Saturday, July 15, 2006

Dream a little dream with me

I've been caught up with dreams recently. Not the Dream from Neil Gaiman's Sandman, not quite Martin Luther King's rousing "I have a dream"s but simply, those precious dreams that we've all had about the things we wanted to do in life.

For the past few months, I've lived between two worlds as I've tried to replicate the life I left behind with the one ahead of me. Recent developments have made me question WHY. Why haven't I seized the opportunity to try something new, something I've been dreaming of doing once I'm back in this part of the world, but which I'd laid aside - in return for stability and sometimes out of necessity - when I was younger? The bottom line is I've been afraid. Afraid of risking failure by stepping out of my comfort zone. Afraid to trust in something greater than myself. Afraid to define success as it could be rather than what others think it should be for me.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." - T. Roosevelt

On that note, thanks to friends and family who have encouraged and inspired me to take the plunge this year and to appreciate the "might" of our dreams. I'll fill you all in once I decide - which should be soon (hopefully). Also, special congrats to Sudhir and Carolyn on your new jobs. You do us all proud!
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Monday, June 19, 2006

On gender and football

I came across an entertainingly biased article in the June 18, 2006 Sunday Times entitled "Spare us guys your shrieks." It was littered with blatantly sexist to outrageously ignorant observations on how women are clueless about football and that this "pretense" is spoiling men's enjoyment of the Beautiful Game.

"...We don't 'think that women don't understand the game.'
We know it..... In my book, the biggest sinners are
the 10 percent of women who pretend they know the game."

Sure, people like sports for many reasons and at different levels, but why condemn anyone for enjoying something without fully understanding it yet? People grow in their appreciation and interests over time - even the most ardent football fan had to begin somewhere, after all. Furthermore, I'd argue that it's commitment and curiousity - not how much one knows - that ultimately separates the pretenders from the believers.

"...When a woman says she's a football fan, it's like she just revealed that she's a porn star - you can't move on to another topic."
 "If they're not whining about how we're ignoring them,
they're trying unsuccessfully to watch the game with us."

It's grossly unfair to judge women's interest in football as purely superficial (i.e. "Oh! Look at his abs") or social ("I've to appear cool to impress the guys") in nature. First, there's absolutely nothing wrong with a little "people watching" - we can all appreciate beautiful bods, touching stories ... as well as a compelling game! The article also fails to acknowledge that men too face significant social pressure to be sports fans. Would the tone be less scathing if the majority of guys who watch football are part of that sinful "10 percent"?

"The problem with women who think they know football is that most of them can't - and never will - be able to engage the men because, crucially, they don't play football."
This was the most absurd point. Women have been playing football for as long as the game has existed - from ancient China to the FIFA Women's World Cup held every four years since 1991. In fact, FIFA estimates that the current 40 million girls and women playing football around the world will equal the number of men by 2010.

Perhaps the author is guilty of the very superficiality and social "inferiority" that we ladies evidently have. To paraphrase:
"I don't 'think that he doesn't understand women
[or even football, for that matter].' I know it."
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Sunday, June 18, 2006

The World Cup Craze

I wrote this poem when I was the school's sports and special features editor back in 1994. Hope you get a kick out of it.

The hour hand touched four, my alarm clock rang
I stirred, then covered my ears with my hand,
My eyes were glued shut but I struggled out of bed
4:15 a.m.? I'm fifteen minutes late!

I dashed out of my room and stumbled down the stairs
My dad, in pyjamas, was already seated there
One hand holding a book, coffee in the other,
eyes on the t.v., for one and a half hours.

The Cup craze is on! The Cup craze is on!
There are goals to be shot, games and bets to be won
In front of the t.v. we were stuck on the screen
as we applauded and rooted for our favourite teams

For a month, beginning June the eighteenth,
Football was our food, and coffee our drink.
We screamed and yelled and hollered away
and watched like addicts day after day.

We laughed and cried over all the victories
We argued over fouls and criticized the referees
We witnessed the rise and fall of Maradona,
We were appalled by the murder of Escobar from Columbia.

