source: hantrainerpro.com

It’s impossible to not learn the word “FuWuYuan”  (服务员, waiter/waitress) when you are in China. Yelling for “fuwuyuan” may not be common anywhere else but in China, it is almost like the only way to get their attention. When I first arrived in Beijing, I was still trying to deal with this culture shock as I am too shy (yes I can actually be shy! haha) to call out to them like others – so obviously I am always being ignored in a restaurant with my hand raising up while the next table finishes their meal (ok, that’s exaggerated of course). I feel so bad yelling at them but as time goes by, and after being ignored every single time like an abandoned child, I figured that’s the only way to get them to serve my table because they have grown accustomed to that.

With me camping in cafes to finish up my thesis, I started to feel for the poor fuwuyuan(s) who are always receiving the brunt of the customers’ wrath.  ”Fuwuyuan! Where is my table?”, ”Fuwuyuan! Where is my beer?”, ”Fuwuyuan! I want my food now!” and the demands go on and on. Sometimes the customers are just really unreasonable and I even feel like they are taking it out on the poor fuwuyuans after a bad day at work. I have no idea how they suck it up and live with such foul attitude. If you’re unhappy about the service at a place, just leave. There’s no need to scream your lungs off at the poor fella and spoil the atmosphere for other diners too.

Yes, there are times where fuwuyuan(s) have terrible serivce or deliberately taking their own sweet time. But so far I have made friends with most of the fuwuyuan(s) at the regular places I visit and I have no troubles with their service at all. In fact, we became friends as they are usually youngsters who are curious about foreigners. It’s not their fault that they are stuck with this job, everyone has their own interesting stories and I don’t think being fuwuyuan means that they are any “lower” than some of the “so called educated people” out there.

It puzzles me a lot to see how these chinese, or sometimes the expats, treat these fuwuyuan(s). Think about it, the worse you are to the people serving you, the more likely for you to end up with some extra unknown ingredients in your food.  So why take the risk?! Hur.

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source: rollingstone.com

Gonna keep my promise and try to update regularly despite the thesis writing..so keeping things short….No, we are not talking about Cascading Style Sheets here but the Brazilian band “CSS”. This song is their lead single from their 3rd album “La Liberación”. What attracted me most was this video that was shot in Barcelona, where they are teaching the dance moves at the same time! It’s quite a fun laid-back song to groove to and so…sit back and enjoy!

Hits Me Like A Rock – CSS

Oh, oh-oh-oooo
Oh, oh-oh-oooo
Oh, oh-oh-oooo
Oh, oh-oh-oooo

It’s been so long I heard that song
It made me sweat when I sang along
And even after all this time that went pass by
It hits me like a rock and I still don’t know why

Take me on your motorcycle
Run with you through the hairs
We don’t care for what’s wrong and what’s not
I liked to be with you, without a view of what’s real

But then you say we always loose our edge
But baby, baby is that too bad?

You know I like you a lot
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)

It’s been so long since I’ve heard that song
It made me cry when I sang along
And even after all this time that went pass by
It hits me like a rock and I still don’t know why

You took me if we ever collide again
You would not my brain a million times
We have too many bruises from too much kissing
And the only pain would be from too much missing

But then you say we always loose our edge
But baby, baby is that too bad?

You know I like you a lot
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
It still hits me like a rock (Ooh, oh-oh-oooo)
Hits me like a rock

It’s been so long I’ve heard that song
It made me sweat
And still after all this time
Hits me like a rock and I don’t know

But then you say we always loose our edge
But baby, baby is that too bad?

You know I like you a lot (but)
Rock, rock, rock
Hits me like a rock (hits me like a rock)
Rock, rock, rock
Hits me like a rock(hits me like a rock)
Rock, rock, rock
Hits me like a rock(hits me like a rock)

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rare sunny day in beijing

So I am back in Greyjing and it is starting to get warmer as spring is here (when I say warmer, I am still referring to 11-19 Degree Celsius). The smog is still as terrible as I remember it to be, perhaps worse. Sandstorms are here as it gets windy and oh boy, I almost fell off my bike one day while cycling because of the strong wind. It was almost like walking in a typhoon, quite an experience.

Other than that, I have nothing much to update as it’s the crunch time for my thesis writing and submitting my revised PhD thesis proposal at the same time. “Stressed up” is an understatement even if I still “look” like I’m slacking and surfing the net and chatting with people. I have not stepped out of my dorm since 5 days ago, record breaking! Hopefully this determination to finish my MA thesis by end of March will help to curb the procrastination side of me.

so march on (no pun intended) fellow comrades! i’ll update regularly (probably by end of march) once i’m done with the thesis writing!

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saying goodbye

“Tak Boleh Tahan!” is Malay that can be somewhat translated as “I can’t take it anymore!” (if i’m not wrong!) so why this title you ask? Because I can’t take it anymore, I feel so blessed with such awesome friends and I actually feel really sad leaving (again) this time!

