Proud of This Girl

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/trending-now/man-makes-homemade-ipad-surprise-girlfriend-teen-trouble-164333145.html

On Yahoo news--besides the China guy who made an ipad replica from scratch for his girlfriend (that I'm sure China people are going to rave about how great they are now)--is this more important and thumbs up Kansas City teenager, Emma Sullivan, who Twittered a negative comment about her governor and refuses to apologize. 

That's the way to go! This is what I mean with regards to recent SG people being forced to retract their comments on personal blogs, social sites such as Facebook and even in an own memoir. 

This girl says to apologize would be insincere. Therefore, she refuses. Only 18 years old and already knows this. I applaud her and her mom for bringing her up to be such a fine example. 

While her mom acknowledges that her daughter could have "chosen different words", she also notes that the language is the lingo of teenagers talking among friends. More importantly, the mom supports her daughter's decision:

"I raised my kids to be independent, to be strong, to be free thinkers. If she wants to tweet her opinion about Gov. Brownback, I say for her to go for it and I stand totally behind her.".

She's a very lucky kid to have such a mom. 

Even with scolding from her principal who "instructed" her to write a letter of apology and even "offered talking points for how the letter should be written", the girl has stood by her words. 

A principle behaving in such a way. I bet if possible, the principal would lick the governor's shoes to polish it and write the letter of apology himself.

In the update at the end of the news, it says the governor has apologized to the girl. "My staff over-reacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize.  Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms.". 

Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms. How nice to hear. How wonderful it is.

This girl is lucky to be able to voice her political opinion honestly without any harm, and even receive an apology from the governor. Whether there will be any future negative consequences later is left to be seen. But for now and perhaps for the future, her voice and strength may prove to be something.

Who knows, maybe she will be the next governor. :)

There is a Chinese proverb: 君子一言, 四马难追. 
(一句话说出了口，就是套上四匹马拉的车也难追上。
指话说出口，就不能再收回，一定要算数.)
Translation: Once a gentleman has spoken, even a four-horse chariot cannot chase up. 
Meaning: Gentleman's Word of Honor = Once you have spoken, you cannot retract it, must stand by what you said.

News: Cheapest Flea Market For Stall Holders In Singapore!

$50, $70, $120 just to set up stall? No more!

For first-timer flea sellers, you can tell it's their first time: bright eyes seeing dollar signs, fresh and lively. They will ask if the clothes rack you are renting or selling can be dismantled and assembled (not knowing that clothing racks these days are sold in boxes, so of course they can be dismantled and assembled).

After paying first for a stall, and renting or buying a clothing rack, and finally making their way to the spot with all their heavy stuff...

They don't find the path paved with gold they can peel or riches they can pick.

The only people making money off of fleas, are the Flea Organizers! How wonderful to collect all that cash even before the event starts. Sure they do promotion for you. Where? In free online websites like Facebook and Twitter. Wow... how smart.

Do the maths: if a stall costs $70 to rent, and this is an average amount that's usually charged, how much profit can you possibly make by selling your item/s? You think your items will sell flying off your racks and tabletops?

Nooo...

What "shoppers" do at fleas, if they actually bother coming through, is:

1) Look

2) Touch and walk away

3) Ask how much and walk away, not even bothering to bargain

4) Bargain, even if it's already very cheap (might as well, ask for free).

Fact is, these "customers" are just there out of curiosity. If they wanted to buy and had money, they would buy from real shops, not fleas.

Those who buy don't really need or want what you are selling. So, they can just stroll away from you if the price isn't as low as they like. It is in their favor if you are desperate to sell.

Or, they don't have money on them or didn't bring enough money. Either way, you don't make money.

Well, now, all stall holders can rent a stall on an hourly basis! Stay from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m,  or set up your stall and leave anytime you like! Just pay for the hours you are there!

An innovative system designed by TechShopBoys allows stall holders to own a stall that opens only upon payment into a patented money machine at its side. Starting price to open shop is just $10 for the first hour!

Once that hour is up, the stall folds itself shut (with your items still in it if they are not removed)! To re-open, just add $6 for the next hour! The hours after the second till you close, are charged at just $3 per hour!

Go to the restroom or catch a snack with a break in the hours, with your items safely locked! No need to ask or beg a friend to tag along, or ask other stall holders to look after your stall while you are gone.

Should your items be locked in and you don't wish to pay (or play) anymore, just call the number sticker-ed on your stall, provide some details for verification, and they will have the shop re-open for you to retrieve your stuff within 10 minutes.

The first 15 TechShopBoys stalls will begin operation at an as yet undisclosed shopping mall in March of next year 2012.

With the launch, "We hope the current system of fleas will be a thing of the past", says Joshua Ong, managing director of TechShopBoys.

"Our system is designed to help stall holders make some real profit as entrepreneurs. At the current rate for fleas at $70 or $80 per day, or even more depending on the organizer, if a stall holder marks up $5 per item, he or she would need to sell at least 14 or 16 items that day. You would need to be selling very popular items to meet this number and beyond, to see any profit. With our stalls, if you spend just 4 hours, it's only $22. A much lesser cost to cover and increases your chances at profit.".

But can just about anything be sold at these stalls?

"While we encourage almost anything, from clothing to cosmetics to toys or snacks, we do have to keep to what's allowed by the malls and authorities.", says Joshua.

