Faulpez and her Sisig Puzzle

Yes, I am staring at the can of Purefoods Sisig wondering what it is. It was left behind by colleague who last stayed in this apartment.

At first the instruction was very simple. Just empty the contents, cook it, add onion, squeeze calamansi juice and voila, a dish. As easy as 1-2-3. And was planning to cook it for my lunch box next week. But I wanted to know if I can add some vegetables and what vegetables would be suitable for it.

Thus began my research of sisig... and I found out it refers to Sizzling sisig, a Filipino dish made from parts of pig’s head and liver, usually seasoned with calamansi and chili peppers.
- Source Wiki

Pig's head!!! Geez sometimes I really do feel Filipino and Chinese have a fetish for pork. My Fillipino friends raved to me how much they missed pig trotter which is also a pretty popular Chinese dish, not mine though unfortunately (thus I'm missing out on all the wonderful collagen).

The term ‘sisig' refers to the spicy and fatty meat dish which is a favourite in the Philippines. It is considered a specialty food because the long and arduous preparation of ‘sisig' is really a ‘labor of love.' Reminds me of MasterChef George Calombaris' mother Mary advice that to cook, you must use your heart.

‘Sisig' is best served with a mug of ice-cold beer because ‘sisig' has a unique blend of spiciness of chili peppers, sour taste of vinegar and calamansi juice, and the saltiness of salt and soy sauce. It can be often served with steamy rice and can even be a popular toppings on pizza.

Anyway I concluded to add bell peppers in my dish for some balance in diet. And I will consider including the last step 'add egg on top after removing it from heat.'

So if Sisig is the unofficial national pinoy dish, then Pork Adobo is the national pinoy dish cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic. And I was lucky enough to be treated authentic pork adobo cooked by my Filipino colleague. Finally I got to savour this national dish..

Bflygal comment: This was written in 2011. Supposedly to have a photo of the dish but I cannot seem to find the image and FB has moved the folder structure. A few drafts had been deleted. Was thinking of deleting this too but since I had researched and written so much on Sisig, and because after this, I remembered another 2 more occasions where my Filipino colleague had cooked in Tokyo and my Filipino client (ASM) had brought me to an authentic Filipino stall in Yishun for lunch. These are treasured memories that I don't wish to delete away. So many treasured memories, I wish I can hold on to them forever. Suddenly I remember Inside Out's memory orbs. Sigh. 

빵 (Pang)

After trying to watch if for 2 times, on my third try, I finally managed to finish watching "King of Baking" amid 3 weeks of nighttime cough which is hurting my sides now.

Sometimes I wonder if this KTG really exists. He's so unbelievable kind, even though he can be reckless with his fists at times. Then there are times that he reminds me of someone. The way he loves SYK so faithfully for 12 years. I can't help but envy SYK that she could at least hug his back when they parted. And he still showed his concern to her till the very end. But then a drama is a drama, in real life I was told the guy would never recover if he continues to keep in contact with the girl.

I'm sorry that I'm a man who is too lacking for you.
But my heart is more full of you than anyone else in this world.
- KTG parting words to SYK

A heart, you know, isn't like a switch you can turn off and on.
You can't just close it and open it so easily.
Still, I have more days ahead of me than behind me.
And the days ahead of me will be filled with so many more memories with you.
- KTG confession to MS

After finishing this drama, I suddenly got a love for bread. Been buying those bake-at-home bread from Woolsworth. Haha but I doubt I want to learn how to bake bread as too much hand exercise required. Will think about it. Right now I prefer to just while my time on candy crush (soda). I used to have serious addiction to it then I don't know what happened but I stopped. Lately, because I'm neglected and I'm an escapist, gaming is the best activity for me now. It takes my mind away from my cough too....

