... with a bang

I started this year with fewer goals than last and STILL i did not achieve them. Looking back, i can't really say it was a fantastic year. I hardly remember the things i've done except that i seemed to have fallen (yes, literally FALL) more times this year than the last 5 years combined. I'm not that clumsy, am i? 8P

I thought that things would start looking up these few days but when my car tyre got punctured last Friday, i felt a little deflated (no pun intended). My aunt's car tyre went flat on Saturday and on Christmas, we stopped to help a church member who had a flat tyre also. I was just commenting to Dad there seemed to be so many mishaps happening. :\

Yesterday morn, i nearly slipped on the stairs in my office carpark. Another clumsy moment (??). I was supposed to go for Cath's party at night but for some reason, decided to go home instead. Just as i was packing up to leave the office, Dad called to say he had an accident.

When passing the crossroad near my place after breakfast, a car rammed into his car. He had the right-of-way and even honked at the junction to make sure the road was clear before crossing. Next thing he heard was a loud bang and the whole car shook and skidded to the side. Apparently the woman (in the other car) was speeding and went headlong into his passenger side. Of course she insisted she had right of way and blah blah blah... but my Dad pointed out to her that
1. There is a huge STOP sign on the road where she was coming from
2. She should've stopped at the crossroad before going through
3. She shouldn't be speeding in a residential area

She must be a mighty awful person coz she STILL insisted that she had right of way even AFTER Dad AND the tow-truck driver AND the policemen (note: plural - "men") told her she committed an offence. Seems she was complaining and whining all the way from the accident to the tow-truck to the police station to the workshop to home. Aarrghh.. only my Dad would have the patience to deal with such a horrible being. If it had been me, i think i would've double-taped her mouth shut.

Anyway, i'm just very thankful that Dad is ok and didn't suffer any injuries. He's supposed to go back to hometown to start his new position today but now, he's called the office to inform that he's temporarily 'stranded' here.

Hopefully things get better in the coming year....

Past & Presents

One thing i've noticed about Christmas this year... there's fewer presents AND even the ones received are not as elaborate as before. Don't get me wrong. I'm not blogging this as a complaint but more of an observation.

Ryns suggested that we don't buy each other anything. Reason being, she frets over what to buy me, i fret over what to get her, we both give in to the pressure & commercialism and buy each other something we probably don't need (?) AND at the end of the day, it's the retailer who benefits. :D My other friends lament that they lack the time to shop...etc, etc, etc.

When weekend rolled by, i was still a little apprehensive, for fear that i have not bought enough presents for everyone. And the awkwardness that may arise when you receive a gift and have none to give in return.

Yet, today, as we welcomed Christmas, there was such celebration and joy that it didn't matter whether there were wrapped packages or not. The turkey lunch we had (church tradition every year) was simpler than last year. Still, people flocked to the tables by the hundreds and tucked in with gusto. Methinks it's an Asian thing where food is concerned.. but i digress. Everyone was just happy to see everyone else (even though we may see the same person every week). ;)

In that moment of revelry, i wished that my friends (who are currently in all corners of the world) could be here with me now (or i with them ;P).

Siryn, Foodie Queen, Glen & Terry - can you post yourselves here next year? Will work hard to get my own place soon to accommodate you. Missing you all & hoping you're having a wonderful day!!!

*HUGS*

Swingin' time

Today (Friday) was pendulum-like. Had to wake up extra early to meet client at 8am. As always, my hands automatically hits the snooze button whenever my alarm goes off. So before you know it, i was already late. Rushed to shower, rushed to meet client, rushed to the bank and rushed to the office.

As i got out of the car, horror of horrors.... i had a flat tyre!! AARRGGHHH!!! It must've been from one of the ginormous potholes on the road near my office. And of ALL days!!! The mechanic nearby wasn't opened and for the life of me, i've never change a tyre before. :P None of my colleagues were in yet. (I was the 1st to reach office. Would've been a proud moment if it wasn't for this!) AND to add salt to wound, the client called to ask for a design revision on an already extremely overdued job. GAH!!!!!

*Regains composure* Managed to negotiate with client to email them the revision instead of sending it down and by then, one of my colleagues came to my rescue and changed the tyre. Phew! I still have to send my car to the workshop tomorrow but at least for now, i'm mobile. :D

Was already heading into pessimist mode with such a horrid start to the day when i saw that someone had left a little goodie bag of treats for me. Awww.... and a few minutes later, Jebi came by and gave me my Christmas present. *happy sigh* Then Feef came by with desserts.
Mmmm.... pessimism slowly diffusing. Before long, it was Company Christmas Lunch! Colleagues was already goofing around in Santa hat and reindeer horns. Of all... Bi, you make the most 'kawaii' reindeer! ;D

Needless to say, not much work got done thereafter. Gifts were exchange with hilarious results. Some personal items which were missing over the last couple of days re-appeared disguised in neatly wrapped boxes under our tree. Everyone was in holiday mood and not to mention, on a drinking spree. ;P

TC tried to get a few of us to sing but somehow we never got the right key despite numerous attempts. LaRosa surprised us all with his guitar playing. Hmm... didn't know this joker could play so well. Hahaha... Jebi tried to learn TC's 5-step chacha (which didn't really work.. i meant the teaching, not the learning). By the time i left, Jebi was throwing hoops and Aggy was trying to catch it with her head. Bizarre!!!

Oops... before i forget.... Have a FANTASTIC weekend everyone!!! CHEERS!!! XXX

Sad but true :D

I got this a while ago from someone and thought it was hilarious. Since i had such a crappy day today, figured this might just brighten up the mood a bit. It's quite a long list but have fun anyway!!

P.S: I've highlighted the ones which are true to me. ;P

~ ~ ~ O ~ ~ ~

88 WAYS TO KNOW YOU ARE CHINESE

1. You unwrap Christmas gifts very carefully, so you can save and reuse the wrapping (and especially those bows) next year.
2. You only buy Christmas cards after Christmas when they are 50% off.
3. When there is a sale on toilet paper, you buy 100 rolls and store them in your closet or in the bedroom of an adult child who has moved out.
4. You have a vinyl table cloth on your kitchen table.
5. Your stove is covered with aluminum foil. (In my old home, does that count?)
   
6. Your kitchen has a sticky film of grease over it.
7. You have stuff in the freezer since the beginning of time.
8. You use the dishwasher as a dish rack.
9. You have never used your dishwasher.
10. You keep a Thermos of hot water available at all times.
11. You boil water and put it in the refrigerator.
12. You eat all meals in the kitchen.
13. You save grocery bags, tin foil, and tin containers.
14. You use grocery bags to hold garbage.
15. You always leave your shoes at the door.
16. You have a piano in your living room. (Used to. Till i rebelled & refused to learn anymore :P)
    
17. Your parents know how to launch nasal and throat projectiles.
18. You iron your own shirts.
19. You drive a Honda or Acura and are less than 5'8" tall. (Not the car but the height part)
    
20. You pick your teeth at the dinner table (but you cover your mouth).
21. You twirl your pen around your fingers.
22. You hate to waste food. Even if you're totally full, if someone says they're going to throw away the leftovers on the table, you'll finish them. (Your mom will give a lecture about starving kids in Africa). You have Tupperware in your fridge with three bites of rice or one leftover chicken wing.
    
