It feels like Christmas when Pay Day coincides with a Weekend.
Now it's time for me to do my part as a good Singaporean by contributing to the economy, One.Dress.At.A.Time.
(P/S: Christmas in Singapore is just about shopping excessively)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
I fucking need a break.
Just to let you know, I am a woman with a sound intellect, perfectly capable of logic and reasoning, contrary to what you may think.
Yet, I am a woman. What may appear to you as something without a rhyme or reason might be something that I perceive with clarity. We just do not have the same trail of thought.
*********************************************
And to some other person, be very afraid. I know you read my blog, and I know you know who you are. While you thought that my non-action was a sure sign of cowardice, but please be assured that I will not hestitate to do vicious things to you without you even realizing it, until its too late. I have more details of you than your puny bureaucratic brain can ever imagine.
Consider my nonchalence on this matter up till this point magnanimous.
Just to let you know, I am a woman with a sound intellect, perfectly capable of logic and reasoning, contrary to what you may think.
Yet, I am a woman. What may appear to you as something without a rhyme or reason might be something that I perceive with clarity. We just do not have the same trail of thought.
*********************************************
And to some other person, be very afraid. I know you read my blog, and I know you know who you are. While you thought that my non-action was a sure sign of cowardice, but please be assured that I will not hestitate to do vicious things to you without you even realizing it, until its too late. I have more details of you than your puny bureaucratic brain can ever imagine.
Consider my nonchalence on this matter up till this point magnanimous.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Exit
What kind of relationship is pivoted on the idea of "Potential"? What does it mean when someone says that "I think you have potential"?
Potential to...what? What the hell does "potential" mean?
The potential to produce to beautiful offsprings? Potential to make make him happy for the rest of his life? Potential to create many lovely memories with him? Potential to make him rich? Or perhaps he meant the potential to bring him from one point to another point (ie to bring him towards his goal)?
And so, is "Potential" a good enough qualifier of Love?
If that were so, then I must say that love is an overated emotion. Before the scientifically declared 2-year mark in a relationship, love was just a crazy, hormone-induced emotion; after that scientifically declared 2-year mark, love becomes a conscious and conscientious decision, that could get tedious and tiring sometimes. So by that route of deduction, a person with potential is someone whom you want to continually reassert your decision on.
Then what if none of the aforementioned "potentials" ever ripen? Wouldn't all the goals that were supposed to be built upon making that decision never be realized?
Crawling along the jammed tunnels of CTE, I was made very aware of the Exits that lined the walls of the tunnel, because all I could think of were the possibilities of an escape. Would I throw caution to the wind and run towards that Exit?
It reminded me of a scene in Prison Break II, when Lincoln and Michael were re-captured. Their vehicle was stopped right beside an Exit door, and the key to their handcuffs were "coincidentally" left behind by an "absent-minded" prison guard who went to settle the road block situation. If they could pull off the escape, they could be free, but freedom had danger and uncertainty written all over it. There could be assassins engaged by the Company stationed behind closed doors awaiting for the chance to strike, the police could shoot at them and 'accidentally' kill them if they were running, the possibilities were endless. At the same time, if they'd stayed and passed up the one opportunity to escape, it was obvious that they'd remain miserable forever in jail.
But their decision and ultimatum was clear right from the beginning, whereas mine wasn't.
Potential to...what? What the hell does "potential" mean?
The potential to produce to beautiful offsprings? Potential to make make him happy for the rest of his life? Potential to create many lovely memories with him? Potential to make him rich? Or perhaps he meant the potential to bring him from one point to another point (ie to bring him towards his goal)?
And so, is "Potential" a good enough qualifier of Love?
If that were so, then I must say that love is an overated emotion. Before the scientifically declared 2-year mark in a relationship, love was just a crazy, hormone-induced emotion; after that scientifically declared 2-year mark, love becomes a conscious and conscientious decision, that could get tedious and tiring sometimes. So by that route of deduction, a person with potential is someone whom you want to continually reassert your decision on.
Then what if none of the aforementioned "potentials" ever ripen? Wouldn't all the goals that were supposed to be built upon making that decision never be realized?
