Saturday, January 27, 2007
PERTH - exciting first day
My goodness.... so many things have happened in the past few weeks but i haven't had the time to write. The past few nights after returning from Perth were spent working, working and working... sigh.. OK... i shall begin with my Perth trip! *ahem*
I realized that i don't seem to have any affinity with travelling, especially after I started working. Every trip, be it business or pleasure, I have been made to work until the really last minute before rushing off to the airport. This trip was no different. Initially, the Monday which I was to fly off, was supposed to be spent at the hotel. Afterall, it is the day after the wedding. BUT... all thoughts of soaking up some sun by the pool and chilling out were soon replaced with rushing to the office, meeting agencies and doing work. I left the office only at 8.30pm. Reached home at 9pm. Came out of the shower at 9.30pm. Packed my bags and left by 10pm. Went over to pick Black Adder and Wing and reached the airport at 10.30pm. Yes... it has come to this point where i can just pack in a jiffy and rush to the airport. No wonder DC calls me a seasoned traveller.
Wanted to sleep in the plane but attempts to do so were futile. First of all due to turbulance. Second of all, I have this habit of not being able to sleep in unfamiliar places. As the plane taxied into the berth, I was joking with my cousin that the only way to make me drive (I was supposed to be the secondary driver) was to give me 3 shots of espresso coffee. I didn't realize that I was to eat my words (or rather drink my words) so soon. As we went to get the rental car, my uncle realized that he didn't bring his driving license! He tried his best to cajole the Hertz counter staff to let him drive but they were pretty strict about it. So no choice, I became the primary driver and didn't get my 3 shots of espresso....
The next uphill task was to see if my younger cousin J could get into the rental car, a Toyota Tarago. As we feared, the seats were too high and he wasn't able to hoist himself up. So it took my uncle, Wing and myself to lift him into the car. Success!!! So 6 of us were happily bundled into the car and decided to try our luck in checking into the hotel. So we drove to Perth City.
Unfortunately, the directory that we had was the 2004 version. This was the part that tested the patience of my Vehicle Commander, Wing.
Wing: Make a right turn here
Me: Err... can't, there's a no right turn sign up ahead.
Wing: Oh, ok... make a right turn at the next traffic light then
Me: Err... can't, it's also no right turn
Wing: What????
And off we go back on the freeway.... Driving in the city was horrendous. I dunno what is it about Perth and not allowing people to make right turns. But eventually, we did reach the hotel, only to discover 2 things: 1) There is no alighting berth at the front of the hotel; 2) The hotel had no carpark and we had to park our car at the nearby public car park (which had the first 4 levels reserved for office ppl and left us only 2 levels of parking only). That wasn't the worst thing. The hotel staff refused to let us check in early (it was afterall, 10am in the morning). So we decided to head to AQWA - the underwater world of western australia, to kill some time first.
The ride there wasn't too bad, cos it offered amazing views of the ocean. If not for the difference in shade, you won't be able to see where the sea ended and the sky started. And I love the ocean.... it makes me feel so at peace. Unfortunately, that peace was short lived. Upon reaching AQWA, my uncle made a startling discovery: his luggage was missing. After some frantic recalling... he realized that he left it at the taxi stand at the airport. I guess after the initial relief that J was able to get onto the car, we didn't do an inventory count of the luggage. So we all bundled into the car again and started making our way to the airport again.
Travelling back to the airport from AQWA was equivalent to driving from one end of jurong to Changi airport. And being extremely tired, the vehicle started veering. I had to keep myself awake taking sweets. Reaching the airport, my uncle went to the lost and found. In a way... thank god for terrorism. Someone probably thought the unattended bag could be a terrorist threat and brought it to Lost and Found, who promptly made it go through the intensive scanning and scrutiny before labelling it safe. Well, at least my uncle got his bag back. i took the opportunity to drink some coffee... cos soon we were on the road again to AQWA... yup... Jurong to Changi airport again.
