Interesting Clips

Nightmare is over! Think I made lasting friendship with a few very nice people (and eternal ire of a dumbo).

Anyway, I had fun checking out interesting videos on youtube.

Below is a guest performance on 综艺大哥大, from which I learnt not to prejudge. Hitherto I had always thought this kind of variety programmes rather low-brow, but this act really made me re-evaluate my thinking.



This video below is a bollywood dance! Haha, I have always secretly enjoyed watching the dance sequences in Indian shows. This one is recommended by Adam, whose hip-twisting moves were inspired from this entertaining dance!

Bye bye... to lots

Chinese New Year is over... farewell the year of the Rat and welcome the year of the Ox! Hope that this year would bring wisdom, hope and joy =)

Just sent my brother off to Australia. He is NOT looking forward to another school term, sharing the same sentiments as his sister, she is NOT looking forward to returning to work.

This is because work is a farewell of sorts to youth, innocence and goodness. I put in my best efforts to ensure the work gets done. However, work is unnecessarily complicated by people and procedures. Many nasties look out only for themselves and try to push responsibilities to others.

The worse is yet to be: the nice and earnest people get crushed and used as a scapegoat. I am putting in overtime to ameliorate the fate of one such "goat" although I do not know if there will be any difference.

Witnessing this scenario is really casting a gloom on me because I am starting to see that the nice people are being bullied. My blood boils and I want to try to be high-handed and pay tit for tat. But I can't bring myself to do that.

Suppose I can become more "successful" in being nasty, would I be able to live with myself? Despite the difficulties and unfairness, I will cling on to the faith in diligence and sincerity because I do not want to be another rat in the rat race.

Fan of Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki's (宮崎 駿) latest work - Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea (崖の上のポニョ) is a must-watch! Suitable for all ages =) This is the first time for a looong while I went on a movie outing with my brother and it was fun! So it was not as long as his other works but still full of innocent wonder and finely crafted animation.

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea 崖の上のポニョ


I always enjoy Hayao Miyazaki's animations. The detailed and bright drawings enchant me and the story always seem so meaningful. My favourites are all here!

Spirited Away 千と千尋

I was amazed at my first sight of Haku, something about him just seemed so cool, then I realized it was the subtle way his eyes were drawn from other characters that gave him the distinction. Well, his true form is a dragon, which are river spirits in the movie lol

Princess Mononoke もののけ姫

nice MV by a fan but I think I'd prefer if the words were in Japanese, which would sound more natural and hmm, some things are better felt than said.

Kiki's Delivery Service 魔女の宅急便

I like the upbeat song!

Howl's Moving Castle ハウルの動く城

Too bad I could not find the scene of Howl, a vain foppish wizard, melting into a puddle of goo when he was devastated at his hair turning from blond to black due to Sophie's meddling. This movie was inspired by Diana Wynne Jones, who penned the Chrestomanci series, one of my favourite reads.

Whisper of the Heart 耳をすませば

This movie is nostalgic and littered with references to his other works, so watching it was like recalling all his other much-loved movies. (The sunrise was beautifully drawn)

...and of course, the signature work

My Neighbour Totoro となりのトトロ

Happy Birthday Lixiang (& a lot other ppl)!

Happy Belated Birthday Lixiang! And to a whole bunch of other 13 babies (people born on jan 13 like Lixiang, Venus... and Xianhong's brother, Xianwei)

I only msged Lixiang though... cos I lost Venus's number!!! Wish he'd enjoy his last semester in school and hall because it isn't so fun in the working world =( I've been so stressed out that I've taken an MC. My eyes are bleary and nose runny, imagine, all wrapped up in a thick woolly blanket sitting in front of the computer, sniffing and typing away... a pathetic sight but I'm secretly enjoying it compared to work... oops

Don't think I'm moping away! I'm just frustrated now because of a subordinte who doesnt seem to get it despite my patience (which has all but evaporated). It's hard learning and doing the work but even harder to teach someone, I feel I really suck as a supervisor.

However, there are a few bright points. I started of the year with a course in fire patroller, so am now a bona fide fire warden! I can identify fire types, determine which fire extinguishers are for which types and can operate them! Real, the only problem is the fire extinguisher is rather heavy, so I have to plonk it on the ground to squeeze the handles before lifting it up to aim at the fire.

