Musicovery...

A workmate sent me to this link for an interactive web radio.

I have never heard of a RnB song - French style before.

But on this site i am currently listening to the rnb songs and amongst Mariah, En Vogue, TLC, Alicia, Destiny's Child, etc...there is a song listed as "Matt - Petite Fille".

I quite like it! Even though, it does sound a tad cheesy...but since i dont quite understand all the words...its good for now!!!

*LoL*

And it was only an hour ago when i told K that i wanted to go to a book store during lunch to pick up a "Learn French Conversation in 2 weeks" type of a book so that i could learn/refresh French 101 during my 2 week embargo at work during the Xmas/NY break.

***

I was like 27 minutes late waking up this morning. But i managed to still get into work only 15 minutes later than i normally would walk through the door.

Being only that little bit late means i see different people at the trainstation. I saw this couple sitting on the bench. The guy is uber cute. The ultimate type of guy i would be very interested in. The girl is a complete hottie. I can only assume that they are a couple.

The guy after a couple of moments, opens his backpack and presents the girl with a gift. It was something in a lush oriental inspired metallic-beige gift bag with some cherry blossom print on the outside.

I would have personally gushed about the gift bag alone before i realised there was a gift!!! *LoL* But when this girl received the gift bag, she looked as though she was yet given another token from someone in her fanclub...very bored...uninterested...i dont think she even muscled a smile of gratitude.

Yes, i stared...why wouldnt i? I finally found a guy i could perve on, in like yonks...who lives locally...and the gift bag was really nice and i wanted to see what the gift was...but the girl didnt even bother to take it out of the bag. She took a quick peek into the bag and just put the whole gift bag into another bigger bag she was carrying. She didnt smile, nor gush, she didnt give him a hug, nor did she bother to give him a quick peck on the cheek.

I'm shocked by the fact that she was so ungrateful...are you?

***

I have been having vivid weird dreams.

I would wake somewhere between 3-4AM after my body feels like its overheated. And when i try to go back to sleep after kicking all of my blanket off, thats when i dream. These dreams that occur now after going back to sleep, i happen to remember.

The last time i had this type of thing happen, i dreamt my brother and his ex broke up. And yes, it happened, but i didnt know and no one told me that they had broken up. It felt very deja vu-ish. It felt like i was psychic...but i'm not.

Thursday morning...4:30AM...i woke up with a start feeling overheated. Kicked off my blanket, as per usual. Then proceeded to go back to sleep. It was a bit of a struggle, but when i finally did, i started dreaming about a colleague and how she snapped at me.

I actually remember it down to the finer details. She told me to fix up a column in the billing, but that column is a "Comments" column and all the person who was using my spreadsheet had to do was expand the column width to see all the details. But she wanted me to wrap the text or change the whole spreadsheet. Which quite frankly, i think is a dumb thing to ask, but the spreadsheet has many lines of details, expanding it that way, would make it bigger than it is.

So, i calmly ask her what the "Comments" column was required for, to ascertain what the comments i put in there will be used for, as it really is only for my eyes and my managers. Not hers or the other person who is doing the work for her team.

She goes ballistic and very defensive, when i was only asking her a question.

So, i ask her to stop for a moment and take her into a meeting room to discuss this out of earshot of everyone on the floor.

She continues to rant and rave, and i let her. But when she is done i tell her very professionally what i was asking her was very simple. I only wanted to know what the comments were going to be used for. Thats it.

She obviously was embarrassed by the fact that she ranted and raved before she understood what i was even asking.

I then proceeded to advise her as a friend - because in real life we are "friendlier" workmates, that her reaction would not be taken lightly if she had spoken to someone more senior. Just because her current manager thinks that it is an "okay" sort of behaviour (manager is the Devil wears Prada woman - who was made redundant by the way) does not mean any other manager will tolerate it as it is very unprofessional and presents her as a defensive and difficult employee.

That was dream one.

Dream two was actually of my lil brother again. And same deal as in a break up between him and his gf...But this time he was upset because his current gf had broken up with him because her parents didnt want her to see him anymore. The reason why they dont like him is because my family is not as rich as hers. (Obviously she is from a wealthy family).

She is Vietnamese and Vietnamese parents who have money are VERY BIG SNOBS. There are exceptions, but majority are...my Mum is Viet and she believes this to be heavily true in Vietnam and even when those Vietnamese who come to Australia, they dont change and hold on to their snobbery.

I told him to get over it. If a girl really loved you, she wouldnt care what her parents thought. Because she would know you and she isnt a snob like them, she would accept you as you are.

But he was pretty cut up about her.

I havent had a chance to speak with him since the dream...like the last time. But i wouldnt be suprised if this dream was true. I forcast that sooner or later, they will break up. She isnt worth his time. I didnt like her the first time i met her. She just completely turned me off and i didnt even want to make a conversation with her, but then she didnt want to speak to me either...which is a stupid thing to do with your bf's sister who you just met and dont really know well.

Funny thing is, im easy to talk to...if you want to speak to me, i'll chat to you without reservations...but she just wasnt worth my time. Everything about her screamed "me! me! me!" and thats how it pretty much is about her.

Weird how when you get older you can read people so much better with ease. Well, its not weird, but im grateful that reading people is getting easier for me as i age.

My review...

I had my annual review today.

