Life commences as a Salaryman this week..... while hearing the Christmas Bells

After a 3-week break, I start on a new career journey at a Japanese bank, with a new career path in relationship management and credit. I am still trying to settle down. I believe there should be no problem, just gimme a few weeks. Starting work at a more relaxed festive season certainly has certain advantages.

Christmas is really around the corner, I can smelt it. The Christmas aroma in the warm Singapore has been still unmistake-ably felt. I look forward to a good time with my friends, and loved ones as usual. The year is coming to an end, and we should celebrate all our achievements and good memories before going into a new year.

Cheers folks! Let's all have a merry time counting down to Christmas! It will be beautiful, no doubt!

Settling Down, After a Recharge Trip

I am back after a 13-day break in 東京. Very different experience as I was alone most of the time, since my travelling partner was not with me this time. His companionship was missed but I had to make the best out of it :). I walked in parks alone, lunch-ed alone, tea-ed alone and shopped alone most of the time.

I ate cakes and donuts most of the time, which explained my expanded waistline. They were too tempting. I did my shopping, despite there were no sales and it was not intended even. I walked the gardens, since I wanted to have a truly good re-charge, and it was amazing that one week the trees were yellow and red, and the other week, they disappeared, due to the gradually lowering temperature.

I went to:
1. 東京Disneyland, which has a truly magical Christmas theme.
2. 御殿場市(Gotemba), which was a breeze from the city, since it is a factory outlet, biggest in asia, under 富士山.
3. 箱根町, yes it is a mountainous area and not a lake mistakened by tourist. I have my on-sen retreat, as well as, a relatively nice みかん plucking session in the みかん farm. 万葉御園　was a pleasantly surprising bonus, with a nice stroll under the 紅葉。
4. Simple Christmas illumination lightings, from 東京 Midtown ( http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/jp/index.htmland ) 六本木ヒルズ (Roponggi Hills).
5. My first shabu shabu in 東京: buffet-served style with australia すき焼き beef and mouth-watering buta-niku (pork), which is simple and light. This is followed by another nice dinner occasion at the 居酒屋 beside 北綾瀬駅 。
6. 青山一丁目、 外園前/ 明治神宮/ 皇居 Gardens: For the beautiful parks.
7. Blistful　and quiet shopping at the usual　下北沢 and 吉祥寺.

Of course, I wanted to thank my wonderful host, 銀座onechan, for taking good care of me, and my travelling companian most of the time when we are there.

There is one other incident that makes me love the city more: I lost a new scarf that I bought on the 銀座 line subway at 表参道 station. I was upset, and luckily onechan helped me to call the lost and found of 東京 metro. Guess what, they found it at 渋谷　station and I collected it in an hour's time. This is amazing as 東京 was so so big and it is something that will never happen in my small country, what a shame. That makes the memories of this trip truly sweeter.

I would look forward to go back to this city again with my travelling companion and also looking forward to seeing 銀座onechan again.

Greetings from 北あやせ、Tokyo

Hi folks at home

I have been in Tokyo for about 3 days. I have been alone in the day, but I have truly enjoyed myself. I have already went to Harajuku / Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, Aoyama University Sports Park (to see the red / yellow maple trees), Kita Senju, Ueno and of course, my favorite CD shop, Tsutaya (to get my stock of J-pop CDs)

G-san, our favourite Little Spoon, Labrador T-Shirt Shop, Harajuku Book-Off have ceased businesses :( So sad neh, but yesterday, I ate organic vegetarian curry rice and one of my Japanese friend, Minamina has brought us to a very nice donut shop. This is a premium donut restaurant by Mister Donut, and we thought, the standard is better than Krispy Kream. All of you donut lovers should not miss it. See below picture.

Today, I will pop by the Kita-Senju and Shinjuku.

The Christmas Spirit, Here It Comes

November is the month that Orchard Road lights up shimmeringly and it is also a pleasant reminder to tell us that it is time to prepare for Christmas, a time to give and share, and for those working souls, it is time to relax and have a good break.

