It's a fact
We like to talk about facts in our culture.
“Face the facts”
“As a matter of fact”
“The facts of life”
They all seem to indicate that if something is a fact, it must be true.
But that’s not true, and scientific fact finders will be the first to tell us that. A fact needs to be linked with other indicators that are real, i.e. exist, before it can be verified as truth.
But most of the time, we seem to think that if something is a fact, then it must be the truth.
Does the sun rise?
For example, it’s a fact that the sun rises every morning, right?
But that’s only what we perceive with our eyes. It is only partial knowledge, that which is witnessed by our position as a being standing on earth at dawn, and watching the brilliant colours change in the sky as we slowly see the sun peeking over the horizon.
The truth is that the earth rotates, and in its rotation, part of it is illuminated by the sun, and part of it is in shadow. The interim period where the earth’s rotation takes a section of the earth from shadow into the light is what we call the “sun rising”.
So is it a fact that the sun rises? Yes
But is it the truth?
But what is truth?
Sometimes, we can speak a fact into being the truth. As a mother with a small son, I see that almost every time I talk to my son. The words I speak influence him into believing that what I am saying is true, even though there is no evidence for it yet.
Let me illustrate this. Even before Hanan started taking guitar lessons, we told him about what a musical genius he was. His dad encouraged him to listen to and sing all kinds of music and I kept telling him what a great musician he could be.
When Hanan picked up the guitar for the first time, it never crossed his mind that he wouldn’t be able to master it. Within weeks, he learned chords that took me, in my teens, weeks to get even the fingering right. Even his guitar teacher was amazed at how quickly he picked it up.
Now here are the facts:
- Hanan has heard music before and can sing
- He may have musical genes he inherited from the father
But nothing there says that he is a good intuitive musician. It’s what we wanted for him, and we spoke it to him till he believed it enough and it came to pass.
***
Why are we sick?
The reason for this sermonette on fact and truth is this – my mother just started medication for diabetes last week. And when did she decide she had diabetes? Some time in March.
In March, she started complaining about how she is getting old (fact) and is not going to be as healthy as she used to.
Me: Why do you say that?
Mum: I feel tired after work, lethargic, don’t feel like doing anything after that (fact).
Me (laughing): Ma, I feel like that after work too. Maybe your body is just telling you to take it easy, that you aren't as new as you used to be.
Mum: No lah, I think I need to get tested for diabetes.
Me: Why do you think you have diabetes?
Mum: My mother had diabetes what, very strong family history (fact). Anyway this is the age lah, where all these things happen.
Me: ……
Her facts may have been correct, but do they mean that she should also have the disease because of all those reasons?
Every month after that, my mother went to test her blood sugar. All the time confessing how she is getting old, and has a history of the disease, and its time for something like that to happen. For 3 months, the doctors told her that she had a normal reading.
But my mother was adamant something was wrong. She went to different doctors and finally found one that could tell her that her blood sugar was high (although the reading was the same as it was with the other doctors). And finally it got high enough, and she was put on medication for diabetes.
Now reading this account, do you get a sense that she almost wanted to get the illness? That she went out of her way to procure the diagnosis and succumb to the odds? That’s how I felt, watching her go through this thing.
Now when she whines about not being able to eat chocolate anymore, or how much she loves bread and jam, and can’t have it, I don’t know how to react. I know she wants my sympathy, but I can’t give it because I saw how she sought the sickness in the first place.
The Healer
And I am angry. That I know that she doesn’t need to be sick, and I know she doesn’t have to accept the symptoms, but she wants to be sick. And I am frustrated because I know Who can heal her, but she doesn’t want to know Him.
And I understand why Jesus, toward the end of His life, looked at the city of Jerusalem and said, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart,
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
Matthew 23:37
There is a Healer, who does not want us to be sick. He said He is the Way, the TRUTH and the life. And He wants to gather you to Himself, Ma.
Are you willing?
Thursday, June 28
Sunday, June 24
Love Thy Brother
It's hard to be half-sister sometimes.
I have 2 brothers, one from my mother and father and the other from my dad and step-mother. The second one, I never really got to see growing up, because my visits to my dad's place were sporadic at best and non-existent at times. The reason: my stepmother and I didn't quite get along. She thought I was a lazy, spoilt rich girl who did not deserve the incredibly good father I had. I, of course, resented her for taking my dad away from us. Caught in this cold war was the innocent little Brother No 2.
So Brother 2 pretty much grew up as an only child. Sure he had an elder sister and brother in name, but for the most part he was by himself.
So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he feels some resentment now.
Yesterday was my birthday celebration with my dad, and both my brothers were supposed to come along. But at the last minute, my second one told my dad he wasn't coming. When asked why, he lashed out at my dad, "Why should I come to my sister's birthday, who wasn't even there for me half my life?"
Ouch. When my dad told me, that stung. It stung all the more because it's true, that my mindshare for this brother is minimal - only birthdays and Deepavali. I think about him if there is occasion to, but not otherwise.
So his comment is not false. It still hurts though. I am sorry that I wasn't there for you more, but I hope you will one day understand the circumstances that led to that.
Meanwhile, your resentment is justified. And I still have love for you.
I have 2 brothers, one from my mother and father and the other from my dad and step-mother. The second one, I never really got to see growing up, because my visits to my dad's place were sporadic at best and non-existent at times. The reason: my stepmother and I didn't quite get along. She thought I was a lazy, spoilt rich girl who did not deserve the incredibly good father I had. I, of course, resented her for taking my dad away from us. Caught in this cold war was the innocent little Brother No 2.
So Brother 2 pretty much grew up as an only child. Sure he had an elder sister and brother in name, but for the most part he was by himself.
So I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he feels some resentment now.
Yesterday was my birthday celebration with my dad, and both my brothers were supposed to come along. But at the last minute, my second one told my dad he wasn't coming. When asked why, he lashed out at my dad, "Why should I come to my sister's birthday, who wasn't even there for me half my life?"
Ouch. When my dad told me, that stung. It stung all the more because it's true, that my mindshare for this brother is minimal - only birthdays and Deepavali. I think about him if there is occasion to, but not otherwise.
So his comment is not false. It still hurts though. I am sorry that I wasn't there for you more, but I hope you will one day understand the circumstances that led to that.
Meanwhile, your resentment is justified. And I still have love for you.
Friday, June 22
The Cold Freeze
A strange vibe came over the office once everyone knew through the grapevine that I am leaving. They are not supposed to know, because the official email has not been sent out yet, but everyone knows it all the same.
So there are weird happenings, like:
1) People smile meaningfully at you, without saying a word.
2) Conversations stop when you walk into the vicinity (always pleasant, that)
3) Colleagues who feel they should have been told start giving you the cold shoulder.
4) You stop getting cc’ed on emails. Your spam mail exceeds company email.
5) People watch what you are printing, photocopying surreptitiously. “Oh I am just here to get my stuff” and then walk away with nothing. Yeah, right.
6) Your desk gets cleaner and cleaner. No one dumps stuff into your in tray and you can have a good old fashioned paper throw. Also, you are handing work out left, right and centre, which will help with the cleanup.
7) People who are in the know slip up, and then look as guilty as heck about putting their foot in their mouth. It’s cute to watch.
8) Suddenly people come up to you and start talking about how they should spread their wings and try something new and what did I think. I see right through it, man. I should just come out and say, “Are you fishing for information? Cos I am a vault, baby, locked down!”
9) The IT department gets really busy around you. Things are being deleted, access is being denied. Our IT guys is really nice. He gave me a heads up on where some of my “weak spots” are. Like deleting all my MSN archives for example. Duh, I didn’t even think of that.
