2007年4月28日星期六

No job switch in the company

i have gotten the reply from another dept head today that the position he proposed to me is not available anymore. The organization restructuring plan has stopped bcs his new boss has reported not long ago and he is hiring an ex colleague of us for a lower grade but similar post. Never mind, as things has turned out to be better recently in my department. I was offered the same lower grade position by another leader in the same dept a few times previously , but i chose to reject the leader (partly bcs i have not much interest in the job altho i can do it well , and partly because i was not able then to switch having worked in the company for less than a yr). I know the leader was in need of a good helper and he happened to see my analytical capablity in a meeting and was quite fond of me . The leader has left the company too now.
Since both options have been cut off , i will choose to opt for a job from outside, as i do not think i can and want to work in any other dept besides my current one. Worst , i will return to my home land, which is in my plan too.

Darby.

2007年4月26日星期四

Haruki Murakami

You must be wondering what this subject title stands for ? If you know what it means, we are on the same planet. Yes, he is a japanese author that has become my must read ( must watch - Wong Kar Wai , must listen - Faye Wong ) . I have become a fan of him since the Norwegian Woods - the loneliness of a soul depicted in the story just described my feeling exactly when i was still single and unsettled. I like the individuals living in the stories who are quiet , fragile and unique - a lonely man's life in a city. I can read the same book again and again, and never get tired of it till today. I know i will fill my book shelves with his books in the future. I can still remember when i was in Spore, on those days when i do not have to go out to walk the pig, i would read his books on my bed for the whole day.

Another reason that makes me a big fan is the style he has as an author. Every story is told very vividly, as if you were watching a great movie.

He has slowed down in his writing recently - the last book i have read is Kafka on the Shore. ( Mandarin version from library ) . And i hope to read his new book soon.


Darby

2007年4月22日星期日

Housekeeping day, winter is over!!

Today is housekeeping day for me since the morning, i have kept the thick blanket used for winter into my wardrobe, taken out the mosquito net and set it up on my bed. As the weather has turned warm , i kept the heater and took out the fan last nite too. It is a sign that summer is coming , altho spring is not exactly over yet. I dread the heaty warm air in summer, which makes everyone stink and sweaty. Believe me it is worse than tropical weather as we have cool air to regulate the heat from sunlight . I also tidied up the living room because the water tank was under repair at roof top and water entered into my hostel unit yesterday. I mopped the floor again altho the hostel staff did it yesterday after I complained. I then cleared up my table and things in my room. Then threw away my old Gola sport shoes after i bought a new pair of New Balance from HK.

After all that were done , i cooked myself two packets of instant noodles, with mushrooms and tomyam paste added. A cup of coffee after that, life is heavenly good. Then watched TV for a few hrs while trying to fix my lap top, which was infected by virus.

I will wash my clothes by hand later in the bathroom, as they are pure white t shirts i bought from BKK that have turned yellowish after being washed too many times by the washing machine. And do the office paperwork before I sleep. I know tonight i can sleep well as the mosquito net has been set up and with the fan on , i can finally roll freely to left and right without the thick blanket on me, like i used to do in Spore.

Hope to have a conversation with piggy before sleep , as it was on mahjong table again last nite.

Darby

2007年4月21日星期六

The HK and China that i know

Being a staff of a HK company working in the SZ office during the weekdays, I am entitled to spend my weekends in HK with free lodging provided by the company when I want to. I have travelled to several parts of HK and am beginning to feel bored -maybe it is bcs i am alone. But piggy, who is a mahjong and food lover , loves HK like HK ppl love char siew paos. And i must admit , HK is a much more fascinating place, compared to Spore. There are plenty of commercial activities taking place in this vibrant small piece of land ( Look left for signages in YuanLang ) filled with cantonese speaking chinese ppl , who have very pragmatic mindset/efficient and are well known for being mercenery and materialistic. On the other hand, they are kind ppl too who are really helpful and generous to strangers - which i have experienced many times when asking for help along their narrow streets. The sales people in HK are really warm and professional (Look right for Mongkok streets), and allow you to have your own freedom to move abt in their premises, which i like alot .


