I've been working 12 hr days for the past few workdays. I start at about 9 in the morning, and typically stay till 9 in the evening. Time passes so fast at work I barely have time to think about other stuff. The calls keep coming, and the calls keep going out.
At times I ask myself why I'm working so hard, but there are also times when I feel that everything is worth it. When I'm occupied, I don't have to think so much.
I've settled into my new job much quicker than I would have expected. My colleagues are nice, I like the work environment, in particular my seat, which gives me a brilliant view of Raffles Place and Marina Bay. It's a huge stress reliever just by looking out of the window.
There's a nice team structure, the incentive plan takes care of that. We help each other out and minimise the politics. It's the team against the world, and that's the kind of working environment I like.
The only flipside is that I have even lesser 'me' time and not to mention any social life at all. It's non-stop action once I step into office, and even for lunch, I don't dare to arrange with friends cos we have to stagger our lunch to ensure there's always people manning the phone lines. Sometimes we are so busy that we don't even feel hungry.
Once the clock hits 5pm, time passes super fast. Without knowing it, our 'boy' (the part-time assistant) is taking orders for dinner, and it's delivered to us. We have dinner and continue to call... until 9pm and beyond.
Then it's one last call to Comfort for a cosy ride home.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Who's Appeared In Which Release?
I have a habit of watching and re-watching the masterclasses (ie instructor videos) for the previous releases. When I have nothing to do, sometimes I just play them and watch them again. Boring person, me.
Now that I'm back from Auckland, when I watch those videos again, I see plenty of familiar faces that I met back in Auckland in Feb. These people are the LM fanatics who go quarter after quarter to attend the filmings.
As for Singaporeans and people based in Singapore, how many of us have gone for the filmings and been captured in the video?
BC22 - Andrew T (FF)
BC25 - Ben Tang (FF)
BC32 - Junwei (FF), who's also my BC training mate, Eve (FF), Toshie (Cali), Tomomi
(Cali)
BC35 - Li Hua (PF)
BC36 - Me! (PF)
Michiko should be in BC37, wonder if we will see her in the video.
Wonder if I will go there again for BC39. Still deciding.
Now that I'm back from Auckland, when I watch those videos again, I see plenty of familiar faces that I met back in Auckland in Feb. These people are the LM fanatics who go quarter after quarter to attend the filmings.
As for Singaporeans and people based in Singapore, how many of us have gone for the filmings and been captured in the video?
BC22 - Andrew T (FF)
BC25 - Ben Tang (FF)
BC32 - Junwei (FF), who's also my BC training mate, Eve (FF), Toshie (Cali), Tomomi
(Cali)
BC35 - Li Hua (PF)
BC36 - Me! (PF)
Michiko should be in BC37, wonder if we will see her in the video.
Wonder if I will go there again for BC39. Still deciding.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Adia - Avril Lavigne
I had wanted to write something else earlier, but as I was surfing youtube, I found this particular video.
Many years back, when I was still schooling, I remember this song from Sarah McLachlan - Adia. She's a wonderful artiste and an amazing songwriter. I love many of her songs, and Adia was one which moved me very much, not so much of the lyrics, but rather the way it was performed.
A direct contrast to Sarah McLachlan's soothing voice is the punk and rock style of Avril Lavigne. While my all time favourite Avril's song is the slow number, 'I'm With You', which I fell in love with during my lifeguarding days in the US, many of her songs are the typically rock/alternative tracks like Sk8terBoi, Complicated, Don't Tell Me, and the list goes on, not to forget 'Girlfriend' which I do like in BC.
I can barely disguise my delight when I discovered that Avril did a cover of Adia. And she did it live, and it was a masterful performance. Absolutely magnificent.
Many years back, when I was still schooling, I remember this song from Sarah McLachlan - Adia. She's a wonderful artiste and an amazing songwriter. I love many of her songs, and Adia was one which moved me very much, not so much of the lyrics, but rather the way it was performed.
