Ways to get out of longkangs

So, no surprise that Spain won Davis Cup.

Like the commentators, I too was happy to see Nadal retrieving, hitting into corners SO much more than in the last half year. Perhaps his bagel for Berdych will get him out of the longkang he has been in all these months. I'm sorry for Berdych that he had to be at the receiving end. Surely, he must have thought he had a bit of a chance during the 7-5 first set. Then from set 2, he must have been wondering, 'Why me?'

Meanwhile, from Switzerland to Scotland to Serbia and Sweden, surely there must have been a collective groan, 'Oh man, is that beast back for good?'

On Facebook, Nadal says:

Please allow me to be very happy for this win. I know most of you are not Spanish but this is the win of my team and I am very happy for the win.

Actually, I was even happier to see Handsome Mr Ferrer (whom almost no one really cares about) climb out of his 1-6, 2-6 hole to turn his match around. Sorry to Stepanek, of course. Hopefully, this gets Ferrer out of his longkang.

Said he (Ferrer): I believe this one was one of the most tense matches I've ever played... I had wishes to cry after the first two sets and now is the same because I'm so happy. I have to also thank the crowd for their support.

There seems to be something about playing for Spain that energises these guys, like Verdasco in and after last year's final.

London finals

I say, who would have thought - Del Potro versus Davydenko in the final, and I am missing all the action.

But I'll be back on time for Davis Cup's Spain versus Czech Republic...

Chinese

I am sure every victim-cum-beneficiary of the bilingual policy has something to say about learning Chinese. Here are some thoughts after reading the recent articles on the subject.

1. I didn't know that we were expected to master both languages 'equally well'. I thought Mandarin was supposed to be our 'second language' and treated it as such. Perhaps things changed when it was no longer called 'second language' but 'mother tongue'.

2. What is this about Chinese being too hard in the 70s? Sure, it was hard as anything but it is much worse now, I think. The kind of vocabulary the kids are expected to know is incredible.

3. Yes, there is something in the argument that listening and speaking should come first but ultimately, the kids still need to read and write and, tedious as it may be, you can't run away from practising writing. Like how you just have to memorise the times tables over and over again.

4. All credit going to my Chinese teachers, learning the language was tough but the ride was interesting and enriching. It is sad to read of people who had such a bad time that they ended up with an 'indelible dislike' for it.

There are probably a million other things I could add but I am rather sleepy (hence today's lousy title) so I will just end by saying that it is not just Chinese teaching that needs to be 'fun' but all subjects should be made fun and meaningful.

Fancy bumping into her at ION?

Oooh... Ana Ivanovic is in Singapore...

Just making a random guess about where to spot her...

'High' rise?

We were told in yesterday's ST that HDB resale prices are at a high. I guess there are some people who expect a resounding round of cheers whenever such news is reported.

I wonder if they remember that there are many of us for whom such developments are of little comfort. Like when this 'high' means that your flat now costs $120, 000 less (as compared to $150,000 less) than the price you paid for it.

I wonder if they realise that highlighting the current $3,000 - $12,000 range for the 'cash over valuation' is a joke when you paid, like, more than five times that amount.

After so many years, I am still absolutely sore about having had to cough up what felt like a million dollars in cash.

(not where I live; sorry, forgot where I got this picture from)

I'm afraid I never quite believed that we paid for 'cheap', 'affordable' housing. Just cheaper, more affordable housing.