Do you know Singapore has NO firewomen?

I've just discovered a happy place at my work place -- the butterfly garden! When I feel really down, I go to the garden and see butterflies flying around. Once, a butterfly landed on my finger but flitted away before I could photograph it =) it really made my day. I don't know, but seeing something so beautiful just cheers me up tremendously.

butterfly cocoons...

feeding area...

see the green butterfly among the ferns?

Keeping busy

To make good on my promise to brighten up the blog... I've been doing lots of stuff! Archery, wake-boarding and taking part in a concert!

Shall start with the last first... Dancescape concert!

Thank you very much Lester, Yien Mei, Joan, Huiran, Alwyn and Lydia (so cool to see you at the airport, hope your conference went smoothly)! Really very touched they came to support, hope it wasn't too boring for them. Also must thank my colleagues for coming =)

Must thank my brother too, I "volunteered" him to help out with the lighting and at the end of it all, he was heartily sick of the items! The items I liked were the ones I was not in (maybe not going through the dance made the dance looked more fun), I was in the "seafood" item and the modern item and the disco item. Ruodan took a photo of me backstage (without the terrifying "shin chan" eyebrows Adam delights in adding).

The process was hectic. Sometimes a bit aggrieved that laoshi is so fierce but it was his passion and I suppose the strictness drove us to do better. Generally I dislike performing but this performance was a way of thanking SFA, I think I would have been a lot more mopey without them around. (A lot of them 讲义气，a trait I admire immensely) I am glad that our paths crossed.

Still met up with other friends despite being busy with rehearsals, like Sinlong and Zibin. As usual, the fault with Zibin, is to disallow me from treating him ever! I really owe him lots of treats. He went doll hunting in Taiwan and bought 妈祖娃娃 souvenirs from Taiwan for my mother. Was pleasantly surprised at the effort =) See, I didn't want anything but my mother did so I casually told him if he has to get something for me, get the dolls for mummy and he did! Shall ambush a treat for him in future...

Tried wakeboarding with Sinlong, his friend Alex, his friend's cousin, Fangjing and his friend's cousin's friend, Yee Shin. Out of this motley gang, only Alex had any experience so we all approached the waters with some trepidation.

I needn't have worried because apparently girls get the hang of it easier because we're not as strong as guys! Sounds strange but true, the trick is to let the boat pull you up from the "toilet squatting" position and not tug against the bar. Also, smaller people with lower centre of gravity can balance better, so I think I got the easiest time! (Let me brag a bit, I got up on my 1st round 2nd try)

Don't know why the photos are so small. First one was the training bit on how to get up from the water, second one was me in the boat's wake (I'm really much bigger than that but the handphone camera and high boat speed made me a spot). Will definitely go again, waiting for SInlong to organize... lazy me!!!

Archery was a FREE session from the company's recreation club, so the cheapo in me could not resist!

The bow was heavy! My right arm was trembling after a few passes and my right eye was blurry from squinting. (Which indicates wrong usage, because apparently it's back muscles and less arm muscles) Usually the aiming eye is the hand you're more comfortable with but there was a guy there who was right-handed but his aiming eye was left!

How to determine the aiming eye:
1. Make a triangle with your both right and left thumbs and index fingers

2. Choose a target with both eyes

3. To test the right eye, shut the left eye

4. If the target stays in the triangle, then your aiming eye is the right; if the target moves out of the triangle, then your aiming eye is the left!

5. To double-check, repeat step 3 with the left eye open and right eye shut

For a newbie like me, the exciting part was all the interesting gadgets: the leather tab to prevent the arrow fletch from cutting the fingers when the shaft is released. Below is my result!

Not spectacular but quite respectable, with 2 in the bulls' eye!

Warring words

Sigh, I haven't returned here for ages and I saw rather uncomfortable comments.

Erm, I don't think they'll come back because I think I have abandoned this place pretty long. Although I don't quite know who is who, I hope nobody is too upset. I am sorry for the injuries, mine is bewailing the fact I'm not slim beautiful or cute!!! Anyway, I think actions are more important than words. Here's a quote from somewhere: We should believe only in deeds; words go for nothing everywhere.

