MSN Part 2?
These days, we don't go "I dun fren you anymore". OK OK, cos I am 32 this year and most of my closer friends are born in the same generation where we know what SBC is and that Skid Row & Guns N Roses are rock of all mother-fuckin rock.
Thanks to :B, I remembered OUR "ex-friend"'s birthday is approaching. I remembered how she used to tell me how great MSN was when she was still in this company. If I had signed in sooner, 4 of us would have had a complete blast, i.e. no need to work anymore.
Then shit happens and we struck her off. Literally. She probably did the same too cos :B, not having done it sooner than Michelin and me, no longer saw her online. Even her blog was deleted (or maybe it turned private).
So anyway, such is the sad ending. I still think of her sometimes.
Friday, July 14, 2006
MSN to be banned?
CF aka Bitch (or more professionally known as "Corporate Finance-cum-HR Manager") sms me 2 days ago, revealing that Management has decided to ban MSN. It was one of the topics discussed during Management Meeting. IT governance. Corporate social responsibility. Blah blah blah...
So anyway, first thing that struck me was - Old Man (MD) wouldn't know what MSN is or even bother with it unless some evil force out there has hit him hard. Chances are such evil force won't strike unless the Mother of all Evils told him, which I know she's damn capable of.
Some of them who sat inside the meeting wanted to know how the topic was born. Then CF told me without my prompting (whoa......guilt?). Indirectly, it was her who brought up the subject. Again, why am I not surprised?
So anyway, if MSN is really gone, there goes my connection with many good friends.
I know friendships should be more than just online liaison...but it's that daily dose you get. Hey, I see you online, now you are off, now I know you are 'out for lunch', 'on the phone', etc.
Shen, again you will be dearly missed. The almost-daily hellos amongst you, WL and I.
Let's see when it happens, if it happens.
So anyway, first thing that struck me was - Old Man (MD) wouldn't know what MSN is or even bother with it unless some evil force out there has hit him hard. Chances are such evil force won't strike unless the Mother of all Evils told him, which I know she's damn capable of.
Some of them who sat inside the meeting wanted to know how the topic was born. Then CF told me without my prompting (whoa......guilt?). Indirectly, it was her who brought up the subject. Again, why am I not surprised?
So anyway, if MSN is really gone, there goes my connection with many good friends.
I know friendships should be more than just online liaison...but it's that daily dose you get. Hey, I see you online, now you are off, now I know you are 'out for lunch', 'on the phone', etc.
Shen, again you will be dearly missed. The almost-daily hellos amongst you, WL and I.
Let's see when it happens, if it happens.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
No appetite...for food, drinks and work
Have you tried plum juice mixed with sugarcane before?
Please dun...not especially when you are recovering from stomach flu or whatever I suffered from yesterday.
Lunch with :B was not the usual as there was no TT to end it off.
Luckily boss is away on business these 2 days, so I can look dead, feel dead and play dead during office hours. I have to do a half-year MBO review with my staff (read my lips: BS).
Please dun...not especially when you are recovering from stomach flu or whatever I suffered from yesterday.
Lunch with :B was not the usual as there was no TT to end it off.
Luckily boss is away on business these 2 days, so I can look dead, feel dead and play dead during office hours. I have to do a half-year MBO review with my staff (read my lips: BS).
EXcess & ACcess
We live in an era whereby there is so much to choose from and the freedom to choose them.
Are we happier?
Are we happier?
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Down and Out!
Gosh, whatever I ate yesterday, I really went down man.Rock bottom.
I couldn't think about food, chocolates, ice cream, teh C or TT the whole of today.
2 more days of MC left for the year... :(
I couldn't think about food, chocolates, ice cream, teh C or TT the whole of today.
2 more days of MC left for the year... :(
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Lunch with Jennifer
Jen noticed that we tend to meet once every 3-4 months. We met up today cos I sent her an email last week, going: "End of Q2 already, when's our meeting?" The consistency is considered quite a feat given that she practically lives out of a suitcase (her biz trips are so frequent!) and I'm caught up with family life.