Crawling along the jammed tunnels of CTE, I was made very aware of the Exits that lined the walls of the tunnel, because all I could think of were the possibilities of an escape. Would I throw caution to the wind and run towards that Exit?
It reminded me of a scene in Prison Break II, when Lincoln and Michael were re-captured. Their vehicle was stopped right beside an Exit door, and the key to their handcuffs were "coincidentally" left behind by an "absent-minded" prison guard who went to settle the road block situation. If they could pull off the escape, they could be free, but freedom had danger and uncertainty written all over it. There could be assassins engaged by the Company stationed behind closed doors awaiting for the chance to strike, the police could shoot at them and 'accidentally' kill them if they were running, the possibilities were endless. At the same time, if they'd stayed and passed up the one opportunity to escape, it was obvious that they'd remain miserable forever in jail.
But their decision and ultimatum was clear right from the beginning, whereas mine wasn't.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Review on Everyday Minerals
After about 3 months of experimenting with Everyday Minerals (EM), I thought that it's about time that I wrote a review on it. In particular, their Mineral Foundations that are so highly raved.
The reason why I took so long to do this review, was because I had mixed feelings for EM's foundation and face powder.
Me (person on the right) using:
-EM's Foundation Beige-Fairly-Light, in Semi-Matte formula.
-EM's Blush, Pink Ribbon (very glowy light pink. more to light up your face, than for contouring)
The story:
After I started working, I found that L'oreal Liquid foundation proved to be too much of a hassle to apply in the morning. and switched to a powder foundation - something with a higher coverage and oil control properties. The switch proved to be lethal as my previously flawless skin started breaking out in painful, pus-covered welts and pimples (M.A.C studio fix I'm glaring at you again!). In a bid to find some cosmetics to restore the glorious past of my skin, I turned to Mineral Makeup with recommendations from Jessica. After trying out a couple of brands, I've decided that I like the EM's staying power, coverage, texture and colour-match the best, amongst the few Mineral Makeup brands that I've tried.
The EM foundation formulaes that I've tried, in order of my preference are Matte, Semi-Matte and Intensive
Matte My favourite formula. Clean, and silky & smooth finishing with minimal shine, so it looks like a more refined version of your natural skin, with minimal (but visible) glow.
I actually thought that this was one formula that I'd never try, because it sounded boring, dry and best for vampirish ah lians whose skin will crumble into ash and soot the moment daylight hits it. But this formula, IMO is perfect for Singapore's hot, humid weather where almost everyone has combi-oily skin. Just dust a light layer of Lavender Concealer as primer prior to the foundation, and voila, and you are on your way to look like you're born with naturally beautiful skin.
Semi-Matte A close runner up to the Matte formula on my fav list. This is the stuff that you'd want to go for, if you are into that dewy-skin-bursting-with-moisture-and-supple-ness kind of look. As the name suggests, it gives more glow to your skin than the matte formula. It was the perfect formula to use in drier climates, like when I was travelling in Japan.
However, this formula provided the least coverage and is the least lasting, amongst the 3. Personally, I find that my face gets a bit too shiny after a while in Singapore's climate. AGAIN, it's the fault of the tropics.
Intensive My least favourite formula. Oxidizes the most on my skin, to the point that everyone asked me if I had a tan at Communicasia this year, despite being on whitening pills. Though it was supposed to provide a more thorough coverage as compared to the others, it gets streaky the moment I sweat or my facial oils break through. Basically, it gets a little streaky at the end of the day no matte what. And my face always feels a little oilier than it usually does. Worse of all, it gives me those tiny bumps that looks like pimples, but goes away after a few hours of not wearing that foundation.
Me no like any sort of bumps on my face, be it pimple, allergy or boils.
The Good:
For one, I loved the idea of putting on foundations with built-in sunblock properties and that is Super-soft, silky, and, best of all, good for your skin. It was definitely more finely-milled than all the other brands of Mineral Foundations that I've tried (Lumiere, and MAD Minerals), and provides a MUCH more natural coverage than the REvlon and Loreal Mineralized Foundations that you get from the Drugstores in Singapore. Digressing, Mineralize Foundations sounded like a lame brother of the Mineral Foundations.
