Warmer is the satisfaction one gets from helping a complete stranger...
A staple remover...rubber bands...ink stamp...guess the profession...that's right! My current freakin' job.
There are certain things that are not exactly going my way at work. But what the heck! I seem to forget (for about half a decade, mind you) that not getting things our way is an apt opportunity to learn. Turning adversity into a decent situation is training towards building character.
Yup, character is sometimes the one thing we who aren't born into the "greater age", grey matter with silver lining. Character was what we built in my alma mater (ha. hmmm...what about the intelligence bit...)
Being taking runs in the evening after work. Its nice to run in the solace and comfort of darkness. Surprisingly not intimidating. It centres, cleanses.
Well, my princess is having her final paper tmrw. She will.
How?!?!?!?! Should I head east, or west?
Uncle T
12 Apr 2006
9 Apr 2006
Gentlemen....can you hear wat is calling...? 5:02 pm
Arghh...Monday is calling out to me. Work beckons!!! I had better get used to it.
For those interested what I currently do at work:
-Uncle Yew, the warehouse's 65 year-old relic, just went on a China tour with his missus, therefore I am taking over as a stand-in at the warehouse. I now realise how much his 33.5 years of experience means. I did Day One of cashier duties on Saturday and it nearly turn disastrous. Book keeping, dealing with impatient truck drivers, and freaking trying to tally the day's accounts. Sai kang, as Yong calls it.
-On a happier (its just the lesser of the two evils), my manager has assured me I will be part of the administrative and operations upheaval, which was the initial draw of this internship. Let's hope that goes on fine. It has been so far exciting.
Uncle T
For those interested what I currently do at work:
-Uncle Yew, the warehouse's 65 year-old relic, just went on a China tour with his missus, therefore I am taking over as a stand-in at the warehouse. I now realise how much his 33.5 years of experience means. I did Day One of cashier duties on Saturday and it nearly turn disastrous. Book keeping, dealing with impatient truck drivers, and freaking trying to tally the day's accounts. Sai kang, as Yong calls it.
-On a happier (its just the lesser of the two evils), my manager has assured me I will be part of the administrative and operations upheaval, which was the initial draw of this internship. Let's hope that goes on fine. It has been so far exciting.
Uncle T
Yup, the Carebears 4:50 pm
Orders a bowl of cereal and laksa...
Yup, it has finally come full circle; the Carebears finally KNOW we are the Carebears.
A little background in a broadstroke: Lucas started calling the gang (Ian, Russ, Kel, Joe and I) the Carebears with a rather mocking undertone, but all in good humour.
So Yong recently re-ignited this Carebear talk and we realised dear Ian did not know of this nomenclature. So, our dear Joe Saw (truly, he should work for Mediacorp!) researched on the cartoon series (Carebear) and have assigned us each a character that best suits our personality. I got "Do your Best" Bear. -_- haha.
Uncle T
Yup, it has finally come full circle; the Carebears finally KNOW we are the Carebears.
A little background in a broadstroke: Lucas started calling the gang (Ian, Russ, Kel, Joe and I) the Carebears with a rather mocking undertone, but all in good humour.
So Yong recently re-ignited this Carebear talk and we realised dear Ian did not know of this nomenclature. So, our dear Joe Saw (truly, he should work for Mediacorp!) researched on the cartoon series (Carebear) and have assigned us each a character that best suits our personality. I got "Do your Best" Bear. -_- haha.
Uncle T
8 Apr 2006
A Pleasant Friday evening indeed... 12:58 am
Orders a Jedi Mudster...
Refreshing. That's what it was this evening. In a short time, we managed to assemble all of the Carebears (heh...can see Ian cringing...) this evening. I had a delightful time.
I first met Joe and Kel for dinner. We entered a Jap restaurant, drank their water, read their menu, and left. So much for social graces. But what the hell, satisfying our tummies was the greater motivation and we headed for Sakae at Millenia Walk instead. Ian joined us thereafter.
Soon, the whole gang was there, including Yong and Ian's kid brother. After a decent wait for a table, we managed to sit in NYDC Suntec, all seven of us. Desert was served, with much laughter and childish banter. Therein lies the simple joy of just chilling with close friends; no frills, no pretence.
As we dispersed for the evening (yup, me with the car literally dropped them off. Sorry Joe!), I drove (sped) home feeling refreshed by this familiar company. Being in the presence of old friends does allow one to lose our masks.
PS. Parking in town is not only costly, but inconvenient, especially when you know not where the carpark freakin' is.
Ian my man, all the best with you SPH internship. Nail it bro.
