The Nan Ren's house

The beautiful fountain which gives soothing water flow sounds that can be heard from WW's room.
Lovely Summer the Westie
Sneaky little one quenching its thirst at the fountainEying her favourite food - apple

Wahaha

The sunset view at the balcony
The table, benches and chairs were WW's gifts to his family, especially to his mother as Mothers' Day gift. And I paid half the amount!

No easy task choosing a gown that pleases us both!

Last Friday's tea session with the scholar potentials proved very fruitful. Their confidence rubbed onto me, which resulted in the spurt of warm air around me for the few days into the weekend.

Some of the candidates appeared to be different from what I expected from their CVs. But the two outstanding ones still shone through as promised. And I must say, the one really stood above all with her skills and experience, accomplished parallel to that of a wise adult.

During the weekend WW went with me for bridal gowns trial. I have been doing my research online and had my eyes fixed on just this one Bridal Studio - Margaret Brides - and wasted no time physically checking out others. The first visit on Sat gave us an idea of the types of wedding gowns she provides and the second visit with WW, Tian and her beau gave us a few designs to choose from. I was initially perplexed having to decide between the designs I like and the ones WW fancies. Now we haven't made the decision but I've come to a compromise since the Man has exquisitely fine taste. I trust he knows what is best for me!

I'm the Nationalist

It's interesting to read the application form write-ups by the young scholar potentials. They are so full of dreams that you feel somewhat more alive simply by reading their write-ups. Again, I'm amazed at how those of that nationality fight so hard, so aggressively, to make themselves stand out. The (irritating) long essays that span an additional two pages as compared to the other four-pages application forms. The extravagant written showcase of their starling academic performance. The fierce wrestle to clinch the specials awards in school and mighty grabbing of all the A's there can be. It's like it'd kill without straight A's.

You can call me a "nationalist", I don't care. (My colleague gave me that term. I prefer to believe I'm a nationalist - the patriotic kind.) There's just this part of me which wants to yell it out loud. How am I to tolerate this when I step back into the school come July?

On Good Leadership

I had a chat with a manager from another team in the organisation. And I realised the importance of good leadership in driving the members of the team in their work and in creating a strong and open culture.

A leader with a vision and the ability to drive the team to greater heights fosters unity in the team and a sharing and learning environment. With that, the people under him or her are able to find motivation, drive and passion in their work. There would not be the mundaneness and the usual dread to come to work. It seems I have not felt that passion for sometime now.

I felt happy coming out of that chat. I have the ability to push for new frontiers and to make things happen. I can see some future in my future.

From this point onwards, life will only get more exciting.

Emotions

The pace at work has been quite stifling. Not that I find it hard to breathe, but because it is simply too slow! It is understandable, considering we have a new boss since the start of this year who has yet to give our team a clear direction forward. For me it isn’t so bad, I have my plans for the next half of the year, but I wonder how my teammates feel.

I’m again wondering how numbed to events I have become. I got into the course, which I thought was quite a feat given my less-than excellent mathematics results, but was not as elated as I expected upon receiving the news. Have I been taught not to harbor high hopes such that there are no expectations to match upon? Have the emotional undulations and the extremities that come with them been lost in me? Nevertheless, I have to find back the spirit of submitting and admitting to my true emotions.

Still, I feel the 1 month plus wait is kinda long. Can't wait to wear that band on my finger and to be more integral in his life!

Embarking on a new journey

I'll be back to school for a year, full-time, come July this year. It's going to be very tough with a lot of brain-cracking expected, but I've committed myself to put in all my best and not give up.

Apart from my lucky stars & my supportive sis, I really have to thank WW for believing in me and giving me the reassurance. He believed in me even at times when I didn't believe in myself.

I'm going to the temple this weekend. And will do my daimuku chanting. =)

Our Wedding Bands

To wear it, it requires commitment of a lifetime =)

In two months' time, it'll fit comfortably in the finger leading to my heart, being with me timelessly.

