Jia Yong and Cindy's wedding

It was like a secondary school reunion. 突然间很怀念以前的日子。突然惊觉，我们真的长大了。

Attended Jia Yong and Cindy's wedding on Saturday. It was really sweet. They've been together since secondary school and for at least ten years. When they played the montage and it showed the photo of the boys' badminton team, my table roared in laughter. Yes, the badminton girl and boys were somehow reunited for the night. 'Girl' because I was the only female from the badminton team who was invited. Somehow, I just managed to click with the seniors and my peers. Whether if I was the only girl or not, it did not matter, the most important thing was able to see Andrew, Khang Ching, Renjie, Fuming, and of course, the bride and groom. The only missing links were Nicholas, Robin, Eugene and Zhenchang. If everyone was here, it would be great. I think I am sounding emo now. Haha.

Anyway, I was really happy for Jia Yong and Cindy, I don't know how much they had to drink that night but at the end of the dinner, Jia Yong was still egging us on to go to Zouk (the hotel in which he held his wedding dinner was just opposite Zouk). All of us just looked at each other in disbelief. Andrew was sitted beside me and yes, I still had to endure his 'suan-ning', his endless crap, yet a conversation filled with laughter. Renjie is now fulfilling his dream in the advertising industry (his company did the Youth Olympics and SQ A380 adverts!) while Fuming is in the IT industry. Andrew is still studying and Khang Ching has signed on, while Jiayong is in Motorola. A short night but so much to catch up. It was a night that I wish I had a camera phone.

PS: Will upload photos once Andrew has emailed them to me.

*Edit


Renjie, Andrew, Fuming and myself


I forgot who took this photo but the hands were shaking, the picture became blur and it made my arm looked sooo big. Anyway, I think this is the only photo I've taken with Andrew since I knew him. Haha. He used to be the prince charming in school. Hehe.

Kimchi Soup

It is a rainy Monday. The rain just keeps on pouring. I was lamenting in the office that this was the perfect day to sleep, to laze in bed and to watch drama serials. Yes, me and my drama serials. Haha. Anyway, I was in for a real treat when I reached home.


Kimchi soup! Yummilicious! Oiishi!

Hot steaming spicy soup for a cold and rainy day! It warmed my heart and stomach. Hee. The kimchi was air flown from Korea. I am not kidding. My neighbour brought it back when she was in Korea for her holiday. Kimchi madness!

Increase in taxi fares

The cost for public transport just became more expensive. My dad was watching the news when I overheard the rise in taxi fares. To confirm and to know what was going on, I logged on to ChannelnewsAsia and this was what I found:

- Changes to taxi fares will kick in next Monday, 17 Dec 07.
- The flag down rate for a Comfort or CityCab will rise to $2.80.
- Metered fare will cost $0.20 per 385 metres of travel for the first 10 kilometres and $0.20 per 330 metres for journeys beyond 10 kilometres.
- Every 45 seconds of waiting time will cost $0.20.
- Peak hour surcharge will no longer be available, instead it will be 35% of the metered fare.
- CBD surcharge will rise to $3.
- Midnight surcharge will be a flat rate of 50% on the metered fare.
- Booking fees during peak hours will be at $3.50 instead of $4.00.

I don't even need a new year resolution. This is what I need to trigger my 省钱大计划。

我必须准时出门，必须勤劳一点，不要每次贪方便。

Will Smith

I was reading Time magazine when I came across the article on Will Smith. The article on him blew me away. Check out his box office records:

The Pursuit of Happyness - US$305 million
Bad Boys I & II - US$414 million
Independence Day - US$817 million
Men in Black I & II - US$1 billion
Hitch - US$368 million
Shark Tale - US$367 million
Ali - US$88 million

Except for Ali which grossed under US$100 million, all his movies had top box office records. More than just the box office records, I realised that Will Smith is a multi-faceted actor as well. If you look at the movies I listed above, the genre includes drama, romantic comedy, animation, sports, science-fiction and action. Just by looking at this, I think he is the most multi-faceted actor in Hollywood and I am sure that not many actors can draw this kind of attention. Will Smith is 39 years old, has defied the odds, has a strong marriage for the past ten years (which is a rarity in Hollywood). He has released record albums (think Fresh Prince), acted in sitcoms (think The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) and yes, one of the top movie earners in Hollywood. I am looking at this man in renewed awe. Amazing. I loved what he said in the interview:

"I don't want to get too metaphysical, but by even contemplating a Plan B, you almost the create the necessity for a Plan B."

