To the Moon and back
I jumped on a plane and flew to Vancouver last week and after spending a cold and wet week there, I am now in cold and windy Chicago. And will be heading back to hot and sunny Singapore by next week.
Vancouver – The most picturesque city in the world?
I think I will agree with that. The snow cap mountains, the sea, the maple-look-alike trees (my Canadian friend said that those were NOT maple tress but a wanabe) lining the sidewalks, the fallen red and yellow leaves. It’s as if I was in the enchanted garden…
On a cloudless day, every time I looked out of my friend’s window, I will see the Vancouver city, with the mountains – Cypress and Grouse as the back drop. Ahhh… I must say that the view took my breath away every time.
And being a ski freak, I actually took a day trip to Whistler (2010 Winter Olympic), one of the BEST skiing resorts in North America and spent half a day looking wistfully at the mountains, imagining that I was up there skiing and braving Blackcomb’s and Whistler’s slopes.
Sigh… but too bad for me, the skiing season has not started yet and I guess I just have to come here another time. *sad*
Vancouver all in all, gave me a very relax feel to it. Outdoor activities are easily available all year round. Ski/snowboard your heart out in the winter, water-rafting in spring, camping and hiking in summer and biking/horseback riding in fall…. …. The change of the season, in turn, will change your lifestyle, your activities and your wardrobe, and it’s this kind of change I really look forward to
Everyone is nicer, friendly and genuinely greet strangers with smile… something I am really unaccustomed to. And I thought San Francisco and Chicago were laid back…
Will definitely want to go back to Vancouver again. To Whistler. To Ski.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Saturday, November 06, 2004
Women over 30
Below is an article written by Andy Rooney. And after reading that, I have never been more inspired to grow old. The funniest thing is that I have always been looking forward to "aging well". I feel that being older equates to being wiser (hopefully!) and nothing is more attractive than that. Compared to a woman who is 30, I always feel like a kid and inadequate... ... BUT please note that being 30 and LOOKING like a 30 year-old is 2 totally different matter. ;p
Here is a piece written by Andy Rooney - CBS 60 Minutes.
As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do.
And,it's usually something more interesting.
A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.
Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if youdeserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can getaway with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. A woman over 30 has the self-assurance tointroduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guywith other women. Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attractedto her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.
Women getpsychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30.They always know.
A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not trueof younger women or drag queens. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are ajerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where youstand with her.
Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart,well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making afool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.
Ladies, I apologize.For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk forfree".
Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage,why?
Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get alittle sausage..
Below is an article written by Andy Rooney. And after reading that, I have never been more inspired to grow old. The funniest thing is that I have always been looking forward to "aging well". I feel that being older equates to being wiser (hopefully!) and nothing is more attractive than that. Compared to a woman who is 30, I always feel like a kid and inadequate... ... BUT please note that being 30 and LOOKING like a 30 year-old is 2 totally different matter. ;p
Here is a piece written by Andy Rooney - CBS 60 Minutes.
As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do.
And,it's usually something more interesting.
A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.
Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if youdeserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can getaway with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. A woman over 30 has the self-assurance tointroduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guywith other women. Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attractedto her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.
Women getpsychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30.They always know.
A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not trueof younger women or drag queens. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are ajerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where youstand with her.
Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart,well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making afool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress.
Ladies, I apologize.For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk forfree".
Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage,why?
Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get alittle sausage..
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Packing up now...
In my studio apartment, packing up now. The procedure of opening up my empty suitcases and filling them up with my clothes, shoes and stuffs kinda depressed me. Until when I was going through some blogs which I have written but never published them. I was reading one of the blogs and now I am really glad that I am going home after all... ... I guess everyone needs a remainder to set one's priority right again.
Below was what I have written on May 23 2004:
I am freezing my ass off right now in this very moment.
Where: American Museum of Natural History in New York City. To be specific, I am in the cafeteria of the museum.
Time: 4.39 pm and another hour to go before I can get out of here.
Why:
There are a few reasons that contribute to why I am stuck right here.
Firstly, my brother is now in NYC on a vacation. Thus, me being a good sister, I have the obligation to show him around and bring him to all the museums that he wants to explore.
However, I have a dateline to meet by Monday, so instead of me working at home and risking my brother getting lost (which also means that I will be skinned alive by my mum if my brother did get lost in the BIG, BAD and UGLY city); I am now building my spreadsheet using my laptop in the cafeteria of the museum.
My little brother just arrived on last Friday (21 May 2004) and it was on that fateful day, which I have come to learn that one of my cousins had passed away due to a motor vehicle accident. My little cousin, let’s call him “sweet pea”. He was like a little brother to me. Sweet Pea used to come over to my place very often and hang out with my 2 younger brothers. They played and fought together, laughed and cried together and grew up together as the years roll by.
He was a naughty little boy, full of mischief but never malicious. Definitely drove my uncle and aunt up the wall and even me, myself, have the urge to discipline him every once a while.
However, things changed when he started his secondary school and began mixing with bad company. He began to drift apart from my brothers; everyone was too busy to realize that he had skipped school, started smoking and participated in those petty gang fights. My uncle, being a very gentle man, could not handle him and eventually allowed him to drop out of school to enroll into the Army.
Everything seems well ever since he went to the Army, the army disciplined him and kept him busy, he did not seem to be hang around much with those gangster friends anymore.
Everything seems to go well for a while, until… he got involved in a motorcycle accident.
It was a Sunday afternoon; he was rushing to his camp to book in. Being a good friend, he gave his fellow camp mate a ride. He lost control of his motorbike. He crashed into a tree. He died instantly on the spot. He was only 19 years old… … … His fellow campmate was in a coma for a week before passing away too.
He barely bought his motorbike 2 months before the dreadful accident happened. The bike was a gift from his dad… a gift which ultimately caused his death.
Everyone took his death rather badly. It was so unexpected. It was so tragic. All my family members were there at his funeral, everyone except me. And the worst part was that I was not even being told of his death until about 2 weeks later. I was hurt and angry; I called my mum to demand for an explanation since I have never felt more left out.
My mum answered: “So what If I told you… by the time you fly back home, his funeral would have been over anyway.”
Then it hit me. Yes… she is right. If anything were to happen to my loved ones, by the time I were to fly back home, it would have been too late anyway. No last goodbyes, no last words and I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.
I want to go home now.
In my studio apartment, packing up now. The procedure of opening up my empty suitcases and filling them up with my clothes, shoes and stuffs kinda depressed me. Until when I was going through some blogs which I have written but never published them. I was reading one of the blogs and now I am really glad that I am going home after all... ... I guess everyone needs a remainder to set one's priority right again.
Below was what I have written on May 23 2004:
I am freezing my ass off right now in this very moment.
Where: American Museum of Natural History in New York City. To be specific, I am in the cafeteria of the museum.
Time: 4.39 pm and another hour to go before I can get out of here.
Why:
There are a few reasons that contribute to why I am stuck right here.
Firstly, my brother is now in NYC on a vacation. Thus, me being a good sister, I have the obligation to show him around and bring him to all the museums that he wants to explore.
However, I have a dateline to meet by Monday, so instead of me working at home and risking my brother getting lost (which also means that I will be skinned alive by my mum if my brother did get lost in the BIG, BAD and UGLY city); I am now building my spreadsheet using my laptop in the cafeteria of the museum.
My little brother just arrived on last Friday (21 May 2004) and it was on that fateful day, which I have come to learn that one of my cousins had passed away due to a motor vehicle accident. My little cousin, let’s call him “sweet pea”. He was like a little brother to me. Sweet Pea used to come over to my place very often and hang out with my 2 younger brothers. They played and fought together, laughed and cried together and grew up together as the years roll by.
He was a naughty little boy, full of mischief but never malicious. Definitely drove my uncle and aunt up the wall and even me, myself, have the urge to discipline him every once a while.
However, things changed when he started his secondary school and began mixing with bad company. He began to drift apart from my brothers; everyone was too busy to realize that he had skipped school, started smoking and participated in those petty gang fights. My uncle, being a very gentle man, could not handle him and eventually allowed him to drop out of school to enroll into the Army.
