~~~BeEn A lOnG tImE!!!~~~

Dunno why I felt like posting here and reviving this blog even though I could post on Wendy's blog. Her blog definitely has a much higher hit rate than this one lor.

Oh well...just though since this blog is still alive so might as well keep it up.

Been about 1.5yrs since I last posted anything here. Not sure what to talk about. Maybe I'll just break down into a few category;

Work
In case some of you still do not know, I'm with the People's Association (PA). Joined in Oct 2006. Doing well I suppose with 2 promotions in 2.5yrs. I would say I'm a slightly above average worker. There are a few rather outstanding ones that I've encountered. Swamped with work every now and then. Quite normal I suppose. Overall - OK

Family
Still coping with the lost of a family member in Dec last year. Mother is still coping and I'm trying my very best to accomodate as much as possible just to ensure that she feels better day by day. I think and I hope she is. As for my own family, things were never better and it can only get better. Alethea is growing up so quickly and learning new things everyday. I can't wait to be able to hold a conversation with her. I'm at least starting with short sentences that she is familiar with. Wendy will be starting her degree next month. Its going to take at least a year to complete. She's so looking forward to it. I'm quite worried that I might not be able to give her the due support that she has given me when I was doing my degree especially with Alethea now. God give me strength!

Finances
Again it has never been better. Starting to see some our saving grow by the months. Sitcking to our strict budget on a monthly basis. We've been doing this for the last 1.5yrs and has kinda gotten used to it now and we are happy with our progress.

Overall
Only one statement sums it up. GOD IS FAITHFUL!

~~~THE BRIDGE!!!~~~

Its been a while since I last posted. I hope those that do visit my blog will view the video clip attached. You would probably guessed why I've been MIA for a while. I've been kidnapped into the kingdom of God.

This may not be the best way to spread the good news but in case God is speaking to you through this video. Drop me a note so I can pray for you!

~~~sTrEsSfUl BUT!!!~~~

Whenever I see my precious darling, she never fail to cheer me up. Work has been quite taxing for me lately. Been busy all day at work which is good lar coz time passes really quickly and before I know it, I'm smiling at my darling liao.

Went for a photo shoot at HQ yesterday. It was meant for the career fair that's coming up next month. A handful of us has been selected to be profiled for the panels around the booth. I think some photos might be use for recruitment ads as well. In short, free models lor.

Haven't been back at Hougang for the last few days becoz of late nights at work. I was complaining to baby how much work there is to be done. Major changes required lor. I've also set a scoring card for myself. 2 yrs is all I give myself. I think I can do it. I hope to see miracles happen by end of next yr in fact.

~~~LoNg TiMe No SeE!!!~~~

Yeah haven't blog for a while. Been busy.....I mean really busy. New working environment, new portfolio, new people to deal with and dealing with people can really be tiring. Especially in a diplomatic manner.

New role, new responsibilities. With power, comes more responsibilities. How true. I can't remember where I learned this from but I always remember one thing; "it may not be my fault when things goes wrong, BUT it is my responsibility." Maybe I'm being too demanding to myself but I guess that's my personality. I'm too conscious a person to be just mediocre. Oh in fact I just learned something new recently. Mediocrity is a leader greatest enemy.

Gained respect from people when they learned about my quick promotion. BUT upkeeping this respect is tough. People expect more from you. Nothing but your best. There's so much to do. There's so much I could do to create an impact in my work place. I've broken some kind of record for my promotion, now I hope to break another. I guess human are greedy but I just want to create a legacy. Might as well lah. I'm not planning for a career change anymore so this has got to be it. Current target: 3 promotions in 5years. Is that too much to achieve? 1 down and 2 more to go. I always tell myself something...I'm already falling behind my peers for not studying hard when I was younger, so the only way to make up for it is to achieve more in a shorter time lor.