It went well - in terms of showing off my achievements, how much our clients love me, how much of an asset i am to our company, how much more i will be able to contribute next year.

What didnt go well was when i was asked whether our contractual payrise of 10% was enough?

It isnt for what i do and what i have achieved.

But i have been really relaxed about how much i get paid simply because i didnt have as much of a financial responsibility last year compared to this year. And the fact that my company has paid for all my certifications, the laptop, and mobile helped with my rationalisation of my remuneration last year.

Last year's review i told my manager what i wanted to achieve in 3 years time with the company and in terms of personal skills improvement and career progression.

I have basically fast tracked all items that were mentioned within a year.

I have basically surpassed my expectations as well as his.

Therefore, I believe i should be paid at least in the mid range of market value if not greater, but i will be happier if my base salary meets mid range. I currently sit on the lower echelon. Which means i am being paid below the average. And that was fine...but now that i am certified and have 3 years experience, i believe that i should be able to command more.

I have developed relationships with the clients that no monetary value can place. The clients dont want to lose me. They sort my schedule around amongst themselves so that whomever needs me can have a piece of my time. I dont have to raise a finger, it will all be done for me. I basically say yes or no to whether i want to work on which project.

In terms of revenue for our company, i basically have generated all of my own (worth) this year, soley due to my reputation at being the best and most well rounded in skills for what i do. (I am the only one in my team to know SAP).

And even though i have given my sales pitch in proving how invaluable an investment i am to the company, i feel iffy as to how much of a raise my company will offer. The 10% is guaranteed. Its contractual, and basically if you do your work and do it passable without hiccups - you get your 10%.

My manager said he would think about it.

I guess i will have to sit and wait to see what he comes back with.

Smart and Casual...

Since when did the attire "Smart Casual" refer to jeans and sneakers?

I have always been under the impression that "Smart Casual" really referred to what you would wear to work in a typical office environment. But for men who wore suits and ties daily, it really meant collared shirt, minus tie and jacket.

Our work function which is about to kick off in 1 hour time has been defined as "Smart Casual" and yet the whole floor that i work in has turned up in jeans and sneakers (jogger like, not designer like).

Only a few managers who had meetings with clients have worn shirts and dress pants. They have proceeded to take off their ties.

I'm not fazed about what i am wearing. I wore a wrap dress and i look like a person who actually had work to do.

What i am fazed about is how laxed the people i work with are. If they were invited to another event, like a birthday, or an engagement party, etc...would they have also worn scruffy jeans and sneakers thinking what would normally be defined as "casual" was "smart casual"???

What they are wearing today is normally reserved for "Casual Friday's"...its never been referred to as "Smart Casual Friday's" has it???

Is this occurrance just in Australia?

Am i wrong to think that "Smart Casual" should be more than jeans and sneakers?

Calm...cool...relaxed...

I am really surprised that everything has come together for me this year.

I am blessed.

I am very lucky, actually.

I am also uttery grateful for the events that have occurred this year as they have unfolded, when they have unfolded.

If he didnt break my heart when he did, i would not have decided definitively that i was going to explore Europe on my own.

Making the decision to go to Europe forced me to save more this year.

Then the opportunity to buy the house came up and with the help of the government, as a first home buyer, things just came together. It was a struggle at the time and being a single buyer it was somewhat tricky.

But since the home has been settled and the fact that i recently paid for my trip in full...things have gone quiet.

Not at all bad.

My finances are in order. I'm going to allow myself to splurge a little this month...it is Christmas after all...but i will start saving again next year...its always smarter to have a little tucked away for a rainy day...and i am thinking about taking mum to SG and KL for Christmas in 2007 after my Europe trip.

Life is good at the moment. I spend more time with "the girls" (my nieces), as well as the girls (friends)...and all the guys. I spend more time at home. I actually want to be at home - relaxing. And i do things on my own - who better to spend time with? I mean, i have to live in this body for the rest of my life.

I am happy. Actually content. I am at ease.

Life can always be improved...but i really dont have the right to complain at this point in time!

So, im just going to party, party, party.

*^_^*

Feeling like it was 2001...

I've just spent all this time reviewing a major Business Case and in it are descriptions of network designs, which applications are being migrated, what kind of solution will be implemented in the coding...

Thats only as far as i got.

I also spent 3/4 of the time doing searches online to review all the things i dont remember from the Networking course i did back in Uni. Especially the easy stuff like the 7 layers of the OSI model...quite frankly, i dont recall much of it...i remembered that there were 7 layers and thats about it.

But when i started reading it again, i felt like i was brought back to the lecture theatre listening to Tony "Something" who was this spaced out hippy-like lecturer, but who was way cool and a really understanding person.

Reading the Business Case further, going through the steps of these migrations it hits me!

I'm doing a project like the one i did for my 3rd year final major group project. Something of that scale. I started thinking about how i would code these functions in the program.

*hold up*

Like, wtf? Why am i thinking about programming?

The beauty of all of this...is that i dont have to touch the programming at all!

*phew*

I just need to make sure someone else who knows what they are doing, complete their tasks so that they next person can do their bit...and that the whole project flows as smoothly as possible!!!

*sigh*

My weekend...

*Updated at 11:30AM*

I chopped off 3 inches of my hair on Saturday. About time really. It was getting too long. The fact that i could feel it skimming my lower back while i was sitting down was an indication that it was getting too long. My hairdresser also "texturised" my locks and therefore culled half of its thickness, once again.

