Nasi Lemak tastes especially nice when...

You're having it for lunch at 3.30pm on a weekday at your office table and your last meal was a piece of bread 7 hours ago.

Shuyun's last evening in the conference room

What happens when you name your food after people?

This! (if the food has a doggie name)

And this! (if the food is named after Hong Lim Park)

后青春期的诗

Finally. Something to look forward to, to get me through till lunch.

(photograph from omy.sg)

噢买尬 噢买尬
真的太久不见啦
我随时ok就等你电话

哭阿哭阿哭阿
哭到眼泪都乾啦
哭到海滩只剩下沙
整个世界只剩下
你听我说话
一直到天黑也不回家

混阿混阿混阿
混到天空都老啦
计画依然没有变化
剩下我们说的
神话梦话废话
就着样陪着我长大

噢买尬 噢买尬
这是一定要的啦
喝到挂唱到哑
笑到流泪哭到趴
噢买尬 噢买尬
真的太久不见啦
我随时ok就等你电话

巴黎铁塔东京铁塔
蛋塔金字塔
回忆慢慢积沙成塔
回忆回不去了
但你一起来了
一起到更远的未来吧

无猜无邪无私
无瑕的友情无价
你是买不到的奢华
天涯有天风景有风
浪花有花
再加上我有你就够啦

噢买尬 噢买尬
这是一定要的啦
喝到挂唱到哑
笑到流泪哭到趴
噢买尬 噢买尬
真的太久不见啦
我随时ok就等你电话
噢买尬 噢买尬
这是一定要的啦
喝到挂唱到哑
笑到流泪哭到趴
噢买尬 噢买尬
真的太久不见啦
我随时ok等你电话
老地方见等你电话
无时无刻等你的电话
我随时ok就等你电话

For some reason or other, some of the lyrics actually reminded me of some people. And for that reason, it overtook 突然好想你 to be my favourite song in the album.

Reveriez hates liars

If you did not do something, you should just admit it, rather than pretend that you've done something to cover up what you've not done. If anyone is actually considering signing up for anything with TR** group, I would advice you to think twice. Just imagine a personal trainer assuring you more than once that he had checked, and that your file is already with another branch. Then, you find out later, to your horror, that your file has actually been misplaced. When you confront him, he doesn't even apologise, and attempts to sweep it under the carpet. Or the various empty promises about calling back from their other staff.

In any case, well done, Keith. I'm so darn impressed by your "perfect" professionalism.

And yes, if any one is still wondering, I'm pissed. Super pissed.

Have a beautiful day!

Just saw Qiuting online, and realised how long it's been since we've last heard from each other. Somehow, just before she logged off, I suddenly remembered the phrase I used to use to end off my angel-mortal letters to her, and at the spur of the moment, I ended the conversation with "Have a beautiful day tomorrow!"

It's been about 9 years. Yet, everything just felt like yesterday. The M&Ms on Chinese New Year eve, the continuous stream of letters thereafter. More importantly, I still remember how my angel used to notice whether I was smiling and as a result, I made an even greater effort to keep the smile on my face.

Perhaps, like what I said to LiJia on Friday, certain friendships are not as easily erased. Koon was absolutely spot-on when he was so certain that I would turn up for JianPing's wedding, even though I wasn't even sure myself then. Perhaps it was cause Mr Tay knew my character better than I knew myself. Whatever the case, after the 7th phone call and a sprained ankle, I decided to go online just to tell Mr Chai that I would turn up for his wedding.

To a certain extent, I was glad I did. Or perhaps I am just easily 哄. For the sake of a particular sentence, I became definitive that even if I had anything on on that day itself, I would still cancel out on whoever/whatever it is, just so that I could turn up. So much for my resolution.

Perhaps it's apt that one ex CCA mate actually described me as 怪怪的. Certain things may seem so tiny and insignificant to others, yet they mean the whole world to me. Take for example my answer to LiJia's question on my favourite(?) birthday present. The first thing that came to my mind was just one particular sms. Or how I wouldn't mind having the opportunity to buy a particular senior lunch/dinner as my birthday present this year, just so that I can thank him personally after all these years.

Dinner with a close friend is always a relaxing affair. We may have lost quite a bit of our girl-ish gushing, but a lot of the contents of our chats remain timeless. In fact, I can so picture us chatting about the same topics ten years down the road, albeit with an even more matured slant (I hope?). Perhaps it's just me, but I noticed that no matter how much one has supposedly grown up, one still more or less behaves the way one behaves when you've just became friends. Good or bad? I don't know. But the sense of familarity is always welcome in a society of ever changes.

