MayDay Concert: Singapore vs Taichung

Even if I vehemently deny being a crazed fan of 五月天, this post would unlikely support my assertion.

Anyway, the past few months flew by in a crazy mess. Having to be subservient to one extra royal dumbness's whims and fancy did little to ease the stress and burden of the humongous load of administrative work that was related to the matter. To prove my point, just picture me having to stay till approximately 5.30am, Saturday to do photocopying and binding. To top that off, I was back in the office before 10am again to continue facing the voluminous stacks of paper, just so that his royal dumbness may collect his possessions by his last-minute self appointed time in the afternoon. Of course, royal dumbness never turned up, and I was left to DHL the possessions to his highness's palace.

Thankfully though, there was light at the end of this whole darkness. Even with negligible sleep and unbelievable weight carrying on that day itself, there was still one thing to look forward to - 回到地球表面! I can't believe how I managed to pull through, but I did! It helps too, to know that the seats I had were not too bad! =) A preview of how close we were:

Listening to loud music when you have little sleep is really very much a bad idea because you'll get a headache. Still, I loved the 360 degrees stage that brought the band closer to their audience. The "action packed" introduction added more thrill to the otherwise less interesting video. Choice of songs wise, I thought I preferred last year's. Still, with increased audience participation, the concert became more memorable and more scream-worthy. Totally value for money, and worth the anticipation.

One always thinks that what one sees is the best, until something comes along to better it. If I thought the Singapore instalment of 回到地球表面 was excellent self-reward for the hard work earlier on, then the Taichung instalment would probably be described as breathtaking.

Attending the Taichung instalment was never on my plans, unless you count my sudden whimsical comment of "Maybe I should just fly off on the last day of trial". Somehow by sheer luck (or unluckiness, depending on how you look at it), the High Court "overbooked" the judges, leaving none to hear our matter on the day of trial. Just imagine. 2 weeks of trial vacated just like that! Which also meant that I was free the very week of the concert itself! What followed just a last-minute booking of air tickets (would you believe that Silkair tickets were actually cheaper than Jetstar?) on Monday, and jet-setting on Wednesday morning.

To cut a long story short, Saturday saw me and my sister rushing to board the train to Taichung, and then rushing off in a cab to our first venue... the stadium! Being used to the system in Singapore, sis and I thought it would be too early to enter at 6++pm, and decided to go in only closer to 7pm. How wrong we were! The place was just like our National Stadium during NDP, and by the time we entered (which was past 7pm), we were relegated to the one of the higher rungs of the stairs!

That said, the concert really felt like it was plucked right out of our very own NDP. Rather than simply depending on special effects and rather tame fireworks, the Taichung concert could simply be a showcase of fireworks. The part leading to 五月天 appearing on the stage after a bout of intense fireworks at the end of the video was simply breathtaking, and the mood was akin to how it would be after the pledge was taken, the fireworks display was over and everyone would start singing songs like "We are Singapore".

Perhaps it was home ground advantage. All of them appeared more eager to please, and a lot more energetic. Even my sis agreed that the relatively subdued (at least during the Singapore concert) 石头 was way friendlier and would interact with the crowd more actively (He even sat down beside a little kid and strummed his guitar). The most touching was no doubt when Ah-Xin related the earthquake related story and the crowd broke into chorus and would not stop for a long while. Just imagine, floodlights off, blue lightsticks up, and approximately 50 000 people humming a tune together.

All good things must come to an end. With another fiery of fireworks and after the umpteenth encore (yes, they had to re appear on stage more than once), it was the end of a really pleasant experience. Unluckily for me, this has only served to whet my appetite for more overseas concert. Looks like I've to slog even harder so that I can enjoy such luxuries as and when my whims bring me.

The Day Reveriez Got Super Mad

As in angry... simply cause of unreasonable behaviour at work. But all felt better after I got to see whom I wanted to see:

A new beginning?

Our only paralegal (well, the other good-for-nothing one doesn't really count as one to me) left last Friday. My secretary gave birth to a really cute little girl last Saturday. All in all, it simply meant that starting today, both of them will not be in the office for me to "lean on".

It's a weird thing how people can grow closer or more accustom to each others' presence over the course of time. Granted, there were numerous times when both of them simply did (or rather did not do) things and annoyed me no end. Still, their presence is simply what makes coming in each day something not as daunting.

Much as I refuse to allow myself to dwell on it, and even if 天下无不散之宴席, and even if my secretary will be back in 12 weeks' time, I still can't help missing the two of them. A case of over-reliance, I guess?

A Penny of Mish-Mash Thoughts

Mad rush often ends with a feeling of discontent.

I'm beginning to have doubts whether an extremely hectic work life is necessary a good form of escapism. Perhaps it's just one too many incidents, but there are times when it just feels too stifling and dreary. Especially when one begins to get boss-phobia, and would rather hope that the phone will just not ring, or when one's supposed to be resting in bed, but ends up worrying that she would be asked back to work, whether she's well or not.

