my ajumma notes

Gillian Chung is one of the prettiest faces I've ever seen. (picture from here ) Someone took pictures of her while she was changing backstage at Genting Highlands. It's interesting that this article about it focuses on Jacky Chan and not Gillian. I suppose only a sprinkling of Americans would know who she is. Well, I'm sure this is the kind of thing that some people would use as their argument against having a truly free press/media.

It is good practice to have your ear to the ground and take feedback seriously. Sure, decision- and policy-makers have the 'big picture' and all, but the 'small pictures' are also important. Here are pieces of news in TODAY, which show that the small pictures must be taken into account. 1. Parking labels for the 'disabled' I was appalled to read this letter 'Unable, so why not "disabled"?' Due to the stringent criteria for issuing special parking labels for the use of handicap lots, this young lady, who has an incurable lung condition, needs to carry a portable oxygen tank and can't walk up stairs (and also long distances, I think) was denied the parking label. This despite her submitting the required medical documentation. I really cannot think why some flexibility could not be exercised but my guess is that the officers in-charge of dishing out the labels are not the real decision- or policy-maker and thus cannot exercise their own judge

I'll bet many blogs are now discussing the rally speech and the various follow-up comments and articles. However, my brain is currently unable to process all these intelligent ideas, so I am writing today about much less important matters related to (and also unrelated to) this popular K singer called Rain . Dee said sometime ago on her blog that Idol contestant Jonathan looks like Rain. I DO see the resemblance! (pic from here ) I happened to turn on the telly over the weekend and there was this documentary about Rain. He was at that time filming a drama serial as well as preparing for his Asian concert tour and slept 2 hours each day. I thought that was crazy. He explained that he had to work so hard because anytime, someone else who could act, sing and dance as well, or better, could emerge and that would be the end for him. I suppose this industrious spirit is rather admirable but I'm not sure if it's healthy to take it to such an extreme. Is one's career worth so m

I wonder if this year's Idol voting patterns will have any implications for our country's poltitical future. I mean, will these young voters continue with their... er... interesting style of voting, or will they, well, grow up when the time comes to vote on other matters? Well, if it isn't a Hady versus Jonathan final, we just have to wish Ken Lim and Hype Records all the very best as they groom whoever-it-might-be. Actually, I do feel sorry for the weak singers. These poor people must be going in every week thinking they will be booted out, then they miraculously garner the highest votes, and then they get hammered for not being booted out. It's not their fault that they're still in the running lah.

I'm back to occasionally writing about frivolous matters, such as K drama, which is today's topic. I watched bits of Memories of Bali when it was shown over Channel 8 or U (can't remember) some time ago and I happened to finally watch the whole of the last episode on Channel 55 the other day. This show is very flummoxing, I tell you. (I still love that word!) Guys A (In-wook) & B (Jae-min) fall for the same girl. From the parts I watched, neither actually articulates satisfactorily what they see in her, especially Guy B, who is obsessed with her. So she goes out with both guys, at different times in the show. The relationship with Guy A is given more airtime - they go out on dates, he takes care of her when she's ill and generally, he's really sweet to her. On the other hand, she and Guy B hardly have many decent conversations. [ Fast forward to the end.] After deciding to leave for Bali with Guy A, the girl inexplicably realises she actually loves Guy B, which

Recently, I've read quite a bit of Andy-Ho-whacking on other blogs, which I will not go into, so I decided to read his article today in detail. Today's offering is 'Time to legalise womb renting' . Aha! Sounds like something I would have something to say about, and indeed I do! The Senior Writer is pro-surrogacy, as you can see from the title. I have no problems with that. I'm not pro-surrogacy but he's entitled to his views and if he were a woman, I'd say he can go and rent his womb if he likes. Okay, stop being facetious. But I do have problems with some parts of his argument. Here goes (quoted parts are in green): AH says: 1. Provided that certain safeguards are in place, the objections against it can be more than adequately answered . If this is the premise of the argument, then the argument is faulty at the outset. If there are objections against anything, you address the objections directly. You don't supply 'safeguards'. For example, some

I spent the greater part of National Day lying in bed, and running to the bathroom now and then, due to a VERY upset tummy. By the time the parade started, I was already in my pyjamas... So much for celebrating... I did notice, though, that RADM Lui, whom I mentioned in the last post, was singing with somewhat more gusto that some of his esteemed colleagues. stars and crescent shine on me, make us more than what we can be... My home Wherever I may be I believe You will always be a part of me (Didn't whoever was in charge realise that 'everyday' is an adjective? Was wondering why that grammatical error was on TV and I now realise that the line 'where dreams are born everyday ' can be found on the NDP website too. Tsk... tsk... use good English, leh!) Our global city Our home

(Der = 'the' pronounced by the majority of Singaporeans) From yesterday's The Sunday Times ('What if we're understood only in S'pore, Malaysia and Batam?'), stories to make you wince : Story 1 Singaporean interviewed for job by international panel 'impresses' them with his 'colloquial, non-standard' English. 'Panel members are flummoxed.' (Wow, I just love that sentence!) Singaporean member of panel has to 'translate' for his peers. Story 2 Singaporean teacher studying in Australia does donkey work for his group presentation but not 'sufficiently confident' of his English to present. Australian group member does outstanding presentation and grabs 'lion's share of the credits'. (Who asked him to do all the donkey work? Being a doormat, bullied by his peers! Anyway, thumbs down for the lecturer who gave so much credit to the person who spoke well. Donno know how to set and assess group project!!) Further

I was surprised last night when I turned on the telly and saw the better singers in the Idol competition relegated to the 'in danger' group. I haven't been watching faithfully but I think I've seen all the remaining contenders sing sometime or other. My, this is turning out to be a teenybopper fest of sorts. Even the weaker singers themselves looked somewhat shocked when they learnt that they were 'safe'. I've also seen the latest national song on TV a couple of times. I remember there was this article about how the singer is an 'unknown', as compared with the previous big names such as Stefanie, Kit Chan and company. Aiyah, it's no big deal, lah. Why should singing for National Day be the preserve of the famous? Anyway, this girl looks pleasant, her singing is fine and the song is tuneful. Somehow, her mannerisms remind me of Mavis Hee ...