Desserts at 2am:Dessertbar
Totally forgot that Ryan actually paid for the desserts. Next time it'll be on me, k Lijia?

******

Finally, a picture from the exhibition at Suntec:

Despite my non-presentable ankle and a potentially boring afternoon, the exhibition was interesting only because I had Shuyun around. Too bad it'll be our first and last time working on something together huh?

Blessing in Disguise?

I can so imagine "Hong Lim Park" describing someone who finds a silver lining despite spraining her ankle as a weirdo.

Then again, how often do you have friends volunteering to bring you ice, or nagging you to see a doctor/sinseh? Better still, a friend who voluntary goes with you to see the sinseh, runs off to draw money to pay for a part of your medical bill when you don't have enough cash, and then takes a cab back and drops you off at your place?

Well, I'm proud to say that I have such friends! Especially Mr Chan for ensuring that I saw a doctor, and then paid for almost everything this evening. Somehow, I don't think you were really that tired to need to take a cab home right? Still, thank you, my dearest favourite Mr Chan!

And since I'm a weirdo, a simple sprain can actually bring back good memories. Like how Mr Chai would carry my bag and Mr Tay, my file and how a bunch of my classmates would set off for class way earlier before the end of recess/lunch just so that they could walk at my pace. Sounds silly, but these are the simple things that make one feel ultra loved and make ankle sprains not that bad a thing (not that I want it lah!)

Before - Done by doctor

After - Done by me

Why does mine look more like a dumpling? And that's after wrapping and unwrapping for almost 15 minutes. =(

雨过天晴

Barely. Still, a bit of ice-cream and a dose of concern did a bit to cheer me up.

Besides, for once, the True group has someone decent to answer my phone calls and to deal with whatever I wanted resolved. My gut feel says this Shaun guy must be from Planet Fitness, simply cause he's not as annoying, inefficient and incompetent as everyone else I've dealt with. For eg, the lady I had to deal with all these while (she's as efficient as the furball, in my humble opinion) or the consultants (who are better at talking, then getting things done, in my own humble opinion again). Anyway, to cut a long story short, I'm impressed for once.

Anyway, here's something that made me smile when I got back from lunch:

原来...

最不相信友情的人是自己.

失去后才能去真正懂得去珍惜和拥有

From high olympus flows to us the glory
On us the sacred fire descends
Rise sisters rise the world is all before ye
Fear not to grasp what fortunes sends*

A little while the sun shines high above us
And youth's elixir fills our veins
The magic fire that moves that gods to love us
The fire which the will attains*

So heart to heart we'll scale the heights of learning
No mean desires our day shall shame
Wholehearted, true, with pride and ardour burning
On sisters, on to life and fame*

* Sisters in learning and sisters at heart
Life lies before us, here's luck to the start

******

In case any one had to wonder, I didn't turn up for the 10th year gathering today. Even though the bus I took went past the all so familiar building, and when it did, the all so familiar feeling of standing under the hot sun, waiting for the bus at the bus stop after school came flooding back. The magic of the first time walking through the school gate, and past the Athena statute remained clear, just like the memory of how we bumped into Meisi on 21 December 1994 when we were reporting to our soon-to-be school.

Ten years on, I'm still not ready to face my ex-classmate/schoolmate. Ironically, despite all that fierceness/bitchiness, I still lack the confidence to feel less self conscious amongst a whole bunch of high flyers.

If I had the chance to choose again, would Dunman High have been a better choice? Or could I have worked harder, be less self conscious, make more effort to be sociable so that secondary school would not just be a memory?

Then again, things change with the flux of time. People whom you were once close to may now be people you don't really want to meet. For instance, Joanne. Or just strangers. For instance, another friend of mine. Gek Koon's certainty that I would turn up for a classmate's event made it even clearer that what would have been a given years ago may not be so now. Just like in Physics, when two objects move in tandem, no change is detected. On the contrary, when two objects have different velocity, it is almost impossible not to detect the difference.

Still, I'm thankful still for friends who remain the world to me even over the years. Just having Itak da ge and Koon online last Wednesday was sufficient to cheer me up immensely, and make me bounce/jump/skip everywhere. We may have more or less lost touch, just like how it took me a year before I realised Itak is now a teacher, but it doesn't make me feel any less warm just by your presence online. 时间能让事情兜兜转转， 但兜兜转转过后仍会发现避风港始终屹立不倒。也许，在内心深处的一角，我也永远都不希望失去这些我所谓温暖的阳光吧。

PS: 正因为朋友是缺一不可的，Guohui, 你可要早日康复哦! 加油！

Was it just me or did 五月天 sound flat today?