Most thrilling were the spectacular goals and tries
We watched amazed at Romario, Bebeto and Rai!
Enthralled by the magic of Milla and Hagi
Wondering who would win - Brazil? Italy? Germany?

It was a time for upsets, a time for new stars
A win meant some players received Mercedes cars,
Some teams had finesse, some brute strength
but in the end, only the best will be champs

6:45 a.m.? Uh-oh, I've got school!
I grab my things and start wearing my shoes.
But all day long, I'm still in a daze,
Why? That's because I've got the Cup craze.

Lastly, here's an England 2006 World Cup vidsong for all you fans!




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Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Mon Dieu, c'est la Coupe du Monde!

These days, ~70% of my working hours are spent with a group of Europeans. Added to that, the World Cup fever is back - and along with it, the thrill of staying up late and dissecting football plays - something I'd not done since 1994, when I last lived in a country that calls football "football" and not "soccer" (aka anywhere BUT the US). I'm also an unashamed global sports fan so was pleasantly surprised to read Why the World Cup is better than the Olympics in this week's Economist. Poking around during the half time between France and Switzerland, I took this random quiz on what I'd be if I actually were European. Guess my French-speaking colleagues won this one.

Your Inner European is French!

Smart and sophisticated.
You have the best of everything - at least, *you* think so.

PS - Way to go, South Korea!!!
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Sunday, June 04, 2006

The First Year

This June 4 weekend marked a year since we tied the knot in Boston. On Saturday, we had dinner at Saint Julien, a French restaurant at the Fullerton Waterboat House. The hubby went out of his way to get the best seats in the house, aptly called "Lovers Corner." Aww.....

The view of the Esplanade, from the Theaters on the Bay to the Stamford Swissotel, was a tribute to our first "big decision" - getting engaged in 2003. We talked about what a year this has been, our future hopes, and how relevant the wedding message has been for us today.
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116
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Monday, May 29, 2006

Kicking off in Bali

After a month off to manage our relocation to Asia, I finally started my next project - this time in Jakarta. While I'll be away every week through September, I try to come back to Singapore most weekends. That said, we spent a weekend "onboarding" in Bali (consultant-speak for the team bonding and project planning that occurs at the start of each client engagement).

Business has started to pick up again in Bali, though the typical tourist is now less European or Australian, and more Chinese or Japanese. It was quite different to be with the team at our Jimbaran Bay beach hotel compared to the private villa that my hubby and I had just to ourselves in Canggu when we honeymooned here last July. While I also did less sightseeing this time around - it's a "work trip" after all - the views of the Indian Ocean, Uluwatu cliffs and coast remain spectular, the Balinese courteous, friendly, and grateful for visitors after the bombings in recent years, and there's plenty of great dining/hang out places, my favourite this time was Ku De Ta.
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Monday, May 22, 2006

Where the heart is

This time last year in Boston, I was finishing my MBA, gearing up for the first of many wedding events to come, and anticipating the final "honeymoon period" before re-entering the real world. I fondly recall the string of farewell events leading up to Harvard's Commencement: the home-cooked meals, garden BBQs, student meetings, faculty pep talks, and in particular, The Ordination to Daily Work, a 30-year old tradition to pray for and celebrate God's calling among the graduates. Without really searching for it, I had found a home away from home.

Truth be told, I've felt rather homesick since then, an irony now that I'm closer to "home" than I'd ever been in over a decade. It wasn't until a recent trip north to visit my parents and grandparents in Malaysia, that I'd felt known once more (even if they sometimes forget that I'm a married adult now!). Since returning, I've realized that my heart is with the people I love and I'd been lamenting the loss of close community despite the relative ease of settling in Singapore. I know I'll still face the occasional pangs of "aloneness" with our conflicting work and travel schedules, but I am grateful to have a lifelong partner and family with whom I can just be myself.
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Saturday, May 06, 2006

Election fever

Well, not quite.

I'd thought colourful debates and flag-lined streets were common fare in democratic elections, having witnessed the politicking in my Penang hometown, and the US presidential races for the past decade. As such, I found Singapore's General Elections this year - from the nominations through voting day - a rather tame, orderly and civilized affair, much like most key operations here in Singapore. The Singapore Elections Department site has the official details.

