A penny for your thoughts,

If you had a penny, would you give to a happy or sad man?

Instinctively, we tend to have an almost knee-jerk perception to give to the sad man - but why, is the warped idea of money bringing about happiness so deeply ingrained in us for us to react this way?

Kranji,

Paid a little vist to the Kranji countryside one fine Saturday afternoon where we had the car. Armed with our cameras, but I didn't bring my film unfortunately. Roamed around, almost forgetting we were still in Singapore - what luxuries of time together I will dearly miss.

Saturday mornings,

I had a new student today, she came in with sweet plaided hair and an oversized blue bag that seemed to weigh down on her shoulders. Elle est petit they would say in French, she was tiny but boy was her enthusiasm immense! It reminds me on how we all used to be, and how things around started to get smaller as we grew up that now everything fits into our head. Or perhaps everything seemed larger because there were so many things rioting for our attention. Paradoxically, the more we see of the world, the more vast we perceive it to be - which is pretty overwhelming because we still have so much more experiences to soak in. I'm also getting to know the other students better, it's like a Saturday morning routine without its mundane predictability (trust me it's anything but predictable) Even though I'm really the teacher, sometimes I learn so much more from these kids. And it doesn't even require a verbal connection.

Your fate hurtles down on you,

I've been good all weekend - waking up exceptionally early for a non-work day and wearing flats to put my battered feet to rest from its weekday torment. Oats for a healthy start of the day, and a pepper of household chores for the domestic goddess ideal. Although I did get ticked off by mumsie for saying okay a litte too hastily, hence a reminder for thyself to be more tactful. I'm typing this on a train ride to the East for Pepperoni's so I shall leave you here as I return to my train dose of literature joy and newfound love for Best Coast which is on perpetual repeat on my music player (Thanks to my office companion) Adios, amigos!

Edit/Pepperoni's pizzas are pretty awesome and the family-sized pizzas are amazingly huge!

Idyllic existence,

It's 2am in the morning and I'm here seated in the awkward stillness of the night because I can't get to sleep, despite all efforts to tame this restlessness. Nesting under the sheets was a bad idea because like a train seat, it eventually became too warm for comfort. It's surreal to be awake at such a moment when the world's asleep, you feel tiny but so alive. I'm perched at the verge of my window beam, waiting for the perfect sleepy moment to fall back into bed. The street lights are somewhat flickering (or just my night vision playing tricks on me, more like it) with an occasional stray cat darting across the empty road below or a car driving in to the break the serenity. Such is the symphony in my head....the stillness of the night is truly amazing. One more attempt to sleep, wouldn't want to be caught in a zombified stupor during Sociology class tomorrow afternoon.

For life's not a paragraph,

Caught a glimpse of beautiful evening sun rays, a pleasant surprise as I walked past my parents' room in a half conscious state.  Which is not a mean feat considering how the afternoon heat has basked my room in a drunken stupor. (Like room, like occupant I'll say) Hidden sweet treats found buried in the refrigerator are such gems, except that the sugar crystals keep flaking off and I have to dust them away from my desk. In other side news, I've also painted my nails jade green, the picture doesn't really do them justice because they look turquoise and my fingers look awkward haha. I also have a knack for hoarding bottles so my Starbucks 100% fresh orange juice comes in handy as a bottle companion.

Got a few OPI bottles from a fashion event I attended whilst I was working last year, haven't tried them yet even though they're very prettily lined up on my accessories shelf. And of course, an eiffel tower keychain, which perches perfectly on the window grill. What bold dreams ♥

Love the contrast against my new IKEA cushion, garnered through a fulfilling meal of meatballs, chicken breast with pasta, classic juice and Daim cake two days ago. If I eat there frequently enough, perhaps I'll have the whole range of the other colours. Ciao!

Motion prevails,

Song of the moment: Ben- Michael Jackson

Good morning world, it's a hundred degrees outside. Although I did peer out of the window to see if it was gonna rain, since the weather these days has been extremely erratic. But nope, it's an azure blue sky dotted with magnolia clouds. This is what education does to you I reckon. The motion prevails, we just follow through drifting alongside something we think we believe in, but some may not. Digressing, I like this picture because it shows how clean my room is, plus the crooked makeshift moustache is just so out of place (what a failed attempt). The white bear, my dad's gift to my mum, says hi on the top shelf and I spy my favourite bunch of wooden tulips from Holland.

