Another CNY

Another CNY in Singapore … what I can say it is damn boring. I almost starved myself one day because I ran out of food at home and shops were closed. A period for good diet.

Apart from healing my leg at home, I have been reading and watching DVDs - bored but fulfilling. I also found out one thing about myself, it is that I can not live without working. I am a workaholic of some sort. I can’t live a week without calling or being called, without no emails flooding my inbox, without deadlines, without responsibilities, and most importantly, without challenges. I will do something when I go back to Guangzhou, even though I am not willing to work in the Chinese environment for I know I will get frustrated with the ways they work. Let’s see, my priority is still my beloved father.

A stupid fall

One year of memories and experience are sealed and packed in three cartoon boxes to be shipped to two different directions. A new journey is waiting for me ahead. I wish I could fly back Melbourne soon, but the decision is not on my now. You don't know how much you love a place until you leave – this is the case for Melbourne. I still can not stand the weather and the irritated skin rash. I miss the people – my dear friends, cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, old colleagues and much much more.

I was and will be home bounded for the whole CNY holiday. Why? Stupid me fell into a drain after having the reunion dinner at A’s house. I hate to say that, but I always fall into things with or without holes: fell from the pavement which fractured my left ankle; fell from the school assembling hall stairs which became a hot topic for the rest of school terms; fell into a roses bush which left my hands with scratches; and now I fell into a DRAIN! How embarrassing was that! My left calf is badly scratched, bruises can be found around the scratchy areas; my right elbow is just as bad. One of my worst hurts ever!

When I went to see a doctor on the first day of CNY, the nurse asked me: “Why are you seeing a doctor?” After I told her what had happened. She said stupidly: “You are not in pain, are you?” I squint at her: “I am in PAIN … but I have to wait then I can wait.” The doctor was in a slide shock when he saw the patch of wound on my calf, “Aiyo, you can’t visit relatives lah.” Alas, I should have bougt the 4D on CNY eve – I may be a millionaire today.

During my home-bounded incarceration, I finished another book, a book about Libya. An African country pretty much like the old China in the early 1900s. Women do not have a decision on their marriages, they live under the shadow of men. On the other hand, a group of young men were holding an ambitious to turn the country into a democratic society. However, these group of youths were either hung or exiled. The remaining ones, became cowards and listened to the government. The book was written from a nine-year-old child’s eyes, the real world was seen as confused, horrified and betrayal. An interesting piece for you to peek into an unknown society.

Take an exit

The sudden exit of our DMD came as such a shock. We would never expect her to take the exit, at least not before me. Now, it seems like, two weeks later I will leave the firm, and two months later, she is the one who will walk out of the door and never return. Maybe we all have chosen the right time to leave.

I share the view that if I were to marry, the marriage had to be more successful than my career. I am going to be unemployed with no career laying in front of me, does it mean I can just pick anyone from the street? I was once hand’s full, playing on top of my game, what’s next? Looking for a marriage better than a piece of bread?

Simple things

What will make me smirk? Very simple things – a nice long sleep with a visit to the library, added a one-hour jog in the neighbourhood reservoir. I don't like complicated things. Just simple but pure would embrace my soul.

I went out on Wednesday night after sneaking out early on Tuesday night. My ex-colleague J was kind enough to bring me to watch the Australian basketball league, which Singapore has a team qualified for the season. They are playing ever fortnight in Singapore and the team is called Singapore Slingers. That was my first time watch live sport’s game (F1 is not counted). I was super hyper and got excited when the handsome Slingers’ handsome captain took a quick turn and score a 3-point.

After the match, we went for dinner. I cracked most of the joys this time round, which is quite rare as I am always the quiet one. Maybe I have been given a lot of opportunities to build up my confidence in dealing with difficult matters at work. Anyway, I was given another GUESS bag as my birthday. It is like a well-known secret that I am a fan of GUESS. Maybe next time when I join a firm I should declare myself the fan of GUCCI or some other luxury brands.

On Friday night, the whole group of Associates went out for drinks again. Apart from bitching our seniors, we also talked about how PR practice is like in other countries. The conclusion is, PR in Singapore is all about relationships! You want to get your story in the newspaper, you better know the journalist on the other end of your phone. Sometimes, global account likes the X computer brand, you are merely a press release sender. There is even once an editor called me to notify me that they were running a negative story about one of my clients, I better prepare the holding statement and get ready for the damage control. Imagine I didn't have a good relationship with the editor, I would have to work my ass off to mend the crisis. I guess, one year is good enough for me to move on. If I still want to work in this line, better get going and learn something more challenging and solid.