Showing posts with label Lunar New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lunar New Year. Show all posts

Monday, February 3, 2014

Ah Girl, When are you Getting Married?!

Source Website: http://www.myfatpocket.com/sex-love/ah-girl-when-are-you-getting-married.html
By Holly Jean, Monday, 02 January 2012


Ah... Chinese New Year is coming up again... and although I don't celebrate it, most of my single friends have told me that they dread it when nosey relatives start asking them when they are getting married?! And do you notice that they always tend to ask the girls this rather than the guys?! Like how are we supposed to know, we are not proposing!
PHOTO: Ah... Chinese New Year is coming up again... and although I don't celebrate it, most of my single friends have told me that they dread it when nosey relatives start asking them when they are getting married?! And do you notice that they always tend to ask the girls this rather than the guys?! Like how are we supposed to know, we are not proposing!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszD-QHVq_UZFYH8LkA48yTk403zmBOgpqMNuQJj2e_gMstl8092MmKuVPeBeFYXylEum34ftzlrqVqNmuj3Pd2EhRhSBDjGcEfe_MsSu1pUill-0pTIjhoEUhXdsiS8_bXyRHFowm9s/s1600/loneliness.jpg
http://jessicapage2.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/loneliness.jpg
http://claimyourstory.com/


I've faced this question for years... people first ask me my age then the following question is whether I am married or not. And you should see their faces when I tell them I am single! It's a mixture of pity plus discomfort with my 'situation'. Some people who are married, or have daughters who are already married, even have a smug look about them when I tell them I am single.

Hello, auntie! Wipe that look off your face! Being single is not a bad thing!


Being single is not a bad thing!<br>Just take it in your stride and laugh it off! One day, your time will come... cupid's just taking his time to make it perfect!
PHOTO: Being single is not a bad thing!
Just take it in your stride and laugh it off! One day, your time will come... cupid's just taking his time to make it perfect!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nc3KMOsSzogi9K9LlqiRfx0xPaa1_1h9cNRDba67Ajsm05dGGz8feVMFuQYe19MmJPZQOc_Bf6MKtgvRXjaUkwBSQQTQ6I9299LxRHC70X6z0LgPYAGi0vMC-bTjb3PXBXsqbrW4k-s/s1600/haarfa2.jpg
Picture is taken from:
http://www.frisuren-online.com/haarfa2.jpg
http://www.frisuren-online.com/haarfarben.html


So here's my top ten answers you can give people the next time they ask you when you're getting married! Memorise your favourite one so you will never be taken off guard. :)
 
10. Respond with, "Soon." And then without skipping a beat, ask the most inappropriate question, "When will you lose that extra weight?"

9. Say, " Oh, I'd rather be happy than married."

8. Whether you have a BF or not, just pick a random date and confidently say - "September 21st". Of course, don't mention any year. Smile and relish the confused look on their faces.

7. If your BF is there, then point to your BF and say, "Why dont you ask him, because I want to know too! Hahaha" *seriously forced laughter*.

6. Look at them with an absolute poker face and say,"Not today."

5. Ask them, "How much are you contributing to the wedding, since you're so interested?"

4. Counter with the statistic that people who get married over 30 are half as likely to get divorced.

3. Look down at your feet, then say,"Ohhh... this is awkward. I already got married, but you weren't invited."

2. Tell them, "Marriage is stupid and kids are evil."

1. Get a crazy look in your eyes and scream, "Duck! Before I slap you!"

Like most women in their late 20s and early 30s, I've been asked this annoying question numerous times. As far as conversation topics go, it sucks, but just take it in your stride and laugh it off! One day, your time will come... cupid's just taking his time to make it perfect!

