Something interesting i got from friend....
The Silent Treatment
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment.
Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, 'Please wake me at 5:00 AM ' He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight.
Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, 'It is 5:00 AM. Wake up.'
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
WIFE VS. HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and
neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
the husband asked sarcastically, 'Relatives of yours?'
'Yep,' the wife replied , 'in-laws
WOMEN'S REVENGE
'Cash, check or charge?' I asked, after folding items the woman wished to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a remote control for a television set in her purse.
'So, do you always carry your TV remote?' I asked.
'No,' she replied, ' but my husband refused to come shopping with me,
and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.'
UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)
I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax, pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root, and still be afraid of a spider.
W O R D S< style="FONT-SIZE: 13.5pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, 'The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, 'What?'
CREATION
A man said t o his wife one day,
'I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. '
The wife responded, 'Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!
WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, 'You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.'
The husband said, ' You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.'
Wife replies, 'No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee.'
Husband replies, 'I can't believe that, show me.'
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says..........'HEBREWS'
God may have created man before woman,
but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece
Monday, October 22, 2007
Bad Weekend
Finally, I have graduated!!! Glad to be away from the work and also the school (MDIS)… so much of a cock up that they even informed us at the very last minute on Friday that we will not be able to collect our certificate on Saturday. By the way, I did not even receive this email. How ridiculous can this be? The only valid reason why they inform us so late was that they want to prevent us all from refunding or boycotting the whole ceremony. It’s already so expensive to bring guest along ($38/person) and now we can’t even receive our certificates in time…
The graduation gown was so heavy and we have to carry those to Grand Plaza Park Hotel. Next the dressing room was so small and crowded which makes it difficult to get dressed. Following that is the speeches and ceremony. The hi-tea wasn’t fantastic, 3 types of pies, bee hoon, noodle, chicken wings, couple of cakes, fruits and drinks. And it cost $38/person!!! I can have a really nice buffet lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant. It’s really not worth the money. My parents said my brother’s graduation at NTU was so much better, not only the guests were admitted FOC, the food was good and Serangoon Broadway ferry their gown over. Unlike us, we need to collect and return the gown at their studio and their photos were damn expensive. Anyway, I did not engage their photography since we have taken a family portrait few years back and we are given 3 pieces of photographs.
I did not run on Sunday as well. Not a nice week for me huh… too packed to crowd all events on the 2 days. But that’s not the reason why I did not run. When I woke up at 6.15am, my friend, who I have dragged along was sick and it was raining at that time, seems quite heavy, so I didn’t want to make a waste trip down and sit down there to wait for the rain to stop. So I went back to sleep, was hoping that it rain really hard till late morning or it stop right away so I can make a decision. Unfortunately, after I went back to sleep, the rain seems to get smaller and it stops at 7.30am. oh…. That was really a shitty feeling, not here or there. I couldn’t make it since it’s already 7.30am, and I could not participate in this marathon that I really want to… and I lazily laid back onto the bed, feeling exhausted.
Wanted to give Dear just a earful cos I catch him staring at girls again. But after I talk more and more and I realized I have given more than enough chances as this is not the 1st or 2nd time anymore. And this is not just it, there arte other issues which he continues to do it again and again despite multiple quarrels. I told him “usually people give 3 chances but I think I have given you more than that and more than enough. Why? What is wrong here? Is it because I’m not attractive enough or what? Is it my problem or what is it?” He said he can’t explain and it’s his problem, he will not do it again. I find that he just can’t control himself looking at pretty or sexy girls. He knew I was around, so he took multiple stares instead of a long stare, but this is bad enough. I told him I dun trust him anymore as he has been giving empty promises, has been doing the same mistakes again and again, I lost confidence in him and I felt insecure with him. I asked what I should do. Should I give you another chance? And I told him finally this is the last chance, finally one, I talked or scolded anymore, too tired of repeating myself over and over again.
If really, there’s ever again, think I will need some time to cool off now, not been disturb, let him have more time to think what he really wants…
The graduation gown was so heavy and we have to carry those to Grand Plaza Park Hotel. Next the dressing room was so small and crowded which makes it difficult to get dressed. Following that is the speeches and ceremony. The hi-tea wasn’t fantastic, 3 types of pies, bee hoon, noodle, chicken wings, couple of cakes, fruits and drinks. And it cost $38/person!!! I can have a really nice buffet lunch or dinner at a nice restaurant. It’s really not worth the money. My parents said my brother’s graduation at NTU was so much better, not only the guests were admitted FOC, the food was good and Serangoon Broadway ferry their gown over. Unlike us, we need to collect and return the gown at their studio and their photos were damn expensive. Anyway, I did not engage their photography since we have taken a family portrait few years back and we are given 3 pieces of photographs.
