De one with How Was Weekend?

Emerging Sunshine

"How was weekend" had always been something raised in my morning texts to others during mornings while I'm on my way to work. Perhaps I was sucked into being those who didn't have to chance to spend my weekend adequately. Hence, that leaves me nothing but to ask what others have been doing, to remain alive I think.

Last weekend I spent with my close friend. This weekend? I caught some good times with a new friend. Went to work in the afternoon, trust me, it's almost perfect to be alone in the romantically lit office, the white shades half-drawn so that the sun could sip in and onto my desk without hurting my eyesight. The air-conditioner blew cool breeze. It's just lovely to work alone in office on Saturdays.

Well, nobody likes the idea of having to work on weekends. Personally, I don't condone but duty calls. My client arranged for collection of documents, so since I was in charged of the assignment, I had to be around. I mean you can't possibly get your colleagues to do stuff for you. It's just against my principles. Anyway, she came aroudn 3pm, I finished what I needed to do by 3:30pm and hurried for my weekend appointment with L (no, not "L" from deathnote please).

Sad to say, the bus left without me before I reached the busstop. No choice, first instinct was to practice some courtesy in informing L I'd be late. Who'd have known, both of us were late. I arrived before though, so I thought it'd be nice to drop myself at Pageone which I've to comment, it's nice place to visit, like libraries when you are early and waiting for friends. Well, I discovered the stuff over there are less temptateous and even if the purchasing-itch overpowers, a magazine cost less than 10 bucks.

Well, another alternative was to hit Starbucks. I weighed both and headed to Pageone as I didn't want to feel bloated from hydration. It was really impromptu planning which was undesirable but it's adventureous. We booked movie tickets first before going for membership collection, I bought the MAC recharge water (didn't get the sporty orange one on my last shopping trip). Since it was mooncake festival's around the corner, L wanted to browse the Marriott snow skinned moon-cake with cheese. Sounds lucious but turns out, it is only exlusively available at the hotel itself (if there's not what I heard wrongly). I confess, the variety of mooncakes were luring. Walking into the festive-exhibition felt like enrolling as a contestant on temptateous island. But, I didn't spend a penny. If there ever was a Confessions of a Shopaholic finale scene replay, I think mooncakes might dance "Flip- flop hop, Rock Twist and Roll" and peonie, dragons and fishes printed on the mooncake boxes might just come alive in joyeous pride of my thiftiness.

Lunch-cum-dinner was done at this florist cum cafe restuarant. Something extraordinary wasn't the settling of the shop or the kind of food they serve. Rather, it was ordering two main course so that the two of us could share. Well, that's my first and I should say, somewhat pleasant experience. One up for unique first-time encounters! Let's see, *food images deciphering in the dreamy thought-bubbles* there was steamy beef lasagne, golden-shimmering chicket cutlet served with refreshing salad and peppery-high creamy spaghetti, and last but not least, the famous Lady and Tramp's meatball tomato-sauced spaghetti. We reckoned perhaps it was a few day's old eatery, so the food wasn't nice but it's definitely reasonably price. An Arte La Carte plus two main courses which came with soup, juice and dessert for a price of $30+. It's definately comparable with level-field players such as Cafe Carte and NYNY.

Movie was humorly-filled. The Ugly Truth. It's kinda ok. Normal storyline about romance between two loggerheads who went through some commitments and realise they had fallen in love with each other. It's something like the replay of "Date with Ted Hamilton". It spells the truth that true love is viable and more than never, it is geniunely found in people who truly understands you, not just on foundations of looks. I enjoyed it, despite L kept saying I was caught falling asleep with a smile. I was not!

It was late but we didn't want to go home. A day ain't complete without coffee. That's something rubbed off my outings with Mohan (whom I have no idea how busy this guy have gotten himself into). We headed to Novena only to get upset by the crowd at Starbucks and "da yang" ("close shop" in Mandarin) of TCC. Left with no choice, we cabbed down to 24 hrs Mc Donalds and we spent almost 2 - 3 hours practically chatting. It was superb to interact with another, so comfortably.. like there's something to confirm my existence and more importantly, the letting-off thought about stamping the "close" case on my endangered social life.

Hope yours was crunchingly-delightful as mine. Otherwise, reading this blog might just fill whatever that was lacking. Cheers.

De one with Shopping Revisited

Curr-ching!