For once, I'm impressed by Mediacorp. Despite my less than zero interest in Superband, I still sat through almost two hours (I skipped the earlier parts) just to wait for their 宣传大使 to perform. As predicted, they were the 压轴 performers. Still, I thought they sounded flat today, and at one point, I thought 阿信 sang out of tune. In fact, I felt Beyond did a better job, and wished they had sang more, or at least include their 光辉岁月 instead. After their performance, I'm actually slightly even more tempted to watch their concert. Gosh..

******

Just like how 五月天 seemed off colour to me on tv today, the places I went for dinner last night was slightly disappointing too. The food at Yumeya felt different, and not as breathtaking. Similarly, when we "migrated" over to the restaurant I went with Mr Tan just a few weeks back, we were not that impressed either. First, we ended up in the bar area, since their air conditioning was down at the restaurant part. The grilled food was served cold too. Still, the worse was the lobster that wasn't fully cooked. When it came back to us, the waitress from China took pains to explain that the lobster had been changed, but couldn't come up with a less lame excuse of how the lobster meat no longer filled the entire lobster shell. Oh well.

A moment's silence for the passing of a respectable opposition

In a country where fire-brand oppositions usually appear to be more concerned about getting their face in papers (and behaving like circus animals) [in my humble opinion], one such man stood out for his belief and passion for his nation. Unlike some others who opposed merely for the sake of opposing, few could fault him for being more concerned about personal fame than his beliefs for the good of his country, for if the former were true, it would have been way easily to just stay on the ground after each fall (or possibly whine to any sympathisers in hope of gaining more sympathy).

Yet, this was the guy whom many of us have "bumped into" outside MRT stations, shopping centres etc, peddling his book with signs of his age, and possibly a tinge of weariness showing. I can't say for others, but each time I saw the look in his eyes and how everyone seemed to shuttle past whilst ignoring/avoiding his presence, I couldn't help but feel sorry for this guy. At his age, he could have been happily retired at home, enjoying the fruit of his labours in the early years. But for the sake of what he believed in, he became a bankrupt at an age when people would be planning or even enjoying retirement. Instead of resting in the comforts of his home and indulging his passions, he was sidetracked and out there probably doing what he could to get back on track once again. Regretfully, I never once bought a book from this pitiful old man, even though I would normally have bought those packets of tissues/draw tickets from the other elderly I see. Gutless? Perhaps. I was just no different from the others who were shuttling past.

It's such a pity that after all his efforts of getting out of bankruptcy and then getting his licence to practise once again, his time was up, just like that. In fact, he didn't even have the chance to conduct a notable case, as yet. That would have at least justified all his efforts, but no, it wasn't meant to be. And I wasn't meant to read about it in the papers either.

Perhaps like what some say, at least he didn't leave this world as a bankrupt. In any case, for all that passion in your beliefs, for your want of the betterment of the nation and your fellow Singaporeans(regardless whether everyone agreed with your views or not), for being a stayer rather than a quitter, you deserve our utmost respect.

Rest well, Mr Jeyaratnam, for you'll be remembered as being one of those who played a significan role in the history of the politics in our country

Interested, anyone?

Just noticed the latest update on SAL events: http://www.sal.org.sg/Web%20Pages/SAL%20Events/Events_SocialEvents.aspx. I didn't realise Avenue Q's that expensive. Hmm.. And I'm still interested in The Office Party and Tooth Fairy (Mr Tan?)...

Sounds like I need to be more discerning..

PS: Congrats, Mr Tan! =)

简单的幸福

Question: When is falling sick not that bad an event?

Answer: When you get to feel concern from the people around you.

Granted, the above must sound extremely silly to most people. One of my friend's friend had this comment on her nick since eons ago "幸福到底有多远?" Perhaps it's just me, but 幸福 is just a measure of content. You do not need superbly high and difficult to attain goals. Sometimes, the simplest things may just be the key to feeling 幸福.

Just like how I'm content with the two packets of sweets from Jan when I was supposedly coughing terribly. Or LiJia's sms. Or Weiguang's observation that I was "missing" on msn. These things may not be worth much in monetary terms, but it still leaves a lingering sweet aftertaste

The sweets from Jan. Not forgetting the cute chocolates from Weiguang too! =)

Can't remember when I first heard the phrase "休息是为了走更远的路" but this short break has definitely given me time to recharge and feel a lot lighter (though I'm not sure if this will disappear the moment I step into office again tomorrow.. haha).

