Resolutions for 2006

I've never believed in this, but hey, I've never set any goals in life either. Time to start, so here goes:

1. Avoid the poverty trap and spend within my means
2. Save $5000 by the end of the year
3. Lose weight - let's start with 5kg
4. Exercise more, at least once a week
5. Be more diligent with the house work (this will be the mother of all resolutions)

Got anymore later than add ...

Inspiring Advert

Was surfing and suddenly this song just jammed itself into my head. Been such a long time since! Apparently, this late '80s Coca Cola song/ad was shot at St. George's Hall in Liverpool, England. They gathered together young adults from all over the world. The commercial was shot in nineteen different languages. Led by a blonde girl, the young people in the advertisement sang:

I am the future of the world
I am the hope of my nation
I am tomorrow's people
I am the new inspiration

And we've got a song to sing to you
We've got a message to bring to you

Listen to me for you and for me for tomorrow
If we all can agree there'll be sweet harmony tomorrow tomorrow
And we all will be there
(Coca-cola/With our music) to share
Feelings so real and so true
Won't you come with us tomorrow
And we'll build a better world for you.

Seems like many people aren't really sure of the words "Listen to me". The different versions include: "Please let there be", "We hold the key" and "Sweet melody".

A nice song, nonetheless.

1 - 3

Aiyoh, why like that??

Kena trashed 1 - 3 by the wrong half of Merseyside. But those red buggers really outplayed us. Moyes has a mountain to climb. He better keep us in the Premier League ...

Unbecoming

Today damn steam, cos was helping out last night. Slept this morning at 2.30am, and woke up at 8am.

Anyway, this morning was informed that there might be a meeting. "Huh? Meeting? Isn't that scheduled for Friday", I asked with incredulity. What happened was, one of the guys will be on leave, and our friend decided that he should bring forward the meeting when everyone is around.

But it's only 1 working day ago that we had the last meeting!! DUHH! What updates can there be? Moreover, there's this one chap that has been missing the meeting, and yet he gets away with murder.

Anyhow, after much grumbling and re-arranging of pre-scheduled meetings, we waited. D-Day H-Hour came. And passed. WTF??!! 1.30pm came and passed. 2pm. 2.20pm. Finally, we got word that he sent an SMS, informing that he can't make it for the meeting!

Now what is wrong with this fella? He changes meetings as and when he likes. It's ok to make us wait for him, but not him for us. No basic courtesy to tell us he can't make it for the meeting.

Is that how they educate their people on Mars?

Christmas Eve

Woke up lazily today, around 2pm. Was at mum's last night for BBQ, before we left to meet up with the rest to got up The Hill. Every thing went ok until they discovered a missing item. Poor chap had to go back again to replace.

Wifey and I dragged our feet around and was in no particular hurry with our chores. We had agreed to go down to Orchard for a much-needed X'mas spirit infusion, and we left the house around fourish.

Orchard was so crowded! It was CNY shopping all over again. First stop was Centrepoint as we needed to get gifts for the 2 little devils. Couldn't find anything, so we trodded along.

We eventually plonked ourselves down in Akashi Jap Restaurant. Because of my cost-cutting ways, it's been such a long time since we last had a restaurant meal. The food was good, as expected. Bento good, sashimi fresh, reverse california sushi good.

I must say the lights this year are nothing to rave about. 'Ordinary' and 'uninspiring' come to mind. Luckily we still had the crowd, the X'mas facade lights, and all the noise and racket.

Not to mention the weather. I have always loved Christmas because of the weather. There will always be a cool year-end breeze that feels so ... comforting. With Wifey holding my hand tightly, it really has a calming effect. Makes all the problems I have at work seem so far away. 没有白活了.

We eventually found the presents at Ngee Ann City's atrium sale. Bought for the girl a Powerpuff Girls cushion, and the boy a Chicken Little shirt.

Got to try to rest early. Tomorrow meeting the guys for CS and in the evening, helping out.

