SoundScape

Found a nice present for S – it was girlish & pinkish! A small gift that will remind her of me :) Not that S needs to as I’m always in her thoughts and in her heart.

Happy Halloween!

In-Animate

Dinner invitation on 2nd December, 7pm at the Marriot. I’m tempted to accept yet half-hearted to attend. Wonder if Jo & Troy are going. It’s comforting when there are familiar faces around. Of course, I can make new acquaintances – if I’m game enough – a formal dinner party with 80 strangers?
Will be going shopping later, have to get a present for S – something nice, something sweet, something S, something that is cherishable until S next birthday :)

Jaded

The week has been long and full. It was chaotic, my workstation is in a mess, I’m in a mess – yet it was enjoyable…only when some people are not around. I know that my days in M13 are certainly numbered. Of course, Boss’s entourage is not that bold to ask me to leave but their not-so-discreet actions have certainly makes me feel…wanting to. No worries, I have thick skin. Don’t spare me the hardship – as a matter of fact, bring it on. The more knocks I go through, the more sharper I am. I’m just going to finish off what I have started. If its time to leave, I will go.
It’s just upsetting that the game was played unfairly. Less-able, confident people with strong backing versus More-able, confident people who lack the connections. So why I’m being sidelined? Because I hang around with the latter. They judge me with the people I hang around with – automatically assumed that I am on the other side. The smaller Seth & Juan’s group are, the better for Boss to strengthen the territory. There is no right group or wrong group here – just a conflict of interest; which has become personal.
The coming 2 months…I hope it’s the end of something simple – And the beginning of everything else :)

Today is S birthday. I missed her. I missed him too.

Sour Girl

Everyone is so well behaved this week – ahh; I’ve been told that the appraisal season is approaching – no wonder! :) I wonder if there will be a 360 degrees appraisal. If the upstairs people can appraise the downstairs people, then why can’t the downstairs people appraise whether the upstairs people is fit to run the household or not? Anyhow, I won’t be appraising anybody anyway :) This tough task should leave it to the so-called experts. Seth even asked me when is my expiry date…why must I pack my bags when I’m still gaining something out of this?

The stars shine down,
And watch us live,
Our little lives,
And weep for us.
-Monet Nodlehs-

Planning to play paintball in 2 weeks time but not enough kaki at the moment. So far only 4 of us are confirmed – Trix, Ping, Seth & myself…hmm…somehow must try to persuade the rest; then we will have a team, then we can play ball.

Going down to Phileo after this – going to do lunch with my ex-BCI mates.

Something Beautiful

Date: Thursday, 13th October 2005
Time: 2000 Hours
Venue: Padang/Collyer Ballroom, Raffles City Convention Centre, Singapore

Vice-Chancellor’s Charge to Graduates:
“…Graduates it is my great honor to welcome you to the fellowship of educated men and women. The award of a University Degree carries many privileges but like all privileges it also carries responsibilities.
I charge you as graduates of Murdoch University to use what you have learnt for your own betterment and for the benefit of the community.
I charge you to use the skills and knowledge you have acquired with rigor and integrity and to commit yourselves to a program of life-long learning and inquiry.
I charge you to remember the lessons Murdoch has taught you about the worth of others, particularly those who have not had the opportunities that you have had.
I charge you to set high goals and to continue the hard work that has brought you so far.
And in all you do, I charge you to be deserving of the good name of Murdoch University…”
Vice-Chancellor & President – Professor J.V. Yovich

The evening begins with the Students Procession into the ballroom; accompanied with music from William Byrd’s The Battell. The proceedings were open by the Chancellor Emeritus Professor G. Bolton. Then, the stars of the night took center stage – 120 graduates in maroon gowns with varied hood colors & black mortar boards, was confer their degrees. They were greeted with thunderous applause and thousands of glittering flashbulbs. The night ended with a Valedictory Address, Occasional Address, several Heartfelt Speeches and a Farewell Tribute.
I went to sleep that night accompanied by a thousand stars, a thousand smiles, a thousand faces, a thousand hopes and a thousand feelings. Content – I am :)

For Him, For Her, For Them

When I’m lost in the rain
In your eyes I know I’ll find the light
To light my way
And when I’m scared
And losing ground
When my world is going crazy
You can turn it all around
And when I’m down you’re there
Pushing me to the top
You’re always there
Giving me all you’ve got

For a shield from the storm
For a friend, for a love
To keep me safe and warm
I turn to you
For the strength to be strong
For the will to carry on
For everything you do
For everything that’s true
I turn to you

When I lose the will to win
I just reach for you and
I can reach the sky again
I can do anything
‘Cause your love is so amazing
‘Cause your love inspires me (yes it does)
And when I need a friend
You’re always on my side
Giving me faith
That gets me through the night

For the arms to be my shelter
Through all the rain
For truth that will never change
For someone to lean on
For a heart I can rely on through anything
For that one who I can run to

I turn to you

-Christina Aguilera: I Turn To You-

Very Merry & Beary

I know I’m a bit outdated but I just got the news that Tom Cruise & Katie Holmes is expecting a baby together! Wow…that was – quickie. I’m sure everyone in Hollywood will be wondering how long this ‘TomKat’ relationship will last. Hollywood’s Golden Boy has proven that he is a devoted father and Dawson’s Creek’s leading lady has a clean record; not a wild party animal…so I’m betting on…6 years? We’ll have to see then.