As I've admitted to some of my friends, I was somehow more keen about my lunch than the other matter when I had to turn up at "z-moon" today. There are some people whom you can chat with without divulging much more about yourself, and then there are others whose presence is enough to bring endless smiles. Maybe I'm just useless, but each time I think that we've already become less close over the years, I'll still end up feeling highly recharged, a lot "lighter" each time after we meet up. 拥有好友的陪伴，这，也是一种简单的幸福吧！

The 帅哥 who bought me lunch

It's funny how you tend to think that you prefer something beforehand, but later on, you realise that you're actually more keen on another thing. Despite my reservations about "z-moon" (other than my lunch lah) and my interest in "the hill", at the end of the day, what piped my interest more was actually "z-moon". No doubt the scope at "the hill" sounded way more glam (and it might actually fulfill my "daydream"). Somehow I felt "z-moon" sounded more exciting. Still, you never know till the last minute, and well, like I mentioned to the 帅哥, I had my reservations about "z-moon" too. Nevertheless, just like the earlier experiences, I've learnt lessons through the experiences today, making the day relatively worthwhile (ignoring the lunch again, cause that's besides the point, for now). In fact, one thing that the lady at "the hill" said was the need of experience and independance, something which I would have to bear in mind in deciding my future food suppliers. And of course, I need to bear in mind "z-moon"'s comment on the constant changing of food suppliers will just lead to indigestion.

Let's just see how things go. Time to 回到地球表面 and deal with furballs tomorrow!

Cough Day 5

Periodic bouts of intense coughing. A hoarse voice.

Sajlia(?) left a message on my facebook, about some RGS 10 year reunion. Can't even think of who I'm actually close enough to in RGS to want to turn up for the reunion. But I ended up "spying" on those ex schoolmates and it's mostly those I don't really want to see. Haha..

On another note, I thought Lijia and Ryan's school uniform photos are nice! But then... did you guys really keep all your uniforms?!?!

Stubborn-ness

"It's a bit crazy. But not unlike you!"

Seriously, thanks ar, LiJia, I don't know whether that's a compliment or an insult =p

Still, Yaofang being Yaofang, she'll always be able to come up with something that's a little off "normal". Take for instance yesterday. Despite having a slightly more aggravated cough, I still agreed to watch "Boom" with my favourite Mr Tan.

Not that I regret though. The "corpse" was really good. In fact, my favourite parts were all those involving the corpse and Mr Government. Whilst the corpse was funny, "Mr Government" was sincerely... earnest. All in all, the chemistry between them felt better than the son and the mum.

Lest you think that's the extent of my "non sane-ness", we ended up having dinner at this Japanese restaurant somewhere nearby till pretty late. The grilled food was especially nice, if only I wouldn't cough that much. And it was pretty fun sitting at the glass panel over looking the chefs too.

Chefs hard at work.

We even had the opportunity to watch the restaurant staff having supper(?). Note: Quite a number of them were squatting so that we wouldn't see them eating

Not forgetting to mention, their desserts were nice too! (Though I didn't really like the egg pudding as much.) The soya bean panacotta was smoother and richer than the usual soy beancurd and the macha tiramisu was more tiramisu than macha (unlike some other similarly named tiramisu elsewhere).

With good company, good entertainment and good food all rolled into one evening, who's to say that going out whilst tolerating that irritating cough of mine is a bit too crazy?

PS: To the friend who "complained" about the lack of photos in my blog, this entry should sort of placate you, right? *grinz*

Bondbreakers Lunch

Well, at least that was how Beng Chye started naming it. Although technically, it's not totally apt since we had lunch with Irene, Theng Theng, Joyce and Doris too.

It's obvious how irritating my cough is when I'm not bubbly even at the prospect of going for the lunch. This, considering how I could still bounce up and down in excitement when I first noticed Beng Chye's name as the other side's lawyers despite running a fever.

Anyway, after 久仰 Beng Chye's 大名 for so long, it's nice to finally be able to meet the famed Income scholar in person.

On a side note, Guohui's fever supposedly hasn't subsided since Sunday. Not a good sign. Hope he gets better soon.

远水就不了近火

很久很久以前，有一个毫不起眼的桌面。这桌面看起来稳固，事实上，它的平稳却是与桌的四只脚紧紧相系。过了不久，这四只脚个别被用于其他地方。桌面为了要表现坚强，努力地继续当一个有用的桌面，甚至拼命的做一个比一般巩固的桌面，殊不知桌面越拼，其实也只不过是在让自己本来就不坚固的个体变得更加脆弱。最脆弱的那一刻，桌面总忍不住怀念过去那四只脚，盼望着能再次回到拥有四只脚支撑自己的那段日子。。。

******

Mr Chan, 谢谢你！Think it's the 2nd time I've dragged you out like this, only that this time, I don't think I can be a delivery girl the following day, just to show my gratitude. =p 在这样的一天，就是需要一个距离不远又能依靠的朋友，才能在绵绵细雨的夜晚里增添一点儿暖意. Thanks, Mr Chan! =)

The best tranquilisers in life are...

