10 Things To Do Before I Die

John Steinbeck once wrote, “It seems to me that if you or I must choose between two courses of thought or action, we should remember our dying and try so to live that our death brings no pleasure on the world."

I am fatalistic. Or at least, I think I am.

I like to imagine the various ways I would die. Sometimes when I lie in bed at night, staring at the plain white ceiling, I can even see my soul hovering over me - looking down at ME - looking up at my soul. It's freaking eerie.

Heck. I even have a grand plan for my funeral.

Then I start ticking off the things I have done in my life. Things I have not done. Things I should have done. Things I must do.

Sometimes the list changes - depending on what I am going through at that point in my life. But it does not differ too much from this not-so-exhaustive list. Unlike Suspicious Bastard - I don't wish to be God. It just takes the fun out of everything because being God gives you absolute power to do whatever you want.



Then what's the point of having a wish list?

The sado-masochistic streak in me love the long, agonizing, torturous process of getting what I want - so that I can ultimately die a truly gratifying death.

After staring at that ceiling for quite some many years, I figured I can finally settle for this list (for now at least).

10. Visit Jerusalem. I'd see it as the most humbling experience of my life to retrace the final steps which Jesus had taken before his crucification - on the rugged stones of this ancient city .

09. Write Memoirs of My Freaking Life - Vols. I - III. Trilogies and beyond get readers hooked as proven by Rowling's Harry Potter series, Tolkien's Lord of the Rings epics and the most recent James Lee's Mr Midnight teenage horror trash. It's about time to exhume those skeletons in my closets...

08. Publish A Magazine. I ought to do this before they hammer the final nail into my coffin. I figured a magazine not only fulfils my insatiable appetite to write, it offers a channel for the remarkable writers that I know a chance to pen their works too. Another dream? Possibly....but not entirely impossible, is it? Success comes to those who dares to dream, or so I was told.

07. Chill out in Maldives. Appallingly extravagant but absolutely de rigueur. The magnificent sapphire, glistening bed of waters beckons to me, and stirs up a yearning so deep that I can almost taste the sea on my lips.

06. Teach. Something I have always wanted to do. The kids I have taught in the past awakened a part of me I never thought existed. They are always eager to please. Perpetually attention seeking. Their innocence sometimes almost makes me feel guilty about being an adult. If I can choose to make a difference, I would like to make a difference in their lives.

05. Volunteer. Too often, I convince myself I have much more important work to do. I have been greatly blessed and have yet to pass these blessings along to someone else who needs it more. There's no excuse and there shouldn't be any. For I have eyes, but yet my heart's blind.

04. Keep a pet. A dog preferably - I prefer wagging tails to feline claws anytime. It will probably be my only best buddy left when my human companions are snugly six feet under.

03. Backpack. That means to explore the world with the clothes on my back, stake out budget hotels, snare cheap exotic buys and make new friends on my travels. How about a travel blog to immortalize those breathtaking landscapes and grandiose infrastructures, and record unique happenings, if any?

02. Aging gracefully. The worst thing about growing old is watching yourself waste away. Nothing can be more depressing than to allow yourself to decay physically, and meekly accept the inevitable deterioration of the spotless mind. The best revenge against the sands of time is to age beautifully - by living an unconventional life, honing our skills, developing life's wisdom, enhancing our body, mind and soul - and most of all, continuing to believe in love.

01. Complete the Bible. There's a reason why this book is the bestseller of all time.


Fiction has it that the moment before you die, your life is played back in 8x rewind speed. History cackled to live and in those flashbacks, you'd wish there are some things you haven't done, and some that you have. If only there is a formula to determine when our time will come. Then we can plan on a timeline the stuff we need to get done before the "deadline" (no pun intended).

Death rolls out no red carpet for anyone but rather - wields a cold, menacing scythe over your head like an impending thunderstorm. I could never dictate when I am going, but I can decide what I want to do before that.

With this list, I am hoping that when my life is being rewound, I would not feel that stabbing pang of guilt which eats into you and makes you feel you have just wasted your time on earth.

I'd say, weave your own red carpet - so that when you hit that rewind button, there will be no regrets.

“Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night, there will be nothing left for him to steal.”

