To me this year consists of 8 months of activities, 4 months of doing nothing, many months of uncertainty, worries & depression in between and finally hope & optimism towards the end.
The year started with me feeling uncertain about my decision to be with a foreigner and move overseas. Having to quit the job I enjoyed and leaving my family & friends to start from scratch overseas made me rather depressed. I couldn't help feeling why I had to do all these sacrifices for someone whom I gradually began to feel probably isn't right for me after all. I regret not working out these issues with him earlier.
After a trip together in March, he went back while I stayed in S'pore to prepare for the big move overseas. That was a bad idea I guess coz the 2 months of doing nothing at home in April & May made me even more 'homesick', more unwilling to move overseas. I finally moved over in June in a depressed state.
Not being emotionally & mentally prepared to start new overseas killed the relationship in a flash. He tried to help me adapt but I just couldn't do it. Frustrated with my life there, I began to find fault with him. Everyday I was just waiting for the day to come back. Then my family went over for a holiday in mid-June. The 1 week holiday around Japan with them, away from him and the island, cheered me up for a short while. After that was back to a sad, directionless life.
Finally towards end July he told me to come back to sort out my thinking/feelings etc. 2 weeks after my return things turned very bad between us so we decided to end it. It's meaningless to keep it going if both parties aren't willing to compromise and the love has died. We still have a long way ahead of us. Instead of holding on to something just for the sake of it, might as well let go and search for another future. With an answer to the problem, I could finally move on with a direction in life.
August to October was all about job-hunting and catching up with friends. It was both a time of heartache and hope. I had difficulties facing my friends who gave me their blessings for my relationship and telling them why it ended. I also had to explain to job interviewers why I remained unemployed for 6 mths & assuring them I'm back for good. All the above meant I had to talk about the failed relationship.
Hope came in form of a new job. Not exactly a big career switch since I've been in the education industry for 2 years but the environment is totally different. However, switching to it means it's very difficult to go back to HR. I decided to go ahead with it. Passed the interviews and was offered the job starting in 2 Jan 2009. That gave me 3 months of relaxation at home.
I went to Taipei & HongKong for a great holiday in end-October. November & December was spent doing nothing at home again. The main project then was doing up my room and enjoying the rest of my break before I start work. I started with a major spring-cleaning, throwing or donating almost everything related to him or the relationship. Then I bought new things to make the room look slightly different. During this period I started going out with someone who encouraged me a lot and made me happy most of the time. Plagued by relationship problems for the 1st 3/4 of the year, I'm glad towards the end it's all sweet happy memories.
As you can see, 2008 for me is all about a failing relationship, job-hunting and doing nothing at home. Seems very negative huh? But I learnt a lot from it all. An expensive lesson some would say but I don't regret much. It made me a stronger person with a clearer direction on what I want in life. It was a good thing that I have a practice of saving 1/5 of my salary every month. The savings accumulated over the years allowed me to live a jobless life for 9 months and I could still afford to go shopping & travelling. Important lesson here: 'One must always save up for rainy days!'
I hope 2009 is a more positive year with a blossoming relationship and fulfilling job. And I wish everyone a great new year ahead too.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Visit to SPCA
Last Sunday, my friend & I went to The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). When I told my dad where I was planning to go, his reply was "去看那些动物很可怜的！都是猫猫狗狗。" My sister also agreed and told me to go and see some pet hotels or pet shops instead. But my mind was set.
I reached SPCA after a short 15mins drive from my home. I was expecting sad abused dogs in there. I was wrong. The dogs were big, healthy & active! Most were as tall as an adult when they jumped up. It's a small place with around 10-15 dogs in their individual big cage. I overheard a SPCA volunteer saying there are many other dogs caged up elsewhere. The cages were unlocked and apparently visitors are allowed to enter it to play with the dogs. I saw some young kids playing with the dog in the cage. Maybe they had permission from the volunteers to do so.
There is an area for cats & rabbits too. Almost all the rabbits were pending approval for adoption. Most were local breed except for 1 holland lop rabbit. All big rabbits but very adorable. Their ex-owners probably don't find them cute after they grew bigger & dumped them. Hardly anyone looked at the cats. My friend remarked, "if you want to adopt a cat, just go to the carpark or along the streets to pick up a stray cat". Poor cats!
