Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The past few days at work has actually turned out to be pretty interesting. Instead of the usual looking-at-each-other-with-nothing-really-much-to-say (wow that’s long), we started to entertain ourselves. Or should I say, I started to entertain myself entertaining myself. We played Hangman, of which I realized maybe I might have a knack for choosing pretty easy-but-tough-to-guess words (or maybe they’re less game-inclined than me, which I dare say is super sad if you know how bad I am), and of course, act-ionary (guessing words & phrases based on the actions we do). My personification of “Cinderella” was, in my opinion, one of my best acting chops in my entire life, considering I don’t have the flair for drama and desire for attention (that’s why I seldom do anything attention-seeking haha – bitching is the furthest I go hehe).
Well, amongst all the fun and laughter we all were enjoying in these last few moments of 2008, I pretty much felt that was the general vibe of the year - a year of good (mostly) cheap laughter and feel-good stabilizers in life and work.
The year started off with two big bangs. One bang of absolute ecstasy (at the spur past midnight of 2008!!!) which was quickly slumbered by the second big bang of disappointment and personal insecurity. Without the need to go into details (cause it’s always the same old stuff), let’s just say friends are only friends who see who for who you are, what you are and even what they see themselves with you. I mention the last one because it’s always the one which make me realize how stupid and foolish I was to allow myself to fall into this pit. In a nutshell, what am I to them? Nothing. Therefore, nothing I do (no matter good or bad) will ever matter in their eyes and so there’s no point why I should be bothered to live them to their standards. What are they to me? You know my answer too.
In the past few years, I have gone through phase after phase after phase and this year is no different. In 2006, I turned from study freak to anxious pre-soldier. In 2007, I changed from mediocre soldier to budding clerk. And in 2008, I changed from budding clerk to busy clerk to budding worker back in the real world.
Transition phases are always tough for me, and they always indicate a moment of paranoia, of uncertainty, of anxiety. Taking on a new job scope took on a different set of rules altogether. Different people, different working styles, different procedures and finally different directions. So many differences that with a temperamental boss, things can get even rougher at the start. But, what don’t break you, make you stronger (and I add, wiser). It took a lot (of late nights hehe) upon me to learnt and be independent to pick up everything by myself, adapt to the surroundings and procedures but I was glad I managed to achieve a sense of accomplishment knowing what I have contributed at the end of my journey.
All these coincided with a few surprising turns in my relationships with people too. Having begun budding friendships with both parties on similar frequency, all I had to do was to find it in me to see that in my other “older” friends I felt the same way with. I managed to reconnect with some friends and began what I feel is a change in our connection (to a better level) and surprisingly, a change in me. I must say with each and every chance I meet up with any of my friends filled my spirit positively. What will in the long run, it’s too early to tell and it’s not something I sure of. But what is certain is I’ll cherish each of the memories and appreciate what we all share now.
I also took on this final year of personal freedom (before university and whatever that lies further ahead) to live life more free-spiritedly, aiming to please myself more. It was important to me to try to make people around me happy (mutually) but I also needed to make myself happy. To do what I want and to enjoy what I do. There was travelling (taiwan and cheena), watching / purchasing my favourite rom-coms, catching up with my good friends, shopping for gifts and clothes, watching performances / movies and of course, listening to my beloved music. This might seem insignificant to most but for me, it was catching up with whatever I’ve not been doing to myself for a long long time, even before service.
If 2008 is anything to go by, it was a good year. Didn’t start too well but still I managed to pull through and feel contented with the way I lived this year. 2009 will see another transition from budding worker to budding student (!) and this makes yes, another trying period. No expectations on how I’m hoping it to turn out. Just go with the flow and be myself. Short and sweet, simple as it is, cause that’s just me.
Cheers to 2008, on to 2009!
music.city.soul || 11:36 PM || 0 comments
Push The Button
One quick post before i close the year with my Reflections 2008 in the next entry.
Lookback to Dec:
1) Music Features
Hope everyone enjoyed the JMA winners as well as my Top 100!
2) Meetup with Yuk and Krys
Steamboat catchup was pretty fantastic and last minute Christmas shopping was fulfilling. But SGH Volunteer cum Bus Ride was THE BEST!!!
3) Reunion with Hern
Missed seeing him for so long so it was just great to see him again :)
4) Other catchups
With Yang Sis, Ter, Ex-office etc. Always good to be around good company.
5) Stabilising at Work
Work has reached a plateau but hopefully more fun/gossip to last the way! haha
6) X'mas Shopping and X'mas Party
Merry X'mas Everyone! A bit dulled by the recession blues but still alright.
