Feel like writing, out of the blue....

How many of us out there are really happy with what we have found in our life? How many of us out there are actually confused with what we really want?

Today I met up with a old friend for lunch. He has beeing seeing a girl for 10 months, and he looked blissed. Very happy for him.

I don't know how to explain my situation, but I am glad that my religion has stayed with me. In tough times, your mind is your strongest support (much as you can listen to the advice of people around you, it is limited).

Maybe I wish that things could be different, but for now I know I am remaining disciplined.

My sweet colleague passed me a book... here is an extract: By changing yourself, by realising the nature of self through selflessness, self-discipline and self-exertion, you can achieve perfection. By achieving perfection, your life becomes meaningful and you can tender great service to others. People will be inspired by your example; they will follow you and also achieve the common aim in life.

Maybe thats how I should live my life... its no longer about wants.. but perhaps making the best use of the precious and limited lifespan that each of us are given... we'll see...

but hey this is not an entry on pessimism - just trying to find myself...

My weekend...the time I look forward to..

Started my Saturday at Takashimaya at the pots section. Taka had a good promotion yesterday. With every $100 you spent, you get $10 cash voucher in return (with the Taka Platinum card). Spent about an hour there, and my friend bought about $1,500 worth of pots and pans. Hee, I used my card, and we managed to get $100 worth of Taka vouchers - which we utilized on the day itself.

Funny promotion. Even the pots and pans were discounted at 30%. Good buy. And I thought the the Great Singapore Sale was over last weekend?!

Went to Wheelock - sent in the ipod for a second time! and quickly grabbed a shampoo.

Bought a hot chocolate from Coffee Bean and finally could calm down and walked over to Mogu Mogu for lunch. After lunch, I walked home from Far East. Don't know how long it took, but with my ipod stuck in my ears, and in high heels, I walked along Stevens Road. Funny, but I do enjoy such moments alone. Reached home - a little sweaty, I napped... and then headed to the pool for a swim and a read of The Last Chinese Chef.

In the evening, I had to attend a friend's father's 60th birthday dinner. Survivable...heehee. It was an architect's home. Done up nicely with calligraphy, art sculptures, buddhism art, and Tibetan sculptures. Very good food provided too - oysters, fondue, chesse and crackers, wine... But I didnt find anyone stimulating enough to speak to at the party. Pleasant conversations... Took off at about 9pm.

Sunday - not much of a splash... listening to Diana Krall now. Gonna run around the hills in the sun in a bit! Thats how I feel alive... dont know what else I'll be doing this evening. Trying to remain disciplined not to login to work - probably read a book and see what else exciting might happen?!!!

Applicable to my work now is an extract that I read today:

Whether a life situation is wonderful or not depends on the way your mind perceives and interprets it. You can choose to label an experience "wonderful" or "a problem." It depends completely upon your mind, upon your interpretation.

Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche

Meanwhile, enjoy this song by Diana Krall: Lets fall in Love.

Mid-week back-breaking update

We had a mini farewell dinner last Sunday as one of the families would be relocating to Canada - another country to look forward to in terms of exploration.

Phew.. Back breaking.. yes indeed... I wonder how long I can hang on to this. All the mental persuasion I have been telling myself. To Conquer, to conquer... No doubt though, I have been learning a lot a lot a lot... but the rate of learning and pace of working is rather killing... hoping to stabilize in a matter of three more months...

Diana Krall.. she is coming to Singapore! How timely! Listening to The look of love right now while typing this. She is coming on September 26... just two days after my birthday! I have to attend this - the question is with who.. I was speaking with hubby and he didnt seem to think much about her - goto watch it with someone who appreciates no? concerts are about the experience and yea its not cheap too.....

Today is Chu Yi Shi Wu - hmm I believe its an important Buddhist day where we should eat vegetarian... but I have no idea what Chu Yi Shi Wu signifies...(pardon me but I had roast pork @ lunch since I had a Japanese visitor; and Auntie prepared Yu Sheng for dinner...hmm maybe she forgot too..hahaha)...

Life goes on...

