Just came back from Essential Brew... felt really tired from work and besides work, I haven been anywhere else this past week... feeling kinda deprived of a life, so called up a couple of frens wanting to chill out. Only managed to get mei while jas joined for a short while. sh failed to join us thanx to his job... tink he got home past midnite... had wanted to find some cosy place with nice music and where it's not too noisy... but, no idea where to find such a place. Wala was too crowded as usual.. Fosters would have been a better choice than Essential Blu since there's music and the ambience is certainly much better. However, due to budget constraints (i'm already in deficit this month), settled on the less expensive option. It's only my second time there. I pretty much like that place with the cushions so suitable for jus lazing and chatting with frens... if only it was less crowded, the lights slightly dimmer and there being music played in the background.

kinda sad that the sept 6 run no longer have our weekly gatherings. everyone's busy with their own lives and jobs... the nos that turn up for gatherings have dwindled significantly, so much so that its alwiz down to the 3/4 of us. good and bad... I've alwiz preferred smaller grps cos its easier to decide on things and there'll be more interaction... but large grp outings are fun too. More people to do nonsensical stuff with. *heh* hoping we could have a reunion dinner =)

time to ZZZzzzzZZZZ... gonna do some last min shopping tomorrow ^-^

The weekend went by so quickly, simply because there's jus soooo much work to do. Or rather, I am just so inefficient that personal time has been traded in to be spent on work. On average, I have been getting around 5 hrs of sleep since last week. It didn't help that my wardrobe came in at this time as well. I was lucky not to see the mess in my room since I was at work and my dearie brother had so kindly cleaned up the room for me =) We had all underestimated the size of the wardrobe, so much so that the furniture in the house has to be reshuffled. Not that I mind since my room is now so much more spacious and I get more privacy with my bro's computer moved out of the room. But my poor bro's room is now so messy and crammed. Oops... So besides work, I had to contend with arranging all the things into my new wardrobe. I really wish there's 48 hrs a day, then I don't need to trade in my sleeping time. *sighz* We all know its impossible tho.

Went in to work on Sat morn. But I only worked for 3 hours cos I was going to get some color into my hair. It took longer than I expected and there was no way I could make it on time to meet YF for shopping. But I had forgotten to bring my phone out. *super blur* Out of desperation, I called HX and asked her to help try and obtain YF's no. Luckily she managed to. So, after doing my hair, I rushed off to Orchard for my one and only chance to shop for clothes for the new year. My hair's tinted in super bright colors, something I din expect. I thot I had picked more subtle colors like ash... but it turned out otherwise. Think the color's a little loud for work and my hair is soooo super damaged. Nonethless, I still like it. Never had such bright colors on my head ^^
I was like some caged animal just set-free. I bought the most things on Sat's shopping session with YF and Grace. However, none of what I bought seemed suitable for CNY since they're all black and white... heh... my mum's not going to be very happy abt it. Shall just mix and match with whateva I already have.

Had wanted to go somewhere for a drink and chill, but YF din feel up to it, so it was off to her place to laze. On the way to her place, we passed this SUPER DUPER GORGEOUS LOOKING GUY!!! OMG!! Both of us just so gushed and exclaimed after we walked past the guy.

It was a no-holds barred sharing session at her place for hours as we watched this super lame and superficial show "Who's Hot". Our tastes were just so differed from the judges!!

The chat with YF made me think of some things. Actually before that, I have been thinking and asking myself what's my direction gonna be in life. I still ain't able to come to a definite ans as yet but shall write about my thot process in the next entry and hopefully some light can be shed upon the path that I should take.

As for now, I can keep my eyes open no longer. ZzzzzZZzzzZZzzzzz

Had a nice, though short break from work tonight. Jus came back from a mini gathering with S23. 2 jus came back from their studies overseas, (one has just completed her law degree in UK and has returned though trying not to stay for good while another's back for his hols) while another is leaving for France tomolo on an exchange program.

