Gesture of Goodwill = Obligation?

Seriously, I am pissed. 

Very, very pissed.

Yes - with SOME elderly/senior citizens/old people, or whatever you call them.

Before you start pointing your finger and making accusations that I am one ignorant youngster, please do read on what I have to say.

I never thought I would be blogging about this, but I guess it's the final straw when I experienced for myself how SOME senior citizens are taking KINDNESS for granted.

It all began when I was taking my usual train to work this morning; but I was quite desperate for a seat this time as I was feeling sick (I believe my pale face could definitely tell).

All I had hoped for was to take a short nap during my 20 minutes train journey - but it was not until I got signaled out by an auntie (she isn't reeealllly that old).

Showing me her senior citizen ez-link card as though it was some emperor card (*rolls eyes*), she went (in mandarin) "Young girl, can I have the seat because elderly like me will experience leg pain?" ( NOTE: SHE SOUNDED MUCH MORE RUDE THAN THIS IN REALITY)

Yes, I appreciate that she has at least the courtesy to ask. But seriously, she sounded like I was OBLIGATED to give up my seat to her.

Well, I did - despite the fact that I was not feeling well. I immediately stood up and she shamelessly took the seat - BUT THAT WAS NOT THE END.

When it was her stop to alight, she suddenly tapped me on my shoulder and told me to have the seat back with a REALLY black face. I smiled in return and said it was alright since I was alighting as well.  

**IT WAS THEN THAT I OVERHEARD HER TELLING ANOTHER PASSENGER TO SIT BECAUSE THEY ARE SENIOR CITIZENS, etc etc.** (It was like she was hinting to everyone that the Priority seats are MEANT for senior citizens like her. Apparently, she said it loud enough for surrounding passengers to hear and was indirectly targeting me)

Hello - let's make this clear. Being a senior citizen does not mean that you are DESERVING of the Priority seat. 

A Priority seat, basically, is a seat that is offered out of goodwill or for people whom one may think need it more. 

Gone were the days when people are giving up their seats out of PURE goodwill and sincerity.

Truth to be told, ALL of us are paying for the same amount of transport fares. It doesn't mean that I HAVE, I MUST, I SHOULD give up my seat to you just because I think that you are a "senior citizen".

So what if you are older than me? Do you bother to earn your respect? Does being a senior citizen mean that you are some special mortal that has higher powers above all?

I would say that many senior citizens/elderly/old people are pretty much SPOILT.

Probably they were given in so much that they now think that they are of "higher authority" - and have the rights to throw a tantrum should they not be offered what they THINK they deserve.

Please. Don't TAKE the kindness of others for granted.

If you are being offered something out of goodwill, be APPRECIATIVE of the privilege - and not to think that you DESERVE it. 

Of course, I always respect the elderly. I would still give up my seat if I THINK you are worthy of it.

BUT NOT ALL.

Earn your respect FIRST. Period.

A bad train journey a day, keeps my good mood at bay

This is probably not the first time that I'm complaining about crowded trains and buses.

And congrats, SMRT outdone itself again a few days ago while I was on my way to work in the morning:

(That explains my blog title, "A bad train journey a day, keeps my good mood at bay!!")

A fast pic that I captured using my phone - so don't expect superb quality in resolution. But you get the idea... Yeah.

According to the announcement, it seemed that there was a train issue again that resulted in the crowd.

(Shucks, I had to wait till the 4th or 5th train before I could finally get my butt in!)

I was more then half an hour late by the time I reached my office. (=_=)

Thanks, SMRT.

(Actually I was not the only person who took photos. There were 2 guys capturing shots non-stop before I decided to do so as well. Haha)

Anyway, my torture didn't end just THERE.

I am not trying to be racist here, but I was REALLY irritated by an indian guy who raised his freaking armpit - which unfortunately, fell at my nose level.

Okay, that armpit did not really smell bad - but it was enough to provide me a  great deal of discomfort throughout my train journey. 

To make matters worse, I suddenly smelled something bad. And no, it wasn't coming from that armpit... But it smelled like saliva + something weird that I couldn't really describe in words.

As I looked up, I finally knew the origin of the smell.

It was coming from a guy who was about 2 heads taller than me ...

 And he was breathing down on a poor me.

So the "smell" that I actually breathed in was his freaking carbon dioxide aka CO2.

Like, seriously...???!

Armpit + carbon dioxide?!

I was like, "GET ME OUT OF HERE PLEASE!!" 

(And I was secretly praying hard that I could survive till I reach my destination)

This is not the first time that I encountered such issues - and I often ended up with a grumpy/bad morning.

I know not everyone will encounter what I did cos I am short.

Hence, the average armpit level = my nose level.

