The day will come...

when i can typically spend my week like this:
Monday at my own cafe, doing some sums while people watching
Tuesday in school, sizing up cute boys and hopefully imparting some useful knowledge
Wednesday in the bookshop, at the movies or stay home to catch romance comedies with great ending
Thursday with the tourists on tours to my fave neighbourhoods
Friday at the cafe again, hosting some frens or just while my time away re-reading my Harry Potter for the nth time.
Saturday doing some volunteer work, watching concert or pa-tor-ing if my guy has found me by then
Sunday taking my family out for breakfast, doing some chores at home (assuming I'm still the house's default ah-sum), planning my next trip or post more interesting blog than this.

The day will come...hor?

Pipi on HumDrum

Getting used to the humdrum does not indicate acceptance or compromise. I just can't be bothered to fight a senseless battle.

Viva Saturday! Viva Recruit! A poly call me now!

Jiayou Day 5

Pipi on Weekend Blemish

The blemish to my weekend is knowing I still have to work on Sunday for no pay, no time-off and any other incentive whatsoever!

Pipi on Hope

Hope is a Mayday concert in June, Harry Potter Final Book in July and Hana Kimi II somewhere down the road :D

Jiayou Day 3

Pipi on Passion

Passion isn't worth a cent. It's worth my life, the reason I frown and the reason I smile, from within.

Jiayou Day 2

Pipi on Career

Choosing career is like buying clothes. You don't just go for the one that fits. You take the one that flatters.

Jiayou Day 1

憨人 in quarter-life crisis

Watch it here.

* * * * *
我的心内感觉　人生的沉重　不敢来振动
我不是好子　嘛不是歹人　我只是爱眠梦
我不愿随浪随风　飘浪西东　亲像船无港
我不愿做人　奸巧钻缝　甘愿来作憨人

我不是头脑空空　我不是一隻米虫
人啊人　一世人　要安怎欢喜　过春夏秋冬

我有我的路　有我的梦　梦中的那个世界　甘讲伊是一场空
我走过的路　只有希望　希望你我讲过的话　放在心肝内　总有一天

看到满天全金条　要煞无半项　环境来戏弄
背景无够强　天才无够弄　逐项是拢输人
只好看破这虚华　不怕路歹行　不怕大雨淋
心上一字敢　面对我的梦　甘愿来作憨人

* * * * *

老天, 我仍然相信你是疼憨人的.
所以你会让我对环境不足所产生的心魔赶快离我而去.
你会让好运降临于我和我身边的人.
加油! Minty也加油!

Idiocy at Work Can Kill

My point is, I survived. 1st week, that is.

For someone who is highly instinctive, restless and spontaneous like me, overcoming bureaucracy takes big discipline and a lot of patience. I'll try.

And thank gawd for weekends. Life simple joy for me is a long walk, some vocalisation of grouses, a few Mayday songs and watching my money grow nano-millimetre by nano-millimetre so that I crawl closer towards my dream.

走出去不一定有路.但双腿和意志必须在人,事和物为我铺好地的时候继续坚强有力往前冲.

My soul is once again cleansed.

A Gift for Pi

I was spring-cleaning and was not too pleased to find quite a lot of prezzies given to me during past occasions contributing to the clutter.

First there was the pen holder which holds only 1 pen and the hole looks too small to fit a fat mont blanc. Better yet, the parts glued together are coming off yet the price tag is still snuggly stuck on. How sincere. I threw it away.

Then I found a mobile phone case with imitation burberry's print (price tag still on too). Fugly. Dump.

Next there's the bag. Expensive gift but I dun quite like the style. Mum says not bad. Pass to her.

I'm actually not hard to please when it comes to receiving prezzies. The keywords are Practicality, Style and Sincerity. Unless you are a close pal (you know who you are), don't attempt to give me things just for the sake of doing so. I don't like soft toys and any other things that do nothing for me except sit and gather dust. Don't attempt to buy clothes, bags, accessories etc for me unless u know my style very well. I'm lok kok but my lok kok got certain style one. Don't bother getting me gifts just becos they are expensive; my best 2006 X'mas gift is a lock-and-lock container. No need to get me magnets or keychains just becos you've gone on a trip and felt obligated to give me something becos you've been introduced to me a week ago.