Everything seems well ever since he went to the Army, the army disciplined him and kept him busy, he did not seem to be hang around much with those gangster friends anymore.
Everything seems to go well for a while, until… he got involved in a motorcycle accident.
It was a Sunday afternoon; he was rushing to his camp to book in. Being a good friend, he gave his fellow camp mate a ride. He lost control of his motorbike. He crashed into a tree. He died instantly on the spot. He was only 19 years old… … … His fellow campmate was in a coma for a week before passing away too.
He barely bought his motorbike 2 months before the dreadful accident happened. The bike was a gift from his dad… a gift which ultimately caused his death.
Everyone took his death rather badly. It was so unexpected. It was so tragic. All my family members were there at his funeral, everyone except me. And the worst part was that I was not even being told of his death until about 2 weeks later. I was hurt and angry; I called my mum to demand for an explanation since I have never felt more left out.
My mum answered: “So what If I told you… by the time you fly back home, his funeral would have been over anyway.”
Then it hit me. Yes… she is right. If anything were to happen to my loved ones, by the time I were to fly back home, it would have been too late anyway. No last goodbyes, no last words and I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.
I want to go home now.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Outburst on the bus
I was hit by reality once again that I am leaving Chicago in about 3 weeks' time. Had the sudden compulsion to write something while I was on my way to Kraft this morning......
When I left home in search of something better
What I found was something in fact, lesser
But in time, through patience and self-realization
I look around and see inspirations
My trip has been fruitful
My life is now changed
I finally knew what I want
Or so, that's what I'll like to believe
Now that it's time for me to leave
To venture into uncertainty and unknown
And I will go,
Taking my new found treasures with me
I was hit by reality once again that I am leaving Chicago in about 3 weeks' time. Had the sudden compulsion to write something while I was on my way to Kraft this morning......
When I left home in search of something better
What I found was something in fact, lesser
But in time, through patience and self-realization
I look around and see inspirations
My trip has been fruitful
My life is now changed
I finally knew what I want
Or so, that's what I'll like to believe
Now that it's time for me to leave
To venture into uncertainty and unknown
And I will go,
Taking my new found treasures with me
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Love.... is bullshit?!
Just received an email from a friend, unfortunately, the email irritates the shit out of me. I guess the content of the email is simply full of crap. Oh, did I mention that the email was all about… … what else, “love”.
Here are some of the excerpts:
· “Love strives in hurting. If you don't get hurt, you don't learn how to love. Love doesn't hurt all the time. Though the hurting is still there to test to you, to help you grow. Don't find love: let love finds you. That's why it's called falling in love because you don't force yourself to fall. You just fall. "
· “You cannot finish a book without closing its chapters. If you want to go on, then you have to leave the past as you turn the pages size. Love is not destroyed by a single failure or won by a single caress. It is a lifetime venture in which we are always learning, discovering, and growing.”
· “How to define love: fall but do not stumble, be constant but not too persistent, share and never be unfair, understand and try not to demand, hurt but never keep the pain. Love is like a knife. It can stab the heart or it can carve wonderful images into the soul that always last for a lifetime. Love is supposed to be the most wonderful feeling. It should inspire you and give you joy and strength. But sometimes the things that give you joy can also hurt you in the end.”
The first thing that hit me after reading through the email was: what a load of bullshit, I have just wasted 3 minutes of my life, damned!
The next thing that hit me was: Am I really that cynical? Shouldn’t I feel inspired by these “words of wisdom”?
To be frank, I think I have been relatively lucky in love… except for the fact that one of my ex-boyfriend actually two-timed me. Other than that scumbag, I have been blissfully loved by 2 very good men. So, technically speaking, I should still retain some of those head-in-the-clouds-and-I-am-so-in-love genes in me.
Nope. Nothing… those “romantic” DNAs have all died. In fact, one of my friends just made a comment that I am the most unromantic girl he has ever met in his life. I don’t think that is much of a compliment. Upon some self-reflection, I don’t think I am as jaded before, as I am now am.
I remembered I used to think that giving flowers is one of the sweetest things; a guy can do for a girl. Now, it’s a waste of money. Candle light dinner used to be such a romantic thing, now; I think it’s kinda cheesy. Talking on the phone and whisper sweet nothings used to be my forte, now, my boyfriend and I seem to only talk about our work, monetary issues and politics.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME????????!!!!!!!!!
I guess being overseas alone for the past 1.5 years had definitely toughen me up, especially since I was actually living in the Big Apple, New York City for around 14 months. After breathing the cold, hard air of New York, you cannot expect me to remain as fluffy as I was 2 years ago. Plus the fact that I have all along been very independent and being in a big city like New York has not only sharpened my independence streak, it has also honed my dun-you-dare-to-f**k-with-me attitude to a whole new level.
So I have come to realization that, this is what “age” has done to me. Growing older has somehow sucked out my naiveté towards love and dreams. Although now that with age, I am more focused and certain about myself, about who I am and what I want in life. This, in turn, has transformed me to be this selfish, cold-blooded bitch, who might just do anything, in order to attain what ever she wants.
Is this the person whom I want to be?
No.
Now that it’s time for me to go home soon… maybe it is time for me to ponder about the meaning of life again. What ever the case is, I seriously think that I am inherently, a good girl. (Yah… laugh all you want…)
I guess I, not only have to fall in love again, I have to believe in love again.
Just received an email from a friend, unfortunately, the email irritates the shit out of me. I guess the content of the email is simply full of crap. Oh, did I mention that the email was all about… … what else, “love”.
Here are some of the excerpts:
· “Love strives in hurting. If you don't get hurt, you don't learn how to love. Love doesn't hurt all the time. Though the hurting is still there to test to you, to help you grow. Don't find love: let love finds you. That's why it's called falling in love because you don't force yourself to fall. You just fall. "
· “You cannot finish a book without closing its chapters. If you want to go on, then you have to leave the past as you turn the pages size. Love is not destroyed by a single failure or won by a single caress. It is a lifetime venture in which we are always learning, discovering, and growing.”
· “How to define love: fall but do not stumble, be constant but not too persistent, share and never be unfair, understand and try not to demand, hurt but never keep the pain. Love is like a knife. It can stab the heart or it can carve wonderful images into the soul that always last for a lifetime. Love is supposed to be the most wonderful feeling. It should inspire you and give you joy and strength. But sometimes the things that give you joy can also hurt you in the end.”
The first thing that hit me after reading through the email was: what a load of bullshit, I have just wasted 3 minutes of my life, damned!
The next thing that hit me was: Am I really that cynical? Shouldn’t I feel inspired by these “words of wisdom”?
To be frank, I think I have been relatively lucky in love… except for the fact that one of my ex-boyfriend actually two-timed me. Other than that scumbag, I have been blissfully loved by 2 very good men. So, technically speaking, I should still retain some of those head-in-the-clouds-and-I-am-so-in-love genes in me.
Nope. Nothing… those “romantic” DNAs have all died. In fact, one of my friends just made a comment that I am the most unromantic girl he has ever met in his life. I don’t think that is much of a compliment. Upon some self-reflection, I don’t think I am as jaded before, as I am now am.
I remembered I used to think that giving flowers is one of the sweetest things; a guy can do for a girl. Now, it’s a waste of money. Candle light dinner used to be such a romantic thing, now; I think it’s kinda cheesy. Talking on the phone and whisper sweet nothings used to be my forte, now, my boyfriend and I seem to only talk about our work, monetary issues and politics.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME????????!!!!!!!!!
I guess being overseas alone for the past 1.5 years had definitely toughen me up, especially since I was actually living in the Big Apple, New York City for around 14 months. After breathing the cold, hard air of New York, you cannot expect me to remain as fluffy as I was 2 years ago. Plus the fact that I have all along been very independent and being in a big city like New York has not only sharpened my independence streak, it has also honed my dun-you-dare-to-f**k-with-me attitude to a whole new level.
