Saturday, March 31, 2007

Growing Thinner...?

Hm, m i really growing thinner? In the past 2 weeks, my ex-colls as well as my fren's sis mentioned tt I was thinner. My arms are thinner and my face sharper. Is that so? I dun feel particularly thinner, at least not to the extent tt pple can observe.

So shld I be happy tt I m supposedly thinner? Hee..I am not sure too, cos I wasn't fat to start with. Is it a sign tt am too busy at work? But seriously I am alr 'freer' at work as I get used to the jobscope and responsibilities. Oh well, mayb I m just losing the baby fats. Haha! =)

Oh my oh my!! It's definite tt we are REALLY gg to Hokkaido on 3 May! We are extending by 2 nites all the way till 11 May!! It really doesn't feel like reality, even after we booked at NATAS, cos we had the option of opting out. BUT today we have really placed our deposits n all, and it's non-refundable, which means we are DEFINITELY on our way to JAPAN!!!

I am so EXCITED! So many things I wanna do, so many things I wanna see. Japan is one country tt I hv never been to b4. I just hope tt I wun b a burden to my frens, or cause them to excessively slow down for me etc!

My savings plan must begin today, right now! Gg to spend so much in the mth of May! Haha!! But I am happy spending all this!

Did I neglect to mention tt cos I signed $x on my credit card, I am eligible for a pair of Cathay tickets to Bangkok? Which means tt I m on my way to Bangkok after I am back from Japan, to make full use of my core leave of 10 days taken!! Yippee!

*I shall not tink about the amt of work that will await me when I am back. This is especially bcos my boss has confirmed tt she's leaving for her HK transfer within 1-2mths.*

Attended a wedding dinner tonite and it has brought home the fact tt weddings r always full of joy and happiness and of cos love. Though the whole dinner was very rushing (cos it's a wkdae nite) and the wedding couple had to rush from table to table to take photos, the whole dinner was still one filled with tremendous bliss, luv and happiness.

Of cos it was also a great joy to catch up w ex-colleagues n finding out how they r doing. It is also always nice to receive compliments tt I look better, thinner, more feminine etc. It is't tt I want face, but yes, I want to show the world tt I am better off after moving on. =)

It was actually less of an ordeal than expected sitting w the ex-bosses. In fact, I was teasing my CFO asking him when he will retire, so that I can plan my return to the company. Haha...

But I sidetrack. Sometimes I wonder how couples maintain their relationships after so long. To remain so much in luv even after dating each other for more than 3/5/7 etc years. I noe every couple quarrel, but when does one draw the line and say enuff is enuff? For tt matter, how come luv doesn't decrease? One fren told me tt she felt she was being luved less than in the past. Does tt signal the beginning of the end of the relationship? Or shld she still kick her heels in and stay the course? When do we allow our head to rule over our body/heart, assuming tt our head and heart tell us 2 different things?

Another fren, who just ended a 37mth-long relationship, is still unable to extract herself from the graveyard of her sorrow, and I am deeply concerned by the fact tt she is alternating btw anger and depression. Must we experience sorrow and anger before we can experience real and true love?

Love is indeed a complicated matter and cannot be easily understood nor comprehend. Perhaps there in it may lie its appeal...man should never understand luv, cos luv tt can b understood isn't true and everlasting luv.

It's official! We have placed our early May booking for Hokkaido/Tokyo at NATAS today! Gg to cost us $2,203 for 7D, or $2,403 if we extend 1 more night in Tokyo! So excited thinking about it!! Pray and hope tt things go according to plan! Let everyone's leave be approved, let the weather be good, let the tour size be big enough so tt the tour can go on, let the food be good, let everything fall into place nicely etc...

Realised tt it's really a massive effort to coordinate everyone's schedule and for everyone to be happy w the itinery and to get the best value-for-money. The literature done b4 the actual booking is a study in itself and I am of the opinion tt going overseas really takes alot of time, effort and commitment, not to mention money, from all involved, so tt the trip will be a dream hol!

Keeping fingers crossed, cos everything has almost fallen into place...ALMOST everything...

Had alot of fun shopping this weekend. My sis's company held its annual fragrance and luxury items sale this weekend at Suntec, which is why I ended up buying ALOT of tings. Btw my sis n me, we managed to chalk up $600 in purchases!!! I noe it's kua zhang, n we only hv 1 body and face to apply the creams n fragrances on...haha...

Items bought:

• 1 SEXY CAROLINA HERRERA gift set
• 1 ELLE Bag
• 1 DECLEOR HOMME EDT
• 3 boxes of YVES SAINT LAURENT Whitening cream/spot corrector/ serum
• 2 bottles of PHYTOMER HOMME anti-wrinkle and eye cream
• 1 box of PHYTOMER moisturizer
• 1 bottle of ZIRH EDT

I think tt's all..It's really quite alot, esp w all the NATAS brochures I was saddled with. More on NATAS later..tis is the mth for spending man!!

