Day 1 - Shenyang

After a six hour flight, I finally reached Beijing at 7.20am! It was a tiring six hour flight as I could not sleep comfortably at all. SQ is nice but when you're taking a long flight in the economy class, it just ain't that good especially if its a midnight flight... Anyway, Beijing Airport is big and spacious just like Changi Airport but of course not as impressive lah. Upon touchdown, Brenda and I felt so cold! We were imagining how cold it would be in Shenyang since Shenyang should be colder than Beijing.

Anyway, we went to collect our luggage and had to go through immigration before taking the domestic flight to Shenyang. At the immigration counter, I discovered that people dun queue! They just squeezed as long as there was some space! All I know is that I need to queue so I ended up with quite a few men jumping into my queue! Hmph!

Due to a delay for whatsoever reason, my flight only took of at 11am instead of 9am. For the two hours that I was stranded in Beijing Airport, I fell asleep due to the lack of sleep the previous night, absolutely no image as I slept there! No choice! I am tired! Anyway, by the time I reached Shenyang, it was already 1pm. It was indeed freezing cold! I took a half hour ride to the Intercontinental Hotel and finally checked in. However, by the time I left the hotel, it was already 3pm and it was too late to go any scenic spot as tourist attractions in China closed at 5pm. Thus, Brenda, she and I went to the city square. Over there, we saw Chairman Mao's statue and we went towards the shopping district after that. We went to try the local snacks and had Starbucks. The hot chocolate was too milky but the local snacks were nice. I tried their "satay" which consisted of either beef or mutton and was seasoned with chilli powder and sesame seeds and it was yummy! After that, we went to Xinhua Bookshop which consisted of 5 storeys! The books were real cheap...

She was ok...

Home on a Friday night...

Surprise surprise! Charlene is home on a Friday night! This is the top news of "Charlene's Daily"! Haha... I am crapping again... Seriously, sometimes it feels good to be home, spending time with myself (I am not egoistic!)... But sometimes you really need to quiet your heart and think and sit through somethings. For me, I finally started reading The Chronicles of Narnia which I bought two weeks ago... Just finished the first chapter of the first story, still a long way to go though...

As for work, I am just discovering some ugly truths every day and they say I learn fast... Now that I have some good colleagues that I can complain too and they being like-minded with me really spares me the agony of "suffering" alone... Haha... But it ain't that bad actually... Except for the bosses ranting, nothing has fazed me much recently. Well, I discovered that almost everyone (seriously everyone!) has some opinion about a certain person and their extent or version is worse than me! Good gracious! I think its really pathetic for a person to have such a reputation...

Anyway, I am enjoying my Friday night... *Smilez*

Talk less, listen more!

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" - James 1:19

I am totally in agreement with the verse above. Call me slow or whatever but recently, I just found out how important it was to listen and talk less. Yes, I may ask for your opinion but I need you to listen as well. When I say listen, it means being a good listener and absorbing what I've been saying, not just listening for the sake of listening and letting my words fall on deaf ears. Right now, I am totally frustrated with a certain someone who hasn't been listening to what I said. How many times do I need to repeat myself before you remember what I say?! It is totally irritating to keep repeating myself. For those of you out there, remember to listen! Sometimes, your personal opinion doesn't matter much, the most important thing is to be a good listener to your friend and that to me is what matters the most...

Monday blues...

I am suffering from a bad bout of Monday blues... I am feeling moody and melancholy... Gosh... no wonder Wendy says I'm a bad case because I've only started working for 3 months. Haha... You can't blame me when the people around me are so boring... Hehe... Anyway, it's no doubt that I survived the day! Yay! 3 cheers for Charlene! Hip hip hurray (*3)! This is real bad... Its only Monday and I'm cranky. Speaking of being cranky, my "beloved" Nokia 6610 is just as cranky, if not even more cranky than me! It switches off on its own when I pick up calls! But today, it didn't! In fact I was on the phone with Hui Juan for 20 minutes and the phone didn't switch itself off! Amazing! It proves me right too. The phone has to "rest" before it functions properly! Haha! I think I am going nuts over my Nokia phone. I just wished that I can use my trusty Samsung but its got a camera so I can't use it at my workplace. Speaking of phones, I want to change my phones! (Screaming aloud in words!!!) I want to change both my Nokia and Samsung! Extravagant? I think so too... I need a non-camera phone on the weekdays and a savvy phone on weekends... I just can't stand being so low tech. Arrgh! No choice...