So I have come to realization that, this is what “age” has done to me. Growing older has somehow sucked out my naiveté towards love and dreams. Although now that with age, I am more focused and certain about myself, about who I am and what I want in life. This, in turn, has transformed me to be this selfish, cold-blooded bitch, who might just do anything, in order to attain what ever she wants.
Is this the person whom I want to be?
No.
Now that it’s time for me to go home soon… maybe it is time for me to ponder about the meaning of life again. What ever the case is, I seriously think that I am inherently, a good girl. (Yah… laugh all you want…)
I guess I, not only have to fall in love again, I have to believe in love again.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
The 3 "C"s
I realized that I have a huge problem with the 3 “C”s.
1) Communication
2) Commitment
3) Cash
First and foremost, and I will say, by far the worst problem that I have to deal with… is my PATHETIC communication skills. This really hit me by surprise. Although I am no debater or public speaker, I still pride myself as being relatively vocal and I usually do get my message across to people rather efficiently.
That is until recently where I have to train my new boss, as well as, the replacement analyst, so that they can take over my job when I fly back to Singapore. And to my astonishment, it hits me that I can’t communicate effectively to my seniors or peers, especially work-related issues.
So now, I am making a conscious effort to think and organized my thoughts before I speak, and most importantly, speak slowly and clearly so that my American counterpart can understand my heavily accented English, a.k.a Singlish.
Secondly, commitment. This also hits me by surprise… since I have always wanted to get married young and have children young UNTIL I am now in the States. After being exposed to the wild and crazy life style in the States… I have now grown accustomed to the carefree lifestyle where I can do what ever I like; go where ever I please, say what ever I want. Now that I will be heading home soon, I will have to consider the feelings of my loved ones and ensure that what ever I do, will not cause any distress nor hurt to them. And I find this kind of commitment stifling, so much so that I am almost having an anxiety attack!
Thirdly, cash. I see this coming long time ago and I have nobody to blame but myself. I have been spending way too much money here that I am actually ashamed of myself. Argh…. I am too weak to fight against temptation… boots, hats, scarves and all the accessories which I know I will not get to wear them in Singapore, as my beloved homeland is simply too god-damned hot! But I can’t stop myself from buying all these soft cashmere sweaters…
My god… If I don’t curb myself… I will soon have another “C” related problem: Credit Card bills!!!
I realized that I have a huge problem with the 3 “C”s.
1) Communication
2) Commitment
3) Cash
First and foremost, and I will say, by far the worst problem that I have to deal with… is my PATHETIC communication skills. This really hit me by surprise. Although I am no debater or public speaker, I still pride myself as being relatively vocal and I usually do get my message across to people rather efficiently.
That is until recently where I have to train my new boss, as well as, the replacement analyst, so that they can take over my job when I fly back to Singapore. And to my astonishment, it hits me that I can’t communicate effectively to my seniors or peers, especially work-related issues.
So now, I am making a conscious effort to think and organized my thoughts before I speak, and most importantly, speak slowly and clearly so that my American counterpart can understand my heavily accented English, a.k.a Singlish.
Secondly, commitment. This also hits me by surprise… since I have always wanted to get married young and have children young UNTIL I am now in the States. After being exposed to the wild and crazy life style in the States… I have now grown accustomed to the carefree lifestyle where I can do what ever I like; go where ever I please, say what ever I want. Now that I will be heading home soon, I will have to consider the feelings of my loved ones and ensure that what ever I do, will not cause any distress nor hurt to them. And I find this kind of commitment stifling, so much so that I am almost having an anxiety attack!
Thirdly, cash. I see this coming long time ago and I have nobody to blame but myself. I have been spending way too much money here that I am actually ashamed of myself. Argh…. I am too weak to fight against temptation… boots, hats, scarves and all the accessories which I know I will not get to wear them in Singapore, as my beloved homeland is simply too god-damned hot! But I can’t stop myself from buying all these soft cashmere sweaters…
My god… If I don’t curb myself… I will soon have another “C” related problem: Credit Card bills!!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
19 days to the end of my Traineeship in the States.
Just gave Kaeson a farewell party on Saturday since he will be leaving for Singapore for good, after 9 long years in the States. Wow… 9 years. That’s a freaking long time to stay in a foreign country! I simply can’t imagine the kind of emotions that he must be feeling right now…
As for me, I have only been here for 1.5 years, which is only 1/6 of Kaeson’s length of stay. However, I am already going through an emotional crisis, since now that I have only 19 days to the end of my traineeship with Kraft Foods International.
I feel as if I am now at a T-junction, where I can either make a right or left turn. Although the left turn now is under repair and thus, blocked. So in a sense, I have no other choice but to make a right turn…
So, is there anyway where I can make a left turn?
Well…. Yes.
1) I can either first make a right or then try to make a left turn further down the road. Hopefully the next left turn will bring me to the same destination, which the first left turn would have led me.
2) Or, I could first make a right turn and once I know that the road is repaired, I will then make a U-turn, and hit the very first left turn again.
What ever the case is, I want to make a left turn eventually, which means that, I want to come back to the States again. With that, I have drawn out a 3-year plan. In 3 years’ time, after gaining sufficient work experiences, I aim to come back to Chicago to do my MBA. Of course, ideally, I would like to stay with Kraft and get transferred to Kraft HQ office in Chicago and hopefully get admitted to University of Chicago and pursue my part time MBA program under the company’s expense. Ahhhh…. That will be my ideal world. ;P
But if that does not work out, I will still hunt for opportunities with other companies to achieve my 3-year goal. Basically, by hook or by crook, I do want to be back. Back to Chicago… the Second City.
And in many ways, Chicago is indeed THE second city. At least, Chicago is MY second city. It is my second city which I have lived and grown to love, it is a second city in every aspect when compared to New York, which is still my first love.
However, New York simply has too many distractions and knowing myself, I will never settle to study or even to pick up a textbook to do any readings since I will be too busy eating out at restaurants, partying at clubs, watching plays and ballets and having a hell of a time!
Chicago, at the other hand, seems to be a great city with a decent, but NOT CRAZY night life, and at the same time, boring enough to allow myself to concentrate on my studies a few hours a week (or so I hope!)
After coming up with this 3-year plan, I must say that I definitely felt better. More focused and definitely much less confused. Although the next question is… how am I going to fit “the love of my life” into this 3-year plan of mine?
Question: If you lost the love of your life, do you still have a life?
Just gave Kaeson a farewell party on Saturday since he will be leaving for Singapore for good, after 9 long years in the States. Wow… 9 years. That’s a freaking long time to stay in a foreign country! I simply can’t imagine the kind of emotions that he must be feeling right now…
As for me, I have only been here for 1.5 years, which is only 1/6 of Kaeson’s length of stay. However, I am already going through an emotional crisis, since now that I have only 19 days to the end of my traineeship with Kraft Foods International.
I feel as if I am now at a T-junction, where I can either make a right or left turn. Although the left turn now is under repair and thus, blocked. So in a sense, I have no other choice but to make a right turn…
So, is there anyway where I can make a left turn?
Well…. Yes.
1) I can either first make a right or then try to make a left turn further down the road. Hopefully the next left turn will bring me to the same destination, which the first left turn would have led me.
2) Or, I could first make a right turn and once I know that the road is repaired, I will then make a U-turn, and hit the very first left turn again.
What ever the case is, I want to make a left turn eventually, which means that, I want to come back to the States again. With that, I have drawn out a 3-year plan. In 3 years’ time, after gaining sufficient work experiences, I aim to come back to Chicago to do my MBA. Of course, ideally, I would like to stay with Kraft and get transferred to Kraft HQ office in Chicago and hopefully get admitted to University of Chicago and pursue my part time MBA program under the company’s expense. Ahhhh…. That will be my ideal world. ;P
But if that does not work out, I will still hunt for opportunities with other companies to achieve my 3-year goal. Basically, by hook or by crook, I do want to be back. Back to Chicago… the Second City.