In China , the sales people are like houseflies, babbling and stuck to you for good once you step into their premises , and their piece of opinion is always worthless and unwanted by me, as being a foreigner, I have seen/known more than China consumers. As a consumer, my requirement for quality and environmental/health concerns when i purchase any good, can seldom be understood by the China sales staff. I always feel like saying to them : SHUT UP . And most of the China ppl on the street that i came across are rude and selfish, altho there are good ppl but sadly not too many. The upbringing of China ppl can only be improved as a whole in the next 50 yrs from now.

So, HK to me is a girl well brought up by her British step mother who knows what civilisation means; China on the other hand is a self centered and arrogant chick who has just struck TOTO. It is indeed sad for me to say this, as my ancestors are from Mainland China, and i do not feel proud of it, altho i have lived in the land of Dragon for a yr.



Darby


2007年4月15日星期日

爱我

爱我 is a song which my all time favourite singer 林志炫 co-sang with 柯以敏. There's this part of the song which went 爱我没有你我变得好贫穷,在人世中少你左右我想我连什么价值都没有.

I found these expressions of love to be slightly exaggerated. I don't think we will all become 'nothings' if we do not have a partner/lover. There's no denying however that being loved and loving another in return are fulfilling emotionally.

Everyday, I walk past numerous couples on the street as I make my way back home and wish darby was right next to me. Although darby is now in China and I cannot see him every other day, I always find comfort in the thought that we are still very much in love and we will be united again not too long from now. This other part of the song captures my feelings pretty well.

尤其在人海沙漠
人的心越来越难懂
至少心中有个你寄托

I want to say to darby 好好爱我.

我也会好好爱你 :-)

Mcdull

2007年4月9日星期一

Alien

I promised to write abt my best friend Alien, and today s blog is dedicated to him solely.
We have known each other since secondary one or two in a catholic boy school, there were another 5 cute little boys besides us, whom we spent the recess hours with everyday under the trees, talking, laughing, making fun of each other just like any mischievious boys will do at that age. I was quite fortunate that being a loner and new comer to the school , Alien took me in to the group instantly without much thinking, he did not know that he has helped to light up a small fire in my teenage yrs that kept me going on and on, when my family was in deep financial crisis at that time.
Slowly I realised that we are very identical in many ways except he is much more street smart and more optimistic. We spent our teenage years together doing many silly things and there were many good times that we shared.
Now, our life has come to a stage where we are all away from each other and each has his role and place in this crazy world. But once in a yr at least there will be a reunion, and we will spend time to catch up on each other s life / work / family.
Alien found his Walau last yr which is very much belated for a flirt like him, we began to share our experience on how to deal with relationships ... etc . This has definitely strengthened our friendship further as we had shared the deepest secret in our life. I hope the best for him , there is never an easy way out for love, but you will lose the best thing in your life if you choose to escape from it.
For us , we are all "Aliens" in disguise , which only another alien can tell if you are one of them, if its radar is working ( mine is spoilt without questions ). May be that is why he is named Alien.

Darby

2007年4月8日星期日

Shivaree

I finally found the mp3 of Good night moon sang by Shivaree , played at the end of Kill Bill Volume II, when Umma Thurman was driving in her convertible contently. The singer has a clear and lazy feminine voice that just mesmerized me instantly. I will recommend this singer to everyone who has ears.

Good night moon _ Shivaree

There's a nail in the door
And there's glass on the lawn
Tacks on the floor
And the TV is on
And I always sleep with my guns
When you're gone
There's a blade by the bed
And a phone in my hand
A dog on the floor
And some cash on the nightstand
When I'm all alone the dreaming stops
And I just can't stand
What should I do I'm just a little baby
What if the lights go out and maybe
And then the wind just starts to moan
Outside the door he followed me home
Well goodnight moonI want the sun
If it's not here soon I might be done
No it won't be too soon 'til I sayGoodnight moon
There's a shark in the pool
And a witch in the tree
A crazy old neighbour and he's been watching me
And there's footsteps loud and strong coming down the hall
Something's under the bed
Now it's out in the hedge
There's a big black crow sitting on my window ledge
And I hear something scratching through the wall
Oh what should I do I'm just a little baby
What if the lights go out and maybe
I just hate to be all alone
Outside the door he followed me home
Now goodnight moonI want the sun
If it's not here soonI might be done
No it won't be too soon 'til I sayGoodnight moon
Well you're up so high
How can you save me
When the dark comes here
Tonight to take me up
To my front walkAnd into bed where it kisses my face
And eats my head
Oh what should I do I'm just a little baby
What if the lights go out and maybe
And then the wind just starts to moan
Outside the door he followed me home
Now goodnight moonI want the sun
If it's not here soonI might be done
No it won't be too soon 'til I sayGoodnight moon
No it won't be too soon 'til I sayGoodnight moon