Tired. Can't help but recall an article I was reading (on Sunday, I think) about a lady giving up her high position to be a receptionist. Perhaps having a slacker job is not all that bad, at least you get your peace and quiet when you are really not well. But then, it's so not me to give up on money and the name huh?

I really wonder how a certain Mr Chan is. Haven't been hearing from him in a while. I think people tend to drop friends when they get older. You tend to have less patience with nonsense. Or maybe it's just me. I'm suddenly more enthusiastic about keeping my distance from certain people at work.

新年快乐！

Super sleepy from work these few days. Still, it's still a must to say...新年快乐 everyone!!

In the meantime, for those who are free, do visit the following website to do your bit for the lonely elderly. http://fun.omy.sg/omygong/r_form.php

Choices

The supposed final episode of 有话就说 came and went. Woke up in the midst of the replay and managed to catch the round-up by each of the guests. One comment struck me, and continued lingering even after the show. In his final comment in the entire series, 蔡深江 said something about such programmes inevitably having lower viewer ratings, and that it's a matter of whether one values the part on "提高新加坡人的素质" over viewership ratings. Ultimately, if the viewers prefer watching light-hearted shows, the broadcaster could simply broadcast these shows only and then Singaporeans' 素质 will not improve.

Relativity

X means more to you than Y if simply chatting online with X can chase away the gloom that was indirectly caused by Y. Similarly, W means a lot more to you than V if the sudden presence of W can stick an almost permanent grin on your face and erase the deep frown was caused by V.

Whatever it is, thank you for the pleasant surprise, V. Your extremely unexpected presence is worth way more than any stress relief sessions one can get. And as weird as this sounds, I'm just glad to see you in good shape! =)

新衣哪有旧衣好

Was thinking about what I was going to type in this entry when the song just popped into my mind. It feels just not too long ago when 黄老师 taught us this song one Tuesday during our Higher Chinese class. In fact, it's almost the 11th year since both 黄老师 and Mr Foo sang this song on Chinese New Year. Come to think of it, I really wonder how and what Mr Foo is doing now. Hmm...

As you grow older, you can't help but agree that "friendships" made past school days may just not withstand the test of time. Or perhaps, this time round, it's just me being over demanding. Still, it certainly doesn't feel good to find out how one of your friends is unhappy through some internet social network system, particularly if this friend happens to be a person you whine to when things happen. One cannot help but wonder if one is really that unreliable. Then again, one just cannot be bothered anymore. Perhaps this was simply just a matter of "usable connection".

It was only over dinner with Tony, Jeremy, Vivien, Guohui last week when I realised it's coming to 2 years since I first joined Income. And almost 2 years since Meisi had her brain hemorrhage. Bumped into her and her parents this evening, and found out that she'll be going for her follow-up operation on the 21st this month. It's a long road to recover, and I'm not even sure if things would become back to what they were. Still, I'm just glad to be able to keep my friend of 18 years and counting and to be able to talk to her too.

Just like I'm thankful to be able to chat on MSN almost daily with a particular old friend. Like I said earlier, perhaps only older friendships can withstand various thunderstorms. Or rather, they may just be the ones most deeply etch in you that it becomes way harder to erase without a trace.

The first peek into 2008

Wonder if age has anything to do with the number of people I know making resolutions this year. In any case, reading all the resolutions made me decide that the main thing for me to achieve this year would be less reliance on my friends. Looking at matters these few days, I'm still wondering if this would be achievable.

A brand new year usually brings about fresh new starts. That's perhaps the reason why I've been hearing of certain resignations these few days. First, there was Jeremy "informing" me just before Christmas that his last day would be 4th January. And then, there was the email from Lenz as well saying that his last day was yesterday.

Cliche as it sounds, time really flies. Over dinner with Tony, Vivien, Jeremy and Guohui today, I realised it's been almost a year since my resignation. In fact, the IEs (ie. Tony, Vivien and Jeremy) are well on the way to finishing their 2 year bond with Income. To think it felt just not too long ago that I was stuck with them at Sentosa. I couldn't even remember how I got closer to Tony. Too much free time on my hands? I really can't remember.

One of Guohui's colleague asked me yesterday if I regretted joining Income. Frankly, I would say, much as I didn't exactly see eye to eye on many of their policies, Income is, and will probably always be an integral part of me. Without Income, I probably wouldn't have had Christopher as my pupil master. No opportunity to be a over-paid receptionist and truly enjoyed my first month of work. I probably wouldn't have met a lot of my Income colleagues, whom over time became friends, or people who could bring a smile to my face. I guess work is not just work alone, but a complicated mesh of relationships, contacts as well. And most of the time, it is the latter that makes or breaks the memory of the place, and funny enough, Income will always retain a special "homely feel" for me.

Goodbye 2007!

As we start counting down the minutes to the end of 2007, I thought it'll be nice to do a top 5 list of happy moments for the year. Granted, they may sound minor, and utterly worthless to be worth a mention, yet, it's always these simply pleasures that make the year worth remembering!

1. Being introduced as "a good friend of mine" by someone I've always regarded as a big brother, ever since the very first job I held.