The Year We Skipped Christmas

This year, I decided that we will not be putting up the Christmas tree. So much has happened that I don't want to dampen the Christmas spirit that fills the air when the tree is up.

Yes, the 2 kids will be disappointed, Wifey is unhappy and I'm breaking the tradition with the team, but I guess I need my moments.

不见棺材不流泪

Ever since the Perth trip, I've been in debt. Imagine - had to borrow money to go holiday! Thank goodness for Wifey, who lent me shopping money for the trip. She has since lent me money to pay for my credit card bills and insurance also. She even passed me some pocket money last week! (That small amount has since been returned when I got my pay). Those were painful times, with no money in the bank and the burden of an unpaid loan.

How bad was it? I had to use my ezLink card to pay for my meal at Mc's. Why Mc's and not food court? I was out of cash and Mc's is the only place that takes ezLink payment!!

This whole episode has forced me to wake up and sit up. No more messing around with my finances. No more mindless purchases. No more losing track of cashflow. And more savings please!! Heck, just the other day I even resisted the temptation of buying a $2 cup of buttered corn! But I was damn hungry ...

I've gone on a severe belt-tightening regime, scrutinising every single intention and purchase. Must not allow this to lapse into a knee-jerk reaction; it must be a way of life!! This shall be included as Item #462 on my New Year resolution ...

This month will be siong, as I still have to clear last month's bills, but next month should be a breeze.

Financial freedom, wait for me!!

It Has Been a While

It has been a while since I've been here. My last blog was 20 October. Many things have happened, both happy and sad.

Over the next few days I'll try to cover / recall as much as I can, starting from the Perth trip, then moving onto financial woes, fengshui, ancestors, weddings and *surprise!* my work.

All subsequent entries will be pre-dated, or at least as near the actual day as possible lah.

A Blog About Something

Was thinking to myself that it has been a while since I last blogged. "There must be something to blog about", I thought out loud.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing newsworthy.

Going to Parkway later with Wifey for dinner and also to change Aussie currency. Somehow, I am not as excited as I should be. I haven't even packed! My work is really getting the better of me.

This is my first blog from office!

You Know Your Time Is Up When ... (Part I)

• you feel crappy on Sunday, as it is just ONE MORE DAY to Monday
  
  
• your Sunday is spent in a daze, as you think of all those problems you will be going back to
  
  
• as you drive yourself to work on Monday, you keep asking yourself why should life be like this
  
  
• you are physically in the office, but your mind is somewhere else far, far away
  
  
• by the time you sober up, you realise it's almost 4pm already

YIPPEEE!!

WE ARE GOING TO PERTH!!! WOOHOO!

Went down to pay today. It will be a rather large group, almost the whole family. We set off at the end of this month! It has been about one month in the making. Doing research, making calls, doing up the itinerary ... man, I enjoyed every minute of it!

Nice Song - I'd Really Love To See You Tonight

Have been playing this song at least 8000 times in the car. It's a very sweet song.

I'd Really Love To See You Tonight

(England Dan & John Ford Coley)

Hello, yeah, it's been a while.
Not much, how 'bout you?
I'm not sure why I called,
I guess I really just wanted to talk to you.

And I was thinking maybe later on,
We could get together for a while.
It's been such a long time,
And I really do miss your smile.

I'm not talking 'bout moving in,
And I don't want to change your life.
But there's a warm wind blowing,
The stars are out, and I'd really love to see you tonight.

We could go walking through a windy park,
Or take a drive along the beach.
Or stay at home and watch t.v.
You see, it really doesn't matter much to me.

I'm not talking 'bout moving in,
And I don't want to change your life.
But there's a warm wind blowing,
The stars are out, and I'd really love to see you tonight.

I won't ask for promises,
So you won't have to lie.
We've both played that game before,
Say I love you, then say goodbye.

I'm not talking 'bout moving in,
And I don't want to change your life.
But there's a warm wind blowing,
The stars are out, and I'd really love to see you tonight.