I did not run on Sunday as well. Not a nice week for me huh… too packed to crowd all events on the 2 days. But that’s not the reason why I did not run. When I woke up at 6.15am, my friend, who I have dragged along was sick and it was raining at that time, seems quite heavy, so I didn’t want to make a waste trip down and sit down there to wait for the rain to stop. So I went back to sleep, was hoping that it rain really hard till late morning or it stop right away so I can make a decision. Unfortunately, after I went back to sleep, the rain seems to get smaller and it stops at 7.30am. oh…. That was really a shitty feeling, not here or there. I couldn’t make it since it’s already 7.30am, and I could not participate in this marathon that I really want to… and I lazily laid back onto the bed, feeling exhausted.
Wanted to give Dear just a earful cos I catch him staring at girls again. But after I talk more and more and I realized I have given more than enough chances as this is not the 1st or 2nd time anymore. And this is not just it, there arte other issues which he continues to do it again and again despite multiple quarrels. I told him “usually people give 3 chances but I think I have given you more than that and more than enough. Why? What is wrong here? Is it because I’m not attractive enough or what? Is it my problem or what is it?” He said he can’t explain and it’s his problem, he will not do it again. I find that he just can’t control himself looking at pretty or sexy girls. He knew I was around, so he took multiple stares instead of a long stare, but this is bad enough. I told him I dun trust him anymore as he has been giving empty promises, has been doing the same mistakes again and again, I lost confidence in him and I felt insecure with him. I asked what I should do. Should I give you another chance? And I told him finally this is the last chance, finally one, I talked or scolded anymore, too tired of repeating myself over and over again.
If really, there’s ever again, think I will need some time to cool off now, not been disturb, let him have more time to think what he really wants…
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Great Eastern 10km Women Run
The Great Eastern Women 10km run is drawing nearer, so is my convocation which is this Saturday.
Has just collected my graduation gown last evening, so excited… the last and only time I remembered wearing a graduation gown taking photographs was after my kindergarten, which was almost 20 years ago. A pity I have thrown that away, otherwise will be able to do a comparison on how much I have grown. When I tried on the gown, I just felt a little weird and glad at the same time, to be able to wear the graduation gown. Never thought that I would have worn that in my life as I’m always telling myself that I will only study till diploma, since I hate studying and my results wasn’t great. But in today’s world, being a diploma graduate don’t bring you anywhere, at least a degree paper qualification is necessary, regardless of what you study or whether if it’s from a recognized university.
That’s the reason I decided to further my studies, for better prospect and better future. Without a boyfriend does helps a little for having more personal time and not being distracted from work and studies. Well, but part of it is my then manager. She encouraged everyone in the group (our little lunch kakis) to go study, to aim for promotion and better salary. And finally, here I am, wearing the graduation gown, posing for photographs, going up the stage, collecting my Bachelor. Woahhooo… But it’s real expensive as it cost $38 to bring one guest, just for hi-tea. It’s just too expensive, but oh well, it’s once (and only) in a lifetime, so I better bring my parents along for some pride and laughter.
Oh and I was talking about the Great Eastern (GE) run, am supposed to be excited over the all women’s run…. But the organizing is just so bad. We had the invitation to sign up for the run via email for us policy holder. But not only do we not receive frequent updates on the events, we are also not told via email about the collection dates which are last Friday and Saturday (12 & 13 October 07). I keep thinking that can’t be it, it just this Sunday and I am still not told of the collection of the race pack??? I went to the GE website to check yesterday and to my horror, the collection is over. The hotline personnel told me that an email and sms will be sent to us (those that they missed) by noon time for another collection date, but till now, I still have not receive any sms (have not check my email but this is so urgent as the deadline is so tight, should be informed through sms, shouldn’t they?). But I did email to the corporate communication team that they should not inconvenient us anymore, by ‘forcing’ into collecting on just one alternative date at such short deadline (the run is just this Sunday!!!) due to their overlook. And I was told also that a sms was just sent on Thursday (11 Oct) on the collection dates, which is just the next 2 days. I mean, what kind of organizing is that? Unfortunately, I had also asked my friend along, who is not a GE policy holder, this really shows the bad organizing by GE. Furthermore, this is the 2nd GE women run, so shouldn’t all these expected hiccups be avoided? Hopefully, I will get a satisfactory answer tonight when I checked my email. And I hope that on the race day itself, there will be no cock up…
I have joined the Standard Chartered Run in 2005 (I think 2005 is also their 2nd run), and everything is so well organized. They sent frequent updates on the event plan, outline and even advanced notice on the collection dates. During the race itself, the runners were well organized by the flag off time and etc. this will be my 1st and my last time signing up for the GE women run.
