24 Feb 06 — Sometimes I think we deliberate too much and don’t give ourselves enough credit. Why I say this is cause during the recent trip back, there was this friend, Beng, who I really thought I should call and catch up with, haven’t done so for such a long time, even though when we accidentally “found” each other again on the internet previously, we were thrilled to bits. But then he stopped writing and I just wasn’t sure… he seemed so busy, didn’t want to get into his way. I mean, just ‘cos I go home to Singapore doesn’t mean I’m such a big shot that everyone has to make time for me right? I think better not call lah… So those were the thoughts running through my mind; so much so that I even conveniently decide to leave him out of the ROM guest list. Nonetheless every time William and I pass by Tanjong Pagar (that’s where Beng stays) to look at bridal stores, I always thought to call. Then the cycle repeats, I convince myself I’m not important enough, he won’t have time and I don’t.

Then I come back to Sydney, happened to look at his website, and was excited to see he had a new entry, he hasn’t had one for 10 months! So great! He’s still out there somewhere, alive and kicking. In my excitement, I decided to drop him a two-liner, ‘cos you know, he won’t have the time to read a long email from me… but then, guess what happens? He comes back with a gushing sweet long email about how excited he was to see the pictures of Wil and I at our ROM, how he has missed me too, and how he had even contemplated calling my house during Chinese New Year but chickened out of it, and the email itself was titled “MUACCCCKKKSSS”…

Geez! So you see what I mean when I say we deliberate too much? Turns out Beng had the same thoughts running through his mind. Sometimes we think we’re doing the other person a favour by not imposing ourselves on them, but seriously, we’re not. Beng is right, and I quote “no la sometimes true can b busy but no matter wat work aint e end of life but frens are, so no matter how busy also will find time…” Now I feel like such a moron for not calling. So if you find yourself in the same situation, just pluck up the courage, pick up the phone and call! Yes, you are worthy.

18 Feb 2006 — Alvin moved into his new home today. A studio apartment, i.e. no rooms whatsoever, only a separate toilet. The idea of which is pretty much urban legend to me, have never actually seen such a place and can’t really imagine living in one. When he told us that the entire space is smaller than our living room, I thought he was trying to beh-deh us, but it turns out to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

Hmm… very appropriate. In fact, I remember the top-notch hamster cages Billie and I used to get went by the same name — a coincidence?

The very mod entrance

On entering the apartment proper, this toilet is to the right.

Take two steps, and this is the view that greets you:

Oh, it’s the kitchen… hang on a sec…

…it’s the bedroom… NO wait, it’s the ENTIRE house! Yup, kitchen cum study cum bedroom cum living room cum laundry! Alvin wasn’t joking about the size. In fact, the place turned out to be even tinier than what I had imagine! The thought crossed my mind that if Billie and I were living in such a place and we got into a fight, I won’t even have a bedroom door to slam. My options would be to seek refuge in the bathroom on the toilet bowl or (gulp) leave the house entirely!

Alvin (L) and Daniel (R) — two’s oredi a crowd. Geez… Alvin was right, this place was really meant only for singles, single men who don’t intend to cook or wash and only come home to sleep to be precise. His consolation, the place came with a pretty good gym and sauna, which Bi likened to the wheel in a hamster cage.

I couldn’t resist. Left this message on Alvin’s kitchen counter:

17 Feb 2006 — I know this is back-dated, but while going through Picasa (fab software for storing pictures) today, came across these photos from our recent trip back and couldn’t resist sharing them.

So the story goes… since my 老爸 tried to bathe Milou, their cat, 4/5 years ago and had battle scars to show for it, he’s never attempted it again. Somehow he has convinced himself that because Milou’s a housecat, he really doesn’t need a bath. But every year back, Milou’s looking grimier and grimier. Finally this trip home William and I decided this year’s the year that Milou gets a bath. Though after hearing all the horror stories from my 老爸, we made sure to leave the project till AFTER the ROM just in case any mishap should happen…

A few days before Chinese New Year, William finally mustered up the courage to do the deed. Based on his description, here’s a pictorial representation of how I think my 老爸 used to bathe Milou.

William’s plan is to go the other way. He wants to win Milou over by using the soft 爱的教育 method. All my dad had to say to him was “good luck”.
Read more »

16 Feb 2006 – It’s two days since Valentine’s day, and well, Billie and I survived it. I say “survive” ‘cos we almost didn’t. First I’d just like to remind everyone that it’s our first since we got married, and so, could you really blame me if I had that itsy-bitsy little bit of expectation for it to be nothing short of spectacularly romantic?

The plan was to be “japped” out. First we’ll have lunch at Ramen-kan, the best ramen we’ve ever had, then to watch Memoirs of a Geisha, and to finish off with dinner at Musashi, feasting on sashimi and other tasty offerings. And the day started off normally enough. I was scheduled for an interview with an allergy clinic at Bondi Junction Westfield. Hence leaving a window open for Billie to shop for my Valentine’s day present, yeah, yeah, he’s been so bogged down by work that he hasn’t had a chance to get it beforehand. But that’s ok, we’ll give him a chance, BUT whatever he manages to conjure up in that half-hour had better be good.

