Happy New Year 2011

Another year has passed by us so quickly. I still feel like I have not done all that I have wanted to do... and my common gripe is always being so busy at work that I have no time for other things. Will that ever change? Can I do something to change that? We'll see.

I have made one little resolution for the new year. I think every year I am over ambitious and say that I wanna accomplish this and that.. so my resolution is to less of an ignoramus and gain knowledge.. in terms of general knowledge, about Singapore, financial management (my own of course) and anything that interests me of course... This has been triggered by the fact that I have been in contact with so many foreigners through out the year.. mostly due to work.. and they ask me questions about Singapore.. I find that I cannot answer them. Are they much wiser than me because they are older and have had more years to accumulate all this knowledge or is it because I am plain ignorant and do not wish to learn more about my surroundings?

Hopefully this resolution is not too hard to keep.. I have been trying real hard to read more.. picked up books at the library last month.. and I'm working on it.. slowly but surely.. I will get there

uninspired

I have been uninspired of late. That and I've been super busy, which explains why I haven't blogged for more than 2 months.

The second half of 2010 has been an eventful one. Really many things happening. I had a pre-wedding photo shoot, went to Montreal and New York for the first time in my life, had to have a wedding banquet and not die of anxiety attacks, amidst a busy work schedule.. and going to Europe with hubby for the honeymoon and officially living together with Simon.. All this in less than half a year.. It is a lot to take in!!

Oh and yes, I am using the prize I won from the workplace Christmas party.. to type out this blog at this moment! My very first laptop and it's an Apple Macbook Pro.

So many happenings, and how is it that I am still uninspired? I don't understand...

Decisions decisions

After much contemplation, I have finally decided where I wanted to go for our first wedding anniversary but the place is closed on Sundays! Argh.... Is it because it's an Australian restaurant hence the boss is so laid back he wants his Sunday off?

Sleepless sunday

I'm having another sleepless sunday.. I don't often have problems sleeping 'cos work takes up most of my energy. but once in a blue moon I will have some problems falling asleep on Sunday..

I have decided to learn something new.. and I know I know, I seem to be a person who cannot keep herself committed to something for long.. in some areas anyway.. I contradict myself.. I can be committed to going to gym, going to my weekly spin sessions.. but yet, when it comes to interests like baking or cooking.. they do not enjoy the same commitment and attention.. I can't seem to the same level of energy for all these things as I am not able to sustain the level of interest and it sort of comes and goes.. as it depends on my mood.

My current in thing is of course.. Muay Thai.. which I missed 3 weeks of it.. but managed to squeeze in one session last week! Happy that I did it.. though during the class my shoulders were killing me and after my lower back was aching.. I love to feel the ache.. cos it means I did workout some muscles!

I often complain that I am busy and don't have time for everything.. but I sometimes still feel restless and feel guilty if I don't seem to have utilised my free time fully. I cannot stand waking up late on weekends cos if I wake up late, then half the day would be gone and my precious weekend is also "wasted".. since I can't sleep now, I decided to learn something new today.. and hopefully I can keep up with it..

I just went through a quick lesson of French online. I did want to learn French.. a long long time ago in secondary school.. but my parents objected saying that Japanese was more practical and useful in the working life.. Being the stubborn me.. I said, fine, no French, then I won't take any 3rd language. Hm.. if only they would know that I one day would work for a company which has a HQ in Montreal?!?! Hahaha.. who would have expected that right?

Hot and humid in Singapore

I can't believe how hot it is tonight! Is it just me who is sweating at home after her shower?? I have to go have another...

Or is it I became accustomed to the cold weather in Montreal and NY and Have to re-adjust my body? I was walking in the streets of Montreal with just a normal work wear, a work jacket, a scarf, leggings if I am wearing a skirt or dress.. The weather was slightly chilly.. but I guess I never felt it that much as I had to walk 20-25 min from my hotel to the office =P so by the time I got to the office I needed to take off the jacket! The Montreal colleagues were wondering how come I was fine walking about the office with no jacket!

The funny thing I observed about the NY trains and buses was that it was often colder on the trains and buses than on the streets. How can that be? I really don't know.. but I have a feeling that they had very little heating on them and maybe the aircon was on?! Montreal trains however.. were nice and toasty. A good relief once we get off the streets.. and I think the trains really have to be built that way because I hear that it can get quite cold in Canada during winter...

Collector of sorts

I have no idea how does one accumulate so much junk?

I hate it. I hate having to throw out things.. being the sentimental person I am.. it's really tough to get rid of "things"... I need to keep telling myself, they are just THINGS...

I just downsized my soft toy collection by a few soft toys.. my dear calls me cruel.. and pity the soft toys for being given away.. of course, when I asked him if he wanted to lug all of them to our new home.. then he shook his head and said no. by the way, some of them were leftovers from my sis...

I also downsized my keychain collection by at least half.. keychains I've collected since I was young.. it's amazing how I look at some of the keychains and wonder how I got them in the first place?!

Need to keep encouraging myself, even if it is a small accomplishment.. getting there in tiny steps..

Waiting to return home

This is my first time in the SAS Business Lounge. I must say, I could get used to this.. flying business class... unfortunately.. who knows when I will get to travel on it again?

I have to say, I enjoyed being in Montreal much more than New York.. Definitely, having good company on a trip helps and at Montreal I got to meet many people from other countries and also to meet up with a colleague who was working in the Singapore office and moved back to Montreal recently. It's always nice to see familiar faces.

I have come to the conclusion that I don't like cities that are too BUSY.. just like how I always preferred Melbourne over Sydney. New York was an eye-opener.. but I don't think I would like to live there for long periods of time. I like being laid back.. and enjoying life.. rather than always rushing..

Cannot imagine the amount of work I would have to return home to.. amount of emails I get sometimes is scary.. I will have to face the reality soon.. =(

Montreal!

Montreal's been great.. pace of life is slow.. much slower than Singapore.. I really enjoyed being here.. I'm sure I won't say the same if I was here in January and the temperature is minus 20 to 30 deg Celsius. Heheh.. but it's fall now and it's lovely!

I can't believe that I was the last to leave the office yesterday.. by 4.45pm everyone was gone.. I feel so sad as I am often the last to leave the Singapore office and was the last to leave the Montreal office?! What the? I really should start leaving the office earlier and stop working late nights =P

Now I'm leaving to go to New York! Exciting days for me..