2011 - A recollection and reflection

Only a few days to the welcoming of a brand new year, but 2011 has passed by so quickly it caught me by surprise. I mean, I didn't even feel the usual pre-special occasion mood before my birthday or Christmas! Other than a few holidays that I had, I can't remember other significant events worthy of a bookmark in 2011. Perhaps it has been very much a work-social-work-rest-work kinda year. If I had to choose an event as the highlight of the year, it would be the conquering of Mt. Kinabalu, hands down.


> In January this year I received good news that I would be posted permanently (until further notice, that is) to Auto Svcs. I said it is good news because I had specified my preference for it - and why so is because of the challenge, opportunities and the great company.


> In late January, TMSACO had our inaugural alumni public concert, held nonewhere other than our school hall.

It was an emotional one for me (not to the extent of crying) because of the rich memories stirred up. Our practices were held in our alma mater and whenever I'm in the compound, I feel like a student all over again. I peer down the corridor, into my ex-classroom, step into the CO room, and my mind visualizes the familiar sights, sound and laughter and friendly faces that were once the chapters of my secondary school life.

Picking up the ruan again was not an easy task but it was not a difficult one either. For the love of music and performing more than compensated for the burn on my fingers and sacrifice of several Saturday morning sleep-in/football. 值得. I also said this concert would pave the way for more to come, but it would alas be my last. I don't think I gel in the dynamics anymore... kinda old liao la hur hur hur...

> CNY 2011 was an awesome one because of the higher turn up. Many cousins gathered and we had fun like previous years. We visited our uncle's plantation and the train station, and definitely didn't miss out on the routines of the usual mahjong, eat mamee, taking of do-re-mi and jumping photos so reminiscent of CNY.

> Lazy to dig up history but I also had my first experience of travelling overseas for work in 1st Quarter this year. There ain't much to brag about, but nevertheless, a first. Haha.


> In March there was a spontaneous overseas trip with my buddies. I think we were rather exhausted from the pace and burden of work that we decided to give ourselves a well-deserved break. Planning was unproductive due to varied expectations and budget so we finally set on an easy destination - Batam.

Above: our first meal.

We didn't accomplish much there other than window shopping, thai massage, and... can't remember. HAHA. It was meant to be a brainless, slow-paced and relaxing holiday and the purpose was met. The only stress we had there was probably trying to escape the attention of the hotel staff cos we were bunking in 3 in a room meant for two. Heh.


> March-April-May-June-July was the busiest time of the year. There was a huge amount of work on my hands and as a result I clocked many OT hours, on most nights I found myself the only soul in office. :( However, I should say they were worth it because I could see my hardwork paying off. I didn't quite have a life at that time and boy, the Phuket trip came in really handy.


> Phuket trip in May with buddies and LL.

It was a promo deal we bought way back in August 2010. Only $98 nett!! And when May finally arrived, GOSH WERE WE EXCITED!!!

Phuket is a fantastically beautiful tourist attraction.

The pictures show enough. I recommend Phuket for everyone keen to experience a variety of entertainment and activities at a very affordable price! Choose to do anything from white water rafting, ATV driving, snorkelling and swimming with fishes, laying down on the golden fine sand and elephant riding to indulging in authentic thai massage or shopping along the touristy laid-back streets. Don't miss the famous nightspot Bangla Street for eye-openers and such. Haha.

We spent 4d3n there and it was a really well-spent and memorable holiday. :)


> Sundown Marathon 26 May. Ran 10km.


> Received a promotion in July. Am really thankful for all the generous support and opportunity. I received a number of congratulations on a personal note and am appreciative of that, too :)

> Went to Melaka over the weekend in July. First trip there. Had lotsa fun with the bunch of friends who were crazy and performed ducking/planking/owling wherever whenever. Summary of Melaka trip? "Queue. Eat. Repeat", as oyt put it. HAHA, how apt. In no more than 1.5 days we tried every good stuff there.

We also came up with our own homemade version of Visa dance.

"In Melaka without a Ringgit"

> An item off my bucket list in August - Conquer of Mt. Kinabalu. So awesome and memorable the experience was that in my dream last night I was climbing it a second time. Thanks to Me and Myself for the tedious planning, haha, and also to Temperamental Toeji for the tips and advice! (Temperamental Toej: Okay this time your name is carved =P)

I think I have said 'nuff of the climb in some of my previous posts haha. Don't want to bore you further, I'll just show you some more pics.

