A Birthday Post For That Special Person in My Life

It'll be 28th Sep in less than hour's time and I gotta do this before I dream in a sea of starfish, seashell and seahorse and a skankin' dolphin. Lol. I can't believe I'm posting this but this is what blogging 'approacheth' midnight will do to me.

But dear readers, here is the crux of my post.

Don't you just love birthdays? I know I do, more so celebrating [28th September] someone's birthday than mine.

You know who you are... I'm gonna keep this simple & forthcoming because things like these shouldn't be complicated. Enjoy this old school song.



God bless you M.

I'd rather live in your world than live without you in mine. Gd night.

p.s. What does a grown up man do with a stuffed dolphin?

Waiting For Monday with Munch and The Rubaiyat

is like


Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend,
Before we too in the Dust descend;
Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
Sans wine, sans Song, sans Singer, and - sans End!

- The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Good night dear readers.

I Don't Think I'm Enjoying This Anymore :P

I must've been a sinner. Lol~

In a Past Life...

You Were: A Friendly Dancer. Where You Lived: Egypt. How You Died: Suicide.

Who Were You In a Past Life?

Haahahahaa...

Really, I'm renjoying this blogthings...

Your Outrageous Name is:

Caesar Titts

Outrageous Name Generator

Geez.. This Thing Didn't Even Come Close

Some of the stuff like evaluating and offering constructive criticisms are true. The rest are like, I don't know what to say. Careers in accounting and banking are mentioned together in art and writing novels? Poles apart lah... never the twain shall meet. Anyways I'm the youngest in the family. Lol!

Then again I'd let drop my career in a heartbeat if I could be a talented guitarist or painter. Serious... Lol~

You Are Likely a Second Born

At your darkest moments, you feel inadequate. At work and school. You do best when you're evaluating. When you love someone, you offer them constructive criticism. In friendship, you tend to give a lot of feedback - positive and negative. Your ideal careers are: accounting, banking, art, carpentry, decorating, teaching, and writing novels. You will leave your mark on the world with art and creative projects.

The Birth Order Predictor

Now That's More Like It

How You Live Your Life

You seem to be straight forward, but you keep a lot inside. You say whatever is on your mind. Other people's reactions don't phase you. Your friends tend to be a as quirky as you are - which is saying a lot! You tend to dream big, but you worry that your dreams aren't attainable.

How Do You Live Your Life?

As If

So I checked out this link, and found out my hidden talent. My toes were laughing when I read these. Friends who know me well, know that I only 'offer' my advice or opinion. I don't try to persuade or influence them, that takes too much of my Virgo energy. I prefer to go neutral plus it's ok if they disagree with me. Lol!

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Baby's Burp

Nobody got on my nerves and I didn't get on anyone's nerves. That's how I'd describe today.

However my lunch simply sucked. My workplace held its own food fair manned by staff - it was a great idea generally, but what was I thinking buying from one of the stalls, really. I don't normally take heavy lunch but I do expect a certain amount of food to satiate my hunger. Today's lunch was merely a baby's burp. And to make it worse I had actually ordered macaroni soup. [How to last through the afternoon, right?] So not only the serving was ridiculously pittance but pricey, the food came in late too. Someone please remind me to stock up on the Khong Guan biscuits.

My Private Space

Didn't do much today except that I attended the launch of the Ramadan Challenge. This is a series of events organised by the various volunteer groups within the community in the efforts to bring-in the youth and people in general to celebrate the spirit and meaning of the upcoming fasting month. It really amazes me to see many passionate folks and especially youths giving in some of their time to make things happen. Compare to them I was a cloistered teenager when I was their age.

The only thing that got me going was the fact that I had this capacity to tune into my inner world. In other words. I escape a lot. I imagine a lot. And I dream a lot. Up till now too, I mainly draw my energy from my own internal world of ideas, emotions, and impressions. If I got bored by these, I just do something else. And it is in this continuum that if you asked me to do something crazy I just might do it, because I like a good diversion. After that, it's back to my 'private space' to refuel and reflect. What's your 'private space?'

