Be yourself

Strangers

But of course, I couldn't leave you without a poem! I haven't written one in a while, but this one I am very proud of, and was inspired by a dream...

Strangers
16 April 2013

Away from home
Two strangers meet
He smiles at her
Shuffles feet

Attraction -
In an airport queue
Making light talk
As strangers do

On the flight
They fell in love
Strangers yet
Like fitted glove

Cupid's arrow
Finally found
Two strangers and
Two lovers bound

...

I fell in love with you in a dream 

Hello future me!

Hello world! Guess who? It's funny how I forget this blog exists, but I guess perhaps if I write a post everytime I remember, I would still be able to see how I've changed over time.  And I was just thinking, I must be the only person still "following" this blog, and to me I guess it's a bit like a journal.  The things I write is probably only funny to me mostly as I recount memories and the jokes...it's difficult enough getting people to laugh at my jokes in real life (out of awkward politeness) let alone online! :p

So when I say "Hello world!", what I really mean is, I guess, "Hello, future me!" :)

Since August 2012, well, some things have happened.  The interesting thing is, now that I've entered the "working" phase, it never feels like you've reached a milestone or you're about to enter a new stage in your life, unless you change jobs, or something non-job related things happen like you move to another country or get married.

I don't have very much to write about to be honest, but things have been good for me :) I feel I am doing well in my job, I am in a happy relationship, I have great friends (though as I feared, a lot of them are overseas now and it is difficult to maintain that ongoing conversation sometimes - a shame, but we always pick things up easily when we meet again), and I am dancing, probably one of the most important things to me :)  I'm also doing this project called 100happydays, which I started in February, so yes, we've gone past our 100 day mark now.  The project is to take a photo of something that made you happy each day for a 100 days in a row.  I've been very good at putting photos up (on a private album on fb) and because it has been such a nice album to go through, to remember little (and big) things that made me happy, I've decided to continue doing it.  Day 173 now!  Potentially, this will just be a new form of journalling for me, a way to remember my life, and perhaps one day I can consider making it into a book - my LIFE BOOK :D Now that I've said it, sounds like an AMAZING idea. hehehe

I'm not really reading any fiction at the moment, but I am reading (on and off) this book called The Chimp Management, which is an excellent book especially for me as I think I have a very very strong chimp! :O  Hahaha, I can imagine me as a teenager thinking non-fiction is TERRIBLE and that I would NEVER read it.  What would she think of this? :p  I still think fiction is so much more fun to read, but I guess if non-fiction is written in a certain way, I may find it interesting too. (just not as eager to find out what the next chapter would be, therefore slower reading)

Okay, on to more fun things.  So a quick recap of my life!
1. I dressed up properly for Halloween, for the first time!  I love how scary I look, I could totally be a professional cosplayer....? :p 

2. Got reminded that I was a Gingerlinean and was brought back to my Home Planet :p

3. Had my first self-organised birthday party! :):) Such crazy friends, such fun times!

4. This year, I took a little trip back in time (only for a few hours) to the 1920s :p  TWICE! And it was SUUUCH a good time :)  Dressing up seems to be the theme this year as I've also bought onesies (to be used when the weather gets colder), and we've dressed up somemore for other events!  Maybe I should dress up for Halloween, just to be sure it's the most dressed-up year :p

Wedding count! (because I firmly believe that the number of weddings you attend a year indicates your "marriage age" and whether you've "reached" it) 2 in 2014 - my sis, and Wrn! :D SO happy for them both.

Holiday count so far! 

2013 - Snowdonia

2013 - Stockholm

2013 - Dubrovnik, Kotor, Mostar

2013 - Prague

2014 - Cinque Terre, Lake Garda, Verona

(I think I may need to go on more travels this year...)

Hehehe, looking forward to more fun times this year and till the next time I write!  I have to admit, one thing I've definitely got better at is organising events to attend and filling my calendar with fun things, be it experiences, meet ups, plays, shows... :) Till next time!

Life. is. great. :)

An amazing quote

“Nobody's right all the time, and a broken clock is right twice a day. And every one of us — every one of us and every one of them, we’re compelled to spend our fleeting lives between those two extremes, knowing we’re never going to be right all the time and hoping we’re right more than twice a day.”

- Bill Clinton

Scooters, anyone?