The group of five Singaporeans, headed by their managing director, hopes to expand their idea and stalls throughout Asia and possibly farther afield. For now, their goal is simply, "To help local stall holders make some real money from their efforts, be it selling secondhand or brand new.".

Aunties of Singapore

Aunties of Singapore (first posted in Fridae blog).

2011-11-24 18:25

Time of this posting: 10.55 p.m.

The heading timing is when I started a sentence and saved it as a draft because going out to dinner.

---------------

5 p.m. Didn't jog much and was about to go uphill when saw sky was very dark, threatening thunder. So, didn't go up and decided to do just another round of a path.

Started to drizzle, but thought it would be Ok. But while jogging up slope, just before finish, started to rain heavier, wetting everything.

So. Ended up running in the rain, then walked back home.

At the void deck, saw the lift was about to open its door. A woman was already waiting there. So, I ran for it.

She asked in English, "What floor?".

I said, "Third, thanks.". But pressed the button myself. Usually, I press it myself, don't wanna trouble the other person.

She had already pressed 5th, I think, the button above mine. (Didn't know what button she pressed until I looked again after coming back from dinner just now.).

Till now, I didn't really look at her.

She stood behind me on my right, and I knew she must be looking at my wet clothes and hair. I was in my grey T and white 3/4 shorts. Totally soaked, though my white jogging shoes were still Ok. So, actually, the rain wasn't that big. I've come home in heavier rain than this.

I ran my left hand up through my short wet hair, feeling a little surprised by the soft smoothness, and heard her say in Chinese, "Hui jia gan kuai chong liang. Hui gan mao.". (Go home quick take a bath. Will catch cold.).

I was thinking why she suddenly changed to speaking Chinese (I look like China, is it? Or maybe she could see I was Singaporean who would understand both languages?).

I turned sideways to look at her. It was an auntie in a green polo T with three yellow initials on its left. The uniform and initials looked familiar. Think she works at the food court downstairs.

She was grimacing at my wet clothes (I assume, or down at my legs), staring without looking up while I looked at her face. I don't quite recall her face...though she looked a little familiar.

(Ahh.. now I think about it while typing this... she works at Vivo Giant?? But...the initials on her polo T... didn't seem to have the word "giant", unless maybe I didn't see clearly and thought it said "y another letter s"?).

"Mm." I agreed, thinking of saying thanks but didn't.

Instead, by way of thanks, I said, "Yes, it rained suddenly.". (which wasn't entirely true since the sky gave prior warning before and during my jog).

She replied in Chinese, "Yes, it's year-end" (in an "of course" tone). Still, not looking at me directly. Strange woman. Maybe, she realized I'm not a kid as she thought?

(Now I think, she was shy that I might recognize her from her cashier role at Giant supermarket.).

The lift arrived, and I got out feeling quite warmed by that auntie. What nice aunties Singapore has. They always sound like mom. They are what makes Singapore special and feel like home.

Aunties, whether in Japan or Singapore, have always been motherly to me. Maybe I look like their daughter--young, harmless and don't know anything.

I smile now, thinking of them.

Aunties are very cute. Singapore aunties can say the funniest things among themselves, or out of good intentions. They have good intentions when they talk to me all of a sudden, sometimes at the supermarket.

They also sometimes do puzzling things. :)

But in general, Singapore aunties are cute.

Dad doesn't like them because he said they hog up small spaces and like to push people. Yes, those are aunties' bad habits.

He told me, once he got so mad with an auntie, he scolded her for pushing him while getting off a bus.

The other bad habit of aunties, is they like to rush for buses.

But we are not here to talk bad things about aunties. :) This piece is about nice aunties in Singapore.

If aunties have also been nice to you, tell us your experience here.

It's because of nice aunties in Japan, that make me miss them and Japan. Their help has been a lot, without which, my journey would have been less enjoyable and more difficult looking for the places I wanted to see.

To all nice aunties on this wet cold night, I wish you happiness and smiles, and that your children treat you well.

Thank you, to all nice aunties. :)

I'm A Little Teapot...

9.35 p.m.

My head was singing this song tonight. No reason why. I sang, "I'm a little teapot, short and stout...". That's all I remember of the lyrics.

While it's a little disagreeable to sing "short and stout" since I am not, I still like this song quite much and always think of it.

It was taught to me ... many many years ago. Probably from a nursery tape that mom used to play. From it, I learnt many rhymes.

Another one is ... pitch porridge hot, pitch porridge cold, pitch porridge in the pot nine days old. When I first sang it, my bro was very amused, laughed and thought I made it up. I said it's a legit nursery rhyme that I learnt when young. Didn't make it up.

Checking online now... it is "pease" not "pitch". What the heck is "pease"?

Other sites refer to it as "Peas". Can't seem to find the same version that I heard. It was a fast version without the voice going up or down for "some like it hot", "some like it cold".

When I first heard it and sang it, I always wondered how a 9-days old porridge could still be eaten. Cold porridge even a few minutes/hours cold gives air to the stomach. Can also cause food poisoning.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Mm... *sighs* This song... listening to it, makes me tingle with goosebumps. Beautiful lyrics.

Oi... how come stop suddenly at the end?

Mm.. this song is accompanied by a beautiful dance between... a ghost and a woman in the movie "Always".