"So much for frugal lifestyle" I told Clara when I met her at Orchard. Pretty determined I was in MRT-ing. As I approached the control station, I fished for the EZlink in my wallet, only to realise it was nowhere to be found. "I'm in the card compartment in your Agnes B", the card personalised in my mind. Oh boy.. no choice, I got myself a one-way ticket. Then ext garbra thing, I bought a ticket for pitstop at Orchard instead of Somerset (where we were supposed to meet). Damn garbra la.

Well, if that wasn't bad enough, starving boy made the both of us walked all the way from Takashimaya to Heeren and back, only to abode our plan for lunch and settled for drinks at the news-stand outside Heeren.

Bloated with water, we announced our shopping spree when we set foot into Ngee Ann City, Sephoria. Clara got a lovely-colored blusher. The first item before our empty hands accumulated, so did the credit card bill an receipts... and having our eyes filled with things since our stomachs weren't furnished.

While accomplishing a task for Clara's hunt for watch (present for her colleague), we located ourselves at this German watch-seller store. Therein you bet you'd never fail to amaze yourself with the beautiful and interesting collection. The customer service was good. Thye bothered to explain to you the characteristics of the watches, somewhat competent in their knowledge of the stuff they've got in their trunk. This is even when you are not diffusing your "I shall buy something from your store" aura. The collections ranges from a few hundreds to 4 digits, nearing 8-9K. Exclusive and interesting would be how I would fill the feedback survey, if there ever was.

The shopping continued for nearly three hours plus, I bagged some facial products from MAC, a 0.32 carat earrings from Lee Hwa (the most valuable purchase for the evening), a dvd, my Biotherm restock and a cologne. Clara said "we certainly got a good shopping today".

Guess we are getting old for this, shopping from near 4 - 10pm, our feets were begging for pardon. We found ourselves having coffee, tea with their "friends", a new york cheesecake and this chocolate lava-fordue. Trust me, it's chocolaty and the chocolate's generously oozing out when the fork embed its teeth into the auburn dessert.

Fruitful day doesn't come without a price tag. My kneel took a toll due to overexertion from the morning run and long-houred shopping journey on foot. And, the pinch of aftermath guilt that will surface when the bank print the digits onto the statement of accounts.

De one with Ace of Jekyll and Hyde

Universally owned

It is full liberty which turns everyone else shameless. I wouldn't vouch that they throw their morale values. Rather, as a personal opinion of a twenty-four year old, I feel they might have modified the social norms into a way they personally or others of their kind, deemed acceptable.

Notwithstanding legislation which approves concubines and mutiple-marriages, Society views second wives or "the other women" as something utterly disgraceful. The Chinese and native-koreans are huge defenders of these. Some women out there are willing to come out to the media and propagate their existence and the deeds which they feel justifiable to have everyone knows. Some for revenge nonetheless. Some for a second oportunity to shamelessly deprive others of their wealth-status. I guess it would be a pretty familiar scene in family courts where mistresses fight for status and alimonies. Well, I was just watching this American drama and also HongKong drama on vicious creatures. Well...drama nonetheless but it must have happened for scriptwriters to plot about it.

When we open our personal acceptance, people oversees what is so important to traditions (which is most often deemed to be boringly-dry and conservatively irrevelant for reality, for some) and behavoir such as way which they thought or opinion exceptional or brave because everyone other ain't in favour or acceptance of.

Being shameless is something we are not proud of. It is even scarier when the wrong-doer feels or is unaware of the wrong things they are committing. Like Jekyll not knowing what Hyde has done right from the beginning.

Fundementally, it roots from the non-admission of wrong which stirred humans, us, to become shameless, coming up and giving tonnes of excuses and lies from the "book 1,001 reasons for being immoral", to shud ourselves from punishment, truth and integrity.

I guess the Aces of Jekyll and Hyde had been burnt into effect at some point in our lives. Like Magic cards, all cards drawn needs a mana point. The mana point for employing the Ace card, lie to yourself.  

Nothing much. Just silly reasoning morales to state herein. 

De one with Epiphanic Moment

Momentary

Was on a leave today. I jolly-well might have all the excuses and reasons for taking medical certificates for getting overburned from last night's project mad-rush, go on holidays or just a day for family matters, study for exams. But for today, ask and my answer would be I have completely no idea why I applied the break for. Nope, not for a prolonged long weekend. The question and filling of leave application form was just as sudden as I least expected.