2. The really cute and sweet bear delivered to my office on 14 February this year. It was memorable, not only because of the extremely sweet gesture, but also because it coincided with me suddenly thinking of the time when we were out buying gifts together for Friendship Day some 8 years ago.

3. Presents! The earrings I wanted from Taiwan, and the comics that I didn't finished in anticipation of my job-hopping.

4. Meeting up with some friends I hold dear but have not seen for over a year, eg. Honghui, Derrick; seeing teachers I've not seen in a long while, eg. Mr Jimmy Lee; attending NJCO concert and meeting (up with) NJCO friends and juniors.

5. Relates to job changing, but not in the way most people would think it should be. More of, the voices of support given when I was about to make the switch. And a not-asked-but-still-super-grateful-to-have offer to help with a small portion of my bond by a good friend, if I so requested.

Of course, not included in any of this, but most importantly... I'm glad to still have all those I hold dear around me, despite all my unbecoming behaviours throughout the year. Thank you, my dear friends, and I promise I'll be less of an irritating brat in the new year.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Didn't have much chance to write Christmas cards this year, so.... To all those dearest to me, thank you for all the 包容s and 关怀s showered upon me for this year. And so, during this festive season, I just want to wish you all a really lovable Christmas!

朋友是值得珍惜的

Heard this line on my way home earlier, and couldn't agree more.This entry would probably sound like something that you hear only during those award ceremony, but who cares? This is by far the nicest birthday I've had, even if it happened on a rainy day. Still, with so many "wishes" fulfilled, it's hard not to worry if it's the beginning of an endless unhappy moments (yes, I'm a pessimist who believes that when one has too much good luck, it's the start of a list of bad stuff... and I'm not usually wrong anyway) Anyway, here's the list of people (in alphabetical order) whom I really really want to say a huge THANK YOU to...

Ciyao: I know I've been a real bad friend this year, yet, you still remembered and you've still sent that sms. Thank you so so so so much, my dearest friend!!! I promise I'll make a greater effort to meet up in the coming year, for example, your birthday next year. And I promise I'll not make you wait for me!

Daniel: Are you really sure I make a A++ daughter? Cause somehow or rather, I don't think I've really been a good friend throughout this year. In any case, the really sweet (not to mention over flattering) birthday sms was a really great way to start my day. Thank you, mummy! =p

Darmaji: How can I not bounce up and down when I get an unexpected long-distance sms from a friend I hardly ever hear from? Thank you!!!

Derrick: Can't remember when it was, but one of the birthday presents that I really wanted was just to meet up and chat like the way we did when we were JC kids. Over the years, some of the things that happened made me doubt whether the friendship should be sustained. Then again, somehow subconsciously I don't think I can ever bear to give up one of my most treasured friendship. Perhaps that was why one of my birthday wishes for this year was just to meet up with this once really really good friend of mine, and perhaps just turn back time, even if it were just for a day. So even if like you said, you didn't get me anything, or there were certain periods when it appeared we had nothing to say, it really didn't matter, cause I've already received the only present I wanted from you, that is, meeting up, and even walking down the entire Orchard, just like when we were back in JC. Thank you!

Egeus: Eh... Thanks for the birthday greeting over msn! =) How on earth did you figure out?

Gek Koon: Enough said from the earlier entry. Oh, and did I mention that on my way to the Family Courts on Tues morning, one cab driver actually asked if I was in a super good mood cause I was grinning to myself?

Guoxing: Even as you apologised for the lack of birthday card, it really didn't matter, cause the only present I was waiting for was that sms that you never fail to send each year. Yes, I may sound like a huge spoilt brat, but that's really the present I look forward to each year. Thanks, grandfather! =)

Itak da ge: You never fail to remember and sms every time this year too, even if you're away in another country. It's really really nice to be remembered. 大哥... 谢谢!

Jeremy: I know I'm the world's most stubborn gal, but still, delivering the soft toy etc wasn't out of the way. Or at least, I didn't really mind cause it'll always make my day when I see one of my most treasured friends! (okiez.. I'm really sorry for the spoilt brat-ish act that most likely inconvenienced you even though you said otherwise.. but I vaguely remember you once mentioning that you didn't really like meeting up with people too often cause it meant spending more money (or something like that) and so I unilaterally decided it'll only be fair if I delivered the things I bought to you) Anyway, thanks for the birthday wish! Even though it seems like it was forced on you.. haha =)

Lijia (& Ryan): Hey gal.. Thanks for smsing me at 4++ in the morning! And making Ryan sms me too... Take good care of yourself, k?

Qi: Thanks for both the birthday wishes, the day before and the day after!! =) Frankly, I don't think I can bear to use the cute highlighters lehz....

Sis: Thanks for the really fun dinner company last night (and for willingly waiting in vain for some dinner appointment without complaining) and the whole load of comics! I was merely thinking aloud whether to buy the entire series of comics since I didn't manage to finish it in my bid to save money to break my bond. I really really didn't expect you to spend so much money buying all of them. (I shall remember not to make such senseless comments next time, else you'll have to spend so much money) Still, I really really love it. Thank you!!! =)

Weiguang: Mr Tan!!!!!!! Sorry for cancelling out on you today, though I really appreciate your effort at getting being the first to sms me and for getting me to meet up with you. Thank you for being a superb friend throughout the year, and letting me be the adorable brat I am. I'll be looking forward to dinner tomorrow and I promise I'll try very very hard not to be late (Whoever causes me to be late can go and die lahz... cause Mr Tan is more important!)

