Today was the confirmation of the inevitable. While I accept that changes are part and parcel of life, it is still difficult to accept reality sometimes.
Was originally slated to be the third to make the move, but for some bizarre twist, I'm gonna be the first guinea pig. Two more, or maybe just one will follow suit, but at a later date.
It's all very surreal. It's happening too soon, and while I have been given ample time to buffer the inevitable, it still smacked right on my face.
The afternoon was particularly disruptive as I didn't really know how I was feeling. As I peered out of the window, at the magnificent view just beside me, my colleague mentioned that what I would miss the most is this splendid sight right before me. I couldn't help but snap a few pictures. Another colleague came over and took a few photos of me at my seat.
Strangely, quite a few came to me to ask me how I would feel about the change. If I were a logical person, I would list down the pros and cons and then decide what works best. But ZJ doesn't operate this way. I go with my heart, my mood and my feelings.
The plus side is that I will be able to make it for 730pm classes any day of the week. Which makes me wonder if I should.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Lights Out
There are some tracks that are just simply tougher than the rest.
I revisited BC3404 Lights Out for my Monday evening class and it nearly had me lights out after the track! But this track remains one of my favourites and I reckon, one of the most challenging tracks ever. It's definitely not easy to teach, but it does feel extremely satisfying each time after I do this track.
I went back to check out my excel spreadsheet, and if you take away the 10 classes during launch period (I was on 5 classes a week then), I've only done this track another 11 times prior to today, the last 2 dating 10 Jan and 25 Apr this year.
There were a few times I bailed out on this track right in the middle of the class if there were some newcomers and I thought that it would be too complex or too challenging for them. And there were also some occasions when I would have liked to have done this track, but I felt very tired and lethargic from work, and didn't feel confident enough to present the track in the manner that I would have liked to.
I think the conclusion to myself is that I should do it more often, to challenge not only myself, but everyone!
I revisited BC3404 Lights Out for my Monday evening class and it nearly had me lights out after the track! But this track remains one of my favourites and I reckon, one of the most challenging tracks ever. It's definitely not easy to teach, but it does feel extremely satisfying each time after I do this track.
I went back to check out my excel spreadsheet, and if you take away the 10 classes during launch period (I was on 5 classes a week then), I've only done this track another 11 times prior to today, the last 2 dating 10 Jan and 25 Apr this year.
There were a few times I bailed out on this track right in the middle of the class if there were some newcomers and I thought that it would be too complex or too challenging for them. And there were also some occasions when I would have liked to have done this track, but I felt very tired and lethargic from work, and didn't feel confident enough to present the track in the manner that I would have liked to.
I think the conclusion to myself is that I should do it more often, to challenge not only myself, but everyone!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Video Killed The Radio Star
Back in the good old years, I used to listen to the radio every single night, without fail. 98.7FM Perfect 10. I've won quite a bit of items from Perfect 10, from a $100 cash voucher, to a Swatch watch, to movie tickets, to memorabilia, to anything you can think of. I was slightly luckier than some of my friends and classmates who didn't tune in any less.
Over the past few years, there's just been so many changes and I realised I've stopped listening to radio for a while. First, my radio at home broke down (the one which also plays cassette, so you figure out how old it is) and it was never replaced. Second, I succumbed to the internet age, and spent my youth playing games like Counter-Strike or Championship Manager.
I never had a pocket radio tuner, and even when I got my Creative mp3 and later iPod, it was mainly BC tracks I listened to in preparation for classes.
Recently, I've started tuning in to radio stations again, courtesy of my car. The car is still the best thing I bought myself, I love those moments when I drive to and back from work, when I will just zone out into my personal space and listen to the radio. My favourite moments are of course driving home late at night with the radio on. 'Me' time for me to sort my thoughts out. It also tends to be a bit more 'feeling feeling', maybe because of the songs they play at night.
The 90s saw a massive emergence of alternative rock bands, which really captured my heart with their music. Thus, I always feel very nostalgic when I listen to this particular category of songs.
Driving to work this morning, I heard this song that put me in the 'feeling feeling' mode. I went to office, googled the song lyrics, and found out that it was actually a track by the Killers - Human.
Some of you may know that The Killers is also the artiste for BC30's lower body warm up, Somebody Told Me, which also happens to be one of my favourites, along with Mr Brightside. For those of you who are interested, can check this song out.
And in the same morning, I heard another song that got me into the mood. Then I realised that it was the theme song for this year's National Day. It's by Electrico - What Do You See. I love this song already.