How to Look Like a Vampire Directly After Feeding

Powder your face white. If your face is naturally fair/white, that's fine.

Cut a red-fleshed Dragonfruit into half, then half of each half. You can buy from Meidi-ya supermarket for $2~3.

Peel away the skin with your fingers.

Hold the cut Dragonfruit flesh, eat.

Look in the mirror after you have finished.

What A Difference ...

Was about to browse a Korean website when this song began playing in my head. I'm tired, sleepy, but...just want to do a little more before bed. It's 1.35 in the a.m.

I love this music. It plays in my head once in the while. Such innocence and simplicity. I can just close my eyes and listen, my cares away.

Also love Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. Was first introduced to it when watching the movie... by Steven Spielberg...(can't remember the title, need to search online)........ the one about flying, planes. Ah! found it... the movie is called "Always". :)

Oddly, the song by Dinah Washington is not good. Think sung by a man is better.

Ebay SG is Useless

Free. But useless. There's nobody at SG Ebay.

Those who discuss it in the Ebay SG forums already said so, but... where else to sell stuff except there and gain a +ve seller reputation locally? 

Other Ebay sites cost a lot of $$$. Really, it's a lot if you try the US site. Everything in US$ and it adds up for every listing. At the end of it, it's just paying for nothing. Nobody buys. 

So, I end up back at the SG site. Not much of a choice since it's free. 

True, I sold a few items there, but that's only a few. I have 80 items to go. And everyday I check = Nothing. No bids, no actual buyers. 

All I get are "watchers" and persons who bid but don't pay up. 

I don't believe SG Ebay buyers are poor. They are just stingy and bad buyers. 

A new item may already be very cheap and Still they ask for discount. It's ridiculous. I make ZERO profit, and just want to get rid of the stock I have. 

The stock that's been sitting in a huge box for 3 years.

Other countries' Ebay sites are also not better. Buyers want cheap. But complain when cheapness = poor quality.  You can read the buyers' comments (some really ridiculous in their expectations when sellers are based in Hong Kong or China).

It may seem easier selling in overseas Ebay sites, but-- 

1) Buyers want cheap items.

2) Cost of airmail to them from SG is prohibitive. 

Even if your item is cheap, adding airmail will be so much, nobody will buy. 

From what has been posted online, many sellers have stopped selling on Ebay because of their unfair policy that sellers cannot leave negative feedback to buyers.

I learnt this firsthand when I wanted to leave negative comment to a buyer who bid but did not pay (and did not inform or apologize). 

These sellers speak of other auction sites, but so far, I've checked and not found any as good as Ebay.

What other options do I have to get rid of all the stuff and recoup some money? There's more than $300 locked up in that box. How long more is it going to take to sell all 80 items?

It's just amazing, how bad Ebay SG is. Cute4ever is as bad, and even worse.

Trying a flea market is a BAD idea. Don't ever do it. The only people making money are the organizers that take your rent first. And the rent is ridiculous. There is No Way you can recoup that amount without sacrificing profit (unless you are dealing in bulk sales or wholesale).

Do not be fooled by the latest trend to sell at flea markets. You'll only be wasting your time and money, and make a loss, because buyers will want rock bottom prices.  Many look but have no intention of buying anything. They are just there out of curiosity.

It is impossible to make a profit unless again, you are dealing in bulk or wholesale selling.

There is no profit in flea markets or Ebay SG. But at least, Ebay SG is free. -.- 

Other than that, there are the free classifieds. Unfortunately...that's if your ads appear in Google search engine. Otherwise, what are the chances of people actually going to Classifieds, browsing and seeing your ads? (I've sold more items on SG Ebay than from Classifieds).

Is doing business in SG that hard? Yes, it is, especially if you are selling clothes. Really. 

Look at all those boutiques in malls. Empty of buyers. Bored sales staff. Many closed down. Having big sales that nobody's interested in. 

It's sad. 

Selling fashion items in SG is hard because: 

1) People buy online 

2) People go overseas these days to buy 

3) They want cheap even if it means poor quality

4) They go for ugly things that they think is nice

5) You will never be able to fathom what they like because their taste is unexpectedly awful.

The result is that shops in malls sell bad clothes at the cheapest prices possible. Unfortunately, that just ruins the entire market and no help to themselves at all.

Now that SG Ebay is so... luckless, I'm back to Classifieds, directing them to check out my Ebay items. Hoping that will draw some traffic but... a long shot. But that's all I can do.

Other alternatives will involve $$ going out, instead of coming in.

J. Cut by Jeric Hair Salon @ Suntec City Review

The haircut was on Friday. 2nd time there. And I've been thinking if I should spare the name of the hairstylist.

It's been 3 days and I'm still angry every time I look in the mirror. Every time I look in the mirror, I say, "How could you have cut it so short? You have no sense of aesthetics? What could have made you cut so short?? Isn't it common sense to know when to stop?".

How a salon can cut worse than QB at more than 3 times the price, is beyond understanding.

My thought is: what did I say or do to offend you that you cut my hair like this? Mr Paul Tan?

When I look in the mirror, I don't feel or look nice. I look ugly and feel unhappy. How can a hairstylist do this? Your job is to make people beautiful and happy. Why be a hairstylist if you cannot do that?

