I’ve never been much for wakes. Something about sitting amidst crying octogenarians and making small talk with a dead body at the center of it makes it seem like some sort of bizarre dinner party, except you don’t get an hors d’overs.  It might have something to do with the fact that aside from my mother’s parents, nobody real close to me has ever died. Or it might be the fact that if you sit in that room staring at the body long enough you swear it’s breathing and then you get all sort of mixed up zombie day dreams. So you either spend your time fantasizing about the waking dead, or avoid the subject at hand. I further don’t understand the necessity for the multiple viewings which log in some serious face-time with the corpse, that you wouldn’t even normally do with the living person. I have a vivid memory of a four year old Travis sitting on the steps of the funeral home during his grandmother’s wake. He just and watched every walk by and wondered if she died because he never hugged her and rubber her kisses off.

Twenty four years later and I sat on the same exact steps while watching a parade of mourners go in and out for a distant relative I didn’t even know.  I nervously tapped my feet while checking my email on the cell phone.  That is until I heard a voice telling me that it’s a little rude to be checking my phone at a wake. I muttered out some sort of apology before looking up and noticed it was her.

I told her that if she was stalking me, a wake was hardly the place. She didn’t laugh. And I immediately apologized and said, “I tend to make jokes at inappropriate times.” Which got a small smile out of her, but  I find the stalking joke funny for about one reason. So we talked about how we mutually knew the deceased, and how we were both there out of a sense of obligation, rather than remorse and mourning.

Then I did something both smart and dumb. I told her that I wanted to get her number the last time I saw her, but the timing wasn’t exactly right.

“Hows the timing now?”

“Well, we are at a wake so…I’d say we have bang up timing.”

So, yes I got a number at a wake, which makes me feel more than slightly horrible. But it was just a manner of being at the same place in the same time.

Met up with my two dearies last night and it felt really good to be able to catch up with them for hours But sadly rene couldn’t join us

Its good to realise that though most things changes with time, but there are certain facts that will never change. And that’s having my girlfriends by my side to hear me out and give me the greatest encouragements and advices. I believe everyone of us are bound to meet new friends along the way as we move on and so, I shouldn’t be so selfish to always complain if they can’t meet me at whenever times. And why on earth should I be complaning about for? When I know my girlfriends always try their best to make time for me to hear my rants, hangout with me and everything elses? And even when I’m thousand miles away from littledotland, I know they’re just a phone call away from me

Thank you girls, though I don’t know who’ll be reading his. But I just wanna say, I am really really really very thankful for every single one of you. And of course not forgetting Ishak!

Gf was saying she thinks that I’ve become a stronger person. Did I? I wonder!

I felt a lot after reading my friend’s message. It affected me so much, made me real depressed and frustrated. How can anyone get this off????! I wanna give him a good bitch slap if i can. Blahh………. Maybe it’s just one of my 101 mood swings and I’m just finding something/someone to blame.

I cannot continue writing my report, and I don’t wanna watch tv or talk to anyone. I need a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big warm hug……. And I’m trying very hard to make myself excited for tomorrow’s (Christmas Eve) dinner on a cruise in the Nile River. Yeah, dinner on a cruise in the Nile River on such a significant day sounds real good ain’t it? But without the right people, it’s nothing close to awesome.

Look and See and Feel….

1. We don’t want sensitive men, we just want you to know when to shut the fuck up and listen

2. This one goes with the last one LISTEN, not fix, or tell us what you think we should do, just listen

3. Be decisive , make shit happen. There is nothing sexier than a man who can take control

4. No woe is me crap, sure it’s okay to express feelings of sadness. But when you say things like I hate my life, my life is so horrible. It’s hard for your significant other to not take offense.

5. Don’t be a pussy or a mommas boy, yes love your mother but don’t be a pussy. Because when your girlfriend leaves you it will probably be for a man who climbs mountains not one who loves indie rock and online gaming

6. Laughter goes along way

7. Boys need to be boys and this is mostly for the ladies once you strip them of all their boyish behavior they lose their luster

8. Sex, you should be having it. If your not and there is nothing physically wrong with you well there’s a problem

9. Once your in friend mode sorry dude there’s no getting out of it, we’ve already decided not to sleep with you

10. We do not want to know about your past conquest. Girls maybe more territorial than guys. We want to believe we are so awesome we blocked out your memories of all those other girls.

11. A kiss, a random I miss you goes a lot further than flowers

12. We find you just as confusing and overly sensitive

13. Sometimes you have to let us have the remote

But then again what do I know I’ve been divorced!!!!

I’m pretty sure dating is like old Nintendo games. This may be because I get my values, pet peeves, and impatience from old Nintendo games…but I think it’s a pretty solid metaphor. You jump over fireballs, dodge all the little monsters and tests she tosses your way. And when you finally think it’s over, your princess is in another castle.  In fact, most girls wind up being the spikey-shelled koopa instead of the fair-haired princess.