Anyways the following pictures are actual graffiti works done by some talented youth at the Ramadan Challenge launch. To the artists - I didn't catch your names but if you happen to come across this blog I hope you won't mind my posting them here.

I Was Floored

I knew today was going to be a busy day for me and fcuk it didn't disappoint me one bit. I received an sms from a colleague in the morning asking if I could do some prep work on her behalf. She was going to see the doctor and therefore needed help in arranging for this particular session in the afternoon and she wasn't sure if she'd be back on time at 1 pm. I said ok.

When I got to the office I tried calling a training vendor to inform her that I couldn't make any changes to my proposed training programme, which is another upcoming project. I couldn't get hold of her and so I left a message with the assistant. At about 10 am, her Development Manager called me to change the 15th Sep date to somewhere late September. He was very diplomatic, giving me all the rationale and reasons for changing the date, but I told him that I'd discuss it with my boss. I ended the conversation right away and got back to doing the prep work for my colleague.

After my colleague's session ended at 2pm I was left with an hour to prepare for a meeting at 3pm.

Everyone hates to be rushed. Especially virgos because we warmup late and we get picky over details. But there are times when rushing things can seem to take you to another level. So sometimes when I rush, I find I'm more 'pumped' that way plus I have a high tolerance for pressure and deadlines.

But what happened today was beyond expectation. The room that we booked [since last week] for the meeting had been 'hijacked' by someone, and this 'someone' is like the second top dude in workplace. Argghhh... "Cie la vie", I told myself you just have to make way. Luckily I had found another room to accommodate but alas that room didn't have a projector. What the ... How am I going to do my demo to all these people?

While figuring out something I felt this headache creeping up my skull. The throb on my temples [I know this may sound vulgar, but that's what it is, throb] was really awful. I thought it could be that I skipped lunch, but it didn't dawn on me that I was actually suppressing my annoyance for all the 'kartun' situation that I was in. So what did I do? I just laughed it off and hope that everyone could see the laptop screen. In the end we managed to inform the committee members what we wanted them to know.

4 pm 'nish' I called the training Dev. Manager again to tell him of my decision. It was my turn to be diplomatic. Left a message in his voicemail and proceeded to do some paperwork. By this time the headache had somewhat reduced. And then my colleague peered over to my workstation to say her thanks for helping her out that afternoon. She then came over to my table and showed me something. Something that really floored me. I mean I can be very aloof when inundated with work, but when I saw it I was like, "Oh my god!"

A Walk in the Park

I was at the Yio Chu Kang grassroots clubhouse this morning attending a work-related event. After that at about 1pm I made my way to a wedding reception at the Orchid Country Club. You know weddings are really nice if you see familiar faces around you and this one was no exception.

But first, a bit of info about the bride so as to put this entry into context. Hehe..

I know the bride since 2000, [that was the time when I joined TeleTech] but of course back then we didn't interact that much as she was in another programme. It was only when I came into the QA department that we get to know each other as colleagues. Why then you may ask? This was because her workstation was right in-front to where I was sitting. Also, each time when I wanted to go to the gents or pantry her workstation had somewhat become a convenient pullover for me to chit-chat. Hehe. You'd hardly see me while away my time at the workplace but I will make concessions to some of them at Tampines.

It's a good thing, also, that I turned up because I managed to get in touch with some of my favourite folks. In general - good food, good company, no crises, no dramas of the day, a walk in the park - I couldn't have asked for a better Sunday.

And to the newlyweds Lina and Smithy - Congratulations!

Welcome to Tekong... Recruit!

Time flies - and with it remnants of the memories you've been holding on. I went to Tekong to 'see' my nephew off for his BMT. I remember vividly the last night of BMT when my platoon buddies were given our posting. It was a bitter-sweet night for me and some of my friends because so much had happened during our training at Tekong. We were at Camp 3 and in Hawk Coy for 3 months and we just couldn't contain our excitement leaving the place. If I could list them out one by one, it'd be tedious, but for now, I think this should be enough.