AQWA reminded me a lot of the underwater world in sentosa. Not surprising because it was built by the same people, with the trademark underwater track. My aunt said that we have been here the last time we came to Perth. There was some recollection but it was still vague, so being at AQWA was still a new experience for me. One exhibit that I particularly loved was this glass tank that was filled with jelly fish of various sizes. The tank was lit with only ultraviolet light, so u can see the jelly fish dancing about. very pretty. Another exhibit also showcased this particular jelly fish that resembled a toadstool. So imagine a toadstool heading upwards, and once it stops propelling itself, it falls headfirst down. They certainly made it look like it was raining red toadstools. I was also particularly facinated with the lobsters! Gosh! They were HUGE! And being typical Singaporean... i could only think of what a sumptuous meal it would make on the dinner table... Mmmmm.... yum.... But of course I was also surprised that it could do a spider man and cling upside down on the rock face... But Mmmm.... Yummm.... Ha ha
But my biggest regret was not having a diving license. If not, I would have paid A$125 to swim with the sharks. Yes... they were afterall quite harmless... nurse sharks. But, I didn't have a diving license.. so I had to be content seeing them swim over us in the glass track. Along with the graceful manta rays. Wing, being his first trip, was extremely trigger happy.
The rest of the day was pretty relaxed. We checked into the hotel and got some rest before going out for dinner. And we all slept in early. I was particularly shagged out. But decided to take extra precaution by taking 1/2 of a muscle relaxant pill in order to ensure that I have peaceful, undisturbed sleep. Cos usually I can't sleep well in unfamiliar surroundings.
I realized that i don't seem to have any affinity with travelling, especially after I started working. Every trip, be it business or pleasure, I have been made to work until the really last minute before rushing off to the airport. This trip was no different. Initially, the Monday which I was to fly off, was supposed to be spent at the hotel. Afterall, it is the day after the wedding. BUT... all thoughts of soaking up some sun by the pool and chilling out were soon replaced with rushing to the office, meeting agencies and doing work. I left the office only at 8.30pm. Reached home at 9pm. Came out of the shower at 9.30pm. Packed my bags and left by 10pm. Went over to pick Black Adder and Wing and reached the airport at 10.30pm. Yes... it has come to this point where i can just pack in a jiffy and rush to the airport. No wonder DC calls me a seasoned traveller.
Wanted to sleep in the plane but attempts to do so were futile. First of all due to turbulance. Second of all, I have this habit of not being able to sleep in unfamiliar places. As the plane taxied into the berth, I was joking with my cousin that the only way to make me drive (I was supposed to be the secondary driver) was to give me 3 shots of espresso coffee. I didn't realize that I was to eat my words (or rather drink my words) so soon. As we went to get the rental car, my uncle realized that he didn't bring his driving license! He tried his best to cajole the Hertz counter staff to let him drive but they were pretty strict about it. So no choice, I became the primary driver and didn't get my 3 shots of espresso....
The next uphill task was to see if my younger cousin J could get into the rental car, a Toyota Tarago. As we feared, the seats were too high and he wasn't able to hoist himself up. So it took my uncle, Wing and myself to lift him into the car. Success!!! So 6 of us were happily bundled into the car and decided to try our luck in checking into the hotel. So we drove to Perth City.
Unfortunately, the directory that we had was the 2004 version. This was the part that tested the patience of my Vehicle Commander, Wing.
Wing: Make a right turn here
Me: Err... can't, there's a no right turn sign up ahead.
Wing: Oh, ok... make a right turn at the next traffic light then
Me: Err... can't, it's also no right turn
Wing: What????
And off we go back on the freeway.... Driving in the city was horrendous. I dunno what is it about Perth and not allowing people to make right turns. But eventually, we did reach the hotel, only to discover 2 things: 1) There is no alighting berth at the front of the hotel; 2) The hotel had no carpark and we had to park our car at the nearby public car park (which had the first 4 levels reserved for office ppl and left us only 2 levels of parking only). That wasn't the worst thing. The hotel staff refused to let us check in early (it was afterall, 10am in the morning). So we decided to head to AQWA - the underwater world of western australia, to kill some time first.
The ride there wasn't too bad, cos it offered amazing views of the ocean. If not for the difference in shade, you won't be able to see where the sea ended and the sky started. And I love the ocean.... it makes me feel so at peace. Unfortunately, that peace was short lived. Upon reaching AQWA, my uncle made a startling discovery: his luggage was missing. After some frantic recalling... he realized that he left it at the taxi stand at the airport. I guess after the initial relief that J was able to get onto the car, we didn't do an inventory count of the luggage. So we all bundled into the car again and started making our way to the airport again.
Travelling back to the airport from AQWA was equivalent to driving from one end of jurong to Changi airport. And being extremely tired, the vehicle started veering. I had to keep myself awake taking sweets. Reaching the airport, my uncle went to the lost and found. In a way... thank god for terrorism. Someone probably thought the unattended bag could be a terrorist threat and brought it to Lost and Found, who promptly made it go through the intensive scanning and scrutiny before labelling it safe. Well, at least my uncle got his bag back. i took the opportunity to drink some coffee... cos soon we were on the road again to AQWA... yup... Jurong to Changi airport again.