KYUHYUN - HOPE IS A DREAM THAT NEVER SLEEPS

Lyrics translated:
It doesn’t matter if I’m lonely. Whenever I think of you
A smile spreads across my face.
It doesn’t matter if I’m tired. Whenever you are happy
My heart is filled with love.
Today I might live in a harsh world again.
Even if I’m tired, when I close my eyes, I only see your image.
The dreams that are still ringing in my ears
Are leaving my side towards you.
Everyday my life is like a dream.
If we can look at each other and love each other
I’ll stand up again.
To me, the happiness of those precious memories
Will be warmer during hard times.
For me, hope is a dream that never sleeps.
Like a shadow by my side you always
Quietly come to me.
To see if I’m hurt, to see if I’m lonely everyday
With feelings of yearning, you come to me.
Even if the world makes me cry, I’m okay.
Because you are always by my side.
Like dust, will those memories change and leave?
I’ll keep smiling to ease my heart.
Everyday my life is like a dream.
If we can look at each other and love each other
I’ll stand up again.
To me, the happiness of those precious memories
Will be warmer during hard times.
For me, hope is a dream that never sleeps.
No matter how many times I stumble and fall
I’m still standing like this.
I only have one heart.
When I’m tired you become my strength.
My heart is towards you forever.
So I swallowed the hurt and grief.
I’ll only show you my smiling form.
It doesn’t even hurt now.
I’ll always hold on to the dreams I want to fulfill with you
I’ll try to call for you at the place I cannot reach
I love you with all my heart.

女王的心声

吉克隽逸《我是女王》
擦干泪 你要勇敢向前
呼吸自由
准备好 不后悔 oh
抬起头
现在为自己活
像从来没受伤过
不退缩 oh

伊能静 秦昊 《我是女王》插曲《谢谢你的爱》
男：谢谢你教会我爱自己
将彼此放过
虽然你现在已在他身边
但我答应自己会振作
女：谢谢你爱过我
你的微笑 温柔还存留
虽然现在你握着她的手
我还学不会祝福
男：亲爱的别后悔 曾经爱错
是那些伤让我们懂
女：爱不能强求 无法掠夺
两败俱伤不如放手
你曾给过我太多（你给我太多）
从今天起（从今天起）
告诉自己好好过（你要好好过）
谢谢你陪我做过梦（陪我做梦）
清醒了 我要微笑不回头 （微笑不回头）
依然敢哭（敢哭）
敢爱（敢爱）
敢相信 也敢做梦

胡夏《替我照顧她》
我知道维系一段感情是不容易的 　　
也知道缘份早就注定了你的人生 　　
这些年自负了 终究会明白的 　　
学会放开了手才是懂爱的人 　　
就替我照顾她 　　
你能给她我给不了她的翅膀 　　
今后的幸福就是属于你们俩 　　
别牵挂 别让泪落下 　　
就替我爱着她 　　
我可以假装自己其实很大方 　　
成全自己最深爱的人 　　
不害怕 只是受了一点伤 　　
流点泪才会长大

A-Lin 难得孤寂

累得不想有表情
忙得厌烦了呼吸
难得和这城市中断联系
在一个人的途上
途人不会怪我不回信息
路灯不会问我
有问题 怎么处理
 让我在我的人生里消失
把来历都忘记

什么关系 都没关系
只有空气 不用争气
暂时跟这个世界保持安静的距离
热闹容易 难得孤寂
我才舍不得问自己
从哪里来又要往哪里去

累得不想有表情
忙得厌烦了呼吸
难得和这城市中断联系
终于不用有动机
喘口气不用那么有出息
难得在人际的夹缝里找到空隙
让我慢条斯理无所事事 把时间都忘记

什么关系 都没关系
只有空气 不用争气
暂时跟这个世界保持安静的距离
热闹容易 难得孤寂
我才舍不得问自己
从哪里来又要往哪里去

总是有太多事需要顾忌
总会有太多人须要惦记
总是要活得太小心翼翼

哦 什么关系 都没关系
只有空气 不用争气
容许我和这亲爱的世界若即若离
热闹容易 难得孤寂
只有我不追问自己
从哪里来又要往哪里去
甚至懒得知道我在哪里

When I started this post, I didn't know what to blog. <<我是女王>> is not exactly a fantastic movie. But it has Chen Qiao En. And so I watched. At that time, the flight back to Singapore was a life-changing trip. Now that I look back, maybe all these events really did take a toil on me. Falling sick upon reaching back Melbourne, on a v-day/ren-ri is not exactly what I envision. And on such a day, I was forced to accept the ending too.
一向来，她自创自导自演，也从来不曾问我的意见。。都习惯了。小公主长大未必会变女王。。但若真的变女王，我想她的心声是孤独，而她的泪水只能往肚子吞。

Eating the panadol, coughing my guts out. I asked myself repeatedly, why.
为什么 每次都要在异乡生病？
为什么 小公主需要长大？
为什么 DK 寄了 <<小幸運>>?
为什么 流点泪才会长大？
为什么 一定要懂从哪里来又要往哪里去？

我真的不想知道我在哪里。。。

Lost in our times

I was so happy to watch <<我的少女時代>> in Jan. So happy that I forgot my sadness then.