I can't help but nod in agreement.

It's not as good as it sounds

Before people start hurling rocks and stones at me for getting a 3.3 month bonus as a civil servant, please let me set the record straight. It isn't as good as it sounds. Seriously. This December, I will only be getting a 2 months bonus instead of the 2.25 months last year. So if it is just 2 months, what happens to the 1.3 month? Well, 0.5 month was given in July this year, and possibly another 0.5 month will be given next March. What about the 0.3 month? Hmm.. That's food for thought... Anyway, I received the salary adjustment letter today. I was given the maximum adjustment of 6% which amounted to... No comments on it. Haha. I know I am sounding like a disgruntled individual which unfortunately... I am. But, I am still thankful because it is better than not having anything at all...

Read the papers for the past few days and I was really saddened by the death of the five dragon boat rowers. Who would have thought that a trip overseas would turn out so tragic. I flipped open the Straits Times today and stumbled upon the obituary section while I was reading it. All five of them were so young, full of dreams and aspirations. The fact that they were around my age made it even worse. Everything is so tragic, so fragile. I refused to read on anymore because the more I read the articles, the more saddened I am. Looking back at it, I should count my blessings.

The big '2'

Just three days ago, I hit my big '2' in my organisation. Two years since joining this place. In fact, I had been telling people and counting down but when I hit the big '2' on that day, I forgot all about it. In fact, it was when I knocked off and asked my colleague on the date that day, then did I realise that I hit the big '2' unknowningly. What a joke. Haha. Anyway, that makes me one of the award winners of the "Big 'L' Award" (try and find out what this means). Two years. This seems long. Consider the fact that I wanted to quit within six months I started work over here. Somehow, I think I just managed to plough through the mudslinging and politics. I made my stand clear. Those involved in the politics, continue to play your silly political games. You want to draw me into it? Fat hope. I will not be bullied into it, so wake up your idea. Promotion will come. It's just a matter of time, this is how it works over here, no point backstabbing and trying to profile yourself.

Oh... Btw, did I mention that I am meeting my mentee for lunch soon? Ha. The perils of a senior officer with just two years of experience. What a joke.

我不配

Love the song, love the MV.

18 Jan 08

I'm going to Jay Chou's concert!

18 Jan 08.

Looking forward to it!

If you can see it, you can have it.

A fresh vision. A fresh focus. The power of visualisation. Dream it.

Full of angst

The papers say that there is a pay increment of 8 to 18%. The circular that the ministries received was a salary increment of UP TO 6%. I am sore about that "up to" because it means you can get less than that.

Feeling highly agitated. Tsk.

此地不宜久留

I just had a company retreat today. Seriously, it was disappointing. I know his emphasis was not to turn it into a complaint session, but I did not expect him to take the whole session in such a manner. I was disappointed with the retreat and disappointed with what he said. Were my expectations too high? Perhaps, this is why I feel so disappointed. Yes, it is my first retreat and I didn't know what to expect, and maybe this is why...

If you feel that we can only be editors, we are overpaid and division two officers can do our work, why hire us? I do not need you to put us down and butter us up after that. It doesn't work this way and I am not the least convinced or convicted by what you have said. Yes, I am a civil servant and I need to provide service but I provide service to the nation and not to your so called "uncomfortable officers". You said that we should not work for money. I agree but I also need money to paid my bills, provide for my family and money is used on a daily basis. Just because I serve the nation, it doesn't mean that I do not need to feed myself. You think we are overpaid. The fact that you think that way means that you do not know my scheme of service at all. The fact is, my salary is 16 to 20 percent lower than the market rate and why "invent a new scheme" when I am already pegged to this scheme. It just shows how much you know about my scheme.

I know I need to leave this place. As for when, I do not know yet. But that day will come.

