Final closure?

Freshness Burger is closing it's operations in Singapore. Final day is 28 Dec.

That was the place we had our first outing together and you had lamented the need for so many chaperones.

Wonder if this bore you as much fond memories as it has for me.

It definitely brought up tons of emotions and the urge to message you today was almost too hard to resist.

Today

We're not friends. We're not enemies. We're just strangers with some memories.

But just because we're not close anymore, doesn't mean I don't care about you.

Honesty doesn't always pay

I'm jealous.

These days, you're probably messaging and chatting with someone else. What I'm sadder about is that all I ever did was to tell you I liked you and yet, I'm getting this cold treatment.

Don't understand the logic.

Why am I being punished for being honest about my feelings?

Would you come for dinner?

Porcupine, wanted to ask if you'd like to come over for dinner tonight. But knowing how things are at the moment, probably I already know your answer before I could even ask.

I will be going to our friend's place tonight to make miso paste fish fillet. Hope you'll have a good dinner later tonight too.

Last Saturday, we had an excellent crab party. Wish you could have been there too. We had delicious yummy crabs,  my 'famous' stir-fried tang hoon, gelato and great company.

Wonder where you'd usually have your dinners but you'd never open up much on your johari window. Sigh. Why the secrecy. Guess I'll never know.

喜怒哀乐

你的沉默真的是我的折磨

这到底是什么游戏？又要让人心动却又不行动？你难到需要证明什么？

你心里的那个她的地位，我不会想要代替

可是请你也不要把我或任何别人当做她的暂时代替品

我不想要你的道歉，只要你好好反省

真的希望你能好好去爱惜她人和自己

別再讓我為你受折磨

如果你不愛我就放了我
別再讓我為你受折磨
你的承諾愛的枷鎖
都讓它隨風而過

如果你不愛我就放了我
別再讓我為你繼續淪落
所有快樂變成沉默
狠狠刺傷我心窩
無法掙脫

-- 別再讓我為你受折磨(喬嘉)

你的沉默，我的折磨

小豪猪：

对我来说，你的沉默不是个答案，反而是个折磨。
你自己对我说过的。。。Don’t be evil。

如果你不想把心里的话说出来，也罢。

我只请求你别再让我有机会一直在你的周围继续沦落。
别再给我发不必要的短讯除非是有关我们旧同事。

别再给我多于的机会单独联系你。

If I have a relapse and msg you first, don't reply no matter what.

在这时后，我才真的需要你的沉默。

给你这个朋友空间平静下来。
好让我和我的心有新的机会走出你的影子, 再重新呼吸。

谢谢。

Joyous companionship

Last Saturday, we had a dinner party at a friend's. It was a somewhat simple affair but the companionship was totally priceless. We laughed so hard, that not only sides ached, but glasses were broken and tears (of joy) were shed.

I had spent 7 years and 6 months in a company I had termed as my dream organization and counted my lucky stars for the opportunity to work there. And throughout my years there, I had indeed learnt many things and met many people.

However, one of the best gifts I ever had in this company, is the friendship I had made with a special bunch of folks.

Guess I have been lucky more than once.

I have made some really great friends in other organizations too and elsewhere in my social life but this particular bunch will always have a special spot in my heart.

Imagine having to always work and see them almost every single day for 5 days a week in the past and yet, we'd still want to spend even more time together after work for exercise, drinks and even going away on holidays.

No words can really quite describe the bonds we have built but I can only say how grateful and lucky I am to have them in my life.

Their company has gotten me through some rough patches and it is this group of people whom I'd ever so treasure and eagerly look forward to seeing them week after week whether it is for drinks and other social engagements.

Life really won't be the same or as fun without them.

Remind me to count my lucky stars again tonight. And every other night.

Released.

I finally woke up today, seeking a breath of real fresh air.

After being mentally tormented by a selfish prick for the past 13 months or so, I finally realised it is really time to move on. And I think I am finally ready.

It hadn't been easy as I had somehow unwittingly entered a game where I thought it was all simple and genuine but it stings to know now that it was not so. The one thing I'd be grateful for is that it has in some ways restarted my heart - which I have thought I had long buried it for good.

Hopefully, it's not all too late.

I won't deny that there is still that aching need for me to uncover the numerous questions I have but I know I'd never be able to get any answers no matter how I'd try to dig for it. So I need to lay it to rest.

Prick or no prick; jerk or no jerk, I have already witnessed and experienced enough to know this is a game I have to exit by myself. It was a game that was really out of my league in the first place.

