watching the olympics

despite some of the tragic mishaps and negativity surrounding the the opening ceremony, i still love the Olympics... i love it when different people from different parts of the world come together and be the best they could possibly be. everyday ought to be an Olympic-like day!!! everywhere!!! i love the spirit and inspiration that the athletes embody. one of the few sports i am very passionate about is artistic gymnastics (and figure-skating in the Winter Olympics). seeing all the amazing movements and acrobatic tumbles along with such ballerina-like grace never fails to make me awestruck with admiration. it's simply incredible. even in the men's routines... which can at times get to the point of "silly strong" as the nbc tv commentator exclaimed.

what, when, and how...?

there are days, too many of them, when i feel annoyed with the world, with the people i love, with situations i find myself stuck in... wishing that i could just make things however they are supposed to be... here and now.

What We Want

What we want
is never simple.
We move among the things
we thought we wanted:
a face, a room, an open book
and these things bear our names—
now they want us.
But what we want appears
in dreams, wearing disguises.
We fall past,
holding out our arms
and in the morning
our arms ache.
We don't remember the dream,
but the dream remembers us.
It is there all day
as an animal is there
under the table,
as the stars are there
even in full sun.

"What We Want," by Linda Pastan, from Carnival Evening. © W.W. Norton.

randomness

strange encounter with an old lady who decided to contribute US 20 dollars to what she deemed as beautiful: the sight of a loving couple eating al fresco at a fast-food chain.

WALL-E

i never really owned any barbie dolls (okay, just one but it was after all the pre-teen fad died down and the minute it was paid for and removed from its packaging, i came to appreciate why mum despised it), but i grew up playing LEGO with my brothers. while my brothers constructed spiffy LEGO-machines and fighter planes, i was happy creating my boxy dream cottages... until of course we were all fighting for the same piece for our muse. nonetheless, i've always been fascinated with robots. i remember the remote controlled toy cars my brothers got at one time... or the LEGO technic my brother upgraded himself to. then there was STAR WARS that my uncle taped when they aired it on telly and i was fascinated by R2-D2 and C3-PO but only because to a 3 year old, Yoda was scary looking and spoke strangely... well, i still think R2-D2 is the best, what with the gadgets and intelligence with which it was programmed? who wouldn't want it as a companion?!! =) think of all the things you could do with a R2-D2; explore unchartered territories, get into unauthorized places, find unclassified info. ... hide a light saber... use it as a personal mobil ?!?! the possibilities are nearly endless.

so it was with little coaxing that i needed to go watch the new animation movie of a Waste Allocation Load Lifter-- Earth-class (WALL-E), a new release from Pixar. there is some resemblance of WALL-E in its appearance to ET; the very large tear-shaped eye-lobes encasing the round binoculars. the difference of course is that WALL-E is a little robot; it compacts trash and piles them into compacted trash structures sky-scraper high with its preprogrammed role to "clean up Earth one trash-cube at a time". it has been doing this for 700 years since humans fled their trash infested earth to travel in the AXIOM to live in space, where they might enjoy the ultimate luxury of their lives... until their earth is cleaned up...

story writers ANDREW STANTON and PETE DOCTER have created a cast of wiz-bots with personality that evolved as glitches during their prolonged activity... and the plot they've woven is one that exalts the wonderful human creations, the beauty of the natural world, as well as the awe and fascination in curious inquiry, while abasing the waste, redundancy, the unquestioning short-sightedness that is germane to the problems of ecological sustainability today. it is amusing to find that each little bot has a concrete 'directive' or purpose built into their 'being' while humans' purpose in life is portrayed as ominously lured by the said promises of consumerism, an abstract construct. you meet a beautiful and sophisticated earth probe named EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), an obsessive-compulsive M-O (Microbe Obliterator), and their apparently 'flawed in-design' friends as you follow WALL-E's adventures into space and back. while it does not offer concrete answers, but perhaps a glimpse of what future machines might be like. this is an animation movie that would very likely appeal to those who ponder about 'will-power', 'cognition', or about artificial-intelligence's ability to evolve and learn, whether they are capable of emotions and store associations and memories like we do. it will also offer those who have fought with their own compy-quirks, battled with dying mother-boards, random-access and/or hard-disk memory, etc. some good laughs. as for me, i loved every pixel and sound-lolling-byte it offered! do go watch the movie before you head to wikipedia's spoiler... it's one movie that will probably become a classic!

