Bohemia Bunny

The Funnerology Principle

Monthly Archives: March 2007

Schooling Strangeness

The longer I stay in NUS, the weirder it seems to get.

When I was a naive young freshman, you could have told me anything and I’d have happily nodded and agreed. That’s why we make such good psychology research subjects, we’re still not wise enough to the experimental designs.

But as I ventured out into the other faculties, I discovered that NUS can be very strange indeed. Besides the interesting modules one can take beneath the auspices of the stuffy Science faculty (Strings Theory, anyone?), even the exams can be a little unorthodox. I still say the prize goes to that 100-question fill-in-the-blanks final exam I took for Living With Chemistry. Nothing wrong with filling in the blanks, but for a final exam… it totally threw me for a curve.

And in between, the students spice up campus life as well. There’s the infamous lecture PowerPoint proposal by a hapless lovestruck chap. I can’t think of anything else that comes close to rivaling that for sheer gossip factor.

And today, my 9am-12pm class was shrunk to a 10am-11am class. For me, anyway. We were having an in-class quiz, which started later than usual to accommodate sleeping in, and I finished within the hour. So here I am, enjoying my already very-short day.

Yup, the longer you spend in here, the funnier and less routine life gets. In fact, I foresee that in my final year, I shall be spending practically no time at all in school. Fancy that!

Bubble Bubble, Toil And Trouble

*Paid Post*

Thanks to electrical kitchen appliances, we no longer have to do like the 3 Witches in Macbeth, and stand by the fire tending to our cooking. One of the most time-consuming kitchen tasks, especially in a Chinese kitchen, is simmering, such as for a stew or soup.

With a Crock Pot Slow Cooker, you can put all the ingredients into the pot, switch it on while you run errands or even go shopping, and come home to delicious smells coming from the pot. This is exactly what my mother does, and now that our crock pot has cracked, she’s on the lookout for a new one.

This site provides information on crock pots from Rival, a leading manufacturer of slow cookers. Their slow cookers come in different sizes to cater to different needs, and have various safety and convenience features. The website also has useful tips on choosing and buying a slow cooker, so that you can make your purchasing decision wisely.

Parents’ Partner Preferences

I got this from minishorts, via Cowboy Caleb. I don’t feel good about copying what is basically the backbone of the post, so I’ll just comment my way down the list.

My mother has never given me such a list, I guess she knows I’d wouldn’t listen. Plus I left home at 17, before I started dating, so I pretty much figured the game out on my own.

I’ve only ever dated Chinese guys, but not because my mum expressly told me to do so. Although I suppose she and my dad would have conniptions if I brought back a non-Chinese, I don’t think they would have a very strong case because there are interracial marriages in our family. It’s always so much easier when you have precedents.

They don’t have a case for making me date older guys either, because a couple of my relatives are older women-younger man pairings. Not like Demi and Ashton la, a few years difference only. Age doesn’t matter all that much to me anyway, I know some perfectly wonderful younger guys, and there are guys my age who behave like secondary school boys, so.

I’m sure they’d love a university graduate for a son-in-law, but that’s practically a given. My peers, friends, and assorted acquaintances were, are, or will be university students, so you say leh? Even a hardcore gambler wouldn’t wager against the house on this one.

I know most Chinese parents, especially, have this fear of their child marrying a Muslim. Again, my parents have no leg to stand on regarding this one. But because of my own religious beliefs, it’s unlikely I’ll end up becoming Lynn Chan Abdullah. They might have to prepare themselves for a church wedding, though, because I really like Catholic boys, for some reason. Must have been the years spent in a convent school, right opposite a Catholic boys’ school. Muahaha.

Actually, they might not be too happy with a Christian boy either. Chinese people can get quite morbid at times, and it wouldn’t surprise me if my mum said “You can’t become a Christian, because who will offer me joss-sticks when I’m dead?” *touchwood-knockwood-knockhead-throwsalt-dribblesalivasayagain* Yeah, it’ll be at that point that the religious tensions start simmering. Doo doo doo.

