by David Feinberg
(as featured in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay)
I’m fear that I will always be
A lonely number like root three
The three is all that’s good and right,
Why must my three keep out of sight
Beneath the vicious square root sign,
I wish instead I were a nine
For nine could thwart this evil trick,
with just some quick arithmetic
I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321
Such is my reality, a sad irrationality
When hark! What is this I see,
Another square root of a three
As quietly co-waltzing by,
Together now we multiply
To form a number we prefer,
Rejoicing as an integer
We break free from our mortal bonds
With the wave of magic wands
Our square root signs become unglued
The love, for me, has been renewed
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
What a Difference 6 Months make
Currently Playing: Stop and Stare by OneRepublic
If someone told me 6 months ago that I'll be looking for another job now, I'd say it was impossible. Heng no one said that then. haha.
Let's see... what was it that all added up?
- Departure of mentor manager
- Cutting down of department activity scope (part 1)
- Cutting down of department established strength
- Cutting down of department activity scope (part 2)
- Departure of knowledgable, approachable, motivating director
- Arrival of fresh, demanding, stubborn and unmotivating senior director
- Significantly reduced chance of getting additional work-related training
- Reduced chance of getting promoted
- Realisation that this position would not be able to give me a greater challenge once all this nonsense is over
in chronological order, but each subsequent step became yet a bigger push factor than the previous one.
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
If someone told me 6 months ago that I'll be looking for another job now, I'd say it was impossible. Heng no one said that then. haha.
Let's see... what was it that all added up?
- Departure of mentor manager
- Cutting down of department activity scope (part 1)
- Cutting down of department established strength
- Cutting down of department activity scope (part 2)
- Departure of knowledgable, approachable, motivating director
- Arrival of fresh, demanding, stubborn and unmotivating senior director
- Significantly reduced chance of getting additional work-related training
- Reduced chance of getting promoted
- Realisation that this position would not be able to give me a greater challenge once all this nonsense is over
in chronological order, but each subsequent step became yet a bigger push factor than the previous one.
I think I'm moving but I go nowhere
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Anyone But Me
I do so much and yet I don't get what I deserve.
I'm tired and don't want to fight on anymore but I cannot bring myself to stop. I cannot let myself down.
Building bridges, fighting fires.
For either outcome there is the natural reaction, so no need to think so much.
And got to remind myself the words of Morpheus.
I'm tired and don't want to fight on anymore but I cannot bring myself to stop. I cannot let myself down.
Building bridges, fighting fires.
For either outcome there is the natural reaction, so no need to think so much.
And got to remind myself the words of Morpheus.
"Everything that has a beginning, has an end."
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Chow Ang Moh Scores an Own Goal
The Players:
Director: Quiet, humourous, experienced, approachable. Everyone loves and respects him.
GM: Sarcastic, takes credit, knows of to make use of ppl, or use their words against them. Everyone avoids him.
CAM: Chao Ang Moh. Pet of the GM, so rose from AM to AGM in 1.5 yrs. Regularly talks down to ppl, like to chee hong local girls. Everyone detests him.
Me: Last one left in my team since Jan. So have to handle day-to-day requests, long term projects, organise meetings, talk to suppliers, everything. 1 man doing 3 person's work.
K: Director requested GM to temporarily loan someone out of his 20+ strong team (including CAM's) to assist my team. K was the 1st person approached by GM, and he emailed everyone saying that K would stay until we get more ppl in my team.
The Background:
K has been loaned from CAM's team for over 2.5 months. with 5 ppl in the team left and a major project coming up, GM and CAM seek to get K back. What their narrow-mindedness fails to see is I'm involved in the project too, and if she moves back, they increase CAM's team by 20%, but reduce mine by 50%. We are now in the midst of changing all our email addresses to suit the new company structure, effective next Monday.
The Saga:
Morning - I see the new email address linked to my ID, but K does not. I email CAM (co-ordinator in this) asking if he is the right person to extend the email address to K, if not, pls let me know who it is.
CAM's reply: K does not need the new email as she is moving back to our team.
My reply: Was not aware of any such arrangement, and anyway it was agreed that she stay until new ppl arrive. pls give her accesss.
No reply, until late afternoon - CAM comes over and says that K is going back, and Director is aware.
Me: Really? I wasn't aware of anything like that. OK, I'll speak to Director then.
