Apologies for the lack of posts. It's been a crazy period since my last post, and can be summarized as such:
- Super-emo-period where I was going to leave my previous department (calculatedrisks no more), mostly emo-ing due to the fact that I was going to miss my fun colleagues.
- Moving on to a new department, doing a whole bunch of different things that is way more exciting
- Still keeping in touch with the old colleagues! So that's still good!
- Eating WAY TOO MUCH at the new department, what with tons of partner lunches, cool events, and an overall greedy boss
- Upping my working pace by at least 100% if not I would drown in all my emails
- Going home later and later every day =(
- Being a social hermit (i.e. I don't log onto Facebook regularly anymore), mostly because when I come home I'm so tired I just rather vegetate in front of the tv
- BKK is now turning into a yearly affair. Had tons of fun buying way too many things. But I come back still thinking I have nothing to wear! Something is really WRONG with me
- My first work related travel to sydney, which was pretty all right but the best part was the first class air ticket both ways! It really feels GREAT!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
For Better or Worse
Better or Worse
An original composition by Canuf Lau
Performed by Canuf and Ade
i'm a tree in the forest
and you are far across the ocean
if i fall, would i make a sound
if you're not there to listen
i am free as a bird
with no cares or woes to mention
but i need a destination
so i'm flying down to where you are cos
we both know it doesn't matter
if it's for the worse, or for the better
it's quite enough to have to hold
so hold my hand and take me home
i'm a word, i'm a sentence
i'm a page, i'm a chapter
but i'll never become a story
till you open your eyes and read me
i'm a bee, you're a flower
i'm a seed, you are the farmer
i am mud, you are a potter
so pick me up and make me whole cos
we both know it doesn't matter
if it's for the worse, or for the better
it's quite enough to have to hold
so hold my hand and take me home
and we won't second guess the future
cos we have fate between our fingers
so don't look back no more
i'm sure we have the answer
To listen to the song and view our wedding montage, please go to the following website (but you'll need to have a facebook account I think)
An original composition by Canuf Lau
Performed by Canuf and Ade
i'm a tree in the forest
and you are far across the ocean
if i fall, would i make a sound
if you're not there to listen
i am free as a bird
with no cares or woes to mention
but i need a destination
so i'm flying down to where you are cos
we both know it doesn't matter
if it's for the worse, or for the better
it's quite enough to have to hold
so hold my hand and take me home
i'm a word, i'm a sentence
i'm a page, i'm a chapter
but i'll never become a story
till you open your eyes and read me
i'm a bee, you're a flower
i'm a seed, you are the farmer
i am mud, you are a potter
so pick me up and make me whole cos
we both know it doesn't matter
if it's for the worse, or for the better
it's quite enough to have to hold
so hold my hand and take me home
and we won't second guess the future
cos we have fate between our fingers
so don't look back no more
i'm sure we have the answer
To listen to the song and view our wedding montage, please go to the following website (but you'll need to have a facebook account I think)
Good Weekend
A good weekend involves:
- Buying gifts for dear friends
- A yummy japanese soba dinner
- Good music and good conversation at Vapour Trails
- Sleeping in on a Saturday
- Good brunch with mother in law
- Shopping at Golden Mile
- Shopping at Sheng Shiong
- Cooking up a storm (literally) in my kitchen for 10 ppl
- Having only 9 ppl turn up but most had good comments abt the food
- Pineapple rice, green curry chicken, stir fried pork with basil, tom yum soup, fried sweet potato leaves with sambal, fried xiao bai cai
- Sleeping in on a rainy Sunday
- Waking up to scroll through photos
- Lunch treat with family friends and baby Alicia
- Heading back to do some work while TJ mops the floor and irons clothes (good job dear)
- Heading to Mum's place for yummy steamboat dinner thing
- Snakes on a plane
- Mum's secret conspiracy to get TJ fat so nobody else would want him
- Home sweet home
- Buying gifts for dear friends
- A yummy japanese soba dinner
- Good music and good conversation at Vapour Trails
- Sleeping in on a Saturday
- Good brunch with mother in law
- Shopping at Golden Mile
- Shopping at Sheng Shiong
- Cooking up a storm (literally) in my kitchen for 10 ppl
- Having only 9 ppl turn up but most had good comments abt the food
- Pineapple rice, green curry chicken, stir fried pork with basil, tom yum soup, fried sweet potato leaves with sambal, fried xiao bai cai
- Sleeping in on a rainy Sunday
- Waking up to scroll through photos
- Lunch treat with family friends and baby Alicia
- Heading back to do some work while TJ mops the floor and irons clothes (good job dear)
- Heading to Mum's place for yummy steamboat dinner thing
- Snakes on a plane
- Mum's secret conspiracy to get TJ fat so nobody else would want him
- Home sweet home
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Meow!
Last night, I saw this adorable calico cat in our void deck, and it was acting cute with one couple so I thought that they were its owner.
When TJ came back after his bball session, he told me “quick come! A cat followed me home.” I ran to the door. It was the same calico cat, super cute and not scared of strangers at all. It was meowing, rubbing itself against us and purred when we tickled its belly. And it was curiously exploring my shoe cabinet area, poking its little nose here and there!