The group (I'm still amazed the group ended up having more gals than guys):

The picturesque and breathtaking view:

The signs along the way that gave us short-term motivation (Facial expressions at 5.5km and 8.0km were posed):

I recommend everyone to do this. Even oyt, who isn't quite a nature-lover nor the sporty kind, and who endured excrutiating calf ache to reach the top, commented, "I'm glad I did this."


> Was supposed to be indulging in salt-baked fish, tomyam soup, beef noodles and streetside fried chicken in Bangkok in October. Tickets (only $141!) and accomodation paid for, only for the unprecedented floods to wash our plans away. It was a real bummer, all of us had been jumping in anticipation for it before the waters came in. When they did, we were still optimistic and hoping for the best. But alas, we had to forgo the trip. Thankfully we bought travel insurance 3 days before the cutoff date! Not so bad! Right now still trying to gather the necessary admin and paperwork required to claim.


> In November I signed up for and attended an event by a SDN affliated partner. It was my first and don't think I'll go for another so soon, haha. But hey, I didn't go for it cos I was desperate - 10% of the interest was to make friends and the other 90% for the activity lol. Chek Jawa. Had always wanted to see Chek Jawa. The whole event was rather pricey at $99. But well there was a nature guide and a nice 4-course dinner that came along with it. Plus I got to know a few unique contacts.


> One of the best things that happened this year was the widening of my social circle. 'The Club', as members affectionally call it, is a facebook group specially created by founding father Levan, whose original intention was to find partners for his sister and best friend.

So he started by inviting all his single friends (with or without permission, haha), and members could then invite their own single friends. You would be surprised that the facebook page was created sometime in March, and within two months it had close to 200 members.

The many activities organised included:

• BBQ
• Pyjamas Party
• Picnic at East Coast Park
• Numerous KTV sessions
• Sentosa fun
• Butter Factory night
• Drinking sessions at Winebar
• Night cycling

 

As the number of active members got larger, it was more convenient to hang out in smaller cliques.

They went out for:

• Movie sessions
• Bukit Timah climb
• KTV sessions
• Countless buffets
• Birthday celebrations
• Golf driving practices
• Zoo
• Gaming and board games
• Steamboat at wh's place
• Wakeboarding
• Cycling at ECP
• Just hangin' out

And more recently, a Xmas gathering at Dawn's place! What an awesome way to countdown to Christmas as well as her birthday! Potluck was fantastic and more so were the games and laughter all the way from 6.30pm to 5.30am. We even had a gift exchange via Yankee Swap. Some of the gifts were hilarious hahaaha (handcream, colour pencils, 2 water bottles, Live Forever tea???!). I'm sure all of us had plenty of memorable fun.

Quite amazing how the fb group was innocently set up but how matured it has developed. Say, 2 couples have even 'graduated' from it! Haha. Discounting the stigma, it is cool fun to widen your social circle and have this ready group of friends you can jio for activities and such. In fact, many of us are already discussing on a NZ road trip next year... hope it materializes!

> Me and Myself turned 27 on 15 December 2011.

A great way to celebrate the strike of 12 by downing a Flamin' Lamborghini along to Happy Birthday by my friends. Really touched by the party of 8 who came by specially to make my bday a memorable one. :)

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When I checked my recap of 2010, it ended with my personal hope for a rose. Unfortunately it didn't happen in 2011, but I must say the romance chapter for this year is earmarked with colours and highlights. Haha.

And it is always good to measure your resolutions. In the same blog post, my wish for 2011 was, "I want to spend my 2011 the way I want it - adventurous, and a learning journey with flexibility and freedom and making lots of friends along the way, and finding my direction."

Adventurous? Hit - Mt. KK, water rafting.

Learning journey with flexibility and freedom? Hit - progress at work.

Making lots of friends? Big hit - the Club and its activities hahahaha!

Finding my direction? Hmm. Abit ambiguous. I think I had meant drawing out my career path... half tick half miss.

I think 2011 has been a pretty fruitful year, based on the evaluation above. It has been quite exciting, the trips and the friends and the activities. Enriching, at work and social. Part of it was hectic, managing endless amount of work, and balancing family and social at the same time. The hectic schedule was a big part to my obliviousness of how quickly the months have passed by. Gosh!!!

With no projection of major events, I think 2012 will be almost similar to 2011. Work will still be work. The Club will still be hanging out as usual. Here's hoping for 2012:

• New Zealand road-trip cum skydiving WOOHOO!!!
• Hong Kong with family in June (tentative)
• KL for cousin's wedding in Dec
• Squeeze in a Bangkok trip somewhere
• And a beachy place (Langkawi/Bali/Krabi/Boracay????!)
• Smooth-going at work, with fulfilment and enjoyment
• Stock prices to go UPPPPPPPP
• Minimal public transport breakdown
• Good health and wealth, haha
• A rose???