CAM: W-w-why do you want to speak with him?
Me: Because I don't agree.
CAM: OK, well it's up to you. But Director's not in his office right now, maybe we'll go talk to him later.
Me: OK. (I can see CAM's desk and into Director's office from my seat.)
5 mins later, Director returns. Catch CAM and 2 of his team members going into a meeting room. I stop the door from closing.
Me: Director is in now. Shall we go see him?
CAM: I'm busy with this thing that I have at the moment.
Me: OK i'll go see him 1st then.
I go into the office and relate to the Director what had exchanged, asking if K was really going back on Monday.
Director smiles and says that he is aware that they want her back, but he hasn't agreed yet. We chat a bit more about what K is doing and how long I need her for.
Me: I thought the premise was she stay until new ppl come in.
Director: Haha of course you'll want that. Well we'll see. (This can read as he's not going to do anything) ;)
Me: OK, thanks Director. (I don't really call him that. The episode is real but names have been changed)
I walk back to my desk, passing CAM in the meeting room along the way. Thru the glass he sees me and I use my thumb to point to the director's office, meaning to say I've spoken to Director already. Maybe he thinks I mean director wants to see him. I don't care. Later ground reports from his side say his face was really red when he returned to his seat.
If he didn't attempt to get K back and trick me into agreeing, he wldn't have shown the Director what a liar he is. In all fairness, probably the GM got him to do it, then he shd've attempted a smarter scheme. He was counting on me to obediently relent coz he's a manager and the Director was mentioned. But I went straight to the Director instead coz
a) everyone knows he's an asshole and I know I can't trust him.
b) Director is approachable and he'll see the big picture.
If I am wrong, I will admit my mistake and will apologise. But if I am right, I will stand firm, and you will back down.
Director: Quiet, humourous, experienced, approachable. Everyone loves and respects him.
GM: Sarcastic, takes credit, knows of to make use of ppl, or use their words against them. Everyone avoids him.
CAM: Chao Ang Moh. Pet of the GM, so rose from AM to AGM in 1.5 yrs. Regularly talks down to ppl, like to chee hong local girls. Everyone detests him.
Me: Last one left in my team since Jan. So have to handle day-to-day requests, long term projects, organise meetings, talk to suppliers, everything. 1 man doing 3 person's work.
K: Director requested GM to temporarily loan someone out of his 20+ strong team (including CAM's) to assist my team. K was the 1st person approached by GM, and he emailed everyone saying that K would stay until we get more ppl in my team.
The Background:
K has been loaned from CAM's team for over 2.5 months. with 5 ppl in the team left and a major project coming up, GM and CAM seek to get K back. What their narrow-mindedness fails to see is I'm involved in the project too, and if she moves back, they increase CAM's team by 20%, but reduce mine by 50%. We are now in the midst of changing all our email addresses to suit the new company structure, effective next Monday.
The Saga:
Morning - I see the new email address linked to my ID, but K does not. I email CAM (co-ordinator in this) asking if he is the right person to extend the email address to K, if not, pls let me know who it is.
CAM's reply: K does not need the new email as she is moving back to our team.
My reply: Was not aware of any such arrangement, and anyway it was agreed that she stay until new ppl arrive. pls give her accesss.
No reply, until late afternoon - CAM comes over and says that K is going back, and Director is aware.
Me: Really? I wasn't aware of anything like that. OK, I'll speak to Director then.
CAM: W-w-why do you want to speak with him?
Me: Because I don't agree.
CAM: OK, well it's up to you. But Director's not in his office right now, maybe we'll go talk to him later.
Me: OK. (I can see CAM's desk and into Director's office from my seat.)
5 mins later, Director returns. Catch CAM and 2 of his team members going into a meeting room. I stop the door from closing.
Me: Director is in now. Shall we go see him?
CAM: I'm busy with this thing that I have at the moment.
Me: OK i'll go see him 1st then.
I go into the office and relate to the Director what had exchanged, asking if K was really going back on Monday.
Director smiles and says that he is aware that they want her back, but he hasn't agreed yet. We chat a bit more about what K is doing and how long I need her for.
Me: I thought the premise was she stay until new ppl come in.
