All the talk about Being Prim & Proper

Till today I still remember what a university friend said to me "I dont mind being a mistress" - how dangerous can women be.

Hanging out with MXXX frequently, I often see how different women clinged on to him. At mid 30's, he has a landed property, sports car, flies SQ business class for vacations & pays for the girl, a waterbed, constant supply of Cordon Bleu, and almost always offer a sum of money to help the lady in distress & her family. How does it sound when someone offers to buy an apartment for your family & almost instantly changes your standard of living, which otherwise might never be possible?



I admit - - I despise such behaviours. However, having gone through some emotional roller coaster myself over the last two months, I realize you have to experience the down times in life yourself, see how you coped with it, before deciding if you can make a call and despise others' behaviours. Tough times can bring out the ugliest of the personalities. If you havent been there, dont keep preaching about how the world should behave.

I dont agree with her behaviour. But I am attempting to move away from despising. For a girl with no proper education, no family to care for her, but she has the looks, the figure, hardworking in the kitchen and garden, the best deal she can ever make in her life would be to clinch a good husband. Dont know how things would turn out in the long run, but at least I now understand where she is coming from...not that I agree, but I understand.

For me, in tough times... I am a cheater. Since 21 years old, whenever I feel sad or heartbroken, guess what I'll do... I read the newspapers. Losing your child overnight when the car suddenly goes into flame. Crossing the finishing line, not knowing it is the last they would ever see their family or loved ones... There are so much more people out there in desperate need of help, in an unfortunate state of flooding or suffering, those living under conditions of poverty, hardship and pain. I am not taking relative joy in their plights, but really there is a lot more real pain out there and you realize what you are going through is probably nothing... at least for my problems I try to think this way.

Amed, Bali's Charm

"I dont like Bali". That is what I frequently hear. But of course, if you choose to go South to the touristic spot that was once bombed. I chose to drive all the way to the East which of course took longer hours. In Amed, I was constantly approached by friendly locals - "Hi!". No push selling, which is what I hate most - but hey only in Amed.. if you went out of Amed and a little more central, you would be surrounded by aggressive salesman/ woman again. I hope it never changes there.

Everyone thinks I have an interesting opportunity at work, having to start up a new team. Apart from learning new technicals, products and P&L pieces, I also had to do more administrative planning for my team. Yes I had to set up a Deployment and Administrative Shared Folder. I now monitor system performances, processes causing time lag to even birthdays and vacation days of team members. It is all not that easy, but I guess that satisfies my fear of being stagnant. More work, but more learning, and less complains of feeling bored.

Sweet...But Killer

Today is Medical Leave day. Of all days, I had to miss the CDS workshop conducted by the London guys. How would I start a weekday at home though? Best thing to occupy me was to hit the newspapers. The first article that caught my attention was of course impact of the U.S. Subprime Concern. When is the best time for me to sell my yen? Should I cash in on my investments already or wait to see the market hopefully corrects itself and take an optimistic longer view?

Another article that caught my fancy was "Killer Heels"... how women cannot live without them despite the risk of developing foot problems. Unfortunately (or fortunately) deformities might start to become significant only later in life, and the damage could already been done now. Sarah Jessica Parker says "I used to spend 18 to 20 hours a day filming in heels. I’ve totally destroyed my body by running and dancing in them."

Somehow I keep feeling guilty about not being able to attend the training @ work today. At a critical timing where Breno has to return to London soon and our handover is incomplete, I decided to take the Medical Leave. I had to. Forcing myself to work despite being sick last week was a bad mistake. Somehow the effects spilled over to a prolonged two weeks of poor health. Not sure if it is cultural differences, the London people dont seem to say "take care", "please rest" or "thank you" when you work while sick. I miss my Japanese team who would say "Stop working, go and rest!".

Or are these negative thoughts self-created? Fear, anger, guilt and helplessness are mental and emotional responses that can intensify pain (HH Dalai Lama). Maybe I need to modify my outlook and attitude - have a good rest, dont think and overcomplicate what they think, be healthy and go back to work tomorrow with the same enthusiasm.. there's so much to do... I need calmness..

NDP ~ One of the Best...

For those of you who watched the parade, you will agree, its one of the best so far!!!

Like most Singaporeans, I was losing interesting in watching the parade year-on-year, being held @ the National Stadium or the Padang. This year, as evident, efforts were put into creating a more innovative theme. You better agree with me on that.

I remember last year I celebrated National Day @ Westin, Tokyo. A video screening of the parade was put up in the background. However, hardly anyone took more than a wink.

Now, lets get to the point. Actually I was really glad it was a day off for me as I am now following UK Holidays instead. Since Tuesday I was down with stomach virus, however having too much things on my plate at that time I didnt take any medical leave. I survived the week, although I now have a sore throat instead. I think it was due to the Ginseng Multi-vitamin that the doctor prescribed. Its soo "heaty".

Thus, apart from meal times and watching the NDP, I practically had to spend my public holiday in bed. Had to sleep the nausea feeling away... Did I feel absolutely miserable? I guess our attitude and mental outlook have an impact on the degree to which we suffer when in physical pain. While the physical torment was present, I guess I cant help rejoicing a little in my heart -- how else would I actually take an entire day of rest like that - without feeling guilty - which I was in need of...

Swiss Vs BELGIAN Chocolates

I love them both. Cant take my mind off chocolates even though I am out sick. But anyway, planning a trip to both Switzerland and Belgium in October. Anyone with any recommendations of "Must-Dos" - please let me know!!

Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants

This week went by very swiftly. Kinda busy to post something detailed. But here's one article I read that I felt was interesting.

A little serious, but worth a think!

Dr Brand, a world-renowed hand surgeon and leprosy specialist has spent most of his life caring for the forsaken lepers in India.

He discovered that the disease itself was not causing the rotting of the flesh, but rather it was the loss of pain sensation.

Leprous people live a virtually pain-free existence. Many of us would do anything to live a pain-free life. Yet in fact, the absence of pain is the greatest enemy of the leper. Again and again they wound and impale themselves. Yet they don’t feel a thing.

Without pain, they would sometimes even stick their hands in a fire to retrieve objects.

"If leprosy is the inability to feel pain, then alcohol and drug addiction, which deaden our pain, are forms of modern day leprosy."

Rev. Ed Hird

I guess we should be thankful after all, be it physical or non-physical pain that we have to go through...