Dance like no one's watching

Aiyah!  I know I said I’ll try blogging at least once a week but I missed it last week.  Was just way way way too busy.  Came back from HK to tons of e-mails… and my colleague was on 2 days leave so there was no one around to help me.  Worked past 8pm from Tue – Fri.  Visited Universal Studios on Sat (which was a whole day event) and stayed at home to rest on Sun.  Siong! 

Will be going to Hong Kong for holiday from Thurs – Mon.  Super busy start to the week so far.  Got a proposal I gotta rush out by tomorrow (it’s 1/3 done), 2 policies to close and many more deals to negotiate.  Well, not complaining about my very active deal pipeline – just hope my remuneration matches my budget!!

Went to colour & trim my hair just now.  It’s now a very subtle dark brown and shaped in a nice round bob (but my mean husband says I look like the helmet pig plush toy from AngryBirds from behind).  Grr.

Ok.  Can’t blog anymore.  Gotta continue with my proposal – I actually got a decent amount done while at the hairstylist’s!  Heh.

Cya after I’m back from HK!!  Realised I’m really backdated with my holiday photos.  :P  Will post Jiuzhaigou pics soon!  Oh crap!  I didn’t even post my Jpn photos hor… hahahahaha.

Every once in a while, we may need to make certain career choices – whether to stay in the same company, or even in the same industry.  I suppose the decisions made can be based on a number of factors: remuneration, career development prospects, recognition, title, working environment, etc. 

I recently thought of changing industry.  I suppose was tempted by the new challenges it would bring and the fact that it would be an excellent “Plan B” to the colonisation attempts that are happening in office right now.  The “pay bump” as Wanbao puts it was also a good incentive.

After due consideration, however, I finally decided that I may be getting ahead of myself in executing a “Plan B” when the worst has yet to happen.  In addition, I am confident that looking for another job has never been a problem for me, and all the more will not be a problem now.  So I’m going to hang around for a little while more & see how things pan out.  🙂

Think one of the biggest entertainment news on the Internet recently is Sammi Cheng and Andy Hui’s reconciliation. I was really happy when I read the news. I started listening to Sammi’s songs after I chanced upon her mp3s which were saved on this shared pc at work. This was way back in 1998 when I was temping at an IT helpdesk. I subsequently got to hear Andy Hui’s songs on the radio and became a fan of his too.

I thought that they were really similar in this indescribable way. When I later found out that they were a pair, I thought it was a match in heaven! Sadly, they went their separate ways in 2004 and like hordes of fans, I was rooting for them to get back together.

I really hope their relationship will bear fruit. Sammi’s been an additional inspiration to me since she became a staunch Christian a few years ago. A post on Andy’s Weibo not too long ago suggests he may be close to accepting Christ too.

I’ll definitely be praying for them. 希望有情人终成眷属！

Food’s GREAT!  I love Sichuan food!  麻辣麻辣麻辣！！

It’s late but I had to blog to get this off my chest.  My Twitter friend from China shared that he was a victim of extortion today.  He took bus to school (not sure which uni… is there more than 1 in Guangdong?) as per normal.  When getting off the bus, 2 migrant workers accused him of bumping into them & damaging their lamp.  They demanded RMB1,600 as compensation.  My friend suggested letting the police resolve the dispute since there was no way he was going to pay RMB1,600!

The 2 men got aggressive & a fight broke out.  My friend managed to escape & ran into a convenience store shouting for help.  Only then did the 2 men stop chasing him.  He reported the incident to the police but he’s still injured (1 side of his face is swollen).

What a scary incident!! I really hope I won’t meet anything of this sort in China! 

Received an e-mail from our global CEO stating that our New Zealand Christchurch office has sustained some internal damage following the 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit NZ on Mon, thankfully our colleagues are safe, and that the senior management in NZ have mobilised staff to work from another nearby office.

I tried to imagine what it’s like to have disaster strike and having to execute such contingency plans.  While we have various Business Continuation Plans, protocols and exercises in Singapore, I personally cannot put myself in the shoes of those in countries that experience natural disasters.  I cannot fathom the horror of going through an earthquake or typhoon, etc.

I am reminded to be continually thankful that Singapore is shielded from these catastrophes due to our geographical location. 

Thank you Lord.

Horlicks left us today.  My dad called at 8:22am this morning to say that Horlicks looked weak and she refused to eat.  I rushed over to the house.  Saw that her breathing was laboured and she had period spasms.  Over the next 2 hours, her breathing became more and more laboured, accompanied by coughs & eventually grunts.

Pinky wasn’t aware that something was not right with Horlicks at first.  But once he realised it, be became very upset.  He guarded her from a short distance away & stomped his foot non-stop.  Didn’t want to let us near Horlicks.

