Day 15

♥♥♥ Going gaga over macaroons ♥♥♥

Day 14

My mood was at an all-low on Tues. Had to return to work looking so ugly! Fell flat on my face on Monday while rollerblading and scrabbed my nose and lips. I remember the first thing on my mind after I fell was "oh no...i think i broke my nose *&%$". Was super irritated cos it wasn't even my fault that I fell. I was only trying to avoid the person who fell in front of me and also cos the person beside me didn't help. But it was alright, I cld still live with that cos after I got home, everyone was so concerned and encouraging that my mood was lifted. And when I got to the office, everyone was also super nice, showering words of concerns and sharing remedies for wounds to heal faster. wc recommended aloe vera, mn recommended bbq cream (typo cos she was sick and actually meant bb cream), and xc recommended a plaster to make it look like a soccer injury and make me look 'meaner'. But.........

The most heartbreaking thing came just before lunch. I dropped my phone while getting out of a cab and the screen got smashed. My new nokia!!!! only 2 mths old!!! *&$#!%&#)*@!#. Just went to enquire last evening- the warranty doesn't cover screen cracks cos it's considered a "fatal damage" and it costs $45 to repair. How can it be a "fatal damage" when it only fell off from my lap? Felt super sick that day.

Ode was trying to recall a chinese idiom to describe my predicament. We supplied “祸不单行”，“因祸得福”，“塞翁失马，焉知非福”,but in the end she remembered it was “大难不死必有后福”... That sounded ominous and wrong then but after the nokia customer svc lady apolegetically insisted that it was a "fatal" damage, I kinda think Ode's right.

Hmm but whatever, things can only get better since the worst is over. This time i “赔钱又赔色”, but I'll earn it back and heal in no time!

Day 13

Stuck this whole week at Shangri-la for apec. But it's a good job- Non-stop supply of food, some pretty exquisite meals, cab to-and-fro everyday, manageable workload, nice bosses. All in all it's a pretty good week! Initally I thought I had to spend even the weekends here, but my boss gave me a day off on my birthday, which makes it the biggest gift I've received this year! =)

Hence on Sunday when the whole team was slogging here, I was off for piano lessons, jap lessons, then dinner with my family back home. Sweet.

Some pics from the apec meetings...

Birthday pics... the cake Meng baked...my phone cam's lousy but it was a success.

At some korean restaurant with served yucky soba....

Day 12

Submitted my entry for the bag design competition last night. Sure hope I can win, then I can go around carrying a branded bag lol. It was fun picking up the drawing pencil again over the weekend and searching everywhere for inspiration!!!

Day 11

With my new E71 I can now upload a pic of my rollerblades. The samsung cable is still missing but hmm won't be using it any way.

Some other stuff that I also wanted to upload ...

My grandmother's "nian gao"...look how thin it is...

Mum making dumplings. She won't pose for the camera though...

The photo frame that adorns my office table.

My "stress ball" in the office.

And a recent photo of me.^^

Day 10

Went with LY to Jubilee theater to watch Orphan last night. Wanted to watch the 7.00 show but the mtg with mti dragged till 7.30. No choice but to cab down to the place and watch the 9.20 show which was the last show of the day, on the last day they were screening it! Was quite desperate to watch it and good thing it didn't disappoint. =) But it was quite creepy watching it in a cinema with only 8 people in it. Purposely took the aisle seat so that there won't be an empty seat beside me =p

I think because of scene in the delivery ward in the movie and my insane craving for eggs lately that this morning at the bus-stop, I started wondering if a chicken feels the pain when it lays an egg. It'll be quite cruel if the chicken has to go through a lot of pain for the consumers' sake right? Fortunately, I think it's not that painful.

According to DOM_BIRD (http://www.afn.org/~poultry/egghen.htm): "The bird stands high above the egg and rests, beak open and panting after the heavy work. The entire process (from rising to dropping the egg) is quite fast and is finished within half a minute." Thank goodness.

Had a quarrel with dad over the double yolk eggs that mum buys in a carton. He says he doesn't eat them cos he thinks those eggs are GM and god knows what side effects they'll bring. That's so crazy, I love double yolk eggs! Told him that the producers probably did an x-ray or sth to see if there were 2 yolks but he didn't believe me. But look what I've googled again:

"In egg processing factories (or farms!) they put eggs over a light box to check for defects, and you can see the yolk and if there are two yolks you can tell. They do this to check that if chicks are growing inside fertilised eggs too. Like yolk-less eggs (yes, they do happen in nature) they are usually laid by very young chickens who have just started producing." y('_')y =D=D

Day 9

Haha I'm super duper free this morning, cos my boss is .... no where to be found. Just wanted to drop a note to commemorate my 1 year in public svc!

So fast time flies.