The wedding was less tacky than i was anticipating - simply because it was at an Asian seafood restaurant, not because of the couple. But since it is a new restaurant, the decor and the food was pretty fresh and interesting.

The bride's mother made her dress and it was gorgeous. She also made the bridesmaids dress and they looked good too.

I got sat at a table with M & D, whom i affectionately call "Mey-vid" now.

There were some of the brides workmates (3), all caucasians who must have been shell shocked by the food that was on offer, as they didnt try much of it. On our table there were 3 other people and an empty seat. The 3 other people were one of the bridesmaid's sister, her sister's boyfriend, and her fiance.

The fiance actually recognised me from uni. Small world. I later learned more specifically how i knew him from uni...i asked him what year he finished and figured (guessed) that he knew one of my close girlfriends from uni.

Since we had this connection through friends, and he was stuck at a wedding where he didnt know many people, you would think it was natural for him to make conversation with someone he sort of knew by association - moi.

But why is, that if a guy (who is taken) and is talking to a single girl at a wedding, that it is automatically assumed that the single girl is trying to crack on to him???

We are not all desperate women.

And why is it naturally assumed that I AM SINGLE??? Even though i am single, i am not a butt ugly person...i dont think i come off as desperate (i dont feel like i am) and i wasnt even flirting with him. There was a metre gap between us!!! It wasnt like we were sitting next to one another and we were rubbing shoulders!

Why cant they just assume that "my bf" wasnt invited because the bride/groom didnt know about him, or dont know him well enough, or he is away on a business trip...holiday...has another wedding to attend - i mean it is the season!!!

Instead of giving me the benefit of the doubt, his fiancee acted as though i was a predator trying to capture her man. So, she never said hello to me...never gave me a smile, or even a half smile...she didnt make eye contact or try to speak to me at all...quite frankly, even at the end of the night she was still acting like the ice queen from hell.

Meanwhile, all her fiance and i were talking about was her! Thats after the initial discussion around the table about everyone's occupation. We talked about how he met her, how he proposed to her, her favourite song that was being played by the band that night and therefore he should try and find her to dance with her, their current wedding plans: Western style or Traditional Asian style? We talked about how he proposed to her...one knee? M asked if it was a surprise?

And see, thats another thing. He was talking to M too. It wasnt just me all night - but if she was watching...she probably watched him while he spoke to me more often and anyway, since M was with D...M most probably wasnt seen as a threat.

If only she knew, she would feel like a fool for being a bitch to someone when it was all uncalled for. I dont need to say it, because i hope she wasnt worried about him being tempted by me, as there was no temptation to begin with and he absolutely loves her and cherishes her - she'd be a bigger pathetic fool for doubting him.

Overall, my evening was okay - but i was jipped of any wedding cake.

Out of the whole evening, their was a weird moment. Before the evening had progressed to the "Disco Phase" towards the end of the night, he told me that he hoped that i was successful in the future as a Project Manager and that i get everything i want in life - but then he knows that i will get to where i want to be and basically achieve everything i set out to achieve, because he sees it in me.

Now, normally i would just take this vote of confidence as something a close friend is saying to motivate me and make me feel better about myself. But coming from a person that i only just got re-acquainted with by 6 degrees...not quite friends...whom i spent the evening making polite enquiries about his future missus...is pretty odd.

And he said it with a sure amount of conviction. Which leaves me baffled. Its not like what he has said has been keeping me awake and sleepless at night. But when i think back to it, i wonder what he really means by it? Does he know something that i dont know??? Was he just being the nice guy that he is???

He didnt have to say anything nice to me though. I could see a long lost friend wishing me all the best after having a quick catch up conversation - because i would. But i would give a long lost friend a short "well, i should get back. I hope everything goes well with 'insert what they are trying to achieve here', but i know that you dont need it..." sort of sweet sentiment. And my friends are often high achievers...so i know that they dont need me wishing them luck...but just for good measure, i say it!

The ice queen was by his side when he said "bye" and she didnt even look at me, let alone utter a "bye" as a reflex, because her partner said bye to me. So, i just smiled at her and said bye to him and her.

I like moments like that. It confirms that i am a better person than most people out there...well it confirms that i at least have better manners.

And its a worry that she is a doctor. Imagine if she thought her patient was trying to hit on her fiance??? *gasp*

* UPDATE: In my meeting at 9:30AM, my manager sprung on me that i will be getting involved in a PROJECT so that i can MANAGE some in the coming year.

I usually get involved in projects during the implementation phases. So, now he is involving me right from the start, so that i can get my hands dirty.

Joy.

I'm a day late with this, but anyhoo...

I thought about it tonight, I’m lucky to be alive
I never thought these city lights would ever shine so bright
Floating on the surface, threatened to be dragged down
I thought I was lost forever, it turns out I’m alright


Sweetest November, winter wasn’t here forever

Time to rest your weary head in the sun
Sweetest November, the world’s renewed its colour
Only just in time to welcome summer

I thought about you tonight, I’m lucky that you’re alive
Even in these uncertain times, you’ll make it through the night
You were floating on the surface, threatened to be dragged down
I thought you were gone forever, it turns out you’ve been found

Sweetest November, winter wasn’t here forever
Time to rest your weary head in the sun
Sweetest November, the world’s renewed its splendour
Only just in time to welcome summer


Captured in this light, beauty will survive

Purified by fire you have made it to the sea

Sweetest November, winter wasn’t here forever
Time to rest your weary head in the sun
Sweetest November, the world’s renewed its colour
Only just in time to welcome summer

~Sarah Blasko

What do you believe in?