23. You don't own any real Tupperware - only a cupboard full of used but carefully rinsed margarine tubs, take out containers, and jam jars.
24. You also use the jam jars as drinking glasses.
25. You've eaten a red bean popsicle.
26. You bring oranges (or other produce) with you as a gift when you visit people's homes.
27. You have a collection of minature shampoo bottles that you take every time you stay in a hotel.
28. The condiments in your fridge are either Price Club sized or come in plastic packets, which you save/steal every time you get take out or go to McDonald's.
29. Ditto paper napkins.
30. You wipe your plate and utensils before you eat every time you go to a restaurant.
31. You carry a stash of your own food whenever you travel (and travel means any car ride longer than 15 minutes)....These travel snacks are always dried. As in not just dried plums, dried ginger, and beef/pork jerky, but dried cuttlefish (SQUID).
32. You own a rice cooker.
33. You wash your rice at least 2-3 times before cooking it.
34. You spit bones and other food scraps on the table. (That's why you need the vinyl tablecloth).
35. Your parents vehemently refuse the sack of Gold Coin oranges that their guests just brought just to be courteous.
36. You fight (literally) over who pays the dinner bill.
37. Your dad thinks he can fix everything himself.
38. You majored in something practical like engineering, medicine or law. (Ok, maybe this isn't that accurate. I did Finance but gave that up 8P)
    
39. When you go to a dance party, there are a wall of guys surrounding the dance floor trying to look cool. (Yup, during those teenage years)
    
40. You live with your parents and you are 30 years old (and they prefer it that way). Or if you're married and 30 years old, you live in the apartment next door to your parents, or at least in the same neighborhood.
    
41. You don't use measuring cups
42. You feel like you've gotten a good deal if you didn't pay tax.
43. You beat eggs with chopsticks.
44. You re-gift cookies or Christmas cake at Christmas (some could even be more than 5yrs. old).
45. You have a teacup with a cover on it.
46. You reuse teabags.
47. You have a drawer full of old pens, most of which don't write anymore.
48. If you're under age 20, you own a really expensive walkman if you're over 20, you own a really expensive camera.
49. You always look phone numbers up in the phone book, since calling Information costs 50 cents.
50. You don't tip more than 10% at a restaurant, and if you do,you tip Chinese delivery guys waiters more.
51. You're a wok user.
52. You only make long distance calls after 11pm.
53. You know all the waiters at your favorite Chinese restaurants.
54. You like Chinese films in their original undubbed versions. You love Chinese Martial Arts films. Shao Lin and Wu Tang actually mean something to you.
55. You tasted bitter melon.
56. You like congee with thousand year old eggs.
57. You prefer your shrimp with the heads and legs still attached-it means they're fresh.
58. You never call your parents just to say hi.
59. You always cook too much.
60. If you don't live at home, when your parents call, they ask if you've eaten, even if it's midnight.
61. Also, if you don't live at home, your parents always want you to come home.
62. Your parents tell you to boil herbs and stay inside when you get sick.
63. When you're sick, they also tell you not to eat fried foods or baked foods because they produce hot air (Yee-Hay in Cantonese).
64. You e-mail your Chinese friends at work, even though you only sit 10 feet apart.
65. Your parents never go to the movies.
66. Your parents send money to their relatives in China.
67. You use a face cloth.
68. Your parents use a clothes line.
69. You're always late.
70. You eat every last grain of rice in your bowl, but don't eat the last piece of food on the table.
71. You starve yourself before going to all you can eat buffet.
72. You've joined a CD club at least once.
73. You know someone who can get you a good deal on jewellery or electronics, computers.
74. You never discuss your love life with your parents.
75. Your parents are never happy with your grades.
76. You save your old Coke bottle glasses even though you're never going to use them again.
77. You own your own meat cleaver and sharpen it.
    
78. You keep most of your money in a savings account.
79. You own an MJ set and possibly have a room set up in the basement.
80. You know what MJ means.
    
81. You've been on the Love Boat or know someone who has.
82. Your toothpaste tubes are all squeezed paper-thin.
83. You say "whie" when answering your cell phone.
    
84. You are familiar with the term "aiee yah.....".
85. It take 3-4 days to finish sipping a can of pop and saving it in the fridge even there is only one drop left.
86. You know why this list consists of only "88" reasons.
87. You enclose your remote controls in plastic to keep greasy fingerprints off them.
    
88. You take this message and forward it to all your Chinese friends.

Flu in this Cuckoo's nest

Got a call from Csu last night. She's resigned from her job. *brings out the champagne to celebrate* Now, don't get me wrong here. Csu's been overworked and miserable since goodness knows when. She just couldn't bring herself to leave though it was sucking the life out of her. Kinda reminds me of when i was in my previous company. They literally squeeze you dry. We were on call 24/7. Earliest time for leaving the office is midnight and weekends are spent in the office also. Even slavery felt like luxury compared to that.

So, i'm glad that she's taken this step to leave. For her health & sanity!!! AND now she can go for a good holiday plus get a LIFE!! Oooh... looks like my Christmas wish for her is coming true, as it is for a number of my other friends.
Foodie Queen's doing well and her hubby has a job.
Terry's getting good weather (and taking lots of beautiful photos).
G's having a blast (minus the cake and roti ;P).
Jebs gets to spend time with her "one" (though i've already changed her wish ;P).
Dad's really enjoying all the good food in the different restaurants i took him to.

Wow.. not too sure if others are getting their wishes but here's hoping they come true. *crosses fingers, eyes & toes*

As for me, am still trying to keep sane in my state of organised chaos. Caught the flu bug yesterday so nose is leaky faucet and voice starting to sound 'sexy'. Otherwise, i think everything's under control. :D

Aunt brought a trampoline back last night. Very unusual of her actually. But if you see me going Boing, Boing, Wheeeee.... it's probably work-stress combined with the flu medication. :D

'twas at night

Couldn't sleep so i snuck downstairs to take a shot of the tree. Still a little 'presents-bulimic' as everyone's been busy with work and all.

Note to self: Stop procrastinating and go get the presents!!

P.S: Siryn & Cilla, would you like to choose your own presents or shall i surprise you? ;D

Loki, your present will be the Unagi dinner, ok?

It's a wrap

I was rummaging for Christmas wrapping papers when i saw it, rolled up and tucked away at the bottom of the box. The fragile paper... that once wrapped the flowers he gave me.... and the ribbons, that held it all in place. I had forgotten about those and seeing it again tugged my heart in a sad way.

I remember that night when he brought me those. He said he knew i was troubled about something but he didn't want to push me to tell until i was ready. He said that my smile reminded him of sunflowers and he had hoped that by giving me those, he would make me feel the same way i made him feel whenever he saw me.

I remember being so upset when someone accidentally threw away those precious flowers a few days later. And how he assured me that there will be plenty more to come... and while he's with me, i will never have any reason to frown.

It's been 3 Christmases since he made that promise and many more to me. A part of me died when he left without a word. And died a thousand times over for every call he didn't answer. I died again a few months ago when i heard he had gotten married.

As i look at the paper and ribbons, i realized it is only precious because i held a memory to it. Of a moment that made me happy... that made me feel loved. But that moment has passed and there's no reason to hold on to it anymore.

Now, it's time the paper and ribbon create new memories. So to the one who receives it, please don't see it as me, using recycled paper, but may the gift inside bring you as much joy as it once held for me.

Fly-Day

Today is a lazy day. Delivered the visuals to the client early this morn before coming to office. Made a few calls on outstanding jobs, then it was birthday celebration for Moo followed by another birthday celebration for Sim. After the crazy photo snapping of everyone, we adjourned to lunch. From there on, there was basically nothing much else to do except surf the Net for research. (Not that i'm complaining :P)

Siryn's going away for the next 3 weeks to Sweden. I want to go for a holiday too! :( Would be nice to have a white Christmas some day. *sighs dreamily* Anyway, LayCe said we can have a mini get-together at her place one of these days. So Siryn, come back QUICK before she changes her mind. Hehehehe....

