On the whole, 2010 has been a positive year for me.
Looking back at the entries in Dec 2009, I was unemployed then. Feeling a bit lost and hoping for better tidings. Partly anxious about jobless status, partly getting rubbish offers. Things change for the positive. By Feb, I had made enough money from the stock market to cover the 'salary' for the first 3 months. I was working flexi at FH's office. Then in April, I started working full time again. Though it was a pay-cut, it was the best offer with the extra perk of being close to home, hence drastically cutting down travelling time. Plus the working hours, though longer than previously, saw me out of the house after the sun has risen and knocking off when the sun is still in the sky. Work wasnt so much that I couldnt leave on time. In fact, sometimes too much hours that I go look to make more resources, and even started baking, got along well with collegues that I can get a few perks here and there. Though there are some bumps along the way. I guess no workplace is perfect. So looking back now, I've come to realize that I can count myself lucky.
On the stock investment front, with some trading; I end off this year with SGD$15k positive. This time only hitting my 2nd investment target. My cpf is about $9k gains also though I cant draw out. I shall endeavor to continue to aim for $30k annual target for cash portfolio to keep growing my money with money, instead of my labour. There were some mistakes made during buying and selling but overall since I am still positive, its good enough for me.
Health is something we often take for granted. Seeing how illness can strike suddenly makes me more appreciative of good health. I shall have to jump-start the exercise routine again as I've completely stopped for a month since the second bout of flu. Its time to manage my health through actions instead of words.
Family and friends are important and will continue to be very dear in my heart. I shall try not to let them bear the brunt of my anger nor neglect them.
In the area of personal pursuits; I've finally gotten an electric guitar and am starting to learn. Though its just the beginning but its a start. I do really need to practice acoustic more cos I've neglected it alot due to busy schedule and excuse of laziness. Just need to make myself practice as regularly for both. Then next year then I shall continue driving practical and test :(]
In the area of personality and way of thinking, I found that I am still changing. A person cant change overnight unless its a near-death aka life-changing experience. So for normal people, it takes time to change. I've been clearing up and throwing stuff from my room and really took time to sort through all those stuff accumulated as an educator. I threw out alot, gave away alot too. Its like letting go of that part of your life and continuing onto the next chapter. Not that I dont miss parts of it, but the fact that I am a more different person so that was part of my history, not my present nor future. At least that's what struck me when I remember that part of my life. I want to become the type who can live in the present, not the past nor the future. I want to live in the moment so that there are no regrets.
With these thoughts, I believe I have the resolutions for 2011 - I want to continue those that I've started and enjoy the journey, not just be blinded by the destination.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Behavioural Finance - Money Personalities and Dysfunctions
When I first made my initial foray into investment last year, I've realized through personal experience, there is a lot of psychology at play for investment. I wanted to learn more about this behavorial psychology and took the opportunity to visit the national library to search for books to read. Its about time I got an update in more aspects of finance, cos I would like to admit there are many many things I dont know about.
One thing I realized also is that while we have a personality that is expressed socially. There is also a money personality of sort, as in our beliefs on money and also the way we manage our money. While looking through the books about stocks, I flipped through many books about personal finance, which arent anything new, typical stuff, and came across this book. Its about Financial Dysfunctions. Relevant cos in any behaviour, there's functional and dysfunctional.
The title of the book is " Why Smart People do Stupid Things with Money" by Bert Whitehead. The title looks superficial at first but browsing through it, I found it very different from other typical personal finance books.
Its an interesting and easy book to read. Inside for the first time, I am introduced to the concept of Money Personalities, 7 Common types of Financial Dysfunctions, a thorough explaination about the Financial Life Cycle and Functional Asset Allocation. Its not about numbers but explained with analogies that makes sense and also with parallel references to medicine and doctors. I've recognised some personalities and dysfunctions that I had personally experienced and from people I know. Definitely a good read. Almost finished. I need to look through certain parts again so that it stays inside my brain.
__________________________________
From the various new ideas to me. I wanna highlight this - Saving and Paying off debts at the same time and a similar idea of not paying off mortage extra quickly.
To me, previously for the discussion about credit card debt, I mentioned about paying off more than minimum or it will balloon.
But reading this book, where the author advocates Both Paying off and Saving money at the same time.
If a person with excessive consumer debt only focuses on paying off the debts, he will end up with no savings.
The reason why he ends up in large debts because he is good at paying off the debts.
The reason why the person continues to have 0 savings is because he is not good at savings.
So the permanent change is to start saving while paying off the debt. Aim to save 10% of gross income.
Why not pay off the high credit card? The author observes from his clients (he is a fee-based financial planner of 30 years), those who pay off their debts without saving do become debt free more quickly but as they do not replace their old negative habit with a new positive habit, they will end up in debt again as they feel compelled to reward themselves for paying off. Whereas his clients whom save 10% while continue to pay off their debts, end up more positive because after paying off their debts, they have positive savings (money saved in bank) and not still at a 0 saving.
I think this is a very different approach that is more logical financially than what is being preached as common knowledge.
The other is about not paying off mortgage quicker than scheduled. The new concept for me is 'leveraging' in a positive way. So if there is extra money, instead of paying off the mortgage, invest it. To illustrate:
A - has $500,000
$300,000 paid towards home loan (through extra mortgage repayment)
$100,000 in stocks
$100,000 in liquid assets
versus
B
$150,000 in home loan (no extra mortgage repayment)
$200,000 in stocks
$150,000 in liquid assets
B makes more sense cos the extra money helps to 'diversify' into the other two assets and one is not so exposed in the real estate market.
Makes alot of sense but sometimes due to our money personalities and dysfunctions, we dont make alot of good money decisions. Even make irrational ones.
One thing I realized also is that while we have a personality that is expressed socially. There is also a money personality of sort, as in our beliefs on money and also the way we manage our money. While looking through the books about stocks, I flipped through many books about personal finance, which arent anything new, typical stuff, and came across this book. Its about Financial Dysfunctions. Relevant cos in any behaviour, there's functional and dysfunctional.
The title of the book is " Why Smart People do Stupid Things with Money" by Bert Whitehead. The title looks superficial at first but browsing through it, I found it very different from other typical personal finance books.
Its an interesting and easy book to read. Inside for the first time, I am introduced to the concept of Money Personalities, 7 Common types of Financial Dysfunctions, a thorough explaination about the Financial Life Cycle and Functional Asset Allocation. Its not about numbers but explained with analogies that makes sense and also with parallel references to medicine and doctors. I've recognised some personalities and dysfunctions that I had personally experienced and from people I know. Definitely a good read. Almost finished. I need to look through certain parts again so that it stays inside my brain.
__________________________________
From the various new ideas to me. I wanna highlight this - Saving and Paying off debts at the same time and a similar idea of not paying off mortage extra quickly.
To me, previously for the discussion about credit card debt, I mentioned about paying off more than minimum or it will balloon.
But reading this book, where the author advocates Both Paying off and Saving money at the same time.
If a person with excessive consumer debt only focuses on paying off the debts, he will end up with no savings.
The reason why he ends up in large debts because he is good at paying off the debts.
The reason why the person continues to have 0 savings is because he is not good at savings.
So the permanent change is to start saving while paying off the debt. Aim to save 10% of gross income.
Why not pay off the high credit card? The author observes from his clients (he is a fee-based financial planner of 30 years), those who pay off their debts without saving do become debt free more quickly but as they do not replace their old negative habit with a new positive habit, they will end up in debt again as they feel compelled to reward themselves for paying off. Whereas his clients whom save 10% while continue to pay off their debts, end up more positive because after paying off their debts, they have positive savings (money saved in bank) and not still at a 0 saving.
I think this is a very different approach that is more logical financially than what is being preached as common knowledge.