The protesters have come to the corner of Liverpool and George Street.

Its a sight to behold.

I am actually moved by the amount of people and the fact that they are standing up for what they believe in. I almost cried...but i stopped myself.

I have no right to cry. I'm not out there supporting them. I should be though, supporting all those who are opposed to the government reforms on Industrial Relations.

Thousands of people out there...its a statement.

Rapunzel is free...

I sat watching and listening to the bride and groom making their speeches and i had always known that the bride loved travelling, but then i realised that groom shared that love too.

He told everyone that he realised while in the jungle of the Amazon and the threat of some animal attacking or his boat capsizing, his life was complete because he was with her...so if he died, it wouldnt matter.

The bride has had many marriage proposals with guys im sure she loved.

Their wedding and that knowledge of the bride's past has made me realise that love is ageless.

It also made me realise that love comes to those with hearts that are open to it.

I have been walking around wounded for a very long time. My heart has been closed off and strapped with a clock, indicating that it will soon expire.

Tragic, i know.

With this moment of the light bulb going off in my head you would think that my perspective has changed. Not quite. But im getting there.

Was the wedding any fun? The bride and groom enjoyed themselves. I didnt. I was missing out on Kylie!!! The only thing that redeemed this wedding reception from bad to passable (from my perspective) was the fact that they had a cake done in the western way - thick white icing that you had to attack with a spoon a few times to break a piece off. I had two slices of cake!
^_^

Another wedding this weekend, but on Saturday instead. Yet, another seafood restaurant. I'm not quite a seafood fan. Oh well.

Oui, mon ami...

I paid for my tour this morning.
It is early, but thats how i managed over $700 in discounts and cheap airfares.

Everything is booked and ready, except the apartment in Paris...but that will be done shortly!

^_^



My friend will be working for my company next year after her holidays in Hong Kong and Thailand. Woohoo! Another friend joining to monopolise on the company!
;)


Party season is full steams ahead starting from Dec 6. Company (our client) relaunch...the Xmas party (client) on Dec 13 and then my own company's party on Dec 21.


I'm apparently too nice. The other day there was a man from a different company who went into the lift with all of our own staff. We were all getting off on either level 20-24. His company is on level 15. Everyone swiped there cards to let them up to their floors. His does not require a swipe card. I was the last person to swipe my card for my manager and another coordinator. He tried to press 15 for his floor but it didnt light up.

I swiped my card and pressed 24. Then i pressed 15 for him and asked him if that was where he wanted to go. He said yes and thank you. Level 15 is the first stop from the ground floor, so it was lucky that i managed to press it before we had passed it.

When everyone alighted out of the lift and there was only my manager and the other coordinator left. The manager said "I am such a b!tch. I would have left him to ride up the lift all the way to 24 and then let him make his way down to 15. You are too nice."

I dont think its overly nice. I think its just courteous to do so. hmm...


Today, as i was walking to meet with K, a little Korean boy walked up to me to ask if i was Korean? No. He then proceeded to ask me for $1. I sort of looked at him blankly, and then i asked him why he needed $1? He apparently lost his wallet or forgotten it. Its hard to understand a kid who doesnt speak fluent English and still has his accent. He needed it to catch the bus. Although he had a train ticket.

The thing is, he looked barely 12.

So, the sucker i am, i gave him the $1 and told him to go home...not in a harsh way, but in the big sister "you should go home before you can get into any trouble" sort of tone.

When i walked off, parting way with the kid, i wondered if i had done something wrong? It just all felt off. Not that parting with my $1 was such a big deal...I mean only less than 4 hours ago i had given up a big chunk of my savings for my trip to Europe.

But i was wondering if he looked sallow in the face because he had taken up smoking...or worse drugs...although he didnt look all that out of it...but i wondered if i was contributing to something bad, other than just helping a helpless kid?!

How weird is that? I try to do something good, only to find myself feeling as though i have committed a crime.
=(


Dinner and drinks with the girls tonight. Rest tomorrow. Wedding on Sunday...the day where i was suppose to go watch Kylie...*sigh*...

The things i wont tolerate...

From watching Dr Phil (or Oprah...cant remember now) on Friday when i was "working from home"...

There are a couple of things that i wont tolerate from a man:

(1) abuse &
(2) cheating

And that's that.


I watched The Prestige yesterday. Interesting. And i guessed the ending, but i wont praise the movie because it wasnt really fabulous. I'm getting a tad bored watching movies with more than a twist or two. It was just a good way to get out of the heat, although the cinemas we went to watch it in, their airconditioning was only intermittently working.

I also went to the Glebe Festival and i ate soo much...it was wonderful!!! I havent had a Gozleme in a very long while, so it was nice to get a spinach/fetta/mince one to chow down on. *YUM* Then i taste tested some olives and then we found an italian version of the Gozleme which was made with wholemeal spelt flat bread instead of white dough. We got one and shared that too. It was nice, but just not quite as good as the Gozleme. A healthy alternative, yes, but it didnt taste as great even though it was filled with proscuitto, rocket and boccocinni.