Can also listen to it here:

http://219.129.216.32:8080/wmassss只支持6人在线tts/r/0520/7.wma


*UPDATE*
Just found out this song first appeared in 1976!! FWAH! Why don't they write songs like they used to??!!
: )

Someone Finally Got It ...

Got a call from our friend. The message was simple: I am spending too much time fixing operational problems, so much so that I am neglecting the business side of things. Another motherhood statement awaits. "We should sit down and discuss the way ahead".

EXACTLY!!! WTF have I been telling you all these months??!! I'm the sales, marketing, BD, production, operations guy, and still want me to develop products??!! KNN, you paying me millions, is it? I magician, is it? 8-year-old problems can solve overnight is it?

You think our friend hit on the idea himself? Please! It was because one of the VPs reminded him that "He is too expensive to be doing all those things!"

KNN. Lim peh loo sio loo tu lan.

What A Day ...

It's a bit hard to believe sooooo many things happened today, all unpleasant.

1. A close colleague tendered his resignation today. While he has my blessings, all my technical projects are now in jeopardy.
   
   
2. We lost the tender that we were so confident of winning. My boss wants to appeal. Like duhhh, appeal against a tender loss?
   
   
3. The other tender we are nurturing is dangerously close to being clinically dead. The partner we are working with wants "a better price than what our competitor is getting". Like duhhh, you sure your info choon?
   
   
4. Wifey told me over dinner that her friend has been admitted. She has early-stage TB. I was like "WHAT??!! And how old is she??" Yes, she was a heavy smoker once, but she has cut down lots from last time. And she's still so young. How come some people smoke throughout their fucking life and barely catch a cold?
   
   
5. A good friend whose wedding I'm supposed to attend in 2 weeks' time called. "Just to let you know the wedding is off". "WHY?" I raised my voice for no apparent reason. "I'm not ready to talk about it now." Now WTF is going on here?
   
   
6. While calling another close friend to talk about the called-off wedding, more bad news. Her husband just quitted his job in AU, and is now back in SG. Reason? Stupid fickle-minded boss. Hmm ...
   
   

While all these were happening, I was actually just back from a training course on self-discovery that asked poignant questions, like:

1. Do you have a role model? (No.)
   
   
2. Do you have a personal mission statement? (No.)
   
   
3. What are your personal goals? (Never got that figured out since primary school.)
   
   
4. Do you know that there is no such thing as "no choice"? (Is that right?)
   
   
5. Do you know that the thing / scene /value you think of when you are day-dreaming, is your real inner-thoughts? (Err, ok.)
   
   

The course really made me think of what I don't have (a goal) and what I didn't do (things that will get me to the goal). I will spend the next few weeks thinking of what I want to own / be / at , and how to achieve them.

While I am taking the day's unfoldings in good stride, I think it offers many lessons that will take me a while more to comprehend and digest.

Anyhow, I hope it will be a looooong time more before the Day of Bad News returns.

When Can I?

When can I stop feeling crappy on Sunday because next day got to return to work?

When can I watch My Date with A Vampire III on the sofa, not in front of my notebook?

When can I have 2 full days of the weekend to spend with my family?

When can I find a job whose workscope I really enjoy?

When can I join an organisation or department that I really like?

Exercise

Wifey and I bought a stepper months ago, but it was only this week that we started using it seriously. We. Have. To. Lose. Weight.

We are so serious that I even came up with a chart to track our progress. Basically, we jot down the number of steps we can do in 5 minutes. (5 minutes is the time suggested in the user guide). We also record the the number of calories burnt (readout from the stepper has been averaging 25 calories - it's a good start!) and weight.

I've also been trying to get involved in more sports. We had badminton last weekend, and later a few of my colleagues are going for street soccer.

Healthy living, here I come!

Zoom Zoom

It has been one and a half years since we had our car. This week, 40,000km later, our M3 went in for a major servicing. When I collected it the next day, it didn't feel significantly better, but it was the peace of mind to know that the companion I go to work with every morning has gotten his clean bill of health.