Director: Haha of course you'll want that. Well we'll see. (This can read as he's not going to do anything) ;)
Me: OK, thanks Director. (I don't really call him that. The episode is real but names have been changed)
I walk back to my desk, passing CAM in the meeting room along the way. Thru the glass he sees me and I use my thumb to point to the director's office, meaning to say I've spoken to Director already. Maybe he thinks I mean director wants to see him. I don't care. Later ground reports from his side say his face was really red when he returned to his seat.
If he didn't attempt to get K back and trick me into agreeing, he wldn't have shown the Director what a liar he is. In all fairness, probably the GM got him to do it, then he shd've attempted a smarter scheme. He was counting on me to obediently relent coz he's a manager and the Director was mentioned. But I went straight to the Director instead coz
a) everyone knows he's an asshole and I know I can't trust him.
b) Director is approachable and he'll see the big picture.
If I am wrong, I will admit my mistake and will apologise. But if I am right, I will stand firm, and you will back down.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
So Many Thots, So Little Time
World:
1) Free Tibet - not necessarily independence, but at least autonomomy to keep their unique culture and language, and not being forced out by fricking chinamen from their own homelands
2) Maths Whiz turns Hooker: Clients are turned on by intellect - Yeah rite. unless ur clients are dirty China maths professors from NTU who steal students' underwear. At such high rates, maybe you could throw in marking a few tutorials for free as well?
Home:
1) MRT squeeze situation - getting slightly better. Now can take out handphone from pocket without jabbing someone with my elbow. But then again I've been going to work late almost everyday for the past week. Long term solution: Get a car. to hell with the environment, I'll make it up in terms of saving water and electricity and reducing waste.
2) ERP gantries - why not just install 2 outside every carpark? one collects $$$ for entry and parking, the other collects $$$ for usage. then you can control opposition wards by charging higher rates until they submit. stop punishing the stauch heartland supporters at toa payoh.
3) Escaped Terrorist - who? oh that guy. old news. everyone's forgotten about him liao, until he comes back and blows something up and kills ppl. (if he is still alive). Gahmen searches are now intelligence based and more focused. (read: relying on tip-offs) Every week still has super-interesting news like "I thot i saw mas alamak" or "how mas alamak can survive in the forest". how about something really newsworthy like "mas alamak found dead, bloated and maggot-ridden in dengue infested swamp"
4) Rich Sports Indon wants his money back from China Sports Woman - doesn't this story sound familiar? dude! how gullible could you get! she's a china woman, of coz she'll take ur money and run! and snap back saying how nice she was and how calculative you are. Let this be a lesson to you and all rich indons and hum sup singaporean men.
Work:
1) Colleagues - lots of nonsensical promos going on. Obnoxious tyrannical sarcastic GM getting on my nerves and oppressing my frens. Buddy at work leaving for greener pastures. Still no manager in sight. Director who everyone loves getting replaced by (anal?) chosen race from HQ. Too many aggressive-want-their-way ppl in the company. This place cannot stay long.
2) Work - after 5 non-5-day work weeks and 2 slacking and fire-fighting weeks, finally see what i should be doing. intensive work week coming up. and will have to cut out unnecessary fire-fighting.
Life:
1) After Work - not much. Last week:
Monday - treated malaysian colleague to insanely expensive and not-worth-it dinner.
Tuesday - stayed back late with supplier to understand contract together.
Wednesay - heng heng managed to get a fren for dinner.
Thursday - work late.
Friday - dinner with work-buddy.
4 / 5 work related evenings. but friday still can be considered as with a fren lah.
2) Hobbies - Been trying to exercise regularly. but weekday evenings always occupied.
Average camera activity is once a month or less. Haven't touched guitar in months.
Sleep is a necessary waste of time. The life I want needs more than 24hrs a day.
1) Free Tibet - not necessarily independence, but at least autonomomy to keep their unique culture and language, and not being forced out by fricking chinamen from their own homelands
2) Maths Whiz turns Hooker: Clients are turned on by intellect - Yeah rite. unless ur clients are dirty China maths professors from NTU who steal students' underwear. At such high rates, maybe you could throw in marking a few tutorials for free as well?
Home:
1) MRT squeeze situation - getting slightly better. Now can take out handphone from pocket without jabbing someone with my elbow. But then again I've been going to work late almost everyday for the past week. Long term solution: Get a car. to hell with the environment, I'll make it up in terms of saving water and electricity and reducing waste.