I proceeded to the cookie stand "Dragonfly Foods" and tried all their cookie flavours...i absolutely adored their chai and cinnamon heart cookie so i bought one and a chocolate one too. Its texture is not exactly firm and not exactly soft...i just really liked the fact that it was somewhere in the middle and to me it seems well balanced.

Prior to all this indulgence, my alterna-date and i went to the Travel Expo at the Convention Centre. It was held by Flight Centre and there were supposed to be good deals on the day. But i didnt find any for my tour. The discounts that they were offering were nothing special. My alterna-date didnt find anything special either, the deals they were offering him were the same price if he was purchasing the tickets online. So, we just roamed around grabbing freebie enviro bags. *LoL*

My travel agent already told me when i saw her on Saturday to go and get some quotes and bring her the cheapest i find and then she will reduce it by 7%. So, i went into Flight Centre today and asked the girl for a quote, showing her the cheap deal that i saw online advertising the Earlybird specials for land and air. They do price matching and try to offer the lowest prices...so i'll see what she emails me tomorrow morning as the final quote.

Its funny, she mentioned about the Travel Expo yesterday where they were offering 10% off travel insurance, and then proceeded to tell me that starting today they were offering 20% off the travel insurance...
O_o

I was feeling relieved that i didnt commit to any of the deals that were on offer yesterday, because it seems that if i just shop around at each travel agency that takes my fancy, i can score an even better deal compared to the expo. Its just a matter of shopping around. The expo was the lazy persons way out of having to shop around for the good deal.


My Europe trip is becoming a reality. I know which tour i will be attending, and which date it will actually commence on. I have also been looking at apartments in Paris, for the 4 additional days i will be spending there when i meet up with my alterna-date.

The place we are most keen on is situated in the 1st Arrdt. Its neighbourhood is described as: "In the prestigious district of Pyramides/Palais Royal with 2 steps of the Louvre and Opéra, between Place Vendôme and Grands Boulevards."

I'm soo excited!

We both figured that we would rather pay a bit more so we could be situated in a nice neighbourhood located within walking distances to the various places we want to visit, than live outside of the city and take public transport.

My mother thinks that i will fall in love and bring back a french man...i told her that i was going to be there with my alterna-date and therefore the opportunity wouldnt be there to actually meet someone. And i will only be in France for 6 days.

I think she has a fixation of having a eurasian grandchild.

My Real Age...

The run didnt happen last night.

And I was sooo psyched for it. I was buzzing in the morning. Loaded up with carbs for brekkie...by lunch i was raring to go.

But then i got an email from my friend who works at JP Morgan who is running the race too, and the email wasnt good news. They were proposing that the race be postponed, but they would update us at 3:30pm.

3:32pm and i checked the website.

The race has been postponed until Thursday 16 November, 2006. Due to the gusty wind and possibility of hail. It was decided with the Bureau and Centennial Park agreeing that it was not good condition for a run.

BUT look out the window today, and it is currently pouring down with rain.

I am no longer psyched. I am quite annoyed really. Very sleepy too.

If the rain stops, i might consider running...but i dont know...im also starting to get an itchy throat...the start of a cold/flu!
=P


On a higher note...

I watched ACA last night because it was after the news and there was something about "2 fat fellas" and how they decided to lose their beer guts after taking the test on realage.com.

So, i thought i would go on today and test it out.

The results have come in and im actually 17.1 today! 8.5 years younger than my birth age.

How cool is that?

I thought i would probably be about 24, maybe 23...you know, with all the exercise i do...I sooo did not expect to be 17.1 y/o.

Its pretty cool to be informed that you will be "really" 21y/o in three years time.

I wonder if this is why i feel as though i am not quite an adult yet? Because my "real" age isnt quite the same as my "birth" age?

hmm...

If you are bored, or if you ever wondered what your "real" age was...go to the website: www.realage.com and have a go. Its a free test and it may not be 100% accurate, but it gives you an indication at least.


So...lets see if the race will still be on this arvo and whether or not i will get psyched to run the race properly...

Winning a prize...

I rarely win anything...the last time i won something other than the Melbourne Cup was back in primary school where i entered a guessing competition, where you had to guess how many smarties were in a jar.

Which was really a fluke.

I have never won anything of significance since then...cos what i put into that guessing comp was only 20c and what i got out of it was like 300-400% profit.

Melbourne Cup...i usually break even.

My biggest win so far in my life has got to be the Kylie tickets.

I entered in a competition. I didnt expect anything to happen - as it usually doesnt. But then i got an email and was advised that i had won Kylie tickets.

I was really surprised. I was shocked. I dont win things!

The tickets are for Sunday 26th November, and i was going to take my mother as she was complaining that i have never taken her to anything like that...so i thought since she knew who Kylie was, she might enjoy it, in terms of concerts.

Ironic enough, we both cant go. She has to go to this wedding and i have to take her. Bloody.

So, i've asked around to see if my brother and sis-in-law want to go...and although my sis-in-law does, she has to wake up early on Monday, so she has said no. I've asked around and the people who do want to go said they would have gone with me. But since im not going, then what is the point in it? Some were just iffy about it as they werent big fans.

And then by sheer chance i mentioned it to my workmate, and she said yes before i could even ask if she wanted the tickets! And she offered to pay me for them!