The other is about not paying off mortgage quicker than scheduled. The new concept for me is 'leveraging' in a positive way. So if there is extra money, instead of paying off the mortgage, invest it. To illustrate:
A - has $500,000
$300,000 paid towards home loan (through extra mortgage repayment)
$100,000 in stocks
$100,000 in liquid assets
versus
B
$150,000 in home loan (no extra mortgage repayment)
$200,000 in stocks
$150,000 in liquid assets
B makes more sense cos the extra money helps to 'diversify' into the other two assets and one is not so exposed in the real estate market.
Makes alot of sense but sometimes due to our money personalities and dysfunctions, we dont make alot of good money decisions. Even make irrational ones.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Herculean Task Day 1
Today I got started on cleaning the room. It's a very tough task, but I had steeled myself to throw out more stuff especially those teaching-related stuff. I threw out immense amount of notes and stuff accumulated. When I first packed it back home, I went through another round and reduced it. I aimed to reduce it even further. I've 3 boxes of stationary which I might bring some to work, some throw, some give away. I got rid of a box of 'toys' from all the accumulated Teacher's Day presents. Sadly I didn't use any and I decided to keep the cards n give the rest to salvation. Left 1 extra box of some TBs and WBs, which I have no use. I don't anticipate using for next year or the year after. I cleared quite a bi of stuff but still not done. Will have to continue tomorrow. Think I still have a few boxes to sort through the contents and decide if still relevant or not.
Followed my dad out as he drove me over with 4 bags full of stuff, old electronic items, unused toys, lots of new files. Think it's better than just chucking. Someone might find I useful. After that just stoned. Read a book that my sister dug out while she also cleaned her room. Both of us still not done. So will continue tomorrow.
I am proud to say finally I can let go of things. I don't have to keep so much of those notes even though I had thrown almost 90% away and kept 10% that I thought was relevant but I realized even that 10% I had hardly use so I threw out even more. Amongst those I threw alot of my so-called teaching materials cos I thought they would be useful n so kept them. But seeing how I hadn't even used them once, I threw quite a bit too. Left some which might show Tab to see if she wants otherwise I would have chucked them mostly with little reluctance.
I've also learnt to let go of those stationary and toys. Will let them go to those who need it more. Even things like plastic shelving organizers which I previously bought and used at work but stayed unused cos I don't need them at home, would go to Salvation.
But that's only the teaching stuff. Still have clothes and outside table. I reckon with this sense of letting things go, alot will go.
I've come to realize every long holiday, I would end up clearing my stuff to throw away stuff. It helps cos sometimes during work, we are too busy and things really pile up. Things like old bills and all those stuff from mail. Changing jobs also leave alot of accumulated stuff. Changing size in clothes, but I did a massive wardrobe clear out just the other time.it's more things from my time as an Educator.
I came upon a couple of old worksheets that I made from scratch before NIE and am impressed with the ideas cos I was so much more a keen Educator then. I don't think I can come up with things like those. That's why I was impressed with my younger self. I also looked through the Teacher day cards received over the years, some I can't remember the faces to the names, some I still can. I was deciding whether to throw too but in the end, I decided to keep. It's a form of encouragement as an Educator to receive cards with grateful messages from students. I shall keep them. The other presents lime soft toys I gave away instead.
Also tidied up some miscellaneous DVDs, and the bottles of new alcohol bought. So I tidied them up by putting into the relevant places. So if I can clear those few more boxes, room will be more room-y. Tomorrow hopefully I can clear up alot more before I have to head out in the afternoon.
Followed my dad out as he drove me over with 4 bags full of stuff, old electronic items, unused toys, lots of new files. Think it's better than just chucking. Someone might find I useful. After that just stoned. Read a book that my sister dug out while she also cleaned her room. Both of us still not done. So will continue tomorrow.
I am proud to say finally I can let go of things. I don't have to keep so much of those notes even though I had thrown almost 90% away and kept 10% that I thought was relevant but I realized even that 10% I had hardly use so I threw out even more. Amongst those I threw alot of my so-called teaching materials cos I thought they would be useful n so kept them. But seeing how I hadn't even used them once, I threw quite a bit too. Left some which might show Tab to see if she wants otherwise I would have chucked them mostly with little reluctance.
I've also learnt to let go of those stationary and toys. Will let them go to those who need it more. Even things like plastic shelving organizers which I previously bought and used at work but stayed unused cos I don't need them at home, would go to Salvation.
But that's only the teaching stuff. Still have clothes and outside table. I reckon with this sense of letting things go, alot will go.
I've come to realize every long holiday, I would end up clearing my stuff to throw away stuff. It helps cos sometimes during work, we are too busy and things really pile up. Things like old bills and all those stuff from mail. Changing jobs also leave alot of accumulated stuff. Changing size in clothes, but I did a massive wardrobe clear out just the other time.it's more things from my time as an Educator.
I came upon a couple of old worksheets that I made from scratch before NIE and am impressed with the ideas cos I was so much more a keen Educator then. I don't think I can come up with things like those. That's why I was impressed with my younger self. I also looked through the Teacher day cards received over the years, some I can't remember the faces to the names, some I still can. I was deciding whether to throw too but in the end, I decided to keep. It's a form of encouragement as an Educator to receive cards with grateful messages from students. I shall keep them. The other presents lime soft toys I gave away instead.
Also tidied up some miscellaneous DVDs, and the bottles of new alcohol bought. So I tidied them up by putting into the relevant places. So if I can clear those few more boxes, room will be more room-y. Tomorrow hopefully I can clear up alot more before I have to head out in the afternoon.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
4th Christmas party
This is where blogging helps keep track of stuff. This is the 4th consecutive year of attending the Christmas party at Tab's place. Now my stomach is really full from all I've eaten. I was recounting and it's massive.
This year I brought 4 bottles of wine plus 2 packs of smoked duck breast as it was very popular last year, that meant 1kg of it. Plus 3 packs of muruku, 6 packs of mini sho yue mee. Didn't feel lime bartanding this year. Indeed turned out the wines are very popular too, all finished. The difference being that the wines are flavored; blueberry, tropical fruit n strawberry and the alcoholic content is only a mere 6%, and it's really like having sparkling juice with a slight small tiny kick unless u down a cup in 1 minute. The turkey meat is soft n goes very nicely with the duck breast, onions and carrots and potatoes. Really stuffed.
When I first arrived, ate the muruku none-stop, then after thawing the duck breast n cutting it, ate lots of it, potatoes n bergedel. Then came the whole cracker with dip with a slice of duck breast. When the main lead turkey came, ate turkey with onions, potatoes n carrots. After that, continued munching here and there, ate the fruit cake - first time eating a Christmas one and also ate with vanilla ice cream. Made rootbeer float too. Needless to say, ate way way too much. We played games on IPhones n Touch and stared intently at the screens.
2 types of muruku, sho yue mee, 2 Indo style chips, ruffles, smoked duck breast, the main lead;turkey, onions, carrots, potatoes, bergerdel, crackers, lots of that dip, fruit cake, vanilla ice cream, 3 flavored wine, rootbeer with ice cream n oolong. 21 items. I am so going on a salad n soup diet for the next few days.
This year I brought 4 bottles of wine plus 2 packs of smoked duck breast as it was very popular last year, that meant 1kg of it. Plus 3 packs of muruku, 6 packs of mini sho yue mee. Didn't feel lime bartanding this year. Indeed turned out the wines are very popular too, all finished. The difference being that the wines are flavored; blueberry, tropical fruit n strawberry and the alcoholic content is only a mere 6%, and it's really like having sparkling juice with a slight small tiny kick unless u down a cup in 1 minute. The turkey meat is soft n goes very nicely with the duck breast, onions and carrots and potatoes. Really stuffed.
When I first arrived, ate the muruku none-stop, then after thawing the duck breast n cutting it, ate lots of it, potatoes n bergedel. Then came the whole cracker with dip with a slice of duck breast. When the main lead turkey came, ate turkey with onions, potatoes n carrots. After that, continued munching here and there, ate the fruit cake - first time eating a Christmas one and also ate with vanilla ice cream. Made rootbeer float too. Needless to say, ate way way too much. We played games on IPhones n Touch and stared intently at the screens.