So I proceeded with the interview, all went pretty well, looks like a nice place to work, and pretty excited that they had an actual dispensary with bottles of yummy liquid herbs. Called Billie to check on his progress… nope, not done yet, another half-hour or so… ok, guess he’s working pretty hard to surprise me… good good… Bondi Junction is a big place, I’ll just window-shop till it’s time to be magnificently swept off my feet, I can wait… another half-hour… still no news… another fifteen minutes… aha, finally he’s here. Hmm… not holding any package in his hands… that’s alright, diamonds are small, would easily have fitted into his bag.
Read more »

13 Feb 2006 – Yes, it’s been a week since Bi and I stepped foot on Aussie soil. So other than the first day which we slept away most of, he has been busy catching up with work. For a change, I’m letting him be ‘cos I reckon he desperately needs to do so considering the “havoc” month and a half he’s had in Singapore – squeezing in a couple or two hours of work at the Bukit Batok Coffee Bean as and when he can between wedding-related appointments and hanging out with Jeff and Serene. (If you are one of William’s employers and you’re reading this, I exaggerate. Of course he worked his full 8 hours every day! Sometimes even OT.)

And moi? Well, I’ve been pretty productive too, in my own ways. I’ve packed away our luggage for one, and the house is almost, almost squeaky clean now. Don’t get me wrong. Alvin, who’s been housesitting for us left it in a pretty good state actually, no major damage, unlike you know who… And guess what? He even washed our sheets for us so we’d have brand new ones to sleep in. For a single guy, that’s mighty impressive! Nonetheless I do have my standards so for the last few days I’ve scrubed, wiped, washed, pledged the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living areas, and half the study. Now all that’s left to tackle is the OTHER half of the study – William’s half. It’s been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. There’s just this corner of his that seems to be growing in monstrosity, swelling and extending with books, papers, boxes and all sorts of computer parts.

Doesn’t it pain you, just to have to look at it?

And worse, it knows no boundaries and it’s getting out of hand. Where cleaning is concerned, I have a system, and this corner, it’s just letting my system down. No, to be precise, it’s FAILING my system miserably! So two days ago, I screamed hell and fire to put an end to it. And instantly, we were down at the Moore Park IKEA, picking out a chest of drawers to house that hideous mess.

IKEA, IKEA. What can I say… Sure, the things are cheap, and reasonably usable but each time we are sent to collect the D-I-Y package that will transform into a chair, cupboard, table, whatever, I always get this stinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that something’s bound to go wrong. Most times, I just hope that whatever is amiss is small enough that I can get away with it. Well… NO LUCK this time! Having picked out the “perfect” drawers, Billie was all set to put it together so that finally we can attain some peace and order in the study. Turns out, order would just have to wait that one, more, day. URRRGH!!! The piece of wood that’s meant to be the top of the drawers is missing a piece of its “faux-wood” veneer, revealing the woodchips underneathe.

If it was the side facing the wall, we couldn’t have cared less. But ALAS! It had to be the side that’s facing the FRONT, not even the sides. Aiyah, like dat, how can? $149 leh! We wished we could, but we just couldn’t let it go. So damn you IKEA, we have to make a second trip down! YOU have failed my system miserably.

So other than housecleaning, I’ve also been busy sending out a few resumes. Very onz ah! Second day oredi start sending out. So nobody can say I slack. In fact, I’ve nabbed my first interview: naturopath at an allergy clinic/retail store. That happens tomorrow at Bondi Junction Westfield. Wish me luck! I hope the pay doesn’t suck too bad…

But the most impressive thing I’ve done since being back must be to cook. Yup, I’ve already cooked two meals so far, and will continue to 再接再厉! Actually I do enjoy cooking, it’s very therapeutic in itself. (It’s the washing up after that sucks) And in this day of modernity and hectic work schedules, frankly, a home-cooked meal is quite a luxury, and the act of cooking has definitely got to be an act of love. Especially so in Singapore, where it’s just so much more convenient, and sometimes even more economical to takeaway. So all you people there who get to eat home-cooked meals, 你是幸福的!

Oh, one thing that Billie and I have noticed since coming back is how quiet the nights are here in comparison to Singapore. Oh, and trust me, we have noticed ‘cos we’ve been insomniac for the last few nights. It figures, ‘cos back home we were hanging out with J&S until about 3am every night, by the time we got to bed, it would be about 4-5am, converting that to Sydney time, it would be about 7-8am here. No wonder we can’t sleep at 1am! It’s a good thing we don’t have to crawl out of bed in the mornings for work, at least not yet.

So other than a few sleepless nights and a week’s worth of constipation, things are slowly but surely getting back to normal. Meeting up with Amy and Sumie later on at Pancakes on the Rocks. Yum-mers!

Oh, almost forgot. For those of you who are wondering. Yes, Bodhi is very much alive and kicking. In fact, Kate and Mark did such a great job of caring for him that he’s the fattest he’s been, EVER! It’s like someone stuck a balloon pump into his mouth and just happily pumped away. Hee hee, the little rascal. Ok, talk to you soon! I miss all you girls and guys back home oredi!!!