Drifter, Driver – Private Ramblings of John

John's blog. A character in Six Lives. One Language. A part of Singapore's Speak Good English Movement 2009. Inspire, impress, intoxicate.

Private post. Only Boon Huat can read.

The rest of our lives together

The rest of our lives together

My wife. Two weeks after the wedding, it still gives me a thrill every time I say it.

Now that all the fuss and stress of the wedding is over, Leng and I can finally enjoy each other’s company again.

The most beautiful sight on our honeymoon tour of Thailand wasn’t what one would expect. It wasn’t sandy beaches, or clear blue water, or even the ruins at Ayuthaya.

It was the sight of Leng, in the soft light of the morning, her face quiet and peaceful as she still wandered in dreamland, fast asleep. Every single day.

stoneairplane

(photo via)

“I made an airplane out of stone… I always did like staying home” -Shel Silverstein

I love Shel Silverstein. His stuff speaks to me.

Private post. Only Boon Huat can read.

Nothing like a good moscato

Nothing like a good moscato

Not having a job has been driving me crazy. So, I applied for a job selling wine on weeknights… at the kopitiam below my block. Yes, it sounds crazy, but I just happen to know a bit about wine , and Leng’s pretty busy in the evenings fulfilling baking orders, so this is actually a good way to keep me occupied. Plus it frees me up during the day to go for interviews. Speaking of which, I stumbled upon a website with really good tips on using language effectively in interviews. It should definitely improve my chances. I never knew that verbs could make or break your career!

Greenham_Airfield_June_5__1944_by_TOYIB

Great shots by Agan Harahap, who puts famous superheroes in historic war photographs. More here.

Well, not my father exactly. I can think of a few choice expletives that he would have said, or still says, especially when my mother isn’t around.

Although this is a very Americanised viewpoint, I still find it interesting and rather relevant. The author writes ‘It is through his language that I remember and lay claim to my father, and because he left us nothing else.’ I wonder how much of Singapore’s language will be kept, how much will pass into what is ‘accepted’ as everyday language and how much will remain on the fringes, passed on or forgotten by Singaporeans.

Is there ever a right time?Photo by: karola riegler

Is there ever a right time?

That Steven never showed up at our Sepang race. I am sure he was scared off by my challenge. Haha!

Sometimes I wonder, if I should have waited a little longer before getting married. Here’s a question I’ve never been able to answer satisfactorily: do you wait until you know everything about the person before deciding to get married or do you jump in, without knowing all, and figure things out as you go along?

A light-hearted look at how to pronounce 2010. It just goes to show the diversity, or the possibilities, of the English language. :)


Gotta tell Boon about this, he’s always worried texting will affect his ability to write reports!

Private post. Only Boon Huat can see.

Maybe I need to work out like the muscle men I saw at Venice Beach last year.

Maybe I need to work out like the muscle men I saw at Venice Beach last year.

Just when I think this week couldn’t get any worse, I’m (unpleasantly) proven wrong.

Why didn’t anyone tell me that the Leng’s ex, Steven, also WORKS at the gym that Anna gave me the voucher for?

It’s not enough that I can’t fit into my pants and I don’t have a job. No, Mr. Macho ex-boyfriend has to pop up like a boil and ooze his way back into Leng’s life. He even had coffee with her while she was waiting for me at the gym.

Photo credit: narvikk/istock

Found this article from Esquire a really good read on how, depoite there being so much negativity surrounding the english language, there are some aspects of it we should celebrate because we have succeeded in making modern English “more efficient, more economical, more effective, plainer — in a good way — than it used to be, all of which makes it better suited to its ultimate purpose: getting what’s inside us out.”
It is something I will bear in mind even as I am writing my vows for the wedding.

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