Sirotan's many expressions

早安老师 + 再见老师

Old school. The things I sing at home.

Oh, and I missed school and now what...

Today, my alarm did not go off as planned (DARN YOU SMART PHONE TECHNOLOGY) and I missed school. And I was upset, still upset, am upset. And I find this is rather ridiculous. Why am I so upset over such a small thing? Maybe it is the Singaporean cannot-ever-miss-school mentality that I was brought up with. Argh, I feel like my life is almost over and I haven't yet lived. I have to go do something. But there is nothing better at the moment. Life is all relative.

Fall of Icarus

It's curious how things converge into some form of understanding. The Fall of Icarus is very much on my mind these days.

What I have been reading

Instead of research papers, I've been wasting time reading books.

Tennis vampires and werewolves

I'm watching US Open final on my computer. Novak has white spots on his neck // Edward Cullen. He is also super fast. Rafael is muscular and looks like Jacob Black. Haha.

Anderson Cooper at Columbus Circle

I saw Anderson Cooper while waiting in line to get into Whole Foods before Hurricane Irene.  He is super cute.  I was squealing in delight after spotting him but the other New Yorkers were indifferent.  Blah.  They don't know how to appreciate good things.

Hurricane Irene

My pathetic light supply.

French Pastry

OF made these.  I think they are called croquembouche but I may be wrong.  Purin likes them!

Purin is back!

Sanrio has decided to bring back Purin! I got myself a big soft Purin shipped from Japan. My life feels complete!!!

Healthy attempts

Green bean soup for breakfast.

Bitter gourd juice

Healthy = 100
Tasty = -50

Happy skin. Unhappy tastebuds.

Herbivores and me

I was eating watermelon with OF when we decided that humans only eat land animals that are 'mainly herbivores'. We're not considering worms, insects and the like as 'animals'.  So I'm classifying chicken as herbivore of some sorts. 

Granted that Asian people drink snake blood, eat bear paws and tiger penises... Those are more medicinal than food food.  You get the point.  According to YouTube, some people eat cats and dogs... But those are the rarer exception.

Hmm, why do humans typically eat herbivores but leave carnivores alone?  Maybe carnivores are too expensive to be eaten. OF says carnivores are too smelly and tough to eat.  Pigs are omnivorous?  Maybe that is why they have the 臭 pork 味.

TCM and Skin

Summer is giving me terrible skin! Shall post this here in case I have problems tracking down information next time.

What TCM says about pimples and acne

Pimples and acne can be an annoying ailment that affects everyone, not just teenagers still undergoing hormonal changes. Outbreaks can still occur in adults who have long passed their teenage years, appearing on areas such as the face, neck, back, arms or even on the torso. One of the most visible areas that acne can appear is on the face. While Western wisdom says that pimples and acne are caused by excessive sebum, or hormonal imbalance, proponents of traditional Chinese medicine believe that a blemished complexion is indicative of trouble in other parts of the body. We have collected a list of the various symptoms that are associated with pimples and acne collected from various online TCM resources. Pimples on forehead According to one TCM website, pimples on the forehead may indicate problems with the heart and blood circulation. This can be caused by mental tiredness, resulting in bad tempers. What you can do: Keeping early hours and having a good night's rest will be the natural solution. Drinking plenty of water will also help. Those who suffer the above symptoms should also strike a balance between work and rest and not worry too much. Pimples on the nose A blemished nose may point to a variety of ailments. Pimples growing on the bridge of the nose may indicate problems with the spine while pimples on the tip of the nose may be linked to digestive system problems. However, if pimples spread to both sides of the nose, it may indicate problems related to the ovarian or reproductive function or the reproductive system. Some traditional Chinese medicine practitioners also believe that pimples on the nose may be caused by eating habits and food preferences Pimples on jawline Jawline pimples may indicate problems with the kidneys, or problems with the gland that pours hormones into the blood. Girls who are prone to jawline pimples may suffer from irregular menstrual cycles. What you can do: Practitioners believe that such problems can be solved by nourishing the kidneys. Pimples on cheeks Pimples on both sides of the cheeks also may be due to different health issues. Pimples growing on the left cheek may be caused by stagnated liver functions, such as liver secretions, detoxification or other functions. Pimples on the right cheek may be caused by abnormal lung function. Pimples on hairline and lips However, other than such related body ailments, external circumstances like improper cleaning procedures or contamination from chemicals may also result in outbreak. For example, the use of unsuitable hairgel or leftover toothpaste around the lip areas may also cause pimples. What you can do: Ensure that the washing lotion that you are using is suitable for your skin condition and that your facial cleansing methods are sound. From: http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Health%2BMatters/Story/A1Story20110609-283117.html

Post exam sushi

I finally finished my exams. Learnt a few things about the literature and also on annoying human tendencies.

