Unexpected Surprise!!

Woke up early yesterday morning and went for a run. When I came back, I got a sms from yh saying that she can't attend the interview as she need to finish up her work. I told Suz I didn't mind going with her if she wants to and she said might as well go for the experience. You never know.......

When we got there, there was a long queue for all candidates to take their height measurement. A staff member went along the line to check that application forms are duly filled up. When she saw that my height was 1cm below requirement, she told me that I will be turned away. So I told her just let me take the measurement first. Surprisingly, the lady didn't say anything when she took my height and I just proceed to the ballroom after being able to reach the red mark on the wall. Suz and I waited for three hours just to go into a room and introduce ourselves briefly and say why we want to join the company. Well, I wasn't selected (although I was not interested, I did kind of expect I could at least pass the first round after waiting that long....at least shows that I did possess some traits to be one of them....) but suz got through to the second round. As it seems she could take some time, suz told me to meet up with the others first. I was really tired and stopped at starbucks for a much needed caffeine break!

While having my coffee, I read the sunday times and there was an interesting article about Singapore women expecting too much from men. According to a survey by the Social Development Service, the women who were surveyed expect the men to pay for their dates, send them home safely afterwards, open car doors and even carry their bags! I thought the carrying bag part is ridiculous. I will never want my man to carry my bag because it makes them look bloody stupid and awful. I'm sure I speak for many women out there....wondered who exactly they interviewed for this survey.....But I agree that in this modern day cosmopolitan soceity, many independant and career-minded women still want the man to wear the pants in the relationship. I know I am one.....

Yh, ed and YA arrived soon after I read the article and suz came just in time for the movie. We went to watch Juno, a comedy about a teen high school girl, Juno, who got pregnant and found a rich couple to adopt her baby. She matured during the entire nine months while having the baby, realising she is in love with the father of her child and they did get together in the end. Although the rich couple spilt up, Juno still gave her baby to the wife, knowing she will be a great mum. There was a scene in the movie where Juno got home after visiting the rich couple and learnt that they are getting a divorce. Feeling down, she asked her dad whether it is possible that two people can stay together forever. Her dad replied that its not easy. He said "Find someone who loves you just the way you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty......". Those words ring loud inside me....it made me realized it again. Anyway, its a funny and heartwarming movie and the scene where Juno's parents heard from her that she is pregnant was really unexpected and hilarious. I think they are more receptive to teen pregnancy in the US although they don't absolutely think its ok. In Singapore, I think our society will take at least a few generations to accept teen pregnancy and single mothers. On saturday, I saw a chinese talking point program on channel U and Maia Lee was a guest speaker. The issue is about single mothers in Singapore. So Maia said she wanted to keep her baby at that time because she wants to love her son whole heartedly, by herself. She does not want to be with the father of her son and do not expect her boyfriend at that time to take responsibility. She has always wanted to be a mum since she was 12! Quite unbelieveable. Some of the other judge speakers commented that she is immature to think in this way and were not totally supportive of her views. But to me, I think she is a strong women who did not mind how other people think of her. She is brave and responsible to raise her son on her own. However, I wouldn't recommend such a way to have a family. I still believe in a complete family with both mum and dad.