I miss my bed

I have a throbbing headache since I woke up this morning. I can feel my immunity going down with the slight itchiness in my throat and with the fatigue in my body. Am listening to Chopin’s Ballade in G minor, wishing I were lying on the bed, or at the piano playing the splendid piece.

We’ve been busier making arrangements and planning for the Big Event. We bought our wedding bands, much to our great satisfaction and joy. The rings come slightly steep-priced, but its comfort and weight are incomparable. After some frustration and with WW’s sis’ help, we managed to source for a hotel ballroom for the banquet. Oh, it’s all about 排场。

In a week’s time, I will know what to do with my future.

Uncertainty

I'm getting increasingly frustrated at the situation I'm in. While I would like things to be more certain so that I can plan ahead, things just seem to be so uncertain and looking somewhat disappointing. All my grand plans may just be smashed, but at least I have one great thing going good :) Perhaps it is meant to be for me to devote all attention and time to planning and executing this big event?

Just don't understand how come things seem to be going my way but in the end everything becomes tentative. Perhaps I should consult a fengshui master. And at the end of the day when I don't get what I am aiming for, I could be put in an embarrassing spot. Just gotta 隔开面子，厚着脸皮。有时做人要学会不要脸。Maybe it's meant for me to do my baking business?

Maybe's are dangling in the air.

About blings

It was a happy moment yesterday seeing my friend chose the significant big rock for his gf. Although he burnt a big hole in his pocket, he was both anticipative and happy after making the purchase. I was asked along to Larry Jewellery to do a direct comparison between my bling from Blue Nile and the one with the Lazare cut in Larry. He needed some internal persuasion and conviction to be sure he had got the best deal. Congrats to my friend and (especially) his fiancee-to-be!

Happy that WW is back from his work trip to Australia. It sure felt like a long while since he's been away but now that he's back in Singapore we can spend our precious weekends together again :) There is quite a lot on our agenda this weekend - hotels / restaurants recees!

An eventful day, with its goods and bads

At the end of the day, I'm feeling exhausted, both physically and mentally.

It does not necessarily mean it has been a bad day though. I spent very meaningful times with firstly, kids from MINDS (Movement of the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore), then with my parents and brother. I got to drive around too, but only a bit too excessively coz I had to travel all the way to NTU and back under the stuffy hot weather. (Doesn't matter that I was in the car with full air-con; the sunlight and weather affected me still.)

Was at Road Safety Park @ ECP with some of my colleagues, helping out kids from MINDS in knowing the rules of the road. However, as most of the kids have lower levels of awareness and understanding, we bent the rules to mingle with them and let them have fun on their go-karts and on legs instead. I was with this sweet little girl, Andrea, walking around the Road Safety Park. She was largely oblivious to the happenings around her and most of the time was walking around on her own, venturing onto the grass and heading towards the fences to be nearer to the sea. It took a while to know her style, like how she preferred you slinging an arm over her shoulder to grabbing her hand, and to know what she wanted. Often, she was so happy that she would start grinning and shaking her head and even hugged me once. A pity she could not think beyond her current level. Hope she grows up to be stronger and better.

Afternoon I drove my Papa Mama to NTU, first to have lunch with Shou Bi (dear Bro) and taking the chance to tour NTU, then to Nanyang Business School for an interview for MFE course. Ended up I was upset and worried about my future once again. My mathematics background was deemed not strong enough (compared to those 1st-class honours engineering students?) and the professors thought I might have to struggle in the course which is full of complex mathematics. Such a headache. Although I wanted the course quite badly, I wouldn't want to have perpetual headaches and stress on catching up on my maths with the other course mates too. Damn. Everything is so competitive. That's the result of 300+ people fighting hard for 40 available seats. And I thought my maths was solid. :(

The interview filled me with gloom for the rest of the day. After it, I didn't want to talk much. But still, we treasured the precious times together - Papa, Mama, me - with tea time at Serangoon Gardens food centre and more 兜风 along KJE and PIE. Driving can be quite tiring! By 5 pm I was half-dead physically and was dragging my feet.

So for now, I'll just keep my fingers crossed. There has been much uncertainties since the start of this year. I hope things turn out fine in the end.