I want a cat!
When TJ came back after his bball session, he told me “quick come! A cat followed me home.” I ran to the door. It was the same calico cat, super cute and not scared of strangers at all. It was meowing, rubbing itself against us and purred when we tickled its belly. And it was curiously exploring my shoe cabinet area, poking its little nose here and there!
I want a cat!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
5 years on
It's been five years. This year, we celebrated our five years together, by throwing all our dear friends a bbq to commemerate this ocassion, and to thank them for being such great friends.
I've so many things to say to you, and I guess this short little speech says most of it all.
Thank you dear, to 5 years, and to many many many more ahead of us.
"A dear friend once asked me, “How do you know if a person is the one?” That was soon after I accepted Tze Jun’s proposal, and it baffled me for a while. Not because I didn’t think that Tze Jun is the one for me, but because our entire relationship felt so natural that I never stopped to think about this.
Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little more about Tze Jun, the love of my life. He’s a cheapskate who will cycle 5 minutes to Bedok Central to buy milk, even though the provision shop just downstairs sells the same milk, just to save 50 cents. But he will not bat an eyelid when it comes to spending money on me. Not that I would let him splurge on me though, ‘cos actually I’m equally cheapskate. He will tiptoe around the house in the mornings when he wakes up at 545 to go to work, and dress in the dark, just to avoid waking me up from the noise. And sometimes, in the morning he will send me a sweet little sms, telling me how peaceful I looked when I was sleeping, and how much he loved me. He is also a person, who in spite of the pain and suffering he’s going through, will write everyone a note to tell them not to worry about him and to take care of themselves, and who, instead of feeling bitter at the situation, feel touched by the care and concern that everyone has given.
So how do you know if someone is the one for you? When you can’t imagine life without him, without his enthusiasm for life, without his goofiness and lame jokes that always make you laugh, and even though he still owes you a birthday present from last year’s birthday, he makes it up with sweet and small little gestures like preparing yummy sandwiches for lunch, and kissing you goodbye when he leaves for work.
More importantly, how do you let the person know you love him with all your heart? You tell him that the overcooked noodles are delicious, and smile and tell him it’s ok even though he damaged the dining table, thank him for every little thing he does, and end each day with a hug and a good night kiss.
Thank you dear, for being all that you are, and loving me for the way that I am. "
I've so many things to say to you, and I guess this short little speech says most of it all.
Thank you dear, to 5 years, and to many many many more ahead of us.
"A dear friend once asked me, “How do you know if a person is the one?” That was soon after I accepted Tze Jun’s proposal, and it baffled me for a while. Not because I didn’t think that Tze Jun is the one for me, but because our entire relationship felt so natural that I never stopped to think about this.
Before I answer that question, let me tell you a little more about Tze Jun, the love of my life. He’s a cheapskate who will cycle 5 minutes to Bedok Central to buy milk, even though the provision shop just downstairs sells the same milk, just to save 50 cents. But he will not bat an eyelid when it comes to spending money on me. Not that I would let him splurge on me though, ‘cos actually I’m equally cheapskate. He will tiptoe around the house in the mornings when he wakes up at 545 to go to work, and dress in the dark, just to avoid waking me up from the noise. And sometimes, in the morning he will send me a sweet little sms, telling me how peaceful I looked when I was sleeping, and how much he loved me. He is also a person, who in spite of the pain and suffering he’s going through, will write everyone a note to tell them not to worry about him and to take care of themselves, and who, instead of feeling bitter at the situation, feel touched by the care and concern that everyone has given.
So how do you know if someone is the one for you? When you can’t imagine life without him, without his enthusiasm for life, without his goofiness and lame jokes that always make you laugh, and even though he still owes you a birthday present from last year’s birthday, he makes it up with sweet and small little gestures like preparing yummy sandwiches for lunch, and kissing you goodbye when he leaves for work.
More importantly, how do you let the person know you love him with all your heart? You tell him that the overcooked noodles are delicious, and smile and tell him it’s ok even though he damaged the dining table, thank him for every little thing he does, and end each day with a hug and a good night kiss.
Thank you dear, for being all that you are, and loving me for the way that I am. "
Saturday, August 01, 2009
The Great Language Challenge
In a bid to improve our standard of Chinese (plus I think we had nothing better to do), my colleagues and I are playing a game whereby we only speak to each other in pure Chinese during lunch. If a person happened to utter an English word, he/she will have to pay a penalty of 10cents per alphabet. E.G. “Oh Shit” will be charged as 60cents since there are a total of 6 alphabets.
It was absolutely hilarious the way we try to translate some phrases from English to Chinese. But I think we’ve all managed to improve our standards of spoken mandarin. This one takes the cake.
“别和我心玩游戏，
和我心 我该开始就知道”
~ 后街男孩
“那牛奶路,
就在天空上,
在为世界祈祷”
~ <<在睡觉的小孩>>, 麦克学洛克
“在这个夜， 就这夜， (让我们) 二和为一”
~ 香料女孩
“哟，告诉你我要什么，我真的真的要
所以你告诉我你要什么，你真的真的要
我会告诉你我要什么，我真的真的要
所以你告诉我你要什么，你真的真的要
我要，我要，我要，我要，我真的要”
~ 香料女孩
It was absolutely hilarious the way we try to translate some phrases from English to Chinese. But I think we’ve all managed to improve our standards of spoken mandarin. This one takes the cake.