During Horlicks’ final moments, she made a few dashes to her favourite spots – near her toilet, the corner of the yard near the side entrance to the house, the backyard and her water container.  Pinky ran after her but he didn’t dare approach her.  I think she must’ve mustered up a lot of strength to visit those few spots.  Then she made a final dash towards the fence and collapsed onto her side.

Pinky stared at her for a few minutes when Horlicks collapsed.  I don’t know if he knew that she had left us… or if he thought maybe she was asleep.  My dad & I then chased Pinky into the house while we put Horlicks into a box and my dad washed the side yard.  Pinky was very anxious and nearly leapt over the barrier to come back into the side yard.  So we let him out… he then proceeded to sniff everywhere, as though was looking for something.  Maybe he was trying to pick up Horlicks’ scent.  I’m not sure.

Anyway, my dad & I buried Horlicks at the park near the house.  While I’m sad that Horlicks has left us, I’m grateful for the happy memories she has given all of us, and I’m glad I got to say goodbye and accompany her during her final moments.  Here’s a photo tribute to Horlicks.

Horlicks & Peanut when they first came to the house.

Horlicks was always the curious one.

Muah Chee & Horlicks “pak tor-ing”.  Wonder if they’re together in rabbit heaven now?

Mischievous Horlicks.

Horlicks & Muah Chee hanging out.

Horlicks & Peanut sharing food.  Both have left us. 

Horlicks used to like sitting on my lap too.

Horlicks & her son Pinky.

Pinky (left) & Horlicks were really close.

She loved carrots.

Agile Horlicks.

Yeap.  That’s Horlicks on our living room coffee table.

Always finding ways to get more food.

Horlicks planting a kiss on Pinky’s cheek.

Took this over the weekend only.

Horlicks – taken this morning.  She just stood like that for ages as her breathing got more laborious.

As usual, Pinky wanted his mommy to lick him but she was too weak too.

This is the last clear photo of them together.

Horlicks made her last dash, then collapsed.  Pinky just stared.  Not sure if he was in shock.

Bye bye Horlicks.  You will be missed.

My dad told me that last night, Horlicks seemed pretty normal still.  She was playing inside the house and even put her paws on my dad’s lap to get more treats. 

I think Horlicks had a very strong will to live.  She hasn’t been well since Nov 2010 but she held on.  She’s the most daring and feisty I’ve ever had.  I hope Pinky will get over the loss of his mommy and stay healthy.  Really hope he’ll be able to spend more years with us.  They’re such joy to behold.

God bless Coffee & Pinky.

Saw this on Weibo today. 

一个温顺女人变得泼辣，一定是男人不争气，她不得不出头。一个纯洁、清高女人变得恶俗，一定是男人档次不够高。相反，一个平庸女人，相貌变得可爱，眼睛变得灵光，举手投足变得有风度，一定有一个好男人。男人要知道，女人的美有你一半的功劳，她的丑也有你一半的过错。

A bit difficult to translate word for word but it essentially says that when a gentle woman becomes bitchy, it’s ‘cos her man was lacking and she had to speak out.  When a pure & noble woman becomes domineering & detestable, it’s ‘cos her man did not meet the grade.  Conversely, an ordinary woman who becomes loveable & generous, is ‘cos of a good man.  Men should know that a woman’s beauty is half your credit, and her ugly side is half your doing.

During today’s sermon in church, the speaker raised the question of whether the early church (according to Paul’s instructions) permitted women teachers and leaders.  Despite Paul’s comment in 1 Tim 2 about women to be quiet & not to teach nor have authority over men, we do know, however, that Paul permitted women to prophesy & pray in church (1 Cor 11), and Paul also worked alongside Priscilla, thus showing his approval of women leaders.

The speaker’s final take was that the man is the head of the household.  When it comes to church & ministry, it is not wrong for women to do God’s work.  If there is no man who can do the work, then let the woman do it. 

I don’t know if that would be read with a tinge of sexism but if I were to rephrase in my own words what the speaker’s conclusion was, I would say let the best person do the job.  This, is my personal belief. 

With regard to the man always being the head of the household, this brings me back to what I read on Weibo.  I’m not saying that a woman can blame the man for her shortcomings because we all need to take responsibility for our behaviour.  However, I strongly believe that if a man wants to be the head of the household, he must show that he is better than the woman – stronger, more capable, more patient, more knowledgeable, more responsible. 

You know, when the bible says, “wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as you do to the Lord” (Ephesians 5), it doesn’t mean that men can use this to rule roughshod over their wives.  I would like to emphasise the line, “as you do to the Lord”.  Why do women submit to the Lord?  It is because God is ever righteous, ever loving, ever faithful.  When a woman submits to the Lord, His perfect grace brings out the best in her.  Therefore, men, if you want to be the head of the household, if you want a gentle, pure, noble, lovable & generous wife, then work on yourself first.

Men (Christian men especially) should never say that they do not need to take on responsibilities because their wives are strong.  If your wife is strong, if your wife is capable, then you just need to work on doing better.  This, is after all what God ordained.