一个人

This song doesn't reflect what I am feeling now but I really love this new song by Jolin Tsai. I felt that she really sang it quite well, emotions, etc, everything was in place...

从皮包里扯出我们的照片

沙发要移到客厅的另一边

晚饭后你可以多抽几口香烟

已经没什么人会埋怨

晴天阴天今天又是星期天

唯一的打算是醒得晚一些

反正我不知道怎样打发时间

出门或不出门没差别

一个人到底应该睡右边或左边

两个人连一次争吵都值得纪念

一个人偶尔感到寂寞再所难免

你的气味还留在枕头边

一个人我重新适应一切不方便

两个人不一定就成全一个世界

一个人关灯看见记忆的横切面

没有光线过去那些情节更明显

阿岳'Live'音乐会

Went to NTU for Zhang Zhengyue's live campus concert on Friday. PY had contacts who knew the execs in Rock Records and so we got in without tix! Haha. Anyway, Zhang Zhengyue was really awesome. He sang eight songs, four from the latest album and four from his previous albums. Have always thought that he is very talented and that his songs are a little 另类。In the end, I realise that he is just someone who loves music and just wants to make music. That's all he cares about. Concerts, autograph sessions, going on air to promote his album, etc are just obligations as an artiste. Looking at his nonchalant attitude during the autograph session and you know why. In fact, except for a five to ten minute interview with Peifen, he didn't even interact with the audience. Sounds aloof? I like. Ha.

Anyway, his band is exactly like him. Two acoustic guitars (including Zhang Zhengyue's), a bassist and a drummer. That's all. What resulted was a 'clean' sound. No electric guitars, no effects, no frills. Everything was just simple and nice. No off keys, no out of tune singing, everything was on the beat. He's good man. Really enjoyed the concert. He's coming back next year for a full-fledged concert. I want to go.

我在气头上

我现在还在气头上。

和某人说话时，某人以蛮强烈的字眼说你的不是。我听了虽然感到很爽但还是觉得用词似乎太强烈，结果某人笑我。

不管怎样，我现在还在气头上。不管是犹豫不决，不够资金或思想狭小，我还是不能苟同。

Updates

Hey folks!

Haven't been blogging for the past three weeks cos I've been busy. Busy with work, CG events, watching Youtube (haha!), blah blah blah...

Anyway, work has really been piling up and the first day I went back to work after my week long holiday was full of angst. I went into the office, opened up my email and realised that my inbox had exceeded the threshold. To think that I had deleted dozens of emails before I left. Apparently, it wasn't enough. Oh yeah, I was full of angst by the end of the day. I mean, since I am away for five days, I do expect my covering officer to cover for me right? Guess what? My covering officer left things as it was and sent me something like "so and so said that he can wait till you're back to do this"! Hello?! Anyone home?! It was just a simple finance request and you want me to do it when I come back?! It was such a simple issue, uploading needs five to ten minutes and if KNN is around, everything would be approved within an hour! So you need wait five days for this?! It is no wonder that people call my covering officer a dinosaur and parasite (ok, 'parasite' - I said it).

So like what I said, I was full of angst right? By the end of the day I was lamenting endlessly and I didn't even know that KNN had walked in and heard me lamenting. So I told him I was full of angst. He asked why. I said "because your officers drive me up the wall". He said I had to be zen about it! I mean, how can I be zen when they are driving me up the wall?! PY told KNN that lamenting, or rather complaining keeps us sane otherwise we might go insane. I totally agree. With that, KNN had nothing to say. Haha. *evil grin*

Then, I had to do budget planning, business plan, was appointed operations manager. Man, I don't know what is that. Promotion? I don't think so. Its more about becoming a point of contact. Whatever it is, all these are foreign to me and I am still learning. Let's just hope that I won't be weighed down by all the red tape. Because it will just slow me down. Btw, did I mention that IES is hiring? Still thinking if I should go for it. Then its time to update my resume! But somehow, I don't feel the timing is right. How?! Screams!

