My birthday celebration in the office....

I rushed into the office, at 9.30am. Shucks. Its the first i've been soo late. I walked in, saw balloons lined along my cubicle. I went wow...wow...and sat down.

The team had decorated the cubicle last night after i left. Sweet arent there.



JC mentioned i din show much reaction. Of cos! Im late mah!

The funniest thing was when Ruth Goh walked in...The team went WOW!!! She, in her usual self, have worn a wig. She looked soo much younger. She's 50+ btw...



Later in the morning, i was asked to go into the stamford room. Shelby wanted to talk to me. I walked in with Shelby indeed and Linda, with a bouquet of handmade flowers. Haha. Im too early. The rest are not even in the room yet.



Little did i realise when the people came in, there were soo many of them.

They presented 2 cakes for me. They cant decide which flavour, and to please all, they bought 2. I had a birthday song, and of cos, cake cutting and lots of photo taking.








Just when i start to settle down, i receive a pink note from my receptionist
"Clara, there is a speedpost here and i can't sign for you. COuld you come and collect?"

Huh? Not another one?

Haha....the team bought me a super big card and the surprise was, they got the WHOLE company to sign!!!



Then comes the announcement. We had a team meeting at 12pm, to announce to my team, my departure....

They then gave me another surprise. A bear from the build a bear workshop!



The bear have a card and a birth certificate alongside. Sweet arent they?

Lunch was spent with Francis, Shelby and Jessie. The 2 bosses bought Francis and I lunch, to celebrate our birthday. Yummy yummy. By the time we are back from lunch, it was 3+

Had a briefing session with the new accountant and by the time we ended, it was time to knock off. What a day.

The team except Bernard stayed to take photos with me, the birthday gal...

The feeling was very nice, with people remembering you, your birthday. I wana do the same thing to others, within my means. To make it special.

Happy Birthday to me!

My bday celebration in Office

Goodbye Doreen

Got a call early in the morning from Xiuping. She's my ex-neighbour back then when i was still schooling in pri school till JC. Xiuping and Doreen were the only 2 'young' neighbours that i've meet who invited my sis and I to join their group. It was sweet and nice, a really nice community feeling to have people staying on the same floor to look after one another.

Xiuping called to inform that Doreen has passed away. "OMG!!!" Today is Doreen's last day of her wake and she will be cremated at 1+. After arranging with Xiuping to meet that night, it just did not appear to me to rush for the wake. I was in a daze. Dazed at the news, dazed for the fact that i've just woke up. I called Sis, told her that i'll be going down and ask if she's ok to join.

When i arrive there, a place that was sooo familiar to me, i saw her wake. Sis and I went, introduced ourselves as old neighbours and pay our last respect to her. Before i arrive, i couldnt picture Doreen. There i was, looking at her, in her coffin, I could feel tears welling in my eyes. She's only 32, mind you. She layed in the coffin with a peaceful look.

Her cousin told us that she was diagnosed with Brain Tumour back in June07. She was due to have her ROM in July07, to her China husband to be. The illness was detected when she started to slur in her speech, and repetitive headaches. Only a visit to the hospital, revealed the reason behind her change in speech. The family had discussed and considering the fact that she is still young, they decided to persuade her to fight the illness. She had a 50-50 percent chance if she undergo treatment, else less than 10 percent to survive.

It was a tough process. As she slowly lost her sight,she held on. The battle ended in the hospice. Im glad that her family are there for the last moments. It is an important moment for the family.

She left at a age of 37. A month prior her birthday. She spent her life fulfilling, have a very good heart, a very nice laughter, a nice voice and bonded family.

Auntie couldnt really speak to us. She burst out in tears.

The atmosphere seem soo familiar, just like ah gong's wake.

Life seems soo fragile. Health is a priority. Not many can have a healthy body, some choose not to have, unconsciously.

Goodbye Doreen. I will always remember you, for what you are, who you are.

Bok's leaving....for Korea

Bok Hwee is leaving for Korea for 2 months, alone, to learn Korean language.

Amazing decision that will lead her to being more independent, experience more of the Korean culture and of cos, have a nice little break

The rest of us turtles, then decided to give her a surprise send off, early in the morning. Her flight is at 9.15am. So that will gives us some time to go to the airport, pass her a gift, and of cos RUSH to work.

We meet at Orchard to scout around for a little 'bye bye' gift for her and Shumin being the earliest, suggested a jigsaw puzzle which can be personalised with our own wordings. Hence, the little project was ready to set off.

We bought the jigsaw, bought markers and set off for dinner and to personalise our gift.

The jigsaw puzzle is a plain one, with numbers behind each piece. Hence, you will need to piece up all accordingly to the numbers and write something on the front. Frame it, and tata! a new personalised jigsaw is done!

