Monday, June 4, 2012

My little rascal

I don't know whether has the recent passing on of Papa D got anything to do with my increased patience threshold for Rianne's misbehavior, but I do feel the need to be less hard on the little one.

Unlike my mom, she's always on the 'ready-to-yell' mode at Rianne. I mean, I know she's a little rascal; and I really mean that, but still can't you have a little compassion for the girl who has lost her daddy to cancer. As if it isn't sad enough that her daddy died in his early 30s, before she can even grow up to care for him.. :(

Although Papa D has left us for the better (no more suffering!), there is no reason for me to completely erase his existence in Rianne's life. So, the term "daddy" and his name are still very frequently brought up, in order for Rianne to discipline herself like in the presence of a fatherly figure.

Rianne no longer wails when we brought up the passing of her daddy, and I kinda believed she might have come to terms to it. Else, she might have been simply been too oblivious to it, since Papa D has never really been around.

Being the naughty 3, Rianne really proved to be a handful; so much so that I always end up exhausted after every weekend. She's a lot more active, interactive or should I say talkative? A lot sociable, like a social butterfly! Mischievous, and temperamental, she can be extremely demanding and really try all means to get what she wants. Maybe that's where she drives grandma crazy, as the other person has always been in control in the whole household!

I am hoping as Rianne gets older, she will understand and differentiate bad behaviour from the right ones. I don't think I have borne myself a rascal at heart, definitely not the little person who says "I love you mommy" every night and give you a hug that feels like the warmest cashmere ever..

Monday, May 28, 2012

Ambition

I was just thinking the other night, I recall I didn't dream of being what I am today; back in the past.. in the past when I knew what an ambition was, and desired to have the most ridiculous occupation ever - a housewife.

But, at least there was an ambition; something that drives an individual to progress to the destination. I cannot visualise someone's life without an ambition, and what if there are other people in that life with you? It is simply immature to leave a job just because you are unhappy, and not have a better job to throw yourself into. You then give yourself all kinds of excuses like "I resigned without a job because I can afford to", "Why should I force myself to stay in a company if I am not happy there?"

No one should be compelled to stay in a horrible work environment, but it is definitely not the wisest move to leave a job without something else on hand; as there is a possibility you struggle to find the next job. And what about the ambition? You forgot you work your hardest everyday to get to where you dream to be at, and in a flash; the impulsive you throws in a white flag and put a halt to your future.

I am sorry but I ain't exactly sympathetic to people who make unwise calls like this, especially when you know you are accountable to someone; or not at least when you know some people are going to rely on you in the near future. :(

Monday, May 21, 2012

A brand new start

It is still hard to believe that I will no longer travel to the same destination I have been doing for the past 3 years from today onwards, no longer sit in the same office working with the same people, and no longer get to savour the Thai delicacies so conveniently accessible; though getting to the restaurants require a bit of shortage of oxygen as will be holding my breath!

Am both nervous and excited about the new company, environment, and the people I'm going to meet and work with. The uncertainty of how soon and how well I am going to adapt, gives me butterflies in the stomach. But, I am all prepared to rough out any tough sea that may come my way as I am sure today will be better than yesterday.. :)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Adios, my friends

Apart from being very expressive, I am also one of those emotional freaks who will cry like a big baby at the slightest drama. So much so that I can even tear hearing my own words!!

There is this saying in both English & Mandarin, "All good things must come to an end". But why should they, I tend to ask. Is it because one should not only get good things, in order to understand misery, or learn to be appreciative? This is absolutely not my intention when I decided to end my journey with my employer of almost 5 years..

I love my job, my boss, my colleagues, as well as the 500+ folks in the organisation! The relationships I have with the staff are really amazing, and that's why it is so hard for me to do what I need to do without shedding a single drop of tear.

A week filled with farewell luncheons & dinners, 2 bouquets of flowers, well wishes and some generous gifts, made me really really touched. I know I stand a place in the hearts of many, and this gives me such a strong sense of job accomplishment; that I can so proudly say that I have done my job well in the 5 years with the company.

There was only 1 negative comment out of the many notes I received. It came from a person whom I believe derives pleasure from doing what she does best.. and I wish her all the best in the organisation, without her strongest rival - me.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Confessions of a shopaholic

If you think this is going to be a post blabbering about my untamed shopping craze, then I'm sorry to disappoint.

I decided to pen down my past experiences with shoppers of the opposite sex, yes, the males. Why would I do that? Nothing personal, dudes; and for sure not trying to attack you peculiar (hope this is not too strong a word!) species on something you are not too well versed in. Just a guide for the ladies who's looking for a shopping companion of the same kind..

