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.