She always has stories of her friends' kids to share and of cos, they don't come without her interesting analysis. In one of the many topics squeezed into 1 hour, we discussed about job (and salary) satisfaction. I said being parents, we can't be contented, not with salary. But she said having kids isn't all that expensive. They eat simply, they treat anywhere their playground, they read books found readily in the library or big book stores, school fees are regulated by MOE...it's the extras that the parents want to give their children that cost.
For e.g. 3 kids - one learns the violin, one the piano and one ballet. 2 musical instruments and 1 dress and pair of shoes. Hell, the parents can just sign all of them up for piano lessons to minimize cost...but no, parents don't do that.
Montessori or PAP: does it make a difference for a 3-4 year old? The benefits that can be reaped may be marginal considering the difference in school fees is a bloomin' $800 per term.
When we meet an inspiring CEO of a company, do we wonder: Hmm, he could be from Bridges Montessori Class of 1965 man....
She always has stories of her friends' kids to share and of cos, they don't come without her interesting analysis. In one of the many topics squeezed into 1 hour, we discussed about job (and salary) satisfaction. I said being parents, we can't be contented, not with salary. But she said having kids isn't all that expensive. They eat simply, they treat anywhere their playground, they read books found readily in the library or big book stores, school fees are regulated by MOE...it's the extras that the parents want to give their children that cost.
For e.g. 3 kids - one learns the violin, one the piano and one ballet. 2 musical instruments and 1 dress and pair of shoes. Hell, the parents can just sign all of them up for piano lessons to minimize cost...but no, parents don't do that.
Montessori or PAP: does it make a difference for a 3-4 year old? The benefits that can be reaped may be marginal considering the difference in school fees is a bloomin' $800 per term.
When we meet an inspiring CEO of a company, do we wonder: Hmm, he could be from Bridges Montessori Class of 1965 man....
Long weekend
Yesterday was a company holiday. I took the chance to bring L'le Mong to the hospital for his follow-up check-up.
Kids are unpredictable and amazing. The minute we emerged from the MRT station and the hospital building loomed ahead, he cried. Actually he sniffed. Then tears rolled out. I swear he will always be the man of my moment - HE ALWAYS BREAKS MY HEART! (sorry, M.....). It was very traumatic for him at the hospital about 2 weeks ago...with the neubilizer but I didn't expect him to recognize the place, the building. But thinking back, why not. We brought him to the playground at the other side of the estate on Saturday, he protested. Then I realised that we would take the same route if we brought him to see the family doctor. 4th floor of Compass Point has also proven to be a horror to him. On our way to the library, he'll cry cos the barber is located next to the library. Guess the shaving experience in May didn't leave fond memories. Aw.......poor Mong.
So there, he was playing hide n seek with the nurses. He hid behind the pram and luckily, sought some comfort from there. The toys distracted him further. When it was finally his turn, I said: "Come, let's go, follow Mummy", his lips dipped and he cried again. Pretty Dr Toh couldn't even get near him. Her charm, her soothing voice, sweets, my hp videos did not help. So we ended up asking and answering questions above the wails and protest. That session which lasted for 20 minutes also cost me $309 (consultation plus 60 sachets - please tell me the sachets work wonders).
Having about 1.5 hours before his lunch-time, I brought Mong to the Central Library. His 1st time there. My 1st time there. Selection of books isn't very wide but space was. He had a very good time exploring the place and arranging chairs in a row and counting them one by one.
My tiring but fruitful afternoon ended up with a teh C by myself and a tabloid thrash magazine. :)
Kids are unpredictable and amazing. The minute we emerged from the MRT station and the hospital building loomed ahead, he cried. Actually he sniffed. Then tears rolled out. I swear he will always be the man of my moment - HE ALWAYS BREAKS MY HEART! (sorry, M.....). It was very traumatic for him at the hospital about 2 weeks ago...with the neubilizer but I didn't expect him to recognize the place, the building. But thinking back, why not. We brought him to the playground at the other side of the estate on Saturday, he protested. Then I realised that we would take the same route if we brought him to see the family doctor. 4th floor of Compass Point has also proven to be a horror to him. On our way to the library, he'll cry cos the barber is located next to the library. Guess the shaving experience in May didn't leave fond memories. Aw.......poor Mong.
