Glad or Bad to be back??

Its a Sunday today, and I am back in the office. Thought I should write something about my first 2 weeks back in Singapore, before I get down to the exciting task list I have written down in my notebook...

The signs were ominous on my first day back at home. I assumed that I will just have to pick up my laptop and staff pass, and I was good to go. So I was happily rocking up to work around 845am, taking my own sweet time to report to the HR department. But who knew that my firm thought I needed "orientation" in its values, reading Lotus Notes email, setting up my passwords and having an office tour. Yup, I was late for the orientation. However, the worst was when I was not allowed to use back my old photo, and my new photo turned out terrible.

Over the next 2 weeks, I was gradually finding my feet back into the Singapore office landscape. The familiar friends, colleagues and environment helped me settle down sooner than I thought. On the work front, its was tough adjusting initially but I am feeling I am better prepared mentally now.

Maybe in the first week, it was 70% "bad" and 30% "glad". But at the end of the second week, it has gradually improved to 50% "bad" and 50% "glad". And hopefully before I know it, there is no more any of this sort of question in my wandering mind...

3 days

Starting work in 3 days. Can't help feeling a sense of apprehension, especially since I have been effectively nuaing for the last 4 months!

Lots have happened since I"m back in singapore. I am still slowly adjusting to life back home. Perhaps I tend to think too much at times, worrying about too much. I have to keep reminding myself that when the boat reaches the head of the bridge, it will naturally straighten.

on a happier note, it has been great meeting up with my various groups of friends. Just went to a sec school mate"s wedding 2 sundays ago, must say that it brought back a lot of nostalgic memory especially when I saw friends that I haven't seen in years! A bit auspicious but I always say that friends n families gather at weddings n funerals...

Lastly, been affected a lot by something that happened to one of my best friends. Made me ponder a lot - I always put myself in my client"s shoes at work (I even got an award trophy for it..boasting a bit..Haha) but why can"t I put myself in my loved ones" shoes a bit more.

Rushing off for coffee now..sorry readers for all the boring entries recently.. Will update sth funny soon..

H

Taiwan

Last day in Taiwan today...really enjoyed my time in this island. The people are super friendly and civic-minded. Compared to people in HongKong and Macau, the service attitudes here are simply world-class!!

Everyone queues up orderly for everything including the guys' toilet urinals, everyone keeps to the right even in the nights markets making it a breeze to get through the crowd and everyone queue in a line for the trains.

Didn't really do much sight-seeing this trip. When I wanted to go out to the sight-seeing places the last 3 days, there was a typhoon alert which derailed all of my plans. Anyway, just want to let everyone know I am safe and sound.......I am too heavy still to be blown away even by a typhoon....haha....

Home Sweet Home

To those dear friends that read my blog, I am back in Singapore!! Kinda miss Sydney still, but Singapore's home...

Just want to say a BIG THANKS to my "xiaomeis" who came down to the Sydney airport to send me off. Although I told them not to, I knew they will still send me off. Just want to say to them that don't miss me too much...hahaha

I am currently at the airport waiting for my plane to HongKong. And just want to say I am really proud of the new terminal 3 building which is another symbol of Singapore's efficient planning!! Everything's so perfect...flowers on the wash basins, estimated time to reach far-away gates, the multitude of eateries and shopping...I am IMPRESSED!!

Lastly, to the friends I haven't caught up with, kopi next week k...cheers!!

On the train

For the last 2 years (or maybe its since I started work), when I am on the train to work, I have always wished that the weekend faster come.


However, strangely for this week, I have been hoping the week do not end so early. Mainly because it will mean my last day with the Sydney firm will be coming....

When I left Singapore, I felt really miserable. But at the back of my mind, I knew I would be coming back. As for Sydney this time round, I know clearly that I will not come back in the near future. I will definitely miss all my non-SG friends and colleagues made here, and I would not know when I will see most of them again...

Been having lots of farewell lunches these few days...kind of sad. People have been asking me if I am excited about going back - honestly there is no excitement in my heart. I am not sure why, perhaps its hidden in the throes of sadness engulfing it currently.

