Hiatus

Mysterieux is watching Obama's inauguration while writing this post. She plans to announce a hiatus of blogging for two to three weeks starting from today. We find out that she, along with her family members located just everywhere worldwide, will be going back to her hometown to join a family reunion during Chinese New Year. From what we have been told, ALL her relatives - from close to distant; grandparents, uncles, aunties, nephews, nieces, cousins ... you name it, she probably has it - will attend the usually-few-days reunion, oww that's gonna be entertaining.

Her hometown, which is nicely put as a 'developing country' is in fact a third-world country to which 'internet' is regarded as a high tech beyond imagination and not every household owns it; hence, the reason mysterieux will not be blogging anytime soon. It is unsure what she plans to do without her laptop and internet; we suggest her few good books to past her time. These are the only information we managed to dig out but stay tuned for mysterieux's adventure in a third-world country and how she celebrates the new beginning of a lunar year.

My Hairstylist Looks Like an Martial Art Actor

My favourite genre for movies - to everyone's surprise - is action. I don't know why I get adrenaline rush whenever I see people fighting, kicking, boxing ... uh yes these sort of actions.

Source: fighttimes.com

Having previously watched (and undeniably loved) Ong Bak, I decided to catch its latest work today despite having read skeptical reviews about Ong Bak 2. While I am not trying to write another review of this movie, I must say that the fighting scenes are incredible and I will definitely watch its next movie, somehow the story gives a feeling of a continuation. But I would like to share a piece of information regarding Ong Bak 2: Tony Jaa is ridiculously resembles with my hairstylist - the hair, the lip, the eyes ... well almost similar except with a contrasting skin colour.

On the news:

• Singapore is experiencing uncommon strong winds. Beware people, it is easy to fall ill with this climate.
• Study shows beautiful women are more likely to cheat. Beware dudes, do not underestimate female hormone.
• A Korean husband found guilty of raping his wife. Beware hubbies, something that is lawful will not always be lawful.
• A Chinese maid repeatedly slashed baby girl's face on a chopping block. Beware employers, choose your maids carefully.

Singapore MP Was Set On Fire

Mr Seng Han Thong, a member of Singapore's parliament, was set on fire on Sunday by an angry 70-year-old man over a Chinese New Year gift. The MP was done handing out bursaries and hong baos (red envelopes which contained $135 each) at Chu Seng Temple to about 150 needy people and was settling down to lunch with them in the club's hall when the attacker poured paint thinner on the MP and ignited it with a kitchen stove lighter. According to the officials, the attacker was disgruntled at not being selected to receive the hong bao; he was arrested immediately and charged on Monday with voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means, an offence punishable by up to life in prison.

The victim

Source: The Straits Times

As a result, the Yio Chu Kang Member of Parliament suffered nearly 15 per cent burns on his face, chest and arms; he underwent a skin graft operation on his upper right arm at the Singapore Hospital. Aw Chui Seng, the temple chairman, who helped in covering the flame suffered about 10 per cent burns of his body and is recovering in the general ward in the Burns unit.

It has been reported that this is the second time that Mr Seng, who is also the adviser to the Taxi Operators' Association, has been attacked. In July 2006, he was punched by a disgruntled constituent who believed Mr Seng was not doing enough to help him get back his revoked taxi licence. Residents of Yio Chu Kang and those who have been working closely with Mr Seng described him as someone who is always willing to help. As a matter of fact, Mr Seng announced several measures to help taxi drivers tide over the economic downturn last Friday.

The attacker

Source: The Straits Times

Apparently, Mr Ong (an ex taxi driver) is a former mental patient; he was being held at a mental health institute for psychiatric test. Neighbours described Mr Ong as an eccentric character who would run up and down the corridor outside his flat for no apparent reason. Source for this article can be found here, here, here, here and here.

My oh my, I can't believe something like this happened in Singapore, one of the safest countries in the world with low crime rates.

Freedom Whiz Caters for Female

Have been wanting to write about this for the whole week but the migraine attacks kill the thought. Anyway, I was shopping for female necessity products in Guardian and by chance, to come upon Whiz Freedom.

Source: Whiz Official Website

Ladies, whiz away your troubles and reach to your freedom. Apparently, the tool above is a female "urine director" - and I quote from Whiz's website - to "give women the freedom to wee anywhere a man could". Having googled the product, I discover Whiz Freedom is antibacterial, hydrophobic and highly portable. Due to the material used, it allows users to fold Whiz Freedom up and spring it back into shape when they need it.

Well, Whiz Freedom is definitely a great invention for mobility impaired people; I can see the convenience aspect for people with mobility difficulties. But it is a niche market. It sounded weird to me and I gave it a miss.

On the news:

• Singapore's government will help citizens tide over the tough times. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made the assurance while he was giving out hong bao to residents in his constituency on Sunday.
• Singapore expects a challenging year for tourism in 2009 as the global economic recession curtails consumer spending and holiday plans. Tourist arrivals fell and though receipts rose, both figures missed government's targets. Consecutively, hotel occupancy rates slid.
• War intensifies in Gaza even as diplomatic officials issues urgent appeals for a ceasefire. Witness described how gunmen tried to lure Israeli soldiers into ambushes, as troops combed through Gaza's southwestern suburbs and took up stronghold positions in outlying building.
• Obama wants clean break with Bush intel practises. The elected president assures intelligence officials that his complaints are with the Bush administration, and not them. There are growing hints from Democractic Senate allies that spy agency veterans will not be prosecuted for past harsh interrogation and detainee policies.
• Obama raises estimate on jobs in his recovery economic plan, saying it would create or save three million to four million, nearly 90% of them in the private sector.
• Dubai will boost its spending by 11% this year to stimulate the economy amid today's global financial crisis. The new spending will result in a modest fiscal deficit, Dubai's first ever. Other Gulf governments, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, have announced recently that they too will risk deficits next year instead of cutting back on spending.

Welcome 2009

I woke up and actually felt good (well, this is something unusual because I suffer from migraine almost every morning these days). Lets hope this is a positive sign at the very start of a new year.

So I placed a new calendar (given by daddy) on my desk, slowly appreciated the pictures from the calendar and started helping out in the kitchen. It took hours and hours for the women in the family to churn raw food to something edible which included last-minute grocery shopping and I had to walk under the blazing sun alone with heavy, so-called (by maid) crucial ingredients. Subsequently, we only managed to bring out several dishes; definitely less number of dishes than we planned but whole family agreed they were delicious. The credit goes solely to the maid who is a superb cook.

Source: Sistic

Finishing the day, I brought mummy to watch a musical Wild Wild Rose (野玫瑰之恋). Having watched musicals across the globe, I personally think this piece of work has met the standard, but is nothing spectacular. My rating may be rather biased because previously I tend to visit large venues big-budgeted West End productions in London. What I like in this performance is (the lead actress) Perry Chiu's singing ability. This is my first encounter, I find her voice dashing and I thoroughly enjoyed those songs sang by her in Wild Wild Rose musical. Interior-wise, there is definitely large room for improvement; presentation has been set at the minimal setting although it has been noted that this musical will only last for four days. Costumes shown in the musical fit into the sixties era but those were not amazing enough to contribute towards the value of the musical. Finally, I smelled the cigarette smoke from the stage because we were seated on the front row. It was overbearing and unbearable; something has to be done on this as inhaling smoke is certainly unhealthy.