10) And finally, people who hate you suddenly look happier and smile a lot more. Well, I am glad I am leaving too, buddy.
It’s gonna be a rough week and a half. Hang in there with me.
So there are weird happenings, like:
1) People smile meaningfully at you, without saying a word.
2) Conversations stop when you walk into the vicinity (always pleasant, that)
3) Colleagues who feel they should have been told start giving you the cold shoulder.
4) You stop getting cc’ed on emails. Your spam mail exceeds company email.
5) People watch what you are printing, photocopying surreptitiously. “Oh I am just here to get my stuff” and then walk away with nothing. Yeah, right.
6) Your desk gets cleaner and cleaner. No one dumps stuff into your in tray and you can have a good old fashioned paper throw. Also, you are handing work out left, right and centre, which will help with the cleanup.
7) People who are in the know slip up, and then look as guilty as heck about putting their foot in their mouth. It’s cute to watch.
8) Suddenly people come up to you and start talking about how they should spread their wings and try something new and what did I think. I see right through it, man. I should just come out and say, “Are you fishing for information? Cos I am a vault, baby, locked down!”
9) The IT department gets really busy around you. Things are being deleted, access is being denied. Our IT guys is really nice. He gave me a heads up on where some of my “weak spots” are. Like deleting all my MSN archives for example. Duh, I didn’t even think of that.
10) And finally, people who hate you suddenly look happier and smile a lot more. Well, I am glad I am leaving too, buddy.
It’s gonna be a rough week and a half. Hang in there with me.
Tuesday, June 19
The wait is over!
Ok everyone, the moment you have been waiting all June for is almost here!
I will be on TV, Vasantham Central at 9 p.m. on my very own episode of Mudhal Payanam (First Journey) on the 30th of June 2007.
All you people who will be in Australia, England, US or somewhere similarly far away will be made to watch a repeat telecast when you come back.
Thanks to all those who kept hounding me with the question, "When ah?" , I feel so celebritied!
So once again:
When: 30th June 2007 at 9 p.m.
Where: Vasantham Central (That's the same as Arts and Kids Central for you "I don't do local TV" la di da people)
Who: Lil' ol' moi!
What: Mudhal Payanam
Starring: Nalinee Barrett, Muthukrishnan Pillai and various other very puzzled people in Sirkazhi.
Why: Because you love me, of course!
Excited much!
Saturday, June 16
Another Year
I apologise for the long blog absence, but really, so much has been going on, that I havent had time to stop and record stuff.
For one thing, I just had a birthday *blush*. Yep, I turned 34 on Wednesday, and spent it with Otrie and Hanan in Downtown East, in one of the chalets. It was good to take the time off to relax with my family and just enjoy each other (as far as that is possible!)
A few things that hit me while I was there:
1) I will never been this young again.
2) This will by far be the most challenging year of my life, as my friend said "the most mountain tops"
3) This will be year where more things happen, career and finances-wise, faster than they have happened in the past.
Hmm, on that note, I decided to not worry about how I look in my yellow swimsuit (like Big Bird), and have fun. So i went on every ride at Wild Wild Wet and Escape Theme Park! Now pple who know me, know that I am not usually a thrill ride person, so this was quite a stretch for me.
In the evening, we went to Mumtaz Mahal at Downeast for dinner. Firstly, an Indian fine dining restaurant in a place where flip flips and sarongs are de rigeur is an anomaly in itself. Then, we were the first customers and the only ones there for about 20 mins. So we had a good chat with our waiter, who has had the most fascinating career. Worked in India, Middle East, US and now Singapore, managing the most high end restaurants. He said he took this job because he wanted to slow down and have more time for his family (!) Which, you know, is as it should be.
I was supposed to go to work the next day, but the pool water set off my earache again, so I happily went to the doctor, and then happily went home. And slept all afternoon. It was the perfect way to end a great birthday celebration.
Here are some pictures
Waiting for our turn
How high is 15 m again?
Go Karting
Pool Fun.
The rest of the pictures are here.
For one thing, I just had a birthday *blush*. Yep, I turned 34 on Wednesday, and spent it with Otrie and Hanan in Downtown East, in one of the chalets. It was good to take the time off to relax with my family and just enjoy each other (as far as that is possible!)
A few things that hit me while I was there:
1) I will never been this young again.
2) This will by far be the most challenging year of my life, as my friend said "the most mountain tops"
3) This will be year where more things happen, career and finances-wise, faster than they have happened in the past.
Hmm, on that note, I decided to not worry about how I look in my yellow swimsuit (like Big Bird), and have fun. So i went on every ride at Wild Wild Wet and Escape Theme Park! Now pple who know me, know that I am not usually a thrill ride person, so this was quite a stretch for me.
In the evening, we went to Mumtaz Mahal at Downeast for dinner. Firstly, an Indian fine dining restaurant in a place where flip flips and sarongs are de rigeur is an anomaly in itself. Then, we were the first customers and the only ones there for about 20 mins. So we had a good chat with our waiter, who has had the most fascinating career. Worked in India, Middle East, US and now Singapore, managing the most high end restaurants. He said he took this job because he wanted to slow down and have more time for his family (!) Which, you know, is as it should be.
I was supposed to go to work the next day, but the pool water set off my earache again, so I happily went to the doctor, and then happily went home. And slept all afternoon. It was the perfect way to end a great birthday celebration.
Here are some pictures
Waiting for our turn
How high is 15 m again?
Go Karting
Pool Fun.The rest of the pictures are here.
Sunday, June 10
New beginnings (or what am I getting myself into?)
Here's a question.
Are higher pay, better package, better job prospects and lovely location good reasons to take a job?
What about longer hours, more responsibility, higher expectations and a handphone allowance that requires you to be contactable AT ALL TIMES?
This was the toss-up. But I decided to let God's hand guide me in this and am plunging in.
Will keep y'all posted on what happens.
Are higher pay, better package, better job prospects and lovely location good reasons to take a job?
What about longer hours, more responsibility, higher expectations and a handphone allowance that requires you to be contactable AT ALL TIMES?
This was the toss-up. But I decided to let God's hand guide me in this and am plunging in.
Will keep y'all posted on what happens.
Wednesday, June 6
Epiphany at Carl's Jr
I was not really searching, but there it was, on my special order burger. Suddenly, I knew what I had to do.
It's time to get my NOINO on! Shake my groove thing! Get on the scene! Be the MAN!
Heh heh.
It's time to get my NOINO on! Shake my groove thing! Get on the scene! Be the MAN!
Heh heh.
Monday, June 4
PC Show -The aftermath
Everyone who worked the PC show came in today looking slightly dazed. I think its the IT equivalent of post-show blues, where you feel like life will never be the same again.
It's been a strange experience, this show. Sure you have the bargain basement crowd, who compare the cheapest printers from two brands, everything down to the last spec and then say,"I will consider", like it's some lifechanging decision. There was this one woman who took out a magnifying glass(!), and compared a laser print to the offset printed brochure and kept saying "Hen Lan ah! Hen Lan ah!" (Very bad, very bad) until I just wanted to stuff the printout down her throat.
Then there are the absolute princes of customers, who do their homework before they come, walk straight up to the model they want, pick it up and go. These guys are such a pleasure to serve - they know their stuff and don't act like total buffoons over the price.
Speaking of pricing, everyone knows that PC show is where all the prices come down right? So why do some people insist on trying to bargain you down? "$159 ah? $150 lah! Why cannot?" The worse is people who tried and bargain the free gift. "Free 1B thumbdrive ah? why cannot 2GB?" Because we only bought 1GB thumbdrives, dipstick, and if you don't know how this works, then I can't help you.