I won't lie about how I don't feel jaded upon passing the 1 year mark, about how I don't feel like retiring already, how when I'm assigned some new piece of work I don't feel like I've been passed a disease. All these are true, but I think work is inevitable and you just have to do what you have to do everyday, and do it brilliantly.

My intern Eli pointed out in her internship report that I just vetted that there is a "vast difference" between work assignments and school projects. She learnt the importance of interpersonal communication and having the appropriate mindset at the workplace. For instance, it was very essential to be positive about all big and small tasks, to show tolerance of and learn how to work around different working styles and to embrace responsibility and the opportunity to make decisions. She concluded that the attachment has been extremely rewarding to her.

I feel lucky that I got to read her positive reflections on my 1 year mark. There indeed is a difference between undergrads and the working class. This sort of optimism that you find in students don't come to me that freely anymore =p Kudos to her for helping me realise how much learning I've accumulated over the year, how I've quite successfully adapted to a different environment, and feel good once again about my first anniverssary!

Day 8

Everyone has been asking me if I've any trips planned for the hols, and the answer is no, not with the H1N1 flu going around. But I still need breaks....I took pm leave on monday and spent the afternoon at Tanjong beach. Initially everyone was laughing at me for taking half-day instead of 1 day, and I finally saw their point while I was rushing to HBF, rushing to grab lunch and then rushing to Sentosa. Before I got to sentosa, all my muscles were bunched up. But it was a fun afternoon. It feels especially liberating when you're at the beach on a monday, enjoying the sun, sand and sea, instead of sitting at a desk in a tiny cubicle whittling your eyesight away, and it is a choice YOU made.

Last week I was working my a** off in the office, putting in extra hours. This week everything is on standstill because either my bosses are away or they just don't hv time for me. Sounds like a spoilt kid right? But it is really horrible when your boss ignores you deliberately or unintentionally. There's this huge bottleneck and it's getting on my nerves because of the fact that the bottleneck is actually at the bosses' level, and at my pathetic level, you can't tell them to shove it. There really is no unemployment in this downturn except structural unemployment.

Things I've learnt this week:
1) If you're gg to take leave, take full day.
2) If you're gg to Sentosa looking for a getaway, avoid school holidays which gives children more reason to scream their heads off and chitter-chatter away like there's no tmr.
3) Instant noodles can taste much better than normal food.
4) I've learnt how to blade!!
5) How much I love my friends.

Day 7

Went to collect my biometric passport today. Did you know that the new passport no. is different from your NRIC? Pa said that it's so that if the passport is lost, you can write off the passport no. but not the NRIC. Cool, makes sense. It's also cool that the new biometric book looks just like the old book except that it has an embedded chip inside it, which of course you can't see. Third amazing thing abt passports is how the photos never fail to capture the most unglamous side of you. I thought I was finally done with ugly looking passport photos- the last one stucked for *omg* 10 years, but no... For the next 5 years, I'll be the freaky-girl-with-half-eyebrows. But whatever, at least it looks better than its predeccesor. I thank the msian customs guy who gave me the excuse to be rid of the old photo, cos he wrote in my passport "renew photo, final" using no less than a black ink pen.

Have managed to learn how to control the direction after blading down a slope today. This is after a few falls of course, but it's really an achievement. I've been trying to pick up new skills recently, one by investing in a pair of rollerblades and two in signing up for Elementary Japanese course. The hefty price for this is that my weekends are burnt out and I get an earful every week for treating home as a hotel, but I will take it in my stride.

I meant to upload a pic of my new blades, but I can't find the cable for my phone:(

Day 6

There's nothing like a good weekend, especially one where all the time is delicated to yourself. I felt totally recharged after last week's long break. Plus this week's May Day holiday, I hope I'll be able to have more breakthroughs next week.

Nothing much happened this week, except that I finally submitted my application for the Ucard. Spent so long trying to get a passport size photo for it. Not that I didn't have any, but to find one that was "passable" was like asking for the moon. Anyway, I was asking the lady about subsequent renewal fees when she said, "Just renew la, why not? Just let lim swee say protect you" .....Dots.... I did a double take. LSS? I don't need (want) his protection. Union protection brings to mind those days where men & women raised their fists and shouted slogans like 'fight for workers' rights', days where tv was still black & white, ....days before I was even born. But wait a minute, what did I just signed up for? Ucard lar, what was I expecting? But seriously, i didn't know that there were still people out there having the sort of mindset that there was this "dai gor" that was covering their backs.

The pre-baby-boomers generation at the workplace really stun me sometimes. There is this other bizzare incident where I was talking to this guy when he said "我的内人..." "内人?".....More dots.... I can't believe people still refer to their wives like that! And he used it not just once but all the time. Still can't help cringing every time he says that.

Day 5

Why is it that I try to show consideration towards everyone but no one is willing to spare a thought for me?

Why is it that I do my best but it doesn't register in the minds of the people who matter most to me?