Weiling (the "gorgeously evil"): Thank you! For the super early sms... for your offer to keep me company just so that I don't have to be at home. You weren't feeling well yesterday, so I thought you shouldn't be out at all, even if you said your fever's gone. Take care and we'll meet up soon. Oh.. and thanks for the Eeyore card! Who says I'm the one who calls myself cute? I AM adorable! haha

Xikai: Thanks for the (written-in-advance) birthday card! THAT was a surprise! Plus your birthday greeting. Thanks for remembering! =)

All in all, (including those not mentioned here) thank you! Haha.. once again, I feel so super loved! =)

天下无不散之宴席

Even though I subconsciously kept my distance after the unhappy incident, the news that one of my colleague would probably not be around in a few months time did make me feel a bit blue, even if I didn't want to show it. Then again, it's probably for the better, so there's no need to voice the 不舍. It was probably the same when I chose to leave Income, right?

朋友往好的方向前进是件好事, 与其有点儿失落, 不妨衷心地祝福.

The ONLY thing I want

"As per your request, this is a birthday card enclosed with the warmest greetings from the nice guy sent all the way across the vast pacific ocean to the tiny dot on the map"

1 sentence from my mum "I think your present from Gek Koon is here" drove away a otherwise sulky and weary face, and brought on a huge cheshire cat grin. 1 look at that first sentence, and you have one crazy girl half laughing to herself.

Yup, that me. Those who know me well enough would know that I'm indecisive, to the point that I'll usually have no preference whatsoever. This year, however, I insisted on a particular present from one of my most important friends. Much as this sounds super spoilt brat-ish, it's very much linked to the very reason why I love buying presents for those who mean a lot to me whenever I go overseas (No, colleagues don't count, cause that's a must buy). It's just my way of letting these friends know that, no matter which part of the world I am at, they are still thought of, and much cherished. In the same way, a birthday card from half a globe away is more than sufficient to induce a wider than wide grin on my face, simply because it signifies that I've been remembered by one of my most important friends, no matter where the friend is.

Whatever it is, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY PRESENT, MR TAY! Even though you said in your card that you've no idea what to get me, you've actually already gotten me the present that I want most this year, ie. remembering me across half a globe, and being safe and sound! Like what I told a colleague last week, buying presents for me is both easy and difficult. So long as you're amongst my precious and highly treasured friends, I'll just love anything you get, even if it's the simplest sms or card.

On a side note, I've just received an overseas call that thrilled me no end too. Looks like I'll get to see Mr Chai this week too! But then, looks like this phone call indirectly made it clear who my subconcious mind values more too.. Can only say, time does change a lot of things..

Grrr...

For a moment, I was so tempted to scream "I hate my job". But then again, work is not meant to be loved anyway.

So yah, it's back to work. Actually, rather than "celebrating" my birthday by pooling money, I would have thought an alternative present would be way better (and cheaper). That is, LEAVE ME ALONE haha..

Don't worry, I'm really fine. Maybe with the exception of more fine lines after a while from all the frownings.. =) But I'm really fine

甜甜的

Either I'm easily pleased, or just plain attention seeking, but it sure feels super nice to see words somewhat amounting to care and concern coming your way, especially from people you least expect. Whether they really do mean it or not. Or maybe it was just from a friend whom I didn't want to be bothered with but couldn't not be bothered with. For eg. "i'm going for lunch now... you go too k! dun skip ah"

Of course, there are other conversations, where the things said may not amount to anything, but they're still sweet to the listener/reader, maybe cause the listener/reader is just plain easy to please. Whatever it is, the rain and all those unhappy matters have not seem to dampen this festive season. To the contrary, it's beginning to feel really Christmas-y, just because of the warmth exuded from the various MSN conversations from my beloved friends.

I feel so loved. Haha.. And easy pleased =)

Back

A simple sms, a simple gesture.

2003, after a horrendous holiday abroad, that birthday greeting sms from Guoxing whilst I was away reduced me to tears. Simple, yet sweet.

Along the way, there were many other smses too. Each of them brought warmth to the reader, and brought her the comforting sense of "I'm back".

This time round, I thought the "glad to have you back. that's sufficient" was especially sweet.

Whatever it is, thank you, Weiguang and Jeremy.

A lot of the recent events have emphasised the fragility of life, and the importance of treasuring. So I'm really really thankful to have you guys around. Not forgetting Gary and Weiling too, for just listening to me, and being there for me when I smsed those stuff whilst overseas. And Peiqi, for just replying to my questions too.

Thank you and.... I really love you! :)

Congrats, Grace!

There are things that you prefer to blog about, and others that you prefer to put down on pen and paper..

