Day of Experience

I learnt alot today. About the people, the place, the language, the business.
Alot.

Getting to know the Streets Better Today

The city bustles with old world excitement. The sounds, smells, color.


And some people do strange things. Like think to swim when its already freezing cold.

Opposite Ends

Extreme heat and desert dust in Doha.


Pigeons on the edge of Eminonu, Istanbul. Freezing rain.

Greetings from Doha

Sisley on his way to Doha, Qatar.
30 degrees at 5am in the morning.
I’m tired. Excited to get to Istanbul.

Packing

Guess who didn't want me to go

Waiting

For things that never come.

--


I'm a speedy gonzales.

Batam

The moment I stepped into the car, i missed everyone, I miss the hotel, I miss the sun, I miss the weekend. It was a short trip but at the same time its long in my memory. I’m not sure why.

I’m glad it wasnt over-packed. Im glad we took our time with things. I’m glad we played together. I’m very glad for Friday. I’m glad you thought of it. I appreciate it. Clean fun in the sun was something we all needed. Physical activity with some major sun exposure for i think we’ve all pruned and yellowed from being in our offices for too long.

It was a good break. More trips coming up.

Raicle Bemrylik the Hare

Because sometimes we get disappointed by people,
disappointed by places and it hurts.
And you get exasperated.
You want to scream "why dont you understand me?".
Its all in the expectations.
We just have to managed ourselves better.

=(

The little Hare, his name Raicle Bemrylik, of Russian decent, had to slave away at the fields everyday. The other hares didnt care for Raicle so much but they would still include him at lunch or while having a blade of grass together. You see Raicle was different. While the rest of the mad hares were local Ukrainians who were used to the lands and all its associated food chain and way of living, Raicle was still struggling to learn the ways of the world, quite different from that of what he knew in Russia.

The other Hares think Raicle silly? The other Hares think Raicle naive? Perhaps they thought of Raicle as a Russian Spy. Perhaps they thought of Raicle as a useful tool. Perhaps perhaps perhaps. It didn’t matter, Raicle was happy to be in Ukraine where the sun was a little brighter and the wind a lesser cold.

Sometimes Raicle would get bothered when the mad hares called out to him…

“Hey Bemrylik! Why you so small? Whats the matter? Not enough food in Russia?” and they would laugh together.

And Raicle would laugh it off as he slung his little world traveller bag on the fields. But he was sad. What choice did he have in food if Russia was run by a some man called Stalin who talked only about all things Communist? Raicle did what he could best to stay afloat. Raicle felt small.

Raicle had seen much of the terrible things that humans were capable of doing to each other. Russia was in poverty. People were cruel to each other. Raicle couldn’t let it happen to himself, to his new eutopia. Raicle the Hare protected what he knew of his safe haven- His circle of working Ukrainian Hares that sang the song “Carrots are Good for You” everyday of their lives.

As Raicle was hopping by a stream one day, Sajav, the Ukrainian elder came hopping towards him. Raicle was startled as he was in the midst of appreciating the trickling water in the stream.

And Sajav said “Bemrylik, I’m here to tell you that the group of Ukrainian Carrot Travelling Hares have decided to let you go. We are moving to Moldova in the south and we don’t want you to follow.”

Raicle was shocked. He didn’t know what to say except to be very sad. The only Hare family he knew wanted to move on without him.

“But why Sajav? Why?” Raicle cried out as he fought back his tears. Images of Russia and the dying hares flashed across his little bunny mind. He was petrified.

Sajav cared little and as he hopped away he turned back ever so slightly and said “it doesn’t really matter why, just go.”

Raicle dropped his head as he slid himself on the cool grass. A tear fell on his little foot. This little foot had to take him back to Russia and Raicle cried.

Raicle tried and tried
but he was tired.
Very tired.
And at times he was angry too
but he couldn’t express himself.
He tried to hold it in.
This was afterall a different place.
Raicle made effort. Raicle was civil. Raicle shared. Raicle gave.

Raicle was thrown away again.

The little Hare got on his furry feet and hopped with his world traveller bag sadly along the stream, not sure where to go or what to do. In fact, he was not sure of anything except that little prick in his tiny hare heart.

After hopping for 2 days without food, Raicle finally decided his destination. He had heard of a beautiful river back in his homeland Russia- the Svernaya Dvina River. Raicle loved water and he knew that if he returned to his homeland and to this river and lived by the river for awhile, perhaps he would feel better.

So Raicle hopped and hopped… he hopped for 211 days. Until he finally came to the beautiful Svernaya Dvina.