On the actual day of secret send off, Chenjie, myself, Tien Tien and Shumin met at BV MRT at 6.40am for pick up and CJ drove us to the airport. We were there, a quarter to 7am but no sign of Bok.

Shumin and Tien, though meeting her the night earlier, did not manage to know what time Bok will arrive at the airport.

After much hesitation and planning, we decided to ask CJ to pretend to call Bok to say 'goodbye' and try to find out if she has arrived at the airport. CJ is a natural faker! He managed to know that Bok has just set off from her house and hence, that gaves us time to have a sumptous breakfast at Mac.

The gal arrived at 8.10am. She was surprised. As she's not really going away for a long period of time, and hence, did not expect the turn out. We took photos and bid her goodbye and CJ drove us to Bugis.....

There was a slight jam on the ECP, and we only manage to arrive at 9am at bugis. Shucks! Im late!!!!

p.s. little did i realise the surprise i will get in the office too!!! to be cont'd

Bok Hwee's "send" off

Day out with Weizhen and Fernie.....

It was a day we wana spend together as we have not been meeting up and have some girl's talk.

We have been busy, busy with work, our own pursues and many others....

Weekly flings at JB have not been sufficient to keep the talk going. That's prolly one of the setback once you have started to work. You gain some, you lose some.

We had dinner at a cafe along Seah Street, can't remember the name of the shop though...but its quite a good place to chill out. The food is nice and economic as well.

Then, we decided to chill out at Han's at the National Library. Had my cheesecake and brownie. And the special thing is, its 2 in 1 cake. Considering the richest of both, having both flavours in a single cake makes it unique and not as 'g lat'.

We nuah and talk about our life, our experiences....

I guess, its really nice to be able to do that once in a while. Makes one refresh and rethink about life....

Day out with Weizhen and Fernie

Sand Castle making at East Coast Parkway

Went with Adelyn and Shawn to ECP to watch Ernest's outdoor performance. (strangely, i dun have photos of his performance...hehe)

Anyway, we took a walk along the beach and happen to catch a sight of people making sand castles. It seems that you can rent tools to make sand castle and of cos, its a good family hangout and activity to do on a sunday late afternoon.....

Nice sandcastles made....

East Coast Parkway Sandcastle making

It's my birthday today!!!

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me!!!

Well, the magic number is 28. Im old already...considering for a woman. But i choose to believe that being young at heart matters a lot.

This birthday is the first 'Single' birthday i have since the last 6 years. The feeling of not knowing who to meet on this day, what to do.....

And i guess, this year's birthday is special. It's really a new birth day.

Im changing job soon, leaving behind my team of 7 and moving to work in a regional role and work alone under a boss.

Im single.

I remembered thinking of making such decisions earlier this year, but felt it might be too much to take at a go. But looking at it, its a new birth. A new life. A chance to start afresh. Re-look at the past and re-consider my options. What is it that i need and what is it that i want. Its hard to draw a definite line, but it is an important process in everyone's life. And seriously, i think it takes courage. I've live up to sis's comment, "you got guts" and i hope my courage will pull me through all.

Happy birthday to all that is born on this special day too!

Sigh

Well, just been scolded by mum as she just knew that im giving dad money for him to eat. She say that i've spoiled him, that's y he can stay at home everyday without going out to find a job.

She is right. But the choice is hard

I chose to do something, a way that i can contribute to him, in my own way, with a little tiny hope that he will do what he should. But deep down, i know it might not happen. But there's always a hope

Anyway, she's angry, and im upset, both woman upset with a useless man.

Multi-tasking....

I think im a good multi-tasker in a sense.....and i can hide my feelings well....and segregate them

Here i am, chatting on msn with jere and mandy on a screen, just seen a "bye" from BC on another screen, tearing...and watching youtube video

My tears, flow down my face...i cant differentiate if im crying due to the scenes in the show, or from my relationship that i've given up.

Im lost. Totally. Emotionally tired at this moment.

and yet, i can still chat normally with jere and mandy....wonder i should celebrate my ability....

sigh

Bye....

He said....
"like you said its impossible for us, but i will still continue with what i want to do and then i will disappear from your life. "

and he ended with a "Bye" and sign out of msn....

i don't know what to say, but i know i failed you. Please forgive me.

Hate to do this to a nice and good guy. And hate the word "bye"

But i know it is inevitable. I chose my path.

New role

After much consideration, not much actually, i decided to take up my regional offer as a technical product specialist

Adelyn told me, "Since you are not sure what you want, but know you do not want to stay in SIN office, go lor. You can still look around if you do not like the job." Francis say something similar.

It makes sense.

