Sweet Little Princess

I adore this photo of Sylvia. She was such a sweet little girl. And 20 years later, she's still such a sweet little girl. I love her.

Whatever Can Go Wrong, Will Even Go Worse

My princess and I went to Delifrance the other day to eat cordon bleu, the bread-crumb coated pork meat with cheese and ham filling. This is what happened:

• They took it off the menu, so I ordered onion soup and chicken steak instead.
• They brought the chicken steak first, and when I told them I though I would get the soup first, they asked me for a minute to clarify the issue.
• They didn't clarify the issue, but brought the soup a few minutes later. I asked them to take back the steak, and serve it when I'm finished with the soup, otherwise it will get cold.
• They kept the steak warm while I was enjoying the quite mediocre, rather sweet onion soup, they just forgot to remove the side salad from the plate, which became soggy.
• Bonus: they forgot to ask me which of the four souces I choose for the stake, so they decided I might have asked it with the black-pepper one.

Baby Ah B

Friend: Who's this cute baby?
Ah B: It's me.
Friend: But you have blue eyes, and the baby has black eyes.
Ah B: Yes, because it's a black-and-white photo.
Friend: Shit, don't tell this to anyone!

Percy Shelley's Love's Philosophy

The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by law divine
In one another's being mingle;--
Why not I with thine?

See the mountains kiss high heaven
And the waves clasp one another
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What are all these kissings worth
If thou kiss not me?

Coffee? Tea? Warm Water!

There was an advertisement in Europe a few years back, which promoted instant soups. Cold winter, two guys come inside a cosy and warm country-side restuarant. The waitress asks them whether they want coffee or tea. The guys reply that they only wish to have warm water. The waitress looks suprised but gives them two cups filled with hot water. The guys pour the artificial soup granulates into the cups. Everybody smiles, happy ending.

In Singapore, when you go into a restaurant, they immediately ask you whether you want iced or warm water, which are by the way for free. I quite often choose the warm one. Now probably most of those who have never been to Singapore look suprised, the same way as the waitress above, but let me assure you, it's only hot and humid outside, the restaurants I find too cold sometimes. Singaporeans have the habit to freeze themselves when they have the opportunity. Cabs and public transport are the worst.

Four Seasons

As I grew up in Hungary, this is my first year when I don't witness the changes of seasons. My princess, on the other hand, has lived all her life in Singapore and has never seen the infinite fields of white snow, the white and pink blossoms of the cherry trees, the meadows covered in red poppies, or the thousands of colors of the falling leaves. One of the most prominent Hungarian artists, Pal Szinyei-Merse, created amazing paintings around the turn of the last century. I attached some of my favorites.

Where's the Interactivity?

I started to write this blog to tell my friends what is happening to me. Besides, it's great to read it again as time passes by. But I also hoped that it would be interactive and people would leave comments, ask questions, or write down what is happening to them. So please feel free to do so.

I Hate My Tonsils

My tonsils are giving me problems again. Going from the hot and humid outside into the airconditioned inside they get inflamed easily. Then I get sore throat and headache, start coughing and can't sleep for days. I really hate my tonsils. I should show them to a doctor and get them removed if necessary.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

"Your popularity is at a personal peak this week! Be sure to pick and choose among your social engagements so that you gather the best from the most. Financial matters, along with family members, will stir your interests in feathering your nest. Your smart business sense will make the most of an unusual opportunity. In your personal life, let your softer emotions speak. Be fun and fun will abound in your life this week. Fight heaviness and deep thoughts. Let the sun give your soul radiation to your sense of purpose. Seen in this light, the journey you are on becomes more delightful with every step. It's about time that you set the record straight for a number of users and abusers. If anyone on this planet deserves a gold star, it's gotta be you."

A Day at St John Island

My princess and I wanted to have a nice day off on Friday, so we headed to St John Island. It's a cosy little island south of Sentosa, and earlier it was used as a quaranteen for leprosy patients. These days it's a perfect place for day-trips. The beach there has clean water, which is a real treasure near the coasts of Singapore, and white sand. We reached St John after an hour boat ride. That's when the rain started to pour, and it lasted until we headed back to the boat almost 4 hours later. Instead of lazing at the beach, where we should have spent the day swimming and collecting shells, we were freezing under a shelter.

At least I saw a beautiful monitor lizard that day. Unfortunately the rain was so heavy, that I didn't dare to risk my camera and shoot a picture. For those who don't know it, monitor lizards belong to the varanidae family, which also includes the komodo dragon.

Gergő & Kata's Pre-Honeymoon in Singapore

My friend, Gergő, visited me with his wife of 8 days, Kata, on their way to Bali, where they will spend their honeymoon. It was really great to see them, Gergő's been my best friend for the past 15 years. They brought me real Hungarian delicacies and liquors.