Occupying my mind

I need to occupy my mind. Seriously. I need to get away from reading newspapers and political news. If it wasn't required for my work, I wouldn't be reading political stuff at all! Half the time when I am working, I am thinking: 'What has this got to do with me?!' But can I really get away with it? Not yet. At least for now. Which makes me so happy that I got my radio at my workplace. But I need something else. My "healthfood". More reading in this case. Contrary to what you read earlier on, I love reading! Just that I want it for leisure and not for work. I've run out of books to read. Just finished 'Christ the Lord, Out of Egypt" by Anne Rice and I feel empty not reading now. I need to meet Hui Juan and exchange our books. Or try to rent more. I want my chick lit, fiction, non-fiction, self-helps and biographies to occupy my mind...

Dilemma.Choices.Decisions

Whoever said that making decisions are easy must be out of his/her mind! True, its just between saying 'yes' and 'no' but you have to weigh the pros and cons and put in a lot of factors before you can really decide on anything. As much as I want to do the extreme now but I need to have enough finances first before I can do anything. Really thought that it was a blessing to be able to go to China with Mindef sponsoring the whole trip. But there's nothing such as a free lunch in the world. There's a catch to it. If I make that trip, I will be bonded for another 6 months to Mindef. That really got me thinking. Is it really worth my time and effort to be there for another 6 months? I don't want to take this uncalculated risk. What's worse was that they didn't tell me about the bond! Thank God I was talking to a fellow colleague over lunch and she told me about this otherwise I'll regret big time! Anyway, I am glad to have this colleague. She shared a lot of things and for once, I realised I had a likeminded colleague in Mindef. Haha...

I love my friends and Projectshop!

I had a happy Friday, Saturday and Sunday last week! Met up with Hui Juan and Justin on Friday.... Then Hui Juan and I went to K-Box and we sang for almost one and a half hours! It was really awesome! Both of us did not meet for 3 weeks and we haven't had karaoke together for a long time! So it was a great time catching up and we laughed, sang and talked to each other non-stop. It was really great!

Then came Saturday... It was Team A's first duty in the Singapore Expo. Things were pretty confused because many of the members were singing for the first time. But everything worked out well in the end. We sang 'Paint the Town Red' and its a smashing song! Hoo!

And there was Sunday... I reached church at 8.30am for choir and had a cappucino nougat before going on stage to sing... Was really hungry by the time service ended. Together with Joshua, we went out with Alvin and his girlfriend to a hawker center near Bedok market for lunch. I had chicken chop and it was yummy, yummy! After that, Joshua and I went to Orchard, and we each bought a T-shirt from Zara! Later, we also bought each other a bag from Projectshop as a Valentine's Day gift. Isn't that wonderful? I've got one more bag from Projectshop! Yay! And the sales assistant was impressed by the amount of Projectshop bags I have! Heh... I'm an ardent fan.

Oh yes... Joshua bought a bouquet of pink roses for me... Hehe...

Delirious?

Delirious? came last weekend... They are one of the best Christian bands in the world. Their music has certainly been changing through the years and it is just getting better! Bought their new album: The Mission Bell. I am still in the midst of listening to it but I like the lyrics of this song. Very real and reflects the world of today... Here's 'Our God Reigns'...

40 million babies lost to God's great orphanage
It’s a modern day genocide and a modern day disgrace
If this is a human right then why aren’t we free?
The only freedom we have is in a man nailed to a tree

100 million faces, staring at the sky
Wondering if this HIV will ever pass us by
The devil stole the rain and hope trickles down the plug
But still my Chinese take away could pay for someone’s drugs

Our God reigns, Our God reigns
Forever your kingdom reigns

The west has found a gun and it’s loaded with ‘unsure’
Nip and tuck if you have the bucks in a race to find a cure
Psalm one hundred and thirty nine is the conscience to our selfish crime
God didn’t screw up when he made you
He’s a father who loves to parade you

Yes he reigns, yes you reign, yes you reign
For there is only one true God
But we’ve lost the reins on this world
Forgive us all, forgive us please
As we fight for this broken world on our knees

Happy New Year!!!