But now that I sit down to blog about all the quotes, all the sadness have come back to me...

时间会改变一个人，会改变很多事。
但是，只有一件事不会被改变，那就是---回忆！

the memories each time I'm cutting celery...
the memories each time I use the thumb drive...
the memories each time I type my password...
No wonder some people try to alter memories... Maybe if that is successful, the world will be less painful... and less love...

或许一直以来都是远远望着谁的背影，
却忘了身边让自己最自在相处的那个人，最让人动心。

I agree we always take for granted the Present. This nicely boxed up gift, who will always be there. Or at least you thought so. Until one day you realised this gift is missing. And then you start getting frantic where it went. Even if I'm prepared for the Present to be lost. I still wish for otherwise. After all everybody wishes for the wistful Past. Which will always be glorified in our memories.

人理所当然的忘记是谁风里雨里一直默默守护在原地。

People in my line realised this phenomenon. Before we had this job, friends were never committed to meet us that frequently. But after this job, every time they know we are back, they will schedule a catch-up session. And we ended up seeing them more often than before. So sometimes I wonder is leaving a good thing? It might make people treasure us more but actually we are the same we. So has it been mis-valued just because we are no easily accessed by them. I guess I digress again.

世界太快了，总有一首歌，你忘不掉；
人海茫茫，总有一个人，守候在角落，等你回首。

Yes the world is going full speed right now. I don't know if I can handle the next avalanche of questions directed at me. But then it could just be me assuming. Maybe nobody will ask me anything. Because everybody is busy asking questions too anyway.

在那个没有手机，没有网路的年代
消失，是很容易的事！

In this time, people can still get lost. My sponsored child for e.g. has now left for greener pastures. I always know she is the intellectual one. Funny I once thought that I will improve my Chinese letter writing for her sake. And that Doc can also write to her. And suddenly I was told that she has left this community for further studies. And the unique journey has ended. I do wish her well in her future studies from the bottom of my heart. Just that I realised this gap feeling I have in me keeps growing.

And so I thought about it, if I R today, will they still be able to contact me. Do I want them to contact me? Will I be gossiped about. In my world though, I no longer can leave silently. Footsteps are everywhere. But at the same time I am thankful of all the blog posts. Just have to get used to the digital imprints.

原来《我的少女时代》还有那么一小段，在戏院都被删了。。

Amber Light

You really don’t know much about the sweetness that life has to offer.
I want to take things easy at the amber light instead of coming to a halt at the red light or going full-speed at the green light.

<<Oh My Venus / 오 마이 비너스>> 

I wish I am at amber light now too. But maybe I have been on amber light for the last few years.

So since Dec 2015, it has been green light and I have to keep driving. Even though I'm so tired. That I only slept less than 5 hours a day for the last few days. That I nurse a headache. I kept driving. Driving myself to finish <Return of the cuckoo>. To understand why and what. To realise that Chu Ge Ge resemble Doc so much. To miss Doc's way of living. The naggings. The actions Chu Ge Ge took.

I always believe that everything happens for a reason. When I saw this last friday, I was shocked. I had reached the last episode of the drama then. I had been depressed for a few days, partly cos I need to submit my R on Sunday. Decided to go Crown to catch the CNY deco and watch my colleague play poker. Who knows I ended up lending a ear and hearing a sad tale. And seeing this phrase "祝君好运". I always wonder why the female lead name is 君好. And what does the song 祝君好 means. Aas her favourite song for so many years, I only know it today, what it really means to her. It saddens me to know that perhaps, I hardly know her.

Maybe I'm like 君好. I cannot decide. So I let GA decide for me. In a way, I let circumstances decide. But in a way, I feel that is because I just take one step at a time, letting the puzzle unravel before putting the next piece.