After the show, we shopped around for a while and YA suddenly had to make a move first. i thought it was wierd and was suspecting something was going on. Anyway, I bought a nice pair of heels. :) Yh suggested going to Fish & Co for dinner and I was fine with it so we headed over. As we entered the restaurant, i was expecting to see YA waiting at a table for us but I couldn't see him. I followed suz to the back of the restaurant and saw everyone seated at the long table. I was like *stunned* for a moment and started laughing as Kel said to me "hey, wat a coincidence!" Suz was so sweet to plan this surprice for me by gathering everyone for a dinner. I was so touched and I didn't know what to say. Elated to see everyone there! Almost everyone had the seafood platter for 2. We had fun chatting while eating dinner. There was a feeling of nostalgia as it has been a long time since we had a birthday gathering like this. I remember during my poly band days, we often had such birthday gatherings to celebrate someone's birthday. Its quite scary to celebrate your birthday at Fish & Co cos they make you stand on the chair as everyone sings you a birthday song and then requires you to blow out the candles, still standing on the chair and the cake is on the table.....well it was funny also as they made me wear a green goblin-looking cap. i know Der enjoyed seeing me with the cap :S and was laughing away.....Then came the moment where suz presented me with the present from everyone. And I was so shocked when I saw it. A lovely Sovil Titus Watch!! Exactly something that I had in mind......she actually remembered what I mentioned to her during one of our msn conversation a few days ago.....that i felt like getting a watch.....I couldn't even remember the exact things we said....my goodness!!Super super touch!! I could only thanked everyone for the enjoyable evening by treating them to drinks at TCC after the meal. Kev only came while we were having drinks but I was still glad to see him. Took photos with everyone! Zz bought me a Tommy Girl perfume. Love it! This perfume actually brought back some special memories back in poly. (Sidetrack a bit, an ex bf back in poly bought me this same perfume for christmas. I remembered he lost his wallet that day after buying the perfume and was so lost. He paged me several times and left several messages but I didn't know as I was working at a cafe (waitress) until at knock-off time, I saw my pager and realised what happened to him. He still wanted to pass me the perfume even though he had no money to take transport to my place. I called him that night, feeling bad that I wasn't there for him when he lost his wallet. He gave me the perfume the next day or something....) As we bade goodbye, I said a heartfelt thanks to everyone and told suz that I appreciate her effort in organising this birthday dinner and I felt her intention for all this. Suz, I promise you I will be ok!
3sa's bf, Eug drove me, yh and yx home. Tired after a long but happy day.......

It was a wonderful day....Thank you Suz, YA, Yh, Ed, Yx, Kel, 3sa, Eug, Jy, der, Zz, Kev and Jun!

25 Feb 2008 9.25pm

Being Selfless

Lj suddenly sme me on Monday, asking whether I want to catch this movie called "Away from Her" with him. He seldom asks me for movies so I thought why not.....the movie must be something to have caught his interest.

The movie is about a elderly couple (fiona and grant) who have been happily married for 44 years until the wife (fiona) suffered from Alzheimer's disease and to admit to a nursing home. She slowly loses her memory of her husband and fell in love with another patient (aubrey) at the home. There were several sad moments in the movie especially when Grant realised that Fiona likes someone else instead and couldn't remember much of their relationship. It was very hard for him to accept. Then aubrey's wife got him out of the nursing home to stay home instead and Fiona became very depressed as she couldn't see aubrey. Seeing Fiona deteriorating, Grant actually went to look for Aubrey's wife to persuade her to bring Aubrey back to the nursing home so that Fiona can see him. Grant rather see Fiona happy with Aubrey than to see her condition worsen. It was really selfless of Grant to do that. There was a scene where a nurse at the home asked Grant whether he rather be the one who stays at the home or the one who leaves the home. That is, whether he would choose to be inflicted with the disease or be the love one seeing the inflcited partner slowly going away......its sad but either choice will still be as painful. I'm not sure which role I would choose but for me, it is unbearable to see the one I love to forget what we once had before.....

Yesterday I went to my financial planner's company for their career seminar talk. Nope, don't think I will ever go into this line. But as my planner seemed sincere to invite me, I just went there to listen. Sometimes, I don't understand why they choose this line which does not gurantee a stable income every month but they seem really happy with what they are doing. The emcee mentioned a phrase from Confucius that say something like "Find a job that you love and you will not need to work a single day". How true..I am still trying hard to find the job that I love......

Met wj for a while after the seminar. He has been in low spirits lately so I was trying to talk to him to move on and do some things for himself. My friend, please pick yourself up. You should concentrate on your studies now and improve your well-being. Cheer up! :)

Work is so boring these days....Have a good mid-week......

20 Feb 2008 9.46pm

A peace of mind.......

