Have been feeling a little down this week.

But, yet i think i manage to hide it rather well..behind the laughter, the fun and the jokes, is actually a face of sadness, thoughts of unhappiness and feelings of jealousy.

Its not that i want to hide, but rather circumstances have paved it that way for me..at K garden that night, i wasn't really enjoying myself..as to what others believe. But because its Joewe's birthday and birthdays are deemed to be happy occasions, I have to "act" accordingly. Life sucks.
And it's worse when it seems like there's really no one whom i can talk to.

I realise that i do not have much friends...real friends whom I can really share my deepest secrets and pour my sorrows to.
Though i can still talk to Greg, but a guy's view point most often contradicts a girls'.

I do envy those who have close girlfriends to talk to in needy times. Someone who will not judge you. someone who will hear you talk and not impose their own big, self-justified views on you.

Yes, i do not like and do not wish to hear your viewpoint. Yes, you ..that's you.
Isn't it irritating when people try to act so matured and talk about those 大道理？
Its not as if we don't know..but when emotions overides rationalism, isn't everyone equal?

I guess such is life. Its supposed to be unequal. But i do believe that nett effect is the same. When you lose some, you gain some.

Sigh...i don't know what i am writing anymore...
I think i need chocolates.

Friendships, Religion, Money and The Material Life

Well, too many thoughts going through my tiny head past few days.

Hence a consolidated post of it...

Friendships
I attended a friend's wedding a week back and realise that my old friends..well, more or less have changed. Of course, that is just normal.. People do grow up and grow old. Viewpoints change. Priorties change. People do change.
I guess friendships need to be work on. Not taken for granted. Period.

Religion
In this coming new year, i hope to find a religion for myself. For a start, i will be enquiring and taking up the RCIA courses for Catholics. This does not equate to me being a Catholic at the end of the course, but more of an avenue to learn more about Christ and the Bible.

Money and the Material Life
2 days ago, i went shopping with Yeesze at Ngee Ann City.. where all the big flashy brands are housed. We visited almost every shop...tried on almost every bag but of course, left empty handed. Hahahahaha!
Well, i always felt that buying branded bags are such a total extravaganza. I don't mind the spulrge if i have the extra moolah....but in times like this, prolly Cash is king, right?
However, one just cant resist owing such nice bags...
then i recall what Mama always says (nags): There is no end to shopping. This week, you buy the prettiest dress. Next week, the shop is going to put another prettier one on sale. So, end of the day, do you still want to keep “chasing after it”?

And at such times, i do think back on the moolah i have been spending over the past few years. Especially applicable for the last 2 years.
I think its really about time i sit down and do some SERIOUS saving.

Chasing after the material life seems almost like for granted now. Take a look around you. Everyone is working their butts off everyday in office. Main purpose is to feed for oneself and paying for a roof over your head. Then, after paying off almost the car loan, the housing loan..its again time to upgrade and the loan starts all over again... Gosh, i hate the rat race but at the same time, i think i am, inevitably in it.

2008 in a nutshell

Yes, i think by now, no one will disagree that 2008 has been a disastrous year.

We have an unprecedented financial disaster in 2008, where we witness the fall of Banks and Financial Institutions. We have seen the bloodbath in the stock markets. I see people going bankrupt and losing their hard earned savings through structured financial products.

There was also the sad cases of natural disasters in 2008. The Sichuan earthquake took away the lives of many young children. My heart goes out to their families living in painful memories now.

Terrorism left a mark in the History of India, Mumbai. The famous Taj Hotel will have one more story to tell now.

I don't think we can ever forget the man-made disaster , the Melamine Milk Scare in China as well.

I look through my 2008 desk top calender for the last time this morning ....
In summary, I spent the first half of 2008 quite happily.

In the 1st quarter of 2008, I spent quite a bit of time on my work....
In the 2nd quarter, there was quite a bit of celebrations and parties. We celebrated and welcome the arrival of newborns .... Paula's, Bernard's and Marina's.
I also witness the marriage union of Bro Keith and his wife, Joanne..