Haven seen the 3 of them in a while already. We spent the night catching up on the latest updates about everyone in the class. Its realli hilarious when everyone seem to have some sort of hearing problem. All the statements were distorted!! From something like, "he looks like a jerk", it became "he looks matured"... another one was, "she said he look like a Greek God" and someone heard it as "he said he himself look like a Greek God"... *lol* there's a piece of really good news - someone's getting hitched this year!! congrats to her and i'm feeling so happy for her!! our topic went on to the age of guys, gals our age should be dating. their conclusion was someone in the late 20s, who've built up a nest and can afford to buy a house and car and settle down. hmm... are they all tinking of getting hitched already??? Personally, I think these kinda things are better left alone. When it happens, it jus happens. ^^

As we talked about all these things, it really made us feel OLD. Kinda sad remembering the good ol' days when we were all still in college. But it's wonderful that we're still keeping in touch and updated about what's going on in each other's lives. To those who're going away, enjoy urselves and take care!! To those who're staying on in Singapore jus like me, seems like we all jus got reminded that chinese new year's onli a week away... time to go shopping!! hehe, shopaholic unleashed!!

Peak has certainly started. Already feeling very tired.. it has been tight deadlines one after another.. how long will I be able to last? I have no idea.. but I really am testing my own limits. Despite the long hours, I still feel quite happy because of the team of people I'm working with. We're really like 1 big happy family. A consolation perhaps... Just before we went for dinner, we decided to try out this new wireless program that allowed us to send instant msgs to one another. It was hilarious! Everyone was drawing away, unleashing all the 'Davinci' in them. =)

I've finally started my Jap classes and its on every Sun morn 1015 - 1. Really, Jap classes are about the only thing that can make me get out of bed so early on a Sun and travel, by myself, all the way to Orchard. I still can't believe myself... haha.. But the first lesson I attended seem a little easy for me. I might consider jumping a couple of lessons and save some money... I've also finally bought my wardrobe! Yea! But it meant time spent clearing up my room for a space for the wardrobe and after the wardrobe arrives, time spent arranging my things into it. I really wonder what got into me. Choosing to do all these things when peak has just started. I'm probably trying to kill myself faster. *lol*

Aim for the nite is to hit the sacks by midnite. =)

Sumptuous lunch

There was an appreciation lunch treat yesterdae afternoon at Oriental's Cherry Garden Restaurant. Food was served to each individual in small portions and prettily arranged on huge plates. It was Chinese food served in French fine dining style =) There was a waitress who introduced every dish to make sure we know what we're eating. There was also a change of utensils that followed after every other dish! I felt weird in that setting since I was the most junior one among them all and was sitting next to the biggest shot at lunch. But I guess some others might have felt awkward and out of place just like me for throughout the 2 hour lunch, only 2 people held a conversation while the other 7 looked on.

Heck the uncomfortableness... the food was simply scrumptious! Here's a list of wat we had:

1. braised duck wrapped in beancurd skin

2. champange glazed pork ribs with prawn aioli

3. shark's fin dumpling in soup boiled using shark's bones

4. steamed red garoupa in teochew style

5. braised dofu cooked in crabmeat sauce with spinach

6. fried vermicelli in XO sauce

7. pumpkin cream with ice-cream, sago and red beans

Such a filling lunch... i took a walk back to raffles place after that in order to digest all the goodies in me... =)

decided to take a break frm work... yea, i'm still working at 11pm! wat to do? tis is the nature of my work... and tis is onli the beginning. Might end up working over the next couple of weekends. =(

actualli, i dun realli mind long hours of work if they are worth it - meaning i learn from the job and i love wat i am doing. however, ain't sure if that's the case now? learning from the job is a definite since i have no choice but am forced to read up so that i know what i am blabbering about to my bosses. dun realli mind this since i will be doing something that value-adds to myself... but loving wat i'm doing? still cannot convince myself on that point.

jus did something out of the blue today. actualli requested to try out in another dept in the company... dunno wat in the world i'm going to get myself into... wateva... i'm open to changes and believe i can adapt fast... or at least i hope so. =\

enough bout work... had a nice simple dinner wif a 'sis' today. dun realli noe her well, but jus feel very comfortable in her presence and can share loads of things with her. she's always encouraging me and am very glad for that. hope to be able to keep in touch with her. ^^ one very encouragin statement, "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE"!!

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some strangers really get on my nerves! or is there something wrong with me?? have been getting lewd looks when i am so properly-dressed in my office-wear. irritating!!! jus wat shd i do? hate these disgusting ppl!!