December was half very good and half not-so-good so i guess it's alright haha. Enjoyed meeting up with Krys most cause we have the most laughs. Well, it's a new year ahead so we'll see how it goes! (therefore no looking forward... haha)
Continue to enjoy the holiday mood well you can! :)
music.city.soul || 11:21 PM || 0 comments
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Last year i presented my list of anything that made me happy and unhappy. So, as a special lookback before I close the year with my year-end reflections, these are my Top 10 Moments of 2008. Whether good or bad, they define the year of budding changes and rekindled friendships. The smiles and laughters as well as the frustrations and tears are best captured in these once-in-a-lifetime moments. To all friends who were part of my little journeys in 2008, just wanna say thanks again.
1. Laughter Therapy
With: Krys and Yuk
Quoted (from facebook): "Krystelle just had the most amazing day ever"
Marking the year of 2008 was a night of absolute spontaneous laughter. What started as a simple volunteering affair at SGH turned into a day of embarassing mini-disasters for Krys and i, so laughable that if the combination of Lauren and Audrina in "The Hills" is trouble, the combination of Krys-El is mishaps, sprinkled with lots of laughter. Moreover, a bus ride will never be just a bus ride from now on. The bus ride home with Yuk and Krys marked THE BUS RIDE of my life so far. We were shameless cam-whores immensed in our photo frenzy, amongst the bus-full of curious onlookers, and having the time of our life. This pair of friends brought me one of the best gift for 2008 and that was joy and laughter. Absolutely awesome.
2. The Hills Marathon
With: The cast of "The Hills", especially Lauren "Love" Conrad. And not forgetting Krys.
Quoted (from facebook): "Joel wants to live like the hills"
I was finally was able to relate my principles of friendship after watching this defining show of 2008. Watching how the dynamics of friendships and love were played out in this drama-filled reality tv series caught me up for two entire days and counting. The show also made the idea of going out to have fun, for holidays or for celebrations so super glamorous i was in "The Hills" dream for a pretty darn long time before i awoke to my own less-than-perfect reality. Well, at least i can work towards living like the hills from now. ha
3. Triple Birthday Bash
With: Family, Office and Friends
Quoted (All three groups): "Happy Birthday to you... Happy Birthday to You..."
Moving on the big TWO-ZERO was quite an unbelievable fact for me, but the fact that my friends and colleagues were happy to celebrate it with me i guess made the fact much much easier to swallow. I must say i'm really touched and pleasantly surprised at the effort people took, not for themselves, but for their little friend - your truly. Once again, thank you! :)
4. Romantic Comedy Fanaticism With: Kenny G and a now-defunct Yishun Branch of Laser Flair Quoted (from blog entry): "I've imagined myself being the star of my own romantic comedy..."
I never took my interest in Romantic Comedy seriously until the recent buzz of VCD sale prompted me to head down to Kenny's neighbourhood Laser Flair's closing down sale to hunt for my favourite light-hearted love-themed films. It slowly turned into such an obsession that i was pouring through any VCD shop i came across in hopes of finding the rom-coms i wanted. Tiring it was but the satisfaction came when i rewatched each and everyone of them at my own time. Love makes people do crazy things. I think.
5. Photo Lookback Hilarity
With: Kenny G
Quoted (from Kenny G): "Oh My God!" (to a uber ugly photo of my past)
Lookback never felt so fun until that simple day when Kenny G stopped by my little crib and chanced upon the photos i printed, some of which are the less-glamorous side of my past. All i can say is words were exchanged and tears were shed. But all in the good sense of laughter. If there's a chance, or should i say when i'm more emotionally ready, i will show it and you'll understand why. I swear it's good stuff. But highly confidential.
6. Many Many Late Nights at Work
With: Bosses
Quoted: Nothing (too tired, too pissed to comment haha)
Work amounted to so much that late nights with Macdonald's Delivery with my boss became almost a norm. A Norm, i can't even believe myself saying that. There was a sense of frustration towards work (the unfair distribution) as well as towards my boss who somehow took for granted my "willingness to help". But then at the same time, i finally understand why some people say money is hard-earned and i guess in some way i'm proud that i really did deserve the allowance i worked for. Plus it was not just money i gained but also friendships and experience which were more valuable than anything.