I thought about it carefully during these few days. I just can't let it go because this is just too much. It looks like you have cut out of hatred or dislike. As if I have offended you.

Even if a customer has inadvertently offended you, where is your professionalism and your hairstyling skills?

How could you possibly have cut my hair so short??!  When people look at me twice, it's not because I look nice. It's because my hair is too short and they wonder who the heck cut my hair.

Even QB, as bad as their hair cuts get, doesn't beat this. And even then, so many times getting bad QB hair cuts, I put up with it.

Even Celia @ Reds Salon Takashimaya gave me the same hair cut so many times until I was so fed up, I was never angry. There is a reason why Reds is crowded and J. Cut @ Suntec is not.

A staff (I won't say who) at Jeric Suntec told me the boss is always at ION and doesn't come to Suntec. I see. Neglect.

It explains the lack of standard there. This second time, the seat had cut hairs all over and it wasn't even seen as a problem even when I used my hand to sweep them aside while the hairstylist looked on. I was supposed to sit in it. Even QB is not this slack.

This 2nd time, I walked up to the counter, there was no receptionist there. Same as the first time. So, I waited and Paul came from somewhere and checked me in. I said, "Hi." and smiled. He smiled back.

He asked if there was a particular preference for my hairstylist, I said  he had cut my hair previously.

Why is it there is no proper receptionist at the counter? Twice I've been there and it's been the hairstylist doubling as the receptionist. I noticed Paul's writing was hardly readable, as if he didn't care.

After that, he led me to my hair-filled seat and asked me what I would like to drink. I said water. (They provide water in small bottles with the salon name on it).

Then he asked how I'd like my hair cut. I said, "Give me a punk look, some long, some short, slope behind.". He was Ok with it.

The hair washer lady did her job, and after that, I told Paul that I'd also like a layering effect. He was also Ok with that.

Like the first time, I started reading a magazine. This time --Cosmopolitan UK edition. Maybe it was the wrong choice. Maybe as he cut, he looked at the pages and somehow, felt upset about what I was reading and gave me a bad haircut.

Whenever I say "some long, some short", even QB can do that. But not this time. It's just a total, short turf.

Same as the first time, Paul has the habit of breathing on the customer (me). Don't know why. Not sure if he is aware of doing it.

This second time, he did it once. The first time, he did it a few times while cutting, as if it frustrated him.

While cutting, he would breathe out or sigh directly on the customer. You can feel the "wind" of it on you. It is very annoying but even then, I felt it wasn't a big deal if he could cut well. I simply had to hold my breath every time he did it.

My point is this: If it frustrates you so much, hairstyling is not a suitable job for you. Why do you breathe out on customers? Plain selfishness? Disrespect? If you are fed up, just quit and do sales line--stand around in mall store, do nothing.

I want to know why you cut my hair so short. WHY?

After he was partly done, I said the slope up the back was better than the last time. Smoother. This was true. Then I continued reading the magazine.

On and off, I would have a look and he seemed to know what he was doing.

When he was almost done, I put down the mag and saw the overall was too short. I kept staring, thinking, "It's not nice.".

He asked if the sides should be cut. Of course it had to be, otherwise it would not match the rest of the short style. I said, yes, "it's not nice.".

So, he cut and even the sides, he cut so short. Sure, it matches. It matches the ugly shortness of the rest of it.

As a trained hairstylist, presumably hand-picked/recruited, shouldn't he know when to stop cutting shorter and shorter? Only QB cutters sometimes, don't know when to stop. Just cut, cut, cut.

Cutting is easy, anybody can cut. Knowing when to stop is different.

Hairstyling is not just about cutting. If the person has no sense/no eye for aesthetics, this person is not a hairstylist.

What is odd, is that the first time I was there, I said it wasn't short enough and Paul said he didn't want to cut it too short (presumably so that it would look more feminine). But now, this 2nd time, look what he's done.

I'm not trying to damage any reputation (if any). The first time, I already wasn't pleased with his haircut because the back wasn't done well. And he just cut whatever he liked instead of according to what I like (some long, some short). Same as this 2nd time.


But even then, I let it go. And even went back a second time.

I let the first time pass because the results weren't so bad. And he had seemed very dedicated in ensuring everything was just right, to the extent of towering over me very close behind while cutting the top.

But this 2nd time, I really am sorry to have to say it here.  Even with the 5% discount he gave (not sure what for). This time, I'm really very upset with the hairstyle. It's really ugly. Not just that, it makes me feel ugly. Already, there are things I have to handle. I don't need extra unhappiness.
 
For hair cuts, my requirements are very simple. I am also not very fussy or complaining. But if you have cut badly out of personal reasons, to vent something, then that is wrong.

If you don't know how to cut, and it annoys and frustrates you, then hairstyling is not the right job.

I thought long about posting it here, whether I could let it go. I won't be going to J.Cut again.

------------
Update 6 Oct Sat: 
It's been a while since this post above. Since then, the salon is still there when I looked previously. But I haven't seen the hairstylist working there anymore, for a long while already. I don't know if he has been transferred out to another outlet/fired/quit. But it's not surprising if he quit because he didn't look happy in the job.

And so I live (for a while longer?)...

