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It's also the big-three-zero next year. Between work and planning a far-away wedding, I've been neglecting that list one presumably makes about things to do before turning their milestone age. So, I'll be the fox who calls the grapes sour here. I'm going to work on a list of things I do shortly after I turn 30, which is truly, the more superior list. It's like the glass half-full / life begins after 30 / greater wisdom, clarity, maturity and as with years, resources, right? In no particular order, and yes, a list-in-progress: 1. Get married (2 June 2012) 2. Go on an adventure. Do-able, because I have the honeymoon as an excuse for travelling somewhere. Either Sao Paolo or backpack a few cities in USA 3. Capture the process of preparing for the wedding in a blog 4. Plan my career future. Decide what I want to be when I grow old (I wish I could still write "grow up". Technically, I have the option to switch jobs after 2014 and should plan on getting there And some more trivial stuff, like: 5. Make macarons 6. Line the home with many more new pictures 7. Start a collection of postcards of places I travel to 8. Get an iPhone and use it like a geek would. I'm using a Smartphone, but have never done more than send SMS and make phone calls So there you go, for now.
I realise one of SG's past-times is to complain about how younger people are not giving up their seats for older folks, pregnant ladies and young children. An alarming preoccupation for Singapore, yet nobody gets off their lazy bums. Graciousness only extends to the current ongoing campaigns -- which is to clear their trays from fast food and hawker centres. Last weekend, a wee little boy of 5 years, his mother and I were clinging on to a train railing. I was so worried that someone would accidentally step on his tiny toes. Of course, none of the young people sitting around us had offered them a seat. When a seat was finally vacant the little boy had a chance to sit. But he got up again, so an elderly man who just boarded the train can sit down.
Perhaps working in an environment surrounded by wise older people is doing that to me. Work becomes my 24/7 preoccupation, and I'm starting to see how unhealthy that can be for someone my age. 28. This year. I started out in a situation where I was constantly in awe with the ideas, eloquence, quick wit and stature of the four senior directors whom I work directly for. The only woman of the four -- she's just inspiring! She's a gifted writer, works efficiently from home while she takes care of her 3 beautiful girls, slim and stylish to a fault, usually in monocrome and high gladiator heels. Many more months into the job, I'm starting to grow into my own title, space and purpose. I'm less doe eyed, and constantly "knocked" into place by my other director -- who, I think, is trying to mentor me for leadership -- that I should be "less nice, less sweet, and more ballsy". I feel like a kopi order sometimes -- "less sugar, less milk, more kao". I'm thankful that he has taken me under his wing. I'm given more opportunities, noticed more and invited to more work events meant for high level folks. Work wise, I love my job. There, I finally found work that I love, and I don't mind being teathered to my desk. I have three varied portfolios -- speechwriting, international relations and a conference (for the Youth Olympic Games) -- each with their own demands, challenges and (yes... shallow me) bragging rights. I've also a back-to-back promotion and a raise, which is rare for an SG semi-public institution. I travel for work once every quarter. I'm one of the youngest in this rank, in a work force of over 2000 people, and in the highest office working with the President and Vice President. I should have a higher paycheck though. :P Yet, I'm not 100% thankful as I should be. I've always had a confidence issue. A little voice tells me they made the wrong decision, that they just had no time to find someone else to take on all these portfolios, I'm not eloquent, that I'm too fat. Before more of the self-bashing goes on, here are my resolutions for 2010: 1) For me Quiet thinking time was one of the great things I enjoyed during university years. I used to take hour-long walks to the reserves everyday and I think about my theories, papers and lessons. I'd like to do that again. I'll take myself out for dates where it is a solitary walk in the park, reading in a cafe or even shopping by myself. Speaking of reading in a cafe, I'll aim to read 2 books for every 3 months. I know this sounds little, but I need to make a minimum commitment, and this is it. This March, I'll be moving into a new, although smaller home. I plan to make it my space and fill the walls with pictures and have personal touches all around. By mid year, I will aim to put my leg around my ear, and by end year, I will be able to do the crow pose effortlessly. This is for my yoga practice. 2) For friends I'll also aim to spend more time with my friends, whom I've neglected because of work. This also means that I plan to host a meal at my new home, and I aim to do this every other month at the very least. 3) For work "Pro Bono" work in terms of speechwriting consults, and/or set up a "all payment will go to charity" online speechwriting consult service. I will also read more current affairs and opinion pieces. An enlightened speechwriter writes enlighted speeches. Also, my political science degree makes me a target for too many questions about world politics at dinners and mixers. I don't like sounding ignorant! :) Currently, my portfolio is too varied. By the end of the year, I will choose the area where I'm most effective, and work towards obtaining a higher degree to have an area of work specialisation. and finally, I will start being more conscious about what I wear to work. As they say, dress for success, and I'm quite certain that dressing up will bring back the "vain" me, and help me lose weight in the long run.
Give me my spell check back!!!!!
"Researching" for my Chinese Opera Project, I came across this Mei Lanfang's 48 eye expressions. Lovely, truly. Then it struck me that Tyra Banks' 275 different ways to smile with your eyes isn't quite novel.
I was craving for a swiss roll, and Bangawan Solo has a rather good coffee flavored ones. I buy them often enough to know that they slice the cake roll for you if you request them to do so. However on this unfortunate encounter: Me: One coffee roll. Slice it please. BS (a rather unfortunate acronym, don't you think?): Oh. Ah? Coffee Roll? Me: Yes (pointing at the cake rolls). Sliced. BS: (Taking out a single piece from the other side of the fridge. Single slices not the cake roll.) Me: No, no... This one (pointing to the whole roll). As BS was taking out the roll, I asked her to slice the cake roll for me. BS put back the cake roll and went back to the other fridge for a single slice. This repeated a few times more. I eventually got my cake sliced, but it sure took some patience and elaborate hand gestures. In conclusion, (and I say this with no elitism intended)... good help is impossible to find these days. |
