no spell check

I have no spell check today. Amazing how it creates a great feeling of uncertainty and caution with use of longer-than-three-syllable and mellifluous words (I had to check the latter on an online dictionary!).

Give me my spell check back!!!!!

same old, same old

Same old, Same old,

"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.

sliced cake

Kind of people you shouldn't hire:

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.

bad people

For the need of rant and short of time, let me sum it up this way.

1. Well liked team member got married overseas (it's a gay wedding, so there is some hesitancy from a few old fashion minded to "celebrate". The person is still well-liked, nonetheless)

2. No one wants to get the gift ("what do you get a gay couple?!"). Money is not a problem... but people reply sooooo slowly (we're a in different offices and time zones).

3. I volunteered (stupid me).

4. Then I found out landlord wants to sell the house. I now have a headache trying to find a new place. Fast.

5. For efficiency, I wrote to the 8 member team jokingly saying it is an "opt-out".

6. WTF. "Opt-out" created so much sensitive vibes. Trust me. If your team is a team of speechwriters, each word counts.

7. The reply I got was let's make it an opt-IN system. PLUS in the second email, I get scolded for not giving a "safer" more "sensible" option. I should not make everyone "conform". I am also irritated with how he kept referring to the wedding as the "wedding" (with inverted commas... and everywhere else including "safer", "sensible" and "conform").

8. Thank goodness come Nov 8, I no longer will be working with my old team.

9. No-balls me will be still looking for the gift. Simply cause I like the person who got married.

step one

As a speechwriter, I am by default a professional and employed writer. One year into the job, and the fact is still a little hard to sink in, somehow.

FC's wedding

Last weekend, I realized that you're considered a friend if you're invited to her wedding. However, you may also get to be a really good friend if she finds you special enough to include you in her sister's wedding.

I cheered for the sweet bridesmaid who walked down the isle in a bronze-hued dress.

And thanks, *Fongky for making me feel extra special.

barney gentleman

My Encounter with a Gentleman on the Train

An almost elderly gentleman, quite dignified and well poised looked around him in a crowded train when the seat in front of him became vacant.

He offered the seat to a person of fairer sex nearest to him -- which thankfully happened to be me -- as should any gentleman in a crowded train. She, like any woman in high heeled shoes, silk blouse and a narrow cut skirt thankfully accepted the offer.

I looked up to thank the kind gentleman but I paused mid-sentence due to an interruption by his cell phone... which happened to ring along the tune of the well-known but not too well-liked purple dinosaur, Barney.

I still thanked the gentleman. However, I could not help but to conclude that the perfect gentleman, save for my *Gallant, is a rapidly declining and soon extinct breed.

pink and black

I feel like...

Getting dressed in a blush pink dress with my lacy black stilettos.

Pictures say more than words if you pay attention

http://www.dayswithmyfather.com

Sometimes, you just need to trust me on what makes a click-worthy link.

miao!

A great follow up from the miserable last post:

moral outcry

ROAR ROAR ROAR

I'm so pissed off and angry that such stupid, cruel, senseless people exist.

Extremely graphic. Stupid b*tch.

Kiss Kiss Kiss

Kiss Kiss Kiss!

The best thing between a boy and a girl is the act of their lips touching. Yes, a kiss!

To touch lips in the form of a quick peck or a hungry slobber. To emote the feelings of adoration or appreciation, maybe even both. To say "I love you" without needing to say the words. Sometimes, I think it says even more.

The wonderful thing about getting kisses and kissing, is the that the best ones you can't really ask for. You have to sit around and let your charms work itself for you. Like falling in love, you don't really need to try hard (a kiss with good tricks, like a loving relationship, however, that needs work). A kiss is truly privileged, whether you are girl or boy.

I remember waiting around for a first kiss to happen. I remember the first time I initiated a kiss. I remember getting an unwanted kiss. Actually, twice. I know his kisses, so well known by now but still so very special. In fact, I never wish to kiss anyone else.

But kisses from a stranger did happen recently. Three times.

First kiss when I leaned in for a friendly hug.

Second kiss when I got angry and wanted to scold.

Third kiss when I was doing nothing, innocently watching telly.

These three kisses I got from a dog that we're doggy-sitting for about a month. Although full of slobber, smelling of dog and full of love. Surprisingly, it didn't lack the elements of a warm feeling, an uplifted spirit and a sense of being adored.