Again PC show is where all the Indian expat/ software engineer (ISE) types come out in full force. And again, they come in various hues - of personality. This year I encountered 3 types.
Mr Sensitive
There are 4000 people in the hall, all talking. Music is blaring. People with mics are yelling out specs for 100 different products.
ISE: How much is this printer?
(Note: all the prices are printed in size 300 font and stuck above the printers)
Me (loud and clear): $159 sir!
ISE: No need to shout! you can just tell me nicely! Why are you yelling at me?
Me:....
ISE: There is no need to shout (walks away)
Me: Awww, are you going to go home and tell your mother the mean lady at the PC show shouted at you?
Mr Racial Loyalist
This whole exchange was in Tamil.
ISE (to friend): So costly this printer!
Me: Can I show you another cheaper model?
ISE: Oh, you are Tamil speaking! Yes, show me another model (Indian head nod)
10 minutes later
ISE: I will take this model. Even though it's more expensive than XYZ brand, I will take it, because you are also Tamil speaking.
Me: Thank you sir. you won't regret your decision.
ISE: So since we are both Tamil, you can give me an extra free gift, no?
Me:.....
Mr I'm too sexy for your printer
He walked into the booth like he was walking onto a yacht. And he IS so vain, he probably thinks this post is about him. (Apologies to Carly Simon)
ISE: Heh heh heh heh
Me: Yes, sir? How can I help you?
ISE: I am looking for a printer. Anything you can show me?
Me: Monochrome or colour?
ISE: Maybe we can sit down somewhere and discuss my options? Heh heh heh
Me: I am working, sir. Can I explain the options now?
ISE: Heh heh, here is my card. Maybe you can call me to discuss more, heh?
Me: Sure! I will call you.
ISE walks away. I crumpled up his card and throw it on the floor.
And that's all I have to say about that.
MOST IMPORTANT POSTSCRIPT
3 days I was at this show and noone showed up to show me love. The one day I was off (Sunday), my buddy Jared comes, brings a mocha frappe, waits an hour, calls me 7 times (which I didn't see, cos I was home listening to a online sermon with my husband)and leaves.
My friends are the best! I am sorry I missed you, darling, and after this, you have a place in my heart, always.
It's been a strange experience, this show. Sure you have the bargain basement crowd, who compare the cheapest printers from two brands, everything down to the last spec and then say,"I will consider", like it's some lifechanging decision. There was this one woman who took out a magnifying glass(!), and compared a laser print to the offset printed brochure and kept saying "Hen Lan ah! Hen Lan ah!" (Very bad, very bad) until I just wanted to stuff the printout down her throat.
Then there are the absolute princes of customers, who do their homework before they come, walk straight up to the model they want, pick it up and go. These guys are such a pleasure to serve - they know their stuff and don't act like total buffoons over the price.
Speaking of pricing, everyone knows that PC show is where all the prices come down right? So why do some people insist on trying to bargain you down? "$159 ah? $150 lah! Why cannot?" The worse is people who tried and bargain the free gift. "Free 1B thumbdrive ah? why cannot 2GB?" Because we only bought 1GB thumbdrives, dipstick, and if you don't know how this works, then I can't help you.
Again PC show is where all the Indian expat/ software engineer (ISE) types come out in full force. And again, they come in various hues - of personality. This year I encountered 3 types.
Mr Sensitive
There are 4000 people in the hall, all talking. Music is blaring. People with mics are yelling out specs for 100 different products.
ISE: How much is this printer?
(Note: all the prices are printed in size 300 font and stuck above the printers)
Me (loud and clear): $159 sir!
ISE: No need to shout! you can just tell me nicely! Why are you yelling at me?
Me:....
ISE: There is no need to shout (walks away)
Me: Awww, are you going to go home and tell your mother the mean lady at the PC show shouted at you?
Mr Racial Loyalist
This whole exchange was in Tamil.
ISE (to friend): So costly this printer!
Me: Can I show you another cheaper model?
ISE: Oh, you are Tamil speaking! Yes, show me another model (Indian head nod)
10 minutes later
ISE: I will take this model. Even though it's more expensive than XYZ brand, I will take it, because you are also Tamil speaking.
Me: Thank you sir. you won't regret your decision.
ISE: So since we are both Tamil, you can give me an extra free gift, no?
Me:.....
Mr I'm too sexy for your printer
He walked into the booth like he was walking onto a yacht. And he IS so vain, he probably thinks this post is about him. (Apologies to Carly Simon)
ISE: Heh heh heh heh
Me: Yes, sir? How can I help you?
ISE: I am looking for a printer. Anything you can show me?
Me: Monochrome or colour?
ISE: Maybe we can sit down somewhere and discuss my options? Heh heh heh
Me: I am working, sir. Can I explain the options now?
ISE: Heh heh, here is my card. Maybe you can call me to discuss more, heh?
Me: Sure! I will call you.
ISE walks away. I crumpled up his card and throw it on the floor.
And that's all I have to say about that.
MOST IMPORTANT POSTSCRIPT
3 days I was at this show and noone showed up to show me love. The one day I was off (Sunday), my buddy Jared comes, brings a mocha frappe, waits an hour, calls me 7 times (which I didn't see, cos I was home listening to a online sermon with my husband)and leaves.
My friends are the best! I am sorry I missed you, darling, and after this, you have a place in my heart, always.
Thursday, May 31
PC Show begins
It is a public holiday here in Singapore and while the rest of the world slumbers in peaceful respite, me and about 100 other co-workers in the IT industry have to drag ourselves to the PC show at Suntec city to sell IT equipment to zealous kiasu deal- getters.
If you happen to be in Suntec, pop down to the Starbucks on the first floor and get me a mocha frappe. I will be the only brown skinned woman in a Canon T shirt.
See you at the circus!
Update:
No of Printers sold to strangers - about 100
No of mocha frappes brought by friends - none :(
If you happen to be in Suntec, pop down to the Starbucks on the first floor and get me a mocha frappe. I will be the only brown skinned woman in a Canon T shirt.
See you at the circus!
Update:
No of Printers sold to strangers - about 100
No of mocha frappes brought by friends - none :(
Wednesday, May 30
What is love?
I once heard a wise man say, "Love is an act of will, accompanied by emotion, that acts towards the benefit of its intended recipient." It is by far the best definition on the word I have heard.
It is also a concept a lot of people in my generation don't seem to get. They talk about things like, "my feelings have changed", or "I am not sure if you are the right one." Or even worse, "If it's meant to be, it will be."
People, don't fall for the hogwash. Love is not "Sleepless in Seattle" or "You've got Mail" or any of those feel good emotions that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan got paid millions to propogate. We are not brainless beings, driven by our desires alone, in a wilderness where there are so many options, your head spins and you can't be responsible for your actions anymore.
I have feelings for people on a weekly basis. If everytime it happened, I told my husband, "My feelings have changed, and I don't think I love you anymore", I would be on my 416th marriage by now. But love is not about how you feel. It's about the choices you make, everyday. Choosing to stick by someone, even when he/ she is not particularly lovable at the moment. And noone is lovable all the time. We all have moments when we make mistakes, small or big, and need forgiveness. Noone is exempt.
But then we say," How am I supposed to know what love is?" Everything we see gives us the impression that love is unchanging feeling, unwavering desire, unevolving characters in a 2 hour life that ends with a crescendo of music and a star studded night. I am not saying it is solely the media's fault, but the pervasiveness of TV and film have made us beleive that the things we see are actually true.
