Fit, fit, fit

I was rubbing medicated oil all over my limbs. And I think I need to apply Counterpain cream before I turn in!

After an hour of spinning, my legs almost gave way when I had to climb down the stairs. They went jelly the moment I stepped down from the bike. But it is actually not as bad as I thought, at least I could follow the trainer's instructions and done most things, even though probably not the correct or best way. But my bum hurts! I am sure the next 7 sessions would train me up and hopefully help me tone up a lot more ;)

When I visited the studio the other day, I saw some ladies joining the class. To my surprise, today there was none. I was with 7 other men, and my trainer is a friendly, very pleasant looking Malay guy, Shah. As he knew it was my first time, he introduced me to the class and also helped me adjust the bike. But unlike the stationary bike you get in the gym, with RealRyder you can swing to the left or right and also adjust the pressure on the pedals so it was really like cycling on the road. But at least this time, I won't crash into the wall, bushes or kids! LOL. The trainer drew the path which we would be doing on a board at the start of the class and then with the music blasting, we raced non-stop for an hour. Man, that was a lot of sweat!

Check out RealRyder!

The aftermath is heaven. A cold shower definitely helped... I could feel the heat when I was cycling, almost imagining the fats are burning! How imaginative am I?

Midnight rambling

Eating at 1230am is a sin. I commit a sin.

The evil sister has broken the silence. Strange enough, I don't detest her, I still talk to her like how we talked before. I guess as long as we don't work together, we can remain friends.

A good friend has arrived from USA and will be here for next 2 years. Yay, I have another companion!

I made a schedule to complete after work - running online errands, ironing... Damned it, I just remember I forgot one task, to switch bag! I thought I should be so proud but now I am not :(

I forced myself to start my exercise classes and decided to go for spinning :) Let's see how much weight I can shed off in the next two months.

Malacca is booked. Passport is renewed. I am looking forward!

Oooo la la

Bridesmaid (but not maid of honour, so at least someone else is doing the speech!!) for the second time... what should I do!!

Brought to justice

Did I mention the other time that I have an annoying colleague in this office whom enjoy asking intruding questions? I haven't entertained him for a while, and I think he knows I don't like to answer him whenever he asks me something. Recently I realised I am not the only one who finds him unbearable... his team mates too, especially his supervising manager and team leader. But the best thing is they are his superiors, and it is amusing to see how they make fun of him all the time. He deserves it most of the time, but sometimes I feel sorry for him (but not for a long time if he tries to ask me another stupid question again!). He likes to act smart, assumes things and acts before seeking permission or approval and has gotten into shit pit a couple of times. So I could always hear him being reprimanded or being mocked at for his stupidity. What can I say, except it serves him right ;)

Thanks for those colleagues, they make my day! *grin*

Working with animals

Sometimes I really wonder if the women in my office (at my level) are animals or human beings. There's only 1 cubicle for the ladies and we all have to share it. There's 8 of us and none is younger than 25!! Yet, someone always messes up the toilet. It's horrifying that sometimes you step in, and there's toilet paper on the seat and on the floor, shoe markings on the toilet seat (who in these days still squat on a bowl?!!) or just never cleaned after themselves. I am disgusted, especially when some of them are even married, if they can clean up after their kids, can they just clean their **** after using! I often go down to the only cubicle in level 2, there are probably 3 times more women working downstairs, yet their toilet is always spick and span. I think the company needs to send them to take a personal hygience workshop or perhaps learn from the cats! When we move office later this year, these animals better not be shifting with us!! Or at least there will be more than one cubicle.

Lass mich allein

Obsession, obsession.

It can be pretty scary. When I'm focused on just one thing, I tend to lose sight of the many others in its surrounding. Yet it is hard to change this habit, is it a good thing I wonder? It's devotion, concentration and determination. Though I don't think it's always a good thing but it can be in certain circumstances. I need to learn to let it loose, and being able to divide my attention somehow ;)

Talking about this, I'm referring to playing some online games. I could forgo even conversations with my BFFs. I can do without being online on any messenger just so I can have full concentration playing my games. Seriously. But I'm not games crazy everyday, I just find it an outlet to not think about anything else when I focus on some meaningless stuff. In fact, I think it's quite therapeutic.