******

Just got back from Grace's wedding. A pretty sweet and quiet (I think this is the most quiet wedding dinner I've attended), though the service of that particular hotel left much to be desired. Still, seeing the look of blissful-ness on Grace's face was, erm... heartwarming. I'm sure Ivan will make a really strong pillar of strength for the one with the really lady like charm Grace.

On another note though, some people can take note not to invite too many law people, and particularly not whiny brats. Imagine how fun it'll be when you've a guest who whines and whines, including not getting her drink fast enough, not having the table gift at her seat (and insisting that the waiter gets one for her). You get my point.

But that said, it was still a really sweet affair. (Even though I doubt you read my blog) Congrats again, Grace!! =)

简单的快乐

简单的快乐是：

（1）一位你在乎的朋友的“甜言蜜语”，即使你不清楚到底他说的是真是假

（2）一位休假半天的好友老远跑下来配你吃饭，吵吵闹闹、嘻嘻哈哈地过了短暂的一小时

（3）一位在一起工作不久的同事愿把你当朋友，或至少还会不太希望你走，虽然也不知是真是假

其实，快乐能是很简单，也可以是复杂的。有些人可以用金钱买快乐、有的却把快乐当无价。 就如蔡深江（还是黄明德？）所说的， 能埋怨也是一种幸福， 因为你还有闲情逸致去埋怨，总好比那些须为了三餐而苦恼而没时间的人来的好吧。

所以即使今日的天空有那么一点儿蓝，却因为有你们的点缀， 天色也变的灿烂起来了。

私心狂想曲

真正的关心，是让他人在辽阔的天空中自由自在的翱翔。

******

有一鼓冲动，想说自己有那么一点 blue, 但想想，珍惜的朋友追随着自己的梦想／快乐其实是件超棒的事啊！问题只出在多愁善感的自己在不知不觉中太过依赖这些朋友了吧。

但这是好事啊，所以还 blue 什么 blue?

星期天的随想

美思的那么一通电话竟平辅了我错乱的世界..

或许在“争权夺利”，封闭自己的当儿，我也逐渐失去了自己。不知从何起，耀芳已不再是朋友诉说心事的对象。　反倒是变成那个整天埋怨的那个..

但隐藏在深处的我，依然愿意也希望能守护着她深深在乎的朋友，即使她不愿明显的表现出来..

只要那些她在乎的，不要过于明显的伤害她吧..

Horribly Nostalgic..

Just watched some of the real Channel U's snippets on Youtube. 2 years do make such lot of difference to a person. Whilst doing some 'time travelling', I realised the changes have been so drastic..

Wonder what Honghui is doing for his hols now. Haven't seen him online in a real long while. Feels just like yesterday when I was on the verge of breakdown before my Public Law paper. Hmm..

I don't need new friends. Just give me back my old friends, under all the old circumstances. Maybe throw in everything old too. Moving too quickly just means losing grasp.

Oh.. and the rain reminds me of the December holidays in primary school.

Dinner with Gary!

Finally! Seems like it's quite hard to meet up, even if it's just to pass Gary my present from Malacca! In exchange, I received a really really cute bear which I played with the entire night (much to Gary's dismay.. haha) and a really nice dinner! Thank you, Gary!

Anyway, how can it be possible not to have a running commentary and photos here? Here it is..

First of all, dinner at the Kopitiam opposite Cineleisure! My mum actually commented "How come you ate sting ray?" cause I had commented earlier this year about how I wouldn't want to eat murderers (for those who have not been following the news, a naughty sting ray in Australia did become a murderer! hmpf!) Anyway, since Gary would it eat anyway, why should I not touch something that I like, right? Haha.. And whilst waiting for our dinner to be cooked, I started bullying Gary into taking photos with my bear! =)

I've deliberately chosen the blurred one, since the main character (err.. aside from my bear!) prefers the blurred one. =)

And then, we went off to Taka, initially thinking of our dessert..

That was a difficult tree to take a photo of. Next time, they shouldn't make it so tall!!! =(

Since wherever we wanted to go to was crowded, we decided to run off to another branch. But not before checking out the Heeren for something resembling that of Gary's bag badge:

(picture missing because blogger refuses to upload this for now)

And just to compare my bear's size with a set of CDs' keyboard-like covering:

Finally, it's dessert and snacks time!!! Gary is always ordering the same drink!! But I had a new dessert!! =)

I loved my dinner yesterday, Mr Chan! Thank you!! And thanks so much for the bear!! Just imagine, I took more photos with my bear when I got home..

Yoooohoooo!!!

Who cares if I have to face bitches and assholes? And really dumb ones too..

My pupil master replied my email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seow Hwei called me this afternoon after she heard from MY pupil master that the company I am in does not take a certain stand, something that I did not realise at that point too. The gist is, I emailed him to thank him and I assumed that he wouldn't reply.

But he did!!!!! And I actually exclaimed from my seat!!!

I am not so sure about the legal basis, but I recall at least a couple of your chaps saying this to me over the past few years.

Anyway, hope things are going well for you.

I'm sooooo happy now! =) All the squeals and barks of those bitches can be ignored for today! =)

You know how clean your office is...

When two rats are caught in a single mousetrap in the office.