Its 'chu qi' so its not too late yet, so here's wishing all 'Happy New Year'!!! And its 'chu qi' so 'Happy Birthday'!!! I had a tiring but fruitful new year, went out at 9.30am and reach home at 10.30pm on day 1 of the CNY. Its tiring man! Its like working overtime! Haha! But I did enjoy myself... Catching up with relatives and making fun of people... Hehe... Ang bao takings haven't gone up but it hasn't gone down yet, so it's maintaining its standard. Hahaha... Call me money-face or what but I don't care! I'm going to take ang bao while I still can... Hohoho... Money no enough so have to depend on this once a year... Heh...

Allow me please...

I'm trying hard not to make all my postings an angry post but allow me to to do it today... Sometimes I wish she can just disappear into thin air. Hey, its a nice morning and I don't need someone to bite my head off ok?! That's figurative speech, in case you dunno... Once again, I was pissed off today. Absolutely pissed off! Now you know I am angry because Charlene always used "turn off". Ta da! Yet another not so good breakthrough from Charlene... Tsk tsk...

Angry...

I am angry...

Fuming...

Absolutely irritated...

My patience is tested...

I wonder how long I can last...

I am on the verge of doing the extreme...

A day of relaxation...

Today its one of the most amazing day that I had in a long long while... I took leave from work today and its just so wonderful! The night before, I slept at 11pm and I woke up this morning at 9am! Woohoo! Its 10 hours of wonderful sleep! After that, I took my time to have breakfast and surf the net before having a shower and leaving my house at 11.45am for Orchard for a day of shopping! You know what? It feels so good not having to wake up early and rush out for work. It is even better when you know that others are working and you don't have to! Haha... Although I may have work to clear tmrw, but... I am just happy to have this kind of luxury once in a while. In NZ, this is known as mental health day. Haha... Strongly suggested: Anyone who is working should always try to have a day off once in awhile. You need to pamper yourself and relax. It is a luxury. And I really felt like a princess... Haha... Anyway, I had a wonderful time shopping. I bought a pair of shoes, a pair of jeans and 3 tops! Its just so wonderful! I can't remember when was the last time that I had such a shopping spree. The feeling is just so... I can't describe it... Its just awesome...

Charlene's yakking...

Been 2 weeks since I blogged. Time to give an update yah? Am feeling melancholy now... Anyway, been feeling real tired for the past one week. Not just physically but emotionally as well. It takes a lot to smile and act as if you are not upset by people. Sometimes, people just want to make your life difficult. The only consolation is that I am not the only one. If you think you are capable, that's great, but a good character matters much more. And if you know how to treat people well and not just keep demanding, that is even better... My neck and back is aching now, and it doesn't help when you have to sit in front of the computer the whole day. My eyes are feeling tired and dry too... Wonder how long it will take before my short-sightedness gets worse. Am not feeling that good either, wish that I can have a day off and sleep the whole day but I can't do it now. CNY is coming and I need to bake cookies. I haven't bought any new clothes, shoes, bag etc yet... Money not enough too...

终于明白什么是事业和工作，
真得觉得很累，
现在的心情跌倒了谷底。
不要整天说我只会说累，
事实上， 我真的很累，
不是我想摆一个脸色，
其实我已经尽力了。
不奢求什么，
不渴望什么，
只希望有着被人宠的感觉。。。

Never judge a book by its cover

Arrgh!!!! I am so angry! Finally realised the term "never judge a book by its cover", and its like "Charlene, welcome to the real world!" I am still fuming... Angry and provoked... How angry was I? To the extent that I almost swear! Now you can imagine my anger cos I hardly ever swear at all!!! Grrr....Anyway, I realised that the more quiet, decent and nice person is, he can be the worst of all... No longer going to put my trust in all these people (except for that 1 or 2)... This people can be the ones that provoked you the most... I am so angry and upset that I am taking it out on potato chips and peanuts now. They ain't good for my skin and body but they are my outlet for frustration! Arr!!!

