Happy chinese new year!

Its been a long time since I've blogged... Too long enough. To everyone out there, happy chinese new year! This year's new year has been great despite the lesser angbao money. The company, esp with my cousins, uncle and aunties made up for it! One of the best chinese new year I have ever had!

I was browsing through the newspapers when I came across an article in Today. It ran a survey asking people what makes them happy. About 50 over percent answered "relationship with family". How true that is. I only got to realise this fact when I came back during this holiday. It's really important, because your family members are the only people who will be beside you no matter what happens. I wouldnt want to come back to a place whereby there is no one. It helps to know that they are physically there, even though we're not talking to each other.

Hee hee, everyone's finally free now huh? Gonna end work next week. Better use the staff price to get a Zen Neeon for myself. Work's been busy but fun. Gonna meet up with everyone before I leave for Perth again. I guess by this time everyone should be used to me leaving Singapore and coming back at the end of the year. At this point in time, I wish this is my last year studying in Perth. However, somehow deep inside my heart I know that if I do not pursue psychology, I will be stuck in the commerce sector forever, something that is not what I want. I had better make full use of my degree in psychology when I come back, if not it'll be a waste of another 1.5 years of my life in Perth.

My resoultions for the new year? Let me be able to make full use of what Perth has to offer. Study, make the best out of it, but at the same time, enjoy the free time that I have. Make use of the time to enjoy nature in Perth, get a job, save up to travel, buy a car, make friends that really appreciate who I am and enjoys hanging out with me just because I am myself.

Festive periods

I love seeing shops open when i have a sudden urge to go out for a walk at 10 pm at night. I was lucky to see a pasar malam open at toa payoh central. Missed seeing one. The pasar malam seemed to open at the right time, just a week before cny. Some shops are selling new year decorations. Walked past shop n save to find it still open. Went in to look ard for new year goodies. Saw one steamboat and tepenyaki set which costs $68. Had the urge to buy it.

When I'm in australia and I have the urge to go out at 10 pm, there are only 3 things I can do; walk alone in the streets of Perth, cycle in the streets, or drive out. Walking is too dangerous; if something happens, no one can save you, cycling is better but as equally dangerous if u're alone, driving, no car.

There are so many things I miss about singapore. Some ppl migrate because they have no choice. I can choose to migrate but I still like Singapore. Its where I grew up and the place where majorities of my memories are formed. THe language; ah,eh,oh, the things we do; ktv, mahjong, late night suppers, the places; coffee shops, mama shops, the food, the festive seasons; the tv shows; channel 8, channel U... all the things sporeans can relate to. I would love my kids to grow up in an environment where I grow up in and tell them, look, this is the stall from the hawker centre I always like to eat at, this is where I lived for the past 21 years and hope for them to grow up in spore.

You might think, maybe I havent found a connection to australia yet, maybe I havent found anyone in aus that u're really close to, maybe u havent started to have an interest and like the lifestyle there. Maybe. But for now, I just love what singapore has to offer. What I have learned to cherish. Its where I grew up, where my closed ones are, and where most of my memories have been formed.

Hmm... I'm gonna ask my mum to walk the pasar malam tomorrow... thinking of getting a new bolster..

My cravings for mac...

Imagine u've been craving for macdonalds since you got into the lift after work and someone was holding mac's food and it smelt really fantastic. Even after dinner, you still felt like eating it. Its 11 pm at night. The craving gets stronger by the hour. Do you walk down all alone to mac to ta pau it and come back home to eat even though the nearest mac is 10 mins walk away? Or do you wait till tomorrow morning, and then you go down and get a suasage egg mcmuffin meal?

I chose to wait. In the next morning, my cravings for macdonald's is gone and guess what? My mom brought back soyabean milk from Mr Bean and Hum chim Peng from the market, which tastes exceptionally good because my mum bought it for me.