It also offers a pretty decent coverage, without being thick and cakey - the type that more or less hid minor imperfection by reflecting light off the skin; I'm not too sure how it'll fare on skin that are perpetually covered in huge cystic bumps and major discolouration.
Plus I am a fan of competitive pricing. It's always about how much it is, measured against how much I want that item. Giants sized EM foundations (8g) are priced at a very reasonable USD$12; 5 sample sizes are generous (and free!) and can last a few applications.
Best of all, it feels OH-SO-LIGHT on ma skin, like I'm not wearing makeup at all.
The Not-so-good
The foundation, though pretty long-lasting for something that just 'sits' on your skin without invading your pores, requires several touch-ups over the course of a day. As much as most people find it hard to believe, I hardly do touch ups when it comes to foundation (Yes, I have good skin!). Therefore, I find that a hassle.
Second, the oil control of EM foundation is almost non-existent. Although this was not a major problem for my combination skin, but looking too shiney can look a bit tricky in HOT, HUMID Singapore. And I found myself blotting my face for excessive oils - something which I have not done since Secondary School.
However my greatest make-up woe is the rate at which my skin oxidizes: very very fast.
Foundations that are applied would easily turn 2 shades darker by mid-day.
Pile on lousy foundation, and my skin will oxidize into something like a bright orange ball. **M.A.C. STUDIO FIX I am glaring at you!!**
Add the fact that I sweat exceptionally ALOT in Singapore's heat, which seemed to act as a catalyst to boost my skin's oxidization rate (uh-oh!). My face is usually slightly darker than my body by the end of the day.
Of course to be fair, this is not EM's fault alone, because almost all drugstore brand cosmetic foundations that I've tried before(Loreal, Maybelline, Bourjoius, even Lumiere) has given me the same problem.
Because it could not solve my oxidization problem, EM cannot be crowned my "Holy Grail Foundation". However, IMO, it's one of the better quality foundations that I've used. Once I've tried EM, there's no going back to my previous sticky messy L'oreal True Match Liquid FOundation.
I liked it enough to continue the range; but I can't say that I like it so much that I'll never search for a better one (with an equally okay price tag). It's also not the type of product that gets me hooked the first time I tried it on, but the type that grows on you over time, partially because you know that it is supposed to be good for your skin.
I guess my never-ending quest for the perfect foundation (with the perfect price-tag) is still at a very infantile stage. Having said that, I've recently embarked on this other new brand of preservative-free cosmetics, which already seemed very promising (except for the price-tag), and I'm getting all the tingly excitement to blog about it. But give me sometime to try it out, before I share it here.
Clue: It's Japanese.
The reason why I took so long to do this review, was because I had mixed feelings for EM's foundation and face powder.
Me (person on the right) using:
-EM's Foundation Beige-Fairly-Light, in Semi-Matte formula.
-EM's Blush, Pink Ribbon (very glowy light pink. more to light up your face, than for contouring)
The story:
After I started working, I found that L'oreal Liquid foundation proved to be too much of a hassle to apply in the morning. and switched to a powder foundation - something with a higher coverage and oil control properties. The switch proved to be lethal as my previously flawless skin started breaking out in painful, pus-covered welts and pimples (M.A.C studio fix I'm glaring at you again!). In a bid to find some cosmetics to restore the glorious past of my skin, I turned to Mineral Makeup with recommendations from Jessica. After trying out a couple of brands, I've decided that I like the EM's staying power, coverage, texture and colour-match the best, amongst the few Mineral Makeup brands that I've tried.
The EM foundation formulaes that I've tried, in order of my preference are Matte, Semi-Matte and Intensive
Matte My favourite formula. Clean, and silky & smooth finishing with minimal shine, so it looks like a more refined version of your natural skin, with minimal (but visible) glow.
