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! =)

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..