Uncle T
Refreshing. That's what it was this evening. In a short time, we managed to assemble all of the Carebears (heh...can see Ian cringing...) this evening. I had a delightful time.
I first met Joe and Kel for dinner. We entered a Jap restaurant, drank their water, read their menu, and left. So much for social graces. But what the hell, satisfying our tummies was the greater motivation and we headed for Sakae at Millenia Walk instead. Ian joined us thereafter.
Soon, the whole gang was there, including Yong and Ian's kid brother. After a decent wait for a table, we managed to sit in NYDC Suntec, all seven of us. Desert was served, with much laughter and childish banter. Therein lies the simple joy of just chilling with close friends; no frills, no pretence.
As we dispersed for the evening (yup, me with the car literally dropped them off. Sorry Joe!), I drove (sped) home feeling refreshed by this familiar company. Being in the presence of old friends does allow one to lose our masks.
PS. Parking in town is not only costly, but inconvenient, especially when you know not where the carpark freakin' is.
Ian my man, all the best with you SPH internship. Nail it bro.
Uncle T
7 Apr 2006
These past couple of weeks... 3:34 pm
Orders fruit juice and fried hokkien mee, and a plate of roasted chicken...
Work
Aye, I have started work and coming into my second Saturday working hald day. Yup, that's what this job entails, and more. My paymaster is a listed shipping logistics firm. But where I work at, Keppel Distripark, is a far cry from the HQ's office, with instant coffee dispensers and all in its waiting area.
I work at a container warehouse. Diesel from perpetually working forklifts, dust and dirt, all clog the air. Similarly, it has clogged my lungs too. Thus, I'm on MC today for sinus inflammation and the like. But I guess I am learning stuff from this enviroment, I would say a kind of learning that I may never get a chance to encounter later on in life.
Hard Revolution...not bad.
Just finished a book (as in, JUST), titled Hard Revolution by george Pelecanos. This book came into my possession after Dilane decided to try start a book club, and this was the first book we exchanged. And i lent him Voltaire (which is still virgin new). Ha. To think boys at our age starting a book club, but its fun I guess; not many people I know share about what they read and stuff.
Decent read, revolving around the lives of suburbia on the backdrop of civil rights movement in 1960s America. Nice thing about this book: its author writes utilising much cinematic ideas and movement of plot. Suspense is created rather subtley. Wouldn't call it an outright thriller, but subtle hints allows the reader to be engaged. The plot is broken into sub-plots, and finally (rather casually, actually) are woven together. Pelecanos also allows the plot that focuses on the development of Martin Luther King's movement and the plot of the individual character to run parallel through the book.
Today!
Some scenes of looting and mayhem from the book still linger in my mind. Anyhow, the day is coming to a close, and still no date for a Friday evening. Well, there is soccer downstairs at 6. And the thought of going to work tomorrow...not going down too good with my fatigued limbs from jogging....
It is so unnerving, stranded at this junction, not knowing when will the next turn come, and where will it head. "Patience", overused. For how long can it be drawn on? It isn't an endless reservoir of supply, this "patience". But I guess there is no better alternative, is there?
Uncle T
Work
Aye, I have started work and coming into my second Saturday working hald day. Yup, that's what this job entails, and more. My paymaster is a listed shipping logistics firm. But where I work at, Keppel Distripark, is a far cry from the HQ's office, with instant coffee dispensers and all in its waiting area.
I work at a container warehouse. Diesel from perpetually working forklifts, dust and dirt, all clog the air. Similarly, it has clogged my lungs too. Thus, I'm on MC today for sinus inflammation and the like. But I guess I am learning stuff from this enviroment, I would say a kind of learning that I may never get a chance to encounter later on in life.
Hard Revolution...not bad.
Just finished a book (as in, JUST), titled Hard Revolution by george Pelecanos. This book came into my possession after Dilane decided to try start a book club, and this was the first book we exchanged. And i lent him Voltaire (which is still virgin new). Ha. To think boys at our age starting a book club, but its fun I guess; not many people I know share about what they read and stuff.
Decent read, revolving around the lives of suburbia on the backdrop of civil rights movement in 1960s America. Nice thing about this book: its author writes utilising much cinematic ideas and movement of plot. Suspense is created rather subtley. Wouldn't call it an outright thriller, but subtle hints allows the reader to be engaged. The plot is broken into sub-plots, and finally (rather casually, actually) are woven together. Pelecanos also allows the plot that focuses on the development of Martin Luther King's movement and the plot of the individual character to run parallel through the book.
Today!