I'm boring myself with this post... Think i should do something more productive with my time. :P

Hurrah for the weekend!!!!

Wow.. is this right?

Which Ultimate Beautiful Woman are You?

Sweet

Yesterday was a State holiday so thought i'd better do my Christmas shopping. Apparently, the entire human race thought the same coz it took me more than 1 hour to find a parking spot at the mall. I ended up buying nothing because the crowd was madness. Probably have to attempt again this weekend. 8P

Christmas decorations are all over the place and so far, this mid-town mall has one of the nicest displays. Had to push my way through the crowd to take photos. This is the only one i have that doesn't have some stray head bobbing in it.

If only this is edible.....

On Sunday

Was at one of the malls when i came across this Batik exhibition/competition. There were a few different ones on display but this was my favourite. Am told that the Finals will be this weekend.












Incidentally, when i was observing this, i was hit on by a guy who said he's from Spain and has been working here for the last 3 years. He kept asking if i'm local and wanted my number. Needless to say, he wasn't successful. :P Later, Siryn told me she noticed him lurking around earlier and was also eye-ing her. Eeks... i'm more freaked by this than flattered.

Down the Street

Went to Chinatown earlier today (Saturday). Haven't been there for while and am not that keen to go there also coz it's usually very crowded. People usually flock there to buy...umm... well, chinese stuff (8D) and it's a very popular tourist attraction if you're on a look-out for designer goods/DVDs at very cheap prices (read: imitation stuff). Didn't spend much time there as it was VERY hot, so i quickly grabbed what i needed and left.

Terry, i thought of you so here's a few shots i managed to grab before i scurried away. ;P

The coffee-shop where i had breakfast. Typical old fashion style place where the tables are usually antique looking with marble tops and ceiling fan will be creaking away while the cobwebs flutter in the corners. Truly an experience!








Saw this fella making himself comfortable on the shelf behind the cashier. :)





Lady selling roast & BBQ pork just outside the coffee-shop. Real yummy. Bought some from her earlier. The roast is usually from the belly of the pig, seasoned with salt and then roasted till the skin is crispy. The BBQ pork is slightly darker in colour and has a sweet caramelised flavour.






The wet market nearby where you can buy fresh meat from the butcher. None of the fancy pre-packed stuff you see in supermarkets. Here, they'll pack when you order. Usually cheaper in price but you'll need a nose peg to walk through this. 8P




A view of the street. It's still early so most shops aren't open yet but the crowds are already there.The later it gets, the more congested it becomes.






The sign "DILARANG MENJUAL PRODUK CETAK ROMPAK" actually means "Sale of imitation goods is prohibited". But as you can see, it serves no purpose as the store right underneath it IS selling imitation ware. And to add salt to the wound, the whole street IS well-known for selling imitation goods.

*sigh* This is the irony of my country. :\

Just shoot

Was away for the last couple of days for a location photoshoot. We're about a month behind schedule so everything has to move EXTRA fast. I still haven't started on Christmas shopping and already i'm working on the Chinese New Year campaign.

Right now i feel as if while i'm physically here, getting into the spirit of Christmas, yet my brains have already travelled forward a couple of months in time. It wasn't easy trying to coordinate the shoot as we had to create the atmosphere of CNY and psyche ourselves into the celebration while being surrounded by all things Christmas.

In one of our chats the other day, Siryn suggested that i should post some of the behind-the-scenes pix for the benefit of others who don't have a chance to see a photoshoot. So here are some of the stuff which i managed to sneak a few shots of.


Our mood board which we used to plan the lighting, the angles, the poses... basically, as the name suggests, the whole 'mood' which we're trying to achieve from this session.



Some of the props we used. The colour Red is very auspicious to the chinese culture. The word 'Orange' in chinese sounds like 'gold' which signifies wealth. The blossoms represents Spring, which is when Chinese New Year is celebrated.





Couldn't resist taking this shot - The make-up artist's kit.

Siryn, are you salivating now?? YES, it's ALL M.A.C colours & brushes. Sheng was so nice to show me all the different products he used plus demonstrate some of the effects on me AND let me play around with the colours/brushes. *faints in happiness*

Erm... think i'd better not post the other pix here. Sorry.. but the whole campaign is still confidential. Will try to capture more shots at other photoshoots next time. ;)

When the cookie crumbles

Got this from inside a Fortune Cookie the other day. ;D

Sharing wishes

Ok... maybe my earlier post is little self-centred and since i'm gearing myself to prepare for Christmas, here's my wish list for some of my dear ones.

Note: Keyword is "WISH" = Things that i can't afford/give but want you to have anyway.

Dad: Latest surround system and real good steak dinner. (Honest, not easy to find good steaks these days. :P )
Mum: An open ticket to whichever holiday destination you want.
Siryn: Endless supply of MAC make-up and cellulite-free thighs (?)
Foodie Queen: Good health, safe delivery of your little angel/astronaut ;) and a new job for your hubby.
Cilla: Unlimited credit and to fit into size 8 without extra bits sticking out. ;P (Heck, i want that too!!!)
Csu: A holiday and a LIFE beyond work. (I'm serious!!)
Jebi: That you'll get the 'one' you want. ;P
Loki: Your New Age Relationship to work out. Otherwise, a cute Jap girl. :P
Glen: Great friends to make your days memorable, choc volcano cakes and roti canai (??) :D
Terry: Good weather to take (more) beautiful pictures. ;D Oh... and oodles of tasty spaghetti!!

Hmm.... brains mal-functioning already. Time to shut down (computer not brains, obviously) and go home.

Final wish: That everyone will have a truly enjoyable and meaningful Christmas Season starting now (if you haven't gotten into the mood yet. ;P)

My needs are few...

Days to Christmas: 20
Off-days for Christmas: 0
Presents to buy: 30.. and counting
Presents bought: 0

Ugh… I can tell i’m already off to a bad start for Christmas this year. Gone are the days when i’m highly organized and efficient that all gifts would be bought, wrapped and tagged months before Christmas.

Now i’m hoping to high heavens that i will be able to buy presents in time for Christmas AND not, God forbid, forget anyone. Don’t you just hate it when you don’t buy a present for someone (coz you’re not that close) and he/she gives you one? Then you’re left scrambling frantically for one to give in return. And the following year, when you think you’ve got it covered by getting his/her present in advance, then the other person doesn’t give you any. *groan* and the whole cycle repeats itself the following years. Sheesh...

Cilla said i should post my Christmas wish list here as a reminder to others. (You know… in case anyone…erm… don’t know what to get me… and in this season of giving, we should ensure people don’t feel bad. :P)

So here’s my list of immediate needs (Note: ‘Needs’ not ‘wants’):

1. my own place i.e: condo
2. a laptop
3. new handphone (ok.. maybe not so immediate need but my current phone is getting cranky on me already)
4. a holiday – anywhere that has indoor plumbing and cool weather :P
5. cash (DUH! I’m always in need of this scarce commodity)

Hmm... Any takers? Your generosity will be much appreciated. ;D

Fall in again...

A few weeks ago, my aunt from Oz called to ask when i'll be visiting her again. When i was there earlier this year, i had left some of the autumn leaves i collected during one of our road trips and was rather disappointed about it coz i had wanted to do a collage with them. Yesterday, she called again and reminded me that there's many more places for me to visit.... and a lot more leaves waiting to be collected. Or perhaps, next time round, i can visit during Spring. *dreamy-eyed *

The last few times i went to Oz was either during Autumn or Winter. Heck, whenever i travel overseas, i ALWAYS choose those seasons. Figured there's no point of going to a foreign country with the same hot climate as where i am now plus, travel fares are usually cheaper during cold season since it's non-peak period. :D

Anyway, she got me thinking about holidays (again) and wishing i could be back there. Really enjoyed walking in the park near her house. Miss the fresh air, cool temperature and to be able to just enjoy the whole environment. Then later, to go home to a delicious home-cooked dinner. *sigh*

I think the busyness of city life is getting to me. Every day is always rush, rush, rush. Trying to accomplish a million things at the same time.