“别和我心玩游戏，
和我心 我该开始就知道”
~ 后街男孩
“那牛奶路,
就在天空上,
在为世界祈祷”
~ <<在睡觉的小孩>>, 麦克学洛克
“在这个夜， 就这夜， (让我们) 二和为一”
~ 香料女孩
“哟，告诉你我要什么，我真的真的要
所以你告诉我你要什么，你真的真的要
我会告诉你我要什么，我真的真的要
所以你告诉我你要什么，你真的真的要
我要，我要，我要，我要，我真的要”
~ 香料女孩
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
18th July 2009
The day that we’ve been planning for the longest time has finally come and gone in a whirlwind.
In summary:
- my preeeetty jie-meis and hamsom mafia brothers
- a whole lot of bad dancing (told you guys to practice alr, tsk tsk)
- the transporter who drives damn fast and loves to play with polaroids
- a hiao and absolutely funny photographer who takes v nice shots, and a botak one with a shiny head
- a reluctant virgin boy who got performance anxiety
- frantic tea ceremonies (one which happened in an oven), but so glad that so many people came!
- being chased out of the bridal suite
- not being allowed into the pre-banquet checks black table linen, rose petals on the tables painstakingly placed by my friends, fuschia and pink roses
- regrets as the bride didn’t manage to go down earlier to greet the guests
- pre-first walk-in jitters, groom holding flowers instead of bride, and us walking in too fast
- a fantastic montage from my group of absolutely lovely FAGs, which threatened to ruin my makeup. it got rave reviews for being unique, special and so cute!
- i love my emcees! Professional yet friendly and not boring at all!
- rushing out to change to my 2nd outfit, then realizing that our room key doesn’t work, which resulted in even more panic… and using half a box of Hollywood tape which totally saved my modesty
- a great Actual Day montage from our photographer
- movie star 2nd walk-in
- a super loud and enthusiastic yum seng session
- thank you speeches, mildly screwed up flower presentation to mothers, surprise short speech for the groom
- I’m yours by a superstar groom. Abit out of tune but oh-so-sweet. And yes he can sing!
- not crying at groom’s song, but apparently some people did!
- mad rush to complete photo-taking at 45 tables, which wouldn’t have been possible without the help of the mafia who arranged everyone into position, and head mafia who averted a lot of drinks on behalf of the couple
- lots of hand-shaking and numerous well wishes to 早生贵子
- camwhoring sessions with my colleagues!
- wedding debrief with the FAGs and my JC classmates. I love you guys!
Thank you everyone, for all your help and well wishes, this perfect wedding of ours wouldn’t have been possible without you. I feel very touched by all the love and blessings :)
Thursday, July 02, 2009
I have great friends!
From those who readily replied that they will be attending my wedding, to numerous offers of help, to noob video-maker, noob emcee, noob secret (dunno wat the secret is, must ask Yun), to hot pink ang pow box complete with feathers and birdies…
Yesterday we met up with our emcees and video maker… and it was a super huge ball of laughs… Key words of the night:
- Impregnate
- Love toast (said together with the action of spreading kaya on toast)
- 披荆斩棘
I’ve never heard “impregnate” used that many times before!
Come Sunday, my new place is going to witness it’s biggest party ever with the XDJM gathering!
Thank you everyone for making a difference!
ps: I didn't mean to leave out your name! Pure accident!
Yesterday we met up with our emcees and video maker… and it was a super huge ball of laughs… Key words of the night:
- Impregnate
- Love toast (said together with the action of spreading kaya on toast)
- 披荆斩棘
I’ve never heard “impregnate” used that many times before!
Come Sunday, my new place is going to witness it’s biggest party ever with the XDJM gathering!
Thank you everyone for making a difference!
ps: I didn't mean to leave out your name! Pure accident!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
The Final Countdown!
*Cues cringe-worthy banquet first dish walk in music*
1 month to the wedding! And yes I’m starting to panic. Ok, maybe not panic, but just realized the mountain of things left to do… And on top of that work will be very busy too which means I’m not going to be able to go home early to do these wedding things. I’m beginning to sleep later, and exercise less, which may affect my prettiness on the day itself.
Be still my beating heart, and breathe!
1 month to the wedding! And yes I’m starting to panic. Ok, maybe not panic, but just realized the mountain of things left to do… And on top of that work will be very busy too which means I’m not going to be able to go home early to do these wedding things. I’m beginning to sleep later, and exercise less, which may affect my prettiness on the day itself.
Be still my beating heart, and breathe!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The School Holiday
Took one week off work to clear my matrimonial leave, but since I had nowhere to go, and wanted to save money, and run my errands, I spend most of the time at home. Quite an eventful 1 week, and today, on the last day of my leave, I have this feeling of it being the last day of school holidays, and being super sian that I’ve to go back to school(work) tomorrow.