My friends.

Despite me blowing my top from the incompetence and lousy attitude of my secretary, lunch with a friend calmed me down significantly and brought the smile back on my face. Whatever will I do without my friends?

Much as you'll never see this, Thanks, Lenz!

A short prayer

I know I'm not exactly the most pious person on earth, but dear all gods, please protect my friends and family from any harm. I'm willing to be good, to not lose my cool at all when that secretary of mine does (or doesn't do) anything to make me lose my cool. So please gods?

On another note, even if I'm not the closest of friends with Guohui, the moment I heard what Irene said, I had this sudden fear that he'll be like Meisi. I know I make the worst friend on earth (I haven't even visited Meisi in almost a year) but it doesn't make me any less protective of the people I call friends, so please don't let any of my friends come to any harm, please?

Update: Phew.. Guohui's sister says he's recovering, though no visitors at the moment. Do hope he's really doing fine!

The "Orange Juice" Wedding

For a person who hates socialising and is self conscious, attending wedding dinners is usually a painful affair to be avoided as much as possible. Truth be told, a huge part of me was really reluctant to attend Daphne's wedding because I dread seeing my ex classmates/schoolmates like Jamie, Kailing. Not so much because I didn't like them, but more of, I felt self conscious, even at the thought of possibly sitting with them.

Whatever the case, I don't know whether me ending up with a table of her parents' church friends and her family's Chinese tutor was a better thing. Not that I saw any of the sec 4/3 people either. The only person I recognised was in fact Francis, whom I saw from afar, and immediately walked in another direction. I thought the person helping with the photography was Derrick's good friend from S03J, but couldn't remember his name at first. Up till now, I still haven't figured out whether that guy was indeed Kah Hee (Err... not sure if his name is even spelt this way!) Food wise, it was not too bad. If fact, we even had exotic food like ostrich meat, though it was quite a waste that the table was only half filled.

In any case, at least I've made it through another wedding dinner. More importantly, I'm glad Daphne has found someone who has as clear an aim in life as she does, and someone who loves her that much (the story about the bottle of orange juice each morning was really sweet) and whom she loves as dearly too. Congrats Daphne! May you have a really blissful marriage and a really happy married life!

PS: Much as I dread wedding dinners because of the need to socialise, MingHui, jia you, yah? Haha... that goes for all the other friends who mean a lot to me too...

Happiness = Meeting up with friends you hold dear

If you happen to be in need of a dose of a happy movie, you may just want to consider watching "Boys over Flowers" (seriously, I can't figure out why the English title is as such.. anyone care to enlighten me?). Whilst there wasn't much of a plot, and each part was pretty predictable, it's still a feel good movie to watch on a bright Saturday afternoon.

In any case, thanks for the movie treat, Mr Ho! I hope your headache got better. Remember to look after yourself!!

Common sense?

If your boss tabs certain pages in a particular file for your to photocopy, do you remove the tabs before you photocopy?

I would have thought that was common sensical, but apparently not. Someone took off the tab, pasted it at a corner of the document, and photocopied the document with the tab. It's not just 1 document, but one plus arch files worth of documents. And I'm still waiting for the others that were given to her like some 2 weeks ago.

Mental note: I need to tell her to take the tabs away and not paste it anywhere in the document when photocopying next time. Just like how I need to tell her to make sure the papers are aligned nicely before punching holes. I wonder if it's just me, or I really do have a "brilliant" graduate secretary. Nevermind, shall look forward to having dinner with Cailing this evening instead.

Thanks, Ms Tan!

Thanks for the sweets in the mail! I suppose that's my children's day present for this year =p

Still, thanks!! *grinz*

It takes many rights to right a single wrong

Despite suggestions from certain camps that I should live and let live, I choose to take action against the errant one. Those who truly know me would know what clear segregation I have for my likes and hates. Besides, do I need to get killed/hurt before I lodge a complaint? One wrong yesterday simply rewrote all my earlier experiences, making me one nervous wreak again. So why would it be non justifiable that the errant one be punished for his wrong? Yes, so I still think one time is still one time too many to play with my (not of much value) life.

That aside, lately, I realised a lot of wrongs require more than just a simple right to correct. Despite the influx of time, certain shadows will always remain.