A direct contrast to Sarah McLachlan's soothing voice is the punk and rock style of Avril Lavigne. While my all time favourite Avril's song is the slow number, 'I'm With You', which I fell in love with during my lifeguarding days in the US, many of her songs are the typically rock/alternative tracks like Sk8terBoi, Complicated, Don't Tell Me, and the list goes on, not to forget 'Girlfriend' which I do like in BC.
I can barely disguise my delight when I discovered that Avril did a cover of Adia. And she did it live, and it was a masterful performance. Absolutely magnificent.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tough Week
A stark realisation that I haven't had a proper blog entry for 2 weeks, I remind myself that I better jot down my thoughts lest I forget and procrastinate again. This is going to be another of those 'write what I'm feeling now' entries so pardon the messiness and structureless entry.
In all honesty, I would probably have expected an entry from myself earlier in the week, in the aftermath of the big event for PF- Mega Combat 2008. But I was simply too preoccupied with other stuff and I have conveniently neglected this part of my life, albeit with some niggling guilt.
I didn't have a particularly enjoyable MC this year, nothing to do with the event, but more of the fact that I was saddled with an illness that spanned a week. On the day itself, I had a flaring sore throat that was refusing to subside in spite of me downing bottles of 'liang cha'. If I was feeling better, I think I would have enjoyed the event as I've always had in the past two years. This is my third MC and I hope that this event continues in perpetuity, with a blatant disregard of the corporate movements that the insiders are privy to. I relish every moment, and it is my desire that even in my 50s and when my knees are failing, I'll be able to participate and say, "Hey, I was up there more than 20 years ago."
My personal gratitude goes out to Lynn, who 'sacrificed' her workout to capture shots of us in action, and she has even kindly provided me with a copy of her compilation. Not to mention a lengthy entry that's worth reading, every single word of it. Without sounding too cliche, I would say to Lynn like what I always say to her when we meet - "These are the memories that keep us going, and remind us that our sacrifices are worth it."
The week in retrospect, it has been so emotionally trying for me. Even for Cancerians like myself who have emotional upheavals and moodswings every single day, this week has been rough. I had a premonition and it seemed like I just lived out one of my worst nightmares ever. The memories linger, and as much as I hate to acknowledge it, these experiences affect my standing with people around me and vice versa.
The illness compounded matters further. I had to contend with a doctor proclaiming that 'my throat isn't that bad' and I don't require antibiotics despite me knowing my condition better. For the record, 3 docs in the space of 3 days isn't good news. The weekend one out of convenience, the Mon one was during work, and the Tue one was my trusted family doctor, after my throat decided it would go 'full blast' - I quote Jean.
MC 2 days just before my getaway. Talk about uncanny timing and sheer coincidences.
I wished I wasn't sick before my trip. Sore throats are the worst thing to have next to mouth ulcers. They make you feel real grouchy and snappy, and worst of all, you can't eat anything! But saying so, the first bite of ice-cream, and first sip of Coke after the self-imposed abstinence was absolute bliss. Ice-cold Coke in cubes of ice. Simple pleasures of life.
I didn't really venture much given my condition, and I stayed away from any form of physical strenuous activity, limiting myself to a dip in the pool. In the coming week ahead, I will strive to attend as many classes as possible to regain my dropping levels of fitness, exacerbated by me relinquishing my weekday classes and me juggling my new work commitments.
During my absence from my regular time slots this week, I felt a real disconnect from the gym and everything associated with it. It was subdued until one moment of recollecting my thoughts, I realised that I do miss conducting classes after all. There was such a strong innate desire to get my ass back and do it again. Sometimes I ask myself, "What would happen one day if I stop conducting classes for good?" Of course this needless thought masks the positive news I've received from my new employers. My boss OK-ed my part-time so I don't have to be oh-so-secretive about it and live a double life as I did in my previous employment.
This sounds insane, but during my trip, I was actually planning what tracks I wanted to teach when I return, despite it being more than a week away. BC36 has been good, but too much of something is boring, and I'm kinda excited to mix tracks again.
Till then, I think I shall sign off for now, and start thinking what I want to write next. A belated MC entry, replete with all those wonderful pics that Lynn took? Perhaps.