Over the past few months the car has also gotten noisy. Initially we thought it was problems with the axle or chassis, but it turned out to be the tyres. Dad brought the car out yesterday and came back with 4 new tyres.

FWAH!! Such a world of difference!! The road hold was good, control was good, breaking was responsive. Most importantly, it was quiet. Didn't realised I missed the purring of the engine.

Geh Pui Liao

That means TOO FAT ALREADY in Hokkien, a Chinese dialect.

I was sitting on the barber's chair when I realised I had very PRONOUNCED double chin. I mean, I knew I had some spare flesh there, but it really looked gross. I checked the incline of the chair. Maybe the double chin is caused by the chair leaning back, and me having to tilt my head to see into the mirror, I reasoned.

Yah, right.

Wifey and I agree that we haven't been really living healthily. We hardly exercise. I think this lack of exercise may also be a bane to natural child-bearing. We have decided that we need to exercise at least twice a week, with one hour for each session.

Watch this space for the slimmer, healthier duo!

Quotes

For some strange reason, I really like these 2 quotes:

• On the Brink of Greatness
• Flashes of Brilliance

The first one will be a good book title if I ever make it. The operative word: IF.

The second one can be used to describe me: once in a long while, I actually sort out my thoughts.

More Good Years

Both Wifey and I took leave - a badly needed break.

The main reason for the leave is because it is our anniversary. 16 years ago, we decided we loved each other's company and went steady. That was the second best decision I've ever made.

The best decision? Marrying her 11 years after going steady.

We started the day lazily, taking our time to wake up. After a quick wash-up, we went to get the stuff for my evening prayers first, then to the petrol station. Then it was a sweet drive down to Suntec. The Japanese buffet was good! Can go again. The photo (and the half-eaten wrap) may not do it justice, but for the price, the spread was heavenly!

After buying tickets at Marina, we window-shopped between Marina and Suntec. Must say Marina has changed tremendously. Frankly, what's left is the facade. All the insides are different now.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory wasn't too bad. Not too sure how faithful it is to the book though.

It has been one of the slowest day in the last few months, and we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. When we both grow old, wouldn't it be nice to stroll down the Esplanade, hand-in-hand, reminiscing about our time together ...

The Gods Have Spoken

Had been wanting to seek guidance from divination lots (求签) for a while now. The work has been so unbearable, but I am under instructions of "This is the job, so stick around."

Had a very strong urge to visit the temple today, so I went down for prayers and also for a second opinion from the lots. It was crowded, and it took me only a while to realise that it was the 15th of the lunar month - a holy day.

One cannot ignore the presence of Divine Presence. I could have felt the urge on any other day, but no, it has to be the 15th. Moreover, it was a Friday. Hmm ...

The first lot was to ask if I should stay, and if this was THE job. The answer was yes, this was the job and that sunlight will soon follow once this rain is over. It didn't help my mood.

The second lot was if I should leave. Surprisingly, the lot answered in the positive - Yes, I can leave! Provided I seek advice from "the man that lives by the mountains".

Yippee!! I felt so much better after this. I even went to buy a Lot Interpretation Book (解签书). Dad was right - it is a load off my mind.

Looking around, I'm so lucky to be surrounded by people who care for me, feel for me and who genuinely want to help, immortals and mortals alike.

Evaporated vs Condensed Milk

For the longest time, I've had problems telling the 2 apart. Which is the sticky one? Which is the one with chocolate flavour? And why condensed? Why evaporated? Chemical process? Wifey has given up trying to help me remember.

Finally, after some research, the truth is out.

Condensed milk is a type of whole milk thickened after 60% of its water contents are removed (through evaporation!). So it becomes concentrated (CONdensed is CONcentrated, geddit?)

Then there's sweetened condensed milk, where sugar is added to the content. There's also unsweetened condensed milk, where no sugar is added but it is heat-treated for sterilisation. People associate it with evaporated milk.

