Manic Monday

Is there anything for which you would willingly give your life?
Yes, for my family and Christian brothers and sisters.

How would you communicate with someone if you didn't share a common language?

Depending on the situation, perhaps use a phrase book, a human translator or digital one or sign language with hands and gestures. If time permits, perhaps use pictures and drawings as well.

Where is your ideal place/location to have a wedding?

Although I like outdoor settings but in my country that is disastrous because of the humidity. It will ruin any makeup for sure and if it rains... So a simple buffet style lunch or dinner at the hotel will suit me best. Yeah, I have no creativity in this regard, just want a convenient one.

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Manic Monday

What's your favorite thing to spend money on?
Books. I do not derive any of the same joy and satisfaction from buying clothes, bags or shoes as I do buying books.

If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
I work from home now and it is rather flexible as it is. No age limit for retirement kind of thing. In fact, I need to make sure that I don't get bored instead.

Should anything be censored and if so, what and why?
Pornography, Occultism and Violence in movies, music or anywhere else.

Manic Monday

How did you celebrate your last birthday?

I don't celebrate birthdays.

What's the last thing you bought yourself, just for fun?

Recently I bought a Walking Kit more out of desperation than for fun. It comes with a pedometer, a manual and a pair of wrist weights for the power swing. I still have not open the kit to read the manual nor try out the wrist weight. I have not done any walking yet as well. Sad...

What would the child you once were think of the adult you have become?

How did I/you grow old so fast? Why do you worry so much about what other people think about you? You should live life in the present and not worry about the past or be anxious about the future.

Manic Monday

What do you order when you eat Chinese food?

I was going to post about the sumptuous lunch I had a few days ago. I had forgotten about this restaurant for a while and glad to patronize it again because the food is just delicious. The restaurant is named Esquire Kitchen. I ordered the pork chop noodles in soup and fried dumplings (photo). They served the dumplings with their special sauces and ginger strips in vinegar. Yummy!

How much have you controlled the course your life has taken?

I had to read this question a few times to understand it. I guess after I had known about the Bible at the age of 17, my life has taken a more controlled form. I didn't feel that I was drifting with the crowd so to speak but neither was I doing things just to please myself. 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 - For the love the Christ has compels us, because this is what we have judged, that one man died for all; so, then, all had died; and he died for all that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised up.

Whose opinion do you value when deciding how to vote?
No comment.

Manic Monday

1. What is the most romantic movie that you've ever seen?
When it comes to romantic movies, nothing can beat Hindi movies. They have a lot of emotional scenes that pull at your heart strings and thus can make you feel more emotional and be in love with the characters. The most romantic one for me is Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam or in English Straight From the Heart.

2. If you could be the lover of any person alive other than your current lover, who would you pick?
Wonder what kind of question is this. Of course it will still be my husband!

3. What scents remind you of a loved one?
Since my husband does not wear any cologne, nothing in particular.

Manic Monday

Is there anything too serious to joke about? If so, what falls into that category for you?

Yes, there are things that are too serious to joke about and it would offend me if done so on purpose. Jokes and humour should have their proper place and time in our communication and interaction. The context too matters because even when the joke is about the topics that I list out here, if it is done in a "leg pulling" way with no malice or hurtful intentions, that is more palatable than an outright joke or "for fun" purpose. After saying so, topics that are serious to me are my beliefs (religion), family, and close friends. There was another question in another meme about if I would defend a friend when his/her reputation is at stake when others spoke about a misguided notion about my friend. I replied that I would stand up and speak out for my my friend.

Would you rather be a tortured genius or a happy simple-minded person? Why?

I seriously do not know what does tortured genius mean! Hahaha...so I guess I would rather be a happy simple-minded person. Interestingly I was speaking about finding a potential mate for my brother and he finally came up with the ideal wife that he is seeking. She must be a "wise fool". Someone who can act dumb in front of in laws but wise enough to be discerning about the reaction of relatives. Dumb in this case would both mean when to be quiet and when to smile and ignore relative's remarks.

A dear friend or family member has a terminal illness and is in agony. He/she wants you to help him/her die. What would you do?

This is a very tough question. Though if I am the suffering one and my case is clearly deemed to be hopeless, I would not want to be put on a "permanent" life support system that will only burdened my family members emotionally and financially. Similarly, I would discuss this matter with my husband prior to any medical treatment or in case of accidents, what is to be done. But back to the question, I would not "help" the person die but if the person's case is clearly hopeless beyond any doubt as reasonably agreed by physicians and doctors, then the decision perhaps is to discontinue any life support system or technology.

Manic Monday

If you could have a servant come to your house every day for one hour, what would you have them do?
I think the chore that I would like some help would be mopping and cleaning the window grills. That takes up time. Of course it doesn't need to be done daily. Another thing is, cooking, I suppose. I can't cook. That can be done daily within one hour.

