Serendipity

While the movie [Chronicles of Narnia] is scheduled to be launched on 22nd December, I manage to catch it on the 17th Dec, at a much reduced price!

Meifang and I met up early to go JB. Our agenda for that day, would be to catch a show [for RM 10] and for me to colour my hair and for her to shop around for stuffs.

We met up around 9.30am, and by 11.30am, we were queueing up to get through the Malaysian customs.

Went to City Square to check out the movie timeslots. King Kong and Chronicles of Narnia were already launched in JB, hence we decided to queue up for Narnia’s tickets in the late afternoon.

Everywhere we go, there’s always a queue somewhere. There were 4 counters, but more than 8 queueing lines! Finally we got our tickets and we proceeded to the food junction to have our lunch. Ate chicken rice at RM 5, and it did taste pretty nice.

Went around at the top floor to check out the hair salons. Did my coloring plus highlight at Jentzen for RM 263 [roughly S$ 117]. The colour is nicely done, and it’s the first time I did highlighting anyway. =P Back in Singapore, it’ll probably cost S$200 for dyeing and highlighting my tresses.

Went around to look for Meifang at Popular, whom I vividly remember her saying Popular was at the next level down! Walked one big round, but couldn’t find her. In the end I asked some salesgirls where Popular was, and found out it was at the same level as the hair salons. Duh.

Shopped around for the next hour, before the time of the show neared. Can’t imagine I actually went to JB to dye hair, watch movie, eat and bought NOTHING! Played Time Crisis 2 at the arcade, and as usual, I gamed over earlier than that girl.

Bought RotiBoy there, and it somewhat tasted more buttery than Singapore’s version. We waited outside the theatres’ entrance, and there was a huge crowd waiting to barge in. Very exaggerating! Finally got into the cinema and took our seats.

Anyway, the Chronicles of Narnia is a masterpiece of cinematography and musical score, blending beautiful visuals seamlessly together with fantastic characters and showcase a wonderful plot.

It may even surpass Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter for its superb direction. The casting is also wonderful, and all the lead actors deliver wonderful performances and the voice overs are well done.

I’ve never read the book nor watch this show before, yet I thoroughly enjoyed every scene of it. Teared at the part where Azlan sacrificed himself in order to save the life of Edmund, the little boy who betrayed his siblings and thus was labelled a traitor by the White Witch of Narnia. According to the rules of Narnia, she’ll get to keep all the bad creatures and Azlan, the good.

But one part was pretty cliched, that when they left to Narnia through the wardrobe, it was as if time froze in the human world. For when they defeated the evil Witch and were crowned kings and queens of Narnia, years past, they [now in their late twenties] chanced upon the lamp-post once again, and made their way back to England via the wardrobe as teens.

Pretty intriguing show, I would say. Go catch it if you can! =D

So when we made our way back to Singapore, we saw how bad the traffic condition was. Though I was tired from all the walking and such, it was afterall, enjoyable. =) Shall watch more movies in JB next time. Hehe.

The bad traffic condition! But pedestrians crossing the customs cleared it in a breeze though!

 
On the CW1 bus.

Clearing the Singapore customs, while chewing on Mentos chewing gum, courtesy of Meifang.

I have a somewhat high threshold of pain, yet what I simply cannot stand, is itchiness.

To have the largest organ of my body sunburnt is one thing, yet what comes along with it irritates the hell out of me. It has been more than a week since the sun’s rays had shone upon my raw skin, and the process of peeling isn’t completely finished as yet.

I keep personal hygiene [most of the time =x], yet now I have splotches on my limbs that are a complete nuisance! This itchiness is definitely bothering me so much so that I’m feeling yucky with myself.

I’ll go crazy if the bumps don’t go away soon. Though not noticeably visible to the eyes, the bumps are indeed there! URGH!

Should this persist, I’m seeking a doctor’s advice, whether I’d like it or not. =/

*****

They say girls who are full of themselves lead a happier life. Indulge me if I look into the mirror more often these days. =P

Ages ago, I’ve had a few guys seeking my friendship via Friendster.

And then my primary school friend gasped at how cute my display picture was, when she saw me online. We haven’t seen each other since her ROM in June 2004. Then she casually mentioned I actually look photogenic.

Recently, a "neighbor" on wholivesnearyou commented that I have a celebrity face, and encouraged me to take part in Star Idol [haha! -.-"].

Though one should never determine his or her self-worth by what others think or say, it is things like these that gives me reasons not to belittle myself, as well as boost my morale and self-confidence.

Self-confidence and smiles are the cheapest "make-up" neccessities. =D

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Have been shopping at Yahoo Auctions lately, for my silver star, hook-type earrings. In vain! Can’t seem to find it anywhere! -.-"

I am worth $1,301,260!

Your score: 413 keys per minute ~ 82 words per minute
Language/mode: English
Ranking: That was fast - you can still improve, though.
Comparison: 12% of registered TyperA users using this language have typed a better result; 88% have a lower or equal result.

What’s your speed?

Puzzled by the topic? Contrary to what it seems like, I’m still unemployed. Or if it sounds better, I’m "job-hunting", though not as fervently as I should be.

4 days of working with Sharon [the girl who took over my post], and I clicked quite well with her. She shares the same sentiments when it comes to befriending people of a different status or level.

It’s funny how people click with one another. The last time something like that happened, I was befriending 2 friends after being in the same orientation group as them for 4 days. Then the friendship went on, even though we’re not in very frequent contact, but still, one of them introduced me to my first temp job, and also to my ex-tuition kid.

The second friend introduced me to my driving instructor. It’s funny how friendships develop, isn’t it?