Oh darn. WHY oh WHY...

*sighs and shakes head*

Ok, enough of my grumpy train journey. I'm gonna blog about other topics before I feel the urge to puke. (Can you believe that I actually, really PHYSICALLY puked after one of my train journeys to work? All thanks to a guy who had such a strong BAD-smelling perfume + odour)

Is anyone following SMRT Ltd (Feedback)'s Facebook page? 

(It is actually a page used for trolling innocent people)

They sure have got some guts there.

Just don't freaking believe what you read on the page. 

They are not associated with the original SMRT, but still an entertaining read at times as they have witty responses to different situations. 

(But I don't know why there are still people who took them for the real deal despite them making it so obvious that they are nothing but trolls.)

Oh well.

Featuring my laopo Shreky and I - Tiong Bahru Bakery! :)

Not sure if any of my readers here have tried Tiong Bahru Bakery before?

I just did today - for the first time, with recommendation from my laopo Shreky! :)

It is basically a cafe that sells bread, puffs and stuff. Not your ordinary neighborhood bakery though! 

You'll know what I meant as you read on. :)

It has been a loooong time since I last met Shreky (YES I MISS YOU!) , and I was all hyped up for it!

Tiong Bahru Bakery is 2 bus stops away from Tiong Bahru station. (It is within walking distance, but we didn't know the directions and ended up taking the bus. LOL.)

Yep, it's at Eng Hoon St.

We had to walk through this nostalgic lane:

Here we are!

(I love the design of the logo. Reminds me of those chinese chop/stamps. LOL)

The wooden-looking door can actually turn 360 degrees!

Just a random shot when I went in:

It feels kinda like a restaurant place right?!

I was being WOW-ed over when I entered the place. It was as if I had entered into a small countryside cafe in another country. The ambiance of the place with soft music playing in the background was awesome. Definitely an ideal place to chill out with friends on a weekend.

Look at the variety of bread they offer! Very different from what you usually see in other places, right?

(And the price is VERY different, too. LOL *coughs*)

Another "series":

Yes, I am that evil to make you salivate. (I just LOVE making readers salivate)

Shreky and I ordered Almond Croissant and Chocolate Croissant respectively:

Okay, I am lazy to upload the higher resolution so I just extract these photos from my Facebook. Pardon the poor quality!

Look at the almond nuts!

I don't usually like the taste of almonds, but I actually find this acceptable when I tried a few bites. It has this tinge of sweetness that will just have you craving for more after each bite.

LOL, can you just feel the chocolate melting in your mouth as you bite into it??!

The exterior of the Croissant was really crunchy. :)

Me posing with the Croissant before letting it flow into my digestive system. LOL:

My Shreky posing with hers:

(LOL, I love this expression! Hahaha)

Took polaroids using Shreky's camera and she gave these 2 to me. Awww... 

THANK YOU!! 

#memories.

I have them safely in my wallet now! :D

Tralala~

Gosh, I look like a self-obsessed woman putting these in my wallet.

But who cares!

Us being crazy:

Walked around after our meal and came across this lane that I felt was worth a shot:

Doesn't it look like a scene from those Mediacorp dramas you have always watched?! LOL. Especially those gangster fight scenes, etc.

A blurred photo as we tried the Timer mode. But oh well~

Come , care for a ride?? Hop in , baby!:)

Shreky gave me these cute birthday pressies. 

It's Kitty themed! OMG, thanks SHREKY! 

I love them! =D

 \

A moustache necklace from My Black Shop , given by Shrek too. It's in my favorite shade of neon orange! OMG, I can't wait to wear it out :)

I'll be posting up an advertorial for the online store as well in time to come, do stay tuned! :)

Ending my post on a happy note! :)
Thanks SHREKY for accompanying me and making my day such a fun-filled one. It was a pity that we didn't get to spend more time together, but am sure that we will have the chance to again! :)

It sure is a blessing to have such a lovely friend like you, and you are a God's gift to me!

*I know your goosebumps are creeping up on your arms now*

Thinking back, how time flies since our poly days. I still remember vividly those times when we were in the same class, having lunch together and crapping around like crazy people.

It felt like yesterday! 

*Gosh, I sound like an old woman reminiscing the old days* =_=

Nonetheless... ...

I love you shreky!!! =D Hehe

Breaking News: Guy committed suicide @ MRT track

Just read the latest news online - Someone committed suicide between Redhill and Tiong Bahru MRT station.

(Picture credits from Twitter)

When I first heard about it from friends' FB statuses, the first thought that came to me was 

"Ah, it must be fake."

It was not until the news appeared on Straits Times.

http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/dead-body-found-mrt-tunnel-causes-service-disruption-20121028

(I believe it's going to be a piece of viral news tomorrow morning.)

