Spade Forum

Sunday at noon, my parents and us went to Geylang to buy my dress for first day of Eid with colour code: BROWN.

Surprisingly, it wasn't difficult to find one at Tanjong Katong Complex. It was a mix and match though. and brought a total of $73. *faint*

Oh it was Zubair's first time in Geylang. We passed by here a couple of times but never walked around.

Then we went to Darul Arqam for Zohr. I reminisced how we used to hang out here a lot after school... with Kak Shark, Kak Fiqah during O level time when we were waiting for the English teacher to come.. I still remember i've been to an interview here once. Whilst the manager/interviewer was encouraging, she was also intimidating and scared me off the hectic schedule with alternate Sundays to be on duty in the office. While i simply love the wudhu' and musolla area, i m totally turned off by the washroom. I thought, thank god i dont hafta work here!

I wasnt really hungry but Zubair hasnt eaten properly yet so we went to Teh Tarik (its malay for stretched tea, but in this case it is the name of the coffeeshop)next door. and also considering that we're going somewhere else later, so we shld fill up the tummy w some fuel.

Then mummy and ayah sent us to safra at Mount Faber.

The place is super duper nice! See the colours! There are swimming pools, restaurants and even a bowling alley!

However, we're here for a Singapore Pakistan Development (Spade) forum's Joint National Day celebration.

We were early and felt out of place knowing noone. but we tried to strike up a few conversations with some. The recently promoted President of the org, Frank Teo, made us feel comfortable. and you know what? He speaks fluent Urdu and Punjabi! Imagine a CHINESE speaking Urdu. hahaha. He was working for the Singapore High Comm there in Pakistan for the last 7 yrs, that's why.

There were also other non-Pakistanis who came mainly Chinese. They are business associates. We talked to an Emily who do Spa and facial products business in Pakistan. We talked to a Tracy who is doing an Online business. I spoke to a Wajiha who is a registrar in NUH for the last 7 yrs! I jaw just dropped when i heard that sey. and then i excused myself from her a bit intimidated.

At first, i was very scared of this function. like i dont know anybody.. i dont know the agenda.. i dont like stepping into total darkness. And i was afraid it's gonna be a boring, speech only event. But it turned out that the two political figures, the two high commissioners, were not able to make it and the event turned out to be very informal and quite fun. and later, 2 of his guy friends arrived, and we felt at some ease. later still, Fatima - the interviewer for National Day came and i felt even better.

Anyways, it started with Frank describing what Spade is for and what they have been doing. Basically it is to create awareness of Pakistani society amongst Singaporean, to garner friendships, business relationships and what nots. They have annual Cricket Friendship Tournaments. and they raise donation for earthquake and flood affected areas in Pakistan.

One of their donation drives is thru the sale of MANGOES. its at $28/5kg carton. $10 for delivery but 10 cartons above, free delivery. You can still place order within this week! Call Zalina at 6299 3944 or 9800 9073. I didnt believe when Zubair said he eats mangoes by the KG (WITHOUT seeds) but now i do cause Frank also said he did just that. Him and his son finished the mangoes in the market! haha And so.. the sale proceeds will be channeled to those funds.

We also found out that a new Singapore Pakistan Association has just been inaugurated in Mar this year. i had expressed my distress for the lack of such association before... when Zubair and i were planning our wedding. Imagine that even the Pakistan Embassy didnt know of any and such org. GRRR

And since it was informal and two speeches down... Frank asked if anybody wanted to sing. Me and Zubair's face lighted up! and with a bunch of other guys, Zubair led the group to sing one of Pakistani national songs. I like that he took charge grabbing the mic but at the same time generously shared with the others. I have a poor quality video of it and no picture. so nothing for this.

Haha ... we were such gundus (blur pple), we didn't bring any writing utensil with us. This is our first time attending such gathering and stupid me didnt preampt that we would be networking and collecting contacts! *slap forehead* So we just name dropped in other pple's lists. Sighh

In any case, we hope to gain something out of this day.

haha did i mention there were food? hahhaa and we just ate! our tummies were bursting and still there's paya (mutton leg soup) waiting at home.

And my thanks and gratitude to Mummy and Ayah for driving us around today. While we were in Mount Faber, they went to Tampines and then went back to fetch us again! So nice! i was about to cry not knowing how to go back. Though Mount Faber seems a very nice place, it is sooooooooo inaccessible!!! GRRR