This year, festive visiting took a twist for the better.
I descended upon my Da Qiu's(eldest uncle) newly renovated home at Geylang together with Simon and my family, together with my mum's extended family (of about 30).
I don't know what triggered me to invite him to this closely knitted 'chinese' family affair, given the potential backlash I may receive for asking an ang moh to celebrate this intimate gathering meant for the Teo family clan. Maybe I wanted to make a statement, or perhaps I didn't want him to feel lonely and miss out of the festivities.
I think Simon was even more hesitant than me, for it was his first time celebrating CNY with a chinese clan, even though he has already been in Singapore for more than 16 years. He was frantically asking me what he should wear, if he should give out ang baos, and if so, how much should he put inside etc etc. It was really funny as for once I seemed to be an expert in something he isn't.
I used to find my Da Qiu too verbose for his own good, but I was glad that he was a more than perfect host. He made small and big talk with Simon and made him feel comfortable. Initially I was skeptical when he started sharing about his lighting business, on the different types of lights and applications. I would be bored by it, and likewise thought Simon would feel the same way. To my surprise, Simon was looking for some pretty darn strong floodlights for his ships-and they clicked. Mission accomplished, I just had to sit in and relax, and be wowed at the extensive knowledge displayed by my uncle. I gained a new found respect for him, despite his occasional verbosity.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Dota 2 much
I've been consumed by this innocent enough game. It's been years ever since my JC years that I was ever addicted to any computer game, along the likes of Runescape, Maplestory, Cabal Online and MU Online... Back then, it was a form of escapism, a fantasy world to immerse myself in-where I could mostly, be the persona I want to create, and people would believe :p
It led to a slightly tense argument with Simon this afternoon. He aptly pointed out, "Am I not more important than this computer game? Pay attention to what I am saying!" I protested at that point of time, as he was distracting me and unfortunately my in game hero died. Dang, I've disappointed my team!
Dota is an excellent game, which is why it's so easy to get hooked onto it in the first place. Strategy, diverse characters, player interaction and decent graphics make a compelling case for it. And the learning curve is not steep, which is important for players like me. I can never micro manage too well.
The barometer of an unhealthy addiction to me is when your normal life cycle is disrupted, leading to bad sleeping, studying, working habits and worsening relationships. I've severely undermined the relationships with my two younger siblings over the only computer my family had back then, lording it, just to slay some goblins and farm enough gold to upgrade to a new, fanciful armor. It took so much longer to rebuild these cherished bonds... I don't think I've reached this stage yet, and I will struggle not to. It's not easy, mind you.
Had a simple reunion dinner with traditional dishes whipped up by my talented uncle Cliff. Sea cucumber pot, pig stomach soup, steamed pomfret, braised Teochew duck, steamed white chicken and steamboat. Ain't I a food addict too?! ;p
~blessings
It led to a slightly tense argument with Simon this afternoon. He aptly pointed out, "Am I not more important than this computer game? Pay attention to what I am saying!" I protested at that point of time, as he was distracting me and unfortunately my in game hero died. Dang, I've disappointed my team!
Dota is an excellent game, which is why it's so easy to get hooked onto it in the first place. Strategy, diverse characters, player interaction and decent graphics make a compelling case for it. And the learning curve is not steep, which is important for players like me. I can never micro manage too well.
The barometer of an unhealthy addiction to me is when your normal life cycle is disrupted, leading to bad sleeping, studying, working habits and worsening relationships. I've severely undermined the relationships with my two younger siblings over the only computer my family had back then, lording it, just to slay some goblins and farm enough gold to upgrade to a new, fanciful armor. It took so much longer to rebuild these cherished bonds... I don't think I've reached this stage yet, and I will struggle not to. It's not easy, mind you.
Had a simple reunion dinner with traditional dishes whipped up by my talented uncle Cliff. Sea cucumber pot, pig stomach soup, steamed pomfret, braised Teochew duck, steamed white chicken and steamboat. Ain't I a food addict too?! ;p
~blessings
Carversations & Cards
I'm curious as to what goes on during your reunion dinners, and what then afterwards?
My third uncle is a living encyclopedia on cars. He just has to get one person to be interested in what he has to say, and the entire conversation on the dining table will be on price of COEs, TOP gear magazine, F1 drivers, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti and the astronomical price tags for these beaus on wheels, never mind that for most Singaporeans(99%), it is only a much talked about dream.
It led me to think about the quality and cost of living in Singapore. I'm really quite dissatisfied with it.
