Expectations, Appreciation and Understanding

Was supposed to head for bed by 1230am (a timing self-set), but I have more important things to do – blog!

Well a truly nottoz-styled (or more aptly nottoz-pre-work-styled) blog has not surfaced since a long while back and we can only blame the draining work ever since Aug 04. That said, it’s gonna be 2nd work anniversary this coming wed!

Yesterday during our gathering, Feng told us about her beau’s proposal. However, the guy wasn’t quite up to expectations and had left my dear friend disappointed. It would have helped if he had sought our advice before the proposal, to fulfill the lady’s expectations. Still, hope Jason succeeds soon as we know both of them are ready for lives together. We’ll be hearing good news soon!

To most of us ladies, that moment of proposal is like the moment for life, the moment that gets engraved in our minds and gets packaged into our “sweet memories” bank for life. This could lead to us having the expectation for a perfect moment, that moment where our hearts just get seized and squeezed, where we find ourselves on cloud nine and ninty-nine. For me, I am undecided on whether I would be happy if WW goes around seeking advice from my female friends, as being the original me, I might just be hoping WW can read my mind. But yes, here we will have to follow the Golden Advice for all relationships: Drop all expectations and see the merit from every well-thought and well-meant action or behaviour.

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I was just telling WW, how I’ve neglected romancing him. These days work occupies a huge part of me and my mind and other times I care more about efficiency in everything than to slow down and take things in appreciation. I complain to WW more than once or twice about his style of communication – packed with a little sting and that tease to dig out the anger in you. Many a times I fell for his trickery and got myself feeling a little unjustified, wondering how he could say things of me, albeit in a joking way. But isn’t this just looking at the little things that tend more to irritate, rather than looking at positive and good things he has done for me?

Also, these days we tend to get irritated more easily, perhaps due to the way we feel we’re treated in this working world. While driving, I’ll tend to scold or criticise other drivers or pedestrians, without realising the effect on the passenger in the car (that’s WW). Negative remarks rub off negativity in me and also the people around me. And it’s true that we should not get mad with those without consideration or who cause inconveniences to us though sometimes not intentionally. So that’s one area of improvement I have to work on – tolerance towards others and not be so niao of them.

Today while deciding where to go before heading back home for dinner, we had a tough time as both of us were trying to come up with suggestions we feel would please the other. Sometimes I feel we spare consideration for the other party, but end up could have a harder time having to decide. I won’t be able to change this perspective of placing WW’s happiness before mine, as I solely hope for him to be happy, and me sure it’s the same for him too.

Ended up he drove me to Simply Bread to buy the European bread I have been craving for, then we went on to Margaret Drive hawker centre for teh and popiah. And hee, I was really satisfied having bought the oatmeal roll, croissant and walnut raisin loaf at Simply Bread. Felt very happy too as WW advised me on a future path of life which once I had envisioned.

And it’s true. If you have something you want to complain about, think first of another good thing that you can compliment on. If you can’t find a solid one, go on to reflect on what worthy thing you have done for your partner. Having this thinking will, in my opinion, make the relationship more beautiful and stronger. Being appreciative and understanding – yet another Golden Advice.

It’s time to cast away work matters on my mind, be grateful and thankful of having WW in my life and embrace all the good things he brings along! Wonderful =)

Date with the Gang

Lunch at KO Japanese Restaurant, Intercontinental, to celebrate Xianhe's birthday! All of us were there except for Ivan, who had to work OT despite it being a Saturday (afternoon somemore). Poor guy, to think that it's only his 1st month or so at work.

The food was better than satisfactory, especially the big and crispy prawn tempura which left WW drooling away. The set lunches Feng, Xianhe, Henry and Michael ordered were served like an eight-course meal, completed savourly with wasabi ice-cream. The other choice lunches Tian, WW and Dennis ordered had salad, sashimi, rice set, chawanmushi, california sushi and ended off with fruits. Unconventional me ordered Tempura soba which also came with salmon handroll, some salad and chawanmushi. The food's great in all! Absolutely deserves another visit.

