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Wednesday, April 01, 2015

March's Momentum 2015



Dear Diary,

It is March already, in fact, the end of the quarter of 2015. Somehow, instead of writing "2014" when I need to put the dates for anything, I keep writing "2016"... an oddity, yes.

Another sequence of events for the month, another start that follows the end. Be prepared for some rather candid rants in this post - the blog reflecting more of my personal thoughts and feelings.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/air-supply-40th-anniversary-tour.html

So, to put the positive events forward first - what happened in March this year? Ahhhh, yes, the Air Supply concert - believe it or not, it was the first concert I went to, haha! It was a wonderful experience, and the duo sang really well. The other one I'd wanted to catch was Garbage two years back, but the Aussie trip clashed with it.  If Evanescence, Def Leppad, Duran Duran or Garbage (again) come next , I would be there surely.

The Beau and I finally confirmed our booking for the wedding venue, so now we just need to sort out the rest of the details. We did not get the original venue or dates that we wanted, but the one that we decided on was very satisfactory for many reasons :)

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/afternoon-tea-at-one-degree-15-marina.html

Also visited some rather swanky spots for appointments and personal hangouts, including but not limited to some clubs and Sentosa Cove etc.  I just love these beautiful spots, whether overseas or locally - but then again, who doesn't?  Nature has shaped many places to look enchanting in their bare states, but men also have been able to create lovely spots that please the eyes and lure the heart.

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/murdoch-universitys-alumni-event-mint.html

Attended the university's alumni event for the first time in my life as well -  usually I don't bother, but somehow I signed up for the latest one, for networking and also piqued by curiosity.  It was interesting enough (venue and sequence of happenings), and I made some new friends besides bumping into a couple of familiar faces there.

Passed the examination needed for the career though I did not manage to spend much time studying for it. The sidelines are picking up at a good pace too - I am grateful for the referrals and support, and will continue to keep it going.  There are also a couple of invited tastings (would've been 3, but the 3rd one clashed with something else last minute): check them out here:

(i)   Lime Restaurant at Parkroyal on Pickering Hotel
(ii)  Todai International Seafood Buffet at MBS

Went for Tomb Sweeping (of grandparents' graves)  for the first time as well - a rather interesting experience. I had imagined the graveyard to be silent and eerie - very serene, but there were many other descendents of various families there paying respects to their loved ones as well. There were also firecrackers being lit, which amazed us, and that was amongst the offerings and prayers.   It was a great time to catch up with cousins.



The Rants:-
(i)   Some friends are just so plastic I wonder why I bother trying to keep in touch. I wonder why I bother to remember their birthdays and celebrate with nice treats or presents, when they never even bother to ask or remember when mine is, year after year.   Even for simple catching up sessions, they almost never initiate, would give excuses when asked (or worse, fail to turn up), YET when they need professional advice from my areas of expertise, would come around all sugary and warm. Okay, time to cut the ties for such "friends"  :)

(ii)  Why are some people so ungrateful and unrealistic, really? You thought you were helping them (out of the kindness of your heart, and out of friendship) by referring them clients for tasks in their supposed fields of expertise - because they aren't doing dick for their "jobs". Yet instead of gratitude, they deign to accept the tasks - and instead choose to stay in a surreal world where they believe in impractical work that might reap great results. Note - starting a business is NOT tough,  making it thrive though requires HARD WORK and not magic, or a 3-days-2-nights course on gambling

No, wait, and before you start a business, PLEASE do due research to check what are the requirements, what governing body's approval or certification do you need to seek, as well as market rates. And I thought these were the most basic stuff?

Honestly, if I didn't care as a friend I wouldn't have bothered - and would've let them go and bang the walls if they are being fined 5-digits for the breach. Maybe it would instil some sense of reality?

Photosource: http://thearcticstar.blogspot.sg/2015/03/paying-last-respects-to-sir-harry-lee.html

The Darker Aspects
Well, the official National Mourning period is over, and Mr. LKY's body has been churned into ashes by now. The demise was not a shock, but it saddened, nonetheless.

What I never shared with anyone was a dream I had on the morning of 18th March - I had a strange dream of watching Mr. Lee and his wife together, in younger days - she in a cheongsam and was apparently much younger with dark curls (note that I have never had much impression or recollection of her since I don't follow her news / or his, for that matter).  Then he left the scene and she was alone, captured in a black-white photograph. It was utterly strange.

I may not agree with everything he has done, neither do I support his party for some of the decisions they have made - but I am rational enough to be grateful for the things he has done for Singapore. Amongst the disarray and melancholic mood of the nation, it was good to also know that unity and care exist - through the queues and voluntary work I got to experience first-hand.

Rest in peace, Sir.   Whatever happens to Singapore now, whoever may get to rule it now - it is not just one person's efforts - everyone needs to play a part to ensure their own future is good.   No one owes us a living.

That said, well, thank you for gracing my personal blog once again - have a fabulous week ahead lovies. See you in April

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