A very honest question

A friend who has just ended a 5-year relationship asked me a question,
"You don't have a boyfriend. Aren't you scared of remaining single all your life?"

It was the most honest question I've ever received. Nothing along the lines of "I'm sure you'll find somebody soon," or "When it's the right time, you will find him," or "What if you find somebody only when you're much older?"
This is a true question at the back of everybody's mind. Trust her to have asked it so simply! =)

Of course I'm scared. I think I'm probably more scared than I let on.
I'm scared I don't find love, I don't have the chance to ever hold somebody's hand, to be told "I love you", to make love, to get married, to have babies. I'm scared I might get too old to have children, I'm scared if I have children when I'm too old, they will have special needs or something. I'm scared I will have to resort to buying a flat under the singles scheme.
Isn't this why I'm always so desperate for somebody? 24 is not young, I'm getting older and that by itself is scary.
(Oh, come on, don't tell me 24 years old is young. Unless you are considering a shot-gun marriage, you think we don't need time to find somebody, date, maybe break-up and find somebody else, date again, quarrel and all that shit is it? Use your brain and think can or not?)

After a while you get used to singlehood and the constant searching and yearning. When you have been single for 24 years of your life, there really isn't much to "get used to" really. After all, there's nothing I can do if there really is nobody there. You continue with your life, you plan your future and well... you wait. Sometimes. You don't consciously remember that you're scared, but you just feel a sense of desperation, of wanting and yearning for somebody. And you manage that, sometimes along with a little bit of sadness. That's about it. Basically when the fear is broken up into daily pieces, you don't notice it that much, until of course somebody comes and asks you if you are scared. Somebody like my friend =P

I don't know if couples will ever understand this fear or how I feel. It is very easy to tell another person "You will find somebody," but how do you know? How come you know but I don't know? Do you have some magic crystal ball? Can you see into the future? Or is it some wisdom bestowed only upon couples? If that is so, do you think you can look into your crystal ball and tell me how to earn more money?

Is it because you were wooed by many men, so you think it is easy? I was almost never the main dish for somebody, only often the side dish. Even when I was the main dish, it was a main dish easily or purposefully forgotten.
Romantically involved? Nearly never.

So if you're scared, it's OK, because I'm scared shit loads too, lady.

Loving (that part of) him

I don't even remember the content of that particular conversation. It was something about performing in a small pub-like setting and something about fine arts.
I only remember the colour, the ecstasy, the rush of affection, the sudden sharpness of my friend's words and the images he were painting with them. I was suddenly aware of a single line of words appearing in my mind - I love this part of him. And I do.
When he spoke of it, I had an urge to hug him affectionately and tell him I love this part of him, but I don't because it is not respectful. Instead, I shook his hand.

No, I don't love him romantically, not even one bit. This is different.
I want to bask in his art, take it and hold it in my palms, turn it over, examine it, swallow it all if possible.

He was articulating my dream. He had simply reached into me, pulled it out and told it in his own words.

I am amazed at how similar people can be. At how many people I've met who were like me in some ways. In that split second, it all makes sense. This is it, I thought triumphantly, this is how loving a part of somebody without romance is like. This is what I have always been feeling! This isn't romance, I don't have to feel guilty about it and I can love as many people as I want in this way. I want to always love people in this way.

Boyfriend-related conversations

Had a conversation with my sister.

"I'm going out with my boyfriend," I said casually.
She looked at me for a moment, tossed her hair and starting laughing. "Don't bluff!" she managed to squeeze out between her laughs.

Brutally honest.
_______________________________

My mom, sister and I were having dinner at a Japanese restaurant. Between mouthfuls of sushi, I leaned over and whispered to my mother, "You see those two chefs over there?"
"Uh huh," my mother replied.
"One of them accidentally touched the back of the other while reaching for a bowl. I think that it's very sexy."
My mom pauses and looks at me. "Oh my god, you're perverted!" She declares very matter-of-factly.
"What?! No! I'm not perverted! I just think that guys together are very sexy!"
"My daughter is 24 years old, with no boyfriend and thinks that guys together are sexy!"
"Yeah, well, different people just have different tastes...." I tried explaining.
"When I was your age, I was already married! I had you when I was 26, your brother when I was 29!"

