Friday, July 9, 2010

又一个?

又一位好友,男友向她求婚,甜滋滋地post在facebook上。。

看见身边的好友一一谈婚论嫁,让我有种怪怪的感觉。一方面为好友感到开心,令一方面却是有种酸溜溜的感觉,真不是滋味。。

有时问自己,'到底几时才到我?',想了又想又问了问自己,'我能胜任吗?'这种矛盾的心态,连我都觉得难受。

算了吧,顺其自然。是我的,总会属于我。:)

祝好友婚姻美满,祝自己天天开心! ;)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Moral obligations

maybe morality did come from morons?


Today, I attended a session by a social worker in a nursing home.

Well, she was sharing about the financial assistance that they offered, and she gave a case scenario for discussion.

An elderly lady has 2 daughters who both earn about 1k per month and both has a teenager child to take care of. Though its difficult to fork out anymore cash due to the fact that both earn very low income, daughter A has decided to try to come out with $200 per month because "she is my mother", whereas daughter B simply refuse to come out with anything. The social worker then asked, "should we help this resident then?"

So I proposed that we should see what are the reasons why daughter B refused to pay. It could be due to the fact that the mother hasn't treated her well in the past and tt's why she refused to have anything to do with her mother anymore.

I was "challenged" with "if everyone who has a sour past relationship with their parents will come to us and say because of that they don't want to pay, are we supposed to pay for everyone?"

Which, I don't deny. To cut the story short, later on she went on to say things like she will tell the daughter B that the nursing home is not related to the resident but they're helping. If she doesn't want to help as a daughter, just pay as a form of "moral obligation".

I felt like telling at her, "you obviously haven't been through tt's why you can say that", but I held back.

Well if I'm daughter B and u tell me things like "nursing home is not related but we still help" and "help as moral obligation", I will be damn offended. You've never been through the phase whereby you have to spend your scholarship to pay the bills at home when you're still young, and you have to grow up faster than your peers because you have to learn to read bills, pay for the household stuffs, work harder to pay for anything and everything, all because you have a good-for-nothing parent. Well after going through all these and more, you expect me to pay out of "moral obligation" and that even "a not related nursing home" can do more than the blood-related daughter, sorry, I can't do it. In fact, I will be even more angry and walk out altogether.

Ahh, I guess different people has got different perceptions and thus see things differently. But I believe people who never been through it will never understand how difficult it is and thus, may never empathise why people refuse to care for their parents anymore when they're old.

Some people has never let go of the hatred in their lives, and even till the deathbed of that particular parent, they may still never feel any regret. Well it could be because of all that they've been through, or simply because that "good-for-nothing" parent never changed for the better. Whatever it is, the resentment is there and after years of being let down, suddenly you have to take care of the needs of this parent again, its difficult.

Its so easy to judge a person as unfilial when they refuse to take care of the parent, send them to nursing home and don't pay for their care. But what lies behind the strong refusal to have anything to do with the parent, is something that we should always see first before being so quick to point fingers at others.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Back from Genting :)

Back from Genting from a 3D2N trip :)!

The preamble for this trip was one that started with anticipation and excitment (cuz it's both OH and my first trip to Genting!) to one that was rather disappointing. As I was doing my homework about the trip, reviews online about Genting was pretty unpleasant. The reviews for the hotel that I was staying in (First World Hotel) can only be described with one word: BAD. My excitment was all dampen as I read those review just a few days prior to the trip.

But OH said, this is a getaway for us and we should just enjoy it! So we went ahead happily. It turned out better than I expected! So I will be giving a brief review of Genting :)

My 3D2N trip started on 1 Apr in Golden Mile Complex :D. Hahaha. The coach journey took abotu 6-8hrs. Board the bus at 11pm, arrived at Genting Highlands at abt 5+am on Friday.

Upon arrival, we walked around to recee the area first. As I've done some 'homework' already, we knew where we want to find. As we walked around with our luggages, it appeared cumbersome. Checked-in luggage at hotel and found that we can already get our queue number! I've read online that First World Hotel is the largest hotel in the world so far, and there're 5000+rooms! Needless to say, check in was hell. Luckily we got our queue number at 5+am, so we're number 152.. Otherwise can really die waiting! So my advice is, if you're going FWH, the moment you arrive at Genting Highlands, GET A QUEUE NUMBER IMMEDIATELY!