It has been a childhood dream to have a Christmas tree at home, and I am glad that I have been doll-ing up the tree for the last 3 years. It took me 2 hours to put up and another 2 hours to clean up because of those shimmering dust around the house, but it is fun.

This year, I think I am having the best of both worlds, first to take a break in Tokyo in the early winters (with my Ninhon tomodachi) and back in Singapore to spend my Christmas with my loved ones. Though I have to start work on the 17th Dec (well, it is good to start work when everyone else's beginning to be lazy, and yes, I have found a job finally, thanks to support, folks!)

.... I do hope that one day, it would snow in Singapore :) ...... and I dream...

友達さん ありがとう！..... Sleepless at Madeira

I wake up at 3 am, and could not sleep anymore..... surprisingly it is because my heart is too excited and relieved, and there are too many things I wanna expressed.

Yes, finally, I have a job offer, but that's subject to signing the offer letter and my medical check-up :) Things are looking bright and I am happy that all's fine now. The sun is finally out after a long stint of stormy months, and thanks for all my wonderful friends for their support, without it, it would have been a terrible road.

The next thing now, is to prepare for my Tokyo trip :) which is likely to be brought forward to 30 Nov to 12 Dec, I think :) or 3 Dec to 14 Dec.

I can't help being excitied yet relieved now..... Thanks, friends!

Food Food and More Food

I ate so much these days, to such an extent that, I am scared of food. Well, these are the benefits for someone who is leaving the company..... farewell lunches, from chinese crusines to japanese dishes to western food, you name it, and that's a sign of growing waist (waste?) line :) I enjoyed such lunches, but I will also miss the company of some of my good friends I made for last 4 months. Well, we have to move forward, don't we?

Next week, it will be another story, but I have yet to really plan what to do. Take one thing at a time, miracles do happen sometimes, we never know, and we never will. So stop thinking or wild-guessing, as they are fruitless and harmful.

Suddenly, I am so full after my heavy lunch..... I wanna sleep now :P

Winter Plan

What I do want for my winter holidays? Since I am not in Singapore, I don't think I want to put up my tree.

i) Christmas Shopping at Tokyo Disney Resort
ii) Hato Busu Tour
iii)Fukubukuro Shopping
iv) Visit Yashio City
v) Have nabe on New Year's Eve
vi) Spend a quiet afternoon at a quiet cafe at Kichijoji.
vii)CD shopping
viii)Spend happy times with all my wonderful friends
ix) Garden / Nature walks

Fukubukuro

Most of my close friends knew I have a passion for Fukuburo. Indeed, u pay a relatively smaller price for what you do not know whether you like or not. There is some degree of gambling, although you are comforted by the fact that in the worse case scenarios, your risk is limited, and you can always give away those things that you do not like. In real life, I think I did not exercise that kind of risk-taking, I am even more risk adverse. But, it is true, if you do not like the things that you got, just move on, and look forward.

This year, I am hoping that I can be in Tokyo for the Fukubukuro season, though, secretly, I still hope that I may be very lucky to end up with a decent job then too.

Well..... better not think so much :)

You need to know what you want - the horizon is endless

I am a fan of Grey's Anatomy and I have just completed season 3 as well as a Japanese dorama Yamada Taro Mono Gatari - 山田太郎ものがたり, this weekend. There is a clear message from these 2 dramas: People will only be happy if they know what they want. Yamada Taro gave up his US scholarship and his luxurious home to live humbly with his family, while those folks in Grey's Anatomy are confused with what they want in their respective lives. I am not dramatic over what I have watched, but the message is clear: the world is big, the horizon is endless, the choices are open and wide, you need not restrict your choices to the very few and you need to find out what you want, and there's always time to do that.