**UPDATE: an interview recording of Andrew Stanton on npr.org today (10th July 2008).

life anecdotes

some people have a knack of telling their life stories with an addictive humour leaving their audiences clamouring for more. my genetic make-up seems to lack that story-telling trait, or, perhaps in a more optimistic light, such phenotype has not yet come to manifest behaviourally.

a couple of weeks ago, i found myself in the audience listening to David Sedaris read from his latest opus "When You Are Engulfed in Flames". i had only very recently discovered that the university bookstore held such events. as i waited excitedly in the reserved seating section in the bookstore's underground premise, i felt quite alone amongst the sea of strangers and Sedaris pilgrims.

unlike most other people in the audience, i am the odd-ball who has never before this event read any of Sedaris's works. friends, monoceros and DSD, in particular, adore his writing, and have mentioned that i ought to look up his other works. as i haven't heeded their good advise, i thought that attending his reading might make up for the apparent lack of solidarity.

with a rather straight face, Sedaris read his anecdotes aloud. one does not really know if he ever laughs in his pants with the audience or that it's a facade he's learnt to assume during readings. the stories are undoubtedly funny; awkward life situations that are both embarrassing and ridiculous, but quite plausibly true, too. some of his trans-cultural experiences are uncannily similar to mine, although mine were never quite so embarrassing. it seems that linguistic faux-pas can be a devastatingly easy cultivator of unfortunate circumstances, and at the same time, potentially a lot of laughs. while his conversational style and thematic approach to his subject render his readers an expectation of what subsequent developments might be likely... he offers suspense with digressions, not too far removed from the main theme. we arrive at the end of each anecdotal chapter of his life enlivened, and perhaps a little more at ease at laughing at ourselves if we weren't already used to doing so.

the book-signing queue was endless, and for the most part remained in situ. the wait was made a little more miserable by the fact that many buildings in the midwest, while magestic in its sheer volume, do not capitalize in their architectural design, the natural sunlight that is pleasantly abundant in this part of the world where winters dominate the weather forecast. it's an utter shame for summer has finally arrived!

when i finally got to the table where Sedaris was perched, he mentioned 'having to' visit Hong Kong later this year... i said he ought to explore Singapore but forgot to add that i think he might find his visit interesting fodder for his travel anecdotes... i guess if he were to visit he'll figure that out himself! in any case, i was one of the few hundred patient but restless readers who left the stuffy underground that evening with an autograph and a bit of random doodling from the man; apparently, if i had a cat, it would look as weirdly crossed-eyed as it appears in my book.

for those who missed the event, here's a podcast, a list of programmes related to Sedaris, and a recent entry by the man reflecting on his letting go of a habit. but be warned... laughing might be a necessary and natural response.

libraries...

the mentioning of the word library could conjure up different memories for each of us. the late nights racing through exam revisions, or the many hours spent searching for references, or the endless queues to the xerox machines... despite all that academic tedium, which we sometimes go through, i am sure i am not the only one who find myself drawn to libraries for the occasional good read, or that random find, or simply a good place to hide and be lost in its peaceful surroundings.

thinking of library also reminded me of the book thief's stints in the mayor's house library, which went spectacularly 'unnoticed'... it was a wonderful read, and *touchingly* written from an interesting point of view... death's library of humanity.

other reasons why people visit the library might be because it is not just a place for bibliophiles, but for those who are fascinated by the architecture and beauty rendered in the designing of libraries.

