Mistakes. Insanity.

"Insanity is doing the same thing again and again but expecting different results".

Everybody makes mistakes, don't we?

I have made many mistakes in life but none which I regret, yet, at least at this point of time. Do I learn from my mistakes? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. But I tell myself that it's not beause I don't learn but rather I choose not to.

But for sure, every mistake is a lesson to be learnt. I believe that everything happens for a reason but what exactly we may not know now, maybe later or maybe not at all. But how many times do we all need to make the same mistake before we finally learn our lesson? How much more time do we all have to waste before we're convinced that certain things are destined to be a mistake and acts as a lesson for us?

But isn't this what all of us are ging through at one point or another in our short lives? That's just human isn't it? The deeper you are in, the more you refuse to acknowledge defeat.

But then again, insanity sometimes keeps us sane. Doing the same thing again and again may bring you the same results time and time again. But you sometimes just need one miracle, juts one. That one time when things turn out differently, it would make all the previous mistakes worth it.

To me, that's hope. But when that hope turns into hopeless, the time has finally come when I learn my lesson from my mistake. And hopefully when that happens, I will be sane enough to keep away from insanity.

If that day ever comes.

Sick

Me sick. So sick.

No no, I am not mentally sick, or am I???

Coughing, running nose and sore throat. The unusual visit from the usual. Seen the doctor yesterday and given 2 days MC, thus been sleeping quite abit. Flu medicine makes me really drowsy. Handphone was on full divert mode these 2 days, otherwise I would never be able to have a good rest with my mobile ringing like every 10 minutes or so.

Oh, does cough medicine comes in pill form? I simply hate having to swallow cough syrup.

Thrill

Went to Suntec for dinner yesterday and was hanging around the arcade area where they had those machines which you could "catch" soft toys. And I was so in love with this pig that I saw and I wanted it so badly!!! This pig was only available in another machine where you'll need to scoop up sweets pour onto your platform where the back platform is puching. Trigger the flip and you get one more step closer to the jackpot prize. Anyway, hard to explain in words lah!!!

I spent a grand total of only $25 to get it!!! Cheap lor!!



Cute right??? Wahahaha.......I am so happy. This thing is addictive!! My next target is the same pig with dollar signs on it's eyes instead of the hearts. Oh yes yes, a whole lot of sweets to go with it as well.

Meeting some friends soon cos it's Wendy's birthday today!!! Happy birthday girl!!! Hope you'll like what I got you.

7th Wedding Anniversary

It's the year of the copper for our 7th wedding anniversary today. The 7 year itch was supposed to have came but we probably just ignored it.

No fancy dinners and no fancy gifts. I am just happy that we still managed to make it here today despite all that has happened the past year. Just a quiet simple dinner followed by a show. Simple and uncomplicated. Just the way I like my life to be.

Happy anniversary to us. I love u.

Work Is A Roller Coaster Ride

The title says it all, really. The fact that I am writing this post in the office tells all.

I have been in the new company for almost 2 months but I somehow feel that I've been here for 6 months. Very challenging environment and lots to learn and contribute. The first month was tough, really tough. Stressed and burnt out almost every day. The kind of feeling where you're being squeezed of everything you have and at the end of the day, you just feel drained and empty. That was how bad it was.

But I am now having a new portfolio, new scope and new experiences. Yes, there has been a slight change in the structure within the company and thus I am now having a new post and new things to worry about. I know, I know......barely here for 2 months and I am given this opportunity is quite unbelievable. Honestly when I heard the news, I was pleasantly surprised. Really looking forward to the new challenge and new role although it's just a more specialised role looking into an aspect of the many functions which I used to perform. On the other hand, I am feeling the stress yet once again.

The stress of needing to perform in order to match the expectations of the company and myself. The stress of wondering if co-workers feel negatively about me taking up this new role. The stress of measuring myself against too high a benchmark.

That being said, this place is not an easy place for survival. And thus, being able to perform and thrive in this environment is definitely something I am working towards. This place has also opened up my eyes to the real and harsh world of retail. No regrets yet at this point of time but the journey has only just begun.

But the sad thing is I am spending alot of time away from home and from the kids. I miss them so much. I hate this sacrifice. I don't even have time left to watch TV now!!!

Graduation

My little girl has graduation, from kindergarten!!!



I never remembered having a graduation ceremony back in those days. Only remembered taking a picture in the graduation gown and the square hat and that's about it.



They got all the kids to sit together while parents sat seperately in-front.



Waiting, waiting and waiting.





Finally she gets on stage!! Shakes hand with the MP, spoke a little and snap snap photo taking.



All the kids behind the stage waiting for their turn. Don't they all look so adorable in that costume?



Taken while waiting for the ceremony to start. Proud parents aren't we?



I know it's just graduation for kindergarten. But we're so damn proud of her. Trust me. Unless you're a parent yourself, you'll never know why it's such a BIG deal.

