My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult

It reduced me to tears.
This book.

The last time I wept whilst reading was when I was undergoing a rough patch in life, and had happen to read Tuesdays with Morrie.
My Sister's Keeper surprising left me in tears.
And I still am amazed on how books draw tears. I thought it was always in the visuals, only in the movies.
Where I get to really witness the pain and grief on another person's face, can I emote.
So, when I cried while reading Tuesdays, I thought it was simply because I was an emotional wreck, just waiting for a valid reason to cry.
Which on hindsight is somewhat true.

But I cannot give you another logical explanation for My Sister's Keeper.
Because firstly, I wasn't (and am not) an emotional nutcase just waiting to spill those tears. (though I honestly admit I have an overreactive tear duct). Secondly, I really didn't want to cry on New Year's eve, screwing up with my feelings on New Year's eve just makes the last day of the year.. pathetic. Finally, its really, just a fictional book.

After much analysis, I concluded that its because I really connected with Anna, the 13 year old girl, the main character of the book. I think the author beautifully described what it was like to be 13, and the ages before (the childhood).
I almost forgot what it had been like.
And by that, I don't mean the toys, the sweets, the worry-free days, etc.
It was the thoughts that ran through my head when I was a kid.

The book brought it all back for me, and had me grasping for more.
It's like.. I desperately wanted to remember, and so I kept sifting through the book for information on Anna.
The more I read, the more I remembered.
It's not like those memories are bad. It just made me yearn for more.

Anyhow, it is still a very touching book that is really worth reading.
Please go get your hands on the book.
Though I've gotta warn you, it does get alittle frustrating, because you have to keep switching between the characters. But really, it lets you in on the many perspectives in the same given situation.
Which to me, is really cool.

--
You ever wonder what it was like, if one day technology becomes so advanced, they invent a mind-reader?
Like a computer chip, you purchase, input it into your system (ie. brain) and
Vaaaammm!!!!!!!!!
You get to read minds.

It'll be fascinating to read the minds of others.
But what would it be like, if yours were read?

For the sake of my private thoughts.
I really hope that doesn't ever happen. I cannot, and I repeat cannot imagine what would ever happen if my mind was invaded.
Though technology sometimes beautifully bridge the gaps between dreams and reality.
It often scares me at the immense possibilities.

The mindreading part freaked me.
Because sometimes I hold the most vile thoughts ever.
And it is appalling to me, when I hear those thoughts in my head. Imagine if someone else listened in.
Gah.
--

Had my feelings sorted out, and dragged my ass outta house yesterday.
Though I have to say, my new red shoes played a huge part in luring me out despite all those emotions running amok.
At least I didn't seem that loserish.
Headed to Marina Bay for dinner.
Twenty-three years of life in Singapore, and yesterday was my first at Marina Bay.
Don't ask me how, it just happened.

Not that I am prissy (ok, maybe I am a teeny bit).
But I lost all appetite when I saw the gross looking floor, chairs that are wiped clean by a really sick looking multi-purpose cloth, flies, muddy puddles everywhere, stench from God-knows-what, rowdy patrons.. you get my point.
Yesterday's dinner cost like $15. Of which, I think I only ate $3 worth.
I ever ate at some back alley, where I swear the rats we saw were the size of kittens.
And I was ok with that.
Because once the food came, I just forgot about all the rats.
But at Marina Bay, it just never stopped.
So, the next time you want to entice me with steamboat/bbq, please tell me it's either going to be at someone's house or Seoul Garden.

Since we were at Marina, I naturally assumed we'd be staying on till the fireworks.. Which really, was the only highlight of New Year's eve.
But we didn't.
Instead, I was wined and dined under the stars.

Imagine, sitting on a wooden bench under the stars, dining by the dim candlelight, sipping red wine with the cool breeze on your face with that one love of your life..
So utterly romantic right?
.
.
.
.
Wrong.
The facts were that. But taken out of context.
But, here is what went wrong.

1. The bench was relatively small, and it squeezed like 8 of us in total.
2. The candlelight became the butt of all jokes.
3. The bench was wet (due to the rain earlier), and we really had to sit on cardboard boxes
4. We dined... On Macs (think nuggets, fries, chick wings) that was delivered. And I truly pity that boy that had to deliver the food. Cos we were at Dempsey's Rd, ulu like hell, and it's New Year's Day, dammit.
5. The entire bench of people spoke hokkien. It got worse when after 3 bottles of wine, it was hokkien vulgarities that was sprouted really.

To be fair, it would have been romantic.
I don't discriminate really.
Because I did have a good time.
But I really need to get the alcohol out of the system.
It's like 2 days in a row now I go to sleep feeling woozy.
First it's an OD on beer, and yesterday its red wine.
Though I'd say I begin to appreciate red wine a slight bit more.

It amuses me, how men always underestimates women.
So do we believe in equality in the sexes or not?
Make up your mind guys.

I am already suffering the classic Monday Blues in anticipation for a shitty Tuesday.
So please, don't irritate me.
I just yelled at a fat boy on a bicycle who made rude noises at me.
I would have called him fat ass if not for the fact that I wasn't 100% sure I heard those rude noises correctly.

What a way to welcome the new year huh.