So minus the fact of the escalating cost of living in Singapore, I realized this trip home made me miss being in Singapore more than the past few times when I was traveling around. Perhaps because I have been back for more than a month, I got really comfortable with the environment and weather (even if I wished for more sun). Or perhaps I have been away for too long? haha though 2 years away from home is nothing as compared to some of my international friends out there.

some of the fond memories from this vacation <3

Since it was Chinese New Year period and the fact that I was so busy with my thesis preparation/PhD application, I didn’t get to meet up with many people but still I had fun with the few cliques that I managed to meet up. I am so so so sorry for those whom I didn’t have time to meet up with! But thank you for the others who managed to take time off for me, especially knowing how everyone is busy with work or tired after work but still came down for me really appreciate it! The unplanned numerous hi-bye small chats were pleasant surprises too! It was awesome to know new friends too, especially the team behind re:solve, all the best for the rest of the production and looking forward to the upcoming movie!

Fear not! (haha I don’t think anyone is..lol) I will be back in June and be done with Beijing very soon! Please pray for me and wish me luck for my thesis and I promise to keep everyone posted! I will also try to do the vlogs that I have always wanted to do while in China to show how life is over the great firewall! But that’ll come probably in April, after I submit my MA thesis.

In the meantime, take care everyone and God bless! Thank you Singapore, it’s been a great time being home. (As much as I still do not want to settle down here yet..lol)

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So Hong Kong is rather known for our (I’m still born in Hong Kong afterall, will always be a partial home to me..haha) police/crime/gangster classics. The whole police vs lawbreakers/triads relationship seems to be more seductive, probably due to the high adrenaline tenuous border between the two. So why only Hong Kong? Can’t we also produce something good and new in the Singapore’s film scene apart from the usual naggy parents who wants their kids to score A1, kids who cry too much in every other scene or something that only Singaporeans can relate to instead of going more international? 

So recently the media has been talking, there’s an upcoming movie that just kick started its production. “Re:Solve 决义案” is gonna be the first police action thriller in Singapore!  This feature film will be directed by Randy Ang, who happens to be a friend and also an alumnus from the same design school I attended a couple of years back. Extra props for that!  But anyway, personally I am looking forward to this because finally we Singaporeans have something that is not sappy/lame/with boring family plot/too localized for international audience…but actually exciting enough to emerge from the Asian cinema that we can proudly call our own! 

Anyways, there’s Sunny Pang and two really hot Taiwanese leads, Chris Lee 李至正 and Mico Chang 张玮纯 to look out for in the movie too. Of course there are familiar local faces of the Singapore TV scene too. (oh..psst..friends from our local twittersphere will notice a familiar name/face too! *coughs*)  Not gonna share more but do like their facebook page here if you want to be updated on the progress and look at more pictures/videos! Can’t wait to be back from Beijing for its premiere! 

disclaimer: I wish I’m paid to write this but no I wasn’t..haha..just genuinely looking forward to the movie (haha setting such high expectations eh? lol just kidding) and supporting my friends+local industry as a whole! 

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I find their music rather inspired by Sigur Rós, with a cross between Arcade Fire and Röyksopp. I like the feeling of how the melody washes over and you feel like you’re drifting in and out of the music (or maybe it’s just me dozing off at times..haha just kidding)

Be sure to watch the follow up videos “Reunion” and then “Wait” after this, the trilogy idea is brilliant I must say – especially when Midnight City is such a great song.

M83 – Midnight City

Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
The night city grows
Look and see her eyes, they glow

Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark
Drinking in the lounge
Following the neon signs

Waiting for a roar
Looking at the mutating skyline
The city is my church
It wraps me in the sparkling twilight

Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for the right time
Waiting in a car
Waiting for a ride in the dark

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I was just watching the trailer of this movie 2 days before meeting my friend who randomly decided that we are watching a movie (lol). So off we went to catch “Upside Down” which was directed by Juan Diego Solanas. Will keep this short since I wasn’t intending to review movies any more but since I was getting bored from my thesis, why not? (haha)

I would say it is a romance film about Adam(Jim Sturgess) and Eden(Kirsten Dunst) that is separated by the social class and gravity. I won’t go into the details over the story since you will be left with nothing to watch, but pretty much you can easily predict what is happening in the next scene while watching this movie.

Personally I felt that the script was the weakest aspect of the film. The whole upside down universe concept and twinned worlds with opposite gravity was interesting but man, the plot and script certainly needs polishing. As much as I think it’s refreshing how they tried to portray the injustice between the social classes, the character development was lacking throughout the movie.

