Working on Work

I read yesterday that you're never as good or as bad as you think you are in your work. It's always a sine curve of ups and downs and you're usually somewhere in the middle. Unfortunately we don't always think like that and sometimes we're more emotional than we'd like to be.

I know I'm more emotional than I need to be.

So I've acted like quite the bimbo today. And then I also made a mistake that I wanted to slap myself for. Sure, it was tentative and not confirmed, but I should've prepared for it. But I didn't. So I can't wait to go to work tomorrow. So I can make it good.

It's easy to get frustrated but I think focus is the key. I just need to focus on the solution, on coming up with solutions, suggesting the solution, executing the solution. I used to find excuses or push the blame. But when it comes to work, if it doesn't work, you're supposed to make it work! Regardless! So no matter if the factors are internal or external, I've got to take it in my stride. I don't think any boss appreciates being told of the difficulties and problems and not having any solutions.

Thankfully nobody's pointing fingers yet. The easiest way to make a problem go away, is to solve it.

We Must Respect Tradition

Beginners

I like how the movie is constructed. Constantly flashing back and forth, showing parallels. Sometimes we never really change. Sometimes we're just products of our past experiences. There're patterns that we can never really escape. Maybe it's fate.

Once again Ewan McGregor stole the show. He chooses his projects wisely and it's a joy watching him on screen.

I like how the movie seemingly goes nowhere. It doesn't come up with a fixed premise right at the beginning. Instead it chooses to show a slice of life, real and raw experiences. It's not something that everyone can relate to, having a gay dad, dating an actress who can't stay in one place... but the storytelling was so artful, effective montages made of stills and a voice-over, contrasting generations but showing that life has pretty much the same stuff in-store for all of us.

It's the decisions we make that make the difference. And we continue learning.

Because: "In love, we are all beginners. I would shift that a little. In life, we are always beginners." (Weetz, 2011)

Fernvale Gardens School

Last Friday I was at Fernvale Gardens School for the intellectually disabled, doing CSR. It was organised by the teacher-in-charge, myself and two of my colleagues.

I used to think that CSR was more lip-service but I couldn't have been more wrong.

We spent about 2 weeks before preparing the games and getting prizes. When we went down and were given the chance to interact with the kids... it was amazing and it made everything worth it. Most importantly they had fun and really enjoyed themselves, which was something I didn't expect. My experience with kids in general is that they can be difficult, regardless, and very particular about what they like and what they don't.

I guess they had fun because the volunteers went out of their way to engage them. I thought that maybe for some it'd be their first time, and like me, maybe they'd be a bit apprehensive. But they were amazing - every bit as nurturing, helpful and fun-loving or more, than I expected them to be.

I enjoyed a great afternoon with them, my colleagues and the kids.

I realised what I wanted to see in myself and what makes me happy.

Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses is a good cheap thrill.

The three very likable main characters plot to kill their bosses. Thankfully they weren't douche bags or it'd fall into the rather overused, trashy, brocom category. Their bosses though... were more horrible than "horrible" could begin to describe. Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrell were so horrible that if they were my bosses I'd plot to kill them for real too.

Also, 2 of the leading actors are called "Jason".

It was funny, tight, and the coincidences were believable. It was clever at parts. I think I like it better than Bridesmaids. Slightly too much toilet humour in that one. Memorable, but still, toilet humour. Literally.

The most disturbing thing (or the best thing, depending on your point of view) is that Jennifer Aniston was reduced to a blown-up sex doll. They probably surveyed 100 of the world's horniest men and asked, "What is your ultimate Aniston fantasy?" This list, of course, includes her saying, "Slap me in the face with your ding-dong" and wearing a doctor's coat with no shirt, no bra. Also eating a banana like that.

Final verdict: Very watchable for a huge number of reasons. Every one can imagine having a boss they'd want to kill.

Not Malay Siol

"Haha, it's a full moon today! Time to watch some Teen Wolf!"

"Hahaha... Shouldn't you ask your lover out to gaze at the moon? And hope for Chang-e son to come down and talk to u? Chang-e got a jade rabbit or something lor."

"HAHA OH MY GOD. You are fucking funny."

"Sometimes I wonder if I am Malay."

"Everyday I wonder this."

"Idiot. You aren't supposed to agree with me please."

"BUT I DO."

Work-Life Balance

The cycle seems kind of endless. I start the day early. I hate waking up. I hate the travelling. The work's good, surprisingly! Many things in life are about choice and this is one of those things that it'd be wise to choose wisely. The last few hours pass quicker than I imagine and before I know it, I'm out of the office. Time is spent travelling. Most of the time I meet up with awesome friends. Other times I'm teaching tuition. Very rarely, I go straight home. In fact this has possibly only happened twice!

I think I'm in need of a lot of sleep. When I finally get back home I don't even feel like doing anything. Granted, maybe I've to chill a little on my social life. But I can't even find time to do much household chores, save ironing my clothes! I wish there were more hours in a day.

This Thursday marks 1 month of starting work. I hope to get into the groove of things and not only do well in my career, but outside of that as well!

Convocation Speech

Congratulations to our valedictorian, Trinetta, for giving us one of the best speeches in NTU history. Double congratulations, for getting us in the news and giving us a graduation that was the most talked about, by netizens and the mainstream media. 2 days of coverage!

Most importantly, a big thank you, for giving us an awesome memory and a mad story for us to tell and to look back on for years to come.

You used to be just the girl hiding at the benches on the third floor. Now, you're nothing short of legendary.