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But I’m glad I knew a friend just before I left the ex-company. =) Sharon was saying on MSN, "I guess the best thing about this job is that I got to know you". How sweet. =)

And it’s easier for me to understand her stress level since I’ve been through it before. She’s handling a pretty good deal of workload even though she’s still new. Sigh.

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On a happier and lighter note, Saturday was fun and more fun! =P Prepared egg mayonnaise sandwich [Regina, are you drooling? =X] to bring to the Sentosa [near Dolphin Lagoon] picnic with the rest of the gang.

Played frisbee, ball and card games. Swam in the sea for the first time! In my casual clothes! -.-" It wasn’t really to be considered as swimming since I didn’t dare to go too far out because of my phobia towards water.

But everyone got sunburnt because we sat at the table for too long. LOL.

Quite a fun trip, we even made a sand dolphin at the beach! Photos later, provided the photograher has time to transfer photos. Hehe.

Anyone going Sentosa soon? I’m also itching to go JB for some movies though, after finding out from Meifang that it only costs RM 8 to watch a movie there! -.-"

Wondering when I can start to swim regularly once again. Hehe. Too bad the group was lacking of one person, who was too tired to join us. =/

I used to dislike going to the beach and getting sand all over myself, though I like to soak my feet in the sea. I found it quite fun on Saturday though! Hehe.

*****

Around evening time we headed towards Tampines to meet Jonathan [I'm used to addressing him as Bear though, might have to call him skinny Bear now -.-"] for Regina’s ballet performance.

Alongside her performance were several other singing performances, mostly superb. The one item really worth mentioning was that Japanese guy who sang and played the piano, he had that unique singing voice and style which melted me!

Was half-joking with her about me performing a song the next time they have such a concert! Hehe.

Wednesday was my last day of employment as a procurement officer at Citibank. Many people have asked me what’s there to purchase at a bank, but thing is, there are more things to procure than your average big company.

Working at an MNC for [almost] a year adds credit to one’s resume. However, I didn’t really feel that it was my cup of tea, hence the staying on was because of my procrastination to look for another job, as well as the desire to "beautify" my resume.

Even though I’ve verbally agreed to extend my contract for another year, I decided to leave before the procure-to-pay system comes out, for I’ll be required to do both admin and buyer’s work.

When I tendered my resignation, my manager told me that they had intended to give me a bonus at the end of my contract [end January 2006], as well as a pay increment for the new contract year. But still, it’s too late when I’ve already made up my mind.

At work, I’m just like a duck in water, on the surface, I seem so calm and cool, and underwater, I have my feet flapping away to move about and to keep myself afloat. To them, I’m an efficient and abled worker, yet no one really knows how much I struggled through in the job to keep my efficiency.

Handling stress is part and parcel of life, and with stress, comes competition and improvement. However, self-inflicted stress often wear me out so much so that I’d feel useless and such. I am competent, just that I seriously have to find a way to cope with stress, and not make matters worse by expecting too much of myself.

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I had 4 days to teach the new girl taking over me. I must say she’s a fast learner, either that, or I’m a good teacher, or both. =P Yet she feels the stress already, because of expectations from the department to be performing at my standards or better. =P

Got along quite well with her, and like me, she’s the type who can click quite well with people of the same level, but find it a barrier when it comes to mixing with colleagues of managerial positions.

It is impossible to tie up all the loose ends, the most I could do, was to ensure a smooth transition. Yet I felt restricted, I never finished teaching her everything. Half the time I was doing my tasks and she was learning by watching me.

Of course there were times where she sat in front of the computer under my supervision to complete certain tasks. And I’m seriously impressed by her ability to learn fast. At the same time I feel for her, because it’s a lowly-paid and highly-demanding job.

*****

Was requesting for my referral letter from them since day one of my notice period. My hiring manager agreed readily, however, he took a really long time to start writing. I could understand, since he is kept busy all the while.

So another colleague suggested I pen something, so that he could edit from there and sign. I did, and he had 2 weeks plus to edit my letter and endorse it. But he only printed the letter out at the last minute [of my last day] and then inform me that he would need to get my boss’ signature after all. -.-"

They couldn’t print my letter on a letterhead, and couldn’t include the boss’ designation on the letter. By right they can’t even write for me, since I’m not under the direct employment of Citibank [I'm under Kelly Services' employment], so the letter is more of a personal referral out of goodwill. =/

I was quite disappointed, for what’s the use of a referral letter if there’s no letterhead, no designation? It equates to "no credibility"!

And the most annoying thing was, my actual last day is 9th December. But it was written in the letter I was working under them from January till November! True, my last working day [after clearing 7 days of annual leave at the end] is 30th November, but I’m still considered employed under them till December right? Sigh.

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It takes two hands to clap to keep friendships. What can one do, when a good friend of yours doesn’t put in the effort to initiate contact? We’re just quite used to her being uncontactable, after knowing her for a decade.

Being busy is just an excuse, as there are always ways to re-schedule and to compromise, no? I’ve always believed that if one has the heart to catch up with friends, there’s always a way even if that person’s schedule is packed to the max.

*****

Natalie Imbruglia - Why

The sky has fallen on my yesterday
I watch my moon and blue sun slip away
Everybody’s asking questions
Everybody’s wanting more
Every time I catch myself, I fall

Every time I catch myself, I fall

*****

People only realise the value of something when it’s gone. No use denying the facts, yet when you bring everything together, it is so complicated.

5 months. Hurting each other with our indecisiveness. I can’t, or I don’t want to let go? Is my happiness a facade? Are you seeing me from just the top of the pond, how I’m gliding gracefully like a duck? Time to look beneath the water and know how hard I’m flapping my webbed feet. =)

I’m a selfish bitch, who refuses to be selfish enough to think for myself.