Break-up, Screwed-up, Fed-up

Haven't been blogging much recently. With the braindrain that I go through as a result of unbelievably long journey, incredibly KNNB boss and disgustingly morbid work system, I seriously dunno how I can enjoy a thunderstorm of inspiration poured upon me during the 2-month break.

The last word at the last line leads me to the first topic of this entry - break-up (lame lead I know). Ah B had his galfren for a day and the poor guy is now back to square one. To cut his long story short, the gal's brother is also apparently interested in Ah B who is as straight as an unbent iron rod. The gal backed-out as a result. Ouch... the guy-gal relationship is already tough as it is. Can all those in the forefront of the gay movement NOT COMPLICATE matters further for us innocent linear-minded folks?

Then there's our Ah Geok who beat us all DWPers in getting a marriage proposal! The guy's so confident that she's THE one without even having the need to date her. Geok, share the secret c'mon ~ HOW ON EARTH DID YOU HAVE HIM SO SPELLBOUND? Oh yes, I just realise this anecdote doesn't qualify as a break-up. Never mind lar har, this is not primary school compo. I can write as out of point as I like. Anyway, you know the school I'm teaching in right now says there's no right or wrong answers mah (see how well I've learnt...)

As for my poor Ah Bud who is lamenting over love loss (not quite a break-up since there was nothing in the first place), please ganbatte neh! Love don't come easy but as I always say, we deserve better! How not to when we are oh so Pretty, Brainy and Sassy?!

If it's any consolation for the sagittarus, this week's horoscope reads "Don't wallow in smokescreen relationships that wun last long - sober up!" Sorry Ah B and bud, I can't help but laff when I read this in i-weekly. But I swear I only laff a little. Really!!!

My screw-ups are still on the same complaint - BAD CAREER CHOICE! The more I hear of the system and the advocates of the school at all the brainwashing sessions, the scarier I think this whole thing is. THIS IS A CULT. It's a farking cult! Ok, I'll stop being whiny on this. But just to let you know, I feel very cheated that my workplace has no great boyfren / husband prospects to offer me in compensation. Boohoo!

All these said, I'm fed-up with the situation as it is now but I know Minty didn't have things better. Tsk tsk....I've got low threshold for bad workplace and this is bad. I never learn to have patience. When will I ever learn? By the way, my driving test's this Friday. Wish me luck.

The Mouth-watering Journey of a TB-rian to Ulu Land of the Woods

It's been a tormenting 1 week. Imagine having to wake up earlier than any of the folks in the house, then finally get out of the house before the sky turns too bright and then finally reaching the workplace after a 1.5hours semi-conscious ride only to realise I'm still late for work. MISERABLE! Complainy right? Ya, that's what I like to do what, so? It's my prerogative since the hasslesome journey is not compensated by better benefits, very high pay or very great job satisfaction.

U know how the gentle sashaying of the bus movement rocks me to sleep all the time? I start off Monday looking awesome. By Wed, I'm half-dead and sloppy and by Fri, I can't bear to think if I actually salivate at all with my head drooping in all directions as I FIGHT to overcome the sleepy spell. *Help!*

I happened to talk to a colleague who had a colleague staying in my area and guess what? She quit after a while citing reasons that the journey is simply way way too far! See! It's so far it's unbearable.

I'll take some photos another day to show you what I see along my journey to ulu land of the woods. But the thought of having to go out really early in order to accomplish my shutterlog is way too unmotivating. Another day, really. It won't be for long now anyway.

Pipi's Unofficial Resignation Letter (Glorious Uncensored Version)

After my bouts of outbursts and rantings on the very salar wtf skool system and that wtf KNNB (kei-neh-neh-bitch not Ka-ni-n*-b*h but pun's intended) who knows no better and wears heavily padded bras for her small neh-nehs (unlike me who is au-naturelle - small but nice), I am now ready to throw in the letter. Here, you read it first cos KNNB will only get to read after my plan B is in place.

---------------------

Dear KNNB

Resignation from the Post of Lecturer with XP

I will like to resign from my post as Lecturer with XP with immediate effect.

Much as I am sorry for the inconvenience I may have caused, it seems that our parting has been most inevitable given the misery that the school's system and my immediate supervisor have subjected me to.

Despite my unorthodox approach towards learning and development and quirkily attractive personality, your school's paradoxical methods certainly baffles me. It grieves me to think how the kids in this school will live a campus life less lived.

It shudders me to think how I would be penalised for handing out sheets of papers for students to brainstorm on. It shocks me to know that a career profiling on a working adult will more than suffice to make up for the internships that they are deprived of. It surprises me to see that you do not drill students to write long papers that stimulate thinking and hones analytic skills - a blatant taunt of the age-old conventional development tool that famous tertiary institutions around the world deploy. We are in for a revolution, not a convolution that holds back forward movement to a circular rut mind you.

And for all the incompetence of this system, I could actually live with it because I know I have a wealth of experience and skills to work around it for the benefits of our students. However your KNNB leadership is the ultimate put-off.

I came to teach because I have a genuine passion for education, not to act as instruments in glorifying your illustrious career by being your personal designer or event manager. Also, it seems to me you haven’t progressed to be a better person despite your years in good education. Please watch your derogatory attitude in delegating tasks to your subordinates. Many of us here are easily more superior in our respective corporate careers and deserve equal respect for the heart we put in pursuing an education career aimed at benefiting the young adults.

So, here I am causing you a tiny upheaval which of course is just a ripple on your big sea of responsibilities. I'll serve the notice period as stipulated in my contract.

You take care and beware the constriction you place on your bustline.

Regards
Pi** Ch**

WHATTHEFUCKWRONG SYSTEM AND HEAD

I'm so orbidgood again. A witch is a witch is a witch is a witch. Oh gawd I've erred. I should not have ventured against my instinct and intuition. Looks like I need out now. So, I'm on a lookout again. Interim plan: get a corporate job while keeping my fingers' crossed that the polys call me!!!

Pls pls do me a big favour. Keep me rooted to the job - I can't tender without a back-up plan. I have to ensure my life stays pocket friendly... :(

I got the keys in my bag

I've got the keys in my bag, reminding me always of the flight I've temporarily left behind but never let go.

I've got the card with me, reminding me constantly of the beliefs I stand for and the boundaries I'll never compromise.

I can't hold back my tears for now but I trust my guts.

* * * * *

我想跟随自己的第六感
说不定下次运气会好转
我相信简单我相信偶然
相信直觉会有答案

I'll miss free time

1 day to day 1 @ XP! Just can't believe it. I'm not exactly excited since I won't get to teach for the first month but for the worst I'm expecting, I only hope the situation proves otherwise. Else, I'm prepared.

Thanx DWPers + Bren for the good luck card. And Thanx to all who have been concerned and kind to extend me your well-wishes.

Looking @ my schedule for Dec, I'm going to turn from being one of the freest persons around to being one of the busiest. And I got quite a bit of things which I've failed to work on the last 2 months!!! Let's see...

1) Read up + study my marketing text - Never got down to doing it! I better do so this month, can't bear feeling lousy from failing to answer students' questions.

2) Get my driving license - better pass ah...or else lau kwee never mind, liao lwee can really lau bak sai lor. Pls note my test is on 22 Dec @ 10.15am. I dun care who you pray to, just pray deities and gods all around come por-bi me.

3) Change my home pc - I haven't got down to selling away my home pc to replace with the better comp I brought back from the office. Tu-tu-tu...that's my forte lor, u dunno meh?


Bonus pix from the pow-wow gals recent gathering.


Oh my gawd! We are all so pretty. What do they say about birds (swans to be exact) of the same kind flock together?

Pipi Longstocking Wishlist Updated

Hey, in case anyone of you's getting me prezzie, please note:

1) Ipod Sox NO NEED. I got something oredi. Just as cute ok!

2) 岁月如歌mp3 NO NEED. Found it!

3) Instead, you CAN GET me Leo Ku's (古巨基) new album 我生 - China version! I've been waiting so long but it's not out yet.

4) All other items listed here still stand unless mentioned above.

THANX!!!

In Anticipation

Something I penned on 5 Jan 1999...

If aspirations could be attained, I hope for directions.
Directions to guide me along the way,
to show me the paths,
to lead me to the peak.

If wishes could be granted, I hope for difference.
Difference from the present,
from the stillness,
from the unchanged.

For I am ready to take the plunge,
to see the world,
to scale the heights,
to dazzle on stage.

* * * * *

7 years on, I'm only halfway through to attaining my aspiration. Got a bit lost along the way but had enough sense to call a tentative halt as I looked for the light to shine in the dark. I've experienced difference and I guess things can only get better. I've seen a bit more of the world and there's always so much more to discover. I have scaled higher heights but I know the highest's still waiting for me. I may have shone on stage but it's still not dazzling. But no hurry, life is a long long journey though fragile.

7 years from now, what kind of story will I be sharing? I really wonder.

La La La Love Song

This is it. My 2-month long vacation is coming to an end.

The gains during this break?
My busy mind was emptied.
The fruitless crush was finally crushed at the root.
Made slight improvement to my wardrobe of work attire.
Did a lot more driving practice.
Cleared the mess I brought home from office.
Blogged a lot more.
Kept myself away from unneccessary noises.
Started a simple beauty regime to fight the signs of aging.
Did up my personal webpage and profile.