Gyoza and steamed fish

I took my lunch at 2pm, went back to the office again to work and then decided to write abt the Gyoza restaurant here. It is opened by by a Northen China lady, who is tall and pretty in her mid 40 s.
I cannot get used to most of the food here except Gyoza, and so far i can truly enjoy only those franchised restaurants such as McDonalds, Ichiban Ramen, etc....when i go to the town .
I used to order a plate , which has abt 20 gyozas, with minced pork and vege fillings. Serve while it is hot and dip it into vinegar , yummy. I can settle my lunch or dinner with just a portion of gyozas, and it costs only 8 RMB ( 1. 8 SGD ) . Simple and nice. Others dishes are just too oily and salty for me, which i only eat just bcs i need to eat.

Besides , i like the steamed fish here , i think it is a kind of sea fish as it does not smell awful , the local named it Lu Yu ( Lu Fish ) . I do not know much abt types of fishes , only know how to eat them. A steamed fish with a bowl of rice , used to be my Friday dinner , which i can sit and quietly enjoy it slowly , before i go back to my room for a good sleep. And i miss nasi lemak , char kwa teoy , roti prata , curry chicken , rojak.... drooling . I can only eat them in my dreams now..

Weather is still freezing cold this week at around 14 deg C although it is spring now and much warmer than winter which can go below 10 deg C. We tropical kids cannot ever image wearing two long sleeves pullover and one long cotton pants over thermal wear for the whole day. And i can only sleep with thick blacket and with heater on in the nite when it is cold. After spending the winter and summer here for a year , i can only say, i miss the warm weather in Spore and Msia. At least i do not tremble in the morning/ nite when washing my face and taking shower, i can walk bare foot in the room and not feel like i am walking on ice, i do not have to wear gloves when i sleep, i have less clothings to wear and to wash.....etc.

You can tell i am determined to go home one day, the reason being i am alone here and life is plain and dull. If i can import the pig here to China maybe things will be better, but it is not necessary now as i will deport myself back to Singapore soon.

Darby

Mahjong pig

After a long week of hard work and long working hrs , finally it is weekend for a break. It is HK public holiday for HK employees like me since last thurs till coming tues ( Ching Ming / Good Friday / Easter all in a shot ) , but i still go back to the office for work due to heavy workload. me and my colleague went to a dim sum restaurant in Shenzhen on Friday nite at 11 pm , to pamper our selves, after all other HK employess have gone for their holidays / trips... Poor me.

On Sat morning , i went to supermart for groceries shopping and eating at KFC. I bought some mushroom to add to my fav instant noodles for dinner, (Japan Nissin Noodles or Ding mee as HK named it). As piggy did not give a ring/ sms for the whole day since it's morning call, i knew it is on mj table again ( i bet you it has forgotten who Darby is totally). There are at least 2 things in the world in its priority list , No 1 mahjong , No 2 good foods , No 3 .... , No N fat cat.

I told my colleagues i am saving for my housing in my hometown by working here, one of them told me he will stay home to iron the money to balance himself psychologically after the hardwork . We can save a lot here working in SZ, as the pay here is about 40 % higher than what we had in Singapore/ Malaysia, and there is not much expenses here as most of them is covered by the company ( such as phone / laundry / lodging ). One can save abt 4 x in a year than he can in Singapore. Although after all these savings , my net take home income is still lower than piggy's net income as it is a professional, but i think it is necessary to build up my savings while i am still young. Then both of us can spend our coming years together without major financial burdens, it is a kind of ideal life to me, something i am looking forward to.