On a happier note, I really want to thank DarrenQ for specially preparing a dinner on Tuesday night as a special farewell for me. And thank you for the framed photo collage - a simple yet deeply meaningful gift.

DQ - I may be putting on my silly smile (as usual) when I saw the gift, but trust me, deep in my heart, I was tearing and breaking down. I was really really touched.

Make sure when you next return to Singapore, contact me and we can go for Chilli Crabs!!!

The Final Countdown

The day is finally coming. It will be only 3-4 more weekends before I leave Sydney. No more long lazy weekends where I can go play golf at a whim, nua at home watching "silly" cricket or rugby, or going for my weekend rendevous at some coast or bay.



I still remember how I hated Sydney when I first came. The contractual issues, the work environment, the longing for all things familiar back home didn't help in my transition.



But over the last half a year or so, my feelings about Sydney has changed so much that I have been dreading the day that I leave the country. I am grateful for the close clique of colleagues and friends I have met and known here, some of which I will never see for a long time cos they are not Singaporeans and I will most probably not be visiting Sydney anytime soon in the foreseeable future. I will dearly miss them.

I will also miss the closeness of the strong Singapore gang here. Althought there have been inevitable misunderstandings and irritation due to us meeting all too often, they have really been a source of comfort and support for me the last 2 years - a family away from home. I will miss the joys of the weekend getaways and many trips to other states together. Lastly, I will miss my sister who as most of my friends will attest, might be the greatest sister in the world (at least to me).

I would be lying if I say there is no slight apprehension in returning back to Singapore. Afterall, 2 years spent overseas has changed my perception of things a fair bit. For example, I have become more outspoken in the area of work, to the extent of engaging in heated arguments with my manager and director. This sort of behaviour, I sadly say will have to be restrained back home. If not, I can be prepared to kiss my career goodbye.


Also, how will I adapt to staying back at home with a naggy mother to remind me at least 5 times a day to eat more fruits and drink her potent "ltoxins-cleansing iang teh" that is guaranteed to make one go to the toilet at least 3 times after that.

The grim reality of skyrocketing property prices and expensive car prices will hit me fully when I finally land on the Singapore shores. At the age of 28, its time to seriously consider these hard facts of life. If I stayed in Sydney, I could comfortable afford a private property and a decent car. But as I told many of my friends, without the bond, there will still be one reason that will stop me from staying here permanently - the reason being that the glass ceiling for asians here truly exist for which I do not have the confidence to break through.

Lastly, how will my relationship with my dearest change.

All these unknowns have made me fearful, so fearful that I do not even want to book an air ticket back first. Cos once I make a booking, the day that I do not want to come so soon will finally be too close for comfort.

For now, its back to my holiday at cradle mountains in Tasmania. Trying to enjoy my last moments before heading home. Easy to tell myself not to think so much, but hard to achieve....

Great day at Canberra with 4 wonderful ladies

Note - this entry is NOT by me!!

Manly Beach




Wollongong - Lighthouse!

Don't you think we look like 流星花园?? Just that its 4 gals and 1 guy this time round.



Wollongong - FuGuangShan NanTien Temple
(Biggest temple in the southern hemisphere)

Came to an enlightment that I have always been composed with my signature hand gesture (curved fingers).



Kiama - Blowhole

5 super seys Singaporeans



Canberra - Fyshwick Fresh Food Market

In an attempt to look for PORN and fireworks, but failed. SO DISAPPOINTING!!!!

Canberra - Parliament House

Do you know what the cool structure represents? The four pillars symbolize people, culture, weather and KOALA BEARS, the most important features of Australia. Cooooooool....

Wow, don't I look like a serious member of parliament with my two dearest assistants?

Canberra - Singapore High Commission

Typical ah beng moments outside embassy of my beloved Singapore

Canberra - National Gallery of Australia

The crystal ball is floating in the sky!!!!

Happy birthday, Brother!!

Today is my brother's birthday!! May all his hopes, dreams and wishes come true on his 26th brithday today!!
For those who have not seen my brother before this is him below:

As we grew older, my brother and I became much much closer. The Wens pub drinking, the sharing of our aspirations and the candid chats are something I did not expect will develop. I still remember always executing (or rather trying to execute...) the "sharpshooter" on him when he was younger. But guess the age gap is not that apparent when you reach your 20s, and we treat each other as friends more than siblings now.