So, i may not be going to Kylie, but i do have some cash for my tickets.

And since im paying for my Europe tour and airfares by the end of this month, i really do need the money! The tour price has been increased compared to this year by a few hundred dollars, which is why i am keen to pay for it during the early bird price slash. (Pay earlier, big discount).

My leave has been approved without a hassle. I just told my manager i wanted September 07 off. He jokingly asked me if i could bring a laptop and i said i would if i had internet access everywhere i went - so I can load up all my pictures while im over there! *LoL*

I will be meeting up with a friend in Paris and were going to stay in an apartment for a week. Looking online for an apartment has gotten me really excited. I dont particularly care about where, so long as it wont be a long trip to the airport when i leave, since my friend and i are parting in different directions. And there is a half-decent bathroom.

I feel nervous and yet really excited.

I hope my nerves calm down when i actually leave, like in 9 months from now.

Sheesh, sounds like im about to have a baby!
*LoL*

The run...

From the way i am getting excited about the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, you would assume that i am about to run a marathon...

From the way my friend talks about how he is going to pass out at the end of the race, you would assume that it is in fact longer than 5.6km.

But it is only 5.6km on flat ground.

I emailed him today and posed the question: "Who would have thought that you and i would be running a race?"

And honestly, no one would have guessed in their wildest dreams that he and i would be running tomorrow afternoon.

I have workmates who will be walking the race, but i have decided to run the whole length, if my lungs can handle it.

I havent managed to run from my office to Mrs Mac's Chair and back without stopping to walk 100m or 2...so im not sure if i can run the whole length of the race. But im getting really excited regardless!

My office to Mrs Mac's is roughly the same distance of the race, but where i run there are hilly parts - while the race will be flat. So, it should be easier, im hoping.

I really want to finish the race in under 40 minutes...thats the goal.

But regardless, i think it should all be done by 60 minutes...even the walkers.

Then its food and drinks in the marquee!
;)

this book...

K gave me this book to borrow because she said it had a really really wonderful amazing romantic ending. (Basically, its something she wants me to read so that she can gush to someone and someone will understand her when she gushes.)

She thinks its sooo good, in fact, that she made her fiance read the ending. And her sister!

I got the book on Monday and finished it last night.

Maybe she hyped it too much, but i suspect its just the cynic in me that has me disliking the ending.

To me, the whole book seems unrealistic, and it swings from extremes. Its set in Sydney. Maybe i just dont know the scene in which the characters in the book hover in. But the romantic aspect, i saw it coming a mile away, for that particular one.

It seems odd that someone can fall in love with another when they only meet based on chance (well you find out later that its been orchestrated to appear that way), and the pair only have half conversations. They never have a full conversation.

How can you fall in love with someone if the longest time you spent with them was in the process of rescuing a friend from being gang-banged by a bunch of wanna-be cowboys at a bush shin-dig???

The ending, is basically this...

Since the main character is from London, she came to Sydney to get away from her fiance who cheated on her with a pro...after a year working in Sydney and because she didnt think it would work with the one she supposedly "love", her visa ends and so she packs to go home.

At the airport she cries while in line to check-in...
"Fortunately I was so early for my flight there was no one there to see me, except for a kind man who materialised next to me at the counter and handed me a clean white cotton hanky."

And the kind man was...? You guessed it, the man she loves.

*awwwwww*

*pfft*

As if!

He then proceeds to tell her that he is coming to London too.

To be with her.

She asks him why is he coming to London too?

"Because I love you." He tells her.

*bleh*

And thats the ending. Romantic? Mushy? Gushy? Yeah, its all of that...and if i really believed in, i dont know, say love at first sight...then maybe i would be the one thinking that it was the most romantic, gorgeous, lovey thing on earth. But i dont.

Cheater, cheater pumpkin eater...

Its 7:45am and this toddler is walking out of my building, looking all grumpy while holding his dad's hand, heading towards childcare...well i assume, cos dad is wearing a suit, he is probably an E&Y employee, looking all serious and getting ready for work...far too early and far from looking ready for a play-date with his toddler.

This kid looked so cute and grumpy, i couldnt help but smile and chuckle to myself, thinking he mustn't have had enough sleep last night.

*LoL* his demise made my day - Thanks kid!

***

I was backing Pop Rock and Maybe Better yesterday. And since im a chicken who only bets $2 each way on 5 different horses (win & place). I obviously spent more than what i actually won on the return! I didnt want to bet on Delta Blues, because im working on a project called "Delta" and it gives me the sh!ts...and i think that horse won simply to add salt to the wound. Meanwhile the PM on that project backed the horse with the same namesake as his project and profitted very well.

***

After the festivities of the day (we lunched)...2 co-workers and i went to a pub and one of them was asking for advice. It seems this 'person' still has feelings for 'someone' they were with for 6 months, about 2 years ago. The 'person' is thinking about going to China to see the 'someone'. BUT the 'person' isnt sure they should now because of the feelings they have for said 'someone'.

I asked: "Do you still feel for the person? Or is it because you havent been with anyone else since them and you just want a partner?"

The 'person' isnt sure. And then it was revealed that the 'someone' had cheated on said 'person'. I told the 'person' that i wouldnt go there. I would never forgive a cheater. I dont care that it was "only once"...cheating is the ultimate betrayal in my books.