The minuses?
My savings dipped :(

I'm now on the starting line, to start all over on a new journey in career, ventures and love :)

Must wake up early tmr morning to make this last week of hols as fulfilling as possible.

I paid so I bitch

I'm so orbidgood. I should NEVER EVER agree to attending a wedding dinner of a tween* fren unless one of the following circumstances is fulfilled:

1) someone I get along with / genuinely wish to see is coming along
2) I've been arranged to sit with a selection of friendly, eligible bachelors
3) I owe the the host a big favour
4) I've been formally engaged (and will be handsomely paid) to be the emcee. Btw, if you don't know, I won't be emceeing for just anyone anymore unless it's a good fren or an official engagement that will pay me at least $150 for the job. Service is on me for pals.

*tween fren refers to someone who is not an acquaintance but not quite a fren either.

Let me try to remember what happened at this quite forgettable dinner (sorry "O", I know u put in loads of effort, well...it's still not my or my best frens' wedding):

Was seated with Flower, Mountain, Nehneh and JJ from my alma mater. From the nicks I've given, it's obvious who I don't like huh?

Nehneh just can't stop answering me in English when the rest of us were conversing in Mandarin. Hello! Working in US MNC (so she claimed) doesn't up your class; having to travel 90% of your work time doesn't make your duties godly too. She couldn't stop laffing mockingly when I refer the wedding favours as "free gift". Gawd saves those who can't appreciate colourful use of language.

She was very offended when I asked her the same question she asked me "are you married?". Old maid Pi is not complaining so why should you? But she dealt me the biggest offence when she thanked me and said "good job" for entertaining her and the rest. I'm mega pissed. I entertained cos I'm a bundle of joy, not becos I'm a clown. Watch it you poopoo nehneh pok.

Anyway, frens who dun click are just mere tween frens. Now that age is catching up, I shall not subject myself to more of these.

And here are some stuff you should NEVER suggest to me if we ever have a chance of planning my wedding reception together:

NUMBER 1
No tacky SMS dedication during the reception where messages will be projected on screen simultaneously as they are being received.

NUMBER 2
No giving out of wedding studio shots photos as mementos for the guests.

NUMBER 3
No ching-chong music ala the style of DCJ theme or the Chinese funeral band.

Number 4
No blatant distribution of wedding services vendors' namecards or marketing materials.

Number 5
No yawn-inducing mock-cake cutting ceremony. C'mon, surely I can afford a real cake.

Number 6
No off-the-rack wedding invites.

Number 7
No useless wedding favours.

Number 8
No standard Richard Claydermanish type of background music. This is a wedding reception we're talking about, not a shopping centre.

With this, I conclude that I'm not attending BBB's wedding dinner in view of the extremely high yawn rating I'll probably give it. I'll put up with her irritating presence over a short lunch and present her with a well-wishing gift. Pls dun probe why I bother. She had afterall been a good fren, once.

Pipi Longstocking. Now Up for Christmas.

I've put up my stocking to start receiving prezzies from all generous Santas out there!

Okie here goes Pipi Longstocking's long wishlist (it's not too long lar really):

ONE: The iPod Sox! No need the the original apple brand ones, dun even need 6 as featured in the pix! Just get me 1 nice decent sox that fits my 30GB ipod. I like green or sunkist yellow or magenta!


TWO: Bluetooth to rid me of the teething problem I face using cables to upload photos from my Sony-Ericsson mobile to my comp. Lanyushee said it's cheep cheep - just $12 to get an idiot-proof bluetooth that works.

THREE: Angels & Demons by the guy who wrote the Da Vinci Code. What's his name again?

FOUR: Concert tix to ABC Concert. Wish long long...

FIVE: No more cheapo freebie gifts from my aunts - they've given me Reader's Digest watch, Samsung bag and what not. C'mon, do I seriously look like Karung Guni?

SIX: Eason Chan's 岁月如歌mp3 or album with that song, so I can memorise the lyrics and not just wait till 10pm Mon to Fri to sing-a-along with him...hahaha.

SEVEN: A shopping trip in JB. We can do this, just look out for the padini sale =)

EIGHT: Christmas cards, in good ol'-fashioned CARD form - not e-cards. Send via post some more har.

By the way hor, I've yet to claim my "cash-in-value" birthday prezzie lor :p

And we need to shop for XY's birthday prezzie + buy Choy her birthday prezzie. Aiyo Santa, maybe just give me more cash will do!

Presenting Pipi's Personal Webpage!

Yay! I'm done with my webby for XP to upload to their intranet. I pity those who can't work on HTML - wonder how they'll cope though. This XP is nuts, can teach doesn't mean knowing everything ok!

I've changed info on the institution I'll be lecturing at and contact details in this version you see. All photos, artwork and copywriting by moi...hahaha!

Feel free to comment ok!

I was Pang-sai Imn

I was such a good daughter yesterday (actually all my life), accompanying my ma to visit grandaunt who had just gone through an operation. It's sad to see how she has deteriorated in recent years. Then, we met my bro for lunch. Next up was my haircut @ Cut & Curl. Ken made me wait 1 hour though I had already made an appointment with him. In the evening, I accompanied my ma again to her long-time friend's aunt's wake (yes, my ma still has friends, especially old mates from Indonesia - less chance of meeting up = less chance for quarrel...).

We did a bit of catching up with this fren (Jing Ching's her name) of hers. One of my favouritest ah-yee actually. She's a real sport - can't sing but wouldn't mind shattering some glasses to please a crowd, no great complexion but self-claimed herself a beauty expert and even started clasees at home to impart other obasans her half-past six skills, not formally trained as financial consultant but turns out quite successful with her AIA insurance career in small-town Jambi.

Jing Ching ah yee related to me how time has flown from the time she first met me when I was 3. She told me I was such a curious kid, always asking intelligent questions and could hold out a conversation with adults. See, I was a child prodigy but I still can't believe I was already chatty at 3 cos I always remember myself as a quiet kid.

Child Prodigy Pipi

Then she started laffing recounting how I forever needed to pang-sai when I went from one place to another. She had to say so loudly yesterday at the table that she nicked me Pang-sai Imn then.

Great! I've been so full of shit since young.

* * * * *

Sidetrack: The iPod Dilemma

I can't believe I'm so wishy washy over this. The newest generation iPod 30GB is on promotion with UOB credit card @ $393. iPod 30GB used to cost $500+ but Apple has downpriced. Other than music, can use iPod as external drive, watch video (like I ever need it unless I'm seriously bored on an economy-class plane).

Should I buy? Tell me what you think or vote at the poll on the right panel.

Rub-a-dub-dub

I finally bought Origins' Modern Friction to start my beauty regime towards smaller pores, lesser fine lines and an even prettier me! Thanx to XY for sharing the tub of scrub. I tried it the very night I bought it and I'm very happy it's a very worthwhile investment.

One of Origins' best products - Modern Friction! A small tub can last you 6 - 8 months cos you really need only a very small amount for the entire face.

The effect is immediate. Darn! Should have taken a before and after photo to show you the diff - never mind, next week when the weekly scrubbing routine is due again.

Please let me know if you are or know someone who is departing via Changi Airport Terminal 1. The Origins counter there sells this at a whopping $16 off town's price. Too bad they've run out of stocks recently and XY's not flying out via T1 :(

我是万人迷 + My Sassy Boyfriend

I'm not blowing my own trumpet leh but going by the kind of wedding invites I get and how people naturally pour their hearts to me, I'm really a wan-ren-mi lor. But what's the point? 迷also never 迷home a handsome!

After giving Bren a topic to work on for her toastmaster, I present you my very own list on who makes the cut of My Sassy Boyfriend.

He:

1. Takes charge. Wishy-washy guys can stay home and wash their own undies.

2. Is NOT a boring accountant, exacting engineer or oily salesman!

3. Likes Mayday or at least likes them enough to put up with me loving them.

4. Exudes confidence but not arrogance.

5. Can put up with the idiosyncratic Chee family.

6. Is Bi-ling-long like me! I can't stand the overly cheena, neither can I live with the yoyo ang moh.

7. Reads the map and loves an adventure!

8. Does not need too much attention and TLC all the time.

9. Gets along with my jiemeis.

10. Likes me for who I am, what I stand for and how I look.

By the way, men who are taken really become insipid. Oh, 我好现实哦!

The Urban Dictionary

What's the diff between tacky and cheesy? What does the uber in Uber Burger really mean?

Let's not be a nerd. Stay in tune with the latest gen-x + y lingo @ The Urban Dictionary!

Beware the Movers You Engage

Some time ago, I engaged a mover to help move things from Runway Office to home. I liased with a guy called Thomas. Absolute jerk.

I asked for carton boxes when I first contacted Thomas. He gladly obliged and said he'll collect $20 deposit. Never once did he mention that the $20 is only refundable upon return of the boxes. And when I was told by the workers who came to move my things, Thomas claimed that he has told me on the phone. His words against mine but I recorded the details of our conversation when we first agreed on a deal. Anyway, I let that pass.

When I'm done with unpacking, I called Thomas to collect my carton boxes and told him specifically that I'll return him 6 out of the 10 boxes. He said he'll have to deduct accordingly from the deposit. I said fine and told him to arrange for collection + return of deposit. 2 weeks passed and I heard nothing. I called him again and he pretended not to remember. No replies on my smses too. That totally contrasted with the very prompt response before the deal was brokered. Today, he didn't even want to pick up my calls.

