A Little Bit Wiser

My blog is growing cobwebs. I have been completely consumed with work throughout the month of June and for July, it was a weekend-less month for me and another two colleagues from our department to attend a part-time intensive one-month course conducted by IAOP. I am still doing fine (or I rather believe so) but one thing for sure, the laid-back phase is totally over and life is back to grind, and will remain this way for at least until the end of the year. I am still learning and trying my best to juggle a balance in life and keeping my sanity at the same time :). On so many occasions, I get so tempted to keep my blog alive. Knowing the aftermath this will probably result, I have been constantly drumming into my head that this blog is a hobby thus it should wait :P.

The Raya break is just around the nook and I am so happy that I can finally catch some breath and to seize some quiet and peaceful moments to catch up with some office works, despite having to return to the office right after the Raya’s public hols, where most of my colleagues are taking one week stretch of leaves next week :). Earlier this week (130812), I am one full year wiser (well, don’t go for its literal meaning, it’s just a better way of addressing the word ‘older’ in my opinion) :P. Nothing much to highlight about my birthday this year, I had almost overlooked without my colleague reminded me one week prior when she handed me my pay slip where my IC number is printed on the front page :). 

I have been toying with the dream of taking a day off on the day itself to have the luxury of sleeping in. But, eventually threw that idea out of the window since I have taken a week off the hectic schedule the week before, with the courtesy of my head of department so that I can do some last minute reading and to sit for 3 papers including one for IAOP, it all paid off as I am now a certified outsourcing specialist *grin*. On the day itself, I was pleasantly surprised by a text message sent upon the clock strikes 12 midnight by a long good friend who is currently working in Baku, Azerbaijan. I have been receiving birthday greetings from this friend of mine whom I get to know during National Service back in 2004 every year without fail all the way from the land of fire and silk :). Not forgetting, all the warm wishes I received on Facebook, e-mails and phone calls. 

On that evening itself, we had a dinner fix at my parent’s all time fave restaurant, repeating some similar all time fave dishes thus not showing any food photos here :P. My brother, who is the sweetest fella in the family had never failed to come out with a custom made card (photo-shopped) like any other years featuring the whole family members with my photo as above on the main page, not forgetting our two mischievous furry friends too :). With him around, no celebrations (our parent's anniversary, birthdays, graduation etc) will go without custom made cards, e-cards or videos. The photo above was taken by the boss one day apart after we watched The Avengers at Toysrus during his visit in May 2012. The boss then jested that I look 1000% silly with the mask on and commented that he is curious to watch an action movie casted by a scaredy and cowardy version of Captain America *roll eyes at him* :P. 

Checking In

Woosh! It had been more than one month since I last checked in. In a blink of eye, it’s May already! Time just zoomed by and it had been a long hiatus here in my cyber-home. Earlier this year, when we are just in the first week into twentytwelve, I was about to (almost) make a come out with an ‘Acheivements & Resolutions’ kind of post. If I was to post them, one of my resolutions would be updating this cyber home of mine religiously and attribute a mere of 50 posts for the second half of twentyeleven due to my laziness. Now, I am so glad that I did not do the reflections of what had happened throughout the year alongwith my never-ending resolutions in the new year (twas 5 months back) as I can see that, ironically it might be slapping my own face with a terribly failed resolutions, topping up many others by the time twentytwelve has come to its end :P. 

Ever since I started working in March, this site had been very quiet. My blogging mojo did not diminish, neither that I am completely consumed with work nor have nothing worth blogging about; but, I am often distracted the moment I was about to type away on the keyboard and many of the time. Secondly, I am mentally and physically drained upon reaching home after an hour fifteen minutes of driving home (not on a daily basis though. Will talk about it in a separate post) and thereafter dashed for a luxurious 15 minutes of shower and drying my hair, followed on with dinner before calling it a day. Sometimes, followed by ironing and there is no time allocation left for telly time and on some of the days, I hit the sack as early as 2130hr :P. 

There are a number of events that I’ve been meaning to blog about. Updates on my work, my current life, about the boss’ several visits here (almost lost count), some new possessions, some backdated activities just to name a few. Not to mention a fair share of lessons learnt the hard way too :). Talking about lessons not learnt, I can visualise you’ll be giving me that kind of look, if not similar expression as the boss’ “Again? So, the moral of the story is?” :P Besides, I have several projects on tow, be it at work as well as for divine works. My life has taken a new spin ever since I started working in March. There were many firsts that came into my list and still counting. These had certainly put me to a greater level and I think I am a better fighter now but I am still very much of a klutz though :P.  

There were awful moments when I felt tad helpless too, and these were the moments where my mind started to stagger around. At that stage, as much as I hate to admit it, I find myself in the stage of evolving into a critical worrier who basically worries about everything! How I wished that I could evolve myself back to who I am in yesteryears where I should worry more for my mid-term and final year papers. The guy who coined the phrase  “when life knocks on your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray” was indeed a man of wisdom. And, never for once the Lord Almighty has ever failed my prayers. Not for once or twice that I experienced a quick somersault of hope each time I talked to Him, provided me with hands whenever I needed one. 

Occasionally, my all-time favorite songs; Happy Working Song (by Amy Adams) and A spoonful of Sugar (by Julie Andrews) do come in handy when I almost  had a meltdown. I couldn't agree more that life is such a mundane without music :). Oh yeah, in case you are wondering the photo above has no relation to this post. It is an artis-tree nearby to my mom's office inspired by a Korean who has literally brought a dead tree back to life with a combination of pink and white flowers. The tree project is titled saligo-saligo, which can be translated as life or revive in Korean (via). I hope that I’ll be able to post a proper update soon :P 

Hairdresser Wannabe

When I was in my highschool era, I used to cut/trim my own hair in layer style. Besides, I have been receiving numerous of compliments for that too. Oh well, a little self-narcissism is allowed I guess (this lass has thick-skin you may say :P), but I was and am certain that those were genuine compliments from my close peers and good friends, some known since kindergarten. Mom and sis had been asking for my ‘service’ for a few numbers of times back then. I was flattered into pieces :) Nevertheless, these days; I no longer able to muster up enough courage to give myself another haircut these days and besides, they no longer wanted to place themselves in the position of a ‘guinea pig’ with my self-claimed new hairstyle too :P

One blue afternoon, after our ritual morning Sabbath service; my brother along with my mom decided to hunt for an electronic haircut kit from the nearby mall. Out of curiosity, I asked ‘who is going to do the haircut for you?’. Mom quipped ‘you’ll be the one bestowed to take up this important task’. My brother then reassured me ‘I have faith in you and I am confident that you could do better than the barber I used to frequent’. Whoa, how flattering! :P That was about 2 months back, but I had no time to blog and claim my two-seconds of fame here :P The outcome wasn't a "whoa" though, nevertheless it was far better than what I have expected *grin*.

Upon touching home, we quickly dismantle the newly acquired haircut kit, whipped up two hand mirrors, wielded the electronic razor in one hand and comb on the other, and hey presto! I was fumbled and panic at the same time secretly feeling very exited too! Lol :) Knowing zero about male’s hairstyle, I just know what we couldn’t be wrong going for the old-school style. So, basically, I did as per requested by my brother. He requested for the side way and rear side to be trimmed short, whilst the top part was simply layered whilst the front hair to be chopped off by a couple of centimeters. Thus far, we already had two sessions of haircut in a span of one month and we are looking forward for our third session soon. So, that spells satisfaction from my 'customer' and at the same time I am a happy bunny :P.