For those who recently got married,
PHOTO: Like most women in their late 20s and early 30s, I've been asked this annoying question numerous times. Most appropriate answer to 'When are you Getting Married?' - is 'Feburary 30th'.
Picture is posted by  meriirem (Raw Sugar), Photography / People & Portraits / Spontaneous Portraits, ©2010-2014 meriirem
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9D8NmHcLGi-6Y82KX0AY7fMh52XL3GLSf0K0_c_GjWLDEuUp4PLONZ0Z-Q8j7an8baQgz1aS_H6-fn_e5BKY9JDHPkGhuptTz3l4bv2KosJdpNgMTxPZF_wWAQGdBO5H08WUBgiRNds/s1600/raw_sugar_by_meriirem-d33d135.jpg
Picture is from:
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2010/326/8/d/raw_sugar_by_meriirem-d33d135.jpg
http://piddling.deviantart.com/art/Raw-Sugar-187045313


Some people who are married, or have daughters who are already married, even have a smug look about them when I tell them I am single.
PHOTO: Some people who are married, or have daughters who are already married, even have a smug look about them when I tell them I am single.
Picture posted by slamm345 (Gia in a gold bikini), Photography / People & Portraits / Pin-up, ©2012-2014 slamm345
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvDkqJ557h7CREFN_Aq7nt1Z6F8AajhI6KlJ9XJwRLTux90g_d9HFcDOEv_b0rWR9oUb5kGc2mHJmMgJ-Yq31Zy_ZK6m8JAToywf2qtD7Ajg8TumarcZuA50T088KCE_Hpa9xhP2KZqA/s1600/gia_primo___golden_girl_by_slamm345-d5d7ffu.jpg
http://th00.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/244/d/f/gia_primo___golden_girl_by_slamm345-d5d7ffu.jpg
http://slamm345.deviantart.com/art/Gia-Primo-Golden-Girl-324512490
http://www.deviantart.com/morelikethis/291980718?offset=2940


Reference
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Rent-a-Girlfriend Services Becoming Popular in China

PHOTO: In recent years, young men and women pressed by their families to bring their girlfriends home with them for the seven-day Spring Festival prefer to rent total strangers, just to avoid long lectures and appease their relatives.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiiGsHnm5JOTmojR-KT5lXCSeecpfLMa2Nsde7FxigvDyQ6qoWq70WGoFV_c9WGOiWcqdm3URAO3vG8C795zD_ItxW9Uru-XsAQzR2JCU2Mo3KJbMR8fL_1HLwDzVpzS3H3_57L12L9U/s1600/rent.jpg
http://www.myfatpocket.com/images/stories/rent.jpg
http://www.myfatpocket.com/gossips/rent-a-girlfriend-services-are-becoming-popular-in-china.html


Single men and women have it tough in China, a country where most parents go to any lengths to see their offspring settled down with the right person. We’ve had posts about a school teaching girls to land rich powerful businessmen, about Shanghai’s famous marriage market, and about the Love Supermarket, but those were permanent fixes to the being-single “problem”.

Nowadays, Chinese bachelors are looking for a temporary solution, and this led to the creation of a whole new niche – girlfriend/boyfriend rentals. All they have to do is go online, access Taobao (China’s version of eBay) and choose between the different sellers offering the unusual service.


Online sellers will post photos of themselves and after confirmation, they’ll meet clients and go over the details that will make them look like a genuine couple and prevent awkward scenes in front of the family.
PHOTO: Online sellers will post photos of themselves and after confirmation, they’ll meet clients and go over the details that will make them look like a genuine couple and prevent awkward scenes in front of the family.
Picture posted  by Rosetiti (Viet Nam Traditional Girl), Photography / People & Portraits / Cosplay©2011-2014 Rosetiti
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMWnwzAIy7ArUlFBkGFc9C_1Rkbd5K7jPcpzD7CyTRaZY44RlJCjVJ0kUbnprq4mstaAZTs4KEqq0PnhYsjLfnO9imB_ubT4i1EkMWHoWXnZlg3sLpm0SUZ0nUorFj4GmwspCiG8yF6U/s1600/viet_nam_traditional_girl_by_rosetiti-d48x3m0-1.jpg
http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/248/3/6/viet_nam_traditional_girl_by_rosetiti-d48x3m0.jpg
http://roadfut.deviantart.com/art/Barbara-Evans-XD-274053287


To meet the demands of their customers, online sellers will post photos of themselves and after confirmation, they’ll meet clients and go over the details that will make them look like a genuine couple and prevent awkward scenes in front of the family. So how much did it cost to rent a girlfriend for this year’s Spring Festival, you ask? Anywhere between 200 RMB ($31) to 1,000 RMB ($160), depending on services offered. Apart from just looking pretty at your side, some girls also provided special services like: showing affection in front of your family, cooking, buying groceries, keeping old relatives company, and even worshiping ancestors (a really special service).

