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The Long Awaited Update
2008-08-05 15:55:00
Image by SBA73It's been almost three months since I last blogged. Thanks to those who dropped me sweet caring messages to find out how I was doing, especially Richard. I am good now - emotionally raw but stabilised.So what has happened between my last blog and now? Thought I would give you guys a quick update:1) I have not lost any weight. The ballooning weight is making me depressed. I think I should start starving.2) I have just received a promotion. Before I was just managing marketing activities for the Singapore office, my portfolio has now been expanded to cover Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Greater China. That also means I get three direct reports now - which is fun! I love playing boss. :) 3) I am flying off to Bangkok tomorrow - but I doubt I have time to shop. My meeting schedule looks awfully tight. Might as well stay in the room...and read. Or I can go for a massage. Heard they are cheap and GOOD in Thailand.4) I will be flying off to Tokyo (AGAIN!) the week after m...
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Frank Lee Speaking
2008-05-28 16:35:00
FRANK LEE - MAY 28, 2008 Today I lost another friend. I don't even know how he died. Some said it was a disease. Whatever it was, it was too sudden.On May 12, 2008, Frank Lee added me as friend on Facebook. A couple of months before that, I bumped into him when I was out shopping. We chatted briefly - and I chirpily made one of those empty promises which now, I would never ever be able to fulfil. I said we should catch up for tea one of these days.I really like Frank. He's your Mr Nice Guy - patient, kind, softspoken and caring. He's a bit of a geek - but he's always very pleasant to hang out with.He was also my ex-colleague who had left the company barely a year ago. He is always smiling, always willing to help. He was such a bubbly and optimistic guy that we enjoyed teasing him. To us, he was "Frank Lee Speaking " (a pun on "frankly speaking"). Having worked with him for a while and interacted with him on a daily basis at work previously, his passing left me reeling with extrem...

ladies & gentlemen, this is my song
2008-04-21 09:38:00
Artwork by ~BlinnieI was surfing the world wide web when I came across this guy named Jerry Herman who wrote a song called "I Am What I Am". Sweet. His lyrics are pretty apt - and maybe I am bias, but it does speaks of how I feel and how I view my life. Unfortunately I do not know how it sounds like, and some parts seem a bit gay. But what the heck. Enjoy.I AM WHAT I AMI am what I am, I am my own special creationSo come take a look, give me the hook or the ovationIt's my world that I want to have a little pride inMy world and it's not a place I have to hide inLife's not worth a damn 'til you can say, hey worldI am what I amI am what I am, I don't want praise I don't want pityI bang my own drum, some think it's noise I think it's prettyAnd so what if I love each feather and each spangleWhy not try to see things from a different angleYour life is a sham 'til you can shout out loudI am what I amI am what I am and what I am needs no excusesI deal my own deck sometimes the ace, ...
More About: Song , Ladies , Gentlemen

10 Things Women Look For In A Man
2008-04-15 14:39:00
Artwork by *JacquiJaxIt was on the morning show on radio today. The DJ was listing the 10 things women look for in a man, which includes normal stuff such as: Is he generous? Is he bitter about his past relationships? Does he pay attention and listen to you, even when he is talking about himself?Is he engaging?Does he have a sense of humour?How is he compared to her ex?...and the list goes on.Funny how such "most wanted" lists are always very one sided. A guy I once dated commented how girls are always checking the boys off their incredibly long "laundry" list. The criteria for their ideal man often runs the length of an expressway, and scales the height of the world's tallest skyscraper. "So..." my date asked, "What do girls do to ensure that they are perfect in every way possible should their "ideal" guy come by one day?"He continued, "I mean to be fair, if a girl expects so much of a man, she must look at herself first and go through the same mental checklist of what she should ...
More About: Women , Things