I'm in a rabbit craze after seeing many of them at pet shops. There's one at Bugis's Pet Shop Lovers which I visit whenever I'm there. I even named it 大黄 coz it's a big brown rabbit. I think because it isn't as cute as the smaller rabbits, it's unsold for more than 3 months. It's probably still there waiting for a kind owner. I wish I could give it a proper loving home......
Please give me a good loving home!
I can't adopt a pet coz my mum doesn't like pets but I will visit SPCA again to visit the animals. These abandoned pets are really quite pitiful. 1 of the dog was given up because the maid caring for it left. I just don't understand these pet owners who get their maid to care for the dogs. I know many of these owners have to work and need help to care for the dogs. But surely they can spare some time in the morning/evening to walk the dog. I often see maids in my area doing that instead. I'm not surprised these maids have to clear the shit & bathe the dogs too. I feel if you want a pet you should take up the responsibility of caring for it. If you aren't willing to sacrifice some rest time or get your hands dirty, then don't get a pet!
I reached SPCA after a short 15mins drive from my home. I was expecting sad abused dogs in there. I was wrong. The dogs were big, healthy & active! Most were as tall as an adult when they jumped up. It's a small place with around 10-15 dogs in their individual big cage. I overheard a SPCA volunteer saying there are many other dogs caged up elsewhere. The cages were unlocked and apparently visitors are allowed to enter it to play with the dogs. I saw some young kids playing with the dog in the cage. Maybe they had permission from the volunteers to do so.
Will you adopt me & treat me well?
There is an area for cats & rabbits too. Almost all the rabbits were pending approval for adoption. Most were local breed except for 1 holland lop rabbit. All big rabbits but very adorable. Their ex-owners probably don't find them cute after they grew bigger & dumped them. Hardly anyone looked at the cats. My friend remarked, "if you want to adopt a cat, just go to the carpark or along the streets to pick up a stray cat". Poor cats!
I'm in a rabbit craze after seeing many of them at pet shops. There's one at Bugis's Pet Shop Lovers which I visit whenever I'm there. I even named it 大黄 coz it's a big brown rabbit. I think because it isn't as cute as the smaller rabbits, it's unsold for more than 3 months. It's probably still there waiting for a kind owner. I wish I could give it a proper loving home......
Please give me a good loving home!
I can't adopt a pet coz my mum doesn't like pets but I will visit SPCA again to visit the animals. These abandoned pets are really quite pitiful. 1 of the dog was given up because the maid caring for it left. I just don't understand these pet owners who get their maid to care for the dogs. I know many of these owners have to work and need help to care for the dogs. But surely they can spare some time in the morning/evening to walk the dog. I often see maids in my area doing that instead. I'm not surprised these maids have to clear the shit & bathe the dogs too. I feel if you want a pet you should take up the responsibility of caring for it. If you aren't willing to sacrifice some rest time or get your hands dirty, then don't get a pet!
Monday, December 29, 2008
1st day at work
Today's my 1st day at work after a nice long break. I thought waking up early was going to be a challenge but I woke up an hour before my alarm clock rang. Too excited about new job I guess.
After a briefing with the VP, I went to attend their staff meeting followed by a brainstorm session and training workshop. I spoke to some colleagues from other departments during the meeting but information they provided me was very general & I couldn't help but feel very lost. I wasn't shown my working cubicle (if there is any), no clear work scope & work materials, not introduced properly to my department, not given staff pass etc.
I guess they aren't really prepared for me to join. Or they are simply too busy to do a proper briefing & orientation. It's so different from all my previous jobs where things were all set & ready waiting for me to take over. And the boss or someone would orientate me to make sure I know enough about the company to survive on my own. Think it's time for me to be more independent at work!
Next 2 days no work, then Fri & Mon got training. So I officially assume duties on Tues and I still don't know what I'm supposed to do! I just pray hard they will email me a bit of information before Tues so that I have time to prepare.
Feeling lost now but not stressed out yet. Wait till Tuesday comes....
After a briefing with the VP, I went to attend their staff meeting followed by a brainstorm session and training workshop. I spoke to some colleagues from other departments during the meeting but information they provided me was very general & I couldn't help but feel very lost. I wasn't shown my working cubicle (if there is any), no clear work scope & work materials, not introduced properly to my department, not given staff pass etc.
