The Type
While chatting to RJ in Narita, she asked what type of guys I'll prefer-- in terms of physical attributes. Hmmm...
If you're to let me pick a celebrity/ public figure that best fit my preference, it'll be Channel 8's Star Idol Winner-- tall, above-average looking, nice smile, and a hint of shyness in it.
But c'mon, how often do you see something like that in Singapore?? Give me a call when you do. I'll appreciate it.
Messy Thoughts and Happenings
Met up with RJ in Narita on last Friday. What we chatted-- whether to leave the company or not; how lucky RJ was to get hit on by 5 guys in a day in NY; very nice of the scheduler to put us together for brush-up AND the language improvement courses in November; how we detest our job title sometimes.
True... You can just feel it-- Some guys will just put an invisible label on me once they hear what I'm working as. No thanks for the sticker.
Arrived at New York and did my usual round of shopping at 5th Avenue. A stretch of it was actually closed down for the shooting of a movie by Will Smith-- "I Am Legend". And yes, I did see him in person.
Oh, the skating rink at Rock Ctr is ready.
Feel so tiny...
Then it's back to the hotel to drop off my stuff and grab lunch/dinner. Finally found a Chinese restaurant in New York that serves quality Mapo Tofu. At least it's not sweet like the Japanese ones. But... the packaging on Sunday is different from Saturday's (even though both are from the Lunch Specials menu). The portion from Sunday is like half of Saturdays...
Still, yummy.
Back to Japan.
Was changing trains at a station when a caucasian lady came up to me and asked if a train goes to someplace. Do I look so much like a Japanese now?? Told her that I'm not sure but could try our luck since I'm going the same direction too. Chatted for like the rest of the journey... I can just feel the other Japanese passengers' eyes on us. They might be thinking--
-- Is that black-hair girl one of us?? If yes, woah, her English is really good.
-- Are those 2 friends??
-- Why can't they just shut up?!
...
Said good bye to her at my stop and on with my shopping adventure. Happy happy happy.
Last stop was at Akihabara where I had to get something for my brother. FYI-- he's doing his own little business which involves those remote helicopter and cars and all that. Whatever.. I'm totally clueless. Anyway, he got the list of items for me to get from a store there. I read the email from which the Japanese guy gave him the address of the store. The emails were generally good for a Nihonjin's standards. Ahem.
But still, you never know...
Was in the area and I was kinda lazy to open up my map. Asked random people on the streets about the location. Weird. They haven't heard of the building... After a long walk down the street, I gave up and just poked into a Sake store to ask the lady boss.
Aha! The guy spelt the building's name wrongly-- it's Kairaku instead of KIRAKU...
"Eeeeh?! Kairaku biru desuka?? Aa. Wakarimashita. Doumo!!"
...
.......
Long story short-- finally back at Narita and it's about 4p.m. Carried all my shopping stuff very ungracefully to the airport McDonalds and ordered some takeouts. And there, I chatted up with someone again. Yes! Never underestimate my chatting skills. Talked to a lady who's from Honolulu, who's waiting for her Big Mac, and even advised her on what's good at the airport DutyFree.
~Pat on shoulder for a job well done~
Exhausted by the time I got back to the hotel room. Dumped the stuff, munched my Mac, took a long shower, and then, a perfect end to the day--
Back in Singapore, back to my coolout place-- Esplanade.
Nothing fights the view from the roof terrace. (If you can stand the heat...)
Durian hotel.
Durian tree.
One final picture of me with long hair before my haircut.
Can't help but post this one.
Nice ending.
Weekend In Town
The past weekend was spent meeting up with JM and falling asleep on the living room couch.
Thursday night: fell asleep on the couch after clearing out my cargo.
Friday: Met with JM for lunch at her new workplace; went to the Esplanade to shake leg; cut my hair.
Saturday: Pure lazing at home.
Sunday: Met with JM (again) to catch a movie at Vivocity and explore the newest SC in Singapore. Fell asleep on the couch again.
More pictures soon!
P.S. Everyone who saw me with my new hair said I look good in it. Hehe.
New Additions
Have to add on to the Sep 3rd shampoo list:
-- Full-sized Avalon set
-- Bath & Body Works' set
-- Some professional set my stylist recommended on Friday.
What can I say? I have adventurous hair.
Back to Basics
Here's a short list of things/persons/behaviours that I fear of growing into or getting:
-- One who needs to try on at least 5 outfits every morning before deciding on one.
-- One who needs 15 minutes to read through every single freaking item on a menu, then take 5 more to ask her fellow diners what they think are good, another 5 minutes to ponder further, and end up ordering a milk shake 'cos she's on a diet.