Thus,

Evaporated milk = referring to the process when it got evaporated to get rid of water Condensed milk = sweetened, thik milk

Comprendre?

"They Never Complain"

In today's Recruit section, one of the points of "What Makes People Successful" is that ... they never complain.

2 thoughts:

Nabeh, no wonder! I whine too much!

This was followed quickly by

Choon boh? Mai pian lah!

Lucky I Steam ...?

Because of the stupid tender that I wrote about in an earlier entry, I slept only 3 hours over a 48-hour period. Submission was done by someone else. Left office yesterday at 12.30pm to rest. Had lunch with Wifey, and then konked out for 4 hours. In between, was woken up by SMSes and calls. Fuck off and let me sleep! Even now still sipeh steam ...

In the evening, got SMSes from 2 different sources that the tender results were out, and we were the lowest bidder. Strangely, I didn't know how to react. There was ... dead calm. On the one hand, I was absolutely bitter and upset that I was the only one doing most of the tender. And everytime my boss called for a tender meeting, it was like, to critique my work! Who else can say they only slept 3 hours in 2 days?? CCB! I was determined to tender my resignation once Monday comes. This tender was the final nail in the coffin. I have been pushed too far.

Yet when I heard the news, I was glad that I put in all those efforts. My months of hard work was finally paying off. Don't we all hope to see results from the work we put in? All of a sudden, it seems the other tender we are nurturing doesn't seem so daunting after all, and that everything's possible.

All I want to do now is to gauge my feeling when I go to work on Monday, back to the sickening and mundane, to see if my feeling of achievement prevailed.

By the way, the word in this post's title is of a different context from my previous post.

Joke

Heard this stupid joke years ago ...

An African guy, an American guy and a Chinese guy were the only survivors of a plane crash. They landed on an island full of cannibals, and were soon brought before the chief.

"I will let you off, only if the combined length of your sexual organs (I'm trying not to be rude here) add up to at least 20 inches. All three men nodded quickly, thankful for this slim chance of survival.

All the men went to "prepare" themselves. The African was the first one to step forward. He dropped his pants, and managed 10 inches! There was a loud murmur among the bystanders. The American was next, and he produced his 8 inches of pride. Some of the tribal women gasped. And now it was the Chinese guy's turn. When he dropped his pants, "3 inches!" someone shouted, and everyone roared.

The chief honoured his words, and the 3 survivors ran for dear life. After 20 minutes, they finally stopped to catch their breathes. The African said, "If not for my 10 inches, the both of you would have become stew!" The American said "Hey, I contributed too!"

With a smug look on his face, the Chinese guy said "You too are fortunate. Lucky I steam ..."

At least got a little bit funny lah, yes?

How to Screw Your National Day Holiday

Stay at home, take out the file that you brought from the office, power up your office notebook, connect to the Internet, and continue to do the CCB tender that is closing this Friday at 4pm that your boss wants to review at 2pm tomorrow.

Great to Know I'm Not Alone

Had a great gathering with some uni friends. Has been a while since we last met, and happy to know that all seems to be doing fine in their jobs, well at least on the surface.

We did the usual "So how's work?" down the table. When it was my turn, it was with a little bit of anger and shame that I shared about my new work scope, my laughable package, my punishing work hours and my bosses. For once, I really thought they took pity on me.

"Why don't quit?" one asked.

"2 more months to his anniversary," another offered. Spot-on!

I told them I no longer understand the thrill and excitement of making money for the company, while they give you some microscopic amounts as your reward. My very existence in this world and self-worth evolves around how much money I can make for the company.

"There must be other ways of making money, right," I asked, to nobody in particular.

"I'm so tempted to do permanent temp after I quit. Or maybe I should be a professional bowler."

Attention turned to the classmate that owned the restaurant where we were in. Upon hearing this exchange, he smiled and said softly, "Been there, done that."