I actually thought that this was one formula that I'd never try, because it sounded boring, dry and best for vampirish ah lians whose skin will crumble into ash and soot the moment daylight hits it. But this formula, IMO is perfect for Singapore's hot, humid weather where almost everyone has combi-oily skin. Just dust a light layer of Lavender Concealer as primer prior to the foundation, and voila, and you are on your way to look like you're born with naturally beautiful skin.
Semi-Matte A close runner up to the Matte formula on my fav list. This is the stuff that you'd want to go for, if you are into that dewy-skin-bursting-with-moisture-and-supple-ness kind of look. As the name suggests, it gives more glow to your skin than the matte formula. It was the perfect formula to use in drier climates, like when I was travelling in Japan.
However, this formula provided the least coverage and is the least lasting, amongst the 3. Personally, I find that my face gets a bit too shiny after a while in Singapore's climate. AGAIN, it's the fault of the tropics.
Intensive My least favourite formula. Oxidizes the most on my skin, to the point that everyone asked me if I had a tan at Communicasia this year, despite being on whitening pills. Though it was supposed to provide a more thorough coverage as compared to the others, it gets streaky the moment I sweat or my facial oils break through. Basically, it gets a little streaky at the end of the day no matte what. And my face always feels a little oilier than it usually does. Worse of all, it gives me those tiny bumps that looks like pimples, but goes away after a few hours of not wearing that foundation.
Me no like any sort of bumps on my face, be it pimple, allergy or boils.
The Good:
For one, I loved the idea of putting on foundations with built-in sunblock properties and that is Super-soft, silky, and, best of all, good for your skin. It was definitely more finely-milled than all the other brands of Mineral Foundations that I've tried (Lumiere, and MAD Minerals), and provides a MUCH more natural coverage than the REvlon and Loreal Mineralized Foundations that you get from the Drugstores in Singapore. Digressing, Mineralize Foundations sounded like a lame brother of the Mineral Foundations.
It also offers a pretty decent coverage, without being thick and cakey - the type that more or less hid minor imperfection by reflecting light off the skin; I'm not too sure how it'll fare on skin that are perpetually covered in huge cystic bumps and major discolouration.
Plus I am a fan of competitive pricing. It's always about how much it is, measured against how much I want that item. Giants sized EM foundations (8g) are priced at a very reasonable USD$12; 5 sample sizes are generous (and free!) and can last a few applications.
Best of all, it feels OH-SO-LIGHT on ma skin, like I'm not wearing makeup at all.
The Not-so-good
The foundation, though pretty long-lasting for something that just 'sits' on your skin without invading your pores, requires several touch-ups over the course of a day. As much as most people find it hard to believe, I hardly do touch ups when it comes to foundation (Yes, I have good skin!). Therefore, I find that a hassle.
Second, the oil control of EM foundation is almost non-existent. Although this was not a major problem for my combination skin, but looking too shiney can look a bit tricky in HOT, HUMID Singapore. And I found myself blotting my face for excessive oils - something which I have not done since Secondary School.
However my greatest make-up woe is the rate at which my skin oxidizes: very very fast.
Foundations that are applied would easily turn 2 shades darker by mid-day.
Pile on lousy foundation, and my skin will oxidize into something like a bright orange ball. **M.A.C. STUDIO FIX I am glaring at you!!**
Add the fact that I sweat exceptionally ALOT in Singapore's heat, which seemed to act as a catalyst to boost my skin's oxidization rate (uh-oh!). My face is usually slightly darker than my body by the end of the day.
Of course to be fair, this is not EM's fault alone, because almost all drugstore brand cosmetic foundations that I've tried before(Loreal, Maybelline, Bourjoius, even Lumiere) has given me the same problem.
Because it could not solve my oxidization problem, EM cannot be crowned my "Holy Grail Foundation". However, IMO, it's one of the better quality foundations that I've used. Once I've tried EM, there's no going back to my previous sticky messy L'oreal True Match Liquid FOundation.
I liked it enough to continue the range; but I can't say that I like it so much that I'll never search for a better one (with an equally okay price tag). It's also not the type of product that gets me hooked the first time I tried it on, but the type that grows on you over time, partially because you know that it is supposed to be good for your skin.