Of course, it's also telling when two mouse traps are set up, one on each end of the office and then the two rats were caught in the same trap, not on my side of the office *phew*

Although it means noise pollution will whine and whine the entire day.

On another note, I received another email that thrilled me immensely..

Yao Fang

same as the time when you were here, you can call me by my first name. no need for "Mr". I am not that venerable.

thanks.

Best Regards

SP

He left out his surname in the sign off too. Although, I think I used to either call him 'Sir' or 'Mr L' too.. Thank you, Mr L! =)

认识你, 真好!

好久好久没有华语写什么了. Just had that urge to type in Chinese, until I realise it's not very practical to do so, given the lack of a Chinese program. I'll probably take years to finish this entry whilst creatively using Babelfish to translate single words.

Before I start on another paragraph, I'm suddenly reminded of Ms Dorothy Chua's numerous "no link!" comments in my GP essays. Yes, at the risk of having no links between the paragraphs, I shall continue typing just whatever that pops up in my mind.

Seriously, one never realises how fast time flies until one stops and thinks. Just imagine, as we were talking about Mr Frankie Tan, Mr Timothy Chee and even Mr Swaran Singh today, 6 years or so had just zoomed by us! Yet, at the same time, time seemed to shrink so significantly as the group of us laughed at the reminder of Mr Singh's erm... aesthetic sense? =)

There are many kinds of happiness. There's the super heady kind where one gets a sudden huge dose of cheer. Then, there is also the really mild kind that lingers on and on, somewhat like the feeling after bitting on a piece of 甘草 (licorice, according to Babelfish).

Frankly, I didn't expect this evening to give me that latter feeling. Thanks to the newest tuition kid that I don't exactly like, I almost didn't turn up for the mini class dinner today. Not sure whether I should be thankful to the Metro-Parking thing or not, but it made me just decide that I couldn't be bothered about what the kid or his mum would react.

Which is a good thing actually.

All of us have grown and moved on in our lives. And when you get together again, you realise that you don't exactly know everyone already. Yet, the 2 years when we studied together provided just that fine line to join all of us together, and as certain memories pop up, the ice thaws and you still get to laugh together. After a day at work dealing with the dumb-est people in the world, it's always very nice to moth back to a person you used to be.. Instead of being the irritable, ready-to-bite-off-stupid-colleagues'-head person, it's really warm to be smiling and just simply relaxing with people who matter.

Yes... 99S29.. I love you!

A pleasant surprise

Just when the weekend threatened to become a really boring work-like one, I received a surprise MSN message from a big brother of mine. And that was how I spent the late part of the day immersed in crafts (ok, we were only browsing). I never knew such 'fair' existed until today, nor did I realise the number of people who make their own crafts to sell.

Thanks for the handphone cover, and more importantly, the big brotherly concern!! =) Although... who says I keep dropping my phone huh? I've more or less kicked that habit, k? Still, I love the handphone cover!! Yes, and thanks for contact lens solution reminder! =)

Mental note to myself though, I need to kick my habit of being late! I think I caused Itak da ge to wait for almost an hour (although I didn't realise what time he would get there.. Hmm) Still, sorry!! If only da ge would scold me.. Then again, da ge being da ge, I doubt he would...

Actually, I thought I would be tempted to sneak a peak at a person's blog for photos of another person's brother's wedding (I'm more or less sure that this person would put it up anyway). In the end, I'm not, and I don't ever think I actually feel like seeing the photos anyway. Good! Just shows that spring cleaning has not really gone to waste. Besides, I've more than sufficient friends whom I hold dear!! =)

On a side note though.. Good luck for your final paper, grandfather! And good luck for your series of PLC papers, SY! =)

Too much of something may not be a good thing

Was pretty much excited on Thursday, all the way till Friday, even though certain people irritated a whole lot out of me those 2 days. But it didn't matter, because I was supposed to get a quotation from R----, and my manager had told me to email my pupil master. MY PUPIL MASTER! I haven't heard from him since I've finished pupillage, and in a way, I guess he's glad to have finally gotten rid of his pupil, but still, the thought of being able to send an email to my pupil master and getting a response simply thrilled me no end. The feeling of wanting to skip all around just at the thought of being able to email my pupil master. Besides, if matters progressed to a trial, I might finally get a chance to watch my pupil master do a trial! It's something that I've always wanted, but never had a chance to. Even though in the end, my manager still made me email Mr Lek. It doesn't really matter. I'm still excited at the thought of the reply email from Mr Lek, and wondering who would be assigned to the case.

It's been a really long while since I've been so thrilled about a piece of work, although I do agree that if I were to be able to do this very often, I may not be as excited as I am now. Too much of something that exciting may just simply turn that thing into something bland.

Just like the chocolate buffet I had with LiJia.

We survived the first round relatively ok. Then we went for our second round.

Delicious looking isn't it? Disappointingly though, we had a REALLY hard time finishing this. Which meant we didn't had a go at the chocolate drink or the chocolate fountain!

Still, I do hope the birthday girl enjoyed the chocolate torture! =)

On a side note though, I realise we've not taken a photo together! Let's take one next time we meet, k?

