Happy Birthday Little Darling

Shane celebrated his birthday on Saturday cos his first birthday falls on a weekday. My godson is ONE!

I purposely 'forced' hubby to go over to Elaine's earlier, hoping to play with Shane cos I know he'll be passed round the party when all the guests arrive. Luke went there earlier too, hoping to spend some "quality time" with her strawberry and do her "bonding". But both kids were asleep when we arrived and neither of us got to spend time with them. Bleh.

But after a while, little cutie Shane woke up and was in good spirit (the last time we saw him he was damn grouchy). So Elaine dressed him for the party and I started to snap away. Time with him is so scarce that I just wanna capture him on pictures every time I've got. And its not easy to get him to look at the camera so taking photos of him is best done when there is no big crowd.

Finally, most of the guests started to arrive and it wasn't as bad as I thought it'll be. Not everyone was clamouring for him as badly as I thought they will be. So that's good news for me. Much as I want him to myself, I can't go monopolizing him cos he's not my kid. So I'll have to make do with snatched time here and there.

After a while, Elaine decided to do the cake-cutting and before we can even start to sing, Shane 'kicked' the corner of the cake and created a little dent in the cake and got cream all over his big toe. Talk about little mis-hap. Haha... I'll let the photos do the rest of the talking.

After the party, hubby and I went to watch 'P.S. I Love You' with Glenn and Amanda. Much as I love the book, the show was a little disappointing (although it moved me to tears). Maybe cos I have high expectations of the show cos the book was so nice. Ultimately, it's what the guy did that touched my heart. To think that he was grappling with the tumour and yet he took the time and effort to do so much for his wife. And knowing her so well, he could anticipate her response and egged her to move on. Which of you have heard of anyone doing something even remotely similar for his/her partner? None. This is unheard of. Think I'll read the book again after I'm done with the one I'm currently reading. It's also time to get more books. Once I resign, I'll have a lot of time on hand to do my reading. My passion! Heh... Just lose me in the world of my book!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Even though I am not big on Valentine's Day and dun go to the extreme of going goo goo and ga ga over it, it's still a day that I will not let pass without a pressie for my other half and a bouquet from him should and is like a given. I have to have it. But to carry a bouquet of flowers and go have dinner at some fancy restaurant and paying exorbitant prices is not necessary. I hate to go join the crowd and be cliche.

Without fail, I got hubby a pressie even though we agreed not to waste money and will not get anything for each other. And I know that hubby will definitely get me at least a bouquet of flowers and have that sent to the office. This year he did something more and that touched my heart. He sent Irene and Chum a stalk of rose each. 2 of the people that I'm closer to in the office and who means so much to me. He didn't get for Alicia cos he didn't want Chan Fai to get angry. But it was such a sweet gesture of him to get them flowers too. God bless him.

So I went out for sales call in the morning and didn't return till lunch. I sat down and started to clear my emails when suddenly, through the corners of my eyes, I saw something coming towards me from behind and I was like "what the hell"! So I turned my head and there was the GM holding a HUGE bouquet of flowers and presenting it to me. I didn't know what to do and all I can say was "Thank you, Mr Grafe". I knew the flowers weren't from him but I thought he brought it up from the Concierge and felt bad about it. I mean, the General Manager collecting and bringing the flowers up for me?! But no lah. Hubby left instructions for the flowers to be sent up to the Business Centre which is just outside my office. The GM saw it and hijacked it to his office so that he can do what he did when I came back. But the thing is, the whole world was with him when he brought the flowers over and all of them was making so much fuss about it I was feeling embarrassed.

Well, I know this is part of the things he do to show me that he cares (cos he knows I have intentions of leaving). And ever since he learned that I wanna leave, he's been asking me how I am doing, like everyday. While I appreciate the gesture, I find it disturbing. It's like everytime I answer him "I'm fine" or "I'm good", I'm lying to him cos I know I'm neither. I've been dragging myself to and around the office and going to meet clients with a very sian face. This, I know, is a very clear indication that I really should leave. Well, I'm just bidding my time till the end of the month. Then I'll officially tender my letter of resignation. Enough about this.