I've been really painting someone really black but here's a place to vent my unhappiness. Assumed that nobody really visits, it's more like a place I could go through in the future to see how I grew and got over stuff.

Sure, I'm not kindly disposed towards Xianhong but I have made a conscious effort to find out if he's doing well, like I do for all my friends. I don't know his girlfriend but she is special to him and I have accepted that no matter how unfair I feel the treatment is, there is nothing I can do about it. Sinlong told me that guys treat the girls that they think special differently. So what I can do is can care about the people who care.

Shall try to post more cheerful stuff. Like my new haircut, which I got mixed reviews.

可爱 = 可怜没人爱

Thomas told me I was cute, half anyway, because cute = ugly but adorable, so I belong to the ugly category due to 3 large disfiguring stress-induced pimples. To add insult to injury, Alex told me the meaning of cute or 可爱 -- 可怜没人爱.

After laughing, I felt a little sad. Someone told me that most jokes contain a percentage of truth. Which is pretty true, otherwise it is nonsense and a good joke cannot be all nonsense. So, I reflected and recalled that I went through the lowest points of my life alone.

Firstly, not because my friends were not there for me but because I did not like to burden them. I am deeply touched at those who noticed and those who did not, they must have been troubled too. I busied myself with activities to not think during the day but at night, it's kind of hard and I lapse back.

Just the other night, when coming back from work, I saw a woman sobbing her heart out on the shoulder of a man. I felt intensely sorry, I think she must have been in deep misery to cry like that in public, luckily she has that friend. That plus the pall of economic uncertainties plus the erratic global warming (overshadowed by the market crises) made me think that life sucks.

I hope to have a SHORT HAPPY life, and if not happy, then at least USEFUL. I'm terrified of leading a meaningless life. Well, making baby-steps now, like making papa, mummy and brother happy. Do my best in my job, the company contributes to 10% of Singapore's GDP, so indirectly helping fellow countrymen.

A very special Children's Day

My company adopts RCMDS as their charity, so we employees are given 3 options: be a volunteer for their Children's Day celebration, give up 1 day's pay or nothing. Guess which option I took?

Anyway, it was fun and meaningful, but sadly, no names and photos of the children I interacted with today because it is quite a sensitive issue. Anyway, volunteers just helped out the teachers with activities organised for the kids.

We did body painting, make bubbles, balloon crafting and cartoon screening. I drew on some kids... and got drawn on a lot! My arms were scrawled with crazy lines but it feels good to see some of them trying things for themselves. I feel really happy when they grab onto your hand, although that affection is fleeting, the warmth of the touch lingers.

Balloon crafting was new to me and I learned how to make a flower, rabbit and dog! Below is Siew Lian (my Lian sister in my division) and me, taken by Elsie (our group photo was too blur).

She took the photo right at the top of the white rabbit balloon I made... I hope it brings brings good cheer to whoever brought it home! To the innocent child in all of us, Happy Children's Day =)

F1-less night

Everyone must be really excited about Singapore hosting F1, me too actually, experiencing quite a bit of the promotional events in my workplace. However, I am quite relieved that it's over.

See, I could hear the revving of engines on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from my home (in close proximity to town). Being a sleep-a-holic, the noise disrupted my sleep, making me grounchy! So was rather amused when my colleagues told me that the revving sound is what makes catching F1 live heart-thumping.

Anyway, on this quiet night, I had a chance to sort out my thinking somewhat. You asked me, "Don't you want me to be happy?" At that time, I thought that was the height of selfishness, typical that you would only think of yourself.

But, I suppose I was just as selfish. My anger must have come from the desire to be more precious. I was hurt that you did not feel the loss of me more keenly. I wished my sacrifices were not in vain.

I think I had always wanted you to be happy. Why else would I have let you sacrificed me so many times for your pursuit of happiness? Instead of wishing to be dearer, I wish now for magnanimity to let you sacrifice me one last time for your happiness.

YELLOW

Returned my convocation gown today and it sucks. You know, some places become connected to some people. That's why I always find HCJC cheering and NUS depressing.

