Woman power!!!

Now, who needs FBI?

Wedding Ang Pao Market Rates 2011 - Early 2012

For those who like to give $100 for every single weddings, please use this chart for reference. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

Family is forever

Adapted from Lilo & Stitch.  Ohana (Hawaiian) means family.  Family means no one gets left behind.  If you have never treasured your family, it's never too late to start now.

Aurora Borealis 2012

This is one thing I must see with my own eyes at least once in my life.  It's just amazing! I'm in awe of its beauty!

Gender discrimination by google translate

Google translate is practicing gender discrimination!!!

Lou Hei at boss place

I turned up expecting to see a house full of people.  But sadly, not many turned up.  Those who did turned up went "Oh, so you are Anna."  Don't know what had been happening behind my back.  Hopefully something good :)  Spoke to one of my colleague and she said, "I keep telling boss I want to do the Sxxxtxx SAP roles but boss said that it's handled by Anna...and I keep wondering who this person is.  Today I finally meet you." hehehe.  Some of the nicknames accorded to me by my wonderful colleagues are: Lady Gaga, Lady Champ, Auntie Young (!@#$%^), Ashley Young, striker...etc  Told my 'captain' that I prefer to be known as jie jie and he went on to tell his son 'quick, call auntie!!'  I think I have to get my butt to office more often so that my colleagues can have a face to the name.  My team already know who I am but I still think it's appropriate for me to go down.  You never know when you are going to need the rest of them.  Easier to work with when you have met.

The reason for turning up is not so much for the gathering or Liverpool Vs Man U.  It's more so because it's a new house.  And I love visiting new houses!  I actually quite like the place.  It comes with basement (1 room), level 1 (study, living and kitchen), level 2 (2 bedrooms), level 3 (masterbed room), level 4 (entertainment lounge) and level 5 (guest room).  Have not been to my big boss' previous home but I heard his previous condo was also very big.  I hope to own one of those 5 level houses with my hubby and it has to come with many guest rooms so that we can hosts our overseas friends and have house parties all the time.  I love hosting people!!!  I'm giving myself 10 years to have one of those :p  But first, have to really start my own business in the next 2 years.  And so....the question lies...what business should we venture into?  How much capital is required?  Which location should it be? How many staff do we need? How niche do we want the business to be?  Should it be a sole proprietorship or private limited?  What should our CSR policy be like? Vision and mission statement, SWOT analysis. 7 Ps (actually, I can only remember the 4Ps, can't remember the other 3)....the business plan will take a loooong time to be drawn. *sigh* This would be my 3rd business plan in my entire life!  Will discuss with my future hubby first coz he will be the big boss...I'm just the mini boss.

喜歡你

China prof slams HK natives, takes swipe at S'pore

Source: China prof slams HK natives, takes swipe at S'pore

A Peking University professor’s sharp rebuke of Hong Kong natives has come under fire for using expletives and describing some of them as “dogs”.

In a talk show on Internet news site V1.cn last week, Chinese-language professor Kong Qingdong, who was also a guest commentator, was asked to discuss a recent heated exchange involving some Hong Kong locals and a mainland Chinese family.

According to news reports, a man had chastised a mainland family for allowing their child to snack in a Hong Kong subway train carriage when the act is prohibited under the territory’s laws. It escalated into a heated argument and a video of the incident was uploaded on the Internet.

Commenting on this, the professor took issue with how the incident was handled, saying during the show that the man ought to have advised the child in a polite manner although the boy had broken the rules by eating in the subway train.

He also noted how Hong Kong citizens sought to differentiate themselves from their mainland counterparts.

"You [Hongkongers] are Chinese, right? But as I know, many Hongkongers don't think they are Chinese. They claim that we are Hongkongers, you are Chinese. They are bastards," Kong was quoted by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) as saying. "Those kinds of people used to be running dogs for the British colonialists. And until now, you [Hongkongers] are still dogs. You aren't human."

The professor also took a pot-shot at both Hong Kong and Singapore, saying that both countries depend heavily on the rule of law as part of its governance, and that Singapore people have to abide by regulations in order to act appropriately in public.

