a while

It has been a while

... since my last post. I've finished exams, moved house and now just starting to look for my very first job. It is all very exciting, although a little scary but a step taken necessarily with courage and positive attitude.

Job Search

I really couldn't tell how I did in my last exam but it really feels insignificant now. The *next big thing* seems to be the job search. I've left previous ambitions of wanting to be a writer or a journalist behind for reasons that I feel that I could do something else much better... but then, what?

And next conclusion that follows is that my future career lies with the possible fate of what is available on the classifieds. =) At times like these, I need some hope that luck is on my side. Also, that jobs are not always dead ends and a girl who has ambition and drive can get herself almost anything she wants.

So anyway, I'm totally torn between types of jobs: Part of me wants to try out jobs of obvious fulfillment aka idealist positions (for lack of a better term) such as with the National Heritage Board (Museums), Corporate Communications for the National Healthcare Group or fundraise for some of the local NGOs.

The other part desires a more indulgent, commercial career such as a management position with True Yoga or the Duty Free Shop, and handle public relations for some events company. These jobs are demanding in their own right, but darnit I feel the urge to change-the-world and I don't think that might happen even if everyone learnt yoga and can use Burberry at duty free prices (Nonetheless, I do love yoga and Burberry with every bit of my heart).

And then there is the realist side that opts for financially rewarding and career building options such as the British American Tobacco Management Trainee programme. As promised, no one else can train a fresh graduate better than BAT.

Well, my conclusion is that I best not count chickens before they are hatched. I'll send in my application and inform you later when I have the luxury to pick and choose.

House

I've moved into my new home in Ang Moh Kio. I'm staying here with *Em and we're fitting in quite nicely, learning all little new secrets of our living space. Things like a hidden curtain railing, goodies of home appliances and kitchen utensils left by our previous owner, the marketplace and all her fresh gems, and a maze of the transport system (*Em has gotten lost only once, I think, I have gotten lost four times).

I think I'm absolutely lucky to have found this cozy home. I love waking up in the morning to the no-longer-in-NUS-student-hostel-accomodations, although cleaning can be quite a chore as we no longer have the cleaners like at the hostel for common areas.

I must admit though that I'm not used to sharing a place with someone and will sometimes shut myself up in the room for want of closure (plus, I'm a little sad with *Gallant having just left for one and a half months back to China). It takes a little getting use to but I'm glad its with someone like *Em.

I went for a walk this evening at a nearby park and I must say Ang Mo Kio gardens is MASSIVE. My first sight was a pond of water lillies and neat rows of trees along garden pathways. There were sections as well, such as Mayflower Park and a large ground with poles for hanging up birdcages on Sundays so that people can admire your singing pet. Playgrounds with children laughing happily and their grandparents spending retirement in the best way possible (or at least, I think so). It was my moment of bliss, listening to light classical music on my headset and forgetting, for at least a moment, the stress of looking for a job.

Boyfriend

At this point, I am ready to conclude that *Gallant is *perfect save the few following reasons:

i. To tidy the bed in the morning when he wakes up
ii. If he can remember that happiness is not spelt with a 'y' (happyness)
iii. To not finish one third of my one liter bottle of shower foam in just one shower session
iv. To not sleep past 2pm
v. To practice a little bit of thrift rather than overwhelming generosity
vi. Must throw tissue paper away after use and not accidentally leave them lying around
vii. No reading in the bathroom
viii. Stop fixing my computer because he really doesn't know how to and I can't stop him as I fear bruising his male ego (it is not true that every guy can fix computers... he should know this)
ix. Must give in to playing twister with me
x. If he was not from China

In all aspects, I am sincerely proud and thankful for the wonderful qualities *Gallant has. In all confidence I will say that my *man will reach great successes one day. He's (almost) everything I want in a man. The relationship has definitely evolved sensibly and romantically over time as we are now more in tune with one another than ever before. My companion is loving, patient, kind and witty. The most cruel thing now is the fact that we are both foreigners with undetermined futures that will most likely tear us in different directions. I am more fearful of this now than ever.

He called me from the airport right before he boarded his flight and told me to look inside my cupboard. There, he left me a prepaid telephone card to call him in China as well as some money. He also bought me quite an expensive webcam in addition to his usual date expenditures. It is all very sweet, and gentlemanly of course. And really, I am tempted to accept all these as he is obviously the (immensely) more richer of us both. But I think it is wrong... I'll be returning all these when he returns.

I'd like to think that even if he was church-mouse poor, I'd love him just the same.