If it was me, I'll usually feel sad and rush down to take away mac to my house to eat. But I chose to wait and good things came the next morning. This might be quite a silly entry to most ppl, but to me it's like an anology. Perhaps waiting when you have a sudden craving is better. Having mac at night is not very healthy. Having breakfast is better. Though having soyabean milk and hum chim peng isnt exactly that healthy either, but at least its much healthier than having mac supper at night.

Just a thought... a silly thought

Insomniac Nicole to a sleepy Nicole at work...

feeling so tired at work today... Had been insomniac for the past week.... slept for about 5 hours on tues... felt so tired on tues... Couldnt even lift up my tiredness though I came back from work at 7... I plonked onto my bed at 10... The earliest I've slept since... I cant even remember.... Has to be more than a year... Woke up at 6 45 but still felt tired...

Work's been pretty okie. I'm replacing my colleague, Auntie Karen who will be retiring at the end of this month... Lotsa things to do... Occupied from the moment I start work to the moment I end work... My job basically covers data entry and filing... nothing much of what an accountant does... All my collagues are pretty nice... esp Auntie Karen and Elena... we'll always have something to talk about... The pantry at creative is pretty good too.. free biscuits... oh... and the vending machine sells drinks for only 10 cents! Cant fail to have a cup of Nestea's Teh Tarik every afternoon! Auntie Karen will be on leave next week... I hope I'll be able to cope with work...

Ooh... I love to get creative products for a staff price... pretty cheap... Hoping to get either Zen micro, Nano or Neon... Perhaps 2 webcams, one for me and one for my family, a 4.0 megapix digital cam with video functions...

Going to sleep now... tired... can only type short sentences in my blog as a result... sorry for that... nites everyone... Nic signing off... =)

Mulitple events, multiple thoughts in one day...

Wow... if anyone were to to ask me to use a word to describe how i feel today, it would be wow...

The 1st thing would be cleaning the house... My maid was supposed to come back from philippines YESTERDAY after her 2 weeks break, but when my mom and i went to pick her up from the airport, she wasnt there. Her flight was supposed to land at 12 pm, and we reached the airport a bit late about 12 10. Furthermore, her flight landed 8 mins earlier. After waiting for 15 mins, we decided to head back home.

My mum had 3 theories: either she got out of immigration early and went back home by herself when she couldnt find us; or second, she didnt come back at all, or third, she may have come out very late. We left even when there are still lugages in the belt where her flight was allocated... oops.

We decided to go back just in case she got back earlier and was waiting for us. My mom waited for her to come back while i went to collect my new passport from the immigration centre. The trip there caused another thing that happened today, which i shall say later...

My maid still hasnt come back yet so I was home alone the whole day. My mum called in the afternoon asking if my maid has come back already and I said no... THen i asked my mum what housework I can do. SHe told me that I can sweep and mop the floor. I started from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen to the 4 rooms in my house. When I got to my room, I felt kinda lazy. I havent been doing housework for more than a month since I came back to spore. For that instant, I wished my house was carpeted like the one in perth. I only had to vacuum the floor and carpet cleaning is only done once a year! I still finished what my mom asked me to do nonetheless. Thank god my maid came back tonite cos she didnt confirm her flight and could only take the 3 pm plane back to spore.

I was supposed to go for an interview today. I was on the way to lavender when I stopped by MPH at city hall to get the book "Memoirs of a Geisha". I was going down from the escalator to the mrt station when this lady approached me and asked me if I was interested to become a model for advertising, tv ads and magazines or something like that. If I was interested, I just have to put down my name, tel and age. This was the 2nd time I was being approached as I was approached the 1st time at the exact same location except by a different lady. I think they're from the same company. The 1st time I put my name down and someone called me a few hours later, but I told them that I wasnt interested. I told Jasmine about it later but kinda regretted after that. Thought I could make money out of it. So I better not miss a 2nd chance.