In continuing the trend of the past week to watch movies, I caught Mr Bean's Holiday tonite. Mr Bean was and always will b a no-brainer funny kinda show. I wun recommend the movie if the intention is to get yr money's worth. But to relax after a hard week at work and to rest yr mind over the weekend, one can certainly consider this movie.

However, b prepared for lotsa sch kids and even children in the audience, which makes for a very noisy audience. =)

These 2 weeks hv been really gd for me. I hv been knocking off around 6-6.30pm every single day, with the latest of 7pm being clocked. I think I can handle this job, if I only need to dramatically work overtime 1-2weeks in a mth. I shall also then revise my opinion that the pay rise I got for switching as worth it. Ha!

In line with the early end to my workdays, I hv been gg out more and watching more movies. I realised that money is just a tool to an end, i.e. money shld be used for enjoyment, within limits. For the 1st time since I started work, I am beginning to feel tt I am making enough money to loosen my pursestrings bit by bit.

It of cos helps tt I am not particularly high-maintenance. Maybe I am just slow or not aligned to the latest mkt trends, but I hv never felt the need to purchase branded bags or stuff liddat, which gives me more disposable cash to play around w.

Sometimes, I will spot my faculty mates around town and they can b really dressed up, w a big Gucci bag on their arm. Yes, I do feel small at tt pt in time, as in I will think mayb I shld dress up more, but 1. I don't really wish to spend tt kind of money, and 2. I really don't see the need to.

With the impending move from the central shopping/business districts, I am moving away from the latest trends and the need/pressure to doll myself up even more. It's great! I should live for myself and not for others, so I will just dress myself as I deemed fit.

Did I mention tt I got a new haircut? Been getting compliments for it, e.g. more feminine, more modern, and simply nicer! Yay! Let the outer appearance continue improving...kekek...hopefully, not at the expense of my pocket! =)

Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing.

Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week. Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of "having in quantity"(life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being".

This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the"do it now!". This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress.

It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined andanonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living. It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do.

It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.

In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.

Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present,which is the only time that truly exists.

We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment.

As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".

Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalize world.

Scenery and graphics were superb! The show is pretty gd, not as gory as expected! All the guys had 8-10 pecs! Heh! N all looked not bad...but I guess all digitally enhanced.

Storyline is pretty inspiring. For Glory and Honour! Wat all soldiers can identify w...hee...heart-thumping action!

Besides, there's always a lesson to b learnt from being the smaller/weaker side, but nevetheless managing to beat the stronger opponent. With only 300 Spartan soldiers up against an whole army of Persians...yeah!

We can also beat the odds in watever we do! Just believe and be guided by conscience, while showcasing bravery and wit!

Go catch the show! =)

My fren just broke up with a guy whom she was with for more than 3yrs. She told me that she could not stop crying, and everything that she sees, touches, hears reminds her of him. She laid in bed the whole of today, drifting in n out of sleep, amidst her tears. The guy's mind was apparently set, even though she pleaded with him not to let go. It was all not to be, cos he said tt he wanted to be alone and he didn't see a future tog.

I noe I am not in a position to judge, bcos I dun noe the exact details of wat happened btw them. But it saddens me tt the guy took 3yrs to realise tt he couldn't see a future w my fren. His approach to a relationship was macromanagement (see the big picture), whereas hers was micromanagement (I need the details).

She wanted him to tell her where he was, who he was with etc, but he was simply content to noe that she was safe. Apparently this got serious enough to the extent of invoking trust issue and wat hv u. The foundation of the relationship was thus shaken to the pt of no return after 3 yrs of such constant doubts and reassurance needed.

How can we ever noe if the partner we choose is right for us? The one who will walk down the aisle with us, the one who will go thru thick n thin w us, who will accompany us thru the gd times, as well as in sickness n trouble? I guess the answer is we can never be sure. Wat we can only do is to make sure that we are the right one for our chosen partners. As for the rest, let our hearts do the tokking, as we continue on our life journey, walking in faith and believing in each other.

This seems abit redundant, but yes, I have recalled the bitter taste of medicine. My ex-colls reminded me of the fact tt I had NEVER taken MC the whole of last yr, when I was w my ex-employer.

It isn't like me to fall sick at all...totally unlike me. But this time, I am almost glad I fell ill. Today was spent catching up on sleep, pte time tinking as well as catching a new Korean drama series. I hate being sick...hv to work tmr again...

I m sick. Physically sick during one of the most relaxed work weeks I ever had since I started (cos my immediate boss and FC aren't in town). The doc was pretty generous...1.5days MC. But today was still spent in office, despite the 1/2 day MC, bcos I wanted to finish working on sth b4 leaving. Well, when I finally did finish, it was around 4.30pm, by which time I concluded that I mite as well stay on till 5.30pm.