So there, he was playing hide n seek with the nurses. He hid behind the pram and luckily, sought some comfort from there. The toys distracted him further. When it was finally his turn, I said: "Come, let's go, follow Mummy", his lips dipped and he cried again. Pretty Dr Toh couldn't even get near him. Her charm, her soothing voice, sweets, my hp videos did not help. So we ended up asking and answering questions above the wails and protest. That session which lasted for 20 minutes also cost me $309 (consultation plus 60 sachets - please tell me the sachets work wonders).
Having about 1.5 hours before his lunch-time, I brought Mong to the Central Library. His 1st time there. My 1st time there. Selection of books isn't very wide but space was. He had a very good time exploring the place and arranging chairs in a row and counting them one by one.
My tiring but fruitful afternoon ended up with a teh C by myself and a tabloid thrash magazine. :)
A typical Singaporean answer?
The morning chirpy-as-usual DJs were talking about Zizou's mysterious head-butting.
What did the Italian player actually say to him that made him do that?
So they invited listeners to call in, supposedly giving them a chance to exercise their creativity, at the same time, injecting humour.
This guy called up and said: "Your (Zizou's) gu gu chiao is too small."
And the DJ (I'm not even gonna mention her name....) laughed.
On national radio. And she aired it...and she found that funny? OMG.
I hope that didn't find its way to international level...
What did the Italian player actually say to him that made him do that?
So they invited listeners to call in, supposedly giving them a chance to exercise their creativity, at the same time, injecting humour.
This guy called up and said: "Your (Zizou's) gu gu chiao is too small."
And the DJ (I'm not even gonna mention her name....) laughed.
On national radio. And she aired it...and she found that funny? OMG.
I hope that didn't find its way to international level...
Friday, July 07, 2006
The Meaning of Life
You'd think it's TGIF today and I'll wrap up my last entry of the day with stories on booze, sex and drugs.
I hardly read...books/novels that is. The last one I managed to finish was more than 2 years ago. Then during one of the many trips to the library with my troops, I saw it lying on the main table, supposedly one of the 'books of the month'.
It was just the right size, just the right thickness, just the right font, just the right font size. :P
I decided I could use it for my train trips back home from work. Well, I got lucky. I judged a book by its cover (and many other things) and found that I got to read about the meaning of life - Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
An excerpt which I read yesterday:
"Yet when I looked at Morrie, I wondered if I were in his shoes, about to die, and I had no family, no children, would the emptiness be unbearable? He had raised two sons to be loving and caring, and like Morrie, they were not shy with their affection. Had he so desired, they would have stopped what they were doing to be with their father every minute of his final months. But that was not what he wanted.
"Do not stop your lives," he told them. "Otherwise this disease will have ruined three of us instead of one."
In this way, even as he was dying, he showed respect for his children's worlds. Little wonder that when they sat with him, there was a waterfall of affection, lots of kisses and jokes and crouching by the side of the bed, holding hands.
"Whenever people ask me about having children or not having children, I never tell them what to do," Morrie said now, looking at a photo of his oldest son. "I simply say, 'There is no experience like having children.' That's all. There is no substitute for it. You cannot do it with a friend. You cannot do it with a lover. If you want the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being, and to learn how to love and bond in the deepest way, then you should have children."
It's 5:30pm now. Time for me to end my work week and go back to my humble abode, into the arms of my family...............Till next week.
I hardly read...books/novels that is. The last one I managed to finish was more than 2 years ago. Then during one of the many trips to the library with my troops, I saw it lying on the main table, supposedly one of the 'books of the month'.
It was just the right size, just the right thickness, just the right font, just the right font size. :P
I decided I could use it for my train trips back home from work. Well, I got lucky. I judged a book by its cover (and many other things) and found that I got to read about the meaning of life - Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom.
An excerpt which I read yesterday:
"Yet when I looked at Morrie, I wondered if I were in his shoes, about to die, and I had no family, no children, would the emptiness be unbearable? He had raised two sons to be loving and caring, and like Morrie, they were not shy with their affection. Had he so desired, they would have stopped what they were doing to be with their father every minute of his final months. But that was not what he wanted.