AQWA reminded me a lot of the underwater world in sentosa. Not surprising because it was built by the same people, with the trademark underwater track. My aunt said that we have been here the last time we came to Perth. There was some recollection but it was still vague, so being at AQWA was still a new experience for me. One exhibit that I particularly loved was this glass tank that was filled with jelly fish of various sizes. The tank was lit with only ultraviolet light, so u can see the jelly fish dancing about. very pretty. Another exhibit also showcased this particular jelly fish that resembled a toadstool. So imagine a toadstool heading upwards, and once it stops propelling itself, it falls headfirst down. They certainly made it look like it was raining red toadstools. I was also particularly facinated with the lobsters! Gosh! They were HUGE! And being typical Singaporean... i could only think of what a sumptuous meal it would make on the dinner table... Mmmmm.... yum.... But of course I was also surprised that it could do a spider man and cling upside down on the rock face... But Mmmm.... Yummm.... Ha ha
But my biggest regret was not having a diving license. If not, I would have paid A$125 to swim with the sharks. Yes... they were afterall quite harmless... nurse sharks. But, I didn't have a diving license.. so I had to be content seeing them swim over us in the glass track. Along with the graceful manta rays. Wing, being his first trip, was extremely trigger happy.
The rest of the day was pretty relaxed. We checked into the hotel and got some rest before going out for dinner. And we all slept in early. I was particularly shagged out. But decided to take extra precaution by taking 1/2 of a muscle relaxant pill in order to ensure that I have peaceful, undisturbed sleep. Cos usually I can't sleep well in unfamiliar surroundings.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
The price of Happiness
I realized that I haven't been happy recently. Ok, before people start striking me off as a sour puss/ lil miss hard-to-please/ never-realize-how-fortunate-you-are person, allow me to explain myself. *ahem*. Life has been ok, it goes on, but there hasn't been anything that has made me exceptionally happy. The kind that makes u feel warm inside, glow all over, smiling outside and inside kind of happy. I haven't had that feeling for a long time. But! There is still hope for me! Cos I felt that recently!
Happiness came to me in a form of a close buddy's wedding. Seeing the whole thing, I was truly happy for him. That he found that special someone to share the rest of his life with. In the past, I viewed weddings as pretty superficial. Just a pompous event to waste money on. But looking at that days events, it changed my view a bit. It truly marks a beginning for the couple. In a sense, they grow up, it's time for them to start a family on their own and shoulder new responsibilities. And the road is tough, it really depends on how the couple works things out.
In addition to that happy occasion, I was also happy that 2 friends decided to put aside their differences and come together to celebrate a mutual friends wedding. Although their contact was still minimal, nonetheless, it was a huge step. It brought back the feeling of being together as a whole gang again, something which I miss dearly. I hope that they can continue to do so. There's no point hiding from each other. Sometimes avoidance isn't the key. Dun always assume that the other person is avoiding you as well. Dun assume that the other person is still angry and holds grudges. Just dun assume. To me, I have a tendency to assume too. But I make it a point to ask and talk things out. Tactfully of course!
These 2 events are a good beginning for 2007. I really hope it stays that way. You know the saying of how other's people aura affects you? I strongly believe in that. Cos I feed off happy people. It makes me happy that my friends and family are happy. Likewise, my mood also goes down when they are down. Damn... I'm such a leech
A parting shot: saw this saying on one of my friends MSN nick. Personally feel that it's quite impactful.
"Should you ask me if my or your life is more important, I would answer, mine. You will walk away, not knowing that, you are my life".
For the happy couple... my heartiest congratulations.
PS will post up the whole wedding events in a seperate post.
Happiness came to me in a form of a close buddy's wedding. Seeing the whole thing, I was truly happy for him. That he found that special someone to share the rest of his life with. In the past, I viewed weddings as pretty superficial. Just a pompous event to waste money on. But looking at that days events, it changed my view a bit. It truly marks a beginning for the couple. In a sense, they grow up, it's time for them to start a family on their own and shoulder new responsibilities. And the road is tough, it really depends on how the couple works things out.