Alright disclaimers:
1) I welcome ALL gifts that my pals give.
2) My sincerest apologies if I've given anyone of you one of those "prezzies I hate" type of gifts. You know I dun mean it.
3) If any of the above descriptions sound like something you've given me, please be assured that I still like you :p

Lastly, the gifts you can give me and I GUARANTEE they won't go wrong:
1) Vouchers!!! Capitaland Malls vouchers preferred!
2) Gadgets and gadget-related accessories
3) Music CDs ~ but do check my music preference before buying
4) Books - marketing or design related
5) Blank cheque with your signatory.

Terima Kasih.

misshh you like c(r)a...zh..ee..

i'm missing some people. i'm reminiscing some things. it's as though my heart is divided into many pieces with one tiny corner for each of them and these various parts have now co-joined to rip me apart.

working hard on spring cleaning should take care of this :S

my best one-month notice

So this is it. End of my stint in XP as at 9 Feb 2007.

I haven't made many frens there, though I've met many good folks. I didn't make big impact, though I took away big learning points.

It's the best 1-month notice I've ever served. All thanx to the facilitation I got to do during my last month with the school. Class days were such high points of my work that it's enough to redeem against the ugliness of the school's management.

This XP has got to have the coldest and weirdest management I've ever seen. No words of appreciation, goodbye, "how-to-exit" and well-wishes from a single soul. Except for the encouraging words from a few good people and my peers. It's a place I won't want to work for. It's perculiar why a place for nurturing young minds does not show as much support and understanding towards the well-being of nurturers.

It's beyond me now. But I do pray very hard deep down, that my educator dream does not get clipped. Put me in the right place with the right subject and I think the satisfaction can last a long long time.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

I taught my last class at XP today and now I'm on the brink of tearing. I had seen this coming anyway, despite a very short stint of 3 to 4 lessons with each of my 2 classes.

To my 2 lovely classes, thank you for a great journey. You made me realise the importance on deciding the kind of teacher I want to be. You taught me the grave responsibility of filling a hungry mind. You enlightened me on why I want to be a teacher.

I've inspired and been inspired.

5 things my admirers should know about me

My thickskinnedness tells me I'm on (rotten) peach flower luck recently. But really lar, 喜欢我的我不喜欢, 我喜欢的却不喜欢我. 哎...天意弄人啊! Anyway, to be fair to those interested in me, I've decided to provide some pointers for their reference - can't afford to be too atas now that age is catching up. Maybe, just maybe, someone amid the indistinguished motley bunch might end up being the one. We never know ;)

(1) I like cute men.
Erm...I may not have fairy-lands-on-earth looks but I can't help my shallowness. Unlike 大S who likes only GOOD-LOOKING men, I'm much easier to please. I'm ok with guys as long as they look ok in my eyes.

(2) I don't like undue attention.
The guy who likes me need not shower me unncessary attention. I've got enough limelight on me without having to seek for it. I don't need to feel goosebumps from more yeekish mushy actions.

(3) I don't like men who insist on carrying my bags or opening the doors.
I'm feministic, though not overly. Still my swollen ego forbids and detests those who insist on doing things that I emphasized I want to do myself.

(4) I don't like men who wishfully think how they share my thoughts, likes and dislikes.
I am One-of-a-Kind. Unique. Out-of-this-World. As such, I don't easily share common thoughts, likes and dislikes with just anyone. I decide who I think are on my frequency.

(5) I like men who match up to my crappiness.
Not only must he understand my jokes and nonsense. He needs to make me feel as tickled over his lameness.

I'm a tough nut to crack? Maybe not. We'll break rules for the one we like, won't we?

Can You Keep A Secret?

Dear Diary

I had a nitemare this morning. The unfolding of events was so vivid that I can't get it outta my head. I know it's my employment history coming back to haunt me - first it's the issue of my stakes in a business (no thanx to superb HR), then there's the issue of me moving on from one job (in less than 3 months) to another.

The story went this way:
I went to meet my new boss and the first thing he asked was "so how's teaching?" I stood there frozen. Gawd, they know everything. Every single thing. As though FBI has been sent to investigate my background. Pls...I'm just one small fry trying to earn a decent pay to support my poor parents, upgrade my savings and finally have enough to continue with fulfilling my dreams.

Apparently, my boss knew a colleague from the school who was a Pools champion in a competition that my new company organised. (how apt. my new employer's product offerings has extended to include a sport that they spot in their name). That colleague has mentioned that he knows me and my new boss was unhappy that I haven't included the details of my teaching stint in the CV.