2) ERP gantries - why not just install 2 outside every carpark? one collects $$$ for entry and parking, the other collects $$$ for usage. then you can control opposition wards by charging higher rates until they submit. stop punishing the stauch heartland supporters at toa payoh.
3) Escaped Terrorist - who? oh that guy. old news. everyone's forgotten about him liao, until he comes back and blows something up and kills ppl. (if he is still alive). Gahmen searches are now intelligence based and more focused. (read: relying on tip-offs) Every week still has super-interesting news like "I thot i saw mas alamak" or "how mas alamak can survive in the forest". how about something really newsworthy like "mas alamak found dead, bloated and maggot-ridden in dengue infested swamp"
4) Rich Sports Indon wants his money back from China Sports Woman - doesn't this story sound familiar? dude! how gullible could you get! she's a china woman, of coz she'll take ur money and run! and snap back saying how nice she was and how calculative you are. Let this be a lesson to you and all rich indons and hum sup singaporean men.
Work:
1) Colleagues - lots of nonsensical promos going on. Obnoxious tyrannical sarcastic GM getting on my nerves and oppressing my frens. Buddy at work leaving for greener pastures. Still no manager in sight. Director who everyone loves getting replaced by (anal?) chosen race from HQ. Too many aggressive-want-their-way ppl in the company. This place cannot stay long.
2) Work - after 5 non-5-day work weeks and 2 slacking and fire-fighting weeks, finally see what i should be doing. intensive work week coming up. and will have to cut out unnecessary fire-fighting.
Life:
1) After Work - not much. Last week:
Monday - treated malaysian colleague to insanely expensive and not-worth-it dinner.
Tuesday - stayed back late with supplier to understand contract together.
Wednesay - heng heng managed to get a fren for dinner.
Thursday - work late.
Friday - dinner with work-buddy.
4 / 5 work related evenings. but friday still can be considered as with a fren lah.
2) Hobbies - Been trying to exercise regularly. but weekday evenings always occupied.
Average camera activity is once a month or less. Haven't touched guitar in months.
Sleep is a necessary waste of time. The life I want needs more than 24hrs a day.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Status Quo
Am i supposed to feel good that things didnt change for the worse? For me anyway. But its not just about me. Its also about how the others are treated, what happens to them. Coz they are the ppl i interact directly with.
Now the only difference is knowing that some things aren't changing. at least for now. next time will be on my terms.
Now the only difference is knowing that some things aren't changing. at least for now. next time will be on my terms.
Monday, March 10, 2008
On Leave
I'm on leave last friday and this monday. Of course, that means 2 less days of work -projects/reports get delayed, emails go unanswered and reviews do not continue. So like any sad sack whose never ending job fits his compulsive nature, I save raw data in my thumbdrive to convert into reports while i'm on leave and over the weekend.
But 3 days later, it's still raw. i'm playing tomb raider, i'm playing men of valor, i'm following malaysian general elections, i'm reading the kite runner, i'm reading newspapers, i'm watching the news, i'm watching youtube, i'm playing facebook, i'm surfing blogs, i'm thinking what a beautiful day it is outside - if only i could drag my lazyass out and run.
something's missing.
But 3 days later, it's still raw. i'm playing tomb raider, i'm playing men of valor, i'm following malaysian general elections, i'm reading the kite runner, i'm reading newspapers, i'm watching the news, i'm watching youtube, i'm playing facebook, i'm surfing blogs, i'm thinking what a beautiful day it is outside - if only i could drag my lazyass out and run.
something's missing.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Two Dogs
Dog B: "...two things have to happen. The mouse has to come into the room, THEN you run after it. No point running around with nothing to catch. If you don't run after it, you won't catch anything."
Dog A: "Right. From now on, I'll run down any mouse that comes into the room."
(pause)
Dog B: "Haven't you been doing that already?"
Dog A: "Right. From now on, I'll run down any mouse that comes into the room."
(pause)
Dog B: "Haven't you been doing that already?"
Monday, February 18, 2008
Human
by The Pretenders
I play a good game,
but not good as you
I can be a little cold,
but you can be so cruel
I'm not made of brick,
I'm not made of stone
But I had you fooled enough
to take me on
If love was a war, it's you who has won
While I was confessing it, you held your tongue
Now the damage is done...
