Epiphany

Recently, I am starting to know more about wl.. I always thought she was closer to others but, came to realized it wasn't that true. She kinda opened up more about her own life to me nowadays and I feel glad that I have the chance to understand her more.

Honestly, this week with her was full of surprises. I got to know more and more about her which at different instances, I was shocked, surprised, happy and curious and sometimes, emotional. I am learning more from her as I discover her inner world.

There are alot of things which i can't explicitly blog about because I want to protect her privacy but yet, there are so much things that i have a thought to. I can only say I am thankful to be able to get to know her, and get to know her better. Although i do question some things she tell me (in my own mind), i find that I actually come to a better understanding and answer of life which every curiousity aroused. Perhaps, that's the thing they say about experiences come along with age.

I really appreciate that she is willing to share her own life with me. I've been learning so much more each day. Knowing her was one of the best thing that happened in 2012.

 On a side note, at some point in time this week, i had an epiphany: "两个人在一起不需要宣告全世界，不需承认是情侣，彼此只要知道对方的心意，就可以很满足，很满足了。。。"

Work and Play

Gonna blog about the past 5 days at work...

Mon was going to 5th floor MESRC for lunch with wai lin. While sam arrived at hkg, i was already eating hkg style noodles for lunch. Bought durian puffs with may too. had a rather long chat/slacking session at the lounge after we finished. the sofa too comfy alr. wanted to nap but i enjoyed chatting with wai lin more. I got to know more of her inner thoughts which i thought was nice... Driving at night was okay. Evaluation passed thankfully! The instructor wanted to fail me but he said he felt i was a good driver so passed me!

Tuesday was virina's birthday! nothing much at work i guess. just that while i was having dinner.... wailin called me and i didnt pick it up. she needed help with some email tech issues but i didnt see... luckily after that okay alr. chatted with her on the phone while on the way to cdc for final e-trial test.... i did 12 tests in 50 mins! hahaha.

Wednesday in office was quiet! HREs and Managers were out for HR Summit. Malini bought brunch for wai lin and i. Spent the morning clearing emails plus one of the stationary cupboard... went to market to have a drink cos i was super full. wailin was having a headache so we headed back to the office for nap time. afternoon was purely slacking. finished my e-trial for FTT. wai lin and I ended up clearing the boxes under her desks and I influenced her to clean up her desk with wet tissues. basically it was like a da sao chu!

Thursday was half day since i had FTT tests in the afternoon. started by teaching the nerw TC all the things she required to know and reading my FTT stuff. Wai lin brought the new TC out to holland v for lunch! hmpf! jealous much. I left at 1245 when my dad came to fetch me for lunch at tiong bahru market. Passed FTT in 10 mins.... lol. taxi-ed to parkway to settle my long-lost token before dad came to fetch me home. napped for 45 mins, showered and dad dropped me at bedok mrt. Train-ed to bugis to meet yiusi. Started our shopping before reg and yating came! Dinner was at ajisen ramen. we actually sat down in sakae sushi but went out after looking at the menu. Bought 3 dresses, 2 from bugis street 1 from KissJane in bugis junction. Loved the kissjane one!! my favorite of all time! Home-d at 1030pm!

Friday was alittle more busy as everyone was back in office. taught the TC some new things. her mistakes were really cute! May decided we should head to fusionpolis for lunch! good lunch i must say. hahaha. 6pm, i made malini stayed on to help archive emails. feel so bad.. cleared up and waited to wailin for awhile before walking to mrt together! the whole week i have been hijacking her phone to play scramble with her friend. haha. Napped abit after dinner before heading to I12 to watch Dark Shadows with brother. homed about 1230am!

Saturday was heading to FASS with shaojun! Dad fetched me to dover mrt. We went to explore the place for awhile before i waited at the mrt for sj. took shuttle bus to the open house and spend quite some time there. I am quite fascinated by some majors that i never thought i'll be interested/take it. Am super interested in philosophy now. it suits my character and personality i think... anw, we headed to bugis to meet yiusi and sam! it was kinda awkward at first but eventually, they became good friends! continued shopping at somerset with my qin ai de yiusi while sj and sam left. I bought a dress and a top at bugis st and 2 tops from h&m! quite happy with the h&m buys. headed back to bugis with qin ai de to change her shorts before i went to fu lu shou complex to see chinese doc. did acupuncture but i was short of $2! luckily annie was kind enough to let me owe her! homed for some good western food!