this weekend, i was at the James J Hill Reference Library in St Paul for a wedding reception... one would never have imagined that a peaceful place like the library could be a place you'd transform for a banquet... but it was a splendid venue for the occasion. the backdrop of floor-to-ceiling high bookshelves filled with troves of words... the subdued lighting... the grand pillars. what a refreshing contrast to the window-less hotel venues... i am certain many friends i know would probably love to do the same in some other beautiful library for their special day.

boy! ... i reckoned that there will be more library-adventures to discover... or other transformations of 'traditional' places that might be making their popularity quotient in the trend-setting!

t'was lovely to have them visit!

it might possibly be a universal trait in families that they all have the tendency to be 'dramatic'. on the positive light, such drama can be comical... or frustratingly so.

in the 10 days that mummy and papa visited me in the midwest, i had to endure the constant (but loving) nagging that seemed to have gradually grown unfamiliar with the years... about all things relating to 1) my being so faraway, 2) my not being nearer to them so they could pester me, 3) my not seeking employment in the same country as they are based... 4) that traveling the crazy distances to see each other is made more miserable because i) flights and connections to the midwest are weirdly unpopular(?) and ii) aisle seats on Boeing 747s are scarce and iii) being squashed in the middle of the plane can and often do lead to very grumpy and miserable mums...

i thought i had it all planned out! indeed all the hours mulling over the what, when, where, who, and how! =) i meant that Spring was supposed to have just arrived with all the flowers blooming outdoors... and the weather ought to be brilliant! in reality, well, you might be just a little too keen to nudge me out of my optimism. the weather was a constant ambivalence. Spring was fighting to be heard, and seen... and it was a little too chilly for our liking; even in late April! although the occasional fleeting sun did allude to warmer days to come, the impatient rain got the better of our optimistic forecasting.

mum and dad were excited to meet the people who have welcomed me as a friend in this country, which at times seems half familiar (bureaucratically), yet it is in so many other ways very foreign. they are people who i'm honored to call my friends.

on the first day, we drove in my wee zippy and went along the Mississippi river, saw the wreckage of the recent I35W river bridge collapse and the rebuilding process and stopped to admire the stone-arch bridge of St. Antony Falls. we had lunch at Cecils with the Boeffs, who were ever so generous and gracious... Cecils, the neighbourhood diner, was a perfect American welcome... and if i might add, the owner seemed comfortably fluent in Mandarin to return my papa's compliment with an understated modesty. we also visited the madhouse i work in... met some of the peeps that helped me kept sane... some who drove me up the wall... others who pondered why i was ever here to begin with. an evening of pleasant chamber music at the College of St. Catherine, ended our adventures for that day. the music programme (Bela Bartok's Rumanian dances; JS Bach's Brandenburg Concerto no. 4; St Paul Suite by Gustav Holst) was the antithesis of the dissonant juxtaposed medley of post-modern and classic pieces typically offered by some more established orchestra in the metro area; a refreshing reminder of some of the best works of creations from the Baroque and Romantic modern era...

we made a road-trip over the next 5 days, passing only but a marginal circumference of the Lake Superior and crossing the US-Canadian borders to Thunder Bay. it was a long drive up North; physically long and mentally draining. my parents have not been on a road trip before, and they have never really had much confidence in my driving. (i have memories of my attempts in trying to get some driving practice whenever i visit them but it would always be a nerve-wrecking experience. it is not easy to go from not having the opportunities to drive (or practice driving) to driving like a pro, let alone the fact that stick-shifs are so intuitive. it's an impossible catch-22 situation, where i don't ever have much chance of winning.) moreover, the concept of vast distances is relatively new to them; we would drive for miles and miles and there would be no sign of any real civilization. that made them uneasy. and in such unfamiliar territory, it was natural for one to retreat to familiarity.

we made it to Canada though, and met up at the town village restaurant with Pina and Karl, who we have not seen for over 15 years. theirs is a fairy-tale-like life story to be told in person someday... Pina was my nanny/ au pair when my brothers and i were little-r. mummy and papa worked full-time and we were obviously quite a hand-full! i spent most of my childhood on my own and returning from school, Pina would be there with a hearty lunch and a warm smile to welcome me. she was part of the family and still feels like one! with the turn of fate and destiny, she met her husband through writing. who would have thought that pen pals would later become life partners? little did one foresee that farewells like the one we bade Pina would one day lead to another reunion.