For Singaporeans who are fortunate enough to travel beyond SEA, you will find that society more equitable and pleasant outside. I'll use food as an example, since I consider myself a food addict. Prices of meals in countries in the US, UK, France are generally more expensive. The cheapest meals usually range from S$7-10, and they are usually the chinese 'restaurants', or cafes selling bread and cakes. Singaporeans would scoff at the expense and remark that hawker food offers a superior value to that. My counter to that is simple, staff there are paid a 'living wage', thus the premium. The minimum wage in France in Dec 12 was €10.43/hr. This was mind blowing to me. I won't mind being one in Singapore if I were paid $21/hr for my efforts. No one the French waiters are proud of their craft and are always so professional in their conduct and demeanour. Hardly in Singapore do you get decent and consistent service save at the most established(and unaffordable) places.
This brings me to the next point, the price differential between normal restaurants and fine dining ones don't vary too much, which means to say regardless of how much or how little you earn, you are not excluded from enjoying artisan food. In Singapore, you can lead two very different lives here. There are those who can dine at michelin star restaurants, five star hotels, boutique outlets and food courts, and those who can only dine at kopitiams, hawker centres and food courts. The fruit of prosperity have not spread equally and unsurprisingly the Gini coefficient of Singapore is one of the highest in the world.
Ok, back to cars. I was quite shocked that at the seaside town of Cromer, UK, I saw a decent mini car by a restaurant on sale for £1 123. This is more affordable than the camera I have! I'll use another example to demonstrate how ludicrous the prices of cars are in Singapore. A Jaguar XJ 5.0 V8 Supercharged Supersport (LWB) (8speed) 4d Auto cost about £95 235 ($186 660.60 with a 1.96 EX ) in the UK, whilst in Singapore an identical make easily costs $465 000, including COE. This is roughly 2.5 times the amount and $280 000 more. My intention is not to incense people, but to ask if this is what we want.
My third uncle is a living encyclopedia on cars. He just has to get one person to be interested in what he has to say, and the entire conversation on the dining table will be on price of COEs, TOP gear magazine, F1 drivers, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti and the astronomical price tags for these beaus on wheels, never mind that for most Singaporeans(99%), it is only a much talked about dream.
It led me to think about the quality and cost of living in Singapore. I'm really quite dissatisfied with it.
For Singaporeans who are fortunate enough to travel beyond SEA, you will find that society more equitable and pleasant outside. I'll use food as an example, since I consider myself a food addict. Prices of meals in countries in the US, UK, France are generally more expensive. The cheapest meals usually range from S$7-10, and they are usually the chinese 'restaurants', or cafes selling bread and cakes. Singaporeans would scoff at the expense and remark that hawker food offers a superior value to that. My counter to that is simple, staff there are paid a 'living wage', thus the premium. The minimum wage in France in Dec 12 was €10.43/hr. This was mind blowing to me. I won't mind being one in Singapore if I were paid $21/hr for my efforts. No one the French waiters are proud of their craft and are always so professional in their conduct and demeanour. Hardly in Singapore do you get decent and consistent service save at the most established(and unaffordable) places.
This brings me to the next point, the price differential between normal restaurants and fine dining ones don't vary too much, which means to say regardless of how much or how little you earn, you are not excluded from enjoying artisan food. In Singapore, you can lead two very different lives here. There are those who can dine at michelin star restaurants, five star hotels, boutique outlets and food courts, and those who can only dine at kopitiams, hawker centres and food courts. The fruit of prosperity have not spread equally and unsurprisingly the Gini coefficient of Singapore is one of the highest in the world.
Ok, back to cars. I was quite shocked that at the seaside town of Cromer, UK, I saw a decent mini car by a restaurant on sale for £1 123. This is more affordable than the camera I have! I'll use another example to demonstrate how ludicrous the prices of cars are in Singapore. A Jaguar XJ 5.0 V8 Supercharged Supersport (LWB) (8speed) 4d Auto cost about £95 235 ($186 660.60 with a 1.96 EX ) in the UK, whilst in Singapore an identical make easily costs $465 000, including COE. This is roughly 2.5 times the amount and $280 000 more. My intention is not to incense people, but to ask if this is what we want.
Courtesy of parkers.co.uk
Cards
I consider myself a fan of most card and board games. Happy that my cousin Justin got a new game, "Loot" so that we could entertain ourselves while our parents continue with their boring banter after dinner. I think I've got an awesome bunch of cousins and I hope that even though we meet so sparingly, our bonds will not be like van der waals forces, but like ionic compounds.
