...I hadn't realised how much 2008 had taken out of me until now. I am still in recovery from 2008 and haven't been able to embrace 2009 with as much gusto as I should. 10 days into the new year and I still haven't figured our my resolutions or what I hope to achieve in 2009. I just want 2009 to be as calm, stable and unexciting as possible.
2008 should be considered an overall good year for me. But it was also possibly a year in which too much happened...
- I started the year in Mumbai for G&R's traditional Indian wedding; 2 new saris which still need to be worn; discover the wonder of Bollywood films on Jet Airways; Mumbai is the first place I have travelled to where I felt unsafe
- I tried to keep my bday lowkey especially because my nearest and dearest weren't around in NY; I fled back to London for the weekend to spend it with loved ones
- I finally did my 8 week culinary techniques class at the Culinary Institute which breathed fresh inspiration into my cooking
- I finally got to know K who has been a tremendous inspiration to me ever since
- I got myself out of the horrible horrible place that was my office in NY and moved back to London
- I realised it wasn't that straightforward moving back to London and I would actually have to create a new life for myself again
- I achieved Virgin Flying Club Gold and Starwood Platinum status In Mar after doing too many trans-Atlantic flights and spending a month in Room 1506 at the Sheraton Park Tower
- I started climbing regularly and got to know E who has been a good friend since
- I started Body Combat classes and boy do I love the endorphins and adrenaline cursing through my veins after every session
- I started doing dinner parties at my place in London and we had some pretty good sessions last year; here's to more of those this year
- I had an amazing time in Vietnam; met some great people including the Belgians; stayed in the Nam Hai and got myself addicted to nice resorts
- I went out with someone for 3 months, setting a new record for my recent dating history. Too bad it didn't work out and things remain somewhat complicated
- I realised that I can be quite a sensual person and that I crave touch and affection
- I met the Belgians in Vietnam, went to visit them in Brussels, they came to visit in Singapore; in 2009, they're visiting London in Feb hopefully, I'll spend a week with them in Belgium in Mar/April and we will hopefully do New Year's in Indonesia
- I went to Noma and spent an unforgettable 10 hours there
- I got into whiskey, cognacs, armagnacs and grappas; I dislike the taste of Baileys now
- I almost moved to China
- I went to Mumbai, Charleston, Lisbon, Berlin, Vietnam, HK, Copenhagen, Brussels, Piedmont and Siem Reap, not to mention work daytrips to Cinncinnati and SF
- I still dislike my work and perhaps actually hate it even more but haven't quite figured out what I want to do
- My friends started settling into happy longterm relationships; I am happy for them, but feel more alone than before
- I finally went to Angkor Wat after years of wanting to go; it was slightly underwhelming but I am glad I finally did it
- I ended the year on a great note; it was warm in Singapore; the Belgians came to visit and charmed my friends and family; I developed a small crush on a boy (not a man for a change); I started contemplating a move back to Asia
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Horoscopes
Ever since I was a teenager, I've been reading horoscopes and taking them seriously to varying degrees. Whenever things get tough or uncertain, I turn to horoscopes ever more often and take them ever more seriously. I guess it's like religion, you reach for some form of reassurance when time are tough. Same reason why I went to the fortune teller a couple of months ago. And this year, I have leaned on horoscopes more than ever.
And I am aware that I shouldn't take horoscopes too seriously coz they make you start looking for those signs in your life as described in your horoscope. For example, I am taking this guy I met a couple of weeks ago far more seriously than I should even though a) he lives in a different city b) he is 40 and c) he is divorced. But then I a) met him on the weekend that my horoscope said I would b) my horoscope said that the one I met during that particular weekend is very likely the one and c) the fortune teller had said my guy would have been married before.
And now my horoscope is warning me of a big work-related conflict coming up this week. On website says that I may have been complacent about something which will come to the surface this week. Another website says that although conflict is expected, my starsign should be insulated from it. And yet another says that I will have to make an unpleasant but ultimately right decision. With all the unpleasantness already at work, I find it hard to not to believe all these predictions. I am dreading the week already. And I know I am being silly and I am trying hard to dismiss these thoughts.
Argh I am so done with 2008. It's been a loooooong year. Bring on 2009!
Sun sign Capricorn, Moon sigh Aries and Chinese zodiac Monkey if you must know.
And I am aware that I shouldn't take horoscopes too seriously coz they make you start looking for those signs in your life as described in your horoscope. For example, I am taking this guy I met a couple of weeks ago far more seriously than I should even though a) he lives in a different city b) he is 40 and c) he is divorced. But then I a) met him on the weekend that my horoscope said I would b) my horoscope said that the one I met during that particular weekend is very likely the one and c) the fortune teller had said my guy would have been married before.
And now my horoscope is warning me of a big work-related conflict coming up this week. On website says that I may have been complacent about something which will come to the surface this week. Another website says that although conflict is expected, my starsign should be insulated from it. And yet another says that I will have to make an unpleasant but ultimately right decision. With all the unpleasantness already at work, I find it hard to not to believe all these predictions. I am dreading the week already. And I know I am being silly and I am trying hard to dismiss these thoughts.