My mum found out at the temple that this year of the Rat is a "fan tai sui" for me. Basically "Fan Tai Sui" refers to an opposition to the Deity of the Year. So happened that my chinese zodiac sign, the Rooster, is one of the few chinese zodiac signs that will face significant changes this year, be it good or bad things. To myself a peace of mind, I went to pray at the temple. My mum accompanied me, gave them my chinese name, date and time of birth and address. I kneeled down and offered some joss sticks as a temple staff recite some sayings in front of the deity. After the reciting, he told me to stand up, tap on my head with a stack of incense papers. Then I proceeded to put joss sticks into the golden bowl, placed a red packet on the tray and then went to burn the incense papers. Some of you might think I am being superstitious. But things have not been going well for me lately so I decided to be safe. It gives me a peace of mind anyway...

Went to Orchard yesterday to collect my jeans and then met wj for coffee at raffles city. It was really relaxing sitting outside spinelli, watching people go by as I sip my coffee. After that, ed and Ay came to meet me and we went to downtown east. Mel's sis was celebrating her 21st birthday and has booked a chalet. Downtown East has changed a lot. Its been a long time since I last went there. Remember the last time I was there was during uni year 1. My classmates and I booked a chalet at Aranda Country Club. Mel invited us down even though we do not know her sis that well but she was pretty cool with it. As it was last minute, we gave a red packet instead, not knowing what she likes. Kind of wierd......There was myself, Ay, ed, kr and jos. sy came rather late. We were playing lame games like around the world, mrt, the handphone game which I didn't get it at all till they finally show me what the whole game meant. Really lame and funny! Not sure what it was, but my face started to itch after the drinking and eating of some prawns. I dismiss it as being allergic to the prawns as I am not. My pimple breakout is still there and did not go down. I really wish I don't need to see my doctor.....

Another start of a new week.....

17 Feb 2008 10.06pm

Looking back.....

I came across my horoscope prediction in this week's issue of 8 Days (14 Feb 2008):

"Take your pick between getting married, transforming your home or leading a revolution at work. Our best days for love and pure uninhibited emotion could be Thursday and Friday, when someone new might come into your life, or you see an old friend with fresh eyes."

Well, the first three did not happen, but I did see an old friend today whom I have not seen for a long time. I went to kev's recital today and saw Ame. It was good to see him. He actually left for Austria last year to study music there. I couldn't remember the name of his university. Anyway he's back for the chinese new year holidays and will be leaving next week. He still looks the same, nothing much has changed about him. The memories....

Kev's recital was not bad and he played pretty well. He appreciated our presence there. After the recital, we left for dinner at victoria hawker centre. Don't know why but I felt pretty tired during the performance and went home after dinner. Everyone seemed lethargic.

I met lyn and ris for lunch today. It was nice to see them....I pretty miss my old job. lyn looks fresh and she is going back to work soon. She just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last dec. ris is still the same, busy as usual. As we were about to leave, she gave me and lyn a red packet! So unexpected and I didn't have mandarin oranges with me to wish her happy new year! She told me the red packet is a token to wish me good luck in my career and find a nice boyfriend soon! So sweet of her......:) I wonder how things would have turn out if I didn't leave my ex company. I will still be able to hold the same conversation with them. Well, I already made the choice and should not turn back. But I will always look out for better opportunities.

Things at the office are quite slow this week with nothing major happening but I think next week onwards might get a bit busy as I need to start writing on the next newsletter. Ag suggested we do the new issue ourselves and my boss is fine with it. We are going to revamp the newsletter!

Watched Jumper yesterday with wj. Its not as nice as expected which I thought it is from the trailer. The storyline happens rather fast without much development of the characters themselves. No harm waiting for the dvd release for those of you who intend to watch it on the big screen.

It was a normal Valentines' Day for me. Just a simple dinner and movie and somehow I started to recall what I was doing on V Day last year. I remember I was at the gym on Valentine's Day last year and a personal trainer tried to psycho me to purchase a fitness program with him, pleading that if he don't close a deal that day, he will lose his job. I thought that was rather unpleasant as he tried to make his problem seemed like mine. Anyway, I didn't sign up for the deal. He resigned a few days later and actually kept my number and tried to ask me out for a drink several times. I just kept saying I wasn't free and he stopped contacting me. These fitness trainers and sales consultants can be rather pushy sometimes....

Time to open my eyes.....

16 Feb 2008 12.50am