cos thats only normal right? Grass always greener on the other side of every fence. But have some pride in your country?
Having said that...kinda disturbing don't you think? And most of singapore doesnt even know abt it...

This article was taken from the BBC on 13th of April

Europe MPs 'gagged' by Singapore

The MEPs had been invited by an opposition politician

Singapore has been accused of acting like an "authoritarian state" after refusing to allow European Parliament members to speak during a visit.

The seven MEPs, as well as a Cambodian and a Philippines congresswoman, were denied permission to speak at a forum on democracy in Europe and Asia.

One MEP likened the Singaporeans' to repressive regimes such as North Korea.

The Singapore government said foreigners did not have permission to address the event.

The seven MEPs, from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), came to Singapore after earlier speaking at a forum in Indonesia.

'Authoritarian state'

"I fear that, in this sense at least, it puts Singapore in a league with North Korea, Myanmar and the People's Republic of China," MEP Graham Watson was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

"What has happened today proves that Singapore is an authoritarian state," said Ignasi Guardans, a Spanish MEP.

The MEPs had been invited to speak by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) led by Chee Soon Juan, opponents of the People's Action Party which has ruled the island state since 1959.

"Singapore's politics are reserved for Singaporeans. As visitors to our country, foreigners should not abuse their privilege by interfering in our domestic politics," Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement.

Days and Nights in London

Some snapshots of nights out in London


Revolution: a Vodka Bar that has flavoured shots ranging from chocolate to bubblegum to mint to CHILLI!!!!! My friends tried it..Try @ your own PERIL. You have been warned....


Went out last night with Joanna and Lydia to Glass Bar in Picadilly Circus. Lots of attitude but it was pretty...


I had champagne with strawberries....(at the bottom so you cant see it) And they turned the straw upside down to be cool...HAHA



...followed by a PIG OUT session @ Hagen Daz with Joanna and Kristy (cos Lydia had to wake up early the next day) CHOCOLATE FONDUE!!!!!!!!! I think I need to work out....


Random Stroll in Covent Garden on a beautiful Saturday! I saw this on Monmouth Street. Don't you think it reminds you of the trash can that Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street lives in?
BTW, OScar is one of my favourite Sesame street characterS!!! :) (cos he reminds me of me when i'm in a bad mood hahahaha)



A stall selling BUTTONS in Covent Garden Market...This is just for my mum to seee :P
Happy Mother's Day!!!
Its kinda cool though..so many different types, shapes, sizes, materials.....WOW Look at the huge ones!!!!!!

Stop! And smell the roses.

This happened 3 days ago

I feel amazingly at peace with the world.
Kinda cool considering just yesterday I was at an all time low. Maybe its PMS. Yesterday was a terrible terrible day. I couldn't even sleep.

But today.

Today.

Today, I stopped and smelled the roses.
After a whole day of studying in the LSE library I call "second home" now, I went back, somewhat exhausted. But I decided to go out for a walk by myself.

I bought a chicken pie from Kowloon Bakery in Chinatown on Gerrard Street (its actually pretty good) and walked to Leicestor square while eating. The chicken pie reminds me of the Prima Deli one back in Singapore. Other things you can try there are the green bean pastry/ cake, and the banana cake.

Bought a smoothie from Tesco's and sat in Covent Garden on a bench, watching the world go by.




Strolled back home, stopping by Neal's Yard deli to get a herb cheese bread for a pound, take away. And munched on it while I walked back to the hall. By the way, Neal's Yard is a beautiful hidden little area in Covent Garden you should go check out. Its so colourful, and has some interesting little shops. A little bohemian hideaway!

Marvellous.

Life is short. Why Kill?

IN ADDITION (some after thoughts)

Koreans actually were apologetic for it..I don't see why they should be. Isn't it an individual's probem that he is a nutcase? Why should it become a national problem?
I suppose its cos of the Korean Identity, Nationalism thing.... how they have lots of korean pride. Its pretty interesting is it not..a country taking on the burden of someone's crime?
And the poor family too......
Why should Korea apologize? Makes it even more racial/ national.....

If you didn't already read about the Virginia Tech shootings......

Sometimes you wonder why these people go about rampaging and hurt not just themselves but those around them. And those left behind alive. Family, friends, other students..the emotional scar will be there. I cant imagine it happening in Berkeley... I didn't even have a very high level of gun consciousness in Berkeley. Though I am sure it was around..somewhere....

Shattering the idyllic student town. And life.

Access to guns...another problem? Guns can kill. duh. Tell Bush that.

Overdue Easter Egg, Gray's Anatomy and Cheap tickets to NY

I was watching Gray's Anatomy (my 2nd time watching TV since I got here!!!) with Kumiko and Gladys yesterday as we ate our 1 week overdue Easter Egg. Yes, I succumbed and bought a 5 pound easter egg with Kumiko, all in the spirit of Easter!! (overdue but hey I ate too much junk last weekend..need to spread the unhealthy food out) IT WAS YUMMIE. and so pretty!

Belgian Chocolate! Pretty Packaging..


Kumiko looking all happy as she picks her "poison" (death by chocolate?)


Little Chocolate in Big Chocolate egg!



Anyway, in the episode we saw, a woman's fiance was diagnosed with a heart problem They were like...40s? And then cos she couldn't handle the pressure, she broke off the engagement. What a @##$. It makes me so cynical about the ideal of love.

