Maybe I have become more cynical, but seriously, do more expensive roses and candlelit dinners truly show your love for "that" someone?!
By the way, I think I am as romantic as any other female. I adore long walks (in the gardens in Delhi OR perhaps the beach in Singapore) at sunset and I would never ever turn down roses ( just imagine, which by the way were once bought for me from the temeple across my office in Delhi!) or chocolates - all cliched tokens of love.
But honestly, I draw the line - at candlelit dinners, I would most certainly like to see what I am eating and preferably see the face sitting across me as well :)
In Singapore recently, a newspaper carried a special supplement giving ideas on what gifts to buy and where to spend Valentine's Day or night!.
Imagine some of the bizarre ideas and costs - a trip on the Singapore Flyer which comes with a glass of champagne each (no food mind you expcept a box of chocolates) @ SGD 390 for a 1/2 hour ride. The capsule will have a theme (I am presuming some photos of half naked babes (btw - why would I want my man to be oggling at them on this so called special day!) and some hearts hanging around!) with some background music. And by the way you if you do get into a lovey dovey mood, you gotta behave yourself because you would be sharing the capsule with 10 other couples!
And if you want complete privacy, then couples have to be prepared to pay SGD 3,990 to block the entire capsule for yourself.
Bizaare !
Instead, I would rather recommend that you book a london cab for SGD 250 which comes with your own violinist and 3 roses and a ride anywhere of your choice.
I have failed to understand why and how these opportunistic businesses jack-up prices on 14th Feb - right from roses to chocolates to just about anything. Perhaps over the years I have become more cynical (or should I say practical) as these grand gestures of amour become even grander.
Honestly, I have nothing against these couples who choose to sip champagne on giant ferris wheels or take the cable car dinner - if they can afford it and gives them their true love - good for them lah!
What would really make me go weak in the knees is someone cleaning my house, cooking (non-candlelit - for I dont want my house on fire rather than my heart), doing my grocery and laundry and ironing.
Guess this is no guys idea of romance.
But hey if I am beginning to sound like sour grapes then let me assure you that I am not some bitter old maid who has never been showered with Valentine roses (remember the ones from the temple once upon a time :)
And I was given a wrought iron (ugly) lion (because I am leo!) and a very delicate cut glass ganesh statue with a bell and some paulo cohelo books and some fab India tops)
Hey, If I have forgotten to say thank you - then I really really mean it today. From the bottom of my heart.
And for the times that I did not get a gift, I always remember this car sticker which said "I got you nothing because that's what you wanted. XYZ" - so forgiven :)
But on a serious note - if one is secure with each other that the relationship is not determind by "that" one day of the year, well, isn't that better than the chocolates and the flowers?!
Truly the best present is the gift of your heart and soul and commitment to "that" someone.
Shouldn't everyday be Valentine Day!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Drop your masks Hillary!
Super Tuesday was meant to be the day when everything about the US Presidential nomination races became clear.
But the results were pretty much on the contrary atleast for the Democrats.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama seem condemned to cotinue their long, weary battel for supremacy.
But the interesting thing emerging is the changing tacks of Mrs Clinton - masks she seems to be shedding or changing ever so frequently!
In her case, her campaign appears to be getting ready to undergo yet another transformation!
Uff - what all lusting for power can make one do!
This former first lady began the race by projecting herself as the inevitable winner.
When this did not work out, she listed her husband's support. Bill Clinton turned out to be a disaster for her - his appearances complete with personal attacks against Barack Obama, all backfired.
Now, we are witnessing the emergence of a third tack / mask of Mrs Clinton - implausibly portraying herself as the underdog!, the candidate with less money, a fragile person (crying at the drop of hat these days! - she did not cry when Bill was being impeached because of ' a little bit of Monica in his life'!) determined to continue the good fight!
Just yesterday I was planning to blog my support for you against critics of your wrinkles and age! I wanted to hail women power! But not now, not after todays reports. Just this morning I read in the newspapers that you have appealed to your financial backers by saying " I have never asked so much of you as I am now, but the need has never been greater"
whew!
The legendary Clinton machinery restoring to such desperate measures!
Mrs Clinton, your problems is that, at least in the near future, Mr Barack Obama will be doing all the running! Until you drop all the masks and reveal the REAL you, tears, wrinkles et all
BUT, my smart money is on Obama.
But the results were pretty much on the contrary atleast for the Democrats.
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama seem condemned to cotinue their long, weary battel for supremacy.
But the interesting thing emerging is the changing tacks of Mrs Clinton - masks she seems to be shedding or changing ever so frequently!
In her case, her campaign appears to be getting ready to undergo yet another transformation!
Uff - what all lusting for power can make one do!
This former first lady began the race by projecting herself as the inevitable winner.
When this did not work out, she listed her husband's support. Bill Clinton turned out to be a disaster for her - his appearances complete with personal attacks against Barack Obama, all backfired.
Now, we are witnessing the emergence of a third tack / mask of Mrs Clinton - implausibly portraying herself as the underdog!, the candidate with less money, a fragile person (crying at the drop of hat these days! - she did not cry when Bill was being impeached because of ' a little bit of Monica in his life'!) determined to continue the good fight!