it was so good to see Pina again, and to meet Karl properly for the first time. i indulged in Pina's cooking and it was fun to learn about life in the country-side. they have a farm near the Kakabeka Falls, with brown hens and rabbits, a home-made greenhouse with seedlings awaiting to be replanted in flowerbeds when it would only turn Summer!

their many acres of grass will soon turn into hay and be packed into bales for sale. we talked a lot, shared a lot, and drank quite a lot of good Canadian Maria Christi red wine. there was much laughter particularly in the company of Pina's in-laws, who live on the hill across from them. although they joke about it, i still wonder if they do really yodel to each other! afterall, both Pina and her sis in-law, Erica, are married to Swiss men!

mum amused herself with all the 'not-so-still-life' painting she could... the bird-feeders outside the two families' home were full of constant activities; starlings, sparrows, honey suckers, red squirrels... they all came for something. if it were truly Spring... i reckoned mummy would find it hard to leave, for all the blooming flowers, trees, and scenery would be reason enough for her to stay and paint all season!

we made our way back to the Twin-Cities stopping as before in Grand Marais for a night and along the scenic North Shore near Duluth for lunch. Here are our tasting notes:

Crooked Spoon, 17 W. Wisconsin St., Grand Marais, 218-387-2779
soup of the day (cream of mushroom with wild rice) was a lovely warm and cozy thing to have on a rainy April day! & we shared 3 side dishes: crab cakes, seared ahi tuna with tangy-citrus sauce and carviar, fresh table salad with walnuts and raisins --- generous servings; the crab cakes were succulent and the salad refreshing. the dressing for the seared tuna is a little strong, unfortunately.

Gun Flint Tavern, 111 Wisconsin St., Grand Marais, 218-387-1563
a rather touristy setting... but the warm spiced wine was quite a delight. Creme Brulee was rich and creamy but not spectacular. the view out to the lake was a treat.

New Scenic Café, 5461 North Shore Dr., Duluth, 218-525-6274
delightful wooden cabin-style restaurant, with laid back atmosphere surrounded by hung art pieces of local artists and very friendly staff. hearty menus, of which the daily soup options (wild rice or roasted vegetables with middle eastern grains) were a delight and the freshly baked bread was amazing! the dessert choices required one to feel decadent. don't forget to leave a wee travel note in their leather-bound restaurant journal! an absolutely charming place!

Nokomis, 5593 North Shore Drive, Duluth, MN 55804, 218-525-2286
this is one restaurant stop you should not miss on your way up or down the NorthShore. mum and dad absolutely loved it; the details and professional effort put into the food creations were felt with every mouthful taste... the pear vinegarette salad dressing is subtly beautiful! and the light profiteroles drizzled with the house chocolate sauce provided much chocolatey fun at the end of the family luncheon!

we spent the next few days visiting some of the Twin-Cities' touristy sights: Como Park Conservatory, the Minnetonka and Eagan suburbs, visitor's shopping at the MALL of AMERICA... well, actually mainly the Nordstrom Rack -- where, i've learnt, one can find some good sales! they were particularly amazed and overwhelmed by the size of the stores here, e.g. SuperTarget, and by how far apart things are located compared to how they are in e.g. Asia, and Europe.

what i particularly enjoyed is the cooking we did and sharing it with my friends here, for it is a special treat to be able to taste mummy's culinary creations and to help out in the kitchen like i used to. we even got papa to help out when we prepared fresh spring-rolls, a wonderful family affair i am always fond of, which was hilariously epic!

best of all... i got to have mummy's amazing layered-cake (baked layer by layer!) that she transported from home, and it lasted long enough that i got to enjoy it over my birthday. what a very special treat! =)

well, as the days flew along, the jet-lagged moodiness of the first day or so gradually made way for giggles and silly banter. playing 'parent' and dealing with the 'stubborn-ness' of the adults were admittedly challenging... but i am so glad mummy and papa were here to visit, and got to see a bit about how life over here is like. i am also glad that they are now able to put me into a familiar context the next time we connect through the phone or internet or in person. i sure hope they had as much fun as i did. but if little else, at least mummy and papa got their aisle seats on their flights home!

