20 days to go!!

With the heavy workload, I am leading a rather monotonous life. Work on weekdays till late. Occasional Saturdays burnt. Sunday is spent at home watching Korea drama or reading books. The cycle repeats itself over and over again. And I know, at least for the next 6 months, it will be so (or worse).

Amidst all these, 20 days to my much-needed vacation!! Woohoo!!!

Reminder: Start the travel blogging!

Painful reminder: Shut the mouth in all circumstances.

I need some time alone, at least for a while. For now, divert that attention to work and all shall be forgotten.

Debts of travel posts

The tranquility of this space does not indicate emptiness of my life. It just reflects the busy life robbing my time away from this space. (And probably time spent doing non effective and non productive items)

And I still owe travel blogs for Japan and Sweden/Iceland/ Denmark. The most recent, being Switzerland, and the upcoming California reminds me to do something about my tiny space here. :)

Stay tuned.
(In desperate attempt to trigger a post here, so that I can get my 'engine' going on this tiny space!)

2012

This post by Paulo Coelho seems so apt for 2012 that I need to post this on my blog to remind me constantly.

1] The path begins with a crossroads. There you can stop and think what direction to follow. But don’t spend too much time thinking or you’ll never leave the spot. Once you have taken the first step, forget the crossroads forever or you will always torture yourself with the useless question: “did I take the right path?”

2] The path doesn’t last for ever. It is a blessing to travel the path for some time, but one day it will come to an end, so always be prepared to leave it at any moment. Don’t get too used to anything. Neither to the hours of euphoria, nor to the endless days when everything seems so difficult and progress is so slow. Don’t forget that sooner or later an angel will appear and your journey will reach an end.

3] Honor your path. It was your choice, your decision, and just as you respect the ground you step on, that ground will respect your feet. Always do what is best to conserve and keep your path and it will do the same for you.

4] Be well equipped. Carry a small rake, a spade, a penknife. Understand that penknives are no use for dry leaves, and rakes are useless for herbs that are deep-rooted. Know also what tool to use at each moment.

5] The path goes forward and backward. At times you have to go back because something was lost, or else a message to be delivered was forgotten in your pocket. A well tended path enables you to go back without any great problems.

6] Take care of the path before you take care of what is around you. Don’t be distracted by the dry leaves at the edges or by the way that others are looking after their paths. Use your energy to tend and conserve the ground that accepts your steps.

7] Be patient. Sometimes the same tasks have to be repeated, like tearing up weeds or closing holes that appear after unexpected rain. Don’t let that annoy you – that is part of the journey.

8] Paths cross. People can tell what the weather is like. Listen to advice, and make your own decisions. You alone are responsible for the path that was entrusted to you.

9] Nature follows its own rules. In this way, you have to be prepared for sudden changes in the fall, slippery ice in winter, the temptations of flowers in spring, thirst and showers in the summer. Make the most of each of these seasons, and don’t complain about their characteristics.

10] Make your path a mirror of yourself. By no means let yourself be influenced by the way that others care for their paths. You have your soul to listen to, and the birds to tell what your soul is saying. Let your stories be beautiful and pleasant to everything around you. Above all, let the stories that your soul tells during the journey be echoed at each and every second of the path.

11] Love your path. And may the Lord guide you and help you every single day in 2012

An unexpected twist of events

In an unexpected twist of events, I am all in for a very exciting few months.

I'm going to be getting a new (resale though) flat and a new job.

Both major events happened in a snap.

I'm not expecting any much changes to my life with a new job. But with a new little flat of my own, I thank the Lord for it.

By the grace of God.

A day with butterflies in my stomach.

PE 2011

Yahoo! SG on PE day!

I rejoice.

ND Rally 2011

It is always heartening to listen to this. And I always make sure I stay home to.....

At times, the internet is so full of whines and complains, that made me frown.

May the country continue to be blessed.

Live for the glory of God

Posting at this unearthly hour is almost not possible in these days. But well, for once. :)

While waiting for my hair to dry, some emotions indeed set in. But I wasn't that badly hit this time. Thank God for the reminders, reminding me of the 'Closing Circles'. Maybe along the years, I learnt it through the hard way. And thank God for having people around me.

And now, on a fresh sheet, live for the glory of God.

Mediocrity

Something random strike me while I am swimming yesterday.


Do not settle with mediocrity. Mediocrity does not come from God. 


I don't know why Paulo Coelho facebook prompted the post on 'Closing Circles' again. It was a post during New Year 2011, to close circles in 2010 and move to a better 2011. I re-posted it on my blog early this year. And here it is, repeating itself on his facebook page. Is God telling me something? Is God telling me close a section of my life and search for one which He is in charge? Is God telling me to move on??

Today, I made a decision to obey. The opportunity doesn't feel right. I chose to follow where God leads me.

God, do the work! I'll follow and live up Your name.

London in 2010

On 11 Sep 2010, we took Eurostar from Brussels to London. We were almost late as we rushed back to the airport to collect our luggage after Brugge trip and head to the main train station at Brussels Central.

The train ride was unexpectedly boring. Probably due to the fact that the train crosses a sea for London. We see nothing but darkness. By the time we reach London, it is at about 8pm. We made our way through the tubes (their name for train/subways) to my colleague's friend's work place (she's a nurse). Taking a bus is indeed a challenge for our luggage wasn't light to begin. Thankfully, it is not the first time my colleague is in London. It could have been worse if 2 clueless ladies were to go round London at 11pm in the night. We were so tired that we didn't bother taking pictures.

We took a bus ride to the city the next morning after a hearty brunch made by my colleague and her friend.

The classic tube station in London

We were there on a Sunday, and the streets are crowded. People are shopping but I didn't get much except sunglass for the summer glare and some souvenirs for my friends.