I don't want to be too free. I discovered tt my mind tends to wander and tink even more than necessary when I am 'free'. I nid to indulge in more brainless stuff e.g. watching korean DVDs. It will do me a whole lot of gd to just shut down my brain and forget.

Running a fever again n my head is beginning to throb w new intensity as nite befalls earth. I nid to rest, yet my soul is so busy, so discontented. I wonder what am I striving for...the promotion, the pay? For tt matter, I hv no idea why I suddenly fell ill, when I had no symtoms yesterday. Is this a sign tt I am experiencing a disequilibrium in life?

I don't even noe y I am writing so much rubbish from the simple fact tt I m sick...abit wacko...

The problems we face will either defeat us or develop us - depending on how we respond to them. Unfortunately most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in our lives.

We react foolishly and resent our problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in our lives:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT us. Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get our attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

2. God uses problems to INSPECT us. People are like tea bags. If we want to know what's inside, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested our faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." James 1:2-3 (NCV)

3. God uses problems to CORRECT us. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told us not to touch a hot stove. But we probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something...health, money, a relationship... by losing it. "..It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." Psalm 119:71-72 (LB)

4. God uses problems to PROTECT us. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents us from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

5. God uses problems to PERFECT us. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in our character than our comfort. Our relationship to God and our character are the only two things we're going to take with us into eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." Romans 5:3-4 (LB)

Here's the point: God is at work in our lives - even when we do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when we cooperate with Him!

When I was younger (and with relatively more time on hand), I did not realise the luxury of being able to sit down tog for a family dinner. As I grow older and busier, and with family members also getting older n busier, I hv come to realise tt these things cannot be taken for granted.

In the past, I would always insist on rushing through dinner, just to catch my favourite TV programmes. Nowadaes, I realised tt we don't even hv the luxury of sitting down ALL tog for a quick dinner, simply bcos everyone's working late and/or busy gg out.

We can never wind back the clock..what's lost is lost forever. What we can only do now is to appreciate and cherish each and every future second that we hv tog on earth.

* I can't believe that Rob & Amber actually got kicked out of The Amazing race! I am so upset!!! Although I may not agree w what they did to try to win the game, I admire them for their playing style. Here's to Rob & Amber! *

I will be the 1st to admit tt I hv been alittle slow in catching this movie. BUT the imp point is I did manage to catch it b4 it ends its run. Amazing thing is even until now, the cinema is still packed w pple who want to catch this show.

Unlike the typical war movie, this movie emphasizes alot more on the thots and feelings of the soldiers. Yes, there were still scenes of blood being splattered and pple dropping dead like toy men, but on the whole, I agree with the review tt this movie shows starkly tt no one wins in war. I felt the despair and desperation of the men, the yearning in their letters, and finally the resigned acknowledgement of their impending death by any method.

In a sense, this mirrors life. Does it really matter who wins/loses? After a while, r we in the rat race, just bcos everyone is in it? Are we losing sight of wat we r fighting for? Or has it become a pride issue? Are we gg along w the fight just bcos we hv been conditioned to do so? Do we know wat we r striving for? For those who surrender to the 'other side', hv they 'perished' cos of their decision?

Deep thoughts from a war movie...I just hope war never happens again. On the whole, this is a much better movie than the American one.

The sad news is my big boss said NO, i.e. I can't take leave from 17-24 Apr. So the trip has been called off. I am not gg to Hokkaido or Taipei or even anywhere further than Sentosa for the next few mths. =(

I thot it wld hv been easy to obtain the approval. To my surprise, I hv been disallowed. I can actually understand why, just that I don't consider myself to be an integral/important part of the whole reporting cycle.

Aniwae, I hv moved on. I hv to, since I can't be hung up over it, refusing to continue to work etc...Tinking +vely, I save $3k by not gg. Perhaps I shall pop over to the NATAS Fair to see if there are any packages for Jul/Aug instead.

To continue, I met up w my DT ex-colls tonite. To my utmost surprise (and egoistic pleasure), I discovered that one of them hv been loyally following my blog. Either he has no life of his own (which is why he has to entertain himself by reading my blog), or my blog is interesting! Haha! I prefer to think the latter.

We had a fairly interesting conversation tonite. As usual, it revolves around love and the differences in tinking btw males and females. Undeniably, men and women tink differently, but tt's how love comes about too, isn't it? Like wat I told the rest of them, guys can't b passive when it comes to chasing a gal they like.