Pissed, I called the number on my receipts. The poor girl on the phone bore the brunt of my frustration. She claimed her records show that the $20 I paid was for purchase of boxes and not a deposit (duh! who would want to pay for some recycled boxes when I can get brand-new nice ones from Ikea?). That got me all fired up. She explained according to their policy they cannot nullify a purchase of the carton boxes and refund the money. Lucky thing I kept all my receipts and smses. Told her I got evidence of what transpired between me and Thomas. Showed my understanding that I know she's not at fault but told her the company should honour whatever terms their representative agreed with the purchaser. She then said they can collect my 6 boxes but I must bear the transport costs. And THAT FLAMED MY FIRE EVEN STRONGER. I ranted on and she let loose by saying they can only do free collection for 10 boxes and above. I got her to reiterate and confirm her statement. Knowing I got a trump card now, I told her I'll return all 10 and therefore she has to collect and return me my money tmr. I got my way and before I put down the phone, I did my part as a fair customer by once again apologizing that my anger was not directed at her but the dishonest deal I was cut by Thomas.

I'll be sending the Movers a formal letter to complain about Thomas. Such dishonest salesman who conveniently omit the impt details for the sake of getting sales should get his just desserts.

If you're looking for movers through the Classified, don't call a Thomas who advertised his mobile as 9001 2347. Call him only if you want to wake him up to pee at 3am. I suspect this guy's a "broker" who's earning extra cash by selling mover packages. Call the company direct instead - 138 Professional Movers @ 6260 5603. At least the gal who helped me with my issue was sincere.

我恍然大悟

I finally finally come to accept there should be NO MORE XDDs* for me. Not that I don't know this earlier, just that it took one conversation today to really jolt me to ULTIMATE REALISATION.

Like XY, I'm gonna stick to the alpha males! The men who know what they want, take charge and are passionate about life!

Sam Shik! Yong Jae! Jae Hee! Lai2!


Photo courtesy of Minty

*Disclaimers:
1) By XDD, I mean the XDD mentality. If the package is right, I'm really fine with boys up to minus 4...kekeke. I won't go for minus 5 cos that's a horoscope I really dun fancy :p

2) XDD is not = kidults. I can't resist kidultish guys ;-)

What's there to guess anyway?

Finally, every drop of ambiguity has been milked dry. I found the antidote the moment I read about it.

I hope not to see you for a long time from now. No contacts please.

失忆

那一晚的通话让我想了想对于你的回忆还存在哪些. 真的也没什么.

除了某些对话,我们之间因为没有在工作之余尝试联系而拥有相处的眷恋. 那一段日子就如悠长假期 - 是我们(或许只有我吧)在冲刺以前的短暂依靠. 最后我还是会放下, 在不知不觉中让你从回忆中渐渐走远, 直至我完全忘记为了什么对你产生好感.

你电话中的紧张是我听得多心了吗? 我们之间的距离是我们的刻意所造成的吗? 还是因为本来就从未有深交的自然淡化?

因为曾经的喜欢让我无法用心去建立我们之间的友谊. 对不起, 我现在只会建墙, 还找不到理由和冲动尝试攀墙. 所以我们注定成为友好的陌生人. 我想这就是时间要给我的答案.

Pi's "Loogi" Epic

Loogi (n): a disadvantaged situation; (v) to lose out.

We all know by now that we can't possibly win all the time in life. For one, I admit defeat to the weather god. I washed my clothes yesterday and left them to dry in the sun before going out and when I'm home, my clothes were all drenched! So this morning I rewashed those clothes, left them to dry, thinking that "oh what beautiful day with nice bright sun!" and when I'm home...THEY'RE ALL SOAKED WET AGAIN! It's ok, as I've always mentioned, we can't get crossed with nature.

Then there are times we loogi because people take advantage of our kind selves. This is the kind of loogi I hated most. I would plot revenge in some instances. Yesss, I'm petty but who cares, cos I'm not aiming for nirvana. And there are times we loogi not because some people are despicable or underhand, but simply by twist of event and circumstances akin to the weather god kept my clothes wet incident.

To date, as I try to recall, one of my most memorable loogi experiences happened in Beautiful Bali 3 years back and the situation wasn't romantic at all :(

Me, ma and SC were on that trip together and we signed up for this 'Relaxing Spa in Bali' travel package. (How nice! I'm one of those rich missy who does her spa overseas..!)Anyway, when we were at the spa, we were ordered to strip. OMG! My first strip-tease, overseas and in front of another person! I was quite embarassed honestly. Shy lar. My body is my temple mah.

My strip tease went right up to my specs. I felt like a grandnanny when my surrounding became a blur. SC didn't have to take off any specs cos she does not wear a pair with her almost perfect eyesight. Then...SC and I were shoved to the same room. My mind saw blinding flashes of lightning and heard deafening roars of thunder *晴天霹雳*

If you haven't realised the significance of this all...it means SC CAN SEE ME NAKED CLEARLY AND I CAN'T!!! Not that I want to see SC nude lar, but at least I would have felt more balanced if our "visual returns" were equal. Adding salt to the wound, I found out that the damages of my loogi would have been reduced if I had requested for an individual room like my mum did!

Anyway, SC, just to assure you if you're reading this, I've long recovered from the painful memories of Naked in Bali. I'm sorry I haven't been eye-candy :p

臭小子! 又让我感动到不行!

羡慕他们这种哥儿们之间的情感.
喜欢他们这种追梦的决心.
向往他们这种努力之余的豁达嘻闹.

以下黄牛之日志,与各位五月天/强辩拥护者共勉之:
我的Final Home.

Yaya Papaya Completes Her Professional Profile

You read it here first, uncensored (except for my name) in its full glory. I would have added more fun element to this but well, a little conformity is necessary I guess lest I get labelled nuts even before I start work.

I dare XP to edit this. Heh!

*****


Dynamic and vivacious, Pi** is a go-getter who never stops pursuing her many dreams. With limited capital but boundless ingenuity, she co-founded a creative agency with a partner at the age of 22 and grew the humble consultancy to one that services accounts of multi-national corporations. Pi** spearheaded the agency as the Creative Director overseeing strategy and design execution as well as copywriting.

A graduate from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Mass Communication diploma programme, Pi** went on to do her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication with RMIT University, Australia. She was awarded the RMIT School of Applied Communication Prize in recognition of her performance as the overall top student.

The creative environment of the communication field has a deep influence on Pi**’s liking for design, movies, music and travel. She is a self-taught Photoshop expert and an aspiring jet-setter who hopes to journey around the world on budget and hopefully in style. She admits to being an avid fan of Taiwanese rock band Mayday and can be seen screaming off her lungs at their concerts.

Motivated by her goal to make an impact in people’s lives, Pi** now embarks on a new career to take young minds on a voyage of self-discovery through learning and exchange of knowledge. Pi** describes her school days as the best years of her life thus far and aims to make tertiary education as interesting for students under her charge.
*****

I can't believe that very virtuous prudish photo you know. Ok, I figured it's better than looking soft-porn :p

It'll be raining men, soon

An old friend from primary school called unexpectedly today. I’m not sure if she’s still a friend these days, but that’s another case in point. Miss BBB ~ I nicked her Big Boobs Bimbo ~ wanted to invite me to her wedding and took the opportunity to do some quick catching up with me on the phone. As usual, the whole catching up was about HER HAPPY LIFE, HER HUSBAND, HER NEW HOUSE and everything about HER and HER and HER ONLY. Ok, to be fair, she did pause to ask about me. Her question, in specific, was if I’m married or attached. *OUCH!* She hits a very sore spot and I swear I could turn really nasty if I was provoked further. (BBB, please be assured you’ll be informed of my wedding and invited to the reception, for that matter. I’ll make sure you are seated at the table with a fantastic PILLAR VIEW.)

What really irked me was the way she asked, with that patronizing “oh you poor mate, no one to love and take care of you” kinda tone. And how so many times in her rhetorical conversation she had to define happiness as having a lover by your side. Looks like Big Boobs Bimbo really needs a brain implant so that it grows to the cup size of her neh-nehs. I don’t want to sound like a loser but seriously, my life is more than just getting a man. I’m gonna get many men. You just see ;D

By the way what's wrong with singlehood as long as it doesn’t equate singularity?

What Time Is It?

Oh the God of Savings, please forgive me for spending unnecessarily on 2 (not 1!) Casio Poptone watches. I couldn't resist, especially when they are available so cheaply at Bencoolen. The official Casio shops tagged it at $49 each. 3D Trading @ #01-95 The Bencoolen lelong'd it at $28 each!!!





One desire leads to another. Another 2, no correction, should be 3 caught my eyes! First, a purple-gold Baby-G (selling @ $65 vs an incredulous $113 retail price):


Look at the goldish-purple digits on its face that is so reminiscent of the new Sony-Ericsson's Z610i clam-shell phone and its sexy OLED display!

And check out this pristine gold-white darling, priced at $80 (vs $159) if I'm not wrong:


Above 2 photos courtesy of casio's website.

What can I say? Every girl deserves a Casio. And there's a Casio for every occasion! It's the one watch you ever need to have.

Then there's this G-shock with a translucent plastic bronzy strap but I can't find its photo on the Casio website. Very stylo too! A SCDF guy was eying it while I bought my Poptones yesterday and I hope he got it!