And WW agrees we should start dinner-location-sourcing this weekend! Yippie! Again, keeping my fingers crossed on another uncertainty.

Daydreaming in the night

I spent the last two hours doing online research and selected my top 3 venues for each of our wedding events - solemnisation, wedding dinner and wedding outdoor lunch. I'm not revealing the list yet; WW has to agree to them first. :) Glad he left most of the wedding decisions to me. Now I get to choose the few choices I like then let him narrow down. Didn't know it could be so fun working towards a dream.

Earlier this evening Tian accompanied me to the Starry Starry Wedding event at Fort Canning, The Legends. They showcased their outdoor wedding setup as well as the bridal dresses, Tianpo jewellery and wedding photography. Tian and I liked the outdoor setting for its offer of scenery, but I thought it was not special enough and might not be too comfortable for a lunch reception. So I would say then The Legends is not in my list of Tops.

No worries, this is not going to turn out to be the wedding blog! Coz I'll have more updates on other areas of my life soon. :)

烈日当空

Being an white-collared executive for 3.5 years, I've gotten used to the air-conditioning at the workplace, at least 8 hours a day for all the work days. I used to miss the days when I got to soak in the sun, anytime of the day as I wished. But now I'm resigned to fate. Rather than lamenting on being couped up in an artificial environment, I make use of the weekends to do some outdoor activities.

Yesterday during lunch it was super hot and sunny with the sun rays beating down hard on you. I was running around a few places and took a long walk to Circular Road (from Shenton Way) for lunch. At the end of lunch break I was back in office with a bad headache. :( What harm has the sedentary office lifestyle done to our bodies?

Count to 10 before you lash out in anger

Very often, it is not what you say that will make your partner angry - it is how you say it. Whenever you feel challenged in a situation, step back and count to 10 before continuing the argument. This gives you time to compose yourself and think things through.

I regretted saying the mean things in a fit of anger and in self-deluded vengeance before completely understanding the situation. I blamed the man for not giving clear directions and leaving me in a state of uncertainty - was it for real and are we moving forward? Aren't we supposed to? All evil thoughts snowballed into a mass; it hit the victim quite badly.

We spent more time sorting out the mess of thoughts and feelings. It turned out there were other priorities in his mind that have to be cleared for the big event. (Spell: finances.) The biggest worry and headache for to-be-wed couples and subsequently, for married couples and families. To me finances ain't too much of a worry as I have some savings and expect nothing more than a simple wedding. To the man, expectations on himself are higher, both self-imposed and family-induced. I suppose a man's responsibilities are still greater than those of a woman's, though I do not believe it has to be so.

The outburst served as an apt reminder, at a most appropriate time where things could go either way. Frustrations could potentially build up or, as long as things have been discussed through and agreed upon, mutual understanding could be reached. Now I know better than to allow my negatives thoughts feast on themselves and grow. I re-learn the importance of standing in the other's shoes, seeing in all perspectives. Thoroughly exercising the big word "Understanding". To approach things in a non-confrontational way and in a manner that allows conducive discussions.

There is much to learn. Thank you Nan Ren for giving me the time, the chance and the love to learn.

Good news!

Happy to hear that another of my friend cum classmate from JC class is expecting! Congrats ger. :)

If I could arrange, I would want to have a BB now too so that it would be an easier delivery and my little one could grow up to be a big boy / girl earlier. Then perhaps by age 35 I can take life easier. But such things can’t be rushed and planned as wished, so I’m enjoying my own life now and will concentrate on building a strong marriage first. Besides, having a baby would consume too much of my personal time. I’m still too selfish to share my personal time at this point in time. Just hope my body can 真气到三十出。

Wanna thank my friends for sharing my happiness. I may not be as ready as should be, but I guess it takes time to accept that such a big change is going to happen in your life.

Our special milestone

A surprise awaited me on Friday evening; I was slowly laid into the Grand Plan without the least bit of suspicion! WW is real good :)

Although we have been talking about it for a bit since late last year, the reality has not quite set in yet. But now that the ring is sitting comfortably on my finger, we have got to remind ourselves that yes, we're walking into another phase of our lives together from this moment on.