In all honesty, I would probably have expected an entry from myself earlier in the week, in the aftermath of the big event for PF- Mega Combat 2008. But I was simply too preoccupied with other stuff and I have conveniently neglected this part of my life, albeit with some niggling guilt.
I didn't have a particularly enjoyable MC this year, nothing to do with the event, but more of the fact that I was saddled with an illness that spanned a week. On the day itself, I had a flaring sore throat that was refusing to subside in spite of me downing bottles of 'liang cha'. If I was feeling better, I think I would have enjoyed the event as I've always had in the past two years. This is my third MC and I hope that this event continues in perpetuity, with a blatant disregard of the corporate movements that the insiders are privy to. I relish every moment, and it is my desire that even in my 50s and when my knees are failing, I'll be able to participate and say, "Hey, I was up there more than 20 years ago."
My personal gratitude goes out to Lynn, who 'sacrificed' her workout to capture shots of us in action, and she has even kindly provided me with a copy of her compilation. Not to mention a lengthy entry that's worth reading, every single word of it. Without sounding too cliche, I would say to Lynn like what I always say to her when we meet - "These are the memories that keep us going, and remind us that our sacrifices are worth it."
The week in retrospect, it has been so emotionally trying for me. Even for Cancerians like myself who have emotional upheavals and moodswings every single day, this week has been rough. I had a premonition and it seemed like I just lived out one of my worst nightmares ever. The memories linger, and as much as I hate to acknowledge it, these experiences affect my standing with people around me and vice versa.
The illness compounded matters further. I had to contend with a doctor proclaiming that 'my throat isn't that bad' and I don't require antibiotics despite me knowing my condition better. For the record, 3 docs in the space of 3 days isn't good news. The weekend one out of convenience, the Mon one was during work, and the Tue one was my trusted family doctor, after my throat decided it would go 'full blast' - I quote Jean.
MC 2 days just before my getaway. Talk about uncanny timing and sheer coincidences.
I wished I wasn't sick before my trip. Sore throats are the worst thing to have next to mouth ulcers. They make you feel real grouchy and snappy, and worst of all, you can't eat anything! But saying so, the first bite of ice-cream, and first sip of Coke after the self-imposed abstinence was absolute bliss. Ice-cold Coke in cubes of ice. Simple pleasures of life.
I didn't really venture much given my condition, and I stayed away from any form of physical strenuous activity, limiting myself to a dip in the pool. In the coming week ahead, I will strive to attend as many classes as possible to regain my dropping levels of fitness, exacerbated by me relinquishing my weekday classes and me juggling my new work commitments.
During my absence from my regular time slots this week, I felt a real disconnect from the gym and everything associated with it. It was subdued until one moment of recollecting my thoughts, I realised that I do miss conducting classes after all. There was such a strong innate desire to get my ass back and do it again. Sometimes I ask myself, "What would happen one day if I stop conducting classes for good?" Of course this needless thought masks the positive news I've received from my new employers. My boss OK-ed my part-time so I don't have to be oh-so-secretive about it and live a double life as I did in my previous employment.
This sounds insane, but during my trip, I was actually planning what tracks I wanted to teach when I return, despite it being more than a week away. BC36 has been good, but too much of something is boring, and I'm kinda excited to mix tracks again.
Till then, I think I shall sign off for now, and start thinking what I want to write next. A belated MC entry, replete with all those wonderful pics that Lynn took? Perhaps.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Passion Re-ignited
SQ return trip to Auckland, S$2,000. Accomodation, meals and expenses, S$1,000. Appearing on front row of BC36 and getting featured in the choreo notes, priceless.
I would really love to go Auckland and attend a filming once again.
Today, I finished work early at about 7 and I attended LH's BC class at STC. Had dinner with her after that and we discussed about this round of releases and my experience at the Global Summit.
LH asked me if my perspective has changed after going to Auckland. Of cos it has! As Lynn always puts it... "Don't talk about passion if you...." For me, I would only say one thing, don't say you are passionate about LM programs until you have gone all the way to Auckland to experience it.