These days, interpersonal relationships are not as simple as the earlier days when you were a teenager. Sometimes I find it even stressful to be online on MSN, because I feel obliged to chat when I don't want to chat at all. Sometimes I just don't want to talk to somebody. Sometimes I just want to talk to a particular someone and not the others but I have to entertain the others. Sometimes I just like to be online but be left alone. LOL. But my "Busy" and "Away" statuses have lost their power because I have abused them :P

How do I tell someone that I'm just not in the mood to chat, or I really don't want to talk to you at this time or everytime? I think it's easier just not to be online, isn't it?

Gran Torino

I have this movie on my laptop for a long time now and so decided to watch it tonight. I didn't bother to read up, sometimes it's nice to what surprises it brings. After the show, I felt pretty sad for Walt. It's not really a happy movie, and there is no fairytale ending. But I do like such movies, except for the fact that they tend to be quite thought-provoking.

Walt Kowalski (by Clint Eastwood) is a retired Polish American living in Michigan neighbourhood populated with immigrants. He's an unhappy, grumpy and unfriendly old man who feels distant from his sons, and doesn't like his neighbours. After an incident or two, he slowly established a friendship with the teenage Hmong neighbours, Sue and Thao. In the end, he sacrificed his life for them just to save them from the harrassment by the Hmong gang which is headed by Sue's cousin.

The title has actually very little to do with the story except that the car (Gran Torino) is the object of envy of Thao and his Walt's grand daughter, and in the end, he actually left it for Thao, his friend. Isn't it amazing that sometimes how friendship overpowers kinship?

Overall, it's a great movie and one with an unexpected ending! I enjoyed it, but I still feel sorry for Walt. At least he died a hero, didn't he!

Hello May

As April is drawing nearer to an end, my life is getting a bit easier. My "meanie" colleague suddenly has reverted to his nice self and I am so not used to it. Now he's helpful, more polite than usual and speak with more tact. Surprising. But I hope this persists :) Workload has also died down a little, it's falling into a routine but not a boring one.

My boss is off for his holidays and back in May. I really envy his lifestyle, he travels so much, he has no commitments (no kids). He lives each day to the fullest. How many of us are doing that?

I have decided a short getaway, probably to Malacca. My mum isn't keen, my dad can't walk much due to his joint pain... So I'm still sorting out before I can book those tickets - hopefully soon.

I also signed up for some classes, I always look forward to learning something new or taking fitness classes every year. This time, I haven't decided to try spinning or the powerplate exercise!

The wedding will not be in Hawaii anymore it seems. Maybe Los Angeles. We will see, but in any way, it means a long holiday to save up for next year. Also, I want to go away to a new country later this year or maybe even revisit a place I went before... perhaps on my own? I kind of prefer having a quiet holiday, especially when one gets older. It's definitely easier than travelling with someone with differing interests, views, difficult personality, quirky habits, fussy or worst without a mind of his/her own. Solo travels, way to go!

Women and their spending

Have you (a woman) sometimes just feel like spending? That's why we call it retail therapy. We spend to make ourselves feel good. Unlike men, they usually spend their money like making an investment, e.g. Spending on a girlfriend. Recently, I just feel like doing myself a favour - spending. On the good days, I prevent myself from buying unnecessary stuff. On the bad days, I think about the things I have been considering to buy and go get them. And fortunately the things I got aren't overly expensive, they are usually some cute stuff, things that make me pretty or food that I don't usually pamper myself with. But it's making me feel good, why not?

Sonntag ist Scheiße!

What a rubbish Sunday!

I woke up this morning to catch Doraemon but the damned TV went fuzzy and I could only catch bits and pieces of it. Then I went back to bed and lazed the morning away. When noon came, I did my laundry. It actually gave me a sense of achievement when I was done. I hopped on to the lappy and did the usual surfing and the usual games... till I dozed off. Too much sleep is bad. I woke up with a headache and it hasn't worn out till now :( I feel a little pin on the side of my head, poking the inside. It's annoyingly stinging!

At least I had a great Saturday out, chilling and relaxing, did a lot of walking and eating. I shall share some food reviews again when I get some time.

I did my passport renewal online just now, I have been procrastinating for a while. Sister and dad have done theirs by post, so I decided to just get on with it. Else I won't be able to leave for Sydney in June if it comes true. It's hard to pick a photo for such things, and even harder when I have to change my identity card in near future (I haven't received the letter yet!), so please let me enjoy the last 6 months of my 20s!