If you want your rental to consume alcohol, they will charge you on the amount they have to drink, starting at 50 RMB ($8) for drinking 100 ml white wine, 70 RMB($11) for 100 ml red wine, 20 ($3) RMB for 500 ml beer. Two things none of the sellers will agree to are kissing and making love.


Depending on services offered, the cost to rent a girlfriend is anywhere between 200 RMB ($31) to 1,000 RMB ($160).

PHOTO: Depending on services offered, the cost to rent a girlfriend is anywhere between 200 RMB ($31) to 1,000 RMB ($160).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJbtesQnQnU6hA6XWAbPlLUxkllNMSVNnKUvFsa-YoJKevVsFilWrjIiMnF4uvYURhMwPHMGNuhGNXb-qwYtkIgklaK45TOAKrI344DfYjRXf-Obp2n1cRAiK2UF_2ZBCHBmbBIPF9Fw/s1600/rent2.jpg
http://www.myfatpocket.com/images/stories/rent2.jpg
http://www.myfatpocket.com/gossips/rent-a-girlfriend-services-are-becoming-popular-in-china.html
 

Girlfriend and boyfriend renting services are relatively new in China, and although a lot of people don’t approve of such practices, they are quickly gaining popularity. One of the reasons for this could be a successful TV series called “Renting a Girlfriend for Home Reunion”, that aired in 2010. It tells the story of a young man sick of going on blind dates set up by his parents, who decides to rent a girlfriend and ends up falling in love and marrying her. While in some people minds this kind of service creates an opportunity of finding their other half, sociologist warn against such practices that could pose safety issues.


In the western world, the French implemented the girlfriend-renting concept in the form of a website that allows clients to discretely rent a female partner, for a fee.
PHOTO: In the western world, the French implemented the girlfriend-renting concept in the form of a website that allows clients to discretely rent a female partner, for a fee.
Posted by PerryGallagher (Raven), Photography / People & Portraits / Fashion Portraits, ©2013-2014 PerryGallagher
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrwjLFhtJtGTWxJuHF4dWKdWX2Mo2XPXCCT9cXCCWJphC8xW58QQnXdxtU3e1GQcRu2ezp70V0GOdXsL1_tkJ1iqpNaJK894NeAM6eEpMjebxaumN0zj9_AlJ7-39eCnniihpeTCYoGA/s1600/raven_8371web_by_perrygallagher-d6lugb4-1.jpg
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/253/e/b/raven_8371web_by_perrygallagher-d6lugb4.jpg
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Raven-399489808


In the western world, the French implemented the girlfriend-renting concept in the form of a website that allows clients to discretely rent a female partner, for a fee.

By Kityan Choo, Friday, 03 February 2012
Source: Oddity Central


林志玲——女人30一枝花 - Lin Chi-ling - a beauty at 30
PHOTO: 林志玲——女人30一枝花 - Lin Chi-ling - a beauty at 30
Lín zhì líng —— nǚ rén 30 yī zhī huā
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tF1ColWEFJ0B2JSemBDHjgEXSzUjUMjY3DLPGQI4BHv3bw_sfQcAr-tfMaVW5lkyKD2o8jnenuLi0W6XQQIEs5t41KyWjZXM2GNHsCbr11lAq-xxFo6h6pqR4-4HRDD0QzuKhvvesd0/s1600/Chinese-Beauty-Models-2.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqd2Qe70RiU8ZmWHzDoTxf4UX-Ox1Iz_MujekxbxO8-jzV8IcJ-B91PimLJsUcki9xOVZlqSJIIY5vod40TQW_W8vgjjW98e6duhMruF0FTgEBs8NW_7t9LYpGGF32PNvfpfjxFeFVjAa/s1600/Chinese-Beauty-Models-2.jpg
http://www.hotcute.net/1217/chiness-models.html