A report in The Straits Times quoted Kong as saying, “If a society had to maintain its order through strict laws such as hefty fines for littering, as happened in Singapore, its 'law-abiding' look does not reflect the true nature of its people,” he said. “Instead, it shows they are a servile bunch who can be whipped into line.”

Kong’s remarks on the show sparked the ire of both natives in Hong Kong and China, with many viewers criticising the professor’s remarks for being insensitive. Hong Kong’s Oriental Daily reported that angry Hong Kongers protested against those comments and demanded an apology from the professor.

Political figures also entered the fray, with Hong Kong’s former chief secretary Henry Tang quoted by the Ming Pao Daily News as defending the state’s rule of law as one of its core values, and something which locals should be proud of.

Tang also reportedly highlighted the need for Hong Kong natives and mainland Chinese to understand the culture of living of both sides.

However, according to a SCMP report on Sunday, the professor had denied calling Hong Kong citizens “running dogs for the British government”, adding that both mainland and Hong Kong media outlets had “maliciously twisted his speech”.
"Did I say Hongkongers are dogs? I didn't," he was quoted by SCMP as saying. "I request all media outlets which have twisted my speech to apologise."

------------------------------------
If he doesn't have a mirror at home, I can definitely send him one.  Please...for goodness sake....look into the mirror before you start criticizing another.  You aren't any better. Infact, you are worst.  Don't say that others doesn't have morality because your own flocks probably don't even know what moral is!  And yes, I love Hong Kong and I cannot stand another party criticizing the country I love.  To even make things worst...this clown criticized my own country too.  Surely he can say something more constructive rather than pointing fingers.  Remember, when you point one finger at another, 3 other fingers are pointing back at you!

回家过年

My heart is where my home is....where's yours?

捨不得你 --- 鄭秀文

The more I hear this song, the more heavy my heart is.  I don't want this song to be the story of my life. 

What is Your Soulmate Like Quiz

This quiz comes with a question and 4 options to choose 1.

At a cocktail party, you would most likely be:
(1) Talking excitedly with a large group
(2) Talking to the most interesting person you could find
(3) In deep conversation with one other person
(4) Standing off to the side, hoping to be approached
Ans: 3

You have a flair for:
(1) Entertaining yourself
(2) Getting things done
(3) Romance
(4) Making friends
Ans: 4

Which of the following sounds like something you'd do?
(1) Have a longtime crush on someone
(2) Talk to people while waiting in line
(3) Stay home on a night when everyone else is going out
(4) Work late for no extra money
Ans: 2

What kind of scenery makes you the happiest?
(1) Mountains
(2) A beach sunset
(3) A cheering crowd
(4) A city skyline
Ans: 1

Someday, you'd like to:
(1) Write a novel
(2) Start your own business
(3) Find soulmates for all your single friends
(4) Go on an epic vacation with a bunch of friends
Ans: 2

The Results

Your Soulmate is Friendly

You are a very open and extroverted person - and you seek the same in a partner.
Your soulmate doesn't have to be as outgoing as you are, but you'd have trouble being with a wallflower.

You also do best with someone who is responsible and practical. You sometimes need to balance out your easygoing approach to life.
However, you couldn't be with anyone who took things too seriously. You prefer to have a relaxed relationship.

The survivalist's guide to the corporate jungle

The survivalist's guide to the corporate jungle by Berocca.  Yup, you didn't read wrongly...it's by Berocca...the Think Sharp-Act Fast-Be Ready drink.

THE VULTURE
A solitary creature, the office vulture is seldom at its nest, but can often be spotted hovering near other cubicles.  Waiting to pick apart its prey at the slightest sign of weakness.

Family
Corporate Avian Corpsious

Species
Cubiclious Carnivorous

Habitat
Cubicle dividers make ideal perches

Feeding frenzy
Vultures can rip apart your 10-month old project in less than 30 seconds.

Killer eyes
Extraordinary long-range vision can spot weak resolve from at least 10 cubicles away.

Dull wardrobe
With their dull plumage, you usually don't notice a vulture until it's too late.