Mystic Friend

Seems to be getting a bit more difficult in finding the time to write. Still, life is pointless without stopping periodically to reflect what has happened for the week or so...

Work-wise, the toughness has reduced slightly towards the end of the week. My mentor has advised me to keep a record of how time is spent daily in order to find out why we work late sometimes as it is not sustainable... (hee and my late was just two days at 9pm during month end... good that it caught his attention and he decided its not sustainable!). Some change management expected to come...!

We went to get the ipod touch fixed - and guess what - the apple service provider is exchanging an entirely new one for him! and it can be collected shortly next week! whoa... he was grinning from ear to ear and I kept teasing "how are you going to thank me for this new ipod?!!"... Very good after-sales from Apple I must say.

While waiting for the ipod touch to be diagnosed, we had an interesting conversation ranging from work (which we shouldn't have gotten there) to hmmm Buddhism! I always had this funny funny feeling at the back of my head that he could be inclined towards Buddhism - although extremely low chance & slightly ridiculous..and he really surprised me this time. His understanding of Buddhism (as compared to other religions as a choice) was very profound, and he has read books on Dalai Lama too. SHOCKING... what does he not explore?

Actually the more important step we took was to seat down, had a cold drink and figure out where this friendship was going. Luckily...phew..phew.. we decided that this is friendship - a friendship that is going from good to great, and since we make each other laugh so much, there is no reason to throw this away...So, we will continue to share books, music and movies to come!

Ok I bought two more CDs on Diana Krall this week... gotto share one video here at least ;)... Enjoy!

In Love with Music

This was the challenging work week - oh well I confess - I went back to the office on Saturday for half a day too. Not done - work will never get done. But today I really disciplined myself not to work - not to login - coz i know that even if there are problems, it would sort itself out during the work week. Work is a slice of life - it cannot be everything - some individuals recognize that - some don't/ won't.

This week, my new found music love was Diana Krall - a jazz singer - The Look of Love album. Happy to be discovering new music and feeling more alive. Also in a bit of opera mood this week... listening to Phantom of the Opera now. Also my sister's favourite - although we both agree that it can be quite scary to listen to that album in the night.

A colleague lent me his ipod Touch - kinda unlucky - the brightness went very dim after the battery went down to just 10% level; and now it never goes back to the usual brightness - can't see the screen clearly now unless there is lighting. I walked over to the ipod store today and the service provider is closed on a Sunday... Have to get it sorted - feeling bad (although I know its not my fault) - apparently its a known technical problem with the ipod Touch - but damn it has to happen when it is with me!! yeeks!

Life goes on - hoping this coming work week will be good - I'll be good & everything will be good. Maybe its not good enough to hope - I have not not be chanting - gosh what happened? I went to Mogu Mogu for lunch today and read the following. I know its a cliche but so often forgotten in our daily life.

Most people are always carrying the burden of the past, anticipating the future, while missing life in the present...Be a person who dissolves into the present.. Yeh!.. Do not be a slave who carries the burden of the past and anticipates the future. Yeh!.. Be like a boat that flows in time and space...Yeh!

I know what you are thinking.. whats with the language...oh well this is extracted from the comic on Heart Sutra - hai, so desu.

Do you listen to your Head or your Heart?


Not bad. Its month end +2 and I managed to take off work at 715pm.

Hmm, I don't really know what I want to write about today. It is just nice to have time in the evening to do your own private things... not that I had an easy day today.. Started work at 8am and worked non-stop both on a procedural and analytical way. I downed three cups of caffeine yesterday - today better only the usual two - and was treated to Aroma's coffee (can't complain!)

Can't help remembering a text - I didn't reply, but it doesn't mean I didnt pay attention to it. If I remember accurately ;) "Forbidden fruits will always seem sweeter, but it may not all be good for the body...one will usually have to pay for the repercussion later on..."

This week, I have been using music to accompany me. I have been introducted to Cesaria Evora. Love it... I don't understand the language, but the songs are really beautiful. Aiya I am not funky enough to add music to the blog. If someone is willing to share (the most easy & efficient way please) how, I will be willing to share it on the blog too ;)

Just have to keep focused for this month end and hopefully all will go smooth...