My 100th Post!

Fwah! Didn't expect I'll hit 100 posts. Expected myself to be lazy. But since this is supposed to be my diary, I've tried to be as conscientous as possible.

Actually, 100 posts from July last year until now, 15 months, averaging 7 posts a month, isn't something to shout about lah.

Let's see how long it takes for the next 100 posts!

Communication

In recent weeks, we heard of conflicts between daughter and parents, as well as boss and subordinates. Each side insists on his/her opinion, and no one seems to want to give way.

I attribute all these to a lack/failure of communication. Don't wait until beh tahan already then explode everything out. Problems, like food, are easier to handle if they are in bite-sizes. Any unhappiness or uneasiness, no matter how small, should be brought out and discussed. No only does it nib the problem when it is smaller, it also builds the relationship with trust and mutual respect.

Such problems can happen to couples just as easily. My policy with Wifey is also the same: not happy, say out. Don't bottle. We have enjoyed great communications over the years, and I don't want that to change.

Wong Fu Productions

Came across this video clip at XLX's blog.

Damn funny. Went to their site at http://www.wongfuproductions.com, and found more gems!

Anyway, enjoy the show : )

How Come Leh?

Why is it that I can talk with ease to hawkers, cleaners, guards, students, salespeople, cashiers and the likes, but fumble when faced with CEOs, MDs, ministers or even angmohs?

Actually I know the answer: it is mindset.

For fear of saying the wrong things, for looking like an idiot, for sounding less intelligent than I really am. I kick in a different mode, and the outcome is exactly that: say wrong things, look like an idiot, and sounding less intelligent.

I have to start learning that they are humans too. As someone told me recently: Make that conscious decision to.

Say wrong things, look like idiot and looking less intelligent all equate to failing. It got me thinking: how come I'm so averse to failing leh? Sometimes, for fear of failing, I don't even want to do/start/say something.

Time to get out from under the rock and start living ...

Parental Love

Those past 2 weeks were terrible, but it taught an important lesson. If you were to dwell deep into the source of the case, one would realise that the underlying message is: PARENTAL LOVE.

Parents would do almost anything for their children, some even offering their own lives. I also recall the many sacrifices that my parents have made for me.

Yet, I am painfully ashamed of the little that I've done for them thus far. Can't afford to take them on tours (they have to pay for it themselves), hardly buy them things, even the car I'm driving. Priority should be given to Dad, but I end up hogging it most of the time.

So what has their poor son been doing? Keeping my weekly dinner dates, updating them about my daily life, and taking a genuine interest in their well-being. I know it's barely scratching the surface, but that's what I (and they) can only contend with now.

My dream is to one day, create 2 tertiary scholarships in their name. For Dad, a scholarship in languages, and for Mum, one in humanities.
They had (and still have) so much love to give. To them, I'll be forever their little boy. Oh, how I love the both of you so much! So many times, I want to hug the both of you and say thank you, but our Asian conservatism forbids me from doing so. Shit, I hate it when I get emo ... please excuse me as I grab a tissue ...

*compose compose*

On this very symbolic occasion, Pa, Ma, I would like to wish the both of you:

A VERY HAPPY 35th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

Big Case Part II

Saturday night was supposed to be the last chance, but got called on Sunday night to report in.

This can't go on. It has passed my threshold. Anything that needs me to give up sleep, family time and is affecting my work is too big a compromise. If this case doesn't close soon, I don't want to be sleeping for 2 hours every night for the rest of my life.

Thankfully I've been allowed a daily (nightly?) early release.

What Will You Do ...

... if, in the span of 3 days, your boss tells you:

A) you are not shrewd and nasty enough, and

B) he hopes he doesn't reach the stage of him using a stick

A) came about because he thinks you were too nice to an agent. He expects you to change, ie. become nastier. Why? Because that is a pre-requisite to be in the business world!

If I have to change this aspect of my character because of my environment, then I'll rather change my environment.

B) came about because he thinks you are too soft, and have been bullied by the customer. This part I can agree. I need to be more assertive and must learn to put my foot down.

All said and done, my boss is a nice guy. This mild outbursting from him might have been a while in the making, meaning he's been holding it within until now.

Big Case Part I

Last night marked the start of the Big Case.

I don't know how long it would last. And I don't know how much daily sleep I'll get. If the 2 hours I got this morning is any indication, I think we are in for something whose scale I cannot comprehend.

And obviously, this post is pre-dated.

Bye, Mate

I've not seen anyone so enthusiastic and dramatic before. He actually got me interested in crocodiles.

I've always thought that if any mishaps were to happen, a crocodile would be involved. I was wrong. It was a stingray instead.

May you rest in peace, mate.

Lest We Forget

Accompanied Wifey sometime back to the newly-refurbished People's Park Complex. Yes, the place seems brighter and newer, but some flavour seems to have been lost.

Anyhow, as she was window-shopping, I went wandering around. On one of the floors, I made a turn and found myself back in the nostalgia that is Chinatown. I didn't realise that this part of the building wasn't upgraded. The shops were still using iron grilles, the signboards were old, and the floor tiles were still the small squarish type. I smiled to myself, having found the flavour back.

As I walked further, I came to the end of the building, and from across where I was, was the Chin Swee estate. This place brings back memories, as I recall my dad bringing me here to a 铁打 for my sprained ankle. The shop was no longer there, but the quaint red-green 亭子 was.

I walked downstairs, crossed the road, and did some walking-around. The birds were chirping, old people chatting, children playing, the whole experience was so surreal. And I enjoyed myself, lapping up all the rusticity. To add to the high, in front of Sheng Siong, I saw a bunch of old folks watching two chess players having a go at the game.





I am such a sentimentalist. I was both happy to find this gem of a place, but at the same time, worried for its existence. In our relentless pursuit of development, the evil claws of upgrading will, in a few years' time, degenerate this place into nothing more than memories.

When that day happens, at least with this post, the image can be preserved for posterity, and I can say that 我曾经到此一游.