Saturday, August 26, 2006

Rare relaxing weekend



This is one of those rare relaxing weekends I have been craving for ages. No fuss about work, just spending quality time with myself and company of close friends. Jen, Shermay and I went to this Viennese Cafe (was featured in the papers today) last night and sampled typical Viennese food...Gulasch, schnitzel, knodel!

Sighs. Not going Japan the coming week. Travelling will only begin in End September.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

OHAYO!!!



Last minute news: I will be heading to JAPAN for work next week!!! I don't even know which city I'm going. But we'll see...

HPAIR DINNER

Attended the HPAIR dinner at the Ritz Calton Hotel. Sylvia Lim made an interesing speech, arousing much applause. Gotta keep this entry short...too much work recently. Shucks.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

HPAIR 2006







This years's HPAIR is held in Singapore. It was a good opportunity to meet up with old and new friends. Well, we were at the NUS Central Library Forum for the International Night. Followed after, we went to Da Paolo @ Rochester Park for some drinks and coffee...good place to chat and snooze.

One of my Comtemplative dronings again..


Recently, I feel as if I have no control of my life. I am fearful of what the future awaits me. Sleepless nights. Drowning in coffee. The uncertainty of life is daunting yet appealing. Gone are the days when things are pretty much pre-planned. You go to elementary school, receive an education and then go to college. After that, when you become responsible of your own life choices, that's where shit can happen or amazingly good shit can happen. Pretty much a gamble (better to be calculated gamble). Many times, I question my decisions or actions. There is a drawback being a Risk Consultant. You conjure too many life's possible risk scenarios. You weigh benefits and costs, you consider likelihood and impact of each life scenario...I have become risk adverse and perhaps, someone who thinks too much.

I wanna be carefree!!! heheh....Whisk me to the Bahamas, somewhere by the beach with a lovely cocktail where few possible life risk scenarios can happen.
1. Tsunami. Run!
2. A coconut dropping on your head.
3. Tattooed, bearded balding man who sweeps you off your feet (eee..hah)

Funny.

How about another scenario? Picture this:

You and I,
Years and years from now,
Cruising along some coastal highway with the top down,
Stereo blasting,
The winding whipping our hair.
Whatever we want to do,
We do it.
No agenda, no schedule,
Nobody else to worry about.
We travel the country,
Buying silly postcards,
Stopping at tiny roadside cafes in search
Of the world's best blueberry pie.
No Hurry.
No Rush.
Relaxing in the comfort of a lifetime of companionship.
You and I...
Lovers, friends, partners
on this road of life.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

A mad rush

Hah...just realised that it has been a long time since I wrote anything here. Life has been centering work recently. But I do go for the occasional coffees.

Time has passed quickly over the years. Innocent jolly conversations that I once had years back have evolved to serious domesticated topics. At my age, 25 turning 26, almost three quarters of my peers are yakking about marriage plans, buying flats and furniture shopping. Topics which I can't really identify and at times, find boring. This discourse is strange as I seem to be a step lagging behind. I have no idea why everyone is in a rush to cross the next phase. Even my parents are cajoling me to settle down soon. Is this the Asian mentality?

Anyhow, I have friends visiting Singapore in the coming week. Gotta be a local guide again! Hehe....

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Typhoon Mania

The day I arrived, I was welcomed with a typhoon. But it was a blessing in disguise as I did not have to report for work the next day...hah.

Until now, I have not stepped out of my hotel. Just in and out of my room and the hotel's departmental store for meals. Curious and igorant me spent much time last night peering out of my window. It was an incredulous sight as you can see the dancing of rain, vigorous swaying of trees, overturning of umbrellas..and hear the constant howling of winds. But I shall venture out tonight. Gotta buy a telephone card...

But right now, think I'll head for the gym and then some local Taiwanese delicacy!!! Lalala.....

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Back to Kaohsiung

Packing bags and heading to Kaohsiung again.....fortunately, it's only for a week.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Prawns Galore!







Brought Natalie prawning....BBQed our live prawns on the spot! Yum! Please...no animal activists..

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Natalie is finally back!



Natalie has been a good friend of mine since secondary school. After college, she migrated to the US. The last time I met her was in 2002, when I visited her in San Diego....

It's 2006 now. And she's back for a holiday!! I'm trying to catch up with her as much as I can before I leave for Kaohsiung again. Met up for dinner and coffee the other day with the other gals.....

Friday, July 14, 2006

Gotta learn the Taiwanese way.

The past two weeks have been memorable. I have much to complain..the humid weather, the bureaucratic structure of the companies, the trashy news, irrationality in the colourful politics, the polluted air, the playing of mid eighties hokkien songs in taxis, but one thing I wanna highlight is its uncertain future...The competing claims over the future of Taiwan have made and continue to make Taiwan's political status a contentious issue. From the eyes of the KMT, unification with the PRC for the foreseeable future is unacceptable to its members and the public.

In accordance with the one china policy, China requires that all countries conduct its diplomatic relations with no recognition to Taiwan. Thus, Taiwan "bribes its way" to be recognised amongst 25 states, mostly weak, neglected countries in Africa and Central America.

In my opinion, there will come a time where Taiwan has no choice but to accede and ride the ascending dragon, given its current fragile political and economic situation. Thus, I think it's wise if Taiwan consider renunifying China when it still has bargaining power....

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Culture Shock

I just had my lunch and am back in the Kaohsiung office. Surrounding me are five taiwanese colleagues taking their short afternoon naps. Very weird. One is slumped on the sofa while the other four are snoozing away with their heads on the work desk. How weird is that?!?! And here I am, the only "foreigner" working...really hush...Can hear the tapping of my keyboard as I am writing this entry.

I head to the toilet and I am in a sea of darkness. Everyone is sleeping!!! Feels like I am in a twilight zone. Very weird.

Why wasn't I enlightened on such a culture norm?

Sunday, July 02, 2006

5 more days before going home!


And I am missing friends and family already!

Sunday Hot Pot Lunch




There are plenty of soups to choose from: Sweet and sour, curry, tomato, FRUIT(!!), and mixed vegetable. If there is any comfort working in Taiwan, it has to be the food!

National Beer


Wanted to try their local beer...it accompanied me during the England- Portugal match.

Soccer fever in a random park



My bored self chanced upon a small park in the midst of the city. Not very central park like...heh.

Harajuku Fashion


I asked the hotel concierge to recommend me some nice shopping places...and he introduced this area (very similar to Harajuku). Quite a compliment that he thinks I am still youthful!!!

Lil glimpses of Kaohsiung


Hello Kitty anyone?



There are a couple of rooms in this hotel that caters for Hello Kitty enthusiasts, with overtly pink wall-papers, hello kitty pillows and other little furnishings that spell the saccharine character. It can be overly "to the top", something which I don't think I can appreciate. Fortunately, I am staying in a "normal room". But Juliet, you'll live your fantasy when you come.