As if the watches are not enough temptation, the music of McFly at a boutique performed some magic in my ears and sent the "must-buy" message up my brains. And this is Just My Luck for you:



Their brand new album "Motion in the Ocean" will hit the stores later this month. If what I heard on the web is anything to go by, I want to get it too!

Going out is a waste of money. I better stay home from now.

November Rain

It's annoying. Just when the haze has cleared, now there's the rain to stop me from hill-conquering later. My mind was so made up just now... -_-

Ok, never mind. I can't get annoyed at the weather god. He already has a tough job and very heavy responsibility, unlike the admin folks working at my town council. I was there earlier to pay our monthly conservancy fees and the newly-implemented queue number system baffled me a little.

On average, the queue there doesn't quite fit into what we might call super crowded scenario. When was I there, there were only 2 persons in queue and I was told that I had to get a queue number now. They even assigned a staff to greet you at the door and show you to the queue number ticket machine. Is this fanfare necessary at all? Is it? THERE WERE ONLY 2 IN QUEUE! How wrong can the counter staff get by serving them one-by-one?

This is total crap and a waste of residents' money. Haven't they learnt from the experiences of small bank branches and post offices that queue number system will become white elephants unless they serve the purposes of BIG organisations that provide multiple services? Anyway, I'm just riding on the chance to get back at the town council which has sent my family 2 warning letters for something really senseless and I dun want to talk about it for now lest I lash even further on the idiocy of the whole system.

I got more incriminating evidence of the town council not using the residents' funds efficiently and one big complaint is how they left my estate's corridor lights and lamp-posts on THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Talk about energy efficiency and think of the poor towns of the opposition-governed estates! Don't let me catch them in the act again. I'll write a warning letter to them to reduce the conservancy charges instead of squandering it on silly queue posts, queue number ticket machine or those new sofas that barely warm the butts of visiting residents who want to pay their bills.

Aces versus Pibberish

I'm sorry, my faithful readers (chey! as if there are a lot!), if my 2 blogs have caused confusion as to which is about what. Blame it on Blogger. They started the last version without category-sorting function, which I realised later that it'll serve good purposes. And to make things clearer for myself, I started Aces Go Places to blog about my travel adventures in preparation for my future career as a professional jetsetter-cum-travel-writer. BUT I forgot, before that happens, I won't be travelling that much to warrant a blog dedicated to that purpose! So I digressed. To talk about my life journeys, especially those of the closure of Runway and its aftermath. And here comes the problem, those life journeys deserve as much blog space here - where I talk about any other things that are about ME. So u see, I'm getting confused myself.

The prospects of merging the 2 blogs look very tedious as of now. I got loads of photos on Aces. Besides, this blog is more "private". You folks who know this will definitely know Aces. But those who know Aces may not realise the existence of Pibberish. What I'm trying to get at after this long blah-blah...is...I'LL STILL KEEP 2 BLOGS. Sorry, this is how duh I'll get.

To answer the question as posted by Bren today, I attempt to once and for all set the guidelines for the content positioning of these 2 blogs:

AcesGoPlaces
1) Will continue to serve its vision as a travel blog with lotsa photos to tempt your innate travel bug to bite you...hehe...
2) Will also post contents on the bimbotic leisure activities, great haunts and good food we can enjoy in our small town.
3) Those bits on life away from Runway, if any, will continue only till end of this month. Thereafter it's just the very mundane life activities (see point 2) when I'm literally not travelling via the airport runway, which is most of the time anyway.

Pibberish
Will feature contents about every other stuff I want to blab about (see blog's header for more details).

Now I'm clear. Thank you.

I Need A Makeover?

I am going to be a lecturer! OMG! I AM GOING TO BE A LECTURER. And I sure worry some of you, don't I? I can't believe you people have so little faith over my image, or the lack of that is. Hmmpf!

Anyway, relax lar! I will bear the following 10 commandments in mind while I nurture these young souls who probably speak more vulgarities rudely than me :p

1. I shall not burst into an incessant rant of NEH-NEHs whenever I get excited, pissed off or agitated. NO, NOT EVEN WHEN XYZ STEPS ON MY TOES.

2. I shall not display the hooliganistic strut that will probably win me BIG fame on the runway as my signature catwalk.

3. I shall not prey those young cuties and make them fall head over heels with my 魔女的条件.

4. I shall not borrow money from my students if I run out of cash to buy food at the canteen - I rather suffer with unbearable hunger than lose my face.

5. I shall not be caught in my lok-pok garb when shopping in Orchard Road. Ha! But I'm ditching Orchard for Vivo City!

6. I shall keep a KEEN LOOKOUT for my friends of suitable candidates who show exceptional boyfriend or husband quality, and of course KIV the best for myself.

7. I shall be cordial and friendly to all my colleagues whether or not they are worthy of my respect. I'll keep my neh-nehs to private gatherings and under the breath when I'm alone in the toilet.

8. I shall say only Hi, Bye and "hey you're here to pee too!" in the toilets becos the greatest gossips and rumours get spread here after nature's calls flush away our caution sensors.

9. I shall sing and dance my rhythmless moves only in the toilet cubicle no matter how perky I may feel for the day.

10. I shall brainwash and influence everybody so that I can do what I restrict myself from doing in points 1 to 9 FREELY, HAPPILY AND ROWDILY.

Image-makeover? Tell me how to lar:


More pictures for you! Taken with my all-new Fuji F30 - at nite, in natural low light without flash!!! Best compact digi-camera! I highly recommend it:

Success Is...

Found this poster given to me by Bren and XY (or is it some others?!) n years ago while I was clearing my mess at home.

For all those in search of direction:

Success is...
Attitude, more than aptitude.
Being happy, with who you are.
Cultivating, body, mind and spirit.
Discovering, that heaven is within.
Embracing, the unknown with enthusiasm.
Facing fear, finding faith.
Giving, without remembering.
Here now, breathe into each moment.
Inside you, not in people, places or things.
Journeying, from the head to the heart.
Knowing, your beliefs create your experiences.
Letting go, and going with the flow.
Making time, for family, friends and forgiveness.
Never ever giving up, on your hopes and dreams.
Opening your heart, to magnificent possibilities.
Passion, playfulness and peace of mind.
Quiet time, the key to inspired living.
Receiving, without forgetting.
Seeking answers, questioning beliefs.
Trusting, in the beauty of your feelings and needs.
Understanding, the best you can do is always enough.
a Verb, choreograph your dance with destiny.
Willingness, to learn from everything that happens.
Xpressing yourself, to be the hero of your story.
Yours to define, how do you want to be remembered?
Zestful living, loving and laughing.

~Meiji Stewart

my "off" sms parade

DT asked me if the polys have contacted me...mistake. i'm in the mood for some off comments and this is how the exchange went:

DT: Did the polys contact u?
Me: No. They're training my patience. So thoughtful of them to train me even before employment starts!

DT: What are you doing now?
Me: I'm focusing my willpower on overcoming my craving for food! Shan't disturb you, I go "lian4 gong1" now. Ta!

DT: . . . . .

Next Year, I'll Celebrate in Style

This year, I received the most expensive prezzie ever from my bro - a Toscano bag which costs him 1/5 of his $500 bonus he earned from his temp job! It's not very pretty. Not my kinda bag definitely but I'm so very touched :)

Like what Lyu said, at least I'm on the list of women he'll splurge expensive gifts on. I'm gonna find opportunity to take this bag out, no matter how misfitting it might look. Hahahaha.....!

And buddy sent me this surprise, all the way from Nottinghill:



Thanks bud, for always being the first to wish me happy birthday at the struck of 12am on 1st Oct.

Thanks Minty for the mesg at 1am despite your working trip. And LYu for eating out with me.

Next year, let us all celebrate in style.

Blowing Out 28 Candles

May I have a fulfilling year with
happiness to spread,
friends to share,
less problems to worry,
beauty to show,
drive to pursue,
bonus to keep,
new skills to boast,
ideas to create,
nice place to work,
money to travel,
concerts to watch,
figure to impress,
great food to eat,
pretty clothes to wear,
time to relax,
license to drive,
good health to live,
funds to assist,
wisdom to outwit,
luck to win,
jokes to entertain,
more friends to make,
hope to inspire,
guts to try,
strength to persevere,
no one to hate,
someone to like and
love sparks to thrill.

Oh My Gawd

我相信有个老天爷
长成何样我不晓得
哪门哪派不重要
反正有他罩着我
行得正呀坐得稳
出入平安万事顺!

Woes Begone

After a day of immersion in self-pity and weeping over what will be gone, or had gone, I'm back to normal. Maybe not quite yet but definitely better.

Thank you all for allowing my willful and pendulous mood swings recently.

不爱我的我不要

原本你不属于我，
是我自己想太多。

不再为你燃希望，
免得自己再彷徨。

你脱了身我自救，
回归原点快乐秀。

Wishlist 28 - Part 3

Can't believe how fast time is! I'm back from Shanghai and XY has flown off and Minty's coming back today! I'm turning 28 in 2 weeks' time. My ma laughed when I corrected her a few days ago for saying that I'm 30. Nearly killed her. It's a god damn difference of 2 years ok but she didn't feel it made any difference. Argh...can't be bothered with aunties.

Here's my wishlist 28 part 3. I'm afterall, a material gal ;p

15. Ticket to Eason's concert! Hopefully, it'll be up on sale soon. 2nd most expensive will do since his is a listening concert and the singer has no looks to die for.

