03-Dec-2012

for meeting Nono at the bus stop today. He naturally (and willingly) took over my laptop bag when he saw me with it. We were scheduled for a badminton game this evening. With all the barangs I have packed for, how glad was I to be able to have some aid. 

I am going to miss him in the new year.... 

04-Nov-2012

Someone who'd call me to give me a treat on my birthday.. Seriously thankful anyone would even bother. 

25-September-2012

C* looked at me wide-eyed as I took out my racquet from the overhang-cupboard. And he kindly said I should spare the trouble of shuttling my old racquet between the office and the court. Behind those message is that my old tool should be retired.

Accompanying that though, was not any snide sneers. He did not stop at simply making remarks. Instead, he whipped out his own other racquet from his bag and said I could play with it instead.

I think I am mixing with a really nice crowd. =)

19-September-2012

I play the badminton using my old ProKennex that is almost of antique value, and in my reactive intuition that had the better players shake their heads in a mix of amusement and dismay. While I think the guys will avoid playing any games with me (and the girls), T* came over to join in the game, and patiently taught me how I should be holding the racquet, where I should stand, to backpaddle quick, and how I should swing so as to give the shuttlecock more power. 

Even as I attempt in exasperation to follow his guidance - the intuitive reactions in the way of vexing consciousness - I was grateful within for the willing heart and patience to attempt a challenge akin to teaching the oaf how to balance on a rope. Heh.

21-August-2012

The Post Hari Raya treat from one of the muslim security guards! We have had a casual talk probably some time last year or earlier this year (I can't quite recall), and I remembered the other guards heaping praises on his wife who bakes almost professionally. But that was just about it - the usual water cooler kind of chatters.

So, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the packets of fruit cakes, kueh lapis, pineapple tarts, cookies and madeleines stacked neatly on my desk when I came to work today. All home-baked! The smell of the confectioneries had me tempted all morning as I read my mails and do my report... Till lunchtime.. I could resist no longer , and peeled open the fruitcakes and kueh lapis box to share them with my kakis. Yumz!

10-Aug-2012

Momo and Nono. When people I did not choose upsets me, they brought me the rainbow just by being bothered.

I cannot be more thankful for having them in my life.

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>> Momo: The poor student with rich aspirations >> Nono: The party boy with an interesting life
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06-Aug-2012

Momo's treat at the Chatterbox.

I did not have the highly acclaimed Chicken rice that the guys got, but my fried rice and satay set was just as good, simply because I had an awesome company. In the short span of the evening's few hours, we adjourned from Chatterbox to Cold Stone Creamery, before finally settling at Cathay's Starbucks till late. Momo insisted to obliging me to ice-cream, even though he had wanted cakes (just because I had casually mentioned it); and Nono graciously shared a non-banana flavoured ice-cream serving with me even though he had thought of doing something banana like Momo did and he probably had wanted one whole serving to himself. It was a nice evening. They were wonderful company. I wonder if we can stay friends like that when we are 80...

04-August-2012

The take-aways from musicals.

The best of times is now,
As for tomorrow, well, who knows? Who knows? Who knows?

So hold this moment fast and live and love, as hard as you know how

And make this moment last because the best of times is now, is now.

Now, not some forgotten yesterday

Now, tomorrow is too far away.

01-August-2012

nice wine, good food, comfortable ambience and a chummy company. No hold bars. A certain surety. Free sharing. Generous treat. And the patience to keep spunky in exploring new hidden finds. Some friendships are made more amazing. The only drawback of the evening was that time passed too fast.

 

29-July-2012

I met the person I have not seen since a few months too many.
"It was good seeing you," he said.
"Good seeing ya." he texted.

If he really did mean all that, yes, I had a good surprise on a Sunday morning. J

27-July-2012

for girlfriend who makes the effort. Hong knew I was not in the pinkest state the last few weeks and suggested we take the day off and go shopping before Annie the musical in the evening.

We shopped around, bought nothing, and finally settled at the teahouse for our dessert and tea session. Like in the old times. Just like in the old times...

Except that there is a glaring little difference this time. As she talked about how guilty she felt towards leaving her son at home with the MIL, and fretting over what the MIL thought of her leaving the son at home and going out, I realised how much more effort she is making to be my company today than perhaps a few years ago, when we can meet out and watch the world pass anytime without cares. I am very thankful - thankful because the effort she had to make was very much an indulgence and for me.

25-July-2012

being able to join in the captain's ball session without even ever knowing that there were some email invites being circulated. I was suppose to join M* for badminton session when she was told that her team-mates needed her for captain's ball session due to the shortage of players. It was nice that she made the effort to ask if I could join in the game. And so, I got to play.