Amongst the stuff that I’ve accomplished:
1) Sought new opportunities, though it didn’t pan out in the end, it was a good learning experience
2) Contributed A LOT to the economy, i.e. a lot of money was spent on me, but thankfully, I wasn’t the one spending the money. Purchases include:
a. Jewellery
b. Automatic watch! Now I NEVER want to buy another quartz if I can afford it
c. New phone to replace my super sucky one. Sony Ericsson please don’t fail me again
3) Home Improvements:
a. New sewing machine! Thanks Mummy! And I finished sewing three sets of curtains! Now only one room is “naked”, and will stay that way for some time since I haven’t figured out what I want to do with it. And I heart sewing! I’m such an auntie.
b. Assembled one decal, and it looks GREAT! Now I have one more to go, though I’m still trying to figure out which wall to put it on.
4) Wedding:
a. First look at our wedding album layout. The photo-editing was a bit weird for some photos, but so far so good! Super excited about it
b. Erm I bought some stamps? Haha. Quite behind in wedding preps due to home improvement project, but I promise to improve on that!
c. Oh yah, accompanied Mummy to buy some wedding stuff that she has to give me, like teapot set, bedside “candles” etc.
5) Was supposed to be tuition teacher but ended up being ah tiong cos I neh smile in my photo, and had a blast of a time having dinner with Lynn, Nuf, Yun and HX.
Amongst the stuff that I’ve accomplished:
1) Sought new opportunities, though it didn’t pan out in the end, it was a good learning experience
2) Contributed A LOT to the economy, i.e. a lot of money was spent on me, but thankfully, I wasn’t the one spending the money. Purchases include:
a. Jewellery
b. Automatic watch! Now I NEVER want to buy another quartz if I can afford it
c. New phone to replace my super sucky one. Sony Ericsson please don’t fail me again
3) Home Improvements:
a. New sewing machine! Thanks Mummy! And I finished sewing three sets of curtains! Now only one room is “naked”, and will stay that way for some time since I haven’t figured out what I want to do with it. And I heart sewing! I’m such an auntie.
b. Assembled one decal, and it looks GREAT! Now I have one more to go, though I’m still trying to figure out which wall to put it on.
4) Wedding:
a. First look at our wedding album layout. The photo-editing was a bit weird for some photos, but so far so good! Super excited about it
b. Erm I bought some stamps? Haha. Quite behind in wedding preps due to home improvement project, but I promise to improve on that!
c. Oh yah, accompanied Mummy to buy some wedding stuff that she has to give me, like teapot set, bedside “candles” etc.
5) Was supposed to be tuition teacher but ended up being ah tiong cos I neh smile in my photo, and had a blast of a time having dinner with Lynn, Nuf, Yun and HX.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sisters
Picture of us three sisters from long long ago, on our first trip to the US. My mum loved this picture and framed it up, and so here it is...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Quote
I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing; kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and I believe in miracles.
~Audrey Hepburn
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sneak Preview
Managed to get the selected shots from the bridal studio. These are still unedited of course, and only form a small part of the wedding album. Enjoy!
Saturday, May 09, 2009
200.
The 200th post. Quite alot I must say, but not yet enough really.
Been sieving through photos to shortlist them for the wedding, and these bring back tonnes of memories, mostly happy ones. So even though it's pretty tiring to scroll through that many photos, I'm enjoying it slowly!
Been sieving through photos to shortlist them for the wedding, and these bring back tonnes of memories, mostly happy ones. So even though it's pretty tiring to scroll through that many photos, I'm enjoying it slowly!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Star for the day
We finally went for our wedding photoshoot last Friday, after the tons of preparatory work which included:
- Fretting over gown selections and sudden change in makeup artist
- Poring over magazines and online sites for photography locations, hairdo, makeup
- TJ having his 1 hour of fun selecting his photoshoot suits, he looked dashing I must add
- Recce for photoshoot locations: Changi Beach, Seletar Airbase/Camp area, Bishan Park, Seletar Dam... and we ended up not going to any of these locations
- Last minute cancellation by my manicurist which got me all panicky especially since I was also rushing to finish work
The shoot was tons of fun! Though my hair didn't look like anything I imagined it to be, ended up letting the makeup artist do her magic, and the makeup wasn't that bad... And the photographer was a ball of laughs and loved to suan us like mad, think: "don't smile like that, look very fake", "don't clench ur fist like this you look like you're going to punch someone", and I was called chor lor, asked to pose like a lizard etc. which I guess some people might find offensive, but somehow we could take it...
And there were two big surprises: a last minute change in indoor location to Bellini Grande at Clarke Quay where the Bridal Studio booked for the afternoon to do their own advertisement shoots with paid models (the ang moh male model is handsome!), so we got pretty cool shots which I hope will turn out nice! And the sunset at Punggol was fabulous! Streaks of orange, pinks and blacks...
Just hope the models turned out looking ok, and the photos will turn out great... now I can't wait to go through the photos! And pray that I won't be spending too much money getting additional shots...