To my friends overseas, wish i could be with you all right now. I so wanna lie down on the snow and make silly snow angels. 8P

Treasure Box

Found this pix which Siryn took months ago. Think it was about July this year. THIS was our comfort food then.

Now i'm just dreaming of dark chocolate... Buckets and buckets of it.....Would love to stick a straw into never-ending chocolate fountain and drink self to death now.

Anyone care to join me??? Bring your own straw..

Give me the spirit

Ugh... it's bad when clients call late after office hours. You know that they're not asking if you've had dinner or telling you to go home to rest. *DUH* But when you get woken up at 9am by client on Saturdays... it's means Apocalypse! Already things are running wayyyyyyyyy behind schedule... and with this morning's news... *sigh* there goes Christmas!

I'm at the brink of dowsing liqour on my choc lava cake if this continues. At least if i'm not feeling cheerful in this season, i'll still be high with spirit *hic*

Taking it

When i was young, i hardly received punishment. Not that i wanted it or that i was such a terror to my parents (well.. i least i think so - the non-terror part). Sure, i had my rebellious times and received disapproving looks/stern reprimands and the occasional stand-in-the-corner silent treatment. But that was about it.

As i grew older, i was taught the responsibility of owning up to mistakes i've made... whether intentional or otherwise. I'm reminded that, while its understandable to have mood swings, yet it does not give us the liberty to snap at people. Problems or issues are to be resolved in a rational manner. The angrier you are, the lower your tone must be. To learn to hear the other person out first before you're quick to judged him. To always be accountable for your actions. That was the lesson.

Fast forward to now. Tempers flail so easily around me. The slightest things can cause extreme annoyance and sour faces. Childish tantrums abound and worst, i seem to always be at the receiving end of it. It's always our fault, it's always our mistake. Nevermind if the decision was made by someone else.. it's still our fault. When credit is due, false modesty projects itself in all its glory. When there is an error (no matter how trivial), everyone becomes a 'tai-qi' expert - pushing the blame to someone else. I think i have been scolded more times on things not of my doing than on the actual mistakes i've made in my life.

Have i this knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or am i just too accomodating?

Long and short of it

Just when i thought i am finally at peace and in serene cool ice-queen poise, i discovered that i can no longer log into my MSN Messenger in the office. UGH!!! When i couldn't log in yesterday, i thought perhaps it was MSN's problem. Then today, i found out that a number of my colleagues could log in. Aarrghh!!! It's NOT fair!! Used to be able to just buzz people if i wanted to check something at work or whatever. Now i have to pick up the phone, dial the line, ask for the extension and THEN discover he/she is not in and have to start the whole process again a few minutes later. Worst is discovering it's only myself, Jebi, Boo and Moo who's having this problem. We figured it must be some conspiracy theory of the bosses to ostracized us.. for whatever reason there may be. :P STILL... we managed to finally worked our way around it and got online with everyone again (though not through MSN). Sheesh.. it's official...i'm a geek. I am extremely dependant on IM and i can only communicate with people on cyberspace. 8P

And..... i impulsively went to 'chop' off my hair just now. I've almost ALWAYS had long hair. Now it's just short. Ok.. so maybe not Halle Berry in James Bond short or Sinead O'Connor short short. But it's definitely different from my usual style. Even my stylist seemed a little bewildered when i told him to cut. Loki said it looked good when i met him for dinner after. He said it suits me better than the draggy long hair i've always had. Awww.... *hugs* (Btw, this STILL won't get you a free meal from me. :P)

Hmmm... i'm still trying to get used to this 'new' look. Probably the full impact has not hit me yet. I might just wake up tomorrow morning and scream in horror upon realization of what i've done. It's not me!! It must be the traumatic after-effects of not having cyber communication for the last 2 days.

Oh well.... if you see someone walking by with a head that remotely resembles a bowling ball...do not fear... it's probably just me. :P

Things i forgot to remember

Foodie Queen just reminded me that Thanksgiving was last weekend. I know there were ads and what-nots on the Net about it but since it's not observed here, the day just came and went. Still, there's no reason why i should not be thankful for the things i have. It's been so easy to complain/whine about things that go wrong and to find fault in trivial things. And sometimes, being surrounded by difficult people has made it hard to stay positive.

So, for today, these are the friends i'm thankful for:
(No point listing inanimate objects right? Err...nevermind 8P)

1. Foodie Queen - for being there through all my ups & downs (since what...1994?) and still being one of my best-est friend despite being so many many many miles away. *muax*
2. Siryn - for somehow turning (metamorphosis?) into my quirky (ok..u were quirky to begin with :P) but also best-est friend here AND for always promising to love/accept me even though i sometimes (??) have the most bizarre ideas/antics. *ahem*
3. My Colleagues - who provide all the entertainment to make work bearable. *hugs* Ok.. and good bosses too. ;) *hint hint*
4. Loki - i know he's not gonna forgive me if i don't mention him. :P So here you are, Slacker! Hope you get to go to Japan soon and find 'her'. ;)
5. Glen - You've given me an excuse to go on a hunt for the best Choc Volcano Cake. ;D You sure its only at TSB??
6. Terri - for your photos that remind me to treasure life's beauty. :D
   
7. .... to infinite black-hole number - EVERY person who's passed my way and made a difference in my life. :D

Have a good week everyone! *offers choc volcano cake to all* :D

Can somebody stop the spinning please?

Wanted to write yesterday but was already zonked on the couch even before dinner. Looking at the previous post, i realized a week has passed, yet i have little recollection of what really happened

I (vaguely) remember...

• my work desk looking spacious after clearing away the mountainous stack of schedules, documents and artwork.

• going to the gym. I can’t remember when i went but only that the routines seem more aggressive these days. *HOO HAA!!*

• gobbling with Siryn (again!) before we caught a late night movie. I don’t remember much of the movie…except that i was rather disappointed with it. (Don’t ask me what i was disappointed about though)

• wasting a huge chunk of my Saturday helping my friend pick out her wedding dress and theme... only to find that at the end of it, she changed her mind. Aaaaarrrrggggghhhhhhh!! *horrors* And she wants me to be her wedding coordinator!! *bangs head on wall*

• having a crazy birthday celebration for Siryn and Cilla, accompanied by Cece and Csu... and that i would've enjoyed it much much more if i wasn't suffering from food poisoning. :(

• having a few dozen people smile and thank me for collecting their Communion cups that morning (though i've done it countless times before yet never received such response.. not that i expect it anyhow)
  

• practicing dance with adorable 3 - 8 year olds for the Christmas presentation... only to realize Full Rehearsals are in 2 weeks and 2/3 of them have not learned the steps yet. *gulps*
  

• being driven into extreme annoyance by someone who was being overly anal about a trivial thing.

What else happened? Ermm... i actually can't recall. Sheesh... have i become such a bore? Or is it the age thing? *gasp in horror*

No No No.... perhaps it is that i am suffering (of what, i don't know) and it's our body's natural reaction to erase the traumatic parts and render it void.