Mum's birthday

Happy Birthday, Li Jia!

Dearest Lijia,

After knowing me for so many years, I'm sure you should have figured that I always tend to procrastinate. So, instead of mailing you a snail mail birthday card, which would have been much sweeter, I ended up typing this open letter to you.

Can you still remember the first time we met? All of us were sitted at the sports gallery. I think you said 'hi' to both Clara and me. We ended up talking a lot as we had our lunch at Ghim Moh void deck that day. Orientation... Pufferilla... Amongoeth... ZQ... and then 1S03J.. Chinese lessons (or rather the lack of).. Council elections.. Somehow or rather, you were there in almost all the memories of 1st 3 months JC life.

Perhaps that was one reason why I really didn't mind having to go through the heartache of changing schools. Even if I had another choice again, I don't think I'll want to enter NJC during my first 3 months. No. That would mean one less friend whom I didn't really know how to treasure in the past, but who'll always play a really important role in my life. A treasure whom I might be able to do without, but I don't really want to miss.

Jia, thank you for all the laughter, tears and perhaps even the irritation shared. Thank you for tolerating my less-than-nice behaviour when I had a short fuse. Actually, more importantly, thank you for being my friend all these years, and giving me the honour of being one of the rare few who are permitted to call you by your Chinese name.

Happy birthday, dear!

May all your birthday wishes come true and may you always be surrounded by people who love you dearly!

Of course, no matter what the future holds, or whatever decisions you make, you'll always have a friend here who will stand by you!

luv

Fang

Catching Up

In order to be in tandem, 2 persons have to move at the same pace. If one dashes forward whilst the other inches on, the gap in between will inevitably widen.

Not that I am saying that the faster one should be moving at the latter's pace. Rather, a good leader is not one who is always ahead of the pack, but one who is able to look back and motivate those behind to move forward. Instead of moving forward alone, isn't it more important for a group to be all moving forward at a reasonable pace?

There is nothing wrong in increasing prices, yes, nothing wrong, if the entire society is indeed progressing well as a whole. Like the countless analogies of stabbing someone and then giving out plasters, I really do not see how increasing GST would benefit the less well off. What does it mean when you say that the economy has improved, that the unemployment rate has gone down? Would you consider an ex-manager currently working as a cleaner as a sign of improvement? I doubt so.

The point is, if the lead is going to continue running at his own pace without looking back, all the while expecting those behind to keep up, someday, he's going to lose sight of them. Then what happens? He would have to stop in order to continue to be a leader of a group instead of the sole member of solitude. In a world that is constantly moving forward, can he afford that?

Perhaps getting a balance in life is always much easier said than done.

The same goes for friendship, doesn't it? Or any human relationship for that matter. If you want things to remain the same, the only way to do so is not to remain unchange, but rather, change at the same rate. Perhaps even at the end of the day when two paths diverge, one can always be glad that you've once been at the same pace.

Food again..

Potato once commented how dressing in a more presentable manner was necessary when meeting up with friends because it was a show of respect. I guess that's true in a way, since I always tend to be awfully late for work on days when I am meeting up with sufficiently important friends, or how I'll put on contact lenses despite a severe lack of sleep (not a result of work, of course).

In any case, the only things pulling me to work today was the thought of lunch with Stephen and Tony as well as dinner with Weiguang. As pathetic as it sounds, yes, this is really what drags me to work and keeps me going nowadays. No wonder I'm turning from fat to fatter! Hah!

If only the AMC were this week, then I could have had a longer lunch with Stephen and Tony, and sneak off with them to get bubble tea (It's supposed to be somewhere nearer Rochor branch, where they are at now although Stephen is coming back to HQ when he's back from Korea!) Sometimes, it's really not the food that matters. Just like, I don't necessary think I do love bubble tea that much. The point is running off to have bubble tea with friends. It's just like how I don't mind having to wait for the 2 guys whilst they (or rather Tony only) get done with servicing. So what if I risk getting breathed down my neck? It's not like my manager, or the other colleagues go for strictly one hour lunch only anyway. (Oh dear, I do hope the matters typed here are not being audited..)

Back to dinner. This time, it's back to Purvis Street although we had some Hainanese food today. Interestingly, even though we had chicken rice balls, I don't remember us ordering any chicken!

Somehow I think the lady serving us must be amused/amazed at how the 2 of us can actually finish 4 dishes within a short span of time. Especially when even I am amused by our eating capability! Then again, it's soo normal when having meals with dinner with either Weiguang or Gary, I think.. Haha..

Talking about my dinner companion. Unfortunately for you, I did manage to get a photo of you!

A smiling Randall looks so different from the expressionless one. Even if you think I'm exaggerating, you really look much better with that smile on your face. That's why my obsession with talking smiling photos of you. So smile more often, k? (And no, that's NOT mothering.. haha)

And finally, the snacks that Mr Tan bought for me!!!

I love them!!! Thank You!!

Even though I love Hei Bai Pei, it really doesn't mean you have to buy that for me all the time! Still... I really really love it!!! Thank you so much!!! =)

Grandmother's Birthday

In between the numerous meeting up with people, it was also grandmother's birthday. Somehow, Wai Po's birthday has always been associated with exams, cause it would always inevitably fall during the exam period.