But I am glad I tried because now, the real game will and can begin.

I am sure now that I'd be ready to face all new challenges with a big smile. No more ghosts, no more fear.

I know now what I want and need. All thanks to a no good prick.

My one moment in fame

Yes, I was called upon to be a judge. Yes, I made it on somebody's website.

I never knew I'd go places but this short '15 seconds' of fame to be one of the judges for marketing magazine's agency of the year award sure had been fun. But mind you, it was also hard work to go over the submitted pieces plus timing wasn't great as I had to do this while balancing my trip to US to meet my new boss and colleagues for the first time at our global marketing meeting.

Nevertheless, this probably only comes once in a lifetime and glad I did it.

Porcupines and pricks.

 I had chanced upon this article written by an author called Bill Hart on his blog page some time last year about a porcupine named Elvis he had 'met' and it reminded me of somebody.

Until this day, I never got through to my porcupine. Guess some quills are never meant to be broken off.

 "I think a lot of people are like porcupines.  We grow some nasty quills on the outside to protect ourselves because we feel so vulnerable.  The problem is that no one can get through the quills, not even people who would be our friends or lovers.  Therefore, we spend our days and nights in solitude, always looking out for the fisher cats and dimwits who would hurt us just for the sake of hurting us.

So what else have I learned from Elvis?  Elvis likes my company and tries to be friendly, but he just can't seem to get past whatever made him decide to become a porcupine.  We sit out in the field in the evening, he in the apple tree and I below it.  I talk, he grunts.  It's the best we each can do and I am now content to let him be just who he is, a young porcupine with social issues, while he lets me be myself, a middle aged writer who spends most of his time with a porcupine." -- Bill Hart

Brunch came early

This week I went for brunch with an ex-colleague on Saturday instead of my usual Sunday gig.

We went to try out Wimbly Lu and Jules cafe at Jalan Riang. And I enjoyed myself and am glad I came out for a fulfilling meal and good company.

Albeit it was wet and rainy, but the weather did not dampen our spirits and we had fun catching up, eating and laughing.

Brunch at Wimbly Lu for me was SST - smoked salmon on toast with scrambled eggs and a good cup of skinny latte. We even got to meet Wimbly and Lu. The owners of the outfit. Very nice ladies and my company poured on compliments for the coffee and we made small talks.

After round 1, the greedy in me coaxed my ex to go for a second round at Jules where I had eggs remy (a rendition of eggs ben except leeks and other veg were used instead of ham) while my company had risotto, which both were good. The skinny latte here was not too bad but I think I prefer the one at Wimbly Lu.

We parted ways later after a 3 hour marathon of brunch and more brunch.

It was a good day.

Sometimes

Sometimes I wish you'd surprise me and appear out of nowhere to whisk me away...

Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be pricked by a porcupine....

Sometimes I wish you'd be more honest, open and sincere...

Sometimes I wonder if this is it...

Sometimes I wish I knew.

I miss my porcupine

Dear Porcupine,

The silence is painful but necessary for me more than you, because I know you'd never have the guts to do it. But I need this. For me.

I miss the banter terribly and hope some day I'd find someone who'd enjoy my company as much as I'd enjoy having endless conversations with under the sun and the stars.

Preferably, this person would be a whole lot more sincere and open.

I don't know if I can keep this up but I need to move on.

A new beginning, in every sense...

Out with the old and in with the new. That seems to be the recurring theme for this year.

According to the lunar calendar, the new year starts on 4 February and on 10 February, I bid good bye to Juniper - a place where I've spent 7 years and 6 months of my life. Much has grown and changed with the people, place and my waist line over the years but nevertheless it is still a place with many dear memories for me.

Interestingly, my join date was 24 August 2004 and last working day happened to be 24 February 2012 by pure coincidence.

So as I say goodbye to a great company and some people, I look forward to my next challenge at work and life with anticipated breath.

It'd be uphill from now....

昨天想的,今天已成事实

昨天有人发了电话短讯给我。写了一些祝贺。读了之后，感触特多。。。

就这样的，一些事情就变了过去。。。

“撕下墙壁的最后一张日历，不论过去的一年成与败，得与失，苦与乐，都随着时空而成为了过去。

挂上新的日历，新的一年，它依然是三百六十五张。

愿您在新的一年，每一天撕下每一张日历的每一天，都是… 健康快乐，事事顺心，心想事成。”

Goodbye 2011

The last day of 2011 is a Saturday, 31 Dec.