Haunted by what ifs... what if I had persevered, what if I had chosen differently, what if I had spent time to know others more and better, what if I had listened when others said I was being too nice and taken advantage of...

Aiya, it's over and done with really. The person who breaks the trust will most likely not find it worth his while to rebuild it. People who are more selfish are happier, when you don't concern yourself with other people's emotions, you concentrate on your own happiness.

The lesson is simple, concentrate on making a fortune. The most important colour is yellow, yellow for gold! Red for the painful and costly passion; blue for the melancholic musings. Gold is lasting $$$$$$

Yellow just made me laugh. I decided to get lemon face wash. Was scrubbing my face vigorously when I realized it looks just like dish washing liquid! For a moment, I felt like my face was a dish and laughed.

Cheers at work

Got issued a new laptop to replace my cranky one at work. So was really excited and fiddled with it happily until I realized I had to PAY for it if it got stolen or damaged. Freaked out and kept it under lock and key when I go home, whereas the old one was so condemned that I know nobody in their right mind would steal it. My mind also keeps wandering to its safety when I had to leave it sitting on my desk (screaming, "STEAL ME! I'm the LATEST model!"), always scrambling back and heaving a sigh of relief to see it still there.

My PPE (personal protection equipment) consists of a helmet, bright yellow vest and juggernaut boots have been the butt of jokes. Especially the boots, they're McDonald's footwear and whatnot. Alex has been merciless, "I know you don't like somebody but there's no need to make yourself so ugly!" He's always teasing me, but he got his comeuppance: after going on about that somebody, that somebody entered the room when Alex was on his biscuit, causing him to choke!

Although work is difficult, my colleagues liven up the week. I enjoyed myself immensely playing badminton and table-tennis. Being newbies, we hardly used the table, the ball flies everywhere, mostly over and under. I was laughing so hard my tummy and cheeks hurt terribly, and I remarked that theoretically, laughing hard may build up 8-pack. Bryan returned with, "Yup, you don't know meh, we're actually training abs here!"

This theory was introduced to me in HCJC wushu when Teresa and me laughed incessantly. Got a good dose of reminiscence when we met up at my place last night to celebrate Huijun's belated birthday and a kind of mid-autumn gathering. Junyuan made delicious snowskin mooncakes, I want to learn from him! Was so glad to see Gary too, have not seen him in years, funny because we used to hide when he comes and suggests that we all go for "short jogs" (they are actually marathons).

Happy or Sad?

This morning was a comedy of errors, although I did not think so then. I happily sneaked out of the house in the wee hours of dawn to grab the earliest train at 5.45am to reach work at 6.30am (and to prevent papa from accompanying me). After twiddling my thumbs real long, I found out trains are later on Sundays, leaving me 10min to reach work on time.

My handphone broke down on me and could not call taxis so I borrowed the counter staff's (an Indian guy) handphone. As a result, I had to run a bit to catch up to the taxi as the driver was not expecting a harried chinese girl.

When I reach the airport, I ran all the way to the control room and slipped on a puddle of water beside the drinks area. So embarrassing! Right in front of the technicians =( But they were rather nice and the boring work was livened up by one of them showing me his photos from his course in Denmark.

I had planned to go to East Coast earlier on because I think I need the sun, getting pale and peaky like a ghost. Being tired, I snoozed on the bus and missed my stop, so had to trekked under the hot sun to reach there. I mean I wanted to feel sunlight on me but not to this extent!!!

But it was all worth it. Not a good cyclist myself, always jamming brakes whenever I see obstacles in front or worse, obstacles approaching me! However, I was going fast enough to feel some breeze and hear my dangly earrings tinkle... haha. I like to look at the sky but I felt the skyline at the coast was a bit marred by the gazillion construction cranes for the upcoming IR.

The placard at the sand sculpture exhibition caught my eye, "Take time to be still, For Beauty exist only when we care and feel." That's so true, especially when I'm caught up with everyday tasks at work. Contemplating nature (East Coast Park is more "natural" than most parts of Singapore) brings a smile.

A bit melancholic really, because some memories lead me to think that so many things are transient. Hope time, like the tide, will wash away the hurt and pain.