So to the girls visiting my place soon, be warned. You just might get a kiss from a darling boy!

Dilemma

I have such an interesting problem that keeps me at work till 10.48pm. How do you spend $5million endowment money?

No boring ideas like scholarships and bursaries (that will be done, naturally). Question is, what else? Clue: it has to really do something. Make that difference.

about this boy...

Rant Time

I don't think I've ever been this busy, really. It is not the same "busy" like being busy at conferencing days where if you put in hours of extra work, things will be fine. This busy is the kind where you think and think and can't think anymore. Pure metal exhaustion, that makes me feel like collapsing from the inside and possibly regretting the day I ever got my University degree that puts me here in the first place.

So here's the thing: I've got two CEOs to serve (one in-coming and the other out-going), three managers who each will never really know how much work has been assigned, two teams (the other team linked to the out-going CEO's company) and previously, two departments. I keep telling myself that things will ease and slow down soon, but "soon" is taking its time to arrive. In the meantime, I do work for each CEO, manager, team and department as if I exists for them solely.

Here's the second catch. For the first time ever (so far that I've gotten to know), I have become one of those people that you simply don't know why you hate. I'm sure you've met some people where you can't put a finger on what exactly it is that you dislike, but you sure don't like them! Not to everyone, but I can tell of two particular people who don't like me that way.

I will shamefully admit that I've been Miss Popular, Miss Student Body President, and almost the equivalent of a high school cheerleader. Being liked was not a problem at all! But I don't think it bothers me so much that they don't like me. On one hand it is confusing that I simply don't know what to do about it, but really, they make my work life miserable. And when they make work miserable, it somehow eats at my ego.

I've been in this mildly depressed state, short of crying that my world is caving in. But a bit of yoga, soon a gym membership, going for classical music concerts, lots of cooking may do the trick to increase those happy hormones, and in turn, a happy me. After all, only a couple more months to go before I no longer work with the second team.

Come end of November, it will be one CEO, one team, one department... erm, but still three managers.

Utilitarian in me

Utilitarian in Me

I just read a short but very compelling (and passion-filled) argument by the head of Bio-ethics at NUS, arguing for the importance of the spirit of humanism when doctors are considering the sourcing of donor organs.

While it is one step for humanity, it may just be ten steps back for human kind.

I'm for the let-me-lighten-your-parts theory (which was the case, right before The Human Tissue Act was made a legislation). Respect for culture and rites, I get. But what you don't know won't hurt you and the late person's last act is a gift of life to another. If legality and ethics come in the way, there should be a way to make it a responsibility for everyone.

Crude explanation for my pro-organ donor position. Or take Singapore's situation where you are an organ donor, unless you opt-out. Which many people do. What a waste of precious life-saving parts.

yet lovely, doesn't exactly quite captures it

Yet "lovely" doesn't quite exactly capture it

Some more-than-mere-lovely things to quickly blog-plug for the record:

1) Fongky and Piggy's Little Notes of Love

Not often do we find time to do something nice for a loved one, let alone strangers. Kudos to these everyday heroines who take a precious day off to delight society.

Reading your post, you certainly put a smile on my face and I'd like to say on behalf of all those who get your happyyellowstickynotes, "I love you too!"

2) Best.Salad.Ever for dinner

Namely, a Niçoise salad, made lovingly for two and a half (bunny gets the sans dressing version).

Individually tossed romaine lettuce, purple potato (with its own chive and Japanese mayo dressing), slightly orange boiled eggs, french beans with chilli, and flaked tuna. The salad was a pain to make but heavenly to taste.

Shall try making a cobb salad too very soon as I have this craving for avocado.

3) Also, I have baked my first batch of muffins for breakfast!

I love to sing-a

I love to sing-a
About the moon-a and the June-a and the Spring-a.
I love to sing-a
About a sky of blue-a or a tea for two-a,
Anything-a with a swing-a to an I love you-a.
I love-a to, I love-a to sing!

Also, see here for grown ups a-dancing to sing-a

shut my ears

Blocked, if even for a moment

Life is not looking at its best right now. I've been working 3 weeks in a row late nights, no weekends and have forgo 2 public holidays. No taxi claim even for these neverending days and nights. Time off is promised, but no time to take them! Seriously though, one or two days off for 3 weeks is no compensation!