My day started at 8am. Watched this american drama series. Thought of heading for a tan today. Turns out ah ma said today was the last day of hell-gate's opening. Not "pan-tan" ("supersitious" in Malay), well, better to be safe than sorry. The wet weather didn't permit me as well, after all the considerable amount of incense-fernancing since yesterday night. Give the environmentalist a break. Tradition overrules i supposed.

Was expecting my crystal kris bears to arrive. Apparently it din't deliver until nine plus in the evening. Anxiousness transformed to relieve before turning into disappointment when I open the nicely-wrapped purchase to observe its arm positioned lower and detached from its sleeve. Not saying the arm is broken. It's just positioned away from its sleeve and the gap in between just makes the look weird. First was Johnny kris bear with the wire rope detached and uneffected waranty because the seller didn't stamp on the certificate. Man.. it's kinda mood-drowning. Perhaps I pinned too much hopes for.. satisfaction at higher-than-expected levels. I emailed the vendor and requested replacement to be processed.

Night time came when I just have to get this thorn in my mind - RT booking. It's dreadful. The schedules for selection is unconvenient for me given I have classes on Tue, Wed and Fri. Plus examination's due on 28th October and 5th November. Each RT session last three hours. Goodness, think i'll just take it as a gym session, getting reimbursed me for my attendence too..so that they could pay me more after I pass. How's that sound (?)

Well, this still doesn't bribe nor silence the frustrated inner soul, who's integri-ously having his hands on my head and shaking me awake, asking why we gotta be put through such tortitious obligations when the rest of the world ain't doing it. I mean you want the country to flourish economically, then why place so much emphasis on those who have served their commitments and you're getting fresh batches every year. It ain't physical fitness but discipline (de core) that forms the fundemental principle of the martians. But what can be done, everybody's too wimped to repel anything. The best solutions people are gonna fling at us "lgive up your citizenship and leave". It's just the same analogy as whistle-blowing.

Not suggesting havok.. just listen to what could be worked out and.. hey, we're not emphasising human rights.. just let us be what we can, be practical, and put our resources to better use, considering our options.

Indeed a rusty screw is unslightly, it holds the hinge for door

which serves as protection nonetheless.

 (Picture in courtesy of JuanJ, Flickr.)

Main lesson learnt for the blog? because life or things in life are imperfect, the more we have to discover how to notice the perfectness within the imperfectness.

De one with Project Group

Air of complaints

Honestly, those who love (I said "love", not "like" or "enjoy") project work, raise up your hand so that I could see or perhaps discharge my project load onto you. Not my fault, I'm just doing likewise what some of my projects mates are doing to me. Alright, cover your ears, Mr J's complaining.

Thanks to my low-esteem-hindered socialising, I never quite relate myself with group projects which amplifies my preference to go solo. Well, except it's mandatory for group work which I recalled once in which my group came up top and was invited to presenting at assemblies, I did fine at individual projects during primary to secondary. The other part which accounts for my dislike for group projects is the undesirable consequences of doing group project. Trust me and as most would agree, it gets alot dreadful when you have less-than-expected performance from those which the group recruited. 

Let's lay out these "undesirable consequences" shall we? First on the hussle list is "troubles in forming concesus". It involves three or more to constitute group work. It spells troubles when the members have different ideas and opinions. I'm stating a case notwithstanding the creativity, ideas-generation, equal distribution of workload so as to achieve productibility and quality of the project as a whole. Unfortunately, decision making is tough when you have people of different minds. People live apart. All these factors often land the group the initial problem of where and when to meet and approaches to completing the project. Recently, I personally encountered the problem of meeting up. We came up with a solution, pathetic but it was the best of all. We acknowledged the need to spilt up our work and just do separate parts before consolidating. "Mere patching up of individual works" we often call it. It doesn't take the reader long before he or she or he-she notice the non-cohensiveness in the completed work, nonetheless incomplete as it lacks synchonisation. Recently, Zhen Ze and I made use of technology. We applied work etiquette - net-meeting to discuss our projects.

Second hussy derives from unfairness which is inherent in every group projects. There is always a leader as well as the "under-performers", or "free-riders" or "slackers" in modern lingo. It gets off the scale as to how much work load each accepts and actually accomplish. Seriously speaking, it is group work which expose people to unfair treatments. Gurrh, I hate it when people fail to realise how much you've done. Instead of appreciating and acknowledging your contributions, they conveniently ask you this favor and that, on basis that you're free and in capacity to accomodate more. It's very sad.