The final verdict: The incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) won 82 out of the 84 parliamentary seats though just 66.6% of the popular vote - a typical phenomenon in most winner-take-all voting systems. The Workers Party (WP) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) retained one seat each. The PAP won a 75.3% majority in the 2001 election, and have not faced much of a challenge since their 46.5% return in the first General Election in 1963.

Apart from common election year tactics such as the shifting of electoral boundaries, tax cuts and rebates, as in the recent Progress Packages and promises of public housing (HDB) upgrades in opposition strongholds, several things stood out for me:
  1. For here to stay? The PAP has dominated in Singapore since the then opposition, Barisan Socialis, boycotted parliament in the 1960s. Although there's been at least one opposition member of parliament since 1981, a few strong candidates introduced this year and an improved showing in the popular vote, there still isn't much of an "opposition" to speak of. The parties and their impassioned leaders struggle with poor reputations, aggravated by the ubiquitous government-led lawsuits and negative press reports against them.

  2. GRC games. Singapore's Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system was designed to ensure minority participation in politics (i.e. the Malays, Indians and Eurasians here). In addition, to contest in a GRC, parties need to submit a team with the same number of candidates as there are available seats or constituencies in that group. Since only one vote is cast per team, frequent GRC changes and additions are perceived as further PAP attempts to thwart the opposition. In addition, residents of the many walkover (uncontested) seats do not vote at all, be it to exercise their rights or to "legitimize" the shoe-in winner.

  3. There's a lot more talk ... Election-related blogs and podcasts survived despite the release of a podcast-free "positive list," certain blogging restrictions and other Election Advertising Legislation. If these alternative media forums are allowed to thrive - within reason - this could be a step towards improving Singapore's #140 ranking in the 2005 Worldwide Press Freedom Index. Some interesting reads include Singapore Politics, Singapore Election Watch, Singabloodypore and Think Centre.

  4. ... But the votes still lag. The conservative public still believes in the PAP's stewardship of economic stability and prosperity in Singapore. Furthermore, little differentiation exists across the People's Action Party, Workers Party, Singapore Democratic Alliance and Singapore Democratic Party mandates. Web traffic, polls or even event attendance are less an indicator of votes, and more a show of interest, solidarity or support, as is evident by the crowd of curious non-voters (residents in walkover constituencies and expats, including myself!) at the Workers Party rally in Serangoon Stadium on Friday.
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Saturday, April 29, 2006

Exhausted ramblings of a tai tai

The Asian tai tai life? Not for me, at least not yet! But still....

Spent all of yesterday coordinating the first wave of our move into our own home. Since the hubby started his new job, I could "almost" feel like a tai tai during my month off from work. But tai tai's are supposed to play mahjong and shop, with maids who help out all day, damn it! Exhausted, I took this Classic Dames Test just for fun.

Katharine Hepburn
You scored 16% grit, 28% wit, 47% flair, and 26% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.



Compared to other people your age and gender:
You scored higher than 26% on grit
You scored higher than 51% on wit
You scored higher than 77% on flair
You scored higher than 50% on class

The Classic Dames Test written by gidgetgoes on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test. Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make with the Classic Leading Man Test.
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Saturday, April 22, 2006

Malaysian democracy

One of my US grad friends, now working in Singapore, is looking to publish a photo essay which provides an insightful on-the-ground view of democracy in Malaysia with a focus on Kelantan, the only state led by the opposition, an Islamic party, with a narrow 23-22 margin. The piece reminded me of a debate we once had at an HBS MBA class regarding modernization and democracy, where we contrasted the pros and cons of western, "third world" or developing country, and Islamic approaches to each. Please click on An old Muslim democracy? for the full article. I've copied the abstract below.

The citizens of Malaysia have voted for their Government since independence in 1957. Since then, the country has developed from an agricultural colony into a modern, middle-income country. How has Islam lived with democracy in Malaysia? Is it really a democracy, or is it all just a façade? Have the different ethnoreligious groups gotten along? Is Malaysia a model of multiculturalism? This photo essay explores these issues by examining a recent election in Malaysia.