Headed to the casinos to take a look. We visited the 2 larger casinos in Genting: Monte Carlo and Hollywood (both in Highlands Hotel). Was reeeallly big! To gamble there, its recommended to sign up for a world card for free before gambling. You can cash in the card and play. Then if you don't want to play anymore, the credit will still be in the card, alot more convenient that using cash. Later on you can withdraw out the money from the Worldcard ATM in multiples of RM10. If you use just cash, to take out the money if you don't want to play is a hassle cuz the attendant must jot down ur passport number and u can only redeem it as certain counters with your passport.

Had breakfast at the casino (which we kind regretted cuz it was expensive and service was lousy, and they charge service charge -_-) then we headed to take the Genting Skyway(initially wanted to take the Awana skyway but it only operates during weekends.). I heard about the skyway but didn't know that the station was near the hotel! There are signages everywhere so don't have to worry about getting lost. The skyway cost RM10 (2 way) per pax. If you want to buy some tidbits or asam for your family, you can consider going to the shops at the skyway stations. There're really big shops selling sour plums etc, nuts and snacks at affordable prices :).

We were told by the reception in FWH that the queue starts at 12 but for our number, we should go back after 1. We kiasu and went back at 12+pm to retrieve our luggages. Firstly, we were shocked by the sea of people flooding in the lobby, for a moment I thought I was in the airport or something :S. Secondly, the queue number was like, 75 -_-. Anw to cut the story short, we got our room at abt 2pm (abt 1hr wait), which was better than I expected.

The room was... oookkkk. Very very basic considering we had a Deluxe room. If you're going FWH, pls note. Toothbrush is NOT provided, so rmb to bring! Bring along an air refreshner if possible. For us we were lucky as our level had very little smokers so our room didn't smell bad. One review I read, the lady's room reeked of cigarette smell cuz of some other people who smoked in their rooms, and the smoke traveled to their room via the ventilation.. But otherwise the room was ok la. Clean, at least. But i find it eerie, cuz our double bed has got 3 pillows and the mirror reflects the window and the TV reflects the doorway. It just feels spooky. But nothing happened to me so its just personal perception :D.

Took a short nap then headed to take a free shuttle bus from Highlands Hotel to Chin Swee Caves Temple. Quite a nice and serene place to visit. Shuttle services operates per hour, schedules is available outside the Hotel. Alternatively, you can take the Awana skyway to the temple during the weekends.

Returned to the hotel for dinner. We were too tired to go anywhere further so we had to have dinner at one of the restaurants in FWP. Prices are abt the same as Singapore's restaurants (think Xing Wang cafe, etc). Food is okay. The only flaw, no smoking policy in Genting is CRAP so I do suggest that you bring a mask if you're going lest you get suffocated by the people smoking INDOORS. Argh.

Day 2 we went for the theme park. With the worldcard, there's a 10% discount. So we paid RM53 for a all day park tix (indoor and outdoor park). There's a all-in-one tix at abt RM79 consisting of the theme parks + snow world + alot of things. It's tempting, but we figured out we won't be doing so many things in ONE day. Hahaha.

The outdoor theme park was alright. Rides were not exactly fantastic... Thrill rides are not exactly thrilling! Hahaha. But my advice is, go in the morning because the queue can be really bad in the afternoon! Recommended ride: cockscrew is probably the more thrilling one (though its just oookkk in my opinion). When I was there, space shot was under maintenance but reviews said that its good.. Otherwise you can pay additional RM10 + RM2 for flying coaster, now that's really fun! :D.

Indoor theme park in FWP has alot less rides. The more fun ones are the bumper car, euro express and 4D motion. Apart from that, the rest are all joy rides. But the indoor theme park opens till 1am during peak hours so u can play as long as you like :D.

Had lunch at Penang Food Village at Theme Park Hotel because of the reviews I read. The food is indeed slightly cheaper than the restaurants, but the food is only slightly above average. Service is not bad :).

Dinner was at a Vietnamese restaurant in FWP because of a RM10 voucher from the theme park tix. Food was not too bad but restaurant price. Indeed, you pay to get good food lo..