Last year hubby bought me the same huge bouquet (99 roses!!!!!). Just that it was pink roses lined with lighter ones and this year it was all red. I prefer this year's cos I am no big fan of pink roses.

Last year's pink bouquet

My new pride and joy

But hubby had to work OT and left work really late, like 10 plus. So I went for a drink with Chum. Well, I wasn't feeling sore about him having to work cos like I mentioned, Valentine's Day is no big deal to me. Moreover, he just shifted to a new place and I dun want his boss to think that he is the type that doesn't and can't be bothered to put in the extra hours. So I told him to go ahead and not worry about not being able to be with me. Moreover, I can spend some time with Chum. It's always a good time when I go drinking with her.

Hubby didn't get me anything else and I dun expect him to cos the bouquet is already costly enough. He always buys things for me anyway. And he has already given me the best gift of the moment: the freedom to not work. We know it'll be tough on him to be the sole breadwinner, somemore with our wedding upcoming. But he decided to bite the bullet and go through with it, so long as I am happy. Thanks, dear!

How Long Does It Take For A Man To Grow Up?

This is a question I've been asking myself forever. It seems like matured men are not easy to come by. Several times I've heard couples around me breaking up cos the women in the relationships cannot tolerate the immaturity of the men they are with.

How many times does a man have to be told off before they learn to change? How many people do they have to offend before they can stop shooting their mouths off? How much longer do they wanna be insensitive before they realise people do have feelings? Is there a need to over-dramatise when one is playing mj? Is there a need to gloat and then try to be nice when people get angry? Isn't that too late already? Why get on people's nerves already then start to make amends? It is all the more irritating when you try to pacify people by saying some really meaningless stuff after the damage has been done? Why choose to cure when prevention is definitely better? Why is it that you just can't seem to get things right? Why is it so difficult for you to understand the concept of human interaction? Why must you always impose your actions and thoughts on others? Must things really blow outta proportions before you realise that something is not right and then start to restrain yourself and refrain from irritating and/or hurting people? I really cannot understand why it is so difficult for a man to be sensitive in the process of human interaction.

How long does it take for a boy to really become a man?

The Last Day of Lunar Year

Just came back home after a day of eating. First it was lunch at in-law's place then dinner at mum's place. Mum cooked like 10 dishes and made each of us drink a whole bowl of soup! Urgh.... luckily she didn't cook rice.

There was also nothing much to do at work. Already cleared my work and cleaned my desk. So the half day today was really just doing things that dun really need my attention. Like the business development report that TC wanted me to do but didn't ask for it. Worked on it for like 10 minutes then I gave up. Went on to my handover list and gave that up after a while too. Wanted to start clearing the black files for the audit. But after printing out the summary page, I gave up on that too. Just not in the mood to do anything.

Let's rewind back to yesterday. The mood in the office was tense. Things were a little strained between Chum and me too. But things are better now. I know how she feels and I'm not about to blame her for it. I merely told TC about my intention to leave and she already made me feel bad. Not to mention the hour-long talk that she had with Chum. I dread to think of the day when I really tender. But tender I will cos I think my sanity is important. I just have to get through TC and Mr Grafe.

If the initial plan with Chum doesn't work out, then I really hope Plan B will. That's like the thing I've always wanted to do and I think I will enjoy it. And the pay package is good. 30 to 40 odd days of annual leave and their worst pay is only slightly less than what I'm getting now. So I will definitely be getting a lot more than what I am getting now. And now I have to see people's 'face colour'. In that job, people will have to see my 'face colour'. Cool!

Well, we'll have to see how it goes. Ultimately, I dun mind putting in a lot of effort. But I wanna feel the sense of satisfaction and knowing that my own destiny lies in my own hands and not some fucked-up secretaries who think they own the world. If only everyone is like Tara. But then again, if everyone is like her, I'll be very busy cos there'll be a lot of 'illegal' things to do, not that I mind doing it for her. Hehe...

Already some clients that I'm closer to are offering me jobs. But I dun wanna work with them lah. Feel so awkward. I just hope Plan B will really work out, if not Plan A.

Oh well, here's wishing you, who is reading my blog, a Happy Lunar New Year! With great health and wealth!