And in many ways, Chicago is indeed THE second city. At least, Chicago is MY second city. It is my second city which I have lived and grown to love, it is a second city in every aspect when compared to New York, which is still my first love.
However, New York simply has too many distractions and knowing myself, I will never settle to study or even to pick up a textbook to do any readings since I will be too busy eating out at restaurants, partying at clubs, watching plays and ballets and having a hell of a time!
Chicago, at the other hand, seems to be a great city with a decent, but NOT CRAZY night life, and at the same time, boring enough to allow myself to concentrate on my studies a few hours a week (or so I hope!)
After coming up with this 3-year plan, I must say that I definitely felt better. More focused and definitely much less confused. Although the next question is… how am I going to fit “the love of my life” into this 3-year plan of mine?
Question: If you lost the love of your life, do you still have a life?
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
WHAT sex and WHAT City???
After watching Sex and the city back-to-back-to-back, season-to-season-to-season, it kinda makes me ponder about the dating scene back home, in Singapore. Or should I say, the LACK of dating scene. But then again, I guess it's unfair for me to make such a comment since I have not been home for the past year or so... Nonetheless, from the complaints that I gathered from my girlfriends, it seems that it is rather difficult to meet anyone interesting back home.
Some of them joined Salsa classes to meet people but complained that most guys can’t dance for nuts. Some go to bars and lounges to hang out but end up hooking up with sleazeballs or slimebags. Others go online to chat with strangers who might be rapists, perverts or murderers. ;)
Then one day, while I was just surfing the net, I came across "Lunch Actually" (anyone watched the movie Love Actually? Cheesy right?)
http://www.lunchactually.com.sg/
Basically, it provides dating services where professionals can meet up for lunch in the CBD area in Singapore. And I thought that it's a really good idea! If I am single, I will definitely sign up for it... In fact, I am just wondering can I sign up for such a service although I am NOT single??!!! It's a really fast, convenient and stress-free way to go for a date.
Isn’t it awesome to have a service that arranges pre-screened lunch dates for busy professionals or professional-wanabes? Lunch dates that fit into our hectic weekly schedules. And since these dates are pre-screened, which means that they are less likely to be disasters and most probably, someone whom you can easily relate to.
And so I began to tell all my friends, who are single to check out this website. However, most of the responses I got are negative.
“What??? Dating service? Do I look as if I need dating service to get myself a date?”
“I might as well join SDU then, at least it’s free!”
“What if my colleagues saw me during the date? It’s embarrassing!”
So it seems that most people have the perception that dating service is for those Single, Ugly and Desperate losers who need to PAY for dates. (Thus, the stigma of joining SDU huh?)
C’mon!!! What’s the big deal of going on blind dates? Isn’t it exciting to meet someone new? To learn about someone’s ocupation, beliefs and life experiences?
So I come to this conclusion that one needs a certain level of self confidence to go on a blind date, so it is not the concept of paying a dating agency that turns people off, but the idea of “selling” yourself during that 1 hour to make an impression and the rejection that one may faced.
Well… no pain, no gain. Your one true love might be there waiting for you. And he or she might be just a lunch date away. So what are you waiting for???
p.s: I am not affiliated to “Lunch Actually” nor received any monetary payments for mentioning their service in my blog.
After watching Sex and the city back-to-back-to-back, season-to-season-to-season, it kinda makes me ponder about the dating scene back home, in Singapore. Or should I say, the LACK of dating scene. But then again, I guess it's unfair for me to make such a comment since I have not been home for the past year or so... Nonetheless, from the complaints that I gathered from my girlfriends, it seems that it is rather difficult to meet anyone interesting back home.
Some of them joined Salsa classes to meet people but complained that most guys can’t dance for nuts. Some go to bars and lounges to hang out but end up hooking up with sleazeballs or slimebags. Others go online to chat with strangers who might be rapists, perverts or murderers. ;)
Then one day, while I was just surfing the net, I came across "Lunch Actually" (anyone watched the movie Love Actually? Cheesy right?)
http://www.lunchactually.com.sg/
Basically, it provides dating services where professionals can meet up for lunch in the CBD area in Singapore. And I thought that it's a really good idea! If I am single, I will definitely sign up for it... In fact, I am just wondering can I sign up for such a service although I am NOT single??!!! It's a really fast, convenient and stress-free way to go for a date.
Isn’t it awesome to have a service that arranges pre-screened lunch dates for busy professionals or professional-wanabes? Lunch dates that fit into our hectic weekly schedules. And since these dates are pre-screened, which means that they are less likely to be disasters and most probably, someone whom you can easily relate to.
And so I began to tell all my friends, who are single to check out this website. However, most of the responses I got are negative.
“What??? Dating service? Do I look as if I need dating service to get myself a date?”
“I might as well join SDU then, at least it’s free!”
“What if my colleagues saw me during the date? It’s embarrassing!”
So it seems that most people have the perception that dating service is for those Single, Ugly and Desperate losers who need to PAY for dates. (Thus, the stigma of joining SDU huh?)
C’mon!!! What’s the big deal of going on blind dates? Isn’t it exciting to meet someone new? To learn about someone’s ocupation, beliefs and life experiences?
So I come to this conclusion that one needs a certain level of self confidence to go on a blind date, so it is not the concept of paying a dating agency that turns people off, but the idea of “selling” yourself during that 1 hour to make an impression and the rejection that one may faced.
Well… no pain, no gain. Your one true love might be there waiting for you. And he or she might be just a lunch date away. So what are you waiting for???
p.s: I am not affiliated to “Lunch Actually” nor received any monetary payments for mentioning their service in my blog.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Nightlife in NYC
Due to popular demand, I've finally come up with the list of clubs, bars and lounges in New York, which I have checked out and even provided a rating system. In no time, I will do like wise for Chicago. So everybody… hang in there!
Welcome to SPG's Rating system!
SPG a.k.a Singapore Party Girl
1 Star * = I'll rather die than to be caught hanging out there!
2 Stars ** = Bad music, ugly people but decent booze. So you better get dead drank so that everyone can look at least like a human being.
3 Stars *** = Enough groove to get you moving, some babes and hunks here and there to catch your eye. Nice atmosphere. With the right amount of alcohol or drugs, this place has the potential to be a blast.
4 Stars **** = Great music! Beautiful people! Cool décor! Do not even need any stimulants to get high… the music is already causing all the blood to rush to your head! Let’s party till 5 am!!!
5 Stars ***** = Everyone is either a porn star, model or b-grade movie star. Super classy, with groovy music. This cannot get any better… wait a minute, how the f**k did you get into the club in the first place???
New York City
1) CentroFly: ****
45 W.21st Streetbetween 5th & 6th AveNew York, NY, 10010
The first time I went to Centrofly, Chemical Brothers were spinning and they were AWESOME!!! Totally blew my mind, the music simply took my breath away. (Literally since we were dancing and dancing non-stop for almost 4 hours) One of the best night outs EVER! CentroFly has the reputation of spinning pretty decent music, unfortunately, it lacks a bit of atmosphere. Saw quite a number of Asians.
2) Avalon: ****
660 6th AveNew York, NY 10011(20th St)
This club has the exterior of a Church… in fact, it IS a church converted into a club. Pretty cool décor, whereby the HipHop basement being the coolest. There are stone figures of angels and stuffs and the mere thought doing any sinful deeds in a Church already sets me high! Great HipHop at the basement with Trance being played in the main dancing hall. Beautiful people, good music and a place to get high w/o alcohol. Easy access to c*ke… in fact, I saw at least 3 people snorting… … Highly recommended.
3) Rumor: ***
130 West 3rd Street (6th Avenue & MacDougal), New York
This is more of a lounge than a club although people start dancing crazily when the music rocks. It is a small place but perfect for a birthday party. Basically, we were there to celebrate Kanica’s birthday. I liked it. Very International crowd.