I used to worry about my brother's future, as he is not the studious kind. However, I realised very quickly that my brother is smart in so many other ways, so much so that in my view, he is more successful than me today. And I am more than proud of this fact. Never told him this before, but honestly, I must say I am really really proud to have him as my brother.

Clarification => to his disbelieving friends who always think I am his "Brudder", I am in fact his "Real" brother. And once upon a time (circa 2004), we used to look quite similar. Evidence as reproduced below...haha

Quick Update

Its 1232am now. I am still at work and I feel like I am dying.....

A bit worried abt the transition back to SG now...haha

Not been the best of week for me. I had to start believing what I always never wanted to believe about a friend of mine.

Gained 1 kg for my 15 March weigh-in. All the junk I ate during my 1.5 weeks study leave is no good!!

Realised something about myself that I think I should try to resolve soon.

But all the above are not the worst, as I obtained the ultimate insult last week
- tell me to stay, tell me to state my considerations, tell me keen to keep me but ultimately tell me that "WE CAN OFFER U NOTHING"?!?!?!?! WTF??

However, I believe something positive is coming to me soon, after all these shit!!

Cant wait for tommorrow.....super long weekend here I come!!!!!!!!

Mich and Yish - The Dawn of the Legends

If you thought that Mohammed Ali was a legend, think again..

If you thought that Michael Jordan was a legend, consider again...

If you thought that Pele was a legend, you are wrong....

Coz you have not met the true legends, Mich & Yish.

Let me explain why this dynamic duo has forever etched their heroic (ah...more like bumbling) exploits into the hearts of all the Singaporeans here in Aussie Land.....

Last Saturday, Mich and Yish was going to fly over to Sydney from Melbourne for the annual Mardi Gras festival, on the 6am flight. As I had a CA focus session on the same day, I could not meet them for breakfast.

As I met HY at the class, a thoroughly amusing but I must say not totally unexpected news awaited me. Yes, u guessed it........Mich and Yish have missed another flight!!!????? Apparently, they only woke up at 545am when the flight is at 6am & at an airport an hour away from their home).

This is Mich's 2nd domestic flight missed, the 1st being for our Tassie trip in June 07. But I must say that Yish takes the cake, as her first flight missed was actually an International flight for the Dec 07 trip back home to Singapore...Yish actually forgot her passport!!!

And this also explains her higher ranking on the table below.

Latest release - Official Hall of Legends:
(1) Yish

(2) Mich

(3) Ali
(4) Jordan
(5) Pele

As I am writing this entry, I am tearing in joy as my heart is filled with pride for I have the fortune of having such legendary friends......Some people wait their whole lives to know 1 legend, but I actually know 2 before I even reach 30...........sob...sob

Weekend Getaway #2 (18th Feb) - The Entrance and Terrigal Beach, Central Coast

Took a day trip up to Central Coast on 18 Feb with two-thirds of the stapled entity (aka Gin and Lizi). Visited the famous Pelican feeding at "The Entrance, Wyong" and Terrigal Beach, where all of us felt the sands not being as smooth or nice as we expected....

Enjoy the random pictures below:

"Lao Yushen" Chinese New Year Dinner!!

As part of our own little ritual here in Sydney, the Singaporean gang (joined by 1 Malaysian and 1 Melbournian this year) usually go to our Favourite Singapore Restaurant in Sydney to have our...

"LAO YUSHEN" CNY Dinner

This is our 2nd year and certainly my last year celebrating this tradition at Ginger and Spice, which I reckon is the BEST Singapore restaurant in Sydney (better than Temasek).................Great service (Alan, the boss, is one funny guy), delicious and familiar foods, and homely ambience. Albeit a bit pricey by Singapore standards but worth the money on comparison with other places here.

Special Thanks to Darren, Lil, HY, Haz, Wanyi,Gin,Lizi,Zijia, Joey, Chiang,Eug, Sis,Joan & Cherrie for a wonderful night of food,drinks and laughter.....and hope you guys can still carry on the above tradition for next year!!