Argh I am so done with 2008. It's been a loooooong year. Bring on 2009!
Sun sign Capricorn, Moon sigh Aries and Chinese zodiac Monkey if you must know.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Office politics
I found out a couple of pieces of office gossip recently which are basically about people stabbing each other in the back. That has left a seriously bad taste at the back of my mouth. Not that I love-love-love my workplace in the first place. I have not enjoyed my work for some time now. And the people I get on with at work have either left the firm or just become too up their ars*s. I have known for some time that I will not be staying there too much longer. Right now, I am just treading water, hoping to stay afloat for as long as possible before I go.
Our office Christmas party is on the 11th of December. I have tickets to see Gotan Project that night. I have a tonne of friends going to watch Gotan. And the last time I saw Gotan, I had a really fun time. So it's really a no-brainer for me to ditch the office Christmas party in favour of having fun with my friends.
Or maybe not.
I am now thinking that I should probably show up just to maintain appearances if anything. Even though it won't come as a surprise when I leave next year, I shouldn't probably NOT make it so obvious that I am leaving. Argh, office politics. I am trying to leave on a good note. But every additional day I spend at work makes it so much more difficult to stay positive.
How are you guys getting on at work? Any sage words on dealing with office politics?
On another note, I am looking forward to roasting my 6.215kg turkey tomorrow.
Our office Christmas party is on the 11th of December. I have tickets to see Gotan Project that night. I have a tonne of friends going to watch Gotan. And the last time I saw Gotan, I had a really fun time. So it's really a no-brainer for me to ditch the office Christmas party in favour of having fun with my friends.
Or maybe not.
I am now thinking that I should probably show up just to maintain appearances if anything. Even though it won't come as a surprise when I leave next year, I shouldn't probably NOT make it so obvious that I am leaving. Argh, office politics. I am trying to leave on a good note. But every additional day I spend at work makes it so much more difficult to stay positive.
How are you guys getting on at work? Any sage words on dealing with office politics?
On another note, I am looking forward to roasting my 6.215kg turkey tomorrow.
Monday, November 17, 2008
What a surreal weekend!
Two lessons I have learnt this weekend:
1) Viagra works for alleviating altitude sickness as it promotes circulation. Apparently everyone at Everest Base Camp is popping these.
2) The best way to get over a guy is to get under a new guy.
***************************
I had a pretty crazy weekend, almost to make up for my totally chilled out weekend in NYC last week. I partied harder than I have for a looooooong time. Two nights in a row until half 3. Haha, I am not sure I believe I am still capable of that!
The other thing I did this weekend was to revert to my old self. I hooked up with a guy who is my typical kind of guy. After having strayed off with the last guy, I had almost convinced myself that items on my checklist would not matter for the right guy. But this weekend's guy - tall, tick; successful, tick; intelligent, tick; mature, tick; unavailable (lives in NYC), tick! Maybe after all these years on the dating scene have taught me a thing or two about what I actually want in a guy and maybe my checklist is actually what works for me. Except the unavailable bit, that, I have been burnt enough times to have a strong view against that.
I have realised that my brain isn't actually working very coherently to write a proper blog entry, but I just wanted to get that down somewhere. I promise to write properly next time.
1) Viagra works for alleviating altitude sickness as it promotes circulation. Apparently everyone at Everest Base Camp is popping these.
2) The best way to get over a guy is to get under a new guy.
***************************
I had a pretty crazy weekend, almost to make up for my totally chilled out weekend in NYC last week. I partied harder than I have for a looooooong time. Two nights in a row until half 3. Haha, I am not sure I believe I am still capable of that!
The other thing I did this weekend was to revert to my old self. I hooked up with a guy who is my typical kind of guy. After having strayed off with the last guy, I had almost convinced myself that items on my checklist would not matter for the right guy. But this weekend's guy - tall, tick; successful, tick; intelligent, tick; mature, tick; unavailable (lives in NYC), tick! Maybe after all these years on the dating scene have taught me a thing or two about what I actually want in a guy and maybe my checklist is actually what works for me. Except the unavailable bit, that, I have been burnt enough times to have a strong view against that.
I have realised that my brain isn't actually working very coherently to write a proper blog entry, but I just wanted to get that down somewhere. I promise to write properly next time.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Shopping for men
K is one of my best friends in NY. Imagine a 6-foot-tall modelesque tough-as-nails black girl. And imagine her dating a guy 20 years older and about 4 inches shorter. And then imagine her completely walking all over him and him thinking that his purpose in life is to serve her.* K's awesome!
Anyway, K has a great piece of advice:
"If you have to ask your friends about a pair of shoes [or a guy], then it [he] is probably not worth keeping."
Anyway, K has a great piece of advice:
"If you have to ask your friends about a pair of shoes [or a guy], then it [he] is probably not worth keeping."
Friday, November 7, 2008
New York, New York
I have just come to realise that New York is the city in which I have spent the second longest period of time in over the last eight years.