Have you ever had friendship which you thought meant quite a bit to you, only to realise suddenly that things have changed overtime just because of a wrong? I never really noticed how significant certain (minor) events are, until certain conversation make me realise how much less the friend means to you. That one incident, sparked off by the lack of courtesy from a friend's friend (yes, she's NOT my friend) is probably the trigger to the irreparable damage. Even if you've never noticed it, I've never regarded her as my friend. My politeness was only because she was your friend. Still, I chose (brainlessly) to lend her something, only to have to publicise it on the world wide web before she would get you to arrange for me to meet her to get my stuff back. All this while without an apology. To top things off, you arranged so that I had to meet her at a place of HER convenience just to get MY things back after that million and one years. I doubt you remember, but you, in that fateful phone call, made it sound like I had no right to be pissed. It didn't occur to my consciousness then, but the fact is that that was the turning point. Even without me realising it, your action of siding the wrongdoer had caused the irreversible harm. Yes, I would still care to an extent, but no, not as condition-less as before. So much so that even if you do not want to share something, I can't be more bothered to find out either.

Why does that so remind me of Joanne too?

Anyway, recently one of my closest female friend remarked in her blog about her ability to pick up bad female friends. Well, if it helps, I'm not any better either. Just do up a list of the excess baggage I've never successfully rid myself of, and you'll realise that, hey, it's part and parcel of growing up to. So, cheer up cause what doesn't break you will only make you stronger, k? *hugz*

Disclaimer: The above post is a reflection of the author's thoughts for the day, and is not directed to defame, annoy, upset any characters. Any possible incitement of anger to any party is purely unintentional.

Persistence

After years of searching some people using Google, you would think that I would finally give up and stop this meaningless search. But no, I still insist on trying my luck every year.

In any case, Happy Teachers' Day, the teachers whom I respect, especially those whom I'm not been able to locate in any way (esp Mrs Leong). If not for all your guidance, the Yaofang today might have been a different one.. I don't know.

On another note, flipped through "My Paper" and noticed that 28 August was the date when Mr Ong Teng Cheong was first elected as our President. Had this feeling of "wah".. It's been that long. And the scene of Mr Ong's black and white photo on the TV screen whilst I was on the phone to check if Derrick was joking remains etched in my memory.

Braggart for sale

Or rather to giveaway. If anyone wants.

You are bloody rude when you tell your 2 colleagues to go away when they were "forced" to attend your talk (if you can even consider the nonsence you churn out as talk). And then you try hard so that your colleagues do not get to mingle with the participants. Not that they mind, but it was plain rude to do it blatantly.

Then again, we understand that you were there to brag. About things that were not done by you.

You are not exactly endearing yourself, but you'll get by. Good luck to you, the guy who was the first person in Singapore to be tried for illegally using other people's password, Mr Phan. (http://www.landfield.com/isn/mail-archive/1998/Jul/0079.html)

Just a short note..

Survived yesterday's lesson relatively unscathed. Probably because of the instructor was nicer. Either that, or Mr Tan's assurances and his narration of his own experience made me slightly more assured. Whatever the case, thanks Mr Tan! Really...

逆风时就当成在冲浪

The final time I'll have to take a cab home just for a particular file, for quite a while at least:

Bye, Muhlbauer!!

******

On another note, 五月天 seems to come up with new songs quite frequently lately. Not that I'm complaining, since my (and my sis's) ringtone gets updated ever frequently now (ie. everytime a new song of theirs come up). In fact, 开天窗 is so lively and happy, it'll be a better alarm music then ringtone.

如果你 活的有一点悲伤

答案是 用力丢掉鲸鱼 用力甩悲伤

Well said, 阿信! To my dearest friends who are feeling down at the moment, jia you!!

顺风时就展开双翅飞翔

逆风时 就当成 在冲浪

没有风的时候那就让我 开开天窗

Disjointed Reverie

Earlier this week, a long-lost (kind of) secondary school classmate smsed me to find out if I was available to attend her wedding some time in September. This was a friend whom I sat with during most of my lesson (we had the floating classroom system in sec 4), and one of those people I gossiped/stuck with during the painful Chinese Orchestra practices. Someone whom I exchanged numerous notes with during 1st 3 months, and then subsequently stayed in touch through infrequent letters for the rest of JC. Somehow or rather, everything stopped after that, just as how my letter exchanges with Kailing also ceased. Hmm.. How time seems to fly. And I couldn't help but wonder if Joanne and Nicholas are married. Even if I consciously chose to take a step back from our long friendship, I still hope that she's still well somehow in some part of Singapore.

In any case, congrats, Daphne!

