Thursday, November 27, 2008

A sad state of affairs


I've been following the news on Mumbai since a coworker informed me of the attacks. Poor guy was awaken from his sleep by anxious loved ones around 2AM just when the horror began. Lucky for me no one I know was directly affected but my concern lies with the victims nevertheless.

2 months into my new job I've learned to embrace India's culture more than I had expected working with our clients and agency partners. Through research and exposure, I know the population's general likes and dislikes, the various languages they speak, their enthusiasm for food and music, and the other little things that one can and most likely will forget during times like these when we're really all the same: alert, frightened and ever hopeful.

Those of us who aren't in the scene probably can't imagine what it's like for the people in Mumbai right now, but it's worth noting who they are. We know of the victims who are tourists; some who had chosen to spend Thanksgiving there and others who just wanted a piece of Incredible India. We know there are also those who live and breathe Mumbai, the same people who were going about their everyday lives doing their everyday things in their everyday city.

To describe the latter, I've pulled a beautifully written snippet from Suketu Mehta's book "Maximum City: Mumbai Lost and Found” published by the New York Times:

“Look at the hands from the trains.”

If you are late for work in the morning in Bombay, and you reach the station just as the train is leaving the platform, you can run up to the packed compartments and you will find many hands stretching out to grab you on board, unfolding outwards from the train like petals. As you run alongside the train, you will be picked up and some tiny space will be made for your feet on the edge of the compartment. The rest is up to you; you will probably have to hang on with your fingertips on the door frame, being careful not to lean out too far lest you get decapitated by a pole placed too close to the tracks. But consider what has happened: your fellow-passengers, already packed tighter than cattle are legally allowed to be, their shirts already drenched in sweat in the badly ventilated compartment, having stood like this for hours, retain an empathy for you, know that your boss might yell at you or cut your pay if you miss this train, and will make space where none exists to take one more person with them. And at the moment of contact, they do not know if the hand that is reaching for theirs belongs to a Hindu or Muslim or Christian or Brahmin or untouchable, or whether you were born in this city or arrived only this morning, or whether you live in Malabar Hill or Jogeshwari, whether you’re from Bombay or Mumbai or New York. All they know is that you’re trying to get to work in the city of gold, and that’s enough. Come on board, they say. We’ll adjust.


~~ Hope all is well by now ~~

Friday, November 21, 2008

We've been making babies all night

(using Flash 9)


I guess we could do this


How bout swapping out a picture?
Hmm...


Or making a new baby using the same pictures?
*Double gulp*


Wait a minute! That can't be right?!!


Turns out, your choice of ethnicity determines which one of the 5 babies in the system you'd get. Check out VW's RoutanBabymaker3000 to make your own!


Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Is this a rant?


I think not. But you be the judge.

I've been reading more than usual local blogs lately because I figured it's a way to wrap my head around this familiar yet foreign culture I've allowed myself to be a part of. Singaporean, Malaysian, Australian and Indonesian. Foodie, Fashionista and plain Cheese Sandwich blogs. You name it. I've probably seen it.

A Malaysian blogger whom I have no way of knowing, other than through my voyeuristic view of her life, is responsible for thousands of posts articulated with poise and charm often unexpected of one so young. It wasn't until I saw a personal video (Yes. As in tape myself in the bathroom clad in PJs kind of personal) post of her speaking in a pseudo-American accent followed by bouts of nonsensical tears that I lost interest. Sigh. "Wasted" as us South East Asians often say.

Less eloquent, is a blog by a surgically-enhanced Singaporean. This one is thrilling and heart thumping like a rollercoaster ride, often times caused by the alien-like photo postings of herself. I continue reading it because the little write ups never cease to break me into giggly fits. The "orange juice champagne" you so loved is called a Mimosa dah-ling.

I don't think I'll ever write as well as crying post-teen blogger or have surgically enhanced doe-like eyes as the Singaporean "celebrity" does. But this little online excursion is proving to be quite educational. I can't wait to discover more. 8 Days anyone?

Thank you God for The Sartorialist. And thank you AO for sharing in the first place.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Another weekend at home



I'm missing home already. Aside from the tiring 10-hour bus ride, it was an exhilarating trip. Lotsa good food (pics to come!), family time and Lola Lola Lola BO-laaaa!

Forgive me - I'm a lil' nuts when at home. I also drive my mom's Mercedes so watch out!!!

The bf and I are getting our mojo back.* After weeks of adapting to the weather and our new lifestyles, we've decided to lighten things up by planning for year-end vacations. Christmas will be spent in Singapore, followed by a 5 day trip to Bangkok then a short flight to KL for Fay's wedding and back to Singapore before starting 2009 fresh at work. Next on the list: getting an oven, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and fixing my allergies.


*It's only me really. He's always had his mojo

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Maximizing


A few gfs and I went to the Club 21 sale yesterday. By 10AM, the doors opened and everyone was already in line, shopping bags in hand, ready to set off. There were neither dressing rooms nor mirrors. Just racks and racks of clothes ranging between $15-2000++ in a normally empty warehouse.

With 3 hours to kill before heading to work (yes, on a Saturday) we managed to blow a couple of hundreds each and ended the afternoon with fried chicken. What a sport I say!


$200 DKNY leather bomber jacket. Originally $1500++. Yes. I'm still in denial


$560 Alexander McQueen silk skirt. Originally $3800. The butterfly print was just gorgeous while the pockets added a McQueen touch


Taken by surprise.

I didn't get this as much as I wanted to. Figured it's too lavish a purchase in this current economy


Hena and her cutesy Galliano ladybug cardi


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Excitement!



Had I been in the U.S. I would've had an election night party with red, white and blue cupcakes :) Can't wait to snuggle in bed and watch the next President of the United States' speech.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A collage reminder that

...I wasn't always as boring.

"Low-key" celebrations

Client dinners

...educational research and shoots

Wine-tasting

Girl's night outs

Shopping

Week night catch-ups

Experiments

...and long hikes


I kinda had them all.

So far I've managed to fill these gaps with the bf, family and explorations of itty-bitty Singapore. Less desirably so, with work. *Groan. Once I figure out how to build another life without letting OT get in the way, there'll be more pictures to share. I'm optimistic that way.

Next item on the list (to fill the void): travel.