All the stories, anecdotes, and cliches of how NS changes your life and your life perspectives and is a 'passage' for boys into men are true.

Damn right Tekong has changed its physical landscape and I hardly recognised the place when I got there, but I know my nephew will be going through the same quintessential army experience. It will be his story now and a different one at that but the purpose of NS is still the same.

Here are some pics I took using my O2, as usual.

The BMT school when we got off from the ferry. Looks like a resort from far.

The school front facade and the recruits bunk. Good grief... What luxury these recruits have! Lol..

The metal cabinet, which will be a mini-altar for some recruits and junk food stowaways for some. Others will decorate their cabinets with sleazy photos and while others will put pictures of their girlfriends and let their Sargeants and Corporals gawk at them. A 'Kiblat' pointing to Mecca - how cool is that?

The sports complex and an elevated pic taken from the canteen.

Well... that's that... After lunch at the cookhouse we began to make our way back home. But not before his parents said their goodbyes and some last minute reminders to my nephew. And you know parents at their sons' BMT sending off, hmm... can be 'cumbersome' right? Thank god I didn't see any of that.

As for me? I urged him to keep his very own BMT journal lol... other uncles give precious advice on training matters and what to expect, I on the other hand told him to write.

Inward-Looking and Godspeed

Just like most people I look forward to Fridays as that allow me to unwind. For me, when the week has been awfully busy, what better way to slide into the unhurried pace of weekend thoughts than to spend a few hours of chill time with friends, right?

Not. Sigh. I guess I don't know them very well or they they think they know me well enough, or I must be a damn good listener. The thing is this - my threshold for silly jokes is up to a certain level. Don't get me wrong, I love every aspect of conversation, humour included and I'm one of the fellas and I guffaw too. But when the jokes start to repeat themselves like a bad record with a particular theme... lol ~ susah la for me to engage further. But how do you tell your buddies to stop and move on to another topic? Hmm.. I don't know, maybe I wasn't in the mood or maybe the virgo in me was way too inward-looking tonight.

I know I'm a true horror in group relations. They say people born under this sign can be witty, articulate, charming, and 'lives of the party', but they usually fuck it up by hiding their emotions. That was what I did tonight - I just laughed along with the fellas. Anyways I love my friends. What are you without them, right?

p.s. Seeing how 'off-colour' I was tonight a friend whipped this up in-front of me. Fatigue - gone. Get it? Hey, I'm not one to dismiss new stuff, and I doubt my body needs these. Nevertheless I shall try them because he was so earnest in assessment. Lol~

Gotta wake up early tomorrow morning as I'm sending off my nephew (who's just completed his poly) to do his BMT. I hope he finds his Tekong BMT and NS a fun, challenging and character-building phase in his life - just like how I experienced it eons ago. I was, back then, an "Air-level" recruit who got by with some indelible memories and it was my pleasure sharing them with you. But the year is 2005, September and it's your turn now dude! Good luck, Godspeed, and all the best!

This is Exactly where He wants You to be at this Very Moment ...

You know I can understand if you wanna blog as there is always this innate desire in all of us to share and let others know what we're doing in our lives be it important or trivial or whatever. I can even understand if you have your own agenda - it's your prerogative, I'm cool with that.

But I've been following some of my fellow linked bloggers and was amused to find hate messages littering their tagboards. Good grief. It's funny enough these people are haters, [again it's their prerogative] but such cowardice? Lol ~ Unbelievable. All these calamities in New Orleans and in Medan - life's too short to go around hating. So much of this world is based on illusion and temporariness (my blog is one of them, gotta admit that much) but at least I write from what's in me.

Anyways I got this email from a colleague . You may have seen it elsewhere but I thought I'd post it here because I find the temporary situational rut, no matter how annoying it gets, can be there for a purpose. Read on.

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a band-aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone...all the little things that annoy me, I think to myself, this is exactly where He wants me to be at this very moment..

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; He is at work watching over you.