Its 2006!

Ta da! Its 2006! For the past two weeks, I've been on a holiday mood. Christmas shopping, giving gifts, eating lotsa good food and enjoying the long weekend! Yea! No need to face the computer and type and read the whole day. It does give my eyes some well-deserved break. Anyway, went out with Joshua, Hui Juan, Lindy, Aaron and friends on New Year's Eve. We wanted to go to the Esplanade to catch the fireworks but it was soooooo crowded. So we decided to go to Clarke Quay instead. Yet in the midst of it, we stopped over at the old Parliament house and caught the fireworks from there instead. It was really beautiful! After that, we went to Clarke Quay, had a drink and spent a little time dancing till 2 plus. From there, I walk walk walk all the way till Stamford House trying to get a cab with no avail. Finally, I decided to call a cab, but I had to redial at least 10, 20 times before I finally got one. In the end, I reached home around 4am which was approximately one and a half hours after I left Clarke Quay! Gosh! I quickly went to sleep and I put my alarm clock on snooze for one hour before I finally woke up at 8am and realised that I had to rush in order to get to church! Anyway, I finally made it to church on time... Heh...

Well, I must say that going to church on the first morning of 2006 is currently the best decision for the year... Haha.. I mean, what a better way to start the new year?! The first morning of 2006 and you are fed with spiritual food to start your new year right. Indeed, the sermon was appropriate. I am going to look forward to all challenges in the new year and forget those things that are behind... *wink*

Its Christmas time!

I caught the Christmas mood last week when CHC had our ever-first candlelight service. I've never been to one before so it was really quite an experience. The whole hall was lighted up in candles and the scene was so nice, we sang carols and I was immersed in the Christmas mood. Then came Monday and the office was buzzing with activity cos we were looking forward to the half-day on Friday. Besides that, my boss treated us to a hearty lunch. Then on Tuesday, we had turkey, a cheese platter, a gourmet platter, a sashimi platter for lunch. The bonus was that we could drink during office hours! Woohoo! When Wednesday came, I started receiving presents. I was really touched because I was only in the office for a month. My colleagues were really nice and I received good and practical gifts. By today, I've already received 10 gifts! That's a pretty good record isn't it? I think its the first time I receive so many gifts for Christmas. Hohoho... I received that much gifts but I also bought a lot of gifts too. Went to Toys R' Us yesterday. I haven't stepped into it for years, but when I went in, I bought 9 toys! I think its the first time I bought so many toys at one go. In fact, I felt a little gross for buying so many toys! Haha... Anyway, the office had Christmas lunch today and I was fully fed again. Very full... Well, here's wishing all my friends: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Twentysomething

Ok... I haven't reach twenty something yet, I'm still in my early twenties but I really love this song by Jamie Cullum. I dun wanna say much but I'll just let the song/lyrics do the talking. It echoes my sentiments right now...

"After years of expensive education
A car full of books and anticipation
I'm an expert on Shakespeare and that's a hell of a lot
But the world don't need scholars as much as I thought
Maybe I'll go travelling for a year
Finding myself, or start a career
Could work the poor, though I'm hungry for fame
We all seem so different but we're just the same
Maybe I'll go to the gym, so I don't get fat
Aren't things more easy, with a tight six pack
Who knows the answers, who do you trust
I can't even seperate love from lust
Maybe I'll move back home and pay off my loans
Working nine to five, answering phones
But don't make me live for Friday nights
Drinking eight pints and getting in fights
Maybe I'll just fall in love
That could solve it all
Philosophers say that that's enough
There surely must be more
Love ain't the answer, nor is work
The truth elludes me so much it hurts
But I'm still having fun and I guess that's the key
I'm a twentysomething and I'll keep being me
THESE ARE THE DAYS
These are the days that I've been missing
Give me the taste give me the joy of summer wine
These are the days that bring new meaning
I feel the stillness of the sun and I feel fine
Sometimes when the nights are closing early
I remember you and I start to smile
Even though now you don't want to know me
I get on by, and I go the extra mile
These are the times of love and meaning
Ice of the heart has melted away and found the light
These are the days of endless dreaming
Troubles of life are floating away like a bird in flight"

Absolutely irritated!

