A Break

6.07 pm. I'm going home soon after a four months absence. I have no words to describe how much I miss home. Today's an awesome day! All of a sudden I have $$$ rained on me; claims, petrol money, etc. Suddenly I've got all these petty cash to cover my expenses back home. Alrighty!

May I say how turbulent August was/is? So many things happened that once again prompted me to think about my goals and plans. May I just have one day back home, go chill at the beach and just contemplate? You know, like an old man looking out at the sea thinking about the past, I wanna sit there and look and design my future.

Oooo... have you ever heard of an amazing deal such as this: one day leave in exchange for a 9-days break!

My blog has been in such abandonment. I couldn't even manage more than a couple of post a month. I don't have that many things to say about myself anymore. It's work, work and work. Ahh.

DUO

I love Eason Chan. I think this is the first thing I tend to let people know about myself... like an ice-breaker of sorts. However, I'm not that sort of fan-girl that scream at the sight of him nor do I memorise his birthday or hates his wife. I liked him many many years back. Maybe when I was in Form2? I just happened to find out that he is the singer to this song I liked very much, 幸福摩天轮, and that was it. His album was the first original that I bought, I cried and laughed to his songs. As I grew up, I looked upon him as more than a pop idol. I was inspired by his attitude and passion in life. My perception of life has largely been influenced by him. Nothing too complicated, simply living life and enjoy the moment. Inspired by him, I do the things I love and dared to pursue impossible dreams.

Hah! A rather lengthy opening but I just love to share about why he's so great to me.

Anyways, he was in Malaysia for the DUO world tour concert. Needless to say, I was there. What was so different this time was I was there in all parts, from the time he was in Sg Wang to promote the concert, to the concert, and finally to a small gathering post-concert.

I remembered the first time I saw him, real-life, very up close. I was so giddy with happiness that I shook his hands and said something encouraging to him. This time around for his autograph session in Sg Wang, it was rather cool. There were a lot of fans, the MC of the event was asking the fans to speed things up so that everyone could get an autograph, and if possible, just let Eason sign and not even shake his hand. However, Eason insisted in shaking everyone's hands, look them in the eyes, and said "Thank you." I was happy from that session, but far from feeling my feet of the ground like the first time. I thought to myself, "Die! Is my love for him fading?!" Darn... so drama.

Gawd... this post is getting so lengthy and I am running out of steam to write it. Bah. Let's just get to the pics.

The concert this time around, truthfully, was not the best. His songs and voice, as usual, was great. However he didn't seem to be really feeling it that night. His encores were usually very long, but he only encored five songs that night, so the concert ended earlier than expected. Gah, and he sang some mandaring songs that I wasn't familiar with. There were so many songs from his DUO album that I was looking forward to hearing but wasn't sung.

I've been to his concert three times prior, the last two times with 41. Unfortunately, she couldn't make it last minute. Umph. I was really disappointed that she couldn't make it, I thought we can have the chance to catch up on each other's life and to enjoy the concert together. But nevermind. There'll be more opportunities in the future, right, LIMA RATUS EMPAT PULUH SATU?!

What made the concert this time really amazing was the post-concert gathering in Hilton KL. Do you know that I am a paying member of Eason Chan's official Malaysia fan club? RM30 lifetime membership *peace*

Anyways, it was arranged for the official fans to have this small gathering post-concert with Eason. On the way to Hilton KL, I was with my colleague who's also a fan (we were at the concert together), we got lost so many times! I hate KL roads. We missed an exit and had to make so many rounds to the point where I gave up in trying to find our way to Hilton. I was sooo dejected. I don't know why, maybe luck was with us, we managed to langgar our way to Hilton, and to the gathering!

While waiting for Eason to come into the room. Mann... we both looked asleep on our feet.

Even before he came into the room, I didn't dare believe that this is going to happen. It's like a dream come true!

When he finally made his appearance, I thought, "He looks small." I guess I was so used to seeing him on screen, on stage, he seemed like a celebrity, out of my reach. But now that we were in the same room, he's like a normal guy, in jeans and T, looking really tired but still smiling at us, because he's awesome like that.

I managed to snap a few pics on my iPhone before putting it away and drinking in the sight of him. People clamored around him, me included, and we stood there listening to him talk. Some asked him questions, which he patiently answered. He was there. Just there. Talking, joking, smiling, laughing. My gawd. I was in the same room with Eason Chan as if I knew him personally.

Before leaving, he took the opportunity to shake every of our hands. He shook my hand, look me in the eye, and said "Thank you." I was stunned. So stunned. He looked so tired but his eyes were so alive and my gawdddd.... he looked so good! I swear I'll never say he looks ugly again.

