Getting Help Or Just In For The Free Ride?

Was watching a few shows that have been airing on weekdays between 1 and 6 in the morning, and an episode of "Food 911" that got me wondering if some people got themselves on certain shows because they truly needed the help? On this particular episode, the couple being helped seem to be more interested in eating than learning how to prepare it. It just happens that the host of the show brought them out to see how the masters of the trade created their pieces of work. What was disgusting to watch was that instead of taking notes on what the masters were doing, they showed more enthusiasm when the food was presented to them to have a taste. Worst bit was how they devoured the food like such gluttons, stuffing it into their mouths to the point their nostrils flare up just so they can breathe. And that was even before they tried their hands at making their own food. Maybe it's the strict hygiene practices that I've had to follow at work, or it's just the way this couple turns me off, but the way they did things just had me complaining to Amy about it.

Following this show was "Oprah", and it just shows the other end of the spectrum. The people featured on this particular episode desperately needed some help with their homes. Maybe they couldn't afford the home make-overs that was given to them, but the gratitude shown for what they've been given at least gives you an inkling of how much they have wanted, and needed, the help.

Well, if I was to be a bit more skeptical about people, I'd say that some people are really good actors who know how to win over people's hearts and tug at their pursestrings. However, it is not really hard to see the difference between someone who really needed the help, and someone who wrote in, hoping that they would get some freebie off a show. There are many shows that seem to be giving out help to people these days, especially after the economy took a turn for the worst. At the same time, you can see a few people who are writing in just to try their luck to get something. Maybe it's the 5 seconds of fame, or just tickets to watch a recording of the show, but creating a rather lame sob story isn't the best way to do it when there are a lot more people who really deserve the help.

I guess at the end of it all, it's how these people show their gratitude for the help they've been given. Some just take it for granted, as if they deserved to be helped. While the deserving ones always cherish the moment and whatever else that has been given to them.

One Last Breath @ 1043hrs

After going to bed at 7am, I was woken up by my mom's phone going off, and the strange thing was I heard her answer this call in a particularly sombre tone. Thinking it might be one of the stupid telemarketing people calling, I rolled over and dozed off. Mom came in a while later and asked if I'd like to follow her to the nursing home where my grandfather was staying in. Thinking it was another small issue, I just grunted my no. Then she followed the request by "Ah Kong dying already", to which I just grunted. I was still too tired to even turn in bed to ask her why this time it would be for real.

Still smooshing my face into the corner of my pillow, my thoughts started churning, and with all the calls that kept my mom's phone ringing, I couldn't sleep anymore. I was seriously considering sleeping in a little more, just to not see my grandfather take his last breath. However at the same time, I could not just let my mom go alone. She asked me to go, and there was a reason for it. With the thought in my head that it was better that he died, I rolled out of bed and changed to go out with mom.

Walking into the nursing home, we were asked to go straight up to the room without even having to sign-in, but with the elevator taking its time, I managed to get our details down even before it arrived. With the policeman outside a room, I was guessing that my grandpa had been moved from his usual spot. True enough, he was in the isolation ward, and we were greeted first by the policemen and EMTs. As mom went in first, I was still looking at everyone when I saw mom stop in her tracks, and jumped like she was shocked by something. I was still looking for my grandfather when I realised what had shocked my mom - laying on the bed was my grandfather with a blanket pulled over his head. Everyone didn't seem to know how to approach us until mom asked when he was pronounced dead.

Finally realising that we were not going to go into hysterics, everyone just went about completing their paperwork, taking their leave as they were done. Soon the doctor came in to certify him, and get all his paperwork done. I guess they aren't used to people looking them straight in the eye in this kinds of situations. Most probably they were expecting people who broke down and cried.

I guess after 4 family members and a dear pet dying, you end up crying another day. Or maybe it's just that this time, we were kinda waiting for him to take his final bow.

Bye Bye Ah Kong. Thanks for EVERYTHING you've given me in my life lessons.

I Think I'm Done

Well, I guess I'm happy with how the blog looks. It's simple enough and shows exactly what it's all about.

Now all I have to figure out is how to change the background for my travel blog.