December Healing Trip

In the event that I am unable to secure a job by mid December, which is highly likely the case considering the lull period at the end of the year, I have decided to take a break in Tokyo from 15 Dec to 7 Jan 2007. This shall be a period of retreat, healing and re-charge, which I desperately need. This is not supposed to be my shopping trip like last Dec, but truly one, for me to rest and re-charge. Come 2008, I will fight, and fight a good battle! Meanwhile, to rest is to really forget about everything for the time being, and leave the burden behind for a while, and then remove all the negativities in me.

One other thing, that I hope to quit, STOP LOOKING AT HOROSCOPE NOW!

Otherwise, I shall look forward to my Tokyo retreat: the hotspring at Kameari, Hatobus outing, December countdown, nice Kita-Ayase futon, friends and yuki!

An Unforgivable Mistake, But There is Still Time To Make Amendments

I have been complacent in a specific aspect of my skills, and I have not been too serious in developing them. I have given excuses to myself many times. It was a hard knock yesterday, that I have realised that I have not been doing the right way. Don't worry, it is not that I am being harsh to myself, but this is an issue that I have not attempt to handle well these years. Well, the consolation is, I have time to make amendments now. This is the time to start new routines and practices :) Gambarimasho!

Sign of Relief.... Rest Chill Rest

I have decided to tender my resignation after a 3-month stint with the employer today. A funny comment from my supervisor, "Personally, if I was you, I would do so too.... as there is nothing for you to gain". I am also relieved to know that my 2 best-abled staff are also planning to leave subsequently, and that's truly a good sign for me to cut my losses today. Thus it is time to relax and think of nothing else. Time for Rest, Chill, Rest.

For further plans, I will think about it next Monday yo :)

More importantly, there is an important lesson from one of my subordinate, who is a Chinese Permanent Resident of Singapore. She will be migrating to Canada with her family, and I do respect her, because neither her nor her family have not been there before. Eleven years ago, she did not travel to Singapore before too, when she had decided to migrate here. That is something that Singaporeans do not have the courage, at least, not without going through a try-out phase. We have been too risk adverse, and perhaps, we have missed out the fun in life, haven't we? For that, I respect my subordinate!

Ice Cream is Happy Food

The day I am waiting for is coming, I am very happy, but at the same time, I must learn to keep my cool. That's important. Things have been really busy over the last few days, so the next 8 hours of tomorrow, I will try my best to be goody goody, and accept what it comes. And of course, stop any excessive thinking now. And I am eating ice-cream to cool down. A good friend said something that is so right "Ice Cream is Happy Food"

New week, New Hope

I am waiting for this Friday to tender my resignation. Finally it is here, and my decision has been made quite a while ago, and it will not change, I am sure. Meanwhile, working life is quite meaningless when there is not much to be done here. The main thing is that we have confidence in ourselves and our future. :P

Friday seems so long, but I know it will come finally.... sometimes, things just cannot be rush. Sunny hopes will come soon yo!

Enjoying to Relax..... Seriously

It has been a good weekend.

I have to proclaim that I have been able to take things more lightly recently. Yes, there are occasions that I have to be excited and there are moments of anxiety, we cannot avoid them, but we have to remind ourselves that they are part of our lives, and we have to accept them gracefully. When there is a moment of unhappiness, let it come if it is not worth the effort to avoid it. It will pass anyway, and if the outcome is not that detrimental, we just accept it gracefully. It is just part of our life, and we cannot escape it.

Today, I watched my favourite series Grey's anatomy, and I went for Bukit Timah hiking, jogging and grocery shopping at Fairprice Finest. It has been a fun day.... seriously. :)

I am on MC today

Physically, I was not feeling well today. Looks like I have to watch my diet today. Mentally, I am relaxed and happy to have a day of rest. I did not do anything much, or eat anything special, and it was just another normal day. I felt that as we grow older, our food intake really determines our health, and this is something we can control. For instance, the fibre and calcium we take per day. Well, for me, I tried to take more vegetables and fruits, as these are not really my favorites since young. However, over the years, you don't have a choice. Thus, going forward, I shall pay more attention to my food and exercise. Hmmmmm.....can I still take my junk food? Chips?

