These days temperatures are rapidly dropping; it's amazing how even the slightest breath creates a whole lot of mist (yes, even through the nose!) Haha. And to that effect, I think it's really funny and cute watching layered, puffed-up figures exhale great amounts of mist at regular intervals, blurring in the white. And of course it's even more amusing watching those rushing to class with their heavier breathing! Cos like what Nic'd contended, the Michelin-type marshmallow down jacket seriously makes anyone look deceivingly-un-runnable, heh.
On another note, I really love flurries. Not so much of walking in than watching them, though. Just that on the morning after sending Nic off, I'd journeyed back in a delightfully-surprising flight of flurries - and since it was so quiet on-campus on an early Saturday morning, I'd decided to stroll and enjoy the rare lil' bit of Winnipeg sun peeking through the clouds..
I've always thought walkways covered in snow to be romantic, heh. And that's me being "drenched" in snow (what word do you use for snow?!) - you can see flurries in my hair and scarf!
The not-so-nice things about snow though (or maybe it only applies to snow-amateurs like me) - is that I'm always tempted to trudge in/step on seeming-ly thick and large heaps. But it's true you never know what lies beneath; I've stepped into sharp hollies and random plants and the edges of kerbs, its really embarrassing at times! Haha. It's also annoying whenever I don my specs and metal earrings out, cos they get extremely cold and hence the eyes/nose/earlobes suffer. And not to forget having to check the weather forecast before going out too, just to gauge windchill for the day! :(
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A funny email exchange between Chris (who's in Beijing now) and I
P/S: Pardon the grammar, it's Singlish!
Chris: And it's super cold out today! The wind keep blowing! Can see my breath when I breathe.. it's just so cold and windy today! Later tonight definitely must buy boots or shoes or I think my feet will really freeze and fall out. ROAR.
Wini: Haha hello I don't think it's as cold as here is it??? How cold is it? I have damn low temps plus damn strong winds! And yea, slight breath can see mist!
Chris: Yah it's not as cold as Winnipeg definitely, but I still feel cold cannnnn.. only your side can feel cold is it.. other people cannot. Haha. Roar. It's -3 degrees apparently!
Wini: Haha -3 is nothing to meeeeee already!!!! it's -30 today!
Chris: It's something to me la can! Wah lau, no sympathy one lor you!
Haha.. I miss you Chris! I can send you warm mittens from Canada..! Hehe.
Why ah, tell me why is Singlish such a great language to converse in?
No wait, it's not even a language right? According to Prof Wiki hor, Singlish is the English-based creole spoken and written colloquially in Singapore leh. And of course English is the lexifier language la, but Singlish has its unique slang and syntax ma, so is more commonly used in informal speech lor.
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I'm pretty sure my international friends don't understand the above; sometimes they think JS and I are speaking in a different language altogether! Haha. And for that matter, and for the many fascinating things I've shared with people here about Singapore, I was randomly inspired to come up with my very own list of favourite Singlish words/phrases:
#1 Chart Toppers (for most Singaporeans, apart from the usual la/lor/leh/meh/ouis)
Other personal favourites I often use include chope, kope, ka jiao, chapalang, machiam, cheem.. and the adding of tenses behind words - nua-ing, sian-ness etc. Haha.. ok sheesh I can't stand all the red curly wurly lines on my screen anymore!
I seriously think most Singaporeans abroad are proud and most comfortable conversing in Singlish with their fellow mates; as long as one knows when/how to distinguish this from standard English, I'd contend Singlish to be a Uniquely Singaporean identity for all of us. :)
So my dearest junior was sooo nice to visit me in Canada during the American Thanksgiving weekend! Or maybe she only wanted to take advantage of free accommodation while seeing new places la, tskkk.. haha. But it was just so unbelievable that she'd chosen to visit Winnipeg for her first time to Canada! (P/S: People don't visit Winnipeg because it's an amazing city you know, haha.)
But I must say I was stressed over planning a "travel itinerary" for Nic, though it all turned out well in the end. I guess it was really the spending time together and catching up that made her 3D2N stay (actually more of 2D2N cos of the very early departure) most memorable for us. And at least I brought Nic to the food places she'd specifically requested to go, Baked Expectations at Osborne Village and The Original Pancake House! Oh and not to forget shopping at the country-style Forks Market like amateur aunties..! Haha :)
Nic mentioned she'd never imagined going to a place colder (or worse, windier) than Ann Arbor, even though she was already in her puffy Michelin-marshmallow-ed jacket, heh. Made me very proud of the fact that I'm probably one of the.. hmm, 2% of Singaporeans who can ever imagine or experience -30 degC in their entire lifetimes? Haha.. even -10 sounds scary to frequent winter vacationers back home!
After a very anti-climax hug at the AVM lobby and nua-ing on my nice luxurious 5-star hotel bed. Haha.
Desart Shop and Happy Cooker, with all sorts of cute funky lil' things like ABC Cookies - Already Been Chewed!
Cup Cakery! Super yums, look at the gigantic cupcake (which weighs 2.5kg or something)..
Happily auntie-ing away.. woots!
I must say it's really exciting to meet a friend (a close friend somemore whom I care alot about) in a different part of the world halfway across the globe. I know this sounds silly, but Nic, it was really nice having an old friend trudge in the Winnipeg snow/slush with me, heh.
And I'm sure you also enjoyed your first legal-drinking experience in North America ya? Thanks too for instigating me to use the fake bus transfer (the validity timing on our tickets'd expired but we hun4-ed through all the same), and the facebook snooping (rem how we jian4 gui3 when we scrolled through his pics?), and just spending quality time with me talking about anything/everything from our lives to the good ol' days in the dojo. It's just heartwarming indeed to also converse in our typical HC-style Singlish/Chinese and reminiscing over everything, including imitating auntie Pheywa's actions, hahaha.
Baked Expectations sinful dessert indulgence, and atop The Forks' observation tower
Spot me waving to dear Santa! :D
Candy-created snow sleighs and snowman tealight candles at the Forks Market
Earl's - Nic's first legal-drinking experience in North America, haha
I'm glad I sent Nic off at the airport in the wee hours too, had a good quiet time sipping Tim's coffee and looking up tourist guides, to facilitate planning my post-exam schedule while waiting for JS to finish his papers. :) I love you my dearest junior, see you next summer in sunny Singapore! (P/S: I'll also start a countdown like him k? Haha.)