I'm straddling three offices and handling workload from all three sides -- the outgoing and incoming Presidents, and the Development office. Only in June I will officially go under the incoming President's office... but goodness knows work from other ends will still continue until the end of the year.

I don't have time to work out and if not my waistline, my paranoia is making me think that pounds are creeping up on me - again - from all this sitting around the desk. My housemate continues to be a horror, and it is going to take me all of 2 months to finish Jung Chang's Wild Swans. I'm going through career existentialism, personal ego bruise and bashing, and taking too long a break from seeing my friends... but frankly, not really wanting to see most people as well.

Sunday was a no work day (except for 2 hours in the evening). I sprang to the chance to scrub the toilet, mop floors and wipe the dust in the bedroom. The worst thing for a neat freak to come back to after a long day of work is a dusty and messy room. Horror housemate made it worst -- big tea spills in the kitchen and stains on the dining table. I prepared lunch and dinner too on Sunday and had a long shopping trip in the market, buying fresh fruits of the season. Naturally, by 7pm, I was exhausted and wanted to sleep.

But horror housemate had to have guests over for dinner. Panic one -- mess he will leave behind. Panic two -- loud, wall piercing voices in unrecognizable languages. I guess I have no right to stop him from bringing guests, but he could have not picked a better time. I struggled and tossed involuntarily as if I was having a nightmare... thankfully soon smothered by *Gallant's strong hug and strategically placed cheek over my ear blocking up the noise, and for a moment, all my worry in the world.

We must have stayed like that for an hour or two until the rowdy crowd left us to our peace. Sigh. What I will give to get peace like that again, for good.

Tomorrow will be green

Tomorrow will be Green

Barely a week ago, it was the Myanmar floods and then the massive earthquakes in China. Hurricane Katrina, boxing day Indian Ocean tsunami and the Aceh tsunami are still fresh in our minds. One generation before us, calamities as massive as these would have spread throughout a lifetime, but now in much less than a decade.

Life expectancy was raised significantly through medical discoveries. Nonetheless I do think when time comes for the end of my generation, before we can test out the latest Parkinsons or cancer miracle cures, the sudden blow of death could be earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, landslide or maybe even suicide bomber.

At times like these, I wonder why I'm in the office at late hours when life truly calls for carpe-diem more than before. It also begs thoughts about doing more than just our bit with recycling, switching off lights and using less plastic bags to urging your company/university to go green and voting only politicians who are green (two extra notes: 1) *yay* for the US senate vote to stop filling oil reserves and 2) having said that, I still won't choose Al Gore).

I still have a crush

I Still Have that Crush!

I could not help checking out the breathtakingly tall, muscular and lean, grey streaked hair man at the checkout line.

He had the profile and a certain style that I have long adored in my choice of men. I thought to myself how rare men like these came along.

Turning around, it was my university professor looking right at me... dimpled eye, smiling and all. He still looks like Richard Gere... only maybe much better now. I had the biggest crush on him and years later I'm feeling wobbly in the knees again.

While I once made sure that I primmed and made proper myself before his every class and lecture, I was now with yesterday's unwashed hair, wrinkled clothing and work strained face.

We had a short but awkward conversation with me not knowing what to say and way to self conscious. That's a lesson to you all too ladies... always try to look your best at all times of the day.

Three year anniversary

Only Three Years

I was sharing with a friend over a very British fare recently (you must try Monster Mash), about the matter that I live with my boyfriend and work at the same place, commute to work together for 3 hours a day and still have many lunches and dinners together (our colleagues are not necessarily our favourite people) ... I love him so much more.

There's a secret to our three-years-and-growing-stronger relationship that rests on great familiarity, being each other's best friends, liking the same conversation topics and his non-existent temper or mood swings, which I believe is essential to a great man.

I know three years may be but a few years for some. Compared to a possible lifetime together, our relationship is still infantile. Also like a child, I watch it grow, weather (small) storms, experience fun and envision its bright future.

And oh boy, do we laugh so much. Every night, almost ritually after we come home together from work, he pulls me on to our bed and gives great big tickles causing me to laugh out loud (possibly alarming my housemates... but I can't help it!).

I'm talking about big hearty laughs like the ones that you are suppose to do during laughing yoga classes... only these ones, you don't have to force it out. You laugh until your mind gets blocked from all this happiness and saps all the bad energies from a hard day at work. My *exorcist then hugs me tight after he is throughly satisfied with his tickle attack. It may have started off as carefree playtime, but soon became one one of the most important elements of my relationship -- a good laugh.