(The attached is my favourite hotdog from Copenhagen streets)

Good & Comfortable

In life, we set targets sub-conciously. Everyone of us wants a good and comfortable level but the extent of the goodness and comfort level differs. It is just like filling up a big box with your hopes comparing to filling up a small one. Have we been idealistic in always hoping for the best, and have we been asking for a flawless path? If so, perhaps, that explains our frustration. I have read the above many times, but yet, it is not easy to remember that. Perhaps next time when we are frustrated, we should bring ourselves back to reality, that perhaps the definition of "good and comfortable" life needs to be adjusted.

Yes, this is my second entry of the day but I can't help it :)

Unfortunate People Vs "Unfortunate" People

I felt bad for a friend who was dismissed without a valid reason. I felt that she is a capable lady, but it is quite unfortunate that she has a sour and incapable boss. Management of bosses is an important skill, but not easy. Sometimes, it is not worth the effort at all. Ultimately, bosses are also paid to work and defend their own interests. Thus, before we think we want to confide in our bosses (as if we trust them), do think again!

I think, the termination of the above friend's job is unfortunate. Which is worse? Having a boss that you cannot trust, or leaving the job without a job? In this friend's case, I suppose the loss is being asked to leave, which has a "face" issue. Otherwise, she has nothing to lose.

Essentially, the issue here is "pride". Is she really unfortunate? If we take away the "pride" issue, then the appropriate word should just be "unlucky". After all, it may still be a fortunate thing not to work under someone you cannot trust.

To this good friend of mine, move ahead, put the past behind you, take a rest, and you will realise that this is just another tiny episode of your life. It may seems easy for one to say so, I know, but then, that's the lesson of "recovery" and "acceptance".

Plans & Fun & Freedom

Over the last 4 days, what have I done? Nothing serious, nothing much either. Well, I supposed recently I have been taking life quite easy, and seriously, I did not do anything too serious. :) And the worst thing, I am almost trapped in the Fluff Race under the facebook.com. Hehehe

As for planning, I am also beginning to take one thing at a time, rather than planning too far ahead. Otherwise, I will fall in the "over-think" trap / misery again.

Overall, I have been happy, and suddenly I am hungry (for food and freedom).

Bukit Timah Hill

Hurray, I have climbed the highest hill in Singapore :) It took the 5 of us 100 minutes to walk up and down the hill (plus a detour for the path guide in the woods). It was inspiring and refreshing. Something new, and something different. Good for the body, soul and spirit definitely and it is certainly a good start for the weekend. Thereafter a feast at my "hometown" - ABC market, for my favourite wan ton noodles :)

To my friends out there, I would like to share this re-make of 1985 old song by 徳永英明 恋におちて-Fall in Love-

Sunny Days

I seldom like sunny days except during suntanning moments. Today, it is an exception. I was very encouraged this morning, because the sun is shining and the sky is bright, as compared to the past few days. It brings positivity in life, and then the day appears on a positive note.

It is still sunny and hot now, in the mid afternoon, so I just brought my sandwich and soup from Pret Manger, and I am enjoying some peace with the food in office :)

Rainy Day Rainy Day

It is rainy outside, and I am busy working for ridiculous purpose (busy without a mind). Yesterday, a close friend commented that my blog is all about my feelings on work. This blog was meant as a declaration of my planned actions so as to give me more courage to move ahead. Unconciously, it turned out that it reflected my work life only or is my life only revolving work? If the latter is true, which I am quite sure, then it is time to re-adjust my life. Well, at least I have made plans already..... so now is for my re-adjustment and patience skills to kick in.