Sunday was breakfast before heading to driving lesson. not bad lesson today! jordan came to help with the garden and i only served them spaghetti. headed to piano lesson and went to cut my hair! a new change i must say. I like it quite alot! shall leave it for surprise tmr. pictures will be up soon!

That's about my week thus far...

Ms Yanggggggg

Last day of April...

Just before we step into may, some incidents happened today.. Shall not elaborate too much. but can just say, everything's accumulative. Broke down probably because of the stress from Jeanette's leaving, rushing for NYCO's concert and the fact that reality is just like this: people assume you know everything and not everyone's just as cooperative as you thought it will be like.

Morning was still alright though I would have hoped that I'm actually being more updated about the assistance I am required to give. Interview was pretty slack though there were 2 on-going concurrently. Lunch was probably the only time I felt safe within me. Thought all the emo-times were just part and parcel of school life; didn't expect that working could actually arouse such feelings again. Had this urge to just escape. Didn't want lunch break to end: didn't want to go back after a meal at the market, didn't want to go back and nap despite all the tiredness I've been complaining all morning - I just wanted to sit there in the canteen. Sounds familiar like how I wished I could sit in one corner of NYJC and just do my own things huh?

Chat with ms yang was good I must say; she made me felt comfortable above everything else. She's one person  I wouldn't be able to survive with in the office. Kinda touched alittle about life cos I was being emo as usual. So, life is just about studying for 12 years, earning a degree to get a job, getting back to studying at higher levels just to get higher jobs and we just die after that. Pretty sad isn't it? When we were younger, we dream, we soar for greater heights. As we grow, all dreams vanish and what's left of it is just a plain cycle. I used to believe I wanna be a lawyer or an actress and a part-time wedding photographer when I grow up. But recently when Alvis asked me to tell him about my dream, I had nothing in mind. Maybe, just maybe, I might find the courage to pursue my own dreams one day.

Chatting about random facts and matters about life amuses me. Because many people live a life, but little question the meaning of living. Perhaps, being a (forced) literature student made me into a person who questions about about our existence, about my existence. But despite everything, I simply love chatting with ms yang because I have nothing to tie me down when we talk.

Honestly, I've learnt so much more in life than in school from her. Afterall, we live not just to study, right? She showed me the smallest fact that the term "young at heart" actually exists, and that age and background doesn't matter in the pursuit of friendship. I used to believe people who said all this were just living in their own fairytale, but no, it exists, it really does. And at least, she has an idea of what she wanna do in life. Giving herself one year before deciding on further embarkments, I can just say, I am pretty much a loser cos I have no idea what I wanna do in life now. And one thing I will have to learn from her is that going out alone is not a bad thing all in all. In terms of educational background, I have never had friends who have differing educational status as me. And i can firmly say that ms yanggg makes a better friend (and colleague) than many of my other friends who claim themselves to be more superior because they are "smarter" in terms of singapore's educational system. Perhaps, express students are just too snobbish afterall, no doubt about that. Everyone's just too judgemental.

Well, I would have say I was pretty emotional since I nearly cried at the interview centre and whenever J come over to me and ask if I am okay. I tried my best to cover my unstable emotions (which I am well aware of), I refrained from talking whenever possible and I tried not to do anything else except clearing emails. I attempted to not think of anything and not to look anyone in the eye. I just wanted to be anti-social and alone for the remaining afternoon.

I would have continued sitting there trying with all my abilities to finish any work left undone if not for ms yang who asked if I wanted to leave. I thought if I were to continue sitting there, I'll probably get some form of depression by the time i left the place... so... I relented to leaving at 630pm.

Anti-social mode was kinda still on when I left but I can tell you, hanging out with ms yanggg switches off everything. Maybe there is just something in her that makes me smile everytime i talk to her. And the fact that she's pretty funny doesn't helps at all. I would say I felt much much much much (aiya you get the point) better when I talked to her. even for that short 20 mins? Aiya, I really don't know how to explain that feeling la... ( eh don't think wrongly. not ai mei feeling) it's just very nice and calming to talk to her.. Feel really relaxed after that. She's just the one and only person who saw/know of my 'evil' side: my attitude ( yes I have a bad attitude, just that usually i just ignore all negativities), my temper and how i can bear grudges and complains for a long time.