Sometimes I wish I can go to the future and see what's it like. Then decide on the present what should be the steps. But this isn't like a novel where I can read the ending first and then go back to the middle. But everybody keeps asking me what is my next move. Is not that I didn't. But sometimes one cannot rush the follow-ups either right. Alot of times, my actions impact not only myself but others too. So it cannot be just me making all the decisions.

Just like I keep WA someone that has blocked me, all I can do is just wait... and perhaps blog this entry in hope to understand why....

p/s: I got an answer why even before this blog is published. Such is life...
So on such a life day.. I wish such a person to have the best luck in such a future... 

The role of fire

Aboriginal people have burned country for tens of thousands of years. The ancestors gave them a cultural obligation to look after and clean up country, a duty handed down from generation to generation. Signs in nature told them of the time to burn, a time when minimal harm would be done to country but huge benefits would be gained.

Their ongoing traditional management of country is recognised in Kakadu's World Heritage listing.

In some areas where no burning took place, noticeable harm was done. Now that traditional burning is back, the landscape is once again abundant with native flora and fauna. These days, conservation managers across the top of Australia are using traditional patch burning in the cooler weather to prevent wildfires, to repair country and to encourage biodiversity to recover.

This earth, I never damage.
I look after.
Fire is nothing, just clean up.
When you burn, new grass coming up.
That means good animal soon.
Might be goanna, possum, wallaby.
Burn him off, new grass coming up, new life all over. 

Bill Neidjie
Bunitj Clan

Note:
I wrote this post on 5 Nov 2013 probably after the Darwin trip where we saw a couple of forest fires. I know I should have a photo for this post which I probably didn't upload in my FB. Thus that explains why this post was never published. It's funny that 2 years had passed, but my blog style is still as abstract as ever... as messy as ever... Just like the blogger herself I guess. Always start with something and end with an entire different thought.

So when I re-read this post, I thought about the fire evacuation on new year eve day, about the fire 四月saw in the plane, the nearby fires my users were talking about that were set up intentionally but grew out of control. Fire is as usual the double edge sword. And I been playing with fire for the past few days while trying to light up the scented candle via the cooker. Every time I used a paper to light up the candle, I could never control it. It always start small but fire up big. And I always end up throwing the whole paper into the sink to douse it.

Just realized too that in a few weeks time, it will be the year of fire monkey too. If all signs are about fire, then what does the fire wants to tell me?

p/s: Is heaty also a sign of fire? Must be all the chocolates at fault.... sigh...
pp/s: Almost forgot about the siren that woke me up this morning... the constant whirring....

Pretty Little Mistakes

太太 loaned me a book titled 'Pretty Little Mistakes' by Heather McElhatton. Initially I was bored after trying 2 story paths. But then, because I like to ask 'What If...', so I ended up trying a few more paths.. and then a few more paths.

It might have become an addiction so I stopped and decided I should return this book to 太太 asap. Cos even though 1 beginnings, 150 possible endings. But I only have 1 life, and only 1 ending.

I did pick up some interesting quotes at some of the bizarre endings:

It is good to have an end to the journey, but it's only the journey that matters in the end 

What you chase - isn't there.

It turns out that in the immense phone-book-sized rule book of heaven it says people who turn away from true love must spend a hundred years and then a hundred more looking for those they forgot to look for while they were alive, keep walking. 

I was told that since I made a decision, I have to stick to it. No more 'what ifs'.
I know time will heal, though how much time is subjective.
And I know being rebellious, even if I were to rewind my life again, I will still do what I did.
But I wish that when the fireworks fizzle, and only smoke is left, memories get blurry but what the heart had felt once, will remain fresh forever.
And I still believe 2016, will be a good year ahead. Because GA always knows how to make it good for us.
I'm only sorry that I always never seem to be able to see to the ending of some scenes. But I will try again and hopefully one day I will succeed.

p/s: At Hometown, while window shopping and waiting for 太太 to be awake, I heard this song playing...

有些人愛著愛著就變了 
而誓言愛著愛著會忘記 ...

怕只怕愛著愛著又放棄 
有沒有愛著愛著就永遠 的幸運 ...

Somber Musing II

Something happened today that triggered me to read back my Somber Musing on 2007. That was 8 years ago. On the eve. When a JC mate I once knew departed suddenly.