The special moment was painstakingly created by WW, first with the order of the sparkling bling from US and the stressful tracking of the shipping status, then the incarnation of the grand idea for a surprise to throw me. There was also the rushing to get all the other stuff ready for the occasion and the bouquet of roses. I was very pleasantly surprised with all the efforts and planning done as he has been very busy with work recently too. Admired most of his courage to pop the question as it meant a major commitment in his life. Even as a lady (albeit a freedom-loving one), I am slightly intimidated with having to engage lifelong commitment to my partner. To a guy, this act would have been a significant one.

To WW: Thank you for being my man. Even though I may still feel like a stranger in this new stage of our lives together, I am ready to put in whatever it takes to make it a strong, lasting and engaging marriage. I understand that at some point, going into a marriage must have scared you too. Don't worry coz we're walking down this path together and have each other's support. I may not have expressed all that I feel at that special moment, but we both know some things need not be spoken.

Thinking back, I would very much like to have a surprise planned for WW then too. But I was expecting it to be a few weeks later in April. WW has gotten that laid out well too coz then the surprise would be even greater had I not expected it!

忙忙碌碌

Somehow I can’t get to start my work engine this morning. Just three weeks ago I was unduly worried about my existence in the company, fearing I might have become irrelevant – not enough work cut out for me? But today I feel the pressure of mounting workload, again. Perhaps our unit gets a kick out of drowning staff.

Nevertheless, I’m not letting work affect my mood. This is going to be a busy week. Mon – gym; Tue – dinner with classmates from Deustche klass; Wed – drinking with colleagues; Thu – Wellness Village; Fri – dating day. I may have to skip yoga this week. From next week onwards, if we go according to plan, I’ll start on my golf lessons which consume Mon and Thu for the next five weeks.

充实人生，忙碌也快乐！

Change in weather

The change from sunny to rainy has made some activities during the day undo-able. Wanted to bring Summer out for a walk at Bishan Park but the rain has spoilt our plans. However, we took the chance to catch forty winks. Now I'm going to do some online shopping - VS!

为何？

Can't help feel disappointed by his loftiness and self-absorption. It doesn't hurt to show a little concern. You have to know the priorities in life; some things done at the right time proves so much more.

It doesn't help even if you drop by but your heart and mind are elsewhere. If you prefer to relieve your mind-bogs by flipping the magazine, do that at home. You always keep your thoughts to yourself, staying silent while choosing to believe I prefer silence too.

Somehow I can't imagine how living, during the workdays, with you will be like.

Sigh.

心里的痛，从哪儿掏？

There's this bug in the office!

It’s uncomfortably cold in the office since this morning. Maybe it is the clouds and haze blocking out the sunshine that keeps us warm. My fingers are frosty and a sense of unwell is creeping in. Have popped in a vitamin C pill to build up my immunity and a panadol to keep my growing headache at bay. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

I have this strong urge again to move on to new fields. :p

Dad's love

Seems like this is a good lunar year ahead. I'm feeling happier and more positive as the days go by. :)

Last night I was rubbing the big blue-black on my ankle and recalled those days in PGP when my ex of two weeks helped me rubbed those taekwondo-induced blue-blacks. wahaha. But of coz I was quick to redeem myself with recounts of the finger and back massages my dear NR gives me.

This morning dad woke up early to make breakfast for sis and me. He had the teh and half-boiled eggs all ready for us. Recalled those primary and secondary school days when Apa used to make breakfast for us too before sending us to school. It has been a long long while since we get to enjoy Dad's breakfast love, especially after we went to University and led lives of our own in hostels. Apa has started on his breakfast "endeavour" after seeing me complain about not having teabags at home during those few days I was on MC in the past weeks.

Apa cares a lot for us. When we were young, he tended to our fevers by waking up at intervals in the night and early morning to replace the warm towels on our foreheads and to pop us with panadols. He also fetched us to school every morning; that time while we were in Maha Bodhi it was all the way from Bedok to Old Airport Road area. He's the kind of strong and silent dad. And it's sweet how he played with my hair, albeit a little subconsciously, at my aunt's place during CNY. Hee.