The whole session lasted about 20 minutes. His assistants were actually rushing us to cut it short and waiting to escort him away. Eason might be unaware because he wouldn't stop talking! He would talk talk talk and slowly back out of the room, then suddenly come back in just to finish what he started. Then he went out again, then come back in to say another thing.

After the whole thing ended, I was just so happy.

This pic is now my iPhone lock screen wallpaper. Everytime I see this I couldn't help but smile. Eason Chan, I love you, please don't die.

Hee. Ta!

So like, a really quick one.

I'll be going to Eason Chan's DUO concert tonight! Amazing song list! I don't wish to jinx this, but might my fondest wish come true tonight? If it does, I'll be sure to blog about it here.

Have a good weekend yourself, peeps!

If I have money, I will:

1. Shop in Singapore. Get myself new jeans, new dresses, new tops and nice Ts.

2. Take my car to a carwash.

3. Buy a mattress.

4. Buy an iPhone casing.

5. Buy books from Bookxcess.

6. Screw it. Buy books from Borders.

7. Buy a headphone.

8. Drive home every two weeks.

9. Join a gym.

10. Go for facials.

11. Go Jaya Grocer and buy every kind of imported ice cream.

You know what. I really don't know what I will do if I really have money. Umm.

Ciak Pa Liao

Yay~ first home video. The girls were reenacting a scene from "Money Not Enough 2" I think, or some Singaporean movie. They watched the clip countless times on Youtube and could act out on a whim.

I missed my niece's first birthday yesterday. Another family thing I missed. Hmph.

24

24 is just a number, can?

No.

First

After working for approximately five months (omaigawd, approaching half a year!!), I finally did what I personally think is a milestone in my career. Okay, this is where my self-conscious mode kicks in, "It's not really that nice, in fact given more time I think I can do better, and heck I'm not trying to show off!!"

BUT. I'm gonna be all professional and calmly present to you a game which I designed from beginning till the end. When I say design, I mean visually, from the characters design to the game interfaces. Programming and animation credits go to my insanely talented colleagues.

Timeline for this was tight, as was every single brief that came through our door. Unlike back in uni when we had months to work on a project, this was a luxury unseen in the working world. Due to timing and circumstances, I found myself strapped with the design for this game. Had it not for the way things happened, I might not have this awesome responsibility of working on this on my own. The first project where I can say it's my design.

There are still so much that I need to learn, sometimes I don't know where to start. But getting thrown into the deep end of the pool is good sometimes, you're forced to swim, no matter.

So do go to (http://bit.ly/share-itz) to play the game on Facebook! Play together with a friend and you might just stand a chance to win iPads and some amazing prizes!

The W Word

Work can kill the passion of what you are doing if you're not careful.

It's the repetition and ritual. Doing the same things over and over again, to a point when I'm really tired and I'll question myself, "What am I doing here?"

I'm telling myself it's still worth it.

I listened to this radio segment and the deejay was talking on the topic of leading the kind of life you want. There was this one part I couldn't help but agree. Despite all the fall backs, disappointments and doubts one might encounter, it's important to ask yourself every now and then, if whatever you're doing is leading you to the life you want.

Really, I don't know what kind of life I want. Not concretely anyways, does anyone?

All I know is if work still brings a thrill to me when I'm beat and tired, it's okay, I'm still on the right track.

Work. Sounds so much like an obligation, a responsibility. Something everyone crawls out of bed in the morning for. It's what makes Monday blue. It's what people trade their soul and passion for in exchange for bread on the table (gawd... so melodramatic).

One of my friends from secondary school just got engaged. She blogged about the whole proposal and I couldn't help but feel so touched and envious at the same time. It was the most perfect and wonderful proposal I've heard of. It's not right to compare lives, of course, but I can't help but let one of those moments creep up on me and ponder.

Surely life is supposed to be more than just work?

Fatttt Dragoon

Food for the soul~ Yay!

Of 24 Candles and New Toy

Guess how I celebrated my birthday?

Haha... this is a post long past due. Anyhow, I still want to archive it for it's one of the good ones I've had.

For my birthday this year, I wasn't expecting any celebration. I was away from family and also in a new environment. Another thing, I took down my birthday from Facebook, somehow recently birthday reminders from Facebook be it mine or others seemed so insincere.

It's rather awesome coz surprises occurred one after another. Firstly, my new housemates surprised me with a cake when I least expected it, two days before my birthday. They found out the date from my IC, when I gave them a copy for house renting documentation purposes. Truly, I hardly know them that well and yet they went out of their way to make me feel special. Thank you guys!