Sometimes the radio brings the loveliest moments in life.
Over the past few years, there's just been so many changes and I realised I've stopped listening to radio for a while. First, my radio at home broke down (the one which also plays cassette, so you figure out how old it is) and it was never replaced. Second, I succumbed to the internet age, and spent my youth playing games like Counter-Strike or Championship Manager.
I never had a pocket radio tuner, and even when I got my Creative mp3 and later iPod, it was mainly BC tracks I listened to in preparation for classes.
Recently, I've started tuning in to radio stations again, courtesy of my car. The car is still the best thing I bought myself, I love those moments when I drive to and back from work, when I will just zone out into my personal space and listen to the radio. My favourite moments are of course driving home late at night with the radio on. 'Me' time for me to sort my thoughts out. It also tends to be a bit more 'feeling feeling', maybe because of the songs they play at night.
The 90s saw a massive emergence of alternative rock bands, which really captured my heart with their music. Thus, I always feel very nostalgic when I listen to this particular category of songs.
Driving to work this morning, I heard this song that put me in the 'feeling feeling' mode. I went to office, googled the song lyrics, and found out that it was actually a track by the Killers - Human.
Some of you may know that The Killers is also the artiste for BC30's lower body warm up, Somebody Told Me, which also happens to be one of my favourites, along with Mr Brightside. For those of you who are interested, can check this song out.
And in the same morning, I heard another song that got me into the mood. Then I realised that it was the theme song for this year's National Day. It's by Electrico - What Do You See. I love this song already.
Sometimes the radio brings the loveliest moments in life.
BC41 Muay Thai
Cover of My Chemical Romance's cover version of Desolation Row. This is very my kind of music. =)
Interesting Evening
I enjoy food, but I'm no expert in food critic, so it was a surprise when Hungrygowhere.com (HGW) contacted me and asked me to join them in a food tasting session this evening.
It was quite an enjoyable evening, meeting the founders of HGW, as well as a couple of food tasting aficionadoes, having a sumptuous dinner hosted by the restaurant we were reviewing.
Had a nice chat with the chef, and I was quite surprised to hear that our PM Lee Hsien Loong actually patronises the restaurant a couple of times a year. Visited the kitchen, and discussed about ingredients and cooking styles.
I have half a mind to return to the kitchen this weekend, but I know I'll be too lazy. The last time I cooked was way back in 2003 when I cooked for my apartment mates in the US almost everyday. It's funny how you don't eat much after you do all the cooking.
Anyway, still very surprised at the sudden invite, given that I've not really been an active reviewer at HGW for a while now. Wonder if I'll get invited for future food tasting sessions.
It was quite an enjoyable evening, meeting the founders of HGW, as well as a couple of food tasting aficionadoes, having a sumptuous dinner hosted by the restaurant we were reviewing.
Had a nice chat with the chef, and I was quite surprised to hear that our PM Lee Hsien Loong actually patronises the restaurant a couple of times a year. Visited the kitchen, and discussed about ingredients and cooking styles.
I have half a mind to return to the kitchen this weekend, but I know I'll be too lazy. The last time I cooked was way back in 2003 when I cooked for my apartment mates in the US almost everyday. It's funny how you don't eat much after you do all the cooking.
Anyway, still very surprised at the sudden invite, given that I've not really been an active reviewer at HGW for a while now. Wonder if I'll get invited for future food tasting sessions.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Three Years Of My Life
I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt that I brought a friend to look at cars, and ended up selling my car. After I sold my car, I had to take taxi wherever I wanted to go and it was absolutely torturous for me. Luckily I woke up and realised it was only a nightmare. I think I'm slowly falling into a category of people who can't go back to public transport once they made the switch to driving.
I had dinner with a friend today. Me and him go a long way back. We were enemies in 2004, and 5 years later, who would have thought that we'll be having dinner and dessert, talking about the person who made us enemies then.
We had ramen at Santouka at Central. For those who like ramen, I do recommend this place, do try the ultra fatty 'pork cheek'. I know a gym instructor shouldn't be getting people to eat unhealthy food, but I'd say its worth the fat. =)
We took a short walk to Clarke Quay and had ice-cream, before I sent him home, all the way in Jurong West.
After he alighted, I thought to myself, since I'm all the way here, might as well make a trip to my alma mater (NTU, for the non-Singaporeans reading this, it means Nanyang Technological University) to see how much has changed.