Our third year anniversary was celebrated old school style, with a dinner at a fancy restaurant. We went back to La Papillon and ditched our original plans when we found out it was Chef Anderson Ho's last night (the Chef will be going to National Museum's Muse bar-now-restaurant).

We joked about work and life, talked about the cities we will visit, pondered our futures abroad and he asked for the requisite size of the engagement diamond (answer: conspicuously large) as we slowly and sinfully went through white and red wines and 10 different dishes for our eight course meal (we usually order a degustation menu plus a recommended main dish). It would have been nine dishes... but because it was our anniversary, the Chef sent over his molten chocolate cake with an irresistible hazelnut homemade ice cream that I could not resist despite my very full stomach.

I can't imagine how my life would be without my *Gallant. I hate girls who say that and the clicheness implied. But I can't help it.

Sick in bed, sick at heart

Sick (In Bed + at Heart)

Thankfully, *Gallant was there to take care of me.

I welcome distraction, friends, dinners and celebrations at gloomy days like these (and don't worry -- stomach viruses don't infect others).

And thankfully, there's a big 3 year anniversary for *D & *G in about a week's time!

housemate

Housemate Horror

If I were to detail to you why my new housemate is pure nightmare, I think I would take up the entire day just chronicling the disasters of living with this half human, half pig.

I hate him based on his personality. I hate him based on how he treats his friends and other people. I hate how he is completely opposite when his girlfriend is around. I hate how he is oblivious. I hate how he is a slob, even when he tries not to. I hate his idea of having a bag of sticky sweets on his bed so he can snack conveniently when he wakes up late at night (although the last one, would effect him more than me).

Such a character truly exists -- even from centuries ago. He is the splitting likeness of Chu Pa Kai, the pig from Journey to the West. If you still don't know what I am talking about, it is one who lusts after pretty girls, despite looking the way he is (found this morning, FHM in the living room, and he proudly asked my *Gallant if he wanted to share his porn CDs). He lacks personality to make up for his loathsome ways. And he is probably the only person who can lament how he should lose weight while stuffing his face with sweet and fried treats. He lacks tact, and speaks freely from his loins and the place where a brain should have been.

Why am I grumbling? Because I can't complain out too loudly about my boyfriend's childhood friend. And to add to all this, I woke up this morning to a mess in the kitchen, and a pot full of my white fungus, with a whole pack of my rock sugar, topped off with my red dates from China. Stop using all my stuff, dammit!

P.S. Mr Possibilities and Ms Luck is tempting me. LH just told me that *Freddy (think Nightmare on Elm Street and Fred Flintstone) is considering buying his own place with his cousins.

like christmas

Someone said recently I reminded her of Christmas. She's even set my number to the tune of Winter Wonderland when I call.

I don't know what she really means, but it sure sounds like one of the best compliments I've heard in a while.

I heart my birthday!

I heart my birthday

This *Damsel has turned twenty and six (in the meantime, do ignore the sidebar that says twenty and five -- it might be changed soon to twenty and two).

I heart the overpriced BCBG Max Azaria dress *Gallant got for me. It fetched this very vain *Damsel compliments from my boss, friends, colleagues and even from a bunch of young female executives I do not know at the bus stop.

I heart my family, who lavished so much time and attention on us while we were visiting home (oxymoron, isn't it?) for the long weekend.

I heart my friends who took time to have dinner with me and coffee after. The conversations were a blast and a stitch at the side! I also heart those who text messaged me while I was in KL and left messages on Friendster.

Well wishes and dinner invitations also comes from two former suitors, which I no longer heart but appreciate the gesture.

I heart me. You know that's difficult for me to say. I heart my twenty and six years of living, and welcome the challenges ahead to make me even prouder when I am twenty and seven.

One Liners

The building of a new university in Saudi Arabia is another major reason why I don't like George Bush.

Some people have a phantom limb. I think I have phantom bra strap -- I don't know why I'm always feeling as if they are slipping off my shoulders when I'm wearing a strapless.

Life like pictures

Life like in Pictures

I love all things antiquated and sometimes wonder if life can be preserved only in its best light. Anyway, here are some blow-you-away shots of Brad and Angelina.









