I wonder since when it is that we have become so caught up in our own lives that other people have become merely ornaments. How well do we really know those beside us, those that we are supposedly closest to, be it family or friends. How long has it been since you have a heart-to-heart talk with your parents, siblings or close friend to understand what they are thinking or what's happening in their world other than the part we see?

There are times I wish I could show concern and help, but I'm at a lost at how to approach it. Perhaps it's embarassment. Perhaps it's just laziness. Perhaps it's that we don't have the habit of chatting about 'deep' issues or perhaps it's that conversation normally brushes only the surface. Perhaps it's that I wouldn't know how to console or react, therefore I don't ask. But maybe, sometimes it's just good enough to provide a listening ear.

# posted by Shopaholic : 10:57 AM

Pretty Woman was showing on late night movies again last night, after Amercian Idol 4. I had it taped on my video. I never seem to get tired of watching it, no matter how many reruns Channel 5 does of it. Soooooo romantic!

# posted by Shopaholic : 6:18 PM

I just completed a picture of YY and revised the flowery header to include him.

# posted by Shopaholic : 5:37 PM

My latest haul from the post-Christmas sales, all at 70% off. A pink beaded FCUK top. I love the details on this top although I would have preferred it in black. Too bad my size was sold out for black. Another pink FCUK top with gold trimmings and a cream-colored flowery Warehouse top.

So there I have my Chinese New Year outfits settled.

# posted by Shopaholic : 11:33 PM

Check out this site, Protoculture, for cool T-shirts! I especially love the 2 flower designs.

# posted by Shopaholic : 9:59 PM

New header, lots and lots of flowers. I had another idea for the layout in my head but as usual, my skills ain't quite there yet.

# posted by Shopaholic : 1:14 PM

Those who know me would probably also know that I'm a TV addict. Therefore, it was absolutely terrible when my TV conked out 3 weeks ago and it took the repairman so long to fix it. Something about hard-to-find spare parts for Thomson TV. Anyway, he finally brought back today. I was so happy initially that I didn't notice until he left. It wasn't mine. *Bleah* Apparently, he mixed it up with another similiar TV he was repairing at the same time.

# posted by Shopaholic : 11:27 AM

I finally got off my butt last night and headed for gym after work. Nearly died on the treadmill. After 15min, I was panting heavily and couldn't last the normal 45min I normally clocked.

# posted by Shopaholic : 11:21 AM

In response to Phil's request.....

To Set Windows XP to fully support Additional Languages:
1. Click Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options.
2. Under Languages tab put check mark on "Install files for East Asian Languages" then click Apply.
3. Return to Regional and Language Options window.
4. Go to Advanced tab, under Code page conversation tables scroll through the list and make sure to put a check mark for all Chinese listing, click Apply then OK.

To enable Chinese input:
1. Under Languages tab > Text Services and Input Languages > Details.
2. Choose "Add" for Installed Services.
3. Select preferred option. (I use Chinese PRC for hanyu pinyin input)

Hope the above helps.

# posted by Shopaholic : 10:48 PM

OOoh, it's time for Blog Awards once again. Go submit your nominations for 2005, preferably for me. Shameless self-promotion.

# posted by Shopaholic : 11:28 AM

I am updating my links, so if you have recently added me or wish to do a link exchange, please drop me an email at shopaholic@gmail.com. Please note that links will be added at my pleasure and I do not entertain copycats.

# posted by Shopaholic : 10:54 AM

今天刚学会怎么用 Windows XP 的华语输入法。非常简单而且不需要下载新的软件。Cool!

(I just learnt how to set my Windows XP to type Chinese characters. Extremely easy and it doesn't require me to install additional software. Cool!)

# posted by Shopaholic : 11:54 PM

Note: I am changing SL's nick to YY.

24th Dec 04 - X'mas Eve
YY's flight touched down in Changi airport at 11:00pm and I met him by the gate at 11:45pm. One big hug and many kisses later, we are our way to Bt Timah for supper - cheese and mushroom roti prata at the Indian shop opposite Beauty World Plaza. I was there from 12:00am - 1:00am. I heard Workaholic, Nic-aholic and her BF was there at 3:00am. Too bad we didn't meet. If not, I can finally introduce them.