He said he began asking all these years ago, and that's why he is so adamant on doing what he wants to do. "I might as well work hard for myself. There is a lot more satisfaction."

It defintely feels good to know that there are people around me that is going through or have gone through this stage. I'm confident I'll survive and emerge a stronger person. Taxi license, anyone?

We then adjourned to Esplanade to catch the could-have-been-better fireworks.

"If I'm In Space ..."

Was reading the papers about the repair jobs they are doing to the Discovery, and was reminded of my (once) keen interest in space and astronomy.

I pestered my parents to buy any children's book on astronomy that I laid my hands on. I read verociously, but remember nothing now due to my porous memory.

I still remember the delight in Pri 2 (or was it Pri 3?) when our Science teacher wanted us to compose a poem on space. We were to submit our work the following day. I ran the lines in my head while walking home. I refined them while having dinner. I firmed up my masterpiece while tossing in bed.

And my proud moment came when I volunteered and stood up to recite:

If I'm in space,
I will explore the place.
Maybe I'll visit the planet Mars
Or other well-known stars.

Nary A Complaint

Decided to have dinner with the guys. Called Wifey to tell her she'll have to settle her own dinner. There was no hint of anger or disappointment in her tone, and it made me a little guilty.

Ever since starting this job 9 months ago, I have been extremely unhappy, busy, depressed and whatever negative verbs you can think of. My one pillar of strength has been my dear Wifey. In her own quiet way, she has swallowed her disappointments, lent a listening ear, supported me, been my voice of reason, and much much more. Once in a while, she lets go a mild remark of "We haven't been to the movies for a while already leh", but it was never meant to pressure.

I have been depriving her of the daily dosage of love and company she deserves. I badly want to make it up to her, but don't know what can be done in the near future, with this job. Even now I'm stealing time from my brought-home office work to blog. Was work ever meant to be LIKE THIS??

Which also got me thinking that maybe I'm not suited for the business world after all. I've always believed that to be successful in business, you need to have flair, interest, luck and killer instincts. Guess how many I have?

Recent news reports that Lance Armstrong has won his unprecedented 7th consecutive Tour de France race really inspired me. It proves:

• even cancer can be overcome
• the strength of the human will (something that I need serious help with)
• there is money to be made in more ways than one

Maybe it's time to look at making money from non-traditional means. A full-time stay-home stock market investor? A lounge singer? Start my tap dance lesson and make some money from there? Or maybe it's time to receive formal training for my bowling?

The KG Man Part II

Never, never underestimate the power of the karang guni man.

The KG man can be suave enough to attract ex-stewardesses, borrow $40,000 from them, and them dump then.

Ok if you are single. Major no no if you are married with kids.

Back to the Drawing Board

Wifey just informed me of our monthly exam result - it was marked in red.

We shall try for one more month the natural way. May the Lord bless us, for failing that, we shall go for IUI.

The Aussie Tea Party

Another group of Aussie friends in SG, and we met in Tampines. Lemon tea at Mackers, teh si at Ah Kun, and then teh tarik at Jalan Kayu.

Now sipeh bloated.

Life's Little Pleasures

Slept late last night, and woke up today feeling crappy. Had tried to leave the office since 5.30, but only succeeded at 7pm.

It was only drizzling when I left, but it eventually became a downpour. Ahh ... the smell of rain. I was enjoying its deep, deep calming effect on me. I was humming to one of my favourite songs on radio. I was even mesmerised by the pitter patter of the rain on the car.

I realised I smiled. I have not felt so at ease, so calm and so contented for a long time already ...

Travelling

Had some Aussie friends over, so we had dinner together. So happy to see them, even though they come to SG quite often. Mind you, these are the people that made our stay in AU so much more meaningful, and they really eased us in. They helped us settle in - went shopping with us at Salvo(Salvation Army), passed us household stuff, lent us the washing machine, pulled all these in their trailer, helped us find a car, and even serviced the car for us! We get invited to all extended family gatherings. We became part of the family. We are deeply, deeply indebted to their sincerity, generosity and love.