Sometimes, spending too much time thinking will cause you to procrastinate. Since you cant find the pull factor yet, and have the push factor, just go try. One will never know what the next job will offer, be it an internal or external transfer so after little consideration, i decided to just leave.

And all im waiting for now, is the confirmation date of my handover. Im making them make things clear on my this transfer. Not gonna give them another chance to play around!

Vexed....

Hate to have such feeling of grey area.....

Scenario.
1. Team is 8 man strong
2. Due to leave clearance, VC and myself took leave
3. Suay Suay, BW went on 2 days mc
4. On wednesday night, NS received a call that her close auntie passed away
5. I have a very strong feeling that NS will take urgent leave
6. Wednesday night, she msg me to confirm she needs to take 2 days urgent leave
7. The challenge. Me and VC is on leave, BW is on MC and NS needs to apply leave. How?
8. Company do not have compassionate leave for relatives.
9. With my team down, i really can't afford to let her go on leave.
10. But on compassionate grounds and judging her reaction to the news, im quite sure she cant work
11. Sent a message to BW to ask if he could come back on Thurs PM to work cos i have something on in PM. No response
12. Sent a message to VC to see if he's back from BKK. No response
13. Sent a message to NS to tell her it might be hard to release her on Thurs. Asked if she could come back. No response.

Now is 12.03am. Why does it seem that I'M THE ONLY ONE WAITING FOR ANSWER AND NO ONE IS CONCERNED????

Hate it when im stuck in such a situation. Yes, i do have a choice. Go back office tomorrow. But i have my appointment and things to prepare for my BKK trip as im flying on Fri early morning!

Soo much talk about teamwork during appraisal. Bullshit!

Gemstones - a present for me

Brian gave me and Rei Hao 3 types of gemstones each. He believes that gemstones are spiritual and can have healing effects. So he has kindly shared his belief with us and hope that it will do its good for us...

1. Rose Quartz

This is supposed to be related to love. Its meant to deal with affairs of the heart, opening the heart for receiving and giving.

2. Smoky Quartz

The stone of co-operation. It seems that this stone is able to do something to prevent one from being too negative and other functions

3. Green Calcite

Emotional balance, stress relief.

All in all, did not think i digest the meanings clear enough. So guess, i'll just carry with me to see how it helps me.

Hong Kong....

Well, realised that im not able to keep typing entries of everyday. Cos it does takes a huge amount of time and mega memory to remember the little bits of stuff. But of cos, i was prepared. Brought a little notebook with me to take down stuff.

Thought since im lazy to complete the entire events for each day, i'll just do a summary

Places that i've went

1. Causeway bay - This is where i stay and i've been to the KTV called red dot (I think so), ate desserts almost everyday, and i like jardine street. Its a shopping little town which doesnt seem to rest!
2. Lantau Island - I've climbed up to the big buddha and counted, there is a total of 252 steps! You can go by bus or Cable Car. Try the cable car. Nice 20 to 25mins ride. Nice view along the way. and you can even climb to go Lantau Island.
3. Tsim Sha Shui - went there to see the lighting show "Symphony of Lights". I think it was ok. Din get a chance to go shopping in the area.
4. Citygate outlets - Located at Tung Chung Station, this is the station where you take the cable car to Lantau Island. Lots of branded stuff sold at factory outlets price. Adidas, nike etc. Too bad the Macdonalds there is not an factory outlet....hehe
5. Disneyland - a must to stay for the fireworks show. Nice nice! The parade and rides should keep you occupied for the day if you really go around cos there's queues for each ride.
6. Langham Place - a mega shopping centre that is i think 18 stories high.
7. Ladies Street - makeshift stalls with lots of clothings and stuff
8. Temple Street - a little like Ladies Street but i think this is more interesting than Ladies Street
9. Taikoo Shing - a shopping centre which has an ice skating rink in the centre of the shopping mall.
10. The peak - went to madam trussade. Think the wax figures for some are not that real or alike. Nice view of hong kong indeed
11. Avenue of Stars - along the Cultural Centre and at Tsim Sha Tsui. Lots of icons who left their handprints on the floor....
12. Ocean Park - Nice rides which ranges from starters to exciting rides! Din have a chance to take the exciting rides though
13. Wan Chai - i only remember shopping there in a electronics shopping mall alike Sim Lim Square in Singapore

And i cant remember alot already.

Its been 2 weeks, almost, since im back in SIN. Its a nice feeling to be back and honestly speaking, i brought forward my departure back to SIN a day earlier cos the mood wasnt there already so not much shopping and also due to the fact that my kaki went back liao....

Anyway, it was a good break and eye opener to see the implementation of my HKG office mid office system. Spoke lots of broken cantonese and not forgetting, befriended lots of my HKG colleagues.

Maybe more such chances but with company.