Somehow, to me, it wasn't easy writing this post. Probably, nobody I knows will truly deeply understand how and what I am feeling. I've never knew this day would arrive so soon, not when you are probably at your peak.
行行出状元. Be it whichever job or field you are in, there is simply every opportunity for you to shine and probably be at your best. Come to this far, I've realized it's not sufficient and totally not realistic at all. This world is very real, and reality is indeed cruel. You are put out there to fend for yourself. One by one, you have colleagues, you have superiors and if you are in my line, you have customers too.
It took me near to 1 1/2 years to finally taste success. I've came a long way and started from scratch. Starting this job was a huge decision for me. I was at a crossroads which lots of crossed paths and junctions. It took me alot before I finally decided to plunge into this decision. It was my mindset 'using this job as a stepping stone' then that sets the path for the subsequent route. Of course, every job is the same. You face difficulties, you face troubles, you face uncertainties and alot more. But all those are not enough to pull me down. I must say, it wasn't easy at the start and I struggled my way through time which always seemed like crawling.
Being in this job, I needed much support from my love ones. People who doesn't really understand this job, they see it as one which has no mere difference from a salesperson, they see it as one which simply allows you to travel more, they see it as one which doesn't has much prospects in, they see it as one which doesn't pays well and lots more. I must say, all these 'they see it as...', I've long taken into consideration before I even took the plunge 2 years plus ago. But to me, I see this as an opportunity, I see this as a chance for me to experience worklife, I see this as a chance for me to learn what I didn't know, I see this as a chance for me to discover what I've expected and unexpected altogether.
Now 2 years plus down into this job, only two words can describe how I'm feeling - No Regrets. Many always envy how I always get to travel around different countries, but behind those so called 'incentives' to them, they did not see the hard work, the required effort and alot more needed to be put in. I've really learnt alot from this job. I see more than I can imagine. It, at the same time, open up alot of perspective and exposure for me. I met most people than I ever did in my entire life.
Alot of people asked me, now that I've gotten my degree, when am I leaving/quitting. Deep inside me, it's a turmoil. There I am, sitting in a job which I've finally taste success, a job which I've loved so much, a job which I would love to do forever, but on the other side of my mind, all the 'they see it as....' are becoming more and more real and I'm definitely more ambitious than that and I would want to advance in my career, not only because of myself, but external pressure is pressing too.
Sad to say, reality has forced me to quit something I love doing for something more realistic. But no matter what, I told myself, in my life, entire life in fact, it's all about learning. I've definitely learnt what I should and what I can, and to be frank, it's really high time to expose myself to different aspects of my intended career and advance accordingly. Though uncertain, but that is what makes everything more interesting.
The pop up popped for a mere 3 seconds, with a fainted image. The subject was attractive, never once was the outlook pop up on my computer work desk that appealing.
It was definitely one of the best email subject I've ever received at work. The news came late, but always better than never. It made my day definitely. So happy, I shared the joy with the girl within an instant. Her tone was in a even larger excitement than how my heart was feeling.
Indeed, it's good news but all that was behind that was nonetheless, hard work, tired mind and aching body, thanks to the help of my buddies (Don and Jon) who effortlessly helped me and not forgetting the understanding my parents gave and of course lastly, the motivation and support the girl gave which preciously lead to what I've achieved at work.
Too much good news is also a problem. Now that there's two trips on hand, the dates will have to be toggled around and it's all a wonderful thing to look forward to and I simply can't wait to taste this fruit of success as I enter into year 2011 with a good start.
The reward was a fully paid trip to Club Med, and without hesitation, Club Med Bali was the choice. So Club Med Bali, here I come!
The remaining last quarter of this year has been pretty filled up. I had my so called 'Graduation Trip' because it was a trip just right before my Convocation. It's the same day both events are happening. I'll reach Singapore that very morning, just minutes past midnight with my convocation happening that very evening. It was full of ups and downs as Tiger Airways has given me headaches in finding alternatives just in case they played punk.
I've been checking my mobile as well as flight status before my trip every now and then and I definitely lost count the number of times i did just that. Thankfully, everything was smooth, but I told myself, that is going to be the last time I'm taking Tiger Airways, for they sucks in every aspect I could possibly think of.
Very much like Bangkok, Penang lived more Chinese than other parts of Malaysia, which was rather a relief for us both. Our Hotel, Berjaya Hotel (Booked at an incredibly cheap rate) was awesome. High floor with nice view and it was indeed spacious. With the main purpose of going for their food trail, we wasted no time.
We tried all that we possibly could, but the most disappointing out of the entire trip is probably the seafood we ate over at Batu Ferringhi. Nevertheless, the rest of the food, mostly hawker fare, made up for it.
We ate from Satay to Cockles, to Penang Char Kway Tiao to Chendol. All in all, it was a good food experience to us. I also found my legendary Orh Chian, which probably is the best oyster omelette I've ever eaten in my entire life (if only i can bring that Auntie back to Singapore).
Besides the food, we also went to Gurney Plaza, where we had out Movie fixes there. Their movie is dirt cheap, not forgetting their popcorn as well (bet the girl is going to go gaga over those popcorns if she's there). Fort Cornwallis as well as the rest of Penang didn't really have much to offer, other than the yummy yummy food.
Went to the Kek Lo Si too to pray. The Godness of Mercy statue was really huge and up on the top of Penang, it offer a spectacular view as well. Too bad it wasn't fully constructed.