I admit I have a damn bad temper; try annoying me and I'll give you the most idiotic attitude back. I have no qualms on scolding people (for those who know me very well) but in recent years, i relented to being more sunshine. Kinda figured out life's too short to be forever angsty and decided to just stay happy-go-lucky most of the time. BUT, i do have spikes once in a while and I guess that's pretty normal, since I am human too. I can bear grudges for a long time but i usually forget after a while too. So... sorry to those who I have bear some grudge against.

Received a call from M while waiting for parents at bedok. It's quite obvious what she was gonna ask when I saw her name on my phone. And so yes, I was feeling very much better than in the office alr so I had a usual chatty convo with her ( with me disturbing her most of the time). I just didn't want her to get worried. Feel kinda bad that I indirectly implied that she's the least important exec there but she herself agreed to the point cos she is BLUR, no doubts about that. She's just another person I can tell almost everything to (i have some reservations still though), and I always like to complain to her. haha. but yes, It was not too bad talking to her and it was really nice of her to call and check on me. Blur as she is, but she's really nice.

I was really thankful to have Alvis on whatsapp with me. With my dearests all busy and abroad, I couldn't have complain to any one of them when I exploded. How I wish my babe sam could be whatsapping me but she's in taiwan. And there's qin ai de yiusi who's having exams. But luckily, there was someone outside office I could still 'talk' to. He really read all my angsty messages and reply them promptly ( even more prompt than my messages) and gave me alot of consolations. Thankyou Alvis. =D

Lastly, I really really wanna say thanks to ms yanggggg. All these times in the office, I couldn't survive without you ( talking to you, joking and disturbing you, playing with the soft toys available, having lunch and the list goes on and on). I was just thinking if i should stay till end june instead of my planned end may and you were just partially right. I am considering to stay for malini yes, but not just her, but because I know I'll always have good company in the office with you around. Sorry for all the times I distracted you from work and yes you can always intro your NSF to me. =D

First half of April

Okay just some updates about how i spent april thus far.

April's fool started with me having my 1st piano diploma lesson with Jezz. He's a really cool guy and he is freaking talented. Really glad to have such a great music teacher. We were pretty friendly from the start and he gave me a contemporary piece for sight-reading. Oh and the piece he wants me to play for dip is my bro's grade 8 piece as well.

On the night of the 4th, had an argument. Was just discussing about the daji juniors and exchanging opinions about them but ended up, some others disagreed with my pov and actually scolded me. Was really tired alr so wanted to just sleep but ended up rebutting back. The next day i was so emo that i whatsapp ironwoman asking her weird qns. Luckily everything's alright now.

Next up, 5th April was my dearest Liyin's grad show at Vivocity. Chiong down after work to meet sam and yating for dinner before heading to the amphitheatre. The gals went to buy gongcha and fetch virina while i waited there for the event to start. The clothings presented at the fashion show were really cool I must say. After that was going around vivo searching for presents for liyin before we got sam to distract yating so that the rest of us could get present for her as well. Then, we surprised liyin with the cake and present at food republic, with her mom, sis and grandma there. Headed home afterwards and had good talks with yating, sam and huixian in the train..

But.... something happened in the night. NTU required me to submit min 1 max 3 appraisal form. And so i got two JC tutors and 1 sec sch tutor to write for me. The one from my Sec sch tutor was supposed to be the most important. reminded her to complete it at 830pm while watching the fashion show but end up, she didn't do it. I was pretty upset by it and I actually got restless about the whole thing and whatsapp-ed ironwoman about it. She was alittle shock cos she thought I was talking about her.  

okay anw, good friday was spent going to the titanic exhibition with bro and sis and wicked with bro in the night. Titanic exhibition was awesome! Love the boarding passes they gave. We folded our own lifeboats and headed for dinner at the food court. Bought macarons too, it was freaking expensive but well, once in a long while. hehe. Starting of Wicked was alittle boring and I fell asleep for awhile but the 2nd half was really good! They gave us a free wicked bottle too cos it was easter! 

Saturday was spent going back to sch for CO pracs in the morn and then home to await jia en's arrival! I had my first experience hand-washing clothes too cos my grandma was here! She ended up helping me wash bulk of it. BUT.. i did wash a few too. Damn tiring actually. The night was spent with my little cousin... playing angry birds, going by the pool side and feeding her junk food like ice cream and jagabee. haha fun fun night with jia en...