7. Kitty Kats
With: My family and some girlfriends (not mine) who fell for the "love trick"
Quoted (from my cats, Baby and Avril): "Meow~" (in one of the rarest occasions)
Two little creatures made their way into my little home in tomato town and proved to be a popular feature with many of the guests who visited. These two furry animals were only palm-sized when my brother picked them up on the streets but have grown into such strong and adorable purr-toys. I've always dreamed of having cats as pets but i never expected that to happen so fast. And to have two in one go was a sugar overdose, too sweet to handle. haha. 8. Emotional Rollercoaster (Jan to Mar)
With: Myself
Quoted (from blog entry): "This is the struggle i go through" When i first heard the theory of "Try not to be SUPER HAPPY" - because things will surely go down subsquently and the bitter aftertaste can be quite hard to take - i didn't really believe. Until i have the most ecstatic countdown of my life and ended up foolishly sobbing over people who don't mean a single thing to me. More personal insecurities about myself and work set in time and time again from Jan to Mar 08 which only served to bring me down further. But like any other bad experiences, i walk out wiser than before. And that's what's most important. 9. Taiwan Travel
With: Fengie, Gracie, Aunty Nancy and some random strangers on the same tour
Quoted (from blog entry):"late night shopping at Ximenting yesterday night...and now i'm back in Singapore!"
I took my own first step out of sunny island Singapore in March with gal pals Gracie and Fengie and left for Taiwan. That was the first step in fulfilling my dream of travelling round the world and experiencing the different cultures every destination has to offer. 10. National Day Parade
With: Kenny G, Astra, probably the whole of Sg
Quoted (from blog entry): "Certainly a far cry from my choir days..." 
Occupying my weekends from July to August, very unwillingly, was ironically for the national crown affair of my country's birthday celebration, which i volunteered for (well, Kenny pulled me in). Truth be told, i wanted to relive my days in choir when i participated way back in 2001 which i had so much fun. But guess good thing never happen twice. It was tiring, unsatisfying and sadly, boring. Maybe the Singapore sun really shone too brightly cause it reflected my social and musical drought in Jul/Aug and added on to the "does it have to happen right now too" lameless of it all.
P.S: ORD is not on the list cause... i never really felt i was enslaved by anyone all this while (though i was by my workload). haha. I was basically just working in a governmental organisation under a "bond" which requires me to be in uniform. haha. Plus all the buzz of ORD amounted to NOTHING.
music.city.soul || 9:46 PM || 0 comments
Saturday, December 27, 2008
2004: Your Love Is King
2005: Perfect Little Things I Can’t Release
2006: Don’t Miss the Diamonds along the Way
2007: My Sense of Solid Ground
Headlining this year’s Thank You List 2008 is the hit song from British band, Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know”. I think it has been a rather satisfying year of friendships, whether it is retying the knots of long-lost connections or the beginning of a special bond. As I’ve mentioned a couple of times before, I genuinely hope my wish of “may the good remain and the best never fade” hold true as long I’m alive. To all my mentioned friends, thanks for being part of me, my life and my 2008. Each of our experiences will also be remembered fondly in me, as Somewhere Only We Know.
1. Yang Sis
I think we both agree there’s no real need for us to exchange mushy words of thanks whether in a card, or even on my blog because we both know our place in each other’s heart. For the past 8 years it has been. Thanks for being there for me anytime, anywhere, for any form of moral and emotional support (as much as I have been for you) and as good company for shopping and movies.
2. Kenny
What a year it has been for both of us indeed. We definitely had a very different year, with countless attempts at volunteering (especially the “memorable” NDP) and varying experiences in life in and out of service. For all things in life, for better or for worse, it was great to have you as a reliable and good listening ear all this time for me to pour my woes (if any), share my encounters as well as musical obsessions.
3. Ter-weeds
Well, things happen and somehow we end up being break and lunch buddies in camp. As I’ve said, lunch will never be the same without you haha. It’s always good to have someone around (who’s not from office) to share my gossips with and to talk about anything but work (away from other less like-minded people haha).
4. Office Friends
Believe I’ve thanked all of you enough in my ORD Thank You email but to reiterate, I’m really glad to be part of this group I can really have fun working in. Everyone of you have made my time in service much more memorable and enjoyable. I will always remember all the office jokes and happenings when I was around and hope there are more to be made as I (we) move on in life. Special thanks to Josh for your guidance, Marc & Jem for your willingness to help and Jen, for the jokes.
5. Krys, Yuk
To the two who have brought the most amount of spontaneous laughter in me in the shortest amount of time. It’s just great to know that the chemistry we had in college, though not well-developed back then, was able to extend beyond academic shelf-life. Of course, to Kryssie, I love “The Hills” more now that I know you love it too haha.