I consider myself a fan of most card and board games. Happy that my cousin Justin got a new game, "Loot" so that we could entertain ourselves while our parents continue with their boring banter after dinner. I think I've got an awesome bunch of cousins and I hope that even though we meet so sparingly, our bonds will not be like van der waals forces, but like ionic compounds.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Good and Bad
Firstly, I'd like to thank John Teo for acknowledging me as a source of inspiration for him to start journaling his reflections again. He connects deeply with God and I urge you to check his posts out.
Yesterday was eventful.
Dinner with the 'sinners'
The long awaited dinner gathering consisting of Blowing Wind gay Christians took place all the way at Earle Swensen's, Vivocity. I haven't been there for a long while and it was refreshing to browse around the new concepts in dining and home decor (Franc Franc) that have sprung up before dinner.
Attendance was a healthy ten and I'm glad the old and new members were able to interact and have a good time, despite coming from very different theological backgrounds and stages of coming out. It is hard being Christian and LGBT at the same time, when majority of both camps are strongly opposed to each other. So I guess it's a good initiative to provide mutual encouragement and support through this medium. I do hope that this BWorshippers' group will be able to reach out to more struggling LGBT christians.
I would wish to post a picture, but we live in a society that does not accept us fully yet and I have to respect some of the member's discretion in not wanting to be 'out' yet.
Chili's night outAnd so after the dinner, I proceeded to Tanjong Pagar to help Ezekiel, a really dear member of my cell group, take some pictures as he parades about the area in his drag persona- Chili. Everything went fine, with many happy fans, friends and strangers taking pictures with her.
Until she started dancing in Play.
Someone pulled her wig pulled off, and attempted to pull out the stuffing from her boobs. She retaliated by giving the guy a slap on his face. It was lots of drama and I didn't get to witness it as I was distracted by the bright lights and the need to protect my camera from the many bouncing bodies around me. Apparently, it was 'Sexy Snake Year' night and Play was packed.
Fortunately it didn't escalate into a big brawl. Chili calmly recited this incident to the bouncer and he was pulled out together with his gangly companions. Both apologised to each other. It was interesting that the guy related his account in Mandarin to the bouncer, when he could very well speak in English. I see it as a sort of subtle discrimination against Chili as she is Indian and couldn't understand a word he is saying. The bouncer was really cute as he tried to translate it back to English and made a big mistake, which could have potentially worsened the issue.
The importance of Respect
Chili was gravely offended by the act. I mean who wouldn't,
Your basic human dignity was denied.
Your modesty was violated.
Your craft was devalued.
I would like to make a point that even though Chili is a drag performer, when he is in her drag persona, she feels and thinks like a female- regardless of the artificial boobs/hair/make up. Your physical assets don't determine your identity, it helps surely, but it's your inner thoughts, motivations, desires that shows who you really are.
I see the guy's act as an act of violence towards all women as he obviously disrespected . I wonder how his female friends around him feel that night. Reminded me of the great film we discussed in cell group, "Boys don't Cry', that won numerous awards in its depictions of how ignorance and fear of unconventional sexual identities led to the murder of this real life person who is anatomically female but sees himself as a man.
Stand tall, and be proud of what you do and who you are Chili!
We, your friends, and your cell group, will be together with you as you journey through life!
~love
Yesterday was eventful.
Dinner with the 'sinners'
The long awaited dinner gathering consisting of Blowing Wind gay Christians took place all the way at Earle Swensen's, Vivocity. I haven't been there for a long while and it was refreshing to browse around the new concepts in dining and home decor (Franc Franc) that have sprung up before dinner.
Attendance was a healthy ten and I'm glad the old and new members were able to interact and have a good time, despite coming from very different theological backgrounds and stages of coming out. It is hard being Christian and LGBT at the same time, when majority of both camps are strongly opposed to each other. So I guess it's a good initiative to provide mutual encouragement and support through this medium. I do hope that this BWorshippers' group will be able to reach out to more struggling LGBT christians.
I would wish to post a picture, but we live in a society that does not accept us fully yet and I have to respect some of the member's discretion in not wanting to be 'out' yet.
Chili's night outAnd so after the dinner, I proceeded to Tanjong Pagar to help Ezekiel, a really dear member of my cell group, take some pictures as he parades about the area in his drag persona- Chili. Everything went fine, with many happy fans, friends and strangers taking pictures with her.
Until she started dancing in Play.
Someone pulled her wig pulled off, and attempted to pull out the stuffing from her boobs. She retaliated by giving the guy a slap on his face. It was lots of drama and I didn't get to witness it as I was distracted by the bright lights and the need to protect my camera from the many bouncing bodies around me. Apparently, it was 'Sexy Snake Year' night and Play was packed.