The 'someone' had cheated on the 'person' with someone of another gender.

Now that put a spanner in the works with my not forgiving a cheater...as i have never faced such a situation where it concerned bisexuals.

I then asked: "So the 'someone' cheated on you with a guy or girl? Because if it was an experimental thing...then that really changes things...hmm..."

It was opposite gender to the 'person'.

My advice to the 'person' is that they dont go to China during the festive season to see this 'someone' as they would be staying with the 'someone' and it would just confuse them even more. I mean, would you really be able to differentiate your emotions of wanting the 'someone' or just wanting a someone, while you are with them???

***

Yesterday afternoon got me thinking about how strongly i felt against cheaters.

Its the ultimate betrayal a partner can commit.

I would much rather a bf breaking up with me to explore whatever he felt uncertain about, than just committing the crime and when caught, beg for forgiveness.

The thing is, its more about the broken trust, than the act that is the real problem. And since i firmly believe in monogamy, if a guy wants more than one girl...he should really look for another girl who is happy to share him around town. I'm not interested!

Fortunately, i have never been cheated on, and im sorry for making it sound so one-sided...i know girls cheat on their boyfriends too...but as im talking from my perspective, it sounding like im bagging men but i dont mean to.

I had to re-evaluate whether i would forgive a guy for cheating on me with another guy because he was unsure of his sexuality. Ideally, i would rather him breaking up with me first before he started exploring...but i think i would be more inclined to forgive him on this account than any other "cheating". This would be an exception.

I am not saying that i will definitely forgive him...but i would be more understanding if it was this particular situation. And i think its the only situation that i would be understanding about.

***

I read a headline of an article in the Daily Telegraph on Monday, it read something like: "Muslim girl accused of murdering her mother."

Now, why is it that when something like this happens, and the person accused is of some minority-type religion or group, that it gets branded that way?

I am not Muslim. I do not know the contents of the article. I dont know the person accused. I am in no way condoning murdering one's mother.

What i am bringing up is simply the choice of words in headlines. Yes, i know journalists are trying to keep their jobs and by doing so they must choose words that would get the public interested and buying the papers.

BUT, wouldnt the headline of "Girl accused of murdering her mother" generate the same amount of interest? Without the added "Muslim"???

I mean, if i, for example was in a headline, would they write:

"Asian, non-practicing Buddhist-by-default girl...blah blah blah"...?

I am pretty sure there are other people who have been accused of something horrible and have been in headlines, but if they were say, Christian, you surely wouldnt see that in the headline. So, why would you write that the girl is Muslim?

To incite more anger in the public, especially with all the things going on in the predominantly Muslim part of the world???

To generate more propaganda??? I wouldnt be surprised.

It actually got me upset. I dont think its right to single people out as such. The dramatic effect would have been all the same without singling the girl out as Muslim...well i think.

*hmph*

Settled...

I just got a call @ 2:28pm.

Its an anticlimax, if you ask me...

I mean, im getting married to the bank for 30 years of my life...and all i get is a short phonecall to say that "Its settled. Everything has been done." from the clerk at my solicitor's office.

Where is the "Congratulations!"???

Where is my, i dunno...happy happy joy joy celebratory cheer?

I have been stressed out for a while now because of this.

Finding the right mortgage, engaging the solicitor...trying to get things done before the next interest rate hike was a shocker. My broker was stressing me...i guess he was a bit worried about failing me, as he is my brother's friend...and it seems he is scared of me. I'm not going to be pushed over when it comes to my money! He had to find out the hard way...

Although, i am completely appreciative of his help. And i would have been lost without his guidance...but just dont get me feeling iffy or even give me a whiff of a possibility that i will be ripped off. I wont take it and i will hunt you down until you fix it and guarantee that everything is hunky dory.

So, i didnt get a ring of any sort...no rock on my finger...but i am officially tied to the bank (as of however minutes ago) from when i received that call to say that the banks have exchanged cheques.

I am a home owner. eh.

Something in the air...

He surprised her with a day out to the beach for her birthday.

He packed a picnic too.

All set? Yes.

They got to the beach, he unpacked everything...she just knew she was going to enjoy her birthday this year...how could she not? The weather was just perfect and her boyfriend had packed a picnic...it was just sweet.

After lunch, he brought out his laptop.

He wanted to show her something.

He opened a powerpoint slide and she started to wonder what he was going to show her?

To her surprise (yet another) it was a slide with various photos of the two of them together on various trips, outings, dinners, etc. A romantic song was the soundtrack.

As the presentation neared the end, his palms started to perspire in anticipation.

The last slide was "the question"...

She just stared at him in disbelief and yet believing his intentions whole heartedly.

He brought out a little box and suprised her for the 3rd time that day.

It was gorgeous, solitaire, & BIG.

She said yes and couldnt stop smiling.

Two weeks down the track when i saw her, she was still smiling non-stop...

Love is beautiful, it brings me to tears.

***

I just read on a friend's blog...her bf of yonks had recently popped the question too. The two of them are so cute...

Either there is something in the air or its something in the water...but it seems everyone i know is either getting engaged or married...my parents have been invited to 8 weddings and thats only over Oct/Nov/Dec.

I'm going to one early Dec. K&H just had their engagement party.

I am getting a tad paranoid that im going to turn around one day and everyone is just going to come at me and ask me to their engagement party or wedding!