6. Giddy (aka WS)
I will always miss my gossipy phone calls to you on anything. It takes my mind of the darn work I do and provides me with the “hyper-ventilation” I desperately need. Haha. Thanks for listening and laughing along haha. (Thanked before in “ORD Thank You” too)
7. JJ (Tan)
Other than my own boss, you’ll probably understand the extent of workload I (we) were handling back then. It was great (or sad) to know there was someone pushing on like me on the other side of the island (haha). More than a colleague, you were also a great friend to talk to and share every little thing with. Must admit things went a bit awry towards the end as the dissatisfaction from work started to set in but after all, it’s just work. You’re my friend and nothing non-personal should change the way things are :)
8. Fiona This once-little "sister" of has certainly grown a lot since our music-hunting days to become confident and outgoing haha. It was good having the chance to mentor you (as well as volunteer with you) in your studies but i think you'll do just fine. Well, finally after years of lagging behind me, we are both now waiting for the next phase life called university and hopefully we will move in tandem from now :)
9. Feng, Gracie
We (including Kenny) has certainly seen each of us grow throughout the year, moving on with different phases in life. But you both were a great constant to have.
10. Ah Meng, Jem
Last year marked the unexpected start of a friendship but the completion of service certainly should not be the end of the “bond” we have. If asked about service, other than a heavy workload and great office friends for company, it’ll definitely be the memorable BMT period during which we shared all our silly moments.
 
11. NDP Mates / CPF Mates
NDP mates including Astra for the company and CPF mates like the mighty brothers (James and Fab), GML etc for being on the last few moments of 2008.
12. Parents
Contrary to looks, I’m not exactly the nicest son material. But thanks to my parents for (1) driving me to camp when I was in service and (2) giving me te chance to travel two times this year (cheena and taiwan!) and lastly, providing me with whatever I have.
13. Kitty Kats
Thanks for being the cutest “toys” I know I can definitely turn to when I reach home (and they can turn any foul mood good) haha :)
Small thanks to other friends like Hern, Eliz, Clara, Jian Hao & Evonne for meeting up and catching up during this year as well as my various bosses for which without them I won’t have learnt what I have. You all played considerable roles in contributing to my growth in 2008.
music.city.soul || 10:50 PM || 0 comments
Under The Bridge
what i expect to be probably the last two outings of 2008
1. Gathering Cum Jen's Mini Bdae Celebration
Wishing Jen, One: Find her own lovey dovey Two: More Smiles and Laughter Three: More Chipmunks in her life! (we bought a X'mas Chipmunk for her, courtesy of yours truly)
some other photos to share
dinner at Ajisen Ramen (Bugis Junction)
then walk abit
We settled for deserts at Macdonald's (exactly... don't ask me why haha) before heading home. Pleasant gathering during which we had the usual talk and laughter.
2. Twilight Movie Outing With KGS
We watched the movie at Marina Square, after which we did abit of walking around as both gals were not feeling too well (in fact, all four not feeling too in-the-mood...). The movie was so so-so. Nothing close to the whirlwind romance i thought i might feel. Blahh...
music.city.soul || 10:49 PM || 0 comments
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Christmas came slightly early for me on Sunday when Kenny organised his very own X'mas party at his own crib. Well, it was pretty nice to see the gals (Gracie and Fengie) which i have met for a really long time as well as whoever was there (coincidentally some were ex-schoolmates).
There was some simple games (picture-phrase guess and uni orienation games) were played to enliven the mood in the little Yishun flat. Ok, i don't really have much to say about the mini-party so photos shall do the talking haha:
the party
merry christmas everyone :)
the girls return
yups, me in green
host (kenny) with his diff groups of friends
family photo?
kenny and gracie
After some guests left, gracie, fengie, kenny, kelly and i stayed to open our little presents. it's always nice to receive presents and exciting to open them infront of the "givers" haha. we have a pretty fun time haha.
the after-party aka gift-opening
I LOVE MONICA (from friends)! haha
displaying our gifts
vogue girl
peekaboo (scary... haha)
3 pairs and a trio
i feel i look abit beng here (better not agree with me... haha)
final shot! whew!
Well, thanks to kenny for the invite to his little par-tay and for the gifts/cards i received! Thanks alot for keeping me in mind when buying those gifts :)
P.S: Short entry cause photobucket kept giving me problems. by the time i uploaded the photos, i'm too tired and sianz to write my usual "blog essays". haha.
music.city.soul || 11:23 PM || 0 comments
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music.city.soul
serious music addict, loves free-spirited fun with friends, a fan of travelling.
chronicling my (almost) everyday life - so i don't forget each moment of my life, whether pleasant or not.
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