Shattered Glass

Yesterday afternoon I watched a Cruise/Wagner movie called "Shattered Glass". The movie depicts a true story of how a young journalist, Stephen Glass, in his quest for fast fame and recognition, resort to writing fiction and passing them off as fact in an exclusive magazine of Air Force One, known as The New Republic. There were never any doubts on his stories, because there apparently was no other way to verify the facts other than from his notes, which he had carefully written to make sure he covered his tracks well. Until the editor of another magazine company Forbes, read his article on hackers, and reprimanded his reporter for not having got to the story, did this reporter launched an investigation to verify the facts. The story unfolded with Glass cooking up more lies after lies to cover up. He became disillusioned and was so convinced he had been at the venue of reporting. Of course the movie raised some ethical issues of journalism, but what really scared me was how fiction can be passed off as fact without the average reader realising it. Of course it is almost impossible for the average reader to fact checked, or even have any reason to doubt an article, so I had this wacky thought:

What if one day we wake up and realise that everyday we lived has been a lie? That whatever we read in the papers or watch on television were all made up by some larger force? That really we had just been leading mundane lives, going through the motions with nothing exciting at all happening. That 911, tsunami were all but scenes filmed in a studio and that there never did exist a World Trade Centre to begin with.

That is such a scary thought, the thought of having been manipulated, the thought of losing something we have taken for granted for so long.

Then again it's just my two cents worth. For now, I don't see a reason not to believe in whatever I read and watch so my faith still holds.

Charming Kid

Isn't he charming?
This baby sat in the cart, entertaining himself while I hovered around him trying to get some up close and personal shots. This is one of the most candid ones I got as he obviously enjoyed the attention. I headed off to get some food and when I returned about 20 minutes later, the cart he was sitting on was transformed into a makeshift stall selling china, while he stands on the ground, tugging at his mother for something to play with.

Hmm...actually, now that I mention, I'm not sure of this baby's gender. Oops...

Intro to Beijing Hutong Toilet

The first thing that hits the moment I stood outside was the smell of all things unwanted. Even though I had a mental picture of what the inside would look like, I braved myself for the worst when I stepped in. Yes, this is the female toilet located in a Hutong.

The moment I touched down Beijing airport at 3pm, the weather was grey and there were mobs of people everywhere, picking people up, offering to send foreign tourists like me to wherever I wanted to go, waiting for one another...you get the idea.

It must have been fate for I got into a queue and hopped into one of the better cabs in Beijing -- a black Hyundai Sonata. My luggage was huge, so that went into the backseat along with my backpack, and I had to plonk myself next to the driver. He was a tall man, probably about 40 or early 50s. Has a very round face with a shiny bald head and generally a look of "good fortune". He initiated conversation, asking me where I was from, what I was doing there and I took the opportunity to tell him about my purpose of visit which was to understand more about Old Beijing and all things related to Hutongs. He happened to live in a Hutong so he was all the more glad to share his knowledge with me. My topic fascinated him and made him very pleased because at least someone is interested in what seems to be neglected in the country. So anyway, as he got more excited than I was about my FYP topic, he asked if I wanted to visit this Hutong where they were rebuilding the toilets. Being completely ignorant, I enthusiastically agreed and he took me to see one revamped toilet, one that was in the process of being built and the old one, all located within walking distance from one another.

In the Hutongs, there are no toilets within the living area. I call them living area because for some, it's merely a roof over their heads and a small bedroom. I hardly call that a house. Anyway, there are a few such toilets being located around the Hutongs, but the idea is, everyone heads to one of these when they needed to rid the toxins, and mind you, there are no flushes or water pails as you can see from the picture. Everything just goes into the hole and stays there. Imagine the houseflies buzzing around, kissing your ass while you go about with your business. Not to mention the thought of them landing on your face...eww...




I sneaked this picture of the old lady as she was coming out. Just to prove that it is actually being used.

Anyway, enough of toilets. Of course eventually I ended up at the youth hostel, but this toilet expedition sure was a way to start my journey on discovering Hutongs and the way of life. There's too much to say and I shall leave it for some other time.

A bit about the journey home before I forget. Spent Mid Autumn Festival on the plane. Ok, it was the day after considerng it past midnight, but admiring the moon from the plane window is romantic in some drowsy way. Landed at Changi Airport at 5.35am, got out at about 6.05am, went to class at 9am (was actually on time considering I left home at 8.20 am and did not speed), had an exam at 3pm, went for a manicure at 5pm, fell asleep for 20 mins and headed home. Spent 2 hours unpacking, clearing mail and sorting myself out.

Phew, what a long day. I think I'm ready to knock out.

