26.9.06

Their happiness, theirs

A quote once said "Smiles are infectious...", can happiness be infectious too?

I have been feeling happy for others too often recently, so much that I wonder if I'm still sane, that I wonder if I'm genuinely feeling for them... Where have those feelings of envy and jealousy gone too? Perhaps it is a good thing, perhaps I'm cultivating the positive feelings after reading that Dalai Lama & scientists' experiment?

A friend left for her dream to further her studies, I felt so glad for her. A friend landed in her dream job (well, I think it is since she has nothing else in mind), it was good news and I felt happy for her. Another friend left Singapore probably for good to work in another exciting country. I thought it was a good thing! My sister is having better prospects in her current company, I think she's getting luckier... A mate I used to like a whole lot, and still do (as a friend) is falling in love, I actually am excited for him. A guy I used to go out with is happily married with 2 kids, I think he's happy and I'm too for him.

Am I still normal? Slight abnormal?? Why am I soaking in their happiness?? It's a funny feeling... I laid on bed for a long time last night, wondering why. I should be looking at mine, soon... in fact, I need to eh!

25.9.06

Yankee burger

Botak Jones Burger!

Actually had this a couple of weeks ago... at the AMK coffeeshop with my now ex-colleagues.

** Well, blog-city is said to have given us some free space for files, so I'm testing it now! Uploaded a picture successfully and well I even saw we can upload MP3~ Mmmm... thanks Blog-city. However, I have to see how much space we are given each... carefully utilise! **

Oh by the way, Botak Jones is cheap and affordable for its American fast food. The beef patty is thick, juicy and pretty well done, I almost wanted to compare it to Burger King's. Ah, but well, try for yourself!! The fries are peppered with chilli powder - something different? The long waiting time is definitely worthy and will be compensated with this mouth-watering infamous burger. Overall, my verdict is thumbs up!

20.9.06

Singapore, 1st class - not so impressed!

I went to collect my '2nd-time-experiment-with-lomo-fish-eye' photographs from one of the Singapore Color Centre. To my surprise (I've been there once, and it was pretty good), I actually encountered such a bad service that made me hesitant to use their service again.

Singapore is first-class for a lot of things... like its Changi Airport, the cleanliness, etc. But when it comes to customer service, we are certainly not the best, not even the average... Oh well, I mean there are a lot of bad or you call it "black" sheeps around.

Yesterday I brought my film to the shop and asked for developing into 3R. I know 4R is common, but I'm collecting my 3R lomo photos. The customer service crew kept persuading me to do 4R since it's only a 5 cents difference, which isn't a matter of cost to me, 3R is just what I wanted. So I insisted and she wrote "3R" on my collection slip. I turned up today, she gave me all in 4R. Of course, I'm furious. I remember I told her repeatedly I wanted my 3R. She did not apologize for that mistake, instead she kept urging me to keep those copies of the wrong size, and it costed more. When asked to re-develop the right sizes, she seemed a little reluctant. I also told her I wanted to have 2 photos less after I browsed through the pictures since they were obviously over-exposed - those photos were in orange-hue! She said "NO" and I couldn't choose. I asked for her manager, then she told me she was only the one I could speak to, this time her attitude slightly improved. She allowed me to do with 2 photos less, however this time round, she didn't even bother to adjust the color of my photos which she did for my 4R, she insisted she could give them to me right away - yes with such lousy service and quality! Yes, to make matter worse, she also developed one photo less for me (after I went through the negative) which I had to make another trip down.. arghh! Mad, mad, mad... I'm really very mad at how unprofessional service that is, and when it all boiled down to her negligent mistake.

My only consolation - Thank goodness, I have a couple of captivating pictures this time round!

14.9.06

Eine woche, one week, 一个星期

Last Thursday, I left my job. It feels like a long while now, yet I can recall that slightly touching scene when I was presented with the flower and my lovely team sang me a song. The week has slipped away rather fast, I still don't understand no matter how much sleep I get, I still never have enough... I have done a little in this one week, not a very active week really.

I have cooked with my sister, done the "English-style" breakfast - scrambled egg, hotdog, toast and "Japanese-style" curry which my dad said was good.

John Little sale
is here again, it's always here! Together with the Times Bookshop sale and the Food Fest, it isn't the best time to save money, so there goes a little hole in my pocket again. Not to mention, Comex was here and I nearly wanted to buy that Lumix camera. I guess I should wait...

I have borrowed some books to keep me occupied and helped me with an essay, inspiration! I have sat in my favourite coffee house and chilled out with a book or two.

My little cousin Elise turned five last weekend, out of nowhere I felt old... actually more like, time is already catching up. I'm no longer the 18-year-old, still having lot of time deciding what school I should go, what course I could take... Arghh! And reading Joy's blog about her new university life, it makes me MISS SCHOOLING. I want homework, I want schoolmates, I want to have someone I can call my lecturer/mentor/teacher!

A day ago, I came across this phrase on TV. Someone said something similiar to this “你可以找到一个你更喜欢的人,但你永远找不到一个比我更爱你的人。” Well said! He actually said that for a marriage proposal, isn't it one of the best quotes around? Oh, I almost forgot to translate. He meant: You can always find someone you prefer to me, but you will not find someone who loves you as much as (or more than) I do.

I have been stocking up lots of food - I love grocery shopping!