Musings on Love - by Neil Gaiman

"Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it?

It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up.

You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you.

They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore.

Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart.

It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain.

I hate love.” – Neil Gaiman


That's Neil Gaiman for you. I personally don't think he hates love. He probably hates all the hurt, pain, discomfort, agony and vulnerability that come packaged with LOVE - without a life-time love/time/money-back guarantee. In economic terms, LOVE would most possibly be a significant high-liability investment with zero returns.

Gaiman probably knows more about love than anyone else - to be able to describe it so perfectly and aptly.

After reading that passage, I realised I "hate" love too. But no matter how hard I try, I cannot help falling in it. It is what makes us - complete. I'm sure everyone needs it just as much, no matter how much they claim to 'hate' it. To say you don't need love, is as good as saying you can survive without air. I've read somewhere that men are created with an innate need to be with someone. And that's why we are constantly searching for that person - instinctively, subconsciously, unknowingly, unwittingly - throughout our lives.

Someone once said,"To love someone is nothing; to be loved by someone is something; but to be loved by the one you love - is everything."

What do you think?

Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a Heaven in Hell's despair.- William Blake

Wanna Be Her Valentine? - Part 2

The Love Faerie is BACK......

Miss Valentine #1, as expected, sent hearts into a state of flurry and male hormones scuttering busily all over the world wide web. Her mailbox was filled with proclamations and declarations of interest (not 'love' yet) from enamoured suitors, bedazzled by her sweet smile and pleasant disposition. Of course, my flawless description of her added that final magical touch to her already beautiful soul.

Has she got a Valentine's Date yet? Well - only Cheryll Ms Charming Sweetie Pie knows the answer. I shall leave her to update you guys on her "Singapore Valentine's" finalists.

Oh - I have this extremely funny tidbit that I absolutely must share. Gotham Penthouse actually dropped me a note to offer a free bottle of wine to the man who gets the date with Cheryll! My post actually nabbed her a sponsor! Hahaha... They offered to host the couple at their club and has cheekily gone ahead to chill the wine - awaiting for the V-Day.

Love is in the air, isn't it? Without much further ado, here's the Love Faerie with Miss Valentine #2 - Michelle!

Let me see - how shall I describe Michelle?

She's a hot babe, a sexy chick, a sassy lass, an adorable girl with a surprisingly innocent and girlish charm about her. Despite her happy-go-lucky disposition, she is really a very sensitive soul. She surprises you with what she knows sometimes, and shocks you with what she doesn't.

At first glance, Michelle looks like a fair princess with her porcelain-like complexion - but hold your horses - she's no Paris Hilton. She plays the guitar, the keyboard, the drums and wields a Grade 8 cert in piano.

My rantings on this blog suddenly seemed muted in comparison. How can anyone who looks so good have so many talents? Life is so unfair.........!

Whereas Cheryll's saccharine nature makes me seem like a two-horned, fork tail she-devil (in fishnet stockings and ultra-mini black leather shorts!), Michelle brings out the BIG sister in me. I tend to spend more time playing Aunt Agony, and making sure she is not being bullied by some disgusting predators lurking precariously around her. She beams like the Miami sun when she is being showered a lot of attention, tender loving care, and of course, compliments.

But then again, which girl doesn't? We are all suckers for romance.

As I have proudly proclaimed, I am flanked by a bevy of girlfriends who are single, pretty and whom I dearly adore. Michelle happens to be one of them. In one of our gossipy exchanges, she reveals what she is looking for in a guy:

• At least 1.7m tall
• Well-spoken
• Well-groomed
• Witty
• Humourous
• Good fashion sense
• Sporty
• Good looking

Once again, I must emphasize that I do have her blessings to post this online so don't shoot me for it. My friends are a shy bunch - and it's not in their nature be extremely explicit with their feelings, actions and words and hence, they are often misunderstood for being cold, proud, unfriendly and distant.

Guess you have to know them better before you judge right?

If you like what you've read, drop her a note (with your pic please...) at mich-pam@mail.com.

As they always say, it's only an introduction. The rest is up to you baby.

"It's not the men in my life that count -- it's the life in my men."
- Mae West (1892-1980)

30 is the New 20s

JAN 10, 2006.