Otherwise, i'm just delirious and have over-exerted self... 8P

My heartsong sings "Food... Glorious Food"

Last weekend was one of the best i’ve had in weeks. No sudden heart-attack-calls from client or the office. *happy sigh* Bumming in front of the TV on Saturday with the luxury of doing nothing. Not that i don’t enjoy going out with friends, but to stay in and relax is one of the few luxuries i sorely lack. (I blame it on not being able to have my own place but THAT is another story) Yes, my fellow living beings of the human kind, S P A C E is one thing this girl needs…. the more the better! And i took full advantage of it when the house was empty last Saturday. :D *another happy sigh*

Later, went for dinner with Csu at Naili's Place, a delightful cafe that just opened nearby. (Original outlet is on the other side of town). We call it our ‘Spa Getaway Café’ coz of the palm trees and resort-like settings. The food is good, very affordable and the retro music they play is real cool. They open till late, or rather, early morn (3.30am, I think) so we just hung out there, eating & soaking in the whole atmosphere. Csu and i find it all rather therapeutic plus the weirdest/best/creative ideas usually pop up when we’re there. *happy sigh again* By time we left, it was almost 2am. Mmmm.. *dreamy sigh*

Yesterday, Siryn, Cece, Csu and i had lunch at Dragon-i Restaurant, another fantastic place we're fast becoming loyal patrons of. Am usually not a big fan of Chinese Restaurants (hate the noise levels) but the delicious Shanghainese food there is enough to make me brave the crowds and plonk myself right smack in the action. Definitely going back there again..soon. Csu had this look of utter bliss when she took the Double Boiled Apple with Pear & Lotus Seed dessert. She called it her 'Spa Food'. Hmm... me thinks this girl is in dire need of a LIFE. :P

Next thing on the agenda was to watch "Happy Feet", the latest animated feature in the cinemas. Have not enjoyed such movies since Shrek 2 but this is one REALLY tickled me. Methinks we were laughing the loudest throughout the show. Love the choreography and the choice of songs. Robin Williams' character 'Ramon' really stole the show for me. Was still laughing long after we got out of the cinema. Csu and i were on a roll as we started singing all sorts of songs in the car. Siryn and Cece thought we're really gone off the edge. Au contraire.. we've only just begun!!

The perfect ending came when we had dinner at Bakerzin. Honestly, i can die happy with the choice of food/desserts there. Was in dilemma as to which to order. Tried to make rational decision in elimination style process. IF i can cook/bake it, THEN i will not order it. But Siryn and Csu had to remind me that i can cook/bake most of the things on the menu. Aaarrrrggghhhh.... Can i have one of everything then?!?! 8D

Finally settled for the Roasted chicken thigh in teriyaki sauce with roasted sweet potatoes. For dessert - Bailey's Irish Cream Souffle with espresso & cream. *Blissful sighs* Siryn took a pix of me eating the souffle. I thought it was a nice angle till she pointed out that i have this euphoric look on my face AND that my best shots lately has been somewhat related to eating. Gahhhh!!!!

Hmm....Anybody needs a model?? Will work for food....

Mad dogs & Englishman...

Finally.. things are slowly getting back to 'normal' at work, IF there's such a thing to begin with. The exhibition has been launched, the pitch done, the catalogues sent for printing and the bulk of the ads approved.

After a long hiatus of not playing with my dogs, they were a ruckus when i finally saw them last night. They jumped, licked my face & wagged their tails so furiously that i thought they were going to propel into mid-air. They were a sight as they ran circles around the garden and doing what looked like dog acrobatics to me. 8D

Hmmm.... come to think of it, LaRosa was no different in the office too. After a few weeks of dealing with our ever-fickle-ever-painful client, he was literally leaping about in the office yesterday yelling (in his weird-sounding Cockney accent) "We're done! Hurrah! We're done!". Though it sounded more like "We're Doonn! Hurrah! We're Doonn!". Rotfl...

*Sighs in relief* Am ever so glad for the cyber hugs Siryn sent me on MSN the couple of days. (would've preferred real ones but heck, better than none ;P) Had good cappucino at lunch. Bought a new novel yesterday after work, with full confidence that i have time to read it now. And this morn, got an e-card of sunflowers from Loki. *hugs Loki*

Hmm... stingy fella for not sending REAL ones AND the fact that it was classified under 'Get Well' cards but being the ever-nice-and-lovable person that i am (not to mention am already delirious from wrapping up projects), i forgive him and yeah, Slacker... i'm one of the rare few who still loves you! *spins around in glee*

Hurrah for the weekend!!! I LOVE YA ALL!!!!!!! *big hugs*

My lava lava...

I'm finally wrapping up two major projects. Before anyone can shout "let's go relax & celebrate", let me forewarn you that the upcoming pitch and subsequent projects till early next year still loom menacingly over me. And looking back at the past few projects, i have this nagging feeling that i cannot depend on anyone to make my workload any lighter. There are times (or rather, many times) that i wonder if i'm the only one who cares about not just completing a task, but ensuring that the best effort has been put into it. I thought things would get easier the longer one has been working on it. Obviously i'm sorely mistaken time and time again as we seemingly continue to regress more than progress. Sigh.... why is it so hard for some people to do a simple thing?!?!?!

I'm glad i managed to have a v. v. v. V. quick lunch with Siryn today. At least, to vent out some grouses.. though it wasn't long before we were both interrupted mid-gobble by our respective bosses, thus cutting our lunch-break short. We managed to swallow down a quick choc fix (strawberry, banana & marshmallow dipped in choc. Needed that to remind us why we bother living. :P) before we dashed off in opposite directions. Promised that we will really take time to have good desserts when this madness called work is over. Sigh.. (again)

Till then, this is a list of things that might take me out of this misery (at least temporarily):

1. Sunflowers.... loads and loads of it. Honestly! It's not easy to frown when surrounded by such happy flowers. :D
2. Hugs. Plenty of those please.. and i don't mind the Hershey's type either. :P
3. A weekend mini-break somewhere with good friends.
4. Discovering i've gone down a dress size. ( i WISH! Double sighs)
5. A walk in the park amidst the autumn leaves (obviously not the ones here).
6. STEP classes at the gym. (miss the beat/rhythm and adrenaline pumping)
7.Curling up with a good book. (IF i can find the time)
8. Playing with my dogs. (no chance lately since it's always raining and already late when i get home)
9. The smell of fresh bread baking or good coffee brewing.

AND.....the most important of all.... Choc Lava Cakes!!! warmed with a dollop of vanilla ice-cream *swoon* The liquid chocolate centre is enough to make me melt and forget everything. 8P

Siryn, shall we make a batch this weekend?!?!?! ;)

Rain on my picnic....

I would so love to be back there now. My life over the last few weeks has been a series of meetings after meetings, delays after delays, disorganisation and chaos to no end.

Add that to the daily downpour we've been getting, my life is a soggy blanket. :(

Wouldn't it be nice to have a picnic by this lake now? *sigh*

Phony Ha Ha

In my busiest moment, while i was trying to settle a crucial matter, i get this sms from SOMEONE who was standing just 3 feet away:

CONGRATS! Ur phone has been installed with a new puzzle game. 2 play, just throw ur phone against the wall & arrange d pieces back. It's fun! TRY IT!


AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!! I couldn't decide if i should laugh or use dat fella as the wall to throw my phone.

Cheez whiz...

Over the recent holidays, i went to Batam, one of the Indonesian islands off Singapore. It was my first mission trip there.. or for a matter of fact, anywhere. The memory of it all is still a bit hazy to me (and NO... no pun intended for the lingering haze over the island). Probably it's coz i'm still trying to recuperate from the travelling and the lack of sleep. We were up at 6am every morning and only went to bed after midnight. Throughout those few days, we were going from one place to another. Church services, sunday school teaching, orphanage visit, distributing food to the villages, cell group meetings, etc.

