My new baby

I didn't go through the 9 months or any laborious delivery but I think it is almost similar experience.

After 3 long months of agony and waiting after waiting, the Bimmer is finally here.

I will give it all the TLC it needs and spend time to understand it.

Anyway, it does feel like a new exciting toy!

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.