THE RAT
A shrewd and expert player of office politics, the rat is highly adaptable and has evolved to survive in a wide range of corporate environments.  Renowned for its arsenal of dirty tricks, a rat wouldn't think twice about dragging your name through the sewer.

Family
Rattus Officious

Species
Rumours Vicious

Favorite activity
Ratting on you

Rat pack
Rats enjoy lurking around the water cooler or in the pantry.  A congregation is usually a sign that something bad is about to happen.

Sneaky senses
Enlarged nostrils easily sniff out nefarious opportunities.

Trash talk
The rumours spread by rats are highly contagious.

THE FOX
The opportunistic office fox hunts alone, and is well-known for being cunning and deceptive.  At first glance, the fox may seem harmless.  But make no mistake, it's always on the lookout, and will pounce on any opportunity to advance its career at your expense.

Family
Corridorius Canidae

Species
Insidious Andeceptious

Hunting ground
Behind your back

Heightened hearing
Extraordinarily large ears can pick up advantageous information from behind closed doors.

Slick and sly
Good personal grooming helps mask a fox's true intentions.

Ravenous appetite
Always hungry for new prey, no one is safe from the fox.

THE SNAKE
A silent predator, the snake is a highly secretive creature that rarely makes its intentions public.  This makes them one of the most dangerous animals in the office.  The ultimate saboteurs, the snake can slither its way into your confidence before ruthlessly suffocating your career.

Family
Business Serpentes

Species
Careerius Sabotagius

Diet
Gullible, new colleagues

Snake charmer
Forked tongue charms you before it harms you

Fangs of fear
Once the snake sets its venomous fangs into your project, career paralysis sets in quickly.

False appearances
By shedding its skin, a snake can change its appearance to take full advantage of any situation.

Mum upset over school haircut for son

Repost from AsiaOne News

By Teh Jen Lee
The New Paper
Monday, Jan 09, 2012


IT WAS the first day of school on Tuesday, and she was shocked when her son SMSed to say he was getting his hair cut.

By the time she rushed to the school, there were uneven patches on his head, and his hair looked as if it had been unprofessionally cut.

The 43-year-old woman, who gave her name only as Madam Yeo, was upset that her 14-year-old son was subjected to a drastic hair cut by a staff member at Springfield Secondary.

So upset, in fact, that she called in the police and later complained to the Ministry of Education (MOE).

She said her son, a Secondary 2 student, went for a haircut four days before school reopened.

Madam Yeo, a general manager, estimated that at school, about 7cm of his hair was cut off. It had been styled to the side.

She told The New Paper: "Who gave the teacher the authority to do such damage?

Shouldn't the school work with the parents and not act unilaterally like this?"

Madam Yeo, who requested that her son not be named, was further angered when she reached the school that day and saw him bent over a table writing out a "statement".

She said the staff member, an allied educator, made her son write different versions of what had happened. It took two hours until he was satisfied.

When TNP asked to see the statement, Madam Yeo said she had torn it in anger.

She said: "The principal said it was a mere trim and that the teacher was doing his duty.

We called the police but they said this matter should be addressed by the MOE."

The mother, who subsequently complained to MOE, said: "If it was just a symbolic snip, a bit of hair cut off as a warning, I would have been fine (with it)."

Her son admitted this was not the first time the school had an issue with his hair being too long.

He said: "It was around the middle of last year. The teacher cut off about 1cm of hair as a warning.

"It was fine after that - I didn't have to do anything more. My parents didn't even notice it."

Madam Yeo said: "This time, the teacher really went too far."

She took her son to the hair salon to get his hair fixed after the incident.

Too traumatised

Her son said he was too traumatised to go to school the next day.

Madam Yeo said: "His asthma acted up, he had to use his inhaler. I keep seeing him touch his head and it's really painful for me as his parent."

She said the MOE responded through the cluster superintendent in charge of Springfield, who assured her that the incident would not be repeated.

The superintendent arranged for a meeting yesterday but Madam Yeo declined to elaborate on the outcome as she had promised MOE not to do so.

Springfield's principal, Mrs Jenny Ng, told TNP that before the December holidays last year, students were reminded of a "grooming check" when school reopens.