While playing in the indoor park, we went shopping in FWP. There're alot of local boutiques like Padini, Voir and etc, so can have quite a good shop :). There's another shop selling Malaysia local products in FWP, I think its level, the shop name is Heng Heng. Things are quite affordable also and fresh and tasty. There's a pushcart store selling wood craft items in level 2. Its on a buy 2 get 1 free promotion with free engraving! OH and I were won over by the girl's service and the really nice engraving done, bought alot of souvenirs back :D!

Wanted to try our luck at the casino again, so this time we headed for Starworld casino at FWH, which is the smallest casino of the lot in Genting. The moment we enter, aiyooo. The smoke from all those sickening smokers was really suffocating, especially in such a small area. We left Starworld eventually cuz it seem we cannot use the worldcard in starworld, and its so troublesome to get a temporary starworld card, so we left for Monte Carlo again. But again, the smoke was really bad that we stayed hardly for an hour then we left. The situation wasn't this bad in the morning, so my advice is, go casino in the morning! :S

Last day, we chance upon the Highway station canteen (highway steysen canteen) at resort hotel I think (just cross the road from theme park hotel). Food there is really cheap! One big plate of chee cheong fun + yong tau foo was only RM7 and you can be full from it! Very nice :). A pity we didn't eat there earlier! Beside the shop there's a convenience store (168) that opens 24hours, so if need anything urgently, can go there to buy :). Finally was last min shopping then had to run for the coach home :D.

Overall, quite a fulfilling trip, lucky for the homework done. Only pity is that we didn't get to find the Visitors' Galleria and heated swimming pool.. And of cuz, never really won big bucks :(. BUT well, did had fun and let go!

Okay, time to go back to mug liao, enough of reviews :).

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Listen!



A friend, M, told us some situation that is going on in her life currently as we were having lunch after a discussion.

She was in dire straits (a little exaggerated la) and had no idea what to do next. As she spoke of her problem, the bulk of us started telling her things..

"I think you should _______!"
"Ya, I really think you should do _______..."
"How about doing ______ since you find it difficult?"
"Otherwise you can ________ la."
"If I were you, I would ________."
"I tell you what, you go and ________."
"Yayaya! You should just do _____!"

I was part of the "culprits" performing the above act. But finally at one point I got tired of trying to speak so I sat to listen. As the list of "you should" went on, I felt frustrated.

Its like, voices are going on and on telling M what to do. Have anyone listened to how she feel?

I tried asking, "What are your plans then?". It was quiet for a moment as she spoke; indeed she was rather lost. Then the silence was broken as one person started the "I think you should.." again.

I went home reflecting on the whole conversation. Many a times we thought that since people come to us with a problem, its natural that I provide an advice or a perceived solution to the problem. Well, that's what I've always thought is the right thing to do. I always have got list and list of advices to provide, stories after stories of how others or myself handled a similar situation. When these doesn't work, find some other situation that's worse and tell your friend, "so its okay, things aren't that bad yet." I used to feel proud of my counselling skills, thinking I'm not too bad as a "counsellor" at such a young age!

However, I learnt that in counselling, active listening is very important. I believe that applies to when you talk to your friends too. And guess what's a taboo? Providing advices and suggestions (well I believe it's important but not at the initial stages, definitely not after a mere few sessions of sharing). Quite contrary to popular beliefs of since-she-come-to-me-for-advice-so-I-give-many-advices isn't it?

A friend of mine once told me, "sometimes when people share something with you, its not because they want an advice. You think you're the first person who told them this advice? U're probably the 100th person. They just need a listening ear. You don't have to say anything more. Just be there." That slapped me awake from believing I'm that great. Hahaha. But I will always remember this statement.

As I sat there to listen to everything, I really felt frustrated. In the same way, I believe M probably felt frustrated as well. Then I remembered what my friend said, and it's really true. Here I am, encountering a situation that I believe M probably just needed someone to hear her out and not jump into giving her what seemed to be the "best" advice.

Well, what's done has been done. I guess since M felt comfortable confiding in us, I do believe that she also felt thankful that we tried to provide some solutions to her current problem. But I guess, learning from this incident, I should always remember to take time to listen instead of jumping into providing suggestions that we deem the best.
Food for thought for the day!

Monday, March 29, 2010

2 weeks

Well, its been exactly 2 weeks since I've last blogged, and honestly speaking, I don't have any topics in mind that I wanted to exclaim about.