We met on Monday in their hotel for a really short time, but we spent Tuesday together. On Tuesday I took them to Sentosa. We went there by the cable car, the view is really nice from up there. We watched the Underwater World and the Dolphin Show. Gergő was one of the volunteers, and had an amazing encounter with one of the pink dolphins. Afterwards we relaxed on the shores and drank some mocktails (they) and hot tea (I, as I was terrible sick the whole week). In the evening we met my princess and went to Lau Pa Sat and had sting rays for dinner. They really liked it, and we also introduced them to the sugar cane juice.

On Wednesday we had chocolate fondue at Haagen Dazs at Clarke Quay, then we were shopping some at Marina Square. Afterwards we met Sylvia at my place, where we chatted, until they got tired and went back to the hotel. Three days were definetely not enough to catch up and show them around. Hopefully they will come back soon.

Dinner at Ah B's Place

For those who don't know who Ah B is, it's me. That's how Sylvia's parents call me. In Southern China people often put Ah in front of names. Her friends gave me another nickname, Xu Xian. In a Chinese myth, Xu Xian was the mortal husband of White Snake, a snake woman, who wanted to turn into human, and practiced being one for 1,000 years. Tsui Hark directed a really good movie based on this myth. It's one of the favorite films of my princess, watch it if you can.

Sylvia's family came over today. We cooked Hungarian dishes for them. As a starter we had some baguette with Hungarian salami, then mushroom soup, followed by pork stew with pasta and pickles, and finally a chocolate coated cottage cheese dessert called Túró Rudi. They also tried plum pálinka, the traditional Hungarian liquor. They seemed to like our cooking, and we had a good time.

Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress

On Monday, I took my princess to Esplanade to watch the Forbidden City: Portrait of an Empress, an interesting musical on Empress Dowager Cixi, the Dragon Lady. She was a controversial figure in the Chinese history, whos successor became the last emperor of China. I really enjoyed the show, still, two days later I can't really recall a melody.

Confidence Booster

I received an e-mail from one of the top investment banks that they read my resume and they are very impressed by my experience and achievements. They would like to meet me to discuss job opportunities. I'm still unsure whether I will go back into finance but it's worth to talk to them. If they offer an interesting job in Singapore with good conditions, I might take it.

I Want to Be a Consultant...

...because I like to advise people.
...because I am good in cutting myself out from tough situations.
...and because the salary is good.
Jokes aside, I think it's an interesting job, and it also gives a lot of tools and a good network to start my own company later. And I'd like to be an entrepreneur. It's great to create something for myself, especially when others benefit from it as well. Something like the project Nath, Alex and I did for Social Entrepreneurship. We planned a cosmetics company, which employs, educates and eventually places in jobs Thai prostitutes, while generates profit to its owners.

The Three Days in Detail

Saturday, the party with friends: I invited a few friends over to celebrate the birthday of my princess. Some of her friends, some of mine, and a few mutual ones came. Her friends are a really nice bunch of people, I like them a lot. I hope they will join us for the pot lucks as well. Sylvia got really nice presents from everyone. I bought her a bread machine. Eversince she tried Nath's garlic focaccia, I knew it topped her wishlist, or at least it was in the top 3.

Sunday, the eve with the family: The family went to have dinner together. Her cousin, Priscilla, and her husband, David, also joined us. I really like buffet-style dinners, it gives the freedom to choose, while you don't feel risking anything.

Monday, the actual birthday: Although the day didn't start that great, as my princess had headache and our lunch wasn't too good either, the day was nice. We did some shopping, then we watched a Swedish horror film about Vampires, Frostbite. It was really dumb but at least we had the couple's seat, so I was able to hold her throughout the film. Afterwards, we went to Ngee Ann City, where we had dinner at Seoul Garden. It's fun to play with the food, and it's a really good place for special occasions. It just lacks cosiness. She got my second present there, a CD from Cecilia Bartolli. I had been looking for the one that contains L'Amour L'Amour but it seems they didn't realease that.

You Are So Beautiful

(Joe Cocker)

You are so beautiful
To me
You are so beautiful
To me
Can't you see

You're everything I hoped for
You're everything I need
You are so beautiful to me
You are so beautiful to me

You are so beautiful
To me
Can't you see
You're everything I hoped for
You're every, everything I need
You are so beautiful to me

Three Days of Celebration

Princess Sylvia Rose celebrates her 24th birthday on Monday, and all her loyal friends, relatives and boyfriend will celebrate with her. Tonight there will be a party at my place for the friends, on Sunday we celebrate with the family, and Monday is for the two of us.