- Fretting over gown selections and sudden change in makeup artist
- Poring over magazines and online sites for photography locations, hairdo, makeup
- TJ having his 1 hour of fun selecting his photoshoot suits, he looked dashing I must add
- Recce for photoshoot locations: Changi Beach, Seletar Airbase/Camp area, Bishan Park, Seletar Dam... and we ended up not going to any of these locations
- Last minute cancellation by my manicurist which got me all panicky especially since I was also rushing to finish work
The shoot was tons of fun! Though my hair didn't look like anything I imagined it to be, ended up letting the makeup artist do her magic, and the makeup wasn't that bad... And the photographer was a ball of laughs and loved to suan us like mad, think: "don't smile like that, look very fake", "don't clench ur fist like this you look like you're going to punch someone", and I was called chor lor, asked to pose like a lizard etc. which I guess some people might find offensive, but somehow we could take it...
And there were two big surprises: a last minute change in indoor location to Bellini Grande at Clarke Quay where the Bridal Studio booked for the afternoon to do their own advertisement shoots with paid models (the ang moh male model is handsome!), so we got pretty cool shots which I hope will turn out nice! And the sunset at Punggol was fabulous! Streaks of orange, pinks and blacks...
Just hope the models turned out looking ok, and the photos will turn out great... now I can't wait to go through the photos! And pray that I won't be spending too much money getting additional shots...
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
So Nice
Someone to hold me tight
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
And be a team with me
So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me
Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me
Oh yeah, that would be so nice
I could see you and me, that would be nice
Someone to hold me tight
That would be very nice
Someone to love me right
That would be very nice
Someone to understand
Each little dream in me
Someone to take my hand
To be a team with me
So nice, life would be so nice
If one day I'd find
Someone who would take my hand
And samba through life with me
Someone to cling to me
Stay with me right or wrong
Someone to sing to me
Some little samba song
Someone to take my heart
And give his heart to me
Someone who's ready to
Give love a start with me
Oh yes, that would be so nice
Shouldn't we, you and me?
I can see it will be nice...
Monday, April 06, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Changes?
Having to work on the weekends means blasting music from my PC and invariably surfing Facebook and blogs, and I'm officially obsessed with browsing other ppl's wedding photos!
Anyway, changes that are coming up:
1) if you haven't already read the newspapers, the Company has announced a shorter work month (SWM) scheme, in which it is compulsory for us to take at least 1 day leave per month (paid or no pay leave). there was some unhappiness in relation to how the news published in the papers before being communicated to staff... but i guess all of us were kinda expecting it in some way or the other. Oh well, I don't really mind taking NPL IF and only IF i'm not expected to be working on home when i'm on NPL
2) have officially started the ball rolling with regards to my job rotation and i believe it is actually going to happen, just fingers crossed that my next posting will be reasonable...
on other news, went to select my wedding gowns last monday, i finally feel more like i'm going to be getting married!
Anyway, changes that are coming up:
1) if you haven't already read the newspapers, the Company has announced a shorter work month (SWM) scheme, in which it is compulsory for us to take at least 1 day leave per month (paid or no pay leave). there was some unhappiness in relation to how the news published in the papers before being communicated to staff... but i guess all of us were kinda expecting it in some way or the other. Oh well, I don't really mind taking NPL IF and only IF i'm not expected to be working on home when i'm on NPL
2) have officially started the ball rolling with regards to my job rotation and i believe it is actually going to happen, just fingers crossed that my next posting will be reasonable...
on other news, went to select my wedding gowns last monday, i finally feel more like i'm going to be getting married!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Sunrise, Sunrise
A random collection of sunrise shots from my bedroom window.
Thankful I get to start every dreary workday with a pretty sight :)
Thankful I get to start every dreary workday with a pretty sight :)
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Updates
Haven’t updated in a while, been busy at work and sick and all… so here’s a brief summary
Lots of fun in our Malacca adventure
Came back from Malacca to a Peranakan meal, and proceeded to puke it all out on Monday morning.
Two days MC, but by day 3 I was having fever, went back to office and got hit with 2 discussions scheduled to last 2 hours, got fed up, took half day leave to go home to sleep, and woke up with fever of 39deg.
Got another two days MC, but went back to work anyway ‘cos we were shifting office.
Packed up and moved office. Finally I have bright white lights in the office and decent furniture. Makes me want to decorate and call this place my own. But I miss the old place for it’s privacy and the fact that my boss used to have his own room. Now he sits in a cubicle like the rest of us, and we have to whisper when we need to bitch about him.
Planned a pretty successful surprise for Clara. Happy Birthday Clara! Yippee now we sit very near each other!
Working late, rushing to write papers. But still kena scolded: “I don’t mind if you all take long lunches or tea breaks, but the quality of work must still be there”. Hello, we go down for lunch at 12.40, coming up at 1.40 does not qualify as having a long lunch. Unlike you, I don’t leave for lunch at 12 noon and come back at 2pm.
Somehow after the puke attack, my tummy is going all weird on me, I’m getting these hunger pangs! 2 hours after my lunch and my tummy starts to be hungry all over again, Luckily it doesn’t growl.
Home alone, TJ’s away on a seminar. Realise I quite like having the house to myself.
One more birthday celebration coming up!
Lots of fun in our Malacca adventure
Came back from Malacca to a Peranakan meal, and proceeded to puke it all out on Monday morning.