Not sure if it was true, but online sources had it that 28 trains actually ran over the body? 

Seriously... 28?! Wouldn't that guy be in a "minced meat" condition?!

That would be crazy if it were true.

It's really saddening that another young life is lost just like that. I mean, what was the person thinking before and during the time he jumped?

Is there really nothing that can solve his issue - so much that he had to do this to endanger his life?

What an inconsiderate way to commit suicide.

Disrupting train service, activating so many police cars, creating mass public panic and now even appearing on so many different social media platforms.

Come to think of it again, a suicidal person would not have the ability to think logically anymore. All they could think of was to end their life this very instant.

Have they thought about their families?

Have they thought about their friends?

Have they thought about the things in life that weren't accomplished?

Have they... ...

I believe the answer is NO.

I came across this inspiring write-up on FB that I felt is worthy to be shared. It's very well written and thought-provoking. Read on (It's long, but I guarantee you that it's worth reading):

"Thinking of suicide ? You’re sitting in your room ~ door locked ~ with a pen in your hand and a blank piece of paper infront of you. Your hand is shaking, and the tears begin again - for the third time in the past hour. ‘To my family’ you write at the top of the page, but decide it’s a bad way to begin your letter ~ your suicide letter. You try again, start over ~ again and again, but you don’t know where to begin. No one understands you; no one knows what you’re going through, you’re alone or at least that’s what you think. Nobody would care if you’re alive or not, you mean nothing to nobody.

It’s night, and you slip into bed. ’Goodbye’ you whisper into the darkness. And with that, you take your last breathe and end it all.

No body cares, right? Well you thought wrong. It’s a Tuesday the following morning, and when it’s 7:21, your mother comes and knocks on your door. She doesn’t know you can’t hear her she doesn’t know you’re gone. She knocks a few more times, calling your name to open up. When there is no reply from your side of the door, she opens it and screams. She collapses on the ground while your dad rushes to your room. Your siblings have already left for school. Your very weak mother collects all the energy she’s got which is close to nothing to walk over to your bed. She leans over your dead body, crying, squeezing your hand, screaming. Your dad is trying to stay strong, but the tears escape his eyes; calling 000 or 911 with his left hand while his other one is on your mother’s back. Your mother blames herself. All those times she had said ‘no’ to you, all those times she had screamed at you, and sent you to your room over something stupid. Your father will blame himself for not being there for you when you asked for help, for being away from home at work for long. Nobody cares, right?

8:34. There’s a knock on your classroom door it’s the school principle. She looks more worried than ever. She calls the teacher to the side; all the students worried: what’s going on? The principle then later announces about your suicide. The popular girl that always called you fat and ugly is now blaming herself. The kid that would always copy your homework but treat you like crap ~ he’s blaming himself. The boy that sits behind you ~ the one that always threw things at you during class ~ he’s blaming himself too. The teacher is blaming herself - for all those times she’d scream at you for forgetting your homework, or not listening in class. People are crying, screaming, shocked, in regret of what they did. They’ll all be devastated - even the kids you’ve never talked to before. Still nobody cares about you, right?

Your siblings get home. Your mother has to tell them that you’re gone; forever. Your little sister ~ no matter how many times she’s screamed at you, told you she hated you and stole your stuff ~ always loved you, and saw you as her hero; her role model. She now starts to blame herself; why didn’t I do what she told me to do when she told me to? Why did I take her stuff even when she asked me not to? This is all my fault. Your brother gets home ~ the boy that never cries. He’s now in his room; mad at himself ~ he caused your death. All those times he’d played pranks on you. He’s punching holes in his wall, turning over things; he doesn’t know how to deal with the fact that you’re gone. Forever. Nobody cares about you, right? Right?

It has been over a month. The door to your room has been closed all this time. Everything is different now. Your brother has to be sent to anger management classes, your little sister cries everyday still waiting for you to come back. Everyday she waits for you to come back home. The popular girls have now turned anorexic. They don’t know how to deal with the pain that they’re feeling. Your father has depression; your mother hasn’t slept for nights it’s all her fault. She’s been crying and screaming every night wishing for you to come back. The boy who would always bother you dropped out of school. The boy that copied your homework now cuts. But nobody cares about you, aren’t I right?

Your mother finally decides to go clean out your room. But she can’t do it. She’s locked herself in your room for two days to try to clean up your clothes, your things. But she can’t she can’t say goodbye to you, not yet, not now. Never.

It’s your funeral. It’s a big one ~ everybody comes. No one knows what to say. The beautiful girl with the big smile is gone; you’re somewhere else. No one knows what to say, they’re all still shocked. Everyone cries, everyone misses you. They all wish you’d come back but you don’t, and you won’t.