Yeah, view KO's lunch photos here.

After the meal we shopped around Bugis Junction; the ladies off to buy mascara (realised only I hardly wear them while most others do more often) and to get Xianhe's present. The birthday girl decided to KIV the Renoma wallet she spotted and to go around recce more instead.

Then, time flies... to near 5pm and we set off in our couple pairs and small groups. WW and I went Punggol Park, thinking to fly kite but went stroll around the park instead. Rather big and just right for jogging. Nice! And we had dinner at Chomp Chomp area, but at the other food centre with a thinner crowd.

Today is quite a day of exploration. More to come!

Satay Club @ LPS

Was supposed to go for my Esplanade - Marina Promenade - Kallang Park jog last evening but was feeling nua and lazy. So together with Ah Yun & Baby Yen, we settled for dinner just beside our office - Satay Club @ LPS (Lau Pa Sat)!

Don't we look like students? =P

21st July Fun Day Photos

Hoo yea, the photos are out. Many thanks to Joyce!

Fun Day on 21st July. The video tells much more than the photos; the magic of music that suits the theme just so well.

View photos here.

Excursion with friends from work

The four of us took leave on the same day (yesterday), packed our bags for the planned events for the day and set off for lotsa fun and joy!

Took quite a number of photos for our 15-hours fun day, will post them when obtained from Joyce. Ask JY about photo-taking, haha she was in the limelight, captured for numerous shots as she's the birthday girl. The feeling of being chased by 狗仔对!

We ventured mostly in the East, starting from:
- kaya toast & teh breakfast at Katong
- cycling at East Coast Park
- lunch at Parkway food court
- shopping
- games at Settler's Cafe
- Hokkaido ice-cream at Marina Square
- Waraku Japanese dinner (where 5 others joined us)
- Paulaner's Beer & Cake-Cutting

Quite a lot of activities! Haven't had some much fun with a group in a long while.

Most importantly is that the birthday girl has enjoyed herself! (Despite two very badly-bruised kneecaps which probably will leave her "memorable" scars for some time.)

Random Talk (Write)

WW has been back to work since this afternoon, and me waiting at home for his work "release" before we go for a late-night movie. (Tks Minfen for the movie vouchers, otherwise we will hardly bother about catching movies.)

However, this is the popularity of Pirates of the Carribean, despite the timing:

Wah! 1225am at Tampines Mall and only the light blue ones left! Don't people need to SLEEP?

There are other show timings at 11pm and 1140pm, but don't bother trying to book those tickets online now.

Just now while at Century Square for quick shopping, I made a reservation for these sandals, specifically the one in pink. They are tranferring the available pair from Plaza Singapura branch and I can expect them in 5-7 days' time. Nice? If not I still can reject! =P

Tough working with her

You can say I’m racial-intolerant, but I just can’t stand the way she talks, pronounces her words and places her accent. Help me!! Poor me has to work with her some more, 救命啊！超级无敌机关枪！

I thought I have high tolerance and patience, but hearing her rants and non-stop highly-accented chain of words makes me cling. Add those extremely big eyes, staring right into yours, without blinking. And that finger, pointing somewhat accusingly at you or the document she’s discussing with you on. The strong “NO!” whenever an opposing view or comment is made. Don’t blame me for not able to bear with these!

But yeah, we should exercise compassion and understanding. After all, people come from different backgrounds and culturally, this could be the norm in some foreign lands. Will learn to live with it, if unable to, there’s always an escape path :)

The Good Things in Life

People want to portray themselves in a manner which they deem acceptable in others’ eyes. When faced with situations or events that portray them otherwise, they would push the facts aside and reject such scenario or character internally.

Personally, I would prefer myself to be a good driver, but now I am accepting the fact that I may not be one afterall. If put in nice words, I am an efficient driver. But in reality, I’m just a reckless driver who goes for speed and ain’t happy to let another overtake me. just don’t like men looking down at lady driver. But yah. Now I don’t crave as much going behind the wheels. Let my man do the driving and I enjoy the scenery. Hee.