16. A new super duper digicam. My old Nikon has served its time. I need a brand new solid one to last me through the next few fabulous trips which I know I'll have. I haven't quite decided which brand and make but frens who are interested can get me vouchers from electronic shops.

17. ipod and all those gadgets for doing podcasts. I've got enough of Mr Brown this and Mr Brown that. Me and the rest of the DWPers and our supporters can write and perform scripts of louder laffs, pointier observations and sillier crap. Just get me IT vouchers. I'll take care of the shopping.

18. Videocam. So sorry. Still pictures are not enough to please me these days. I recently upgraded to see the need of keeping moving images. Or else how can I capture the essence of my favouritest Aunty Ah Zhu (from Shanghai Trip) comical actions? How can I show the excitement of spotting running green man in Taipei? Or more importantly, the very wild funny reenactment of our very own life's many queer episodes?

19. A bigger house. With all the office shifting and all, my house is simply not enough to store all my barangs lar. Quick find me an obsencely rich husband who can buy me a big house that comes with a walk-in wardrobe and an audio-visual-ktv room.

20. Domain hosting for a year or more. This blog of mine is getting dowdier and dowdier. I want to rebuild my personal blog so all you readers (which I believe can be counted with my pair of hands...hahaha) can enjoy a more engaging web experience.

21. A ticket to Japan. I'll be setting foot there next year. Japan, you just wait.

Now that I've gone through my list again. I'm more like a gadget gal than a material gal. See, I knew I'm different from the average Janes and Marys.

Time will have the answer

Are we friends or more than friends?

Time will have the answer...time will tell the answer.

And I don't wanna be alone

Bro’s gone to NS. Minty’s traveling tomorrow and will be away for nearly a week. XY’s going away in 3 days to London for 3 weeks. Minty’s setting off again during my birthday week.

Boohoo…I’ll be so alone. Though there’s lyu. There’s choy. There’s daffy. There’s shazz. There’s ah mie. There are so many more. But still, it’s not the same :( There are good friends whom you can call upon anytime, spontaneously and without having the need to explain too much. There are also those who have their own things to do and other stuff to take care of.

And my bro. Though we don’t talk a lot a home, it’s comforting to have him around. When I can find no meal kakis, I can count on him to eat with me and hear me mumble.

Sorry. I’m just feeling whiny. Still got to say this – pals, take care wherever u are. You know you’ll be missed.

An Episode of Sam Soon

Feel a little piognant, a little moved re-watching My Lovely Sam Soon, featuring the piano scene.

Sam Soon's take on love is simple and straightforward. Love needs not be decorated by big words or tall ideals.

And then I wept.

I have buddies

Today marks the start of some real action in preparation of Runway's finale on 30 Sep 2006. And despite being a rather lean set-up, we've got quite loads to clear! More on this in my Runway's blog to be set up real soon.

Anyway, I should be in frenzy state now. My trip's a couple of days away but I haven't done research for my F&E days in Shanghai. I haven't packed my luggage (+ my ma's). I haven't changed money. I haven't worked out a checklist. I haven't mapped out my handover tasks for work. I HAVEN'T DONE A THING. Ok, I digressed. Back to the topic.

Everybody has friends. But I have buddies. And my buddies have me. We banter about our sexless lives. We egg each other on when a romance prospect sounds remotely suitable. We support each other emotionally, intellectually and physically. We never feel bored in each other's company. We consistently dress with chemistry. We laugh at insiders' jokes which are most likely baffling to others. And we have lots of patience for one another's idiosyncracies.

Please be very jealous.

Wishlist 28 – Part 2

37 days to 28. 7 more wishes.

8. More interviews and ultimately land the job @ TP.
9. A great trip to Shanghai / Jiangnan.
10. One last gathering at the attic.
11. Smooth closing at Runway.
12. Bud’s bro’s awakening.
13. Smooth and safe experience for my bro at NS.
14. Another 3kg off.

My Karmic Effects

Having lived nearly 28 years now, I'm now more convinced than ever on the truth in Karma. What goes around comes around. Everything that is happening to me now is the fruit (rotten or sweet aside) of the seeds that I've sown.

Used to think XYZ is a freak, still think she is but...but....our relationship might change after tmr! What an irony! Lesson learnt: be nice to all, think no less of people's capabilities and go see her without thinking too much of the hypocrisy of our friendship.

I made a boy cry when I was 9. I called him a sissy and look where I am now? Unmarried, unattached and homophobic. That cry-baby is perhaps happily married with a cute wife and 2 kids and drowning in bliss.

I am cursed by the "Keep in Touch" jinx. None of the boys who had said that to me ever kept in touch. I've been cracking my head for a reason and I think I hit the bingo! It's all because I've said similar statements to some other people and never really meant them. So those whom I've cared for to contact me didn't fulfill their promise either. *Baaaaaaah......!!!*

Ever critical of people, I've lost count of how many passer-bys / acquaintances / TV stars / friends I made fun of. And this I'm quite sure attributed to my inability to lose those extra pounds (esp those off my butts). Have you heard heaven's jealous of the all-round talent cum beauty? I happen to be talented and pretty. And these recent years, I'm all-round.

The divine powers must have figured that my mother has suffered enough fools with my complaints against her obnoxious ways. In turn, I'm transformed to someone with maternal instincts so strong that even a friend over the cyberway proclaimed I reminded him of his mother. I shower people I like with motherly care and now aim to be rated PG by hand-holding young(er) people and act as their Parental Guidance, away from home.

Someone tell me how to sow the seeds of good karma, so that i get:
1) The man I want?
2) The job I desire?
3) The good life I so honestly deserve? :p

Tangled In Love

He tells me he likes her and how she is not moving in tandem with him for a life he wishes for them both, without realising that I used to like him and now only likes him a little and wishes so hard not to see him anymore so he will get out of sight out of mind, until he becomes a stranger who used to be a friend because of circumstances not because we were meant to be and then things will be restored to norm where he'll have his own life and me my own, and I'll steer clear like how I steered clear every other time and move on to where and what is rightfully, faithfully and truefully mine.

I Saw The Sign

I saw the sign. And it opened up my eyes.

Minty said for things and changes to happen to me, it has to happen to others around me first. I'm all hands-up for this.

I'll do a recount:
1) Cheryl tendered. One less burden.
2) Ben got a new opportunity, albeit he having 2nd thots now.
3) The office chair I sat on broke. And it's the newest among all the chairs.
4) The two polys advertised, inviting my type of calibre to apply.
5) Some time ago, my driving instructor pressed me to change my driving test date from 23 OCt to Dec. If I had not changed, I would have missed the test as the initial date clashed with the poly's first day in a new semester.
6) And today, my external hard disk where I backed up data threw some tantrums and demanded for disk recovery treatment.

Call it self-fulling prophecy but I think destiny has a way of performing miracles. Everything happens for a reason. Every reason calls for faith. That things will be alright. That I will be good.

i'm on dream high

it feels so good.
to be on dream high again.
now, what the hell is that?
dream high, i define, is a state of the mind when you feel so high, so charged up to go after your dreams *duh!*

well, the worst for this period is over and the sense of relief that came over me was so strong I must say it's awesome.
Gonna start another blog and I shall call it "awayfromrunway", and see if I'll do my decision enough justice and live it up well.

and oh yea, life was good for me last week with a presence detox. Ban all negative energy!!! The right man for me is the man who cheers me silly! And wansui to concerts! The Superband concert @ expo was good though the breaks in between did cool the fervour just when we got into high gear.
And then there are the look-forwards in coming weeks:
1) Finish up Princess Hours (a little draggy but still a very worthy production)
2) Submit all my applications for lecturer positions (oh pls grant me a hearing + the job you folks at the poly...I so want this I can't imagine settling for my second best now)
3) Preparation for my Jiangnan/Shanghai trip
4) The wrap-ups @ Runway
5) my birthday!!! ~ potentially without XY :( but the other gals will more than make up for it

Uhoo! I'm on dream high!

I Am Madagascar?!

You're Madagascar!

Lots of people don't really know anything about you, making you
buried treasure of the rarest kind. (Yes, I may seem transparent but truly, I'm an enigma which unscramble only for those deserving few)

You love nature, and could get lost in it whenever possible. (Ok, I love nature but I'm not too sure if I want to get lost in it.)

You're remote and exotic, and the few people who know you
value whatever they share with you a great deal. (I'm not too sure if I'm remote. But I'm certainly not exotic, just alternative!)

For some reason, you really like the word "lemur". (Er....some kind of animal?)


Take the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid

an ending to every beginning

The law of life dictates that there is an ending to every beginning. Sometimes it's a natural course of event, as with the stipulated curriculum for school. Sometimes it's in the hands of the voyager, to decide the destination of the journey.

My flights servicing career will be making way for my take-off to space soon. It's been a great 5-over years. It's been a humbling experience, to learn what makes or breaks me and where I'm still lacking. Ultimately, it's been a pleasure.

Couldn't thank all those who have made this journey possible enough. Now, help me round up with a nice period.

highest high / lowest low

P used to ask, "What's your highest high and lowest low for today?". Nice way to count my blessings and thrash those rotten moments, I thought. Nice way too for concluding the day, emptying my negative thoughts and tucking away the good stuff somewhere in memory bank.

