Skin Woes

I always have problems with my skin.

I am trying my best to improve my skin but sometimes, it is just beyond my control. Some people can just wash their faces with water but their skin remain really smooth. I am really envious of people who are blessed with good skin the moment they were born.

Often, annoying aunties will think that their piece of advice will aid you in getting a flawless skin.

There was once when I went to get myself a plate of Wanton Mee.

"Auntie, 云吞面，$3的，要辣。"

This is what happens when some aunties get overly concerned over the condition of my skin.

“小弟，真的要辣啊。不要吃这么辣啦，对你的皮肤很不好。不要辣啦，okay？”

OMG!!! What is this!!!!

I dont even have the choice to decide if I want to have chili in my wanton noddles or not!! This is infuriating. Furthermore, such incidents often happen when there is a pimple outbreak!!!

Please!!! We are already very upset over it!!! We dont need someone to confirm this fact!!!!

Another time, I was shopping in a supermarket when an auntie stopped me.

"小弟，你来try一下我们的牛奶。我们现在有promotion。买两包现在便宜一点。”

After trying，“哇，满好喝的。给我两个Chocolate Milk。谢谢”

Auntie 面有难色。“小弟，要不要拿一个normal milk，不要喝这么多chocolate milk 啦。”

AHHHH.......我就是要chocolate milk!!!!

Even though the auntie didn mention why I shouldn buy chocolate milk but it is so obvious that she was implying at my skin!!!!

Please take pity on people who have poor skin! We are also trying our best to improve our skin. Food dont really contribute to a flawless skin. I have friends who always eat fried food but they still have really good skin.

Okay, I am sure some will say that we should take even more careful of what we eat since we are not already bless with good skin.

=( Okay, point taken.

This made me remember the auntie who had worked with me as a promoter during my FAVE days. That auntie is crazy too.

Sometimes, she will just tell the customers that they are fat!!!!

There was once when a lady wanted to more nuts for her own consumption and she couldn make up her mind. Being a promoter, I will definitely talk her into getting more but that auntie didn.

Instead, she said " 小姐，你不要吃这么多，因为你已经不是很瘦了。而且这种豆很由的，会越吃越肥！"

OMG!!!! I felt so relieved when the customer did not flare up and choose to dig at herself instead too.

Please people!!!! Everyone love listening to nice words!!!

Be kind with your words!!!

Dialects

I always thought that most of my articles published are actually about dialects. However, a search through my portfolio only found me 3. Hahaha.

My very first article that was published in the papers.

The original:

"看了陈子谦在《联合晚报》中所刊登的星blog,我也感触良多。新加坡自1982年禁止播放方言节目以来，至今已有25年了。当初实施这项条规是出于统一华族沟通语言的必要，也希望新加坡人能够学好华文华语,因为远见的官员们知道中国一定有崛起的一天。

但是，现在的新加坡华人都非常洋化,在华语不精，方言不通的情况下，这项条例的实施是否为我们带来弊多于利呢？还记得，多年前内阁资政李光耀也曾说过他是绝对不会为了新加坡的经济繁荣而建设赌场的。但是，随着时代的变迁，人们思想的成熟，建设赌场已经不再是个禁忌了。所以，我们是否也该考虑放宽禁止播放方言节目的这项条例呢？

（1）妨碍节目的流程
首先，禁止播放方言节目会妨碍节目的流程。看看台湾的《娱乐百分百》，就连他们的粤语歌唱大赛，台语歌唱大赛，我们连听首方言歌曲也不可以。电视台还得把那一段方言歌曲给剪掉，然后再把节目接回。这不只为工作人员带来了许多不便，也让我们看节目看得十分不愉快。恳请有关的政府机构放宽这项条例吧。即使不能播出方言节目，几首歌曲真的不也会让我们的华语变得更差。

（2）经济的效应
第二，一直以来，政府不都鼓励国人好好的学习华语，以便能够更容易地踏上中国这辆经济快车吗？但是方言其实也可以为我们带来很不错的经济效应啊。许文远部长曾经说过新加坡歌手如孙燕姿和阿杜是凭着在歌词中掺入英语，或在华语专辑中加入一两首英文歌曲，才成功地打入庞大的海外市场的。但是，是这样吗？我不得不承认孙燕姿和阿杜的前几张专辑是有加入一两首英文歌曲，但是据我所知，在很大的程度上，阿杜与台湾台语天后江蕙的合唱才为他带来了不少瞩目，而不是因为他演唱了《Right Here Waiting》。而且，陈洁义和许美静能够在香港走红无疑也是因为他们各都说着一口流利的广东话。还有，新传媒艺人到香港拍摄《YummyYummy》时，不也要会广东话吗？谢韵仪和来自马来西亚的陈泓宇就在这方面占了上风，谢韵仪还因这部戏而入围了香港的飞跃新人奖。仅仅从娱乐圈的角度来看，会说方言就已经为大家带来了如此优势。更何况，我们还能与香港，台湾和中国多个省份有着更多方面的合作。这经济效应的优势，我们要放弃吗？