my soccer jersey
2008-04-11 10:05:00
I must be really bored. I don't even watch the World Cup. The only thing I know about soccer is David Beckham, Michael Owen and Pele. So why the hell do I need a jersey?But I love the number 33 and I thought it would look really cool on a soccer jersey.Actually, what really got me all "excited" about this little boys' game was that I've been tasked to organise an inter-bank soccer tournament in May. The thought of 10 sweating men grunting and shoving each other on the field, trying to cajole a little black & white ball between the hairy legs of another grown man into a gaping net - is quite arresting indeed.So with that powerful image in my mind, I went about my day selecting trophies that will embellish their win, and reaffirm their mastery of The Ball & The Net.Then I tried to redesign the jersery, spending a brainless afternoon moving the tournament logo all over the shirt and trying to decide on the one perfect spot where it would look great, and not just "good". Yes,...
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it's been a long week
2008-04-05 19:20:00
..or rather a really long month.too much work. not enough sleep. brain dead. feeling a little lost. and i think age has something to do with the way i feel.physically and emotionally.getting fat. metabolic rate is declining faster than the US stock market. energy levels at all time low. water retention. feeling bloated.don't feel so good about myself. strange. I was never that self conscious. Somehow, people's remarks about how bad i look now are getting to me. I hate it and I am fighting it, but it's wearing me out.sometimes i wish people will leave me alone.
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People will always fail you...
2008-03-12 16:14:00
Artwork by ~DannyPhantomFreek ....and that's a fact.I am surrounded by quitters. It's so disheartening that I can't even bring myself to talk about it.I am not one to quit easily. I always believe that as long as we keep trying - things will work out the way we want it to. Having faith is so important - but I am slowly losing it. It's hard to cling on to faith when everyone seems to have no qualms hacking it away from you with their negativity and bitterness.Can't help feeling defeated. And sad. I have never felt this sad for a long time. And the feeling of sadness - feels like a disease that eats away at your heart, bit by bit, until it finally stops beating and begins to rot and fester.God am I tired.
More About: People

Elvinalogy 4.0
2008-02-28 14:55:00
Time for more insights on Yours Truly. Speaking about time....check this one out. Snitched it from Richard's blog.What Time of Day Are You?You are 10:02 a.m.You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy.You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking.You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes.I feel delicious already....Which Movie Superhero Are You?You're SupermanYou someti...

