Proust

If you've read/followed Vanity Fair - they do the Proust Questionnaire with noteworthy persons as a last page thing. Well, the questionnaire has its origins in a parlour game popularised (though not devised) by Marcel Proust (1871–1922), the French essayist and novelist, who believed that, in answering these questions, an individual reveals his or her true nature (paragraph lifted from Vanity Fair site).

Anyhow, I thought I'd put myself to the Proust Questionnaire (at least the applicable & more interesting questions) so here goes -

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
That I've managed to recognise (happiness) and enjoyed it, although mastering a difficult yoga pose comes very close.

2. What is your greatest fear?
Embarrassment, and being unnecessarily judged for it.

3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
That I had to look up "deplore" in the dictionary.

4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Condescension.

5. Which living person do you most admire?
LKY. Cliche, I know.

6. What is your greatest extravagance?
Carrying forward a credit card bill.

7. What is your current state of mind?
I really really want to do this questionnaire.

8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Humility.

9. On what occasion do you lie?
When it makes life easier.

10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
The shape of my head.

11. Which living person do you most despise?
It's a secret. I really can't tell you. And it's not because I don't have an answer.

12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
Moderate possessiveness.

14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Hello Kitty!" (Don't ask)

16. When and where were you happiest?
Actually, when I was working in the little sushi shop in Perth. It's the little things...

17. Which talent would you most like to have?
To be a great conversationalist.

18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be less guarded... to the right people.

19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
To have cheated and gotten away with it till now.

20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
A goldfish.

23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Pain, ill-health, and loss. You pick one.

24. What is your favorite occupation?
Haven't had that many to begin with.

25. What is your most marked characteristic?
I think some people would say sarcasm.

26. What do you most value in your friends?
Candour.

31. What are your favorite names?
Rebecca. Emily. I also like 千寻 (Protagonist's name in Spirited Away)

32. What is it that you most dislike?
Regret... But being interrupted comes close.

33. What is your greatest regret?
That I'd made the wrong decision and couldn't persuade myself any further.

34. How would you like to die?
Quickly. Or during my sleep.

35. What is your motto?
Karma karma karma!



Saturday mornings - perfect time for over-priced brunch in the city.

This bird has flown


On board the Singapore Flyer.

Wouldn't want to go on it again if I can help it. Having grown up with the local skyline, the Flyer didn't score highly on excitement - or anything else, to be honest. I guess it's nice in activity-scarce Singapore, vis-a-vis movies or trying out another restaurant. Go only if you manage to score free entry - like I did.

Happy 43rd

Alexandra Arch

I skipped my usual hot and hatha classes today to take a walk through the Southern Ridges, starting from Hort Park.

Will let the pictures do the talking. And Happy National Day folks. Here's some trivial for you: This 43rd anniversary also marks 10 years since my National Day participation! Also, don't forget to watch your tax dollars burst away amongst the celebration's grand fireworks ;P

Hort Park

Happy National Day 2008

(Photos taken with my Nokia E51)

Rounding up

Everyone does their top 10s to round up their end-of-year posts. I'm gonna do a meme I grabbed off Boss's blog. Who cares that it's already end January. It's a good swan song for my blog.

1) Where did you ring in 2008? I think I was asleep.

2) What was your status on Valentine’s Day? Divorced.

3) Were you in school (anytime this year)? Final year at ECU.

4) How did you earn your keep? Waitress at Japanese cafe.

5) Did you have to go to the hospital? No.

6) Did you encounter the police? Yes, a breathalyzer test. I passed with flying colours. (You're supposed to test drivers coming back from pubs, not when they're going there!)

7) Where did you go on vacation? South of Western Australia twice, and Sydney.

8) What did you purchase that was over $500? Plane tickets.

9) Did you know anybody who got married? My cousin.

10) Do you know anybody who passed away? No.

11) Have you run into anybody you graduated high school with? My housemate and I used to study at the same faculty when I was in Poly.

12) Did you move anywhere? Back home.

13) What sporting events did you go to? Nearly went for Hopman Cup.

14) What concerts did you go to? Does getai count?

15) Where do you live now? Singapore, unfortunately.

16) Describe your birthday. Double celebration with friends, another celebration with family.

17) What’s the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2007? Take a holiday alone.

18) What is one thing you regretted this year? Being friends with someone I eventually disliked.

19) What’s something you learned about yourself? Independence knows no bounds.

22) Any new additions to your family? No.

23) What was your best month? June - best and worst.

24) What from pop culture will you remember 2007 by?
None.

25) How would you rate this year with a scale from 1 (shitty) to 10 (excellent)?
7…it’s so-so.

Exit stage right

As a parting word of wisdom: Apparently, a woman is like a tea bag, you only know how strong she is when you put her in hot water.

Incredulity

Today is Deepavali across the globe. India seemed to have already launched full scale celebrations yesterday seeing as all my emails have been ignored by our India office. I'm so totally taking back my "Happy Diwali" greeting.

My sister's boss is having a meeting today. A meeting on a public holiday. What ever happened to respecting your employees? It's not like it's an event like a public roadshow, neither is it a hospital - the sick don't take a raincheck on public holidays, IT'S A NORMAL COMPANY LIKE ALL THE COMPANIES IN SINGAPORE. Granted, I don't know all the details but what could really be a good reason for scheduling your meeting on a public holiday? You're just being an asshole.