We were there in the slums with the people, bearing the heat and the dust. The houses in the villages ... if you can even call them houses... were so small and empty save for a single flourescent tube. The windows are square openings on the wooden wall. For some, there's not even a door to the house. Children ran about bare-footed, sending the chickens squawking. I even saw a man on a stool underneath the tree, getting his hair cut.

It's one thing to hear about poverty but to actually be there and to witness the miserable conditions in which these people live in, it really took a lot out of us. Suddenly the 15 cartons of food and clothes that we carried there seemed so light compared to the burden in our hearts. These people did not expect much yet gave thanks in all circumstances. Games that we used to play as children (which we think of as childish now) brought so much laughter and excitement to them. While we played with the children, the adults gathered round and cheered on. Some even joined in.

At the orphanage, we lovingly nicknamed a little boy T-Rex. We were playing the Cheezels Game with them. All they had to do was take turns to bite a Cheezel off the string while competing with the other team. This little fella was so excited that he was practically roaring all the way. He even stopped mid-game to pose for this shot. :D It was good to see some of my team members let their hair down and joined in the games. The children showed us how to take joy in simple things. Even a few balloons floating about in the air was enough to keep them happy.

I didn't have a Paul-on-the-road-to-Damascus kind of epiphany from this trip. Neither can i say that i did so much to change the lives of these people. But i have certainly gained much from them. And i know for sure that Cheezels will never be just another snack to me again. ;D

Clackers & cheese

Went to watch The Devil Wears Prada with Siryn, Cece and Cilla last weekend. When i read the book last year, i thought Miranda Priestly reminded me so much of my ex-boss with all her demands and expectations. The constant reminders of how fortunate i was to work there, the insults of how stupid & incompetent i was, the threats of how influential she is and that one word from her and i wouldn't be hired anywhere else. Ugh.... yet i stuck it through (at least for those months) coz i thought i needed the job so badly. Yup... i was living Andrea's life without the perks of designer wear. Don't ask me why i stayed on even after the first week. Perhaps i shared the same thoughts as Andrea.. that if i proved myself in that company, it would open more doors for me next time. Well.. bovine-poo! I'm much better off now and i don't have to take that kind of crap to get to where i am now.

Now that i'm no longer there, watching the movie was pure entertainment. Must say that Miranda's character was made more 'humane' and oh the fashion!!! It's one thing to read about it but to see in on screen. Loved the clothes, the bags, the shoes... oh the shoes.... *hyperventilates*. IF my last job involved me having a 'Closet' full of stuff to take home, maybe... just maybe...i might've stayed on. Though probably have to be stick-insect thin to fit into anything.

Siryn and i were laughing at the diet idea of starving yourself and only having a tiny cube of cheese when you're about to faint. Which thereafter reminded me that i've slacked in keeping in shape. So i decided to embark on my 'renewal' process. Went off junk food & sweets, cut back on carbs and snack only on fresh fruits. Went to the gym last night and came to work this morning all charged-up.

Then Jebi saw me during lunch and asked me how come my boobs seemed to have grown. AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHH. Now if it was any other A-cup girl, i think she would've jumped for joy. But when it's moi, it's BADDDDDDDDD news. Oh well, i guess there's all the more reason to keep wearing the T-shirt i bought from Oz.

What disdain.. such displeasure

The last week or so has been the most gruelling time. Went to recce so many locations for the Christmas photo shoot and after all the hoolaaboola, ended up using some 'cekai' crummy hotel suite. I blame the client's tighter-than-a-hangman's-noose budget and just coz of someone's stupid comment, the rest of us are forced to work under ridiculous circumstances. Add that to a frigid anal headmistress of a hotel Marketing Manager, how the heck were we suppose to do the shoot? NO changing of schedule. NO food allowed. NO drinks allowed. NO shoes allowed. NO using of the suite toilet. NO moving of furniture. NO touching of this. NO staying on in the suite after 6pm. NO leaving things in the suite. NO opening of the piano cover. NO using of the hotel lift to bring up our props. NO loud noise. NO putting of things on the table without tablecloth. NO dirtying of the carpet when we unpack our merchandise. NO children running about. No going into that room. NO opening of that door. NO this of that. Blah blah blah blah....

For the love of God, his saints and beard-trimmers, it's a bloody hotel!!!! Don't they have house-keeping? Never have i felt more restricted during a photo shoot. Everytime HM comes up to check on us, a deafening silence will fall across the room and everyone holds their breath while she gives her look of constant displeasure and makes a million & one reminders of DON'Ts. AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

Am still recovering from the trauma of the 2 days shooting in that place. Lucky thing our 3rd day shoot was back in the photographer's studio. At least we could move about freely with the music blasting in the background and our merchandise strewn out on the floor for ease of sorting. Sheesh.... the photographer joked that if we didn't have HM, our shoot wouldn't be so 'fun'. Yeah right!!! Now that it's over... perhaps someone would be so kind as to remove the stick from HM's rear end?!?!?

C'est la vie...

So I walked under a bus
I got hit by a train
Keep falling in love
Which is kinda the same
I've sunk out at sea
Crashed my car, gone insane
And it felt so good
I want to do it again

~ "Buses & Trains" Bachelor Girl ~

Time seem to have just flown since i last posted. My flu took forever to go away. Despite being told to rest at home for faster recovery, i felt better when i was out and about being the usual busy-body that i am. :D Hmm...Let's see.. What did i do besides the usual everyday things that i don't need to elaborate on.. ish?

Went for a Fashion Preview. Lunch with client. Went to a wholesaler to buy dozens of earrings at rock-bottom prices. Got caught in the rain *ah-choooo*. Bought wool to crochet own flower brooch (haven't started but will do soon). Had the living daylights scared out of me manoeuvring my director's Honda Accord on the highway while trying to read map to recce location shoot *ish!* Company lunch at San Francisco Steakhouse (my 1st time there.. ok ok.. so i'm a little 'jungle tortoise'). A few more client lunches. Baked my fav Chocolate Lava Cake. (Wheee... Calories!) Met up with Siryn after a few weeks of absence. Discovered a delightful bakery which serves wonderful desserts. (Seriously, if ever you decide life is no longer worth living, you should go have a meal there. I guarantee you'll wanna live again.... or not, die a satisfying death by chocolate fondue & strawberries. LOL). Bought and read half a dozen novels. Wanted to see Bruce Kuhn's 'The Gospel According to Luke' at the local theatre but was pleasantly surprised when he came to my church on Sunday and did 'The Acts of the Apostles'. Already booked tickets for an A Cappella performance next month. Tried on a Tiffany necklace which costs RM10,000 *hyperventilates* (congratulate Siryn & self for maintaining cool ice-queen poise whilst in shop *clap clap*)

Life never ceases to amaze me... :D

Remember me

I'm in dire need of therapy. Am already on the verge of suicide. It's just deciding the fastest and mess-free way. Hanging by a wet noodle? Asphyxiation by body odour? Drowning by molten dark chocolate? (ooh... yumm!) With the kind of scatterbrain nonsense i have to face... ANYTHING! to avoid further brain deterioration of associating with intellectually inferior people. AARRGGHHH!!!!

Ironically, someone recently asked me "How would you like your epitaph to be?" and "What do you think others will put on your epitaph?". Hmmm... not the usual topic one would like to broach. Still, it did get me thinking of what i'm doing with my life, how i perceive myself and how different/similar others truly see me. Kinda makes you think twice before doing anything huh? Damn those morals and responsibilities! :P

I did come across this epitaph though:

Here lies a miser who lived for himself,
who cared for nothing but gathering wealth.
Now where he is and how he fares;
nobody knows and nobody cares.

Err... not something i would want on my granite headboard next time. Then again, obviously someone bothered enough to put it there. To serve as a warning/reminder perhaps?