Yes. I've finally touched the golden number 30. It was a night worth remembering, no doubt. There were many memorable Kodak moments, and if I looked at the photos 30 years later, I know they would still bring that grin to my face.

It was a night where my closest friends, old and new, came together to honour the anointment of my Big Three-O, which I shamelessly welcomed with open arms.

It was a night where I am overwhelmed by the love showered upon me by my friends, simply just by being there.

It was a night where I squeezed four tables with over 20 friends who hailed from all over - my ex-MTV girl buddies, my cohort of ex-interns, my present colleagues, my long-time IRC friends, my MSN chatters, my blog readers, my personal friends as well as friends' friends.

It was also the night where everyone in Bar None sang a birthday song for me.

It was the night I've got to eat my favourite mango cake, kindly sponsored by Glen and Kristina.

It was the night where I danced, partied, drank and got a birthday kiss on stage - all thanks to the devious schemes plotted by my cheeky and wayward gang.

It was the night where I drank over 20 shots, some beer, some champagne, half a flaming lamborghini and many other suspicious-looking liquids that were being shoved into my face in the name of "birthday toast". I lost count and consciousness at almost the same time. I forgot my name too, I think.

It was a night of revelry, laughter, sexy moves on the dance floor, loud talking over even louder music, tons of alcohol gargling, presents, cakes, posing for photographs and acting silly and bimbotic.

This is how a 30-year-old woman should embrace her coming of age. In all splendour, pompous fanfare, fireworks, orgasmic joy and a bunch of wild and crazy friends who's either heading the same way or have already surpassed it.

To all of you who have been part of that unforgettable, irreverent, quirky "baptism ceremony" of mine @Bar None that night, thank you. Your friendship meant more than all the best presents in the world (except for that grossly overpriced B&O ten-CD changer hi-fi system).

If it had been the Oscars that night, you would have snagged the Best Supporting Friends Award. And now ladies and gentlemen, here are the nominees.....

Angel, Bee Lang, Bryan, Catherine and friend, Cheryl, Cheryll, Daniel, Danny Boy, Dennis, Eisen, Fidelia, Gary, Glen, Isabel, Jack, Kristina, Michelle-Pam, Pamela, Sabrina, Vivienne, Wei Qi and Yen.

Last but not least, thanks to Bar None - Pammy and Willy - the super duo for the superb hospitality and wonderful drink treats! Willy, you owe me one drink for not showing up before I got totally smashed. I shall claim it from you, you bet I will. :)

================================================================

JAN 11, 2006

I used to joke about my birthday celebrations every year. I have different groups of friends and hence, it can take up to more than a week to complete the round of celebrations! It feels as if I was having my own Elvina's Birthday Festival hahha.....

Anyway, I met up with my ex-MDIS classmates and their spouses for a second round of celebrations - at Chong Qing Hot Pot. Since everyone came in a pair, I thought I should bring my date too! Here are the photos - and don't forget to check out my extremely adorable and irresistibly cute godsons, Adam & Williem!

My heartfelt thanks to Ben and Belinda, Jacinta and Steven, Gillian and Williem Snr., Daniel and of course my two beloved godsons - Adam & Williem Jnr. !

In between the rest of the week, I was meeting colleagues and other friends for tea, supper and drinks. I have two more groups to grace with my lovely presence over this weekend - after which I can finally wrap up my birthday festivities!

“I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me,
I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be;
I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day,
As you have meant to me along the way.”

Wanna Be Her Valentine?

This should be Hotel Solace's most interesting post to date.

Allow me to introduce a very special friend of mine - Cheryll. She is one of the sweetest girls I have ever known, both inside and outside.

She is patient, very kind and extremely "teasable"! It gives me a cheap thrill to tease her relentlessly and watch her girlish reaction. Somehow, it never fails to tickle me. The greater her reaction, the more she amuses me.

I can be quite gruff and blunt, whilst she's the exact opposite. While I laugh heartily, she giggles. While I am extremely verbal with sexual jokes, she turns as red as a tomato, but enjoys the joke nonetheless. While I am strong headed and confident, she is modest and awfully sincere. While I am cynical and assertive, she is very giving and tolerant.

In short, she's really one cute babe. It is a wonder we can even click, and very well in fact.