The CGI and effects were stunning and  I really adored the mountain+restaurant sets which were magnificently beautiful even if it’s over used. I gotta say, half the time I’m turning to my friend and going “that’s ridiculous!” when I know very well that it can’t be get any more realistic (duh, I mean like..really? what am I expecting from an upside down world?) As much as I can con myself into believing that this is a romantic flick that tells a “gravity defying love”, the story just fails to be compelling. Perhaps it’s just me, growing up and whatnot. haha

At least there’s Jim Sturgess whose character (and looks) grows on you after awhile, Kirsten Dunst caught my attention only during the Tango scene. I’d say I’ll give this movie a 3/5 for its visuals. Watch if you’re a fan of sci-fi/fantasy films or just to admire the sets/effects.

“Up-top, they always win, And down-below, we always fail.” – Adam

Watch the trailer here:

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Whether I had a valentine or not, I know that there will always be one man in my life who truly loves me unconditionally. That man didn’t have to wait for one special day to show me his love, he gives it to me all year round. Obviously that’s my father, better known by his online alias given by me “SpartanDad” (because he is so strict with me..haha)! So I think I am quite the “daddy’s girl” because I am the youngest of the two daughters at home (but my dad loves us sisters both the same) and I have always been very much “sheltered” all my life.

I recently read this article that talks about how daddies’ girls tend to look for partners who look like their father, something we have probably learnt from psychology. “We can now say that daughters who have very positive childhood relationships with their fathers choose men with similar central facial characteristics to their fathers.” Now that got me looking back at my past relationships and highly doubt that I choose mates that LOOK like SpartanDad (as much as I have quite a positive relationship with my dad, that’s actually quite freaky to be dating someone who looks like my dad…lol) but I think I do tend to choose people that resembles certain characteristics as SpartanDad. *cues dramatic “noooooooooooooo” in the background* LOL 

I was told the SpartanDad looks alil like Ai Wei Wei..hmmm

“So what kind of guys do you like, Ingrid?” That’s a question I get a lot these days when people figured I’m not in a relationship. (Not sure if they are trying to introduce men to me or judging me though..haha) If I were to follow what psychology class taught me, choosing someone like SpartanDad, I guess the following are the characteristics I’d look out for in a guy?

1) SpartanDad knows everything (or at least in my eyes) – he can be a chef one minute and a baker, a handyman, a goalkeeper, a professor, a musician, a singer or the strictest dad the next thing you know.

2) SpartanDad knows how to make people laugh – I guess in Chinese it’s call “情趣” (qing qu). I don’t really know how to describe it in English to be honest. Haha

3) SpartanDad is a gentleman – basic etiquette of a gentleman is to respect the ladies and little gestures of chivalry helps

4) SpartanDad is a manly man – if you scream along with me over creepy crawlies and rats, please just go away. lol

Of course there are many more awesome stuff I see in my dad that I’d like in my man but let’s not bore everyone with that..haha! But with that I’d say, “Thank You SpartanDad. (For setting a rather high standard for me..haha)”

So out of curiosity, do you think your other half or partner resembles or behaves like your dad/mom? 

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I won’t deny that being single during special occasions and stuff like parties and gatherings makes me feel extra lonely and your mind will start to wonder (a) “What is wrong with me that nobody wants to be with me?” (b) “Why didn’t the (previous) relationship last? was it my fault? Le sigh, gotta be it.” (c) “Maybe they are right, I should just settle down like everyone else. Perhaps just find a random dude who is decent I guess.” – Thank god these thoughts are temporary, else I’ll be in deep trouble right now! haha

“We gotta wait for the real thing, no matter how tough it gets.”

- Ted Mosby, HIMYM S07E11

So to all the well-meaning aunties and uncles and ‘kaypoh’ (nosy in Singlish) friends who take advantage of this festive season to probe into others’ personal lives. There are people who are actually satisfied with how they are living their lives right now without someone in their lives. Sure, we are definitely not getting any younger but hell, says who it is a girl’s “dream/mission” to be settle down, find the love of her life (or not) and have kids before 30 years old? Says who studying too much is too much? (what is too much anyways? learning is never ending!) Says who it is a must during Chinese New Year to ask these awkward questions to annoy the unmarried youngsters like us? Jeez. 

With Valentine’s Day coming, I guess most singles out there are having a hard time during the CNY visiting. (Thank God I don’t have to do any! haha) The next time someone asks me “the question”, I’ll reply exactly like in the picture above – “I want a guy like Ted who’ll love me like Marshall and make me laugh like Barney.” Don’t get the reference? Go watch all 8 seasons of How I Met Your Mother before you ask me the question again!  

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The Black Keys – Gold On The Ceiling

Down in the waves
She screams again
Roar at the door
My mind can’t take much more
I could never drown in

They wanna get my…
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain’t blind
Just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It’s alright
Ain’t no guard in my house

Clouds covered love’s
Barb-wired snare
Strung up, strung out
I just can’t go without
I could never drown in

They wanna get my…
They wanna get my
Gold on the ceiling
I ain’t blind
Just a matter of time
Before you steal it
It’s alright
Ain’t no guard in my house

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