I also idealised love growing up. Who didn't? We all wanted this person who would be like the somebody in the Depeche Mode song. We bought the myth, hook, line and sinker, and now are paying for it with more divorces, more single parents and more broken homes than we have ever seen.
But now I know better, because I have seen what love is.
Love is a man, torn by fear of his own life, the disappointment of his friends and family, and the destruction of what he had built, saying, "I don't particularly feel like laying down my life, but if that's Your will, then I will myself to do it."
Love is a man who was so emotionally driven by his choice, he cried out, alone in a garden, and was under so much stress, that his capillaries burst and blood flowed down his face mingled with sweat.
Love is a man, who bore the lashes of a whip so cruel, nails so sharp and a pain in his heart so deep, and yet kept himself on a cross for 6 hours, so that his intended will one day, be free.
That is love. That is going the distance, keeping the faith, finishing the race, and whatever other analogy you want to find for it. But that should be what we teach our children when they ask what love is.
This post is for a dear friend who is hurting and asked this question. We are all unfaithful lovers. There is only One who can teach it right. Learn it from Him.
It is also a concept a lot of people in my generation don't seem to get. They talk about things like, "my feelings have changed", or "I am not sure if you are the right one." Or even worse, "If it's meant to be, it will be."
People, don't fall for the hogwash. Love is not "Sleepless in Seattle" or "You've got Mail" or any of those feel good emotions that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan got paid millions to propogate. We are not brainless beings, driven by our desires alone, in a wilderness where there are so many options, your head spins and you can't be responsible for your actions anymore.
I have feelings for people on a weekly basis. If everytime it happened, I told my husband, "My feelings have changed, and I don't think I love you anymore", I would be on my 416th marriage by now. But love is not about how you feel. It's about the choices you make, everyday. Choosing to stick by someone, even when he/ she is not particularly lovable at the moment. And noone is lovable all the time. We all have moments when we make mistakes, small or big, and need forgiveness. Noone is exempt.
But then we say," How am I supposed to know what love is?" Everything we see gives us the impression that love is unchanging feeling, unwavering desire, unevolving characters in a 2 hour life that ends with a crescendo of music and a star studded night. I am not saying it is solely the media's fault, but the pervasiveness of TV and film have made us beleive that the things we see are actually true.
I also idealised love growing up. Who didn't? We all wanted this person who would be like the somebody in the Depeche Mode song. We bought the myth, hook, line and sinker, and now are paying for it with more divorces, more single parents and more broken homes than we have ever seen.
But now I know better, because I have seen what love is.
Love is a man, torn by fear of his own life, the disappointment of his friends and family, and the destruction of what he had built, saying, "I don't particularly feel like laying down my life, but if that's Your will, then I will myself to do it."
Love is a man who was so emotionally driven by his choice, he cried out, alone in a garden, and was under so much stress, that his capillaries burst and blood flowed down his face mingled with sweat.
Love is a man, who bore the lashes of a whip so cruel, nails so sharp and a pain in his heart so deep, and yet kept himself on a cross for 6 hours, so that his intended will one day, be free.
That is love. That is going the distance, keeping the faith, finishing the race, and whatever other analogy you want to find for it. But that should be what we teach our children when they ask what love is.
This post is for a dear friend who is hurting and asked this question. We are all unfaithful lovers. There is only One who can teach it right. Learn it from Him.
Tuesday, May 29
my first hate mail
After over a year of blogging, I am pleased to announce I finally received my first hate mail. Yes, someone finally cares so much about my opinion and his own difference to it, that not only did he respond, he took time to conjure up personal insults, sweeping statements and blanket assumptions about my character.
If you want to read it, go to the KLK website and look under my 2nd Mudhal Payanam post. I am not going to link it.
Ladies and Gentlmen, hate mail. Nalinee has arrived.
If you want to read it, go to the KLK website and look under my 2nd Mudhal Payanam post. I am not going to link it.
Ladies and Gentlmen, hate mail. Nalinee has arrived.
Monday, May 28
Earache
I have a(n) ear infection. AND it sucks. The entire right side of my head hurts, from the jaw to the cranium and it feels like someone dropped a bowling ball on my head while I was sleeping.
It all started on Friday night, when I used a ragged non too clean finger to scratch what seemed like a normal ear itch. (Oh stop it! You know you have all done it.)
Next day there was a gentle throbbing which I ignored. But my last night, it was full scale war. My hearing got muffles because of the swelling and the whole ear just looks wonky.
So I went to the doctor today, and got some ear drops and an MC, my second one this year. Not doing well with the MCs this year at all.
Ear infections are such a juvenile ailment, I am almost embarrassed to have one. But if it hurts for a baby even half as much as it hurts for me, I am just thankful that any babies make it through infanthood at all.
I am going to rest now. See you on the other side of this pain.
Friday, May 25
New Boss
So I finally have a new boss. Actually, he is not really new anymore, he has been with us for 2 weeks now, but I wanted to wait to see if he was going to stick around before I wrote him up.
First thing, he is a he. This is actually my first experience working for a male boss, cos all the marketing divisions I have been in before have been female dominated, for some reason. So that's a first in itself.
Secondly, he is my first close up metrosexual. He is a spiffy dresser, all tight shirts and narrow pants, looks like he works out, has short hair and bling bling on his ears and fingers. He is also a little bit er.. expressive with the hands and face, which is very rare in most men who work in the IT industry. And I did not say what you probably think I said.
He has all the fire of a new employee who is driven to prove his worth to his boss, to establish his importance as new rooster in the yard with his peers and to show his subordinates that he knows more than them.
Will it last? We shall see.
Right now, I just wish he wouldn't come up and talk to me just after he has had a cigarette. I feel like Donkey in Shrek right after Shrek farted on him.
"I had my mouth open and everything!"
First thing, he is a he. This is actually my first experience working for a male boss, cos all the marketing divisions I have been in before have been female dominated, for some reason. So that's a first in itself.
Secondly, he is my first close up metrosexual. He is a spiffy dresser, all tight shirts and narrow pants, looks like he works out, has short hair and bling bling on his ears and fingers. He is also a little bit er.. expressive with the hands and face, which is very rare in most men who work in the IT industry. And I did not say what you probably think I said.
He has all the fire of a new employee who is driven to prove his worth to his boss, to establish his importance as new rooster in the yard with his peers and to show his subordinates that he knows more than them.
Will it last? We shall see.
Right now, I just wish he wouldn't come up and talk to me just after he has had a cigarette. I feel like Donkey in Shrek right after Shrek farted on him.
"I had my mouth open and everything!"
Thursday, May 24
Movie Review - Pirates of the Carribean 3, At World’s End
Pirates of the Caribbean was an apt finish to a totally awesome cinematic trilogy. Everything that you would want to see in a movie was in this one, unless you are into mindless gore. The acting was superb, the sets mind boggling, the script a work of masterful wit. I am so glad I saw it before all the critics came out and added their two cents worth of sulphuric acid to it.
(A side note on that – Why do movie critics always have to hate everything that isn’t controversial, deep, about homosexuality or politics? Have they forgotten that movies exist to entertain, to help us escape to another dimension, relax and recoup our resources? I am tired of all these people who take what little jargon their “Film Appreciation” professor taught them at college and hurl it back at us. Get an original thought, people!)
Ok, that said, I want to draw out everything I loved about POTC. And then the one thing I hated about it.
Reference to Singapore
If Singapore really had half the colour, personality and sheer force of will as the Singapore portrayed in this movie, we would be really something! The head honcho pirate (Chow Yun Fatt) was amazing with his crisscrossing battle scars and penchat for steam (which is kinds weird. Who wants more steam in the tropics?). I hope the reference does everything for our country as the STB hopes it will do and I hope the tourists who come as a result of this movie aren’t disappointed to find the sterile, ridiculously ordered city that we actually are.