“Dvina. This is Perfect. Its beautiful,” said Raicle as he set his world traveller bag down and began to prepare for a swim. As the water touched his fur and cooled him down, Raicle felt a beautiful release. He kicked his tiny hind leg against the bank and began to float out into the river. As he drifted on the surface he felt the beautiful cool water flap against his ears.

Raicle was contented. Maybe Raicle needed to be in Ukraine to be led to his final eutopia. Maybe Raicle was meant to go through that little heart prick. Maybe maybe maybe.

So Raicle rested. He floated along the Svernaya Dvina. He closed his eyes.

Raicle didn’t know 3 days earlier, a paper mill in Novodvinsk had spilled 16 tonnes of mercury into the Svernaya Dvina. Raicle didn’t know that this eutopia he slipped into would slowly destroy his central nervous system. Raicle didnt know that this eutopian ecstacy would slowly eat at his teeth and mouth and face. Raicle didn’t know that soon his kidneys would fail.

Raicle really didn’t know.

Raicle just swam and drifted and drifted.

------

Raicle, RIP my dear furry friend.

It died and I'm trying to bring it back

Truth is, blogging mojo didn't die. I just moved it somewhere else secret-secret. That's me. The moment I have too many eyes stumbling on this site because of all the links and what not, I move homes. Hmm... that kind sounds like me n real life too...

ANYWAY...

The job is going well although I am tired out alot more now. And there's something in this office that leave me feeling very dizzy everyday. I'm not sure if its all the new furniture and other products, or .... i have no idea what, but this is not healthy and I'm not sure how to get rid of this feeling.

Yesterday I tried to deal with a client that would bring in for my co. many many zero$. I almost vomitted blood because a stupid colleague was born without enough cranial nerves to facilitate normal use of his brain.

Engineers should never be allowed to PR.
Engineers should never be allowed to even speak.
Engineers should sit behind a desk and do their calculations, draft their designs
but most importantly,
Engineers should shut up.

And I continually tell myself everyday that I'm not the boss yet.

I gotta control my temper.
I gotta control my expectations.
I gotta control my pride.
I gotta control my patience.
I gotta gotta gotta gotta gotta...

Samp.

Monday

I had a visitor at work which was real nice seeing that I'm so far out.. We Burger Kinged and Samps my lunch away. It was good. I moved my old stuff from this site because I've relocated personal stuff to a better location. =p this is going to be my lula & buddy shrine.

Yes. I'm obsessed. Bite me.

I love my work.

I've been busy

New Year came and gone with too much heaty food and alas, I'm sick. Thats what no rest and bad food does to you. But over the past 1 week it was really great to see family I havent seen in SOOOOO many years and listen to alot of dialect which happens when entire familes get together. I really enjoyed just listening to people talk.

Despite being sick since about the 2nd or 3rd day of new year, I've been doing ALOT of shopping. That includes a heck of alot of pants and suit jackets, shoes shoes shoes, and a big fat mac. *grin*. ANOTHER ONE!!!! hur hur hur. Many things are coming up. Big changes ahead. I'm shivering in my pants.

So with a sore throat, a sore head and a sorely stuffed nose, i leave you with this.

I know right. its like the cutest thing ever.



Lula coming by my desk while i was working for a little huggs.

Exhaustion

this is exhaustion.


Ryce catching a nap after my own 15 min power nap at vanessa's place. I wasnt the only one washed out this week.

I am exhausted. Its been a l o n g week. Projects (all rushed) popped out of nowhere. I saw myself on the cell phone, lap top and numerous car errands all week long. Sleep was but a stranger.

And if I was so blessed to have alittle time to sleep, my mind was plagued with little worries of things up and coming in my life.

I need solid undisturbed sleep. Somehow I wish this was a regular weekend and not Chinese New Year weekend. I have no strength to look for CNY clothes at this 11th hour.

Exhaustion.

Sometimes We Forget

The girls have been educating me in the art of karaoke lately, and honestly, I believe they regret their actions immensely. Just when I make an effort to try, they shudder at the thought of me trying to get close to the mic and shriek like hyenas at the sight of me line dancing.

To my Friends I say.

Hey. Do you love me?
If you do, for better or worse,
Croaking or Crooning,
Love Me.

I dont usually do this,
and I never thought I would.
But here goes.
Because I mean it.
Think about it.

太多决定需要我们去选择
担心会犯错 难免会受挫
幸好一路上有你陪我
与你分享的快乐
胜过独自拥有
至今我仍深深感动

Nothing changes.
We are still the same people.

