Pseudonyms

Something in the way I pronounce my name almost always gets the staff at The Coffee Bean spelling it as "Elson". At first, I thought it was because I spoke too fast, so I slowed it down. AIR-LE-SEN. Nope. Still "Elson". That's it. Next time, I'm just gonna give a fake name.

I remember my lecturer telling us about that time he freaked out some poor teenager when he told her his name was Osama. It was hilarious cos my lecturer was an Arab. :p Another time, he told this dude his name was Daffy Duck without batting an eyelid. Heh. I've been inspired ever since, but it always slips my mind. Remind me about it next time you're with me, okay? ;)

I'm feeling: Excited
I'm listening to: They Stood Up For Love - Live

Turkey & Avocado Wrap

Mum and I wanted to have something light for dinner last night, so we went to the supermarket after a very good shopping bout (heheh), and we decided to make Turkey & Avocado Wraps.

It turned out great and I swear, I could easily down 4 wraps at a go if I were that hungry. Although, that probably wouldn't be a "light dinner" anymore. Anyhow, it's really easy to make. I didn't have to run around the kitchen or take out any sort of pan. Just dice, slice and wrap. :)

Preparing the wrap


All ready to eat

I'm feeling: Calm
I'm listening to: Goodbye For Now - P.O.D.

Say hi to the newest "moulder of minds"

I've officially been accepted as a member of the Ministry and will soon be entertaining you with my copious frustrations with bloodsucking teenagers.

Nonetheless, I'm thrilled, to say the least. It's been a long and almost tumultuous wait, and I'm truly thankful that the Lord has provided me with such a favourable answer. :) I'm also relieved, of course, since I now enjoy greater certainty, career/salary-wise - although I can't really see teaching as a big money-making "career". At the risk of sounding ignorant, teaching's just not one of those jobs where you exploit situations and sleep your way to the top. At least not from my point of view.

Now, I can only pray that I'll be able to remain focused on my aim and make God proud. I'd really hate to be one of those teachers who start out all passionate and driven, only to end up debilitated and constantly snarling at the System. If that ever happens, please, slap me.

In the meantime, I'm gonna enjoy the rest of my time off before I dive right back into the workforce. Oh, how I'm gonna miss you, long and lazy days. I know I'm gonna look back very fondly on you when I have my head buried in exam scripts.

I'm feeling: Gratified
I'm listening to: Space Oddity - David Bowie

This is Rock Star

It was emotional, it was almost flawless. I would have never expected it from this guy, but his performance completely blew me away last night:

I'm feeling: Awe-struck
I'm listening to: Losing My Religion - Ryan Star

Triumphant

Dia and I had a pretty good time at Fitness First yesterday. It was fun working out together and I think we had more laughs than was acceptable at a typical gym. Hee. :p After our 45-minute session which included both cardio and strength, I can safely say we both woke up to wobbly knees this morning.

We were definitely impressed by the service and facilities, and the programs they had running. I know I was quite interested in some of them. But paying over $100 per month, on top of a highly exorbitant one-time joining fee was just too ridiculous. Granted, we were offered "special rates", so a lot of money was to be saved, but aren't these "special rates" always used to entice mere everyday folk like you and me? I sure as hell was not gonna be sucked in.

Luckily for us, they could sense our lack of interest and - I'm really thankful for this - didn't push us to sign up with them. In fact, their whole approach wasn't agressive at all, and I definitely have new-found respect for these guys.

I guess if I ever earn enough and these guys open up a gym near my place (location is everything to me, dahhling!), I may sign up with them. Till then, I'm more than happy with that fitness park across the street and the pool just two blocks from here. Yay to cheap healthy living! ;)

I'm feeling: Beat
I'm listening to: Paper Aeroplane - Angus & Julia Stone

Better living?

After asking for the third time, I finally relented and agreed to accompany Dia to Fitness First this evening.

I've always been rather skeptical about gyms. I've heard the horror stories of the loud and obnoxious gym instructors yelling at you, the exorbitant membership fees, and how it's so incredibly difficult to get out of it once you've committed to a year of "extensive privileges". If you ask me, gyms sound like a hell hole. I'm sure not all are like that, but those that are, they scare me.

So I decided to check out the Fitness First website, and the first thing that greeted me was this fancy flash animation with pictures of very well-toned people alongside taglines that read "Endurance wasn't built in a day" and "A strong mind starts with a fit body". Okay, so far, it still seems pretty harmless. Then I noticed it on the top right-hand corner - "We take your fitness personally". Omg. This is gonna be one of those gyms isn't it? I'm gonna have some bloody annoying dude screaming in my ear to "DO IT!" or "WORK IT!". I suddenly have images of White Goodman clouding my thoughts now. I mean, these guys take my fitness personally! The slogan's probably just trying to imply that we're guaranteed personal attention, but I don't like how they've emphasised on the word "personally". It seems so... invasive.

Nonetheless, I continued looking for more information. Okay, there's the usual Body Combat, Body Pump... RPM? Huh.

RPM® is exclusive to Fitness First in Singapore! It is a fun, athletic, cardiovascular cycling class – the ultimate calorie killer. Start peddling and let go as the music takes you on the ride of your life along various terrains, speeds and intensities. Go at your own pace and enjoy a group exercise session full of motivation and sweat!

"Go at your own pace". Now, I like the sound of that. It's my first time at the gym, I really don't need some crazy instuctor dude telling me how slow I am. Too much pressure! However, neither of us can cycle. So unless the whole thing's done on exercise bikes, we'll have to forget about the RPM.

Alright, tonight, I'm gonna go with an open mind. Maybe it's not so bad. Perhaps I'm just being paranoid. Who knows? I may end up loving it! One thing for sure, I'm not gonna hesitate to kick someone and run out of there if things start to get scary.

I'm feeling: Doubtful

I'm listening to: Dusk and Summer - Dashboard Confessional

The child in me

Every Tuesday morning feels like Christmas morning.

I wake up all happy and excited as I eagerly turn on my computer and log on to Threadless. The anticipation as the page loads is exactly like unwrapping a present. Then, the new designs pop up on screen and I start ooh-ing and aah-ing at the ones I like, all the time keeping a mental note to get them as soon as the $10 sale is on. Heh.

Most of the new designs this week didn't quite strike a chord with me, but this one, I absolutely love:

A Spaceboy Retrospective by Kevin Tong


I adore the colours on this one, and there's a certain feel-good nostalgia about this. It brings me back to my childhood where imaginations ran wild and imaginary friends were aplenty. I remember days when I ran up and down the stairs pretending to be a cop, a burglar, a chef in a busy restaurant, a fireman, a modern-day hunter, an astronaut, a doctor... All my stuffed toys would play their roles to perfection and there were no dramas between them cos I always made sure I rotated their leading-man status. (I've always been fair, even to my toys.) Then my parents would come home and get really mad when they've realised I've not done any homework all day. And there'll be more running up and down the stairs as I try to escape their fury, complete with a cane in hand.

Ah, the memories. :)

I'm feeling: Sentimental
I'm listening to: So Long, So Long - Dashboard Confessional