And yes, 'kongsi' irritate me again. Since his last attempt to sabotage me did not work out, he was out to do it again. But, I've learned my lesson. I've learnt how to deal with him. Presentation? How many times do I need to tell him that KNN says that I do not have to do it? And you have to keep on asking me? I mean, if KNN says I do not have to do it, it means I do not have to do it. In case he forgets, my direct boss is KNN, the number one man in the department, so whatever he says counts. Since you want to irritate me I just have to deal with you shrewdly. I went to KNN's office, asked him once and for all if I had to do the presentation, he said no, told him that I was fed up with queries from 'kongsi', said thank you and stormed up of his office, wrote a email to 'kongsi' and cc-ed KNN. Needless to say, kongsi acknowledged the decision that I do not have to present.

你做初一，我做十五。我不是个坏人，但在必要的情况下，我绝对会懂得怎么对付你。

Anyway, there are still lotsa things I want to say but I guess this is enough rambling on my work. Ta da!

A week away from work...

Woo hoo!

I am back from my trip to Krabi! Four days away from work, four days away from writing reports, four days away from nonsense, four days away from politics, and four days away from some irritable bosses. Haha...

Anyway, Krabi is a great place for a getaway. Everything about the place is cheap! Massages, beauty treatments, food, beer (S$2 plus for a bottle of Heineken!)! This trip almost turned into a shopping trip too! Ha. But it was also the first time that I came back from a trip without buying a bag! Is this a breakthrough or what?! The sea at Krabi is lovely and I want to go there again!

Some photos to share...

The walkway to the boarding gate, it reminded me of the hospital?!

On board the plane and all ready for the holiday!

Seafood fresh from the sea!

Cheap beer!

The room of the villa...

The view taken from the resort, black-tiled pool against the backdrop of the limestone

I thought I was walking on sand, but no, seashells!

Took this on impulse and I thought, it looks quite good.

Dinner by the sunset...

Donuts!

Donut 'yao gui' at work!

A grim reminder...

A natural shot...

The row of villas at the resort...

Pork burger, didn't get to try it cos was too full...

The sea, it looked the nicest on my last day!

The clear blue sea out there...

At Aree Ba Ba, fantastic food with good prices!

Going home...

Graduation photos!

Finally! My graduation pics... Here goes...

With Xin Hong...

With Taka...

With Shan Shan...

With James...

With Alvin...

With Bobby, the Dean!

With Zhou Ling...

With Pastor Ming...

With Kate and Helen...

With Ling Ling....

With Shiyi...

With Sameer...

With Jennifer...

With Mummy, Joshua and Daddy!

With Cherie and Steven, my CGL!

A long awaited holiday...

I'm leaving for Krabi today!

The beach, the sand, the sun, the sea...

Donuts

My normally impatient brother queued one and a half hour for these donuts. Amazing (I mean my brother's patience, not the donuts). You can drool at them. For those who have not tried these before, they taste pretty ok. Mister Donut from Taiwan (or Japan?) tastes better.

Photos taken on the last week of school

I've yet to put up my graduation photos yet 'cos my dearly beloved has yet to pass them to me. Dear dear, I know you don't read my blog often but if you happen to read it today, pass the photos to me quickly, ok? Please.... Muack!

Anyway, here are some of the photos that I took during the last week of SOT...

Jenna, my best pal since NUS.

Eric and Ailyn, a "garang" couple from Perak...

Carol, my van kaki...

Christina from choir...

Wei-Lu, from Taiwan and in the choir!

Hui-Jung, from Taiwan and in the choir too!

James, songsheets! Sound check! Jianing, want to take cab?!

David, in my opinion, a talented guitarist and dancer...

Sally, Miss Emerge!

James and David goofing around.

Alvin, caught on camera. Haha.

Alvin, in my opinion, the talented photographer.

Zhenjun, my ex-CG member!

Jimmy, one of the sisters in choir that I can count upon to sing everyday.

With Kee Liang, he wants to supervise my CG. Ha.

Karen, my team leader!

Yun-Chang and Shu-Ping, a couple from Taiwan, full of faith!

June, my partner in choir. Songsheets! Songsheets!

Willy and Joe, can count on them to sing everyday.

Claudia, another partner in choir. I'm reaching soon!

Kok Siang, the man to call in every situation.

Sendy, I call her the diva (positive, not negative!).