It feels a bit like the frenzy when all your friends had their 21st Birthday celebrations...now we are older, the next thing is marriage...and we have finally hit the 'appropriate' age to get hitched. So, all the couples who have been together for a while are finally getting married.

hehhehee...how bizarre is it?

I wonder if i should stop breathing...?

Fair Game?

If a guy you know has:

(a) Been your friend for over 5 years,
(b) Actually kept in touch with you throughout those 5+ years, albeit sporadic,
(c) Written a variation of a joke you sent to him and it was written just for you, or
(d) All of the above

My answer is D.

Does that mean he sort of likes me?

My friend with the ex problem has been communicating with me via email for a while now, with a couple of phone calls here and there. Nothing spectacular happens in our conversations, but its neither boring nor am i in a rush to get off the phone with him when he does call.

We use to crush on each other way back when and only found out when we were with our respective girlfriend/boyfriend at the time while in uni.

I didnt think about any possibilities with him...but he is actually quite thoughtful towards me, even when he was with his ex. And now...he is writing jokes for me.

I told a work mate and she told me to actively be a distraction for him, so he doesnt have to think about the ex. But im not sure if i want to be there and hint along the way, because i dont know how i feel and quite frankly...i think i would just complicate things for him even more. He is confused now about the ex situation...another girl in the picture would just make his head spin further.

But she thinks its okay, and that its fair game...he is currently single...and she thinks by the sounds of things, that he is keen. So, therefore i should go and distract him!

O_o

Err...*cough*...

And yet, what do i want? I think as a friend, he is great! I'm not sure about a bf. I'm still not sure if i want a bf right now.

*ugh*

You know, i'm not really sure if he is even interested in me...gee im so up myself...just jumping to conclusions!!!

I should really have kept this to myself...

On a higher note some female work mates have commented about how much they love my black tulip skirt and have told me that i have to strut down the hallway if i am walking in that direction, as they can see me when i go that way.

Streamline.

I can't imagine how some people can live complicated lives filled with lies.

I think i would die from the weight of it all on my shoulders. And we all know how i feel about weight on my shoulders...absolutely hate it...with a vengeance.

And you know, if you ask your bf/ex to give you time to think about things...to you know, straighten things out in your head about the two of you...but then you decide that you want to dump him...and then after a few months, when he is finally moving along...why the hell would you harass the poor guy and ask him to take you back?!?!?!?

I mean, how rude is that? My friend has finally gotten his head sorted out. But then lately his ex has asked him to take her back. Yes, he probably was wishing that this would happen some time when they first broke up...but now he learnt to accept that it wasnt going to happen. Yet, it does, and the guy is all screwed up again.

I told him to push back. And by that i mean, he should tell her to give him time to think about it. He gave it to her when she asked for it initially...if she really wants him back, then she can wait just like he did for her. Its only fair. And if she doesnt, well then we know where her heart really is - and thats not with him.

He wrote back after i offered that little bit of advice, telling me that i was "upfront". "Upfront" sounds very controversial to me, like im looking for a fight. I prefer the simpler, more diplomatic words like honest and frank.

He told me that i was a good friend to tell him like it is. And im thinking, umm...isnt that what any friend would say?

And then im thinking, maybe i gave such advice simply because i want to keep everything simple now.

I dont want things messy. I dont want to confuse anyone. So, although i try not to be blunt, i still try to be as honest as possible without hurting people's feeling. But i have noticed that i still have too many words in my sentences...i should start culling all the words i put in it and try to express things as precisely and succinct as possible.

I think im going to start an overhaul on my life.

Starting with my calendar. While i was bored during Winter...i am so busy now in Spring and the coming Summer. I sort of prefer minimising my weekend to only one night out. That is either a Friday night or a Saturday night or a Sunday night. I cant manage 2 late nights. My body needs a bloody week to catch up and then it gets hit again the following weekend! Sunday for recovery is no longer enough.

I am not comparing my life to anyone else...im just saying that i cant deal with mine so im making the changes i need to make. Mean while, i dont know how L&E manage their lives. They have late nights during the week as well as the weekend and they are book solid until next year.

Next i need to get my money back in order. Once the house is settled, i can then pay off the bills i need to and then work out my new budget. Its currently a nightmare. And since its my money, i dont like the fact that things are not in order.

Then i will work on my sentences and how i express things. I am going to try and explain things in as little sentences i can. Once i get that down pat, i will start reducing the amount of words used in the sentence. And the trick is to not lose the meaning while doing so.

I guess that means my blog posts will be significantly shorter...

I will also try to prevent any repetition in the body of what i am writing. I tend to do that...paraphrase or reiterating something already mentioned.
=T

Hmm...i think i need to cut out the amount of sugar im having...my blood sugar level is peaking sporadically and i am currently feeling tired at 8:50am, while i was alert only 30 minutes ago. Another thing to streamline i guess...my bloody diet, yet again. Although, my tiredness today could simply be the fact that i went to bed at 10pm and then woke at 3am but couldnt get back to sleep until 4:30am and had to wake up at 5:30am...that explains today...but not the past 3 days where i have been schlepping my carcass around work.

I also need to file all my documents that are just sitting on my desk at work. They are stacked neatly, but in no particular order and its becoming a bad habit to just ditch my paperwork mixing different projects together like that!

Whats become of me???