dementia praecox

Ended up too sick to be at work so am on MC today! Thus, I should sit down properly and write about this EPIC CONCERT OF THE YEAR!!! *stop spazzing to return to weak state* Ahem, okay.

*scratches*
I didn't know what came over me and not only did I spent over $60 on medication, the antibiotics (which is stronger than the usual one I use) is causing me rashes. This just sucks. Oh, and because of the concert *fan girl "AH!"*... Ya, because of the concert on 23 Oct, I lost my voice too.

Anyway, I began 23 Oct with a backlog check at office, after which met Phing at Square 2 for Popeyes branch. Really Med, who eat Popeyes for breakfast? I was feeling a little feverish by then.

Then the rest of the girls 陆续 arrived and we proceed to National Museum of Singapore for the Pompeii exhibition.My first impression of anything Pompeii related was a humorous comic by Mizuho Ksanagi titled "NG Life" which I would recommend everyone to go see because it is so damn humorous.

That aside, my knowledge in this area equals 0. This made me rather openly receptive to any and every information I can get out of the exhibition. I was a little ruffled by the speed we were going but then again, all of us has prior engagement so I couldn't complain too much.

Some highlights of the exhibition includes the 3D timeline sequence of the eruption (which, due to certain technical difficulties, was not 3D on the day of our visit -_-), the home furnishings of a typical (rich) household and lots of videos regarding the actual excavation, preservation, indexing of the acquired artifacts.I was really fascinated by the food produces that got preserved by the volcanic ashes and the general design of the kitchen wares. (You can't blame me really, *shrugs*) Their choice of religion is also an interesting study and I had fun looking at all that statues. However, I did feel a very strong emotional vibe from that place; something that I didn't tell the girls. All that feeling of desperation and distress is making me feel a bit down. Especially when looking at those plaster casts. Even in this air conditioned area I feel hot. Luckily for me, we didn't linger.Also at the end of the exhibition, there are many resources should you want to read in depth of the topic (mind, some in their original language aka foreign). I was totally engrossed in the types of volcanic ashes that was dug(?) up when suddenly (maybe not so suddenly,) the children hands-on section caught my eye. For family bringing kids there's the usual kids interaction corner where they can do coloring and make this awesomely cute gladiator's hat. Phing had to go ask for the paper cut out of the gladiator's hat(!!!) for me because I was too embarrassed to do so but I really wanted it. We had to quickly hide it because only children are supposed to have it but the staff was kind enough to spare us one...Thank you! I hope you all can tell how ecstatic I was!!! *huge grins**deep breath* Ya, that concludes the museum visit for the Pompeii exhibition.

By the time I walked to Plaza Singapura to get some much needed H2O, I was looking sickly pale and started sniffling from all that change of temperature.

I got 3 big bottles (it was on sale) of ice mountain and proceed to Singapore Expo for THE EPIC CONCERT OF THE YEAR!!! (=x)

I found a seat at Subway and all around me people were resting their feet from either a long day of squishing with other people (Electronics Fair and Robinson Sale??) or meeting up fellow fans (OMG those different club T-shirts.) Some hogged the table (like me O.o) making last minute touch-ups to their gifts for their idols while others sit together and just.... learn fan chants.

I waited *sniffles* and waited *sneezes* and waited *coughs* for one of the guys to freaking show. (A_A)# But apparently everyone was late (was I too early?) and I could only continue seating at the same place; contaminating the scene with the flu virus.

Later (much later...) the guys finally got to the scene. Gene was sick too. We dined on wraps and hurriedly proceed to the queue, (which I kind of regretted not doing earlier because of my condition but heard it was crazy ass long after) to get into the hall.

Met Zeke and his friends near the line-up spot and we had fun chatting about the different groups we like before the security spoil my mood by making me throw away my ice mountain (I really needed the water as I was sick) which I did (with force and grudgingly.)

Belatedly I understand that it could've been caused a nuisance if people throw their bottles (at the stage of something and hurt the guests.) so I have to apologize. Couldn't help giving the pissed look at that time though.

Anyway, when we enter the premises, surprise surprise!

1) The seating really sucks. I mean how much did we pay again? 200+ for "somewhat front seats" and this is what the seating looks like. Cat 2 first row hello!?!Not even going to bother commenting on the chairs that were tied together. Nope...

2) The commercial (which was repeated umpteen times *to the tribute of Shinee's "Replay, Replay, Replay" ?*)3) Our own bad choice of seating. Sigh. I knew I was going to regret sitting behind an entire fan club... T-T

4) The ultimate failure of a sound system. Like total fail. I can't even begin to describe how fail the fail is... Don't remind me.