Now for the wonderful news. She is single and very available. Though I strongly believe she would have no problems getting a date, but as her good girl buddy, I feel that I have a responsibility in helping her screen the guys.

With her blessings, I was 'appointed' her personal marketing agent. Hence my blog became the most perfect channel to start the quest for a perfect Valentine's Day date.

After many rounds of brainstorming and close-door boardroom discussions, we have shortlisted the following criteria to snare the perfect date:

- Someone who can connect with her intellectually
- Pleasant looking
- Makes her laugh; someone with a sense of humour
- Trustworthy
- Good tempered
- Preferably someone who drives (cos she stays quite out of the way)
- Financially stable
- Well-spoken
- Level of Horniness - 8/10
- Romanticism will be a BIG plus

* Mummies' boys are not eligible to apply

If you like what you have read so far, do drop her an email (preferably with your recent photo too!) at cheryll@mail.com. I have been promoting my blog readers aggressively to her, telling her what a wonderful bunch of guys all of you have been - and most importantly, a huge percentage of Hotel Solace guests are SINGLE!

So no harm making one more friend right? What's more - she's not only single, she's also incredibly cute, awfully sweet and absolutely adorable!

Just to reiterate - she may be single and available, but she's definitely NOT desperate. She's just such a dear friend to me that I make it my grand mission to help fix her up with a wonderful and fun date for Valentine's! Otherwise, given her shy nature, she will simply spend a romantic day lazing at home - and what a WASTE will that be!

What are you waiting for?

"Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever."

New Year Tribute ~ Hotel Solace

Cast off the old, the new has come
The past should stay right where they are
The new year brings, a new beginning
Pack your bags and follow the stars

Forgive all debts
Release all pain
It's time to face the world again

Grief no more for time waits not
Many promises lay abound
Let go in peace, leave it to God
2006 is here and now

Love yourself first
And begrudge no one
Your new life has only just begun

So my friends, take a deep breath
A brand new start, let's all embrace
Believe that life will be awesome and great
And so will be, this Hotel Solace.

Happy New Year, my esteemed guests of Hotel Solace.

May the blog be with you.

Year In Rewind

2005: A year of heartbreaks, non-committal relationships and whirlwind romances.

2005: Made many new friends online, and found my rightful place in the blogosphere.

2005: An influx of private guests checking into Hotel Solace.

2005: The year I stepped out of my shell and allowing myself to take a leap of faith.

2005: Went on my first date in 5 years. Felt that it was time to move on.

2005: I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management Studies, 2nd Upper Class Honours.

2005: Extremely stressed by family and other personal problems which led to chronic gastric problems.

2005: Insomnia infiltrated my life for the first time in 15 years.

2005: Discovered that I was really a bad judge of men.

2005: Became a love counsellor for some of my girlfriends. Saw more heartbreaks, more tears, more depressions.

2005: Realized that I am hitting the big Three-O soon. Not prepared.

2005: Experienced helluva emotional upheavals - caused by friends, family and close ones. Learnt that I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Sort myself out in time.

2005: Launched Singapore Fashion Festival 2005. I am finally a full-fledge fashionista. Need to practice pronouncing tongue twisters such YSL Rive Gauche, Longchamp, Christian Lacroix and Plein Sud.

2005: Completed the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Now for the movie......

2005: Plunged into non-stop work assignments since the re-org on Oct 2005. Completed some major projects which will bear fruit in 2006.

2005: Made some money through my CPF investments. My agent is darn good.

2005: Number of single girls in my social circle increased. What happened to all the men?

2005: Drifitng away from the Lord. Need to reflect and return.

2005: Started wearing accessories and slight make up. Never felt the urge until the accessory-crazy girls in my new company started to overwhelm me with such gifts - in a desperate attempt to make me one of their kind. I am now officially a fashion accessorizer, the unknowing victim of the "Accessories Make Me Look Hot" all-girl squad.

2005: I am naughty but nice. Sensual with spice. Love me and you have my utmost loyalty. Piss me and you're dead.

2005: My good friend is dying from cancer. He's wilting away by the day. I am losing him soon.

2005: I miss my dad but I haven't visited his tomb in 2 years. Why?