（3）根本的问题
其实，华语是北京人的一种方言。实际上，福建话，广东话等方言才是我们真真正正的母语。当然，我们不可能要求本地的媒介语言改换成我们的方言，因为新加坡拥有不同籍贯及种族的人，但是为什么连我们学习母语的权利都要剥夺呢？看着电视上的韩剧日剧都有双声道，我不禁要问：“为什么别国的语言，我们欣然接受。但我们自己的母语，却要苦苦压抑呢？”

电影《881》中的福建歌曲让人听出了耳油，就连洋派的年轻人也被吸引了。看看《881》在 Youtube 的点击率和大家对《881》影相的留言，我们就不难发现其实，大部分的新加坡人其实都会很支持这项条例的开放的。吴资政在观看《881》后不也表示里头的福建的歌曲都十分的动听吗？试问：“他愿意看到这动听的音乐走入历史吗？”

其实，有关当局可以考虑为这项条例做出适度的开放。例如：在非黄金时段如下午时间播放方言电影、电视剧和资讯节目或采用双声频道播出，让观众自行选择。

方言是我们文化根基的一部份，我们应该舍弃它呢"

Apparently, all parts about our Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew or any other ministers from the Parliament were actually edited away from my original work piece and that made me rather infuriated then.


My second article to be published.

"上一期的i周刊竟两次提及了方言问题，让我也有感而发。杨丽玲和梁智强都分别在他们的文中和访问中表示希望方言可以在本地得到多一些些的宽容。

看着韩国的《花样男子》和日本的《绝对男友》可以以双声道播出，《国记交易所》里，主持人却得指示同学们高唱自己国家的生日歌来fade out仅仅一首广东生日歌让我真的看得十分辛酸。试问：为什么他人的语言我们会如此宽容，但属于我们自己的方言却得面对如此多的限制呢？

方言是我们文化根基的一部分，我们应该就此舍弃它吗"

My third article to be published.

"很喜欢上星期杨丽玲的《自由论》。

喜欢江蕙，也喜欢台语歌。庆幸自己小时候是公公带大的，所以还能够听得懂福建话，并且感动于歌词的含意。曾经听人说过，台语歌曲所能带来的感动大大多于其他语言的歌曲。我原本不这么认为，但在接触了台语歌曲后，我才明白其中的道理。江蕙的《家后》，《落雨声》和《甲你揽牢牢》---- 这三首歌有着含蓄简单的歌词却能制造出澎湃动人的情感，“感动度”之然不在话下。

新加坡在过几十年将很有可能完全失去我们的方言。试问：失去了方言，我们仅仅失去了一个毫不重要的地方语言吗？

真的很希望方言能够在本地电视重见天日。"

Okay. I always write about dialects because I really hope to see dialects being aired on local television again. I wont go on about how dialects will not pull the already bad standards of chinese among Singaporeans because there will be 101 reason to explain my stand.

I really hope that our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will see this. Hahhaa. OMG!!! Please do let our dialects return to TV!!!!

I even thought of setting up a facebook page!!!! I will send the link of the facebook page to the Ministry of Information, Culture and Arts after I received enough "Likes" for the page!!

I know many will probably laugh at me for being such a stupid asshole who thinks he can make a difference. Hahaha.

However, an officer of mine during my NS life once told me that if you think that you cannot make a difference, you will never make a difference. You must always give it a try. Gandhi also never thought that his struggle could bring India to independence.

Okay, that is a little too far fetched.

I think I ought to be in politics.

Look out for me in the Worker's Party. Hahaha.

Anyway, I wont be setting up a facebook page desipte all that I had just said because I really think I wont make a difference. Okay, I will perhaps do it when I have the time in the near future.

Anyway, the main point today is I will most probably not write about dialects anymore.

And I am going to embark on a 365 project.

"As the name suggests, I'll be sending 1 article of mine every week to the press. So, let's wait and see if I can get something out of it by the end of the project =) "

Hahaha. I dont mean to be a copycat, Yilong!!! I just cant find a suitable name for my project.