Went to a wedding dinner on Sunday with Dear, it’s his friends. I heard that the groom’s brother owe many people including Dear a lot of money and has run away. Expectedly, he did not turn up for the wedding. Anyway, met a group of his friends, where they used to hang out together, and all these friends, are one of his friend’s friend. I often laugh at him jokingly that he does not have many friends, all his friends are all that one friend’s friends.
Things have been great so far, except for his speeding and stopping at a fast speed during the weekend. Not sure about the girls issue though, I think he tries hard not to look at them……. well, time will tell.
Has just collected my graduation gown last evening, so excited… the last and only time I remembered wearing a graduation gown taking photographs was after my kindergarten, which was almost 20 years ago. A pity I have thrown that away, otherwise will be able to do a comparison on how much I have grown. When I tried on the gown, I just felt a little weird and glad at the same time, to be able to wear the graduation gown. Never thought that I would have worn that in my life as I’m always telling myself that I will only study till diploma, since I hate studying and my results wasn’t great. But in today’s world, being a diploma graduate don’t bring you anywhere, at least a degree paper qualification is necessary, regardless of what you study or whether if it’s from a recognized university.
That’s the reason I decided to further my studies, for better prospect and better future. Without a boyfriend does helps a little for having more personal time and not being distracted from work and studies. Well, but part of it is my then manager. She encouraged everyone in the group (our little lunch kakis) to go study, to aim for promotion and better salary. And finally, here I am, wearing the graduation gown, posing for photographs, going up the stage, collecting my Bachelor. Woahhooo… But it’s real expensive as it cost $38 to bring one guest, just for hi-tea. It’s just too expensive, but oh well, it’s once (and only) in a lifetime, so I better bring my parents along for some pride and laughter.
Oh and I was talking about the Great Eastern (GE) run, am supposed to be excited over the all women’s run…. But the organizing is just so bad. We had the invitation to sign up for the run via email for us policy holder. But not only do we not receive frequent updates on the events, we are also not told via email about the collection dates which are last Friday and Saturday (12 & 13 October 07). I keep thinking that can’t be it, it just this Sunday and I am still not told of the collection of the race pack??? I went to the GE website to check yesterday and to my horror, the collection is over. The hotline personnel told me that an email and sms will be sent to us (those that they missed) by noon time for another collection date, but till now, I still have not receive any sms (have not check my email but this is so urgent as the deadline is so tight, should be informed through sms, shouldn’t they?). But I did email to the corporate communication team that they should not inconvenient us anymore, by ‘forcing’ into collecting on just one alternative date at such short deadline (the run is just this Sunday!!!) due to their overlook. And I was told also that a sms was just sent on Thursday (11 Oct) on the collection dates, which is just the next 2 days. I mean, what kind of organizing is that? Unfortunately, I had also asked my friend along, who is not a GE policy holder, this really shows the bad organizing by GE. Furthermore, this is the 2nd GE women run, so shouldn’t all these expected hiccups be avoided? Hopefully, I will get a satisfactory answer tonight when I checked my email. And I hope that on the race day itself, there will be no cock up…
I have joined the Standard Chartered Run in 2005 (I think 2005 is also their 2nd run), and everything is so well organized. They sent frequent updates on the event plan, outline and even advanced notice on the collection dates. During the race itself, the runners were well organized by the flag off time and etc. this will be my 1st and my last time signing up for the GE women run.
Went to a wedding dinner on Sunday with Dear, it’s his friends. I heard that the groom’s brother owe many people including Dear a lot of money and has run away. Expectedly, he did not turn up for the wedding. Anyway, met a group of his friends, where they used to hang out together, and all these friends, are one of his friend’s friend. I often laugh at him jokingly that he does not have many friends, all his friends are all that one friend’s friends.
Things have been great so far, except for his speeding and stopping at a fast speed during the weekend. Not sure about the girls issue though, I think he tries hard not to look at them……. well, time will tell.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
What The Modern Woman Wants
It's worthwhile taking 5 mins to read this essay. This really applies to the world today, the youngsters today that are having this attitude and mentality. Well, but I think I did read this or seen this somewhere.