Personal goals:

• Join acapella society as a CCA 
• Further studies. Take GMAT? Ha
• Maintain Silver standard for IPPT
• Be more patient when explaining/communicating
• A more chiselled-look on my face -____- 

2888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 siao liao OTL omgwthbbq kthxbye.

Time for a recap of 2011.

Was telling my cousin what a strange year this has been. Not in terms of extraordinary events or unexpected happenings, but just a feeling - haven't been too aware of how quickly the weeks and months are ticking past...

Merry Xmas!!

It is this time of the year that Orchard Road is unusually (ultra) packed with shoppers, party-goers, buskers, couples and families. The streets are romantically decorated with dazzling lights and extravagant accessories, christmas trees each standing higher and brighter than the other.

Have yourself a very Merry Christmas, my friends. You deserve a good celebration :)

Work mask

“我只有在你面前才可以脱下面具”

Do you put on a work mask?

I'd say, better be comfortable with yourself than coping with contrasting, inner emotion-contradictory selves.

Show your appreciation, please

When I was a commuter like everyone else I also grumbled whenever the train halts to a stop between stations. God knows when it will start moving so I just cling on to the handstraps and stable my standing posture.

When I finally learnt about the system and its operations I fully understood why trains travel slower during wet weather; why they tend to stop in between stations; why at the platform the trains doors open and close, open and close. Even why the announcements do not come up as often as you want them to.

When I was not doing bus maintenance work I used to question why breakdowns occur, why buses are noisy and dirty, why buses don't arrive on time, why the a/c is freakin blowing hot air?!

When the workshop came under my purview I stopped questioning.

In spate of the recent happenings, it is very disheartening to read about the netizens' extreme negativity and the sensationalization built onto the mishap. These comments are most unkind and un-emphathetic. However, more often than not, they are half truths and are not objective at all.

I believe Singaporeans, at the end of the day, are still understanding and cool. Some understand the need for train speeds to be lowered; some cooperate to queue and board the buses.

Thank you for your patience and understanding because we are all doing our best to resolve this incident. Unfortunately you are not able to see the blood, tears and sweat that go behind the scenes but trust me, every staff is dedicated to make seconds count. When you stare at the urgency in their eyes, and witness the commitment in the body language of the ground staff, I bet you want to stand up and do your part too.

Our lady may not give the most friendly comments; she may not be technically trained - but I have full confidence in her, that her leadership and courage will pull the company to stride through this storm unscathed. And definitely stronger.

___

Today I bought lunch for every of my staff , in recognition of and gratitude towards their hard work and effort. A handful of them came up to me and thanked me personally.

It feels great to be appreciated :)

Today cannot say I'm 26 liao

Dropping a birthday wish on your friend's wall is a ultra simple 5-second act but I tell you, the receiver's happiness is multiplied by at least 27 times.

I must be really blessed to have received so many of those on facebook, sms and whatsapp. Thanks to everyone for making my day and for those sincere wishes. =)

____

I always thought my birthday is another ordinary day until a bird shit missed me by a metre. Haha.

However in the evening, major, major train incident. Wish that we are able to brace through this together, strong.

The Busker and his Way

The rain had just stopped near Tampines MRT station. The floor was wet and the sky was dark. Crowds of apathetic commuters walked hastily past this busker seated in his foldable plastic chair, singing into mike and guitar in hand.

I was walking behind the sight-impaired man in his mid 40s when his song caught my attention. I halt to listen. It was 'My Way' by Frank Sinatra.

He was in his own little world, strumming the guitar to his own beat and tune, singing arguably just within range. He seemed totally oblivious to the pacy steps of the passer-bys. Unlike other flashy buskers in fanciful outfits and with kickass speakers, this man didn't seem to be performing to attract attention or for people to drop coins. He was disregardful of the external environment; he was just singing to himself.

Even though that during that 2 minutes only one stopped to show his appreciation towards his singing, the performer didn't care much - he made sure he completed every verse and every chorus of the song. Even though he wasn't very much a good singer or guitarist, even though he was not loud or good enough to attract passer-bys to stop to watch, he made sure he ended the song on the strum of the last note. With respected professionalism and dignity he entertained his audience.

___

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and ev'ry highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!