Okay. I think that I wont be able to continue the project for long but my aim is to at least do this till the end of this sem. Hahha.

A random entry with my random thoughts.

INSTEP

INSTEP=International Student Exchange Programme.

I wanted to go on an exchange very much and I worked really hard for it last semester.I am glad that I did okay last semester and it's now the application period for INSTEP.

I went for a briefing last week because I was told that everyone must attend at least one of the briefings before they can apply. Apparently, there is no way that they can check if you had attended the briefing!!!!

However, I am glad that I had attended it because it provided me with lots of information that I had to know.

The moment I was handed the handbook, I went to search for the available Taiwan Universities!! Hahaha. I have always wanted to visit Taiwan so I guess this is a really good opportunity for me to tour the beautiful island while studying there.

Furthermore, I love hokkien songs!!!

I will most probably place National TsingHua University（国立清华大学） as my first choice because that University is only open to students from Chinese Studies. Thus, I should not be facing fierce competition. Hahaha.

A research on the National TsingHua University led me to their official website and this is the history of the school.

"National Tsing Hua University has a long and proud history.First established as the Tsing Hua Academy at Tsing Hua Garden in Beijing in 1911, the Academy was renamed as National Tsing Hua University in 1928 as its curricula expanded to that of a full-fledged university. In 1956, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) was reinstalled on its current campus in Hsinchu, Taiwan.Since its reinstallation, NTHU has developed from an institute focusing on Nuclear Science and Technology to that of a comprehensive research university offering degrees programs ranging from baccalaureate to doctorate in science, technology, engineering, humanities and social sciences, as well as management. NTHU has been consistently ranked as one of the premier universities in Taiwan and is widely recognized as the best incubator for future leaders in industries as well as academics. Such stellar records are particularly exemplified by the outstanding achievements of our alumni, including two Nobel laureates in physics Dr. Cheng-Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee, one Nobel laureate in chemistry Dr. Yuan-Tseh Lee and one Wolf Prize winner in mathematics Dr. Shiing-Shen Chern."

My Taiwanese friend has confirmed that the National TsingHua University is one of the top 4 schools in Taiwan.

There were also photos of their campus in their official website.

I think the campus look qutie beautiful. Hahaha.

We are each given a total of 5 choices so I will be most probably be filling up the other choices with other Taiwan Universities. Hahhaa.

I hope everything goes fine because there are hell lots of admin stuff to handle before I can successfully go for my exchange. Given my poor IT skills and "blurness", I will most probably miss out some important documents when I submit my application.

If everything goes fine, I should be heading to Taiwan in July.

However, I dont know why I have an intuition that this is a bad year for me.

观音妈, please help!!!!!

Plain Stupid

I went shopping at ION for my new year clothes a few days ago.

Somehow, I saw a shirt that I liked from NewLook. I seldom shop at NewLook but I just happen to find something there that day.

I was about to pay for my stuff at the counter when the salesgirl suddenly stopped me.

Okay, she wanted to persuade me to be their member.

"Sir, you have already spend around $33 in our shop. You just have to spend $60 more to get our membership card. Furthermore, after you signed up as our member, you will be given a $50 voucher. So this means that you only spend $10 for the membership card. Furthermore, you will get 10% off future purchase and 20% off during your birthday month. You can also use this membership card at Levis."

Sounds reasonable huh!

However, I didn agree to applying for their membership and we proceed to the counter.

The salesgirl didn stop and she carried on.

"Sir, you dont waste this good chance. We are only having this promotion this month because of the Chinese New Year. You only spend $10 to get the membership card. We will get you a $50 voucher."

Under her constant ramblings, i finally agreed to signing up for the membership.

OMG!!!!

I found out that I was conned right after my purchase!!!!!

"You only spend $10 for the membership. " This was what the sales girl kept repeating.

Sounds right and reasonable but HELL NO!!!!!

I have to pay $60 for the membership and even though I will get a $50 voucher back, that meant that I am now forced to spend $50 more in my next purchase!!!!

OMG!!!!! Furthermore, i dont usually shop at NewLook or Levis!!!!

Darn!! I am a little pissed off with myself. Impulsive buying!!!!!

Up My Sleeves

Meiqing's sister is opening her first ever blog shop and the blog shop has already launched their first spree.

Do check out these pretty clothes!!!

Item No. UMS102: Woven Black Polka Dot Dress - $25

This Dress is made with quality thick woven cotton with a smooth lining underneath and zipper at the back.