"Do not stop your lives," he told them. "Otherwise this disease will have ruined three of us instead of one."
In this way, even as he was dying, he showed respect for his children's worlds. Little wonder that when they sat with him, there was a waterfall of affection, lots of kisses and jokes and crouching by the side of the bed, holding hands.
"Whenever people ask me about having children or not having children, I never tell them what to do," Morrie said now, looking at a photo of his oldest son. "I simply say, 'There is no experience like having children.' That's all. There is no substitute for it. You cannot do it with a friend. You cannot do it with a lover. If you want the experience of having complete responsibility for another human being, and to learn how to love and bond in the deepest way, then you should have children."
It's 5:30pm now. Time for me to end my work week and go back to my humble abode, into the arms of my family...............Till next week.
Engrish
The 'fog' and giddiness have cleared somewhat. Just a 60c-remedy (TT). Thank you #01-67....you know I love you.
It was a nice simple lunch with an ole friend. WL, work around here longer lah. I think I have met up with you more often in the past year than I had in total in the last 5. :)
After lunch is my unofficial siesta. I was just surfing the net when I came across this article:
Push for Simpler Spelling Persists
WASHINGTON - When "say," "they" and "weigh" rhyme, but "bomb," "comb" and "tomb" don't, wuudn't it maek mor sens to spel wurdz the wae thae sound?
Those in favor of simplified spelling say children would learn faster and illiteracy rates would drop. Opponents say a new system would make spelling even more confusing.
Eether wae, the consept has yet to capcher th publix imajinaeshun.
I realised that most people speak better than they write.
You can have this top manager, decked in cufflinks, shirt and tie whom you are in awe of and when he sends an all-important email, the professional image can be gone forever as a result of lack of grasp for correct spelling, grammar and choice of words.
Common ones in speech or writing that I've encountered: Nowsaday (nowadays), delicate (dedicate), moral (morale), advice/advise (advise/advice), practice/practise (practise/practice),
I back (beg) your pardon.
Any more you know?
It was a nice simple lunch with an ole friend. WL, work around here longer lah. I think I have met up with you more often in the past year than I had in total in the last 5. :)
After lunch is my unofficial siesta. I was just surfing the net when I came across this article:
Push for Simpler Spelling Persists
WASHINGTON - When "say," "they" and "weigh" rhyme, but "bomb," "comb" and "tomb" don't, wuudn't it maek mor sens to spel wurdz the wae thae sound?
Those in favor of simplified spelling say children would learn faster and illiteracy rates would drop. Opponents say a new system would make spelling even more confusing.
Eether wae, the consept has yet to capcher th publix imajinaeshun.
I realised that most people speak better than they write.
You can have this top manager, decked in cufflinks, shirt and tie whom you are in awe of and when he sends an all-important email, the professional image can be gone forever as a result of lack of grasp for correct spelling, grammar and choice of words.
Common ones in speech or writing that I've encountered: Nowsaday (nowadays), delicate (dedicate), moral (morale), advice/advise (advise/advice), practice/practise (practise/practice),
I back (beg) your pardon.
Any more you know?
ABC Song
There Mong was, in the dark, stumbling over pillows and bolsters, doing his usual thang when he said something familiar ...or rather he was singing. The alphabet song! OMG OMG OMG.
"ABCDEFG....HIJK.......................Now I know my ABC....."
And he trailed off. So mummy continued: "next time won't you sing with..........mummy."
Again, the blue italic word was finished off by him.
No no, not biased. I know I'm blogging more on the boy than the girl...but this is the stage when a toddler is most amazing and amusing. I regret I didn't start blogging earlier. I did use to consider keeping a journal, recording down each and every development and milestone the kids go through. Then the disorganized and lazy side of me would take over, as usual...
"ABCDEFG....HIJK.......................Now I know my ABC....."
And he trailed off. So mummy continued: "next time won't you sing with..........mummy."
Again, the blue italic word was finished off by him.
No no, not biased. I know I'm blogging more on the boy than the girl...but this is the stage when a toddler is most amazing and amusing. I regret I didn't start blogging earlier. I did use to consider keeping a journal, recording down each and every development and milestone the kids go through. Then the disorganized and lazy side of me would take over, as usual...
