Oh for the graciousness of our society!

Having just returned from a holiday in Japan, Kimmy and I had a lengthy discussion today on why it seemed impossible for our society here to emulate theirs in terms of graciousness and civic mindedness. I know we have an influx of foreigners, some from (dare I say) less developed countries than Singapore, but the locals here aren't pushing the envelope in terms of being caring for their neighbours or just having manners.

A few gripes we have:

1. Nobody ever clears their tray at the food courts which have initiated the "Tray Return" station. Everyone's too used to having uncle and auntie clear up after they have eaten. Nobody clears their trays at the fast food joints too. I wonder why nobody remembers that ever since the creation of fast food restaurants, one has always been expected to clear their tray after dining at Macdonalds, KFC, or Mos Burger.

2. Nobody queues up or gives way at the entrances to the MRT Trains. Everyone rushes to get in, and some do it "unobtrusively", trying to squeeze in at the side, thinking they won't block anyone's way.

3. Nobody ever moves to the center of the train carriage. They just get past the train doors and then heave a sigh of relief that they were able to get onto the train, and just stand there. What? You mean there are people behind trying to get on? I don't think the thought ever even crossed their minds.

4. After so many years, there are still people standing on the right side of the escalator, especially at the MRT stations. Kim thinks this was shortsightedness on the government's part for not actually implementing this system when the MRT was started. As a result, everyone is too used to their "old ways" and cannot change. I usually like to say "excuse me" loudly in their ear and then try to squeeze past them. Miraculously, they look at me like I was the most uncouth and rude girl they have ever seen. Sometimes they couple it with a few "tsk tsks".

5. Drivers in Singapore don't ever stop at zebra crossings to let pedestrians cross. Somehow they seemed to have forgotten their basic theory, and the concept of a zebra crossing.

Will Singapore ever achieve a gracious, polite and civic-minded society? Does it take generations, to change mindsets and perhaps weed out the uneducated older bunch of inhabitants who don't see the need for a "first world" type of culture and mentality? In the meantime, I'd need to check my tolerance levels, up it a few more notches.

I love you but You love meat

A friend passed me an article to read, regarding the strain of relationships between people who have different dietary habits. Until now, it never dawned on me why I got so upset with hubby whenever he didn't want to eat something, and I've resigned myself to be learn to be more accepting. Then I read this:

"Food has a strong subconscious link to love, said Kathryn Zerbe, a psychiatrist who specializes in eating disorders at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. That is why refusing a partner’s food “can feel like rejection,” she said."

No wonder. Somehow we're hardwired to behave like that. I still firmly believe that hubby is more a picky eater than having dietary restrictions. But whilst I do think that there's a lot of bad food out there, food bad for the body, I feel a twinge of pity if we didn't explore the options available to us on this earth. There are many cultures, gifted chefs and a whole lot of cuisines to try.

Read whole article here.

a better lunch for better times

It's been fun that F and I have been making lunches in office. We get to have lots of home-cooked goodness and sometimes, saving money in the process.


Alas, today's baked eggplant wasn't as good as it looks here. Sure, the cheese on top is all crusty and delicious but the eggplants inside were undercooked, resulting in some purple stained mozarella and a slightly bitter taste. Boo hoo, I feel bad about it as F was hankering for it for days and it didn't turn out nicely. Hope I do a better job next time!

Baby Blues

Baby cards haven't been doing too well ever since I started the collection last year. Perhaps the moms have switched to recessionista mode, or they thought they could diy cards themselves. Whichever it is, I see lots of women ready to pop so it would be lovely if they could swing by my site to see if there's anything they fancy.

www.card-blanche.com/baby.html

These cards can also be used as party invitations as well for the young and young-at-heart.

Chocolate Research Facility

I feel so out of touch. With the world. With Singapore. With Orchard road.

Yesterday I found out NYDC at Suntec has closed down, and today I realised Orchard Central is up and ready to go. I think I should get out more.


Just minutes ago, I stumbled on this new and fabulous store created and conceived by the avant garde (as always) Asylum. I felt so envious. Why is it they have the money to do such things but not me :( sob sob... Aside from envy, I also feel inspired, motivated and I feel I can work harder to achieve more, and not forgetting the feelings of being out of touch again, as the Chocolate Research Facility has been open for 6 months and I didn't know about it.

Have a peek at the wonderful brand identity here.