Then on the real day itself, people from office burst into a brainstorming session and started singing a birthday song for me. Whoa... I felt rather awkward and embarrassed to be the center of attention, but on the other hand rather pleased too. Thank you IFians! (none of them will be reading this, I hope)

I actually spent my birthday slaving away in the company. There was some work to rush and I didn't leave until about ten at night. Once back in my room, I bathed and settled in front of my comp to work on the stuff I brought back. Then all of a sudden, a wave of excited human bodies flung themselves through my room door, singing out of tune birthday song and bringing along a Baskin Robbins cake. Omg... the bodohs of #16 didn't forget about me. Feeling rather stupid myself for being so touched by this.

So all of us, new and old housemates, sat down in the empty leaving room and dug away happily at the ice cream cake. There was so much chatter, everybody's trying to catch up with one another. I miss those bodohs a lot. It felt great to poke fun at them and be laughed at too.

I was supposed to blow at candles and make wishes. But I didn't make a single wish on any of the three cakes. I was happy enough, I didn't need wishes then.

Mom and bro gave me cash to buy myself something. So I bought this! Eason Chan's newest EP and also a brand new Jumbo sketch book plus some fine liners. I wanna drawwww....

Bodohs of #16 with Stella and Tham. Awesome Eichi taking the pic for us. Thank you guys, for making my 24th birthday amazing!

And ohohoho~ on a more recent note, I bought myself a brand new phone. This is bought with my own hard-earned money. Not a single cent from my mom and all that stuff. ALL MINE. New Toy. New Love.

And I'm finally confirmed in my company. I'm a real working adult now. Life is good. =)

First Threadless Tee

This is my first design post in a while. Partly new, partly recycled.

Yo!! This is my first time submitting a design for Threadless! If you've kept an eye on my blog, you'll recognise this from my global warming poster. Well, I thought it looks kinda nice on a tee, so why let it go to waste.

Support me please! I need people to help me vote on this design. But you'll need a Threadless account first, I think. So if you have the time, sign up for an account, and vote for me! There are a lot of other nice designs there, you'll might find something you like, so the account won't go to waste (I guess).

All votes appreciated! Vote high!

ps: Do YOU think this design works on a tee? If not, why? Thank you thank you!

Vote here: http://www.threadless.com/submission/334483/Global_Warning

The impulse was too good to be true anyway. =(

Not today, not tomorrow, but one day.

To Appraise

It has been three months from my first day of work. I had my probationary appraisal done and was a bag of nerves before it. I wasn't really confident if I performed well and at the same time I was very eager to know what they think of me.

At first, the group head did the appraisal with me. I guess the questions were pretty standard where I was asked a lot of questions about my experience with the company, how I think I performed and where I think I can improve. It was more like a sharing session where he got to know about my experience and I can get some of my questions answered.

After that first session I was suddenly called again to have a talk with my direct superior. It felt a little out of the blue. He sat me down in the chill room and invited me to share about my thoughts. We had a brief talk about me, him and the company. It was awesome in a way coz after coming out from the room, I was pumped to do better for myself.

All this sharing got me thinking about what I want to do for the rest of the year. A quarter of the year has passed and I am not really quite near to achieving my goals. I know 2011 is going to be hard. This is not a year to talk about reaching high and be ambitious. This year is about me sharpening my technical skills and learn as much as I can from the really great people around me.

I love working for several reasons. The best of all was being given real responsibilities, real work. It bemused me sometimes when they will just throw a job at me regardless of whether or not I know how to do it. From here, I can either do very poorly or do fine, learning along the way. It's all really cool. Another reason I like where I am right now is the people. Clearly they are good in what they do. So I think I am in an enviable position where I get the opportunity to work closely with them.

During the appraisal, Mr. Direct Superior asked me what is it that I love. Do I love design? Where does my passion lie? What is it exactly that I want?

These are questions that stumped me. I can tell you I like design. Very much. I happen to think I am of the lucky few in this world where my day job is actually my passion. Graphic design doesn't pay well for fresh grads. I am willing to endure this for I know pay will get better if only I am willing to start (I hope).

However, I have come to realise that only talking about how much I like something are merely words. If really I am passionate about something, I will be willing to sit down and just work at it. Hack hours and hours away in honing my skills. I have always believed that passion triumphs talent. But I question how passionate am I really in this. Surely where I am standing right now doesn't show what I have been saying all these while.

I cannot see where I will be in a few years' time. But I can dream of that destination. Nothing is impossible if only I start. Stop looking around and concentrate on myself.