Reference
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Home is where the stomach is

Today on Sunday, Sunday, January 22, 2012, Page 8-9, Speakeasy, Columns
From http://imcmsimages.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/PDF/20120122/2201FFW008.pdf
Source Website: http://www.todayonline.com/Columns/Speakeasy/EDC120122-0000004/Home-is-where-the-stomach-is
By Tabitha Wang, todayonsunday@mediacorp.com.sg, 04:45 AM Jan 22, 2012



PHOTO: No matter what, we Chinese will move heaven and earth to get home in time for the sacred reunion dinner.
Today on Sunday, Sunday, January 22, 2012, Page 9, Speakeasy, Columns


Around this time of the year, the office gradually empties as people leave for their hometowns for Chinese New Year celebrations.

You'd think this means my company employs a lot of expats but no, even for the locals, "home" means somewhere in the mainland, which can take days to get to.

The siren call of home usually gets louder as the spring festival nears.

Airlines know this and charge a premium for their tickets. Even the budget airlines raise their prices, so that they're almost on par with full-service ones.



PHOTO: Chinese will move heaven and earth to get home in time for the sacred reunion dinner.
http://cfs15.tistory.com/image/27/tistory/2008/10/15/09/25/48f53875c6b28
http://5osa.tistory.com/389


They know that, no matter what, we Chinese will move heaven and earth to get home in time for the sacred reunion dinner.

The first year I came to Hong Kong, I told my family we wouldn't be back for the dinner. It would be the first time I would miss out.

No problem, my usually traditional dad said. He understood that we couldn't get leave from work.

No problem too, I thought.

Then, Lunar New Year Eve came - and with it a huge flood of homesickness.



PHOTO: Assam prawns.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyK036dQhqcbUMg0S2Z6qbxV9GG2MtIA6_WGp5B5jmPRiclKeqNhLqKHarXl0n2wHqT62frV0XPa8hjFwSRTcFGO1HPNRB5yktN6oMuWpxLri4WJ-72eqJHVpwax_WQrmTR5Nrvj7FiA/s400/IMG_0090.JPG
http://blog.gothere.sg/2008_06_01_archive.html


My mum, in an attempt to include me, started texting me a list of the food the entire family had brought for the potluck. "I made curry chicken and assam prawns. Tua Kim brought her potato salad, Sah Kim brought your favourite arrowroot and lup cheong, Ji Khoo made his famous yee meen ... They didn't know you weren't coming."



PHOTO: Steamed Chinese Sausages with Arrowroot
Posted by "No Frills Recipes" on Monday, January 25, 2010
This round, edible tuber, 'arrowroot', 'ngah gu or ci gu' which literally means 'benevolent mushroom' and also known as 'arrowhead', is eaten particularly during Chinese New Year. It's got a very slight bitter taste, a starchy texture, almost like a potato but it's somewhat crunchier even when it's cooked. You can make stews with it or even make into chips and in my opinion, they taste better than potato chips.
We only get to see this once a year just before the CNY season and they are imported from China. Some people will 'grow' them weeks earlier. Place them in a glass bowl or a container with some water and pebbles and they'll flourish ......... makes a beautiful ornamental plant, very auspicious for Chinese New Year!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvlf_JxutC6OYwsXACmhPWOUD_ag-00xe-2tRhcCuS-TRs5wGvU_yOyRFkpWPe38EMNcxfac11ER0r_0HpShShxRwPb_4-239cpiYC_8efc7xzom3LZnGuxD2bMv5YecK9-SFz5SC2sA/s400/CNY+Delicacies.JPG
http://cheah2009.blogspot.com/2010/01/steamed-chinese-sausages-with-arrowroot.html


My husband was working late that night, so he didn't notice I'd spent the entire dinnertime in tears. When he came home at 10pm, I was a wreck.