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Bosses: Female vs Male
Most of us would shudder at the thought of reporting to a female boss. Word association - PMS.
I am perfectly accepting to my current boss (he's Japanese, remember?). Afterall it's been 3 years. 3 years is usually the window to decide if the relationship is heading anywhere. Well, this one is still on the right track.
But I realised the difficult part is handling a male's ego. You dun agree with what they say or how they plan, you can't express it too strongly. If you do express, you have to choose the right words...by which time, half the meaning is lost and half your brain cells are wiped out. So you choose the easy way out - to shut up.
Finally last evening, he spoke to me about the transfer of the 2 gals in my team to the other side. I thought he was agreeable to the idea. But as Japanese would be, they spend another 10-15 min going one full circle and finally I grasp the story - NO, he doesn't want them transferred.
Another 20 min was spent blah blah-ing.
I am FOR the transfer but I know that no matter how I reasoned, how much I reasoned, dun want means dun want.
DAMN. Win liao lor.
I am perfectly accepting to my current boss (he's Japanese, remember?). Afterall it's been 3 years. 3 years is usually the window to decide if the relationship is heading anywhere. Well, this one is still on the right track.
But I realised the difficult part is handling a male's ego. You dun agree with what they say or how they plan, you can't express it too strongly. If you do express, you have to choose the right words...by which time, half the meaning is lost and half your brain cells are wiped out. So you choose the easy way out - to shut up.
Finally last evening, he spoke to me about the transfer of the 2 gals in my team to the other side. I thought he was agreeable to the idea. But as Japanese would be, they spend another 10-15 min going one full circle and finally I grasp the story - NO, he doesn't want them transferred.
Another 20 min was spent blah blah-ing.
I am FOR the transfer but I know that no matter how I reasoned, how much I reasoned, dun want means dun want.
DAMN. Win liao lor.
Kids & Words
As far back as I can remember, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" has been Mong's favourite book.
If you keep it in the book shelf, propped up among many others, somehow he can spot the title on the spine and pull it out.
I love it when he completes the sentences.
"On Saturday, the caterpillar ate through one piece of chocolate CAKE, one ice-cream CCCCONE, one slice of CHEEESE, one cherry PIE, one cup CAKE, one salaMI, one lolliPOP .............and one slice of water MENON (melon). That night, he had a stomach ACHE. PAIN PAIN".
For a quiet boy like him, to hear him say those words in italics blue is an inexplicable joy to me. And finally M heard them all last night. :)
Speaking of words, last night in the midst of our usual conversation, Becks went: "Mummy, gingko bar." And she started breaking into one of those hysterical giggles, fast becoming her signature *she's turning more and more cheeky*.
I asked her: "What's so funny about that? It is true that there is such a vegetable (someone please tell me the accurate category of this FOOD - fruit, veggie, nut, etc?) called 'gingko nut'."
Then she replied: " No no...not a vegetable. Gingko BRA."
A bra??? Latest by Triumph?
Becks finally said again: "Mummy, the snake."
OH! King Cobra!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
You see, during one of our recent trips to the zoo, we saw the King Cobra. Mighty active - slithering and sliding. And I had the chance to see one of them take a piss. Either the gooey yellow stuff was piss or it was poo. Anyway, I was amazed. Some sort of organ came out of the snake and out came of the yellow stuff. It looked like curry. (Sorry, curry lovers)
This explains my latest fascination with the snake.
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
One of those mornings...
I was going to leave home when I thought I saw a small figure running out of the room, straight to the kitchen.
I was taken aback....then realised it was L'le Mong. Aw...still so sleepy, running towards comfort.
I carried him and he immediately embraced his little arms around me. I brought him into the room. I realised I had to leave then and there if I didn't want to sweat my armpits off to run for the bus or worse, miss it entirely (and have to pay extra and squeeze with 100001 people in NEL). So when Jun (the maid) took over, he was crying his hearts out. Again he broke my heart.
I am so envious of mothers out there who have the choice of staying at home. Well, not full-time. Heh. I would like to work 3 days a week and be with my troops for the other 4 days.
I know they have such arrangements with companies in Europe and Australia.