I'm not that strong.

Day 4

This morning I was pouring out my grievances at the office to Pa and Leng on the drive to work and I found out that voicing out your thoughts helps you figure things out faster and better. Most of the time, I don't talk about my problems, and that is to my disadvantage.

I was exclaiming how frustrating it was when things "ding-dong" at work when all there was to do was for my boss to make the judgement call. I was missing the big picture all along. As Dad rightly put it, "Different level management have different considerations". I'm still such a novice, unable to spot things that are out of place, unable to present my thoughts coherently, and not thorough enough in my work. I overlooked things in the website updating, I did not follow up on loose ends dilligently. Basically I took things too lightly. Take for example a set of slides we were preparing for CE. I thought that by making the changes that he wanted, following exactly what I was told to do, the work was finished and I chucked the drafts away. But then a senior came over and wanted the drafts with CE's comments from me just to understand management's line of thought.

I'm just too operational. I don't know if it's a civil service culture to have your backs covered, anticipate questions and prempt things, but if everyone's doing it, I should learn it too right? Going back to the "ding-donging" I realised that my boss was simply trying to make sure we make the prettiest decision just in case Chmn asks why things were that way. Moving forward, I will need to put in more effort to find out the rationale behind every proposal and decision made.

Day 3

Looks like this year my blog posts would be fewer than last year. I'm struggling this morning being fired up mentally but tired physically. Attended a netball practice last evening after work and it was terrific. Being newcomers, PW and I were really stunned by our "coach". It was really great cos neither of us expected the level of seriousness the ladies took to the game. I was never into team sport so I never officially had a coach, but this lady was great. Judging by the way she gives commands and corrects our mistakes, she must have been a real coach once. PW instinctively answered "Yes Ma'am" every time she gave advice and I was half imagining myself to be in a girls home having netball practice. It was cool. I felt like I was having PE lessons in school once again, sweated it out, and then hopped onto the bus to become a stinking public nuisance.

Day 2

It just takes 1 lesson of yoga to turn me into a cynic. I was restless throughout the class, wishing that I had signed up for aerobics or sth more vigourous. I also couldn't avoid looking into that full-wall mirror in front of us that just magnified what I was feeling inside--- ungraceful and inadequate. The teacher led us through an hour of stretching and deep breathing exercies. The motions were simple enough, but I had to keep peeking at the person next to me to see if my poses were correct. Something about the class comprising all female students and a male instructor also rubs me the wrong way. Most of all, that airy-fairy "imagine yourself on a beach" nonsense does not work for me. However, all the ladies on my level are believers and they have signed up for a second time. Why? Since when have I developed such an uncanny tendency to detract value from things? This deserves some reflection. Either that or I need to reflect on why I've succumbed to peer pressure and signed up for 8 lessons.

Dad made a funny judgement that day. He said that the reason why I didn't hold the chopsticks the right way was because I didn't practice livelong learning. If I'm a livelong learner, I'll correct the way I hold chopsticks. Omg! Being a smart-aleck I rebuked that if so he shld use the blade shaver instead of the battery-operated one. But in retrospection, maybe there's some truth in it. Some day.....some day.... I shall try to master the art of holding chopsticks the right way.

The start of this year was pretty only briefly. For the past 2 weeks I've been sloughing like an Ox, even before cny. I did a lot of work, but still cld not do everything. My RO had to step in to finish what he assigned to me. This is kind of demoralizing because I think I did a lot of background work that went unnoticed. He didn't consult me but started everything afresh. Now I'm in regret that I cut down the no. of trips I make to his office. My 6mth appraisal is still pending, this is kind of scary...

It has been a depressing week, LY's away, OT every other day, missed my jog, lousy weather...

Day 1

New stuff i've tried in 2008-- ice skating, singapore flyer...Countdown to 2009-- beautiful night with simply awesome fireworks and we got the best spot
Best meal of the year-- crab porridge

Day 37

If someone told you:

'There's a rule in this state that says you can take a right on red, if you stop first at the red light.'

'What if a judge told you that you can't turn right on red- that you must stay stopped until the lights goes green again, even if there's a sign in front of you that specifically says RIGHT TURN ON RED. What would you do?'

I just finished reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. The lines are from a scene where the lawyers were screening jurors. The setup and question was a way to weed out the people who can't see past convention. If you chose not to turn right, you understand that rules aren't always what you think they are. If you turn right, welcome to the club.

Day 36

"Stomach flu" is a misnomer -- influenza, or flu, is an infection of the respiratory system and has nothing to do with the discomfort in your gut that occurs when one of the previously mentioned viruses produce inflammation in your stomach and intestines. The results are usually nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. You also might get a headache, chills, muscle aches, and fatigue.

