Night # 106 to 109

Excuse Me... Are You a Tai Tai?

Stranger: So what do you do?
ME: I am a homemaker.
Stranger: A homemaker? Oh you are a tai tai!

I get that comment alot these days. For some reasons, I have been awfully uncomfortable with this label that hangs around my neck. Perhaps it is the connotation of the word or that I don't see myself in that role at all.

From Wikipedia, Tai tai is a term used in Chinese circles, which translates in its strictest sense as 'supreme wife' where a man is wealthy enough (Tai-pan) to have several wives. The term implies respect but it is no longer strictly interpreted. It now applies to the wife of a wealthy man who does not need to work for money. A Tai tai is a privileged lady of means.

Most importantly, to qualify as a Tai tai, one must have lots of leisure time, lots of money and lots of gossip to exchange.

Right... I have lots of leisure time, I don't have lots of money and I barely have enough gossip to pass around. Strangely, I always see tai tais are women who indulge themselves in manicure, pedicure, high teas, pampering sessions in the spas or hair salons, working out in some high class gym... In other words, they glam up to a fault, putting in alot of effort, not to forget money, to look their best.

I admired them for that, cause I for one, will start such regime with enthusiasm and only to lose interest after a month. It is some determination to consciously remember to put on makeup whenever you leave the house... and to conscientiously do the whole routine of removing the makeup, cleansing and toning... you get the picture...

So as I sit here with mud on my hair, I seriously doubt that I will qualify as a tai tai. Otherwise this mud treatment should be done in some hair salon and not me trying to do a diy version at home... it would ruin my nails, manicure and my expensive clothes don't you think so?

Night # 101 to 105

Tried out this Japanese restaurant over here. Food is so so but it was so expensive. I think I am spoilt. We have had better options back home... but beggars can't be choosers right?

Night # 101 to 105

It has been a while since my last entry.

Well, firstly, I got older, technically. I turned 32. I was actually looking forward to it. Can't exactly put my finger into it to explain why but perhaps it is the acceptance of many things in my life. Hubby asked why the difference in now as compared to when I turned 30 and 31. Do I now know where I am heading in life? Am I achieving what I seek to? The answer is still no to both. Yet, I sensed an inner peace of accepting it... and really so what? So what if I do not know where I am heading. Is that so bad that I should mop over it and groan that years have flown by and nothing much has changed? No. So what if I have not achieved what I seek? To begin with, what am I seeking? If I am not going to get an answer in that... what's the point in driving for some achievement that I am not even sure if that's what I want.

I know why I am contented at this age. For once, I feel that I am happy being me... being in my own skin. I am happy with how I look, how I feel... happy that I no longer have to spend the time and energy to please people whom I don't care about... happy that I no longer feel the pressure to pursue for things which ultimately are insignificant.

Back home, we are the ones who drove the pressure skyhigh. I am sure many of us do not see it that way. I mean, we are the very ones who lament about being stressful and having no time to pursue our own interests.. how can we be the ones who pushed up the stress level as well? We can't let go... So many of us just can't let go. It is like the game with 8 people with their thumbs supporting the hula hoop. We all want to lower it.. but subconsciously, we are the ones who kept it up and keep pushing it up.... cos, we were afraid to let go... we were afraid that we are the ones who are responsible for not making it... So it became a situation where, even though we see it as stupid and redundant, we will still do, otherwise we are perceived as the weakest link.

Maybe one day, one day I will miss that pressure... I will miss that competitiveness in life and I will feel brave enough to face it again... but I think it will be a situation where I may not be seen as relevant anymore?

Night # 100

HooRay!! I made it! Initially wanted to skip the night entry then I remembered that it is the 100th night, how can I miss it... Anyway M suggested that I try the meme he posted... my first but let's hope I last till the end.
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1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn on page 18 and find line 4.

"A small piece of cinnamon stick" One of the ingredient for Saffron Milk found in "The Flavour of Holland".

I brought with me some reliable cookbooks out here. Well especially that I am now a part-time cook, I am not even surprised that I grabbed a cookbook.

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.

And do what? There's nothing on my left except air.

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?

Martha Stewart... My goodness I am a goner...

4. Without looking, guess what time it is?

7.15 pm

5. Now look at the clock, what is the actual time?

7.25 pm

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?

The Air conditioning... It is so loud that even the silence is deafening.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?

This afternoon at 2.15 pm. I had to go for my run!!! Sob sob... I hate running.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?

The number of questions I had to answer... So many!! Thou shalt perservere only because this is the only meme I am going to do.

9. What are you wearing?

Errr... is that question necessary?

10. Did you dream last night?

Yes but I can't remember what it was... ask me again tomorrow morning.

11. When did you last laugh?

This evening I think. Don't you laugh everyday?

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?

Nothing. This is a rented apartment.

13. Seen anything weird lately?

I thought for 1 min... can't think of any.

14. What do you think of this quiz?

Too long. You know some questions are redundant... blah blah blah...

15. What is the last film you saw?

Firewall in Kuwait cinema. Air conditioning is nice not too cold like in Singapore.

16. If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would you buy?

Well.. not likely to happen yah? So not going to think about it.

17. Tell me something about you that I dunno.

who's the "I"?

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?

Everyone... be kind.

19. Do you like to dance?

Absolutely! When no one is watching.

20. George Bush.

Right... what shall I say about him? He's the president of USA... not?

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?

Dawn

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?

hmm... let me get baby first can?

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?

I am living abroad... Given the chance again... I would still make the same consideration.

24. What do you want GOD to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?

"Finally you made it."

25. Five (5) people who must also do this meme in their journal.

I don't even know if there are five people reading this blog. So whoever's willing... be my guest

Night # 99 - May Day

It's finally May... not that it made much difference this year. I tried posting a photo a couple of times but for some reason it isn't working. Will try again tomorrow.