Starting Your Life Together Cursed By The Neighbourhood?

So it has probably happened to everyone that is around my age - getting asked that dreaded question, "So when will it be your turn?", in reference to mrriage. Every time I get that question I'd answer that if I find someone to settle down with, I'll not have a wedding. If I didn't have to sign papers, I wouldn't even bother.

This morning's event just made it all more likely that I'll stick to my ideas. While here I was happily snuggled up in my bed, someone started honking their car horn, followed by another and joined in by a few more, which eventually ended as one big blast of horns for about 10 seconds. As if the first honk didn't wake me up, the group blast just made me start cursing at whoever was blocking the one-way exit (or so I thought). It didn't end there though. The idiots had to keep on honking as if honking would make whatever blockage disappear.

The horns stopped blaring after I heard some screaming, and I was glad for the person who got more annoyed than me to get up and curse, but again I was mistaken. The screaming continued, joined in by guys who were also shouting, and I just had to have a look at the clock. 7.30 a.m.! Bloody 7.30 a.m. on a Sunday morning and these idiots have to start a fight (...or so I thought again)! Then came the shout that made me realise what the fuss was all about...

"HUAT AH!!"

...and I was about to get out of my bed and shout something of my own in response.

My hopes of them ending their 'conversation' between the guys on the street and the girls from the apartment were dashed when the next thing I heard was "1...2....3... I want nobody, nobody... bak chiu..." Yeah "bak chiu" was what I heard, and I seriously wanted to give them black ones at that point. Now in the midst of wishing I had a deaf ear like mom, they went on to sing the damn thing two more times. Finally making the squealers in the apartment happy, the grunts made their way up just to create more noise.

Looking out of my house, I see that there were quite a few neighbours who were out wondering what the fuss was about, and the faces didn't seem all to happy about the noise these people were creating. Then I wonder how many neighbours were actually cursing these people just as I was? It could be just me, but I doubt anyone who was out partying last night, and people who planned to sleep in on their only day off in the week, would appreciate such a irritating wake up call. Weddings held under the block usually start getting lively at 10am, even funerals don't make as much noise as these idiots did.

So maybe you planned on telling the whole world you spent quite a bit on getting the ugly car for your special day, want to show off that you have the support from a good bunch of friends, that you're bride has an equally supportive bunch. Please, save the show for any other day except Sunday, or at least give some consideration for people who are resting even though you have opted to use up your Sunday. I know tradition sometimes need the people to get to a certain place by a certain time, but it didn't say to make so much noise that people start cursing upon you.

Now You Know Who You Are?

Another thing is I don't get where this stupid idea of blasting your car horn came about, but I know one thing is that the horns are supposed to be honked when the groom arrives back to the brides' parents' home, AFTER the bride has visited her new in-laws. NOT when you come to pick your bride up. If taking tradition into consideration, what horns were blasting when there were only carts pulled by horses/men in the olden days?

Guess for all of you who intend to get married and stick to traditional ways, be a little considerate as to the time and day which you decide to start waking the whole neighbourhood up. Or maybe you just don't think your marriage will last in the first place, and don't mind a few curses towards you both on the day you start your journey together?

The Pandas Are Coming!!

Finally, we won't have to travel by air just to get a glimpse of the black and white bears! Well, not just yet, but in a few year's time, we won't have to. Check this out!

To think I went all the way to Taiwan, waited in a long line, jostled with the crowd just to get see the bears long enough to take a photo, and then I had to move along with the crowd so that the rest in line behind me could get their turn.

Now they're going to be in the zoo for 10 years (that's if they cope well)! Yay!

To Caroline & Marc

Congratulations!

Welcome to the world Amberly.

Time For A Slight Change

Finally getting down to changing the look of this blog. Going to keep it as simple as possible and less cartoonish. Guess maybe I'm trying to make it reflect more of the person I am now. Only problem is I'm not really good at this whole html, css, xml, xhtml (blah blah blah) that the new blogger layout is using. I need help, and Homer^ doesn't cut it. Hope it doesn't take too long!

Back To Reality

To Dawn & William

Congratulations!

Welcome to the world Myron.