Link

Biggest heartbreak

I may have just experienced my biggest heartache and a shattering of great hopes. At the most numbing situation, how do you hold up gracefully in the face of those who cause the pain?

And she didn't even have the courtesy to close the door.

exceptions for balloons

Finally made an exception for balloons

Most of you should know I hate the rubbery balls -- especially helium ones that float and bob and fly away causing children to cry.

It got worst after watching Steven King's It. And the sound of dry skin against rubber gives me goose bumps.

But after seeing this, I think I may temporarily convert. If we can throw a party in a quiet and open field, each dressed up in dresses and suits. Then only can I imagine balloons as the perfect compliment for the serenity of the open field.

I Love You -- You can now swim with sharks

I Love You! Do you need help getting into the shark tank?

Surprise, surprise... I didn't know that Singapore turns out to be one of the top ten worldwide destinations for swimming with sharks.

LH and I are usually big on gifts during special occasions, so for Valentine's day, I got him a promise ring (as he has given me one last year) and plan to surprise him with a voucher to dive with sharks at Singapore's Underwater World.

The gift symbolizes adventure, thrills and constant surprises in our relationship.

Or so I hope.

done, dusted, self conscious and back to work

Done &

Dusted &

Self Conscious &

Back to Work

good speech

Good Speech Test

Whenever I read a great speech, I start hearing Les Miserables "Do You Hear the People Sing" and get goosebumps.

Hmnn... all this obsession about speeches lately. Wonder if I should start calling myself a speecholic.

Little Bits

Little Bits

I am reading Journey to the West and Arabic Folktales. Should be loving my assignment, but it is kinda a drag to get through the whole "journey" of 450pages (abridged version, Albert Yu).

I hear people getting proposals and getting married from all directions.

I was reading up on Edward Said's Orientalism. It described the Oriental woman as one who wants to be dominated, and exotically sensual.

*Gallant and I were not allowed to pray at the Four Faced Buddhist Temple. I wasn't a fan of joss sticks and did not wish to buy. I donated instead (but they prolly didn't see). I really think there are cases where the most religious are also the most wrongly led.

From a folklore journal, one of the most famous sayings go: "Grab a Jew by his testicles and don't let go until he agrees to become a Muslim".

A notorious Arab poet, Abu Nawas, is gay. Not only does he avoid sleeping with women, he condemns lesbianism.

Heath Ledger killed himself yesterday. Two days ago, an NUS student jumped from the 8th floor of Kuok Foundation. The press did not even say a peep and forum contributors are celebrating one PRC less in Singapore.

On a lighter note, I bought a cranberry colored vintage circa 1940s pleated dress.

It goes really well with a flowered necklace from Pilgrim (the line Liv Tyler endorsed?). This one, in Bordeaux. Pity that it costs as much as the vintage dress.

Waiting to climb that career ladder is depressing. I can't seem to find the fasttrack button.

Persepolis was a fantastic read. Can't wait for the movie.

I'm really getting more and more inspired! My memoir shall be called "B*tch: Bothered and Bewildered -- do not let the curse word distract you" (or something like that). You'd prolly only get it if you've heard the song.

New Year, New Challenges

New Year, New Challenges

Lots of new developments at work. First, I get a new colleague (from Harvard -- somehow, it is a big deal for people here) then the Big Boss announces he will be going off to Saudi Arabia. All I can say (especially without getting into trouble in case some one Googles) is that while management big wigs are rejoicing -- possibly in new, higher paying roles too -- the little ones wonder what will happen to them. His driver spoke to me for more than 20 minutes when I was on my way to lunch, lamenting about what he will do next. We've been told the New Big Boss will retain us in our roles, but there is always a possibility he will not...

In about two weeks time, I will be flying off to China to see the boy's hometown and get to know him better through his native roots. All are ready: gifts, requests, tokens, foodstuff... except me! My usual salons for hair, nails, eyelash, etc are fully booked at evenings and weekends until after CNY. I've not gotten my winter clothes yet and *gee... no nice clothes and not all dolled up would not make a good first (stunning?) impression. I've not melted off those extra pounds either!

There is also the problem of the boyfriend's Valentines present... nothing yet and not at all inspired. Hmnnn... a promise ring might be good... I have not gotten one yet in return for the one he gave me. The only problem is we've been looking for one for a while and have not found anything.