She said the information is also on the school's website and guidelines on appropriate haircuts are provided in the school handbook issued to all students.

The handbook, which Madam Yeo showed us, states: "Boys must keep their hair short. Fanciful and unkempt hair styles are not allowed".

Mrs Ng said that grooming checks are first done by the form teachers in their classrooms. Students who were deemed to have long hair or improper hairstyles would be sent for a second check by another team of school staff.

"The trim is meant as a guide for the student to get a proper haircut that day," she said. She added that all school staff members are responsible for the discipline of students and that the school will continue to engage Madam Yeo.

When asked to comment on the case, a spokesman for MOE said: "Good discipline in schools is important as it facilitates teaching and learning. Every member of the school has a role to play in ensuring good discipline in school."

The statement added that MOE provides schools with a set of guidelines in managing school discipline and schools may have their own school rules depending on their needs.

Madam Yeo said her son went back to school on Thursday.

She said: "I had to assure him that everything will be okay."

Two secondary school principals said that every school has its own policy on disciplining students with hair issues, depending on the situation.

Said one principal, who has 20 years of education experience: "As far as possible, we inform the parents and the student goes to get his hair cut or dyed black.

"They can come back to school and resume classes after that."

She said students must have acceptable hairstyles because it's basic behaviour.

"But different schools have different ways of managing such cases because they face different circumstances," she added.
--------------------
If the school has told the students that a check would be done when school reopen, she should bring your 14 year old son to David Gan to get his hair done professionally.  Yes, you didn't hear me wrong...BRING her 14 year old secondary 2 little boy to cut his hair.  As a repeated offender, he should already know how short his hair should be cut. Don't blame the school for the unprofessional haircut when there was chances given before action was taken.  And if she really wants to protect her little boy like that....I'd suggest home school.  She can then let her boy keep whatever hairstyle he wants!  And someone need to educated this so-called GM that she don't call the police for over every single issue.  Hair cutting is not a criminal offence!  Call the corps for what????  They won't be able to do a better job on his little boy's hair!

What Are The Keys To Your Heart Quiz?

This quiz comes with a question and 4 options to choose 1.

1. The end of the world is near, and you have the power to save only one kind of animal. What do you save? (Deer, Horse, Sheer, Rabbit - ans: Horse)
2. You travel to Africa. When you visit a tribe, they insist you take a live animal as a souvenir. Which one will you choose? (Giraffe, Monkey, Lion, Snake - ans: Monkey)
3. You did something wrong. God punishes you by turning you into an animal of your choice. You decide to become a: (Cat, Dog, Horse, Snake - ans: Horse)
4. If you have the power to make one species disappear forever, which one will that be? (Shark, Lion, Crocodile, Snake - ans: Snake)
5. If you someday met an animal that could speak in human language, you would want that animal to be a...(Rabbit, Bird, Horse, Sheep - ans: Horse)
6. On an isolated island, you can only have an animal as you companion. You choose: (Human, Pig, Cow, Bird - ans: Human)
7. If you had the power to tame all kinds of animals, you'll choose what kind of animal to be your pet? (Leopard, Dinosaur, White Tiger, Polar Bear - ans: White Tiger)
8. If you could be an animal for 5 minutes, which one you would like to be? (Cat, Pigeon, Horse, Lion - ans: Lion)

The Results

Your Heart Craves Love

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free.

In love, you feel the most alive when your lover is creative and never lets you feel bored.

You'd like your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was emotional, moody, and difficult to please.

Your ideal relationship is open. Both of you can talk about everything... no secrets.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as something you thirst for. You'll do anything for love, but you won't fall for it easily. 

Would You Be a Good Wife Personality Test?