A teetotaler would have no fun in my family, because we drink and we’re not ashamed to say it. Besides, I’m one for the tipple myself, so my parents might actually prefer someone who loves his bottles too, in the interests of compatibility. Of course no one wants a drunkard, but seriously, it’s weird if you’re Chinese and you don’t drink. Those tales about Chinese guys not being able to hold their liquor are false, ok!

As far as dialect groups go, my parents themselves broke the rule, so they can’t say anything. In this day of kentangs who speak excellent English and rubbish Mandarin, I have more in common with a Hokkien boy from another state than I do with my Cantonese cousins from KL. I really don’t see why dialect groups would matter any more, since few of us subscribe to clan associations. Globalisation, baby!

And of course, the good old bugbear of money. Frankly, as long as he earns enough to support himself and doesn’t do a K-Fed on me, I’m good. Actually, I don’t see why parents should have any say in this, beyond concern for their child’s welfare. If he earns enough, then fine. Why say that it’s good if he shares his money with me, while leaving my money alone? My mum inculcated in me a sense of being financially independent, so the money double standard actually irks me quite a bit. Besides, are there guys out there who actually, wholeheartedly, subscribe to that “what’s yours is yours, what’s mine is also yours” philosophy? I thought not.

All things considered, it might be easier to win over my parents than it is to actually win me over. Heh.

Put Rainbows On Your Feet

*Paid Post*

The Active Sandals site, as the name suggests, offers a wide selection of Rainbow sandals at great prices. Rainbow Sandals is a footwear company that makes sandals, or as we call them here, slippers. However, these are not to be confused with your blue-and-white rubber slippers. Rainbow Sandals are made from premier leather and closed-cell rubber, and the sandal straps are hand-made to military specifications.

These rainbow sandals don’t come cheap, they’re in the same price range as Teva sport sandals, but the company guarantees its products for the life of the sole. The sandals come in flattering earthy shades as well. To add to its value for money, the sandals have a non-skid surface that fits itself to the unique shape of your feet, ensuring perfect comfort.

So You Think You Can Handle Hall Life

Hall stay applications for next semester have opened, and it’s time to dig up my dusty old post on hall life.

The NUS Hall Guide Round-up

I can’t be bothered to review them all once again, due ironically to hall commitments. In between performance practices, DnD meetings and school, I have barely any time left for myself. Instead, I have some hardened, cynical advice for the bright-eyed undergraduates-to-be who will soon enter hall life, not knowing what they’re getting themselves into.

Firstly, there is no best hall or worst hall. They all suck. Yes, all of them. Whether they’re riddled with staircases, have lousy food, or really insidious hall culture, each of them has at least one major flaw. Find the one with the flaw you can tolerate.

Secondly, do your research. One hall may be making the news for winning all the competitions, but if you like a quieter hall life, it might not be for you. The hall that gets its ass kicked at sports may put the others to shame when it comes to performance arts.

Thirdly, to be in hall is to conform. I know there will be many hall residents who will present themselves as the epitome of nonconformist cool. Well, maybe in some aspects. Like in that episode of South Park where the goth/emo kids conform through their non-conformity, being a rebel makes you part of the crowd. You smoke? Yeah, you and the rest of your corridor. You love to party all night and make out with random guys? Good, you’ll find other girls with similar interests. On a more serious note though, you can’t live in hall and not take part in hall life. They’ll force you to, and make you feel bad when you don’t. I should know, I send people on guilt trips all the time. I don’t care for supporting the sports teams, but I’ll pout and plead to get people to show up for our band gigs.

