Just a laugh to start the week off ...
Japanese Banks in Crisis
Following the problems in the sub-prime lending market in America and the run on Northern Rock in the UK, uncertainty has now hit Japan.
In the last 7 days, Origami Bank has folded, Sumo Bank has gone belly up and Bonsai Bank announced plans to cut some of its branches.
Yesterday, it was announced that Karaoke Bank is up for sale and will likely go for a song, while today shares in Kamikaze Bank were suspended after they nose-dived.
While Samurai Bank is soldiering on following sharp cutbacks, Ninja Bank is reported to have taken a hit, but they remain in the black.
Furthermore, 500 staff at Karate Bank got the chop and analysts report that there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank where it is feared that staff may get a raw deal.
Heard that those at Harakiri Bank who were once known to be risk-takers have now lost their guts, and those at Nippon Bank are no longer painting the town red. Those at Toyota Bank have not been spared from the car-nage, and Judo Bank was totally thrown off cos they never saw it coming. Sayonara Bank just said its goodbye, and Miso Bank is also in hot soup. As last reported, Ramen Bank was holding on to its last strand of hope.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
What do you say when you meet the president?
When I started my morning exercises, my friends who exercise at the same place told me that I would very likely meet the president. They told me he was one friendly chap who always stopped to talk to those passing him.
But what do you say when you meet the president?? I dont know! In a formal situation, say, at a prize-giving ceremony or a similar kind of occasion, I guess, he would be the one to start the conversation, and the talk would probably revolve around the occasion. But when you are out exercising and he stops to talk... what to say to him??
Thoughts ran thru' my mind. Should I stop and shake his hands and greet him with a "Good Morning Mr President", like we see at the movies? And then pour out all the changes that I would like to see made in the country? Nah! That I should reserve for the Prime Minister, .. if I should ever meet him. Would addressing him as Mr President be too formal? Should I call him "sir" then? or should I address him by name? What if his security officer stops me from getting too near him for fear that I may assualt him (I always carry my mobile with me, and it could possibly look like a weapon). But I dont look that threatening.
So how? Well, I have met him many times already, and do you know what I do? I just break into a "brisker" walk when I am nearing him, and say "Good Morning" together with a head nod and smile to acknowledge him, and go by as quickly as I can, as if I am a serious walker preparing for the next Olympic Games 10km walk event!!
But what do you say when you meet the president?? I dont know! In a formal situation, say, at a prize-giving ceremony or a similar kind of occasion, I guess, he would be the one to start the conversation, and the talk would probably revolve around the occasion. But when you are out exercising and he stops to talk... what to say to him??
Thoughts ran thru' my mind. Should I stop and shake his hands and greet him with a "Good Morning Mr President", like we see at the movies? And then pour out all the changes that I would like to see made in the country? Nah! That I should reserve for the Prime Minister, .. if I should ever meet him. Would addressing him as Mr President be too formal? Should I call him "sir" then? or should I address him by name? What if his security officer stops me from getting too near him for fear that I may assualt him (I always carry my mobile with me, and it could possibly look like a weapon). But I dont look that threatening.
So how? Well, I have met him many times already, and do you know what I do? I just break into a "brisker" walk when I am nearing him, and say "Good Morning" together with a head nod and smile to acknowledge him, and go by as quickly as I can, as if I am a serious walker preparing for the next Olympic Games 10km walk event!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Am I Adopted?
My son asked me that question last week. It was after a rough patch we were both going thru', and he felt he had been getting the short end of the stick. My response to him was: What do you think?
He said: I think I am adopted.
My elder daughter then interjected: As far as I know, you both (referring to him and my younger daughter) are not adopted. BUT, I dont know if I am!
I then turned to my elder daughter and looked her in the face, staring hard at her. At that point she started screaming: "Oh my gosh!! I am looking at myself in the mirror!! So, I guess I am not adopted too!!" Then she cracked up laughing.
Well, son - you are definitely not adopted. You arrived on this day 9 years ago. Your arrival brought us all great joy then, and will be continue to. You were much loved then and will continue to be by all in the family today and alway! Happy Birthday, N!!
He said: I think I am adopted.
My elder daughter then interjected: As far as I know, you both (referring to him and my younger daughter) are not adopted. BUT, I dont know if I am!
