yeen teck rang up this morning after having his pearlies certified (for going to new york. (me: and if your teeth are not fit do they send someone else? yt: for insurance, you moron.) so we went and had a very satisfying lunch at lagnaa: palak paneer (creamy and warm, paneer crumbly,) a fish curry - with large, moist chunks of fish - what, by the way, is a threadfin when it is at home? - as well as some mutton and barbecued chicken, sides of saffron rice and kashmiri naan. yeen teck has just had the contents of his apartment boxed, taped and removed by his shipping company, to arrive in new york in six weeks, and from his lips dropped only praises for their efficiency and organisation. all he had to do was to wave his hand nonchalantly in the general direction of whichever piece of furniture he wants to see in new york, and when he turns around the item in question is sealed in a box and half way down the stairs. (me: wah, where did you find these movers. yt: dunno, mfa hired them and paid for them. me: ah...what money can do for you.) he himself leaves on june 10th and shows off, not without smugness, a plastic box full of his dental records, and apartment contracts, and certificates confirming his completion of national service, (me, scrutinising the certificate: .chey, why no awards, medals, commendations and decorations one?) and testimonials from his commanding officer. (me: you're LTA hoe? yt: lieutenant. me: isn't it usually LT1, LT2? what's the A then. yt: Ant. ask a silly question.) and then he goes to a meeting at MFA. (me, hopefully: could your cab drop me at buangkok before going on to MFA? yt: hah! damn far can?) i humbly admitted that he spoke the truth, and so it was the train for me, and an afternoon of bureaucratese for him.

also, i have just figured out why i don't answer yeen teck's calls in the mornings. the ring tone for his calls is the same as that which i have set for my morning alarm, and as i've trained myself to sleep peacefully through my morning alarms, i tend to tune it out even if i'm awake.
yt: but why did you choose that ringtone for me then?
me: i didn't. i set that for all the rj people.
yt: do you not answer any calls from rj people then?
me: well the rgs ppl have their own tone, so it's only von and julian, and they're not in singapore to set it off!
yt: don't bother changing it. soon i won't be either.