OMG, I have to post this:

"Another study involving 17,600 men and women in 28 countries found that married men report doing even less housework than men who are live-in boyfriends.

Apparently, when couples just cohabit, they see themselves in more of a 'you do your part and I'll do mine' roommate relationship.

But once the institution of marriage kicks in, the division of labour changes. Even for couples with an egalitarian view on gender - seeing men and women as equal - husbands still report doing less housework than their wives.

Centuries-old standards of what a wife's 'duty' is just aren't so easy to change.

Thankfully, it's not a problem I have to deal with as a single.

What I do worry about, though, is what I'll do for dinner when my mother passes on.

Much as I like takeaways, there's only so much outside food one can stomach. But I can't cook, don't cook and won't cook.

My solution? Start compiling all her recipes. And then get a domestic helper who can not only do all the chores - but who is also a really, really good cook. " - Sumiko Tan, Straits Times Life Editor

This woman is hilariously callous. She's worried about her mother dying only because she won't get to eat her food any more?!?! And her solution? To find a maid to replace her mother. I think if I were the woman that gave birth to her, I mightjust keel over earlier from heartbreak.

Here's another paragraph that irks me: "I feel so lucky living in an era when women don't have to stay home but can go out to the workforce and kick ass, just like the men do. And when you're so busy in the corporate world, who has time to indulge in the culinary arts our mothers excelled in? Who wants to be like our mothers?

And isn't it even rather charming to be a damsel in distress in the kitchen? Isn't it kind of cute when a confident, competent woman becomes a little ditzy when she's in the kitchen? I think so, anyway. "

Seriously??!?! This is a woman who is highly accomplished in her career and she thinks acting cute in the kitchen is going to melt some hearts?!?! I'm imagining the scene - this 50 year old woman has got her index finger on a pouting lower lip, her hair is on fire and she looks bewildered at some man in the kitchen who'll save her from the torch on her head. -_-''

Incidentally, have been biased against her ever since her two-faced rampage against Catharine Lim in 1994. But yes, that does not detract from how woefully trapped she is in her bubble of spinsterhood.

Will be making my way to Mumbai, India the coming summer for an internship with Tata Group. Am extremely excited about it. But a bit worried too, because of the severely limited amount of time I have between the internship and NOC. I hope I have time to at least pack! Plans for my mother and sister to visit me in Philly are, at the moment to be reconsidered because of the timing, but you know, God will work something out :)

Prayed hard for this Tata thing, and for God to let me go if He thinks I'll grow from it. Heard lots about the place from Don, who went there this past summer, and he's had many good things to say about it. Apparently, his boss is Christian, and they spent every Sunday going to church and fellowshipping after that. I saw him give a bear hug to his boss when they saw each other in Singapore. Must say that's pretty rare.

Anyway, the selection round for the internship was pretty grueling. Spent almost the entire Friday (2 pm to 11 pm - NINE HOURS!!!) stuck in school for the selection. Definitely a good experience, cos I think future interviews might be conducted in a similar format.

Here's a recount:

First we had a presentation by one of the senior management from the group. Gave us an introduction to Tata and some snapshots of the IIP (International Internship Programme) from this summer (May 07). Snazzy movie clip about Tata's companies. Catchy soundtrack with Bollywood music.

Then we had the first round called the Chairman's discussion, where we were divided into groups and each individual took turns to lead the group discussion on a scenario presented to us by Tata. My scenario was about some competitor poaching the entire research team for one of the projects. I think if that happened in real life, I'd laugh and then decide if I want to jump ship as well. (Relax! I'm kidding :p Have more integrity than that la)

Then from there, a first cut was made and those who got through proceeded for a 2:1 interview, meaning one candidate with two senior executives. Thank goodness, no technical questions were asked, because I know nuts about engineering and what not. The lady told us it would be an informal chat for the panel to "get to know us better".

Ha.

Sample of the questions:
"What is Singapore's national bird?"

I actually giggled (!!!!:() and told them sorry, I have no clue, to which the kind gentleman give me a sympathetic smile.

"Who wrote the national anthem and under what circumstances?"
Thank goodness I <3 LKY and could tell them about our early nationalistic tendencies, heh.

"Give me your honest opinion about working in a limestone quarry where English is not spoken. And electricity has not been introduced."

I have to confess, I lied a bit about liking being in the sun. For those who know me, I detest getting burnt and I think UV rays are evil.

"Compare yourself to an animal"
My favourite, simply because this was so HUH?!?!

"Give me ten reasons why wearing a tie is unnecessary" (posed to Mili, who also got in - say Holla to a summer of crazy jokes: This guy is half Buddhist, half Catholic, depending on meal time inclinations to consume beef :p)

Star response: It is not part of my culture but I am forced to wear it as a reflection of western imperialism. (Woot! Love it!)

"Sing me a Singhalese lullaby" (posed to this girl called Sakina)
Response: "I don't know any, but I can sing you a Hindi lullaby if you want."

To which Mili, after being told of this question went "Man, that would have been an excellent question for me. I would still have been singing for them with percussion and everything" (Haha, I guess you'd have to be there for this one)

Anyway, 2008 is looking to be an exciting year with lots of traveling for me :)
Manitoba, Canada in Jan
Mumbai, India in May
Philadelphia, USA in July

Must spend remaining year in Singapore very wisely with family, disciples and friends. And will drag Qing along with me to Philly :)