OF and I went to Gari because I'm into overpriced Japanese food.

Sirotan for President

Currently 4 Tans are running to be Singapore's next President.  I think my lumpy little SiroTan should join the competition too.

: )

Purin Tower

My tower has Purin on it. :)

Seal hug

Ginseng in a mug

My latest addiction.

Whole Foods suck all my money!

Animal cookies

Randomly baked stuff because I didn't feel like doing work.  And also because I wanted to use my cute cookie cutters I bought in some Japanese store in San Francisco.

Brontohsaurus

Bathing cat

Hilarious bathing cat widget!

Purin and cookie

Summer in New York

It's obvious that I've lived in NYC for too long when I find AM new york's article funny and true.

5 minute chocolate cake

Microwaved chocolate cake + Haagen-Dazs strawberry icecream = yum

Last umbrella tree

Two trees died. Maybe this will survive. I see new shoots.

Of Karma

I'm not the sort branded as religious. I will go even as far as to say that I have been labelled anti-religion. If you must know, I'm pro-science. But this does not mean I'm anti-religion.

But surprise surprise, I think I am rather spiritual. I have spent some chunk of my post prefrontal cortex development years pondering about the concept of karma. Maybe I am making a bias search, but I am becoming increasing convinced about karma. What goes around comes around and bite you in the butt, rather painfully. I see it happening to me, to people around me, and to some distant associates.

Things that happen, happen for a reason. Often times the reason is not apparent, but sometimes one gains sudden insight about why certain things occur. The clarity is painfully clear at times.

Awake at 430

Musing about friendship when I'm supposed to be working.

Create opportunities for higher incomes

I was just reading news on the 2011 Singapore general elections when I came across the PAP's slogan 'Securing Our Future Together' with its six planks (Why planks? I thought planks are pieces of wood? So we need to secure our future together with 6 wooden sticks?? Hm.. just webster-ed, my English is not good enough... apparently plank can mean: an article in the platform of a political party / a principal item of a policy or program... So there, I learn something new every day!).

The Six Planks:
- Create opportunities for higher incomes
- Improve the lives of lower-income Singaporeans
- Bring out the best in every child
- Develop a vibrant city and an endearing home
- Help the elderly stay active, healthy and engaged
- Involve all Singaporeans in shaping the future

The first thing that went through my mind after reading the 1st plank was "wah, so obvious create more opportunities for rich people ah? Like that can meh?". [Create opportunities for "higher incomes" (noun)]

I had to read that plank a few times over before I figure it probably meant: to create opportunities for (people to have) higher incomes!

How I know... maybe the government wants rich people to vote for them and keep the status quo. And is it very hard to add a few more words to prevent confusion?!

OF thought it was a not so subtle hint for the higher incomes to vote for PAP. Maybe... just maybe... If I vote PAP, can PAP please guarantee me a job when I go back to Singapore? Thank you very much!

Of Consideration

I had a short conversation with a colleague today and was struck by the consideration he has for his girlfriend. He wishes to marry her (and bring her to the US) in approximately 2 years. To do that, he plans to have an apartment all set up and ready for her by the time she arrives. It would be what she prefers. I'm too writing inapt to clearly articulate how sweet he was and so you will just have to take my word for it.

I don't know about others but such 'feelings' can be sensed. The flicker of anger, the soft gaze at the mention of a loved one, the indifference that comes with boredom.

Lonely panda

I'm really fond of this picture for some unknown reason.

Land turtle

What I come home to

This was pasted on my mirror. I can't figure out how to rotate images in html. Blah! Tech fail!

Silly Priorities

A professor tells a class that people have silly priorities. People pursue what they think would make them happy, not what actually does.

Balloons and Purin

A Violin Named Lilac

I had my Czech violin for a few years. If the label is accurate, the violin was made in 1928 in Bohemia. However, I've strong suspicions about its background... the label appears to be pasted over another. Whatever, it is really not supposed to matter (even though I am a sucker for history and tradition). It is also made by this Martin Figuer person. I can't find any history about the maker on google, but then, internet doesn't exist back in those days.