In Singapore, in private companies? Let's just put it simply - FAT HOPE.
I was taken aback....then realised it was L'le Mong. Aw...still so sleepy, running towards comfort.
I carried him and he immediately embraced his little arms around me. I brought him into the room. I realised I had to leave then and there if I didn't want to sweat my armpits off to run for the bus or worse, miss it entirely (and have to pay extra and squeeze with 100001 people in NEL). So when Jun (the maid) took over, he was crying his hearts out. Again he broke my heart.
I am so envious of mothers out there who have the choice of staying at home. Well, not full-time. Heh. I would like to work 3 days a week and be with my troops for the other 4 days.
I know they have such arrangements with companies in Europe and Australia.
In Singapore, in private companies? Let's just put it simply - FAT HOPE.
WC 2006 - to the finals we go!
Yay, Germany lost. Haha....
Better if Portugal emerges the winner. (ps: I didn't bet lah)
Let's hope for the unpredictable....and world peace of course. :P
Better if Portugal emerges the winner. (ps: I didn't bet lah)
Let's hope for the unpredictable....and world peace of course. :P
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
A question
WL asked me yesterday - is it mandatory to drain off the blood from the corpse for preparation of his/her funeral?
I dun have the answer...do you?
I dun have the answer...do you?
Monday, July 03, 2006
Wabbit
I dunno how to upload Youtube to blogspot so this is the best I can do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s2hPkTT1lA&eurl=
Thanks, Shen.
You are dearly missed. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s2hPkTT1lA&eurl=
Thanks, Shen.
You are dearly missed. :)
Lee Jung Jae
In case you are wondering the K-drama bug has gotten me too, I would like to strongly clarify no, it really hasn't.
Lee Jung Jae isn't one of those sissy farts who have taken the Asian world (or women...or aunties) by storm. He is the cutsie who acted in Il Mare. Then I saw him again over the weekend. I mean, in a VCD movie called Typhoon. All beefed up and looking very much like our own James Lye. But I bet much better in person cos I just read his stats online - 1.8m *drool*
I can't believe Hollywood is gonna make a version of its own with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as the romantic leads. Aren't they a tad over the hill already? I hope they have onscreen chemistry.
Lee Jung Jae isn't one of those sissy farts who have taken the Asian world (or women...or aunties) by storm. He is the cutsie who acted in Il Mare. Then I saw him again over the weekend. I mean, in a VCD movie called Typhoon. All beefed up and looking very much like our own James Lye. But I bet much better in person cos I just read his stats online - 1.8m *drool*
I can't believe Hollywood is gonna make a version of its own with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock as the romantic leads. Aren't they a tad over the hill already? I hope they have onscreen chemistry.
Do the blues get to you?
How do radio DJs do it? They sound so sickeningly chirpy regardless the time and day of the week.
There I was, slumped in the seat of the bus (I bet with my dead-panned look - if :B were in Singapore now and saw me, she would be able to confirm so), mind in a daze. System launches today for the rest of the vendors. The project team members didn't want it to happen. What with all the bugs and manpower issue, it isn't a realistic call to make.
But the bosses! Never do, dunno what is bad yet. Damn them!
4 years ago, I had the luxury to watch any match of World Cup 2002 and at any time I want.
Today, I hear the results from M who get them from his Blackberry. So pathetic.
Brazil is out.
Not that it affects me at all. But I guess for the thrill of it, I would watch the finals...and hope the predictable team - Germany - doesn't win. Lala.
There I was, slumped in the seat of the bus (I bet with my dead-panned look - if :B were in Singapore now and saw me, she would be able to confirm so), mind in a daze. System launches today for the rest of the vendors. The project team members didn't want it to happen. What with all the bugs and manpower issue, it isn't a realistic call to make.
But the bosses! Never do, dunno what is bad yet. Damn them!
4 years ago, I had the luxury to watch any match of World Cup 2002 and at any time I want.
Today, I hear the results from M who get them from his Blackberry. So pathetic.
Brazil is out.
Not that it affects me at all. But I guess for the thrill of it, I would watch the finals...and hope the predictable team - Germany - doesn't win. Lala.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)