Wit
I think the script in this movie, rivaled, if not surpassed that of the previous 2. Of course Jack’s lines are always bordering on the insane, but in this one, he has a few realy gems while blindingly sober. My favourite has to be when Elizabeth says, “It would never have worked out between us, Jack.” And he says, “Keep telling yourself that, darling.” The way Johnny Depp delivers that line…. I bet Elizabeth was wondering if she made the right choice after all.
Action and Adventure
Nothing beats some of the action sequences in this movie. I was wondering what could possible top the water wheel sword fight of POTC 2, but, yep, they came pretty close. Some of the fight scenes were actually the breather in the movie, the light hearted moments that takes away the tension of the main plot. The fight in the pirate court was one such scene, and the mindless skirmish actually helped focus the decision taken right after it. Well done, Jerry.
But…
Ok, now for what I hated. Pirates are about men. I am not sure if women were known to have their own ships or whatever, but I know that one of the laws of piracy was “No women on board.” So how does Elizabeth Swann turn from being the damsel in distress to the “distressing damsel”, as Jack Sparrow so aptly put it. Putting her in a place where she not only calls the shots, but gets old, battered, hardened men to follow her lead, is less than unbelievable, it borders on ludicrous.
Was this some half baked effort by the powers that be at Disney to bend over backwards and ensure sexual equality? Are they trying to make up for all the heroines of old who were dressed by birds and rescued by knights? I am sorry, but this “Look, we are for women’s rights too” statement in this movie just didn’t work for me.
My disbelief cannot suspend that much.
Tuesday, May 22
Road Trip - India (part 4)
This is the final installation of my blog on my road trip.
For more photos of my journey, click here and here.
Day 3 - Vaideeswaram
Yet another temple town, Vaideeswaram is the “olai chuvadi” capital of the world. Using an ancient text to tell your history as well as your future, these guys belong to a special clan that has safeguarded these texts for 1000s of years. These texts, written on palm leaves, used a kind of archaic Tamil script that only people in that clan can still read. So they make quite a killing reading these texts to people who either want to know their history, or their future.
If you remember, the point of my trip was to trace my history, so we went to one of these guys to see if he could shed some light on my ancestors. Finding him was hard because there was literally a whole street of these guys in Vaideeswaram, all claming to be the original. (Sounds a bit like the whole Papa Roti thing, doesn’t it?) But in the end, a call to my dad’s friend Rajendran solved the problem. It helps to have friends in high places.
Outside Vaideeswaram temple, we were swamped by the most ubiquitious sight of India – beggars. They hang around the temple hoping people’s piety will move them to pity. I was warned sternly by Malar and John NOT to give them money. They said, if you really want, you can give them food – biscuits or buns – but chances are they will reject it. Apparently most of them belong to a syndicate that feeds them, but makes them beg for their keep.
I had to test it out. I had bought some packets of food (prasadam) from the temple, which I didn’t want to eat. I offered it to this beggar lady with 2 children, but she refused to take it and kept asking me for money instead. Now, if I was a mother with 2 hungry children, I would take any food that comes my way, especially when it’s still piping hot.
Lesson learned.
Vaideeswaram is a small town, well supported by the astrology business. But there really wasn’t much else to do there. So after we got all the footage we needed, we left and headed for Pondicherry for dinner and the long drive back to Chennai.
We reached the ultra comfortable Raj Palace Hotel at about 9:30 on Sunday night. With the most strenuous part of the shoot behind us, we could relax, enjoy a good dinner (Chicken fried rice washed down with several gimlets), and entertain each other with horror stories from the media industry. I found out that John was the CEO for a cable channel called SS music, before life on the road called him back to sound engineering.
And Malar has worked in almost every major city in India and South East Asia, including Singapore, where he holds an employment pass.
Day 4 – Chennai
Finally, the last day of shooting. All the shoots today are in Chennai, so we had a little bit of time for some shopping in the evening. But before that, I got to experience the colour and vibrancy of what is touted to be now the best Indian city to live in.
Beggars, cows and pollution. I didn’t really find any of these a problem. I don’t know if I just looked unapproachable or what, but there weren’t a lot of encounters with beggars in Chennai. I saw more beggars in the small towns, strangely enough, just outside temples. There were still street and slum dwellers, in rags, and with children in throngs around them, but they seem to be gainfully employed. I was glad to see that.
The ubiquitious cows were everywhere, but they were quite grazing in little grassy alcoves, rather than obstructing traffic or terrifying hapless tourists (aka me). It just wouldn’t be India without the cows.
As for pollution, I noticed something really interesting. Women would sweep their houses clean of dust and debris, then gather the said pile of dust and dump it just outside their houses, where the wind will blow it in again during the course of the day.
A lot of the rubbish is also organic. Indians use natural resources a lot more than we do here – banana leaves instead of paper plates, palm leaf baskets instead plastic bags and cow dung instead of pesticides. Yes, there are plastic bottles, cans and other man made rubbish as well, but for city as large as Chennai is, they must either have a lot less trash or much more efficient waste disposal teams. But there is no doubt that India is the original recycling society. People save and reuse everything, which is really admirable.
I felt that politics and cinema drive the city more than then many temples, spiritual gurus and ancient texts and books. Everywhere you look, they are posters of political luminaries. Actors endorse everything from Aircel mobile networks to pumps for agricultural use. And the people are such big fans of some of the actors, that apparently in the cinema the film reel operator has to stop the reel in order to accommodate the whistling and celebrating that goes on once the hero appears. I wish I had time to have experienced this, but sadly, it didn’t happen. But the next time I surely will.
Chennai has been an eye opener. The memory I had of the city I visited 17 years ago remains an old and distance memory, the way you remember your grandma when you were 5. As I have grown, Chennai has grown along with me, infinite in beauty, wisdom and grace. This is not to say that it’s perfect, no place is, but its faults have been exaggerated more than its virtues. The people are gentle and hospitable, I wasn’t eve-teased, rubbed up against or even gawked at even once. The food is amazing, with enough variety to keep foodies like me happy for a long time.
My heart is full. I am so glad I came. Chennai, you have a part of my heart, and you will see me again.
For more photos of my journey, click here and here.
Day 3 - Vaideeswaram
Yet another temple town, Vaideeswaram is the “olai chuvadi” capital of the world. Using an ancient text to tell your history as well as your future, these guys belong to a special clan that has safeguarded these texts for 1000s of years. These texts, written on palm leaves, used a kind of archaic Tamil script that only people in that clan can still read. So they make quite a killing reading these texts to people who either want to know their history, or their future.
If you remember, the point of my trip was to trace my history, so we went to one of these guys to see if he could shed some light on my ancestors. Finding him was hard because there was literally a whole street of these guys in Vaideeswaram, all claming to be the original. (Sounds a bit like the whole Papa Roti thing, doesn’t it?) But in the end, a call to my dad’s friend Rajendran solved the problem. It helps to have friends in high places.
Outside Vaideeswaram temple, we were swamped by the most ubiquitious sight of India – beggars. They hang around the temple hoping people’s piety will move them to pity. I was warned sternly by Malar and John NOT to give them money. They said, if you really want, you can give them food – biscuits or buns – but chances are they will reject it. Apparently most of them belong to a syndicate that feeds them, but makes them beg for their keep.
I had to test it out. I had bought some packets of food (prasadam) from the temple, which I didn’t want to eat. I offered it to this beggar lady with 2 children, but she refused to take it and kept asking me for money instead. Now, if I was a mother with 2 hungry children, I would take any food that comes my way, especially when it’s still piping hot.
