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Monday, March 20, 2006
Once upon a time, there lived a girl who was taller than the average, bigger than the average, and spoke in a deep voice. Basically, the complete opposite of Ayumi Hamasaki and friends. But even though she didn't feel attractive in any way, she knew she was more athletic than anyone, and could, at any day, win at any competition that she was entered for. Her insecurity over her image was soon overshadowed by her other talents.

However, she did have a soft side which no one could see. For instance, she could play the piano with grace and subtley than no one can ever imagine. Also, she remembered to file down her nails after cutting them to make them smooth. Sometimes, she forgot to shower, and when she did, she never used hair conditioner or facial wash. Until she was about 18. (OK, 15 for facial wash, 18 for hair conditioner). At that time when she was living in her muddy track shoes, sweaty t-shirt and Cedar shorts, she once asked her Ma whether she could get married wearing a TRACK SUIT. Her Ma said wisely (though she looked a little appalled), 'You can wear whatever you want. But your mindset will soon change...'. The girl thought, 'REALLY MEH? But I cannot imagine wearing something ku niang leh....'. Before we go further, remember that this girl is not all without a hint of femininty. Like that one day of the year called Chinese New Year when she will wear a skirt. Albeit pairing it with a Man Utd Jersey, ITS STILL A SKIRT!!


She continued to live out of a pair of berms and t-shirt, sometimes worrying that people will misunderstand, that she's a Butch or something. Not that she has anything against them, but will prefer not to be thought as one. Until one day when she was 17, turning 18. Also known as the Yr End Holidays of JC 1. She was wandering the streets of Orchard Road with her Ma, in that same ol' berms and ratty ol' tshirt. She turned to her Mama (outside Shaw Isetan, she still remembers), and inquired 'Ma... are you bored of the way I look?' . The answer she got was one that she never imagined ' Umm... actually, YES'. GAHHH... REALLY MEH?!?! Then she looked at herself, pondered for a moment, and thought 'OK I am so gonna do something about this!'. But of course she didn't. Like any kiasu, crazy Singaporean, she waited till the next Great Singapore Sale (which was the next year), to go shopping for nice things. And then there was no looking back.

But, keep in mind that this girl is still taller and bigger than the average Singaporean, so her choices were rather limited. The denim mini skirts that her peers wore would look totally off on her, PLUS, Roxy NEVER made them in her size. The teeny tops that were wrapped around her friends' bodies would make her look like a cow. So, she slowly devised her own sense of style.... or lack of. Her love affair with all things nice began before Prom, when she would hound her classmates after their dresses, becoming more excited than them. She coordinated the hair and makeup for her friends, because she felt like she just had to. She dyed her hair for the first time after A levels and found her best accessory - Her hair. She finally felt like a girl!!! And how she loved it! Mama was right! Dump the tracksuits. She choose the gigantic white dress anytime!


She enrolled herself in a manicure/pedicure course, and fell deep, deep in the art and beauty of it. She quickly amassed a collection of fine polish. For what, she doesn't know. She just enjoyed seeing all the colors line up with each other, just like in a rainbow.. except that she favored deep burgundy shades instead of blue, green and orange. She forced her sister, who was studying in the US at that time, to buy her OPI nail polish for her birthday. Siao, you say? She didn't think so, but now, she occasionally chids herself for spending that unnecessary cash. The most she's spent on a bottle of nail polish? About S$30. Total value of her collection? Don't ask, or you may risk giving her a heart attack. Each nail polish has their own unique name, and she remembers every one of them. 'Changing of the Garnet', 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Loyalty Islands Lilac', 'Senorita Rosalita'..she can go on for days... Ever since she first started her nail course, she never left her toenails unpainted. Maybe she gets lazy about 20 days in a year. But most of the time, they shone in hues of red, purple and brown.




The O.P.I family. Some cousins, unfortunately could not pass immigration to come to the US and had to stay home.



The Essie family. I THINK they're all here...