Failure
2008-02-27 14:18:00
Artwork by ~zurihI came across an article recently which asked these interesting questions:1. What would you do if you know that whatever you do, there will be absolutely no chance of failure?2. What kind of challenges/risk would you take on knowing that the element of judgement is removed?3. What is stopping you from pursuing this goal right now?The fear of failure, as you can see, is an overwhelming force. It paralyses you - and hinders you from reaching your potential. It stops you from reaching from your dream. Most of all, it compromises who you are - so that you left with "who you could have been".Now - they even have a name for this condition. Atychiphobia.Would the fear of failure lead to more failures? Because missed opportunities may not come by again. Because the consequences of not taking the leap of faith may outweigh whatever you are trying to save yourself from. Because you only live once.No one describes this state of mind better than Alexander Sergeievich Pushkin:I...
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memories of London
2008-01-29 17:06:00
As promised, here are the long awaited photos from my London trip. It's a really lovely place, and I would like to visit it again sometime. Haven't had that much time for sightseeing this time, which explains why I didn't take that many photos. :P Click to view more photos from my London trip!"The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express." ~ Francis Beacon, Sr.
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Time Filler
2008-01-25 13:25:00
Artwork by =andariaA girlfriend of mine asked me today: "What do you make of a guy who messages you every day, calls you up to chat every night, but never ask you out?""He's bored at that point in time, and is probably taking a break from whatever has been taking up his time before he called/messaged. In other words, I think you are his time filler." I rationalised.So how do you tell when you someone is taking you as his time filler? Here are some tell tale signs...1/ He calls you at his convenience - even it that means in the middle of the night.2/ He is more caught up with updating you about his life than asking about yours.3/ He hardly asks you out, but when he finally does, it's out of the blue when he's got nothing else on to distract him.4/ When he's with you, he's only got one thing on his mind and it starts with S and ends with X.5/ He wants you to understand when he is busy, but he kicks up a big fuss when you have no time for him.6/ He wants to know who else you are s...
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My Resolutions for 2008
2008-01-19 04:19:00
Artwork by ~MarendigellSomehow I find it easier to achieve the gruelling KPIs of my work, then my yearly personal resolutions. It's as though I have taken myself for granted.Fortunately for me, I am quite a goal-oriented person. Once I've set my mind on something, I will work towards gettting there. Maybe for personal goals, it will take me a while - but yeh, I will get there. :)And here are my resolutions for 2008 . Check back again with me at the end of the year - and we will do an audit of how far I would have come.1. Exercise regularly.I have been pretty sickly last year - and have been told by my numerous concerned friends that maybe I should get out into the sun more and move my lazy ass. Exercise helps improve blood circulation and sleep, boosts the immune system, and of course, keeps my ballooning weight in check.I don't seem to have a choice if I want to reduce the number of days I have been on sick leave. So I resolve to take NO medical leave this year! Big Fat Hairy Re...
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happy birthday to me
2008-01-10 04:38:00
Artwork by ~polawatone year olderone year none the wiserforget the candlesscrap the cakeless is more, remember?from girl to womanlike a flower blossomedwhat's innocencewhere I'm fromit's literally non-existentso it's another yearanother dayanother reminderoh, come what mayso much love todayi feel faintgreetings poured inlike summer rainwell my friendsthank you for everythinglife's been greatabsolutely divinealmost heavenlyso just for todayhappy birthdayto me
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christmas in London
2007-12-20 21:29:00
Yes - I am in London !I have been invited by my HQ to visit the London office - and meet up with my marketing counterparts. It was also a perfect opportunity for me to attend our company's Christmas party that's happening in about 30 minutes time. I am blogging from the members' area at the Natural History Museum - a gorgeous work of art - where the black tie event is being held.Here's a sneak peek of this awesome architecture and the lovely skating rink outside it.London is freezing cold right now - and the average temperature in the night time hovers between 0 to 2 degrees. But it's great fun and absolutely quaint - and the weather...mmm..it is a wonderful change from the hot and humid Singapore. Just last night, I took a stroll down Oxford Street with a cup of warm steamed milk in one hand, and shopping bags in the other.I will put up some more pictures when I am back. Meanwhile, for all my friends in Hotel Solace - Happy holidays and have a blessed Christmas.

I Am Not Going To Think About Her
2007-11-25 17:08:00
Break ups are hard - and I have seen different people cope in different ways. This guy however, has a really unique way of doing it. Extremely creative too. I totally dig the script.If you are going through a similar situation now, nurse your heart ache by watching this clip. Even if it can't heal you, I hope it would at least bring a smile to your face.However, if you are the one dying to get away, this dude gives you tips on How To Break Up With Your Girlfriend in 64 Easy Steps.I am beginning to think he may need a psychologist to untie all the knotted angst.For more of his wit, humor and cynicism, check out his webpage - Tales of Mere Existence.Quirky.
More About: Going , Goin

my world of warcraft
2007-11-18 08:14:00
Thought I would show you guys an example of what I do on World of Warcraft . The little gnome -Sheerlock - in pink ponytails is me - killing an elite dragon boss with nine other members from my guild, each with different special abilities and powers.Have fun viewing!
More About: World of Warcraft

the three questions
2007-11-15 04:17:00
Artwork by ~sora-koOnce upon a time, there was a king, who is quite a philosophical man. He had three burning questions on his mind, which he had no answers to. The three questions were:1. Who is the most important person in the world?2. What is the most important thing to do in the world?3. When is the most important time to do it?The questions were posed to his ministers, but none, including his wise sages, could give him the answers he was seeking. Feeling frustrated, the king decided to venture out of the palace and take a walk in town.As night began to close in, the king decided to put up at a little hut, situated on the outskirts of town. The hut was owned by a hospitable old man who lived alone.In the middle of the night, the king was awakened from his deep slumber by a loud commotion. Someone was banging hard at the door and shouting for help. The King got up just in time to see the old man opening the door. A young man came rushing in, his clothes torn and stained with bloo...
More About: Questions