2005: I am often misunderstood. Am I speaking in a different language from everybody else?

2005: I may not be the best friend ever. But I do try my best.

2005: If I sound pessimistic, that's because I am. If I sound optimistic, that's because I am trying very hard to remove pessimisim from my life.

2005: I finally started having savings. Thank God for bonuses.

2005: New Year is a mere few days away. Forgive, forget and move on. Nobody's going to wait for you or me. I don't want to be left behind. Do you?

"For last year's words belong to last year's language.

And next year's words await another voice.

And to make an end is to make a beginning."

~ T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

2005 Xmas Bitch Party!

This year, I had one of my best Christmas ever.

Traditionally, I celebrate Christmas with three other girlfriends every year at my home. We will meet for dinner, proceed to my Casa de Yishun with loads of snacks, fruits and drinks, and watch DVD till before midnight. At the stroke of 12, we will be exchanging gifts under the beautiful Xmas tree, with carols belting out from a Christmas compliation CD through the speakers. After which, we will set up the mahjong table for an ardous challenge of maximizing our winnings through the little complicated tiles.

This Christmas eve, I decided to make it slightly bigger. The party venue was changed to a friend's house because I needed a larger space. I invited some friends who already knew my girls through other social functions (such as dinner and my weekly Friday night chill out sessions!) and extended the invite to these friends' friends as well as their spouses.

I even created an e-invite to make this intimate party "official". Thrilled me to no end - 'cos I love organizing events and parties for my good friends. Here's how it looks like:


Just in case you were wondering, I didn't draw that. The graphics were the creative works of a designer called Gavinwm. Ya,ya.... I snitched the artwork for this invite. *guilty as charged* (but hey, at least I give credit when credit is due ok?)

To complete the mood of the party, my dear friend lugged a huge Christmas tree, a mahjong table and set as well as a foot massager to the new venue! I could never thank him enough for such thoughtfulness. My girl friends were warmly pampered with the foot massager while they were watching DVD movies such as Spanglish, Jerry Seinfeld Live in Broadway and 40 Days and 40 Nights.

I spent an hour decorating the Xmas tree and must say I was pretty proud of it. It's almost like Robinson's standard ok? :P

The spread for the night was oooh so divine.... Check this out:

Kitchen
- Roast Ham
- Vegetable Platter of celery sticks, carrots, broccoli and cauilflower, aspargus, tomatoes, baby corn and golden mushrooms.
- Avocado and Garlic and Chives dips
- Curry Chicken and fresh baguette
- Sushi platter
- Chicken and Beef Satay
- Fried Mee Goreng
- Yangzhou Fried Rice
- Sambal Sting Ray

Bar
Red and white wines
Gin
Irish Cream
Soft drinks
Coffee and Tea

For entertainment, besides DVDs and mahjong, we have some hilarious party games going on - which got everyone guffawing and giggling. Some of us played Boggle and irritate the hell out of our challengers by beating them at every round. We also tried sabotaging each other at Uno - making them draw a hell lot of cards when they were down to their last card. It was 'evil' - but truly enjoyable.

My friend took my place at the mahjong table. Few hours into the game, she desperately cried out for help. She was losing terribly - and I was down to my last few dollars. Of course, the Mahjong Queen must come to the rescue. I declared that I am going to win back every single cent that I have lost the moment I sat down. One of my male opponents sniggered.

Oh yeh....I am so going to show him my prowess.

I accomplished what I vowed to do. Within 3 consecutive games, I won the maximum winnings for each of the game and recouped every single cent that I have lost. On top of that, I won an extra dollar. Hahaha........ the Mahjong Queen reigns.

Yup, the party was great - and the babes were beautiful.

Oh my, I do have tons of stuff to blog about still - now that my workload for the year has lightened! My year-end D&D (where you will get to see lots of bombastic boobs and babes!), the "interesting" Xmas prezzies I've got this year, my 2006 resolutions and a blog on a beautiful single friend of mine - for the pleasure of all you hot-blooded, single, young men heh heh.....

I'll be back.

STILL ALIVE

I am so busy it's not funny! Spent the last month trying to sort out all contract issues. All the legal jargon is giving me nightmares. I would need a therapist soon.