I was also pleasantly surprised to hear from my cousin about Sepet, a local production about an inter-racial romance between a Chinese VCD peddler and a Malay girl. It appears that director Yasmin Ahmad and her team have succeeded in both highlighting and bridging the racial, gender, language and even religious differences in Malaysia through this critically-acclaimed independent film. Evidently, Sepet was initially banned in Malaysia, but the VCD/DVD version is now approved and available in its entirety.
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Friday, April 21, 2006

Still alive

Contrary to popular belief, I've not been hauled up on charges of - God forbid - free speech or jumped off the Johore-Singapore Causeway Bridge in despair. I've just been recovering from a cold which snuck up on me after the long Easter weekend, leaving me bedridden and home alone most of the week. As there's no food delivery in Singapore and it rained every day this past week, I'm officially over my "I-love-hawkers-food" honeymoon phase and am never going to set foot in the food court across the street again. Added to that, this was going to be my first real week off, since I'm still on leave from work while the hubby started his new job on Monday. Murphy's Law, eh?

All is not ill though. At least three great things happened:
#3: I caught up on all my accumulated hours (days!) of sleep loss.

#2: I discovered that taxi drivers in Singapore are surprisingly friendly and compassionate, and fares are definitely cheaper than Manhattan. The cabby who brought me home from the Furniture Mall noticed my coughing, and politely recommended a Chinese remedy for my cold. Sadly, I couldn't understand all the details and instructions....

#1: I actually spoke with everyone in my immediate (and very dispersed) family! Via phone with my mom, bro and sis - who are in Kedah, Texas and New York, respectively. In person with my dad who was chaperoning a group of Brunei civil servants on a Singapore government visit as part of their Executive Management Programme.
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Thursday, April 13, 2006

We found a home!

Finally. We struck a deal that satisfied the agents, the landlord, our specific preferences and budget today. We're very pleased with our new home which is larger, newer yet more affordable than our "cosy" 1 bedroom apartment in Kips Bay, Manhattan. Do come visit!

Welcome to the Emerald Garden!
It's centrally located in the heart of the bustling commercial and business district that spans Raffles Place and Chinatown. Its traditional exterior blends in with the heritage conservation neighbourhood, while a gazebo pool garden provides an oasis of calm inside. To top it off, our (top floor) view includes a colourful mosaic of shophouses and rooftops below, and Singapore's skyscraper-peppered cityscape beyond. More photos and details once we move in....

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Monday, April 10, 2006

What's a meterosexual?

I was asked this several times today, having recently arrived from New York City, the alleged land of meterosexuals. Sadly, my response was as inept as some of the answers given last night by the Miss Singapore Universe 2006 finalists. Feeling ashamed of my inadequate knowledge of this latest urban social revolution, I've since done my research and humbly present to you "What's a meterosexual?":

The term meterosexual originated in 1994 and typically refers to an urban male who takes pride in his appearance, body and lifestyle. Though this has nothing to do with sexual orientation, meterosexuals are often assumed to be gay as they demonstrate common fashionable feminine traits, e.g. they dress impeccably, love shopping, facials and expensive haircuts. In 2005, the new term übersexual was coined to describe an idealised man with such intellect, passion and professional success as to attain a degree of "greatness and perfection" with "little margin for error and fallacy." Top übermetrosexuals include Brad Pitt, Bono and David Beckham.

Next: Must motivate the hubby about his evolving masculinity....

Primary sources: Wikipedia and the Urban Dictionary.
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Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Which city would you choose to live and work in?

Check out this April 4, 2006 Singapore Straits Times article on Singapore's #1 ranking by Asian expats, as surveyed by ECA International, a human resource consultancy. "The survey, based on expatriate polls and country data, ranked cities using criteria including climate, social network, health facilities, transport, education and crime... Australia was also popular among Asians sent to work overseas, with Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra taking the next three spots." Apart from the infrastructure and qualities of the actual city itself, "language and proximity to home are among the top concerns of expatriates around the world."