Well there's blood in these veins
And I cry when in pain
I'm only human on the inside
And if looks can deceive
Make it hard to believe
I'm only human on the inside
=================
i like this song.
I play a good game,
but not good as you
I can be a little cold,
but you can be so cruel
I'm not made of brick,
I'm not made of stone
But I had you fooled enough
to take me on
If love was a war, it's you who has won
While I was confessing it, you held your tongue
Now the damage is done...
Well there's blood in these veins
And I cry when in pain
I'm only human on the inside
And if looks can deceive
Make it hard to believe
I'm only human on the inside
=================
i like this song.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
I Realise...
...that i'm biting my nails. more specifically, my left thumbnail. after i stopped myself, i noticed one side of the nail was already gone.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Falls Apart
it's one of the songs in Sugar Ray's 14:59 album, with me since 1999. Haven't listened to it for very long, so searched and pulled it out. coz this song seems so apt right now. plus, i like every song in the album, which is rare.
Things are falling apart. At work. in Feb 2007 i found my dream job. Data collection, analysis, presentation n recomendation; project work; and what i produce affects the way the company operates, whether in sg, or other SEA countries. Meaning i'm doing stuff that i like, and it makes a difference. with a nurturing, coaching boss who lives his life in a way i look up to (a rarity), and a caring, capable, chio colleague who made me see fireworks when she smiled.
a short 10 months into this dream job, and its starting to come apart. changes will be happening. it's not fair - i hvn't even had my dream job for 1 year. i was actually aiming for 2 yrs. but then of coz i'm painfully aware that life is never fair.
my boss told me that from now until mid feb, things will be intense. i predict up to march, and am mentally preparing myself for 12 hrs a day everyday for 2 mths. no need to make dinner appointments anymore. maybe weekends too. but no worries. i can handle whatever is thrown at me. bring it on. (haha)
Happy New Year.
===================================================================================
I once told her my reason for 'risky' mountain climbing, diving, backpacking trips: "I want to go close to the edge, so I can see how far the drop is." At that time I didn't know how encompassing that sentence would be.
Things are falling apart. At work. in Feb 2007 i found my dream job. Data collection, analysis, presentation n recomendation; project work; and what i produce affects the way the company operates, whether in sg, or other SEA countries. Meaning i'm doing stuff that i like, and it makes a difference. with a nurturing, coaching boss who lives his life in a way i look up to (a rarity), and a caring, capable, chio colleague who made me see fireworks when she smiled.
a short 10 months into this dream job, and its starting to come apart. changes will be happening. it's not fair - i hvn't even had my dream job for 1 year. i was actually aiming for 2 yrs. but then of coz i'm painfully aware that life is never fair.
my boss told me that from now until mid feb, things will be intense. i predict up to march, and am mentally preparing myself for 12 hrs a day everyday for 2 mths. no need to make dinner appointments anymore. maybe weekends too. but no worries. i can handle whatever is thrown at me. bring it on. (haha)
Happy New Year.
===================================================================================
I once told her my reason for 'risky' mountain climbing, diving, backpacking trips: "I want to go close to the edge, so I can see how far the drop is." At that time I didn't know how encompassing that sentence would be.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
I Run Because...
...I jog too slowly.
For the 3rd year in a row, I show my distaste at our oh-so-efficient and crowded-beyond-capacity public transport by going on foot what normal people would go by bus or mrt.
and worse - after 10km, i end up barely 500m from where i started. That's futility for you.
And amazingly, I feel good about it, and more so today.
Coz according to the timing at the finish line, i completed 10km in under an hour.
This despite training less than last year prior to the run - i guess it was due to me deciding not to ever put 2 feet on the ground at the same time thru out the 10km.
With very, very few girls to distract me along the route, my mp3 player helped instead.
And I think i'm getting bored of the 10km route. So what's next?
21km? Double the pain? Double the intensity? Double the insanity? Double the futility?
For the 3rd year in a row, I show my distaste at our oh-so-efficient and crowded-beyond-capacity public transport by going on foot what normal people would go by bus or mrt.
and worse - after 10km, i end up barely 500m from where i started. That's futility for you.
And amazingly, I feel good about it, and more so today.
Coz according to the timing at the finish line, i completed 10km in under an hour.
This despite training less than last year prior to the run - i guess it was due to me deciding not to ever put 2 feet on the ground at the same time thru out the 10km.