Out of 20 items, these are the selections I have chosen:

1. You are quite unselfish. You are able to put your needs last in a relationship.
2. You notice when someone does something small for you, and you make sure to say "thank you."
3. You are independent, but you are also able to let someone play a big role in your life.
4. You are good at sharing your time, possessions, and money.
5. You are willing to put a spouse first, in front of any other friends or family members.
6. You are able to lose a fight to save your relationship.
7. You are able to ignore the little personal habits of others that get on your nerves.
8. If the romance in a relationship is dying, you don't sulk. You try to get it going again.
9. You have a good sense of humor. You can laugh at adversity.
10. You have at least a few close friends, and you know how to be a good friend.
11. You find it easy to forgive. You don't carry grudges.
12. You are careful with your words. You refrain from criticizing, complaining, and gossiping.
13. You don't enter relationships with unrealistic expectations. It's easy for you to accept people as they are.
14. You are a trusting person. You are willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt, even when you're feeling a little suspicious.   

My result for the test: (only 70% hahaha)

You Would Be a Good Spouse 70% of the Time

You have what it takes to be an amazing wife.
You are caring, patient, giving, and romantic. You are willing to work for a marriage.

More than anything, you're not about to let your ego ruin a relationship.
You are humble and unselfish. And that's the key to being a good spouse. 

THE NOOSE Season 3 Taxi Drivers Learn French EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW by mediacorpch5 learn French

This is really funny.  I love The Noose!!!!

Disclaimer: The Noose is a TV program in Singapore showcasing a series of spoof news.  They are not real...don't be offended.  Watch with a light heart, yah?

Five Stupid Questions Women ask Men

Got this off someone's posting on facebook.

Ooops....I'm guilty.  The last part about the hug is hilarious....^_^. 

Diss-Grace-Fu Ministerial Salary Review

Got this note off facebook and I thought the author expressed it well.  It is weird to read that in 2006, pay was not a key factor for Grace Fu to join politics but now, it will make it harder for 'any one' considering political office.  I guess if she is worried about the loss of privacy, public scrutiny, loss of personal time, disruption to her career, drastic change in her standard of living with the drop of her income then I guess its perhaps time for her to leave politics because her heart is no longer with the people.  Everything revolves around her....her life, her income, her career, her personal time....etc.  What about those who voted for her?  What about those who paid her salary? What about service?  Our ministers are already the highest paid (even after the pay cut).  With a small country...sorry, I meant to say city, to govern, salary is not even on par with other leaders in the world. Frankly, it's good to voice her opinion...but it's better if a little PR skills is included in the 'voice'.  Just a thought.  Anyway, here's what I got from Facebook.

--------
Author: Cheryl Guzman
Note title:  Diss-Gace-Fu Ministerial Salary Review

I woke up this morning and saw this comment by MP Grace Fu, and as a taxpayer, I am going to practice my right to say something.

theonlinecitizen
MP Grace Fu: "When I made the decision to join politics in 2006, pay was not a key factor. Loss of privacy, public scrutiny on myself and my family and loss of personal time were. The disruption to my career was also an important consideration. I had some ground to believe that my family would not suffer a drastic change in the standard of living even though I experienced a drop in my income. So it is with this recent pay cut. If the balance is tilted further in the future, it will make it harder for any one considering political office."

Dear Ms Grace Fu,

Before you comment on yours and your fellow colleagues' impending salary cuts, I have a few questions for you. Seeing that you hold quite a double portfolio (Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts & Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources), you might need some help from me to guide you in your train of thought because like SMRT, I think you have derailed and broken away from your true purpose as a Minister- a civil servant so to speak.

1. What were your reasons (really), when you decided to joined the PAP in 2006. Of course pay was not a factor then because being a Minister was going to pay more as a CEO, South East Asia & Japan of PSA International Pte Ltd. The "glory" that came with it? The money? Because it sure doesn't seem like it was the need to serve the nation and people. Your motivations for joining the civil service are/were clearly wrong. If you are worried about future possible salary cuts again (that are tied to your performance), quit now and let someone else with the heart to serve, do it for the right reasons.

2. You said if there are further cuts to your over $1.1 million annual salary, and up to 13.5 months bonus, it would deter people from joining politics. Maybe you are so busy wondering where to put your money and holding your double-portfolio that you find no time to read the papers because other than your colleagues, ALL of your fellow politicians globally (who govern bigger countries and more often than not bigger and troubling issues like war, natural disasters, political unrest, debt crises...etc) earn less than you. I'm sure your job has its challenges, but being in charge of Information, Arts and Communications versus a Prime Minister who has to fight to make sure his country doesn't go into default... honestly... it makes your job look like child's play.