August Outings

Our Wushu batch went to Vivocity to celebrate Zhaoqi's birthday =) I was so glad the dry-run for my signing ceremony did not make me miss such a fun event. We made Zhaoqi go on a treasure hunt in which she lost her posh image totally! Teresa and Biyun planned for her to do crazy stunts like doing the hula-hoop and whacking toy hammer in an animal hat, finding 3 candies that weigh 23g and milking the cow outside Ben & Jerry's...

We polished off our ice-cream, what is an outing without dessert?

I forgot to photograph what I drew for the birthday girl. And I must find the photograph which Lixiang took of Biyun's butt next to the sign, "All it takes is an ugly butt to spoil a beautiful view, please dispose cigarette butts in the bins."

The last August "baby" but not least, was Papa's birthday! He pampered himself with a costly cake from Patissier, spoiling my planned surprise for him. I didn't carry it out, I just queued for his favourite ba gua. Not any ordinary ba gua but Lin Zhi Yuan's BBQ Bacon that Alex insisted were gourmet ba gua.

I like my brother's birthday card, it went like this: Happy Birthday Papa, Sorry the card was late. I was ensuring your investment is a success (studying). Hope you like the card. Ek Son

Then, I met up with Ying, Lester and Xianhong at the Central. All the Japanese eateries we wanted to sample were bursting with the Friday crowds so we ate at Fisherman's Wharf opposite that serve authentic Fish & Chips, there were vinegar and mashed peas with potatoes (sounds unappetizing to me but the fish was good). Next we walked about at Central and Clarke Quay. We entered a club called China something, I didn't like the noisy place but it was an eye-opener to see a hen-party.

The next day, was my company's family day at the Singapore Flyer. I quite enjoy it and so did my parents! It was refreshing to meet colleagues having fun with their family. Took photos on the flyer and with colleagues.

August babies!!!

First of all, Happy Birthday to my dearestest little brother who is far away down under! So sad cannot celebrate with him but we did share cake and ice cream before he flew off. It was shocking actually, the round trip ticket he bought had the return date WRONG, so he missed a week of school!!! Luckily, he's settled back in well, seeing that he could afford the time to SKI...

Another person who is also from down under celebrated his fourth child's entrance to this world by taking a well-earned break from work... Stuart! I drew a picture for his daughter, wishing that their father-daughter bonding session would progress soon from changing diapers to yoga (Stuart goes for yoga instead of lunch!!!)
There is something seriously wrong with the pose, me expressing utter disinterest in yoga had to contort myself into the position before drawing. I shan't say what is wrong though, too embarrassed.

Been keeping busy. so as to limit brooding time, shall give myself a pat on my back! Lots of exclamation marks! That's because I am thinking of presents for Zhaoqi and Papa, they are August babies too!

Nasty Girl

Feeling down AGAIN, but nobody knew because I am smiling as usual. Did a lot of stupid things at work, in trainings and to other people, actually only one person. Been reading back and realize I have been complaining about one person and I know why.

In sophomore year, one of the sweetest and prettiest girls I know broke up with her first boyfriend. She still went about cheerfully but I know she was upset and really wanted everyone to believe she was wronged. I told her that people who know her would know that she did everything she could already and most of the fault lies with the other person.

So easy to advise, so hard to carry it out. I must learn from her, she never complained as much as me!!! Ok, I guess most people think I can't let go or what. Not quite, I just feel really sian when common friends ask me to give another chance. Well, I guess people who really know me will know I swallow until my limit (which really is a lot!) and I never let anyone down if I can help it. (work is difficult, essential to step on people's toes =( maybe that's why my face is morphing into the many grumpy faces in the trains)

It is also upsetting that people who don't really know assume I am so petty. I have tried to remember the good things, I do that whenever I am upset. However, when I keep using 1 good thing to tide over 10 bad things, the effectiveness wears thin.

Oops. I sound very childish but I must complain somewhere or I'd burst, or go nuts! Must vent somewhere besides swimming. Things have not been easy at home but I really have to be strong. But sometimes, I really do wish that there'd be someone who'd understand me, believe in me and be there for me. Haha, I'm not as wonderful as that someone because I can only try my best to understand, believe until many broken promises and try to be there for others by putting myself in that person's shoes and imagine what is required.