Love without prejudice,

Silent but not empty.

The past two weeks have taught me aplenty, especially a noteworthy serendipity on board bus 95 on the way back home from Arts. It was 3pm, I avoided the window seat because of the intense midday sun. Left it empty and sat next to the aisle, secretly praying that the bus would be empty enough for some personal space. But alas, everyone started filling up the bus at the NUH stop. One of them was an intellectually disabled guy who staggered his way through, in hopes of getting a seat. What was most astonishing was that no one in front offered their seat, or removed their bags on the empty seat next to them; so I grudgingly moved into the midday sun spot, using my calendar as my shield against the sun glare. He smiled politely, but didn't utter a word of thanks.

Later, after he alighted at the Buona Vista train station stop, he knocked profusely on the window pane next to my seat and placed a foolscap against the glass with a "Thank you" scribbled clumsily over it whilst waving fervently. The woman who received him, presumably his caretaker, smiled and gave a nod of acknowledgment.

What a day brightener and a humbling incident! The mile in the smile truly lives up to its name, for it goes a long way. If only we could celebrate our differences amongst ourselves, and love without prejudice.

In a whole different context, past two Fridays have been really therapeutic - Be it sipping white wine in the stillness of the night by the beach, or in the embrace of the breeze by the poolside staring at festive light reflections on the surface of the water. Such moments which just take you away from the bustle of everyday life. Or in my words, the true luxury of life.

Photograph: Sunset taken at Pinnacle@Duxton

QTPY,

My nephew is such a darling!

Sorry, couldn't resist posting them up here :}

DIY hand drawn shoes,

The shoes turned out pretty well, fabric markers and steady hands magically work a classic out :}

Jars of Clay - Something Beautiful

Everyone will be famous in 15 minutes,

Dinner with the girls @ 15 minutes, not exceptionally good food but definitely great company :)
Look forward to our sleepover, with Final Destination 4!
(Shiany please rise from the dead)

I miss my board, the one that faithfully stares at me every sleepy office afternoon, waking me up with it's endless trail of conversations and doodles by my colleagues who vandalize them. (Creative corner of expression they would say)
Never fails to brighten up my mornings, be it the cow in astronaut suit with a rocket launch in the wrong place or the Ipad (private joke here) which needs to be recharged.

I MISS YOU ALL ALREADY.
Have a lot of office farewell pictures, shall upload them into an entry soon :)

Would I lie to you,

Such a classic, I like.
I'm such an oldie.

Mess of words,

I'm honestly supposed to be preparing for my rehearsal tomorrow but all I can think of is a mess of words: this is not good.
These few days have been tough, with the bittersweet goodbyes at the end of the week in office.
I have scrolls of wisdom lying on my desks, with matt silver envelopes shimmering under the orange light and of course, names printed nicely in bold black ink - farewell letters all ready to be sent out in full force. (Okay I admit I'm still missing a few but still working on them)

Past few has been good: Asian Fashion Summit with Blueprint Fashion shows featuring A.W.O.L (A walk of life) and Raoul.
More about those when I get pictures!
E50 awards launch ceremony was insightful, it's always fresh to have different perspectives, especially from those whom we are indirectly or directly benefiting.
As with the past five years, OCBC bank is the main sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.
It's quite an interesting event, what a pity I don't get to follow up with it all the way up the forth quarter.

After which, I decided to walk down to catch a cab back to office where I met with an encounter with a long green snake.
Dazed, I accidentally stepped on it with my (already) screwed up ankle and feeling threatened, it slithered towards me. (To my gasp horror)
I ran so fast, my ankle hurts even more.
This happened outside Shangri-la apartments, within walking distance from Shangri-la hotel where the latter event was held. (Read: Danish pastries and fruit for breakfast!)
I am traumatized, yes.

Goodbye as I spew out more problems and thereabouts of bureaucracy.

A picture speaks a thousand words,

Honestly, it makes me chuckle, doesn't it just speak volumes of the levels of enthusiasm at that exact moment?