So,
My highest high for today: Finding out by chance that MayDay's Final Home DVD is out today and catching glimpses of that super duper concert in Taipei.

My lowest low for today:Feeling a tinge of betrayal of my trust on someone. Feeling lost about my whereabouts. And then there's C's departure - reminded by the email I sent to her when she first joined on board and the Jeff Chang's song @ Visma the very moment I set foot.

But,
I'm grateful for my 2 buddies who've been around for more than 1/2 of my entire life. Your love will see me through. As it always does.

answer in the riddle

Looking.Out.Very.Eagerly

Guess what I'm looking out for.
Clue: find the answer within the riddle.

Random Thots about Anything

CL has tendered her resignation and there are only 2 more weeks to go before RC is down to just a team of 2. Argh...it's not going to be easy for the next few months but we'll pull through I guess.

I've also made a decision to put the business on hold again once the office lease is up this year end. Provided there's no new great account by end October to hold me back, that is. I need a break from this draining madness of unmotivating projects, reflect upon what's going to be next and take the chance to replenish my depleting savings, top up my cpf and meet new people! Was talking to Daffy 2 nights ago and she commented how interesting it is that my long vacation is "going back to work". Hurhurhur...after been there done that twice, work does give security and takes my mind off the stress of profit and loss.

So what work? I'm looking at the option of lecturing in ITE or a polytechnic. Wanna feel how it's like being surrounded by young hopefuls glowing with aspirations for their future. Or the job as an office manager who basically looks after the day-to-day running of er....the office....sounds fun to me! Salary expectations - $3,800 at least ok! Potential employer look out! This is one great candidate not to be missed ;)

Updates on my crushie. Like a reformed junkie who's eager to kick off her habits, I can't wait to declare myself a clean bill of health. I'm 97.88% off my addiction..the 2.22% is slowed down by inevitable interaction. Anyway, I've lost big interest on him who doesn't have enough interest for me in the first place. And also the blah-blahs on I deserve better, the best in fact. Hahaha...the reasons I have to find to save some face :p

Wishlist 28 – Part 1

I’m 3 months away from my 28th birthday on 1st Oct. Ha! Who’s afraid of the big 3 approaching? I’m just so scared that I couldn't get rid of the demons I struggle with at this point of my life. While I’m not super rich, I couldn’t care less for materialistic gains on my big day. In all seriousness, I wish for these 28 happenings as I inch closer to celebrate, what I hope will be a day I find peace and passion once again.

1. A definitive career direction. I’m very talented and I know. What's a brainful of potential when it’s not tapped on and channeled to the right stuff?

2. Get that big blog project going. No, not this tiny personal bulletin that I’m talking about. It’s that big big blog project with big big ambitions.

3. Re-embrace sports. Climb Mount Faber regularly! Cycle! Badminton! Whatever that moves me.

4. Pass my driving first time. I’m quite a motor-moron but I hope to scrape through like how I survived MassComm’s studio / technical tests.

5. Seriously consider writing my Taiwanese style script. I got some great random lines now…Read this: 我找不到非爱你不可的理由，但却有很想和你在一起的念头。Great line eh? Remember, you read it here first.

6. Sing on beat. What’s a great emotive voice without the discipline of good rhythm?

7. Find love. Love for what I do. Love for what I like. Love for who I am. Love for someone who reciprocates and returns as much.

Dedicated to the Azzurri Fans

I had a little time
And I decided to delight my "long-suffering" Azzurri fan buddy
With a super duper loud talisman, no less
To bless the unlucky Italians with great lucky charm from the goddess of mercy



And now that they'll be up against the Germs next
I shall humbly request blessings from deities all over (across religions and all geographical boundaries)
To bestow a heavenful of power + luck on the blue army.
March on you guys!



MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN.

a little progress everyday :)

A little progress everyday
to get you out of my head.
So it won't be myself I hate
I guess the yearning will abate.

A little indifference each time
to accept you didn't mean a dime.
So what if I'm back on the find?
it'll just be a fun joke over my inconspicuous grime.

Now I've got a whimsical rhyme
to mark the passage of my silly pine.
I'm strong, I'm great, I'm still as fine.
The right one will come along by twenty-nine.

Songs of My Time

Songs define the moments of our lives. I attempt to put together a list of 10 that has moved, thrilled, soothed, mersmerised or irked me.

1. Tanya Chua’s 陌生人: it’s a song that I just feel for. Hmm…

2. Sometimes When We Touch: my 2 crushies’ fave song back then. What do they say about falling for the same type of guys? Eeee……yucks.

3. Richard Marx’s Right Here Waiting: my first song performance on stage. Lame tune, lame dance and I had to do it because one loser pulled out in fit of spite.

4. Candy Lo’s 垃圾: my must-sing number at KTV. No one does this song better than me…wahahaha.

5. Nearly all of Mayday’s Songs: I Love You 无望 is an awakening on how awesome Hokkien songs can be, 志明与春娇 is my classic all-time favourite, 时光机 brought tears when I first heard it on radio soon after I’ve lost my grandma, 别惹我is war declaration’s best theme, 我 is a reflection of my dissipating passion for pursuing life’s many dreams, “Gong-Lang” is a reminder that there’s still hope.

6. Forrest Gump Suite: introduced to me how music can be so stirring, even without lyrics.

7. Diana Ross’ If We Hold on Together: Our last performance on stage as a class back in secondary school. How are you gals doing?

8. MLTR’s Out of the Blue: 25 Minutes, Wild Women, etc are mostly bad grammar but Out of the Blue is one nice, romantic tune which deserves pardon on poor English.

9. 刘文正/童年: is so apt when it comes to reminiscing the fun childhood days.

10. 梁文福/细水长流: celebrates friendship and brings to memory how much I’ve grown since CGS’ days.

Why Don't I Have A Boyfriend?

You Don't Have a Boyfriend Because You are Too Forward

No doubt that you've got game Just a little too much game for some guys Maybe it's just that some men like a challenge Or they think they're not challenging enough for you!

Why Don't You Have a Boyfriend?

This is RIDICULOUS? How can I be too forward when I don't even have the guts of the modern woman to say "I like you"???

What Kind of Soul Am I?

I Am a Bright Star Soul

Like a shining star, you have no trouble being the center of attention In fact, you often feel a bit hurt when all eyes aren't on you You need to be number one in everything, no matter how trivial And it's this ego that both hurts your confidence and helps you acheive You're dramatic and a powerhouse of pure energy You posess a divine quality or uniqueness that's hard to define A natural performer, it's likely you'll become famous in some circles. Just learn not to take everyone's reaction to you so personally! Souls you are most compatible with: Newborn Soul and Prophet Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

What Time of Day Am I?

I Am Sunrise

You enjoy living a slow, fulfilling life. You enjoy living every moment, no matter how ordinary. You are a person of reflection and meditation. You start and end every day by looking inward. Caring and giving, you enjoy making people happy. You're often cooking for friends or buying them gifts. All in all, you know how to love life for what it is - not for how it should be.

What Time Of Day Are You?

i'm moving on

10 Things I’m Resolved to Do:

1)Stop reading blogs that I shouldn’t read, ie, those with almost lack of meaningfulness, zilch entertainment or enrichment value but just providing random info on some stuff that should not bother me too much now.

2)Work out! Oto Trimax’s great I tell ya. And with some work out, I should be on my road to better fitness.

3)Continue my search for lost passion and find it real soon. I hate this kind of me –directionless, not putting in my best, not realising my greatest.

4)Tidy up my bedroom. It’s quite a mess now.

5)Pass my advanced theory and driving @ first attempt.

6)Learn keyboard after I’ve passed my driving.

7)Give good thoughts and map out the future of my business. It hasn’t picked up significantly from last I left and returned.

8)Organise a trip with the gals later this year.

9)Get moving on a self-funded, personal interest project.

10)Get over my distraction completely.

Like versus Love

喜欢是还未深刻了解的吸引。爱是了解过后的接受与包容。

Pipi is Happy

Happy is

having lots and lots of good quality sleep,
rediscovering the energy that has eluded me for the past few months to do work,
finishing tasks that I set out to do,
hearing a nice tune the moment I on the radio,
scampering in the rain,
overcoming long yearning and making it quiet admiration,
reminiscing the fun stuff we did 10 years back,
feeling optimistic and that I could take on the world once again.

Yay! Pipi is Happy :D

I Quote

"工作总是可以计划, 计划却永远赶不上变化, 而变化也永远赢不了意志力的软化." ~Masa, Mayday

Metaphoric 2004

This is way outdated but it was a year that morale seemed high and hopes were abound. As I started 2006 with a little lack-lustre personal forecast, I do hope the journey forward will bring nice surprises.

>>>

If 2004 is a vehicle, it must be a rocket.
Whizzing past so fast, before I could even fully grasp the responsibilities, pressure and implications of running my little firm full-time again.

If 2004 is a weapon, it must be a bullet.
Attacking swift and hard with humongous waves unfolding storylines that once belonged to my Geography textbook, leaving me insufficient time to feel the trauma or understand fully the losses and pains of those victimised.

If 2004 is a furniture, it must be a cupboard.
Storing remnants of my guilt over the demise of my grandma quietly, so that it does not hurt as much anymore.

If 2004 is a land, it must be a runway.
Lying so flat that it’s not too exciting, yet flying enough flights to hold much in anticipation for the New Year to come.