Last nights date was just another date. You share a cup of coffee with someone while they silent judge you, and you internally pick them apart. Every single second I picked up on things I liked, didn’t like and didn’t really analyze the final tally until I got home.  I will say this though, I’ve started to weigh potential futures well I go out with these girls now, and I don’t exactly give a lot of wiggle room. I don’t really know what to say about it.

We shared conversation over hot chocolate and bagels. We held hands at we walked.  I will probably never speak to this girl again, because I don’t I see any sort of Princess, or even Toad, in her

I had such high hopes for this one, but I can’t say I’m surprised. I mean, you don’t become an expert on dating by going on only stellar dates.

Strike 1- He was 20 minutes late. It was excused because he called to say he would be late.

Strike 2- We got in the car and he had to pull over to check his “Date Fact Sheet” which was a typed, printed sheet of all the things we should do on the date. (Note- this would be seen as good if you are a post-it, label junkie)

Strike 3-100- He told me it was wrong that I have a male roommate and that women should not live with men until marriage.

and Strike 101- half way through date ONE he started calling me SWEETHEART. Are you serious?? The names Janet, Miss Jackson if you’re nasty. But seriously, pet name? And a dumb one at that? NO THANKS.

Use it at the office... not on a date

Ok ok in all fairness this guy was sweet. He took the time to write out on the fact sheet I am a vegetarian and took me to one of the nicest places in town just so I could get a veggie fix. Here is the conclusions I have come to:

1. Southern people should only date other Southern people, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. The north and the south really are just that different, and by God us Yankees are livin’ in sin with our mixed gender housing! When you’re beliefs are that different there really is little hope.

2. I love bad-boy image. Enough with fighting it, I like a rough guy. He has to be polite to my family but when you bite your tongue before swearing in front of me, I am going to get offended because honey, I am not sweet little belle who is under your level. Don’t get me wrong I don’t need to hear you swear like a sailor, but treat me like an equal. (By the way, when this happened it set me off so bad my mom would have washed my mouth out with soap had she heard the language coming out of my mouth.)

But hey, at least I gave it the old college try…. so don’t worry, I’m still on the market.

Photo by Tomasz Wieja

As long as I’ve lived in this city, I’d always wanted to go to PDT.  It’s kitschy, but it was on the long NYC checklist. My friend Kelly was well aware of this, and invited me to tag along with a group of girls she knew going. Immediately, I couldn’t refuse because the odds were stacked in my favor as one of three guys in a group of six girls.  In going to such a place, I was appalled that not a single one of these ladies had a red dress. I busted out the vest for the occasion, and they brought nothing to the table. Well, I wouldn’t say nothing, their reservation was the only reason I got in.

I ignored the girls I came with because the red dress was my white whale of the night. It didn’t take long before I zeroed in on Sydney. I Immediately compliment her on her dress, and she kind of brushed me off. I continued, “No seriously, this isn’t just a horrible pick up line. I genuinely appreciate the fact that you put on the red dress to come here.” She looked at me for a moment. Up and down, weighing whether or not she was going to mildly indulge me. I offered to buy her a drink to help improve my odds. Fifteen minutes later we were in the back booth with our Martinis.

I have to say it was one of the most interesting experiences I’ve ever had. We spent a solid hour talking, and yet, not revealing any sort of personal information about her. I noticed this about five minutes into the conversation, and tried to keep it up for as long as possible. She wouldn’t ask me personal questions, I wouldn’t ask her any. I didn’t get her last name,  I have no idea what she does for a living, no idea where she lives…etc. I know she takes her Martinis dirty. I know that even when she can’t walk straight or form a completely coherent thought, she can carry that glass without spilling a drop.  And I know that when she gets close enough to kiss you goodbye on the cheek she smells like cinnamon.

Hi all!

Everyone seemed to love the video I included in the CARE post, which is great because I loved it too! I have found a ton of informative, interesting, and awareness-bringing (yes I made that a word with a hyphen) videos celebrating and encouraging women!

This video I found on another fun blog was practically made to be seen by me! Traveling is my obsession, yoga is my hobby and volunteering is what makes me happy. Not to mention that India is on my list of dream places to visit and study. It is about 12 minutes long, but I promise it is worth it. Play it in the background while getting ready in the morning! Or with a cup of pumpkin spice coffee like I did

The only problem is, I can’t seem to figure out how to embed it in the post, but take a second to check out this beautiful video here: www.vimeo.com/8104963

“For 19 years Odanadi has been providing a safe haven for victims of human trafficking. They are committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of enslaved women and children.”

Bye sisters,
Gina

Let me start off by saying that my boyfriend and I have been together for nearly half a year, and I love him so so so so much. And I’m in love with him so so so so much. ((Yes there’s a difference, but that conversation is for another time…I digress…))

Today, he picked me up from the train station and we planned on having a nice, relaxing evening with one another, hoping to get snowed in together.

All I wanted to do was make one little pit stop to my house so I could drop off some belongings…but it seemed like it was the biggest deal in the world.

WHY?

Well because he and I agreed that we would spend Sunday with my family…just chillin and watchin the game and hangin out and doing family stuff and whatnot. Nevertheless, I still had to see my family.