Two days MC, but by day 3 I was having fever, went back to office and got hit with 2 discussions scheduled to last 2 hours, got fed up, took half day leave to go home to sleep, and woke up with fever of 39deg.
Got another two days MC, but went back to work anyway ‘cos we were shifting office.
Packed up and moved office. Finally I have bright white lights in the office and decent furniture. Makes me want to decorate and call this place my own. But I miss the old place for it’s privacy and the fact that my boss used to have his own room. Now he sits in a cubicle like the rest of us, and we have to whisper when we need to bitch about him.
Planned a pretty successful surprise for Clara. Happy Birthday Clara! Yippee now we sit very near each other!
Working late, rushing to write papers. But still kena scolded: “I don’t mind if you all take long lunches or tea breaks, but the quality of work must still be there”. Hello, we go down for lunch at 12.40, coming up at 1.40 does not qualify as having a long lunch. Unlike you, I don’t leave for lunch at 12 noon and come back at 2pm.
Somehow after the puke attack, my tummy is going all weird on me, I’m getting these hunger pangs! 2 hours after my lunch and my tummy starts to be hungry all over again, Luckily it doesn’t growl.
Home alone, TJ’s away on a seminar. Realise I quite like having the house to myself.
One more birthday celebration coming up!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Thank you
For knowing exactly what you needed to do just when I say “hey dear can you please” (fill in the blanks with activities like pick up your dirty clothes, close the door)
For helping out with the relocation of the Aw family home.
For scoring high points with my parents that way… my Dad praised you!
For taking last minute leave (my fault) and being the very important driver of the car with the red scroll on it… that really touched me…
For enduring the endless teasing and jibes by my two sisters.
For cooking yummy dinners and cleaning up the stove after that.
For your little sacrifices like skipping your own activities to join me in my family activities.
For preparing sandwiches for me to bring to office for breakfast
For clearing out the trash without me asking
For selecting your clothes every night and tippy-toe around the house to avoid waking me up when you get ready for work every morning
For sending me sweet little smses
Most of all, for being you…
Happy 4.5 years darling, we somehow don’t really have time or opportunity to celebrate this, but do know that you are very important to me and your small little gestures say a lot too.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Goodbye
Goodbye Gong-gong.
My earliest memories of you were how you could hold your liquor, and how my parents always bought a bottle of cognac for you from duty free after our overseas trips. Then, we used to always have Chinese New Year dinners prepared by Ah-po complete with hainanese delicacies like mutton soup, chap chye and the deep fried prawn fritters.
When you fell ill more than 10 years ago, all these stopped, no more elaborate dinners and liquor since then. While your mental health declined, you seemed more in the pink of health than ever. And your childlike innocence was actually quite cute.
Sad to say, as I never learnt to speak the hainanese dialect, I was never able to communicate with both you or ah-po except to greet you both happy Chinese New Year. And I think that will be a regret that I will always live with.
To express my last act of filial piety, I hope the intense origami sessions of folding paper ingots in the last few days will help somehow with your journey into the unknown, and may you rest in peace and look after ah-po wherever you are. It was so heart-wrenching seeing her, and old lady of 91, wiping away tears while the Taoist priests were performing the last rites.
Goodbye...
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Dilbert
Someone forwarded this to me at work and I agree with most of them!
#17 totally describes my boss. Enjoy!
Here are some of Dilbert's best one liners:
1. I say no to alcohol, it just doesn't listen.
2. Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce.
3. Work is fine if it doesn't take too much of your time.
4. When everything comes in your way you're in the wrong lane.
5. The light at the end of the tunnel may be an incoming train..
6. Born free, taxed to death.
7. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
8. Life is unsure; always eat your dessert first.
9. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.
10. If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you'll have trouble putting on
your pants.
11. It's not hard to meet expenses, they are everywhere.
12. The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the
other three, he was the genius.
13. The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it.
14. In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?
15. If you cannot change your mind, are you sure you have one?
16. Beat the 5 O'clock rush, leave work at noon!
17. If you can't convince them, confuse them.
18. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the sudden stop at the end.
19. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
20. Hot glass looks same as cold glass. - Cunino's Law of Burnt Fingers.
21. The cigarette does the smoking you are just the sucker.
22. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
23. To Err is human; to forgive is not a Company policy.
24. The road to success...... Is always under construction.
25. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does
Milk.
26. In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it .
#17 totally describes my boss. Enjoy!
Here are some of Dilbert's best one liners:
1. I say no to alcohol, it just doesn't listen.
2. Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce.
3. Work is fine if it doesn't take too much of your time.
4. When everything comes in your way you're in the wrong lane.
5. The light at the end of the tunnel may be an incoming train..
6. Born free, taxed to death.
7. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
8. Life is unsure; always eat your dessert first.
9. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.
10. If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you'll have trouble putting on
your pants.
11. It's not hard to meet expenses, they are everywhere.
12. The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the
other three, he was the genius.
13. The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it.
14. In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?
15. If you cannot change your mind, are you sure you have one?
16. Beat the 5 O'clock rush, leave work at noon!
17. If you can't convince them, confuse them.
18. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the sudden stop at the end.
19. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
20. Hot glass looks same as cold glass. - Cunino's Law of Burnt Fingers.
21. The cigarette does the smoking you are just the sucker.
22. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
23. To Err is human; to forgive is not a Company policy.
24. The road to success...... Is always under construction.
25. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does
Milk.
26. In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it .
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Vrrooom…
As a lot of you may know, I got my license a very long time ago (1 day after TJ got his!), but sad to say I haven’t been driving since. I blame it on being spoilt since my dates almost always drove, and laziness, though I keep telling people that it’s very 幸福 to have people chauffer you around, and it is…
Over the CNY, TJ and I were lucky to have a car available for us to drive for 2 weeks, and it was a good two weeks with the car even though driving is really not cheap. And I decided to relearn my driving.
It was surprisingly very fun, and before long, I was driving up to like 120km/h. Before you start scolding me, I was traveling along TPE/SLE where there are hardly any cars on the road and people were still zooming past me… Normally I don't go that fast... My parking is still a problem, and I almost got TJ killed once (or so he says), but it wasn’t all that bad I think. Although my friends are all pretty amused that I’m driving again =)
And I must say, I enjoy the feeling of driving, of being in control of where I’m going, and I like also the feeling of being able to send my drunk TJ home while he is sleeping in the car… I think I got potential to become a taitai, and have the use of the car to go market in the morns, go for manicures, go for mahjong and high tea sessions, and also ferry the kids to and from schools… hahaha
Over the CNY, TJ and I were lucky to have a car available for us to drive for 2 weeks, and it was a good two weeks with the car even though driving is really not cheap. And I decided to relearn my driving.
It was surprisingly very fun, and before long, I was driving up to like 120km/h. Before you start scolding me, I was traveling along TPE/SLE where there are hardly any cars on the road and people were still zooming past me… Normally I don't go that fast... My parking is still a problem, and I almost got TJ killed once (or so he says), but it wasn’t all that bad I think. Although my friends are all pretty amused that I’m driving again =)
And I must say, I enjoy the feeling of driving, of being in control of where I’m going, and I like also the feeling of being able to send my drunk TJ home while he is sleeping in the car… I think I got potential to become a taitai, and have the use of the car to go market in the morns, go for manicures, go for mahjong and high tea sessions, and also ferry the kids to and from schools… hahaha
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Mellowing?
When I first started work I was all ready to go, work hard and everything, and didn’t react well when UM (my boss) subtly put me down, saying I must write papers with logic, must provide him solutions and not just ask him questions, criticizing my vocab and grammar, saying how I could have done things differently… and having no colleague to empathise with me, I honestly believed every single thing he said, and started feeling very bad about myself and my lack of ability
About 1.5 years into the job, I got the hang of things, got better at stuff, started to be aware of when UM is “smoking” me, and can stand my ground when my ideas are being attacked, so much so that UM accepts my suggestions over his own (very grudgingly of course). But I went through a period of being pissed off and indignant…
Now it’s almost 3 years. It’s just interesting with my new colleague fresh from Uni, who gets quite pissed off with UM’s fickle-mindedness and nitpicking even though he (my colleague) looks like the ultimate nice guy. Now when UM goes into his unreasonable phase, I just roll my eyes, and accept it with a shrug “he’s like that one”…
Hmm… Am I mellowing with age or just getting used to how working life is like?
About 1.5 years into the job, I got the hang of things, got better at stuff, started to be aware of when UM is “smoking” me, and can stand my ground when my ideas are being attacked, so much so that UM accepts my suggestions over his own (very grudgingly of course). But I went through a period of being pissed off and indignant…
Now it’s almost 3 years. It’s just interesting with my new colleague fresh from Uni, who gets quite pissed off with UM’s fickle-mindedness and nitpicking even though he (my colleague) looks like the ultimate nice guy. Now when UM goes into his unreasonable phase, I just roll my eyes, and accept it with a shrug “he’s like that one”…
Hmm… Am I mellowing with age or just getting used to how working life is like?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Happiness
In the current downturn, it’s easy to be depressed. Yesterday I was reading a blog entry, that we aren’t really as poor as we think, and that we should be happy for the things we already have.
Today, the DJ on Class 95 morning show was sharing tips on staying happy in bad times, and he said that he has started keeping a list of things that make him happy since Monday, and is amazed at how the list keeps growing (it’s now Thursday).
Inspired, here’s my list of things that make me happy, appearing in random order:
- A simple home-cooked meal prepared with love
- A good workout, the type that you sweat profusely, and feel like swearing at the sadistic instructor for putting you through all that misery
- Lovely view of the sunrise from my bedroom window as I’m getting ready for work
- A good and stimulating lunch discussion with my colleagues (topics ranging from hybrid animals, ladder theories, Chinese names of countries, reproduction)\
- Spending time with family just catching up and talking about everything or nothing at all
- Having fun with my friends
- My FAGs: sports sessions, food, gatherings at Shuyun’s house, birthday surprises, Chek Jawa + Zoo + many others
- Travelling: carrying tons of stuff, getting lost and going round in circles, walking and walking and walking, seeing and experiencing new things and learning new stuff about our traveling partner(s), all that food, oh the scenery!