I must be crazy!

Craving for a Coach wallet, despite getting a new wallet from a dear friend for birthday. Crazy me!

This has all the necessary compartments I need - 10 credit card slots, an ID window, 2 bill slots and an external coin pocket which I can choose not to use. Only thing is it is in white which I may not be able to maintain very clean for long.
This is close to perfect! Only if it's not a black-skinned interior. It has the same number of pockets and slots as the first.

Pockets seems insufficient. But the whiteness is nice too.

Fougasse

During my spare time today, I tried a simple bread recipe using baker cum author Richard Bertinet's kneading technique. This fougasse, made with white dough and very simply nothing else, tasted like the crusty tip of a French loaf. Hard crispy crust, I like. But it may be a little too hard for the less solid teethed. =P

Almost identical to the one made by the author!

How to make the best out of a precious day?

Today's what I deem a superb-weather day - the sun is bright and sunny, winds gusty yet there are with some light clouds. The perfect weather to do outdoor activities or just lie on the grass fields looking at the sky.

Furthermore, it's a Sunday. Just the right day to do some lazing, soul-searching and resting.

I often wonder if what I'm doing at the moment most fulfills my soul's desire. I wonder if there is something that makes my heart leap and makes me feel like I'm living both in the moment and in eternity. Imagine dancing around in vast green patches, speeding down a highway in the convertible with the sun overhead, standing at a cliff's edge looking down at the communities below you, flying like a bird in the air. Some part of me is secretly yearning to live those unforgettable moments.

But thinking back, I miss the winds blowing into my living room and the evening sun shining into my room, whenever I'm away from home for long. The place I often want to go back to is my home (and these days, 30 BD too) despite having lived here for 20 years.

To not waste a precious day is to live the current moment, appreciate the beauty of nature and things around you and not to worry about missing out on anything at all. Because the good things will remain or return.

(P.S. I'm still having a blocked nose and stuffed ears, a result of the flu since last Sunday. And I'm missing WW who has to work over this weekend and thus couldn't meet for these few days. Good thing we met on Valentine's. :))

Sick nottoz

My body is getting weaker, it seems. Just two weeks ago I was down with stomach flu and now I'm bugged with a serious common flu. The doctor gave me two days' MC to rest at home and with pills to cure my runny nose, cough and dissolve my phlegm. I'm not able to attribute this to work, coz workload has reduced since start of the year. Could it then be a result of more worries of the uncertainties ahead? Or am I the workaholic who breaks down when deprived of the challenges and stress at work?

Nevertheless, I'm happy to have enjoyed the CNY festivities. We did not do a lot of house-visiting, but instead spent quality time with family and loved ones. On the first lunar day, WW came over and drove me to Changi Airport T3 to celebrate my birthday with the slices of Patissier cakes we bought the day before. On the second day, I went over to his house to bai nian and caught 长江七号 with him, his sister, cousins and uncle. (And I cried a little during the show when 周星驰"died"; can you imagine I'm so prone to tears now?) On Sat we went to 观音庙 then back home for a round of mahjong with WW, Tian and Mr. RK. On Sun WW accompanied me to Parkway Parade where I got two bread-making books. Then we went to East Coast Park for kite-flying. It's a simple yet happy date. :)

Summer exclusive

Today was a half-day. I met WW for lunch at Amoy food centre before heading to his house, where we took a rest before visiting the two doggies - Ally & Shasha - which were quarantined. The doggies were back from NYC last Tue.

Played with the little mixed-character Summer (Highland Terrier aka Westie) and took some photos of her. She appears to be very guai sometimes but naughty like a puppy when she knows you well enough.

Summer tilting her head when I made funny high-pitched noises. So cute :)

Jayce & Jason's wedding

We had a fun time sabo-ing the brothers on Feng's wedding day! The best part was the big big heart filled with $$$ notes. Woohoo!