With very, very few girls to distract me along the route, my mp3 player helped instead.
And I think i'm getting bored of the 10km route. So what's next?
21km? Double the pain? Double the intensity? Double the insanity? Double the futility?
Everything Happens in 24 Hrs
Sat 1 Dec, 0900hrs: Have a company excursion to Terminal and Vessel. Signed up and of all days, kena the day we have D & D. I decide not to protest as Assistant Manager who set up the excursions is not known to listen to others, especially if Asian and lower rank. Personally feel it's a chore even to say 'hi' to him. Proceeded to grumble to other colleagues and found many who feel the same way about him - feel better somewhat.
The excursion itself as fun - mostly coz the ppl who went were. needless to say, afore-mentioned arrogant racist did not go for this trip, presumably so that he would enjoy the D & D.
Sat 1 Dec, 1600hrs: Excursion ends at office. Have to run up to desk to get documents, which I plan to read tomorrow. Grab a coffee since I'm there. Have to rush home, shower, change, and get to D & D by 6pm.
Sat 1 Dec, 1820hrs: Reach D & D venue just in time to know wat's going on and I'm in the thick of it - telling ppl to drop lucky draw numbers into the bowl, giving parking coupons, collecting money, hastily scribbling who paid how much. A very messy crowd - no one knew what to do and we at the reception table just made it up as we went along.
Sat 1 Dec, 1945hrs: The doors to the dinner hall haven't been opened for long and I'm outside taking a breather. I almost do not want to go in. Colleague calls: Are you joining us? The food is here. OK then.
Sat 1 Dec, 2120hrs: I am very, very bored. Silly games are played, loud music is played, conversations that do not involve me, and I'm tired. I just keep asking for water in my glass.
Sat 1 Dec, 2230hrs: After a few photos, I say goodbye, and my colleagues wish me well for StanChart tomorrow. I feel I owe it to myself to get rested and skip the fun, and so I leave early.
Sat 1 Dec, 2255hrs: I'm still waiting for the damn bus. I start to wonder if I'm really prepared. Then I realise that question is no longer relevant. Tomorrow I will start running. Only then will I worry how I will finish.
StanChart 10km Run will be Sun 2 Dec, hopefully 0715hrs to 0815hrs. My aim is to make it sub 1 hr but have made some costly decisions over the past few months.
- Chose rest over running for whole of September when I had that draining audit for whole SEA region.
- Did not stick to 2-month running plan for Oct and Nov.
- Gave in to change Vietnam trip to just 2 crucial weeks from the 10km run.
Everything happens in 24 hrs.
The excursion itself as fun - mostly coz the ppl who went were. needless to say, afore-mentioned arrogant racist did not go for this trip, presumably so that he would enjoy the D & D.
Sat 1 Dec, 1600hrs: Excursion ends at office. Have to run up to desk to get documents, which I plan to read tomorrow. Grab a coffee since I'm there. Have to rush home, shower, change, and get to D & D by 6pm.
Sat 1 Dec, 1820hrs: Reach D & D venue just in time to know wat's going on and I'm in the thick of it - telling ppl to drop lucky draw numbers into the bowl, giving parking coupons, collecting money, hastily scribbling who paid how much. A very messy crowd - no one knew what to do and we at the reception table just made it up as we went along.
Sat 1 Dec, 1945hrs: The doors to the dinner hall haven't been opened for long and I'm outside taking a breather. I almost do not want to go in. Colleague calls: Are you joining us? The food is here. OK then.
Sat 1 Dec, 2120hrs: I am very, very bored. Silly games are played, loud music is played, conversations that do not involve me, and I'm tired. I just keep asking for water in my glass.
Sat 1 Dec, 2230hrs: After a few photos, I say goodbye, and my colleagues wish me well for StanChart tomorrow. I feel I owe it to myself to get rested and skip the fun, and so I leave early.
Sat 1 Dec, 2255hrs: I'm still waiting for the damn bus. I start to wonder if I'm really prepared. Then I realise that question is no longer relevant. Tomorrow I will start running. Only then will I worry how I will finish.
StanChart 10km Run will be Sun 2 Dec, hopefully 0715hrs to 0815hrs. My aim is to make it sub 1 hr but have made some costly decisions over the past few months.
- Chose rest over running for whole of September when I had that draining audit for whole SEA region.