I didn't wake up for a morning run, but then again, I slept pretty late last night doing pretty much nothing either. I had planned to cook something today but plans are shelved to Sunday.

Probably I will make a simple dessert instead.

I had a fun time yesterday at lunch with colleagues reminiscing the year with all our mishaps and travels. It's great to feel that bond and friendship with a bunch of folks whom I spend almost a third of my time with each day. I guess I enjoy and treasure the camaraderie we've established over the years. I've also made some new amazing friends this year and I do feel grateful for these blessings.

Regrets, I may have a few but not something I should dwell on. There are questions I wished I had asked earlier and things I should probably not have done but living out the experience and consequences being part of that are what builds character. And for highlights, I do have some and they've pretty much made the year more bearable.

So my last post for the year is to hope that 2012 will be a greater year for everyone. And come all rain and shine, we'd live it through with greater smiles. Happy New Year.

Becoming me

It's that time of the year again when one starts to reflect on the year that has passed and the one that's about to come and start drawing resolutions that never quite seem to get accomplished. At least that's how it is usually for me. Guess my forte is in planning and not exactly in execution.

I don't think I made any specific resolutions this year but I did put out a list of 'long term' ones.

Family
"I will make effort to plan for a family trip at least once a year and cook one healthy meal once a week."

Friends
"I will make time to catch up and connect with my friends at least once a month."

Finances
"I will stay focused on working towards financial independence by saving $xxxx/mth." 

Fitness
"I will care for my body so that I can continue to feel the pleasure of being fit and fully alive as I grow older. Thus, I need to continue with my exercise and watch what I eat."

Career
"I'll find a job or activity that feeds my soul and uses my talents to help others."

Looking at them now, I think I've managed to do some of them. There are a few I'd need to work harder at but at least it's not just NATO.

Next year, there are some plans on the family and fitness front on what I'd want to do such as aiming for a trip to Europe and completing a full marathon amongst others. As for finances, friends and career, I can only hope I'd be able to have the good fortune and opportunity to do what I hope to do, and that more good things will come my way in the year of the dragon.

Happy 2012, everyone.

The importance of being RASCI....

I didn't realize how important one of the trainings I had attended in Juniper some years ago, would and could actually help me not only in my work but its applicability to many other situations outside of work.

If practiced correctly, it can really help people in getting clarity on what they need to do and become a lot more effective in their various roles.

R = Responsible - owns the problem / project

Responsible - these people are the “doers” of the work. They must complete the task or objective or make the decision. Several people can be jointly responsible.

This is the person, or group, who is responsible for performing a task. Bear in mind the old adage that when nobody is responsible for getting something done then nothing gets done. Also, a similar situation can occur when too many people are potentially responsible with little to no coordination and oversight to ensure that the task is completed. Another issue to consider is when a person has lots of “R’s”. Are they doing too much?

A = to whom "R" is Accountable - who must sign off (Approve) on work before it is effective

Accountable - this person is the “owner” of the work. He or she must sign off or approve when the task, objective or decision is complete. This person must make sure that responsibilities are assigned in the matrix for all related activities. There is only one person accountable, which means that “the buck stops there.”

This is the person who is held accountable for the task being complete. In some cases, risks can be managed by segregating the responsible and accountable roles. In general, one person should be accountable for a task being performed. At the same time, if a person is accountable for most of the steps in a procedure, one must consider if there is a segregation of duties issue wherein the person(s) control an excessive amount of the procedure.

( S = can be Supportive ) - can provide resources or can play a supporting role in implementation

Some groups add this in as a fifth responsibility. “S” identifies a person or group who provide resources for a task to be completed. When charts include this category, they are referred to as “RASCI charts” but otherwise are identical to RACI charts.

C = to be Consulted - has information and/or capability necessary to complete the work

Consulted - these are the people who need to give input before the work can be done and signed-off on. These people are “in the loop” and active participants.

These are the people communicated with prior to a task being performed. Essentially, their input is sought after and factored in prior to action taking place. As the number of parties consulted with increases, the speed with which action can be taken decreases. Conversely, too few and improper decisions may be made

I = to be Informed - must be notified of results, but need not be consulted

Informed - these people need to be kept “in the picture.” They need updates on progress or decision, but they do not need to be formally consulted, nor do they contribute directly to the task or decision.

These are the parties who are notified about a task after it has been performed. If the correct parties aren’t informed in some situations, then incidents can arise from groups wondering what changed. At the same time, if there are lots of people being informed, is it necessary?

 

Which are you?

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