So there I was on a typical Tuesday morning, walking into the work.

It usually takes me about 20 minutes to walk to work, which is great, I really can't complain. I mean, compared to taking the tube or bus to work, walking is lovely. Not only do I get the exercise, I also get to enjoy the view as I walk by, breathe in some good fresh (but probably polluted, come to think of it) air... all that jazz.

It was pretty good weather as well (by that I mean it wasn't raining), so I didn't even have to hold an umbrella or worry about stepping in puddles.

Loads of people walk in London, which is what I love about this city. It's so easy to walk everywhere. I had people walking in front of me, people walking in front of them, people walking next to me... hahaa it's getting a little silly now isn't it?

Right, on with the story. So there I was, walking to work when suddenly out of nowhere (well, from behind me) this lady comes by in a scooter and whoosh whoosh whoosh she zigzagged her way through all my fellow 'walkers' and within seconds was at the end of the street! AMAZING! I was really impressed! It wasn't even a fancy scooter with battery power or anything, just a plain ol' scooter.

Exhibit A:

That got me thinking... If I could get myself a scooter, I could get to work in NO TIME! Literally, it would take me 10 minutes probably...or less, since walking is SO slow when you compare it to a scooter! What a smart lady she is!

I would be a little bit embarrassed about going around in a scooter though, having to pass by all these people walking while scooting (is that what I should call it?) my way to work. But ha-ha! I would be going so fast, no one would even be able to see my face! Brilliant! The lady I saw also did it so easily I guess people might get jealous instead, like I did. Ha!

Just thought I'd share this new discovery with you, I really don't know if I'd actually go out and get a scooter, haha! But imagine London with scooters, instead of 'walkers'. We'd set a new trend! It'd be headline news! "LONDONERS FIND NEW MODE OF TRANSPORTATION" or "SCOOTING OFF?" or "THE BICYCLE'S TWO WHEELED FRIEND". It would be amazing!

Speaking of bicycles, the other thing I realised was you wouldn't have to use your scooter on the road as you do for bikes, apparently (so I was told) it has something to do with one of your feet touching the ground. So it'd be safer as well! It'd basically BE walking, but faster.

Some might mention the possibilities of accidents happening or it being more dangerous, but if you think about it, the scooter really isn't that big and if you bump into someone, it would really just be your body  hitting into them, just like how you'd bump into a person while walking. Ahh yes of course, here you argue you'd be going at a speed. I say, it's just like bumping into someone while running!

Same ol' same ol'.

I think having a whole city travelling around with scooters is an amazing idea. It doesn't really take up extra space (it takes up the same space as you would without a scooter - pretty much), takes you around faster, and probably gives you a bit of a breeze on warmer days!

I probably wouldn't recommend it in Winter if it snows or if the ground gets icy though. And they might have to put in good wheels for travelling in the rain...holding an umbrella would probably be difficult while riding a scooter hmm... but otherwise, in Summer months, when it DOESN'T rain (ha), it would be perfect!

What do you think guys? 

Shall we bring on a scooter revolution? :)

Ps. It would also be easy to store, you could just fold it up and put it under your desk, takes up much less space than a bike would!!

Now tell me you haven't just thought about getting a scooter yourself.

Midnight meetings

Big Ben had just struck 12 times five minutes ago, and I found myself a bench next to the London Eye. It was a nice night, not too cold and it wasn't raining, which was good. I was in the mood to stay out for longer, I didn't want to go back into the flat just yet. I needed the fresh air. I had just sat down when the guy in front of me said

"Are you Yvonne?"

I didn't quite catch him the first time "Sorry?"

"Are you Yvonne?" he repeated himself. I smiled and said no.

He wasn't convinced because he then went on to say "the one I've been talking to..?" Again, I shake my head, smile, laugh, and say no. 

"You look a lot like her"

"Oh really?"

"Yeah"

I laugh. At this point I am intrigued about this midnight meeting.

"Yeah, I live there (he points) and she lives there (he points again), and she said we could meet so we said we'd meet under the base of the London Eye" 

"Aww!!"

"but my phone battery is at 7%"

I laugh. "Well, this isn't the base of the London Eye! It's there!"

"Yeah but I'm late"

I laugh again as he walked off in the direction of the London Eye.

How cute.