We talked about how certain things are done during filming, and only a visit to the LM gym would make things clearer. Like why do the presenters keep saying 'Studio 1' in the DVDs? Because there's a Studio 2 in LM gym and the filmings are held at Studio 1.
Then there was once, in BC30, Rach used this phrase in the warm up "Roundhouse set up right window". This was said with specific reference to the right window at the LM Studio 1. I chuckled when I heard this being repeated word for word in a Singapore gym studio without windows!
Anyway, the more we talked the more excited I am about going again. I can't wait for another of those moments when Rach did the slow claw in T4 Zombie that sent shivers down the spine.
Now... should I go Europe with my friends or should I go Auckland again this year?
I would really love to go Auckland and attend a filming once again.
Today, I finished work early at about 7 and I attended LH's BC class at STC. Had dinner with her after that and we discussed about this round of releases and my experience at the Global Summit.
LH asked me if my perspective has changed after going to Auckland. Of cos it has! As Lynn always puts it... "Don't talk about passion if you...." For me, I would only say one thing, don't say you are passionate about LM programs until you have gone all the way to Auckland to experience it.
We talked about how certain things are done during filming, and only a visit to the LM gym would make things clearer. Like why do the presenters keep saying 'Studio 1' in the DVDs? Because there's a Studio 2 in LM gym and the filmings are held at Studio 1.
Then there was once, in BC30, Rach used this phrase in the warm up "Roundhouse set up right window". This was said with specific reference to the right window at the LM Studio 1. I chuckled when I heard this being repeated word for word in a Singapore gym studio without windows!
Anyway, the more we talked the more excited I am about going again. I can't wait for another of those moments when Rach did the slow claw in T4 Zombie that sent shivers down the spine.
Now... should I go Europe with my friends or should I go Auckland again this year?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Boss is LEO
A few days ago, I told Lynn that I guessed my boss is a Leo. Today I confirmed that. My boss was quite easy to guess. He's got a few Leo traits - great confidence, excellent leadership skills and he just talks like a Leo, also he's a bit beng.
And to support that, two of my team-mates whom he hired along with me are Leo and Aries, so I just made a calculated guess and I was right. As for me, maybe cos I got the same birthday as his wife? Hahaha...
I'm starting to wonder why I took up this role. I think part of it was cos I realised I wanted to work for this guy. Very sure of what he wants and not wishy washy.
Had a nice chat with him in his car today, so I popped the question. Your birthday coming soon right? He asked me how I know, and everything just fell into place. So damn easy. I told my boss that some of us think he's quite beng!
Since my boss is a little beng, I guess I must listen to some beng songs also... like those rave, electronic, hardcore songs...
Have you ever really seen the rainbow
Have you ever really touched the blue blue sky
Have you ever really seen a falling star
Here me cry tonight
Don't you never let me go
Don't you ever let it show
I will cry in the SEA OF LOVE
The stars will always shine
And I'm gonna make you mine tonight
Tonight
I want you, I need you
And my heart is beating softly baby
If you leave me, deceive me
I will never see the sun rise again
Nice. 'Let's see how far we've come.'
And to support that, two of my team-mates whom he hired along with me are Leo and Aries, so I just made a calculated guess and I was right. As for me, maybe cos I got the same birthday as his wife? Hahaha...
I'm starting to wonder why I took up this role. I think part of it was cos I realised I wanted to work for this guy. Very sure of what he wants and not wishy washy.
Had a nice chat with him in his car today, so I popped the question. Your birthday coming soon right? He asked me how I know, and everything just fell into place. So damn easy. I told my boss that some of us think he's quite beng!
Since my boss is a little beng, I guess I must listen to some beng songs also... like those rave, electronic, hardcore songs...
Have you ever really seen the rainbow
Have you ever really touched the blue blue sky
Have you ever really seen a falling star
Here me cry tonight
Don't you never let me go
Don't you ever let it show
I will cry in the SEA OF LOVE
The stars will always shine
And I'm gonna make you mine tonight
Tonight
I want you, I need you
And my heart is beating softly baby
If you leave me, deceive me
I will never see the sun rise again
Nice. 'Let's see how far we've come.'