Still think nobody cares about you? Think again. Even if people don’t show it, they care about you, they love you. If you kill yourself today or any other day you won’t know just how much you meant to people. If you kill yourself today, it stops your pain, but it pains all the ones who know you for the rest of their life. Suicide is the easy way out - but it’s the wrong choice. Life is beautiful. Yes, it does have its ups and downs everyone has their bad days. Sometimes people go through tough times in their lives like you’re probably going through now but bad times come and go. You might not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s there. No matter how hard life gets, never give up on yourself, or on your life.

Take a minute now, and think. If you killed yourself ~ how would the people that love you feel/go through? Can’t think of anything? Well I’ll tell you: tears, tears, and more tears. Devastation. Guilt. Pain. Broken. Regret. Miserable.

If after reading this you still feel suicidal, there are people that can help you. I’m here for you whenever you need me, and I’ll be more than happy to listen to you and try to help you feel better. There are teachers, parents, grandparents, neighbors, adults, councilors ~ they’re all there for you whenever you need them."

SAFRA Movie Treat: Taken 2

Thanks to the kind folks at SAFRA for the exclusive movie - TAKEN 2 invite!

"TAKEN 2" Poster:

Exciting 1.5 hour movie that are simply filled with action. My eyes were all glued to the screen!

Despite the fact that some parts are quite unbelievable (eg: a car that still looked perfect and shiny even after going through accident after accident =_=), the movie is still worth watching as a whole.

You'll love the intensity.

Check out more details of the movie here:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1397280/

Tampines Mall: Just a random shot of me and Wen:

 

After the movie, we headed over to The Old Malaya Cafe to have our dinner. 

I simply love the decorations in there! It almost felt like I was walking into a museum instead of a cafe.

Here are some shots that I took while waiting for our food. I am sure these will send some of you vintage collectors crazy.

Look at this lovely bike! Yes, it does look old, but in a good vintage way!

Sorry though, all of the items are not for sale. :( (YEAH, sad)

I wonder if this has ever been used??

I can just imagine putting some paos in it. LOL.

Antique telephone! Is that real, too??

BOO!!

Did I scare ya?

Have you ever tasted Pontian noodles?

The one at The Malaya Cafe tastes different - IN A GOOD WAY! The usual noodles you find in other places are darker in color-  but this apparently has a lighter shade.

Well.. I do not know exactly how to describe it, but the taste is just... different. 

After eating so many types of wanton noodles in Singapore, nothing beats this one.

You can try it out at the branch at 313 Somerset or Tampines Mall , if you are living in the East.

Gaah, why am I torturing myself by staring at this photo??

I tried the "K.L Curry Noodles".

(Unfortunately, it isn't as tasty as I expected. I prefer the Pontian noodles better still!)

On our way home, I "booked" the whole MRT cabin.

*proud owner*

*sings*
Mine... The train is mine... ..

(=_="),,,,

I just hate taking the MRT in the morning!

As what the subject title stated, YES, I JUST HATE TAKING THE MRT IN THE MORNING! (Come to think of it... Who doesn't?)

I have to go through the rush hour during the peak period every morning where bumping into people and being squashed to a pulp (despite my tiny  petite size) is a norm.



BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DETEST THE MOST?


It's not about the squeezing.
It's not the bumping-into-people part.
.
.
.

It's having to SMELL people's freaking ARMPITS.

(Photo credits to Google images)

It always happens. 
Right there in the train when someone just raises his/her hand in an attempt to grab hold of the pole.

I am only 158 CM in height, hello!

AND THE ARMPITS WOULD OFTEN BE AT MY NOSE LEVEL.

Oh goodness, you have no idea how I was trying so hard to hold my breath and secretly wishing that I could stop breathing while maintaining being alive.

Just today, this indian guy (I am not being racist here) just raised his armpit at me and I could just smell the SWEAT flowing into my direction!

I didn't try to hide the fact that I was uncomfortable, of course. I turned my head the opposite side, away from the armpit attack. I could feel him looking at my direction every now and then, so I guess he did know I didn't really like his armpit.

(Photo credits to Google images)


Oh man, sometimes I wish I could be taller.
It's really a torture to travel to work every morning with a daily dosage of armpit attack.
But what can I do? The trains are always packed and I understand that humans need to grab hold of the poles for safety.


and.. Sometimes I wish that something can be done to reduce the crowd at Jurong East station. It gets so packed that it's unbelievable!
There would be lots of pushings and shovings, and having to witness the glares from people isn't always a good way to start the day.

Tsk. I guess one has to have alot of patience in order to be a train survivor.