Finally, hall life does come at the expense of your own. Well, I had none to begin with, so that’s fine, but out-and-out hall life, the kind that makes you a 4-year resident and not a 1-year dabbler, will suck up your time with outside interests. It won’t eradicate it totally – after all, you should have some time management skills, right? – but there will be an impact. Many relationships start in hall, but many end because of it, too. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Hall life is an experience which I think everyone should have, at least for one semester. Of course, with NUS accommodation being limited, not everyone has a chance, but if you do, grab it. Not just for the kiasu factor, but just for the experience of it all. Living in hall sometimes feels like an extended school trip of the sort I went on back in secondary school. Late nights with friends, without parents to supervise. Left to handle your own time, with no one nagging you about your dirty room. The privilege of being able to just call friends for an outing on the spur of the moment. Shiokology.

Baby, When The Lights Go Out

*Paid Post*

Okay, this is an M18-rated post. It’s about lingerie, and more. Dimout.com sells all sorts of adult lifestyle products, from lacy lingerie to some really racy wearables, and gag gifts for bachelor parties or 21st-birthday presents.

It’s not all off-colour, there are some really lovely costumes that could actually make the cut for Halloween, such as a Snow Princess Costume. If you don’t feel like getting all lacy and frilly, there’s even a selection of leather lingerie to cater to your more aggressive side.

Ladies get a sweet deal from this side. The generously-endowed have a plus-size section for them, while those whose male partners have a good sense of humour can peruse the men’s lingerie section. I bet this is the first time you’ve ever heard of it!

The More You Share, The More You Get

Today I got a feel of the Singapore music community. I was at the Central Forum watching the second semi-finals of Jam Aloud 2007, a band competition organised by NUS Arts Club. For an inaugural competition organised by students, the bands that came down were really quite strong.

Out of 4 bands competing today, 3 got in. One of them really blew me away, and even though we’re up against them for the finals, I have nothing but admiration for them.

Ok la, at first I was perving the bass guitar. It was a gorgeous 6-stringer with a natural finish, and I just had to go ask the bassist about his beautiful instrument. He was perfectly friendly, and was very forthcoming about where he got it and how much he paid for it. We (meaning the dudes and I) introduced ourselves to the rest of the band members, and had a bit of a chat. You’d have thought it was a yum-cha session, there’s so little kiasuism and so much camaraderie.

That was the one thing I noticed most when I ventured into the guitar ‘underworld’ – so-called because it’s located in the basement. While the above-ground retail shops are reluctant even to call up other branches to ask about stock availability, the guitar shop owners are really helpful and will tell you where to get certain items if they don’t carry it themselves. The music community is one where the businessmen are in it for love, although of course they want to make money from it as well. There’s a real sense of community and belonging, and a tiny bit of that was present today at the Central Forum.

It’s a cliche but for good reason. Music (among other things, but for me it’s music) brings the most unlikely people together. Who’d have thought I’d be hanging out with Indians and Sri Lankans, listening to Metallica while exhorting them to give MUSE a try? This is what it’s like to really love music, to truly desire and yearn for it. To listen, to play, to create. I wasn’t a musician before. I could barely even call myself a pianist, merely a person who knew how to translate little black squiggles into key-presses. But now, it’s all about the beautiful sounds.

Music gives me a humility I sorely lack. It’s one field where I acknowledge my mediocrity, while striving to improve myself (unlike say, sports or drawing, where I just don’t care). The competition is secondary to watching true talent in action, and money can’t buy the feeling you get when a fellow musician compliments your performance. In the end, we’re all just devotees, and though we may seek the holy grail, true fulfilment lies in the quest itself.

Singapore Blog Ranking Site

*Paid Post*

There’s a new blog aggregator in town, sgBlogs.com. This site compiles the latest posts from Singaporean or Singapore-related blogs. It also displays Singapore Blogs Ranking information, for the inherently competitive. No prizes for guessing the top-ranked blogs.

The site is labeled an aggregator/portal/search engine and so on, so it’s really very all-in-one. Its automated blog ranking system considers the popularity of a blog, as well as the blog’s inbound links. SgBlogs.com seeks to be the centre of the Singapore blogosphere, and judging by the way it’s able to collect hundreds of blogs in one place, it has already got off to a good start.