2 types of muruku, sho yue mee, 2 Indo style chips, ruffles, smoked duck breast, the main lead;turkey, onions, carrots, potatoes, bergerdel, crackers, lots of that dip, fruit cake, vanilla ice cream, 3 flavored wine, rootbeer with ice cream n oolong. 21 items. I am so going on a salad n soup diet for the next few days.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Bored and unhappening Eve
Hmm its almost Christmas, but doing nothing much. Well... I dont celebrate it as I am not of the faith that places importance on the day. I do like the festive feeling. Just that we are not doing much today. My parents are away since Wed. I have become a bit of the house-wife.
Dabao lunch and dinner, sweep floor, wash dishes etc. Today I even washed the clothes and used the dryer. Well look forward to the Christmas party tomorrow. I hadnt been exercising much. Just starting to try to manage the amount eaten. Just watched lots and lots of cable tv.
I did borrow 10 books at a go from the library yesterday. Books on BlackJack, Texas hold up, Go, Investments. Quite a bit of reading to do. I opened the fruity Chardonney bought weeks earlier and its quite nice. But drinking two of it meant I might have exceeded the calories for today... Hmm I should try to sleep earlier, now watching more Naruto online.
Dabao lunch and dinner, sweep floor, wash dishes etc. Today I even washed the clothes and used the dryer. Well look forward to the Christmas party tomorrow. I hadnt been exercising much. Just starting to try to manage the amount eaten. Just watched lots and lots of cable tv.
I did borrow 10 books at a go from the library yesterday. Books on BlackJack, Texas hold up, Go, Investments. Quite a bit of reading to do. I opened the fruity Chardonney bought weeks earlier and its quite nice. But drinking two of it meant I might have exceeded the calories for today... Hmm I should try to sleep earlier, now watching more Naruto online.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Free then Busy
Ever had the feeling that when one suddenly has lots of time on hand, suddenly you dont know what to do?
To be more precise, its you know what you have to do, yet dont want to do them. Yep. Finally my holidays are here. It started yesterday. I reached home near 3pm and did nothing much else besides watching cable tv, catching up on episodes of Bones and Dexter recorded. In fact I didnt go anywhere, but I felt bad enough, I did some weights and crunches sets at home, didnt go to the gym. Watched tv until quite late 1.30am plus then head to bed.
Really slept instantly. Woke up several times but finally got up at 10am to key in a stock trade. Then ate yoghurt for breakfast and more cable tv. Finally when I got hungry enough at 1.30pm, I walked over to eat lunch of zar cai and coffee o. Yep quite uninteresting. I was thinking to myself if there were things I could do. At first, nothing comes to mind. But then I remembered quite a number of errands I have to run, things like banking, paying bills.... then included buying the duck breast for Sat and then remembered about heading to the library to borrow some books about Poker. Thinking further, oh yeah... I have to do a big spring cleaning of my room, for the stuff, I really need to throw out quite a bit to make it a more pleasant place to stay in. Need to tidy up my clothes and other stuff too. Suddenly I have ALOT of things to do.
Things like practice guitar, read through the annual reports of stocks, monitor the investments more closely since I have more time, go out to exercise more regularly. Yep I'll be busy indeed. If I can clean up the room and make it more spacious, as well as, go through the annual reports, plus set up an exercise routine, make time to practice some guitar, I would count that as time well spent this 2 weeks.
To be more precise, its you know what you have to do, yet dont want to do them. Yep. Finally my holidays are here. It started yesterday. I reached home near 3pm and did nothing much else besides watching cable tv, catching up on episodes of Bones and Dexter recorded. In fact I didnt go anywhere, but I felt bad enough, I did some weights and crunches sets at home, didnt go to the gym. Watched tv until quite late 1.30am plus then head to bed.
Really slept instantly. Woke up several times but finally got up at 10am to key in a stock trade. Then ate yoghurt for breakfast and more cable tv. Finally when I got hungry enough at 1.30pm, I walked over to eat lunch of zar cai and coffee o. Yep quite uninteresting. I was thinking to myself if there were things I could do. At first, nothing comes to mind. But then I remembered quite a number of errands I have to run, things like banking, paying bills.... then included buying the duck breast for Sat and then remembered about heading to the library to borrow some books about Poker. Thinking further, oh yeah... I have to do a big spring cleaning of my room, for the stuff, I really need to throw out quite a bit to make it a more pleasant place to stay in. Need to tidy up my clothes and other stuff too. Suddenly I have ALOT of things to do.
Things like practice guitar, read through the annual reports of stocks, monitor the investments more closely since I have more time, go out to exercise more regularly. Yep I'll be busy indeed. If I can clean up the room and make it more spacious, as well as, go through the annual reports, plus set up an exercise routine, make time to practice some guitar, I would count that as time well spent this 2 weeks.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Fri, Sat of Mold-airing
Finally got a chance to 'air' the moldy self by heading out with friends over two days.
On Fri, we met up for dinner. I met Tab first and we settled in this potatoe place for some potatoes and salad. I was ranting about the irritation I encountered with Headless then Tab helped me out by giving me her perspective on it. That helped alot. Then we walked around a bit, looking for suitable Christmas presents for her family. Later we met Quetzal for raman dinner at Nantsutei, got various updates about the wedding and the happenings. We shopped around Parco, they got some christmas presents, and both bought that sky-blue dress from that designer cos it was going for 30% discount. We bought bottles of carbonated sake drinks and headed to the top of the Esplanade. Then Tab taught both of us how to say sentences in UK accent. I practiced the 2-3 lines and would use it on Headless the next time she give me broken vague 1-liner instructions. Quetzal sent us home after.
On Sat, I headed for guitar lesson. It has now been converted to electric guitar since 3 lessons ago. I was informed by the counter that my guitar has arrived. I bought the package from the school because I know nuts about electric guitar. No point rushing in to buy an expensive one and later found out I bought a troublesome model. Also at this point, I am just playing power chords. No point getting a $1k one and just play that.... when I more "zai" (skilled) then I get a better one. Also its much less hassle to buy from the school. Its the exact same model used in our lessons. Except I decided to get a different colour. We used the black one, so I decided to get the blue one, so I wont associate the colours as class guitar and the feeling of 'practising at the school'. Everything else is the same. Its not as rock cos there's no double humbuckle, aka the powerful pickup that makes the guitar more rock. But again for my current skills, its enough. Mine are all single pickup. Slowly picking up terms and knowledge from instructor as we start the lesson. So far so good, keeping fingers crossed.
So after guitar classes, I received my guitar and carried it plus the amplifier, to meet my sister, Geoky at the Guan Ying temple. Its to go and give thanks for the blessings this year, and to ask for continued blessing for the new year ahead. On my way over, it rained heavily. I forgot to bring umbrella and had to buy one from those cheap cheap shops. Got a butt ugly pirated Hello Kitty umbrella. So I used that to walk over to the temple. My sister arrived much earlier and I told her to go ahead to pray first. So I just lit the incense and gave donation plus took a tailsman. Then we headed to eat lunch nearby.She got her keyboard lessons after and left. I headed to Illuma to 'kill time' before the dinner meet-up.
I looked around and needed the atm machine cos I had run very very low on cash after the donation and lunch. Just had a couple of bucks left but the only atm in Illuma had run out of cash... I decided to check out the theatre first to see if there's any suitable timing movie that I could catch, that would end just in time. There was, Rapunzel. There was half an hour more then, so I walked over to Bugis to draw cash and then slowly walked back to Illuma via the linking bridge. There was such a huge throng of people in Bugis Junction. Full of christmas shoppers. Didnt felt like doing much cos I was carrying my bag, guitar bag plus an amplifier in a bag on hand. Walked back to Illuma and still had time to buy tickets, go toilet and settle the ang baos that was to be passed back to Tab from the gate-crashing. I purposely chose a seat at the extreme side, near the wall so that I could lean all my stuff against it. The movie was very good! Humourous and quite fast-paced. Very enjoyable way of spending 1.5hrs at an economical price of $10. Think besides Lan gaming at about $2 an hour, watching a movie seems to be the next most economical way of killing hours at a relatively low price. Walking around shopping and eventually having to sit and drink something would cost so much more.