Some scenes of looting and mayhem from the book still linger in my mind. Anyhow, the day is coming to a close, and still no date for a Friday evening. Well, there is soccer downstairs at 6. And the thought of going to work tomorrow...not going down too good with my fatigued limbs from jogging....
It is so unnerving, stranded at this junction, not knowing when will the next turn come, and where will it head. "Patience", overused. For how long can it be drawn on? It isn't an endless reservoir of supply, this "patience". But I guess there is no better alternative, is there?
Uncle T
22 Mar 2006
Getting there... 11:35 pm
Open Mic
Dilane and I sang at Singapore Arts Cafe's open mic tonight. We decided to take the opportunity as a precursor to April 24th. We had Kelvin (Di's cycling buddy) and our own manager cum critic Mingfeng, there to watch us.
Crowd wasn' good, but it was a learning experience. Mingfeng did give his dollars' worth, very valuable critcism and pointers we will work on; still some distance to cover. But other than that, Di and I have both agreed it was a performance we both enjoyed.
I do hope the music plays on, and we achieve what we are capable of.
Internship begins...finally!
Well, I'll finally be starting something "contructive" and definitive (how about that Yong? haha). I start on Monday, 6 days a week, at the Keppel freight port. I am certain the lessons I'll learn there, invaluable for life, especially under the charge of Col Seen.
Cheers to that!
Uncle T
Dilane and I sang at Singapore Arts Cafe's open mic tonight. We decided to take the opportunity as a precursor to April 24th. We had Kelvin (Di's cycling buddy) and our own manager cum critic Mingfeng, there to watch us.
Crowd wasn' good, but it was a learning experience. Mingfeng did give his dollars' worth, very valuable critcism and pointers we will work on; still some distance to cover. But other than that, Di and I have both agreed it was a performance we both enjoyed.
I do hope the music plays on, and we achieve what we are capable of.
Internship begins...finally!
Well, I'll finally be starting something "contructive" and definitive (how about that Yong? haha). I start on Monday, 6 days a week, at the Keppel freight port. I am certain the lessons I'll learn there, invaluable for life, especially under the charge of Col Seen.
Cheers to that!
Uncle T
21 Mar 2006
Harmonic Breeze, 24 Apr '06, Esplanade Concourse 12:38 pm
LASTING IMPRESSION...
Welcome. That is what the duet of "Lasting Impression" intends to do with their warm, romantic sound this 24th April evening. The two, Nicholas and Dilane, coming from varied musical experiences, bring together a sound that is an amalgamation of individual ideas and character, producing music that is harmonically subtle and musically sensitive. However, the band regrets the absence of their third member, Clarence, this evening who has contributed tremendously in the musical arrangements of the songs tonight. Nevertheless, join "Lasting Impression" for an evening of Harmonic Breeze, serving up a menu of Broadway favourites like "On the Street Where You Live" and "I Got Rhythm".
Enter this evening of Harmonic Breeze, coloured with a unique flavour of classical, jazz and pop, and allow "Lasting Impression" to welcome you into a thearetical world of the memories, surprises and moods of Broadway, right here in the Esplanade.
Uncle T
I've Got Rhythm 12:31 pm
I've got rhythm
I've got music
I've got my gal
Who could ask for anything more?
I've got daisies
In green pastures,
I've got my gal
Who could ask for anything more?
Uncle T
Cleavage? WHAT?!?! 12:31 pm
Orders kopi peng gao and ham&cheese sandwich...
While I was off work two days back, I decided to join Yong for lunch near her workplace. And so, I was on a bus down.
I stood up, facing the rest of the passengers. I just woke from a nice afternoon TIBS-bus nap, ready to alight. My nonchalant gaze somehow fell in-line with a girl's. For no particular reason we locked gazes for a split of a split-second, and as it is common, turned away. Something so ordinary was turned on its head. Here began the saga.
From the corner of my eye, I caught her decidedly using her shawl to cover her cleavage in her halter top outfit. I was enraged! Yes, we guys have a reputation for being magnetised by a nice bosom, but in this case, I didn't even get that CHANCE!
Well, she thought I was checking her out, and did that not-so-discrete cover-up. I was enraged, seeing it very much like an insult, really.
Ah well, luckily there was a decent lunch with good company to make up for all that.
Uncle T
While I was off work two days back, I decided to join Yong for lunch near her workplace. And so, I was on a bus down.
I stood up, facing the rest of the passengers. I just woke from a nice afternoon TIBS-bus nap, ready to alight. My nonchalant gaze somehow fell in-line with a girl's. For no particular reason we locked gazes for a split of a split-second, and as it is common, turned away. Something so ordinary was turned on its head. Here began the saga.