If they choose to b always the 'good fren', they can only pine for the gal even as they see the gal walk down the streets w another guy beside them. Tt'll b so sad. Hence, KH (i noe u r reading tis!), buck up!!! Don't b so passive! There isn't a perfect gal and come on, all of us aren't perfect either! U hv to accept the flaws of the person, if not, u will b missing chance after chance. Learn from past mistakes...hee...=) But my offer to u still stands. *winkz*

The wkend is here!!! Happiness! =) Looks like I am really on the rebound...

It has been a thrilling and happening 3 days since my last post on Monday!

First up, the most exciting news this year...I may be going on a trip to Hokkaido cum Taipei next mth w frens!!! This was a fairly snap decision, since I didn't really hv the intention to go, as well as the fact tt I had to conquer my usual mindset tt I will be a burden to whoever goes w me on a trip. Aniwae, all that is crap. The most imp pt being we hv decided and we will be gg if all goes well. *Keeps all fingers and toes crossed.* By tmr, I will know if we can go ahead w the trip or not. Oh my oh my!!! Hahah!!

2ndly, I hv been constantly gg out over the last 3 evenings. N 2 out of 3 were decisions made on the day itself. Amazing! Makes me feel as if I am really busy nowadays. Haha...however, I am also feeling more tired at work (but miraculously, I will feel re-energized again once I am off work. Ha!)

Pursuit of HappYness is good! Pls go watch...makes me feel thankful for what I have and to promise myself to strive even harder for what I want. God smiles on all who works hard. Gambatte!! I will hv written a longer review on the movie, safe for the fact tt I am running short of time.

I really want to b happy, do well at work n in my social life, and in general to lead a fulfilling life as defined by my own standards!

*PS: If I had said out the above in person, the words would really tumble over one another in my rush to get all the words out. Ha!

If you are not prepared to read a post full of complaints, which would most likely alternate between feelings of anger and insecurity, I will suggest you read no further.

It has been a bad start to the week for me. I don't tink I am particularly sensitive or thinking too much when I write this. Suffice to know that I have began to feel that the workplace is pretty political again. Things aren't as simple as it looks on the surface, and no matter how unambitious I may be, I get sucked into things by virtue of my designation.

I am upset, not bcos I can't acknowledge that I am lousy or not as gd as I think I am. It is also not because my ego has taken a beating. I am feeling down simply because I don't understand why work just can't be work. Is any gd served in saying things that pinpoint blame or to show the lack of knowledge of others?

Conversely, does it make one feel superior in hving the upper hand in a working relationship? I don't understand...I really don't. I only know that I just wanna get my job done. If I don't get promoted, that's fine as well. I wun resort to underhanded means or badmouthing or instigating others to think in a particular fashion just to achieve my own selfish objectives. To think that the person is a Christian, and a devout one at tt. I am surprised frankly.

Then again, maybe I shld give the person the benefit of a doubt. But this has happened too frequently and too many times. I don't see myself as much of a threat to anyone, so I wonder why others feel differently. They shld rem tt I hv a very visible flaw which hamper my movement and thus, possibly progress upwards. So what are they worried about?

This week has been a really hectic one for me, thus no blog post. Besides, nothing interesting about gg to work everyday and praying tt everything will go smoothly so tt i can go hm at a more early time of say, 7-8pm, instead of 9pm or later.

I was also kept busy, watching Goong once I got back home (which explains why no blog post again)! I know I am abit slow in catching the series..but hey, I am a busy woman k...=) I found that 24 episodes were abit long, because no real purpose was served in it being such a long series. Nevetheless, it is still a gd show and I was utterly captivated by the storyline, the modern vs palace settings, the fairytale storyline...

I think we gals are just suckers for such typical triangle relationship, and although we know it's gg to be a good ending, we still continue watching. In every gal's heart, we just want a similarly happy fairytale in our lives. Not the complicated love triangle bit, but definitely the luv and be luved/cherished feeling.

I m not sure if I am at the age when things get complicated. But suddenly I find that several pple around me aren't as happy as they should be. We worry about work, career prospects, future marriage life, lack of love, lack of money...mayb tt's y i resort to watching brainless shows e.g. Goong, where I don't need to use my brains and I am definitely assured of a happy ending.

In any case, life isn't all tt complicated if we aren't too ambitious, greedy or tink too much. I don't know if I hv taken a simplistic approach to life or it's just plain acceptance, but I will continue doing my best and yet not bang my head against the wall if things don't go according to wat I want/plan. I mean, thinking Ah-Q, failures/setbacks are for us to learn from and we shld grow stronger from them and then move on. That's how it should be. Life is a journey, never a destination.

Some well-wishes to my frens:
1. Happy Belated Birthday XY! Welcome Back Home!!
2. Good Luck, LKY for All Your Upcoming Papers!
3. Good Luck, SimpleGirl for Your Test & Interview on Mon! Gambatte, Just Do Your Best!