for days after, i pottered about in my apartment wondering what's oddly missing ... it is so quiet now that they have left!

bits and pieces

it's been quite a whirlwind of late... and sadly it is only with me falling ill last week and now battling them hay-fever, thanks to the pollinating trees, that i get a little 'time-off' the silly buzz carried over from the post-madness of finishing up 4 1/2 years of research; most of which -- the frustrating parts -- did not end up filling the actual thesis. thank goodness! in any case, i had an excuse to dispose it in person... be in bonnie edinburgh, tidy up some of the stuff i left behind with dear lucy, & got to meet up with my first-year undergrad flatmates (hannah, anna, and amy), and to drop by to say hello to me brother and li anne!

dropping off the final bound copy of the thesis was probably the happiest moment in my entire journey towards the 'light' beyond the tunnel. i don't think graduation in person would top it. i am done with all that silly garb... it's good fun as an undergrad and for taught-degrees where you have fellow course mates to make merry and celebrate with you. but parents always want 'the' moment to feel proud of their kid's achievement... even if it is 5 mins at the tops... and i am depriving them of that opportunity. tsk tsk tsk. instead, they are coming to visit me! RAH! i think that's much more worthwhile... =)

more pictures soon... although i've placed some on facebook... go here to see them!

i am still figuring out which picture application is best. flickr is okay although i don't find it easy to organise my stuff because i am a cheepo and am not paying for a pro-account. i quite like the interface from facebook but am chronically unsure as to how 'secure' it is... but then again how secure is google mail when you have adverts all over staring at you based on search words?! i've not used picasa for uploading of pictures... hmm. any recommendations?

else... i am catching up on enjoying life a little, learning new things (as always!)... and erm... yes tidying up before my parents show up! oooops!

in love with the green little blue plastic thing

it has to be said, bringing your own shopping bag to stores and markets is a very continental thing for you are often charged for every plastic or paper bag you take from the store. i had to learn the hard way but it was a quick nearly one-shot learning... for i never really see the point in paying for plastic bags at a big store! and the very idea of re-using and cutting down on the plastic-bag clutter is very appealing to me! i even go to the point of bringing my own bags to the local supermarket whenever i visit my family in Singapore! the cashiers are often surprised but more often than not, they have been positive about my occasional 'being-green' quirk. with all the hype on branded goods in asia... the idea of bringing your own grocery bag is still a very new concept; although asians do like their shopping trolleys/baskets! i'm quite optimistic though, as i think with more new campaigns like the ones IKEA promote... I am sure it won't be long before everyone is on the same page re. green-ology =)

i love my large IKEA tote bag(s) which i use for laundry, grocery shopping, and almost anything to do with carrying things... road-trips... hauling paper and cardboard to the recycling bins... and possibly even as a sleigh on a sleigh-ride! but i was deliriously chuffed when i found its little version last week on my trip there to pick up a few things! i LOVE the little blue bag. it's about the same size as my small messenger bag and i love the fact that it's got a pair of short and another pair of longer handles... just like its bigger half! it's perfect for the few bits and bobs e.g. lunch or rain-jacket you want to take along outdside... =)

best of all, such lovely blue bliss comes only at a cost of 30 US cents (plus state-tax)! i am so tempted to get another just because it is much more functional than all the existing grocery bags i own!

oh how lovely & green these blue plastic things are!

ill...

it's snowing in april(?!?!)... and i am stuffed up with icky sticky slimey bug of some flu that refuses to disappear. and my hay-fever is nowhere near dissipating... baaaah

see how evil the bugs look?!?! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeks!!!

today's occupation is to do with coaxing myself to get my mountains of laundry done and tidy up my mess. it's a challenge... all i want to do is feel sorry for myself.

=(