From the corner of my eye, I caught her decidedly using her shawl to cover her cleavage in her halter top outfit. I was enraged! Yes, we guys have a reputation for being magnetised by a nice bosom, but in this case, I didn't even get that CHANCE!
Well, she thought I was checking her out, and did that not-so-discrete cover-up. I was enraged, seeing it very much like an insult, really.
Ah well, luckily there was a decent lunch with good company to make up for all that.
Uncle T
20 Mar 2006
Cruising on Passion 2:36 pm
Orders a kopi peng gao & prawn mee...
I totally admire Dilane's conviction and commitment to his passion for riding. This admiration was further cemented when he took me on my virgin on-road urban cycle of less than 20km from his place at Burgandy to NUS and back.
While I was choking up the slopes at NUS, he encouraged me on, almost yelling (that reflects my inability...), not to give up the fight (up the freakin' slope!).
Kudos to those who are brave, commited and passionate about the things that they love, which I find rare especially in a society like ours, where our paths are very much guided by greater forces (social, political) other than the unique individual.
And I wish him the best for his inaugural round-the-island bike trip tomorrow.Cheers buddy!
Uncle T
I totally admire Dilane's conviction and commitment to his passion for riding. This admiration was further cemented when he took me on my virgin on-road urban cycle of less than 20km from his place at Burgandy to NUS and back.
While I was choking up the slopes at NUS, he encouraged me on, almost yelling (that reflects my inability...), not to give up the fight (up the freakin' slope!).
Kudos to those who are brave, commited and passionate about the things that they love, which I find rare especially in a society like ours, where our paths are very much guided by greater forces (social, political) other than the unique individual.
And I wish him the best for his inaugural round-the-island bike trip tomorrow.Cheers buddy!
Uncle T
19 Mar 2006
...For the many blessings I have received 8:45 pm
Orders teh peng & bak kut teh...
Indeed, I have been blessed in countless ways this past couple of months.
I drive
I ORDed
I eat (alot)
I am getting an internship
I play music so much
I am broke (but I guess the lesson I learn is a good thing no?)
I drive
I eat (heck of alot!)
I can't wait to fly to UK
I do post-con in Church
I eat (heh)
and it has been 2 years. Yup, about 730 days since I commited myself. Then, it was embarking on an uncertain, perilous and risky endeavour. Now, after 730 days, it has been a journey of uncertainty, hilarious and still risky (my life is in her hands! ha) journey.
But it has been well worth it. I've learnt, and still learning; grown, and still growing (I think laterally too);laughed, and still smiling. One of the greatest joys is to discover how once a total stranger, now, a lover, friend and confidante. A transfigurating experience, one that I learnt more about myself of what I can, and cannot do.
And I pray that this fountain of love continues, and blessings continue to find my humble existence.
A night in the recesses of the secret garden,
Awashed with romance, kisses,
Anointed with gratitude, love,
And amongst the stars,
Embraced in the warm arms of simple love,
A scene carved onto the eternal parchment
Of unfallible memories.
Amen
Uncle T
Indeed, I have been blessed in countless ways this past couple of months.
I drive
I ORDed
I eat (alot)
I am getting an internship
I play music so much
I am broke (but I guess the lesson I learn is a good thing no?)
I drive
I eat (heck of alot!)
I can't wait to fly to UK
I do post-con in Church
I eat (heh)
and it has been 2 years. Yup, about 730 days since I commited myself. Then, it was embarking on an uncertain, perilous and risky endeavour. Now, after 730 days, it has been a journey of uncertainty, hilarious and still risky (my life is in her hands! ha) journey.
But it has been well worth it. I've learnt, and still learning; grown, and still growing (I think laterally too);laughed, and still smiling. One of the greatest joys is to discover how once a total stranger, now, a lover, friend and confidante. A transfigurating experience, one that I learnt more about myself of what I can, and cannot do.
And I pray that this fountain of love continues, and blessings continue to find my humble existence.
A night in the recesses of the secret garden,
Awashed with romance, kisses,
Anointed with gratitude, love,
And amongst the stars,
Embraced in the warm arms of simple love,
A scene carved onto the eternal parchment
Of unfallible memories.
Amen
Uncle T
21 Feb 2006
An old post that never got posted, so here it is 12:37 am
Orders kopi-peng...
What a day!
What a day it was yesterday; our make-up vday. It was just a day away from our schedules, just the two of us. The lady got her nails done; french maicure, excellent!
The day before, celebrating Bing's birthday with a dinner at "Yet Con" followed by drinks at Liang Seah St, was equally sweet.
And yet again, I had a thoroughly decent day, despite receiving bad news first thing this morning.