4) Big Fat Black Pussy Cat: ****
130 West 3rd Street (6th Avenue & MacDougal), New York
This bar is above Rumor and it is one of the coolest bars ever! Basically it’s divided into 2 sections where you have the normal bar like setting with a pool table. However, the other side of the bar is a gem! It’s dark with Victorian kind of settings and furniture. Very laid back yet with a touch of class. The perfect place to sit down and chat with friends… if you want to dance, can easily hop over to the bar section and groove with the mostly American crowd.
4) Webster Hall: **
125 E. 11th Street New York City, NY 10003212-353-1600
This is a 4-floor club playing all genres of music in each level respectively. Music is pretty decent BUT the place is simply filled with ugly people! Most of them are just tourists. One plus: Thursday is Ladies Night where drinks are free for ladies, Gorgeous, half-naked bartenders flirting with you across the bar and a free strip show which is just hilarious. Great place for a girls’ night out to get some free entertainment. Girls… you have to do this at least once in your life!
5) Light: ***
125 East 54th Street b/w Park and Lex., New York
This is a cozy little lounge with lots of class. Quite a number of bankers and executives like to hang out here to unwind. Seems to be more happening on Thursdays and Fridays. A great place to hang out with a flute of Champagne and a banker by your side.
6) Under Bar at W Hotel: ***
14 Street Union Square
Another lounge with even more bankers and banker-wanabes. Pretty swanky, thus the expensive drinks. Nice place to pick up a rich, old desperate banker. I prefer the bar upstairs. Less pretentious and with better ambiance.
7) Lot 61: ****
550 W.21st Street (Chelsea),
Between 10th and 11th Ave,
New York
This 5,000 square-foot former truck garage has been styled with an artsy feel. Seems to draw an Asian crowd with tons of underage-looking Asian girls… Drawback: Only one dance floor. Which means that you can’t move around to get better music to suit your groove. I’ve always prefer clubs that at least have 2 separate dance floors.
8) The Park: *****
118 Tenth Avenue (Between 17th and 18th Streets.)
This must be one of the best clubs I have ever been in my life! Been there twice and totally loveeeee the Park! It has 3 levels where the ground level starts as a restaurant, 2nd level is a bar and the terrace is a dancing haven! Music is great, both at the bar and at the terrace. The terrace is then, divided into indoors and outdoors with 2 little tents for people to make out??!!! Check out the turtle swimming behind the bar… The Park is a MUST!
9) Tao Bar: ***
42 East 58th Street (between Madison and Park), New York
This is the place which was featured in “Sex and the City” with this 18-foot tall Buddha sitting in the dinning area. The bar is situated before the restaurant and basically it’s a place for the “possers” – People who like to stand around and pose. Mind you… these possers are pretty good-looking. Great place if you want to rub shoulders with the beautiful people… however, the bar is really too small but you just most of the time being squeezed.
10) Hudson Bar = ***
356 West 58th Street, New York
Hudson bar is situated in the renowned Hudson Hotel. In fact, I like the hotel better than the bar itself! Highly recommended to just take a stroll in the hotel and if you have nothing better to do, hang out at Hudson bar. Once again, it is more of a lounge although people do start to dance when the music begins to pump up. Good looking crowd but will have to blow $14 on a martini. Nonetheless, still worth to take a look.
11) Serena = **
Chelsea Hotel, 222 W. 23rd Street , New York
Ok, save your time. Don’t bother checking out this place at all. Complete waste of time and music sucks. And to think that I was there twice??!! What the f**k was I thinking??!!
12) Eugene = ****
27 West 24th Street (Between 6th and 5th Avenues)
Cool place. Very nice bouncers… ladies can always get in free as long as you look good and give a smile or two to the rather cute-looking bouncers! Dance floor is big; however, there is ONLY 1 dance floor. So, once again, you cannot navigate around for better music.
13) Copacabana = **
560 West 34th Street at 11th Avenue
This is strictly for Salsa dancers since this is a Salsa club with live salsa music. Although I do enjoy Salsa but this place is beyond my league. Everyone is either a Salsa expert or Salsa teacher… So if you like salsa, this club will be upgraded to ****.
14) Fashion 40 = ***
This is more of a bar situated near Times Square. Nicely decorated but nothing special. Good to hang out if you are within the area and want to hang out with a bunch of friends to chat. Good-looking bar maids though!
Opel = **
Mid-town. 52 Street, towards the East Side
Ok, I can’t seem to find the address of this bar. This bar has the casual, good’old American feel to it. There is also a dance floor section beyond the bar to get some serious grooving. Rowdy.
Ok, the above places are the ones which I think worth mentioning or at least still relatively fresh in my mind. Can’t expect me to give a rating for ALL the freaking clubs I’ve been right?
Below are some clubs which I have heard GREAT things about them but somehow did not have the chance to check them out. So, the next time when I am back in New York, I will definitely hit Crobar!!!
1) Crobar
530 West 28th St. (between 10 and 11th), New York
I was actually at the door but the cover was freaking 40 bucks???!!!!! And my girlfriend refused to pay… so we walked away. Boo hoo… all those beautiful lining up. DAMN IT!
2) Bungalow 8
515 West 27t h Street, Between 10th and 11th Ave, New York, 1001
This is an extremely exclusive club where many hot celabs like Britney Spears and Camaron Diaz were seen hanging out. Unless you are willing to spend around $300, you can almost forget about getting in.
3) APT
419 West 13th St (at 9th Ave), New York
Went to the APT in Chicago and heard that it is the very much inferior version of the one in New York!!! Ha… definitely a place worth to check out!
Due to popular demand, I've finally come up with the list of clubs, bars and lounges in New York, which I have checked out and even provided a rating system. In no time, I will do like wise for Chicago. So everybody… hang in there!
Welcome to SPG's Rating system!
SPG a.k.a Singapore Party Girl
1 Star * = I'll rather die than to be caught hanging out there!
2 Stars ** = Bad music, ugly people but decent booze. So you better get dead drank so that everyone can look at least like a human being.
3 Stars *** = Enough groove to get you moving, some babes and hunks here and there to catch your eye. Nice atmosphere. With the right amount of alcohol or drugs, this place has the potential to be a blast.
4 Stars **** = Great music! Beautiful people! Cool décor! Do not even need any stimulants to get high… the music is already causing all the blood to rush to your head! Let’s party till 5 am!!!
5 Stars ***** = Everyone is either a porn star, model or b-grade movie star. Super classy, with groovy music. This cannot get any better… wait a minute, how the f**k did you get into the club in the first place???
New York City
1) CentroFly: ****
45 W.21st Streetbetween 5th & 6th AveNew York, NY, 10010
The first time I went to Centrofly, Chemical Brothers were spinning and they were AWESOME!!! Totally blew my mind, the music simply took my breath away. (Literally since we were dancing and dancing non-stop for almost 4 hours) One of the best night outs EVER! CentroFly has the reputation of spinning pretty decent music, unfortunately, it lacks a bit of atmosphere. Saw quite a number of Asians.
2) Avalon: ****
660 6th AveNew York, NY 10011(20th St)
This club has the exterior of a Church… in fact, it IS a church converted into a club. Pretty cool décor, whereby the HipHop basement being the coolest. There are stone figures of angels and stuffs and the mere thought doing any sinful deeds in a Church already sets me high! Great HipHop at the basement with Trance being played in the main dancing hall. Beautiful people, good music and a place to get high w/o alcohol. Easy access to c*ke… in fact, I saw at least 3 people snorting… … Highly recommended.
3) Rumor: ***
130 West 3rd Street (6th Avenue & MacDougal), New York
This is more of a lounge than a club although people start dancing crazily when the music rocks. It is a small place but perfect for a birthday party. Basically, we were there to celebrate Kanica’s birthday. I liked it. Very International crowd.
4) Big Fat Black Pussy Cat: ****
130 West 3rd Street (6th Avenue & MacDougal), New York
This bar is above Rumor and it is one of the coolest bars ever! Basically it’s divided into 2 sections where you have the normal bar like setting with a pool table. However, the other side of the bar is a gem! It’s dark with Victorian kind of settings and furniture. Very laid back yet with a touch of class. The perfect place to sit down and chat with friends… if you want to dance, can easily hop over to the bar section and groove with the mostly American crowd.