9-13apr

It was a super hectic week at work cos Jeanette wasn't around. I had to tend to interviews everyday except thursday. Even had interviews in the morn and afternoon on friday! And i got prank by the computer almost everyday. mon was the computer beeping nonstop when i tried to on it, tues was internet down, weds was problem with using on the monitor! Must be Jeanette's prank! I was telling wailin that i can't go out for lunch for almost whole week! luckily managed to spend some time eating with her on weds... but she took half day leaves too so i didnt get to talk to her that much. AND.. we neglected jeanette the soft toy and wong wong. told wai lin they can mian bi si guo for the whole week. Stayed back for OT almost everyday except thursday too cos there were simply TOO MANY emails to clear alr.

On thursday night, i went back to school to have sectionals with wu laoshi. Met yuxin at nex beforehand. she  helped me to buy my fav hokkien mee while waiting for me to reach. Bought icing room's cheese cake bars and headed back to sch. Left one cheese cake bar in liang's pigeon hole and walked back to CO room. Only called her to tell her while walking halfway and like 2 mins later, she texted and said thanks. she must be super hungry to be so efficient in collecting food. haha.

 Yuxin and I had our dinner outside CO room at the fitness corner. It;s a place filled with much memories. All the times sitting there eating, be it breakfast, lunch or dinner in the midst of our practices. Practice was good and i enjoy the daji times spent together. 

Okay, this is the first half of how i spent april. Shall continue on part 2 soon. =D

Destiny

Recently, I realized everything in life is destined and planned...

Was looking at pictures taken back in 2009 on facebook. Happened to notice that the crabby tutor was wearing her Kent Ridge Hall shirt in the photo... I only know what's 'Kent Ridge Hall' after attending NUS open house recently but this information was alr 'given' to me 3 years ago.

And i met her together w juan ning and huan wen at music dreamer live cafe when it was my first time there. The cafe had so little ppl that night yet there were so many ppl i know. and it was the most awesome experience at the cafe. Had so much fun talking to huan wen and whatsapp-ing the crabby tutor.

I met Hui Hui at the math rep forum last year. Met only for that one time and we didn't talk or even smile at each other in school afterwards. We only have each other on fb! then now, just cos i asked her one qn, we became pretty good friends.

Then yesterday, I wanted to go back down to the 6th floor after delivering items to the 10th floor. I unknowingly stepped out of the lift at 8th floor cos some guy was waiting for the lift too. So after realizing that Im on the wrong floor, I waited for another lift. And the most unexpected thing happened! The lift door opened and I was stunned for a sec cos mrs emily sim was inside! Honestly, thought that i could look for her when i first came to HQ but realized that each teacher who transfer in only stays for 2 years. But still, I met her in the most surprising manner. If I didn't get out of the wrong floor..... Destined isn't it?

This morning, I met Mrs Bheem, my primary school prinicipal while walking to work. It's been so long since I last saw her. Probably when i was in Primary 4 when she left KCP. And we talked. Got to know that she's working at HQ too and I look forward to meeting her conincidentally more often.

Last is ms sherry tan. We have the most... fate? I've met her once on the bus, at an escalator, at parkway and the other day, in the lift of HQ. She doesn't works in the main building of HQ but we met cos she was here for meeting. and then, I met her again while going back to the office from interview centre. And at MOE exCEL Fest. Fact is.. I don't know her personally. We just recognized one another cos we were both from KC? How fated is that?

Therefore, I think everything in life is destined. A person or a thing may be beside you for the longest time alr but you only get to understand it's significance and get to know more about it when the right time comes.

Convention for those wounded in love

General provisions:
A – Whereas the saying “all is fair in love and war” is absolutely correct;
B – Whereas for war we have the Geneva Convention, approved on 22 August 1864, which provides for those wounded in the battlefield, but until now no convention has been signed concerning those wounded in love, who are far greater in number;

It is hereby decreed that:
Article 1 – All lovers, of any sex, are alerted that love, besides being a blessing, is also something extremely dangerous, unpredictable and capable of causing serious damage. Consequently, anyone planning to love should be aware that they are exposing their body and soul to various types of wounds, and that they shall not be able to blame their partner at any moment, since the risk is the same for both.