Remaining three quarters of 2011. I am committing myself to three things:

1. Know Flash

2. Know Web

3. Illustrate

To be where I want to be, I will need to begin. So when I question myself again, I will know the answer.

First Quarter

Quarter of the year has passed, how have you lived yours?

I made some resolutions beginning of the year, surprisingly I did make some progress.

1. Be happy.

I am content with what I have right now. Starting to fall into the routine of a working adult and getting used to the company. So yea, am good.

2. Learn how to make things move.

I know Flash! I've learnt some basic animation skills in Flash, thanks to doing a lot of banners at work. Though what I know is nothing to shout about, I do think it's an accomplishment for myself.

3&4. Learn how to code and illustrate.

Didn't happen.

5. Read 50 books in 2011

It's only March and I've hit 13 books. Progress is on track.

6. Start and finish my Eason Chan Artbook.

Didn't happen.

7. Save money for camera, laptop and holiday.

Didn't happen. However, I've set a short term goal for myself. In two months, if I'm still gung-ho about it, I'll go and get it.

8. Run.

Semi-happened. Just need to keep it up.

9. Lose fat, be healthy.

I've been eating a lot of salad lately. However, am addicted to junk again. So hard to lose the habit.

10. Be happy.

I really am.

Dear Blog,

You are getting a revamp this weekend. It's high time.

oklaa... so maybe just change header image and background colour.

I've worked for three months since Jan but it's only today that I got a full month's pay for the first time! Two days were cut from my pay in Jan coz I started work on the 3rd. Feb was coz I took 1 1/2 days unpaid leaves for CNY. Then in March, finally, my first full month pay! Screw EPF cutting off a chunk!

I'm only blogging about this here coz I don't want my boss to read this on FB. If I were to post on Twitter, it'll be too much to type. So yea.

Looking forward to May when Rui will be down again and when I'll make another trip back home. =D

The Late Post

When my niece was five, I sent her a birthday card by post while I was in KL. The timing was off when I got back home but the mail has yet to arrive. When the post arrived, my niece was ecstatic thinking it came from her kindy friend. We didn't have the heart to burst her bubble. Receiving mail from an aunt who's already there with her kinda defeats the purpose of sending the card in the first place. It always makes me happy to make my little nieces and nephew happy. It's easy. Just do anything I wish could happen when I was a kid myself.

Grownups

Love this. Live this. =)

The Perfect Sunday

Finally there's internet in my new place and also finally, being able to blog in my own time, in complete privacy.

The perfect Sunday:

Waking up on my own accord and not due to the alarm.

Leisurely shopped for groceries and not having to worry about buying fresh produce coz there's a new fridge in the house.

Cooked lunch albeit failed pasta sauce.

It rained cats and dogs and for once, I am indoors, looking out at the congested Kota Damansara traffic and thinking, "Luckily I didn't go out."

Huddled under my cozy comforter on a gloomy rainy afternoon.

Finished a book "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" over dinner. I finished half of the book in one day. The first half was slowly read over the span of two weeks, often at night when I was too tired to manage more than a chapter.

Restored my iPod and it now has 24GB worth of songs in it.

Today was good. Totally ready for tomorrow.

Tralalala~

Haiyaaaaakkkkk!!!!

Am forcing in a useless post just for the month of Feb. This blog has been going through a dry spell for two reasons. One, I'm working most of week now, there's really nothing much that happens which is not work. Two, there isn't any internet in my new place yet. Therefore can't blog for leisure.

This post is crafted in the office while waiting for files to be uploaded. Working life gives a whole new meaning to weekends!

Life has been productive, busy and nerve-wrecking. I like it. For every moment that I am busy, I am learning how to like my work and also to rant about how I don't get to go home. All rants aside, I kinda enjoy these late hours. Sometimes there is too much fear and anxiety, I think I pressure myself too much. But at the end of the day, no matter how convinced I am of being screwed, things turn out well. Not perfect, well is good enough.

The parking at my new place sucks big time! There is often no more parking when it gets too late. Plus, people there double park everywhere, most of them not having the decency to at least leave a name card or contact number on their dashboard so that they can be called to move their cars if needed. What's worse about this is that the indoor parking area actually has cement water leaking from the ceiling. I parked my car there last night and my car was splattered with this water and has some hardened white stains on it. Gahh... I hope it can be washed off.

Umphhh... miss randomly posting random nothings.

My zodiac says that March is gonna be a killer month. Conflicts and a lot of work happening. Hah! Come what may la.

Ta!