:)

Luxurious Time

I have recently read a few blogs. These days, I can see that many are working for so many hours outside their official hours, and they worked professionally, leaving very little time for their own. Yet, I hardly see people complaining about the little time they have for their own. This seems to be a trend, and time of our own seems luxurious compared to these people.

For the last 2 hours, I was actually preparing for an interview on Tuesday. This is the first time, I am taking a technical time for an analyst job. So that's kind of new, challenging, and ?stressful? since I have not taken a technical test before. I think ultimately, I do not want to take it too stressfully, since the worst outcome is, I do not get this job :) Never mind, I will just treat it as an experience.

Today is a rainy and crowdy sunday, but I am still going for my run shortly and chill for the rest of the day.

(The picture shown is Tivoli, Copenhagen, one of the world's oldest theme park)

TGIF :) ..... yhew yhew yhew

Yeah, a moment everyone loves, and because it is the furthest day from Monday too. I will make sure I will enjoy every moment, as usual, and have share of sports and exercise too. Even the air smells fresher :P

On myself, I have been recovering well from the anxiety and tiredness. Trying to cool down my thoughts and trying to relax ..... so things are going fine.

I just have nice sushi buffet lunch at Honjin, Tanjong Pagar, and yeah, it's a good one! I look forward to going there again!

Looking forward to the weekend.....

Thursdays mornings smell good! Always, as it is a sign that tomorrow is TGIF and weekends will be here again. This cheers my mood immediately and you can see my smile now. I am also thinking of new receipe to test during this weekend. I will put up on the blog if it is successful.

Otherwise, I am recovering for those anxiety breakdown, slowly, but better late than never. Let's all look forward to this weekend folks!

When one door closes, another will open .....

Today I was supposed to be sad, as headhunters told me that I was turned down for 2 jobs. However, I was also glad that they still continue to give me opportunities as they told me they have gotten fairly good feedback from their clients, and I didn't get it because of un-suitability of the job. Given my usual self, I was disappointed, but this time, just a very short while. Anyway, if it is not suitable, then why continue? Move On, Move On yo!

Oh, I have a very good chat with a long time colleague, and we became closer friends now. That I am happy as I have another good friend. There is something that he reminded me again......"If you find that the place is not the place which you can station your flag for long term, then it is better to cut loss".

I agree, and as per my title, if one door closes, another will open..... Just don't think too much neh :)

Is there a problem afterall?

(This is the first time, I update this blog in office)

Sometimes, we all have problems. Sometimes, these problems are not problems if they are minor ones and can disappear given time. However, I realise that I have the tendency to aggravate these kind of minor problems to big ones and sometimes, with too much negativism, such that the problems may become uncontrollable. Thus, I should programme in my mind the following:

1. In terms of problem solving, go back to basics, and let big problems become small ones, and small ones to disappear.
2. When we knew what are the worst outcomes for an incident, that should be the ultimate, and it not necessarily will happen at all. Feel better, instead.
3. My main aim is to get a better job and be a better person.

So the above 3 should be my motto for the rest of this year, maybe.....and hopefully, it stays.

Tokyo, I hope to be there......

Tokyo has a special place in my heart. I like Disneyland since 14, but that's due to my childlike-ness and idealistic nature. Over the last 8 years, I have travelled to Tokyo over 10 times, and each time, it touches me. The place may be fun, but it has a deeper meaning. I like the culture, the style and my friends there. It has 2 faces: a very materialistic look and a very serenity feel. Both fits me well, especially the latter. I love my country-side visits during the different seasons, the stay at Kita-Ayase, the seasonal fruits and sweets, and the very unique Tokyo aroma..... I always can recognise that smell. Suddenly, I wonder if that is home-sick-ness?

I don't know why. My heart is there, I know. So is my good friend's. :)

(Today is Sunday, I will be at home, and I am going for my run and swim now, thereafter I will have my sandwich dinner. I got raisins bread, ham, bacon, egg, tomatos.... yum yum)

Rest rest rest!