The American Crisis
The Bush Administration is facing a number of headaches on a number of fronts, thus creating a rather interesting time to observe how the Bush camp handles these mounting tensions.
1.Middle-East mess
- Hamas
- Iran
2.Bilateral trade issues
-China's holding of over $800b worth of Treasury debts
-Dubai World's bid to buy over P&O
3.Domestic woes
-Dealing with local pressure with a sky-rocketing price-tag on Arabic wars
-Increasing trade deficit
My my, will Condoleeza Rice have a packed week(s) ahead.
Uncle T
What a day!
What a day it was yesterday; our make-up vday. It was just a day away from our schedules, just the two of us. The lady got her nails done; french maicure, excellent!
The day before, celebrating Bing's birthday with a dinner at "Yet Con" followed by drinks at Liang Seah St, was equally sweet.
And yet again, I had a thoroughly decent day, despite receiving bad news first thing this morning.
The American Crisis
The Bush Administration is facing a number of headaches on a number of fronts, thus creating a rather interesting time to observe how the Bush camp handles these mounting tensions.
1.Middle-East mess
- Hamas
- Iran
2.Bilateral trade issues
-China's holding of over $800b worth of Treasury debts
-Dubai World's bid to buy over P&O
3.Domestic woes
-Dealing with local pressure with a sky-rocketing price-tag on Arabic wars
-Increasing trade deficit
My my, will Condoleeza Rice have a packed week(s) ahead.
Uncle T
11 Feb 2006
The little, simple joys 7:00 pm
It was a Thursday afternoon, and the Physiotheraphy room just barely opened its doors to the first after-lunch patients. I was one of them.
As always, I drearily took my seat at the warm-up hand cycle. My eyes could barely hold up the siesta syndrome. Then the corner of my eye caught a red flash:
A physiotherapist (a female) was communicating with an elderly man, who was obviously hard of hearing. She patiently spoke to him in Teochew and instructed him to try stand straight and catch a ball.
And that was when my eyes were directed to an elderly lady, whom I later confirmed as the old man's wife, whose face was radiating with joy. Her wrinkled face folded into a potrait of joy as she threw the red ball to her old man, who was to catch it. And when he did, the world's happiness seemed to reside on that sole face in a Singapore hospital.
Whenever the old, feeble man succeeded in catching that red ball, that old lady clapped her hands and squealed with delight, her eyes glistening with a simple, sincere joy of the small gifts that life presents.
Does it only take age to instill in us the capacity to enjoy such small pleasures? The period between the end of innocence (childhood) and the beginning of wisdom (old age), is where we reside, a valley of cynicism and gloom.
Uncle T
As always, I drearily took my seat at the warm-up hand cycle. My eyes could barely hold up the siesta syndrome. Then the corner of my eye caught a red flash:
A physiotherapist (a female) was communicating with an elderly man, who was obviously hard of hearing. She patiently spoke to him in Teochew and instructed him to try stand straight and catch a ball.
And that was when my eyes were directed to an elderly lady, whom I later confirmed as the old man's wife, whose face was radiating with joy. Her wrinkled face folded into a potrait of joy as she threw the red ball to her old man, who was to catch it. And when he did, the world's happiness seemed to reside on that sole face in a Singapore hospital.
Whenever the old, feeble man succeeded in catching that red ball, that old lady clapped her hands and squealed with delight, her eyes glistening with a simple, sincere joy of the small gifts that life presents.
Does it only take age to instill in us the capacity to enjoy such small pleasures? The period between the end of innocence (childhood) and the beginning of wisdom (old age), is where we reside, a valley of cynicism and gloom.
Uncle T
Updates 6:50 pm
Well well, it has been sometime since I've got down to putting my past weeks of living into perspective. So here it is:
-I got my driving license on first try
-Reading a non-fiction on Politics
-Just got my new Palm Z22 (yup, am proud of it)
-Performing at library@esplanade on Valentine's Day, 7:30pm
-Heading to RCIA Retreat the following weekend!
-Appreciate having my dearest with me, even if it is a mere few hours a week
I'm in camp today, on a Saturday. But it's alright. After all, I'm going to ORD.
Uncle T
-I got my driving license on first try
-Reading a non-fiction on Politics
-Just got my new Palm Z22 (yup, am proud of it)
-Performing at library@esplanade on Valentine's Day, 7:30pm
-Heading to RCIA Retreat the following weekend!
-Appreciate having my dearest with me, even if it is a mere few hours a week
I'm in camp today, on a Saturday. But it's alright. After all, I'm going to ORD.
Uncle T