Article 2 – Once struck by a stray arrow fired from Cupid’s bow, they should immediately ask the archer to shoot the same arrow in the opposite direction, so as not to be afflicted by the wound known as “unrequited love”. Should Cupid refuse to perform such a gesture, the Convention now being promulgated demands that the wounded partner remove the arrow from his/her heart and throw it in the garbage. In order to guarantee this, those concerned should avoid telephone calls, messages over the Internet, sending flowers that are always returned, or each and every means of seduction, since these may yield results in the short run but always end up wrong after a while. The Convention decrees that the wounded person should immediately seek the company of other people and try to control the obsessive thought: “this person is worth fighting for”.

Article 3 – If the wound is caused by third parties, in other words if the loved one has become interested in someone not in the script previously drafted, vengeance is expressly forbidden. In this case, it is allowed to use tears until the eyes dry up, to punch walls or pillows, to insult the ex-partner in conversations with friends, to allege his/her complete lack of taste, but without offending their honor. The Convention determines that the rule contained in Article 2 be applied: seek the company of other persons, preferably in places different from those frequented by the other party.

Article 4 – In the case of light wounds, herein classified as small treacheries, fulminating passions that are short-lived, passing sexual disinterest, the medicine called Pardon should be applied generously and quickly. Once this medicine has been applied, one should never reconsider one’s decision, not even once, and the theme must be completely forgotten and never used as an argument in a fight or in a moment of hatred.
Article 5 – In all definitive wounds, also known as “breaking up”, the only medicine capable of having an effect is called Time. It is no use seeking consolation from fortune-tellers (who always say that the lost lover will return), romantic books (which always have a happy ending), soap-operas on the television or other such things. One should suffer intensely, completely avoiding drugs, tranquilizers and praying to saints. Alcohol is only tolerated if kept to a maximum of two glasses of wine a day.

Final determination:
Those wounded in love, unlike those wounded in armed conflict, are neither victims nor torturers. They chose something that is part of life, and so they have to accept both the agony and the ecstasy of their choice.
And those who have never been wounded in love will never be able to say: “I have lived”. Because they haven’t.

~Paulo Coelho

Canon S100 Powershot

Some scenic photos i took while in Beijing. I think I love the leaf-less trees and the sunsets the most. Quite happy with my works of art this trip, especially with my new canon S100 Powershot. hehe.

Driving!

Work is getting better everyday though I don't feel as attached as I was to OSRB. maybe cos there were people like yvonne who was so nice and awesome that made me sad when i left.

Started doing shortlisting jobs and this is the stack of application forms i had to go through and am currently going through still. Shan't say anything much but it's freaking alot. It's like... killing trees.

Left early for lunch with jin wen, cheryl and brenda before heading to CDC for my BTT Test today. I passed with 49/50! hehehe. happy. But afterwards was spending one hour waiting to get my PDL and another hour waiting to enrol into school! 2 hours of stoning literally!!! And yesssss, it freaking expensive. spent a bomb just enrolling in the school course, of which there's 6 e-trial for FTT (500 qns each), FTT exam, 5 practical lesson and e-learning. It's worth half of my salary in a month man.....

Cabbed home at bout 430pm to change and immedaitely went to KC to meet ms tan. She was marking in the foyer and so slacked in the foyer. Went to find ms yap for awhile to pass her presents but she was really busy setting test papers so...... as usual. talked for less than 5 mins.

She seems kinda touched when i gave her the presents. Just this feeling i get. Always felt that she's somewhat like me. Kinda sentimental but just doesnt show it..

Went back down and talked to mrs ho until gen came! Mrs Ho and I concluded that there are 4 types of students: Lazy, Slacker, Hardworking, Kiasu. haha (refer to end of post for definition).Thought this picture was quite nice. I really like the KC environment...

Then, while waiting for ms tan to finish packing, i managed to capture this view from the upper staff room. Its truly amazing. How funny that I've never seen this scenie view of KC before. Honestly, when I go back nowadays, I always see a more spectacular view of the school and enjoy it more than when i was there during the 4 years..

While waiting for their transport to come, we slacked and took pictures! Seriously, ms tan quite chio today la. And the dress is sexy can... haha

Her students were really funny as well and it was quite some good time spent there!