Like I say, I still don't like April, it's just an uneasy month to go through.

Joy'ous occasion

I am recalling some of my past entries, especially this one. It's funny to read it now as I really did cry when giving the speech and some of my friends were also touched to tears. And also that 2 of the 3 weddings were held overseas but I didn't make it to the Bali one.

... Why bring this up again?

Because I got news that one of my close friends is recently engaged... The wedding is going to be in HAWAII next year!! Crazy (in a good way)!!! She will have one later in Singapore too but there's an earlier one in Hawaii and since we are a close bunch, we will all try to attend the Hawaii one too! After the inital shock, I am really feeling happy for her. She will be back in Singapore soon after a few years in USA, but I guess getting married to an American will mean she will be living there in future. Fab 4's destiny is destinated to be all over the world...

Time to start saving up for a vacation in Hawaii!

Randomness XVII

Lately, a few good friends of mine bid farewell to their 20s...

Even though it's not my turn yet, I'm feeling it. I'm imagining how it will be like to be 30. Dreadful, to think of it now. To be honest, I'm just thinking too much. Age is just a number, isn't it? Some people died early, suddenly or intentionally... and the rest of us should count each living day as a blessing. When I was younger, like a lot of the others, I set a target for myself. To get married by this age, to have kids by this age, that kinda things. As we grow older, we realise these are not determined by ourselves. It's not something we work hard and can be expecting good results. It's about luck, timing and the lessons life brings us.

Time to get a new identity card, eeeekk. Then again, it is time as the 12 years old look is way overdue.


Am I really going to Sydney??? 

Maybe. Today my boss is talking about the dates. I'm not excited about going to Australia (just not sure why), but I am keen to see a new place, hook up with a friend whose going to have a baby soon, and be near to nature again. The Austrailan currency is really strong against us now, such a bugger! Well, I will talk more about it again when things are more finalised.

I have also started looking at a short getaway. I'm just thinking if my parents want to go as well... I have to start looking and asking around, and will tell you more when I have a better idea.


It has rained continuously since last Saturday. The forecast is saying that it will continue for the next 4 days. What is wrong? Isn't it the hot sunny weather usually by this time of the year? Something's just not right, I think the earth is probably sick and everything has started to go cranky. With an earthquake started in Christchurch, then Philippines, numerous ongoing in Japan, then hitting Taiwan... flooding in Thailand... Japan throwing their nuclear dump in the sea... And do you remember the snowfall last December that caused so many disruptions?

I think Singapore is going to be flooded again.

When the shit hits the fan

Things are cropping up at work recently and it's bothering me. One of my team mates hasn't been very nice, like I said before, after I came back from the trip, he's like a changed person. Sometimes it just takes time to see the color, isn't it? I still harbour hope that he isn't such a meany all the time. Recently we have a repeating issue with one of the country websites, unfortunately I am the one working on those tasks. But it is something out of my control, the correct content was published but the incorrect one somehow got onto the site. It has happened for 3 times, the old content seemed to appear out of nowhere. As we are situated at different countries, we work on different servers and data needs to be replicated all the time and sometimes it doesn't do it correctly. But I am getting accused that I might have put the wrong things up which I didn't, I have email proof that it was proof-read before it was put up. Phew, everything is mandatory to be in black and white! He apologised today to me about the email he sent, so I got over it. Things should get better.

Fingers crossed.

Feet are itching...

Just a thought... feet is plural but without a "s" like the usual, it seems a bit odd to use "are", isn't it, if you google for "feet is" and "feet are", amazingly the "feet is" has more results!

After an eventful start into 2011 and a chaotic March, I am finally finding back the urge to be on the go again. Suddenly when I think about the possible long weekends ahead, I feel a bit lost. I have no idea where to go next. I want to have a holiday but just not sure where. My boss asked me the other day, and I said I have no plans. My colleague was planning our department's leave schedule and everyone seems to have some plans except me. Oh boy... I have so many vague ideas but none solid enough to make me book a ticket.

For once, I feel like a lost lamb... meh meh.

Whenever I need a hand...