Everyone is different but some things are fundamental. Like, you'll always think of sharing something nice with someone you care about. I saw the drink vending machine for the 1st time when I entered primary school and thought the Sprite being made into a paper cup very exciting and delicious. I bought one and cupped it carefully on the schoolbus until I reach home, groaning at each bump and jerk. My little brother was so happy and loved the Sprite. So I bought Sprite nearly everyday and it was so sweet to see him waiting at the doorstep for me after school.

Yay, I've managed to cheer myself up somewhat =) My brother would be a little sad to find himself described like a faithful dog!!! Well, I need to have more confidence, believe in myself, forget what strangers think. It's the people who care who really matter, those who never cared or will never care matter not.

Sore eyes

This past 2 weeks I have been suffering from sore and red eyes. First right eye and now the left. They water like mad and I look tearful =( Siew Kuan and Willy were very sweet, buying cooling water and Optrex eye wash and bath. So funny when Willy was so anxious about not noticing the redness and trying to see how monstrous I look!!!

I'm going to see an eye specialist with a referral from the general practitioner. Hope it's nothing too serious. I was surprised at a message from him, I mean, I may look like a witch now but still not witchy enough to cast a nasty gloom on him. I know he's happy now with a pretty girlfriend and a job, he doesn't need a vengeful ghost from the past haunting him. And, he was never there when I needed him when we were together, I must be stupid to think he'll be there when we're just friends now. (e.g. no moral support when driving instructor shredded my confidence, no sick visits, no... you can see how vengeful this ghost is!!!)

Still, I care enough to always ask about him when meeting common friends and I know I'd go all out to help if anything untoward happens to him, hope that never happens. But it's really SHIT, when I have to keep reaching out first when he is the one saying he wants to be friends. Breathe in, breathe out, must calm myself down. I guess he was kind enough to respond to an imagined stress call? Won't put too much hope in that though, it's always such a disappointment to find out my faith has been misplaced.

A simple and meaningful story goes somewhat like this:
How do you put an elephant in the refrigerator?
Open the door, put the elephant in
How do you put a giraffe in the refrigerator?
Open the door, take out the elephant and put the giraffe in
The refrigerator is your heart, the elephant and giraffe represent anger and love respectively.

My heart is full of anger, hurt and bitterness now. Time to take out the elephant and welcome the giraffe. Love for life, for fellow brothers and sisters, and for vitamin M!!!

Eulogy to Hammie

Usually I would tickle Hammie's tummy a little before going off to work, but I can't do that anymore. I hope my colleagues won't ask me why I'm blue when I just had my convocation (Sunday, 13th July 2008), but I am because Hammie passed away on Tuesday, 15th July.

Hammie, you have brought me smiles somedays, tears on many, but I still give thanks for you entering my life.

How cute you look when you sleep in a little ball, suck from your drinking bottle and greedily plunge into your feeding dish. Nobody can look as cute as you doing pull-ups and sit-ups =)

All the trouble you caused by being noisy at inappropriate hours and being cranky in your old age will always be forgiven.

Maybe I should ask to be forgiven. I have been neglectful because I felt hurt to even look at you sometimes. Inanimate presents could be locked up and out of sight but not you who needs looking after.

Maybe you would be happier being looked after by another. I was mad when I heard a girl dumped a puppy she bought for an ex-boyfriend so I determined to care for you properly. Apparently I failed.

I hope you are in a better place now. With more food and freedom to run about, perhaps a cherubic angel or two stuffing you with pistachio nut bits that you love, with sparkling clear water to wash it down.

End of your life and end of a chapter of my life. Although I will always remember you, I really wish to forget the person closely connected to you who has brought me much sorrow.

Hammie, farewell for now. If we ever meet again in whatever afterlife forms, let us meet in happier circumstances.

Joking lightens work

Work is getting busier and I am learning quite a bit. However, it is a little unsatisfying to know that 4 years of mostly theories are not quite applicable in real life =( Maybe because I'm in the owner's route.

Let me explain a bit, for an engineer, there are 3 main routes: contractor, owner and consultant. Contractors focus on construction, bringing the design to life. Consultants do the designing. Owners mainly coordinate between the construction and consultants, more on project management and less technical. So I'm the owner, I get to ask loads of questions and boss others around... mwahaha!