The week has been a fast one. I am still trying to cope with slowly down my pace for the time being and cooling down from the anxiety of job search and work stress. Definitely, it is much better than the week before, and I am happy so long it is the road to recovery.

In life, we cannot rush things or expect everything in our favor. Sometimes, we are just too spoilt because we have been blessed with a rather smooth journey most of the time. So we have to learn to accept unpleasant happenings will definitely happen sometimes. In addition, we have to keep reminding ourselves that we must not make the same mistakes, even though it always happens unintentionally. Never mind the above, so long, we remain confident and patient in our pursuit in life.

Yhew, it is weekend. I will take a good break and rest at home. I will also do some sports too :) Saturdays are such a luxury and I love it!

It is time for a break.......

My decision has been made, I should be relieved, but I am still not quite there yet. Well, it takes time.

I went for an interview today. The contents of the interview were not important, and I am not too concern of the outcome of this one. After the interview, I really felt that I was very tired, physically and mentally. Chasing for interviews at this stage and facing those idiots at working place were not bringing me anywhere these two months, but worn my soul slowly.

Yes, I will slow down my pace where job search is concerned, and wait patiently for the day for me to leave the working place. Suddenly, I felt...... my good friends are right, I need a long break.

When a decision has been made..... Yeah!

As my last post, when a decision is made, the sky is clear. Yes, the happenings today affirmed my decision, and there should be no turning back. The road, one month ahead, should be simple now. Back to basics, and stay a low profile. This decision seems so difficult, but yet still so easy. I am relieved, and very happy with the support and encouragement from so many wonderful friends around me. I felt shi-a-wa-se (so fortunate) neh :) Whatever happens in the next month will not change my mind now, and right now, I just have to look ahead.

Many friends have given me good and simple advice, and that changes things from complicated to simple. Hontoni hontoni totemo arigato, folks!

I proclaim that days of miseries are over.... at last!

(And the bad bad luck is gone ......)

Summary of Advice from Friends

I was kind of helpless and lost last few days. But I am very fortunate to have good advice from friends: 1. There is nothing you can do for things you cannot control. Perhaps, just endure and stay a low profile. Having a high profile may jeopardise things. 2. You need not speak badly of people (in interviews) but you need to give credit to them too, if possible. 3. You just have to regain confidence. Do not over-think!

Just few simple words, now the sky is clear!

YES! A "Miserable" Day Is Over

Since yesterday night, I knew that today was gonna be a very difficult day. However, I chose to ignore it yesterday night, even refusing to do much mental preparation, like I would used to. In addition, I just reminded myself that today is "just another 8 hours in office, so it should pass very fast". Gladly to say, today has came and gone. Yes, I do have disappointment and frustration, but it is finally over, and I thought it went through smooth enough without much miseries or pain as people would expect. Yes, I got my migraine, but no, I am not affected. I knew I would normally would usually, but this time, I took control of my thoughts.

For that, I gave a pat to myself. To all my friends out there, I promise that I will take care of myself :)

Maze.....again?

Today, I felt that I was lost in a maze. Well, then the solution has to be how to walk out of the maze. It may be a long, deep maze and everyone yearns for a map to get out, or some magic carpet to escape. In reality, to get out of the maze, I just have to walk out by myself, whether I are smart or not. There may be help along the way, and of course, I am very lucky to have so many support from my wonderful pals out there, but walking out (smartly) ultimately relies mainly on myself. Eventually, I know I will walk out, so while walking out, I am learning the lessons along the way, picking up bits and pieces. And I shall take this opportunity during the journey to be a stronger person.

"The lessons will keep repeating itself until it is learnt"

An achievement...... finally

I have a remarkable achievement today. I felt that today I managed not to think too much (thus no extreme-ism or negativity), take things at work easy (ignoring the non-sense) and just work with not too much emotions. To many of my friends out there, this may just be another ordinary day. To me, it is completely different. I always care about what people think of me, and what will I become if things turn out badly, so this is a good change to me, FINALLY. So I should keep up the stamina :) A big hug to myself!