Nowadays, I no longer blog about my daily musings (like I used to in the past) because I believe nobody actually reads them anyways :D. Well I used to be able to blog a 5000-word essay about one 3D2N camp in full details. Come to think of it, I don't think anyone have actually finished reading the entire chunk of crap, including myself :D. Hahaha. Anyways, as I was saying, I will try to find a topic of interest that I would like to talk about and people can comment on if they should read it.

I guess I've been stuck in a lifeless situation for the past 2 weeks, rushing assignments + tests + presentations that I did not find anything interesting to talk about. Hahaha :D. Now that I'm more freed up, I don't know what to talk about. Hmm.

Anyways, the main reason for this entry is to certify that I'm still alive, whether I have any topics to talk about or not. My pupils are still equal and reactive to light and accomodation. So my blog is not dead YET. But I'll be going on a trip to Genting for a short break from 1-4 April. Well, I've bought travel insurance so rest assured, I should be back to blog after the 4th. Hahaha ;).

Monday, March 15, 2010

1150pm

Time check: 1150pm.
Reality check: ICA test at 9am.

Here I am, neither studying nor sleeping, but blogging with my hp while tapping into a neighbour's wifi. And i don't even knw who this person is, i only knw his/her wireless name is 'ken'. Thanks 'ken', for always letting me tap ur wireless! Hoho :D

An w yes, its 1150pm, in less than 12 hrs, i'm gonna sit for my ICA test. And i don't knw what i'm doing here. Study, nothing goes in. Sleep, i can't seem to sleep. This is really infuriating.

I hate the feeling of not being in control. I am fully aware that I'm totally not confident for tmr's paper despite the fact tt i've studied. Well, kind of studied. I know the points but i did not memorise. I don't like to sit for a paper that i know i'm not >65% confident. And tmr i am going to sit for a paper with <65% confidence level.

Sighs. I just hope i can make it through the 100mins paper tmr.

Time to sleep, or try to sleep, at least..

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Toilet etiquette


I think a signboard like this should be placed in all the LADIES.

Its really horrifying whenever I enter the ladies and I see toilet seats stained with pee. Worse that I've seen, the FLOOR also has pee. And we're talking about SEATED loo bowls over here.

We talk about men being bad at aiming. We tease at them to go for aiming classes. Google images on"men aiming toilet bowls", lots of search results will appear. But I totally cannot understand why is it that the LADIES' toilet bowl can be stained with urine all over when we don't have to pee standing, let alone aim!!

This is of utmost embarrassment as I talk about this, but aren't we all taught how to use the toilet bowl when we were being toilet trained as a toddler??!!

Girls! I think it is really a very bad behaviour to accept. Well, I understand from my fellow girlfriends that some of them don't actually really sit on the toilet bowl to pee. They do a half squat (马步) to pee because they cannot stand the thought of sitting on a public toilet bowl. For people like me with contours gone all over the place, with a big bottom I do find it difficult to do a half squat to pee (think: centre of gravity). I mean, no wonder some girls have really slim legs... BUT that's besides the point! :D

Anyways, my point is, I don't really bother about how other girls pee, but isn't it basic courtesy to clean up the toilet seat if you actually dirty it because you chose to half squat to pee? Well the toilet bowl is for you to sit on but you chose to half squat, and now you stain it. Its your own pee and you've just dirtied the public toilet, I should think its just socially responsible to clean up the toilet seat.

I feel truly annoyed whenever I see dirty toilet seats. Even more annoyed when I see footprints (but the incidence is much less nowadays. I see more pee than footprints). Its even worse when there's a puddle of pee on the floor. I really don't know how the girls did it.

I remember someone once told me, Japanese were taught since young, to clean up the toilet seat after each use (whether dirty or not) so that the next user can have a clean toilet to use. I find this culture amazing, but its really the reason why EVERY toilet that I went to in Japan is squeaking clean.

I don't forsee such culture to be practiced in Singapore because firstly, our girls can't even "aim" properly, and secondly, they don't even clean up their own mess. Wait till this can be done before we talk about cleaning toilet after each use to benefit the next user.

It is shameful to talk about this topic isn't it? But girls, can we do something about this? *shakes head* Its disturbing.

I think the men are laughing at this. They probably never thought that ladies need to aim to pee. Hurhur.