And I finally had a taste on how's it's like to put on that Mortar Board. The taste of success is even sweeter after what I've gone through. The feeling of having your loved one there witnessing this glorious moment of yours, is simply indescribable.
And so, topped with a few gifts from the girl, it concluded my academic life, seemingly with a good ending.
25 came popping by, sending a silent alarm that I could possibly already been one third of my life. No longer am I the same age as many of my friends out there, the girl including. It was kind of crisis when I still can't feel I'm my age yet. Men in the past could have already been married at this tender age.
I must say, Birthdays to me are just like any other occasion that happened yearly. I did have my fair share of celebrations with my friends. Kickstarting it with MR, we headed down to Novena, at the same time, finally welcoming the return of our long beloved friend, Ethan from UK, well, this time round, for good. Rock band was seriously not my type of game as we muscled our fingers till it almost gave in.
Just days before my actual birthday, I received one of the most shocking birthday surprise ever. I shall skip the details but everything in there was sweet and I must say, lots of effort put in. First, there was the Birthday Card, then followed by a puzzle which I've to solved before the Answer sheet conclude the night. A trip to Bintan! It's like a wish come true and a VERY BOLD move as well.
It was just a mere simple affair on my very birthday itself. Went to Yuki Yaki and feast in, where I fell in love with the Sashimi, the Pork Bacon and of course, the ice cream too!
Days later, it's Bintan. The ferry was rather early, therefore, we both got hit my deprivation of sleep on our way to Bintan. We were welcomed by the luxurious room. It was not only spacious but also luxurious in a way. Practically, I see this as a short getaway (rest and relax). It's indeed just pure rest and relax as there's really basically nothing much to do out there, plus the rain almost spoilt our day. But we managed to fruitfully spend it well.
The biggest surprise came as a different one compared to the previous one. Now imagine this. You are just watching television, when late at night, someone came knocking on your door. You have no idea who the heck would knock on your door at this hour. Feeling pissed, the door was opened, in came this gentleman, with a tray. On the tray was cutlery and a box.
I look at the girl in shock, whereas she's was giggling away. I knew something was 'wrong'. Indeed, by then, my mind was cleared and I guessed it just the way it is. The surprise left me speechless and all I could hear was my heart doing the talking. My first, only and last birthday cake this year specially for me.
Too bad the next day, it was infested with hungry ants, which must be feeling just as sweet as me. Having a nice meal by the poolside was a rather good experience. Relaxed, carefree and simply no worries at all. All in all, a wonderful getaway.
The dudes also celebrated my birthday for me, this time round, back at Yuki Yaki. It was whole lot of fun. My birthday present, for the first time ever, it's cash from the dudes. Cool hard cash, plus a birthday card of course.
Have been going on several dates before my frequent travelling out of Singapore in this last quarter of the year. Starting from K-pop concert. Can't believe we managed to get such a cheap seats. $15 is all we paid per ticket for a $100++ seat. Cool stuff, thanks to my colleague, our dream of watching SNSD LIVE came true. It was a awesome atmosphere and by the time SNSD appear, it was pink sabre-torches all around, with screams so deafening. 4 songs was enough to make us both go high!
Also, we visited the Science Centre and Omni Theater after the girl managed to get hold of tickets through corporate rates. Searex show was really nice, although it did cause some discomfort to my neck ultimately whereas poor girl dozed off as this is definitely not her cup of tea. Pray 'Walking with Dino' will not do the same to her as well.
The rest of the exhibition was rather interesting but it get mundane in awhile. CSI was rather interactive and engaging, prompting to solve crimes in a unique yet simple way. But the crowd is enough to turn you off. You are solving crime are a very SLOW rate because of the crowd, which in logical sense, doesn't sound logical at all. Therefore, we gave up ultimately.
Have been into Harry Potter as well. Made advanced booking of Harry Potter and counting down, I only had approx 1 week to catch 3 more episodes of it. I can do it! YES!
Finally, I had this little wish came true by bringing my parents out of Singapore as well. They hardly travel, therefore, it's of no wonder why both my parents are smiling from grin to grin, right from my house to the airport. Indeed, they appeared much more excited than me.
I'm glad I had this opportunity to bring them abroad to see and eat, somewhere where they've never been before. Fruitful trip I supposed.
Apart from ShenZhen which I vowed never to step foot there again, we had our foot in some of the nicest eateries as well as even a 1 star Michelin restaurant which serves awesome roasted meat as well as beancurd.
Can't believe my parents fell for 许留山 when they aren't even for sweet stuff back in Singapore. But no doubt that the desserts there are nice. I missed out on the porridge when I was in Hong Kong last year, but this time round, I had porridge for supper every single night.
My first time watching the symphony of lights as well after my parents shocked me by wanting to visit the wax musuem. Again, after that trip to the peak, I laid my hands on the legendary watermelon beancurd which fully satisfied me again, like how it did back last year
Did not do much shopping this time round, as my mum headed home with slight disappointment. However, I'm sure the company of their son and all the yummy food did make up for it.
It was indeed a long entry but I look forward to the remaining days of this wonderful year to me as I still have trips pending - Cruise and Korea. At the same time, I can't wait for festive seasons gatherings and of course Xmas shopping once again and I look forward to ending this wonderful year on a good note. Till then..........