When I thought I'd have enough fresh air, I was also curious about whether he was still waiting for her - I had intended to talk to him since I was bored and was quite amused by this midnight meeting, I got up from my bench and started walking toward the London Eye.

He was still there. 20 minutes on and he was still waiting. I almost talked to him but decided against it. I then noticed a girl walking towards the Eye. Could it be? Could she be the Yvonne he spoke of?

I walked past her and smiled.

She doesn't know I know her story.

Then I saw them meet and embrace.

You've got to love it when stories from books come to life. You've got to love midnight meetings. :)

<3

Things that only happen in movies

...or so it seems.


First thing's first, to put it all in context, my phone is completely dead. Dead to the world, dead to me. It doesn't function, I can't even unlock it to read messages or make/take a call. So most of the time I ignore it, and most of the time it's alright except when I'm trying to meet up with friends, in which case it is difficult unless I specify exactly where and when to meet.


So this afternoon, I was meeting one of my friends, Jaimin for lunch, and we set exactly where and when to meet. Got there, didn't see him, obviously had no way of contacting him (my phone also died while I was sleeping because I couldn't be bothered to charge a phone that wouldn't' work anyway - it's a wonder I still carry it around when it doesn't do me any good). I got my book out of my bag and started reading casually, like I could pick up my phone at any moment and ring him if I needed to, and that I had simply chose not to ring him but to wait patiently instead. He turned up in the end (he got a little lost), but hey, the system works even if you don't have a working phone.


After our meet up, I was going to a friend's boyfriend's birthday party. I have never been to his place and all I had was a postcode. Used Jaimin's phone to ring her up and got directions, and off I was on my (silly clueless) way to his flat. Tralala, got to the station, sort of worked out which way I had to go (without google maps!) and found it! *phew!* I thought. She had told me, look out for 36, and I was right in front of it! She also told me "we will either be in the flat - look for flat C, or we will be in the garden (it was a barbeque)."


I was slightly unsure of what to do when I got there. There I was in front of this building, unsure of where flat C was, and not being able to ring her to let her know I was there. I saw a little gate around the side and figured it led to the garden in the back. Alright, I thought to myself, maybe they'll be in the garden. I ventured in - at the same time feeling like I was breaking an entry. Haha! Got to the back and it was a scene! Food and empty bottles on tables, a barbeque in the back, but not a single soul around... Where were they!? I was completely lost. I went back to the front, went up the steps to the front door and the buzzer said "Flat B", which was clearly not I was after.


I walked up and down the street, hoping someone would spot me. Nothing happened.


I debated on borrowing a phone from a random stranger (I had her number written on a post it note - post it note WIN), but wasn't sure who to ask. Every time someone walked past I thought to myself, maybe her? Maybe him? Maybe them? They look nice enough, right? Then decided not to. When I finally saw a teenage girl walking down the street, I thought, hey, she looks harmless enough. (I assume everyone has a working phone these days) But all she said to me was "sorry I don't have any credit on this phone" Useful. Very useful.


I then debated on taking the train home, but it seemed like such a waste, after I had made that long journey there - I also had a bottle of Rose that was meant for the birthday boy hmm.


I went back up to the front door and tried the buzzer that did not say "Flat B" - none of them said Flat C, but I thought I'd try anyway. No response. I started strolling up and down the street again, feeling rather silly whilst trying to think of a better solution.


All of a sudden, someone came out of one of the side doors (Flat A), and started walking to the garden in the back! I almost jumped up with joy. He must know them! He must know where they are and how to get into flat C! I creepily followed him to the back garden....


"Hello..." I said.


"Oh hi"


"Do you know where everyone is?" I ask curiously. "Or do you know how to get to Flat C??"


"Oh", he said. "I think they all left, I saw them hanging around the front garden saying bye and things." I start to get desperate - surely the party hasn't ended!


"Umm... could I borrow your phone by any chance, my phone is completely dead"


Then he realised I had just got there and I wasn't part of the party before - ha-ha. Amazing. He said I could try buzzing the flat. So we went up to the front door (once more) and buzzed. He then said to get him if it didn't work. I laughed, nodded and said thank you.


I pressed on the first buzzer. Nothing happened. Pressed on the second. Nothing happened. Tried the first again. Nothing. The second. Nothing. It just wasn't working.


He did say I could get him if it didn't work, so I went back and told him no one had come down.