In addition to that happy occasion, I was also happy that 2 friends decided to put aside their differences and come together to celebrate a mutual friends wedding. Although their contact was still minimal, nonetheless, it was a huge step. It brought back the feeling of being together as a whole gang again, something which I miss dearly. I hope that they can continue to do so. There's no point hiding from each other. Sometimes avoidance isn't the key. Dun always assume that the other person is avoiding you as well. Dun assume that the other person is still angry and holds grudges. Just dun assume. To me, I have a tendency to assume too. But I make it a point to ask and talk things out. Tactfully of course!
These 2 events are a good beginning for 2007. I really hope it stays that way. You know the saying of how other's people aura affects you? I strongly believe in that. Cos I feed off happy people. It makes me happy that my friends and family are happy. Likewise, my mood also goes down when they are down. Damn... I'm such a leech
A parting shot: saw this saying on one of my friends MSN nick. Personally feel that it's quite impactful.
"Should you ask me if my or your life is more important, I would answer, mine. You will walk away, not knowing that, you are my life".
For the happy couple... my heartiest congratulations.
PS will post up the whole wedding events in a seperate post.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Of Scouts and Doors
If the entrance to a person's heart is a door, then telling someone you like them is like a scout going door to door during their annual scouts day to see if they can do any work for you.
Standing outside that door, you hesitate: Is there anyone home? How will they treat me? You contemplate: maybe no one's home. Maybe I should just leave and come back another time. And finally you pluck up the courage and u ring the door bell.
You're not exactly sure what kind of reception you will get. If you're really lucky, you don't need to do anything: they will welcome you with a smile and give u a donation. Or even better, they invite you in for a drink, telling you that you have worked hard and they appreciate it. Ah... pure bliss. These are the people who do notice you and they do like you and invite you in with open arms. No work is necessary becos you have been recognized and appreciated.
Then there are others, who will make you work a bit. But nonetheless, with your sincerity and hardworking nature, you will be able to win them over. Ultimately, they will appreciate what you have done and give you a token sum in return.
On the flip side, you have people who open the door and are surprised to see you. But when they hear that you are a scout on scout day, they give you a apologetic smile and say that there is nothing you can do for them. These are the people who do not have the same feelings for you, but yet do not wish to hurt your feelings.
There are others who are at home but do not even bother to open the door at all. They will only do so once you leave and even when they do, they peer cautiously from behind the curtains. These are the people who know your intentions and avoid you. And if you knock or ring the doorbell a few more times, it is bound to irk them more.
But the worst kind of people are those who invite you to their home and make you do everything for them: from cleaning the house to feeding the dogs. And they give nothing in return for your effort. These are the people who play with your feelings and make use of you.
So.. the next time you play scout, expect these outcomes. But know that, no matter what, at least you plucked up the courage to ring or knock the door. What happens after, you cannot control. No doubt your morale may dip if the negative outcomes occur, but soldier on, for there are other doors to knock on. And even if you have to visit the same house again the next scouts day, you can choose to try again or avoid it.
For a dear fren ;)
Standing outside that door, you hesitate: Is there anyone home? How will they treat me? You contemplate: maybe no one's home. Maybe I should just leave and come back another time. And finally you pluck up the courage and u ring the door bell.
You're not exactly sure what kind of reception you will get. If you're really lucky, you don't need to do anything: they will welcome you with a smile and give u a donation. Or even better, they invite you in for a drink, telling you that you have worked hard and they appreciate it. Ah... pure bliss. These are the people who do notice you and they do like you and invite you in with open arms. No work is necessary becos you have been recognized and appreciated.
Then there are others, who will make you work a bit. But nonetheless, with your sincerity and hardworking nature, you will be able to win them over. Ultimately, they will appreciate what you have done and give you a token sum in return.
On the flip side, you have people who open the door and are surprised to see you. But when they hear that you are a scout on scout day, they give you a apologetic smile and say that there is nothing you can do for them. These are the people who do not have the same feelings for you, but yet do not wish to hurt your feelings.
There are others who are at home but do not even bother to open the door at all. They will only do so once you leave and even when they do, they peer cautiously from behind the curtains. These are the people who know your intentions and avoid you. And if you knock or ring the doorbell a few more times, it is bound to irk them more.
But the worst kind of people are those who invite you to their home and make you do everything for them: from cleaning the house to feeding the dogs. And they give nothing in return for your effort. These are the people who play with your feelings and make use of you.
So.. the next time you play scout, expect these outcomes. But know that, no matter what, at least you plucked up the courage to ring or knock the door. What happens after, you cannot control. No doubt your morale may dip if the negative outcomes occur, but soldier on, for there are other doors to knock on. And even if you have to visit the same house again the next scouts day, you can choose to try again or avoid it.