What's the problem with middle-aged man nowadays?! I don't want to generalize but I am not the only one feeling it... Came home straight after work today and was feeling absolutely rotten cos I was so bored and my friends weren't free. Had dinner and sat down to watch tv. Wanted to watch Superhost cos my JC junior was in it. Changed my mind and switched to Ch 5 to watch Extreme Japan cos I haven't caught an episode of it since it started to air. I was barely halfway through when my father started mumbling and complaining that he paid for SCV, and that I was wasting his money by watching local channels! I mean, what's the point? Star movies was showing Vertical Limit which I had watched before and HBO was showing Rome which I had no interest in. If he wanted to watch other programs, he could have said it and not start complaining about how he was wasting his money. Worse still he kept on mumbling. When I watched the Star Awards on Sunday, he was doing the same thing too! How irritating can that be?! And when I was having dinner, he complained to me about the pianist Melvyn Tan who didn't do his NS and how he managed to escape it. Then he kept on complaining and said that the SAF personnel didn't have a good explanation blah blah blah.... For goodness sake, I dun want to have anything to do with it! All I want after a day of work is to relax and live in peace with no one humming at my ears! Man shouldn't be nagging and he has to do that! I am absolutely irritated!!!!

Bored, bored, very bored...

I am very tired and very sleepy... And this is so strange, it shouldn't be this way. I am being paid to read the newspapers and stare at the computer screen everyday and yet I feel tired. Charlene is bored... Literally bored to tears... I am so bored being coop up in an office, facing the computer screen, reading newspapers and being stuck in a routine. Can life get more boring than this? I am so amazed... I seriously wonder how long can I stay sane this way without pulling my hair out? Haha...

Finally met up with Hui Juan after 3 weeks. We didn't see each other for 3 weeks! Can you believe it? We miss each other like crazy lor. I can't believe it... Anyway, shopaholic started ringing bells in our heads once we went shopping... Haha... Had lotsa food yesterday, we ate sotong and gyoza from Old Chang Kee, then we had ramen, and after that we had ice cream. Yummy! A lot of calories? Dun care lah, eat already then say... Anyway, the food was like a reward to us for working hard... Keke...

Met up with Justin for lunch also... Really miss the guys at fin-exis... Glad that JP is finally out of BFC while Justin has 2 more months. Work hard my friend! Miss you guys like crazy! And I wanna go ktv with JP! Inject some life in me man!

Power packed weekend...

I had a tiring but amazing Sunday yesterday. It was just amazing although I suffered from a lack of sleep afterwards. First of all, I woke up before 7am and started getting ready for church. Why? Cos my favourite preacher, Pst Phil Pringle was in town! He just became a grandad but is still as suave as ever! Besides being suave, he is just as creative, humorous and strong in the spirit as he always has been. Anyway, I went to two services back to back and it was just awesome. He preached on the topic of "making room for God" and indeed, sometimes we can just be so held up in our daily affairs that we fail to make room for God and allow all things to take precedence over Him. So we've got to adjust this mentality. God is above all things and after that we should do what we have to do. After service, I went all the way to Marvin's house at Serangoon. We had a worship session and it was just amazing. There was a strong presence of the Holy Spirit and God spoke into my heart. It was a refreshing and spirit-filled session. And after that, I went all the way back to Jurong West again for choir practice. Well, its the big move in 2 weeks time and we had to have a combined practice to know our new team and arrange the reshuffling of the choir. The wonderful thing was that we worship once again and Mark was there to share with us about Sun's progress. It was just amazing! I will still be in team A but will be working with new people and for me, it is my privilege and honour to be able to serve God in the choir and on the platform. Although the day was long but I truly enjoyed myself and was glad that I was soaked in the presence of the Holy Spirit.