Here's photos of the night:

(Yushen - Cost => A$148, Moment => priceless)

(Hainan Chicken - so tender it melts in your mouth)

("Lao ah lao" ...............with our super long chopsticks- another wonderful and unexpected addition by the restaurant)

Sis, Me, Joan & Cherrie (EY star secondees)

Otah Otah - in fragrant banana leaves

Kechap Manis Squid - strangely this is a "Singapore" dish that I have not tried that often in Singapore but its my one of my favourites here!!
Other dishes that did not make the photo list: Chendol, Ice kachang, Bubur Chacha, Ngoh hiang, sambal kangkong....

3rd weigh-in update

To refresh everyone's memory, as part of my personal "Biggest Loser" challenge, I have had my 3rd fortnightly weigh-in on 29th Feb.

Lost 3 kg, but still lots more work to reach my personal target.

Hopefully, I can motivate myself to exercise more during these 2 weeks before my next weigh-in. This is especially since I have no excuse not to. As I am on STUDY LEAVE...yoohoo!!

A Grand Slam?

When I received the results release email from the Institute in relation to my Financial Reporting (FIN) CA exam, I felt more of a relief than pure unadulterated joy. The FIN paper is the last examination I have had to take in Aussie Land for my CA qualification. As I have aced my first 3 modules, everyone who is remotely a friend of mine will keep telling me weeks before the result release that I will definitely ace the last paper as well.

Pressure was building especially when HY ask if I could do a Grand Slam. Suddenly, it made me feel like I was in the big shoes of Roger Federer (Tennis World Number 1). The poor bugger has won every available Grand Slam there is for years, except the French Open.....always 3 out of 4.....

What if I turned out to be like him huh? Haha....

But I am really glad things turn out differently from Roger's case. I count myself fortunate and lucky, cos beside a bit of hard work, questions must really fall in your favour during the papers.

Most importantly, I am usually not a very religious person, but the Glebe temple has really been my spiritual home the past 20 months. Praying at Glebe temple before every exam may seem like "hugging the Buddha leg last-minute", but to me, it is more akin to praying for a "Ping An". And this "Ping An" has guarded me well and blessed me much......so I am really really thankful for it, sincerely....

Happy Valentine's/Friendship Day

Just want to say a BIG THANK YOU to my dear friends in Sydney who made me feel a lot less lonely yesterday evening, which is of course Valentine's Day.

Special Mentions:
Lizi: Thanks for the lovely card and chupa chups lollypop.

Wanyi: Thanks for the "Oopsy" Care Bear and email message, but my favourite care bear is actually the "4 leaf clover" one...haha

Gin, Joey & Eug:
For the laughter and joy during our little rendezvous at Temasek (this famous Singapore restaurant at Parramata where the food's great but the service bad)

When I feel sort of quite lonely out here at Sydney at times, my tight-knit circle of friends have always been there for me. Thou I am reluctant to acknowledge the fact, the "secondees and their plus one, Mari" with their silly ways have really brightened up my life since they have arrived.

Never thought that I will get to know them so well. I still remember HY and me discussing that we will most probably catch up with the secondees for a few dinners when they come over, and leave them to their own devices liao. But what you say sometimes will not turn out to be reality....

Weigh-in today:
Lost 2.02% of my weight for my 3rd weigh-in today. Not as significant as the last weigh-in, but its also because I haven't been exercising as hard, and been eating too much. I blame it on my Hunter Valley escapades, CNY dinners and Tourist (Joey) Chew...but ultimately its down to my own self-discipline.

Again, I Got to Perservere * NO MORE TEMPTATIONS!!

CA results:
Results for my 4th CA module is coming out today at 3pm. Wish me luck!! Pressure is really building, and it doesn't help when the weight of expectation is so heavy on my shoulders. I feel confident, but is confidence enough? 2 hours more and I know the answer......

Happy Gollies Family

My birthday gifts to Judee....express freight from Sydney to Singapore. Hated these gollies at first but these dolls sure grow on you....