After the movie, I made my way over the bridge again to the mrt to head to meet up for the dinner. Got a ride from FH. This time sat infront and saw all the buttons for the seat. Looked out straight for the window button in case... but didnt have to use it. I was glad to be able to put down the guitar and amp in the car. Dinner was pretty good, liked the sauce for the crayfish, herbal chicken soup most. But its been quite a long while since I've ate so much spicy stuff. Not that it was too hot for me, but cos there were at least 4 spicy dishes of sea food, a bit too much. As after a while, all the unique spicy dishes blended together, until I cant remember which was most impressionable. Also my stomach was a bit aching after that. Too much spice cos I had drastically cut down the amount of spicy food I ate over the years upon advise from mom that spicy food would aggravate my cough. We headed for dessert after and I had this Sencha tea and taste a bit of the 4 slices of cakes ordered. Got a ride home from FH. Thanks!
Sunday, I opened up the electric guitar package and set it up. Practiced a bit. Then went online to find the tabs for "Sunshine of Your Love", Tab would remember this song cos that was what I learnt so many years ago in yamaha music school before the whole fiasco. Well, its really an easy song at that, though I was playing with a lot of noise, due to less than perfect left-hand and right-hand muting. Well it beats playing Chinese rock songs, the one which is my homework, which I've never hear before... Will have 2 weeks time to figure out the song. Wanted to do "Sweet Child of Mine" introd but doesnt sound like.... better check out whether the tabs I printed was correct. Didnt do much besides, eat, watch Bones and Dexter recorded and then some electric guitar playing. Didnt go exercise AT ALL... again. Guess after 2 days of 'airing' am contented to stay home to mold again... But did feel very tired but didnt sleep extra at all...
So regret it this morning when I woke up. I was thinking... "what day is this?" Oh, its a Monday and I have to work. Then got up and ready. Feeling quite out of it. But okay lah, I try to tell myself its a new week, a new start, the last week of work! Wont let anyone spoil my mood. Had 3 lessons and one was with Headless. But she repeated the same activity as last week, meaning she dont have to give me new instructions on what to do, so I didnt have the chance to use my UK lines. Can leave that for next term. So I am in a pretty decent mood, except for feeling tired. But after 1pm, I literally had nothing much else to do. I was monitoring constantly the stock market to see if the buy and sell orders went through, as usual, in current market, its easier to buy than sell. So buy went through, sell still waiting for prices to rise a bit more to my target. Oh well, this whole week, I will be keying in to sell those. Need that final sale to hit $15k target...
So I spent some short time blogging in the free period that I had. Hid upstairs in the kitchen and stone and What's up, FB, check stocks, surf until my batteries were at 39%. Borrowed a collegue's charger, so now its full. Am continuing this entry cos didnt finish just now. Left 1hr to kill. I dont want to ask to help cos that would involve Headless again. I dont want to spoil my own mood plus she didnt ask for help. So I pretend I dont know what is happening and just mind my own biz. Even though its freaking obvious cos I can see when I look over to my left. But I still wanna pretend to be oblivious. Sometimes its easier for them that we dont ask cos whenever we ask, they cant say no. So they have to run around and try to give us work. In Headless case, I rather not, though I wont mind to help the rest due to the way she operates. I rather make things easier for myself since others dont do that for me.
Last time during such times, I would be trying out new recipes in the kitchen cos with at least 3hrs, can try more complicated reicpes. but cos my collegue is away on medical leave reasons, it doesnt feel right to be using the kitchen without her around. Plus I used up the perishable ingredients already. So leave that for next term to continue those cooking experiments. There was once, when I asked another collegue to lend me an acoustic guitar cos I was bored out of my wits. So he was very nice, opened up the room, tuned an acoustic for me and let me use the studio. That guitar was very easy on the fingers... good guitar unlike my budget one. But I dont want to disturb that collegue again. People not like me this free...
So now I am looking at stocks, what's up-ing and blogging.
On Fri, we met up for dinner. I met Tab first and we settled in this potatoe place for some potatoes and salad. I was ranting about the irritation I encountered with Headless then Tab helped me out by giving me her perspective on it. That helped alot. Then we walked around a bit, looking for suitable Christmas presents for her family. Later we met Quetzal for raman dinner at Nantsutei, got various updates about the wedding and the happenings. We shopped around Parco, they got some christmas presents, and both bought that sky-blue dress from that designer cos it was going for 30% discount. We bought bottles of carbonated sake drinks and headed to the top of the Esplanade. Then Tab taught both of us how to say sentences in UK accent. I practiced the 2-3 lines and would use it on Headless the next time she give me broken vague 1-liner instructions. Quetzal sent us home after.
On Sat, I headed for guitar lesson. It has now been converted to electric guitar since 3 lessons ago. I was informed by the counter that my guitar has arrived. I bought the package from the school because I know nuts about electric guitar. No point rushing in to buy an expensive one and later found out I bought a troublesome model. Also at this point, I am just playing power chords. No point getting a $1k one and just play that.... when I more "zai" (skilled) then I get a better one. Also its much less hassle to buy from the school. Its the exact same model used in our lessons. Except I decided to get a different colour. We used the black one, so I decided to get the blue one, so I wont associate the colours as class guitar and the feeling of 'practising at the school'. Everything else is the same. Its not as rock cos there's no double humbuckle, aka the powerful pickup that makes the guitar more rock. But again for my current skills, its enough. Mine are all single pickup. Slowly picking up terms and knowledge from instructor as we start the lesson. So far so good, keeping fingers crossed.
So after guitar classes, I received my guitar and carried it plus the amplifier, to meet my sister, Geoky at the Guan Ying temple. Its to go and give thanks for the blessings this year, and to ask for continued blessing for the new year ahead. On my way over, it rained heavily. I forgot to bring umbrella and had to buy one from those cheap cheap shops. Got a butt ugly pirated Hello Kitty umbrella. So I used that to walk over to the temple. My sister arrived much earlier and I told her to go ahead to pray first. So I just lit the incense and gave donation plus took a tailsman. Then we headed to eat lunch nearby.She got her keyboard lessons after and left. I headed to Illuma to 'kill time' before the dinner meet-up.
I looked around and needed the atm machine cos I had run very very low on cash after the donation and lunch. Just had a couple of bucks left but the only atm in Illuma had run out of cash... I decided to check out the theatre first to see if there's any suitable timing movie that I could catch, that would end just in time. There was, Rapunzel. There was half an hour more then, so I walked over to Bugis to draw cash and then slowly walked back to Illuma via the linking bridge. There was such a huge throng of people in Bugis Junction. Full of christmas shoppers. Didnt felt like doing much cos I was carrying my bag, guitar bag plus an amplifier in a bag on hand. Walked back to Illuma and still had time to buy tickets, go toilet and settle the ang baos that was to be passed back to Tab from the gate-crashing. I purposely chose a seat at the extreme side, near the wall so that I could lean all my stuff against it. The movie was very good! Humourous and quite fast-paced. Very enjoyable way of spending 1.5hrs at an economical price of $10. Think besides Lan gaming at about $2 an hour, watching a movie seems to be the next most economical way of killing hours at a relatively low price. Walking around shopping and eventually having to sit and drink something would cost so much more.