7.9.06

Bye my "lover"

Arrghhh... last 5 minutes at work and Blog-city is jammed, this text editor thing doesn't work very well - a lot of times it just hangs the page!

Anyway, I'm saying goodbye to my colleagues, bosses and friends, I've had a nice farewell party actually, was surprised I felt a lot more than I thought I would. Pretty cupcakes, a huge stalk of sunflower, apple crumble, spinelli coffee... awww... lovely. I luv' them!

--- Edited @ home ---

I have also prepared a handmade card and some tiny wrapped candy for all the people I interacted with at work, about 20 of them. Even the 1130pm bus driver gets a share, because his daily night duty of sending me right to my doorstep has also some significance. I handed him the sweets and told him it was my last day, although he might not remember me months down the road but at least tonight I made him known his effort is always appreciated :)))

-- Edited 11/09/06 ---

I think I gave this entry quite a "mismatched" title... which resulted in lot of people clicking to view my post, lol. Not a bad thing to attract hits... lol. Anyway, that was just an "impulsive" one-off thing that came to my mind and I just put it up - totally random!

An embrace, from within

The 1230am bus driver is not bad either;)

On the journey home, as usual in my deep thoughts... thinking... Suddenly I remember the last embrace a friend gave me, it was very genuine and in fact when it happened I couldn't believe it. He wasn't usually this friendly, and so the act was quite sincere. When I was embraced in his arms, I felt my tears swelling up but no, I didn't cry. Out of nowhere, I felt like I could confide in him (well, I usually do). But now with a little more trust, I can't say I'm the most skeptical person, however I always have this wall built around me to protect my little fragile self. I sometimes still think of that very fond moment and only to realize such a simple gesture can touch me deeply. I miss it, I also miss being so close and hearing someone else's heartbeat...

3.9.06

Human hearts

Today is Tulip Hearts Day.

After hours of selling handmade tulips to raise fund for the Children cancer foundation, not only have I realized how many kind loving people there are out there, inevitably it has also shown me the ugly side of the human race.

You have voluntary people coming up and happily hand you the money without anything in return, you see people donating as a form of purchasing the tulips, you also encounter tourists doing you the favour in return for helping them with directions, you see loving mums doing their part so their little children can pick one of those colorful tulips, you witness one or two good boyfriend(s) willingly chipping out for their girlfriend (I've to say this is rare, especially you local men, aren't you kind enough?)...

Unfortunately you also meet people whom treat you invisible, pretend to be deaf or couldn't speak our language (obviously I know he speaks one of the languages, com' on I'm biligual okay!), you have people with eyes constantly on their mobile phone as they walked or staring into the sky, you sometimes have those polite rejections of "No, thank you" or "Sorry" but most of the time you don't even get a sign of "No thanks" but only faces that showed "I have the money but I'm not donating!".

Where is the simple sign of courtesy even if you can't do a little part of contributing, at least smile and say "No, thank you." It doesn't cost a thing yet it would bring a little sunshine to people whom are doing the effort of selling under the hot sun!

Anyway, today I'm giving the prize - Best Lamest Excuse to this foreign old lady whom said,"I'm going to take the plane later." Hello? Does a tulip weigh 20kg, or maybe she needs another 2 bucks more to buy a drink at the Changi Airport?

It's a fun experience, but I still think it is kind of sad to face the world of reality... At least I still believe there are still a lot more compassionate people out there whom have bought the tulips from the fellow fundraisers. I hope...

2.9.06

A nicer place

Today I "sorta" finish reading that pyschology book (with reference to a previous post) which I have been keeping from the library for 6 weeks! Awww... a long time, but I really didn't find the time to flip the book. So I just had to selectively read when it came to the later chapters. Too much details and too much scientific terms make my brain works slow. However it has nonetheless enlightened me - about how our (negative) emotions could arise, manifest and affect us in the destructive way. It also tells us about cultivating compassion through mind training in order to make ourselves a better person to this world.


Friday night, I took the usual 1130pm company transport home. I prefer the 1130 bus driver than the 1100 due to some encounters (not going to go into this). Anyway the 1130 uncle is very friendly, he always greets with a smile and has a fantastic memory. Every time I board his bus, he would very quickly recall my block number. Oh well, to shorten my story...

I alighted from his bus, Friday night... I was his last passenger. At the car park, there were 2 Chinese guys (sounds like they're from China from the accent) walking behind me to my block, waiting for the same lift. I felt a little hesitant, one I have never seen them around, two I would be alone in the lift with 2 strange men who might rob me! Maybe I was paranoid, but the bus driver noticed the situation too and he did not drive away. Instead he was there waiting to see if I was safe. I decided to go with my instincts and waited for the next lift. I felt the kindness of the uncle (the bus driver), I waved at him after the 2 guys took the first lift to signal "I am safe and you should go". So kind, I suddenly felt there's a guardian angel around me:)))

1.9.06

I couldn't agree more

Your emotions are triggered by your underlying belief in Honesty.

In other words, your commitment to leading an honest life, and your belief in the truth, directly affect how, and how often, you experience certain feelings.

For example, your test results indicate that you're most fulfilled when you can share all your thoughts and feelings — good or bad. That factor is directly related to your fundamental belief in honesty and the range of emotions it triggers.

Test taken from tickle.com