Wishing Feng & Jason 甜甜蜜蜜到永远！
A high Tian taking photos of us while I was driving along SLE. We were on the way from the bride (Feng)'s house to the groom (Jason)'s house.
Lucky Ivan to sit between Jun & XHIn the lift of Jason's house. Our faces a little sweaty from the morning's games. You can imagine how the brothers have sweat outside the house.
Jun, Tian, XH, meThe sisters (with Ivan) and the wedding couple
Happily taking photos of ourselves while waiting for Feng to change into her teadress
Me and IvanSisters with the couple. Feng in her very pretty and special tea dress.Back to Feng's house. The couple with Feng's big big family!
Feng's nuclear family. And shy doggie.
The Brothers. Quite sporting - lucky for usSisters Brothers combinedThe dinner @ Furama Riverfront Hotel. Sisters manning the reception desk.Annie (Ivan's ger) with Jun, XH and me

My dear Nan Ren :)Dear Huang Tian sisIvan and Annie
Feng in her wedding gown. Jason blocked by the tall wedding cake
In their evening gowns

I miss WW

This is one of the first few photos we've taken and I like the way it was taken. 我们迈进第五年！It's so cold tonight, I just want a 抱抱 from the 男人.

Be happy my dear ger! :)

Tks for the advice :)
Soon there'll be an answer.

Today marks the start of the second month of 2008. I'm pretty numb to these things, after a while. The turn of a new year didn't make a mark on me; CNY will just come and pass. I used to look forward to these times of the year, but this year every event seems the same.

I am down with stomach flu and am nursing my sickness at home. Although the discomfort in my tummy is not acute, it can be rather irritating as it affects my overall energy levels. And it brings along fever and a headache. Now I can understand the discomfort WW has to bear when faced with a bloated stomach. But I would still be willing to take over his share of the discomfort, as long as he feels good and is healthy.

Tomorrow is Feng's customary wedding day. We seven sisters (except for Xuan who is in Aussie and can't come back this time round) will be helping out from the early morning. Time for us to exercise our creativities and exhibit the mean side of us. We are going to sabo the brothers! Wahaha. I remember vividly that three years back I used to do the same for Stephie, then two years back for Sophia, helping out as a sister on their wedding days. These events now bring tears in me (and my eyes) although I thought I used to be a strong, no-tears lady. I'm getting emotionally vulnerable to these meaningful events in life coz in this cold realistic world, it always warms my heart to see such strong emotions and faith hold true.

To dear Feng, wedding is a beautiful thing. Although it may come with hassles and troubles, it is worthwhile as both joys and frustrations come as one like the black and one seeds in a chess game. Let go of your expectations and take whatever comes up with an open mind and heart. Just go with the flow! Meanwhile, you have us behind you for support!

Weather overcast

nottozlady is troubled over whether to pursue her Masters after all. Financially it’s going to be very tough. What will happen to the monthly household allowances the family has been getting? Does she have to spend up to two hours on public transport getting to the school campus, four days a week? Can she get married this year?

Lots of things are uncertain; the weather seems overcast. The longer it is, the gloomier it becomes.

Separately, she wonders if she’ll be able to eat her birthday cake this year.

Drive with care!

It's weird and somewhat heart-wrenching to see two car accidents on the way home last night. The first was a red proton which seemed to have skidded in the CTE tunnel. The damage shouldn't be so great; though windscreen was shattered, the airbags were activated. Then along AMK Ave 1, another collision occurred with three cars (two were taxis) involved. The middle taxi was badly damaged, with great impact on its rear, having being rammed straight on by the taxi behind. I didn't get to see very clearly since I was driving, but WW saw the cab driver of the middle vehicle with bloodied head and was unconscious at his seat. Hope all are fine.

One can't emphasize enough the importance of safety in driving. Given my character to want to be fast and efficient in everything, I could not stand slow drivers and sometimes am tempted to beat amber traffic lights so as to save that few minutes of the journey. But good thing WW always instills the good habits of driving in me and I've since learn to be more cautious and patient.