After the movie, I made my way over the bridge again to the mrt to head to meet up for the dinner. Got a ride from FH. This time sat infront and saw all the buttons for the seat. Looked out straight for the window button in case... but didnt have to use it. I was glad to be able to put down the guitar and amp in the car. Dinner was pretty good, liked the sauce for the crayfish, herbal chicken soup most. But its been quite a long while since I've ate so much spicy stuff. Not that it was too hot for me, but cos there were at least 4 spicy dishes of sea food, a bit too much. As after a while, all the unique spicy dishes blended together, until I cant remember which was most impressionable. Also my stomach was a bit aching after that. Too much spice cos I had drastically cut down the amount of spicy food I ate over the years upon advise from mom that spicy food would aggravate my cough. We headed for dessert after and I had this Sencha tea and taste a bit of the 4 slices of cakes ordered. Got a ride home from FH. Thanks!
Sunday, I opened up the electric guitar package and set it up. Practiced a bit. Then went online to find the tabs for "Sunshine of Your Love", Tab would remember this song cos that was what I learnt so many years ago in yamaha music school before the whole fiasco. Well, its really an easy song at that, though I was playing with a lot of noise, due to less than perfect left-hand and right-hand muting. Well it beats playing Chinese rock songs, the one which is my homework, which I've never hear before... Will have 2 weeks time to figure out the song. Wanted to do "Sweet Child of Mine" introd but doesnt sound like.... better check out whether the tabs I printed was correct. Didnt do much besides, eat, watch Bones and Dexter recorded and then some electric guitar playing. Didnt go exercise AT ALL... again. Guess after 2 days of 'airing' am contented to stay home to mold again... But did feel very tired but didnt sleep extra at all...
So regret it this morning when I woke up. I was thinking... "what day is this?" Oh, its a Monday and I have to work. Then got up and ready. Feeling quite out of it. But okay lah, I try to tell myself its a new week, a new start, the last week of work! Wont let anyone spoil my mood. Had 3 lessons and one was with Headless. But she repeated the same activity as last week, meaning she dont have to give me new instructions on what to do, so I didnt have the chance to use my UK lines. Can leave that for next term. So I am in a pretty decent mood, except for feeling tired. But after 1pm, I literally had nothing much else to do. I was monitoring constantly the stock market to see if the buy and sell orders went through, as usual, in current market, its easier to buy than sell. So buy went through, sell still waiting for prices to rise a bit more to my target. Oh well, this whole week, I will be keying in to sell those. Need that final sale to hit $15k target...
So I spent some short time blogging in the free period that I had. Hid upstairs in the kitchen and stone and What's up, FB, check stocks, surf until my batteries were at 39%. Borrowed a collegue's charger, so now its full. Am continuing this entry cos didnt finish just now. Left 1hr to kill. I dont want to ask to help cos that would involve Headless again. I dont want to spoil my own mood plus she didnt ask for help. So I pretend I dont know what is happening and just mind my own biz. Even though its freaking obvious cos I can see when I look over to my left. But I still wanna pretend to be oblivious. Sometimes its easier for them that we dont ask cos whenever we ask, they cant say no. So they have to run around and try to give us work. In Headless case, I rather not, though I wont mind to help the rest due to the way she operates. I rather make things easier for myself since others dont do that for me.
Last time during such times, I would be trying out new recipes in the kitchen cos with at least 3hrs, can try more complicated reicpes. but cos my collegue is away on medical leave reasons, it doesnt feel right to be using the kitchen without her around. Plus I used up the perishable ingredients already. So leave that for next term to continue those cooking experiments. There was once, when I asked another collegue to lend me an acoustic guitar cos I was bored out of my wits. So he was very nice, opened up the room, tuned an acoustic for me and let me use the studio. That guitar was very easy on the fingers... good guitar unlike my budget one. But I dont want to disturb that collegue again. People not like me this free...
So now I am looking at stocks, what's up-ing and blogging.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Headless plus Gossip
This past week, I have reached the peak of irriatation with this particular collegue at my workplace. Code name Headless. It has accumulated to a point where I dread going into the class with Headless when the rotation comes about. Alot of things that Headless does and asks me irritates me to no end and sees my anger and irritation flaring up.
The reasons are quite a few: It felt better to talk it through with a friend whom can help me put things into perspective.
1) I am put in constant stress by being told things at the extreme, extreme last minute. How last minute? Its when I am already inside the class, with no idea of what I am supposed to do. Then come up to me and tell me to "do this", at times without even answers provided. So I have to do it plus think of answers on the spot immediately. WTF? Others let me know the lesson flow and even which part I will be doing, at least on my way up with them to the class.
2) I have no idea of the flow of the lesson before hand. So going in, I dont know what my role is, no idea of what is going to be done. How do I help students? Increasingly the entire lesson is conducted in pure Jap. It doenst help 2 folds. Firstly though I can understand some, quite a bit I cant too. Doesnt help that I cant understand much to help them. Secondly, students 'regress' backwards to using Jap instead of Eng, though they are studying Eng and supposedly to use it. I really ask myself why am I even inside?
3) She cant communicate. Either tell me one line using the most grammatically strange and extremely vague sentence, thinking that she is using Perfect english (which irriates me as I have to second, third or fourth guess and have to clarify insessiently) OR telling me a one liner and expects me to know how to do it. Eg "Can you do this part?" Hello, different cultural background and there are many ways of "doing", how much more vague can things be? Couple with the extremest last minute, I am constantly put under tension. Basically 'cleaning backside'.
4) Headless asks me the stupidest and most moronic questions at all sort of stupid timing. Usually my irriation meter flares up. Utterly no brain. Dont ask me stupid questions! Period. Tab thinks that Headless is a very lazy person who wants the easy way out of things. True, I think, looking back.
5) In my rotation with her, I have way better classroom control. She does nought while the class is testing the limits and not settling down. No authority at all despite towering over them both in built and height. When I stand beside, I am dwarfed by her size and height, yet I HAVE to be the one to help settle the class, while she does nothing there. WTF? Absolutely no authority and even her style of teaching puts me to sleep. So I pity certain students when they doze off and when I am walking around, I try to pat them awake gently and tell them to focus gently. I was falling alseep myself despite standing on my two feet and walking around.
6) I genuinely question her ability to be the head. She doenst seem to know what is going on around. Supposed to be the one in charge of unifying the entire English curriculum. Does she bother to find things out? I dont think so much, at least from what I've seen in how she does things in many instances. Cannot make it. Argh, I better go to the temples soon to pray and give thanks and ask for greater blessing and protection next year.
Yep that's my work rant all at a go.
The strategy to deal with her after discussing with Tab was to use my most Perfect UK ascent to tell her I have absolutely no idea what she's saying. Yep I need to brush it up and listen to BBC channel and practice infront of the mirror. Put the responsibility back to her.
________________________________
A secondary post is about gossiping. Guess I am not a good one. Plus certain aspects of it does also irritates me. I can listen and I do listen. But I look for an overall picture. Is it big or small incident? how severe?
But maybe its the way I 'judge' people. I wont let first impression stick. I constantly add and deduct marks based on the actions. Cos actions speak louder than words. Even 1 incident with lots of negatives is not really mean the person is beyond redemption in my eyes. It depends on a whole series of incidents, over quite a bit of time. Just like the Headless above, there were so many numerous incidents; large or small and things done that I formed my impression based on them, and it relates to her work. Not to the person. I dont dislike the person that much. But its the whole style of working. If she can redeem herself through more positive actions, my prespective can change for the better.
Well for others in a relationship, I think I am not qualified to make judgements from the sideline. Really, its between both of them. Irregardless of whatever incidents, its up to the two parties involved to resolve. Unless one comes to you for help. In my case, I told Tab and she gave me advise. Vice-versa.
I dont see the entertainment value of just gossiping. This is partially due to my upbringing. My dad doesnt like gossip. My mom doesnt do as much with me. Things like hearing a rumor about relatives otherwise there's no update is fine. Things like whatever incidents, leave one to make own judgement is fine.