Thanks to 2 kind ladies who helped me on 6 Sept about 10pm. 
The following was typed after I came home that night. The end of it was typed the day after on 7 Sept.
 --------------------

My 2nd fainting spell this year. No idea why or what it means.

It was about 9~9.30pm tonight. Bro is sick with sore throat and his voice had gotten worse. Taking Fisherman's Friend made it worse. So I said to try Strepsils. He said Ok, but the fridge ran out (he said I ate the last packet).

So, remembering he would go to buy medicine for me when I was ill, I volunteered to go downstairs to the NTUC  to get it.

Was going to buy the blue one that has always been effective for me.

We just had dinner, I just took a bath, my hair was wet, I put on a sleeveless tank top and shorts, then went off.

It was just a short distance, so I was at the NTUC pretty fast. Looked into the aisles for sweets section but couldn't find. Then went to the cashier's counter where it was found--either the small packet of about 4, or a box of 2 sets.

I took the box, but while doing, felt a little unwell in my tummy. Gas built-up was pushing down and it hurt with crap that needed to be let out now. I had been constipated for just 2 days. Usually, it wouldn't cause this.

While standing in line behind someone at the counter, my head started to feel unwell, and I felt like throwing up. Is it my dinner unclean? Can't be...

I'll only feel like throwing up if I've been food poisoned. 

Thought to hurry at the cashier and get out. When the cashier asked if I needed a plastic bag, I just said in a weak voice "no". She asked if I had member card and I couldn't reply--just gave a small shake of my head. She took a while giving me back the change for $10 I gave her (she stared at the cash till of notes, looking like she was thinking how much to return or what notes to pick).

Got out of the store fast, feeling worse. Thought I just had to hurry back to crap in my own house.

But was not to be.

As I walked, I felt giddier and sicker. The wind was blowing and I felt cold, thinking why I came down in only a sleeveless tank. I never wore a tank to go downstairs before. Was always a Tee.

I was starting to perspire and breathe heavily. My tummy seemed to pile up down below, with a load wanting to be released. I felt really sick and giddy. Giddier as I walked as  fast as I could.

After crossing the road that I wasn't really aware of doing, or aware of any vehicles, I headed for a bench under a nearby void deck and sat there, hoping the fainting giddiness would pass. When it seemed a little rested, I tried getting up and knew it wasn't ready yet. But thought I might just be able to make it if I hurried.

Unable to. After just a few paces, I slumped into the next bench, breathing heavily and perspiring. Felt I needed to call for help.

Nobody walking by seemed to notice even though I tried calling out to a man in a white Bermudas who was walking and talking to woman. I think my voice was too soft, he didn't hear. I said, "Excuse me..." raising my left hand.

This felt really bad. After resting a little more, I got up, hoping to be able to go this time.

Hurriedly, I covered a few more steps, a further distance, thinking perhaps I might be able to make it home. As I slowed, walking up the slight slope leading up the route to home, I told my body: Please give me juice for a little more. Please. Just a little more.

Can't, even while I was trying to cover more ground. The thick concrete bannister of the pathway started spinning away. I'm fainting, will black out if I don't stop.

So I dropped down on the concrete ground by the side of the pathway and just sat there with my right leg straight and my left drawn up partway. Was just wearing sandals. My hands rested by my sides on the ground--heavy plump cloth wallet in my right hand, Strepsils in my left. Previously, I held both in my left.

By now, I was feeling immobile and very sick. Perspiring heavily and cold with the wind blowing. Breathing heavily. Perspiration evaporating with the wind.

If I blacked out here, nobody would know for a while since it was dark and few people were coming this way. But they could check my IC in my wallet and inform my bro even if I ended up in hospital. It has my name and address, if no phone number. I slightly regretted coming up this way (had thought slope was easier to walk up than the stairs).

If I died here... I still have things to do... unfinished... I should've posted my works online when I could, but there isn't time now...

(such is the brevity and unpredictability of life).
 
I really needed to crap at that moment. If I could do it in my shorts, I would. Body was telling me that if I crapped right now, I would immediately feel better, be able to walk. But how can I take a crap here and now? This was a public place. Can't it wait till I get home? Body said no. I could feel the crap just at the door, waiting for release.

I can't get home when I can't even get up to walk. Bro must be wondering why it was taking me so long.

I need to get my bro to come down...

To my left, the slope continued up to intersect a pathway perpendicular to the path I was on, where people came down a few steps to a straight slope down.

Raised my left hand and tried weakly waving to the few people going down that slope. They didn't see me. Dropped my hand.

Saw 2 women coming down the steps. Even from that distance and my giddiness, I could discern they looked like China people. Fair, long faced. Nevertheless, I raised a weak hand again and waved slowly for them to come over. China or not, I need help.

One of the women turned to glance in my direction, but seemed to think nothing of it and continued walking down their path with the other woman.

She probably thought I was a drunk or not waving to her because she seemed to look back to see who I was waving at. Yet she continued to walk away. Won't someone just come over and see what is the matter?

In the semi-darkness, I probably looked like someone or something to be avoided. The lighting was dim down the perpendicular stairs side. On my side, very dim light from somewhere.

I gave up, turned my head aside to my right and just closed my eyes. Thought the name of a 'god' who had disappointed, wondering why bother and if it was even heard. Heart was still beating heavily, still giddy, still breathing hard, perspiring in the cold wind. Really don't know what's going on. Never happened before outside like this. I was trying to rest.