Lazy: never do homework/tutorial and never study

Slacker: do homework/tutorial but never study

Hardworking: do homework/tutorial and study

Kiasu: do homework/tutorial, study and study like siao.

Valentine's Day 2012

Spent the day at office. Played around with the carebears and gave chocos. Went to the interview centre today and it was a brand new experience! I'm learning something everyday and it's great.

Met the ODD gang for lunch and I had a fun time catching up w Jinwen. Packed chocos for Jinwen to bring up to OSRB to distribute. Haha KL actually text me after that to say thanks. So sweet.


Left at exactly 6pm and Took a train w Jinwen. Met sam at bugis to watch this romance movie by Sammi cheng ad louis Koo. I always love 郑秀文's shows and songs. She's a really talented individual who has an amazing life story. Anw, I really liked the movie although the starting was a little draggy. It was touching but didn't managed to make me cry though.



Cabbed back to sam's place after that and slacked awhile before dad came to fetch me home.

I love spending valentines day w KC ppl becos it means alot. Probably the KC culture to give sweets and candies on Vday and it's something I do every year even though I'm not in KC anymore.

Spending the night with sam was awesome cos she's forever my lovely babe whom I love alot. Hahaha.

Whatsapp-ed crabby about the chocolate and had a slight chat. Quite nice and she claims that she is single and available. Haha any takers? She's hilarious, very hardworking n know how to do household chores. Academically-inclined as well. Hahahahaha. I'll see her on results day n I hope I don't disappoint. Wanna get my A very badly...

Anyway, Good day generally. Although work can be sian, I love my life. =D

Happy VALENTINE'S day!

Dedication

Secondary school days were pretty much treasured memories cos there were really fantastic people around and she's gotta be one of them. Inspired me, touched me, scolded me, helped me and this list will continue on..

Lower secondary wasn't as fantastic as I hoped it would be. Class relations was not too good but thankfully, she was there. Can't remember how many times i cried in school. (In mathematics term, it simply mean nth times.) One incident I could recall very well was the class outing on teachers day(1st september 2006). Mrs ng and her had organized a class outing to improve the relations of the class and I was kinda 'forced' to go i guess? haha still remembered how I said I didnt wanna cos there's just no point. But yes I went and the two of them actually forked out $50 each for the event. I mean, how can I reject their good intentions right. The day was ECP was fun and that was probably the last class outing we had where almost everyone was there. In all honesty, I felt really angsty when she tried to close the gap between the class and I but thinking back, if not for her, I'd probably be #foreveralone. LOL. She's been a really caring teacher all this while.

Quite some time ago, i chanced upon this from a supposedly journal for JC life but there was only one entry in it. Fondly recalled how when i ran up to the galleria to look for her, she teared upon looking at my results slip. That, was the very first time she I saw a teacher cried cos of me. It really touched my heart alot cos the journey to O levels was not the least, easy at all. Despite not teaching me in upper sec, she'd helped me in Add and E Maths alot. I'd say the time i spend having math consultations were far more effective than in class and it's cos of her that i worked really hard to improve my math. I just didn't wanna disappoint people who trust and have faith in me. No doubt, B3 and C5 wasn't my ideal grades and honestly, i do regret not working even harder to achieve all As, the final lap in KC wouldn't be possible without her.

She's been a really incredible individual that I've met and of course, very very hardworking.... Well, she's married to her work and I do hope that her work will ask for a divorce since she pesters him everyday ( i mean it in the good way yeah) and knowing her, work will be her priority as always. haha

she had given me one of the best days of my life and turning the worst to better days, academically and all other aspects. Tonight, I celebrate my respect and appreciation for her in this post. Would like to dedicate this post solely for one of the angels in my life since it's valentine's day.(and also,a really special day of hers as well).

Anyway, just to side-track alittle. I remembered clearly that I had asked her out for lunch on 090909 (coincidentally) but cancelled it cos she had work. Apparently, it was postponed till a really really later date. But since she's married to work, I've had no chance to date her at all. So maybe, i could make a 10 months in advance appointment for 121212? hahaha. Don't tell me need 1 year in advance hor!!