Slept less than 3 hours a day. I was so shagged that I was literally dragging my body to work. There were a few occasions where I laid my head on my work table - just to catch some 40 winks. Yes, there were drool all over, with a strand hanging precariously at the edge of my lips.

Christmas is round the corner! *stressed*

Dedicated 3 evenings and went on a mad shopping spree. My shopping list stretches from Singapore all the way to the UK. Bought dozen of toys, Christmas Gift Packs, books and fashion accessories - for friends, colleagues, ex-classmates, family etc. Oh my, what to do when one is so "popular"? (contented sigh.........)

The gruelling task came when I had to physically wrap every single present. Man, that's REAL hard work. I was a gift wrapper machine till 4am just two nights ago.

Tried to buy some naughty/kinky gifts, but I think most of my girlfriends do not have my quirky sense of humor. So no more durian-flavoured condoms, playboy magazines, dildos and leather and cuffs for this year.

I will be celebrating my Xmas Eve with a bunch of girlfriends, as I have always done over the years. They will come to my Casa de Yishun (that's how they named my house), played some silly girlish games, exchange gifts at the stroke of midnight, and proceed to a simple mahjong session or DVD movie marathon. Either way, it's who you are with that matters, isn't it?

I would try and blog less brainless stuff when I am done with my contract - which hopefully can be signed before Xmas, or latest before 2006. I have tons of things to get off my chest. Tons of topics to blog about. But seriously, sleep deprivation has weakened my resolve to write.

So peeps - I am not dead, contrary to popular belief. Just withdrawing into the mountains for a retreat and meditation session. When I am fully recharged, I shall be back with a vengeance and drown you all with my verbal diarrhoea again. For now, you can tell how disjointed my thoughts are..... I am actually "sleepwriting". It's a new disease that inflicts only moi.

berry berry tired. (*yaWns*)

Meanwhile, have a blasting Xmas and may love, cheer and joy fill you each and every day - from this day onwards till infinity.

Infinity and BEYOND!!! - Buzz LightYear (star of Toy Story)

Romancin' Romeo

Some male friends I know complain about the unsurmountable challenge of being a romantic partner all the time. It's a concept they could not grasp. What does being romantic entails? What does one have to do to qualify as a romantic? Barbara Taylor Bradford seems to have the answer for you guys.

The following are some simple suggestions that will help you impress your lady without having to go too far out of your way to do so. Prepare to dazzle her.

1. Make a list
Make a list of the special days on the calendar that you celebrate together, such as the day you met, your yearly anniversary, or even the anniversary of your first kiss. On these days make a point to spend some quality time together. Cook a special meal (or pick one up on the way home from work). Buy her a card or write her a short letter, and let her know that you didn't forget.

2. Toast to her
Toast each other when you sit down to dinner. It doesn't need to be over bubbly or wine, but even a glass of water or iced tea. Tell her something you love about her and then drink to it!

3. Reach out and touch her
Use the power of touch to make a lasting impression throughout the day. There is no such thing as not having time for a kiss goodbye in the morning or again upon reuniting at the end of the day. And an inviting warm hug or backrub at the end of a stressful day is always appreciated.

4. Create a photo album
Take pictures often; don't save the camera for holidays and special occasions. Create a visual scrapbook of your everyday life together. Better still, set the timer and pose together. You will both appreciate the warmth of the moment when you see these snapshots in an album down the road.

5. Take note of significant things
Set something aside for her every day. It might be a newspaper article you read during your commute, a link to a website you came across, or even a story you heard by the office water cooler. She will appreciate that you took a moment to think of her during the course of your day.

6. Be thoughtful
Do something thoughtful for her every day. Whether it's making her a cup of coffee in the morning, sticking a surprise note in her bag, or leaving her a chocolate "kiss" on her pillow before bedtime, everyone loves a romantic surprise.

7. Keep up your appearance
Let her see you at your best. It's ironic that we dress up to meet total strangers but let ourselves go around our nearest and dearest. Most women love to see their men clean-shaven, in great clothes and perhaps wearing a hint of her favorite cologne.

8. Tell her about your moods
Be honest if you are feeling stressed or under the weather. Your woman will appreciate your honesty and will know not to take it personally when you come home in a bad mood.

