Disappointment

So I've decided to pen my thoughts on this little blog again. I need to vent and this is an option. Besides, I need to get into the habit of writing again.

At this point in time, I am feeling very very disappointed. I applied for a study tour in India...was feeling very hopeful. Got rejected. So I appealed the decision...it must have been a mistake I thought. Why would anyone reject me?! So I appealed again. Got rejected.

So yes, I'm angry. I know no one owes me anything. I know that I'm not entitled to the grant. But I just wish things were easier. I just wish people can appreciate and value what I can offer. and there lies the eternal challenge.

Home Improvement

I've decided not to live with them anymore! Those things around the house that bug me. The cracks, the malnourished garden, the missing handle on the kitchen cabinet, that plot of wasteland near the front gate, backyard paving that bears an uncanny resemblance to a civil war zone, absence of air conditioning, the amateurly painted door frames and the splattered breakfast stains on the garage walls.

It is time for a renovation!

I've started working on the backyard. After resigning to the fact that building a deck was going to cost too much money and effort (mainly money!), I've taken a friend's advice and decided to paint the existing pavement terracotta and tile up this ridiculous, impractical, gravel mess that the previous occupants seemed to have fancied.

I'm not much of a handyman and I've already encountered my share of disasters in last 40 hours but I'm persevering. Hopefully, with a bit of grace from the divine, I'd be able to put some pictures up that would have some semblance to a makeover spread from a lifestyle magazine.

Hopefully...

Yuvi's dozen

Yuvi's first 12 words...

1. Row

2. Finish!

3. Kick

4. Mum mum

5. Ball

6. Book or "Bookah"

7. Car

8. Duck

9. Wind

10. Om

11. 'Oh Oh'

12. 'Eeyah Eeyah oh!'

10 Things I Hate (and Like) about You, S'pore.

HATE

1. That a fresh graduate from a White/Western country could easily demand a starting salary of $6000 or more, while local job seekers with equivalent (or even better qualifications) are expected to contend with a wage that barely hovers over $2000.
2. That the government sees a need for us to carry our "Race" on our identity cards.
3. That the term 'bilingual' almost always only apply to someone who speaks English and Mandarin.
4. That people at customs are rude and distant. They stamp your passports, place it on the counter desktops and stare blankly.
5. That some sad sods think it is "cute" to be "Kia Su".
6. Human traffic.
7. That I stand a slim chance of being employed by the Ministry of Education since I do not have a local teaching qualification..however, a non-Singaporean with exactly the same qualifications and experience as me could expect a very attractive remuneration and allowance package.
8. That the new condo development (the millionth on my street) is five inches away from my bedroom window.
9. That the concept of 'nature' and 'natural' refers to plastic potted plants.
10. That while "foreign talent" is molly coddled, overseas construction workers and domestic helpers are treated like scum.

L(OVE?)IKE

1. "Only place in the world where a woman in a bikini can walk the streets in the middle of the night to get prata and still feel very safe!" - quote from a friend.
2. Public Transport.
3. Cleanliness.
4. Cheese Prata.
5. Family.
6. Extremely low interest rates.
7. That Tamil has been enshrined as an official language.
8. Ice Milo
9. A first class health care system.
10. Gardenia and Sunshine bread...so good you can eat it on its own.

No La!

So apparently it is good to write your thoughts down. 'Self-help' guru Robin Sharma strongly recommends that everyone pen their reflections on a daily basis and hence, I've decided to give this blog another go.

Now, I'm in a mood to vent. My gripe for the day? The use of the particle word 'la'.

Here is the rule, if you are not Singaporean or Malaysian, do NOT use it.

You will sound ridiculous and stupid. No, not cute...not vaguely. And don't even pretend like it's something that is catching on because you're around other Singaporeans/Malaysians. It is something exclusively used by us and you will give me goose bumps if you even attempt.

Lag in the jet lag.

A very expensive lesson has been learnt. I missed my flight and had to pay more than $500 to reschedule all three of us. I can't believe I have been so careless.

I'm just trying to focus on the bright side...at least I still get to go to Singapore...and I can spend a little more time completing assignments.

It is not the money or the less time spent in Singapore that bothers me actually... I just hate the fact that others are disappointed because of my incompetency.

Mocha Madness

I'm very sensitive to caffeine. I had a mocha a couple of hours ago and I can't seem to fall a sleep. Hence, I've decided to devote a few minutes shooting my random thoughts at this neglected blog...

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I'm just wondering where my life is taking me. I'm satisfied and I'm mostly happy but I feel like I need to do something SPECTACULAR. What is that going to be, I still have no idea. All pointers and suggestions are welcome.

Due to the series of recent interest rate cuts, my financial situation is looking a lot better and I'm paying my mortgage off at a promising rate. Things are looking up at that end and I'm pleased.

I wonder why I have a constant need to prove myself to people. I suppose there is a good side to it since it has motivated me to achieve many things...but the down side is that I seem to be driven by people I dislike. Success to me is an opportunity to annoy the people I loathe.

I'm ashamed of my computer/IT literacy skills. I can't do simple things like convert video files. I need a major workshop.

I need to read more. I'm a senior English teacher who hardly reads.

*time out*