The Dentist Again

My tooth has been aching for 2 days now, since my last visit to the dentist. It was an excruciating visit seeing that the dentist had to save a decaying tooth at the back. The decay was so bad a root canal was an option. No, its not that I dont brush my teeth, but according to the dentist, the reason for this horrific decay was my excessive consumption of coca-cola and sweets. And sugar with tea.

Great.

So cut out the coke, because coca-cola is so acidic is eats away at my teeth, and unreachable spots at the back suffer first.

Second, stop taking sugar with my tea. Kidding me right? In his words...

" You can take sugar, just maybe those diet-non-sweetening-sugar types. But you have to pick wisely, because the normal sugar will cause teeth decay and the other sugar causes kidney failure".

???!!!

Sorry Mr. Dentist, but if I get my priorities right, the teeth can go, the kidneys stay.

Siao.

Interesting Day, Interesting Week, Interesting Thoughts

I must say, I'm not sure when was the last time I was this sick, for this long. The chills and sore throat hit me early Sunday and by Monday I was ready to bury myself in bed for eternity. Unfortunately, for several unforseen reasons, I saw myself running about those few days running a few errands here and there despite the body aches, come-and-go-fevers and absolutely hellish sore throats. Rain did little to help me, and outside paragon while desperately rushing to buy a birthday present for a cousin, slipped and fell VERY UNGRACEFULLY. Worse than the longkang incident. I sat on the puddles for awhile before I reacted because I hurt my ass so badly. I got up and was ready to burst into sobs of self-pity. Really self-pity. Literally, I limped aside and took out my cell phone to call the mother and again, I repeat, in self-pity, said "Mummy, I fell down. I want to go home now". What a fucking baby.

Its Wednesday and my ass still hurts when I lift my leg.

------

Tuesday was horrific, the fever and chills. I had been in bed for about 14 hours and was pretty sure Muse was not going to happen for me because I was so sick. My burnt mind debated back and forth for hours until I finally realized that if I didnt drag my sorry (achy) ass out of bed to go for the concert, I would only be clutching on to my ipod listening to their tracks in regret, in bed, wallowing in more self-pity. That, and I would waste $90. So I went.

No regrets.

So I couldn't jump and scream and head bang like the ang mohs in front who were having so much fun. But as steadily as I could stand and hold back the chills and watery eyes, I braved the crowd and silently enjoyed the concert. It was a tad bit short in my opinion but definitely a good show. I would endeavor to show pictures of it, but my cell phone pictures are just a blurry of lights.

3am came and again, I dragged my sick ass out of bed to go to the airport and picked a dear cousin whom I hadn't seen in years. He's 17 now. Boy, he's grown and changed. I was quite shocked. But I was VERY happy to see him.

-----

Wednesday. My mother and I found this in the Straits Times and I had to laugh, and then I felt sad after:

I've always known of this story about my grandfather being kidnapped, but it was only 2 weeks ago that my mother showed me the place where he was kidnapped when we passed by it at Changi. When I saw the snippet this morning I laughed at first because I thought it funny for them to bring it up after so many years but then later I got sad because I realized I was reading about my grandfather who died at my home 2 years ago while I was still stuck in Boston and was not allowed to come home. And now I clutch on to this because its the only thing I have that has any memory of him really. Its sad. I hold no articles belonging to my grandfather except a Japanese Banana Note.

-----

Today was also the day my Dad made me go with him to a business seminar/networking event at St. James Powerhouse. The Bellini Room. Very pleasant I must say. BUT. I was in abit of a dilemma because I was also supposed to be at the Project Superstar Finals at the exact same time. There was abit of a mix-up with the date and I found myself with tickets for the recording, and was not so happy that the father didnt bother asking if I had commitments and paid for my entry for this meeting without asking. I hate disappointing my parents so of course I obliged with the business appointment.

I left the event half an hour before it was due to end and rushed off to mediacorp. At that point, it was more mingling with other CEOs etc. and exchanging namecards which we already did for the first half hour at the event. My dad was also saying he was abit bored and disappointed by the turn out of companies involved so I took my cue to say it was time to go.

I came back from mediacorp to a father that gave me a complete guilt trip. He wasn't angry (that's really the worst part). Its more like "if you didn't leave, I would have stayed longer to mingle" and "how can you leave early when you went with me" and worse "so is Project Superstar more important than my event?"... I wanted to scream.