布鞋

记得小时候，最喜欢吵着妈妈要一双这样的鞋。学校的小女生都穿这样的布鞋。爸爸不让我买，就是比叫实际，说这种布鞋不耐穿，而且上体育课时不理想。
结果，我穿的就跟班上男生穿的一样，又大又重，一点都不小巧　。　

当时我很埋怨，因为个子小穿在脚上的鞋又大又丑。而且自己还被逼剪短发，根本都不想小女生。
也许是完芭比娃娃的原因吧，女孩都应该是长发的，　脚小小，走路婀娜
多姿。

长大了一点之后，自己开始有些储蓄，就跟自己买了一双这样的布鞋。当时已经不完全是小女孩了，但那种款式的布鞋还蛮流行的。

其实，这款的布鞋并不比那些比较粗野男装行的鞋贵，因为老实说这种鞋的底层很薄，走多了，脚板会疼。而且一点都不耐，经不起草场上的蹂躏。

回想起来，可能当的时班上的女同学都羡慕我有一双很舒服的鞋也说不定。可能她们家里不想花多余的钱买一双比较耐的鞋，毕竟，通常家里比较穷的人所穿的鞋都是这款的。看看 “跑吧！孩子”　里的鞋就知道了，再看看我往胡同里钻时，所拍到的这张照片。这种布鞋变成了一种家境的象征，所以我真的生在福中不知福。

Get your story published!

The Score -- Dating In Singapore

We're seeking stories on dating in Singapore for a book called "The Score." We are looking for true, funny stories about your best or worst attempts to pick up someone you found attractive. In the club, in the library, at the bookstore, at the cinema, the gym, anywhere. We are interested in the shocking, the original and the absolutely funny. Include the outcome of the move in your story. If the conclusion is sexy, even better. Stories should be between 200 and 1000 words. Email your story, your name as you would like it to appear in the book and your sex, age, occupation and contact details to editor.thescore@gmail.com. We will notify you if your story is selected.

Staying awake

Here I am sitting at the lobby of Evason Phuket, eyes half closing, wind blowing hair in my face and trying very hard to stay awake because tis is the only place in the entire resort that has wireless internet for free. The resort is, I would consider one of the many Banyan Tree imitations of Phuket. Very high class type of resort that has matching shower gel/shampoo/lotion/hand soap ceramic containers and matching lemongrass scenets too! Honestly, I'm not too used to being in such a good quality resort because most of the time when I travel, budget is always a concern but this place attracts a lot of Caucasians and Japanese. I haven't seen any other Singaporean in sight. Then again it could be the time of the year and time of the week. Who comes to Phuket on a Monday?

Service is excellent in the land of smiles, everyone is polite and everywhere is clean, neat and ambient-driven. In the dining area which is called Into Restaurant, there's live music. Breakfast we have someone playing classical pieces on the grand piano, dinner we have traditional thai dance and music. The tables and chairs overlooks the Andaman Sea which is hardly like our East Coast. At night, u hear the waves but don't see them, in the day you see them but don't hear them that much. It's quite a refreshing experience but I would say leave it for the couples.

The rooms are way too romantic for friends. I can't see two platonic friends of opposite sex sharing the room without feeling claustrophobic. The rooms are way too cozy, the lighting is orangey and can be dimmed to ur preference. The beds have mosquito nettings that just screams "love". Of cos this is just the single room, there are larger rooms that has a dvd player and sound amplifier with a much larger bathroom and a room that can accomodate up to 4 persons. They have day beds in every room, so even in my room, other than the huge double bed, which can accomodate 3 of me comfortable, there's a day bed that can sleep another one. But that defeats the purpose doesn't it, since this is not exactly branded as a budget hotel or youth hostel, so why would anyone want to have so many people in their tiny single room?

I like the ambience of tis place because there isnt anything else for u to do except sit and chill,. There are a few pools u can go to and there are shuttle buses to ferry u from place to place within the resort for free. But going to Patong Beach area would cost $210SGD to rent an entire vehicle for one way travel which takes half an hour. Way too long and by the time u get there, u're kinda sleepy from the ride. Otherwise, there's the Six Senses Resort Spa for u to pamper and relax for half the price of those services offered in Beaufort Sentosa. Their toilets here are amazingingly decorated which reflects the time and effort and extra mile they go to making the whole experience complete. U can spend half an hour in the toilet just soaking in the essential oils and indulging in the same lemongrass scented hand soap/lotion that is available throughout the entire resort.

This is beginning to sound like a review, although come to think of it, this is good first hand stuff for my online journ project, so I shall leave it as it is. My eyes are failing me and if I don't sleep I'm going to get a headache soon. I've never felt so tired from a photo shoot before and for a swimwear issue, I've done at least 10 outfits today. Can u imagine the locations we had to run? Conking out in 5,4,3,2,1. Zzz.