I just stuffed sushi into my mouth.
We ate $24 worth of sushi, and the cashier was a very good-looking man.

Falling asleep

Meeting Inkscape for the first time

Oh yar, that's me clicking away.

U-like (blender-cum-juicer)

Chanced upon this juicer-cum-blender called U-like, during a walk in Isetan (Nex, Serangoon) just recently. If you googled it, you would find mothers use it for various purposes - chopping up spices such as garlic, making puree and juices for babies, blending food and vegetables etc. And they like it. I was totally sold when the demonstrator was showing it to us and it didn't help that I was looking for a juicer/blender then.

The entire set of U-like consists of the main machine, 2 small transparent containers, 2 large transparent containers, 2 types of blades, and a juice compartment.

(photo courtesy of littlegastronomy)

(photo courtesy of Noob Cook)

According to the demonstrator, the entire set costs $120+, but with promotion it's only $69, including the juicer thrown in for free. I believe the usual set consists of only 1 small transparent container, 2 types of blades and the main machine. You'd have to get the juicer and the rest of the containers separately.

Simple to set up, simple to dismantle, easy to clean and many uses. Oh it's also fun to use! After fixing it up, simply push the container downwards into the machine to activate the switch and start blending. Turn it clockwise a little and release your hold to continue the blending without holding on to it. Relatively safe for young children who likes to push buttons (no buttons to push here! =P).

I've only gotten it for 2 days so we have not used it for chopping up garnishes, spices or the likes. What we have done, is used it to make milkshakes at least 4 times, juices twice and mocha (tried to, at least) once. Based on this, I'd like to give you a little review and perhaps some tips.

Juicer
Juicer container can be taken apart as shown in the picture:

To make juice using U-like, you have to use the juicer container, especially if you do not want the pulp. If you'd like pulp to be included (although I do not understand why would anybody want that), you may either use the normal container which comes with the machine, or if you already have the juicer container, remove the filter in the center and use that instead, in order to hold more juice.
Trust me, make your juice without the pulp. Take it from someone who tried making juice without the filter. Use the filter, it's there for a reason.

Slice your fruits or cut it into chunks. Not too big! The blades are still quite small and work best with smaller items. Put some water into the area outside the filter, put your sliced up fruits into the center of the filter, cover and switch on the machine. Juice from the fruit mix with the water to create fruit juice. Do note you have to put water into the container or there will not be any juice.

What I like about it:

1. The juice created tastes nice. 
2. Pulp/puree is beautifully filtered so that no pulp leaks into the juice. 
3. It is fast and easy to use. 
4. Most wonderfully, it is relatively easy to wash - I still use soap and sponge to wash the parts but there is no need for scrubbing of the filter to get the pulp out (thank goodness!). Just a simple rinse and all the pulp is drained away.

What I don't like about it:

I personally feel is it is more suitable as a blender rather than a juicer.

1. U-like does not fully extract the juice from the fruit like my previous juicer. It doesn't squeeze the fruit against the blade such that a majority of the juice is extracted.
2. I feel that the amount of juice is creates is a little lesser as compared to my previous juicer. 
3. I don't like that I have to put water inside the juicer in order for the juice to "materialize". To me, it's diluting pure fruit juice.

Do note I'm comparing it to my previous juicer though, so it might not be a fantastic comparison. But it's something to note if you're looking to buy U-like as a juicer and you're wondering about its functioning.

Blender
Blends ice cubes nicely. Try to use a small container because it is easier to get the cubes within reach of the blades. Shake the entire machine a little so that ice pieces which have been thrown upwards to the top of the container can be brought down to meet the blades again. Don't worry, the machine is sturdy and can sustain the force.
On a side note, do treat it nicely though! It will still break if you abuse it!

It's not 100% perfect but it's a good, simple & sturdy piece of machinery. I am liking it so far simply because it is EASY TO USE and EASY TO CLEAN! Major, major plus point! I am so tired of having to scrub the pulp out of my old juicer like mad after using it every time. Even my younger siblings like using U-like to make milkshakes and different flavoured ice-cream. Do be careful about the blades when handling though!
Oh it is partially water-proof too! Plus it is small and easy to store.