In the 2nd half of the year, I turned into a health exercise freak. My calender says I dance on Mondays, swim on Tuesdays and run on Wed / Thurs.
I don't remember sticking to this routine much...but still glad that I managed to break out of my rut and started exercising..

I did a bit of travelling this year too... All the trips were good and memorable.
April was Taiwan with my family... which i totally enjoyed as we spent some time together..
The trip to Korea in Nov with Greg was awesome as well. It was my first trip to somewhere so cold...and the experience was truly unforgettable.
Then of course, we had the mandatory-once-a-year trip to Bangkok with Ang Mo Kio Branch peeps.. the hotel was the best i ever stayed in BKK, all thanks to resourceful Kelly.

As i was about to bid farewell to 2008, i also say bye to Shandy Jie-Jie.
Shandy Jie-Jie left us on 26th Dec 2008, 0830 hrs.
She lost her life to cervical cancer. She was only 30 years old.
It was very sad to see her suffer in pain on the hospital bed. It was also very sad to see her leaving us. However, i know she is no longer in pain now. She is living happily in Heaven now.
One day, we will meet again. And when we do, she will be telling me her stories again...

In 2009, i hope to (btw, i am not going to call these resolutions):
1. Spend more time with families and loved ones..
2. Stay Healthy.
3. To achieve point 2, I will cut down on ciggs, do not binge drink, eat healthily, exercise frequently, sleep early, think positively.
4. Learn a new skill....
5. Continue Dancing
6. Grow my hair long
7. Start taking extra care in my skin as I am approaching the Big 3.
8. Save more moolah and invest wisely.
9. Treat people better
10. Focus more on my career and brush up my knowledge.
11. And lastly, family planning... :)

However, being "Linda", I will still continue to party hard, laugh loudly, bitch happily, have my rightful PMS symptoms monthly, shop lavishly and travel bi-yearly.

Tadah!!

This is for you, Shandy Jie Jie

Goodbye Shandy Jie Jie.... you will be fondly remembered in our hearts.

We are proud of you..you have fought the battle well.

We know that you will be kept safe and well in God's Hands...

Xmas Wish

I have had like 1 million xmas wishes in my head every year.

The standard ones are to be thinner, to have better skin and hair, to be happy, more money, more clothes, more shoes, more bags etc...

sometimes, i wish for extra perks like a new MP3, a new laptop, and some other funny toys.

This year, I just wish for her to recover. If there's really Santa in this world, I hope you can bring her health back. If there's Xmas fairy godmother, I wish you can take away her pain and suffering.

Will this X'mas still be Merry?

My Xmas Pressie'2008 from Mr Tham

The much raved phone... Nokia E71.

I must say this is the perfect gift for me this season because my old phone has decided to give up on me after 1 year of abuse and mutilation by its crazy owner..

Its been so long since i used a Nokia.. have onced used it but switched to Sony Erricison for its media qualities.

But i know i wont have any regrets using this Nokia.. in fact, it was so hard to get this model now as the shops are running low on stocks. I went to Great World City yesterday and bought the last box in the shop!!

This phone is a true gem. Its not expensive (cost less than $500), looks good and is a great business phone.
Has excellent messaging functions which i totally need it...

Having such a great time smsing pple now...

But now i got to crack my head on HIS xmas present.....

e Art of Acting Busy

Today, office is soooooo quiet that i swear i reallly realllly can hear a pin drop.

Its scaringly quiet...

I peep at my colleagues screen and hehehe, they are all doing their own personal stuff.
Some are staring into space..
I decided to sign in to blogger to type some rubbish here...well, you know typing loudly on the keyboard will make it look like i am seemingly busy..hehehehe!

During lunch, i attended my 1st Body Movement Class.
Body Movement class is a fusion of Jazz and Hip Hop dance moves..
Not too bad, i must say... I did work out my muscles and the stuff and before i knew it, i was sweating! luckily, they have shower rooms...

Lunch was some tuna sandwich that i DIY at home this morning! Times are bad...haha..so lunch in and eat lesser! On the plus side, it helps me on my Perpertual Weight Loss Plan.
Yes, i am Perpertually on a Diet.....

Tadah!!

Gonna meet Joewe tonight for drinks!! Totally lurrrve that girl!