Darby

2007年4月5日星期四

You make me feel ....

Yes it is a song title of Aretha Franklin if you happen to know about this song, and i just want to dedicate this mushy love song to Mc Dull, who is always there for me when i am down and needed someone to lift me up like Tiramisu. The song is playing in my Ipod while i am typing, i just felt so so passionate suddenly , may it is the lyrics , may be it is her powerful lungs , but i can only think of someone that this song can go to . . Le Pork. Working in a foreign land is very demanding emotionally and physically, i always feel tired and lonely after working long hours, but thanks to piggy who is always a phone call away to cheer me up without fail

Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
and when i knew i had to face another day
lord it made me feel so tired.
before the day i met you,life was so unkind
You're the key to my piece of mind
chorus:cause you make me feelyou make me feel you make me feel like a natural fat cat (fatcat)

when my soul was in the lost and found
you came along to claim it
i didnt know just what was wrong with me
till your kiss helped me name it.
now im no longer doubtful of what im living for
and if i make you happy i dont need to do more
chorus ohh baby what ya done to me (whatcha done to me)
made me feel so good inside (good inside)
and i just wanna be (wanna be)close to you
you make me feel so alive

And yes it has been a year we have been kept apart but we are still going on and going strong ... PIGGY.

Darby

2007年4月4日星期三

Penny

Do you find that you acquire some of your partner or other half's habits and likings over time? I think it happens to most people and it's part and parcel of being in a relationship.

After darby and I got together, I started to do certain things that I would otherwise not have done and listen to certain types of song which I don't usually do. Penny Tai (also from Malaysia like darby) was one of the singers whose songs I grew to like after darby sang her songs in KTV and lent her album to me.

I am very fond of her song 怎样. It's a sad song written with simple words but very touching.

我这里天快要黑了那里呢
我这里天气凉凉的那里呢
我这里一切都变了
我变的懂事了
我又开始写日记了
而那你呢
我这里天快要亮了
那里呢
我这里天气很炎热
那里呢
我这里一切都变了
我变的不哭了
我把照片也收起了
而那你呢
如果我们现在还在一起会是怎样
我们是不是还是深爱着对方
像开始时那样
握着手就算天快亮
我们现在还在一起会是怎样
我们是不是还是隐瞒着对方
像结束时那样
明知道你没有错
还硬要我原谅
我不会原谅
我怎么原谅

Mcdull

2007年4月3日星期二

1st Anniversary

Darby has officially joined JE for 1 year as of today. It's been a year filled by plenty of hard work, sweat and tears from what he has told me.

I have to commend Darby for having that determination to rough it out and giving his best to stick to his plan of working for 2 years in JE, especially when the physical living conditions were far from ideal and the work is stressful every single day. I am not certain that I will have that firm resolve to uproot and work away from home if I were asked to, one day.

There's very little that I can do, from day to day, to solve or ease darby's difficulties or problems. On his homecoming day however, I will be sure to welcome him with open arms and give him a pat on the back.

I look forward to that day :-)

Mcdull

2007年4月2日星期一

i am back

Well i have disappeared for a week because i went on another business trip to Korea again. It was not a pleasant experience although it is spring now as i was too sick from nostril and esophagus inflammation. I will share more when i have time to write about this tragic trip. I managed to take a photo of the Peach Flower ( Tao Hua ) along the road side up close. It is beautiful when both sides of the roads are lined with trees with the Peach Flowers in full bloom.

I just realised that my best friend Alien has left some nice comments and i think i will write abt him and his Walau soon when i am free. hahaha ...

Also want to share with the whole IPODDER community , i have bought my first Ipod Video. hehe... being an ex employee of Apple Inc still makes me proud till today. Pathetic me. I bought this in HK and it costs me 1980 HKD , which is abt 400 SGD. But i think it worth the price, as it is 30 G and can play video / store pictures , only cost 50 SGD more than the Ipod nano that is only 8 G? but cannot play video/ pictures. Although i may not play video at all , I would not be so lonely when travelling alone in the future.