******

Was supposed to meet Peiqi at 6.15pm today. Of course I didn't since it's almost impossible for me to leave office on time, whether we have an extended timeline or not. Luckily for me, RT was nearby and popped by to collect something, else I would probably not be able to leave even after 9pm. You see how much I dread making dinner appointments? It almost always means I'll be starving my friends. Makes me sound like a super bad friend huh? Thanks for popping by and saving me, dearest RT! And thanks for waiting and not complaining or scolding me for being 3 hours late for our dinner appointment, Ms Tan! For the rest of my friends whom I've been making empty promises about meeting up, I'm sorry I'll find some time somehow, and ensure as far as I can that you don't have to starve to death whilst waiting for me. Or at least I'll try to the best of my ability.

******

Frankly, I still think I'm being surrounded by childish monkeys. And to a certain extent, I do feel guilty toward Mr Koh for all the antics that he has to put up with. Despite all these, and despite him being on the other side, I'm still grateful that he has taught me quite a bit during this trial, much more than any other person involved in the matter. I can't believe this is the person I couldn't stand during attachment and then pupillage. Oh well, opinions of people do change along with time, and changes to the person. So even if you'll never know this, thank you, Mr Koh.

Cannot Grow Up?

Despite suffering from a lack of sleep (again) this morning, the sight of the following package on my piano jotted me awake to prepare for the start of another day..

Thank you, Mr Tay! You know, your cards will always make my day, so no need for chocolates, k? Cause I'll still not bear to eat it. haha.. =)

人有悲欢离合　月有阴晴圆缺

Typing that never fails to remind me of the DPM cum President that I admire most. It feels almost like yesterday when he was reciting this phrase during the passing of our then First Lady. Or how he was to attend this dinner organised by the Children Society but missed it just by a week.

It's hard to grasp the importance of existence, at least until the existence itself then becomes a question. Who would have stopped to appreciate how the existence of MediaWorks in changing the media in Singapore? Or would you stop to even notice the existence of the DHL balloon just right outside your window?

If time machines were not a product of imagination, would it enjoy a overwhelming popularity? The strains of music that accompanied me after work today somehow invoked the soon blurried images of familiarity, and made me long for the comfort-ness of those long serious chats at the staircases, the carefree-ness of whinings and assurances, the safety in the belief in the company and the dependability in spite of the frequent cold wars. And I couldn't help but miss the safety and cheeri-ness of falling and getting up together with my dearest of dear friends. But growing up, we must. And so, each of us takes our own paths forward, at times crossing and at other times, diverging.

***IMPORTANT: NOTE DIGRESSION***

Anyway, happy 26th birthday, my dearest dearest friend! We may have grown up over the years and embarked on our own journey in life, but believe me, your birthday is always worth remembering simply because it has added a whole multitude of colours into my otherwise [bland] life. And so, on this really important day of the year, your most adorable little "granddaughter" just wants to say... "Happy Birthday, Guoxing! May you always be surrounded by loads and loads of happiness!"

走火入魔

It's not a good thing if you doze off on the couch upon returning home and wake up in the midst of the night to have a not-exactly-favourite-voice booming "I stand guided by you on this, your Honour" booming into your head non-stop. Or wake up intermittently to ask yourself, "are the transcripts in?" "I need to get them to Prof Tay tonight".

Contrary to all the hype surrounding the matter, when the trial finally started, a lot of the issues really felt like non-issues. With 5 witnesses of fact cleared within 2 and half days, there was 6 days left to deal with just 2 expert witnesses.

But, things never go according to plan, and after 2 days of grilling, our expert witness continues to be grilled again later today.

The toil of the trial is getting to me. Just on my way back from Clementi, I struggled to stay awake in the cab and succeeded as much as to wake up intermittently. Certain things, I'll never understand, like how a bunch of guys would need the only female to carry boxes after boxes with significant weight whilst they throw their weight around. Looking over at the other side, I can't help but feel a tinge of envy. I don't suppose they would get screwed for every minute thing that happens. Or rather, they wouldn't have a royal highness who complains about how last minute you are behind your back, when he jolly well remembers that he had volunteered to be in charge of something. In fact, I've learnt not to believe when he says he would deal with something. Chances are, he'll remember it as much as a goldfish would remember its route, no offence to the goldfish here.

Still, there are times when I really can't help but feel bad. Just like today. Somehow when things want to go wrong, they do. Like how they always end up getting the crappy documents. I'm really really sorry, Mr Koh. I really didn't mean to let you all have the Bundle that wasn't paginated, or rather, I didn't even realised there were any that weren't paginated. Still, the whole episode has just demonstrated the extent of fakeness royal dumbness is capable of, especiallyafter how he tells us that we should not care about the state of documents to the other side, and then kicking up a huge fuss in front of the other side about how it's our fault for not double checking.

Whatever the case, it's a good feeling that the end is finally in sight, hopefully. No more "Greenwood Terrace" (Thanks, Derrick!) or "Clementi Crescent" to haunt my nights.