I found this Bear excerpts:

Baloo
(from Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book)
Nationality: Indian.
Home: Indian Rainforest.
Fave Food: Anything convenient – jungle fast food.
Outfit: He’s a nudist :)
Friends: Mowgli & Bagheera.

Yogi
(from the Hanna-Barbara Cartoon, based on baseball legend Yogi Berra)
Nationality: American.
Home: Yellowstone National Park.
Fave Food: Picnic grub like sandwiches & rock buns.
Outfit: A hat, collar & necktie.
Friends: Boo Boo.

Paddington Bear
(from Michael Bond’s Paddington Books)
Nationality: Peruvian.
Adopted Home: London – He is named after the London Railway Station.
Fave Food: Marmalade.
Outfit: A Mac and sou’wester.
Friends: Jane.

Somehow they have missed out on Mr. Bean’s Teddy Bear and Winnie the Pooh.

Black Sheep

I was called to The Director’s room on Tuesday morning – I’ve got the 50% of what I wanted and The Director got the other 50%; so its fair game. I will stick to my original plan – I will lay low for now and I will definitely step up when the time requires. And I hope I will not screw things up. People here are complex, their actions are complicated and sometimes I wonder what goes through their minds. In the boardroom, they will take out their samurai swords & cut you into pieces. Boss’s coalition remembers every mistake you make, the people you hang out with, the words you speak – all these are their ammunition; they will open fire if the need arises. And I don’t have any shield nor self-defense weapons. That explains why I am so delicate & conscious. But why I’m still around? Because there are so many things for me to learn! The prime reason I’m staying.

On Friday evening, checkmate! Boss won. The Director promoted Guillermo and Joachim. The dark horses fell, Boss’s alliances (all of them) are in higher-up rank now and they ambush & encircle Seth and Juan. What a beginning! Boss is slowly monopolizing the division and I feel like I’m on the chopping board right now. Boss is now The Queen.

For me there is nothing to lose. I’m here to learn and M13 is paying me for that. If there is still opportunities and space for me to grow, I would love to stay. I don’t strive for perfection; I strive for growth, I strive for development and I strive for improvement. Boss’s coalition has said enough bad things about me behind my back (probably in front of The Director) – I don’t give a damn. I do expect people to say good things about me & I do expect people to say bad things about me. I know what my flaws are, I’m not afraid to admit them and I will try to get them fix. I will not be 100% perfect but the gap can be narrowed. If I screwed up, fine – maybe this is not for me, I will move on but it has been an experience. I don’t mind being kicked out if I’m not performing but I do mind if I’m kick out due to other people’s doing. Why all this competitive politics happen? Because nepotism, power & greed have been embed into the culture.

Sweet Like Chocolate

Hectic week! Hectic week!
I have to finish all of the work before I go off for my 1 week leave. Can you imagine, every hour the stack of papers that are resting on my desk will pile up like nobody business! I have been putting like 2 extra hours a day since last week and still it doesn’t help to minimize the workload. I don’t even have the time to digest. It’s so rapid, it’s so overwhelming. So much of preparation and execution – tiring, yet I know it will do me good.
Meanwhile, 100 meters away from my workstation; there is no movement from The Director (so low-profile) but Boss has been extremely busy; frequently seen at The Director’s room every now and then. Of course this is very normal as The Director needs to be briefed on the daily routines, statistical figures, current & upcoming assignments, inventories, blah, blah & blah. Nothing to be suspicious about :)

Headlines – Another devastating tragedy for Bali.
A series of explosions was denoted through 3 crowded restaurants that killed 22 people and wounded 50 others. Is it worth it? Is it truly worth it to kill your own people, destroying your country’s financial system, distressing your nation to bring your message across for your own personal agenda? And accomplishing it in the name of God? For godly purposes by godly people? Bullshit! It’s humiliating the religion indirectly; and because of that, the religion is being discriminated worldwide and your people are living in fear, rejection & hatred in the Western mainstream community. The world has enough of catastrophe – tsunami, earthquakes, hurricanes, bird flu; one after the other…god knows what’s next. Please do something more civilized! I’m living in an era where the world economy, humanity and security that will never be the same again. Uncertainties have never become so certain before.

Top Sport News – Europe Champ: Beaten.
4-1! 4-1! Chelsea beat Liverpool 4-1! Is Rafa Benitez sleeping on his job? Or is Jose Mourinho’s team is that good?

The Magenta Feeling

Monday – Work
Tuesday – More work. Thinking of Friday :)
Wednesday – More more work
Thursday – Friday is tomorrow

Friday – Woo hoo! I know, I know…I’m not a very enthusiastic 7 months old fresh grad (smile cheekily)…and bearing in mind that I have to work my ass off for the next 5 decades. It was one hell of a bloody hard-work week for me. The walk was hardly cherry-blossoms. It’s all about deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines! There is a never-ending story in M13. Everything passed so fast…sometimes unnoticed. But I had a great Friday night - great food, good acquaintances…went K, have a few rounds of drinks and of course; celebrating Miss Klein’s birthday and I reached home 4.30 this morning. My parents are so going to kill me.
The new Director has arrived. Danish, 5 Feet 6, married, sandy-white hair, seasoned negotiator, combat experienced and non-smoker. Everyone is playing the wait-and-see-game. Therefore, I will sit still, go under-radar and have my eyes & ears wide open :)