Anyway, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, they will be flying off to Canada to enjoy the Alaskan cruise. A remarkable achievement, 25 years, by any measure. We wish them many more 25 years to come!

It got me thinking of my love for travelling.

Do I really like to travel?
Do I really want to know about their cultures, history and stuff?
Is travelling really a form of therapy?
Do I really go for bargain hunting while overseas?

Or is it that I just want to get away from it all, literally?
To leave behind the unhappiness and burden of work, to have a choice of whether to respond to a call or an SMS or not, to be able to exist in a parallel dimension where I'm holidaying while there are people still worrying about the work I delegated?

I think I am an escapist. If I eventually find a job that I adore, I suspect my interest in travelling will subside.

On the way back, Wifey was analysing with me categorically on why I've become so unhappy at work. I tend to agree with her. The character analysis test I did recently also suggests a wrong job-personality fit.

So why haven't I done IT??

The KG Man

Now the stack of newspapers has been there for the longest time, like a month. Those karang guni men that used to roam the corridors of my HDB block have all but disappeared.

So imagine my excitement when I heard the faint sound of the ice-cream bell, a tool of the trade for the KG Man. Problem is, by the time I stepped out of the house, he was already somewhere else. Hence began my Track the KG Man Operation. I eventually found him 10 minutes later, 7 floors down. I could have done it faster with more practice, but I guess I got the pointers:

• Develop a sharp ear for THE BELL - it is your only hope
• Determine if he is above or below your floor
• Then go floor by floor. Once in a while, pop your head out from the corridor to see if you spot him

Because my block has 3 stairwells, I actually got ahead of him. I was about to head upwards when he reached the floor I was on.

Final note: ALWAYS negotiate with the KG Man. He will be able to up the offer a little. For my stack, I was offered $5. "Keh tam po lah", I urged.

"Ok lah, ok lah. $6".

Or yah, and try to speak dialects. Somehow the affinity seems to help.

How to Screw Your Staff Part II

It is 2am. I am still up while my colleagues are already asleep. Except for those cheongsters, of course.

There is a tender closing in 14 hours' time. And I'm the only sucker doing it. Now. At 2am.

At my previous place, I worked like shit. At the current place but previous portfolio, I worked like shit. Now, new portfolio, I still work like shit.

MAYBE I AM SHIT!

"You don't know how to delegate", you griped.
"Learn to plan", you reminded.
"Ever tried 3 hours of sleep, everyday, for 1 year", you shared.

The best has yet to come.

"You lack that killer instinct", you said, disapprovingly.

But wasn't it my mild-manneredness and ability to click with people that landed me this job? And now I have to re-condition myself to be a killer?

It's not so much of how, but why?? Why the double standards?

Wifey just commented that of all my years of working, she has never seen me so depressed, agitated and frustrated. She also said "I'm surprised you still can carry on".

Someone, anyone, please help ...

Bloggers.SG

Reached there with Wifey just after 2pm. The traffic was horrendous! On top packed with cars, below packed with people - wah piang ...

It was interesting to see in person those people whose blogs I have been reading. Wifey said "Xiaxue looks quite pretty". Everyone seemed to know everyone - they seemed to be quite a close group. As expected, there were NKF jokes.

As a conference, the event was quite flat. But considering it was the inaugural event, looking at the turnout and the organising, I must say - WELL DONE!

It also got me thinking about blogging and bloggers. Do these bloggers:

• blog because they want to register their thoughts, life and opinions, or
• play to the stands, and therefore talk about things that will attract eyeballs

Whatever the reason, the choice is theirs. As with life, nothing is absolute.

Left shortly after the Technology bits started, cos Wifey was getting bored.

Plan B

So far, all the gynaes we've been to strongly suggest getting pregnant the natural way. No different again this morning when we went in for an appointment.