25th Dec 04 - X'mas Day
Original plan was for us to have breakfast at Botanic Garden Café Les Amis and then take a slow walk, coming back in the afternoon to rest before a nice X'mas dinner at Capella, Chijmes. However, all our plans went haywire.

First, we overslept, so we were too late for breakfast. Second, it rained, so no walk either. In the end, we went to Chua Chu Kang Lot 1 for lunch (Suki Sushi) and then catch a movie Kung Fu Hustle by Stephen Chow. I didn't want to go to town as we were going there for dinner later in the evening.

The movie was one of the better Stephen Chow movie I watched. Sometimes, his slapstick humor can be so crappy it's stupid but Kung Fu Hustle's cinematic effects somehow remind me that of The Matrix.

On the way back home in the LRT, this couple was sitting diagonally beside us and the man kept staring. At what? I don't know. Anyway, it was rude and YY glared back at him.

Both tired, we took a nap and by the time we woke up at 7:30pm, we have missed our reservation time at Capella. In the end, we decided to postpone the dinner till the next night and headed to Newton hawker centre for a quick bite instead. There, because I wanted him to try out the local food, we ordered so much we were both choking by the time we finish ..... BBQ chili stingray, sotong, kailan (vege), char kway tiao, plus we da bao (takeaway) satay and rojak.

After dropping the takeaway food home at 11:00pm, we headed downstairs for a walk by the canal. This is the route I take home from the bus stop if I choose not to take the LRT. It's a really nice path with soft lighting, trees, flowers and little benches by the side. Often cool and breezy in the evenings/ nights, there are always people jogging, walking their dogs, or simply couples enjoying a slow stroll after dinner. I used to be envious when looking at these couples, thinking how sweet it must be. Now, I know the feeling. Very warm indeed . I wouldn't mind getting off my lazy butt everyday if YY's walking with me.

26th Dec 04 - Boxing Day
I dragged him out early in the morning at 9:30am, determined not to give in to the urge to spend another lazy day at home. Finally, the weather was kind to us and it was a fair, sunny day. We hopped onto a cab to the Botanic Garden Visitor Centre where Café Les Amis is located. Beautiful place, very relaxed atmosphere and extremely popular with dog owners as they can bring their beloved pets here. We had the western breakfast set which costs about S$10. A tad expensive but well worth it for the experience. I had ordered a chocolate cake for X'mas(which I tried before when my auntie bought one) and we brought 2 slices with us. Rich, thick dark chocolate oozing out in between thin layers of cake.....heavenly.

We then exercised it all off by exploring the Botanic Garden grounds. From the Visitor Centre to the Orchid Garden to the Ginger Garden, back to the Eco Lake near Bt Timah, I think we walked for about 2 hours. We took plenty of photos (a few of which I've posted here) and generally had a jolly good time. Lots of laughter and never a lack of conversation. YY just makes me feel very comfortable and at ease around him, so much so that I can be silly and idiotic.

Lunch was settled at Adams Road hawker centre where we had nasi padang (Malay fried rice), mee soto, ice kachang and qing teng. Back home, we toyed with my computer took a nap.

Finally, our postponed dinner at Michelangelos, at Chip Bee Gardens near Holland Village. Again, the food was delicious. For appetizer, we shared a duck and crayfish salad and for mains, marget di canard (duck) and veal marco.

27th Dec 04 - Departure Day
Alas, time to part once again. Time passes too fast when it should be slow and too slow when it should be fast. I was only slightly consoled by the fact that we have another holiday in store for the Chinese New Year break.

# posted by Shopaholic : 8:06 PM

Happy New Year to all! I hope 2005 will be a year free of wild-spread diseases, terrorism and natural disasters. I hope I can be a better person in that I am less lazy and more patient. I wish for all my family and friends (and myself of course) to be in good health.

# posted by Shopaholic : 1:15 PM