I just hope that I will not compromise too much of the time I could spend with my precious darling. She's just such a dear. Fast asleep now. Didn't sleep much this afternoon. Turning 1 in 2 weeks. Time fly. I can't wait to hear her call my daddy. I can't wait to be holding her hand when she walk. I can't wait to see how pretty she will grow up to be.

~~~I SCORED WELL!!!~~~

I think at least. My stay at MacPherson has been rather short. Shorter than I expected to be. For better or for worst, I'll have to find out to know. For now, it is for the better. Enjoyed my stay at MacPherson. Bosses are nice. Colleagues are nice. GRLs are nice to me too. In fact several of them think rather highly of me.

Many wouldn't want to move out of their comfort zone but I guess in order to move on and advance in my career I don't have a choice lor.

BUT like what baby said, I thank god for the blessings. Everything has been good and I'm sure it will stay this way if not better.

~~~iT aLl WeNt WeLl!!!~~~

Yes! It is finally over! The Town Day went well. I was worried sick coz it was raining continuously for the last 2 days just before the event. That very morning I saw great weather. I was thankful. Even though it did rain shortly after the departure of the GOH, everything went pretty smoothly. It was reaffirmed by the many praises and thanks that I received from my colleagues, my bosses, members from the organising committee, co-workers from other agencies, etc.....

I was flattered! Baby and my sis was there to give me the support. Unfortunately it was raining when they came so they didn't get to enjoy the event at all except my sis waited for the lucky draw. No, we didn't win anything! Even though there are loose ends to tie up after the event, I felt so much lighter now. So very looking forward to the next project! I scored well this time and the challenge now it to maintain the record, better still score even better! I always believe that pressure or put it in a more positive way, motivation comes from within!

The whole family, yes baby, my precious darling and myself, we went to Victory Family Centre. A church! We wanted to lift our many burdens to god once again. It may sound like we are selfish being and only seek god when we had to and forsake him during good time. But I always believe that regardless for whatever reasons we are seeking god, he will never never say no to us and will always receive s with open arms! Ok ok its getting kinda churchy and holy here.

Well, in the long term we are hoping that Alethea can start going to Sunday school or even their kindergarden there and learn all the good values. Besides I think we will feel more secure when she grows up mixing with people from church. I'm not sure if we'll be going on a regular basis for now coz its at Sembawang. But I'm sre we will after we move there. Its rather near our new place actually.

Now I'm just keeping my figure cross for the valuation for TPY which I'm selling. Yes, now that the market is good. I'm taking the chance to let go of the TPY flat. More importantly, hopefully it can fetch me a good price to cover the renovation of the new flat. I think we really need the money. I'm sure god is listening to our prayers! :P

~~~tOwN dAY 2007~~~

That's what I have been busy with lately. In fact the day of the event is drawing nearer. Its on the 29th July 2007 (Sun). Venue is at Geylang East Swimming Complex. If got nothing to do can come and support ok?

My precious Alethea is fast asleep already. She didn't sleep much during the day today. Maybe becoz mummy is home to play with her lor. Mummy is outside in the living room now. Poor baby is studying hard for her Jap test. I'm sure she will do well. Take it easy baby!

Alethea is growing up fast. Something new for her everyday and something new to learn. As the days go by, I'm getting more and more worried over her character moulding process. I'm concern over her behaviour and all that. Honestly, I'm not worried about her intelligence but more her attitude and character. I've seen really ill-behaved ones and I've also seen some really well-mannered children. Well, who doesn't want to have children that are well-behaved. I guess what will be will be lor. Don't think there's any secret recipe to creating a well-behave child is there? I'll just pray hard lor. I think god has been kind to me, I'm sure He will continue to be.

~~~I SAW TEARS!!!~~~

For the second time.....yes Alethea weeped last night. I think she had a really bad nightmare that woke her up from her sleep. Plus when she woke up, the room was pitch dark coz we off the orange light. So I think she got scared even more when she couldn't see anything. Immediate, we switched on the lights when we heard her crying. I carried her up and try to calm her down. To top things up she vomitted on me. I put her down so that baby can clean her up. I saw tears flowing down from her eyes and I immediately wiped them off coz each drop of tears I see flowing is like an acid dripped on my heart. Such a strong burning sensation. I just couldn't bear to see her cry.

