25 random firsts

This is something that I did for my facebook after being tagged by a friend.

1. Starred in my first concert in K2 at Zion Kindergarten's annual concert playing the role of Cinderalla. The teacher had said that whoever could show up with a pair of silver shoes the next day will get to be the Princess. My awesome dad drove the whole of Singapore that night searching for such a pair and couldn't find out. Remember that this was the early 80s -- so glittery children's shoes were very scarce. He then bought a pair of white party shoes and spent the whole night spray painting them in layers just so I could play the lead. One of the many mighty ways dad has shown his love for me. This is also my very first addiction to the stage which I still love today.

2. Made my first dollar temping at the new defunct Singtel Paging. I was a Customer Service Officer aka Call to Complain Center with my bestie and I after A Levels. I spent a good 3 months showing the perm staff up by diligently fielding call after call from customers. What irritating temps we must have been. This job inadvertently landed me my first permanant job doing M&A/Corporate Finance in the Media, Telecoms & Technology sector. What a blessing it was!

3. My first boyfriend is now my husband. It wasn't for a lack of suitors but more the case of why fix something that's not broken and yes, I do love him.

4. My first national competition representing my school was for something really 'cina' ... Its an annual competition called the National Chinese Essay Recitation Competition and I was selected for this competition from Sec 2 to Sec 4. We used to meet during our hour long school assemblies in remote parts of our school with the teacher in charge to practice. We even had to ensure that our facial expressions and rhythmn of the head sways were the same. Our best result was the 3rd nationally. Imagine….me! in a CHINESE competition!!!

5. My first barbie was only gifted to me when I was nearly Primary 5, or 11 years old. I recall secretly admiring the barbie dolls my friends had and wishing that I too had one. My parents, who were not very well off nor indulgent, only gave me one when the fad was almost over. Come to think about it, I never had many toys and now shower R with so many toys since it is a good excuse for me to play too. Talk about making up for lost time!

6. I first realise how painful it is to hammer oneself with a real hammer when I was 3 or 4 years old. We used to live in a zinc roof home at Jalan PayoLai near Paya Labar in Singapore, a home that my grandpa squatted on (those were the days) and my dad and grandpa built an extension to their home for my parents' marital home when they got married. I recall being the ever helpful child trying to hammer a nail into the wooden walls like my dad was doing and totally missing my mark and hitting hard on my fingernail. It turned all black and I refused to let anyone near it. Dad had to release the "bad blood" only after I cried myself to sleep. I now stay clear of such objects and feign helplessness when faced with DIY projects...unless I am left with totally NO other option.

7. I saw my first sheep and cow when I was 17 as mom, brother and I travelled to the UK for a holiday. I recall my mom yelling in amazement at how big their udders were. Yes, it was a good thing she yelled it in Chinese and not many people understood what she was saying.

8. Attended by first orchestra concert at 7 at the Victoria Theatre in Singapore. Mom and I had a mom/daughter date and she bought me some pastel colored candid almonds to last me through the concert. It was such a lovely day that I can still vividly recall it till today. She can't really remember the details though, I did ask her recently.

9. I first travelled independently when I was 19. It was a flight that was taking me from Manchester, UK to London, UK to Chicago, US to Urbana-Champaign (US). The flight from Manchester to London landed late causing me to miss all my connecting flights. I remember calling my dad in Singapore asking for some comfort only to be told that there is nothing he can do. Its the first time I realise that its just ME now, alone to make my way to where I need to go. At that point, I recall being appreciative of my parents who've always been holding my hands, even when I didn't want to be held. And yes, thank God for ICC (an international dialing card from Singapore)

10. My first experience counciously baring normally covered body parts to another person was at 20. (Kiddy experiences don't count). It was for a breast cyst and I was having it looked at. Having it looked at by my parents' friend compounded the embarressment factor. Years later, having popped a kid and gone through the joys of stirups, I can easily bare all without blushing. In 3 seconds flat. Want to see?

11. My first car was a tiny 1000 cc green Subaru I inherited from my mother. When mom was driving it, it was termed "the Lord's Army tank", somehow when it got its name changed to "Little Turtle - or小乌龟 when it got to my hands. Go figure.