Come what May,

(The ideal situation I'd love to be in right now)

It's ending April and just in a month so many changes have taken place, as if my entire direction has taken a turn.
Nonetheless, I shall stay calm (read: Calm, not clam, I typed clam at first) and still be thankful that I stood by what I'm passionate about - no regrets :)
It's 9am and I'm sitting in the familiarity of my office desk, the sound of routine photocopiers and office chatter still ringing in my ears.
4 months, no doubt am I going to miss this place.
The shrill voice of Meryl from across the office or Zachary popping by my cube to discuss one of his taking over the world plans on a sleepy afternoon, little joys in the midst of office life.
Can't wait for your first book out from command school :(

Names have been changed to protect identity.

See the Sun,

Sometimes, it's the smallest things that fill the most room in your heart.
Amen to that, but what can I say except: "Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming."

P.S. Out with the girls yesterday night, was really good catching up and all with pizza @ Timbre! And hooray to unglam pictures on Shiany's mac, I'm really going to miss all of youl when you're all strewn in different continents :( We need this Oovoo thing http://www.oovoo.com HAHA



Shoutout to Karen: Have a safe trip over to Belgium :) Belgium chocolate teeheehee ♥♥♥ Journey mercies, hope Eyjafjallajokull doesn't decide to blow up again, take care and come home soon so we can spend quality time before you leave for U to the S to the A windy city.

List in the making,

1. Possibly get a hair trim/wave
2. Finish up Undercover Economist by Tim Hartford
3. Finish up Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
4. Bake those cookies
5. Work on my presentation slides
6. Come up the LJG explanation for the presentation
7. Get mentally prepared for interview on Monday 5pm
8. Get pretty letter paper for farewell notes
9. Stop drowning in yarn
10. Event on monday :)
11. Send in my resume
12. Get headphone that are compatible with F480
13. Pack my messy room
14. Retail therapy
15. Meeting my girls!!

I need to start making lists to look forward to, and time will pass.

Figments,

It's the second day and there's this dull feeling in my lower abdomen, something that you can't just ignore. (Cramps or gastric I can't really tell anymore) Or perhaps it's just the rawness of the prospect of the next three weeks. (Prayers really help for that peace of mind and I'm thankful for that!)

Either way, I wish it'd go away.

The office is getting colder, and in this I don't just mean it literally. Slowly, my fellow comrades are leaving us behind, for future prospects in greener pastures. My office source of sunshine on those grey cloudy days. I'm having my turn in three weeks, but between that and me is just a pile of work and projects plus one milestone event in the LEAD calendar.

It's been indeed an experience, and I'm thankful for the (nearly accidental) chance of landing on this internship, with 7 May marking my departure. I've met new people, new ventures, new chances to do things I never imagined myself to do. (Yes, figures included) Still seeking His direction for the next path to take, and contemplating embarking on my other job offer. Of course part of me is tres excited on the future, eager to move on as uncertain it may seem right now. Yet I guess there's another part of me that wishes I could be on top of the mountain away from civilization just reminiscing and reliving all those days of summer.

The myriad of smells from the after-showers outside gushes in to fill my room as I force open my bedroom windows. Raindrops race down the sides of the panes, isn't this so strongly familiar? Raining bathroom ceilings, you would say. And I would smile in acknowledgment. I just know it.

Now if you were to excuse me, I shall find something to munch on after replying my emails. What can you say, we are creatures of habit.

♥

8:25 am

Tying thoughts, fraying knots,
Rejoice to a whole new level of Monday emotional blues, I'm extremely sleepy trying to jolt all temptations to shut my eyelids, even for that split second.
Tossing and turning on Monday morning at 2am isn't my definition of getting rest, and neither is forcing to pretend that my cramps don't hurt at all.
Projected claims for disbursements are long overdue.
This post screams Help.

Today spells three more official weeks of Office Crazy Schedules.
(I end on May 7)
And yes, pun was intended.

Lunch meeting soon, yay to informal discussions over formal issues.

Possession,

“What is it? My dear?”
“Ah, how can we bear it?”
“Bear what?”
“This. For so short a time. How can we sleep this time away?”
“We can be quiet together, and pretend – since it is only the beginning – that we have all the time in the world.”
“And every day we shall have less. And then none.”
“Would you rather, therefore, have had nothing at all?”
“No. This is where I have always been coming to. Since my time began. And when I go away from here, this will be the mid-point, to which everything ran, before, and from which everything will run. But now, my love, we are here, we are now, and those other times are running elsewhere.”
–A.S. Byatt, Possession