Things like a bit of bad-mouthing, verbal bitching of a person is a bit not my thing. True everyone is entitled to their own judgement and impression of things. I guess when one keep 'bashing' on that one person through the use of 'gossip' is not what I like to do. Cos I might see the incident that was 'so severe' and 'telling', in another light where it might appear 'trival' then have a different perspective of it. That's the part of differences in opinions. Sometimes just lay out the facts and let others make their own impressions.
The reasons are quite a few: It felt better to talk it through with a friend whom can help me put things into perspective.
1) I am put in constant stress by being told things at the extreme, extreme last minute. How last minute? Its when I am already inside the class, with no idea of what I am supposed to do. Then come up to me and tell me to "do this", at times without even answers provided. So I have to do it plus think of answers on the spot immediately. WTF? Others let me know the lesson flow and even which part I will be doing, at least on my way up with them to the class.
2) I have no idea of the flow of the lesson before hand. So going in, I dont know what my role is, no idea of what is going to be done. How do I help students? Increasingly the entire lesson is conducted in pure Jap. It doenst help 2 folds. Firstly though I can understand some, quite a bit I cant too. Doesnt help that I cant understand much to help them. Secondly, students 'regress' backwards to using Jap instead of Eng, though they are studying Eng and supposedly to use it. I really ask myself why am I even inside?
3) She cant communicate. Either tell me one line using the most grammatically strange and extremely vague sentence, thinking that she is using Perfect english (which irriates me as I have to second, third or fourth guess and have to clarify insessiently) OR telling me a one liner and expects me to know how to do it. Eg "Can you do this part?" Hello, different cultural background and there are many ways of "doing", how much more vague can things be? Couple with the extremest last minute, I am constantly put under tension. Basically 'cleaning backside'.
4) Headless asks me the stupidest and most moronic questions at all sort of stupid timing. Usually my irriation meter flares up. Utterly no brain. Dont ask me stupid questions! Period. Tab thinks that Headless is a very lazy person who wants the easy way out of things. True, I think, looking back.
5) In my rotation with her, I have way better classroom control. She does nought while the class is testing the limits and not settling down. No authority at all despite towering over them both in built and height. When I stand beside, I am dwarfed by her size and height, yet I HAVE to be the one to help settle the class, while she does nothing there. WTF? Absolutely no authority and even her style of teaching puts me to sleep. So I pity certain students when they doze off and when I am walking around, I try to pat them awake gently and tell them to focus gently. I was falling alseep myself despite standing on my two feet and walking around.
6) I genuinely question her ability to be the head. She doenst seem to know what is going on around. Supposed to be the one in charge of unifying the entire English curriculum. Does she bother to find things out? I dont think so much, at least from what I've seen in how she does things in many instances. Cannot make it. Argh, I better go to the temples soon to pray and give thanks and ask for greater blessing and protection next year.
Yep that's my work rant all at a go.
The strategy to deal with her after discussing with Tab was to use my most Perfect UK ascent to tell her I have absolutely no idea what she's saying. Yep I need to brush it up and listen to BBC channel and practice infront of the mirror. Put the responsibility back to her.
________________________________
A secondary post is about gossiping. Guess I am not a good one. Plus certain aspects of it does also irritates me. I can listen and I do listen. But I look for an overall picture. Is it big or small incident? how severe?
But maybe its the way I 'judge' people. I wont let first impression stick. I constantly add and deduct marks based on the actions. Cos actions speak louder than words. Even 1 incident with lots of negatives is not really mean the person is beyond redemption in my eyes. It depends on a whole series of incidents, over quite a bit of time. Just like the Headless above, there were so many numerous incidents; large or small and things done that I formed my impression based on them, and it relates to her work. Not to the person. I dont dislike the person that much. But its the whole style of working. If she can redeem herself through more positive actions, my prespective can change for the better.
Well for others in a relationship, I think I am not qualified to make judgements from the sideline. Really, its between both of them. Irregardless of whatever incidents, its up to the two parties involved to resolve. Unless one comes to you for help. In my case, I told Tab and she gave me advise. Vice-versa.
I dont see the entertainment value of just gossiping. This is partially due to my upbringing. My dad doesnt like gossip. My mom doesnt do as much with me. Things like hearing a rumor about relatives otherwise there's no update is fine. Things like whatever incidents, leave one to make own judgement is fine.
Things like a bit of bad-mouthing, verbal bitching of a person is a bit not my thing. True everyone is entitled to their own judgement and impression of things. I guess when one keep 'bashing' on that one person through the use of 'gossip' is not what I like to do. Cos I might see the incident that was 'so severe' and 'telling', in another light where it might appear 'trival' then have a different perspective of it. That's the part of differences in opinions. Sometimes just lay out the facts and let others make their own impressions.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Bored, Lazy and Fat from over-eating
Hmm stopped the gym routine again for two weeks due to being sick for two weeks. Sian.
Then this weekend especially, been feeling the muchies really bad.
Sat after guitar, had initially wanted to go with my sister to the Anime and Comic convention at Suntec. I headed down first cos I needed to do some banking at OCBC which has a branch there. But found out that it cost $15 for admission. Think my sister wont want to pay for that so I cancelled with her.
Overeating started... ate nasi lemak for breakfast earlier and some porridge for lunch, yet ate BK after guitar. I headed to Carrefour after eating at BK, bought 6 bottles of the wine that I tried the other time at Tab's place. It was my medicine for the flu then while preparing the gate-crashing food stuff. It was quite a task bringing them back home via public transport. I carried it in a box provided and brought it home via bus. Also bought 2 packs of sushi and ate those too.
Reached home and I ate some of the christmas log cake I made and opened the Blueberry Merlot. Really felt like a pig. Didnt do much after that, watched cable, watched tv and slept.
Gluttony prevailed today too. I ate the log cake with merlot, then ate porridge. After that at 3pm, I ate a pack of Zar Fan, another log cake with merlot. Felt bad enough that I wanted to head to gym but lazing around, meant I missed the time to go cos the gym closed earlier on weekends... Really feel quite bad that I wanna skip dinner. Think I better go drink more tea and water so that I wont feel hungry...
Guess its back to another week of soup and rice for lunch for me. I'll try to control this over-eating part and try to work in exercise again.
Then this weekend especially, been feeling the muchies really bad.
Sat after guitar, had initially wanted to go with my sister to the Anime and Comic convention at Suntec. I headed down first cos I needed to do some banking at OCBC which has a branch there. But found out that it cost $15 for admission. Think my sister wont want to pay for that so I cancelled with her.
Overeating started... ate nasi lemak for breakfast earlier and some porridge for lunch, yet ate BK after guitar. I headed to Carrefour after eating at BK, bought 6 bottles of the wine that I tried the other time at Tab's place. It was my medicine for the flu then while preparing the gate-crashing food stuff. It was quite a task bringing them back home via public transport. I carried it in a box provided and brought it home via bus. Also bought 2 packs of sushi and ate those too.
Reached home and I ate some of the christmas log cake I made and opened the Blueberry Merlot. Really felt like a pig. Didnt do much after that, watched cable, watched tv and slept.
Gluttony prevailed today too. I ate the log cake with merlot, then ate porridge. After that at 3pm, I ate a pack of Zar Fan, another log cake with merlot. Felt bad enough that I wanted to head to gym but lazing around, meant I missed the time to go cos the gym closed earlier on weekends... Really feel quite bad that I wanna skip dinner. Think I better go drink more tea and water so that I wont feel hungry...
Guess its back to another week of soup and rice for lunch for me. I'll try to control this over-eating part and try to work in exercise again.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
For the record: Paid for an electric guitar
This flu of mine is still not clearing up. I would feel fine and normal at home esp after a good rest, but as the day progresses on at workplace, feel more and more crappy and sickly. Been like this for several days...
After work, I half dragged myself down town to Scape, to look in closer detail at the electric guitar packs for sale at the Maestro guitar. Wanted to see if the models were any better than the basic pack that my music school is offering... Guess what, I can't tell except for the price. So noted down the models n prices and searched for info online while eating soupy dinner in Cineleisure. Quite alot of negative remarks abt certain models... Plus at my current standard of complete noob, no point getting the best. Later can only use it to play Doh Rei Me only...