-- One who needs to chew her food more than 20 times before swallowing. (Reason/excuse given: better digestion; less actual food intake; savour the full taste)
-- One who cries when their long hair is being cut.
Yes. I mean it about crying over a haircut. Don't be surprised at how many females will rather give double the amount to have the hairstylist NOT touch their long, smooth, flowy locks.
I was just blogging about it last week-- a lot of things and situations in life are based on a THOUGHT, the thought of whether to let go or not.
And yesterday, I just went ahead and had a haircut. Yes... a cut, not a trim. A solid cut.
Was in Narita on Wednesday and had nothing better to do but watch TV and stare at myself in the mirror once in a while. Suddenly realised-- the last time I had a short cut was the Sec Sch era. Since then, I'm always trying to let my hair grow out until... I'm satisfied.
Decided right then that I should just cut it short and not bother myself with it anymore. I told you I need a change in my life right now. I'm not sure if I can bring myself to quit my job now, but I know for sure I don't mind cutting my hair. It's one little thing that I have control over.
Came back on Thursday evening, slept till Friday morning, searched the internet forums for a good salon, found one. And a few hours later...
I love it. You can say whatever you want. But I love it.
And you can't stop me from posting a second pic of the new cut.
Bite me.
Sleepy Potato
Just came back from a job interview. Thought I did okay. But then again, I also thought that on Sunday. Will wait and see if I get a call from the company. Eitehr way, I've got to move on and not let the failures bug me.
Will be leaving for a flight in two hours' time.
No mood. Simply no mood to work.
Act-Cute Pictures
All the photos taken from the meetups last weekend. Basically-- us acting cute.
Spot the difference? Yah, the straw in the middle.
Acting cute.
See? Told you that I have nice features as a guy.
The act-cute adventure continues on Sunday.
The more normal girls.
Final picture of the day.
Act-cute mission completed.
A Rotting Couch Potato
10 solid days in Singapore and what do you get out of me? A rotting, not yet rotten, couch potato.
I've so much free time to relax, unwind, and basically to finish up all the episodes of dramas and variety shows which I've downloaded. Not only that, I'm now watching a drama serial that was a favourite years ago-- I Have A Date With A Vampire.
Loved that show before, still love it now. I was still in Sec School when the drama was shown and it was the only 'horror' show that I'm not afraid to watch. In fact, I was stuck to it.
Again, too much free time = me thinking too much...
There's this line in the show that is sooooo... simple yet tough.
"Letting go or not is just a thought away."
There're so many things that I've not been able to let go off. Sometimes you just lie to yourself that you're indifferent and nothing bothers you. The truth? You can't afford to let it hurt you again.
A rotting couch potato in deep thoughts.
Their Loss, Not Mine
Went for a walk-in interview last weekend. Not surprisingly, I didn't even pass the first round of it. According to JM-- our faces just don't look the part.
Well, to the company who didn't want me-- YOUR LOSS! You should know that THIS is the look that older men, and generally richer ones, go for.
Argh.
My Cool-Out Place
I almost forgot my cool-out place.
Met up with XF and PF for lunch on Friday and it was just... nostalgic. Awwwww....
Orchard Road seems rather boring. Maybe it's because of the weather; maybe we just couldn't find something that can catch our eye.
Might be heading down to my favourite hang and shake-leg place in Singapore-- Esplanade. You won't believe how empty it is even on weekends. I almost forgot how I liked to sit on one of the stools in front of the window facing Fullerton. I could sit there for a long time and just stare blankly ahead, not thinking of anything at all.
I need that.
And I sure could use the salty sea-wind outside near the Canopy. Everybody has their own place there and no one disturbs you.
I need that.
Hate Being A Sellout
I hate myself like this-- a sellout.
Here's what sparked it off: My Dad picked me up from the airport last month after a flight and a colleague took a ride with us also. had little choice but to continue talking with her on the way back. I'd really prefer a nice quiet ride home. But it's a long way to her place and then back to mine.
After she got off, my Dad said something that made me think.
"You really like to smile and laugh."
I guess the main reason he said that was because I haven't been doing much of that at home since I started this job.
Sure I do laugh along at the 'jokes' and I smile a damn lot on flights. Yet, hardly any of it is REAL and TRUE.
I feel like I've turned into my own nightmare-- some girl who laughs along at bad jokes, smiles at people she berates her, and acts cute & agreeable in front of everybody.
That's not me.
I want to go back to the old me. The old me who laughs at things I find funny and everyone else find stupid; the old me who says her mind; the old me who would gladly take up a challenge when someone disparage me. Simply, the old me who started everyday with a smile and end it with a laugh.