9. Discuss your day
Sit down together when you get home and relate your daily experiences. The best thing about spending time apart is that it makes you appreciate each other more.

Personally, I like 3, 6 and 8. What's inside a man truly will impress me more than what they have projected or exhibited on the exterior.

Any other simple romantic tips? Contribute to this list if you can. It's about time we all learn something about romanticism. :)

To love for the sake of being loved is human,

but to love for the sake of loving is angelic.

- Alphonse de Lemartine

In The Name of Love – Part 2

Though I have done many a splendoured thing in the name of love, I wasn’t always the sacrificial girlfriend. I have to admit that in my short but insignificant lifetime, many men have given more than just their heart to me. Some have no qualms parting with their money just to see me smile. Some have forgone their ego and pride while others, have nothing to offer but their precious time.

Though I did not end up with these guys eventually, their giving personalities have inevitably touched me in some exquisite way. Love however, has never been a fair trade. Should life dictates that for every man that touches my heart, I would have to love him back – then I would never be able to love any one man truly. Simply because my love would have to be shared among many who tried breaking down the walls to my heart.

But because they have been awfully selfless, I would like to dedicate this blog as a tribute to some acts of love that have been showered upon me in the past.

1. My ex-boyfriend was studying in Sydney at one point in time. He surprised me when he appeared at my office one day, with a huge bunch of flowers in hand. He sheepishly admitted that he had missed me so much that he skipped school and bought an air ticket back to Singapore just so he could see me.

2. A guy that I was dating casually some time back was so infatuated with me that he waited for me for hours just to pick me up from work every night. I was also leaving MTV for my new job, so he stayed up to help me pack my stuff till the wee hours of the night, every single day for two weeks.

3. I got to know a waiter at Chinois Chinois a couple of years ago when I was drowning my sorrows there every night, trying to heal a broken heart. The waiter slipped me notes from time to time, which were usually sweet poems of encouragement. He also folded paper roses from serviettes and sneaked them to me whenever he passed my table. On the day before my birthday, he bought an ice-cream cake from Swensen and celebrated my special day for me - under the stars – at the stroke of midnight.

4. There was once a guy who carried a torch for me for the longest time, but unfortunately, he felt that he was unworthy of me. Still, he made 999 paper cranes and 999 paper hearts, put them into two beautiful bottles and couriered them to my home. However, he was so insecure that he left for Vietnam and told me I deserved someone better.

5. Another guy whom I had dated for three months pissed me off so much that I wanted nothing to do with him ever again. He showed his remorse by drawing cards, penning in words of love and regrets in the essence of Hallmark romance, and hand delivering them to my home every single day. I must add that there was no MRT then, so he literally had to travel across the island to convey his love for me.

6. Since we are on this topic, this one definitely takes the cake. He went down on his knees with a huge bouquet of flowers and a beautifully crafted speech, professing his love for me in front of a group of my close friends, as well as everyone else who was chilling out at Emerald Hill. I was completely dumbfounded and could not speak for a long time after that.

7. He was the same guy who tried his very best to send me to and fro home and work every day, making me feel like a princess in a chauffeured-driven chariot. He was also the silly love-struck fool who gave me my dream gadget – an A620 Canon Powershot Digital Camera – for Christmas. He left me completely speechless for a second time – and I am still marveling at his devotion.

* * * * *

There were many other small acts of love from other men - such as sending my favourite flowers to my office, taking me to a lovely restaurant for a really romantic dinner or singing for me over the phone while playing their guitars.

I sincerely appreciate each of them for their efforts. However, love, no matter how great it is, has to be EXCLUSIVE. I could only love one man at any point in time.

Each of the men has unwittingly made me who I am today – a hopeless romantic. I will never be able to express how much each of these acts have nurtured me over the years, melting my cold and bitter exterior, little by little. I am a much more loving person now because I was so blessed with love.

I am sorry if my inability to reciprocate your feelings has hurt you.

All I can say is - thank you for loving me.

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” – Mother Theresa

Le Crazy Horse

I know you guys must be waiting in trembling anticipation for this post!

I had to be there around 5pm because I needed to usher the VIPs. The much-hyped about Crazy Horse sits snugly at a fabulous and premium entertainment hub, right next to Liang Court.