Only once I blacked out in the toilet at home, at the start of this year due to food poisoning effects. Even that never happened before--I have never totally blacked out like that before.

This felt different. I only feel like throwing up if I've been poisoned by food. Tonight's dinner was actually overcooked and food preparation has always been clean. My bro and I have eaten my cooking countless times without problems. It can't be my dinner. Instead, it has always been outside food that has caused problems every time.

Eyes closed, no idea how or if I was going to get back home, I heard some sounds along my path--loud sandals slapping the concrete echoing loud and close. Raised hope. I turned my head to look but saw no one.

Then 2 young women came down my pathway, quietly walking down. I couldn't see their faces clearly. Both wearing black Tees. One was plumper and was walking first. I had the impression she was older, followed by a younger.

I raised my left hand, she was looking at me, and I said, "Can you call my brother?".

She paused. "What's the number?". Sounded sensible and mature. She took out a handphone from her black bag, I think or maybe she had a handphone in her hand. Her voice sounded Singaporean. Oh, thank goodness. Was a little comforting.

I tried mustering the number in my head. 640...I said, then closed my eyes to recall the rest of it. My tummy hurt, my heart hurt, everything was bad. No idea why my heart hurt as it beat.

She asked, "What's your name?".

My mind said 'Samantha' but thought this irrelevant and useless. I said in between breaths, "Just... tell him to come down...tell him I fainted".

"Is it only your brother?". she asked. I assumed she meant whether there was only my brother at home.

"Yes".


She started dialing and got through. I heard her say, "Your sister fainted...she asked you to come down.".

I corrected, "Fainting...".

Bro must have asked where. She looked around and asked the other girl in local Chinese, "What's this location?".

The other girl didn't know either. Neither did I. The pathway has no name. It's just a walkway.

She said, "It's between...Block 67 and uh...". She looked around.

Bro asked whether it's NTUC. The girl with the phone said, "At NTUC...".

I said, "No... just tell him to come down... the usual way. Along the way...".

Then was done. After a moment, I felt I should say, "Thanks.". She said, "It's Ok.".


I pointed to my left, at the intersection area perpendicular to this path, where he would be coming down, and said, "He'll appear there... intercept him there...".

She asked the younger girl to go there and wait. Meanwhile, she talked to me.

I said, "I went to buy him Strepsils... (turned my left wrist on the ground, showing her the box) then... suddenly... felt very giddy... can't continue....Don't know why."

Hearing my breathing, she asked, "Do you have trouble breathing?".

"No...I just...can't get up...feel very giddy... don't know why... I feel very cold...(thought occurred that if only she had a jacket and took it off to drape over me)... and...I need to go to the toilet...".

She said, "I think you better see a doctor...".

I was thinking: yeah, I should have it checked out right after getting home, but now, I just need to crap.

It seemed to take my bro quite long to get down. Was he taking time putting on his clothes at such a time?

It was just la few minutes (less than 5) but felt long.

The older girl called to the other one waiting at the intersection. The other one said, "Mei yo leh...". (don't have yet).

I kinda became not aware after a while...eyes closed, when I heard rushing sandals coming towards us. I turned my head to see him running. "What happened to you?" he called while running.

It was some relief seeing him at last. Can't recall my reply but I think I said, "Don't know why ...suddenly giddy...Your Strepsils".  Then showing him the box in my left hand. Asked him to keep it and my wallet.

I think he asked if I could get up, I said no...and he said, "Call an ambulance.".

I said no, just need to get back home.

He said again, "Call an ambulance." more pointedly, for the girl to make the call, I think, though the girl didn't.

I said I only needed to be helped back. Was thinking of my bro helping my arm on one side, while the girl could help me on the other side.

He thanked the girls and the older one said, "It's Ok.". Then they left. I didn't expect them to leave. But then I realized I had been holding them up. After all, my bro had come. If I were them, I probably would also leave since the family was here and will handle it.

"I need to dung.". I told bro. "I really need to dung now. If I can dung here, I will.".

"Go to the coffee shop. I'll help you.". He came over to my right and tried helping me up, one hand on my back, other hand on my right arm.

"I'll get up myself...".

He took away his hands and waited for me.

Felt an enormous task just to move. I turned to put my hands and knees on the ground, then pushed up from there. My glasses fell from my shorts to the ground. How did that get there? Didn't know it was there, or when. Must have taken them off to wipe the sweat off my face with my hand earlier. Hope it wasn't scratched. It's precious lens but did not really matter now.

I picked it up off the ground with a sound that I hoped didn't mean I scratched it against the concrete more, and handed it to bro. "Take my specs.".

Then I held onto the metal railing just behind me and clung on while I pulled myself up. Christ. I leaned my head against the rail, trying to get the giddiness to pass. What an effort.

A few seconds, then lifted my head and stood. Giddy... sick. Wondered if I was able to hold on till home.

I said no need coffee shop, just get home, use the toilet and I'll be fine. It's the toxins in the dung built-up causing poison (assuming).

It could be the Vitamin B pills and other 'clean up' pills (Vit E, Omega 3), that I took the past few days. After cleaning up the toxins in the body and piling them up in the bowels to be released, I was constipated. So the toxins stayed and poisoned me. That's what Body was telling me. Instinct.

