karma

Speaking of stepping into rivers, I kicked some hunky dude during my swim session this evening!

I did a 'Jen Lisheng'! I will never forget how while I was in ACJC (1st 3 months), Jen accidentally kicked me underwater during a PE swimming lesson. And mind you, Jen was (and probably is) liken to juggernaut or the incredible hulk! Although it wasn't particularly painful, it came as a shock... and I thought the whole episode was pretty amusing! Great AC memories.

Well anyway this evening when I got to the pool at FF Fusionopolis and realized that there was to be 10 people sardined in a 5-lane X 25m pool, memories of Jen and I at the pool were brought to mind. And lo and behold, it happened! This guy was swimming behind me and my leg somehow landed on something soft and malleable, I hope it wasn't his face I kicked. Super super takglam! I had to apologize.

Today was an intense day at work! But I pampered myself with a sumptuous lunch (with the colleagues) at Garibaldi! Too frivolous! tsk tsk tsk

You Cannot Step Into the Same River Twice

When Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher proclaimed the above, he was referring to a literal river whose everflowing stream meant that none of the water molecules are there from the moment when you first stepped into it. Like the swift passage of time and the experiences of life, moments that have passed can never be retrieved, and a person's experiences can never be similar to another experience - should this philosophy be applied. In retrospect, there are many fortuitous 'moments' I would like to re-experience, some of which have been transformed into (permanent) motifs in my mind; otherwise known as memory. In my attempts to re-experience these 'moments', I somehow knew I would be disappointed, and I have been. These days, I do not even attempt to step into the same river twice.

One of the best weekends ever!

Cheap thrill for you perhaps, but I did not touch a single drop of alcohol all weekend (inclusive of Friday)! I spent the large part of Saturday and Sunday at the Fusionopolis Fitness First working out, taking multiple dips in the pool, sunbathing and ogling at hot bodies. I could do this every day.

I fixed an impromptu meeting with Dennis on Saturday night as well. After a drink at holland, we rode off in his red flashy integra to the Marina Barrage for some cool breeze. On the car: it's super ah beng, comes fitted with techno music even (thanks to LeeSH and Jackson) - he calls himself a 'Korean Ah Beng', how apt.

I stepped into Orchard ION for the first time today and I must say I am really pleased with this new addition to the streets of Orchard Road. That mall is packed with retail stores from practically every high street brand. The higher the level, the more atas the brand. Cheapo shops are all the way at the bottom - strategically located adjacent to the MRT entrance, for public transport users! I've also observed that the "Lady Gaga fashion style" is taking lead. And I thought I could stake my claim on individuality with my typically jarring colour matches and eclectic star-studded accessories. Anti-climax.

Friday, I'm in love?

Not quite.

Spent an entire day sitting through a planning workshop, with the formidable task of charting out plans for Singapore's tourism landscape in the years ahead! Brain Freeze. More work for Lorraine in the months ahead.

I'm spending my Friday evening at home - like TOTALLY 100 percent at home. This feels surreal, but I plan to wake up early tomorrow morning and spend the entire day at the FFgym @ fusionopolis. Bi-polarism kicking in. Parents are out PRAWNING (wtf is that?), brother is probably strumming his guitar somewhere out there, and I'm home alone with my maid and dog.

Agenda for the evening - read my novel, learn how to play at least 5 new casino games.

Lorraine & Daryl Lai - Falling Slowly

My brother and I enjoy jamming at home A LOT. This is a snapshot of something we recorded this evening. Please pardon the not-very-well-tuned guitar and some glitches. This was a first cut and probably our very first recorded video! Music is my first love :)



Oh and by the way, I'm the one playing the piano and my bro is strumming the guitar.

Love me if you dare!

I was reminded of Helen Fisher's presentation on my fave website TED on 'The Brain in Love' and in my google search for more materials of her work, I came across this personality test which would analyze your traits and then suggest compatible partner types. The test works on the somewhat-similar premise of the DISC test. The results turned out to be pretty accurate and interesting!

Here are my results:

Your major personality type = Director
Your minor personality type = Explorer

You are a DIRECTOR/explorer. You are courageous; and you seek challenges. You are a tough-minded, independent and daring thinker who likes to explore ideas or problems thoroughly. You focus easily. And you are persistent, systematic and competent in pursuing your interests and goals.

You are also assertive; and you enjoy the opportunities your hard work wins.

You have a lot of energy. You think quickly, make decisions more easily than most, dislike unnecessary rules, and take a rational approach to people, issues and ideas. You don't often enjoy "small talk."

You are generally not interested in pleasing boring people and you gravitate to men and women who are intellectually exciting and get to their point quickly during conversations.

You are not conventional in most of your attitudes and values. You tend to be irreverent and pragmatic and you like spontaneous people. You can be an exciting, yet hard driving and exacting, friend and companion.

APPARENTLY, I should match with 'Negotiators' or the next best would be fellow 'Directors'. (Below: click to enlarge)

The most amazing part of the test result is this section on 'Dating tips for Directors'. I will not flash it out here for 'security reasons' - but I can so see the violent head-shakes (or nods in agreement) and "TSK TSK TSK" coming forth from close friends and exes.