I spent a long time explaining myself outta it. Every word I spat seem to send away everything I was promised in the appointment letter - the decent pay cheque, the incredible bonus, the relatively generous welfare....

The thoughts are too scary to bear.

This was one time I woke up, really glad to know, it was all a nitemare.

*seriously, I'm a little nervous about Wed's meeting now. I hope it's not some interrogative session but just an opportuity for him to catch up and brief me on what's up at my new role.

Some Things Never Change

This picture really looks like one of those that tourists will take to prove we had experienced everything in the country - including its public transport.

JM, my good friend back in CGS' days was in town for holiday. And the years had been kind to her - good complexion (and we know she didn't even have to try!), more or less the same balanced figure, and mannerism that hasn't changed with times!

She still talks with eyes that are shy to meet ours. She still dresses like the days when our most branded tees were Giordano. She still spots the same hairstyle when our dear Miss XY had ditched her big waves for straight locks and now the nat-chu-rel curls. But one thing has changed - JM is now married! And she had moved on to attain her Bachelor's, then Master's and now she's burying deep in research to get her PhD.

Look at us - we've had makeovers (maybe not so much for me), we've had crushies (and been crushed too *ouch*) and we've had developed a little more feminity (ok, maybe not so much for me again). But we're still single ~ thank goodness we still have each other.

Before I Say Goodbye

I've thrown in the letter! Ok, old news.
Someone could be interested in me. Woohoo, juicy stuff! ;)

Anyway, this is a serious blog, no less. I've been thinking a bit while serving my one month notice at XP. (Yes, this bird-brain of mine does think alright?!)

Despite all my bitching, complaints and whinings, this 3-month stint is a worthwhile journey for some of the things it taught me:

Reflection One: What kind of teacher do I want to be?
Prior to XP, I didn't give deep thoughts over this. All I had planned to do was to use my charisma to charm all students to hail me as some kinda gawd. The charisma bit does work to a certain extent. But the exposure to a different pedagogy ideology got me reflecting on how I can help shape young minds. The teaching inventory test puts in perspective the kind of teacher I am and aim to be. I haven't quite figured out how I could really be better but I know for sure students under my charge are seldom bored.

Reflection Two: The Perfect Guys Are....Well, Imperfect.
I'm sounding frivolous again :D Having met so many "nice, perfect guys" over the last 3 months, I know for sure the typical goody guys simply don't turn me on. Hahaha....I guess it's alright - the un-turn-on is prolly quite mutual.

Reflection Three: Blocks Can Be Called Pods
I grow to like how this cuckoo XP refer blocks as pods. So people will be asking things like "which pod are you at?". Kinda cool. But my kudos for their innovativeness ends here. A lot of times, I really wonder if they do things differently just for the sake of being different. Sometimes, age-old conventions are conventions for good reasons.

Another unexciting blog. Till 9 Feb.

Lucky 7

I'm having a blog block. But all my darling readers, it wun take long that I regain my mighty typing prowess. Cos I'll be saying goodbye darn soon to that creepy institution where glass panels fall off the building like how humpty dumpty crashed down the wall and toilet doors collapsed like the downfall of dominoes with a huff.

Quick report on the first 7 days of my New Year:

01 // It Started With A Kiss.

Ooh...I'm pleased to announce that I spent my New Year's Day with lanky, cranky, cutie Zheng Yuan Chang on "It Started With A Kiss"! Totally crappy drama but I like!

02 // Problem-Based-Living


Had a hard time working with idiots. May all idiots vanish, to the deepest of gutters and the stinkiest of sewers.

03 // Leaving Problem-Based Slum
Made a decision to resign this coming Friday. It's ok. I'll be employed soon.

04 // The Call
Finally! Someone noticed the shining resume. To this recruiter - you've got balls, eyeballs ah! See ya on Tuesday.

05 // Eason 一神
He doesn't need a studio to record his album. Just dub over at his concert - Eason is pitch/beat/'live' perfect!


DWPers at the concert.

06 // Prince Ashin
I got to know a new fren who's a fan of Mayday! And she used to like a guy who looks like Ashin! And of cos I picked up on the word "used to" and asked her to pass him over TO ME.