If 2004 is a container, it must be a hungry piggy bank.
Hanging on tight to see my entrepreneurial career comes of age, to better income and more stable savings to give me peace of mind.

If 2004 is a report, it will go like this:
Potential love interest – appeared and gone in 60 seconds
Circle of friends – the same but cool old gang
Self-improvement – stagnated and needs to be rejuvenated
Body and shape – slabs of fats

Adieu Rehearsal

People come and people go.
Some left footprints that last longer than they know.
Some hope their footprints would mean something special to the ones whom they have left them for.
Some moved on without a trace.
Some wish they could leave without a trail.

Why can’t I bear the thought of goodbye?
Maybe I can’t bear to lose sight of someone who don’t belong.
Why do I get so upset?
Maybe good things are slipping by too fast.
I still haven’t had enough.

Here’s One Great Date this Valentine’s!!!

Following Minty’s kind act of showing us (me, diva sharon, luminous xy, feathery jade and leisurely 1-0) off on her blog, we gals decide to do no less for her. Not only are we showing off Minty here but on Yu’s blog as well! That’s double exposure ok!

Name: Minty
Profession: Marketer
Horoscope: Gemini [Compatible Horoscope: Aquarius and Libra]
Zodiac: Horse [Compatible Zodiac: Tiger, Sheep, Dog]
Oxymoronic Monologues: http://www.mintylogue.blogspot.com

Minstical Minty

Peel beneath the superficial quiet façade and you’ll find yourself seeing spoofs of mist cast by the cold jokes which we have come to terms with, and at worst, ignore.

That said, you’ll love her for her dry, intelligent humour that engages the quick-witted and stupefies the small-airians (read losers).

Living up the true-blue Gemini traits, Minty is also an enigmatic paradox who, we suspect, has yet to grasp her own puzzling mystery called “self”.

Minty also walks away uncontested as the Supermodel of our lot with her innate talent to make everything on feet looks cool and all slung around the arms look exceptional!

Now, aren’t we all green with envy when all things pretty just look good on the lucky few?!

Romancing Minty
Queen Minty will readily shed the frost for a great date in the form of a bespectacled talented dude with absolutely brilliant and original sense of high-class ‘grassroot’ humour.

Crash Boom Bang

I hate to admit it but I've grown so reliant on computers such that when mine crashed, my whole world seems to stop spinning. I can't work, I can't think, i can't get moving. But says who? The thinking function still resides with the CPU housed within my tiny head. There are still papers and pens to work with. I can still surf the web with another comp. I can still make plans to be in full force once my lappie returns to my lap. After a night of mourning, and an early sleep to stop the mourning, it's time I channel all these negative energy to doing something useful. Now pray please I recover as much data as possible from the old, overworked hard disk. I guess it's also telling me how hard I've been working over the last 2 years. Life's not about somebody else's artwork all the time. It's now time to get back to the canvass of my life's artwork - it needs a little magical design touch.

观看跨年演唱会后的有感而发

年份交替之际,你与谁相拥而泣?

回顾2005, 展望2006

好公式化的标题! 不好意思,我的中文造句创意有限啦. 说真的, 2005年也没什么高潮迭起,除了几个假桃花让人笑个爆, 两次超棒的宝岛之旅和一箩"控不灵"不完的苦水之外, 2005年总算安然无恙!

对与2006年的期许,不外呼又是那几个老套庸俗但人人梦想的:

> 飞黄腾达
> 嫁个有钱人
> 快乐,健康
> 魅力四射
> 屡战屡胜

在还没飞上枝头变风凰之前,我将继续努力埋头苦干, 睁大眼睛锁定目标, 期待老天疼戅人的奇迹降临于我!

Comrades, Almost a Love Story! ~ A tribute to friendship

Dearest XY and Minty

Oh, I hate to sound mushy. But do both of you realise that we've been friends for more years than we were not? And things have grown so comfortable with you two around.

You've seen me through lean and thick, literally. You've put up with my raucousness in the bus, at the bus-stops and everywhere in school. You've survived the unintentional embarassment I put you through. You've seen my best and worst. You've heard my secrets and the many times I repeat them. You've felt my fear, excitement, uncertainties and triumphs. You've been at almost, if not all of my important moments. And I do wish, I've been as good a friend as you would have wanted me to be.

This year marks our 14 years of friendship, and a significant anniversary I must say as it overtakes the length of time that we haven't been friends.

Here's to many more years to come.
For better or worse.
For richer or poorer.
For single or married.

Yum Seng!

Yours Lovingly
Pi

I Look Like 九孔?!!!

Please hor XY, HM and Geok! I may have a 明星 face...but but... this resemblance is ultimate lor!

The Return

The "career review syndrome" strikes again! Sometimes I'm not too sure if I'm sure I know what I want to do, wish to achieve and where to head. I mean I'm not exactly clueless, but am I doing my best? Is there a part of me wishing for something else? Am I maxing my potential? Argh....! This doubt occurs once every 1 or 2 years, when life's routine get wearying, when I start counting gains and losses.

Ok, despite feeling a little jittery, I'm quite ready to take myself on another self-discovery ride. May enlightenment arrive soon.

Me and my Supernatural Talent 

This (Un)Creative Business

Quick, get me out of this recurring situation of irksome clients who kept stealing the joy of the creative business from me. Blame it on poor luck, maybe it's us, or maybe the big break has yet to come, but truth be told - I'm tired of all these nonsense. Let's see how irritating the top 3 on my dart board can get:

1) The I MUST SEE IMMEDIATE RETURNS Businessman - Behind the guise of an earnest attitude to embrace the new economy talk of branding and creative advertising is an incorrigible approach that believes in putting up haphazardly planned (IS THERE A PLAN AT ALL ANYWAY?) marketing strategies. Ads SCREAM "SALES", "AMAZING RESULTS" and all that ra-ra ALL the time! Ad bookings are done as and when he feels like it. Product taglines change every other day. Better yet, decisions are always done the very LAST minute thinking that all will fall into place as long as he pays...yet for an issue as small as doing a tiny signage, he takes days and a boardroom of brains to deliberate.

2) The I THINK EVERYTHING IS EASY Idiot who thought her middle name is Smart - This woman smutters comments that apparently didn't go through the big brains. She could be saying your idea is good one moment, and trash it the next cos she DOESN'T HAVE A MIND OF HER OWN - it's swayed by where the wind from her boss blows. More insultingly, she could raise some examples of works and thought they could be done like, in a snap. Hallo, what ignorance! It's sad how people who haven't learnt, experienced or seen enough could be calling the shots, determining the value of our works. Big companies won't be paying hundreds of thousand if getting a cow to dance can be done in a blink darling. Your peanuts budget is only enough to pay off my illustrator to draw a nice monkey on surfboard.

3) The CHUP CHUP...WAIT LET ME THINK Old Bird - Having been in the business for some time now, this mad hag is eager to drive others into her realm of nuttiness. NEVER commital until the very very last minute, she takes us through the whirlwind of a vomit-inducing roller coaster ride until the ULTIMATE deadline is declared. Again, thinking (and showing) she's some smart ass, no ideas are ever that good, except hers of course. We've come to a point of not having to propose much but just to hear what she has to say and agree. Yes, that's all we need to do to earn compliments like "Great job!" from her. Nice, isn't it?

Of course, I can give incessant recounts of hellish jobs that are akin to slow-release toxic, waiting to creep to my once fresh mind and turn it all mouldy. What to do? BEAR WITH IT.... better things await once I scrape enough profits from whom my enthusiasm was plundered.

My Meme!

MeMe reminds me of MiMi, the infamous masscommie who eagarly waved her hands to offer her answers to lecturers' questions (and so it was told as the story got passed down...). Now that I'm tagged twice, I shall present my very own MEME!

And what is it like to be tagged?
List three random facts about yourself that your friends might not know, and then tag five other friends to do it.

1) I'm tough on the outside and a real softie inside! I cry at movies, songs and a lot of other subtly poignant moments. But no, I don't cry watching ra-ra superdrama tragedy ala the style of Taiwanese Qiong Yao.

2) I used to live at 6 Eng Hoon Street, Singapore 0316. It's a shophouse, very laupok, filled with pests like rats and snakes but also full of adventures. I promise minty and xy that I'll try my very very best to curb the urge of pointing out my old house whenever we pass by again.

3) I've got a birthmark on my left hip. If you are a guy (of marriageable age, say between 24 and 32) with a birthmark on your right hip, we might be destined for each other ;D

I don't think I have 5 friends to tag (awwwww.......so few friends). But I shall name:
1) XY
2) JO
3) Shazz
4) my bro, if he blogs, that is
5) San

Blowing Out 27 Candles

May I have another fulfilling year with
happiness to spread,
friends to share,
less problems to worry,
beauty to show,
business to manage,
bonus to keep,
new skills to boast,
ideas to create,
nice place to work,
money to travel,
concerts to watch,
figure to impress,
great food to eat,
pretty clothes to wear,
time to relax,
license to drive,
good health to live,
funds to assist,
wisdom to outwit,
luck to win,
jokes to entertain,
more friends to make,
hope to inspire,
guts to try,
no one to hate,
someone to like and
love sparks to thrill.

Taiwan Not Enough

Taiwan again? As Minty claims, she could tour the island for 3 months and why not? There's so much to do, see, feel, learn and experience (anytime more than Hong Kong I'm sure!). Singaporeans' recent interest in travelling there is long overdue! I must say Taiwan's sure one underrated place on our "MUST VISIT" countries list.

