Mango-steens.

Today is Women's Liberation Day. An unofficial one, of course. This day is not celebrated for the sake of sisterhood. Nor is it a joyous occasion for the achievement of equal rights for women. Anyway, we never really get equal rights based on gender, do we?

It is the day when Singaporean women exonerates their usual calm and composed image. For a single purpose. Shopping.

Woke up at an unearthly hour of 6am in the morning. With the sole purpose of getting to the much anticipated Mango sale. My sister and I left the house at 6.30am while my Dad was shaking his head in disapproval of our kiasu-ism. Even though the sale starts at 8.30am, there was already a snaking queue when we arrived at 7 plus. The power of Mango. Who can resist it?

The store opened at 8am. Half an hour earlier than promised. I could have sworn that it was close to a stampede. Women were trashing clothes about. Hanging on to clothes like they were free. You would never have known that there were so many women in Singapore from the turnout of the crowd. What appalled me the most was the behavior of the women. Some very "smart" women simply dumped a barrel of clothes on the ground. Right in front of the mirror. Hogging, I would say. Trying on clothes like nobody's business.

Even when queuing for payment, these women were still laying their hands on, on clothes. Who needs an Olympian when you can have these women throw a piece of dress 50 metres high into the air? Okay, so I was exaggerating. Nevertheless, it was.. REPULSIVE to see how some women (late 40s to 50s) can just send a piece of apparel flying onto the ground with deliberate intention when they realise that it was not to their liking. Excuse me. But how would you think your children would think when they see how you behave? Maybe they should behave the same way. Just fling their laundry on the ground and wait for Mummy dearest to pick up after them. The sales assistants are not your maid. And besides, you do not own that piece of clothing so how could you just hurl something on the ground just before you realise that you do not want to pay for it? Not a very pretty side, ladies.

I know I was at the sale. I wouldn't say I behaved with the most grace. But at least I made sure to apologise to people I knock against or peeps whom my hanger happened to get entangled with.

Enough said. I blew enough money today. Yixiao calls me "one of the crazy mamas standing in the queue". So only for today, we can proudly proclaim ourselves.. Mangosteens! Again I am going through that emotional guilt trip. Seeing my rapidly depleting reserves in the bank makes me dishearten. No more shopping. Slap me if I shop again. No, no! Not even online shopping. *Cross fingers*

Anyway, I am so confused now. I am absolutely torn between doing Summer classes and working for money. First of all, I really need money to get on with my life. I spend more than my allowance permits. Each month never fails to end without me feeling dreary and repentant. But each month never fails to start without something that I deem to be essential for purchase. Like contact lens, facial wash. All these cost me a bomb. If I really do work, then at least I will be able to start school with an adequant amount of money.

However, my Dad wants me to do my Summer classes. My dad reckons that making money should not be my priority until I graduate. And he isn't really crazy about the idea of me spending money on clothes and skincare each month. My reasoning with my dad (which failed miserably) was that he did not understand because he was a guy. My father feels that a bar of soap and water is all I need each month. Why do you need facial foam? I tried to put across the idea that I am a girl. And girls need to doll themselves and take care of themselves. I spend less than 40 bucks a month on food and the rest of my money simply goes to paying for clothes and blah blah..

I need to come up with a decision. Fast. I hate thinking. Argh!

Visitors at Sculpture Square.

Finally. Weekends again.

Seems like coon's age has passed before I can finally rest again. My mind is getting more and more restless. Each day spent at the gallery never fails to kickstart without a countdown. One more week to go.

Chao Chia came down to Sculpture Square yesterday to visit me. She brought along her boyfriend, Adrain. Really appreciate it, dear. Chao Chia was supposed to watch movie at Orchard but came down to Bugis. Thanks a lot!

Anyway, I gave them the grand tour that no other visitors at the museum ever had. Yesterday was the only day that passed really fast. Other than that..

Chao Chia told me a lot about her trip. Sounds really fun. And I have made up half a mind to migrate to Greece ever since she told me that the Greeks nap from 3-5pm before resuming work at 5pm for a few hours. Holy crap! I love this kind of lifestyle. Suits me really well. A power boost, how cool is that?

Anyway, we took a few pictures at the gallery.

This is really funny. The camera was set on timer on top of the huge donation box which Chao Chia's boyfriend carried over.

I look so washed out without makeup. But never mind, nobody can see me amidst the darkness.

They caught me on my most underdressed day. Believe me, I don't usually dress like that on other days.

I know I have said this before, but I will say this again. Thank you Chao Chia and Adrain!

What is my worth?

Never thought that movie marathon could be an uphill task. Or maybe I am getting old. Just sitting in Sculpture Square for 7 consecutive hours is sufficient to reduce me to Dopey.

I have been having some disturbing thoughts recently. There is nothing that I am good at. Nothing that I am really proud to say that I am proficient in. Other than shopping and sleeping, none of my endeavours seemed to go far. My piano is stuck in a rut. My flute playing skills has long thinned away. I want to find something that I am really good at. But I am not sure how to go about finding that something special. Eliz just posted me on the openings of broadcast journalists in school. Basically, the job scope would be to consolidate and write news segments. I am keen on trying this out. Nevertheless, this is something that I do not foresee myself to continue in the long run. My sister has her vocal lessons to call her own and she seems really happy in her little world of singing. I am contemplating picking up piano again. But there is presuming I have the time to practise weekly. Plus I would probably have to spend a year renewing my piano skills. Sigh.

I really envy people who have found what they think are their worth. Hopefully, I will be able to find mine one day.

Meditating.

Haven't been updating my blog for quite some time. All I have been doing for the past few days was mediating. Yes, mediating. Sitting alone in the darkness of some old Baba Medothist Church. Listening to weird music.

All in the name of completing my 80 hours of community service. This is such a letdown. I applied for this community service attachment in the first place because I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet people from different walks of life and to learn about different artworks.

Well at least my job description fits its name - gallery sitting. All I have done for the past few days were just sitting there. In an attempt to while away time and complete the donkeywork, I brought my laptop there. Armed with my movies. Just yesterday, I watched Duplex, Spiderman and 2 episodes of Smallville in the span of 7 hours. So now comes the million dollar question. Do I have enough movies to last me 80 hours? I am dreading the forthcoming weeks. So dear friends, if you happen to be free and happen to be in Bugis, do drop by Sculpture Square to look for me. Chitchat with me. Let me show you around the artworks. Whatever. I am more worried about something else now. How am I supposed to complete 4 pages of report to the Office of Career Services when my only elbow-grease for this attachment has been only to watch Smallville? Bloody hell.