Okay anyway, Happy Valentines Day (and egg-crack day) and this is my little present for you this year! hope you like it ya. =D

thanks, yvonne

During my short period stay at HQ, met this really awesome individual. She's really an inspiration and in the longest time, I haven been inspired. I mean, who gets inspired studying for A levels right? Working life was even more boring. Repeating the same lines everyday:"Hi, have you tried our kueh bangkit" definitely has no room for inspirations.

In all honesty, I cannot tell you one specific thing about her that actually inspired me. I can just say, her life, her thinking, her words? Aiya, i just feel super motivated now to join the education industry.

My mum always tells me that she wants me to be a teacher in future. Reason? Cos its the most stable industry, won't get hit by financial crisis, get bonuses, holidays and benefits and so on. But, i always insisted that no i don't want cos I feel that entering the education industry imm after getting a degree means you'll be tied down forever. I couldn't imagined graduating at 23, serving my bond with MOE for 4 years and leaving at the age of 28 if I find that education is not for me. At 28, how easy would it be finding a job? Or rather, how difficult if I intend to enter an entirely different industry at all. Well, this is just my rationale, to my parents and to people who asked me if I ever considered joining Education Ministry.

So 6 days went past and I wouldn't say I'd talked to her for 6 days straight that I got inspired. Recalling the fact that we only talked for a really long time once, it was simply amazing how it really hit me at the right spot. Read her tumblr and browsed through facebook. I would want a life likes hers actually. If one day I told my mum I am gonna study japanese studies, she'd probably nag at me followed by a 'debate' about how I am gonna do something else that has a wider range of jobs or eventually provides a direct path to being a teacher, such as economics. And then, I imagined if one day i told her i am gonna be based in japan for a few years, she'd probably ask me if i can survive there with my laziness and poor jap abilities. No, i am not saying she's a tyrant or controlling mum. I know she's just a normal Singaporean mum who want her kids to have a stable and fulfilling life.

OKay, alittle off track. The experience at HQ, knowing her was truly an amazing journey because i learnt so much more from her. I would agree that the life and the people in japan are so different as compared to singapore because we are just a bunch of conceited fools who compete to be the best in order to survive. It hit me that life should instead, be fulfilling in terms of non-materialistic factors. Chasing your dreams, doing what you want instead of studying, working and just simply passing on with zero fulfillment.

People told me she's a really hardworking person. I totally agree. Who stays in office till 11pm?

Anyway, she's really sweet to have given me a farewell present. And can I simply emphasized how she's the ONE AND ONLY who bothered to write me a note. not saying the others are not nice people but really, people come and go and in this competitive world, we start to lose track of the people around us. Which is the reason why I hold on to my aim that whenever i leave a place, I have to write notes for the people whom i know and worked with, be it in school or at work. I really love and treasure this little gift alot and i kept it in my most precious cupboard beside my bed. Probably wouldn't use it.

Then, yesterday, I recieved a text from her. I literally went oh man at the mrt station when i saw it. After this message, I actually thought about it for a very long time. I couldn't sleep till 3+ and i know i wanna go back there to work again. The people, the place, the things that ever happened in that short 6 days, was one of the best working experience. I told her that she's never given me any tasks and when i saw the text, i actually wanted and hoped that the person doing it was me. That's how impacted i was.

I really regretted tendering without thinking much just cos i was tempted by a better job which turned out to be nothing but empty promises. Lesson learnt that in life, never be tempted and make decisions without careful consideration. Woke up at the earliest time possible today. 830am, so that i could call the manager. Sadly, the vacancy has been filled. But you know something, when one door closes, another opens.

The Education industry isn't one that is a dead end to me now. It's a door filled with opportunities and surprises. One day, I promise, I'll be back there in that very same dept, doing the same job and inspiring the younger ones, just like how it happened to me.

thanks, yvonne. =D

MOE HQ

Have been on a hiatus for a really long time. Planned to do a written update about the hong kong trip but i supposed it's alittle late already. So much going on in my life now and I have so much to blog about that I don't even know where to start from. Guess this is where laziness leads to: avanlanche effect. okay, but what I am gonna pen down in this entry is a really important part of my life, especially in 2012.