Out of curiousity, I asked my fellow Smith College alumnae this question. Curious what this diverse group of talented, culturally and world savvy women have to say? View the current poll results.
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Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Foodie heaven, mobile bazaar, banking headaches

Foodie heaven. Everyone has their local favourites. Ours are the Katong laksa, char kuay teow, Qun Zhong dumplings, noodle soups and chilli crabs. In fact, pretty much everything tends to taste better here. Even American fast food outlets like McDonalds have more appetizing, innovative menus tailored for the local market. There's no shortage of upscale restaurants either, although as far as I could tell, online reservation sites like OpenTable haven't quite kicked off in Asia. Solid sites, reviews and top 10 lists for foodies include:
  • Singapore Tourism's official site
  • AsiaOne's Wine and Dine
  • Makan Sutra
  • Eat Shiok Shiok
  • World Gourmet Summit in Singapore

    PS Regarding durians, our love-it or hate-it thorny local fruit, don't forget you can't bring them on the MRT (as my hubby did) and beware those Carrefour sellers who can sniff out a durian-deprived fresh-from-overseas homeboy! (as he is)

    Mobile bazaar. We had a rather bizarre cellphone search given our two mobile requirements: 1) 3G (triband GSM and WCDMA) to make calls anywhere in the world, and 2) Starhub service to benefit from the phone, internet and cable triple play, as well as the free IDD connections. After three hours and twice as many stops at various dealer and company stores, we still couldn't find the right combination of phone and service contract needed. Possible stockout and shadow demand problem in Singapore? That said, folks in North America really miss out on some of the latest phones in Asia. When I left the US, Motorola's RAZR V3 was selling like hotcakes. As for me, I'd like a Nokia N70, 7370 or 6280 for Easter, please....

    Banking headaches. First, after patting ourselves on the back for exchanging all our US currency for 1.60, we (of course) discovered that the Dhoby Ghaut money changers were buying at 1.61. Hey, every cent counts! Then, we found out that neither of us could apply for a credit card from the local Citibank and HSBC branches given our lack of credit and employment history in Singapore. Furthermore, Citibank had a S$15,000 minimum balance requirement to open an account. Are you kidding me?! I suspect some of this has to do with the strict banking regulations in Singapore. But still, UOB, DBS or OCBC - you've got two new customers your way.
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    Monday, April 03, 2006

    Blogging 101

    Let's take a look at the value of online networks and conversations....

    How much is your blog worth?
  • The AOL-Weblogs Inc. deal
  • A blog valuation applet

    Why do we blog?
  • Naked Conversations: How Blogs are Changing the Way Businesses Talk with Customers
  • Does Your Company Belong in the Blogosphere?
  • The Lulu Blooker Prize, the world's first literary prize devoted to "blooks" (books based on blogs or websites in fiction, non-fiction and comics), awarded for the first time on April 3, 2006.
  • You SO want to be famous, candid thoughts from a blogger!
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    Jet lag blues

    Up insanely early despite last night's resolution to sleep for at least 12 hours. I feel every inch an INFJ today. Leave me and my muse be! Apart from twiddling with this blog, I've scoured the web, updated some 400 photos online from our 3 weddings last year, eaten a third of the only edible item in the apartment - a bag of Dale and Thomas toffee popcorn, courtesy of my sis, and created my umpteenth to-do list.... Note to self: It's gorgeous outside (that is, before it gets too hot and humid). If this happens again, take the hubby and/or a book for a walk in the Botanical Gardens and refuel with some bakuteh, nasi lemak, roti canai (prata), teh tarik, kaya toast, Teochew congee .... mmm, time for a real breakfast!
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    Sunday, April 02, 2006

    Goodbye America, Hello Singapore!

    I've finally created a blog to track our journey here in Asia. Francis and I arrived a little before 7a today in Singapore. The flight was my most comfortable ever - 18 hours direct from Newark, New Jersey, with Raffles Class treatment to boot. That said, my feelings were very mixed throughout, in the wake of all the farewells, logistics and last minute packing in Manhattan. At least the conversation with our driver, Rodrigo, and the ride from Changi Airport to our temporary residence on Orchard Road brought back familiar sights and sounds, precious memories and an odd sense of peace about "being home."


    On our first US vacation since we got married (finally!).


    Taken in front of COPIA in Napa Valley, California.


    Please visit our Photo Gallery for some New York City farewell shots. More to come....

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