enough is enough
2007-11-11 09:57:00
Artwork by ~RusRedwhy is it sowhen things go wrongthe burden to bear is always mineand when i've done rightyou, not meare the one who shinemaybe i am easymaybe i don't mindbut maybe, just maybeyou think i'd be finewhy does one thinkwhen friendship endsthey play no partin the tragedyand when pain sets init's all mewho caused the miserymaybe i am innocentmaybe i am nicemaybe, just maybei look like the bullying kindenough is enoughbetrayal is finitetake your cursesand beat itget the hell outta my lifeyour vile intentionsyour malicious liesenough is enoughgood riddanceand goodbye

i am back
2007-11-07 17:36:00
it's been a while, a long while. i guess the chaotic pace of my work and other distractions - didn't help either.i was also going through a writer's block. i stared for hours on this screen, trying to pen my thoughts but i couldn't.not too long ago, i typed in Blogger's URL, but i was blocked. couldn't figure out why. since i have nothing i wanted to update, i gave up trying to log in.then came one mail. then two. then a couple more.friends of this blog started writing me, asking me if i am ever going to blog again. people i don't know emailed me telling me how my blog has impacted them in ways i cannot understand. long lost readers messaged me to say they missed my posts. everywhere i turn, someone will remind me of Hotel Solace.and i have to say -- i am indeed very touched. i am sorry i have been gone for so long. i do want so much to touch lives again, and i hope i can still remember how to do it.i have retreated into a space that doesn't need me to feel that much -- and ...
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Got this in my email today...
2007-06-15 07:39:00
I should be feeling cheesed off, but on the contrary, i found it really amusing. Made me smile at least.... =)======================================= ===================================This was written by a guy... it's pretty damn smart. Girls -- Have a sense of humor!I never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.FOR EXAMPLE:One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed.Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says, "I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me."I said, "WHAT??!! What was that?!"So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear..."You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man."She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not ...
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a unique farewell note
2007-05-11 09:51:00
My marketing executive is leaving today. As his manager, I need to do the necessary note to the whole office to announce his departure. Wanting to avoid the run-of-the-mill type of thank you and goodbye letters, I decided to send a press release in the spirit of Marketing.Totally cracked everyone up. Here it is for your reading pleasure.XX MARKETING DIVISION SUFFERS RECORD LOSSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMAY 10, 2007The marketing division of XX suffered its greatest loss ever with the resignation of its Marketing Executive, Benjamin Tan Ande. Benjamin, 25, will be grazing on greener pastures over at leading global financial services provider ABC Bank to purse a high-flyer career in banking."I don?t know what to feel. As his manager, I am absolutely devastated to see him go, but as his friend, I am happy to know he?s scaling greater heights," said Rena Tan, XX?s marketing manager, tears streaming down her cheeks.Benjamin joined XX as a marketing executive in Nov 2006, and was responsible fo...
More About: Note , Unique , Ique , Farewell , Nique

sheerlock
2007-03-16 17:23:00
sheerlockjust want to update some of you that i am already a level 70 warlockin the World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade.And this is how cute i am.be afraid. be very afraid.
More About: Lock , Shee , Sheer

Men Are Just Happier People
2007-03-06 08:47:00
What do you expect from such simple creatures?Your last name stays put.The garage is all yours.Wedding plans take care of themselves.Chocolate is just another snack.You can be President.You can never get pregnant.You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. Hell, you can wear NO shirtto a water park.Car mechanics tell you the truth.The world is your urinal. You never haveto drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.Same work, more pay.Wrinkles add character.Wedding dress: $5000.00. Tux rental: $100.00.People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them.The occasional well-rendered belch is not only appreciated by your friends, but practically expected.New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.One mood all the time.Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat.You know stuff about tanks.A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase.You can open all your own jars...
More About: Men , Just , Pier , Happier

oxymoron?
2007-02-23 18:41:00
Artwork by~ditzWent to check out Singapore's midnight shopping campaign today, and saw this cute red baby tee with these words on it.I can resist anything but temptationThis actually stopped me in my tracks, and I couldn't help but wonder how the writer came up with this neat but extremely baffling quote.So simple but yet so complicated. Just like humans.
More About: Oxymoron