A 15-YEAR-OLD Singaporean, competing against 16- to 18-year-olds, has won the top prize in a writing contest that drew 5,300 entries from 52 countries.
In the annual Commonwealth Essay Competition, Amanda Chong of Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) chose to compete in the older category and won with a piece on the restlessness of modern life.
Her short story, titled What The Modern Woman Wants, focused on the conflict in values between an old lady and her independent-minded daughter.
'Through my story, I attempted to convey the unique East-versus-West struggles and generation gaps that I felt were characteristic of young people in my country,' said Amanda, who likes drama, history and literature and wants to become a lawyer and a politician.
Chief examiner Charles Kemp called her piece a 'powerfully moving and ironical critique of modern restlessness and its potentially cruel consequences'. The writing is fluent and assured, with excellent use of dialogue.
Amanda gets (S$1,590). A Singaporean last won the top prize in 2000, said Britain's Royal Commonwealth Society, which has been organising the competition since 1883. Singaporeans also came in second in the 14- to 15-year-old category, and fourth in the under-12s. Other winners included students from Australia, Canada and South Africa. =========================================================
What the Modern Woman Wants
By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen
The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seatbelt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'
Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand. 'Finance' 'Liquidation' 'Assets' 'Investments'... Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it. Her Bee Choo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television. She was speaking in an American accent.
The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval. 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Her daughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.
'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as she clicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat. The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter.
'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America. There have been a lot of problems.' The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.
Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear view window, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look.
The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence. 'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones being easily forgotten.
'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.'
Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly it was referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.
'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks!' The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her hands gripping her plastic bag in defence. The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of the ageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall.
Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.
'Ma, I'll wait outside. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense.
The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods.
Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, you have given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook.
Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now the top financial firm and even men listen to what she says. She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots while reaping the harvest of success.
What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.
The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smouldering ashes.
She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter for thirty-two years. When her stomach was round like a melon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son.
Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had kicked and punched her for producing a useless baby who could not work or carry the family name.
Still, the woman returned to the temple with her new-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted. Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man.
She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated, could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman who commanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fall out and men would listen.
She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood. She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl, to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu; old-fashioned. She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it.
Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood, faceless, with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestors by only a string of origami banknotes.
Her daughter had forgotten her mother's values. Her wants were so ephemeral; that of a modern woman. Power, Wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques, and yet her daughter had not found true happiness. The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less. When her daughter left the earth everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman, but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.
The old woman wished she could go back and erase all her big hopes and prayers for her daughter; now she had only one want: That her daughter be happy. She looked out of the temple gate. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there - down.
The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag and spread out a packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she was enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.
Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty soulless shell at the altar.
The old lady watched her joss tick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing. Modern woman nowadays, the old lady sighed in resignation, as she bowed to the east one final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder why they cannot find it.
Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face. An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sow the seeds of happiness.
They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not as fast as she had done before.
'Ma,' Bee Choo finally said. 'I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road. Once we move in to our apartment we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves...'
The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. 'We'd get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out - but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that, the apartment is rather small. There won't be space. We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home. There's one near Hougang - it's a Christian home, a very nice one.'
The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. 'I've been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! I hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there.'
'You'd be happier there, really.' Her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself. This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offerings to cling tightly to; she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag, and her fingers trace the white seat.
'Ma?' her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. 'Is everything okay?' What had to be done, had to be done. 'Yes,' she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.
'It's for you, Ma! You'll be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to pack your things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda. '
I knew everything would be fine.'
Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; Money, Status, Career, Love,Power and now, Freedom, without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down...
Yes, she was free. Her phone buzzed urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. 'Stocks 10% increase!'
Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her... And while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible, and she did not see the tears.
A 15-YEAR-OLD Singaporean, competing against 16- to 18-year-olds, has won the top prize in a writing contest that drew 5,300 entries from 52 countries.
In the annual Commonwealth Essay Competition, Amanda Chong of Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) chose to compete in the older category and won with a piece on the restlessness of modern life.
Her short story, titled What The Modern Woman Wants, focused on the conflict in values between an old lady and her independent-minded daughter.
'Through my story, I attempted to convey the unique East-versus-West struggles and generation gaps that I felt were characteristic of young people in my country,' said Amanda, who likes drama, history and literature and wants to become a lawyer and a politician.
Chief examiner Charles Kemp called her piece a 'powerfully moving and ironical critique of modern restlessness and its potentially cruel consequences'. The writing is fluent and assured, with excellent use of dialogue.