However, I decide I better play safe just in case it was a scam. The person called me a few hours after and told me to come for an interview today at taka. SHe said they are free anytime from 12 30 om to 5 om and asked me to choose a time. I told them 2 pm would be fine. I asked them the name of their company, which I shall not name. I went to check out details of their company online and I happen to find this website where they had a chatroom about this company. I read one msg saying that she was also scouted by this company and they showed her pics of all their models in the magazines etc and asked her to pay for a portfolio which she declined in the end. I was sceptical after reading it and decided to msg my friend, which I shall not name again to accompany me to go for the interview. In the end, this guy did not reply me so I was still debating whether to go for the interview. A few hours before the interview, the lady called me to confirm our interview. I told her that I had something on the last minute and I couldnt make it. She asked me if I was free tom and I told her I am starting work tom. SHe then said you should have said earlier. The consultant travelled all the way to taka just to see you. THen She out down the phone.

So there goes my 2 chances of appearing on tv ads. However, I wasnt diasppointed or anything. Firstly, I promised my mum I would wait for my maid to come back just in case she took a flight back to spore today and there's no one at home. Secondly, the lady said I could come for an interview anytime between 12 30 to 5. Hmm.. SHouldnt their schedule be packed as well? I thought there should be others whom they have found and also like me, are keen to go for the interview? Thirdly, the consultant travelled all the way down to taka just to interview me? I just thought they might have arranged for all to meet at the same time so that the consultant can interview all at the same time. Whether this is a scam remains a question mark... But this event is worth blogging... For all those who were scouted, this is my experience and hopefully u guys can share any similar experiences if u have any.

THe last is my long awaited drumming lesson! It started today at yamaha. Paid 60 bucks for it plus $15 for drumsticks and $30 for a book called "Drum Bk 1". It was fun nevertheless. At least I had Kaili to go with. THe instructor was quite hilarious. I now know the parts of a drum, how to read drum scores and learned how to play basic drum notes! Woo hoo, 1st tom, 2nd tom, crash! hee hee... Playing drums really require hand and leg coordination. Lessons are gonna get harder each week. I shall practice with an imaginary drum. Damn... I wish I had a drum set at home....

Alright, this are the events. More to come when I start work tomorrow.... I better get to bed.... Its 12 46 am in the morning now....

On the way for my interview at Creative

Had a job interview at creative today. Took the mrt from Toa Payoh to Jurong. A long 45 mins ride. This was the time I wished I was staying in Bukit Batok. When the mrt passed by Chua Chu Kang, Bukit Gombak and Bukit Batok, I was feeling kind of nostalgic. I grew up there for the past 18 yrs of my life when I was staying in Bukit Batok. Passing by cck mrt made me think of the times I went to lot 1 when I was studying in Dunearn, dressed in my sch uniform and hanging out with the rest of my duneranite friends, Bukit Gombak stadium where the Dunearn annual sports meet is always held, and West Mall, whereby I always used to go every week without fail. Saw that my old place has been repainted, with the block no "172" clearly visible when the mrt passed by it. I alighted at Jurong and walked to the Jurong East library to take a bus to creative. Walking that path reminded me of the times when I was in Pjc, where I had to walk the same route from my jc to Jurong East mrt station. Those were difficult but memorable times. Hee hee. The JE library has changed so much; now its called Jurong East regional library. It even has a cafe. I used to study in that library for my exams before it was renovated and I remember it was very crowded. Couldnt find a seat most of the time. Haha. Had to end up studying elsewhere. ... Spent my childhood and teenage years hanging ard the west...Miss that area...

Starting work this fri at creative... I start work at 8 30... gotta wake up at 7 or even earlier... damn... If only I were staying at Bukit Batok... Its okie... I still like the fact that Orchard is 3 stops away from where I am staying now... :p

A new start for a new year

hmm... I forgot to mention that I am happy that I now have kelly, meixian, wanlin and siyun's blog address! I'll frequent ur blog and be sure to frequent mine too! Esp when i'm away in aus so that we can exchange details about our lifes! I come to realise that blogs are a very good way to keep in touch, esp knowing about how others are doing...