Morgan’s Plan: We go to the house, gather my belongings (because most of my stuff is over my boyfriend’s house) and take them to my mother’s, come back and enjoy a nice relaxing evening with some hot cocoa by the faux fireplace.

Morgan’s Boyfriend’s Plan: We chill right now, relax right now, and do everything we planned to do and we’ll go to Morgan’s mother’s house on Sunday and spend all day with her family.

Somewhere the communication turned into miscommunication. Somebody thought we were doing one thing and somebody thought we were doing another.

Miscommunication = a night of drama, tears, and make-ups…all to the extreme

And when my boyfriend and I get mad at each other, we get mad. Usually name calling is involved, constant eye rolling and heavy “I’m annoyed with you, shut up” breathing.

They say opposites attract, but that’s the issue ordeal. My boyfriend and I are not opposites. In fact, our personalities are very very similar. We’re both stubborn, passionate, I-want-my-way people. And compromise is something that we both really really really have to work on.

It can work. We just need to

1. Communicate better with one another. Let each other know what the deal is and stop assuming that we’re on the same page when we’re really not.

2. If plans are conflicting, try to figure out a way to make it work, because it’s not the end of the world if one of us doesn’t get our way completely. (Give and take, what relationships are all about).

3. Be sensitive. We sometimes forget how fragile the other person’s feelings may be and words can hurt badly. We have to remember that we love one another and to choose what we say and how we say it carefully.

I love you baby. ((7*5*09))

Just as I really wanted to throw my existing make-up-pouch-worthy mirror away, I held back coz I was too unwilling to spend $$$ on a new one!

Then came…

PERFECT~!!!!!!!!!!
2-sided to make sure I can check out my blind spots even :: to see if anyone’s peeping at me (LOL)

Pinto got me loads of blingy stuff for my years of birthday, including this year! HAHA
When u run out of ideas, just know that i’ll be happy with loads of blings!
like… a studded pink and purple external hard drive?
whahaha~

Finally got to see Pinto today after so long~
We’re the most horrible combination when placed together..
Pig out the most | Egg on each other during shopping | Eating the most snake while working
the list goes on~ haha

Christmas is coming!!
not too excited.. haa, haven’t done any xmas shopping at all~ heard Orchard’s packed with crazy shoppers
Seems like we’ve been withstanding the economy pretty well.
I’ll be a hermit this year, working behind the scene of nailvibe website!

Buongiorno bellas!

Part II brings a video from the super amazing CARE organization (their videos are just very well done.) It is simple and strong. It is moving and mindful and a perfect 3 minute break on a relaxing Sunday. Oh and thanks for putting up with my alliteration

Another fresh blogger out there posted something today that really touched me. He said, “The minute we were conceived we became receivers and transmitters. We are connected to this world, this fantastic universe, and to each other. Our thoughts, speech, beliefs, actions and attitudes are our tools to use to create the ideal life experience inside and out…The same works outwardly for those you love. You can create them as something for them to grow into.”

Don’t limit yourself or those around you just because you have preconceived notions or fears. Like the video says, you are powerful.

“I’m dreaming up a decade free of doubt where every life is loved and celebrated.” (via)

With Love,
Gina

Had a short Xmas get together at Ren’s place this evening..
& decided to catch a movie with Simin & James.

We caught the movie in 3D @ Jurong Point!
The showtime was 1am and I’m absolutely surprised at how sleepless Jurong people are…
The theatre was FILLED to the max, way down to the first row and to every corner!

Never knew that 3D movie has a price differential.. bleah~
Unable to use any movie vouchers or credit card discounts, we paid $13 each for a ticket ~
Movie industry in SG is definitely NOT DYING

The 3D glasses were super heavy! Having them to rest on our nose bridge for 161 minutes is NO JOKE..
I felt nauseous after like 1 hour or so….
Had to use my hand to support the glasses so that the weight wouldn’t be on my nose…

The heavily animated film proved itself worthy..
Wonder how is it like watching it without 3D effects…
Story line is simple and predictable
::
Humans landed themselves on an Alien planet called Pandora, mining for a US$20 million black rock that supposedly can save the Earth from an energy Crisis.
Since the atmosphere was poisonous, an Avatar programme was launched for humans’ DNA to be tranformed into a native, the Na’vi so they can breathe normally.
A war between the species took place and of course we can guess who won..~

A whole new world was created in the film and it’s amazing!
The forest becomes illuminous at night…
Animals all have 6 legs..
Plants were mostly gigantic…
Trees were sacred and stores memories of ancestors like our hard drives…

These are the legendary ‘floating mountains’ of Pandora..
which made me think of an old Hong Kong movie, Zu Shan Zhuan (The Legend of Zu)
haha!
The mountains were suspending also wat!!! LOL

I’m betting that a book and a video game will be launched based on this!
U’ll get to play it on PSP/PS3/XBOX like real soon!
Even Mcdonalds gives out Avatar figurines for Happy Meals — They’re really on the Frontier! =)

I’ll give loads of popcorns to the movie!
Worth catching!

~~