Thankfully, my cousin who lives in South Africa was online, and she tried to comfort me from across the oceans.

"I haven't gone to the reunion dinner for 10 years," she wrote.

Then she went on to reminisce about the reunion dinners past.

"Around now, Tua Khoo will be telling his usual ghost stories. Remember how we used to be too terrified to sleep afterwards?"

It didn't help. I just needed to be there.

The next year, no matter that the air tickets were double the price, I was on the plane home - and I haven't missed a reunion dinner since.

However, with finances tight as we are still effectively a single-income family, I asked my husband this year: "Do you think we should give it a miss?"

He looked at me. "Remember what happened the last time you said that?"

So we compromised. I will be flying home, while he stays in Hong Kong to look after the cat. He loves his Chinese New Year, too, but I think he's more stoic about it than I am.



PHOTO: Chinese New Year outfit.
http://cdn2.outspark.com/store/fiesta/screenshots/item11447.jpg
http://www.gamespace.com/blogs/OSK_Fiesta/012012/Lunar-New-Year-in-Fiesta


There is an added reason for going home this year: It's my baby nephew Dominic's first Chinese New Year, and his Mak Koh needs to be there.

When I was contemplating not going home, my sister-in-law e-mailed to entice me: "Dominic is crawling now, and we have bought him a New Year outfit, complete with little Chinese hat."

How could I resist?

It's very strange. I can go a whole year without missing my family. E-mails, Facebook, MSN Messenger chats and Skype calls are enough to satisfy my need to keep in touch.

But when the New Year comes around, something stirs my blood and I just yearn to be home.



PHOTO: The vegetable stock and arrowroot provide a thick sauce that holds the flavors.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW11PMKuT1OooUiAcRHTzPdOOR7OcEWrXjSqzevDL-u9U1DgpNOkhyQr3GjqkJ8hoEQ4E21xc7rfqapF5eX_6kC0M0wsK76JScndCVSrCt5J644ej2pbb9uVdM5fPrtsmZVZ4jUng-tEI/s1600/DSC_0354+BUTTERNUT+CASSEROLE2.JPG
http://www.nourishingmeals.com/2009_11_01_archive.html


It's the same every year. Everyone looks that little bit older, grandchildren start appearing, but I will still be listening to Tua Khoo's ghost stories while polishing off the rest of the steamed arrowroot and potato salad.

Then one aunt will rib my only unwed cousin when giving out the hongbaos.

Maybe the longer I live away from home, the more I crave that familiarity.



PHOTO: Sambal udang petai (stinky bean).
http://www.submerryn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/142.jpg
http://www.submerryn.com/2011/10/the-tranquerah-red-carpet-avenue.html



PHOTO: Sambal udang petai (stinky bean).
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/4447416945_d34ddcfe43_o.jpg
http://fiqah99.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html


I want to know that, as I battle living among unfamiliar faces in unfamiliar places, some things never change.

That's why I am going home this year.

Okay, that and a second email my sister-in-law sent: "Your petai and buah keluak are waiting for you."



PHOTO: Buah keluak is one of the signature delicacies of the Peranakan community.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4702265207_c5ceff35d1_b.jpg
http://www.iamthewitch.com/2010/06/17/nyonya-food-at-taragon-riverside-restaurant-melaka/



PHOTO: Stuffed Buah Keluak
This hard-shelled fruit, signature to Nyonya dishes. The black, clam-shaped nuts are truly a taste sensation. The interior of the nut is painstakingly remove from the shell and ground into a paste, then fried with belacan and other spices. It is then put back into the nut and cooked with the chicken. The taste is amazingly awesome. As you scrape out the paste you savour the bitter, strong and frgrant flavour of the nut that tasted much better than it looked.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4702898650_90221688e4_b.jpg
http://www.iamthewitch.com/2010/06/17/nyonya-food-at-taragon-riverside-restaurant-melaka/

By Tabitha Wang, todayonsunday@mediacorp.com.sg, 04:45 AM Jan 22, 2012
Tabitha Wang wishes all her readers a wonderful Year of the Dragon.


Reference
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)