Happy Birthday!

If my memory doesn't fail me, I think it should be your birthday today. Happy 27th birthday, the senior-whom-I-look-up-to-a-lot! Can't help but wonder how you've been (should be really successful now, right?)or wonder what you would say about me breaking my bond. Hmm...

You can't get a better boss who...

Asks your colleagues eary in the morning "So did anyone get red spots? Everyone came to work right?" Well done, boss. You just made me like you even more today.

The Flip Sides

By right, being on "Hospitalisation Leave" as a result of chicken pox shouldn't be a bad thing, unless you've an urgent matter to attend to, and you trust the person covering you as much as you trust that it won't rain despite the dark clouds. Thankfully, it helps when you have a boss who's so thoughtful that he doesn't even want to walk past your closed doors, asks your secretary whether he should disinfect your room once you've left. All these, just because you wanted to ensure that nothing goes wrong for him whilst you're away. That's when you think "What the heck? It's none of my problem."

And so it is, that marked the start of a slack week off from work. In fact, my sis actually made a relevant comment earlier, "Will this affect your bonus?" Truth be told, it might, given that his reason for a lower bonus for some was cause of their absences from work. But then, if you slog really hard and die at work, do you think you'll be thanked for that? Frankly, I doubt so.

Anyway, on a brighter note, even though chicken pox is supposed to make you feel ultra uncomfortable, thankfully, it hasn't been that bad. *touch wood* In fact, thanks to it, I've finally received a sms from someone I haven't heard from in almost half a year, despite my boliao smses occasionally to attempt to get a response. Seriously, other than asking your good friend how you've been, I really have no idea what you've been up to lately. In fact, I don't even think your good friend actually answered my question... hmm.. right?

And so it is, there's a flip side to everything, chicken pox or not..

******

Was watching some variety shows on Youtube last night. Someone from a Taiwanese group made a comment on how the singers from an era would affect the students of that era, who would then affect the society when they grow up. Apt?

Which led me to read the blog of a particular singer I used to listen to a lot in the past. The song that was playing on his blog immediately transported me back to the corridor outside 6 Love, or even the 6 Faith classroom (I seemed to be with my friends from 6 Faith a lot more than my own class huh?) I wonder how HuiJun is... how Huihui is now... Hmm.. Anyway, I love the following paragraphs from the blog I was reading:

"人生最幸運的事情
就是遇到好的朋友。

好朋友會為了你好跟你說實話
會原諒你的過錯 給你空間
會花時間了解你 感受你 看懂你 陪伴你"

For those who fit the description, thank you. I don't think I would have been the person I am without you all.

Theory of Relativity

When do you consider someone your "close" friend, as compared to one who's not?

Unlike nouns, adjectives seem destined to belong to the "grey" area, the area where the seemingly simple idea of relativity resides. If you haven't kept in touch for almost a year or so, is that a definite example of "not close"? Whatever it is, I chose to believe that the sms meant that you believe that I'm a closer colleague, and not just a fellow member of the bondbreakers club.

On another note, I'm glad to have met up with Mr Tan again today when I was intending to rot for a moment or so. Seriously, I still think the 2 items are nicer than the last item. =p Forgot to add, I'm getting Mr Tay to help me get stuff too, so I'm sure my shopping may just make me end up like you today. Haha.. In any case, I'm still grateful for Mr Tay offering to help me get everything and anything under the sun in US. Seriously, you're there to work and explore, not to help me get things, yah? Still, thanks, Mr Tay!! =)

What do you do when you need to squeeze a cupboard-ful of documents into your already packed room?

You stack them up!

Apparently, our (new) accounts person is coming in soon, so we had to clear out the entire cupboard, plus drawer filled with documents relating to our favourite file. Since according to the director's "You shouldn't put it there in the first place" plus the fact that we couldn't possible store them in the conference room or our director's room, the only possible warehouse was, of course, MY room *curtsies*

And so, to deal with the problem, and our manager's disbelief that everything could fit into my overcrowded room, I amazed myself with my sense of innovation:

Looks like I can consider working as a warehouse supervisor in future, given my "experience" in this field.

Through the Looking Glass

Time flies. Before you know it, you move from one side of the equation to the other side of the equation.

Had that feeling when I watched the NJCO concert on Thursday. It may not have been as "wah.." as last year's, or Wanhui's batch, but I couldn't help but wonder if we sounded like this back then. Watching them from the audience, I wondered if this was the same feeling Mr Tek had when he was watching us back then. Afterall, the age gap was pretty similar.

Even if it wasn't the greatest, it was still their hard work. For that, they deserve another round of applause.

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! =)