"Could I just quickly borrow your phone and make a quick call?"


"Sure", then he paused. "Actually, we have a landline, why don't you come in"


And so I randomly followed him into his flat to use his phone. How strange, being in a strangers flat that you had only met a minute ago. I dialed my friend's number. Voicemail. Of all things, of course this had to happen. I tried again while my new 'host' said to "make myself at home" and offered me some tea. Voicemail again... I was at wits end. Here I was, in Flat A, and she wasn't picking up. On the other hand, it was a nice flat and I was on a pretty comfy couch. Haha!


Then the phone in my hand started ringing.


"Oh! It must be your friend" he said, I laughed and passed him the phone - it could very easily not have been. But of course it was. They had left the flat and gone to a nearby hill.


I took some directions down (mentally) and said goodbye to friendly Flat A.


Oh yeah. It's perfectly normal to stroll into a random strangers flat to use their phone - speaking of which, when he was telling me the directions to the hill, his cat jumped right up out of no where to the shelf in front of me and I literally jumped out of my skin. Haha! And I thought things like that only ever happened in movies. Maybe now when I watch movies I'll think - oh yeah, it's perfectly normal to end up randomly in a strangers flat.

Sure. Sure.

I felt like I was in a movie.

What exciting adventures you have when you're without the convenience of a phone.

Love it.

You know you're jealous.

Feeling obliged to update

It has been over a year since I've written anything in this. What will my readers think? Haha! That is, if I had any readers ;)

So, lots have changed since 2010. For one, I graduated from university in July 2010, got a job and have joined the work force! Working is so different from studying, I'm not sure, but I think I might be a workaholic. Haha! In a way, it's like doing homework from 9 to 5, but at the same time I suppose working involves you working in teams as well, which is different from doing homework... (where am I trying to get to with this?) Sometimes I forget I've been working for a year now, and surprise myself when I think about it. How time flies.

Which reminds me, Happy New Year everyone! :)

Hmm.. I mentioned in one of my entries in 2010 that I was worried about how things will be when people leave and started working in different countries, and well, that's happened now. Andrew and Diana are in Hong Kong, Angela's still in NY, plenty of people have gone back to Malaysia, and many others have left the country. And even with the ones that have stayed in the country, it is difficult to keep in contact with everyone sometimes, what with the busy schedules. :( Though, I do have a dim sum gang that meets up every month or so, which is really nice, and I try to meet up with other friends as well when I can.

Time is funny when you work. Usually on weekdays, all you have really, is work. Unless you schedule an outing in the evening, work will most probably be the main part of your day. I guess with studying, we always had those spare hours between lectures to meet up with friends or do other things we wanted to - go to the park, run errands, have a break, go home, sleep. Maybe that's why time flies. It's because we don't really notice the day going by on weekdays (since we're just working) and the weekend is only 2 days - ever so short. Next thing you know a month, 3 months, half a year has gone by and you've barely noticed.

I miss dance. I haven't danced properly in absolutely ages.

My new year resolution this year is to get back to dancing. I'm going to put it down here in my blog so all of you know, and if I don't do it, well, I'll look bad. :) I want to dance. I will dance. I will get myself to class. I promise. I need to. I desperately miss it. I miss ballet. :(

Wish me luck :)

Alright, time for bed. What a random post this was.

ps. Guess who attempted to - and succeeded in cooking a Christmas meal last Christmas? :) Stayed over at Wrn's flat and the 3 of us cooked a yummy meal for 5. Mmmm! Looks absolutely delicious, doesn't it?

"And every second that passes by becomes a memory."

How odd

I love stumbling upon things from the past; things I've forgotten about and things that are reminders of what used to be.

Today I found a diary from when I was 10. Although there weren't many pages, and the spelling was simply embarrassing as it was horrendous, it made me laugh. How I used to laugh at the simplest things, and complained about having to do 'one more homework', as I put it. Haha :) How I found it amusing that I was up early and no one knew, how I thought Sunday was a sad day because Monday would be a non-relaxing school day. HAHA!

I also found an autograph book from when I was in primary school. I swear my Mandarin was better then. XD

How strange is it to get a flash from the past?

I miss being the silly simple minded little 10-year-old. :)

Wow, just realised I said about the same thing in the last post(about the past)