Fortunately it didn't escalate into a big brawl. Chili calmly recited this incident to the bouncer and he was pulled out together with his gangly companions. Both apologised to each other. It was interesting that the guy related his account in Mandarin to the bouncer, when he could very well speak in English. I see it as a sort of subtle discrimination against Chili as she is Indian and couldn't understand a word he is saying. The bouncer was really cute as he tried to translate it back to English and made a big mistake, which could have potentially worsened the issue.
The importance of Respect
Chili was gravely offended by the act. I mean who wouldn't,
Your basic human dignity was denied.
Your modesty was violated.
Your craft was devalued.
I would like to make a point that even though Chili is a drag performer, when he is in her drag persona, she feels and thinks like a female- regardless of the artificial boobs/hair/make up. Your physical assets don't determine your identity, it helps surely, but it's your inner thoughts, motivations, desires that shows who you really are.
I see the guy's act as an act of violence towards all women as he obviously disrespected . I wonder how his female friends around him feel that night. Reminded me of the great film we discussed in cell group, "Boys don't Cry', that won numerous awards in its depictions of how ignorance and fear of unconventional sexual identities led to the murder of this real life person who is anatomically female but sees himself as a man.
Stand tall, and be proud of what you do and who you are Chili!
We, your friends, and your cell group, will be together with you as you journey through life!
~love
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Why Warkld?
It's interesting to trace the beginnings of warkld. Ever wondered how it came about?
This poem is inspired by how I see myself waging war against the different periods in my life. Each stanza also serves as individual milestones of my growth.
I have lost much, yet gained so much more.
Warkld
Speaks of a child once lost and searching
warring within secret desires
too taboo to handle
Speaks of a child once down and struggling
warring within ancient doctrine
too sacred to tackle
Speaks of a child once bruised and hurting
warring against friends and family
too precious to forgo
Speaks of a child once lost and searching
Now himself embracing
Warring against forces that once,
Kept him lost and searching
Down and struggling
Bruised and hurting!
In awe of God's hand ~
This poem is inspired by how I see myself waging war against the different periods in my life. Each stanza also serves as individual milestones of my growth.
I have lost much, yet gained so much more.
Warkld
Speaks of a child once lost and searching
warring within secret desires
too taboo to handle
Speaks of a child once down and struggling
warring within ancient doctrine
too sacred to tackle
Speaks of a child once bruised and hurting
warring against friends and family
too precious to forgo
Speaks of a child once lost and searching
Now himself embracing
Warring against forces that once,
Kept him lost and searching
Down and struggling
Bruised and hurting!
In awe of God's hand ~
Lips strikes again
It is with a little inspiration that I come back to the
blogosphere, having seen a bestie's dedication in maintaining his. The format
will remain unchanged, as I simply can't be bothered to go through the hassle
of reformatting the codes just to give a more aesthetic feel to the blog,
unless someone so volunteers to do so.
I'm uncertain as to how long this zeal will last. Perhaps a week,
perhaps more, but I imagine this to be a more efficient method of cataloging my
thoughts and reflections and retrieving them back when I want it, than say
Facebook. The idea of scrolling down thousands of pages of content to find that
one golden phrase or two isn't that rosy. That could be what prompted Facebook
to circumvent this by announcing graph search.
Either way, this will be a more appropriate channel to post longer articles. Facebook doesn't help by restricting the length of posts. Also, it is just too distracting. New notifications pop up every few seconds, and the temptation to check out these new happenings is really quite high! How many of us would dutifully finish reading what's at hand, or even return to it. Doesn't help if the posts are long, which I am more accustomed to write. (But I've since stopped posting long posts on FB as I suspect the length dissuades people from reading it) Curiosity compels us to check out what's new there. I can well relate to that... I like to explore new places, try new cuisines and meet new people...
Either way, this will be a more appropriate channel to post longer articles. Facebook doesn't help by restricting the length of posts. Also, it is just too distracting. New notifications pop up every few seconds, and the temptation to check out these new happenings is really quite high! How many of us would dutifully finish reading what's at hand, or even return to it. Doesn't help if the posts are long, which I am more accustomed to write. (But I've since stopped posting long posts on FB as I suspect the length dissuades people from reading it) Curiosity compels us to check out what's new there. I can well relate to that... I like to explore new places, try new cuisines and meet new people...
So I hope by blogging, my thoughts and reflections can be articulated more clearly... It allows others to see me deeper, and myself to see God better I guess.
(: The Ignation Prayer of Examen done Lips style :)
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