We entertain each other by taking pictures of our 'chopped' hand. ... and waited.

The emcees open the show and Mr Yeo B G instantly became our favorite Minister of Foreign Affairs (for being able to bring the acts in *HURRAY*). I didn't catch much of what they say (because of the fail sound system) but over all, they ended quickly enough to not get boo-ed off stage by impatient fans.

*You might want to skip the MAJOR SPAZZ and jump ahead somewhere(or something...)*

OMG FT Island!!! I know I went crazy when "I Hope"'s interlude started. They totally rocked (even with the bad sound system)!!! Sing along session ensues and really we can't ask for a better opening act.

Next up, D.NA or Da Boss. AH KARAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *eyes gleamed over* Even though he moves to the far right of me, my high pixel eyes still zoom in on him like a homing device muahahaha (OMG I sound like a mad fan girl.) I was too high from FT Island for the ballad (though I really like how it sound) and kinda recognize "Stumble Stumble" but failed at "Amazing Boy". Gotta show the boys more love in the future.
*Updated on 27 Oct with song 3's title "Amazing Boy" thanks to (x)clusive. See their event coverage here!*

Ze:A next with the super catchy Mazeltov aka Full Week Song that goes Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - Saturday - Sunday... and another 2 songs.
*Updated on 27 Oct: Songs 2 and 3 are "Leap for Detonation" and "Level Up"*

I was actually half-way gone and into my second pack of tissue when Infinite came up. Caught their debut song "Come Back Again" but was lost to "Wings" and "She's Back".

And suddenly, the crowd in front of me (Shawols) all stand up and climb onto their chairs! A lot of shouts could be heard from the back like "OIE!! =@" or "Sit down!" but the screams were obviously not working and I can't see if Jonghyun was with us or not and OMG everyone is making some kinda noise and I am dizzy and my neighbor (whom I promise to sing along with if SHINEE came up) pull me up and we all got onto our chairs and I heard Gene beside me muttering about it (the song) hopefully not being "Noona is so Pretty" since it's such an old song and SHINEE came up and sing "Noona is so Pretty"...

I was high (on medication and SHINEE) and even started moving to the dance moves of "Replay" and "Ring Ding Dong" even though I am standing on a chair and shaking from all the cold and dizziness and adrenaline. I finally confirmed that there will be no JongKey action for the night and "Lucifer" came on and my neighbor and I screamed at the top of our lungs like fan girls and chanted and sang along with the boys.

IT WAS CRAZY. The note Taemin 'inherited' from Jonghyun. Tae-kido was AMAZING.

Then "Hello" came on and everyone were still standing and I couldn't even hear the boys anymore and my ears were ringing.

Just when I got down from the chair and was going to sit, I saw the pink wave. Which promptly put my feet back on the seat of my chair as S.N.S.D came up.

My whole team of fan boys (left count 3, right count 2, back count 2) and I; we belt out the hits together with the fan chants (+ random episodes of 'insert favorite SNSD member's name here') like there's no tomorrow! We had the best karaoke time of our lives singing along to "Genie" [MAR.HAE.BWA! GENIE YAH!], "Oh!" [JI.GEU.MEUN SO.NYEO.SHI.DAE A.PU.RO.DO SO.NYEO.SHI.DAE YO.WON.HEE SO.NYEO.SHI.DAE SO.NYEO.SHI.DAE SA.RANG.HAE OH!] and "Run Devil Run" [SO.NYEO.SHI.DAE RUN DEVIL RUN!]

Went high when the girls said they will be back for concert here in Singapore and even higher when fans as one chanted 'Gee' until the girls came on with "Gee!" [GEE GEE GEE GEE BABY BABY BABY BABY~] with all the fan chants and the entire place rocked!

How could the show not end in a Big Bang with Big Bang!?! (Pun intended) Everyone remained standing and Singapore fans really showed that no matter the group we will show love to all K-pop groups by singing along with Big Bang as well... The ending of the concert had surely turned into a Big Bang mini concert with them singing the most songs (7 in total: "Gara Gara Go!", "Number 1", "Haru Haru", "Lies", "Last Farewell", "How Gee" and "Hands Up") per group. <3 acoustic="" and="" ands="" aru="" br="" hands="" haru="" literally="" much="" so="" throw="" up="" version="">*Updated on 27 Oct with all song names*

Finally everyone got on stage for the finale and sing MJ's "Heal the World" and all I can say was, this is it. This is the event every Singapore K-pop fan was waiting for. So many idols in Singapore, on stage, for this one concert. It was awesome and I was awe struck and this event will remain in my "List of EPIC moments" for the rest of my life.