Ooh...I'm so excited *_* !!!! Got down to planning and thinking through my itinerary even though my trip's 1.5 month away. Anyway, will get real busy from this week at work so better have a good idea of where I'm heading so that I can tuck this to the back of my mind till nearer the day.

And the forum regulars @ tripadvisor.com have been a SUPERB bunch! Not only do they provide tips, some even bothered doing research on info to help answer clueless travellers' queries. I feel soooo welcomed even before setting foot :D

Ok, in the spirit of sharing, I'm posting my itinerary summary for all those interested in referring. Sorry, the detailed itinerary and travelling details later, till I firm up plans towards early Oct. Feel free to post questions, I'll try to help answer if I FEEL LIKE IT. HA! To get replies quick, you know where to go. (Where? Where???) Read my blog again! DUH!

PAPICO's ITINERARY SUMMARY (7 Days / 6 Nites)

Day 1
- Arrival @ ~5.30pm
- Transfer to hotel
- Hit Ximending

Day 2
- Pray for safety @ Longshansi
- Go get train tix to Hualien
- Taipei 101
- Zhongxiao area / Dihua St
- Raohe Night Market
- Wufenpu Wholesale Centre

Day 3
- Set off for Hualien
- Taroko Gorge

Day 4
- Farm / Marble quarry
- City tour in Hualien
- Depart Hualien in evening
- Gongguan Night Market in Taipei

Day 5
- Northeastern coast / Yeliu / Jinguashi / Jiufen / Keelung tour

Day 6
- Yangmingshan
- Danshui / Bali / Fisherman’s Wharf
- Shilin Night Market

Day 7
- Ximending
- Depart for Singapore in evening

This Morning

The cooling breeze
The overcasted sky
The doleful tune
The quiet bus-stop
And a pensive me

Project Superstar Derrick Hoh

Support for Derrick must not slacken. Especially now that we are down to the final 3. If you haven't heard how well he sing, just visit: www.hohweijian.info.

By the way, mediacorp hasn't responded at all to my tix requests (it's been over a month ok!) My self-addressed envelopes with stamps gone to waste... Maybe they're giving me tix to see Derrick @ the finals @ Indoor Stadium. Oh yea! Largi better!

By the way, Happy National Day!

Korean Cutie Kim Rae Won...

I'm done for again this time. It's all XY's fault, for lending me Attic Cat and had me hooked on Kim Rae Won! Argh....!!! And knowling me, I'll be at it for at least a few days - out-of-sorts, disoriented and as if out of love. Help!

I don't care, I'm going to get my own set of Attic Cat to keep and maybe 'My Love Patzzi' too. I think the general audience would prefer the latter though I swing towards the former. Attic Cat can be a little draggy but Kim Rae Won's acting is great and the cheeky smile's mesmerising. What's more, the very average-looking lead actress makes the serial more realistically convincing.

Now I really love the fact that I work in an attic. But where's the hunk?

The Tell-Tale Signs of Age

Lines and crinkles aside. As it dawns upon me that the wilful 18-year-old days were long gone, and that I'm 26 going 27 in no time - I also realise the significance of what age has done to me.

First, the tastebud changes. What was once queer and beyond my belief that it was befitting for consumption is now norm and, erm, I hate to admit, quite tasteful. It started with accompaniment of sliced red chilli with noodles, zi char and porridge. Then it was brinjal (I simply love it these days) and more recently, over the last 2 years, lady's fingers. Perhaps the next things I might welcome are ginger, coriander and raw cucumber.

And then, subtly and slowly, temperament, personality, preferences and appearance were transformed. While the core self remains recognizable, I can't say I'm still as noisy, as loud and as touchy. The kilos has caught up and the psychological exercise of "THINK SLIM AND YOU'LL BE SLIM" just refused to work. But the red-head acne is gone and overnight, many neighbours started commenting to my mum how pretty her daughter is these days. (Learn the trick - dress lok kok most of the time. The impression impact will come full-force when you dress up on rare occasions!)

People around me start to change too. My mum's less fiery these days but my father is getting 'crazier' each day. It feels like only yesterday when my brother and I had pillow fights, and I must confess I still feel guilty over shouting into his ears when he was 5 and passing him a glass of urine when he was 6! And look at him now - skinny, pimply and with a galfren.

I hate to think my 20s will soon be a decade I can only reminisce, but I sure look forward to a wiser, surer and more stunning me inside out.

Derrick and Harry

It has been a whirlwind week, entwined between 2 boys, Derrick and Harry!

Derrick first. If you haven't known Derrick Hoh (何维健)by now, you might be missing out on Singapore's next Superstar! He just rose from the ashes, having come through a tough REVIVAL ROUND in the competition after being temporarily left behind 2 weeks ago. Derrick caught my attention during the contestants introduction episode on Project Superstar. I like his chipmunky impersonation! Thereafter it was his sincerity and how he made me notice Vann Fan Yi Chen's songs once again. It's great Minty likes him as much, if not more! Oh yes, I forgot, call her Derrice now. And make reference to Derrick as if he's Derrice's *gulp*..... Now, who's crazier?

On Harry*.
DISCLAIMER - The following para contains spoiler which any smart Harry Potter reader would pick up easily. Read at your own risk.

2 years of anticipation, all consumed within 2 days. Damn it! I'm a fast reader. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is an intense read. It creates as many question marks as the mysteries it unravels. Now, I'm disoriented, and could only pray that the miraculous "rise of gandalf" replays in Harry Potter's final instalment.

Finally, I'm glad after all the excitement and buzz over the past week, I'm ending it with a fun JB trip with Minty also known as Derrice, XY and Shazzie. As for the coming week, I'm on my way to real big stuff @ work again!

When I Wish Upon A Star

Some things that could make me very happy...

1) An office / home @ Emerald Hill
2) An Eason Chan concert in Singapore
3) A holiday in Japan
4) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
5) Renewed ties with my cousins
6) Discovering another nostalgic neighbourhood with XY and Minty
7) Another MayDay concert
8) A road trip down ECP
9) Back to school
10) Another good movie, good song, good book...

Paradox - Chew on It!

We are all the same, thinking that we are different.

头文字D

我在i周刊上读到一则这样的报道"开工第一天,两位导演给所有人一封信.信里写道,他们想拍<头文字D>电影想了3,4年了,现在终于等到这个机会.他们知道在预算方面,甚至拍摄现场,会出现很多问题,如果我们像一家人互相帮助,一定能拍出一部很棒的电影..."

撇开导演如何去实现这项企划不说,我想举动上的真诚就很让人感动;对理想抱着赤子之心,不轻易妥协与所谓现实的主义,相信队友同心所发挥的力量 - 我想这就是我要(延续)的精神.

希望过程是精彩,也希望一路走来不孤单.

History Repeats Itself in America

I have a prophecy. Pretty scary one. It'll rock the dow jones. It'll shock the whole world (once again!). It'll mock at those who takes a serious view on being politically correct.

America will be assailed. This time by a spew of blazing sauce, setting the land on fire, burning the guts of those who tread near. Trouble is, the arsonist's an insider, a home-grown true-blue American, in conspiracy with ahem, some harmless-looking executives from (very embarassingly) my hometown.

God bless America.

Amitabha

The deities heard 1 of my 2 prayers!

No, I must not be too happy. I must not slacken. I must not start counting the chicken before they're hatched.

I must work hard. I must step up. I must stay cool. Because the best is yet to be. Hopefully, just hopefully, when I look in retrospect during the year-end, I could move on with no fear.

Ok, and if I could be a little greedy, I hope the good hands of destiny turn up my luck so sincerely asked for in my 2nd prayer ;p

Mind Your Ps' and Queues

How would you react in the following situations?

1) You've been waiting for a cab at the side of a road; you're in a hurry. Someone who came later cut your path, jumped the queue and started flagging. Would you go up to this person and say you are first?

2) There was a long queue at a foodstall. You've been queueing for quite a while and were nearing your turn. Someone came along and asked you to help buy. There's still along queue behind you. Would you agree to help?

3) You were first in the queue at the bus interchange, waiting for a particular bus. An old woman came along and asked to queue before you. Would you allow?

Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi

"Take the money Sholmi. I put aside 10 shelby for each meal you make, 15 shelby for each bath..." Grandpapa's last line bought the tears. Uncontrolled, because it pricked. Popo told me to keep all her money, and her favourite gem. It was her way of appreciating the very insignificant things I could have done better. And with what she has left me, I know I'll be fine. That I'll be good.

Runway's Hiring

If you're based in Singapore, passionate about a creative / communication career then read on.

Employment is expected to start only in July / August 2005.

-----------------

We are looking for a prospect who aspires a career in the creative field.

The selected Design Associate does about almost everything - conceptualising, designing, account servicing and traffic managing. Write in only if you are ready to take on the responsibilities.

Candidates with diploma in visual communication / mass communication / other relevant qualifications, design softwares competency and a relatively good command of English language are preferred. Knowledge in multimedia design is a plus. 1 to 2 years relevant experience will be good but fresh grads are also welcomed.

To apply, email your resume to flight@runwaycreative.com. Include 2 of your best works + state your current and expected salaries. Closing date: 15 June 2005.

Runway Creative is a marketing communication consultancy specialising in branding, print, web and event marketing. Check us out at www.runwaycreative.com.