In between these 8 years, there were a few more funeral wakes. I remember how I rushed back for my grandpa's funeral. And how I didn't even know my aunt's funeral till it was all over. The only clue was my mum was very slow in her response that period and I wonder what happened. How many times I wonder abroad, what exactly is happening back home. I am detached. Very detached. 6060 meters away. 2-3 hours time difference away. It doesn't sound very far; it doesn't sound very late. But yet, I always feel that I am the last to know of anything that happened.

And today, another friend I knew, had departed suddenly last friday on Christmas Day. Cardiac arrest. I didn't ask much details. What more can I ask? When 8 years ago, I already knew life can be taken away as suddenly as it is given. I can only be glad to have gone hiking with him and Xi Xiong. Short term acquaintance. But it suffice. Those were the hiking days when we all had fun. Even though we no longer went much hiking anymore. Maybe age has caught up. Maybe the hassle. After all carrying all my stuff to hike is taking a toil on me these days.

As 2016 is approaching in 3 more days, I'm back in my favourite Dockland library trying to clear my google drive (ran out of space as the HTC promotion had ended a year later and I have exceeded my quota) and then Xi Xiong whatsapped me to deliver this news. So in between clearing drive and mails, and after reading this poem on "A reason, a season, or a lifetime" and hearing this sudden departure of a friend, I decided maybe it is a cue that I should once again penned this pensieve so that I may fetch it in the future again.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

I guess this friend was a reason. I know him for a very short time but those hiking trips had always been my treasured memories.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

But how long is a season? 10 episodes? Then they have season 1, season 2, season 3... New season always happen. And then there are times that a drama suddenly declared this is the last season. Because the ratings have dropped. People have moved on to other dramas. So some people lasts a season. Some people lasts more than one seasons. But I guess more than 1 seasons doesn't mean a lifetime still.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. 

I'm very sure my family will be with me for my lifetime, however long or short my lifetime is. And I always know that everything happens for a reason, because my GA always guide me. So be it CL who had accompanied me at the start of 2015, or CapFren who usually does guest appearances in between the seasons, or tai tai that I reconnected again when I came back to Melbourne and even my client and her family whom I spent my pre-xmas week with. For however long they were meant to be part of my life. I'm grateful that they were here, for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

As I continue staring into this favourite view of mine, I'm grateful for the seasons spent which might not transpire to a lifetime. And I hope that 2016 will finally be a clearer path than all my other years before. Because death and life are all very sudden, so I have to made the best of life while waiting to meet my maker still.

If I could vote...

I only voted once, and that was even before I really knew what voting means. The 2000s was a different environment, and I was a different person then.

Back then I had only just started working. Back then opposition sounded credible. We had Mr. Chiam and Mr. Low. Back then Hougang SMC and Potong Pasir SMC were always considered the opposition wards. Back then social media wasn't that active.

A decade later, I change and everything change too. But that's why I always believe change is the only constant. We have to progress. Much as we all love the old Singapore, we know that the new Singapore has to continue evolving for us to progress.

So every time I come back to Singapore, I see changes. Some for better, some not really. And I compare. Compare against Melbourne, against Tokyo. Many say we don't appreciate our country till we see the world and realized we took a lot of things for granted while we were in Singapore. I say I seen positive points in Melbourne and Tokyo which I'm sure Singapore can learn from. At least the transport in Tokyo is of substantial standard despite the highly dense population. But I could say the same that in terms of efficiency, how much I hate the efficiency rate in Melbourne when comparing it with Singapore. The response rate from the (particular) property agent was driving me nuts just a few weeks ago. Though I'm did encounter more efficient property agent but unfortunately I couldn't find any suitable apartment under their listings. In the end, I feel is not that we don't appreciate the new Singapore, we are just at the stage where we reminisce old Singapore and wish to hold on the good parts about it. Is probably like our parents would miss the kampung days but not the 'partially clean' living condition or the 'water from well' days. Those are the stuff that we progress for the better at the expense of the friendly neighbourhood spirit.

Thus I had been so looking forward to vote in this election. That I even read up about the parliament because I wanted to know exactly what happens when a parliament is dissolved. Is the President in-charge then? Never really got a definite answer on that though. But I had a brief understanding of the history of Parliament.

Source: www.parliament.gov.sg

I realized in 1984, we have already started making efforts to ensure a minimum number of members from the opposition parties. And the existence of GRC is to ensure minority interest.