4) Webster Hall: **
125 E. 11th Street New York City, NY 10003212-353-1600
This is a 4-floor club playing all genres of music in each level respectively. Music is pretty decent BUT the place is simply filled with ugly people! Most of them are just tourists. One plus: Thursday is Ladies Night where drinks are free for ladies, Gorgeous, half-naked bartenders flirting with you across the bar and a free strip show which is just hilarious. Great place for a girls’ night out to get some free entertainment. Girls… you have to do this at least once in your life!
5) Light: ***
125 East 54th Street b/w Park and Lex., New York
This is a cozy little lounge with lots of class. Quite a number of bankers and executives like to hang out here to unwind. Seems to be more happening on Thursdays and Fridays. A great place to hang out with a flute of Champagne and a banker by your side.
6) Under Bar at W Hotel: ***
14 Street Union Square
Another lounge with even more bankers and banker-wanabes. Pretty swanky, thus the expensive drinks. Nice place to pick up a rich, old desperate banker. I prefer the bar upstairs. Less pretentious and with better ambiance.
7) Lot 61: ****
550 W.21st Street (Chelsea),
Between 10th and 11th Ave,
New York
This 5,000 square-foot former truck garage has been styled with an artsy feel. Seems to draw an Asian crowd with tons of underage-looking Asian girls… Drawback: Only one dance floor. Which means that you can’t move around to get better music to suit your groove. I’ve always prefer clubs that at least have 2 separate dance floors.
8) The Park: *****
118 Tenth Avenue (Between 17th and 18th Streets.)
This must be one of the best clubs I have ever been in my life! Been there twice and totally loveeeee the Park! It has 3 levels where the ground level starts as a restaurant, 2nd level is a bar and the terrace is a dancing haven! Music is great, both at the bar and at the terrace. The terrace is then, divided into indoors and outdoors with 2 little tents for people to make out??!!! Check out the turtle swimming behind the bar… The Park is a MUST!
9) Tao Bar: ***
42 East 58th Street (between Madison and Park), New York
This is the place which was featured in “Sex and the City” with this 18-foot tall Buddha sitting in the dinning area. The bar is situated before the restaurant and basically it’s a place for the “possers” – People who like to stand around and pose. Mind you… these possers are pretty good-looking. Great place if you want to rub shoulders with the beautiful people… however, the bar is really too small but you just most of the time being squeezed.
10) Hudson Bar = ***
356 West 58th Street, New York
Hudson bar is situated in the renowned Hudson Hotel. In fact, I like the hotel better than the bar itself! Highly recommended to just take a stroll in the hotel and if you have nothing better to do, hang out at Hudson bar. Once again, it is more of a lounge although people do start to dance when the music begins to pump up. Good looking crowd but will have to blow $14 on a martini. Nonetheless, still worth to take a look.
11) Serena = **
Chelsea Hotel, 222 W. 23rd Street , New York
Ok, save your time. Don’t bother checking out this place at all. Complete waste of time and music sucks. And to think that I was there twice??!! What the f**k was I thinking??!!
12) Eugene = ****
27 West 24th Street (Between 6th and 5th Avenues)
Cool place. Very nice bouncers… ladies can always get in free as long as you look good and give a smile or two to the rather cute-looking bouncers! Dance floor is big; however, there is ONLY 1 dance floor. So, once again, you cannot navigate around for better music.
13) Copacabana = **
560 West 34th Street at 11th Avenue
This is strictly for Salsa dancers since this is a Salsa club with live salsa music. Although I do enjoy Salsa but this place is beyond my league. Everyone is either a Salsa expert or Salsa teacher… So if you like salsa, this club will be upgraded to ****.
14) Fashion 40 = ***
This is more of a bar situated near Times Square. Nicely decorated but nothing special. Good to hang out if you are within the area and want to hang out with a bunch of friends to chat. Good-looking bar maids though!
Opel = **
Mid-town. 52 Street, towards the East Side
Ok, I can’t seem to find the address of this bar. This bar has the casual, good’old American feel to it. There is also a dance floor section beyond the bar to get some serious grooving. Rowdy.
Ok, the above places are the ones which I think worth mentioning or at least still relatively fresh in my mind. Can’t expect me to give a rating for ALL the freaking clubs I’ve been right?
Below are some clubs which I have heard GREAT things about them but somehow did not have the chance to check them out. So, the next time when I am back in New York, I will definitely hit Crobar!!!
1) Crobar
530 West 28th St. (between 10 and 11th), New York
I was actually at the door but the cover was freaking 40 bucks???!!!!! And my girlfriend refused to pay… so we walked away. Boo hoo… all those beautiful lining up. DAMN IT!
2) Bungalow 8
515 West 27t h Street, Between 10th and 11th Ave, New York, 1001
This is an extremely exclusive club where many hot celabs like Britney Spears and Camaron Diaz were seen hanging out. Unless you are willing to spend around $300, you can almost forget about getting in.
3) APT
419 West 13th St (at 9th Ave), New York
Went to the APT in Chicago and heard that it is the very much inferior version of the one in New York!!! Ha… definitely a place worth to check out!
Flash Back to New York City
Since today I am in the mood to blog, I should exploit myself while this enthusiasm lasts! Some background for some of you guys who have no idea who I am:
Who: Wenai or Jean (for stupid Ang Mohs who can't get my name right)
Where: Currently in Chicago, was previously in New York for the past 14 months
Why: Doing a traineeship with Kraft Foods International in New York but due to the relocation of office from New York to Chicago, I am now based in Chicago for the last 3 months of my traineeship.
When: I first touched down at JFK on June 2 2003 and I should be heading home by mid November 2004.
How: I actually got this traineeship from this student organization called AIESEC from NTU!
What: The original intent of starting this blog is to note down all my sweat, tears and joys while I am in the States. But since I have been skiving, I just have to pen down whatever I can from my memory…
New York City
Every time when someone asks me, “What do you think of NYC?”
My reply: “I have a love-hate relationship with her”
Why I love the City:
1) Un-f**king-believable nightlife. In fact, there are so many clubs, bars and lounges that it takes at least 3 years to explore a new bar/club/lounge every weekend. And we are talking about pristine places with great music, class and good looking people!
2) Un-f**king-believable food. New York is the ONE place where you can find the most authentic cuisine from all over the world. You name it, she has it. From the usual Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Mexican to the more obscure Afghanistan, Ethiopian, Tibetan, Moroccan and Peruvian. And the best part is that you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to eat like a king in New York, one can get these cuisines from USD 8. Of course, if you want to pamper yourself and splurge on those HIGH class restaurants with renowned chefs, New York City is definitely THE PLACE.
3) Believable art scene. There are so many plays, Broadway shows, musicals, and concerts to choose from. One can NEVER get bored in New York, broke, definitely, but never BORED. In fact, due to the limited resources and time, I have to make many tough choices on what to watch, who to catch in order to stretch my dollar to the very max.
4) The diversity. You will find all kinds of people in New York and I seriously mean ALL kinds. Not only people from all over the world come to New York, all kinda weirdos conjugate in New York too. Which, in turns, create this energy, this dangerous buzz that no other city in the world is able to replicate.
5) Roadtrip anytime. NYC is relatively close to many weekend getaways. Boston is just 5 hours away. Rhode Island's New Port is 2 hours away. Washington DC is 4 hours away. Pennsylvania is 2 hours away. Montreal, Canada is 8 hours away. There's also Niagara falls. Not forgetting going to Vermont or just upstate New York, Lake Placid to Ski during the winters. If you can't drive??? No worries... there are many tour agencies from Chinatown which provide cheap buses to these near-by cities and we are talking about 20 bucks round-trip to Boston!!! How can you beat that?
Why I hate the City?
1) It is a freaking SLUMP. New York City must be the most over-rated city in the world. It’s ugly, it’s dirty and New Yorkers are so mean. It’s not a charming city like Paris or San Francisco; in fact, I hated New York for a solid 3 months before I can come to terms with her.