Doc said the egg has been released - yippee! Guess who's gonna be happy tonight? *wink*

Anyway, we asked him, since we have been trying the natural way for so long, what is our next course of action. He replied the next natural step will be IUI. We will have to try it for 3 months. "It is a simple procedure, but let's hope the good news come before that", he said.

The nurse at the counter was so sweet. "I'll pray for you," she offered. Thanks!!

We will be going for prayers ourselves tomorrow.

The $600,000 Peanut

The whole of Singapore is abuzz with the NKF saga.

We have the gold-plated tap, first-class flights, $25,000 a month salary, 12 months' bonus, and a well-intended but ill-constructed remark about peanuts.

My 2 cents' worth is that they should include more patients in their programme. More subsidies won't hurt either.

Oh, by the way, KDF will need our support too.

Waltzing Mathilda

Sent Wifey to the gynae for a jab this morning. Was still upset from what happened yesterday. Wifey said she'll support me, whatever my actions. THANK YOU, MY PRINCESS!

Anyway, was with some colleagues when I heard this remark "Oh, I prefer Sydney. Not like Perth, a dead town." Having heard it for the 1,215,865th time, my temperature was rising, and I asked "Have you been to Perth before?"

"No" was the response.

The strange thing about these people that claim Perth to be a dead town are also people who have never been there! So how can one claim a place is good or bad, alive or dead without having been there physically?

I happen to like Sydney too, but I also find Perth a great city to be in. It is up to the individual to decide if he wants to participate in urban activities or indulge in laid back relaxation.

The next time I hear the same remark again, I will make them sing Waltzing Mathilda 10 times while doing a handstand.

How To Screw Your Staff

First I took a basic pay cut to join. "The OTE is still higher, what," I was told.

Then gave me a "choice", to choose between Sales or Product Management.

When I "chose" Product Management, tell me it is a challenge, but I will be guided.

Then ask me what new package I am proposing.

When I proposed, it got negotiated (read: reduced).

Told me the weightage for a sales person and a non-sales person is very different. "The exposures are different".

Then ask me out for lunch, and told me the new package.

"You know the people around you who are drawing this pay, what they are doing". Yes, yes, I'm not dim, I got the hint!

Then tell me the package didn't get approved.

Then proposed to put me back on my sales package.

HELLO???!!! How much crap can a person endure? How many lies can a person take? How many U-turns can a person swallow? How much more nonsense do I need to be subjected to before I wake up my idea and QUIT?

All thanks to the slow coach (pun intended) on lane 1, else I would have been booked by the TP behind me. Bloody blinded by anger and disappointment.

Tonight is supposed to be the night where we try for a baby some more!

CCB. Loo sio loo too lan.

Exchange Policy

Wifey and I went shopping for teh kor yesterday. Being the smart aleck that I am, I told her there was no need check the 2 boxes. "Should be ok one, lah", the Learned One said. Guess what?

• Box 1: Wrong contents, right size
• Box 2: Right contents, wrong size

With tail between my legs, we trodded back to the shopping centre. The first box was easy to resolve. "Somebody put the wrong design into this box!" The retail assistant gingerly put the right one in.

The second one needed some planning. The exchange policy for teh kor is - NO EXCHANGE ALLOWED. We grabbed a box with the right contents, and well, did a 偷龙转风 at some dark corner.

Sssshhh ...

The Story of Waverley

Waverley is the name of the road that I used to live on, when I was studying overseas. It was a nice and serene suburban residential area. Living in a foreign land can be harrowing, but at the end of the day when you go back to a place that's safe and warm, it is enough to put a smile on your face. And in your heart.

I Finally Did It.

I finally did it - I created my own blog. After months of procrastination and incessant local blog community exposure, I decided it was time. Choosing a title wasn't that hard either. The name Waverley connotes sweet memories, which is what I hope this blog to be - collection of sweet thoughts and memories. Guess I have to pick up where I left off 14 years ago, the last time I kept a diary. I don't suppose this blog will attract any (if at all) readers, so I'll be, well, talking to myself.