07 // Retail Therapy
With so many sales going on and an incidental bonus from my kind employer, it's simply impossible to resist the lure of consumerism. Oh Money God, pls include a bigger payout package for me in your budget 2007. Thanx loads in advance.

Whoever says 2007 / the year of Pig gonna be good, is absolutely SO RIGHT.

空中的梦想家

努力于追求自己梦想的人值得敬佩,
投入于梦想进行式中的人非常迷人,
出众于实现梦想目标的人魅力四射!

与一同在梦想跑道上奔驰中的你们共勉之.
也愿2007带给大家无穷的动力, 马力和潜力.

Pi's Best & Worst of Anything Inventory 2006

A recap of my top 6 best/worst/favouritest/most-detested/most-superb/lousiest (ok...you get the drift) inventory* of anything for 2006.

* Listed in no order of preference

FAVOURITEST MOVIES / DRAMA SERIALS
1) Little Miss Sunshine
2) 疯狂石头 Crazy Stone
3) 王的男人
4) X-men 3
5) 我爱金三顺 My Lovely Sam Soon
6) 宫 Princess Hours

FAVOURITEST ALBUMS
1) 五月天 Mayday - 为爱而生 Born to Love (五子出品,必属佳作; my only complaint is the absence of hokkien numbers)
2) 强辩 Champion
3) 梁静茹 Fish Leong - 亲亲
4) McFly - Just My Luck
5) 蔡健雅 Tanya Chua - T-time
6) 陈奕迅 Eason Chan - What's Going On

BEST BUYS
1) Fuji Finepix F30 Digicam
2) iPod
3) Origins Modern Friction
4) Novo Rubber Flip-flops
5) Oto Trimax
6) $20 little black dress from Little Match Girl

BEST MAKAN
1) 记得吃 for near-to-great HK dessert
2) Corduroy & Finch for fab ang moh dessert
3) Miss Clarity for affordable main courses
4) Maxwell Food Centre for solid Hainanese 'Economy' Rice
5) Crystal Jade 拉面小笼包 for top-notch Sichuan Dandan Mian
6) Ichibantei @ Robertson Quay for exceptional Ramen

MOST IMPACTFUL EVENTS
1) The closure of Runway
To the attic at Kreta Ayer, thanks for the great 2 years 8 months. Owning keys to a space I call my own has been one of my proudest moments. Saying goodbye certainly wasn't easy but I'll be back stronger, better and richer.

2) Goodbye romance, hello friendship
To my crushie who kept me gaga for a few months, thanks for the friendship. Love hasn't been too smooth for him and his crushie(s). Maybe his destiny should have been me. Too bad we've both missed the boat, for now ;p

3) Bro starts NS
To my bro of 20 years, thanks for your generiosity. Your birthday gift does not quite go with my lok-kok fashion sense but I still love you.

4) The return of Bren
To Bren who was MIA for the last two years, thanks for the time you made up with. Despite your unchanged talkaholism, 'obsessionism' and 'neurosisism', we still enjoy the comfort your presence brings.

5) Not-too-gratifying journeys
To my travel companions of the short Penang getaway, thanks for making every trip exceptional. Not forgetting my slightly more tamed Ma for making the Shanghai trip nice. Next year, jet-setting's gonna be further, longer and funner.

6) Learning to drive
To uncle francis, thanks for reciprocating my compliments with discounts. I'll soon not see you, right after March 28.

MOST ANTICIPATED MOMENTS OF EARLY 2007
1) Eason Chan's concert ~ We need the lite sticks!
2) Mayday concert ~ Fivesters, it's time to get our garb again!
3) Ditching XP ~ I can't wait, I really can't wait!
4) A new shining career ~ C'mon, c'mon, any company will do better with a talent like me!
5) Shedding another 3 kgs ~ My plan is to shed a further 5kg in total from my current weight but slow and steady wins the game!
6) The coveted vroom vroom license ~ No more stupid mistakes!

雨季的催眠曲

一整天的细雨总有办法让我忧虑起来. 沉溺在不知所以的工作环境中, 我的神采无法飞扬起来.总觉得对不起自己.想摆脱枷锁但暂时无法轻言放下. 回忆在脑中一直盘旋. 过去的牢牢记得却紧握不住. 未来的我尽心期待, 希望好运在非常不遥远的将来及时降临.

张智成的"很想你"让我想起了台北清爽冬天的暖暖气氛. 我们何时再踏上下一次的快乐旅程呢?