That was thoughtful.

During the game, there were times I was so focused on attempting to score the goal, I would not notice if what I place my feet on was stable. On one instance though, I caught a glimpse of E* - who, even though was suppose to make sure I don't score the ball, had one of his hands on the chair to make sure I do not fall.

That was heart-warming.

These are the little things that had me thankful I am here.

20-July-2012

the angels in different guises.

I had a little clash with KC on Tuesday evening before the day ended due to some work issues. When we finally slam down the phone (or I perceived that he had slammed the phone on me), I was feeling really terrible. It was one of those days when all things just seem to not go right, and the gloom just looked like they'd bloom and linger on. And on.



 

The Lucky Drink



When I entered through the office doors on Wednesday morning, I thought I saw KC swing by my cube from a distance. I thought he must be wanting to pursue the issue we left off the day before.

Walking to my desk, I found a bottle of Minute Maid sitting on it. As I wondered who might have left it there, I braced myself to give KC a call on his desk to check if he was looking for me, but was directed straight to voicemail. The next moment, he swung by to tell me he had won some five cartons of Minute Maid drinks in a contest. He had brought a carton of his prize to the office to share. There were twelve bottles in a carton. As small as the gesture may seem, and that I do not so fancy mango juice, I was gladdened to even be considered in the sharelist. .

At late afternoon, I also received a note from a co-worker in US asking if I had recovered from the flu I suffered from since last week. It was heart-warming to even be remembered. Geez. I must have been so hard up for attention, even that little message unleashed a whole lot of comfort.

This afternoon, we went out to visit J* who has just given birth. Before we went to her house, the team dropped by at a food centre for lunch. Everyone ordered the famed noodle set that came with really nice braised meat. Alas, I made my order before finding out what's good, so I ended up with the uninteresting dumpling noodles while most others ordered that drool-worthy set meal.

When the orders arrived, T* actually broke off a part of the braised meat from his serving and tossed it into my bowl. He said it's nice and I should try. It was a little act - and in his usual manner of nonchalance, a little unexpected. The meat was a mini shrimp-size looking bit. But it spoke of immense generosity. Boy, it made my day that anyone should even bother. The meat tasted good. J

I was glad I was sitting beside someone with a shimmering little halo today. Heh.

01-July-2012

The start of the half year. I didn't realised it, but I am so glad it is a Sunday and I get to replenish strength to brace up for the days unknown ahead.

There is a hope that burns within my heart
That gives me strength for every passing day
A glimpse of glory now revealed, yet drives all doubt away
I stand in Christ with sins forgiven
And Christ in me, the hope of heaven
My highest calling and my deepest joy
To make His will my home

There is a hope that lifts my weary head
A consoliation strong against despair
That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit
I find the Saviour there!
Through present suffering, future's fears
He whispers 'Courage' in my ear.
For I am safe in everlasting arms
And they will lead me home

There is a hope that stands the test of time
That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave
To see the matchless beauty of a day divine
When I behold His face
When sufferings cease and sorrows die
And every longing satisfied
Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul
For I am truly home.

18-June-2012

The chocolate bars brought in by the vendor last week. I shared it all out to the team in the review meeting when I was passed it, without realising that the engineer had specifically gotten the whole box for me. It was much later did C* told me so. I hope I had not appeared as if I had belittled the thought.

On the contrary, I was so glad the bar that I reserved for myself had saved me from my hunger pang and satisfied my chocolate craving in the afternoon....

14-June-2012

A little dinner date with the Rainbow guys. It was kinda fun seeing the guys flirt with the service lady behind the macaroon counter.  Between the three of us, we got to degust six macaroons of different flavors, and two servings of cakes after dinner (which ain't exactly health food either). The chat topics were pretty random. We expounded nothing in depth, but it was just the same enjoyable, partly because the guys are the type who shared the same tastebuds as me. We enjoyed the gourmet burgers, and we loved our dessert. The sugar fix had me so hyper, I am going to be kept awake the whole night...

I really am glad for the company.

11-June-2012

A good lunch with the team.
Lotsa fun and delicacies.
A little perk to my otherwise mundane everyday life.

05-June-2012

Finding my blue bottle. This was a Christmas gift perhaps about 10 years old. (I really am bad at keeping time.)  To me, it is an emblem of the happy times I have spent with a certain group at a certain point of my life. We hanged out almost every weekend. I remember that W* had bought each of us a bottle of the same design, but he did not leave it to us to randomly choose what we like. He had acutely observed the colours we'd each like. I appreciate the thoughtfulness, and this is the exact color I would have chosen if given any choice. That said, it is obvious that I do place a lot of sentimental value on this bottle.  