I then turned to my elder daughter and looked her in the face, staring hard at her. At that point she started screaming: "Oh my gosh!! I am looking at myself in the mirror!! So, I guess I am not adopted too!!" Then she cracked up laughing.
Well, son - you are definitely not adopted. You arrived on this day 9 years ago. Your arrival brought us all great joy then, and will be continue to. You were much loved then and will continue to be by all in the family today and alway! Happy Birthday, N!!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
A huge load off her shoulders
Yes, a huge load has been lifted off my daughter's shoulders now that the PSLE is over. Many may scoff and say that it is only the PSLE, but in Singapore, every common exam is a major exam for our children, nevermind what level they are at. It is a brigde they have to cross that may affect their futures, hence the stress for them to do well.
We have always told her that as long as she gave her best, we will not fault her no matter what her results, and some how, being the conscientious and hard-working girl that she is, she has worked hard.
We tried not to stress her, but we found that we had to constantly remind her to study, and stay focused on the exams, coz children being children, they can get carried away at times by distractions. I guess, we ourselves were stressed, even though we were not the ones taking the exams!! There were nights when I awoke at 3am after having a dream about her exam papers!! Even I couldnt believe it. When I was sitting for my own exams, even the Uni ones, I never worried or fretted like I did the past few weeks. I guess this was one exam I had absolutely no control over.
Now, with the exams over, I noticed that there is a spring in her step, and her appetite has improved. She seems happier and even has time to play pranks on her siblings. Tho' she never outwardly complained, she must have internalised the stress she was feeling.
Well, I guess we will enjoy ourselves for the next 5 or so weeks before we start worrying and fretting the week before the results are released. That's life, I guess.
"Lord, give success to the work of her hands!"
We have always told her that as long as she gave her best, we will not fault her no matter what her results, and some how, being the conscientious and hard-working girl that she is, she has worked hard.
We tried not to stress her, but we found that we had to constantly remind her to study, and stay focused on the exams, coz children being children, they can get carried away at times by distractions. I guess, we ourselves were stressed, even though we were not the ones taking the exams!! There were nights when I awoke at 3am after having a dream about her exam papers!! Even I couldnt believe it. When I was sitting for my own exams, even the Uni ones, I never worried or fretted like I did the past few weeks. I guess this was one exam I had absolutely no control over.
Now, with the exams over, I noticed that there is a spring in her step, and her appetite has improved. She seems happier and even has time to play pranks on her siblings. Tho' she never outwardly complained, she must have internalised the stress she was feeling.
Well, I guess we will enjoy ourselves for the next 5 or so weeks before we start worrying and fretting the week before the results are released. That's life, I guess.
"Lord, give success to the work of her hands!"
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Boys!
They are really amazing creatures! We had the privilege to play hosts to 7 of my son's friends not so long ago, and this was the first time I have had so many boys in my home.
They are really different from girls. When my oldest had her friends over previously, they could just sit around and eat, or play board games, or twirl each others hair. But boys, they are really wired differently. They are not interested at all in food (except chips and fizzy drinks). We had a BBQ going, but they did not want to eat. I couldnt let them go home without dinner, so I had to force them to eat. Most of them wolfed down a sausage and said they were done - never mind the chicken, lamb chops, squid, etc all crying out to them to be eaten.
They can play soccer anytime, anywhere! When they had to abandon their soccer game halfway because of rain, they were equally happy playing FIFA 08 on the x-box. Anything soccer will do. Even table-soccer! Even if they dont have a ball. I have seen them kick around a tennis ball, a mineral water bottle, someone else's shoe, a pencil case, even a toy pig!! I am not kidding.
And the mess they are capable of making!! Even in areas that were out-of-bounds for them, like my bedroom. Not sure how the crumbs found and mess found their way there. You would have thought that my home was ravaged by a hurricane at the end of the gathering. There were crumbs everywhere, and I mean everywhere! Dont ask me where it came from. Guesss they must be like "Pigpen" from Charlie Brown where dirt follows them where ever they go.
And even after a soccer game, they were so active, even tho I made sure I did not serve anythimg that would trigger off a hyperactive reaction, they were bouncing on the sofa and playing so boisterously. I guesss boys will be boys!