In a separate article where the personality test was being featured and reviewed, they had this to say of the Director/Negotiator match:

Unlike Builders and Explorers who are often attracted to people of their own type, Directors and Negotiators are often drawn to each other. They compliment each other as Negotiators see the big picture while Directors focus on smaller pieces of the puzzle. Negotiators are skilled at seeing all angles without taking action and Directors are decisive yet don’t often analyze ancillary data. The two types are also compatible socially. Negotiators are good at smoothing over Directors’ inappropriate comments and Directors admire the diplomatic nature of Negotiators.

Aye... how true. Ok all the Negotiators in the house put your hands up!

The space in between

As unusual as this may sound, I've taken to splurging on gym membership (as opposed to alcohol + late wasted nights). I signed up with Fitness First just a week ago and since then I've been hitting the gym almost every other day. My plan is to have workouts at Paragon FF 3 times a week (slated for Monday, Wednesday/Thursday and Saturday) and swim at Fusionopolis FF on Sundays. So far, I've been on track!

Gym sessions have also become slightly more interesting now that I realized many colleagues of mine actually have memberships at FF too! Going for Bodypump class with 2 colleagues on Monday turned out to be one of my most memorable gym workout sessions ever! We now even have plans to attend classes together on a more regular basis, gather STB FF members and leave office for gym together. This is ironic given that STB has a gym on the second level, completely FOC for our use!

I feel like my entire being is in transition these days. I am quite literally, in a state of liminality. I have just switched portfolio from one that's fast-paced and arty-farty (Marketing) to a portfolio that's drastically different at the Integrated Resorts + Cruise division. Of course, I cannot go into the specifics. But truth be told, I'm bloody excited (in a positive way).

Just a little something I left for keepsake with my ex-department:

Yours truly posed as cover girl for the quarter 3 brochure! Pick a copy today!

I miss my baby

I miss my Singapore GP Season website (www.visitsingapore.com/sgpseason) - my baby for the past 3 months. I have been working on it diligently + other digital plans for the Season. Yes, I miss you.

Take part in this submit-your-video contest!

A twist of events

Kenneth suggested I called together some folks for board games. So I drafted a SMS and blasted it off to the usual few. Weiming replied to say that he was at Kranji with Adrian (whom I also called), Shiqin and Nat. They were about to head off to JB soon, and he asked if I wanted to come along. I agreed, dressed up and charged off to Kranji in 30 mins. And there we were, the five of us - off to Johor Bahru at 6pm in the evening.

Returning to Holiday Plaza for the first time in possibly 10 years was pretty surreal. The place hasn't changed much, but I'll never forget how it used to be flooded with Singaporeans over the weekends. It was way quieter today. Under Nat's cosmetic tutelage, I purchased 3 liquid eyeliners!

Then we had yummy seafood at Beijing Lou where we ordered 3 crabs, cereal prawns, sea cucumber - I am well-filled! What I thought would be another lazy Sunday evening turned out to be pretty exciting! I should have to rest now for my new stint at the new division tomorrow!

In Transition

It's been a year since I first started work, and I'm thankful for the year that has passed. I've had my stints in Healthcare Services, Service Quality, Destination Marketing... and now I'm moving on to my permanent posting at the Integrated Resorts Division + Cruise Development. Exciting times ahead!

I spent some time with the colleagues last night and there we were enjoying our Friday night just like the good old times. We checked out Night Festival at the museum, proceeded to Players and had pretty much, a lot of fun playing beer pong, darts, cards and everything else. How I miss times like these with them!

Moving ahead, I foresee much more time spent at the gym (cos I just signed up for a membership at Fitness First!) and I hope... less partying. I feel like I'm moving out of that phase and I'm ready to embrace more ME time!

Mid-Year Review of my Resolutions

Time for a Mid-Year Review of the 'resolutions' I set for 2009. See my response in red below.

2009 New Year Resolutions

1) I will read the newspapers daily.
Not entirely successful, but my homepage (both home and work computers) is channelnewsasia.com and it sure helps to update me on the current news.

2) I will read the stash of recently-purchased-but-unread books that have been piling up.
Dismal progress. Some books I have read to greater detail, but not complete from start to end, especially the non-fiction books. Not doing too well with fiction. And to complicate matters, I have more books to add to this list - Love in the time of Cholera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Freedom from Fear Aung San Suu Kyi.

3) I will only be on the lookout for Mr Right, and strike Mr Right-Now off the radar.
Hahaha no comments - que sera sera.

4) I will keep a tight reign on my finances, giving due diligence to my inflow vs. outflow, and start engaging my broker.
For once I actually did engage my broker! But I attempted to buy gold a little too late. Lucky! But otherwise, I feel like I spend less now!? I definitely shop a lot less.

5) I will lead a more healthy lifestyle - club/drink/smoke a lot less, exercise regularly and eat more greens.
This has what inspired me to do this review. I have been clubbing and drinking way too much. This is unhealthy! I run maybe once a week? And it's not even on a regular basis. I feel I need to put an end to this. My tongue will touch alcohol no more than twice a week and I am signing up for pilates very soon. Let's do some sports together friends.

6) I will stop cabbing to work.
ABSOLUTELY NO PROGRESS.

On another note, I would like to keep to a more well-planned apointment schedule, planning meetings ahead of time and sticking to them.