May He continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

Pass this on to someone else, if you'd like. There is NO LUCK attached.

If you delete this, it's okay: His Love Is Not Dependent On E-Mail !!

Remember This Feeling

Before I lose this feeling I'd better blog this. Today is Monday right? So how come I'm not feeling as shitty as I'd always feel on Mondays? This is weird. Gotta remember to use this next time around. Now if I could only not blog at the office, tsk.. tsk... what a bad example I'm setting for the others.

The Night Visitor

11.59pm and the witching hour is here. Read on...

Let man ponder his birth.

How he was created

Out of a drop emitted

From between the backbone and the ribs.

God has the power

To bring him back

To life after death

On that Day

All his secrets

Will be known.

He will stand hopelessly

With no one to help him.

Surah LXXXVI: Al-Tariq (The Night Visitor)

You know I've read some of the most erudite and beautiful poems back in school. I tried to understand, memorise and even internalise them so that I can quote with ease in examinations. Those were the days. But as I'm re-reading this book called Muhammad and the Quran by Rafiq Zakaria [Penguin 1991] I begin to have regrets for not continuing my arabic language lessons.

After years of study in English literature I have grown to be so attached to works in the canon and have developed a decent appreciation of texts, any texts. But to think that I've waited all this time to be moved by a simple verse in the Quran - how foolish I was.

Words in essence are merely reconstruction of man - but who and what gave man the inspiration? And as I read the translated verses I'm cautious not to let my mind operate or approach them like I'm reading Blake or Morrison. That'd be just blasphemy if I did! There comes a time in a man's life and age - if you're not yet moved by Him, you will never ever receive his Grace and so your heart will remain close and dark till you die. I don't want to be that person.

Goodnight, dear readers.

Far From the Maddening Crowd

I was at the Ritz-Carlton hotel yesterday for a morning training cum seminar. I'd normally dismissed working on the weekends with believable excuses but since it was already agreed that each of us had to attend at least one time - so that settled it.

The night before I stayed up late surfing and MSNing so it was only natural that when I reached the hotel I was still nursing a sleepy head. Plus taxi rides in the morning are as good as extended bed hours. But geez, Ritz-Carlton really floored me with its finesse in service - that woke me.

Now I'm not the demanding type but what I noticed is that its staff anticipate your needs very well. It's the small little things I appreciate such as serving you freshly baked muffins at your table, setting up an extra chair or even walking a few steps to direct you to the gents. You don't get that 'aura' at any other hotels. Then again I recalled the hotel's credo of, "We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen." How true.

That simple statement says volumes about the passion each staff enthuses. In Singapore most of us treat service providers like nothings. So how can we deserved to be served? And don't give me that fossil crap "Customer is always right or king." Is it no wonder that many still complain that ''foreigners' especially angmohs get better treatment, [unfair, racist some may claim] when they are the ones who'd tend to look and treat a humble waiter with dignity as compare to the locals who are simply unappreciative and unsophisticated? It takes two to tango.

I left the hotel at about 12.30pm and got in a taxi. As it drove along the road between Esplanade and Marina I saw heavy traffic milling around Suntec and that reminded me of the Comex show. Urgh... people congestion puts me off, but at that crucial time too, I also remembered a friend had bought a 1GB SD card for $95. Hey I need that too!

So I asked the driver to drop me near Suntec. I could sense he wasn't too pleased upon hearing my instruction. Who wouldn't, right? I mean, imagine losing out 'Marina to Woodlands' taxi fee in a matter of minutes. Anways that's another example of my impulsive contribution to the economy.

Lol ~ Why I bothered to be there, I really had no idea. I told myself it cannot be for that SD card alone right? The crowd and 'my being in it situation' was getting to me. You know I'm at my irritable best when I give a disinterested look to all who tried to give me flyers and handouts and to the occasional credit card promoters. Poor fellas, they were just trying to make a living!

Finally after about 10 minutes I saw the booth. I got the SD card and made my way out from the maddening crowd.