Stomach flu viruses are transmitted through direct contact as well as indirect contact (touching something that's carrying the germs of an infected person, such as a countertop, a toy, or a toilet, and then touching your mouth). Noroviruses can also be spread through food (commonly shellfish, vegetables, and salad greens) and through contaminated water.

I've got stomach flu for 1 week and passed it on to Leng who's having her exams. I've got it twice already in 4 months. *Sigh* My condition was more severe than Leng, but it was good to have her company. Lol. Cos she'll copy whatever remedy I try. We ate po chai pills, charcoal pills, even applied the medicated oil that I hate so much. (reason 1: it has a smell that reminds me of old women, reason 2: putting it is like announcing to the whole wide world that you have diahrrea.) The only thing we didn't do the same was that she drank salt wated. Yeewww....

Anyway I just wanted to bring up some home care tips. We had this disagreement with our Dad whether we should drink Vitagen. He said that it was a milk products and milk products are a "no-no" when you've got diarrhea. However, the Vitagen ads have sold us on the idea that it contains good bacteria that can fight harmful bacterial like e.coli blah blah blah...

This is what howstuffworks.com said:

"Active cultures of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) make diarrhea less severe and shorten its duration. Probiotics can be found in yogurt with active or live cultures and in supplements."

So......we won! Even though the label says "Cultured Milk Drink", it's safe to drink. Yay! ^_^y

Other tips i didn't know:

1) You shld not take caffeinated beverages.
2) Eat stuff like rice, dry toast, and bananas. I don't know abt rice and toast, but I think bananas help because they replenish the sodium lost.

I also went to the ENT specialist and dentist this week.

Outcome:
1) I found out that the clinical dignosis for having a problematic tap-like nose is Rhinitis. I've to be on nasal spray for 2 months. I think it could have been avoided if I had faithfully stuck to it a few years back. At that time I didn't perserve because I didn't like spraying things into my nose. But I found out on Monday what could be worse......having the doctor put a scope down your nostrils. I really need to get my nose cured so that I don't have to go for so many examinations whereby they put foreign objects into your nose. $64 for something so mentally and physically discomforting.

2) I came out of the dentist feeling so smug that I wondered whether it showed on my face and if my brother would punch me because....well I looked so smug. Haha. The dentist said my teeth was well-maintained, no need for fillings whatsoever. I was feeling smug because it was my first dental checkup in like some 6, 7 years and he said it was well-maintained. But it was a real neighbourhoody kind of neighbourhood clinic, I did feel like getting a second opinion when I came out of the clinic, but it was easier and cheaper to let smugness take over.

Day 35

For quite some years I've been hating the Nov-Jan period. It rains all day, making the days seem long and melancholic. I used to like the rainy season when I was in kindergarden and primary school. Was very perplexed when they taught us to sing "rain rain go away". But now I find the wet weather intolerable. One because the weather changes have become more extreme due to global warming that it drizzles are few and downpours aplenty. Two because I now suffer from the "cold feet syndrome" literally and I really can't stand the cold.

There were not enough warm bodies on the 19th floor today and I was freezing. Was holed up in my cubicle doing research on SMEs. This is what I found:


Got a presentation again this week. This time I don't feel good about it because I've got 70 slides but only enough time for 15. And how I suck at summarizing. Have a few days more to get my act together.

心理測驗

心理測驗題目：什麼原因會讓你想哭?

排一下自己最易哭的原因! (1是最容易 , 5是最不容易)

a.感動 b.傷心 c.痛( 是肉體, 不是心靈) d.生氣 e.擔心/緊張


My results∼

感動：不是跟你很熟的人覺得你是......
一個傻傻的人。怪怪的。想做什麼就做什麼。不過很可愛。

傷心：跟你很熟的人覺得你是......
對很多事都要求很高的人。不過有很多時候都太固執。

痛：你想要別人覺得你是......
不是那麼容易接近的人。

生氣：你最希望你的情人是......
智慧很重要。可以管得到你的人。而且要講道理。

擔心 /緊張：其實真實的你是......
直接的人。很多時候因為這樣的性格跟別人不合。希望有多一點人可以了解你, 特別是你喜歡的人。

Day 34

Was overwhelmed by a sense of achievement at work on Friday. We were supposed to submit our slides for today's meeting but a new finding came up in the morning which tripped our entire analysis. But it is in times like that where we are forced to work under pressure that we produce the best results. Managed to work around the problem and came up with a convincing flow of argument. I like these kinds of scenarios, they remind me of school whereby we rushed to meet project deadlines=]

I came up with a follow-up for the THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER DO ON THE JOB:

CORPORATE JARGON YOU WILL ENCOUNTER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE:
* gain traction * bandwidth * my sense is * organic * bounce off * touch base * higher-ups * table papers * give heads-up * get buy-in * discuss offline * tranche * escalate to * levers * exigencies *...(and all sorts of acronyms).