have an oinky new year
2007-02-17 03:06:00
it's chinese new year again. the time where many chinese families gather to usher in a new year, and the animal zodiac that trails along with it. 2007 is the year of the golden pig. for those who are not familiar with chinese cultures, there are 12 animals in the chinese zodiac. for the last 12 years, it has been the "golden" years. the year of the golden rat, the golden cow, the golden tiger etc. the piggy is the last animal in the chinese zodiac, and we have hence reached the last of this golden safari cycle, which only happens once every 50 years.today is chinese new year eve - where traditionally families, relatives, close friends will come together and have a great big feast which is termed endearingly - The Reunion Dinner. to me, it's a weird concept to reunite only once a year, especially if you don't bother to stay in touch for the rest of the 364 days, or for leap years - 365 days.but the chinese has this problem about culture. they no longer want to understand the reaso...
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happy v-day
2007-02-13 08:55:00
“There are more people who wish to be loved than there are who are willing to love.”
More About: Happy , V-Day

Je t'aime
2007-02-08 16:23:00
Artwork by ~runversailliesSometimes people amaze me with what they come up with. Maybe I am ignorant or plain naive. I thought gadgets are created primarily to improve one's life, make things better, faster, easier.Some jokers in this world obviously took this definition to a much higher level and gave us new toys that serve their intended purposes, in a kind of warped way.Fretting about what to get your man this Valentine's? Check this out.1. Gentleman's Ball ScratcherFor the days when your own hands are just not precise enough, the Gentleman's Ball Scratcher is in the shape of a delicate female hand, for those hard to reach places. The 9 inch handle provides excellent extra length to help get around difficult obstacles (beer bellies, old pizza, empty beer cans etc.) and provide the relief so many crave...This quality silverware utensil is dishwasher safe, and has a stain resistant surface.2. Face Arse Scented SoapNow that's an idea! You SHOULD really be using a separate soap ...

Guts & Balls
2007-02-02 04:39:00
Artwork by ~pupazzosoWe've all heard about people having guts or balls. But do you really know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed, the definition for each is listed below...GUTS - is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: "Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?"BALLS - is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the bum and having the balls to say: "You're next."I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions. Medically speaking, there is no difference in the outcome since both ultimately result in death.Real people. Real questions. Real answers. Share what you know.
More About: Balls , Ball

da gripe sheet
2007-01-19 12:57:00
I must say this is really funny. Stole it from Mindosara's blog - who stole it from someone else's - who possibly snitch it from another mouse and so on and so forth. There's absolutely no more integrity left in the blogging world.Anyway, have a good laugh. After every flight, Qantas pilots fill out a form, called a "gripe sheet," which tells mechanics about problems with the aircraft. The mechanics correct the problems, document their repairs on the form, then the pilots review the gripe sheets right before the next flight. Never let it be said that ground crews lack a sense of humor. Here are some of the actual maintenance complaints submitted by the Qantas' pilots (as marked with a P) and the solutions recorded (as marked with an S) by the maintenance engineers.By the way, it is relevant to note that Qantas is the only major airline in the world that has never, ever, had an accident!P: Left inside main tire almost needs replacement.S: Almost replaced left inside main tire.P:...
More About: Sheet , Grip , Gripe , Shee

10 Ways To Feel Good About Your Life
2007-01-19 11:58:00
Artwork by wojtarMany times in my life I come across people who are always finding fault with themselves, with their lives, with people around them and with the world at large. Happiness seems to elude them, and they may even feel guilty or undeserving if something good happens to them, simply because life hasn't been all that fair to them since they came into existence. You may laugh, but it's a real social problem. Not being a sexist here, but women tend to exhibit this fatalistic trait more than men. Maybe because we are emo creatures, or maybe throughout tradition, we have always been subconsciously reminded that we are the weaker sex, physically, emotionally, intellectually, psychologically and whatever-terms-they-can-come-up-with-ly.G ender aside, it is getting quite common to feel small and not-so-good about oneself in today's world. Intense competition, higher living of standards, dynamic environments and rapid changes in lifestyle and technology can give rise to an acute ...
More About: Life , Your , About , Good , Feel