Yesterday, I only took 1 Omega pill, 2 Vit E and 1 Vit B. Why was it affecting tonight when yesterday I was Ok?


We stood for a few minutes, wondering if I could proceed home or the coffee shop, when I insisted I really couldn't hold it in anymore. I really need to release now.

It so happened I was standing near where the path turned at an inward angle, forming a corner (a blind spot) where the flats around wouldn't be able to see. I said I really can't wait, pulled down enough of my shorts, and squatted there. Bro was standing to cover, but wasn't near enough. He then backed nearer, providing better coverage.

One woman actually walked up our path, but didn't even look back, or see me. It helped that my sleeveless tank top was dark brown, my shorts was navy blue and I was small enough to hide behind my bro who posed with his right elbow on the concrete bannister looking like he was waiting for someone or admiring something. It helped that it was dark. I don't think I could've done it in the day or so easily.

It's not that I want to. Not like I enjoy or intentionally doing it. I really have no choice. If I want to walk home, I have to do this. Sometimes, there have been human excrement lying along staircases and walkways, and I've always expressed incomprehension why it was done. Why couldn't the person at least do it in the grass or a nearby toilet? At least on the grass, it would do its natural job of fertilizing the soil. How can it even be done in public was always beyond me. How to do it when anyone might see and how the dung can even come out when it's open-air, public place, knowing it's wrong. It's just bizarre.

I assumed it was done on purpose, for the heck of it because it can be done. I always assumed it was malicious intention. Or perhaps, an elderly person who really couldn't hold it in (but still...). Think of the poor cleaner who has to clean up.

The dung came out fast and furious. Was noxious. Bro asked if tissue was needed. He then passed me the packet. I used 2 pieces, thinking can do proper cleaning when get back.

After it was done, I stood pulling up my shorts. "I'll continue when we go back." I told bro, then winced. "Better hurry, think I need to go again.".

Turned to look back and was surprised it didn't look as large a heap as I expected. Just white tissues visible. Sorry I had to do it there. Hope nobody needs to clean it up. If it rains...that would solve the problem.

Felt instantly better, improved. The giddiness was gone.  I took big steps and said to bro that now I can walk.


As we hurried back up the path, I confirmed with him that he had my glasses. He said yeah, in his pocket.

Just as we got to the lift, my bro went ahead to press the button. But I couldn't wait anymore. Needed to release another load now.

Went behind the lift where there is a row of grass and short shrubs. Well hidden from view because it's dark, especially if I squat near to the shrubs. I thought of the cat that liked hiding in these shrubs during the day and thought she'd be wise enough to avoid if she comes upon the dung.

Again pulled down just enough of my shorts, placed my butt near the shrubs where the load would fall onto the soil, with bro standing to my right.

"Someone is coming." said my bro and I could see a man going up the sheltered path on the right. The man didn't even look over.

Again, the load came out fast, wet, and cleared out. I looked to my left and realized that side is open. Bro was hiding me from the right. He can't hide me at the same time on the left.

Luckily nobody was passing by the void deck, otherwise, a person might see. The light of the void deck is white and brighter. It was easier to see someone in the shrubs. But my shorts was in such a way that it wasn't obvious in the darkness, and might look like I was just squatting if the person noticed me there. And usually, people don't really look anyway.

I asked bro for tissue. After it was done, I said I'll continue at home.

The lift was still waiting on the level.

We took it up.

Back home, bro said to leave the bathroom door open, in case I fainted. But I left it just a little ajar.

Oddly, while now at the the proper place, the dung wouldn't come even though my tummy felt sore and churned. Stood up and sat back, repeating a few times. And still the same.

Bro would check on me, to see if I was Ok. He said don't force it if it doesn't want to.

Finally, a stream of noxious water came out. And that was it. I guess it had cleared everything out in public...though the tummy still felt it needed further release. It was contracting like it needed to dung another load, but nothing came.

Sorry if it all sounds very gross. But that's the human body. This is how it is. Barring my reader's grossed-out-ness when reading it or what is thought of me, I have to post it for myself as a record. I'm more concerned whether I'll be fined for excreting in public places. If it's an offense, I guess my situation and that fact that I didn't do it on purpose cannot excuse it?

Now I understand why my bro's friend said it feels good to dung in nature, with nature as the big restroom. Uh... I didn't quite agree with it before this incident. But now I really understand. I think humans were meant to dung in open areas, in the squatting position.

According to a uterine book I read, the posture of seating on a toilet is wrong, not helpful for bowel movement. The natural way is squat. It seemed this was so, as I sat on the toilet at home and it wouldn't come.

Throughout last night, the tummy felt tender and not too good. Didn't catch any sleep. It kept feeling like wanting to release, but it was intermittent and nothing really wanted to come out.

This morning wasn't too good either. But after a small bowl of cooked oats and a little Japanese sprinkling of condiment on top, and a cup of warm sugared Chamomile tea, I felt better.

It feels like last night didn't happen...I can't quite believe it happened. I'm sure the dung is still there at the corner angle of the pathway to prove it. The other dung might have already melted into the soil where it was meant to, the natural way.

Supplemental: 
That day, bro and I went to IKEA intending to buy a swivel chair for my desk. But along the way, we dropped by at Anchorpoint for restrooms. Just as we exited the restrooms, turning beside an escalator to leave for IKEA, I asked if he wanted to check out Home Fix down in the basement.