Now, let me finish spazzing and prepare myself for the next EPIC moment of my life (SS3!!!) by working out and staying fit... OMG OMG yah... and out.

Labels: Fangirling, Happenings, Sing Along, Theatrics

We could've fed an army lol, and the ang moh family behind us afterwards just face palmed for choosing our lane... P.S: The trolley behind us was ours too, full of packed Milo.
The boot was too filled that we have to put some in the back seats I would like people to know that even though it seems impossible in Singapore, there are still some who lingers the streets. You just have to know where to find them. I'm not sure if this is ideal food for some families, but I hope the ones who received these from us today could at least sleep with a full stomach for a few days.

Labels: Weirdology

I had an entertaining day at the Peranakan Museum with K.L. The staff handle us with care and our guide, a retiree freelancer gave us his version of guided tour with such flair and humor that our funny bones were tickled to no end.

Though many of the exhibits are currently at Paris for tour so maybe we'll go back there again sometime later. There's actually many interesting things on display. We giggled at our guide's comment about us being able to touch some of the exhibits because, the 'exhibits' are now cardboard shots and we can touch the cardboard all we want...

I particularly like how the exhibit show the major milestones of a nonya's life and was impressed that the demo kitchen looks almost like a copy of my gandpa's! Overall, I gain a lot of understanding of how the past generation live, play, love and die.

Also currently on display, Ramayana Revisited: A Tale of Love & Adventure. Which will still be available for visiting until 27 Feb 2011.

It is a touching story about love, betrayal, good triumphing over evil, sacrifices  and forgiveness. What's more, a pass into the Peranakan Museum immediately entitled you to this exhibition for free!

Also, for parents bringing children, there's games for children to understand the story easier and many 'touching corner' where the children get to touch and feel the actual artifacts. Definitely a good place to spend your weekend with your children and gain more knowledge in the process! So do visit our Peranakan Museum; show our museums some love!

Labels: Happenings

It's that time of the year, but I was surprised that we had it such ad-hoc-ly (omg is this even a word!?!) yesterday.

Went to the market early yesterday and got all the ingredients for my side of the food preparation, plus I need to smuggle out that little something I made specially for the group. Hope they like it. Photos will obviously be up but here's a sneak preview~
Now let me emo for a while.... Why I had to do Cesar Salad!?! So many ingredient and weird techniques I never try before... *pouts* So, I'll show you the recipe...

1/2 to 3/4 cup homemade croutons (see directions below)
1 coddled egg (see directions below)*
1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic (1 to 2 medium cloves with inner green germ removed)
1 anchovy fillet, mashed**
Pinch of coarse salt 2 tablespoons (1/2 lemon) freshly squeezed lemon juice***
3 drops Worcestershire sauce
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano),divided
1 head Romaine lettuce, hearts and tender leaves only
Coarsely ground black pepper

How to make croutons:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Trim the crust from day-old peasant-style bread (Italian or French bread) and dice into 3/4-inch cubes. Toss with enough olive oil to coat, but not drench. Sprinkle lightly with salt and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake approximately 10 to 15 minutes or until just golden brown. Halfway through the baking time, give the pan a shake to make sure the croutons toast evenly. Remove from oven and completely cool croutons. Store in an airtight container.

How to coddle eggs:
Coddling causes the yolk to become slightly thickened and warm. Bring a very fresh egg to room temperature by immersing it in warm water (otherwise it might crack when coddled). Place the egg in a small bowl or mug and pour boiling water around the egg until it is covered. Let stand for exactly 1 minute. Immediately run cold water into the bowl until the egg can be easily handled; set aside.

How to make Caesar Salad dressing:
In a bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy, and salt until blended. Whisk in the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the coddled egg until the mixture is thick, approximately 1 minute (this enable the lemon juice to "cook" the eggs). Slowly drizzle in the olive oil with one hand while vigorously whisking the mixture with the other. When the dressing is well combined, whisk in 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese.

How to assemble Caesar Salad:
Separate the Romaine leaves and discard the coarse outer leaves. Wash, drain, and pat with paper towels or spin dry the remaining leaves. Note: Lettuce should be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to use. Tear into bite-size pieces and set aside.

In a large wooden salad bowl, add 1/3 of the dressing and toss with the croutons until well coated. Add the Romaine lettuce pieces and the remaining dressing; toss until coated.

How to serve Caesar Salad:
Divide the salad between chilled plates and sprinkle each salad with the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and coarsely ground pepper.

Serve immediately with chilled forks.
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Credits: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Salad/CaesarSalad.htm

After note:

So I didn't exactly follow the recipe.

