For those who MSN me... will know that this is the portrait of myself.

I just love this picture so much! One of my cats really look like that... fat, yellow, cute and a little stoned.

Hey... she may be fat, but she is NOT clumsy. Jumping from one cabinet to another cabinet is her favourite hobby.

I have a fat, flying cat. ;)

The lucky boy in white is the Birthday Boy!
Happy Birthday!
And all the sexy, gorgeous girls in black are, of course, the girls from the performance team!
And the fairest of them all... is of course ME!
Haha... literally.. "fairest"... ;p

Horror of all horror

I was at Union Square (Singapore one and only salsa bar) last night, and to my horror, I realized that I truly sucked at social dancing!

It has been a while since I last social dance as I have been busy with the performance training for the L.A congress. However, I got to learn the hard way that being a good stage performer doesn’t equate to being a good social dancer! (I’m sure many guys got to experience that 1st hand last night)

I was soooo S-L-O-W in reacting to the guys’ lead, and not only that, my rhythm was in a mess. Basically, if anyone knew that I am going to perform in L.A, he or she will most probably go “yah… rite.”

Sigh… I am so upset.

Time to pull up my socks and get my ass to Union Square every week to social dance!

Cool Salsa Video

Came across this salsa video and I am all motivated again! This video showcases how dips can be done with style and grace, and currently, my performance routine seems to be focusing more on lifts, rather than dips. Although my instructor did mention that there will be a difficult dip in our routine (Can’t wait!)

So, for those who are curious to what salsa dips are (hrmm… not those with nachos), check out the link!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5061062132646680465&q=salsa

Meanwhile, a quick update about my life:

Work. Dance. Eat. Sleep. Work. Dance. Eat. Sleep. Work. Dance. Eat. Sleep.

Yup, that’s my life right now. Although I am perpetually tired most of the time, there is a sense of purpose in me: to learn the salsa moves and execute with excellence, so as to “wow” my audience.

There is a part of me that gets all excited (yet stressed!) when I perform as I see performances as a kind of “exam”. After invested so much time, effort and money into salsa, I’ll like to test myself whether I have put my time to good use. Plus the fact that I really do like to perform lah… haha.

Meanwhile, for those who are curious about my cats, my mum is still keeping all of them. HDB has kinda given up on us… and actually told my mum to be as discreet as possible with the cats. Hrm, how to be discreet when you have 7 cats???

So much for the “HDB vs my tubby cats” Saga.

And just for you, Chio, I am enjoying your book “Riding towards the sunrise”. Will blog about it next time!

I am sooooo stressed!

Life is so stressful for me nowadays; in fact, it has been like a mad rush since the beginning of 2006.

Most of the stress is work related, as I have been rotated to a new role with more responsibilities! (My pay is still the same though…)

And currently, I am also training for a salsa performance, which will take place in late May. During the weekends, I’ll spend up to 8 hours on both Saturdays and Sundays on training… it can be really tiring. Going forward, there will be at least 3 to 4 trainings per week… how fun.

Nonetheless, this is something that I really want to do since this performance will take place at the prestigious L.A Congress. Yeah, that’s right! I will be performing with all the salsa experts from all over the world, how cool is that!?!

However, all these stress from work and salsa is taking a toll on my mood… I can be really cranky and grumpy. So, if I snap at any of you, most probably I do not mean it.

Meanwhile, I will continue to update on the “Saga of the HDB cats”.

p/s: If you can’t fight them…. Find their loophole. This is how I am dealing with the HDB now.

Dear Mr Ang,

Thank you for responding to my letter, however, I would like to bring up a few points:

As quoted from you:

2 "We wish to explain that cats are not allowed to be kept in HDB flatsas they are nomadic in nature and are difficult to be confined within theflats. Due to this, cats can cause nuisances, such as shedding of fur,defecating/urinating in public areas, noise disturbance etc, which affectthe environment and neighbourliness in our housing estates."

Firstly, animals will be nomadic if the pet owners are not responsible to keep them within their premises. Dogs, cats, rabbits and birds will definitely roam beyond the flats if they are not properly caged up. Therefore, the problem lies with the pet owners and not due to the animals if they are found to be roaming in the common areas.