- Did not stick to 2-month running plan for Oct and Nov.
- Gave in to change Vietnam trip to just 2 crucial weeks from the 10km run.
Everything happens in 24 hrs.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Hello from Hanoi!
1st 24 hours in hanoi - and if i can come online and blog, means I'm bored and got nothing to do! hahahha
Cities are cities - this one just has much more scooters than any i've been to and more stuff on the scooters - vegetables, painting frames, a wrapped-up dunno-what a size of a person, a family of 4... all can squeeze onto one scooter
dust, smoke and car horns everywhere. can't wait to get to sapa.
night train tonite, in 2 hrs. gotta go, some americanised viet is waiting to use the free internet access.
Cities are cities - this one just has much more scooters than any i've been to and more stuff on the scooters - vegetables, painting frames, a wrapped-up dunno-what a size of a person, a family of 4... all can squeeze onto one scooter
dust, smoke and car horns everywhere. can't wait to get to sapa.
night train tonite, in 2 hrs. gotta go, some americanised viet is waiting to use the free internet access.
Friday, November 16, 2007
4th November 2007
Another year. ok another year + 2 weeks - been busy doing nothing.
Seems like birthdays are for reflections. Sadly, the only major change from a year ago is that I'm not listening to that Zero 7 CD anymore. I last did about 2-3 mths ago, so not that keen on hearing it yet. Stuck on the Pretenders, the Proclaimers, Keane.
Of course work-wise I'm in a better position that before. I like what I'm doing, enough to put in extra hours for nothing. and everyone knows that. So enough said.
But seem to be getting less friends. 1 year ago I could fill up my week easily. Nowadays I spend more evenings at work than dinner outside. At least colleagues are fun. But becoming far away from once-close friends. Now we have less in common, so we don't feel the want to meet up so often. Even when we do it's the same things. Bitching about work. Met so-and-so recently. Who got married. Oh have you tried that what at that where yet? You should go, that what damn nice.
I guess that's it already. most of my life is now work. remainder is camera, exercise, travelling, playing games, zoning out. It's ok - I'm doing what I like. But of coz, don't we always want something more?
Shouting Thank-yous out to the following ppl:
- girl / sonya / nid / zz for dinner n ktv session
- birthday smses from:
zow / vj / MY BOSS(!!) / alw / bowl / my YEP nurse who never forgets / qi / qz / long / ally / chel / liping / cousin / xt / yx.
- my family, always
- and the hairy crabs we consumed
vietnam in 2 days.
Seems like birthdays are for reflections. Sadly, the only major change from a year ago is that I'm not listening to that Zero 7 CD anymore. I last did about 2-3 mths ago, so not that keen on hearing it yet. Stuck on the Pretenders, the Proclaimers, Keane.
Of course work-wise I'm in a better position that before. I like what I'm doing, enough to put in extra hours for nothing. and everyone knows that. So enough said.
But seem to be getting less friends. 1 year ago I could fill up my week easily. Nowadays I spend more evenings at work than dinner outside. At least colleagues are fun. But becoming far away from once-close friends. Now we have less in common, so we don't feel the want to meet up so often. Even when we do it's the same things. Bitching about work. Met so-and-so recently. Who got married. Oh have you tried that what at that where yet? You should go, that what damn nice.
I guess that's it already. most of my life is now work. remainder is camera, exercise, travelling, playing games, zoning out. It's ok - I'm doing what I like. But of coz, don't we always want something more?
Shouting Thank-yous out to the following ppl:
- girl / sonya / nid / zz for dinner n ktv session
- birthday smses from:
zow / vj / MY BOSS(!!) / alw / bowl / my YEP nurse who never forgets / qi / qz / long / ally / chel / liping / cousin / xt / yx.
- my family, always
- and the hairy crabs we consumed
vietnam in 2 days.