等待

我以为我的担忧与躁急许多，可我没想到男人的处境更加难为。我的担忧在于是否有多个选择；男人的是能否逃离可能发生的“别无选择”。

希望男人能够看开。能够看开与接受，事情就有所转机。

Reflections on the fly

Took Fluffy out for a cycling trip to Pasir Ris park and took the chance to reflect on the intricacies of life.

The view on the overhead bridge above TPE, from Tampines Sun Plaza park to Pasir Ris

No, that's not Fluffy's vomit. Ha, I poured water onto the sand.

What a sunny day, just the right kind of weather for one of my favourite activities.

Fluffy does know how to appreciate the beauty of nature. Lovely little dog, just that she refused to look into my camera. hmf

I thought about a lot of things in the 2 hour cycling trip. Thought about the lot WW picked at the temple and what it meant. I wondered if he would have plans if not for the manpower plan his co drew up. Then I realised I know very little what the grand plan would unveil in future for us. Does he know?

I have not been feeling genuinely happy for a while now. My mind replayed, in brief moments, the 26 years before now. When was my happiest moment? Those kinda happy moments that last? I suppose it was the hall days, those times when I had my time to myself and the flexibility to organise my life the way I wanted it to. Of coz, not forgetting the interesting moments of learning about and understanding a person so close to you.

I can't be feeling neutral all the time, without ups and downs. It leads somewhat to nonchalance and it'll be rubbed off onto the ones around you. Conversely, I hope he will be able to feel more genuinely and open up to the spectrum of emotions that humans can experience. It's not only white, grey or black. Look at the rainbow in the sky.

My proudest Mahjong moment

Ruby dragon! Did a 红一色, which won me 15 fans in my PC mahjong game last night. If only this could happen in real life!

Shopping!

I was on leave today, with the intention to study for my GMAT if I did not get to finish my practice book over the weekend. But good thing I completed it last night and had the whole day today for shopping! Went to Tampines Mall for lunch with parents. (I like to take the chance to buy lotsa yummy food for them, since they usually scrimp and share a plate of rice). Then spent two hours or so shopping for new clothes. See the fruits of the trip!

New clothes for the new year. Hmm, was I already engulfed in the sea of CNY's ang-ness?

You hardly see me blog on Monday but today is an exception!

It has been an eventful day and a very busy one at work. As usual, Mondays are the S.G. days and are as black as ever. Today's been so hectic that the main big event seemed like a non-event at the end of the day. And this (non-) event even slipped my mind when I smsed to WW this evening.

Today took a ride from office to home. Unfortunately, CG's car got a bump at the back from a cab. Poor thing that his car was only a month old. But the good thing was that it was only 皮外伤，没有内伤。 C handled the situation amiably; I don't know if I could maintain his cool if the car was mine.

I am on leave for the next four days! Managed to finish the thick practice book and will be moving on to the sample papers (six of them!) in the next two days. I may be able to do shopping on one day even. For now, I'll play my mahjong game first.

I wish I could blog more often

I wanted to write a short blog entry after lunch earlier, since it was pouring horribly heavily and it somewhat evoked my blogging emotions. However, once the work starts, it doesn't stop, at least not any small time gap for me to blog. Work's getting heavy and stressful, having to do things that should be done by another team and not quite getting the recognition for another piece painstakingly done by me. Just because my boss is a high-level person and might not have conveyed the detailed info on to the bigger boss.

That's why I feel, although my working hours are ok (I knock off at 7 plus usually), I still face high stress during work. Reporting to two direct bosses is not an easy feat.

On happier matters, I met up with two of my Computing seniors last evening. It had been some four years since we last met! I find them to be pretty down-to-earth people who slog hard to advance ahead. One of them is taking Masters in Information Systems and the other switched line for better long-term prospects.

I remembered the guy taking the Masters was eyeing a Celica some years back. And now he owns one, which he further zengs up. And of coz I had the privilege to ride in it last night, woohoo! (I still hope to ride in a Honda Integra one day. Or perhaps, I should aim to own one.)

Life's tough. Aim high and pray hard.