Furthermore, for my case, the door and windows of my flat have been specially grilled to prevent my cats from venturing out to common areas, in addition to the fact that they have been sterilized. Thus, they are extremely quiet and are all toilet trained.

Secondly, dogs will also shed fur, defecate/urinate in public areas (I have seen many dog owners who DID NOT pick up the droppings of their dogs in public area such as lifts and parks), as well as noise disturbance (dog's barks is generally louder than cat's meows).

Therefore, the above reasons which you have quoted do NOT only apply to cats, but to dogs as well. And dogs will equally affect the environment and neighbourliness in our housing estates if they have irresponsible pet owners.

Thus, once again, it is the pet owners who have to be responsible to ensure that their pets are not a nuisance to the neighbours, regardless whether it is a dog, cat or parrot.

I understand and appreciate HDB's priority to promote a pleasant living environment and good relationships for all residents in our housing estates. However, it is extremely unfair to discriminate cats because any animals will be nuisances to the environment if the owners are irresponsible. The problem lies with the owners and not the animals, by prohibiting cats to be kept as pets is just curbing the symptom and not the root of the problem.

In addition, the ruling that disallow cats to be kept as legitimate pets could be one of the reasons why the numbers of stray cats in neighbourhoods are high as cat lovers have no choice but to rear the cats in common areas. Thus, fuelling a vicious cycle where cats are causing nuisances to the public.

In fact, I suggest that HDB to issue licenses to cat owners, similar to the current policy where dogs are licensed pets.

In conclusion, I urge HDB to revise its ruling, so as to allow responsible pet owners to own pets of their choice and do their parts to reduce the numbers of the stray cats, thus reaching a win-win situation.


Yours faithfully,
Miss Lee.

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I will fight for my cats... I refuse to let them roam the streets.

I need support... ...

Responsible Pet ownership versus HDB ruling

On 4th February 2006, SPCA has once again urged the public to be responsible pet owners. However, I will like to highlight that under the HDB ruling, “Housing and Development (Animals) rules 1989”, cats are not allowed to be kept as pets in HDB flats.

Toy dogs, birds, hamsters, fishes and rabbits, which can grow to the size of a cat, are allowed to be bred as pets, but just not cats. Even though they are sterilized, and after sterilization, they are usually very quiet and tamed.

I will like to understand from the HDB why there is such discrimination towards cats.

And being cat lover myself, I have 3 cats at home. Unfortunately, due to complaints from a neighbour, I have been warned to “remove the cats” (as quoted from the letter) within 2 weeks, or else I will be slapped with a fine of two thousand to 4 thousand dollars, and upon second or subsequent convictions, I will be charged in court under the Housing and Development (Animals) rules 1989, in addition to “Environment public health act, section 44” and faced imprisonment of not exceeding 3 months.

My cats are sterilized and are kept indoors at all times. They are extremely quiet and I sincerely believe they do not pose any nuisance to my neighbours at all. I love my cats very much and pride myself being a responsible pet owner. However, with the warning from the HDB, how can I continue to be responsible towards my cats?

I hope the HDB can revise the rules and allow cats to be legitimate pets, especially since more than 80% of Singaporeans are HDB flats dwellers. If dogs and rabbits can be kept in flats, I cannot see any valid reasons why sterilized cats cannot be pets.

Currently, in my situation, I really do not wish to abandon my cats and sincerely hope that I can continue to care for them till they die of old age. It is extremely frustrating and heart breaking if I have to give up my 3 beautiful cats to the SPCA or any other shelters, just because I stay in a HDB flat.

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I am having some troubles with the Housing and Development Board of Singapore. As you have read above, I am sending my frustrations to the Straits Times Forum, to the HDB, to the Singapore Cat Welfare Society.

This is issue is causing a lot of grievances to my mother, who is extremely attached to the cats. Sigh… they are more like her children now than me.

My mum is the best…

Just had dinner with my mum and it just hit me once again that I probably have the best mother in the world.

I did not have an easy childhood; my father was missing from my life most of the time and even when he was around. He was more of a terror than a father.

I still have 2 younger brothers and yet, my mum brought us up single-handedly. All these while, I knew that I have to work very hard, so that my mum will have an easier life in future.