After dinner, made my way down and felt kinda shitty. Dunno if I could concentrate or function. At least can comprehend the lesson I've missed last Sat. Also asked for permission to video down the basic exercise using I-phone. Can recalling sound better. After class, I thought they would have stock and I can get straight the pack and then bring it n my sickly ass home by cab, but I have to pre-order and I did. They will contact me tom which colours are available. So I am $195 poorer into the early start of this month.
After work, I half dragged myself down town to Scape, to look in closer detail at the electric guitar packs for sale at the Maestro guitar. Wanted to see if the models were any better than the basic pack that my music school is offering... Guess what, I can't tell except for the price. So noted down the models n prices and searched for info online while eating soupy dinner in Cineleisure. Quite alot of negative remarks abt certain models... Plus at my current standard of complete noob, no point getting the best. Later can only use it to play Doh Rei Me only...
After dinner, made my way down and felt kinda shitty. Dunno if I could concentrate or function. At least can comprehend the lesson I've missed last Sat. Also asked for permission to video down the basic exercise using I-phone. Can recalling sound better. After class, I thought they would have stock and I can get straight the pack and then bring it n my sickly ass home by cab, but I have to pre-order and I did. They will contact me tom which colours are available. So I am $195 poorer into the early start of this month.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Monday day-off
Working on a Sunday is surreal especially when one is sick plus lack of sleep. Well I would say that for a good friend's special day, once in a lifetime, it's worth it but I did have to struggle through parts when the flu flared up.
Some interesting points worth mentioning:
That Blueberry Merlot from NTUC @ $9.80 is very good. 6% alcohol and taste pike sparkling juice but tastier. I bought that as my "cough medicine" after I met Tab in J8 for dinner and after that buying the remaining items needed for the 'Gate-crashing' on Sat. Initially on the bus over, I felt real sickly but after dinner, better. Almost back to normal after drinking most of that blue-berry Merlot while preparing the bitter-gourd, chilli, lemon with Krynnder's help.
I dug out the clothes bought for the session to iron them properly but actually accidentally 'ironed' my thigh when my thigh accidentally came into contact with the hot iron. I have a 3-inch long and 1cm width wound on my upper thigh. Ouchy! It's still there, quite red. Called that "murphy's law" striking again. Ate my last bits of meds and slept abt 1.30am.
Woke up at 6.25am and got ready, including hair and make-up. Dabaoed breakfast n hopped on a cab to fetch Krynnder at 7.30am. Bought coffee at the nearby 7-11 cos both of us very stoned from the nite before plus both of us have to wake early on Sunday, the following day due to work. I have to wake at 7am, she got to reach the airport by seven. Tab's keys ended up in my possession from the day before, so we let ourselves in. We joked what would happen if we had the only keys? Thankfully not. Ate without misadventure. Had to be very careful due to the white clothes.
I turned down twice Tab's suggestion to elope on the eve of her wedding and the wedding day itself when we were ready for the gate-crashing. No am not interested. No point trying.
Despite eating breakfast, we got hungry during the reception duty at the church. Never had a Mac hushbrown been so delicious in my life. Think the amount of events, plus rain made one hungry. There was quite a bit of wise-cracking to kill the time, though the bulk was whether we would be stuck by lightning for joking around in the holy place. But the technicality of being outside the main part meant us being safe. Missed the entire mass but its okay. Didnt want to risk joking inside and really getting struck by lightning.
Bought another bottle of Merlot but it's not the same one from Cold Storage after finally gaining access to the Jie Mei's room. I changed out and headed to look for food. Still hungry after the MOS. Settled for soup spoon and that Wolf Blass Red label Merlot @ 13.5% alcohol. It's heavily discounted, supposed to be $42-45 but reduced to $24.50 and it's a 1-litre bottle. It taste pretty good but I prefer it chilled and icey instead of warm. Went back to the room and then had a quick and thorough bath and got ready for the tea ceremony.
FH's girlfriend watched me go through half the bottle after I ate the soup in Tab's room while waiting for them to get ready for the tea ceremony. We chatted happily about make-up and jiu-liang (alcohol limit) cos she watched me go through 2 glasses very quickly. A nice girl, and she helped greatly during the tea ceremony helping to record who gave ang bao n jewellery. I didnt think I could handle having to take pics, keep the valuables plus record on paper. But the task was completed without much glitch though I was in a happily relaxed mode. World not spinning and can still walk straight, can think but just very relaxed. The big glitch was the safe not working. So after several tries, had to go to put into Jie Mei room safe but got misadventure cos Caro used the safe and neglected to inform us of the code. But managed to find in the end so that part was done. FH's gf also helped alot later during the evening reception duty, as she can ask them in malay for names.
My 'cough mixture' effects wore out by the time the 1st dish was served. Didnt drink much, only drank a beer and 2 chinese tea and an orange juice. The serving not prompt and our glasses were left rather empty for long cos of the immense number of people. Later after everything, transferred the tea ceremony valuables to the safe in the bride's room, only after having to call for valet and then getting technician to replace the battery in the unit. After that was done. Stayed on a bit more to drink another glass of Merlot. I left around 2.40am and reached home and slept near 3.30am.
Woke up at 7am the next day for a full day of work. Really sickly then, flu came back with a vengence. I managed to make it through but waiting for the clock to strike 5pm, I fell asleep on my table for 20mins. Really by then too sick to care about killing time productively.
Some interesting points worth mentioning:
That Blueberry Merlot from NTUC @ $9.80 is very good. 6% alcohol and taste pike sparkling juice but tastier. I bought that as my "cough medicine" after I met Tab in J8 for dinner and after that buying the remaining items needed for the 'Gate-crashing' on Sat. Initially on the bus over, I felt real sickly but after dinner, better. Almost back to normal after drinking most of that blue-berry Merlot while preparing the bitter-gourd, chilli, lemon with Krynnder's help.
I dug out the clothes bought for the session to iron them properly but actually accidentally 'ironed' my thigh when my thigh accidentally came into contact with the hot iron. I have a 3-inch long and 1cm width wound on my upper thigh. Ouchy! It's still there, quite red. Called that "murphy's law" striking again. Ate my last bits of meds and slept abt 1.30am.
Woke up at 6.25am and got ready, including hair and make-up. Dabaoed breakfast n hopped on a cab to fetch Krynnder at 7.30am. Bought coffee at the nearby 7-11 cos both of us very stoned from the nite before plus both of us have to wake early on Sunday, the following day due to work. I have to wake at 7am, she got to reach the airport by seven. Tab's keys ended up in my possession from the day before, so we let ourselves in. We joked what would happen if we had the only keys? Thankfully not. Ate without misadventure. Had to be very careful due to the white clothes.
I turned down twice Tab's suggestion to elope on the eve of her wedding and the wedding day itself when we were ready for the gate-crashing. No am not interested. No point trying.
Despite eating breakfast, we got hungry during the reception duty at the church. Never had a Mac hushbrown been so delicious in my life. Think the amount of events, plus rain made one hungry. There was quite a bit of wise-cracking to kill the time, though the bulk was whether we would be stuck by lightning for joking around in the holy place. But the technicality of being outside the main part meant us being safe. Missed the entire mass but its okay. Didnt want to risk joking inside and really getting struck by lightning.
Bought another bottle of Merlot but it's not the same one from Cold Storage after finally gaining access to the Jie Mei's room. I changed out and headed to look for food. Still hungry after the MOS. Settled for soup spoon and that Wolf Blass Red label Merlot @ 13.5% alcohol. It's heavily discounted, supposed to be $42-45 but reduced to $24.50 and it's a 1-litre bottle. It taste pretty good but I prefer it chilled and icey instead of warm. Went back to the room and then had a quick and thorough bath and got ready for the tea ceremony.