I guess my never-ending quest for the perfect foundation (with the perfect price-tag) is still at a very infantile stage. Having said that, I've recently embarked on this other new brand of preservative-free cosmetics, which already seemed very promising (except for the price-tag), and I'm getting all the tingly excitement to blog about it. But give me sometime to try it out, before I share it here.
Clue: It's Japanese.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
IQ of a prawn
I seriously have a problem communicating with people, who has the intellect of a Prawn.
In the attempt to tackle my problem instead of whining and bitching about it, I tried seeking help from my friend, Val, who works with Autistic children, to design a programme which could potentially help me to tackle my problem. We spent ONE entire night to come up with a strategy that is not quite unlike the ones that she designs for her programmes.
Quite evidently, the failed outcome of my social experiment had prompted such an entry.
In the attempt to tackle my problem instead of whining and bitching about it, I tried seeking help from my friend, Val, who works with Autistic children, to design a programme which could potentially help me to tackle my problem. We spent ONE entire night to come up with a strategy that is not quite unlike the ones that she designs for her programmes.
Quite evidently, the failed outcome of my social experiment had prompted such an entry.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Grammar Homework
Believe it or not.
Grammar Exercises are meant for teachers, not students.
All those drills on tenses, synthetic sentences, paragraphing, continuous verbs etc., are meant to help the English Teacher (previously with good english), to counter the harmful side-effects caused by marking essays with frightfully bad English, repetitively.
After a cycle of traumatic marking, the teacher usually starts to doubt herself, wondering if she was the one who had it wrong all the while,
because at least 30 out of 42 students in the class wrote:
"I are having many fun at the camp"
or "John is self-preservative when he denied that he lied."
when she was almost certain that she had used the word self-preservation the other day to decribe the protagonist's knack for preserving himself from harm.
Without grammar exercises, the poor English Teacher might hit a mid-career crisis of speaking English like a Hokkien-spewing Ah Lian, whose adjectives, nouns, and verbs, that are the Hokkien manifestations of words associated with certain body parts below the torso.
***[Edit] Upon re-reading my entry, I realized with horror, that I've mis-spelt all my "Exercise" as "Excercise"; and "Believe" as "Belief"
*Roll eyes 360 degrees and burn off all my hair*
Grammar Exercises are meant for teachers, not students.
All those drills on tenses, synthetic sentences, paragraphing, continuous verbs etc., are meant to help the English Teacher (previously with good english), to counter the harmful side-effects caused by marking essays with frightfully bad English, repetitively.
After a cycle of traumatic marking, the teacher usually starts to doubt herself, wondering if she was the one who had it wrong all the while,
because at least 30 out of 42 students in the class wrote:
"I are having many fun at the camp"
or "John is self-preservative when he denied that he lied."
when she was almost certain that she had used the word self-preservation the other day to decribe the protagonist's knack for preserving himself from harm.
Without grammar exercises, the poor English Teacher might hit a mid-career crisis of speaking English like a Hokkien-spewing Ah Lian, whose adjectives, nouns, and verbs, that are the Hokkien manifestations of words associated with certain body parts below the torso.
***[Edit] Upon re-reading my entry, I realized with horror, that I've mis-spelt all my "Exercise" as "Excercise"; and "Believe" as "Belief"
*Roll eyes 360 degrees and burn off all my hair*
Be Yourself Day
In lieu of Youth Day's celebration, Thursday was decreed to be a "Be Yourself Day".
I intend to turn up at work with a potentially lethal vodka breath, streaky makeup and smudged mascara - remnants of Wednesday Ladies Night's partying, and scare the living daylights out of everyone else. **** KTG!!! ****
OR
I could just NOT turn up at work.
That's being myself.
I intend to turn up at work with a potentially lethal vodka breath, streaky makeup and smudged mascara - remnants of Wednesday Ladies Night's partying, and scare the living daylights out of everyone else. **** KTG!!! ****
OR
I could just NOT turn up at work.
That's being myself.
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