Amanda gets (S$1,590). A Singaporean last won the top prize in 2000, said Britain's Royal Commonwealth Society, which has been organising the competition since 1883. Singaporeans also came in second in the 14- to 15-year-old category, and fourth in the under-12s. Other winners included students from Australia, Canada and South Africa. =========================================================
What the Modern Woman Wants
By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen
The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seatbelt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'
Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand. 'Finance' 'Liquidation' 'Assets' 'Investments'... Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it. Her Bee Choo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television. She was speaking in an American accent.
The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval. 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Her daughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.
'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as she clicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat. The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter.
'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America. There have been a lot of problems.' The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.
Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear view window, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look.
The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence. 'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones being easily forgotten.
'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.'
Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly it was referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.
'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks!' The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her hands gripping her plastic bag in defence. The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of the ageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall.
Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.
'Ma, I'll wait outside. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense.
The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods.
Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, you have given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook.
Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now the top financial firm and even men listen to what she says. She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots while reaping the harvest of success.
What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.
The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smouldering ashes.
She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter for thirty-two years. When her stomach was round like a melon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son.
Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had kicked and punched her for producing a useless baby who could not work or carry the family name.
Still, the woman returned to the temple with her new-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted. Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man.
She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated, could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman who commanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fall out and men would listen.
She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood. She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl, to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu; old-fashioned. She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it.
Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood, faceless, with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestors by only a string of origami banknotes.
Her daughter had forgotten her mother's values. Her wants were so ephemeral; that of a modern woman. Power, Wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques, and yet her daughter had not found true happiness. The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less. When her daughter left the earth everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman, but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.
The old woman wished she could go back and erase all her big hopes and prayers for her daughter; now she had only one want: That her daughter be happy. She looked out of the temple gate. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there - down.
The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag and spread out a packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she was enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.
Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty soulless shell at the altar.
The old lady watched her joss tick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing. Modern woman nowadays, the old lady sighed in resignation, as she bowed to the east one final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder why they cannot find it.
Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face. An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sow the seeds of happiness.
They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not as fast as she had done before.
'Ma,' Bee Choo finally said. 'I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer a cosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road. Once we move in to our apartment we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves...'
The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. 'We'd get someone to come in to do the housework and we can eat out - but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you. You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that, the apartment is rather small. There won't be space. We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home. There's one near Hougang - it's a Christian home, a very nice one.'
The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. 'I've been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! I hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there.'
'You'd be happier there, really.' Her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself. This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offerings to cling tightly to; she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag, and her fingers trace the white seat.
'Ma?' her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. 'Is everything okay?' What had to be done, had to be done. 'Yes,' she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.
'It's for you, Ma! You'll be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to pack your things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda. '
I knew everything would be fine.'
Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance in her pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; Money, Status, Career, Love,Power and now, Freedom, without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down...
Yes, she was free. Her phone buzzed urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. 'Stocks 10% increase!'
Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up for her... And while searching for the meaning of life in the luminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible, and she did not see the tears.
Back from Genting and 1st Day Riding After More Than a Month
Whoahh!!! Woshhh!! Finally, get to ride after about 6 weeks. After I moved to my new office/ company, I did not ride at all till this morning. It feels so good and shiok with the wind blowing on me when I zoom through the many cars in CTE. I still prefer riding better than driving (except for rainy days and days where the sun is extremely hot and also the hot air in the tunnel in the early evening) as I do not have very good judgment and it’s cheap! At least I’m on top of everything when I ride. Yes, I know, it’s dangerous… going to sell it off if I can find a buyer who offer me a good price. But have not done any advertisement yet, waiting for Dear to help me take pictures and post it to sell, think it will fetch a better price. After such a long time not riding, I noticed that the handle bar seems moldy, not sure what I can do to remove or do I have to change that. Or I may also bring to my workshop to see if they are interested to buy over, but should be at a much lower price though.
Well, anyway if I don’t sell, the bike will be rotting at home and I will continue to pay for the road tax and car park. At least Dear is fetching me on most days back home, so I can do without the bike these days. He will try to come by my office to pick me before we proceed to our destination.
Anyway, just came back on Sunday from the short weekend getaway. However, luck is not good, hasn’t been able to win the past few times (including this time) that we went. Turn out to be quite an expensive trip in the end, though we can get a all paid for trips and the Australia one as well. But anyway, we have decided not to go up anymore this year since luck is not on our side. We may go elsewhere for November long weekend since we are not going up to Genting anymore. Maybe Batam, Tioman or Bintan. Somewhere near and not too expensive.