Anyway, end this post, I would like to leave you a dose of airheadedness which started off my day with a laugh. She's an NUS student, and from the same faculty.

-----------------

I must be very ill-read because I don't understand what does the phrase "Founding President" mean. He founded KAUST? Does that mean he will be leave Singapore for Saudi Arabia? Puzzled.

2 Comments:

Laremy said...

Nope it just means he's the first President of the Uni.

%$#&@ said...

Oh ok... But why..? Somebody from singapore as a president of a university in SA? Does he have to fly there then...

------------------------------

I'll give her some credit for the "founding president" bit. Personally, I think that may be a Singaporean thing? President Designate is so much better.

morning bus

To the young lady wearing the sewage green shirt on the 95 bus @ 8.25am.

I would like for you to know, wearing that and looking unkept first thing in the morning and especially at the very start of the semester without any excuse of finals or papers is a sure recipe for a troubled working life ahead of you. You should read Oprah.com to get some tips about getting ready in the morning.

I really do not appreciate that in a very crowded bus, you shoved your leg, in between mine, to get into a space that really wasn't able to fit someone of normal size, let alone yours! Yes, I know your legs are hairy, even against my stockinged legs.

You scared many people on the bus today, when you so carelessly squeezed through closing doors. And quite dim for holding tight onto railings where the sliding doors would be when they open and shut. Twice.

And finally, please go to a manicurist if you must have long fingernails. Yours are obviously self shaped to look like arrows and in need of soap and water. I know them to be sharp and dirty, because you chose to take hold of the pole where I was unfortunately wedged against and you held the pole right where my face was at.

Thank goodness it is Friday, because I would not know how else I would have survived that 10 minutes of madness being put so intimately near you.

Higher taxes not necessarily a bad thing

Higher Taxes, Better Life

Just a very random thought on death and taxes. LH and I were just watching parts of Michael Moore's Sicko (parts of, because it is really to one's own peril to hang onto Moore's every word).

The parts on French and British healthcare, and how medical care and laws extensively protects its own people was a version of modern day Eutopia! Medical facilities are up to standards, and if you get seriously ill, you don't have to get too bothered about the costs, and the government makes sure you get your wages. Benefits extend on to women (and as Hilary Clinton so beautifully put it: to value women's unique abilities to bear children) and education. I don't know if it is true, but I certainly hope it is true!

Benefits are afforded through higher taxes. In Asia, we deplore the idea of taxes, and at best, the government can have some CPF/EPF, as long as we get it back in the old age. But imagine this -- We save, mostly because we want to afford education and healthcare if something goes terribly wrong. If the government takes good care of education and healthcare, our concerns are only to pay for homes, cars, and vacations. You have to admit it... almost everyone has a tendency to spend most of what they own, and then borrow some more! Unlike so many Singaporeans/young couples we see today, there is no need to be bound to loan after loan. My university loan, for one, seems to take forever to pay off!

Sounds good, doesn't it?

Happy 2008

A Very Good Year

Happy New Year! Last night was something different for this three year couple -- we did not go anywhere to party or to a ridiculously crowded town centre. Instead, we stayed home and had our own countdown marked by the tinkle of our wine glasses against each other, watched fireworks from our 15 storey bedroom window and listened to old jazz pieces. Staying at home is definitely better for this when-people-become-like-ants fearing couple. Perhaps next year, you can expect a new year's party with poppers and champers and all.

My only resolution for 2008 is for it to top last year. At a glance, resolutions fulfilled from recent past was only getting a brand new job and promises like loosing weight, more confidence, saving money etc etc are renewed year after year without much success!

*Gallant and I each shared why it was a very good year. I thought I'd give another version too here:

• New job that I throughly enjoy (no more IQPC!)
• Moved in with the boyfriend
• We met each other's families and relatives
  
• Went to Europe -- London, Paris, Brussels, Barcelona, Nice, Monte Carlo, Venice and Rome (flickr set finally ready for viewing)
  
• Went to Vietnam

I also bought a pretty trench coat from DKNY. I would be more excited if not for my conscience nagging at the price tag.

In the long term, I have:

• Definite career plans and direction
• Want to travel and work in places around the world
• Doing my masters
  

And to start off my new year, here are the photos long promised from the May 2007 trip to Europe. Perhaps next year, I'll post the Vietnam ones!!