Project work doesn't guarantees increased efficiency. On the contrary, it lowers efficiency when the group lacks discipline. You can have people on the laptop, distracting you with conversations or phrased-out. Definitely no no. When I'm with such members, I often pray hard for my mutation cells to evolve during my life-span for me to have special powers to control the behavior of these annoying people like a remote control!

Nevertheless, despite being an advocate towards group work, I think group work does has its beautiful sides. Apart from those earlier mention, I guess group group extends your contacts in a way and thus, builds your character in dealing with your peers sitting at the same table. Through the quality of the work they produce or notice the way they presents themselves at project meetings, you genuinely learn more about your associates. The strengths and weaknesses are identified. For me, I learnt and it teaches me who I could approach for their fortes.

Much discussed, I shall revealed today I was kinda pissed after reading what a p-mate sent me. He instructed me what to do and I.. took it in a bad way coz I felt I done quite a fair bit already. Aww.. and I reconsidered again.. it's just not worth getting too bothered. Whichever we are asked, we just help whenever we can. Taking it like a mouthful of bitter medication. It would be accounted by those above, "you-know-who". Better use the time to complete whatever there is left and expediate on closure.

De one with Flash the Red Light On!

Dear all,

If you love me please stop my "evil twin brother", Ja5on from making such gutter decisions! Goodness, he's splurging nearly a thousand for these...

 

(From top, left to right: Francois, Fritz, Johnny, Kaatje and Kumiko. All pictures in courtesy of google web and Swarovski crystal. This website has not affiliation with the sellers nor are the pictures with intentions to action sales nor purchase) 

Damn, He saw my 11 "precious" and now the appetite's gotten into him.. and these are the previous collections which had been unrevealed via the most "evil tool" he's possessed - the Internal and Ebay. *palm on forehead*

He's got them all.. "recruiting" from United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia and US.. Jesz.. I've gotta drive some sense into this guy in me.

 

Actually, I reckon both of us fell for the cute features and the joy it brings. You know, certain things/person in life are just too perfectly adorable, its irresistible cute appearance just capitvate our hearts.

In fact, I do admit money can't buy anything. What's that? It's Love. Or to be more specific, genuine love. Well.. showering gifts to gain accompany isn't a form of buying love, it's bribing. Transfering money to have someone is providing finance assistance or even rosier, charity to the Ministry of love. True love? It can't be bought but earned through sincerity, commitment and trust. Prerequisites? Chemistry (so I supposed those doing fine at chemistry perform likewise in love?)

Alright lame. I'd think love is a lottery. When the place, time and most importantly, the person is right, it will be yours for the keeping. Joy is the winning. What about those who yet to find the right one?

For me.. I reserved a space for that special someone to claim the throne.. like all Disney cartoon characters, they have these "calefare" or bit-role characters (mostly in the form of animals which magically talks or are able to express their emotions to humans), I have these exquisite pals to accompany me, despite they aren't interractive but hey, it's just sufficient to accumulate joys from life when other aspects aren't available.

Not gonna discard these babies away but i'm sure, they contain fond memories in years to come. Very unlikely we throw our memories away do we? Such pretty artefacts that glitters charm unto my heart.

De one with Falling Petals

Petals falls, crystal clefts

Sometimes I just wanna sit down, glaze at the ceiling, anything and stone. That's precisely what I'm doing as I blog. The only parts of my body which are busy working now are my fingers and eyes.

Don't you find it amusing, somewhat miraculous most of the time certain things we desire in life end up becoming something else or worst, nothing. Most will shrug their shoulders and say "well, that's life. Everybody's accepting it. What can we do about it?". Expecting me to say likewise? Hmm.. I can deny yes, I'm afraid sometimes, it is.