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
1 July, 2008
First of all, a very big THANK YOU to everyone who made this day wonderful. Thanks to all of you for your well-wishes on this portal, thanks to all my friends who dropped me SMSes (sorry I couldn't reply) and of course thanks to my friends who celebrated for me.
I shan't elaborate too much on work, just feel that work is challenging but I am relishing every moment of it right now. Today my boss was on leave, but he came back to the office for a while, carrying his baby son before making a quick exit.
Just before he left, I asked him.
Me: "Hey boss, can I leave slightly early today at about 7?" (That's considered early for me btw)
Boss: "Why leh?"
Me: "Today is my birthday and I got dinner celebration with my friends"
Boss: "Why, my wife birthday today, you also birthday today?"
*keeps mum*
Boss: "Ok lor, you go on half day today. Go, go!"
My boss is super nice. But I decided to stay anyway since the dinner is near my workplace anyway, and I got so much to learn, not to mention I'm running for targets this month and leaving the office early means I will have less time to run for numbers. I'm on leave for 2 days this month as well.
So I went for lunch with Ms Scorpio again before returning to the office. No regrets not taking the half day off as the phone lines were busy the entire afternoon!
Two of my new colleagues who have been posted elsewhere dropped by for a visit, and it was nice to see some familiar faces again.
I had a dinner celebration at Billy Bombers in the evening, thanks to Ant, Ben, David C, David L, Eric, Jonathan, Matthew, Mun Yee, YN for organising and attending. Really appreciate it. I'm glad to know all these people from PF as fellow hardcore Combatters before they came to support when I started conducting classes.
I really had a wonderful day today. A host of Cancerian birthdays ahead for me to wish... it really is no strange coincidence that many Cancerians are my close friends.
In the meantime, I shall look forward to attend Sebestian's Bodyjam tomorrow! Oh, did I mention that Seb is Cancerian too haha... Birthday coming, so all you fans of him please get ready! =)
I shan't elaborate too much on work, just feel that work is challenging but I am relishing every moment of it right now. Today my boss was on leave, but he came back to the office for a while, carrying his baby son before making a quick exit.
Just before he left, I asked him.
Me: "Hey boss, can I leave slightly early today at about 7?" (That's considered early for me btw)
Boss: "Why leh?"
Me: "Today is my birthday and I got dinner celebration with my friends"
Boss: "Why, my wife birthday today, you also birthday today?"
*keeps mum*
Boss: "Ok lor, you go on half day today. Go, go!"
My boss is super nice. But I decided to stay anyway since the dinner is near my workplace anyway, and I got so much to learn, not to mention I'm running for targets this month and leaving the office early means I will have less time to run for numbers. I'm on leave for 2 days this month as well.
So I went for lunch with Ms Scorpio again before returning to the office. No regrets not taking the half day off as the phone lines were busy the entire afternoon!
Two of my new colleagues who have been posted elsewhere dropped by for a visit, and it was nice to see some familiar faces again.
I had a dinner celebration at Billy Bombers in the evening, thanks to Ant, Ben, David C, David L, Eric, Jonathan, Matthew, Mun Yee, YN for organising and attending. Really appreciate it. I'm glad to know all these people from PF as fellow hardcore Combatters before they came to support when I started conducting classes.
I really had a wonderful day today. A host of Cancerian birthdays ahead for me to wish... it really is no strange coincidence that many Cancerians are my close friends.
In the meantime, I shall look forward to attend Sebestian's Bodyjam tomorrow! Oh, did I mention that Seb is Cancerian too haha... Birthday coming, so all you fans of him please get ready! =)
Thank You
It's my birthday! And everything's looking a blast.
First up, waking up at 2:45am to watch Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final was well worth it. I've always been a Spain supporter as I support FC Barcelona... me no glory hunter here.
Work is starting to be challenging. I start running numbers on my big day and it's time to begin stressing my ass out.
Lunch with Ms Scorpio was fantastic. During training, we somehow clicked and hanged out together, it was only later did I know that she was a Scorpio. What a coincidence. Nobody in my training would have guessed that I would get along so well with her!