Been thinking about my new year resolutions... when Maggy asked me mine, I was like"hmm.. I havent thought of any yet. Maybe heading to the gym more to exercise?" I should keep that resolution.

I think I need to rethink my priorities. I know what I want when I chose this double degree. But when it comes to everyday life, there is nothing. I feel as if I am drawn away by my realism, or rather what i call "self-enforced realism". This shall be a good holiday to analyse and read more. My desire to read and gain more knowledge has somehow increased during the holidays. Hopefully it'll put me in good use in the future....

I am defintely optimistic about this year. Things and circumstances seem to change. I have this good feeling about life in spore and perth this year. May this be a good year not only for me, but for everyone around me as well.

I am sorry if I'm drifting. Its 1 17 in the morning and I feel kinda tired. Before I end this entry, I shall give a quote from what Morris said in "Tuesday with Morris". I can totally relate to what he says and I am beginning to love this book more with each read.

"Wherever I went in my life, I met people wanting to gobble up something new. Gobble up a new car. Gobble up a new piece of property. Gobble up the latest toy. And then they wanted to tell you about it. 'Guess what I've got? Guess what I've got?' You know how I interpreted it? These were people hungry for love that they were accepting substitutes. They were embracing material things and expecting a sort of hug back. But it never works. You cant substitute material things for love or gentleness or for tenderness or for a sense of comaradeship."

"There's a big confusion in this country over what we want and what we need. You need food, you want a chocolate sundae. You have to be honest with yourself. You dont need the latest sports car, you dont need a bigger house. The truth is, you dont get satisfaction from these things. You know what really gives you satisfaction? Offering others what you have to give."

"REmember what I said about finding a meaningful life? Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you prupose and meaning."

happy new year

Had a great start of 2006 watching 7 mins of fireworks at Marina with Emelia. Its been wonderful hanging out with her and of cos Farid who came down from KL. Kenneth joined us a while later, and the 4 of us waited 2 hours just to watch the fireworks. Got back home at 3 plus after walking from marina to orchard, suppering there and took a taxi back.

The highlight of new year's day is the e3 gathering. I was looking forward to meeting all of them after a year. The gathering was at my place so I had to buy all the bbq stuff and do the marinating the day before. The food I had was just enough for everybody and it was only 7 bucks. It was raining heavily in the late afternoon so everyone was late. Luckily it stopped raining about 6 plus. It was good seeing everyone. Havent seen Ivy since we graduated and she came. After the bbq everyone came to my house to play cards. We played Indian poker and some other games. The forefeit if u lose is to drink one cup of water. I swear after one game, everyone was queing up for the 2 toilets in my house. Can you believe it? I dont even have to queue up for the toilet when I am at home! haha But it was really funny. We all had fun laughing and peeing. hee hee. I think the ppl that drank the most had to be leiming and cheryl. They left about 2 plus and I cleaned up my house after that.

The feeling was really good seeing them. It's been 6 years and yet, it feels so good talking to them. No pretenciousness, no nothing. Just a bunch of old friends gathering up and really talking, sharing their lives and knowing more about each other as each year goes by. I really like all of them, and I can tell they are all very nice ppl. I dont know why, but for me, most of my good friends are sec sch friends and majority of the ppl that I have been in contact with are sec sch friends. I was pretty jealous last yr that they had so many 21st bdae parties and I missed all of them (except for Zihao's and Yuanxiong's). All the late night chatting sessions on msn with the e3 dogs whe I was in Aus made me miss spore even more.

More gatherings, I promise. When I was online after they left, everyone said they had a good time and that we should organise more of these. I totally second to that and I am glad everyone had a great time. The most successful e3 gathering and a DAMN GOOD WAY TO START 2006!