2) Un-f**king-believable expensive. Ok, I know there are many other money-munching, blood-sucking cities in other parts of the world, e.g. Tokyo and London. But rent in NYC definitely brings the word “outrageous” to a whole, new level.
3) Subway in NYC is so GROSS. It’s as if you are in a 3rd world country instead of the “greatest city in the world”. There was this one time when sewage was leaking from the roof of Prince Street Station and the stench was so bad that I almost fainted. The best part was nobody did anything about it and the awful yellowish-brown liquid continued to drip… drip… drip…
4) You can die on the street and nobody will gives a damn. Yes... New Yorkers are that jaded. I have heard of people being mugged in broad day light and nobody lifted a finger to help. Those who came forward eventually are actually tourists.
There you go. My love-hate relationship with the Big Apple. Many people have asked me whether I prefer to stay in Chicago or NYC… a tough choice to make. However, if I am rich enough, I will definitely live in NYC for a while… especially when I am still young and crazy. ;)
Since today I am in the mood to blog, I should exploit myself while this enthusiasm lasts! Some background for some of you guys who have no idea who I am:
Who: Wenai or Jean (for stupid Ang Mohs who can't get my name right)
Where: Currently in Chicago, was previously in New York for the past 14 months
Why: Doing a traineeship with Kraft Foods International in New York but due to the relocation of office from New York to Chicago, I am now based in Chicago for the last 3 months of my traineeship.
When: I first touched down at JFK on June 2 2003 and I should be heading home by mid November 2004.
How: I actually got this traineeship from this student organization called AIESEC from NTU!
What: The original intent of starting this blog is to note down all my sweat, tears and joys while I am in the States. But since I have been skiving, I just have to pen down whatever I can from my memory…
New York City
Every time when someone asks me, “What do you think of NYC?”
My reply: “I have a love-hate relationship with her”
Why I love the City:
1) Un-f**king-believable nightlife. In fact, there are so many clubs, bars and lounges that it takes at least 3 years to explore a new bar/club/lounge every weekend. And we are talking about pristine places with great music, class and good looking people!
2) Un-f**king-believable food. New York is the ONE place where you can find the most authentic cuisine from all over the world. You name it, she has it. From the usual Chinese, Italian, French, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Mexican to the more obscure Afghanistan, Ethiopian, Tibetan, Moroccan and Peruvian. And the best part is that you don’t have to burn a hole in your pocket to eat like a king in New York, one can get these cuisines from USD 8. Of course, if you want to pamper yourself and splurge on those HIGH class restaurants with renowned chefs, New York City is definitely THE PLACE.
3) Believable art scene. There are so many plays, Broadway shows, musicals, and concerts to choose from. One can NEVER get bored in New York, broke, definitely, but never BORED. In fact, due to the limited resources and time, I have to make many tough choices on what to watch, who to catch in order to stretch my dollar to the very max.
4) The diversity. You will find all kinds of people in New York and I seriously mean ALL kinds. Not only people from all over the world come to New York, all kinda weirdos conjugate in New York too. Which, in turns, create this energy, this dangerous buzz that no other city in the world is able to replicate.
5) Roadtrip anytime. NYC is relatively close to many weekend getaways. Boston is just 5 hours away. Rhode Island's New Port is 2 hours away. Washington DC is 4 hours away. Pennsylvania is 2 hours away. Montreal, Canada is 8 hours away. There's also Niagara falls. Not forgetting going to Vermont or just upstate New York, Lake Placid to Ski during the winters. If you can't drive??? No worries... there are many tour agencies from Chinatown which provide cheap buses to these near-by cities and we are talking about 20 bucks round-trip to Boston!!! How can you beat that?
Why I hate the City?
1) It is a freaking SLUMP. New York City must be the most over-rated city in the world. It’s ugly, it’s dirty and New Yorkers are so mean. It’s not a charming city like Paris or San Francisco; in fact, I hated New York for a solid 3 months before I can come to terms with her.
2) Un-f**king-believable expensive. Ok, I know there are many other money-munching, blood-sucking cities in other parts of the world, e.g. Tokyo and London. But rent in NYC definitely brings the word “outrageous” to a whole, new level.
3) Subway in NYC is so GROSS. It’s as if you are in a 3rd world country instead of the “greatest city in the world”. There was this one time when sewage was leaking from the roof of Prince Street Station and the stench was so bad that I almost fainted. The best part was nobody did anything about it and the awful yellowish-brown liquid continued to drip… drip… drip…
4) You can die on the street and nobody will gives a damn. Yes... New Yorkers are that jaded. I have heard of people being mugged in broad day light and nobody lifted a finger to help. Those who came forward eventually are actually tourists.
There you go. My love-hate relationship with the Big Apple. Many people have asked me whether I prefer to stay in Chicago or NYC… a tough choice to make. However, if I am rich enough, I will definitely live in NYC for a while… especially when I am still young and crazy. ;)
Okok... This blog is too long overdue. I can't believe that my last entry was in April and that I am actually leaving the States in 2 months' time!!!
Talking about reality check... It's time for me to call up my Landlord, T-mobile, ComEd to start canceling or at least pro-rate my bills soon. Sigh.
*cliche* Times flies and before I realized, my stint in the States is coming to an end soon. I still remember how frightened I was when I first stepped foot in New York City, The Big, Bad, Rotten Apple.
In fact, I am supposed to blog down my experiences while I am in the States, but as you can see, I am not doing a very good job in that. Shame on me... Nonetheless, it's never to late to do anything and now, I am determined to at least blog once a day to catch up on lost time! Haha...
Guess I have to start all the way back... from June 2 2003. That was when I first touched down at JFK, New York...
Talking about reality check... It's time for me to call up my Landlord, T-mobile, ComEd to start canceling or at least pro-rate my bills soon. Sigh.
*cliche* Times flies and before I realized, my stint in the States is coming to an end soon. I still remember how frightened I was when I first stepped foot in New York City, The Big, Bad, Rotten Apple.
In fact, I am supposed to blog down my experiences while I am in the States, but as you can see, I am not doing a very good job in that. Shame on me... Nonetheless, it's never to late to do anything and now, I am determined to at least blog once a day to catch up on lost time! Haha...
Guess I have to start all the way back... from June 2 2003. That was when I first touched down at JFK, New York...
Sunday, April 25, 2004
One of my friends just wrote another interesting email. It was regarding to relationships and this is an extract of what she had:
">I really don't understand... why cant people think before they act? why
>do they want to hurt others, their loved ones? why cant they be
>faithful? is fidelity extinct? why do people want to break up other
>people's families? are there not enough men or women around? cant they
>exercise self-restraint? if you dont want your loved one to betray you,
>then why do you want to be unfaithful? is it worth being a third party
>in a relationship? why do you want to hurt the child(ren)? is it worth
>sacrificing a lifelong relationship with your spouse and breaking up
>your family for a temporary fling with a lover? who is the one who
>stands by you, gives you unwavering support and makes sacrifices for you
>(e.g. your wife who undergone 10mths of pregnancy and went into labour
>to give birth to your child and risk getting complications if she's an
>'old' mother and getting her body out of shape)? "
If everyone is as rational and righteous as my friend, the world will be a much better place. ;) No cheating boyfriends, no whores from China nor the Philippines and definitely no heartaches and tears.
*P/S: Regarding to "whores from China and the Philippines", that's another topic. I'll do a blog on that in no time.
Unfortunately, this world is no merry-merry land and the sad fact of life is that MOST people do cheat for at least once in their life. Note that I used the word “most”, I do believe that there are a few people out there who actually stay true to their relationship, but there are a dying breed.
As we all grow older, there will be many times that we might find ourselves in situations, which are beyond our control. And it is always easier to point the dirty finger at the cheating spouse. However, I do believe that there are times when there are inherent problems in the relationship, and thus the cheating starts.