2 posts in 1 nite... jus feeling bored... its good weather to crawl under the covers... but i'm doing otherwise... cos i took a looong 4 hr nap earlier on and am now stuck sitting here facing the lappie feeling so wide awake!

sitting alone in the room, listening to the rustle of the leaves, howling of the winds and the sound of raindrops falling on the hard surfaces... the weird feeling i've got since evening just seem to be growing.. not too sure how to describe it but its the kinda feeling u get when u lose something important.. not that i have lost anything, so i oso ain't sure why i'm feeling tis way. Or maybe... maybe I do have a slight idea of what the reason could be...

Some things just have to happen before we start thinking about them.. why does it alwiz have to happen this way. Why can't we tink about it before anything happens? It'll be great to be able to pre-empt wat's gonna happen next. I don't wan to be able to foretell the future, but jus wan to know what happens next so that I can make the right decisions this instance.

But its no longer necessary, cos wateva should happen has occurred. From now, life will simply return to normal once again.

Gonna lay snug and warm under the comforter now =)

Breaking out of routines!

Human beings are creatures of habit. We like our comfort zones, our clearly marked boundaries, our routines, our retreats. We take paths that we or others have tested and proven safe, and hardly stray from them. We structure our lives based on patterns which have always worked for us and are averse to trying out anything new.

Routines can be useful, but if we adhere to them too rigidly, we may soon find our lives emotionally dull and meaningless. Over time, our stiff patterns may become blinds that shut out the possibility of a more vibrant, exciting and promising life.

Identify your routines. What do you do every day? So often that it's becomes a subconscious decision that requires hardly any thought? Why do you do it? Does it really benefit you? How does it benefit you? What about weekends and your leisure hours? Do you seek out the usual sources of entertainment or recreation?

If you feel like you're in a rut, that every day seems too similar to the day before, then you might want to try enlivening your life by breaking out of your routines. You may be so comfortable with them that deviating from them seems hard, but you can start with the small things.

Like taking half a day's leave to go to the movies. Taking a different route to work. Or a different mode of transport. What about eating something you've never eaten before? Or reading a magazine you've never had an interest in before?

These things may seem laughably insignificant, but it's not the thing you do that's important. It's how you allow each new experience to delight and invigorate you. Seek to be different and embrace variety and change. Don't let monotony chase the cheer out of your life.

Received the above in my mailbox. Thought it's an interesting article and would like to share it. Very often people are just unwilling to break from routine because of fear, fear of the unknown. Then they lament that life is so boring. But its all because they refuse to embrace changes. Sadly, I am guilty of it...

Sick and tired

Sick and tired.

Literally.

On the 1st day of work in the new yr, I fell sick. Not a good way to start. Friends questioned if I had party too much over the 2 long weekends? In my opinion, no I haven. Perhaps, it was more due to the countless chocs I ate. Sweet tooth... =)

Not a good time to fall sick, not when workload is so heavy. Worse of all, I lost my voice, something pretty essential in my line of work. I cannot even afford the time to take MC. *sighz* Why do I always fall sick at the wrong times??

I'm so dead tired, but I can't get to sleep, thanx to the irritating throat. Instead, I am sitting here, half doing work, half stoning away. I dread the upcoming months. Anyone has any way for me to bypass them?

I seem to be writing incoherently. Too tired and stressed out with so many things in my mind right now. All I want is my voice back...

Ushering in 2006

How time flies... 2005 is over, without me knowing what exactly I have accomplished. I never set resolutions, simply because I know they won't be kept. So, am I just living each day as it passes me by?? No, as well. Or at least I don't reckon it as such.

Our plans was to be in MOS to usher in the new year. We got there at 830pm, the queue was already horrendously long! In fact, there were 2 queues -- one for those who have bought their tix earlier and another for those without tix. The latter queue never moved so much as an inch for the 1.5 hr we were there. We gave up waiting, decided that we'll come back to MOS only when we know we don't have to queue, and headed down to Expo instead.

It was Mambo Jambo at expo... retro music for the night. The crowd there seem a little young to me. Or maybe, I'm old. *heh* The drinks were realli diluted. But I like retro and had good company for the night. Haven been out with this gf of mine in a long long while.. and seems like a lot has been happening without her telling me. And so we just danced the night away...

2006 is here... do not know what it beholds for me, but its a brand new year that requires a brand new start. I shall do just that!!

Cheers to a brighter and better 2006!!