May 2000 - First visit with my ex; my wallet got pickpocketed on Broadway on a busy Friday night; we did all the tourists sights including the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building; I add to my magnet collection one of the Twin Towers
Sep 2002 - Last-minute change-of-plans to come to America for the rest of my summer holiday after having broken up with my Ex; I hang out with friends in Columbia and spend most of my time uptown; I receive marriage proposals after having cooked for some starving homesick Singaporean students
Jul 2003 - 3 weeks in NY for "training" where the UK kids ended up colluding on our final project; I watch a Yankee game and decide that baseball isn't my thing; we stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria and got a real kick from telling cab drivers our address
Nov 2003 - I visit my ex (another one) and the trip culminates in us deciding to break up; my first Thanksgiving in the States and I brought pumpkin pie to the party; I get picked up by a 50-something Austrian-Italian model while sampling apples at Union Sq farmers' market
Oct 2004 - I pop over to visit my best friend; I remember cinnamon-scented coffee at brunch at Florent's; on the flight back, I meet the guy who is going to plague me for the next 3 years
Apr 2005 - I pop over for my best friend again; it snows the first day I arrive, surprising given the time of the year; I went up to the Cloisters as my first NY touristy activity in 5 years; I remember brunch at Florent's again
2006 - there are no NY trips this year as I focus on moving to SF
Feb 2007 - I come to NY with Ming and CY; we stay at Chris' ridiculous $10k a month corporate apartment on Times Sq; we go to a Fashion Week show and an afterparty at Soho Grand; we also go to Jersey for dinner and admire the NY western skyline from there
May 2007 - Mar 2008 - I live in an amazing one-bedroom apartment in the West Village with lovely doormen; I shop more and end up with more pretty dresses than I can wear; I fall in love with Waverly Inn; I go on more dates than I ever did in London, with not much success; I battle the advances of my boss at work; I learn to cope without my friends and also to spend time with myself; I get a huge-ass fire-engine red Kitchenaid mixer; I attain Flying Club Gold after making too many trans-Atlantic flights; I finally rid myself of a ghost (see Oct 2004 trip)
Nov 2008 - I am recharging batteries after a pretty draining month; I revisit my haunts in NY and remember all the little things I miss about it; and since I am still here now, the rest of the story still needs to be written...
May 2000 - First visit with my ex; my wallet got pickpocketed on Broadway on a busy Friday night; we did all the tourists sights including the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State building; I add to my magnet collection one of the Twin Towers
Sep 2002 - Last-minute change-of-plans to come to America for the rest of my summer holiday after having broken up with my Ex; I hang out with friends in Columbia and spend most of my time uptown; I receive marriage proposals after having cooked for some starving homesick Singaporean students
Jul 2003 - 3 weeks in NY for "training" where the UK kids ended up colluding on our final project; I watch a Yankee game and decide that baseball isn't my thing; we stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria and got a real kick from telling cab drivers our address
Nov 2003 - I visit my ex (another one) and the trip culminates in us deciding to break up; my first Thanksgiving in the States and I brought pumpkin pie to the party; I get picked up by a 50-something Austrian-Italian model while sampling apples at Union Sq farmers' market
Oct 2004 - I pop over to visit my best friend; I remember cinnamon-scented coffee at brunch at Florent's; on the flight back, I meet the guy who is going to plague me for the next 3 years
Apr 2005 - I pop over for my best friend again; it snows the first day I arrive, surprising given the time of the year; I went up to the Cloisters as my first NY touristy activity in 5 years; I remember brunch at Florent's again
2006 - there are no NY trips this year as I focus on moving to SF
Feb 2007 - I come to NY with Ming and CY; we stay at Chris' ridiculous $10k a month corporate apartment on Times Sq; we go to a Fashion Week show and an afterparty at Soho Grand; we also go to Jersey for dinner and admire the NY western skyline from there
May 2007 - Mar 2008 - I live in an amazing one-bedroom apartment in the West Village with lovely doormen; I shop more and end up with more pretty dresses than I can wear; I fall in love with Waverly Inn; I go on more dates than I ever did in London, with not much success; I battle the advances of my boss at work; I learn to cope without my friends and also to spend time with myself; I get a huge-ass fire-engine red Kitchenaid mixer; I attain Flying Club Gold after making too many trans-Atlantic flights; I finally rid myself of a ghost (see Oct 2004 trip)
Nov 2008 - I am recharging batteries after a pretty draining month; I revisit my haunts in NY and remember all the little things I miss about it; and since I am still here now, the rest of the story still needs to be written...
Monday, November 3, 2008
How to be a sleazy Eurotrash banker
It's pretty simple, you could try one of these pick-up lines:
"I am a guy and sex is good for me all the time. You are girl, you tell me when"
OR
"When was the last time you came?"
I haven't hung out with sleazy Eurotrash bankers for so long, I'd forgotten how entertaining they could be.
"I am a guy and sex is good for me all the time. You are girl, you tell me when"
OR
"When was the last time you came?"
I haven't hung out with sleazy Eurotrash bankers for so long, I'd forgotten how entertaining they could be.
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