And then I researched purely on my own constituency. The percentage of votes for the last 2 elections and current election
68+% vs 31+%
57+% vs 42+%
72+% vs 27+%

I guess anyone can see the opposition support is the worst in this election. And many has blog/interview/analyse the reason for the swing towards PAP. In my opinion, none said it better than organising secretary Mr. Ng.

First, he said, Singaporeans had been reminded of the country's progress since Independence, by events such as the SG50 celebrations, the death of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew in March and the National Day celebrations in August. 

Their realisation of Singapore's progress was all the more stark in light of its neighbours' current troubles, he said.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

To say it is a biased election is unfair but some will call it that. Obviously if you have the upper hand, wouldn't you set a stage to be more favourable for yourself. Nobody likes going into a battle with the odds against oneself.

But even if the election date had not been strategically chosen. If it will be a year later (which was why I had thoughts that I could vote), the result will still be the same.

Because the petty Opposition quarrels among themselves about 3 corner fights and the disunity among themselves even though they all belong to the Other voice is getting too ridiculous for me. I once thought that voting opposition can do them the favour of getting back their deposit. But this year, if I could vote, I refuse to do that. In fact I want them to lose their deposit and wake up their idea that they are not gaining our support if they cannot clean up their acts and be a stronger party.

Which is why I totally concur with Mr. Ng last paragraph.

When asked if the ballot box result meant that Singaporeans were not in favour of a two-party system, Dr Ng replied that Singaporeans were in favour of high standards.

He said: "What voters are saying is that if you have good candidates then whether it's two, three or four parties, first of all, they must prove themselves to be credible, honest, have integrity. 

Source: www.straitstimes.com

And thus it was amusing to read that people feel that we have given PAP the true mandate as they no longer can say PAP win by walkovers. I agree on that we have indeed voted, but we have all voted because of our love of Singapore, old and new. But I'm still skeptical if we have truly supported PAP or because the oppositions have not proved their mettle. In any case, I still feel our parliament system have much to improve on.  

Meaning of Courtesy in Today's World

Because of what happen yesterday got me thinking about what is the meaning of courtesy in Today's world. A world where we have Meetup and the likes. All these online events entails one basic courtesy from us - RSVP. If we sign up to join this event and we have something last minute, courtesy entails us to change our RSVP to a 'No' (I will not be able to attend). And should we join this event but decided to leave halfway, the organisers had repeatedly mention that out of courtesy, please at least inform one of them that you had to drop out because something crop up in the middle of the event etc. I was constantly reminded of this word 'Courtesy' and how much it is valued in events like this. Why? Because it had been a rather large turnout and while the organisers are not responsible for our well-being, out of goodwill they would like to still be able to account for everybody by the end of the event.

So what if we turn the situation the other way. A letter was sent to us to inform us that a house visit will take place at a stipulated date and time. To me that is like making an appointment with me. And obviously knowing that these people put in effort and sincerity, the least I can do is to just stay at home and welcome them right? But what if they did not even turn up? And there was no notification or explanation why they couldn't make it and we were left waiting wistfully for them? Is this what courtesy entails in Today's world?

Isn't it like Chinese New Year visits where your relative calls you and let you know that they will be visiting you. Obviously time tends to be fluid because they have stagger a couple of visits along the way. And of course if they really cannot make it, they will call you and let you know so that you will not be waiting for them the whole day. That to me is basic courtesy because you could then go on with your own errands and not wait fruitlessly.

And while I do express my thoughts aloud, I know that their response will not mollify my disappointment. After all I know right from the beginning they will not make another house visit, and besides I no longer trust them to keep their promise. And I really wonder how much can I trust the next house visit letter notification I received in Today's World.

p/s: I would like to re-iterate that I appreciate the efforts of the volunteers (students & teachers & grassroot leaders) for putting the effort to deliver the package. I know that in other constituencies, people has to personally collect their own funpack. To me, I don't mind if I have to self-collect it either. My issue here is on what courtesy entails in Today's world when we receive a notification letter that a house visit will be made. And to put it into another perspective, if for e.g. the volunteers really did visit my house but I choose to ignore it and had gone out, likewise, have I been courteous and respectful of these people who made the efforts? It seems that respect is getting harder and harder to earn in Today's World.