Would be interesting though, to know what others would write for me. *goes off to preen wings and tune the harp*

Quizzically speaking

I'm a sucker for quizzes. I can't resist them even if they're silly, irrelevant or plain ridiculous. Who needs to know "What Breed Of Puppy Are You?". Heck.. I'm female AND i'm no dog...unless you're referring to my occasional (ok..maybe perpetual) bitchiness. I scored 45% normal in "How Normal Are You?" and 70% weird in "How Weird Are You?". Go figure! In the latter quiz, the results read You're so weird, you think you're *totally* normal. Right? But you wig out even the biggest of circus freaks! Hmmm....THAT's reassuring!

Anyway, decided to do a more serious quiz after reading Siryn's post. Here's my results from the Princeton Review:

Your interest colour is BLUE
People with blue Interests like job responsibilities and occupations that involve creative, humanistic, thoughtful, and quiet types of activities. Blue Interests include abstracting, theorizing, designing, writing, reflecting, and originating, which often lead to work in editing, teaching, composing, inventing, mediating, clergy, and writing.

Your usual style is YELLOW
People with yellow styles perform their job responsibilities in a manner that is orderly and planned to meet a known schedule. They prefer to work where things get done with a minimum of interpretation and unexpected change. People with a yellow style tend to be orderly, cautious, structured, loyal, systematic, solitary, methodical, and organized, and usually thrive in a research-oriented, predictable, established, controlled, measurable, orderly environment. You will want to choose a work environment or career path in which your style is welcomed and produces results.

Wheeeeeeeeeeee......... no wonder Siryn and i get along so well. *jumps around in glee* :D
Foodie Queen, won't be surprised if you get similar results too. *hugs*

Btw, in case you're wondering, I'm like a Beagle Puppy...Cheerful, energetic, and happy go lucky :D Woof!

Fusion indeed

Today is definitely a total waste of make-up. Did not achieve anything but let my life just drift aimlessly by (again!). Aaargh... i hate these days of waiting around for clients to come back with decisions. Others may envy how easy my day has been but i'm ready to bite the arm off my office chair. The only highlight to my day was lunch with colleagues.. and maybe Jebi's comment that i have an infectious laugh. 8) Other than that, i'm sinking lower and lower into my chair, my bum slowly fusing with the cushion and cellulite overflowing the sides.

There's gotta be more to life than this....

Age of Denial

Up to a few weeks ago, i was silently lamenting how boring i've turned out to be. My once-big group of friends have turned into empty promises of wanting to meet up but never really making the effort. I'm doomed to die alone...miserable... dejected.. to be found 3 weeks later when hungry alsatians are done feasting on my sorry self. 8P Ok ok.. so maybe it's coz my birthday was coming up and i didn't have anyone who wanted to plan a party for me save for my dear Siryn. But then again, how can you party when it's juz the two of us?!?!

And of all things, i flipped through the daily newspaper and saw an article on local Elvis impersonators. GAAAAHHHHHH.. one of the guys in the pix was my ex-collegemate. He was quite mousy during college yet the article mentioned that he'd been doing the impersonation since then. Double GAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! Siryn said still waters run deep and you'll never know what lurks beneath. *eyes her wearily* Hmm.... there's nothing wrong with Elvis or his music, but someone MY age impersonating him?!?!? and for years?!?!?! *faints* Is this even normal for people my age?!?!? Sigh.....

Just as i was about to sink into the abyss of despair, the calls and sms-es started trickling in 5 days before i officially turned old. Then came the emails, IMs, more calls & sms-es.. and dinners.. oh glorious dinners.. and lunches. Wheeeeeeeee......... am no longer social pariah!!! For more than a week, i continued getting wishes and celebrations. Wheeeeeeeee.... i didn't even have to dress like Elvis to get such reception. I feel like the queen!! (Err... Queen Latifah perhaps? I certainly feel as big as her... Hahahaha)

Over the weekend, my colleagues and i decided to hit a local club. The music was good, the company was great (i lurve u all *bearhugs*) save for a party pooper (Jebi, i hope you've struck him off your list. Definitely not worth it) but the crowd was crazy. The dancefloor was super-packed, combined with the fact that it was right smacked in middle of the path to other parts of the club, my groove was certainly interrupted way too many times by people trying to sidle past and my pedicured toes being stepped on. Siryn and i reiterate THIS is the reason why we don't do clubs anymore. It was fun to dress up and go out but I think I'll stick to my healthier alternative of gym class where i can STILL get high energy dancing, loud music and adrenaline pumping minus paying obscene amounts to smell like a chimney and feel like flypaper. :P

Allegra has left the building....

Hot Sun & Starfish

Ugh... feeling so sluggish and uninspired lately. Been meaning to write a few posts in here since last week but trying to jumpstart is like asking a deceased rhinocerous to get a life. 8P

I blame it on the weather. It's been too hot to do anything. Despite being in an air-conditioned environment most of the time, i dread the times when we have to go out for lunch or meetings.

Aargh.. runny make-up, greasy hair. Makes me look like one of the characters in Pirates of the Carribean 2. Which of course, brings me to one of the conversations i had with Siryn after the movie. She was trying to remember if there was something going on between Liz Swann & Jack Sparrow in the 1st movie.

Siryn: But in this movie it seemed that she was into him too for a while
Allegra: Oh well... I think it was the dare. He dared her to go against herself, she dared him to be the good man
Allegra: I've fallen for a dare before. Then of course there's the strange attraction for bad boys thingy
Siryn: :P
Allegra: Been there done dat, hv the scars to prove it
Siryn: rilli?
Allegra: ok.. mebbe unseen scars. I’ve cut out my heart and put it in a box. :P
Siryn : will you start growing tentacles on your face? :P Perhaps a decorative starfish or two?
Allegra: If I leave it be for 10 years perhaps... first it will be a graveyard of dead cells. Then barnacles will grow.. Then fishlife will play hide and seek
Siryn: Wheeeeeeee
Allegra: AH HA!!!! Proves a point!!!!
Siryn: wot?
Allegra: that underneath my clothes, I’m covered with green scales
Siryn: LOL :P

Hmm.... I seriously need to get a life... somebody help me pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaasssssssseeeeeeeee *collap-sed from heat*

There are some things money can't buy...

Siryn used to groan at me whenever i complain that i'm broke and thereafter contradict myself by shopping for something new. My reply has always been "There's always the credit card". Which in turn, sets off a few more groans and the "Whats with you and credit card? You sound like the MasterCard ad". :P I've been telling her that i wait for the day when i can live out the 'ex-boyfriend' ad. And today was it!!

I had just parked my car in the city's central mall when i noticed HIM coming through the parking entrance. My boss was on the phone next to me so i pretended i didn't see him and busied myself with some documents. I know he definitely saw me coz i noticed the double-take (plus i was right smack in his line of vision) and the fact that he walked past my car though he could've used another way to get to his car. Just as i was about to cross over to the mall, his car came by and he slowed down just as he passed me. I could see him checking me out though he was trying to keep expressionless.

Somehow, a strange feeling of victory bubbled up inside of me. I cannot say if it is from the realization that i'm finally over him OR that he couldn't stop looking at me (and NO, i was not strangely dressed with hair sticking all over the place). Perhaps this elated feeling is that, to me, he doesn't exist anymore yet to him, i still do. Keith Urban sang it right in "You'll Think Of Me" and the best thing is not knowing what could've been or what should've been. As the now famous tagline goes "Dress: $150, Make-up: $100, The look on ex-boyfriend's face: PRICELESS!".

I'm going out to celebrate.....