I took a slow drive around the campus, going past the halls, all dark and quiet given that it is still semester break, and I even stopped somewhere and took a walk along the school compounds, passing all the lecture theatres and peering inside the tutorial classrooms which I went before.
It brought back all the memories of my 3 years in NTU. I've always hated school and dreaded going for classes because I didn't stay in campus and going to school was a 1hr 15min affair. But as I was walking along the corridors, I realised that I missed the place. I missed the old days when life was much simpler, I missed my close friends.
What I miss most was the time outside school during university days. Those were the best days of my life. They still are. I can't bring it back, but I can remember.
As I left the university and headed towards the expressway, a thought manifested in my head, maybe I should visit my old army camp which I spent 2 years of my life there since it's along the way home. I looked at the time, and reckoned that perhaps this episode should be left for another day.
I had dinner with a friend today. Me and him go a long way back. We were enemies in 2004, and 5 years later, who would have thought that we'll be having dinner and dessert, talking about the person who made us enemies then.
We had ramen at Santouka at Central. For those who like ramen, I do recommend this place, do try the ultra fatty 'pork cheek'. I know a gym instructor shouldn't be getting people to eat unhealthy food, but I'd say its worth the fat. =)
We took a short walk to Clarke Quay and had ice-cream, before I sent him home, all the way in Jurong West.
After he alighted, I thought to myself, since I'm all the way here, might as well make a trip to my alma mater (NTU, for the non-Singaporeans reading this, it means Nanyang Technological University) to see how much has changed.
I took a slow drive around the campus, going past the halls, all dark and quiet given that it is still semester break, and I even stopped somewhere and took a walk along the school compounds, passing all the lecture theatres and peering inside the tutorial classrooms which I went before.
It brought back all the memories of my 3 years in NTU. I've always hated school and dreaded going for classes because I didn't stay in campus and going to school was a 1hr 15min affair. But as I was walking along the corridors, I realised that I missed the place. I missed the old days when life was much simpler, I missed my close friends.
What I miss most was the time outside school during university days. Those were the best days of my life. They still are. I can't bring it back, but I can remember.
As I left the university and headed towards the expressway, a thought manifested in my head, maybe I should visit my old army camp which I spent 2 years of my life there since it's along the way home. I looked at the time, and reckoned that perhaps this episode should be left for another day.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Changes
It's been over a year since I made the switch to my current job. In the process of doing so, I gave up 3 weekday classes because I can no longer commit myself the time of making it to the gym at 730pm sharp.
The past 1 year has been great, I found an environment that I liked, a team of colleagues that I really love working with, and us rubbing ideas of one another on a daily basis. Sadly, the team is going to be disintegrated soon due to several changes - promotion, sabbatical, expansion, relocation, resignation.
I'm going to be part of the change via the form of relocation. I'm not so sure what life would be like after relocation. There's still a few months to go before it happens though.
One has already gone for sabbatical, the other is pending a transfer, and one more is pending a portfolio switch. The mood has changed slightly in the small little room, but we still enjoy it.
DH
TL, PC, YF, AS
BK, RC, VS, FL
ZJ, VO, AL, WN, DA
What a team we have. It's a motley crew of different backgrounds, and almost the entire team are punters. You name it, we have it. From equities to FX to indices to futures to bonds to commodities, there'll be someone trading it. I love the high adrenaline of the dealing room, I love the shouts and evil laughters everyday.
But it's all going to change too soon. In my short working lifespan, I've already realised that change is the only thing that is constant. I do hope for better things to come, even though this has been the best ever yet.
The past 1 year has been great, I found an environment that I liked, a team of colleagues that I really love working with, and us rubbing ideas of one another on a daily basis. Sadly, the team is going to be disintegrated soon due to several changes - promotion, sabbatical, expansion, relocation, resignation.
I'm going to be part of the change via the form of relocation. I'm not so sure what life would be like after relocation. There's still a few months to go before it happens though.
One has already gone for sabbatical, the other is pending a transfer, and one more is pending a portfolio switch. The mood has changed slightly in the small little room, but we still enjoy it.
DH
TL, PC, YF, AS
BK, RC, VS, FL
ZJ, VO, AL, WN, DA
What a team we have. It's a motley crew of different backgrounds, and almost the entire team are punters. You name it, we have it. From equities to FX to indices to futures to bonds to commodities, there'll be someone trading it. I love the high adrenaline of the dealing room, I love the shouts and evil laughters everyday.
But it's all going to change too soon. In my short working lifespan, I've already realised that change is the only thing that is constant. I do hope for better things to come, even though this has been the best ever yet.
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