12. The first subject that I failed in school was Math and the precendence continued throughout my academic years. To this day, I need to stop and use my fingers to count the number of zeros there are in a number before I can decide it its a million or billion figure. And yes, I was an ex-investment banker. Worked in New York. Who used to fail Math. What can I say? Only by God's grace are such miracles possible.

13. Wrote my first article for "public eyes" for free a few years ago. It was a favor for a dear friend who was working on getting a career magazine published. It was always my dream to write and though my language skills and style are pretty much all over the place, I was uber pleased to have seen the article published. I hope to have something significant written and published some day.

14. First showed off my underwear in public when I was 14 in Secondary 2 when I was Captain Planet for a school assembly. I wore my mom’s leotards and tights I recall pulling an underwear (or was it shorts) over that to re-create the authentic Captain Planet look. How crazy was I? And how could my friends let me?

15. I formally learnt my first foreign language at University with this lady from UK and it was Japanese. I recall having to memorize vocabulary lists and Mr B would tease me saying that it sounded like noise that a ghost would make (鬼叫 – kui kio). I still remember some terms today and I’ll show them off to you the next time we have a meal in a Japanese restaurant.

16. The first person that I recall losingis my maternal grandma, who I dearly miss even today. I was 12 and I even recall the song – Give Thanks – that we sang at her funeral. She was the one who brought me up as my parents both worked full time and taught me how to play five stones, taught me my spelling and provided me with so many lovely childhood memories. I miss you Popo.

17. The first boy I had my way with was the son of my parents’ friends. My parents used to leave my brother and I at their home as they went for bible study (since we were so disruptive) and this boy used to be one of the most irritating thing on the planet. (He’s since calmed down a lot). J had pushed me over the edge so much that I stormed into HIS mother’s kitchen, took out the wok cover, filled it with water and poured it all over HIS head in HIS own home. Needless to say we all got into trouble when the adults came home.

18. My first dog was a stray dog that mom had gotten from some supplier. He was an all black dog and I christened him Prince. My parents naturally butchered the name and called him Blackie or 小黑 (Little Black One). He came as a puppy and I used to love cuddling and playing with him. He used to bite holes in my dad’s pants as dad left for work each day and try to pounce on the table to reach the bread. These were pre-doggy school days, mind you, so I guess we never knew better. Mom had to give him away one day as he was turning really aggressive whenever our neighbor’s daughter appeared as she would throw stones and sticks at him and mom feared that one day she would get bitten. I am still waiting to move into a place big enough so that I can have two dogs and a few cats around me.

19. My first cosmetic procedure done is my current correction with dental braces. I’ve always wanted it done and figured that better now than later. It has been almost 4.5 months and counting.

20. My first luxury goods purchase s were made during my high days in when I was still in banking. I recall shopping at Barneys and Saks Fifth for lovely shoes and clothing, but even then was careful to only purchase them on sale. My luxury buys nowadays have been scaled down to the occasional face cream.

21. The first time I led worship at a service was in University Year 1 at the Bradford Chinese Community Church. I remember being especially anxious since I was normally the ‘transparency changer’ in the worship committee at church but a fellow brother encouraged me saying that I must have faith that God will use me. It sure was intimidating standing on the pulpit. No….never had a chance to lead worship since then though I do help out in the Chinese ministry that mom is involved in but only as a background singer.

22. I first realized how old I am now when I started receiving resumes and interviewing candidates who were born in the 1980s. Eeks.

23. First encounter with acupuncture was at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai last year and as my friend promised, it doesn’t hurt!

24. My first piano exam was in Primary 2 at 8 years old for Grade 1 which I passed. I subsequently tried to take Grade 5 when I was in High School and failed miserably, but 1 mark. Its always been my goal to try to get my certificates since then. One day. I will.

25. My first child was born in 2005. She came as a total surprise but has since given me and Mr B so much joy that I can’t imagine life without her (well, of course I can but its just so much better when she’s around). I pray that God will gift us a brood more and multiply our joy many times over!