So last night she slept with us instead on our bed. I didn't sleep well as at. Not just becoz of the limited space but more becoz I was worried for Alethea. Worried that she might have another bad dream again. Sighhh...poor darling!

~~~U wIN sOmE u LoSe SoMe!!!~~~

Yup! That's the way to go with the stock market. Been dabbling with it a little on penny shares. Nothing harmful I suppose. Yes, I do admit that its just another form of gambling. BUT my objective is clear. During this initial stage I just wanna accumulate profit. So once anything hit 10% profit and beyond, I will let go. Bottomline is the yield is much greater than if I put my money anywhere else lor. I suppose that's the fastest, though the riskest way to accumulate wealth.

A friend once told me this....."Why work so hard for money, let the money work hard for you instead." Maybe once I have accumulated enough profit, I could do that lor.

The reason why this whole thing started was becoz I was contemplating to start an investment link account for retirement. I seek quotations from a few insurance companies for comparison. However, I realised that most of them are rather similar. No matter how high is the investment component, we are only looking at nothing beyond 9% interest. Yes over 30 yrs of investment it may seem alright....but in the short to mid-term, in my opinion not fantastic leh. Just imagine if I could have a 10% return on $1000 invested, that's $100 liao. To most serious punters in the stock market. But to me, where to find a bank or investment company that can gives u that kind o f yield in a matter of weeks or sometimes even days. OF COURSE, having said that, the law of investment prevails. High risk, high return. All I can say for now is, I try to take calculated risk.

Wish me many many luck in this road of investment becoz it is for a better tomorrow.......

~~~fUcK Up!!!~~~

All I can say is they had it...too bad for them that Alethea is not home today. If she's here, I wouldn't be wasting my time with idiots.

We had a tired night and therefore decided to come home to catch up a little with our sleep and leave Alethea at AMK instead. After I showered, I turned on my lappy and so did baby. Then I realised first that there was no internet connection. I went to turn the modem off and on it back again. I know it helps cause this is NOT THE FUCKING FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED!!! To make things worst, my mum was complaining to be that why she can't make out-going calls using the house phone. I tried. Indeed the phone line was fucked! That was it!

I took out my mobile and called the helpdesk and blasted at whoever was on the other end. Sorry man, you took their pay to get blasted at. I said exactly what happened and I didn't think there was a need to verify what I said especially hearing that I am already very agitated but he had to repeat my story to me which got me yelling. Did some trouble-shooting and decided that he had to send someone down to look at the line. Just as I expected.....so I when "HOW MANY FUCKING TIMES DO U NEED TO SEND SOMEONE TO FIX THE GOD DAMN LINE?" (minus the vulgarity lar) I had this problem before and they already did send someone to fix. Now, again! He tried to fixed at appiontment with me on Tues, next week. I go "what time?" He said 11am-1pm. I was like NO FUCKING WAY LOR! Then he said ok 4pm-6pm then. I said ok without checking if anyone was going to be home. DO I LOOK LIKE I GIVE A FUCK IF THEY COME KNOCKING AND NO ONE IS HOME? Call me a bastard but they fucking pissed me off lor. I didn't want to ask for a time in the evening when I might be home to entertain them becoz they are probably going to tell me that their technician only work office hours. Then I will have a chance to tell them that I FUCKING WORK OFFICE HOURS TOO!

What I really hate most is whenever there is a problem they will push the blame to the consumer. And to top it up, they will rectify the problem at the customer's inconvenience. I have a good mind to just fucking terminate the contract. Don't ever let me have another chance to sign another contract. I think with such attitude of mine, quite unlikely for me to sign any contract from now. But really these people are taking the advantage that we, the consumers can't live without their services and we are at their mercy lor. Sighhhh.....I REALLY HATE THIS MAN! Is there anyone listening and is there anyone that concur?

~~~@wOrK!!!~~~

Its a love and hate thing when I work on Sundays. Love-no bosses around. Free and easy....that's why I could blog now. Hate-Can't spend time with my family.

I a bit of time....or rather didn't feel like working so was browsing through friendster a bit. Updated my profile a bit. Tried doing a search and found 2 guys. Guess who? PRIMARY school friends. Hahahah.....not sure if we will keep in touch once contacted though. After all its been so long liao. Hardly know them anymore. We used to hang out quite a bit then.

Was trying to search for a secondary school friend but couldn't find. Oh well not everyone uses friendster. Especially now there's Hi5 and what have you.

I wonder what's baby doing now. Showed my colleague and aunty a new pic and they all said very very....cute! Hahaah expected lor. :P She's so so soooooo.....adorable lor. Can't wait to kiss her!