For a dear fren ;)
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Yet another year has passed by
Goodbye 2006, hello 2007
My god... another year has zipped on by yet again. I have to admit, 2006 seemed to "shinkansen" (Jap for ze bullet train) through, especially so for the last quarter.
So, what has happened in the year gone by? Hmm.. details remain fuzzy. The first quarter of the year was quite slow. Nothing major happening. Things started to unravel only at the 2nd quarter onwards. Major highlight was two good friends falling out. The aftermath of that? Well, all I can say is that things just aren't the same anymore. I know everyone is trying to re-adjust and get used to it, but saying is easier than done.
The 3rd and 4th quarter of the year saw more action. Things at work weren't too good with my manager turning in his resignation letter. That's when there was so much uncertainty. I was seriously worried, especially at the prospect of working with people with their heads in the clouds. Thankfully my manager stayed on, but unfortunately, it meant more work for me. Portfolio increased to handling our new post paid product, but that made me extremely busy as well. My people relations in 2006 weren't that good either. It was an emotionally stressing time. Fell out with a colleague, fell out with family, fell out with a friend... things just fell out.... and somehow, the jigsaw just can't fit anymore, although on the surface it seems like a nice, complete picture
Good parts of 2006? new experiences, new feelings. I'm pretty sure I'm more independent than I have ever been. I speak my mind, but still after much thought and consideration. I'm in my best shape ever and I dun fall ill as often. Yay! at least I kept last years resolution!
But the most important thing I learnt in 2006? Don't take things for granted. I learnt that the hard way. But it was a lesson learnt. In addition, relationships (be it friendships, family or lovers) take a long time to nurture with trust and love. But all it takes is one small misunderstanding to destroy all that. It's just tha easy. It's really just how hard both parties want to work to bring it back to the same level. And both must put in equal effort.
So what resolutions for 2007? I decided to screw resolutions. Why only make them at the start of the year? Especially with all the uncertainties in our present world, if there are things u want to do, just do it. If there are things you want to say, say it before it is too late. You never know if the person you want to say it to is still alive, or still be your friend etc etc. Life is short, so make the best out of it. I can't see what 2007 will bring, but i know i will handle it by the horns, and survive to see 2008!
As for 2006, although it was not an exceptionally good year, I am thankful that it was not an exceptionally bad one either.
My god... another year has zipped on by yet again. I have to admit, 2006 seemed to "shinkansen" (Jap for ze bullet train) through, especially so for the last quarter.
So, what has happened in the year gone by? Hmm.. details remain fuzzy. The first quarter of the year was quite slow. Nothing major happening. Things started to unravel only at the 2nd quarter onwards. Major highlight was two good friends falling out. The aftermath of that? Well, all I can say is that things just aren't the same anymore. I know everyone is trying to re-adjust and get used to it, but saying is easier than done.
The 3rd and 4th quarter of the year saw more action. Things at work weren't too good with my manager turning in his resignation letter. That's when there was so much uncertainty. I was seriously worried, especially at the prospect of working with people with their heads in the clouds. Thankfully my manager stayed on, but unfortunately, it meant more work for me. Portfolio increased to handling our new post paid product, but that made me extremely busy as well. My people relations in 2006 weren't that good either. It was an emotionally stressing time. Fell out with a colleague, fell out with family, fell out with a friend... things just fell out.... and somehow, the jigsaw just can't fit anymore, although on the surface it seems like a nice, complete picture
Good parts of 2006? new experiences, new feelings. I'm pretty sure I'm more independent than I have ever been. I speak my mind, but still after much thought and consideration. I'm in my best shape ever and I dun fall ill as often. Yay! at least I kept last years resolution!
But the most important thing I learnt in 2006? Don't take things for granted. I learnt that the hard way. But it was a lesson learnt. In addition, relationships (be it friendships, family or lovers) take a long time to nurture with trust and love. But all it takes is one small misunderstanding to destroy all that. It's just tha easy. It's really just how hard both parties want to work to bring it back to the same level. And both must put in equal effort.
So what resolutions for 2007? I decided to screw resolutions. Why only make them at the start of the year? Especially with all the uncertainties in our present world, if there are things u want to do, just do it. If there are things you want to say, say it before it is too late. You never know if the person you want to say it to is still alive, or still be your friend etc etc. Life is short, so make the best out of it. I can't see what 2007 will bring, but i know i will handle it by the horns, and survive to see 2008!
As for 2006, although it was not an exceptionally good year, I am thankful that it was not an exceptionally bad one either.