Luckily, I have really nice colleagues who are always ready to share and joke. Just like today, Willy, a fellow fresh graduate and new employee, showed me slides and documents on his project, a scaled-down version of mine. I thought they were helpful and shouted at Stuart, my ang moh boss, joyfully for the same information when he came by.

"Stuart!"
"What do you want now?" his lanky frame makes unsuccessful shrinking into a less conspicuous bulk
"Willy has been showing me things!" me in excitement and innocence
"What has Willy been showing you?" looking at Willy in a pseudo aghast manner

Willy, anxious to appear nice and innocent, hurriedly showed Stuart the said information. Only later did I realize and laughed at how Stuart misconstrued my words. Ok, off to look at the information Stuart dumped onto me.

First weekend of working world

Ok, I'm terribly behind times but I've really been tired from work! I'll pay back with a super long post!

I'm still learning by sitting in through boring meetings where people practice taiji and by following seniors around at work sites. I think I'm pretty lucky because most of the people in the office are really friendly and helpful, especially my project team members!

However, it was still a relief for the weekend to come. Not that it was restful, because I had saturday trainings and sunday was supposed to have a picnic with the wushu girls (+Hercules) at Bukit Gombak's Little Guilin. Unfortunately, it rained and we too lazy to get out, so had a pseudo picnic at Zhaoqi's garden!

Zhaoqi and Teresa were so daintily dressed! Glad things are looking up for Huijun =) So jealous of Biyun's silky locks... only I was properly dressed for a picnic in the comfy Thai singlet

The food we brought seemed more like a feast than a picnic. Zhaoqi's salmon salad, Biyun's huge squashy eclairs, Teresa's tasty cupcakes and delectable biscuits, my assorted sandwiches, Hercules' fresh and juicy fruits and Huijun's green tea. We were stuffed! With food and more satisfyingly, with each other's company.

Monday night I went out with most of the Loughborough exchange trip friends. I was a little upset at rushing off from a tiring day of work to find everyone much later than me but I cheered up when I saw everyone so glad to see each other.

While the others went off for a movie, Yuen Mei, Joan, Huiran and I had a wonderful girl chat. Surprised me really, as I was always rather quiet with them. We talked about dance, friendship and lasting romantic relationship.

The last was sparked off by Huiran commenting that she didn't find a particular suitor that funny anymore. I was very worried that she might end up deeply hurt like me and asked, "Do you really like funny guys?" I think that there must be other qualities... like for me, I must also be treated like a goddess or else showered with tons of gold! Sigh, guess I was never dear enough to be missed =(

Well, Joan was absolutely right that a lot of couples do not realize that an engagement is a lifelong promise already. Some people still think that don't like can always break-up without realizing the betrayal of trust. Perhaps I'm too conservative but I think Joan's approach is very complete. Her courtship involved family and friends, which is very ideal because these are the people who care for you and will celebrate your happiness.

Talking about people who care, I welcomed my brother home from Melbourne on Tuesday! Look at all the delicious goodies he brought back! I MISS my brother and I'll always do anything for him =)

Scrumptious Krispy Kreme donuts, heavenly Heaven chocolates, sinful chocolate-coated Scotch Finger and coffee powder for our caffeine-addicted mummy! I am going to be FAT!

1st day of work!

Starting 1st day of work! Carrying my laptop bag and dressed up in something other than t-shirt and shorts but still look kiddish =( Someone thought I was nineteen!
Well, I was told to regard all info at work as confidential and confidential means no divulging of what my job assignments are so I can only say boring stuff. Administrative matters and learning about the company in the morning and introduction to co-workers in the afternoon.

I think I was not what everyone was expecting because a girl said, "So you're the one we were all speculating about!" Also, this guy asked me whether I was available twice to confirm green light for other guys, have you heard of such an impertinent question to ask someone who's nursing a wounded heart and greviance at being unceremoniously dumped? Haha, well, I guess I really don't fit the image because even laoshi said, "Yanran looks like the kind who play Barbie dolls, inconceivable that she studied engineering..."

Well, I'm going to work hard to learn and be an asset to any company! Prove to all that I'm NOT a little girl =)