I've never really settled on a name for my violin. My previous instrument was named Luke. Luke was a handmade (mass produced?) China made instrument. The Czech violin is 'pretty' and delicate. On good days, it sounds almost sweet. I was debating between 'Lilac' or 'Lavender'. Well, Lavender sounds too sweet and girly for my liking so I guess my violin is currently named Lilac. I know it doesn't make much sense, using a color as a name for an instrument. It is odd on so many levels. For one, people don't usually name their musical instruments.

But whatever, a blog post to Lilac on Valentines Day.

Tourist and a Veteran

I was sulking on the "R" train as I made my way to school when I saw a man poring over the subway map plastered to the train wall. He was trying to find his way to South Ferry terminal when an old man offered his help. After explaining that he should get off at Whitehall Street, the old man shared this story:

Old man: I will never forget Whitehall St. When I came back from Vietnam, they processed us at Whitehall. I was only 17 when I joined the army. They told us to join to army to see the world. I joined the army not to see the world. I wanted to get away from my mother! (laughter)

Message to a violinist friend on facebook

"poke" a violinist
when i ought to be practicing
maybe i'll improve

Being Nice

From 9 Chickwick Lane, Jan 10, 2011

Putin's Blueberry Hill

Somehow, this makes me smile.

A quiet moment

I went for the memorial service today and finally got a chance to know him better. It is rather sad to only know him better after his death.

I quote the pastor: When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.

The Real Death of a Facebook Friend

Recently, someone I know, a facebook friend, an okay acquaintance of mine passed away in the most unfortunate of instances. I'm rather confused about how I should feel as we are acquaintances. I don't feel particularly entitled to be upset. It is for his family and close ones to grieve, for my grief is only self pity, a cry for attention that really unneeded in these times. I don't know what to feel but hope those who cared deeply for him find solace that he had led a good life, successfully pursuing opportunities limited to a worthy few. His circumstances were not great and he had managed to get to where he did. I almost feel undeserving to be his peer, for not cherishing what I have and the opportunities given. With as little morbidly as I can muster, he probably deserve his PhD position more than me.

I was speaking to a rather good friend about this incident and he said: At least I'm glad you are still alive. It is at once, a flattering yet chilling reminder of how the inward focused life has become. I'm glad my friend prefers me alive, but he seems not to be at all afflicted with general malaise caused by the passing of an acquaintance. Perhaps I am at the wrong extreme, generally feeling upset for people that I don't know well, 2nd degree friends etc. Maybe I shall better utilize my energies, for I too have learnt that really no one cares a crap about you.

Death is just another event in life. And I have recently been reading this (from a mobile app): Ordinary people seem not to realize that those who really apply themselves in the right way to philosophy are directly and of their own accord preparing themselves for dying and death. - Socrates

我问天 variations

Possibly the original Hokkien version. The other 2 videos below are in Chinese with han yu pin yin... they are much easier to sing along but I much prefer the Hokkien version. I'm perpetually fascinated with such LC stuff, LC-ness is an inherent suppressed part of me that is dormant in NYC. Urgh. That why I have to go back. I wonder whether I would be so LC in Singapore. OF is, of course, appalled by me. But he is sort of used to it and even sings along these days.

Entitled to what?

I hate the North American self-esteem hogwash. I don't appreciate the "everyone gets a trophy for participation" thing. Hello, get what you earned. Live with what you have, there are no participation trophies in the real world.

The things people should be entitled to: human rights, aka you should have the rights not to be tortured, horribly humiliated etc etc. Everything else is extra. So, you are not entitled to have the best seat in the restaurant, have people give up their seat for you, for me to help you etc.

There is a clear distinction between what you are entitled to (ie food you paid for) and what is extra (others being nice, considerate, wonderful).

Okay, granted, it might suck if your parents hate your existence, maybe they should fulfill their parental responsibilities and make you feel loved, provide decent parenting, food, education and shelter... But I don't get this entitled thing!? Why do people feel entitled to stuff.

Granted, I am a rather lazy, spoilt, highly neurotic person who needs to be shoveled off the couch when I am home. So who am I to comment on the rest of the possibly less-glued-to-the-couch people.

I guess my point is that most people think that they are better than others (cite research) and hence, believe that they should be treated differently. How irrational everyone is! I need people to be more objective, to more accurately gauge themselves, their expectations, their desires.... I'm filled with dark, horrid things and at least I'm clear and objective about it.

Alter Ego 2

from Calvin and Hobbes Nov 4, 2010.

Rather similar to this. I guess I like the same things.