3. If you were so worried about a change in standard of living for your family with the pay cut, then what is your husband for? I'm sure you have the luxury (unlike many others) of a double income since your maid is around to help care for your three children. And does your standard of living inlcude a 3 room HDB flat, taking crowded public transport, no nice family holidays, SGD$1000 income per month, and mountains of bills that you worry you cant pay every month? You do know that your so-called standard of living is not the common STANDARD of living amongst alot of your fellow Singaporeans. Especially not the lower 20% that you now have to buck up to help raise that standard of living. So stop the sod story.

4. You're worried about loss of privacy and public scrutiny? You should have known that comes with the job. It's like a taxi driver who complains that he hates driving (though he probably has less of a comfort in his income than you are). Let's face it, you don't get chase down the road by paparrazzis and yourself and your colleagues ever only make an appearance once every 5 years when you need our votes. I'm sure if you stepped out of your house (which is not in Yuhua- which you are an MP for), hardly anyone would recognize you. I am sorry to inform you that you're not a celebrity (not even the so-called local artistes are celebrities). You're a civil servant. Just like Mdm Zubaidah teaching Maths in Loyang Secondary School.

5. You whine about a pay cut that still makes you a millionaire. Well the economy wasn't exactly stellar the last two years, and many people saw themselves take a paycut too. With some losing their jobs. So what is your bone of contention here? This is your first pay cut in your entire career and your tone seems one filled with regret and warning of what future cuts could result in. Obama earns less than you, but he still joined politics. I'm pretty sure he is more talented and capable than you, because for a start, he speaks better. So does every other Minister (and a certain Royal family). Money and talent? Join X-Factor. it's a USD$5million contract. There you get more money and you can show off whatever this talent is that all of you keep harping on. And you only need to win 3 votes out of  4 to get through.

6. People deal with tsunami devastations and you can't even solve a "ponding" issue (you guys shot yourself in the foot by trying to downplay the actual flooding by calling it "ponding", so now it just seems like you're being paid millions and yet can't even solve a simple plumbing problem).

7. Quit being a public SERVANT now because you are definitely in it for the wrong reasons- duty to serve comes after money in the bank. Join X-factor and I might still vote for you. Continue to whine and gripe about your (no longer outrageously) but still obscenely high salary, and 5 years down the road, you'll see if anyone would still vote for you.

We're paying your salaries, so get back to work and quit wasting time making diss-grace-fu comments like that because it just puts you in the limelight which puts you in public scrutiny (which you "seem" to want to avoid).

Thanks.

----------------
And now for some entertainment

First blog of the year

This is my first blog of the year and I thought I wanted to be creative and come up with something that will leave an impression.  But after struggling with the zzzzzz monsters, I decided to make it simple so that my brain juice will not be squeezed dry.  Spent a good closure of the year with a friend in church watching "The Noose (replica)"...it was quite funny.  While watching the different segments of dance, torch relay, videos...etc, I kept wondering when the balloons are going to be released.  Buffet was yummy..especially the ang mo carrot cake.  2012 started off with the forgiveness of a good friend.  Her graciousness and generosity was something I didn't deserve.  But I guess she placed friendship above all else.  When she said "anything happen, you still have us by your side", I knew I have a friend for life.  I'm grateful and thankful for her forgiveness.  We chatted the whole time on whatsapp while I was wallowing in self-pity at the airport lol.  Yah, I felt pathetic and was feeling so sorry for myself.... and she knows why ^_^  Nonetheless, it was a good chat.  At least we understand that what doesn't break us will only make us stronger.  Our friendship will be taken up to another level.  The 2 hours whatsapp chat did it all!!  Thumbs up for technology!

Lesson today wasn't as easy as the first one.  But I guess I need to practice more in order to perfect my skills.  As you can see, this hand wasn't dry yet but I went ahead to do the finishing touch.  Still damp at the part where the color wasn't white. My partner wanted to do the 1-2-2 hand sign.  She's a nice lady who grooms pets!  And better still, stays near me :)  I love making new friends!