Don't Get Me Wrong
Don't get me wrong
If I'm looking kind of dazzled
I see neon lights
Whenever you walk by
Don't get me wrong
If you say hello and I take a ride
Upon a sea where the mystic moon
Is playing havoc with the tide
Don't get me wrong
Don't get me wrong
If I'm acting so distracted
I'm thinking about the fireworks
That go off when you smile
Don't get me wrong
If I split like light refracted
I'm only off to wander
Across a moonlit mile
If I'm looking kind of dazzled
I see neon lights
Whenever you walk by
Don't get me wrong
If you say hello and I take a ride
Upon a sea where the mystic moon
Is playing havoc with the tide
Don't get me wrong
Don't get me wrong
If I'm acting so distracted
I'm thinking about the fireworks
That go off when you smile
Don't get me wrong
If I split like light refracted
I'm only off to wander
Across a moonlit mile
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Present
I came in earlier than usual, to make up for being late the rest of the week. I said hi to the boss, looked over to her desk out of habit, and there it was: placed just beside her keyboard, neatly wrapped in cheerful blue and green balloon wrapping paper, roughly the size of a box containing a purse.
Puzzlement: It's definitely not her birthday. It's too early for christmas. Oh no I need to get her something for christmas. Then why? If I were to give her something I'd put it right in front, make it obvious so she won't miss it. But then, placing it at the side is subtle, less paiseh for her. Ppl won't see it unless they really look. Like me.
Jealousy: I left at 8pm the night before - only 2 or 3 other girls were left and I was certain they weren't close enough to warrant a surprise out-of-nowhere present. So it must be someone who came early.
Panic: I look around. Her best friend isn't here yet. Who else is here so early? Oh no. Asshole from the other department. No one really likes him. I have seen him coming over to talk to her before. Really? Would she like him? Such grossly bad taste? Actually like someone who thinks he's so damn impt to everyone else?
Worry: Past the timing already - she's seldom late. She wasn't feeling well last night when I left. Would it be too pestering if I sms-ed her? Ask her if she's feeling better? Was she so uncomfortable she missed her stop? It's probably nothing - I should just act normal.
Should I SMS her?
Then, there she is - breezing thru the door and down the aisle. I give her some space, let her settle in, before beginning the probe - the series of questions that could shatter me.
"Hey someone gave you a present."
"Oh, I wrapped it last night after you left. It's for you."
Puzzlement: It's definitely not her birthday. It's too early for christmas. Oh no I need to get her something for christmas. Then why? If I were to give her something I'd put it right in front, make it obvious so she won't miss it. But then, placing it at the side is subtle, less paiseh for her. Ppl won't see it unless they really look. Like me.
Jealousy: I left at 8pm the night before - only 2 or 3 other girls were left and I was certain they weren't close enough to warrant a surprise out-of-nowhere present. So it must be someone who came early.
Panic: I look around. Her best friend isn't here yet. Who else is here so early? Oh no. Asshole from the other department. No one really likes him. I have seen him coming over to talk to her before. Really? Would she like him? Such grossly bad taste? Actually like someone who thinks he's so damn impt to everyone else?
Worry: Past the timing already - she's seldom late. She wasn't feeling well last night when I left. Would it be too pestering if I sms-ed her? Ask her if she's feeling better? Was she so uncomfortable she missed her stop? It's probably nothing - I should just act normal.
Should I SMS her?
Then, there she is - breezing thru the door and down the aisle. I give her some space, let her settle in, before beginning the probe - the series of questions that could shatter me.
"Hey someone gave you a present."
"Oh, I wrapped it last night after you left. It's for you."
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Time to Take a Stand.
To those who are concerned:
- with a shrinking and aging population, we do not need more degradation of the basic family unit (a father and a mother)
- Homosexuals are already portrayed in some shows from the US as 'cool' and 'in'. Showing more approval towards homosexual behaviour could possibly influence confused teenagers and cause them to think it is 'cool' to be homosexual and thus they follow suit.
- We should be aware that a loud voice, helped by media, does not constitute the majority
http://www.keep377a.com/
The petition will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 21 Oct 2007. Act now!
- with a shrinking and aging population, we do not need more degradation of the basic family unit (a father and a mother)
- Homosexuals are already portrayed in some shows from the US as 'cool' and 'in'. Showing more approval towards homosexual behaviour could possibly influence confused teenagers and cause them to think it is 'cool' to be homosexual and thus they follow suit.
- We should be aware that a loud voice, helped by media, does not constitute the majority
http://www.keep377a.com/
The petition will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 21 Oct 2007. Act now!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Yeah... i knew it.
Wolverine
One part ronin warrior, one part animal, and one part psycho. A surrogate father to an orphan girl one day, public enemy number one the next. You are, yes, the best there is at what you do... and what you do isn't always nice.