Lesson learned.
Vaideeswaram is a small town, well supported by the astrology business. But there really wasn’t much else to do there. So after we got all the footage we needed, we left and headed for Pondicherry for dinner and the long drive back to Chennai.
We reached the ultra comfortable Raj Palace Hotel at about 9:30 on Sunday night. With the most strenuous part of the shoot behind us, we could relax, enjoy a good dinner (Chicken fried rice washed down with several gimlets), and entertain each other with horror stories from the media industry. I found out that John was the CEO for a cable channel called SS music, before life on the road called him back to sound engineering.
And Malar has worked in almost every major city in India and South East Asia, including Singapore, where he holds an employment pass.
Day 4 – Chennai
Finally, the last day of shooting. All the shoots today are in Chennai, so we had a little bit of time for some shopping in the evening. But before that, I got to experience the colour and vibrancy of what is touted to be now the best Indian city to live in.
Beggars, cows and pollution. I didn’t really find any of these a problem. I don’t know if I just looked unapproachable or what, but there weren’t a lot of encounters with beggars in Chennai. I saw more beggars in the small towns, strangely enough, just outside temples. There were still street and slum dwellers, in rags, and with children in throngs around them, but they seem to be gainfully employed. I was glad to see that.
The ubiquitious cows were everywhere, but they were quite grazing in little grassy alcoves, rather than obstructing traffic or terrifying hapless tourists (aka me). It just wouldn’t be India without the cows.
As for pollution, I noticed something really interesting. Women would sweep their houses clean of dust and debris, then gather the said pile of dust and dump it just outside their houses, where the wind will blow it in again during the course of the day.
A lot of the rubbish is also organic. Indians use natural resources a lot more than we do here – banana leaves instead of paper plates, palm leaf baskets instead plastic bags and cow dung instead of pesticides. Yes, there are plastic bottles, cans and other man made rubbish as well, but for city as large as Chennai is, they must either have a lot less trash or much more efficient waste disposal teams. But there is no doubt that India is the original recycling society. People save and reuse everything, which is really admirable.
I felt that politics and cinema drive the city more than then many temples, spiritual gurus and ancient texts and books. Everywhere you look, they are posters of political luminaries. Actors endorse everything from Aircel mobile networks to pumps for agricultural use. And the people are such big fans of some of the actors, that apparently in the cinema the film reel operator has to stop the reel in order to accommodate the whistling and celebrating that goes on once the hero appears. I wish I had time to have experienced this, but sadly, it didn’t happen. But the next time I surely will.
Chennai has been an eye opener. The memory I had of the city I visited 17 years ago remains an old and distance memory, the way you remember your grandma when you were 5. As I have grown, Chennai has grown along with me, infinite in beauty, wisdom and grace. This is not to say that it’s perfect, no place is, but its faults have been exaggerated more than its virtues. The people are gentle and hospitable, I wasn’t eve-teased, rubbed up against or even gawked at even once. The food is amazing, with enough variety to keep foodies like me happy for a long time.
My heart is full. I am so glad I came. Chennai, you have a part of my heart, and you will see me again.
Monday, May 21
Road Trip - India (part 3)
Day 2 – Sirkazhi.
After a quick and excellent breakfast of thosai and the best tea I have ever had, we set out for Sirkazhi, the town my great grandfather came from. I was supposed to meet my dad’s friend, Rajendran who lives there. He in turn helped me to find all the possible connections to my dad’s family. If not for him, I would probably still be there, looking for my roots.
We went to the house of this old priest of the local temple, who was said to remember my great grandfather. This man was 95 years old, and still had a memory that was sharp as a knife. He is retired from his priestly duties, but lives with his daughter’s family in the same house he had lived in since he was born.
I was excited to visit the house, because 1) it would be my first visit into a village house, and 2) my first visit to a orthodox Brahmin house. I tried to remember all the “rules” of orthodoxy regarding visiting a Brahmin household. I am glad to say none of them were true. They welcomed us with kindness, offered us a place to sit on a bench, and some ice cold water to drink.
(A short note on drinking water in India. I was told NEVER to drink the tap water. The crew bought many bottles of mineral water and an ice cooler, so we were well watered throughout the journey. But, when you go to someone’s house, and all they have is water, from the tap, how to say no without being rude? The last thing I want is to be remembered as the uppity Singapore girl who won’t even wet her lips in our house. So I drank their water when it was offered. I said a blessing over it, and drank whole heartedly. And didn’t suffer so much as a stomach ache from it. )
The house looked exactly like the kind you see in Tamil movies. A U shaped covered house with a small open air courtyard in the middle, where they had the Tulasi tree and the water pump. In the back, there is a well and a general washing area. These people were considered affluent because they had electricity, running water, and a fridge. The floors were cement and the walls brick. The roof was wood and attap, and kept the house cool and comfortable. 6 people lived in that house, which is the size of my living room. Amazing. With no separate rooms for married couples, how on earth did they make 2 children. The mind boggles.
The next house I visited was the one my great grandfather built. It has been around for about 100 years and is based on the same U shaped with courtyard plan. My uncle and aunty who still live there have electricity, but no fridge, and no running water. And my uncle works in a bank!
Meeting my relatives was an experience in itself and I will leave it to the show to tell the story. But walking into the house that I could have been born in was overwhelming. I can describe it adequately, and won’t even try.
2nd Night – Chidambaram
Since Sirkazhi is such a small town, they don’t have any hotels that will fulfil the creature comforts stipulated by the crew. So we spent the night in Chidambaram, a slightly larger temple town that was a 2 hour drive away. I was so exhausted – drained physically by the 8 hour shoot in the broiling sun and emotionally by meeting my relatives – that I took a shower and went straight to bed. It’s only the next morning that I realized that the hotel we stayed at was called the Raffles Hotel! The irony was not lost on me. I’m not complaining because it had a clean bed and aircon, which is all I needed, but they were little short on the marble flooring and jazz quarter, what.
The hotel also did not have room service, so the guys had to go out to get some take away food. One of the things I really enjoyed about this trip was that I was with a bunch of people who were serious meat eaters like me. Which is really good because India has very good non-vegetarian cusine offer. The meat is usually fresh, not frozen, so it tastes different and absorbs the flavours of the spices better.
Now, I know a lot of you are frowning because you think I did something stupid and dangerous, but for the record, I did not get any digestive disorders while I was in India. No Delhi belly, nothing. 2 out of 3 meals were non-vegetarian. For breakfast, we went to a veg restaurant, but only because breakfast foods like thosai and idly are much better there.
If I have any complains about India, it’s this. The sun rises really early in the morning. By about 5:45 a.m., it is peeking into my room. Being used to waking at dawn in Singapore (6:30a.m.), I was like WTH when I found myself rising at 5:30 or so. So from then till my actual wake up call (8:00), it was my time with the wonders of Indian television. I was pleasantly surprised to find a TV channel dedicated to Christian programming – songs, sermons and services – in both Tamil and English. Belonging to a secular state like Singapore, it came as quite a treat, really.
After a quick and excellent breakfast of thosai and the best tea I have ever had, we set out for Sirkazhi, the town my great grandfather came from. I was supposed to meet my dad’s friend, Rajendran who lives there. He in turn helped me to find all the possible connections to my dad’s family. If not for him, I would probably still be there, looking for my roots.
We went to the house of this old priest of the local temple, who was said to remember my great grandfather. This man was 95 years old, and still had a memory that was sharp as a knife. He is retired from his priestly duties, but lives with his daughter’s family in the same house he had lived in since he was born.