A review about a blender-cum-juicer.... I have officially graduated into auntie-hood.

whine whine whine

I should be a witch!
Then I'd be able to cast spells!

And maybe my life won't be so boring. OH HECK! WHAT AM I DOING?! I NEED TO MAKE MY LIFE MORE EXCITING! OOSH!

Right now is so not me...

Blogging

I was reading my blog when I realized that:

1) I am not writing as frequently as before
2) Content has changed in an undesired way
3) I miss writing
4) I like reading what I wrote

So just 5 seconds ago, I told myself, "I will blog more often again."
Then I started having this weird sensation like having butterflies, goosebumps, nervousness, excitedness, that wanting-to-shit-feeling, beginning in my stomach and spreading throughout my body. Wow, never knew I feel this much about blogging.

OK, fine, I admit, part of it is just because I really need to shit.

The Bad Service and The Good Service

Couple of days ago, I got my mind set on getting a Vibram FiveFingers. For those who do not know, the Vibram FFs are basically minimalist shoes, like gloves on your feet with rubber soles plastered on. They look like this:

And yes, they look weird. 

But that's not the point of the post. The point is that I had my mind set on getting a pair of Vibram FFs and was checking out the various stores. One of those I went to was Feder Sports at Peninsula Plaza. Following advice from a friend, there were 2 types of FFs between which I was undecided. As it was a pair of very expensive feet gloves (~$200 range), I wanted to be sure to pick the right type and right size, so naturally I visited the shop with the intention of trying on both types. 

At Feder Sports, I looked at the shoes on display and asked to try size 36 of shoe type 1. The size was in the store, so the lady nicely went to open the store and retrieved size 36 for me. I tried it on but it simply didn't feel right - a little too tight, I thought aloud. Thinking they knew a little bit more about the shoes and measurement of the feet for them, I asked her if she thinks it is the right size for me and if there's a way to measure my feet size. I had expected her to help me measure my feet. Instead, she said politely, "Your feet are 36 lah."

"OK, so maybe I was asking for too much. I'm sure she knows her stuff," I thought.

"I see... Could I try on the Bikila (the 2nd type of shoes) in size 36 then?" I ventured.

She took a Bikila in a different size and told me, nicely, to try on "for the feel first. Size 36 is in the store." I raised my eyebrow inwardly. I had a nagging feeling Vibram FFs are not meant to be "tried on for the feel" but I did as she suggested. Who am I to say that it doesn't work this way anyway?

"Hmm... I don't know..." I said after trying it on. "OK, I'll try size 36 then..." I said softly and hesitatingly. Hesitatingly because I could sense some unwillingness from her, also because I know she needed to go back to the store and I did not want to trouble her.

Perhaps I was too soft in volume, or perhaps my tone of voice was incorrect, but she did not follow my request. She merely put the shoe back on the shelf and tended to other things while I stood dumbly in the little, crowded shop. 

After a while I asked, "Uh, are you going to take size 36 for me?"

"It's in the store leh. I will go and take it out only if you want it. It takes about 15 minutes to get it," she replied nicely.

"Oh." I raised my eyebrow slightly, bewildered. "Never mind then, thanks." And I left the shop promptly with no intention of buying from them.

They weren't deliberately rude. In fact, the boss was kind and the lady was polite. Somehow though, the service and attitude just did not sit well with me. Wearing the FFs in that shop just did not feel right and I soon found out why when I visited Red Wing Shoes at Suntec City Mall.

The moment I was at Red Wing Shoes, the man asked if I knew my shoe size for the FFs. I told him I think it's size 36, based on my own measurement at home. He immediately sat me down and measured my feet for me - I turned out to be a size 37. No wonder wearing the FFs at the previous shop just did not feel right! At this point I had already decided I would definitely buy a pair from the shop. 

I asked for the 2 types of shoes to try, this time stating clearly beforehand that I wanted to try both types. He immediately asked me what is my purpose of buying the shoes. Was it for running on flat ground or rough terrains etc.? I swear I wanted to hug him! Finally, here was somebody whom I could ask questions about the FFs and at least get a decent response!

Needless to say, I bought the shoes from them. Service which was worth the price! Thank you, staff of Red Wing Shoes at Suntec City Mall! Both the man and the young lady! You two totally made my day!