Despite the hard times, my mum never let me felt that I am poor. She gave me what ever she could, scrimping on herself and gave her children the world.

When I graduated, my dream was to travel Europe. Although my mum thought that it was a total waste of money (she had never traveled by plane), she “loaned” me additional 2K when I most needed the money (for my frivolous want!) And of course, she never asked for repayment for the “loan”.

When one of my brothers secretly bought a motorbike, my mum got so freaked out that she bought a small car for my brother to zip around. She paid for the car in full.

Now that all 3 of us have grown up, and especially that I have already started working, I told her to take a break and not work so hard anymore. She refuses to listen, stating that my two younger brothers are starting on their universities soon and she needs the money to pay for our education. She is even trying to save up for my Masters.

Upon hearing that, I wanted to cry.

A mother’s love is so selfless. Without my mother, I will not be who I am today. (Not saying that I am anyone great now…)

But I could have easily been led astray during my teen years. Yet, my mother was also there for me and my brothers, playing the roles of a mother, a father and a breadwinner.

Just have this urge to tell everyone how great my mother is.

Mum, I love you.

I’m tired…

The time is now 10 pm and I am still in office. Worked till 2 am last night. Worked till 930 pm the night before. I foresee working till 10 pm tomorrow and the day after as well.

I do not think my brain is working anymore. Ever single brain cell is either on strike or has already crashed and burnt.

At times like this… I really ask myself why am I working so hard for?

I do not know…

All I know is that I am fucking tired now, and I need to sleep. Yet, I can’t finish my work and the deadline is tomorrow.

You know what…

Fuck it.

That’s it. I am going home NOW.

Salsa Performance School

Although I have failed my driving test, I got into my salsa school performance team instead! Yeah! Which means that I will get to perform and might even make my way to L.A for the Salsa Congress in May!

Really excited about this since it has been quite a few years since I last performed for any actitives. F.Y.I: I used to dance for my college's Modern Jazz team. (Can't tell huh?)

Can't wait to start dancing again!

Today is a sad day for me…

I failed my driving test this morning… (Sob)

Now I really feel stupid because everyone around me passed on the first attempt. My 2 YOUNGER brothers passed, beloved passed, brother’s girlfriend passed, my mousy girlfriend passed… and to think that I took my driving lessons from the school.

I am so disappointed with myself.

Sigh… now I have to wait for another 2 and a half months before I can take the test again. Not only that, I also have to pay for another 3 revision lessons and that will cost me altogether 350 bucks. Just because I failed the damned test today!

And I did not even make any major mistakes! And there was this STUPID SILVER CAR that suddenly stopped in front of me and caused me 8 demerit points! I hate all silver cars now… especially Mitsubishi silver cars…

The stupid tester is inhuman. He has scarred me emotionally for the rest of my life.

I hate him.

Back to reality

Back to Singapore. Back to work. And back to reality…

Holidays always have this surreal quality that allows people to be ridiculously happy, relax and somehow spend a lot of money, especially on shopping! Haha.. At least for me!
Now… it’s back to slogging in office. Sigh…

Anyway, the Taipei trip was great and I truly enjoyed myself. Despite the fact that I traveled alone! Highly recommend one to travel alone… at least once in your lifetime. Where you can walk around at your own pace, enjoy your own independence and basically chill… …

I was really happy to see my friend (Taiwanese) again after two years. I first got to know her in New York and somehow we really clicked and had so much fun hanging out together. She was so nice to let me crash at her place (free accommodation! Woohoo!) And that freed me loads of money to shop! And all the girls’ talk that we engaged during this period brought us even closer. I really appreciate her friendship…

Next, Taiwan has really great food and shopping that my daily itinerary was “eat, shop, eat even more and shop even more”. That was basically how I spent my days in Taipei… Furthermore, the cool weather (It is now winter) means that make-up stays and you do not perspire when you are out shopping. Ahhh… heaven!

More about food, the Stinky toufu really tastes FANTASTIC! Ok… I know it really stinks like garbage mixed with someone’s fart. BUT IT TASTES GOOD. Pinch your nose and put it into your mouth… and the stink will be miraculously replaced by a sweet aroma and taste. Viola! You are now hooked to Stinky Toufu.