I met up with an old friend several weeks back and she mentioned-- "You look better, slimmer, but not happier. Are you happy?"
Am I happy?
I guess not. Looking back at my blog entries, I found that there're so many of them talking about how unfairly I felt I've been treated, how I hate my job, how I hate my company and the people I have to work around... None of them really showed any sign of happiness or relaxment.
There might have been short periods of crazy shopping, drinking, partying, flirting and eating; but none of it really helped to get me gain the happiness back.
I want my old life back. I want my old, laughing, silly-at-times self back. And if it means quitting my job for that, I'll do it. I lied to myself months ago that everything will turn out fine, I'll get used to stuff... I just can't bring myself to lie anymore.
Replacements Needed
Found that these items are missing when I 'packed' my company handbag just now:
-- My new, less-than-a-week-old clip-to-the-ear alarm.
-- My black marker
-- My Jurlique Lavender hand cream
...
I hate this.
Head High!
I just got a call from a company which I sent in my resume to. They want me for an interview next week.
This is IT. Now is the time for me to kick into full gear and dump all negative energy behind me. I need to get enthusiastic, be prepared and just make myself 'knowledgeable' in 10 days.
Thanks for the good luck wishes, but I used up a lot of that last year for my previous interview. So this time, it's up to ME. Even if I fall flat on my face, I know I gave it a shot, and that's all that matters.
Fingers crossed.
I Can't Argue Back, But I Can Show The Finger
Here's what happened:
-On Wednesday, on the flight to New York, after I got down from my crew rest-- I lost my voice.
Yah. No pain in the throat, just that I have a super coarse voice. And it's those kind that you need to breathe in deep before speaking so that something can be heard.
Spent the outstation time in NY in SILENCE...
--Got back to Singapore on Sunday evening. Told the office that I won't be able to take the next flight on Friday. Cos I simply have no idea how my recovery will go. The office person was nice enough to tell me to go see the company doctor the next day, and dropping the flight shouldn't be a problem.
--Monday morning, and I'm off to see the Doc. He gave me some pills for the throat and I rejected some for the running nose. (I hate taking medicine...) Anyway, we both forgot that an MC might be better...
--Monday afternoon 4.15p.m. I called the office to let them know how the Doc visit went. This other office person said that I can't just 'drop my flight' like that. I need a valid reason. What? No MC? Maybe I should consider going back to the Doc the next day and ask for it.
Wait. What did I miss out here? Is it normal for people to ask their doctors for a MC on Monday or Tuesday, so that they can be absent for work on FRIDAY? Not a bad idea for those who want a 3-day weekend. Try that, my friends!
The person said that he's not free at that moment to deal with my case. I'll have to call back say around 6p.m. and he should have settled things by then.
--Monday evening 6p.m. I called again. Oh! Apparently, things have been so busy at the office because the manager is around, so the person didn't have time to touch my case at all.
Wait again. Am I really spending too much time away from the main land that general office operations have changed??!! Boss in office today= everyone busy= no time to deal with me. Isn't the boss in the office EVERYDAY? He should be. Right?
What was I given? Instructions to call at 8.30p.m.
--Monday evening 8.45p.m. I called for like the 3rd time. And my case is still fresh and untouched. Surprise? Not really. Disgust? Quite a handful.
The office person said that he'll get right to it and call me back in about half and hour. Fine.
--Monday night 10.30p.m. I finally got the call. He just started to get my case done. Will use my pathetic annual leave as urgent leave. And my reason for dropping the flight? Lucky me had the Doc's medicine in front of me then. THROAT INFLAMMATION.
Case settled? Not without a short explantion/lecture/reminder that-- if I ever feel sick or get sick during a flight, I'll have to mention it to the office senior. Cos she'll need my VALID reason in the case of me really needing to drop the next flight. Something like that.
Crew get sick= tell office= office decide if good enough.
You want me to prove how sick I am? Go ahead and call all the crew who worked with me on the New York flights. Let THEM tell you how horrible my voice sounded. Not good enough? Contact the business class passengers I served on the flight back. I'm sure all 55 of them in my service compartment hear my voice, or lack of it, some time or another during that 14 hours.
I don't need a consolation floral basket with a well-wishing card for my speedy recovery. I just don't need demeaning people and company policies to make me feel worse than I already am.
Indirectly telling a patient that he/she does not deserve the medical treatment might bring about a lawsuit in some places. If only Singapore has cases with companies being sued because they condone policies that demeans employees.
There's only so much crap I can take from this company. Time to plan my exit.