This Monday is not so blue ... afterall

Mondays are known to be blue. There is a joke today, someone asked me to lift up my legs to check my shoe sole, to see if I drag myself to work. Surprisingly surprisingly it was not so blue after all.

Maybe, I didn't think about working during the weekend, maybe I didn't think of people I do not like, maybe I didn't think of being too ambitious at work, maybe I didn't care at all. Essentially, it comes and goes, and it is gone now :) Perhaps, this teach me a lesson: do not focus on things you don't like and do not keep your mind wanders too much.

(By the way, is Halloween near the corner?)

Chill out ..... it is a lazy sunday afternoon

It is a cool sunday afternoon now, which reminds me of autumn in Tokyo. Today is the day for resting, relaxing, lazing, and do lots of nothing. Just that I do not believe in sleeping on a relaxing sunday afternoon, as I like to feel every moment of the lazy mood. I have just prepared a simple fruit salad, and have them with a nice cup of tea later. Perhaps a jog in the late evening..... These are just simple things that can keep me happy :)

Lost....Time to Find Your Way Out

I have been lost in my thoughts recently, over 2 issues: happenings at work and career search, and sad to say, it all relates to the W*** monster. Sometimes, things can be complicated if we think or analyse too much about the risk and benefits involved. It will confused the lifestyle. Perhaps, sometimes, we have thought too much and too far....which makes us lost in the deep jungle. Sometimes, in view of the excessive thinking, we may even been drawn to illusions, which I have been. The above can be detrimental to one's mind and body, and they should be curb immediately.

So, the most important thing is to wake up and go back to the basics. Life still goes on, and life can be lived in a simple & basic way. So this week, I have been lost, but I have decided to go back to the basics now and discard all those "silly monkey" thoughts.

Going back to the basics, is certainly one way to untie those unworthy complicated messages that keep popping in the mind. Yhew!

(Okie, it is saturday, and I will start this day beautifully now ...... )

Earthquake .....but stand firm!

There is an earthquake in Singapore today, about 7:15 pm, due to a bad earthquake from Indonesia. I felt it. Using the same analogy, I felt quakes from the office, when 2 of my new colleagues, 2 weeks and 3 weeks old respectively, resigned today, due to cultural differences. Coincidentally, this afternoon, during a job interview, an interviewer asked, why do I move so often?

Things are really really moving very fast this decade, we moved as well... you never small know, for instance, an earthquake. There are many reasons for big movements or changes. I firmly tell myself that I do not need to account to anyone except myself. Even if there are external factors, I need to get myself to get the best out of it, protect my own interest, move on and NOT be affected by them.

Planning is only for myself, and if there is a change, I would need to change my plans fast. Panic in an earthquake is useless. Essentially an earthquake can change my physical position, but what's most important is, I am not emotionally affected by such changes. I cannot let outside factors affect me. So, I have to stay steady and cool :)

Release it .... when it is time

Sometimes, when one is too frustrated with circumstances in work, he tends to endure for the sake of money, security and other liabilities. Getting angry is fine sometimes, and tolerating is fine too. However, there is always a time, we need to release such emotions and the negative feelings, otherwise, it can impact our life negatively too.

I was asked to counsel a junior colleague today in view of her "underperformance". That's a difficult task as both of us are so new, and thus, I decided to encourage her to take up more challenges, without making her feeling bad on her own performance. While there may be instances that she poured out her frustrations and petty accusations, I advised her that it is time to leave behind her negativities and move forward. Essentially, blaming someone for old past events without looking forward will bring her nowhere. From counselling, I learnt too, and I am happy about it. (I am not sure about her acceptance on my theory and I don't care either) Essentially, releasing of negativities and moving on, is something that I also have now got to remind myself :) If we do not release, we will never grow.....

For once, I really have to disagree with my favorite character, Peter Pan.....