I went to worked at MOE HQ last week, a job opening that NY sent us. Kinda find it interesting cos the name is simply WOW. It wasn't as what i was expecting but nevertheless, i've had some very memorable times there. (therefore this entry)

First day was simply briefing and slacking before getting our first task near lunch time. Met this really special individual who not only not tell us her name but left us to complete 2500 magnets. Honestly, it was one of the most boring job i've ever done; cutting 300 pieces of A5 size paper into 12 smaller pieces each and pasting it onto 2500 magnets before sorting it into the different depts. (Who knows the 2nd day would be even more boring)

Second day was a task of sorting and testing stationeries. I swear that must have been the lamest thing i did. I tested nth markers and pens and placed it back nicer in it's drawers, according to the brand. And you know, it will just end up in a mess sooner or later. Threw away boxes of inkless pens and markers. So happen the table right behind the drawers was empty that day but I had no idea why i chose to used the other person's table (right beside the empty one) to place all those stationeries when they went for lunch. Felt paiseh when the person came back and she looked alittle intimidating actually. But anw, i decided to stop after 5 freaking hours of packing stationeries and join my fellow temps in doing up ppt slides.

I can't remb what we did on the third day but i guessed it was just powerpoint slides for me. oh okay, so yes i met the head of PS21 and he gave me really random tasks. there were 3 stacks of stuff which had different labels on it. "filing", "for reuse" and i forgot what's the last one. he actually left after showing me that 3 stacks and i was supposed to figured out everything myself. AND, he didn't tell me his name either. was really so pekchek cos everyone's simply asking us to do things for them without intro-ing themselves. okay so, i was lost. as if i knew where to keep files and the cupboards for re-used enevelopes. Started putting back some markers and the person behind me (originally the empty table) said hi to me. i was like omg, finally someone bothered talking to the temps. Seriously. felt so neglected during the first two days. ( more like maids adhering to whatever tasks we were given) okay so she kinda showed me where to put those used envelopes and the filing cupboards. However, was abit paiseh to disturb her again so i went to my admin manager.

Fourth day was continuation of the ppt slides for me while in between, I had to staple the seminar notes for the event later on in the afternoon. My fellow temp received a task of photocopying and had to sacrifice lunch for it cos he said that it was urgent. Therefore, Both of us stayed in the office during lunch while another temp went out to get food for us. Was kinda touched when the special individual started whining about how we are working during lunch hours and that we shouldnt be doing such stuff for him. Anyway, seminar in the afternoon. Did registration booth and supposedly to hold mics but ended up staying at the booth with a newbie staff to take down Q&A minutes. really amazed at how she can type without looking at the screen. oh and talked to many people. guessing what they teach etc during breaks and before the guests came in. Stayed on after that to do ppt slides and eventually stayed till about 7pm to chat.

Friday was kinda boring. Was stuck w the ppt slides while the whole unit was out for meeting. went around talking to ppl. Talked about literature with one and about the difference between life in japan and singapore with another. Honestly, i was freaking bored. Like seriously. got scolded for bringing my laptop by the manager when the whole unit was out!!! so innocent yet scary! she literally asked me who said or who ask me to bring my own com. Like hello. you think i'll betray the ppl there meh? So apparently, she sent an email out regarding the matter and one of the guys actually came over and told us not to be traumatised and helped us rebut her! The unit finally came back from a meeting and yes they all saw the email and started discussing about it. How about no iphones, handphones or any mobile devices then? okay anw, we were asking about our schedule the following week and

someone stood up for us and told the guy who made us work during lunch that temps only do branch work not individual's work. *touched* Left at about 630. That special individual fetched me to tampines before I took a train home. Guided her to tampines actually cos she's totally noob about the east. Talked to her in the car and she explained how the dept and each unit works as well as the people in the branch. Totally insightful half hour.

Sixth day was on tuesday. Last day of work after I'd resigned and thought that i would just go back to complete the ppt slides and the event i promised i'd do. had a blast cos i talked to many of them. wrote notes and brought candies for them. In the morning, i bought tea from macs for the one and only person who intro-ed herself to me. Reasoning: Told her one afternoon that coffee is bad and should change to tea instead so decided i should just do it la. LOL. lame but ya. Left the place at about 630 after final discussion of ppt slides with the so ever serious yet pro mentor. It's always the two of us left in the unit at 630 but this is the first time we talked about random stuff. Always felt that she's intimidating to go near cos she's been super serious since day 1 but on that very last day, it was an awesome chat with her. even after that when something happened, i gave her a call and she although she's abit cryptic, can tell she cared.

Okay, this marks the end of my work at HQ ODD. but its not the end. ;-)