Money and work

Recently I realized that money and work are closely related. To be more accurate, they are directly proportional.

If money is 50% good, work feeling is 50%.
If money is 100% good, work feeling is 100%.

I have spoken with many people, Dad, Mom, some frens, Anh a...and we all agreed: work = money.

Of coz, there are other reasons too: to pass time, to get in touch with society, to have satisfaction, to have a good career etc etc etc.

But when you are really fed up, stuck, frustrated with work. When office politics bug you, ppl criticized you. When problems in work keep sprouting out. When nothing is smooth....wat keeps you going >>>>> $$$

I love money. Edwin Brother, remind what we used to say? Heehee...

Please do not tell me there is anyone who does not work for $$$.

Sashimi and Wasabi

I dont eat raw food.

Salmon, tuna, wasabi...all these food are definitely out of my favourite food list.

Yesterday, i re-wrote my list and added in "raw prawns".

It was my last night in HCM and after work, Anh a brought me out for dinner at an exquisite place (it is an old Chinese teahouse, like those we see in period dramas. We sat on the 2nd floor. I'll take some pics next time!) He ordered fresh raw prawns (they call it shrimp here, but its definitely tiger prawn), deshelled, cleaned, arranged on an ice platter. The sauce was a mixture of wasabi, soy sauce with lemon.

I eyed the dish apprehensively/suspiciously and would not lift my chopsticks at all. Anh demostrated on eating the shrimp and he urged me to TRY.

Finally, I took 1 small tiny shirmp (the smallest i can find on the platter) and dipped in the sauce. Since its raw, i had to dip more so that all bacteria will be 'killed' by the wasabi. Anyway, i took a small bite...

At first, it tasted cold and salty, then choking coz of the wasabi. Its a sharp jolt to my senses, esp nose and i felt my airway cleared and then i felt shiok! I washed everything down with cold Heineken. Then i reached for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th piece....Anh a was laughing and laughing throughout...i think he enjoyed watching my expression and actions than eating it.

So, everything also has a first time. I have not tried some things before, but it does not mean i do not like them. It only means i have not grown to like them.

原来每一样东西都有第一次。

Thanks Anh a. Its really an unforgettable experience :)

Nostalgic

Suddenly, when I woke up this morning, I began to reminicise my 'old life' in SG. Not that I dislike my life in HCM now, but I miss those days at home.

Life at home (w/o work)
Exercise and breakfast
Shower and make up
Out for lunch with Mom, Aunts or frens
Shopping
Tea time
Spa or hair time
Dinner
TV/DVD
Read novels
Sleep

Life in HCM (with work)
Shower and breakfast
Work
Lunch
Work
Dinner (either cook or eat out)
Chit chat with frens
TV (if any nice movies)
Read novels
Sleep

I just feel nostalgic and i missed my relaxing and worry-free days in Sg. Yes, i know everyone must grow up one day, and we have to face life's stress and pressure. But...just sometimes...i wish i am back to the university days, when life was much simpler, when i was much more carefree (being alone and single).

Another 5 months. I must perservere till Jan 2009.

Accident

HCM has a maddening traffic system: traffic regulations are ignored, lane markings are virtually non-existent, motorcycles and cars fight for road space. The most absurb 'phenomenon' is that when vehicles need to turn right, they keep left, and then when they are about to turn, they will horn and horn to get all the right-lane-vehicles to stop, and then turn right. Totally unbelievable.

After 10 months in HCM, i had been quite safe and lucky > no accidents. Until this morning....

On my way to work in a taxi, i was reading my novel (as usual) and the driver was honking and weaving his way through the congested roads. Suddenly, there was a loud bang and a strong impact. My whole body lurched forward and i had to hold onto the front seat in order to steady myself. It seems that a motorcycle suddenly dashed out from nowhere and the taxi could not brake in time, and there was a collision. Surprisingly the motorcycle is not damaged, neither is the taxi....both driver/rider are safe. But the impact left me with a sore neck and strained back.

Is the traffic in HCM really chaotic, or is it because SG traffic is so much more normal and regulated?

Hectic days

Its 6pm HCM and i am still staring at my email inbox, with a big heavy thick file beside me.
What does this mean?
Overloaded? Busy?

These days, i m terribly busy. A colleague in my team left, others are inexperienced and I take care of the whole bulk of work. Mornings would be spent going around for appointments, afternoons would be spent in office meetings, evenings would be spent in front of my lappy. Where are those days of coffee/movies/dinners and drinks with Anh and frens?

Anh a is very busy too. He would leave his home for office at 7am, then go out to other provinces for work then return to the city only at 7pm. Often, when we eventually meet, it would be 8pm (730pm is earliest) and we would be dead tired. Dinner is no longer an enjoyable activity at restaurants, we would cook something simple or just takeaway.

Weekends are more enjoyable & relaxing, but I often nap the afternoons away and would only wake up at early evening. OMG! I am so piggy...oink oink :)

So, this is real life, heh? No wonder most ppl have no time/energy to date or get into a serious relationship > work occupies 80% of our time!!!!

Olympics & The Phelps Phenomenon

The 'in' thing now: Olympics.

Being in VN does not stop me from catching the Olympics, though the telecasting of the events here is.....below expectations. In SG, we have 6 dedicated channels for Olympics. In VN, only 2-3 channels, and the main problem is: they do not telecast the events as per schedule. There is actually NO schedule to speak of in the first place, they just telecast whatever events that are taking place at that moment. So we just gonna try out luck and go thru all channels...grrr...

Anyway, I count blessings coz they will telecast the swimming events!! I only watch out for Michael Phelps.. heehee... oh gosh! This man swims like a 'fish'...fast and furious...

3 gold medals...5 more to go...I am counting for him too :)

Happy 53rd Birthday!!

I was back in SG last week for a break and also to celebrate Daddy's bday.

I took half-day leave and enjoyed some father-daughter time with Daddy, and of coz, we watched movies (its our fave activity). Then we had family dinner tgt.

Me and Daddy. He doesn't look a day older than 45 years old...heehee...53?? Must be joking :)
Ah... family photo. NahNah, me and Dee Dee.
Edwin, Nai Nai and Me.
Just me and NahNah
'寿桃' -- Longevity Peach

According to Chinese customs, this is for the birthday boy/girl and his guests. It is to wish him/her good health and long life :)

It was a great dinner, the food was yummy (chinese food always nice), the company was fantastic. I really treasure every minute spent in Singapore with my family :)

Happy Birthday, Dee Dee!!!!!