I was excited to visit the house, because 1) it would be my first visit into a village house, and 2) my first visit to a orthodox Brahmin house. I tried to remember all the “rules” of orthodoxy regarding visiting a Brahmin household. I am glad to say none of them were true. They welcomed us with kindness, offered us a place to sit on a bench, and some ice cold water to drink.
(A short note on drinking water in India. I was told NEVER to drink the tap water. The crew bought many bottles of mineral water and an ice cooler, so we were well watered throughout the journey. But, when you go to someone’s house, and all they have is water, from the tap, how to say no without being rude? The last thing I want is to be remembered as the uppity Singapore girl who won’t even wet her lips in our house. So I drank their water when it was offered. I said a blessing over it, and drank whole heartedly. And didn’t suffer so much as a stomach ache from it. )
The house looked exactly like the kind you see in Tamil movies. A U shaped covered house with a small open air courtyard in the middle, where they had the Tulasi tree and the water pump. In the back, there is a well and a general washing area. These people were considered affluent because they had electricity, running water, and a fridge. The floors were cement and the walls brick. The roof was wood and attap, and kept the house cool and comfortable. 6 people lived in that house, which is the size of my living room. Amazing. With no separate rooms for married couples, how on earth did they make 2 children. The mind boggles.
The next house I visited was the one my great grandfather built. It has been around for about 100 years and is based on the same U shaped with courtyard plan. My uncle and aunty who still live there have electricity, but no fridge, and no running water. And my uncle works in a bank!
Meeting my relatives was an experience in itself and I will leave it to the show to tell the story. But walking into the house that I could have been born in was overwhelming. I can describe it adequately, and won’t even try.
2nd Night – Chidambaram
Since Sirkazhi is such a small town, they don’t have any hotels that will fulfil the creature comforts stipulated by the crew. So we spent the night in Chidambaram, a slightly larger temple town that was a 2 hour drive away. I was so exhausted – drained physically by the 8 hour shoot in the broiling sun and emotionally by meeting my relatives – that I took a shower and went straight to bed. It’s only the next morning that I realized that the hotel we stayed at was called the Raffles Hotel! The irony was not lost on me. I’m not complaining because it had a clean bed and aircon, which is all I needed, but they were little short on the marble flooring and jazz quarter, what.
The hotel also did not have room service, so the guys had to go out to get some take away food. One of the things I really enjoyed about this trip was that I was with a bunch of people who were serious meat eaters like me. Which is really good because India has very good non-vegetarian cusine offer. The meat is usually fresh, not frozen, so it tastes different and absorbs the flavours of the spices better.
Now, I know a lot of you are frowning because you think I did something stupid and dangerous, but for the record, I did not get any digestive disorders while I was in India. No Delhi belly, nothing. 2 out of 3 meals were non-vegetarian. For breakfast, we went to a veg restaurant, but only because breakfast foods like thosai and idly are much better there.
If I have any complains about India, it’s this. The sun rises really early in the morning. By about 5:45 a.m., it is peeking into my room. Being used to waking at dawn in Singapore (6:30a.m.), I was like WTH when I found myself rising at 5:30 or so. So from then till my actual wake up call (8:00), it was my time with the wonders of Indian television. I was pleasantly surprised to find a TV channel dedicated to Christian programming – songs, sermons and services – in both Tamil and English. Belonging to a secular state like Singapore, it came as quite a treat, really.
Friday, May 18
Road Trip – India (Part 2)
First Night – Pondicherry
Being on a road trip like this one, it’s impossible to tell where we are going to be when night falls. Therefore making hotel reservations was out of the question. Therefore 2 hours of our night in Pondicherry was spent driving around, looking for a hotel to stay. Most hotels were full for two reasons – 1) Pondicherry is a kind of a party town where young Chennai natives go for a wild weekend of drinking and partying and 2) Because of the political meeting, even more people decided to leave the city and Pondi is the nearest destination.
By 9:30, we still hadn’t got a room and I was beginning to panic. I know how Mary and Joseph felt, not that I was about to have a baby, but the part of being tired and stopping at every inn and not finding room to rest. Finally Malar called one of his friends, who told us to try a place called Shanti Inn. It was on a street that we had already driven by twice, but we didn’t see it because at the street level, you only see the door. The rest of the hotel is on the 2nd – 5th floors. The rooms were clean and air conditioned, the bathroom looked recently washed and the bed was comfortable. We decided to stay.
Dinner was room service, although no one had much of an appetite from all that traveling. Ok, honestly, that was not the reason. Pondicherry is apparently some kind of tax haven for alcohol. A bottle of Smirnoff vodka only cost SGD$16. So everyone decided to camp out in my room and have a few bottles of the stuff, “to help to relax”. They were so relaxed, I had a hard time kicking them out, because I wanted to sleep. Tomorrow we go to Sirkazhi, a big day for me. I needed to sleep.
Before I end this post, a word about Indian TV. Firstly, I love the fact that every channel has people who look just like me Рbeautiful Indian girls endorsing products in ads and good looking men reading the news. And the ads are really a lot more creative and sometimes risqu̩ then what we get in Singapore. There is this one ad where the opening sequence is a medium shot of a woman, waist up, squatting on something and bouncing up and down with her eyes closed. The next shot is a long shot of her rinsing out the pair of pants she had just washed by hand, and turning to show it to the camera. It was an ad for washing soap.
And these people had a problem with Richard Gere kissing Shilpa Shetty? What the…?
Sex and nudity is not really an issue in India. People are bathing in public places all the time, the men wearing a little less than a thong and the women a sheer sari or cloth that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. The problem was probably that Richard was an old geezer, kissing a young nubile woman. Yeah, I think that was probably it.
For pictures, click here.
Being on a road trip like this one, it’s impossible to tell where we are going to be when night falls. Therefore making hotel reservations was out of the question. Therefore 2 hours of our night in Pondicherry was spent driving around, looking for a hotel to stay. Most hotels were full for two reasons – 1) Pondicherry is a kind of a party town where young Chennai natives go for a wild weekend of drinking and partying and 2) Because of the political meeting, even more people decided to leave the city and Pondi is the nearest destination.
By 9:30, we still hadn’t got a room and I was beginning to panic. I know how Mary and Joseph felt, not that I was about to have a baby, but the part of being tired and stopping at every inn and not finding room to rest. Finally Malar called one of his friends, who told us to try a place called Shanti Inn. It was on a street that we had already driven by twice, but we didn’t see it because at the street level, you only see the door. The rest of the hotel is on the 2nd – 5th floors. The rooms were clean and air conditioned, the bathroom looked recently washed and the bed was comfortable. We decided to stay.
Dinner was room service, although no one had much of an appetite from all that traveling. Ok, honestly, that was not the reason. Pondicherry is apparently some kind of tax haven for alcohol. A bottle of Smirnoff vodka only cost SGD$16. So everyone decided to camp out in my room and have a few bottles of the stuff, “to help to relax”. They were so relaxed, I had a hard time kicking them out, because I wanted to sleep. Tomorrow we go to Sirkazhi, a big day for me. I needed to sleep.
Before I end this post, a word about Indian TV. Firstly, I love the fact that every channel has people who look just like me Рbeautiful Indian girls endorsing products in ads and good looking men reading the news. And the ads are really a lot more creative and sometimes risqu̩ then what we get in Singapore. There is this one ad where the opening sequence is a medium shot of a woman, waist up, squatting on something and bouncing up and down with her eyes closed. The next shot is a long shot of her rinsing out the pair of pants she had just washed by hand, and turning to show it to the camera. It was an ad for washing soap.