Things don't go our way all the time, especially when we grow out of the protective years in which our parents pamper us with all the possiblities of making everything smooth-sailing. Pulling the focus back to me. I have education, work exposure, family's love. To top the cream, I've got one of the leading facial care, wardrobe-ful of colognes and footwear, invest-able-bags and clothing, supplementary cards, best friends, family who loves me to the brim. I maximise my lifestyle with books, tea and coffee chill-out, admire and feel rejoyed with my Swarovski collection, fair bit of jogging, occassional swim and tan sessions. Not forgetting embarking on overseas traveling experiences. Have you lovelites watched "Confessions of the Shopaholic"?.. I believe leading a life like a book, that's filled with anything, ranging from self-drawn delights, Tiffany ribbons, metals from Lee Hwa, pen-marks from colleagues on my birthday card, receipts from Orchard road, picture-freezed memories to fragments of my shattered heart.. Ahh yes.. anything but the matters of the heart. It's a bottle that's half-filled, mainly attributed by my family. Embedded it thick based is the bespoken love from those who left.

Little did I ever realise this could occur to a guy. But I am feeling it. Worried in fact, I'm running out of..  (mubbles)... I heard sighs, another staring into blankness. And.. another comes, gently places his hands on my shoulders and gives a grip. He whispers a voice which echoed a mimicking mind: Love comes to those who least expect it.

True enough, it is.. I know it's a temporary pacifier which I would grow out of. Bought so much crystal, the gleaming silver lining ought to be out someday. Trust.

De one with Most Wanted Revealed!

No, this is not MJ news

Suspense is such thrilling thing! My manager wrote on my recent birthday card: "God (Please take this as an universal love) loves the cheerful giver". These little indulgences are expensive but each and everything joy it derived me carried me through these few tough weeks.

 

All products are my purchase but hey, (in courtesy of) Swarovski logo did appear in some of the photos above.

Since little, I have always got a thing for crystal and collection. Primarily because I love having things which are complete. A set of variety within a group that's bonded/identifiable with a sense of belonging. My first crystal was an anniversary gift from my Daddy when he returned with the similar navy blue box which contained swans. When we went Australia, I collected a set of crystal bears playing musical instruments.

After more than a decade, these appeared. Thanks to the love that never fail to guide me through when torments of life are taking its toll on me. The rediscovered love from innocent. I watched this film recently, "The Boy in Pajamas".. it opens with this phrase which I felt it to be true.. "Childhood is measured by sight, smell and sense, until the evils of logic comes in". I wouldn't deny I'm a child no longer. One might feel I'm escaping back in time. No I'm not. I am moving forward with my current purchasing power, using my past experience, the fuel from a childhood's joy, to propel me forward against the challenges life has in-stored for me.

Don't you just love them?

De one with Pre-episode

Feeling Blue (in a good way)

My favorite color - blue. Anything associated with this always means good to me. That's the color of the elegant packing with contains my latest billboard list of...! Slimmer down.. shh.. it's a secret.

Lately I'm amazed I go through this crazy week. The rest were cheering me on. Thanks guys and the fighting spirit which persevered on. And lastly, "Wonder girls" for their groovy catchy award-winning song, Nobody. It's a highly recommended must listen song. The chorus' addictive! Not for the softhearted though.

Youtubed them. These korean girls can really dance. Boy, they really franked out every sexy and feminine moves, every strength a woman could possess. Award them the two-thumbs up. I must say, the dance choreographer ought to be talented. Besides, thunderous applause for the music director too. Really displayed the wonders of music. Same song, same lyrics but different versions, difference genre of music - from pop, to sentimental ballad, to groovy disco-beat.

That made me feel better. Landing me spaces to enjoy the teeny bit of life amongst the pricky grey moments. Bouncing back to high-moods or at the least, the "green" zone. Stay tune for the next blog folks!

De one with Contemplating

Sea of thoughts

Today my mood was as dark as my black outfit. Somehow I couldn't help but feel left out or astrayed. It's time I address this inner-unhappiness. Don't get me wrong. I love my job. I have a burning passion for it. But it's just the system and the way things are being administrated, it's restricting or pissing me to a certain extend. Human relationship bothers me. I hate it. Perhaps this is "politics" - a strategy I'll never master.

I am contemplating whether I ought to take a break. I texted Clara. Of course, I worked out the pros and cons mentally. Damnit, of all things I hate most is to sit on the fence. Where I know I can't "buy both, when in doubt" unlike shopping.

Perhaps I should. Maybe not. What's gonna happen next semester when I'm already struggling like mad this semester with so much projects. Ooooo boy. Wish some guardian angel or fairy god-brother would appear and give some advice.

Shhhh... there's a secret held in the heart of the little boy. Who came out of the cacoon and slip back in.