And for the very first time, I soaked in a hot spring! A.k.a Onsen (in Japan). Taiwan has many great hot springs and I was brought to one in Wu-Lai. The spring water was so silky that it made my skin baby smooth for 2 days! Not only that, I had the view of a mountain with a little waterfall, gushing daintily down the rocks. One of the highlights of my trip.

Ahhh… will definitely want to return to Taiwan. But I will like to explore other parts of Taiwan… that’s if I can tear myself away from the shopping and eating in the city!

At the airport now....

I am now using the free internet at Changi airport... and I only have the last 3 minutes to write this message.

Ok... I will be in Taiwan from today, 27th Dec till 2 Jan. Meanwhile, everyone has a great New Year!

Happy 2006!

Xmas is here again…

I’ll like to wish all of you guys and girls, especially those who have been reading my blog, a SUPER MERRY XMAS and A GREAT 2006!

I have been really busy with my work lately and haven’t got the time to post any entries at all. Nonetheless, one of my New Year resolutions is to keep my blog alive…

Thankfully, I will be taking a break from 27th Dec to 2 Jan 2006… and I will be going to Taiwan!!! Yeah!

Really looking forward to the trip, since I am travelling alone (excited!) and will be visiting 2 friends in Taipei as well.

Hmmm… can’t wait to taste the yummy food!

Will definitely keep you guys updated again!

The big switchzeroo

Ok, I am still alive and that is because I did not run 21 km last Sunday.

I did not chicken out. I repeat, I did not chicken out!!! ;p

Well… I was still coughing rather badly on Saturday night and Boyfriend suggested that we should exchange our running bibs instead. Boyfriend did not sign up for the run initially, but managed to hitch one bib at the very last minute because one of his colleagues decided not to take part in the 10 km run.

After a long though of 3 mins… I decided that he was right after all. In my condition, I could not pull off the half-marathon at all. So on Sunday, Boyfriend was running as “Lee XXX XX” (my name) and I was running as “Henry XXX” (His colleague).

We woke up at 430 am, each wolfed down 2 bananas and put on our running gear and we were all set. The full marathon started at 6 am, but by 520 am, the area (Esplanade) was already flooded with runners. It was like a carnival, with the music blasting and all the fanfare. Finally, it was 6 am and the marathoners set off from their starting point with the music blasting “Who let the dogs out, woof woof woof woof!!!”

After an hour, it was time for the quarter marathoners to set off! The run was pretty relaxing in the beginning, but as I hit my 6 km, my nose began to run faster than my legs… yeek… Not a very pretty sight! And with no tissues… I snorted and sniffed for the remaining 4 km.

Finally after 1 hour and 8 minutes, I completed the 10 km run! With sweat, snorts, mucus and all! Yeah!

It was a good run and I was pretty proud of myself. Heh heh… Now, I am extremely motivated to sign up for the run next year and will continue to train for the next one year!

My bip number: 12226, running shoes, running singlet (sponsored by HP) and the goodie-shoe bag given by the organizer of the marathon, StandardChartered Bank.

My BIG run: 4 Dec 2005

In 3 days time, I will be facing my greatest physical challenge ever – a half marathon of 21 km.

As you may know, I have been training for this run for 2 and a half months. In fact, up to last week, I ran at least 3 times a week, each run I will clock at least 10 km.

And guess what… … I am now down with a slight flu!!! Not the full blown flu with running nose, fever and cough, but the itchy sore throat, the half-blocked nose and slight body ache.

I have never been more frustrated!!! All these months of training and my stupid body has to fall ill at this time of the year!!??!! A-R-G-H… ….

Nonetheless, I have decided to participate in the run. I may not be in my top form, but I believe I can still make it. Well… at least I hope that only one part of my body will be running, and that’s my legs. (NOT nose!)

Mind over body. Mind over body. Mind over body. *chant*

With this half marathon, I am looking forward to train for the next year for the full marathon in December 2006. Hrm… that’s if I am still alive after this Sunday!

Ok, my dear friends please wish me all the luck and may I complete the run in less than 3 hours! For those who are in Singapore, you are more than welcome to wait for me at the finishing line with a bottle of champagne!

My run will start at 6.30 am and hopefully, I should be done between 9 am to 9.30 am.