Right on top

Feeling real 'alive' today after last night's gym workout. It's good to be back at dance after almost 2 weeks of non-attendance due to flu and late deadlines. I was running a bit late so joined in in mid warm-ups. Just as i was trying to get into rhythm, Viv shouted "WOOHOO!!! ALLEGRA!!! CHECK OUT THE TOP!!! NICE!!! YEAH!!!". Despite inwardly groaning at how she has managed to draw embarassing attention to me AGAIN, was secretly pleased she noticed my new red/blue asymmetrical top. (Ok...so gym is NOT juz workouts but a semi fashion thingy.. can't help it, it's a girl thing :P)

Compliments aside, saw an ad in one of the foreign mags recently. Immediately told Siryn about it... this is excerpt from the convo. Read it and you'll know why...

Allegra: ok.. answer yes or no to these questions
Allegra: has there ever been a period of time when u were not ur usual self and....
Siryn: and?
Allegra: 1. u felt so good or so hyper that other ppl thought u were not ur normal self or u were so hyper dat u got into trouble
Allegra: 2. u were so irritable dat u shouted at ppl or started fights and arguments
Allegra: 3. u felt much more self-confident that usual
Siryn: yes to all
Allegra: 4. u got much less sleep than usual and found u didn't really miss it
Allegra: 5. u were much more talkative and/or spoke much faster than usual
Allegra: 6. thoughts raced thru ur head and/or u couldn't slow ur mind down
Allegra: 7. u were so easily distracted by things around u that u had trouble concentrating or staying on track
Allegra: 8 u had much more energy than usual
Allegra: 9. u were much more active and/or did many more things than usual
Siryn: yes to all
Allegra: 10 u were much more social or outgoing than usual - for example, u telephoned friends in middle of night
Allegra: 11. u were much more interested in sex than usual
Allegra: 12. u did things that were unusual for u or that other ppl might have thought were excessive, foolish or risky
Allegra: 13. spending money got u or ur family into trouble
Siryn: 10 no, 11 & 12 :P yes , 13 no
Allegra: if u answered yes to more than one of the above, have u experienced several of these during the same period of time?
Siryn: err... probably
Siryn: wats this anyway
Siryn: do i have psychological problems? :P
Allegra: we have bipolar disorder
Siryn: oh. i'm bipolar?
Siryn: mebbe bisexual too *rotfl*
Allegra: *rotfl* at least not like HZ. he says he's trisexual coz he likes animals
Siryn: *rotfl* that's nasty
Allegra: oh well... i consider myself NOT bipolar
Allegra: coz it's not sudden periods of time
Allegra: i'm ALWAYS like dat... *LOL*
Siryn: *LOL* so you're just polar ler
Allegra: wat disorder??!?!? i'm very much in order thankyouverymuch
Siryn: wat u wanna order ar?
Siryn: *nasal sounding ah lian* i like ah 8-}

Pur-leese...

Am bloody annoyed. Purposely stayed in over the weekend so that i can work on my beaded shoe design. Then spent the whole Saturday morn looking for the beads i bought... but those buggers must've taken a stroll somewhere coz they're nowhere to be found. Thought i left it in the office so when i came in this morn, I was ready to spring a surprise on them when i opened my drawer, thinking "AHA!!! I found you.. you miniscule buggers of the plastic kind!!". But horror of horrors... they were not there either. AAARRGGHHH... WHERE CAN IT BE?!?!?!?!!
Then supposed to go for gym today but am still in office. Missed Viv's class already. Doooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmm............... the cellulite and calories must be breaking out in glorious hallelujahs and multiplying even as i type. Nevermind!! There's always wednesday's class. Muahahahahahaha... tremble with FEAR, you thousands and thousands of calories!!!

Anyway, *gains back composure* had a rather relaxing weekend. Finished reading Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. Played with friend's 1y.o. daughter (my fav toddler). Watched a musical on cable with Ash (So what if it's a teeny bopper thingy. We've both been waiting for it for a whole month :P ) AND had Pork Chops, Pumpkin & Potato wedges for dinner while dressed in my Pajamas. Hahahahaha....

This 'P' fever seems to be lingering way after Friday night. Now craving Pancakes...and Papadums & Puri still, of course. Hehehehe.... Lucky i didn't eat my Pecan muesli this morn with Peach yoghurt. Colleague suggested 'Pan Mee' while Siryn suggested Penne for lunch. *groan* BUT had Pie for tea just now. *double groan and rolls eyes*

This has got to stop...... though Persimmons or Plums might be nice.. or maybe Pizza or Porridge??!?!

Mind your Ps

Had dinner with Siryn last night. It had been a long week for both of us. The usual 'so many things to do, so little time' lament. As always, being with her is never dull coz we have the most bizarre conversations (not to mention excellent taste in friends, style, etc... ahem). We find amusement is trivial things and have uncanny abilities to associate different things together. I often wonder what people would think if they heard one of our conversations. Like last night for example (ok.. so maybe i was the one who started it and we were in an Indian restaurant at that time.... but that's not my point) ANYWAY, the conversation went something like this..

A: I think i want to learn how to make puri.
S: Why?
A: Coz i like puri... and i think i have an indian stomach coz i love indian food..but that's beside the point.
S: So u can make ur own puri at home??
A: Yeah.. and then when i get my own place, i can have a mini puri party. Wheee... mini puri party mini puri party... Try saying that a few times.
S: Mini puri party mini puri party... whee... Just puri?
A: Hmm... i like papadums too. So maybe a mini papadum puri party?? Then u can bring ur pashmina.
S: Whee.. mini Papadum Puri Party. I'll wear a Punjabi suit with my Pashmina.
A: And i'll have peacock feathers. So mini papadum puri party with punjabi suit, pashmina and peacock feathers. Hmm.... maybe i should call it Puny Papadum Puri Party instead? Then everyone comes in Punjabi suit, Pashmina and Peacock feathers. It'll be PERFECT. My Perfect Puny Papadum Puri Party... wheeeeeeeeee........
S: *groans* oh god.. if someone hears us now... :P puny papadum puri party..

~~~

Hmm.... must be the food..... 8P

Those happy days are gonna fly...

It's been a crazy week of last minute meetings, business lunches and insane deadlines. In the midst of it all, i've also tried to go to the gym, meet up with friends, pay my car insurance, enquire about condos, shop for my Aunt in Oz, research on my client's competitors, etc... Phew!! It's a wonder how i manage all these... Hmm.... must maintain self as multi-tasking girl-about-town oozing with inner poise, ever ready to face challenges without getting all frenzied and looking like a woman possessed. :D

Cannot believe that almost half the year is gone. Feels like i've not done anything but dwindled yet another 6 months of my life away aimlessly. Sigh.... OK, time to do something purposeful ( i hope)...

10 things i would like to do before end of 2006:

1. Learn to dance properly without looking like a demented emu attempting the funky chicken dance
2. Drop 2 dress sizes {possible if achieve #1}
3. Turn one of my hobbies into mini business
4. Reduce some of my credit card debts. {Am realistic.. not possible to clear ALL debts. Then again, possible if #3 works}
5. Buy my own condo (seriously) {possible if #3 turns into overnight success or i achieve #8.. hehehe}
6. Attend at least ONE theatre/play/concert performance
7. Attend at least ONE of Siryn's performances (least i can do for bestfren :) *hugs* sorry have not been very supportive)
8. Meet & snag straight single desirable (to me) sane male (Even better if he's rich AND generous to me... hahahaha) {possibility of achieving this when doing #6 or #7 ?!?!}
9. Go on minibreak... with Siryn, of course (unless rich generous straight single desirable sane male offers better deal ... hahaha :P)
10. Curb tendency to splurge on MAC and fav boutique. :P {then can achieve #4 & #5 even if #3 doesn't work. But if #3 or #8 works, then #10 does not apply}