Imagine my horror when I found it missing en route dinner after the captain's ball session last evening. I almost lost my soul when my colleague J* (whom I frantically called, and was still in the lab then) told me that it was not in my cube.

C* was nice to offer to drive me back to the office after dinner and a visit to E*'s new home. I thought it unnecessary, but my mind was a blank throughout the evening.

What joy then, when in the morning, I received a whatsapp message from C* (He comes into the office earlier than anyone of us) , with a photo of my blue bottle sitting pretty in my cube.

*Happy Tuesday!*


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Rubric >> W*: The superscale scholar >> J*: The soft-spoken male engineer who cooks vinaigrette trotters >> E*: The long time friend, psycho-therapist and guru >> C*: The ever obliging colleague
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04-Jun-2012

Monday morning snack from colleague who just got back from a holiday trip to Penang.

onomnom!

Tau Sar Piah

28-May-2012

the good weather and a good game. It has been a very long while since I last stretched my old bones or engaged in any activities that sent my heart palpitating. Ain't I glad thus to be asked to join in the inter-department captain's ball game. The practice session in the evening was a nice work-out.. and all the laughing at my boss's wits and antics had me in stitches. 

The dinner with the guys later at Chomp Chomp was quite pleasant too. The place was packed, but we still got a table after not too long a wait. I even got a ride home.

Being here is, perhaps, such a blessing.

25-May-2012

the pretty earrings air-flown from Korea. I beamed when I see the pretty little ornament Hong got me on her recent trip. So sweet! So sweet!

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Rubric >> Hong: The BFF
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23-May-2012

A little gift from Taiwan.... Actually, it's a little gift from Japan from someone thoughtful in Taiwan. J

Unlike most other girls, I am not really big on face masks blotters... But I really appreciate being remembered.

16-May-2012

The people I meet.

Many a times, I sit and am baffled by how God draws destiny on the canvas. I don't know why some people saunters into my life. More often, they disrupt the little equilibrium in me, and sometimes have me hanging on some sort of displaced pendulum, swivelling between expectancy and disappointment. 

******************

Slinging the strap of my bag between its handles helped me to be a little more poise when I carry it. I no longer get disturbed by the feeling that I have something dangling off me, and I feel neater. It was simple, and doing it seems so natural now, but I remembered I had not alway thought of doing so even though the swinging strap has always been a bother. (blame my dim wit.)

As I did so again today, I suddenly became conscious of my action, and thought of that someone whom I had observed and learnt this little manner from.. And I am thankful we've met (even though probably just for a small reason as such).

04-May-2012

For the gift from Dubai. Yin told me that she only saw this camel in dubai after travelling 18 countries. The picture is pretty, ain't it?


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Rubric >> Yin: My accomplice in JC. We were experts in mugging tutors with our endless ten-year series questions some many eons ago.
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28-Apr-2012

Air-conditioning! Trying to breathe the sweltering 34/35 degC air is no joke, even though we know this is Singapore where there is only but summer and rainy. 

26-Apr-2012

the awesome company to Trainstopping. It was nice that the girls enjoyed the show as much as I did. We laughed so much that I felt a tinge of soreness in my throat after the show. After being ushered out of the theatre by the really serious actors (who played their part right to the last minute while we were in the chambers!), we had a slow strolled to Haato at Central for a quick sugar fix. *Happy* 

My Passion Fruit Sorbet

25-Apr-2012

Nice words.

18-Apr-2012

my lunch kakis obliging me to do dim sum lunch at Canto Paradise today. Satisfied.

17-Apr-2012

Lunch @ Upper Thomson:
Crispy plain and Cheese Pratas, Chicken murtabak and Strawberry Fields^TM U.D.D.E.R.S. ice-cream

Dinner @ NEX (Complimentary of XH's generosity):
Seafood Ramen, Cold Tofu, succulent oyster bites, gyoza, and the wonderful company

Dessert @ Serangoon Central:
150 calories ice-cream cone, French fries, and more mindless chats of the birds and the monkeys (literally! Heh.)  

All the wonderful food of the day made me pretty happy today, nevermind the calories.

And oh! There's a little bring home "gift" for the evening, thoughtfully from XH who said she just discovered this delightful snack the night before and enthusiastically wanted to share it with me (even though I told her I already knew of this sweet pastry before). 

How sweet a darling, the girl! 

Sweetness prolonged. *grins*

10-Apr-2012

the dinner with the daddies. The fact that the committed married men actually took time off keenly for the meet up was quite a cheer. We added brownie points to the day with an accidental discovery of the pretty palatable carrot cake at Medz.