A big thank you to Ms Lynn for coming all the way to give me a birthday treat at Outback today. It was a lovely dinner and the conversation we had was priceless. We talked so much today, on gym stuff, on friendships and fortune telling...
Fortune teller was freakingly accurate for me. When she said that I would be travelling in July, I was like 'No way!' considering I've just finished training and would be starting on my job soon.
But when Mr Scorpio asked me to join him for a trip, I couldn't say no. And the best thing was my boss ok-ed my leave. And even if I didn't go for this trip, my department is going away for an off-site which means I'll be out of the country anyway. Scary!
The only pity is I couldn't be spending my birthday with my twin brother and the rest of my training mates who are still stuck in training.
Many thanks to all those friends and even those readers of this blog for your well wishes. It's very much appreciated, even if I may not know some of you.
On a slightly dampening note, during today's conversation with Lynn, we touched on lost friendships and betrayals. Unfortunately, I've been at the receiving end of such brutal treatments.
One lost for good.
One just returned from 4 years of overseas study and sent an email to apologise. Unfortunately, I've no time for that and have no wish to be reminded of an unpleasant past. I should have sent an reply to remove any lingering hopes of reconciliation, but seriously I can't be bothered anymore. It's not that I'm petty, I did spend several nights lying on the bed before sleep wondering if I should reply.
Then there's another one, whose sister is having her wedding dinner tonight. I treated her like my own sister, but once again I have no capacity to forgive the elder sibling and I rejected the invitation.
Heartless I am not, but it is the pain from all these betrayals of people close to me that hurts the most. A Cancerian's weakness is the heart, and it is in my best interests to just chuck all these failed friendships away than to reminded of the unhappy past.
I don't forgive. But even if I forgive, I won't forget.
First up, waking up at 2:45am to watch Spain beat Germany 1-0 in the Euro 2008 final was well worth it. I've always been a Spain supporter as I support FC Barcelona... me no glory hunter here.
Work is starting to be challenging. I start running numbers on my big day and it's time to begin stressing my ass out.
Lunch with Ms Scorpio was fantastic. During training, we somehow clicked and hanged out together, it was only later did I know that she was a Scorpio. What a coincidence. Nobody in my training would have guessed that I would get along so well with her!
A big thank you to Ms Lynn for coming all the way to give me a birthday treat at Outback today. It was a lovely dinner and the conversation we had was priceless. We talked so much today, on gym stuff, on friendships and fortune telling...
Fortune teller was freakingly accurate for me. When she said that I would be travelling in July, I was like 'No way!' considering I've just finished training and would be starting on my job soon.
But when Mr Scorpio asked me to join him for a trip, I couldn't say no. And the best thing was my boss ok-ed my leave. And even if I didn't go for this trip, my department is going away for an off-site which means I'll be out of the country anyway. Scary!
The only pity is I couldn't be spending my birthday with my twin brother and the rest of my training mates who are still stuck in training.
Many thanks to all those friends and even those readers of this blog for your well wishes. It's very much appreciated, even if I may not know some of you.
On a slightly dampening note, during today's conversation with Lynn, we touched on lost friendships and betrayals. Unfortunately, I've been at the receiving end of such brutal treatments.
One lost for good.
One just returned from 4 years of overseas study and sent an email to apologise. Unfortunately, I've no time for that and have no wish to be reminded of an unpleasant past. I should have sent an reply to remove any lingering hopes of reconciliation, but seriously I can't be bothered anymore. It's not that I'm petty, I did spend several nights lying on the bed before sleep wondering if I should reply.
Then there's another one, whose sister is having her wedding dinner tonight. I treated her like my own sister, but once again I have no capacity to forgive the elder sibling and I rejected the invitation.
Heartless I am not, but it is the pain from all these betrayals of people close to me that hurts the most. A Cancerian's weakness is the heart, and it is in my best interests to just chuck all these failed friendships away than to reminded of the unhappy past.
I don't forgive. But even if I forgive, I won't forget.
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