~~~tHe KiDs ClInIc!!!~~~

A place where I frequent with Alethea. At least for the past 7 months or so. Yes yes that's where Alethea's paediatrician is. We went there again this morning for her 2nd pneumococcal jab. To most kids or even adults, going for jabs can be quite frightening but for Alethea, she's one brave little girl! No cries, no tears, no fear...just a little wimp and you'll find her smiling almost immediately right after it. I'm so proud of her lor.

While waiting for her turn, I just couldn't help but observe the kids there AND their parents too. I don't want to critisize too much but I must say that Alethea has been VERY well behaved so compared to many. One almost banged down the attire clinic. There's a chinese saying.....'Zi bu jiao, fu zi guo.' It means if the kid is rotten, its the parents' fault and I think both baby and I agreed on that too. Children are born innocent, it is really what they picked up from the surrounding and people they see everyday during their growing up phase that will mould them into what they are.

All I can say is...so far I think baby and I has been really really blessed. We are so lucky to have such an adorable child. Bringing her up hasn't been that tough a job so far really. Like what I always said to baby, Alethea only makes noise during 3 ocassions, hungry, sleepy or she needs her diaper changed. And maybe when she is hot too. Other then that she's one happy baby. I pray and I always pray for her to stay healthy and happy. It can be quite stressful when you start to become too protective. I wonder if I might end up hindering her growing process.

~~~???!!!~~~

For some reasons, I somehow met some old friends by chance. Old as in really old lor. Easily more than 10yrs kind. Met a couple of them from my old work place. We used to work part-time together at this Peranakan Restaurant. They were more like my playmates then. Everyone has grown up now. Some, like myself got married. Time flies man!

Meeting my classmates from SHATEC on Monday for dinner. Haven't seen them for ages too. In fact I know them for exactly 10yrs now. Wowwwww...........

Work has been great. Getting busy but still can manage lor. I got a score card to feel in by July. My very own score card. Been busy with the planning of a major event. It is major in every sense of the word. The Gues-Of-Honour is really some big shot minister and it is going to cater to a massive crowd of 3000 or more. I guess the most challenging part of it all is working with the committee. I need to put up a good show and give my best shot. Not only becoz of the GOH, but more becoz all my bosses will be around. So I need to score for this one. I have wasted enough time from my previous jobs. So I really hope things get moving a little. Anyway, I have give myself some benchmark so let's see what happens.

My precious one is fast asleep now....she didn't sleep much today. Was playing most of the time. Now both baby and I are spending some quiet moments. I'm sleepy too....probably going to crash soon I think.

~~~ItS bEeN a WhIlE!!!~~~

Yeah bb just reminded me. :P

She rocking our darling now while I'm typing this.

Met a couple of long lost friends today. Felt good catching up. We used to be rather close "playmates" then. We were working PT at this restaurant when we were students then. There were literally no worries. We spent what we earn and we had lots of fun together. Those were our carefree days! We've all grown up and things have changed quite a fair bit. Mainly we grown more matured now and taking on more responsiblities now. Gone are the carefree days. We no longer live for ourselves or be responsible only for our own actions. The commitment has changed. Some are still struggling to find their path in life. Some, like me choose to be contented with what I have.

Well, nevertheless, it was great catching up with the fellows. Probably meet up for dinner soon with more of the rest. Only the 3 of us managed to meet up today. Let's see if we could keep in touch.