And these people had a problem with Richard Gere kissing Shilpa Shetty? What the…?
Sex and nudity is not really an issue in India. People are bathing in public places all the time, the men wearing a little less than a thong and the women a sheer sari or cloth that doesn’t leave much to the imagination. The problem was probably that Richard was an old geezer, kissing a young nubile woman. Yeah, I think that was probably it.
For pictures, click here.
Thursday, May 17
Road Trip – India (Part 1)
Itinerary
Day 1 – Chennai to Pondicherry
Day 2 – Pondicherry to Sirkazhi
Day 3 – Sirkazhi to Vaideeswaram
Day 4 – Vaideeswaram to Chennai
Day 5 - Singapore
Day One
I landed in Chennai airport at 10 a.m. and already the heat was searing through my skin. It was Agni Natchathiram, the hottest day in the year, although I didn’t know that at the time.
Good thing Kannan, the Assistant Director from Verite Productions was there with an air conditioned Chevrolet, so I didn’t suffer too long in the heat. It did make me think about how the people who cannot afford air conditioning survive this season.
We went to Raj Palace Hotel where I met the rest of the crew – Hameed, who of course I know from poly days, Malarvannan, the cameraman , and John Fernandez, the sound guy. Both Malar and John are Chennai natives (Chennaivites? Chennaaiwals?) , although they have both travelled the world extensively as professionals in their field. My episode of Mudhal Payanam was in good hands.
Before heading out of the city, we stopped for lunch – at Liu’s Chinese Cuisine. The two Singaporean guys, Kannan and Hameed were tired of eating Indian food and were dying for a change in palate, and this was their last chance to get some Chinese food before we headed for the rural countryside. So my first meal in India was steamed Thai rice, sweet and sour pork, chili beef and chap chai! Go figure eh.
At about 4:30, we headed out of Chennai further south toward Pondicherry. On our way out, we saw busloads of people with strange black and red flags on the windows coming into the city. Apparently some minister was getting honoured for 50 years of active political career, so the prime minister and president of India were coming down to some meeting to felicitate him. His followers also took it at a personal invitation and descended on Chennai in their thousands. Malar said it’s good thing we were leaving for a few days, because just the traffic snarls would tie up any travel plans for a while.
Even on the other side of the road, we were moving at a snail’s pace, because the more important followers of that minister were allowed to drive on the opposite side, towards oncoming traffic. Our driver Kumar played chicken so many times, I stopped counting. I just know that by the time my journey ended, I had almost broken the hand grip in the car.
Traffic rules are more of a suggestion than the law here.
Day 1 – Chennai to Pondicherry
Day 2 – Pondicherry to Sirkazhi
Day 3 – Sirkazhi to Vaideeswaram
Day 4 – Vaideeswaram to Chennai
Day 5 - Singapore
Day One
I landed in Chennai airport at 10 a.m. and already the heat was searing through my skin. It was Agni Natchathiram, the hottest day in the year, although I didn’t know that at the time.
Good thing Kannan, the Assistant Director from Verite Productions was there with an air conditioned Chevrolet, so I didn’t suffer too long in the heat. It did make me think about how the people who cannot afford air conditioning survive this season.
We went to Raj Palace Hotel where I met the rest of the crew – Hameed, who of course I know from poly days, Malarvannan, the cameraman , and John Fernandez, the sound guy. Both Malar and John are Chennai natives (Chennaivites? Chennaaiwals?) , although they have both travelled the world extensively as professionals in their field. My episode of Mudhal Payanam was in good hands.
Before heading out of the city, we stopped for lunch – at Liu’s Chinese Cuisine. The two Singaporean guys, Kannan and Hameed were tired of eating Indian food and were dying for a change in palate, and this was their last chance to get some Chinese food before we headed for the rural countryside. So my first meal in India was steamed Thai rice, sweet and sour pork, chili beef and chap chai! Go figure eh.
At about 4:30, we headed out of Chennai further south toward Pondicherry. On our way out, we saw busloads of people with strange black and red flags on the windows coming into the city. Apparently some minister was getting honoured for 50 years of active political career, so the prime minister and president of India were coming down to some meeting to felicitate him. His followers also took it at a personal invitation and descended on Chennai in their thousands. Malar said it’s good thing we were leaving for a few days, because just the traffic snarls would tie up any travel plans for a while.
Even on the other side of the road, we were moving at a snail’s pace, because the more important followers of that minister were allowed to drive on the opposite side, towards oncoming traffic. Our driver Kumar played chicken so many times, I stopped counting. I just know that by the time my journey ended, I had almost broken the hand grip in the car.
Traffic rules are more of a suggestion than the law here.
Friday, May 11
And we are off!
I am writing this from the free internet terminals in Changi Airport. Check in was really smooth cos they had a special express lane for individual travellers. There were about 400 tour groups, all looking haggard, tired and carrying everything from rice cookers to small TVs.
In about 10 Mins we get to board the plane and then, the adventure begins!
catch u later!
In about 10 Mins we get to board the plane and then, the adventure begins!
catch u later!
Thursday, May 10
Getting to know you!
This is such a perfect opportunity to get to know all you guys! Please do it and send it back to me ok? Email also can!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
On Sunday
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No. It's childish.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
SPAM! (Is there any other kind?)
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes, yes, yes, and I want more!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely! I am delightful!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?
Yes. Bad me.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Only if someone's life depended on it.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Nestum!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Not at all.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Macadamia and butterscotch
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their eyes.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
woah.. where do I start
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
My best friends
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Absolutely
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
black and black
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Rice vermicelli sauted in garlic chili oil with soya beans.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
My colleague's Chinese radio station (ugh)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Burnt Orange
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
sandalwood, Otrie's cooking, and Hanan's head.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
my mother
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Love her with all my heart!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
NBA
27. HAIR COLOR?
brown
28. EYE COLOR?
brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No. Perfect eyesight, praise the Lord
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
All of it, I guess
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Spidey 3!
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Dress, dark blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
We don't have a choice here -summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
I have to choose?! Kisses
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Otrie's key lime pie
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Who knows, man?
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
By default, all of them.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
What an archaic question!
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
American Idol!
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Hanan singing praise songs!
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
North Carolina
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Honey, I am ALL special talent
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
KK Hosptial, Singapore
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
All you lot! Consider yourself tagged!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
No
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
On Sunday
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No. It's childish.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
SPAM! (Is there any other kind?)
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes, yes, yes, and I want more!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely! I am delightful!
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT?
Yes. Bad me.
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Only if someone's life depended on it.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Nestum!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
No
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Not at all.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Macadamia and butterscotch
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their eyes.
15. RED OR PINK?
Red
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
woah.. where do I start
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST
My best friends
18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Absolutely
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
black and black
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Rice vermicelli sauted in garlic chili oil with soya beans.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
My colleague's Chinese radio station (ugh)
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Burnt Orange
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
sandalwood, Otrie's cooking, and Hanan's head.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
my mother
25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Love her with all my heart!
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
NBA
27. HAIR COLOR?
brown
28. EYE COLOR?
brown
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No. Perfect eyesight, praise the Lord
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
All of it, I guess
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy endings
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Spidey 3!
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Dress, dark blue
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
We don't have a choice here -summer
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
I have to choose?! Kisses
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Otrie's key lime pie
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
Who knows, man?
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
By default, all of them.
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
What an archaic question!
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT?
American Idol!
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Hanan singing praise songs!
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
North Carolina
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Honey, I am ALL special talent
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
KK Hosptial, Singapore
47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
All you lot! Consider yourself tagged!
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