wootsome

Two weeks flew by and it was time to head back. But I just didn't feel like it, I miss home already even before stepping into the departure hall. This morning as I was having porridge, I accidentally swallowed a fish bone just moments after picking out one. So came the slight pain with every swallow of saliva. I tried everything, all the old wives' remedies and even new ones I randomly made up. Gulping vinegar. Water. Eating porridge. A banana. Even an apple. Nothing worked it was still there, right at that corner of my throat. Thus began the drama which lasted the entire afternoon from visiting my family GP who referred me to the hospital A&E department which eventually referred me to the TNE specialist doctor.

No one could find anything, even after some microscope was stuck through my nose down my throat (it irritated my breathing passages so much I'm currently nursing a cold). I'm under observation for the next three days and due for a second appointment with the TNE doctor on friday, so that pretty much means I have had to reschedule my flight (next tuesday to be exact). I'm just going to get fired or be so swamped with work that I rather I had been fired when I get back. 

PS. To anyone who says that getting a pap smear is the most discomforting experience at the doctor's, I have to say it's probably not and that having a doctor stick his finger down your throat while you are in the midst of gagging and he relentlessly continues on... that probably is. 

PPS. Yes I nicked the title from teahouseblossom, heh.

• Oscar's blooper: I definitely remember hearing someone introduce the departed as "being adapted from the japanese movie, infernal affairs".

On friday while walking to ann siang road, I came upon art seasons. Strangely disturbing and certainly not something you want to hang in your living room, I've definitely seen this work by zhang huan somewhere before. Quite strangely too art seasons was empty, I didn't see any staff yet the door's unlocked I had the whole gallery to myself then exited as quietly as I had entered.

• I've officially been sucked into the whole heroes thing.

• Spotted at clarke quay, singapore: So many new bars and restaurants, yet only one has commendable branding/ logo design.

I was at clarke quay last night for drinks and I think I really like marrakesh, a morrocan lounge & bar part of the harry's group. Surprisingly it serves a mean bloody mary, it's the best I've ever tasted so far with the right amount of pepper/tabasco sauce, chilled just nice and with a celery stick too. So that makes me a really really happy girl last night. If ever there is such a thing as a bloody mary connoisseur, I'm pretty much that. I also happened to try shisha there for the first time, it's much lighter than what I expect and I like it. If I have it my way, I can see myself curled up on a chaise lounge smoking shishas entire (weekend) afternoons haha.

Every year it seems a little different, coming back to everything that I have chosen to leave behind. In exchange for the slated career path/ good money, I've found personal fulfilment and control over my own life that I possibly could not have if I had remained here and do what my peers are doing. I've learnt to appreciate my country, family and friends and I wonder even more how I can fit right back in come my (inevitable) return one day. I don't belong there for sure, and neither really so here. My foreignness, magnified in the smallest of things when I can't stop myself saying "ni hao" (你好) to store assistants/ strangers or my bewilderment at the speed of change in singapore. Meanwhile I'm trying to figure out my singaporean identity too, somewhat that includes growing up with a unique dosage of taiwanese/ american/ local tv and what it means to me. 

ps. My line of thought isn't really that clear right now partly cos it's 5am and I haven't slept one bit in view of chinese new year traditions... nevermind I'll work out the kinks later.

Arts/culture pal J first introduced me to munkao, well he actually made me check out munkao's livejournal site twice on two separate occasions. And good that he did, because I'm starting to see his humor. I never really did understand his disturbing ultraman/godzilla series until J enlightened me some and it is still disturbing to me. I prefer his whales anytime. Doesn't hurt that he digs ginette chittick and wears geek specs too. More of his works here.

• Selamat tahun baru cina, everyone!

I think I can safely conclude that it is better not to receive anything at all (or be single) than to receive fugly multi-colored roses and fugly soft toys. If ever I have a boyfriend who subscribes to such valentine's day tack, I think I would seriously be reconsidering our relationship. Not getting my priorities right? I think not.