I kept my calm. I cannot cannot cannot take guilt trips, seriously. Was I really at fault? In a way, I see his point, but it was not fair either for him to say those things. I really tried my best to juggle my time and in my opinion, I did it fabulously tonight (mind you, still fighting back the fevers). He also kindly informed me at 1am that I am due to be at another event on Friday night, formally dressed and added "this one is big, no running off at 9pm to party".. Argh!! I'm not angry that I have to cancel a social engagement for these reasons. I just hate to be made to feel guilty over something I felt I didnt err. If it was just coffee tonight that I could be very late for, I would definitely give my dad undivided attention and time. But PS was something I looked forward to very much because of Vans' bro and wanted to be there.

Going on a guilt trip bothers me VERY much.

God. and I havent even started working for him. Shit.

--------

PS went way over my head tonight because I got there very late and missed most of it. I'm nervous for Nat to be honest but I'm going to give him my full support nonetheless. Tomorrow night, we will all be by the phones.

M2 people. Call and Vote. SMS. Don't forget. M2. Nathaniel Tan, Chen Kerng Bai.

I want to go to the indoor stadium and see him sing.

-----

2 more gulps of honey water and I'm off for some much needed rest.

Myth No More

The iphone is real.

Apple announced yesterday that iphone will be launching in June 2007, at the price of $499 (i'm assuming USD). Ipod, phone and internet surfing machine all at once, along with a sleek design, this phone kicks ass.

The phone runs on mac's OSX and the icons are pretty much the same cute icons and widgets you see on a mac itself. See, if you wanted to get an ordinary phone without all this stuff I guess iphone's pretty useless but i've been considering a pda for a long time for business purposes and I think iphone might just come in handy.

Iphone comes with a camera that is only 2 mpx but i really dont care. The phone comes in 4GB or 8GB with a beautiful 3.5in widescreen display.

The user interface for the phone function is super cool. You gotta go to the mac website to check out iphone's quick tours. The sms function comes with a full QWERTY keyboard and honestly, for a person who HATES msging, this is going to be a blessing.



Iphone comes with no stylus pen. Apple patented a new touchscreen technology they called "Multi-touch" which is basically the most advanced and smart touch screen device around. You use your finger to flip photos, pick music, make a call, jot down notes etc. etc. I'm not sure how well the entire touch screen thing will go down with me because i've never really used a phone like that before but I'm definitely looking forward for the iphone to come out so i can take it for a test drive.

yay.

The Eye

I found some treasures my brother has so kindly stashed for himself...

Shiiooook!

Kekeke. Ain't she a beauty???
The Vintage Nikon R8 Super 8mm Movie Camera

And then when you think its cool enough to find one vintage movie film camera...
TADAAA!

The Canon 518 SV Circa. 1970
8mm film, silent movie.

Wah siao liao.

This will be the year my FM10 and I get better acquainted.
When it comes to the big guns, the good ol' film still does it for me.

=))))

Kiss Me Please

I love.

Las chicas en Akashi

All this talk of travelling the world.

All this talk of working for the 'rents.
The big sisters that provide the occassional guidance
and keep me in fits of laughter everytime.
From the first day at BU.
Never a dull moment.

My fellow conspiracy theorist.
HEEEeeeeeee heee heeee.

The Sun is Out.

The new year begins with a sunny day! What a great way to start the year. Its strangely quiet everywhere today. Its nice. Although I enjoy the festive season, I'm glad some peace and order will soon return. Away with the traffic jams and countless shoppers that mill about everyday. The kids go back to school ( YAY), people go back to work. I'm glad.

My baby girl and I giving goodbye hugs and kisses before I left for Copthorne last night to celebrate the new year's.

The family party at my house last night was pleasant enough with much good food and drinks yet again. Then it was to Copthorne where after the stroke of midnight I started to get really sick. My body waited for the new year and then utterly gave way. While the rest gambled with blackjack and I pretended to know what I was doing with my money and cards, my body started trembling and before too long I couldnt stand and had to thaw out on the balcony. That's when the fever came and the pain wouldnt go away. They tried to get me to go to the doctor's or hospital but I refused because it was freakin' new year's eve. I was willing to stick it out.

What do you call friends who draw hot bubble baths, run down to buy juice, check in on your naked self in the tub (thank god for the massive bubble foam) and as Xinyi said, give the full spa treatment? Awesome friends. Haha. Honestly, even though I was very sick, even though I wanted so badly to overdose on any kind of drug i could get my hands on, listening to them talk and laugh was good medicine. I was suffering out on the balcony and not so great in the tub but it was nice to know they were around. Even at my sickly-ness I could still laugh with them.

My fever broke at about 5am.
Welcome the new year.
Now, I gotta go get better.
Sleep sleep sleep!