Just yesterday I was planning to blog my support for you against critics of your wrinkles and age! I wanted to hail women power! But not now, not after todays reports. Just this morning I read in the newspapers that you have appealed to your financial backers by saying " I have never asked so much of you as I am now, but the need has never been greater"
whew!
The legendary Clinton machinery restoring to such desperate measures!
Mrs Clinton, your problems is that, at least in the near future, Mr Barack Obama will be doing all the running! Until you drop all the masks and reveal the REAL you, tears, wrinkles et all
BUT, my smart money is on Obama.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Obama ki "Maya"
I am self confessed Barack Obama fan.
Though mind you I have no love for America or Amercians as such!
This middle class small town man, African Amercian, has suddenly landed center stage and has caught the world's imagination and mine too :)
For some inexplicable reason I am becoming increasingly interested in geo-politics and personalities. And in the last few months two people have me gripped - UP's Mayawati and this Senator from Illinois, USA - Barack Obama.
The two come from humble backgrounds and from virtually no-where landed themselves on the respective national polotical secne. Both are relatively young and represent minrotries in their respective countries.
They both in a very uncanny way have played their election sums in a rather similar shrewd way. They both started by first getting the support of the majority races and then focusing on the miniority races. Obviously hoping that the miniority votes would come their way once the winds were blowing in their favour.
Mayawati won an unprecdented elecation in UP's history on the vote bank of the Brahamins, Muslims and the Dalit just happened to fall into the BSP ballot boxes.
The good looking, well spoken Barack Obama while insisting to the majority whites that this election is not about an African wnating to make history in the White House, is cashing in on this ethnic factor by far the most so far.
While he is not the first black presidential candidate, but then neither did Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988 no Reverened Al Sharpton in 2004 come as close to being nominated by democartic party.
While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may go hoasrse trying to convenience themseleves (atlest the outer fascade) and the American and the world that this election is not about gender or enthicity. But then these are the respective votes that both of them are banking on resepctively.
Ironically, Barack Obama has shattered the aura of invincibility that has shrouded Hillary Clinton. He is getting votes 1/3 votes from female voters. He is giving the Americans, irrespective of race or colour, the soaring message of hope and generational political changes, which is thrilling crowds wherever he has been travelling.
That's the aura and change the Mayawati has promised to deliver winning from the majority and delivering (hopefully) for the miniority dalits.
During my recent holidays, I happened to drive a lot around Noida, Greater Nodia, Aligarh etc in UP - change is in the air, its coming and coming fast (ofcourse with the rider that whatever develeopment is allowed has to be at the cost of major per centage going into the Maya-BSP kitty!)
But for the moment, keep your honest conscience at bay for the sake of the people of UP (and perhaps India for Maya seems to be slowly and gradually paving the road for "the" hot seat in New Delhi come 2009).
Anyways back to the USA elections. D despite the results of Super Tuesday results with Hilliary Clinton wearing her heart on her sleeve and tears in her eyes (by the way her wrinkles are all too visible) I am still rooting for Barack Obama.
Though mind you I have no love for America or Amercians as such!
This middle class small town man, African Amercian, has suddenly landed center stage and has caught the world's imagination and mine too :)
For some inexplicable reason I am becoming increasingly interested in geo-politics and personalities. And in the last few months two people have me gripped - UP's Mayawati and this Senator from Illinois, USA - Barack Obama.
The two come from humble backgrounds and from virtually no-where landed themselves on the respective national polotical secne. Both are relatively young and represent minrotries in their respective countries.
They both in a very uncanny way have played their election sums in a rather similar shrewd way. They both started by first getting the support of the majority races and then focusing on the miniority races. Obviously hoping that the miniority votes would come their way once the winds were blowing in their favour.
Mayawati won an unprecdented elecation in UP's history on the vote bank of the Brahamins, Muslims and the Dalit just happened to fall into the BSP ballot boxes.
The good looking, well spoken Barack Obama while insisting to the majority whites that this election is not about an African wnating to make history in the White House, is cashing in on this ethnic factor by far the most so far.
While he is not the first black presidential candidate, but then neither did Reverend Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988 no Reverened Al Sharpton in 2004 come as close to being nominated by democartic party.
While Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama may go hoasrse trying to convenience themseleves (atlest the outer fascade) and the American and the world that this election is not about gender or enthicity. But then these are the respective votes that both of them are banking on resepctively.
Ironically, Barack Obama has shattered the aura of invincibility that has shrouded Hillary Clinton. He is getting votes 1/3 votes from female voters. He is giving the Americans, irrespective of race or colour, the soaring message of hope and generational political changes, which is thrilling crowds wherever he has been travelling.
That's the aura and change the Mayawati has promised to deliver winning from the majority and delivering (hopefully) for the miniority dalits.
During my recent holidays, I happened to drive a lot around Noida, Greater Nodia, Aligarh etc in UP - change is in the air, its coming and coming fast (ofcourse with the rider that whatever develeopment is allowed has to be at the cost of major per centage going into the Maya-BSP kitty!)