For croutons, I used garlic bread toasted dry. Then, I substitute mayonnaise with plain sugar free yogurt because someone don't eat mayonnaise. I add additional Worcestershire sauce (1/2 teaspoon more) and another slice of lemon just in case.

My rendition of this salad is also without anchovies. Even though I did the coddled egg thing (which was a little fail because we end up with half of the egg whites in it too) we still lack the 'meat' flavor. So what I did was toss in lots of cheese.

Also, I let people decide between the croutons or the barbecue crisp I brought along. Overall, it wasn't a fail, but it is not something I will attempt again.

The procession of the barbecue was interesting as I switch between the chores of managing fire, sorting out food and ultimately ended up whipping some mango chicken, drunken bbq prawns, cheesy beef slabs and other impromptu dishes.

The vibe wasn't as good as I hope for and we had a few incidents but overall, the gathering ended without mishap. (Sort of.)

I have to thank Andrew for specially coming over to drive me home. If not, I would've throw a tantrum. Definitely.

Labels: Foodies, Meet-ups, Rants

Write about an incident where you almost failed, but endured and completed an objective.
I was, for the first time of my life, almost done in by the toilet cleaning auntie.

The place I am working at is on the second floor of this building and every morning, there'd be a cleaning spree from bottom up.

The thing is, I think I ate something wrong this morning and by the time I reached office my stomach 'complained'. And it hurts, like a twister in the bowels would.

Of course, I headed straight for the 'gold deposit'... and to my horror! The 'Cleaning In Progress' sign!!!

Dismayed but not discouraged, I approach the elevator, fast. But it was packed! Internally, I'm sobbing up a river and my rectum did a sort of dance that took the color off my face. I had to position my legs carefully while I climb that flight of stairs to my ultimate goal so as not to embarrass myself later in the day.

"Water flows downwards while people strive towards altitude." Like that Chinese saying, we should all aim high. But cleaner auntie, this is ridiculous!

That devil spawn seems like a predator on the hunt; and instead of just finishing off the prey, she toys with me with all that 'traps' she puts at every level. (Damn that goods lift!)

Then lo and behold! No 'Cleaning In Progress' sign on the fifth floor! My sense were on high alert as I spotted the other 'trap'; the cleaner trolley of death. The mobile storage with an arsenal of weapons you can't ever beat. I held my breath and tried to listen for the tell-tale signs of an enemy in hiding against the thundering of my heart.

The toilet door shimmered as if inviting me in, or was that the effects of the cleaning varnish? Moving enthralled, out of no where I heard a pair of rubber boots squeaked and I froze.

My face grim (green) with determination, flushes white as internally alarms rang and my subconscious screaming "You're caught" repeatedly.

A foot appeared from the Gents (followed by a body, of course.) and this scene literally moved in slow motion as I felt my breath caught.

Cleaner uncle spotted. Fireworks ensues as I breath a sigh of relief, then paled because I got too relieved. I try reasoning with my excrement as I limp the two meters to the Ladies' entrance.

To add to my predicament, a "ding" came from the goods lift and out walks the cleaner auntie. With distance on her side, she artfully steered weapons mobile and in an instant barricaded the door to my comfort. I could almost see her pumping her fist into the air with triumph and I would've joined her, had I gotten into the toilet in time.

My mind was pondering between being in amazement at her agility and skillful maneuver or recoiling in horror at the would be humiliation that is me without an extra pair of pants. I think I whimpered.

That did not stop her from putting down the 'Cleaning...' sign. My face must've shown the turmoil as she looked questioningly my way. I plucked some courage and asked if I could use the toilet. She nodded then pointed at the Gents.

I recoiled. "But auntie, I am a girl!" She frowned and I almost pushed pass her to my throne of gold deposit like I didn't care. Almost.

A voice rang from behind, (the cleaner uncle is still there!?!) "Let her go la, she cannot make it liao..."

I nodded furiously at that statement and looked pleadingly at the cleaner auntie.

A sigh-ed "Yes" was the God's sent and thank the Lord for not needing new pants.

Finally, "Deposite Gold" mission accomplished.

-------------------
Okay, Jui Keng didn't believe we could write a story about everyday life to capture the examiner's eye and hit the 300 - 500 words limit at the same time. Hopefully this piece proved him wrong.

Labels: Drabbles

End up @ the computer desk again. Took photos of the rain out while spacing out...Another, when the sound volume up++Finally the 六连拍 that almost got me the lightning shot.Let there be LIGHT!Darker AfterFear shook my handBut I overcame...

Labels: Weirdology