I guess they aren't really prepared for me to join. Or they are simply too busy to do a proper briefing & orientation. It's so different from all my previous jobs where things were all set & ready waiting for me to take over. And the boss or someone would orientate me to make sure I know enough about the company to survive on my own. Think it's time for me to be more independent at work!
Next 2 days no work, then Fri & Mon got training. So I officially assume duties on Tues and I still don't know what I'm supposed to do! I just pray hard they will email me a bit of information before Tues so that I have time to prepare.
Feeling lost now but not stressed out yet. Wait till Tuesday comes....
Friday, December 26, 2008
It's party time!
Like past years, we held a x'mas party at home on 24/12, inviting our closest friends to have fun together. Instead of my mum cooking almost everything, this year we decided to do a potluck party. Mum cooked curry chicken & fried beehoon and bought smoked ham, the rest brought drinks, salad, satay, otah, roasted lamb, fruit tarts, brownie & a log cake. Seems like very little food when we list out on paper, but it turned out to be a lot. Meat lovers were the happiest.
Part of the food served
As it was raining, we held it indoors. We were hungry at 7pm and started to eat before the "official start" at 8pm. By 9pm almost everyone's done with dinner & was all gathered at the living room watching 'Little Nonya'. When it ended, we spilt up into 3 groups - 1 playing wii, 1 drinking (almost all the guys so we called them the 'kopitiam uncle group'), 1 just kaypoh at the 2 groups. I was the kaypoh one not keen on playing wii or drinking. Very soon the kopitiam uncles became drunk. Luckily all except 1 was sober enough to play the gift-exchange game.
At 12am, we sang "We wish u A merry Christmas" then ate the log cake & drank champagne. After that we played a gift-exchange game with forfeits, which is to drink a bitter mix of vodka & green tea. The lucky ones had 1-2 gift choices, the suay ones had to drink 1-2 cups of vodka. But of course in the end everyone gets a gift though probably not everyone's happy with their choice.
Part 2 of gift exchange was collecting presents (specially bought for each other) under the x'mas tree. That's when we see more excited and happier faces. haha!
Done with the presents, 1 group continued playing wii, the drunk uncles fell asleep and the kaypoh group continued to be kaypohs. At 3am+, a few of us were still awake but no energy or interest to play wii so we watched dvd "Connected". I've watched it before so it couldn't keep my interest for long and I went to sleep at 4.30am. The rest apparently watched till 5am+ then went home.
I enjoyed myself and hope the rest did too. Looking forward to Chinese New Year Party next month if there's any......
Part of the food served
The Wii group
The Kopitiam Uncle group
At 12am, we sang "We wish u A merry Christmas" then ate the log cake & drank champagne. After that we played a gift-exchange game with forfeits, which is to drink a bitter mix of vodka & green tea. The lucky ones had 1-2 gift choices, the suay ones had to drink 1-2 cups of vodka. But of course in the end everyone gets a gift though probably not everyone's happy with their choice.
Part 2 of gift exchange was collecting presents (specially bought for each other) under the x'mas tree. That's when we see more excited and happier faces. haha!
Santa AhKe & McDull
Done with the presents, 1 group continued playing wii, the drunk uncles fell asleep and the kaypoh group continued to be kaypohs. At 3am+, a few of us were still awake but no energy or interest to play wii so we watched dvd "Connected". I've watched it before so it couldn't keep my interest for long and I went to sleep at 4.30am. The rest apparently watched till 5am+ then went home.
I enjoyed myself and hope the rest did too. Looking forward to Chinese New Year Party next month if there's any......
Gifts!
This X'mas, despite a bad economy & less bonus, many friends still splurged on nice gifts for me. And they know what I like, wish to have or might need. Very touched!
Items include a big & cute Muji bag, a small McDull pouch, a Muji pencil-case, 1 key-chain, 2 necklaces, 2 bracelets, 1 eyeshadow, 1 small twin star pouch, 1 colorful pouch, 1 nail polish set (incl. remover, 1 color, 1 top coat & 1 base coat), shower cream, a toy rabbit.
Yeah! Start the new year with new things!!
Items include a big & cute Muji bag, a small McDull pouch, a Muji pencil-case, 1 key-chain, 2 necklaces, 2 bracelets, 1 eyeshadow, 1 small twin star pouch, 1 colorful pouch, 1 nail polish set (incl. remover, 1 color, 1 top coat & 1 base coat), shower cream, a toy rabbit.
Yeah! Start the new year with new things!!
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