Monday, July 14, 2008

Failing better

A month upon arriving in Shanghai, time for some self reflection.





Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again.
Fail better.


This Samuel Beckett quote jumped right at me and led me to question the circumstances of my departure and quick return to a city that is defining the end of my 20s.

Some friends had recently asked me how I am finding it back in a city of bright lights and hedonistic distractions. My replies have been a mixture of nonchalance (when I can't be bothered to explain) and philosophical self assessment (when I DO ask myself the same question). The short-term conclusion is that I've tried. Failed to make things happen, so I try again.

2nd time round, I have less to prove to others and more to prove to myself. A payrise and promotion are 1 year professional targets that I have defined and determined to achieve. A healthier and meaningful life, that I owe myself. A relationship that will finally work? That's on an all-time wish list.

If I do a scorecard at the end of 1 month, items 1 and 2 are right on track. I have re-found my motivation in work, despite the early hiccups. Established a rapport with the boss, improved on some processes and embracing more responsibilities.

Working out 3 times a week, eating more sensibly (I do retain some indulgence once a week though). I feel leaner and healthier, even the knee and ankle pain is diminishing.

Item 3 as always, seems depth apparent.

After all, you can only fail better. C'est la vie.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

When a nomad finds a home


Cattle feed upon the green grass
Herds are raised
Sandy grains replace the lush
Beyond recovery

Raise the banner
The chieftain said
Time to move on
In search of greener pastures

The tents come down
Horses are saddled
Campfires instead of stoves
Before settlement

When a nomad finds a home
Forever it is not
While the green lasts
A place to call their own

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Fool's Gold

Cranberries - Linger





If you, if you could return
Don’t let it burn, don’t let it fade
I’m sure I’m not being rude
But it’s just your attitude
It’s tearing me apart
It’s ruining everything
And I swore, I swore I would be true
And honey so did you

Was it just a game to you
But I’m in so deep
You know I’m such a fool for you
You got me wrapped around your finger
Do you have to let it linger
Do you have to, do you have to

Do you have to let it linger

Oh, I thought the world of you
I thought nothing could go wrong
But I was wrong
I was wrong
If you, if you could get by
Trying not to lie
Things wouldn’t be so confused
And I wouldn’t feel so used
But you always really knew
I just wanna be with you

And I’m in so deep
You know I’m such a fool for you





Sunday, June 8, 2008

Last Weekend in Singapore

Recap of the weekend

Friday (after 12pm..sorta switched off from work liao)

found time for a haircut, wash and blow during lunch, arrived back in time for meeting some more... like the new look heh

dinner with my team at 聚宝, value for money... $225 for 7 pax, 8 dishes... sedap!
finally my turn to 埋单 :)
thanks for the memories!

Kung-Fu Panda... wonderfully funny.. a little hope for the chubby underdogs of this world
Woo-shi finger hold... take that!
Thanks to the Steady Lagi faithful for taking time and watching the movie wif me! glad everyone (i hope) enjoyed it! Gonna miss you ppl too...

Saturday

slow rainy day.. got out of bed close to lunchtime
ventured out far west (Boon Lay!) to help a friend with her stuff to Shanghai
hope she solves her visa problems and can finally go!

went up to Markoose's place for my first date with Chloe Lim Kopi-Xi
She warmed up easily enuff, although the short attention span was kinda insulting..
hey gotta respect ur dates, especially the good ones!
BO and JT joined us and Chloe out at West Coast Park, where she proceeded to get herself real dirty and sweaty then dropped a whole coat of fur in my car... eeew
but was a good runout.. dogs are fun when they are not yours :P

went haggling for new running shoes at Queensway
bah... i felt the integrity of these merchants have really gone down the gutter
after many attempts at getting the right price and the right merchandise, decided to cut my losses and go for a cheap pair of Asics at $91 (yes, the cockster refused to give me even a dollar off).. bugger off

dinner with the gang at Alexandra Village... braised duck, BBQ stingray, Sambal Dua Tow, Sambal Kangkong and Hei Zhoh, washed down with soursoup drink... yum yum... gonna miss hawker food loh!

my Steady Lagi buds, they bothered to walk wif me to the revamped Anchorpoint to shop for toiletries and pharmaceuticals at Watsons.... this place shall forever be known as Outlet Point...

went home, decided i couldn't be bothered with Euro and just slept...

Sunday

Mee Pok brunch at Simpang... 2 more months before I indulge again man... :(

Aussino.. bought so much bedding stuff and of cos, overspent again.. but heck la.. settling in allowance lor

NTUC.. buy curry powder... hope Shanghai gonna welcome me with open arms

Dinner at Baba Inn with the family... good Peranakan food to send me off



So.. all my bags are packed and I'm ready to go..
Are you ready to see me outside your door?

Adios amigoes

Sincerely...

Monday, June 2, 2008

I'll Be Your Baby TONIGHT

Presenting the Steady Lagi buskers.. last sighted at an underpass below you...

Monday, May 26, 2008

Faith can't hurt


Caught an episode of Grey's Anatomy over the weekend.
Essence of a conversation between Bailey and the Chief caught my attention

Miranda Bailey: Don’t get me wrong, I have faith, I do. Faith isn’t medicine, faith can’t heal you.

Richard Webber: That may be so. But then again, it can’t hurt.

Sometimes we get caught up thinking that having faith means that faith alone can solve the problem at hand, that having faith is the Panacea that cures all ills.

I believe in the more passive nature of faith. That keeping it and believing in it gives you strength to deal with your problems. I.e. faith itself serves no purpose, but knowing how to apply it makes us certain of what we do..

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)


My other take of it is summed up by the Chief.. faith sure doesn't hurt you.

So have faith, my friends, but continue working hard to get what you want :)

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Tiger Woods

This will perforate somebody's liver on Friday


Hole

Par

Drink

Location

1

5

Guiness Stout

Timbre @ Arts House

2*

2

Tequila Pop

Harry's Boat Quay

3

3

Bourbon Coke

The Cavern

4*

3

Whisky Green tea

Lighthouse

5*

3

Vodka Cranberry

Bar-Ra-Cuda

6*

4

Glass of red wine

Highlander Bar

7*

2

Flaming Sambuca

Highlander Bar

8

3

2 X Gin Tonic

Fashion Bar

9*

5 / 6*

Hoegaarden

Brussels Sprouts

30 / 20*

Additional Playoff: 3 Tequila neat shots, 1st to finish wins!

Cheers!