This morning while still having the little remnants in my mind, a friend smsed me, telling me about her break-up and seeking some advise. I could tell her helplessness, but couldn’t help much except to be there for her.

Then I realised, how much does my piece of little unpleasantness matter? There are so many good things in my life, a bounty of them. If we keep dwelling on the unpleasant things, there is going to be no end. Instead, why not treasure what we have? Think how fortunate to have and hold, to be healthy, employed, having a warm family and a loving partner.

Even for those who dread work, don’t we have time each day to inject a little happiness, doing something you like? These days while feeling uninspired at work, I think of small treats for myself. You favourite food for breakfast or lunch; time after work to read the novel; shopping even if it’s only window-shopping … so many things you can do to feel good.

It’s easier said than done. However, life is short and there isn’t much time for happiness. So why not now?

Desaru - Project Chameleon

Back from our Technology Group offsite at Pulai Desaru Resort! It was two-days fun and experimental programs from which we learn lessons such as team work, risk-taking and communication. There was team-bonding with fellow colleagues and knowing more of one another, so the objectives should have been met afterall.

View the photos here!

Missing my Man

Boohoo. It was raining cats and dogs earlier this morning, the ominous dark cumulonimbus looming on top of our heads, the pre-storm winds blowing akin a mini-tornado, swirling the dropped leaves and rubbish and all around on the roads. Good thing I was few minutes ahead of the storm to reach the safety of the bus stop.

Rainy and stormy weather. Makes me worry about the waves out at South China seas, and fear they might rock the ship too hard. Hope it’s all weather clear over there! Otherwise WW will be puking all over L so long since we last talked, boohoo.

Life is laden with worries. Luckily humans have the ability to forget easily and overwrite worries with nonchalance.

We had a gathering with the scholars and our company’s management, CEO and Chairman just now. I’ve been here for close to two years, but rarely have such a chance for interaction with top management. Most of the time we are too immersed in our work, the day-to-day aspects, to take a strategic view of the business, to take a retrospective moment and to chart our quest for higher ambitions in the corporate world. Some management shared that even though we may chart our aim for the next ten years ahead, things may not turn out the way we have planned. Often, you would need to get ready for the next opportunities, identify them when they come along, and jump in before others do. It’s a matter of prepping yourself up, advancing in certain areas (which I know nothing of either).

So, the CEO wants to have a breakfast session with us, the ones who have graduated and started working here for 1-2 years. The 老教. Don’t know what the agenda is, but glad to be given the chance for some interaction and view-sharing. Otherwise I would just be stuck at my desk handling daily project issues and work!

Why does every item amounts to around $50?

Five Bull Mascot soft toys; three sets of 3D tic-tac-toe; mobile call charges made during the 2-days Bangkok trip; my contribution to G2000 shopping. There go my fifties, soon rolling to hundreds.

Bonus Time coming!

One of my previous blogs mentioned about creative innovation ideas and yet another one kept surfacing in my mind these days. Lots of times, I have ideas and thoughts on my mind which I want to jot down right at that instant, but lack the appropriate tools. Although I have paper and pen with me, writing does not seem such a feasible method of documenting thoughts as it often takes longer than electronic input, and requires a proper setting (try writing while on an mrt or bus). So my next clever invention will be a handheld device for blogging! One which is able to capture time and date, just that you can’t post online unless you subscribe and log in to their network or the Wi-Max our dear government is promising. This may sound like your normal mobile phone, but the new version will bring the qwerty keyboard to you!

Okay, enough of dreaming.

Anyway, bonus time will be here soon! Earliest being end August. Yippie! Before its grand arrival, I’ve list down the things I’m going to conquer!

- Omega watch ($3k) or lower-end watch ($300)
- Make-up course ($300+)
- Hand bag for work ($200)
- Fabulous meal with WW ($150)
- Treat for dear sister and family ($150)

Maybe, if I feel like it
- New wallet ($80)
- Diamond earrings ($200)

Figures are approximates.

Wahaha, the list will roll on till the day comes!