One encounter with a guy who pretends to love as much shopping as I did, turns out to be something totally different on the subsequent visits to the mall! Flaring up when I walked down a few more alleys to grab something which I probably don't get it back home, is just so ungentlemanly. You bet I didn't shop anymore ever since that day, until I get back into Singapore. A classic example of guys trying to get into your good books, or worse, into your skirt, by posing to have the same shopaholic trait in them! Why pretend when you obviously don't enjoy, hypocrite!!

Another kind goes by the same theory, no matter what you look at and touch. As long as you have intention to buy, the line will automatically pop up (like an error message prompting on your monitor!), "Do you need this? Is this a want or a need?" Halo, this is the 20th century, we no longer buy things only when we need them; as you never know if you may need them the very next minute! This type just infuriates you, and you'd damn wished you hasn't gone shopping with someone who needs to shop only when there is a need to!

The last one gives you lots of freedom to choose what you want to buy and you can buy for sure; BUT, you cannot buy too many! If identical items (2 or more) show up in your shopping basket, please expect a quick question to 'shoot' in your way.. "Wow, buy so many for what?" Excuse me, it is of course for a reason; and a justifiable reason furthermore! However, the justification just don't seem to get into their heads, as anything more than 1 is deem unnecessary to them. You either love or hate this last category of male shopper, so what's your choice?!

My overall conclusion of the 3 main types - you should never go shopping with guys from any one of those, unless you want to come home feeling dissatisfied or angry!

Last words to those who are relative, or even the direct reflection of the above categories.. You yourself knows your own shopping behaviour which is unacceptable, so my advice is don't go shopping with us girls as shopping to us is like treatment when we feel sick, and bonus when we are well. With you around, it is just like plague that cannot be treated even if we have money. So, please let us be safe and happy!!!!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Saigon, Saigon

We left for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last Thursday morning. It is almost a year me & KL were together, hence we wanted to go for a little honeymoon; and HCM is it.

I guess when it comes to a short trip, both KL & me are quite similar in thinking. We don't reckon we need to spend a lot on luxurious accommodation, fine dining & drinks, or even expensive pampering of ourselves. But a little tourist shopping would be nice.

It was unusually pouring, which I thought is impossible in this sunny city. Lots of motorcyclists (I mean really a lot!) were drenched, many went hiding onto sidewalks, waiting patiently for the downpour to be over.

We were at our hotel by late noon, and waited for a swop in rooms as the one they gave us was a tad too small. Not like both of us are giants, but it will be wonderful to have a spacious room.

The area where our hotel is at, is nearer to the 'high-end' places like Opera View, the REX & Sheraton hotel. You will find the brands in the mall familiar, like you would see them home in Singapore or any other countries you go to. One good thing about staying at La Jolie hotel is, it is near to Dong Khoi Street which has many restaurants & tailors. One of which is the highly recommended Lemongrass Restaurant. A fusion of Viet & Thai cuisine, the Lemongrass restaurant is perfect for tourists who are particular about cleanliness and overall ambience. We had our first dinner there at Lemongrass, and it cannot be better.

We kinda knew what we wanted out of our HCM trip. So, we planned our money wisely to allow ourselves to do what we want to do.

2 amazing day tours to Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta made our HCM trip unbelievably special! We were caught in a storm while our boat was on the Mekong River. Without an umbrella nor a poncho, we were freezing hard as the wind and rain hit us. That was not all. Imagine a boat of 22 passengers were all leaning on one side, avoiding rain. How dangerous it was, as the boat might just capsize and all of us will end up in the river! We survived the Mekong tour with the most unforgettable experience any traveller in HCM would have gotten..

If I am given another chance to choose the destination of our trip, it will still be Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. :)





Saturday, April 21, 2012

Huge decision made.. Tomorrow will be better

Yes, it was probably the hardest decision (second to deciding to keep my Princess) I ever have to make in a long time. I did, in hope of a better tomorrow..

My friend, a lot wiser and who have been through so much in her life, shared with me again on The Secret. Instead of wishing that tomorrow wouldn't be as bad as the day before, you should be wishing that tomorrow would be a better day. For a while, I thought what is the difference; just phrasing sentences differently only! Then I got enlightened, the key is if u are already engaging in negative thoughts; things will turn out negatively as you had said them to be. However if you have wished for things to be happening positively, they will as that is what you want!

Got it? So, come on, let positivity fill your mind and you will very soon be on your way to The Secret.. All the best! :)