They are really different from girls. When my oldest had her friends over previously, they could just sit around and eat, or play board games, or twirl each others hair. But boys, they are really wired differently. They are not interested at all in food (except chips and fizzy drinks). We had a BBQ going, but they did not want to eat. I couldnt let them go home without dinner, so I had to force them to eat. Most of them wolfed down a sausage and said they were done - never mind the chicken, lamb chops, squid, etc all crying out to them to be eaten.
They can play soccer anytime, anywhere! When they had to abandon their soccer game halfway because of rain, they were equally happy playing FIFA 08 on the x-box. Anything soccer will do. Even table-soccer! Even if they dont have a ball. I have seen them kick around a tennis ball, a mineral water bottle, someone else's shoe, a pencil case, even a toy pig!! I am not kidding.
And the mess they are capable of making!! Even in areas that were out-of-bounds for them, like my bedroom. Not sure how the crumbs found and mess found their way there. You would have thought that my home was ravaged by a hurricane at the end of the gathering. There were crumbs everywhere, and I mean everywhere! Dont ask me where it came from. Guesss they must be like "Pigpen" from Charlie Brown where dirt follows them where ever they go.
And even after a soccer game, they were so active, even tho I made sure I did not serve anythimg that would trigger off a hyperactive reaction, they were bouncing on the sofa and playing so boisterously. I guesss boys will be boys!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
GOTTA LOVE LITTLE BOYS
Here's a joke which I hope gives you a good start to the day, and I hope you all have a great week. Will not be blogging until after my daughter's PSLE which starts next friday. Take care and God Bless!
Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter. The man at the counter asked the older boy, 'Son, how old are you?'
'Eight,' the boy replied. The man continued, 'Do you know what these are used for?' The boy replied, 'Not exactly, Sir, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these, you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either one.'
Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons and proceeded to the checkout counter. The man at the counter asked the older boy, 'Son, how old are you?'
'Eight,' the boy replied. The man continued, 'Do you know what these are used for?' The boy replied, 'Not exactly, Sir, but they aren't for me. They're for him. He's my brother. He's four. We saw on TV that if you use these, you would be able to swim and ride a bike. Right now, he can't do either one.'
Friday, September 19, 2008
On the road to getting fit
Yes! After 8 months I have finally started on getting fit.
I decided that I had to do something about my fitness after noticing that even the hairdresser goes to the gym regularly, and her partner, cycles and exercises every week!! That was to me my wake-up call. I had to do something about my own fitness, or rather the lack of it.
I know I have been wanting to start this exercise regime for awhile. But there were always excuses. Marketing, dont like jogging, no time, etc. No more excuses for me.
I started last week with a 1.2km brisk walk. It took me 12 minutes to complete it. My kids "pooh-poohed" my effort when I told them, saying that the distance was too short and that I should jog.
The very next day, I tried jogging. But jogging is really not for me. After 500m I was panting!! So I went back to my brisk walk and covered a distance of 2km. I did break out in a sweat, and I think that was a good start. Now, 2 to 3 days a week, I go for my walk, walking a longer distance with each passing day. And it only takes up no more than half an hour of my time.
Hopefully this road will bring me from unfit to fit, and finally looking Fab!! Like they say: The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, and I have taken my first step. Have you?
I decided that I had to do something about my fitness after noticing that even the hairdresser goes to the gym regularly, and her partner, cycles and exercises every week!! That was to me my wake-up call. I had to do something about my own fitness, or rather the lack of it.
I know I have been wanting to start this exercise regime for awhile. But there were always excuses. Marketing, dont like jogging, no time, etc. No more excuses for me.
I started last week with a 1.2km brisk walk. It took me 12 minutes to complete it. My kids "pooh-poohed" my effort when I told them, saying that the distance was too short and that I should jog.
The very next day, I tried jogging. But jogging is really not for me. After 500m I was panting!! So I went back to my brisk walk and covered a distance of 2km. I did break out in a sweat, and I think that was a good start. Now, 2 to 3 days a week, I go for my walk, walking a longer distance with each passing day. And it only takes up no more than half an hour of my time.
Hopefully this road will bring me from unfit to fit, and finally looking Fab!! Like they say: The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, and I have taken my first step. Have you?
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