The busy streets of London on a Sunday

We walked along the streets towards The National Gallery - A small museum which is opened to all.

The National Gallery

A nice cozy art museum. I enjoyed the museums in London than the ones in Paris. Maybe one influencing factor is the language.

Around The National Museum

We continued walking around to London's eye and the Big Ben. And along the way, the London Classics - the London Telephone and the London Bus.

London Telephone

London Tour Bus

And finally, the London Eye.

Best sunny pic I've got with
London Eye

Different views of London Eye

We walked along and we reached the Big Ben.

Big Ben

The institution of Mechanical Engineers?

The Institution of
Mechanical Engineers

And we strolled to a park, near Buckingham Palace.

One side faces the London Eye

The other side faces Buckingham Palace

Just outside Buckingham Palace

The gates of Buckingham Palace

Night view of Buckingham

By the time we reach Buckingham Palace, it was way too dark to get a nice picture.

The next morning, we went shopping in Harolds. Bought 3 bottles of Estee Lauder Advanced Night Recovery 100ml at 75 pounds each! Cheap! (in reference to prices in SG)

We head to The British Museum.

The British Museum

We made a quick decision to spend 60 pounds. Something I usually won't do. But my colleague convinced me into it. And here we go!

Wicked!

My 60 pounds

And I didn't regret it. The musical is lovely!!

We loved it!

 London is a short one. And the next day, we are going home! :) 

My travel companion and her nice friend who
put us up at her place and cooking us
nice meals! :) 

Goodbye London. Till we meet again. :) 

Belgium in 2010

A few days after getting back from Korea, I'm due for business trip in Europe! It is practically living out of my suitcase! So here it goes.

I didn't take much pictures during the business trip portion. But basically, we had a good time. Meals are definitely good and weight gaining. We had loads of mussels, lots of olives, and bread dipped in olive oil and salt! Lots of beer and lots of fun!

And yes, 3 days of super hard work!

After our business trip, we did a brief trip to Brugge, a nice town in Belgium.

We took a 2 hour train ride to reach here.

Its a lovely place. And the weather made it all better.

Pretty Sky

Buildings around the church

The church can be spotted from afar 

We took this around

Scenery during the speed boat tour. 

Nice castle.

After toilet break!

The pictures look as if they are scorching hot. However, the fact is, it is below 20 deg C. At nights, it can hit less than 15 deg C. And I was under-clothed. :(

Horse Carriages

Beer Feast

Tower with nice view

And off we go, leaving this lovely place - Brugge.

London, we come. :)

A gift brightened the weekend!

A nice gift from a good friend.

Love the pouch! :)

Life hasn't been smooth sailing emotionally at work and it somehow affects a little of my personal life.

My travel blogging stopped a while as I'm waiting for pictures from an ex-colleague whom I went London with. :) Stay tuned.

Planning for 2012

Procrastination had always lead me to lost opportunities. So for 2012, there are some things I really want to kick start!

I shan't be too ambitious.

Item 1: MSc in Proj Management

Either one of the local universities, I hope my degree results + work experience + recommendation letter can get me an offer place in one of the local universities for part time Masters. Application starts in Jul and Aug respectively. And if I get a place, the course will be due to start in Jan 2012 and last for 2 years.

Item 2 (optional): Orthodontics - Braces.

Been holding on to this for a long time. Not a must, but its always good to start early.

I wished I start these 2 items earlier. But oh well, its better to be late than never.

Closure

Before a new chapter is begun, the old one has to be finished: tell yourself that what has passed will never come back.

Remember that there was a time when you could live without that thing or that person - nothing is irreplaceable, a habit is not a need.

-- By Paulo Coelho

A reminder.

Korea in Aug 2010 (Part 3 of 3)

The final part of the Aug trip to Korea is to Everland!!

Everyday is a holiday at Everland! Everland is at another part of Seoul where we need to take an 1 hr bus ride (~10,000won). The entry tickets to Everland is about 45,000 won per person.

The wet weather makes our mood slightly dampened, wearing our poncho around in Everland. We went for a quick fast food bite.

The Korean version of KFC

Still drizzling, we went to the animal zoo part of Everland.

Creepy huge spider

Red Footed Tortoise

Pretty Parrot

Some bird, with perfect posture!

Porcupines

One lonely African Wild Ass

Sleepy Owl

Polar Bear

Baby lions

Squirrel

Cocks and Hens

In Everland's Poncho

We came to Everland, specially for this. Wooden Roller Coaster which inclines at 77 degree! Which meant that you are almost falling perpendicular to ground.

T-express

The 77 deg fall

Wooden Structure!

A video of the ride

An overview

Bus ride into wide zoo

The boar

Tigers

Giraffes

A show to complete the day

We took a 2 hr bus + train ride and were both tired out by the day's event.

We are due for home on 1st Sep evening flight. So we did last minute shopping and caught the flight home.

But before we board the plane, we had our luggage-overweight saga. Our luggage were 13kg overweight, and it will cost us $500. But God's grace is with us. I prayed hard and asked for someone to help. The first guy is a Korean who spoke perfect English, but the girl at the reception refused to allow us to tag along his luggage limit. I prayed even harder, for a second guy. This time, I walked further away from the counter and prayed exceptionally hard for someone who might be on business trip flying back home. And God respond with the perfect person. A person who had no luggage to check in and whom trusted us. He didn't even bother to open up the luggage as we offered to, but grabbed it and checked it in for us. I couldn't believe how much gratitude I have, and the unexplainable joy that God answered my prayer is the most perfect way.

Also, thank God we came back one day early! Typhoon struck one day later and grounded all planes. Praise God for all the grace upon us.