Getaway @ Bangkok

Went for a short getaway 2 weeks ago to Bangkok. Finally managed to finish compiling the pictures and thus this delayed blog entry.



All fresh and ready to take on the shopping streets of Bangkok. Took an early morning 9.20am Jetstar flight and arrived at the new Bangkok airport at about 10.45am BKK time.

Anyway, on the plane aready we knew we were trouble. Used 6 immigration cards amongst the 3 of us before we got it right!!! Someone should tell the Thailand customs people to consider making the immigration cards a little more klutz friendly. Anyway, besides the total inability to fill in forms correctly, we managed to get an ink spill out of the pen we were using. How's that for a start??



After much commotion and excitement, we finally arrive!!! Went through immigration, bought drinks, took a puff and hailed a cab to our hotel for check-in. We stayed at Baiyoke Suite Hotel at the heart of Pratunam. Baiyoke Suite people, NOT Baiyoke Sky ah!! Posh lobby and really terrible rooms.



We were famished by the time we got settled down in our hotel room and it's off to MBK!!! Took a tut-tut ride to MBK but the damn tut-tut driver had the balls to stop in this secluded corner abd told us to allow him to bring us to this jewellery store to "see see look look". No need to buy anything but go see so that he can get this fuel coupon from the merchant. Of course we refused and he told us that we had to get down if we don't want to go with him!!! I mean, the place we were ate was quiet and no taxi's or tut-tuts in sight!!! So no choice, we agreed and also settled on a lower fare.

After a long ride and "seeing and looking" we finally managed to reach MBK hungry and angry. Had lunch at MK steamboat restaurant where they serve delicious roasted duck!!! After much shopping we went for bird's nest at the Nam Sing outlet located within MBK.



After MBK, we took a short BTS ride to the massage place where I used to go whenever I am in BKK. It's just at the building next to Asia Hotel @ BTS station Ratchatewi along 7-11 facing the main road. Cheap and good massage at only 200 baht an hour or 380 baht for 2 hours when on promotion. They offer foot and body massage at a nice, cosy and clean set-up.



Just look at our ultra shiok and steam faces after the massage!! Proceeded to dinner at a small eatery next to the massage place and then back to hotel on tut-tut for some beauty sleep.



Had FOC breakfast at the hotel. Ate loads and loads of food so later can save time and money on lunch.



Look at the magnificant view we have from the breakfast place!!! I love it!!!



Went to this new shopping mall called "Platinum Fashion Mall" or something similiar at Pratunam. 6 levels of pure shopping bliss!!! We spent the whole afternoon there buying and buying and buying.



All that walking used up our energy and money in no time. Had to take a rest and plan our strategy for the next 2 days. Had bread with butter and sugar and bread with condense milk!!! I tell you, the person who invented bread with condense milk is absolutely a genius sia. My favourite since I was a little girl........ Oh, and of course shark's fin soup which we shared and bird's nest for each of us.



Though we had a long to do list (to buy list), we were as usual ever ready for the camera!!! Just look at us........ snapping away almost everywhere/anywhere we were.



After a day of shopping, we rushed back to the hotel for a quick bath to freshen up before we head out to meet 2 Thai friends of Sabrina. Dinner was at this Thai restaurant where they served Thai food. Hmmmm..... wonder why Singapore doesn't have a Singapore restaurant where we serve Singapore food. Ignore me, just one of my useless thoughts.



These are the 2 lovely Thai ladies we met. Thank you for the great dinner and great company that night. Come to Singapore and it will be our turn to bring you out for dinner.



Took a tut-tut to the famous four-faced buddha but taken for a "see see look look" ride yet once again. This time even worse, the first store we went refused to give the driver the coupon because they claimed that we simply walked without looking. Their head ah!!! Anyway, after much persuasion, he agreed to ferry us to the four-faced buddha and back to Pratunam FOC if we went to the second place.

When we reached, alas, it was the same shop we came ont he first day. We told him but the driver said never mid, go in see see and he will still keep his par of the deal. And guess what? I managed to resist the temptation to buy this gorgeous pair of earrings but the other 2 ladies bought earrings and a ring. The driver got 2 coupons!!! And yes, he did send us to the four-faced buddha and back to the hotel FOC.

What followed was more shopping, more shopping and more shopping......... Till we were dead tired and settled for a 2 hour foot massage within the hotel. 450 baht for 2 hours, not that ex for hotel standards.

After which we got hungry and decided to explore the streets below our hotel and found roadside stalls!!! So we packed food, bought booze and headed back up for dinner.



2 bottles of Heineken....... but someone spilled almost one whole bottle. Duh!!

Next morning after breakfast, we tried to cover some of the shops which we haven't had a chance to do so the past 2 days. And it's off to the airport.



It's home sweet home. Look at our oh so tired faces!!! It's a date ladies don't forget. April/May 2007!!