Whenever I feel I needed guidance, I would do a Tarot reading (a real one, I have my own cards)... But these days, with the advanced technology, I tend to opt for the easy way out, an online reading. There's a bookmark on my right hand column if you want to give it a go. Normally I would do either a Tarot or I-Ching or Runes reading, depending on the kind of question I like to ask. Runes is good for a direct question, try the 1 rune reading (though you'll have to interpret the answer yourself). I-Ching is my favourite checking out the present and future outcome prediction. Tarot is catered for more complex and all rounded types of questions, usually it would link up the past to your present situation. It can also be hard to interpret unless you have done quite a few reading yourself.

April, please go away!

March is over without me realising... and I am thankful for that.

April is here, almost too fast. Things have started to get better. My boss has returned to work, everything seems back to normal. Disruptions in my life have gone down. My instincts are still kicking. My life has somewhat slowed down and I am quite enjoying the pace.

This weekend has been rainy. It's keeping me indoor but I'm not complaining. I was giving my sister a hand to make her earl grey cookies which she is extremely proud of right now. I have done the "once-in-a-while" necessities shopping for the house, my sister and I bought so much afternoon snacks for my parents that day too that we almost had to skip dinner. Imagine... Traditional ice cream in bread, curry puffs, Takoyaki balls! Then I made my first visit to "meet" grandpa, which is a worthwhile experience.

Somehow I don't have a good feeling about April... I don't know why. It might be my instincts telling me that, I just hope that it will go by very fast too!

I managed to send the gift as a surprise to my "emo" girlfriend  whom I wrote about some weeks ago. I don't know where our friendship is heading, but at least I have expressed myself clearly in the letters. Another friend has left for China to seek treatment for her daughter who is ill, I hope they have a fruitful trip this time. Two of my BFFs are turning 30 next week, I hope they got my mail. Another will be returning to Singapore (from USA) later this month, at least I have one more company now :)

Lieber Opa

My grandpa would be 92 if he's still alive today. I have never heard much about him, nor have I seen his picture. Out of curiosity, I joined the extended families for tomb sweeping, just hours ago.

For the first time, I visited a real cemetery in Singapore. When my auntie and uncle passed away, they were cremated and the urns are now placed at the temples. It seems like burial is no longer widely practised. Also, for the first time, I saw grandpa's photo on his tomb... and his name is Jinlong. He looks like what mum has described, a combination of my second and third uncle. Grandpa died when he was only 54, because he was ill. But I am really amazed he managed 11 children, I couldn't imagine how hard life was when he left all of them with poor grandma who was a housewife all along.

During the journey back, my aunt told me some stories of the past... My aunties and uncles must have such a close bond, they sacrificed their lives in order to support the siblings and let the younger ones had the chance to go to school. Today, it is so different, children dread going to school...

So to let you in about what we did for tomb sweeping... I shall share a little.

When we arrived (in 3 cars), the graveyard was surrounded by cars, many people came for the same purpose. We celebrate QingMing festival (which falls on April 5 this year) in Singapore by visiting the burial grounds of our ancestors and paying respects to them again.

It was nearly midnight and pitch dark as these areas weren't lit by lamp posts, so we had to carry torches as my uncle led the way, excusing ourselves from the other "neighours". We found grandpa's. The cousins and I then decorated the top of his grave (which is covered by plants, snails, slugs and grasshoppers) with colored papers, I guess it's a good sign with all the living creatures around him! Signs of life. Then my aunties and uncles aranged food, a can of beer, cigarettes, candles, joss sticks and incense papers before his tomb. We each paid respects to him, kneeling before his photo and telling him who we are. He died 8 years before I was borned, so I guess my face must be a stranger to him. After he "finished enjoying his food", we burned the incense papers and slowly made our way back.

It was about 2am when we were done, and everyone went for a drink thereafter. I must be mad writing this past 3am in the morning, but I thought it's an interesting night to share :)

Enlightened

Suddenly, there are no more problems...! Things have dissolved themselves. The light shone, and I could see things more clearly than before. I felt bad about even having those thoughts, how could I?! But fortunately, my guts have been telling me the right things in the recent months. I just need to follow it! Somehow they used to be very inaccurate but since last year things started to change... I have been making decisions based on them and things just fell into place. I am happy, should be happy and will be happy - I just love this sentence!