Nice Show
Watched this Korean drama serial some time back-- Gung.
Nice cast, nice storyline, nice backdrop, nice locations.
The Complaint
For those who are curious about what happened for the seatback complaint--
Went to office to show up for duty flight, saw the remark about "A crew returned my seatback without telling me".
A really stupid complaint. I didn't even see the actual letter or comment sheet. It's just a remark by the office people on a piece of paper. And 'according to what they know', it's a Chinese crew, working in Y-class that flight. And so happened that I was the only one that fitted the description.
Nice.
This is just like the Chinese dramas you see-- guilty unless proven innocent.
Hey! I thought I learnt this in my Law class-- innocent unless proven guilty. Folks??
Whatever. I wrote a comment/interview note to the office for filing. I didn't admit that it's me (I can't even remember the incident!); I didn't write "Sorry". Bottomline: Absolutely no sign of me wanting to correct my attitude.
I never said I'm an angel.
Girl Talk
Girl No.1: Hey, I've known you for so long, but never seen you get attached to anyone. Why huh?
Girl No.2: What do you mean??
Girl No.1: No lah, cos you're actually quite attractive, young, pretty, nice personality... how come I never see you get a boyfriend?
Girl No.2: Aiyo... single life is good mah. Don't have to worry about another person. And I can go where and when as I like.
Girl No.1: True. But you not pekchek when you see couples walking around everytime you're in town meh? Then your friends will also drop you once they get a call from their ah-boy.
Girl No.2: No big deal lor. Used to it liao. Just have to accept the fact that girls' night out don't really exist once there's a guy ringing.
Girl No.1: So poor thing... but never mind lah. You want to go out with me and my friend this weekend anot huh? He also single now leh. Like you lor... he like without a girlfriend for quite some time liao. Think you two will hit it off great.
Girl No.2: Going out together is ok lah. But don't think too much into it.
Girl No.1: No leh... you two willreally look good together!
Girl No.2: ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just Drop It!
To MM: Thanks for your concern, but I'm fine and good.
To JF: Don't think too much, everything's good.
To ZLoyld: It's absolutely none of your business.
To ZX: Please help to break up the fight between the 2 of them in the case of it really happening. (Oh, take pictures alone the way. I hate to miss out on the action.)
Me??
...
PEK CHEK ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Will everyone just drop their worries and concerns and hopes and whatever??!! Time to move on!!
Don't spoil my newly-returned good luck streak please....
See ya gals in a week!
Strike One!
Just came back from the company clinic a while ago. I passed the medical check!! (Finally...)
I can't help but be a bit superstitious here-- I think the bad luck streak started when I took away my red nail polish off my toenails. Put the color back on last Friday. Ding-Dong! There you have it-- I'm striking out the bad luck demons one at a time.
What's left? The stupid seatback complaint that I'll have to face later. Will I let it affect me like what happened in July? No chance!
The fighter in me is back. Full force! Don't mess with me, cos you can't beat me!!!
Song On Auto-Loop
This song kept on ringing in my ears... Can't seem to get it out for some reason. Gosh. Think I need a vacation AGAIN. Australia sounds good...
When will Jay Chou get out of fashion???
I'm The Man!!
"If you're a guy, you'll look great."
A guy said that to me some time back. Can't help but take it as a compliment...
-- I suppose my features are rather hard. I tried pulling my hair back, no makeup, no mascara and all the eye-glitter crap. Woah. I do look not-bad if I'm a guy. No wonder I don't get picked up by guys-- they see me as a fellow dude rather than a chick, and worse, a 'dude' that's better looking than most. Hehehehe.
-- I laugh like a guy. Those girlish giggles?? Ermmmmmm.... Don't go so well with me. I'm more towards 'WAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH's and 'Heer heer heer' type of laugh.
-- Oh, I smirk a lot also. And most of the time it comes with a 'Chey' or 'Tsk'. A total ah-beng action.
-- I definitely shop like a guy. I don't window shop. Either I SHOP, or I don't. Ask JM and she'll tell you what a terrific/horrible/terrible shopper I am in the States and Tokyo.
-- I let go of things easily. A straight bo-chap attitude. I've had friends asking my opinion on whether a couple should give each other a second chance, on whether a soon-to-be divorced couple should give it a shot for their kids... blahblah.
Simple: Just let go of everything and walk on. It's only human nature to sometimes think back on certain events and wonder "what if". There's never a good-enough ending to everything. Right this moment, people should just walk on.
Oh no. the more I think of it, the more I agree that I'm just a guy born into a female body.
Eeeewwwwk.