FH's girlfriend watched me go through half the bottle after I ate the soup in Tab's room while waiting for them to get ready for the tea ceremony. We chatted happily about make-up and jiu-liang (alcohol limit) cos she watched me go through 2 glasses very quickly. A nice girl, and she helped greatly during the tea ceremony helping to record who gave ang bao n jewellery. I didnt think I could handle having to take pics, keep the valuables plus record on paper. But the task was completed without much glitch though I was in a happily relaxed mode. World not spinning and can still walk straight, can think but just very relaxed. The big glitch was the safe not working. So after several tries, had to go to put into Jie Mei room safe but got misadventure cos Caro used the safe and neglected to inform us of the code. But managed to find in the end so that part was done. FH's gf also helped alot later during the evening reception duty, as she can ask them in malay for names.
My 'cough mixture' effects wore out by the time the 1st dish was served. Didnt drink much, only drank a beer and 2 chinese tea and an orange juice. The serving not prompt and our glasses were left rather empty for long cos of the immense number of people. Later after everything, transferred the tea ceremony valuables to the safe in the bride's room, only after having to call for valet and then getting technician to replace the battery in the unit. After that was done. Stayed on a bit more to drink another glass of Merlot. I left around 2.40am and reached home and slept near 3.30am.
Woke up at 7am the next day for a full day of work. Really sickly then, flu came back with a vengence. I managed to make it through but waiting for the clock to strike 5pm, I fell asleep on my table for 20mins. Really by then too sick to care about killing time productively.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
Petrified / Zombified / Beyond Care
Here I am at my workstation, in an open-space concept office with absolutely no personal space beyond my table. I am stoned. Is petrified a stronger word? I can barely think in my current state. Just am at the ultimate stage of stone-ness I guess.
My sickness is not as bad as yesterday but I am feeling very very groggy, and just want to drop everything. I am beyond care at the time of writing this. Everything seems sureal too. Its a Sunday. I had to work cos its the open-house day. Guess what lessons are as normal with a bit of timetable changes.
Accordingly, I was meant to only have 1 lesson BUT after "Murphy's Law" has struck time and again, I have to go into another, so becomes 1st and 3rd lessons. Fine. My voice sounds so 'sexy' and 'deep', yet I have to conduct one of the activity. Fine.
BUT there's cca! Fine. I go through the motions of walking around and stuff like usual. Even with cca added, it doesnt take the cake as compared to the fact that though students are dismissed at 3pm, all of us have to stay until 5pm!!!IF I wasnt so petrified by sickness and fatique, I would be upstairs trying recipes. But now I am too cant-be-bothered to do anything else productive or otherwise.
Immediately after work, at 5pm sharp, I am heading straight home. Forget gym and breaking the routine, cant help that I am beyond worldly concerns and am only concerned with getting into bed and sleeping.
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For the record, I am amazed I can make it through Fri and Sat in this condition. Of course, it varys, from okay to sickly throughout the day. Battling with sickness, Murphy's law plus very late nights and early morning. I am waving my White flag in surrender. Monday my day-off, I am staying in bed.
My sickness is not as bad as yesterday but I am feeling very very groggy, and just want to drop everything. I am beyond care at the time of writing this. Everything seems sureal too. Its a Sunday. I had to work cos its the open-house day. Guess what lessons are as normal with a bit of timetable changes.
Accordingly, I was meant to only have 1 lesson BUT after "Murphy's Law" has struck time and again, I have to go into another, so becomes 1st and 3rd lessons. Fine. My voice sounds so 'sexy' and 'deep', yet I have to conduct one of the activity. Fine.
BUT there's cca! Fine. I go through the motions of walking around and stuff like usual. Even with cca added, it doesnt take the cake as compared to the fact that though students are dismissed at 3pm, all of us have to stay until 5pm!!!IF I wasnt so petrified by sickness and fatique, I would be upstairs trying recipes. But now I am too cant-be-bothered to do anything else productive or otherwise.
Immediately after work, at 5pm sharp, I am heading straight home. Forget gym and breaking the routine, cant help that I am beyond worldly concerns and am only concerned with getting into bed and sleeping.
______________________________________
For the record, I am amazed I can make it through Fri and Sat in this condition. Of course, it varys, from okay to sickly throughout the day. Battling with sickness, Murphy's law plus very late nights and early morning. I am waving my White flag in surrender. Monday my day-off, I am staying in bed.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Rather tired and sickly
Last week, I think I caught some bugs from a collegue who sat right beside me. She was ahem-ing since last Tue. After a couple of days, by Thur, my throat started feeling a bit sore. By Friday, it had developed into some sort of upper respiratory tract infection. I suspect she didnt go see the docs at all. I was busy last weekend, went for jie-mei meeting and Sunday headed to RWS, so didnt see any doc.
I had thought I was better on Monday but by evening, I had different thoughts. Same collegue was still having coughing and stuff, and I was following suit. I went to see the Docs on Monday evening instead of going to the gym. It was a good decision, and I felt better on Tue and Wed after the antibodies.
But the bug is still not clearing up. Thanks to crazy sunny-rainy weather plus still think same collegue didnt go see a doc. She is still ahem-ing and coughing... Man, I really hate to have somebody sitting beside me. I didnt have a neighbour until she came in. Of sort, I am not working that well with her. Dont get her style and stuff and not that in-tune with her working style.
I still have one more day of medication. Just that still having traces of it... Plus I felt so tired. If not well enough, shall go and see doc again soon. Since its one of the few benefits that I have from work, might as well make use of it to make sure I recover. No thanks to sickly neighbours beside.
Havent gone to gym yet. Tuesday, stayed home, Wed, stayed home, Thur, stayed home and slept way earlier than usual. This Sunday would have to work. Its a usual day but parents are free to enter the class and observe. My sense of taste is partially being affected by the bug, so has been eating soupy and plainer stuff for lunch mainly. Just glad that assignment had been cancelled this week, but I need to be more healthy by next week...
Today I feel the bugs coming back with a vengence. Took the meds in the morning. But this week has been rather taxing on me. On top of that, quite intense cos I have to be an oral examiner of sort yesterday and today. Feel stoned after. After work, heading over to friend's place to help settle tomorrow's stuff. Then tonight will have to iron clothes and get ready all the stuff plus sleep early. Tomorrow have to wake up early too.... Quite tired. Thankfully Monday is off in-lieu of working on Sunday.
I had thought I was better on Monday but by evening, I had different thoughts. Same collegue was still having coughing and stuff, and I was following suit. I went to see the Docs on Monday evening instead of going to the gym. It was a good decision, and I felt better on Tue and Wed after the antibodies.
But the bug is still not clearing up. Thanks to crazy sunny-rainy weather plus still think same collegue didnt go see a doc. She is still ahem-ing and coughing... Man, I really hate to have somebody sitting beside me. I didnt have a neighbour until she came in. Of sort, I am not working that well with her. Dont get her style and stuff and not that in-tune with her working style.
I still have one more day of medication. Just that still having traces of it... Plus I felt so tired. If not well enough, shall go and see doc again soon. Since its one of the few benefits that I have from work, might as well make use of it to make sure I recover. No thanks to sickly neighbours beside.
Havent gone to gym yet. Tuesday, stayed home, Wed, stayed home, Thur, stayed home and slept way earlier than usual. This Sunday would have to work. Its a usual day but parents are free to enter the class and observe. My sense of taste is partially being affected by the bug, so has been eating soupy and plainer stuff for lunch mainly. Just glad that assignment had been cancelled this week, but I need to be more healthy by next week...
Today I feel the bugs coming back with a vengence. Took the meds in the morning. But this week has been rather taxing on me. On top of that, quite intense cos I have to be an oral examiner of sort yesterday and today. Feel stoned after. After work, heading over to friend's place to help settle tomorrow's stuff. Then tonight will have to iron clothes and get ready all the stuff plus sleep early. Tomorrow have to wake up early too.... Quite tired. Thankfully Monday is off in-lieu of working on Sunday.
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