But for the moment, keep your honest conscience at bay for the sake of the people of UP (and perhaps India for Maya seems to be slowly and gradually paving the road for "the" hot seat in New Delhi come 2009).
Anyways back to the USA elections. D despite the results of Super Tuesday results with Hilliary Clinton wearing her heart on her sleeve and tears in her eyes (by the way her wrinkles are all too visible) I am still rooting for Barack Obama.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
(cute) English-Chinese translations
Living in Singapore for the last two years has really got me liking the cute Singaporean people and their 'sininglish' with all the "lah's" and "can can" and "can or not" which actually is supposed to be cannot!
Another favourite Singaporean phrase is "why you so like dat"!
I came across some English-Chinese translations recently.
Enjoy ................Cute ahah?!
If you read the chinese bit slowly, very slowly, some sound very similar to english.
Are you harboring a fugitive? Hu Yu Hai Ding?
Small Horse: Tai Ni Po Ni
Did you go to the beach? Wai Yu So Tan?
I bumped into a coffee table: Ai Bang Mai Ni
Has your flight been delayed? Hao Long Wei Ting?
An unauthorized execution: Lin Ching
I thought you were on a diet: Wai Yu Mun Ching?
He's cleaning his automobile: Wa Shing Ka
I think you need a facelift: Chin Tu Fat
Another favourite Singaporean phrase is "why you so like dat"!
I came across some English-Chinese translations recently.
Enjoy ................Cute ahah?!
If you read the chinese bit slowly, very slowly, some sound very similar to english.
Are you harboring a fugitive? Hu Yu Hai Ding?
Small Horse: Tai Ni Po Ni
Did you go to the beach? Wai Yu So Tan?
I bumped into a coffee table: Ai Bang Mai Ni
Has your flight been delayed? Hao Long Wei Ting?
An unauthorized execution: Lin Ching
I thought you were on a diet: Wai Yu Mun Ching?
He's cleaning his automobile: Wa Shing Ka
I think you need a facelift: Chin Tu Fat
Tragic Legacy
Last few days I have been quite literally gripped with the Bhutto assaniation saga!
Her young (good looking) and in-experienced son and her 10% per cent husband (looks like a total rogue!).........all this and more is pretty fascinating and intriguing.
Since then it got me thinking about these oh so (after death, for some) famous political dynasties all liked by a common thread of meteoric rise and grave tragedies - the Gandhi's, the Bhutto's and the Kennedy's.
The assaniation of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi recently marked the end of yet another so called dazzling star. 28 years ago, her father Zulfiqar Bhutto was hanged by the military rule. Then sadly, both of Benzair's brothers - Shahnawaz and Murtaza died in mysterious circumstances - the former it seems was found dead in the French Riviera apartment (really wonder where they get this kind of money and luxury!) in 1985, the latter was killed in a police encounter in 1996 when Benazir was PM (if you please).
Similar uncanny similarities to the tragedies befell the Gandhi family in India.
Indira Gandhi gets killed by her own body gurards when she is PM in 1984, then her recluctant successor, Rajiv Gandhi is also assaniated by LTTE in TN (I for the life of me cant spell or pronounce the name of that place) seven years later in a similar way as Benzair was bidding for another term in office.
Oh and Sanjay Gandhi, another prodigal Gandhi son, dies in a plane crash in 1980, shortly after his mother made a triumphant return to office.
The fate of the Kennedy dynasty in USA seems has also been pretty similar and tragic.
JKF as assaniated in Dallas in 1963. Brother Robert is shot dead some five years later and son JFK Jr dies in a plane crash in 1999.
Fascinating and uncanny!
Her young (good looking) and in-experienced son and her 10% per cent husband (looks like a total rogue!).........all this and more is pretty fascinating and intriguing.
Since then it got me thinking about these oh so (after death, for some) famous political dynasties all liked by a common thread of meteoric rise and grave tragedies - the Gandhi's, the Bhutto's and the Kennedy's.
The assaniation of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi recently marked the end of yet another so called dazzling star. 28 years ago, her father Zulfiqar Bhutto was hanged by the military rule. Then sadly, both of Benzair's brothers - Shahnawaz and Murtaza died in mysterious circumstances - the former it seems was found dead in the French Riviera apartment (really wonder where they get this kind of money and luxury!) in 1985, the latter was killed in a police encounter in 1996 when Benazir was PM (if you please).
Similar uncanny similarities to the tragedies befell the Gandhi family in India.
Indira Gandhi gets killed by her own body gurards when she is PM in 1984, then her recluctant successor, Rajiv Gandhi is also assaniated by LTTE in TN (I for the life of me cant spell or pronounce the name of that place) seven years later in a similar way as Benzair was bidding for another term in office.
Oh and Sanjay Gandhi, another prodigal Gandhi son, dies in a plane crash in 1980, shortly after his mother made a triumphant return to office.
The fate of the Kennedy dynasty in USA seems has also been pretty similar and tragic.
JKF as assaniated in Dallas in 1963. Brother Robert is shot dead some five years later and son JFK Jr dies in a plane crash in 1999.
Fascinating and uncanny!
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