Sundays ? 土曜日 ?

The past saturday was undoubtedly beautiful, while it is much harder to sustain an equally good sunday, for many reasons including "signs that the nice weekend is coming an end soon", "no late nights", "w*** monster crawling back". However, I know it is all up to me, i.e., how I programme my own thoughts and my determination to make it a nice Sunday, otherwise, it would have gone to waste.

When it comes to programming of thoughts, apart from the usual "be positive" signal, it also has got to do with planning what to keep in your mind and what to do for the rest of the day. In my mind, I told myself, I am enjoyin this day, enjoy myself and only happy thoughts can harbour in my mind. As for what I want to do for the day, I intend to do some good cooking for my friends and catch my mindless dvds. But first, a heartily brunch is a definitely going to take place soon.

Let's all have a beautiful day, and make it as good as a Saturday!

Beautiful Saturday

I was always caught with work, work and still work during weekdays, be it office hours, or after office hours. Weekends must therefore be a time to put a halt to the w*** monster, and be the real ME!

Saturday always starts with breakfast with a close friend and housework follows next, and following, it will be anything relaxing and mindless, with some extent of simple, inner peace. It can be cooking for friends, visiting friends, have a casual swim, going downtown or watching mindless DVDs ... so long it re-charges the tired soul, and so long it is harmless "Sukoshi Nihonjin-cy" fun - in my own way :)

Looking back, I am happy to realise that I am really able to segregate saturdays from the rest of the week, it is a day, I can happily called my own. This may be an easy task for some, but I thought it took me quite a few years to master this skill of segregation. This is important to me especially considering my fluctuating emotions these years. It is a day that truly belongs to me and better still, I need not worry of working blues since the next day is also a none-working day.

Today, I will visit some friends who will cook for me, and I believe there will be a good chat thereafter. Anyway, whatever that is gonna happens later today, I knew Saturdays will always be the special day for me. Always, with no doubts.

(Saturday is also the best time to enjoy a good cup of tea)

As For One Day

Just when I thought yesterday was bad at work, and wondered, how would I be able to survive further? And I dreaded badly yesterday for today. Well, it turned out that it was still an interesting day today, and I actually enjoyed my work somehow, at least for those activities that went through today. So, the morale of today's story is, there are terrible days and when you expect it to be a long continuous drought, you realise that the extent of the terrible-ness varies every day, sometimes to a very minimal or none at all. Life has its surprises afterall.

The cafe interview was smooth, and I actually enjoyed it. At least, I knew the interview went well, thanks to tips from a good friend. Whether I would be selected is another story as my competitors could be more suitable to the job.

I got another piece of news that I was not selected for another position, but that's quite ok, as it was like my warm-up exercise, and it may not be a choiced one afterall. You win some and you lose some. Somethings losing can be winning, and you never know it, whether, it is indeed a blessing in disguise to lose this interview.

Tomorrow is another day, and today, I am happy to say that it is a good day, because I see intrinsic developments of myself and how I have made use of this day. So tomorrow is another story to come......

(So eventually, Belle did found her happiness with Beast)

Sukoshi Nihonjin Debut

It's my debut mail. Hopefully this can be a new start to everything. A new way of looking at things, a new way to enjoy things and a new part of my life.

I thought I have always subconciously like to be heard rather than to be listened, thanks to my close friends who have been pampering me. Life has been good to me, and I will in turn to make my life a good one! Perhaps I have been too negative, so now it is time to be a new self, a positive one :)

While I am not too sure about myself in the near future about my career, but I think what's most important is to make each day a fulfilling one..... like the heroine in 1リットルの涙。

Tomorrow is my interview with the next potential employer. The interesting thing is in a café. That should be a change for a long while. I hope to charm him and do my best!

I will keep all updated about the results! Wish me best of luck, folks.

Here’s some peaches to share.

(Actually, today is not a smooth day, but what the heck, it doesn’t deserve any mention here)