- A good song to make me smile, feel hyped up or anything
- Receiving my items from sprees, especially if that cheap dress turns out to be really fabulous
- Relaxing and reading a good book
- Rushing through the weekends doing tons of stuff
- A clean house after doing all that mopping, scrubbing and ironing
- The smell of freshly laundered clothes
- Our nightly hugs and cuddles
- Singing songs off key while driving in the car
- Anything sweet (but not overtly sweet): chocolates, fresh fruits, cakes, ice cream
- Stroking and playing with pets, especially my little rascals kink and wink
- The bus driving past the beach on my way home from work on a lovely evening
The list doesn’t end here and will be updated periodically.
What makes you happy?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Random
The quantum for our annual increment is out. We should be very glad that in these times of wage cuts and pay freezes, we are still getting an increment, however slight the amount. But most of us are pissed off ‘cos our peers in our subsidiaries are getting a 20% higher increment than us at the parent company…
Hmm… I know we should count our blessings in these tough times… but can’t help feeling a bit indignant about the whole thing…
So excuse me while I rant a bit…
Hmm… I know we should count our blessings in these tough times… but can’t help feeling a bit indignant about the whole thing…
So excuse me while I rant a bit…
Monday, January 19, 2009
10 yrs on
Went back to my secondary school for a reunion last Saturday evening. While the turnout wasn’t very good, and we had it in the new school campus and not the one that we spent 4 years of our lives in, it was a good reunion catching up with old friends, a lot that I haven’t seen in the last 10 years.
The best parts of the reunion was when we simultaneously broke out into the school cheer and when we stood up to sing the school song (I can still remember MOST of the song, no mean feat considering it’s in super high pitch and have two repeating stanzas with very similar but different lyrics). Think I teared during the school song…
Now looking forward to the JC one, should be fun!
The best parts of the reunion was when we simultaneously broke out into the school cheer and when we stood up to sing the school song (I can still remember MOST of the song, no mean feat considering it’s in super high pitch and have two repeating stanzas with very similar but different lyrics). Think I teared during the school song…
Now looking forward to the JC one, should be fun!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Health Scares
Haven’t updated in a while, went on my Vietnam trip and back, celebrated New Years at my new house, started living there on a pretty regular basis. I totally heart my new place, though it still needs some touching ups and more furniture… I just love being able to go home, cook a simple dinner and not needing to fight with everyone on what channel I wanna watch on tv. Plus the best part: I don’t need to rush so much every morning.
So anyway, within one week we’ve experienced two health scares. My dad tripped and fell on the staircase last week, and according to my dad’s colleague, he hurt his head and was bleeding profusely from the wound. That totally freaked my mum and all of us out… cos we weren’t there to see what’s going on, and my mum has a tendency to over-exaggerate. Thankfully it wasn’t serious, the profuse bleeding was due to a nose injury, and while my dad did have a hairline fracture on his nose, there was no concussion etc. Thank goodness for that. And best of all, my very hilarious tj had to remark: “wah uncle u look so cool, like boxer liddat” (cos the bandage/plasters were on his forehead and nose)
During a routine eye exam, tj’s mum suddenly found out that she totally couldn’t see from her left eye, and after much examination, it was found that her retina was detached and needed to be operated upon ASAP to prevent further retina tearing and complications. During the pre-op examination, they found that her blood sugar level was very high which may indicate that she had diabetes, which may result in her being unable to undergo the eye op…
The op sounds simple enough, but part of the healing process involves her lying face down for more than 90% of the time for 2 weeks to encourage the healing process. That sounds quite torturous to me… =(
I guess the moral is to eat healthy, exercise more, get more rest, take things easier, and spend more time with your family. And go for regular medical checkups.
For the coming CNY, I wish for my family to be healthy…
So anyway, within one week we’ve experienced two health scares. My dad tripped and fell on the staircase last week, and according to my dad’s colleague, he hurt his head and was bleeding profusely from the wound. That totally freaked my mum and all of us out… cos we weren’t there to see what’s going on, and my mum has a tendency to over-exaggerate. Thankfully it wasn’t serious, the profuse bleeding was due to a nose injury, and while my dad did have a hairline fracture on his nose, there was no concussion etc. Thank goodness for that. And best of all, my very hilarious tj had to remark: “wah uncle u look so cool, like boxer liddat” (cos the bandage/plasters were on his forehead and nose)
During a routine eye exam, tj’s mum suddenly found out that she totally couldn’t see from her left eye, and after much examination, it was found that her retina was detached and needed to be operated upon ASAP to prevent further retina tearing and complications. During the pre-op examination, they found that her blood sugar level was very high which may indicate that she had diabetes, which may result in her being unable to undergo the eye op…
The op sounds simple enough, but part of the healing process involves her lying face down for more than 90% of the time for 2 weeks to encourage the healing process. That sounds quite torturous to me… =(
I guess the moral is to eat healthy, exercise more, get more rest, take things easier, and spend more time with your family. And go for regular medical checkups.
For the coming CNY, I wish for my family to be healthy…
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