Pit to pit 15"
Length 31"

Suitable for Size 6 to 10

Upmysleeves Item No. UMS108: Black Leather Heart Shape Dress - $24

Made from faux leather and soft cotton.

Pit to Pit 15"-19"
Length 30.5"
Suitable for Size 6 to 10



Item No. UMS109: Cotton Laced Dress (Cream/Black) - $25


A Victoria Beckham inspired Dress. It was love at first sight for us when we saw this dress.Pair this dress with a big belt to achieve a more demure look, while the thin belt that the model is wearing helps to give the dress a more stylish feel. Nude is THE colour of the season.


Made of quality thick soft cotton, lace and zipper at the side.


Pit to Pit 16"-18"
Length 29.5"
Suitable for Size 6 to 10

Item No. UMS112: Cute Collar Basic Top (White) - $22

Made of quality Chiffon material, non sheer.

Pit to Pit 24"

Length 25.5"

Suitable for Size 6 to 12

Item No. UMS115: Big Diamonate Ring - $10.90

Equip yourself with these exaggerated ring when you are out with simple attire.

Diameter: 6 cm

These are just a few items from the collection. You can check out Up My Sleeves for more of their collection.

Simply email your purchase to purchase@upmysleeves.com and you will be replied promptly on your purchase!!!

Furthermore, you will get a Free Mini Hair Straigher with a min purchase of $40 in a receipt!

Model: TanXin

Photography: Situ YiLong

Hat Yai Trip (Part 3)

I am just too lazy to arrange all the photos in order so the photos are just in random. Hahhaa.

Anyway, this was the amount of stuff my sister bought from Thailand. The tank tops in Thailand only cost $1.50 per piece!!!! Hahaha.

Took Tuk Tuk.

We were crazily waving to the Thais who were on their motorbikes!!! We even shouted Happy New Year to some of them since it was New Year's eve. Hahhaa.

Went visiting to more places of interest.

Went visiting to more markets and night markets to shop for cheap stuff.

From the last photo, I guess you would have know that the mothers were really excited. Hahhaa.

Went sight seeing.

Went to a floating market. The vendors all sat on a sampan and they sell their food and drinks on the sampan.

Camwhore in our hotel rooms.

This will be the last entry for my Hat Yai trip because I am too lazy too upload all the photos.

Bye.

Hat Yai Trip (Part 2)

Had a tour guide and a 11 seater bus to fetch my family around Hat Yai on the 2nd and 3rd day of our trip.

Went to temples and had a great look at how devoted the Thais are to Buddhism.

You really cant imagine how many temples I went to. Hahhaa.

These were all the temples that we went to.....

And more.......



The tour guide told us that the temples were near. Thus, we thought we should just visit them since they were near. Hahaha. We spend quite a bit of time at the very first temple that we went to but we started to get tired and I think we spend less than 5 minutes at the very last temple. Hahhaa.

My cousin took photos of the dogs at the temple. Hahhaa.


Scenery along the way.



The tour guide brought us to a market that sells snacks, batik and many other cheap stuff.

The market that got our families excited and we bought more than 8 bags of stuff. Hahhaa.

While our mothers were busy shopping for gifts, the youngsters started to camwhore.

In the end, even my cousin got excited because the clothes there were really cheap.

Know how much my family bought?

We had one full luggage bad of goodies for our relatives and our consumption.

Totally insane!!!!

Took some tram that went up to the hilltop to look at the scenery.

I must be insane to wear my white converse shoes to Hat Yai. It was their monsoon season and it rained practically everyday. Despite my best efforts to take good care of my shoes, they still got black!!!!

My cousin took a candid photo of me looking at my shoes. Hahhaa.

Yeah. This was how black it became!!!!

OMG!!! Tom Yam. I miss the Tom Yam from Thailand so much. Somehow, it is just different from the one we have at ThaiExpress or Lerk Thai. Hahaha.

The tom yam got me and my cousin really satisfied. Okay, I admit that we took the photo before we had our lunch. Hahah. And my teeth are straight!!! Woo~!!

Saw firecrackers being lighted up for the first time.

My cousin introduced us an ice cream that can only be found in Hat Yai. It's really delicious!!!

Coconut ice cream~! Even though it may look simple, but it really taste good. Hahhaa.

Even my auntie says so~!!!

The Thai lady who was selling the ice cream.

The ice cream is so tasty till my cousin and I feel like bringing it into Singapore. We even discussed how we plan to bring the ice cream in. Hahha. I guess we will probably hire the lady in the photo. Hahhaa.

Okay. Part 3 is coming up soon.

Bye.