For those who cannot make it, there’s always next year!

p/s: don't worry... at any time during the run if I feel unwell, I will stop. As I've mentioned earlier, there's always next year.

Last Stop: Hanoi

Finally, we have reached the “last episode” of my Vietnam Travel Tales where the last pit stop: Hanoi ended it all.

Hanoi is the 2nd largest city in Vietnam and some said it has more charm than Saigon. Hmmm, I kinda agree with that because Hanoi’s main tourist attraction, “The Old Quarters” is definitely a colorful and fun area to visit. In fact, our hotel is situated right in the heart of the Old Quarters.

As for our hotel, Hoa Linh Hotel is a family-run enterprise and so, it gives a homely kind of feel. Everyone in the family helps out in the hotel, be it cleaning, cooking or basically lazing around in the reception area.

I only paid 30 USD for 2 nights’ stay for a moderately size room, huge toilet but unfortunately, with a view to a garbage site! Nonetheless, I still found it to be good value for money ALTHOUGH I encountered 2 blackouts in 2 days??!! The 1st blackout only lasted for about 30 minutes in the evening, so that wasn’t so bad. However, the 2nd blacked out happened at 2 am while I was still watching TV, and suddenly ZAP! No TV, No lights and NO AIR-CON!

Thinking that the black-out would only last for 30 minutes or so, I decided to just join my snoring Boyfriend… … and sleep. But I woke up again at around 4.30 am to a stuffy room and electricity was yet restored. Feeling irritated from both the heat and having my sleep disturbed, I woke my boyfriend up and was getting dressed to stomp down to the reception area and scream at whoever was on duty.

And guess what, after spending 10 minutes dressing up and combing my hair and was just about to open the door, ZAP! Electricity was up and running again! (Did they have a hidden camera or what??!) ARGH!!!!!!!! PISSED… … so, I woke up for nothing. Boyfriend gave me a goofy grin and hopped right back to sleep and began snoring in less than 2 seconds!

Besides the Big Black-Out, which happened while I was in New York, this twilight black-out episode in Vietnam was the next most eventful. An experience worth describing because in Singapore, black-outs seldom happen!

Another enjoyable experience in Hanoi: eating out. And I mean that literally where you will go to road-side stalls and sit along the roads (while the motor-bikes are honking away), on those little stools and tables (stolen from the near-by kindergartens?) and order wanton mee or Vietnamese pancakes (called Banh Xiao). Never mind that the food did not look very clean but they were absolutely delicious!

The next day, we joined a day tour to visit Halong Bay, a beautiful bay with many little islands. It was like the Guilin in China, but of course, of a smaller scale. You can even choose to stay overnight on one of those Junk boats for a “complete” Halong Bay experience.

That concluded my trip to Vietnam. It was fun and extremely cheap, especially with such cheap fares from Tiger Airlines.

Guess what…? I will be going to Taiwan for 6 days during the last week of December! Yoo Woo! More travel tales to update!

There is a temple in Hue
Next to the Perfume river
People from far and away
Stood before the candles and pray

I came to a temple in Hue
To come and see for myself
Rays of light upon my face
I felt the sun's warmth and life was good again

3rd Stop: Hue

Hue is the ancient capital of Vietnam, and it is at Hue where you will see the “mini” version of the Forbidden City. I have not been to the one in Beijing, so I cannot draw any comparison. However, I believe the palace in Beijing must definitely be grander and better preserved. It is sad to say that the government of Vietnam did not put in much funds or effort to preserve Hue’s Forbidden City nor its ancient tombs of the dead emperors.

The highlight of Hue was the Motorcycle tour that we took. Each of us hopped on the backseat of the motorcycle where our guides zipped us through the city and into the villages in the near-by countryside. Along with the villages, we also visited the ancient tombs, as well as some war bunks.

It was a lot of fun! Although during the 1st few minutes on the bike, I was wondering whether I would make it back alive. Our guides were driving like Michael Schumacher in a F1 race… Haha, what an experience!

I definitely highly recommend the motorcycle tours instead of the boat tours along the Perfume River. (You will need a strong heart though!)

Hue was not as charming as Hoi An, in fact, the city had nothing much to offer. So, after two nights in Hue, we packed our bags and flew to Hanoi, our last destination of our trip.