We managed to do many activities this time with his colleague and wife. We went to the Theme Park and taken the Asia longest cable car on Saturday and of course to the Casino for the whole evening and night. We did not do much on Friday, just bring them to the First World Casino to take a look before we went to bed. We left after breakfast on Sunday morning. We had lunch at A&W again on our way back. We stopped by the Holiday Inn for some shopping, the snacks and dvds. We left about evening time and the jam started way before the custom. We queued for almost 3 hours and by the time we reached his place was already 8pm.
We quarreled again before he sent me back home. I was a little piss at the Holiday Inn cos he did not see where I went or leave with me to walk around while his colleague was shopping in shops where we are not really interested. Of course I will not walk too far out with him in case his colleague can’t find him. When we finally got up the car, I was quiet throughout the whole journey from the car wash to the custom. But I felt that he wasn’t at all concern about me, he was busy navigating his colleague, which is not necessary at many points. He didn’t really bother that I kept quiet throughout and he didn’t even ask about me except once. He did not even know that I am unhappy or tired, he didn’t even know what I will show in terms of my communication style, attitude or eye contact when I’m angry or unhappy. However, sometimes, I know that he knew I was angry but he just keeps quiet, hopeful that I will be ok automatically after a while.
He apologized for not caring for me earlier and I screamed a little at times. He hold me tied at one point and cried (I was harsh and hard, refuse to relent as I was very unhappy, he left me quiet for like hours in the car). I soften and cried when I saw him tearing, I just couldn’t help it. The tears just flow automatically. This is the second time that he cried, not sure if he cried because I scolded him harshly or because he feels bad about what has happened???
I know he’s nice, but sometimes he just don’t care or sensitive enough. After 5 months and he still know my likes and dislikes, what I like to hear when I’m angry and what I hate to hear when I’m angry and what to do or what not to do when I’m angry. Sometimes, it’s sad that he doesn’t know all these.
Well, anyway if I don’t sell, the bike will be rotting at home and I will continue to pay for the road tax and car park. At least Dear is fetching me on most days back home, so I can do without the bike these days. He will try to come by my office to pick me before we proceed to our destination.
Anyway, just came back on Sunday from the short weekend getaway. However, luck is not good, hasn’t been able to win the past few times (including this time) that we went. Turn out to be quite an expensive trip in the end, though we can get a all paid for trips and the Australia one as well. But anyway, we have decided not to go up anymore this year since luck is not on our side. We may go elsewhere for November long weekend since we are not going up to Genting anymore. Maybe Batam, Tioman or Bintan. Somewhere near and not too expensive.
We managed to do many activities this time with his colleague and wife. We went to the Theme Park and taken the Asia longest cable car on Saturday and of course to the Casino for the whole evening and night. We did not do much on Friday, just bring them to the First World Casino to take a look before we went to bed. We left after breakfast on Sunday morning. We had lunch at A&W again on our way back. We stopped by the Holiday Inn for some shopping, the snacks and dvds. We left about evening time and the jam started way before the custom. We queued for almost 3 hours and by the time we reached his place was already 8pm.
We quarreled again before he sent me back home. I was a little piss at the Holiday Inn cos he did not see where I went or leave with me to walk around while his colleague was shopping in shops where we are not really interested. Of course I will not walk too far out with him in case his colleague can’t find him. When we finally got up the car, I was quiet throughout the whole journey from the car wash to the custom. But I felt that he wasn’t at all concern about me, he was busy navigating his colleague, which is not necessary at many points. He didn’t really bother that I kept quiet throughout and he didn’t even ask about me except once. He did not even know that I am unhappy or tired, he didn’t even know what I will show in terms of my communication style, attitude or eye contact when I’m angry or unhappy. However, sometimes, I know that he knew I was angry but he just keeps quiet, hopeful that I will be ok automatically after a while.
He apologized for not caring for me earlier and I screamed a little at times. He hold me tied at one point and cried (I was harsh and hard, refuse to relent as I was very unhappy, he left me quiet for like hours in the car). I soften and cried when I saw him tearing, I just couldn’t help it. The tears just flow automatically. This is the second time that he cried, not sure if he cried because I scolded him harshly or because he feels bad about what has happened???
I know he’s nice, but sometimes he just don’t care or sensitive enough. After 5 months and he still know my likes and dislikes, what I like to hear when I’m angry and what I hate to hear when I’m angry and what to do or what not to do when I’m angry. Sometimes, it’s sad that he doesn’t know all these.
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