This year, I was still dreading the thought of Huimin's mum bugging me about my most sensitive topic, ie. work and pay. Her braggy character would be too much a test to my impatience (especially after I've started working here.. As I've told Mr Tan, bitchiness can diffuse in air too.. haha) In the end, I spent most of my time playing/entertaining YanLing and BingRui, which wasn't too bad really.

And, what's grandparents' birthday celebration if there's no food? A pity that Wai Po's ankle/foot is injured this year, so Junyan's mum was in charge. Though I still love Wai Po's noodles best, Junyan's mum's food was impressive too! Especially the yam flowers which look as good as they taste!

Meeting up

Contrary to what someone had 'accused' me of, I'm really much more free the past few weeks, so much so that I've been meeting up with quite a significant number of people over the 3 weeks.

First, my almost-akin-to-monthly lunch with Tee Meng. I couldn't remember why I just couldn't be bothered, but I met up with Tee Meng over lunch, despite my manager not being on leave. Although I really can't remember exactly for now, I still vaguely recall being really unwell that day and Tee Meng kindly agreed to go for some soup-ier food ie. fish slices bee hoon. For those who know me well enough, I hate eating fishes in water. However, the food did me loads of good and I was much better immediately after lunch. Or perhaps it was the company I had. I guess the most memorable food for that day was this shanza ice cream shake drink which Tee Meng thought sounded disgusting but which I thought was really nice:

That evening, I had dinner with a certain Mr Tan at *surprise surprise* Waraku again! This is the third time in a row that we met for dinner there. Mr Tan was still as happy with the food, judging from his happy face.

Dessert was at another Japanese restaurant (after we had gone to that Taiwanese snack shop of course) that I had always wanted to enter. And the dessert didn't disappoint either!

Ah... and I was given a really pretty handphone accessory that I absolutely love even though I had problems hanging it to my silly phone.The following Monday was dinner with Vicknesh. It's been a really long while since I've last met him, the last time being the time I fell off the bicycle and had to go for a client meeting the next Monday with significant plasters. This time round, we decided to be adventurous with food (then again, we've always been, given that the last time round, we ate the outer skin of the fruits for our desserts.. haha). This time, we had our dinner at this Turkey restaurant at Chijmes. Somehow, for the entire time we were there, we were the only customers. Then again, it's really not difficult to figure out why. In fact, if anyone wants to go there, you might want to stick to some dish called "Alexander the Great" or something only. Still, they had rather interesting cups! And exotic dishes.

And then, some time last week, it was a long-talked-about dinner with Mingyi. Some things just don't change. Like how we'll always talk about meeting up for lunch or dinner, but only do so a million years later. I can't exactly remember what we chatted about, but I just remember it was fun.

Just in case anyone wonders, nope, those were just desserts (or starters, since they served it before our main course). And I didn't get to take a photo of my dinner companion too! No thanks to my bad memory!

These are just a few of the dinners/lunch I had. There were others too, like with Beatrice and Chee Min, Weiling and the birthday dinner for Weiling and Alex.

With so many dinners, it's no wonder I'm getting fatter!! Argh! But somehow, I don't seem to be really genuinely worried, given that it was still food last weekend when I went over to Malacca.

That's chicken rice in case you are wondering. And to end it off, here's a night view of Malacca from the balcony.

Do I really look happy?

Kia Meng said that today, when asking about work.

It suddenly reminded me of what Jen Wei told Weiling during pupillage. That I'm happy there.

The most ironic thing is, both times, I wasn't. But, I just didn't want to say.

The feeling of depression is gradually setting in, though I've no idea why now. The feeling of just wanting to break down and cry and cry and cry without any reason. Frankly, I'm tired. I'm tired of having to smile to people I hate to the core and would rather stamp on their toes or give them one tight slap. I'm tired of having to be nice to people because I have to and not because I want to. I'm tired of calculating 6% compound interest and deciding what the most appropriate time would be. I'm tired of the fact that I can't take a real break immediately at the end of the work day even though I'm awfully tired in all aspects.

I need a break to shut myself off everyone and everything.

On another note, the highlight of the day was lunch with Terence, Kia Meng and Jen Wei. Even if someone suddenly dumped a piece of work on me (cause both D and he cannot make it) and I was supposed to have a meeting at 2pm. WTH. I don't even care if the other person would make noise if I'm back after 2pm (in any case, I sent him an email wanting to reschedule to 2.30 but for some reasons he didn't seem to have seen it). I really really really cannot be bothered. Lunch was the only thing that helped me survive through the morning and no way am I going to give it up just for some dumb stuff.

Oh, and PF will be relocating to Hong Kong. That's like less than a year after he left R! Still, I'm glad for him! =)

To 'Grandfather'

Dear GX,

Somehow or rather, I don't seem to be able to say the correct words to find out what's wrong.

But I just want to say, "Jia You, GX!"

And.. you know if you ever need a friend, I'll always be a phone call/sms away.

luv

Fang