There are no doubts that, there are those bastards/sluts out there who just have a problem with fidelity or “keeping their bloody hands to themselves”. Nonetheless, I have also learnt that sometimes, the other party was unable to attain love/comfort/commitment/or-what-ever-else, and thus, they seek comfort from someone else... ...
Some people get into situations that they are unable to control... Some people get into situations they can control but chose NOT to... And some people purposely got themselves into situations to manipulate and control...
So what kind are you?
">I really don't understand... why cant people think before they act? why
>do they want to hurt others, their loved ones? why cant they be
>faithful? is fidelity extinct? why do people want to break up other
>people's families? are there not enough men or women around? cant they
>exercise self-restraint? if you dont want your loved one to betray you,
>then why do you want to be unfaithful? is it worth being a third party
>in a relationship? why do you want to hurt the child(ren)? is it worth
>sacrificing a lifelong relationship with your spouse and breaking up
>your family for a temporary fling with a lover? who is the one who
>stands by you, gives you unwavering support and makes sacrifices for you
>(e.g. your wife who undergone 10mths of pregnancy and went into labour
>to give birth to your child and risk getting complications if she's an
>'old' mother and getting her body out of shape)? "
If everyone is as rational and righteous as my friend, the world will be a much better place. ;) No cheating boyfriends, no whores from China nor the Philippines and definitely no heartaches and tears.
*P/S: Regarding to "whores from China and the Philippines", that's another topic. I'll do a blog on that in no time.
Unfortunately, this world is no merry-merry land and the sad fact of life is that MOST people do cheat for at least once in their life. Note that I used the word “most”, I do believe that there are a few people out there who actually stay true to their relationship, but there are a dying breed.
As we all grow older, there will be many times that we might find ourselves in situations, which are beyond our control. And it is always easier to point the dirty finger at the cheating spouse. However, I do believe that there are times when there are inherent problems in the relationship, and thus the cheating starts.
There are no doubts that, there are those bastards/sluts out there who just have a problem with fidelity or “keeping their bloody hands to themselves”. Nonetheless, I have also learnt that sometimes, the other party was unable to attain love/comfort/commitment/or-what-ever-else, and thus, they seek comfort from someone else... ...
Some people get into situations that they are unable to control... Some people get into situations they can control but chose NOT to... And some people purposely got themselves into situations to manipulate and control...
So what kind are you?
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Have you ever experienced the pains of living with somebody else? I guess I am not exactly an easy person to live with. I am notorious to be a neat-freak, not any normal neat-freak, I am a CONTROL neat-freak. Thus, I guess that sort of makes me a rather difficult person to get along, especially if we happen to live under the same roof.
Things that really irritate me (ranking is in order of degree of annoyance, where 1 is being the MOST annoying):
1) Lumps of hair stuck at the bathtub and people refusing the remove THEIR lumps of hair after they have showered.
1) Residue found at the kitchen sink after washing up of the dishes and people not having the common sense of throwing those residue since they have already washed up their dishes.
1) People who do not clean up the stoves after cooking. And we are talking about curry stains, oil stains, pieces of meat/rice/vegetables/what-ever-shit-they-cooked.
1)People who do not empty the bin in the bathroom and start to do "Jinga" acts by piling tissues after tissues above one and other.
1) People who do not put back the appliances to where they are supposed to be, after use. Especially when these appliances are ALL MINE.
So I guess it's pretty obvious that it doesn't take very much to irritate me.
To make life easier for everyone... I am going to live by myself.
Things that really irritate me (ranking is in order of degree of annoyance, where 1 is being the MOST annoying):
1) Lumps of hair stuck at the bathtub and people refusing the remove THEIR lumps of hair after they have showered.
1) Residue found at the kitchen sink after washing up of the dishes and people not having the common sense of throwing those residue since they have already washed up their dishes.
1) People who do not clean up the stoves after cooking. And we are talking about curry stains, oil stains, pieces of meat/rice/vegetables/what-ever-shit-they-cooked.
1)People who do not empty the bin in the bathroom and start to do "Jinga" acts by piling tissues after tissues above one and other.
1) People who do not put back the appliances to where they are supposed to be, after use. Especially when these appliances are ALL MINE.
So I guess it's pretty obvious that it doesn't take very much to irritate me.
To make life easier for everyone... I am going to live by myself.
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Feeling the need to pen down my thoughts again, although the fact that I have tons of work piling in front of me, the fact that I am right now in my office where I should be doing my work and the fact that my boss can just pop by any time to catch me skiving and writing blogs. Well... what the heck.
Just had a really great weekend, in fact, I should say, a mind-blowing weekend. Finally I managed to pick up a sport that I've always wanted to learn. Skiing. This is my second attempt at skiing and to my pleasant surprise, I have improved quite a lot! All these credit goes to my very dedicated skiing teacher, Koen although I should say that he nearly killed me, by declaring that I am ready for a blue trail, when I was not.
Nonetheless, I had the time of my life, falling in love with a new sport and I swear to myself that I must at least ski competently before this winter ends.
If you have been reading the load of crap above, I apologize. Those were not the reasons why I am feeling unsettled, why I can't concentrate on my work and why I just need to get this off my chest of writing it down.
I am attracted to a person that I am not supposed to. Yah, that's it. No big deal at all... I am sure many people out there have similar experiences before. Falling in love with someone whom you are NOT supposed to.
I am not trying to say that I am falling in love, I am not. Just rather attracted to someone who is happily in another relationship. Now that I am writing down my thoughts and emotions, it just hit me again how silly I have been again.
Men are surprisingly heartless creatures, they can tell you in one second that you are the most amazing girl they have met in their lives, and within the next few seconds, they cant even remember your name. And we are not even talking about those who are drunk or high on drugs here!
Here I am, hurt and puzzled why the other party didn't bother to call nor email nor follow-up where there was obviously a strong attraction between the both of us.
I guess he is just doing me a favor as well. I am afterall, happily in another relationship. We were both attracted to each other. But not enough to screw up our each, respective relationship.
Ahhh... At least I feel much better now. Less confused and more certain about how I am going to deal with this. So you'll be asking :"Aren't you going to call him up?"
My answer: "NO". Things should stay the way it is. We don't belong to each other and never will. We'll have better memories of each other anyway. If he can think about me once a while, that's all I can ask for, I guess.
Just had a really great weekend, in fact, I should say, a mind-blowing weekend. Finally I managed to pick up a sport that I've always wanted to learn. Skiing. This is my second attempt at skiing and to my pleasant surprise, I have improved quite a lot! All these credit goes to my very dedicated skiing teacher, Koen although I should say that he nearly killed me, by declaring that I am ready for a blue trail, when I was not.
Nonetheless, I had the time of my life, falling in love with a new sport and I swear to myself that I must at least ski competently before this winter ends.
If you have been reading the load of crap above, I apologize. Those were not the reasons why I am feeling unsettled, why I can't concentrate on my work and why I just need to get this off my chest of writing it down.
I am attracted to a person that I am not supposed to. Yah, that's it. No big deal at all... I am sure many people out there have similar experiences before. Falling in love with someone whom you are NOT supposed to.
I am not trying to say that I am falling in love, I am not. Just rather attracted to someone who is happily in another relationship. Now that I am writing down my thoughts and emotions, it just hit me again how silly I have been again.
Men are surprisingly heartless creatures, they can tell you in one second that you are the most amazing girl they have met in their lives, and within the next few seconds, they cant even remember your name. And we are not even talking about those who are drunk or high on drugs here!
Here I am, hurt and puzzled why the other party didn't bother to call nor email nor follow-up where there was obviously a strong attraction between the both of us.
I guess he is just doing me a favor as well. I am afterall, happily in another relationship. We were both attracted to each other. But not enough to screw up our each, respective relationship.
Ahhh... At least I feel much better now. Less confused and more certain about how I am going to deal with this. So you'll be asking :"Aren't you going to call him up?"
My answer: "NO". Things should stay the way it is. We don't belong to each other and never will. We'll have better memories of each other anyway. If he can think about me once a while, that's all I can ask for, I guess.
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