As soon as I stepped into the place, I was awed by the opulent and plush decor. The color theme for the entire place is a deep rich red, with a spread of lush red curtains, red chandeliers, red plush cushions and luxurious red carpets. For a moment, I felt like a filthy rich socialite in an exotic world of luxury wrapped in plush velvet and silk.

Le Concept

Crazy Horse Singapore is the biggest franchise in the world and first in Asia, surpassing the original one in Paris - which is only a 200-seat theatre. The one we have is an integrated entertainment concept - consisting of the following elements:

1) Le Theatre: 400-seater intimate theatrical experience showcasing the most beautiful and artistic nude show in the world

2) Le Boutique - Unique merchandise corner retailing quality Crazy Horse T-shirts, caps, and other interesting premiums

3) Le Restaurant- Open kitchen concept restuarant decked with red velvet curtains and carpeting serving Modern European Cuisine dinner

4) Le Lounge - This is my absolute favourite! It's a lounge screaming of boudoir decor - with its velvety sofas, leather swings with oodles of plush blue and red cushions, a quaint bar counter and intricate parisian-designed full length mirrors. I was gushing non-stop by the time I came to the round swinging beds, strewn with velvet cushions and shrouded by ebony beaded curtains, tucked away at two intimate corners.

The best thing about this place is you can always chill out here even if you are not watching the show.

Le Founder

To understand how the show came about, you've got to know something about the man behind these barenaked ladies!

Founded by Alain Bernardin in 1951, the Crazy Horse show is a 100-minute spectacle of visual art feast with dance, lights and precision choreography. This premium brand of showmanship features L'Art du Nu (Art of the Nude) - a nude show that marries artistry with sensuality.

Alain himself was influenced by the major international avant-garde movements: Neo-Dadaism and New Realism, Pop Art, Op-Art Kinetics. His sense of performance art was therefore constantly enriched by what the visual and audio-visual culture of the age had to offer.

Alain lived intensely within his era, bathing in the incessant flow of change. The woman was the ideal backdrop for his art. A naked female body was the ideal screen for projecting the host of images which go to make up the theatre of the world. It is no paradox that this master of the ART OF THE NUDE was also an attentive observer of Avant-Garde fashions.

Le Show (....drum roll.....)

The time that all of you have been waiting for - Le Show!

Personally, I felt that the show is classy and sleek, more like a watered-down version of Moulin Rogue. It is NOT a striptease show - but a NUDE show. Which means when the girls appear on stage, you could already see their bouncing boobs and nipples. Of course full nudity would never be allowed in Singapore, so the girls were merely stripped down to their g-strings.

The girls were slim and tall - and quite gorgeous in fact. What I really love about the show is that it is not risque or kinky. The dance sequences were mostly sensual and tantalizing - stimulating your senses through the kaleidoscope of lights and graphics which bathed the bodies of the almost-nude dancers. There must be at least 1o various sets of various performances, ranging from Cirque du Soleil-like dances and cutesy routines to sensual moves and wild gyrations.

Le Price

In case you haven't figure out, Crazy Horse is targeted at the discerning audience with taste. It's not your typical sleazy joint with dirty old men trying to get an orgasm just by looking at the posters.

Dress code is lounge suit for men and cocktail dresses for women. It is positioned as THE premium entertainment venue for the more affluent locals and tourists.

Seating Prices

VIP (right in front of the stage): S$500 for 2 with half bottle of Champagne

Private Box: S$600 for 4 with one bottle of Champagne or S$750 for 5 with two glasses of Champagne per person

Premiere: S$125 with one standard drink or S$300 for 2 with half a bottle of Champagne

Deluxe: S$85 with a standard drink

Bar: S$85 with a standard drink

Le-End

It was indeed a fun and a truly remarkable and 'enlightening' experience. My colleagues were so amused by the 'Le'-prefixes that they started spouting a slew of Le-phrases - just for laughs.

"Where is Le-toilet?"
"Le-restroom is at Le-left!"
"Let's go for le-dinner at le-Clark Quay."
"Le-waiter is cute. Go ask for le-number."

I seriously it's time for all of us to make love to le-beds.

Thanks for reading this far.

Le-End.