But. On the other hand.
How many of us would care for a sick man lying in his bed for the nest 10 years of his life? IF we were only engaged? OR even if we were married, how much love does it take for us to do that? X amount to get married X+Y amount to make a huge sacrifice? It reallly got me thinking...... Such a complicated issue. How does one consider emotions and rationality on the same page?

And on a lighter note. I'm booking my plane tickets for New York in summer. Or thinking/ trying to. I've been getting terribly indecisive these days. Must be the wonder of the internet. haha. FLEXIBILITY is the name of the game nowadays!
www.flyzoom.com has 129 pound one way tickets to NY!!! sO CHEAP! Its a Canadian budget airline. Go check it out if you have plans... BUT the downside is. You have to pay 3 quid for headphones (fine by me) AND I think baggage limit is 20kg.
Total price comes up to about 260 pounds.

I coulda gotten roundtrip on a proper airline..Air Canada for 240 pounds with one stopover..but indecisiveness kicked in and after 12 midnight the price todays is 340 pounds. AAHHHHH
This is why people who plan ahead tend to be rewarded with cheaper air tickets, hotels etc etc

Entering the mid 20 crisis

WHAT CRISIS????? you're only in your 20s!!!! Still so young!!!!!

I swear the mid 20s crisis exists. Its a point in your life where you feel that:

1. You're too old to party anymore. No more energy!

2. ____ (in this case St Paul's Cathedral), is so beautiful and you wish you had someone to share it with. Not just look at its beauty by yourself (and take a photo cos its so pretty), which is what I did
3. You just wanna be a pig and laze around at home zzzzz

4. Even travelling is getting tiring....


So. WHY???? What happened?!?!??!?!?!?!!
I was discussing this with my friend in Stanford...he is 24 and he feels like he isn't exactly at a good point at his life. He feels he will never find someone cos he wants a girl who speaks Mandarin and hes in USA, school (PhD) is starting to get tough..
My girlfriends (the single ones) and I constantly wish we had someone to share things with.

I think its the problem of going past the age of 21. 21 was like woohooo!!! I'm officially an adult (kinda) in the eyes of the law, if NEVER in the eyes of my parents.
22 was like...ok, one year past 21. I'm definitely "old".
23 is like..oh shit man..A few months before I start work
I can't qualify for the STA Student Travel Card in 3 years time, 4 years before I join a dating agency. -looks around- AND 2 OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS ARE ATTACHED! I'll never find someone.
my parents are older.. my sister is starting to look like my age..

AND WHAT GAVE I DONE WITH MY LIFE? 23 x 2= 46. I have lived 23 years, another 23 will go by just like that. and i havent done anything!?!??!?!?!?!?

I am just plodding along on the normal, "normal" course of life. School. Work. Marriage. Kids. Death. ok. Grandkids before that.
Is that what I want? Not like I can make a change till I am about 28 years old.. o my gawd..28...

People tell me that I am still young. Some of them quite condescendingly, some of them shaking their head. This young punk. Ok, so I am youngER. Not sure about young. haha. I guess maybe its a transition point in my life...from school to work. But I don't know what I want..is giving up one year of my life to try work in another field, that won't have much of an impact on my career for 6 years worth it? How much time do I have? Do I have time to "experience life" anymore? NO MORE summer holidays to do internships in Shanghai for fun, go to HK for some free program...
NO MORE leeway to study and do work when I want.. its 9am-7pm soon! Where my standard of living depends on my performance..though thankfully I am the female and therefore theres less pressure than if I were a guy -phew-

Ok BREATHE

So I am kinda looking forward to work. After all this studying, I want to see how I can do in the supposed real world. And sides, I'm sick of studying. I'm not looking forward to the constraints of work, but I don't mind getting down to it!
I'll have $$ to enjoy life and give some to my parents. (yes i have this crazy dream to buy them a sports car)
And I'm actually looking forward to singapore though I'm sure I'll think otherwise once I actually AM in Singapore. I'll have to build up connections and friends again n all that stuff..arrgghz

Don't get me wrong. London is great. Maybe if my family were here I could stay here longer..another 5 years? 2 years if they weren't. But. Its not the same somehow. I'll never be a real member/ citizen. I can live in my little Asian/ Oriental/ Singaporean community...but then what. Its like creating my own Chinatown! HAHA

Ok. I digress. I feel a lot better. EXAMS!! Here I come to conqueor you!!!!!

Sizing

My friend told me recently... that I was above average Singaporean girl's size. Which he claims is a good thing. BLEAH. Depressing.
Anyway, I thought this might be interesting!

From Bebe, a sexy American brand...


From Esprit..a HK brandFrom Abercrombie and Fitch, an American brand

A "S" at bebe is slightly bigger than an Esprit and a A&F "S"
Its actually pretty interesting how Esprit and A & F have similar definitions of "S"

However, A & F's XL goes all the way to waist 32 while Esprit's stops at 31.5 (waist size)

I actually find this a pretty surprising result because I always thought that Esprit, being a HK brand, would have smaller sizing in general than the American brands. Then again, Esprit is pretty international now isn't it?
ALTHOUGH, the XS in Esprit does get a lot smaller than the other 2 brands...

I tried looking for a size chart for Giordano but you can't really shop for it online..and since theres no Giordano (or its clones Bossini, Hang ten etc) here, I can't compare sizes! However, I would think its smaller. One thing for sure though, the sizes at the shops in Far East Plaza are usually smaller........Remind me not to shop there when I get back till I lose weight... if thats even possible!