Has your life ever been changed by an apparently random occurrence?
When I read this question, I am only thinking about people who might had an accident or being at the wrong place at the wrong time like at the scene of a crime or a shoot out. But no, nothing like that happened in my life.

You're having dinner with several friends and acquaintances. They all criticize a close friend of yours (not knowing he/she is a friend). The criticism is unjustified. What would you do?
I will defend my friend.

Manic Monday

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?
I guess I would choose Montana because it sounds feminine and easy to spell and pronounce.

Where do you go for advice?
The Bible and my hubby.

What is the sickest you've ever been?
When I had my eczema flare up all over the body and face.

Manic Monday

Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were the opposite sex?

Hmm...as a Chinese woman in my mid 30s, I have a rather sheltered life being taken care of by my parents and hubby after marriage. So I would say that I am very much contented. I like being a woman and a female. Nevertheless, I am not ignorant that my gender has suffered in many other lands and they didn't even get half of the opportunities of what I enjoyed in life. I can only speak for myself therefore about this issue.

What books from your childhood would you like to share with your children?

I don't have any children but if I do, depending on the age of the children, I would like to share with them my collection of Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew, Enid Blyton, Alfred Hitchcock, Pride and Prejudice, and The Hardy Boys. There may be more but I can't remember them. I may need to browse the bookstores to get the children's books but I will definitely share my love for reading with my children from young.

What is one talent or skill you don't possess but always wanted?

Learning new languages. I wish that I have the talent or the humility to learn a new language. I mean one needs to start with "baby language" and use small words in the new language and progress on with proper grammar and so on. But I find it difficult to practise using the baby language at the initial stage and always give up before I can understand the more difficult part of a language. And then there is also the culture and songs and mentality of the people who speak different languages. It is a little overwhelming for me.

Manic Monday

1. What was the last thing you regret buying?

Hmm... an organizer which I seldom use and it is now collecting dust on my desk.

2. If you had a crystal ball that could tell you the truth about any one thing you wished to know about yourself, life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

I am not trying to be a smart alec here. The Bible is one such "crystal ball" that can prophesy about the future. Though I wouldn't like to know the exact detail about my personal life because I rather live one day at a time as it unfolds, but generally I look forward to the time I will be able to live forever in a paradise on earth with good neighbours that fear God.

3. How do you know when you're in love?

There is an unselfish care for each other-taking the other person's interest first. There has been enough time spent on getting to know each other's spirituality, goals, attitudes, character, the important stuff before being physically involved. There is an amiable way to handle problems rather than name calling, blaming and fights. Most of all I will want to share my life with the other person.

Manic Monday

What is your idea of a perfect romantic evening?
I don't have much imagination in this regard. To me being able to have a quiet evening with hubby, holding hands and walking slowly facing the beach if possible. I like the sound of sea waves and the feel of sea breeze in my face. Realistically though, I am afraid of too lonely places unless it is a private beach but then we would need to pay an arm or a leg for such "luxury".

Imagine you had to take part in the winter Olympics. What sport would you do? (Here's a link to the official sports, in case you need help.)
Figure skating. This is what I love to watch anyway. If I have the "figure" and I can "skate", this would be my Olympic entry for sure!

Barbara Fusar Poli and Maurizio Margaglio (Getty Images)

What's something that people do in traffic that really bothers you?
Necking or touching...I can see from the top inside a bus!

Manic Monday

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For the holidays, are you a last-minute shopper or do you shop well ahead of time?
Well ahead of the time if possible. I hate crowds and get really stressed by too many people around me.

If you had to pick a new first name for yourself, what name would you choose?
Amanda-my long time favourite was Diana but not now. Amanda sounds simple and nice.

What's worse, having expectations that are too high, or having no expectations at all?
Having no expectations at all is worse for then there is no motivation to improve or do one's best.

Manic Monday

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What's the longest you've ever waited in line?
Ticket for a Tamil movie during Deepavali (Indian New Year). About 45 minutes standing.

It's been said that, "The best things in life are free." Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
Agree somewhat. Free in the sense of money like relationships, friendships, happiness and nature. But not free in terms of investing time and maintenance.

If you could go back in time and re-live one day in your life, which day would you choose and why?
March 22nd, 1995. My wedding day! Not to change anything but to feel the joy again.

My least favorite day of the week

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What is your least favorite day of the week and why?
Thursday. This is a random thought actually. All the days of the week are more or less alright for me. Some days have more chores and activities, others have less but not necessarily better or worse.

What's the best way to end the day?
I can do more reading or perhaps sleep the day away! Take a break and chill out from daily chores.

Which animal would you have left out of the ark?
Fishes and sea creatures? Hahaha...