He said Ok and while he browsed there, I was hungry and checked out Dessert Story. Ordered their handmade on-the-spot 'Chee Cheong Fun' with prawns inside. And a glutinous rice with chicken 'Lor Ma Gai'.

There was nobody in this Dessert Story outlet at the time, and usually I avoid eating places that are empty of customers. But previously at other times, I had seen some people eating here before, so I thought it was Ok. In the past, we used to eat at the Hougang outlet and I always felt they should sell snacks like 'Lor Mai Gai' and 'Siew Mai'.

Now this Anchorpoint outlet has these snacks, so I wondered if this was the same company. Confirmed by looking at their name card at the cashier counter. Yeah, the same.

While paying at the counter, I saw a woman making the 'Chee Cheong Fun' by scooping a ladle of white liquid from a container, then pouring it into a shallow metal tray. I guess that would be the 'Chee Cheong Fun' tray, guessing it warmed up beneath. Thinking that it was warm food, it should be Ok.

The 'Lor Mai Gai' was also warm when served and it tasted nice. Not oily.

When bro joined me, I ordered another 'Lor Mai Gai', 'Har Gow' and a yam dessert that wasn't quite warm.

He had flu before this, but recovered and had mild sore throat only. After eating, the sore throat got worse until the night, till he couldn't speak clearly.

He suspected the prawns in the 'Chee Cheong Fun' might have something to do with his sore throat worsening and my tummy upheaval. Some part of what we ordered wasn't cleanly prepared or kept.

Bacteria from the food complicated his sore throat. The fact that I felt like throwing up meant it was a food issue. As mentioned, I only feel like throwing up if I had eaten unclean or poorly prepared food.

Not saying it's definitely food poisoning at that outlet, but it's quite possible because of the rather sloppy way they prepare and keep their food. If not, why was the yam dessert not warm? The quality of the snacks was also poor.

At Hougang, everything is always very warm and well done. I've never had any problems eating at the Hougang outlet.

Bro also said my case could be the Omega 3 that I have been taking for the past 1 or 2 weeks. Online information says it thins blood and lowers blood pressure. That might explain my giddiness and fainting. At the start of this year, a doctor who treated my food poisoning at the time, tested I was severely anemic.

Thinning my blood would definitely make it worse. But...I only took a pill the day before the incident. I didn't take a single pill on 6 Sept. He said the effects of the Omega 3 could be cumulative.

Well, I think it's a combination of factors: I didn't release for 2 days. Those pills must have been accumulating the toxins in the body and depositing in the bowels for quick release. But lacking a release, the poisons went up to the head, causing head and heart problems. Then possibly the food at the outlet wasn't 100% clean.

After returning home, I drank some Mitsuya carbonated cider that I had been drinking from for a few days in the fridge since buying it. This was before cooking dinner.

Could be the gas in the cider stirred up the bowels, or the cider itself was unclean having been in the fridge for a few days already and I drink from the mouth of it.

Whatever it is... I really don't know. I just hope I live more time and that such incidents do not happen again. Also a good thing DNA test is not run on stray dung to find out who it is... (I don't think we are so free or so rich to send for lab for testing. Who's paying?).  One person always released a load on the stairwell of my block of flat and someone always urinates down the steps. These people never seem to be caught. No cameras are ever installed to nab them.

I used to tell my bro, why not install cameras, or DNA the dung and find out who it is? But practically, who's paying and what for? The cleaner cleans up the dung and the floors are washed about once a month. Nobody seems to complain (never heard of any because people take the lift, not the stairs).

When we returned, bro said the phone call gave him a heart attack. Said he'll die of a heart attack if it kept happening like that. Thinking of which... I wonder if maybe that's what I had--a heart attack. O.O He said he actually had a bad feeling when I went downstairs and didn't return for so long. I said I had a feeling I shouldn't go. He said he actually had a bad dream about me but didn't want to tell me.


Anyway, update: I went out this afternoon and went by the areas with my dung pats. The one on the soil has flattened out into a pat with flies and 2 pieces of tissues, one of which has some dung where it was wiped with.

The other pat has been completely cleaned away. Not a trace in that corner, as if nothing happened. Except for a few small loose leaves along that wall but not at the spot, it's totally clean.

On my way back, I glanced up at the flats around the sloping pathway. It wasn't block 67. The girl had been mistaken in the darkness.

Word of caution about taking Omega 3 pills: I didn't know it thins the blood and lowers blood pressure when I purchased $53 worth of it (90 pills) from Watsons Takashimaya at sale price. When I said I get a headache taking Vitamin B pills, she told me to just pop in 3 Omega 3 pills! The way she said it, it was as if she treated them like sweets. My goodness. I always thought these sales women know nuts. They are not doctors. Just because these are vitamins or health pills doesn't mean they are harmless.

At the moment 8.55pm:  I'm still feeling strange in my stomach. I already dunged again after returning home this evening (went to collect payment from Western Union outlet, then stopped over Giant to buy a few foodstuff to cook dinner). It was watery, seemed like diarrhea. But I think it was expelling today's intake, not yesterday's. Yesterday had no solids left except water.

Could be left over bacteria from toxins yesterday.