And then, she got really anal about her hair. You can't really blame her for that, she's been deprived for years. After countless dreadful sessions at the Auntie's place, she was determined to never revert back to that. And so, before each and every hairdressing appointment, she would painstakingly head to online forums, to seek out the most revered in the industry (within her budget, of course), and seek solace in them. You laugh, but its true. She developed a motto, made famous by people in relationships. Something that goes by the line of 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.' After a few not-bads and once in a blue moon, a wrong turn, she has FINALLY found her ideal hairdresser. He was bold yet not avant-garde, within her budget, gentle with her hair, and most importantly, he made her look like she always wanted - Sophisticated and Chi-Chi. Alas, happily ever after endings were not in tow. She soon had to part a Pacific Ocean away from him. But, she continues to urge her friends back home to try him out, and to feedback to her. Cos hearing about success stories from other people, is better than nothing at all.


Contrary to popular belief, she did NOT start on a makeup craze only after April, 2004. And the story started rather funnily. She had wanted to take a picture for her new passport and VISA cos she didn't want to screw it up. In order to make it the most perfect, she went to the M.A.C counter at Tangs and asked for a makeover. But hor, they only applied compact powder and blush on her. HUH? LIDDAT ONLY AH?! Never cover my blemishes and eyebags leh?!?! So in the end, she had to pay extra for photoshop (:p). She started off with her collection of a blush and a compact, and soon, just like her nail polish addiction, whirlwind into a hoard of too many stuff. But don't worry! She hasn't bought anything since... eh... January. BUT!!! She hadn't bought any eyeshadow for eh...3 mths. I mean, I mean, she is not intending to get more stuff anytime soon. Not because she realised how underused they are (most are untouched), but cos she did some simple mental calculation and realized that if ONLY she hadn't bought all those stuff, would she be a very rich woman today.



It started off with an innocent blush and powder...

Now. 16 eyeshadows, 4 blushes, 3 mascaras, 4 eyepencils blah blah

She once told her Mama, 'Nx time, I want to go zhng my nose!! Its too big!!!' Her Ma, like always, the temple of serenity and calmness, replied 'your parents gave it to you'.


Today, though she looks vastly different as she did 5 years, 4 years, and even 3 years ago, this girl is still not satisfied. She silently prays of one day waking up and resembling Catherine Zeta Jones, but just like her dream of waking up and discovering that she has a mysterious, estranged, dead uncle who's left her his $5 billion, she knows its impossible. She now fully believes that along with the most beautiful makeup, hair and clothes that money can buy, confidence, is key. Though she will not say no to Botox and Laser and Lasik, she believes she will probably not zhng her nose anymore. Your nose is your fortune, said fortune tellers. (not to her, on magazines. she was just reading them.) And so she hopes her fleshy nose will bring her good fortune. And then, she realized, that her nose has brought her good luck so far... She's had a privileged life. Maybe the fortune teller is right, after all. Although this girl doesn't believe that she has a holy Creator, she believes her parents gave life to her. Anything to change her looks would be disrespectful to them. And so I see...seems like Mama's right again.


Remembering that beauty is diversed. Remembering that no one is perfect, or even close. Remembering that even the most ravishing beauty on earth has her insecurities (which explains eating disorders and plastic surgery) Most importantly, remembering that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. OH, just in case you're wondering...


The girl looks like this today. Yeah... her hair looks good doesn't it? Her nose is still big, what to do? One of her front tooth has a chip in it, but she doesn't know how to go about it, and since its hardly bugging her, she's not doing anything about it. Weight wise, she can definitely afford to lose those pounds. Eyes wise, she can really use some serious mascara and eyeliner. Plus, now that her hair is growing out and becoming messy, she has no choice but to face the world with her next best accessory - her smile. And of course, her ability to counter any quirky comment, with wit, and a smile, of course. But more importantly, the place where she wants to touch up is her inside. She wants to be a better person. For her family, friends and for the world. She believes that the heart is the most beautiful part of a person. And since she's bossy, she thinks YOU should think so too. DOn't you all agree?



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