Tag: america

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Diary From the Attic

A Melancholic Departure

Today was Thursday.  The second last day of IBSS.  Basically I feel like the last day because it will just be a wrap up tomorrow (plus only half day).  At this very moment, I feel void.  The feeling of missing is immense.  I mean after tomorrow, I will not (probably) be seeing those guys again.  Kind of a very funny feeling.  IBSS is just too short.  One week is just enough to know somebody but not enough to know them in depth.  Seriously I really want to know them a lot better.

Just stepped out the room this morning, we bumped into Autumn.  What an awesome way to start the day.  Can’t really say I like her perfume at all (still Sophie’s one is the best), but she is very pleasant.  Or maybe just her name.

It took the team four hours to realise that their design was no good.  I must learn how to convince people to accept my design.  More clear and more explanations.

But in the end, it was fun.  Although we stayed until 10 pm, I guess ours will be one of the best.  A lot of laughter.  That makes me wonder when was the last time I really laugh happily.  Lots of hard work but I think I have learnt a great deal in the end.

Made my baggage tags today and couldn’t believe that I have to pay $2.00 for each one of them.

“Sun comes up, sun goes down.  Just when we start to get warm, the moon comes up.
People come, people go . Just when we begin to know each other, we have to part.

A different day, a different phase of life.  What can you say, when you don’t have a choice?”

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Diary From the Attic

A Girl Called Autumn, Continued

Autumn.  Autumn.  Autumn.

What a nice name!  Colin told me that she was with us in the Accent on C/S class and he may as well be right.  Somehow, I vaguely remember such a person.

In the morning, we had a group activity – Traffic Jam Problem.  The problem is six of us lined up in a row while another six (opposite team) lined up facing us.  There is an empty space in the middle and each of us can only move forward one single space or “take over” the one in front if only he/she (the one in front) is not facing in the same direction of us. (And we were the first group to figure out the solution.)

Somehow, Autumn was standing very close in front of me at some point in time.  She took a look at my tie (actually held it there) and told me that she loved this tie a lot.  She virtually loved the Zebra.

We went on for another round and when she was right in front of me, I asked if she was really called Autumn and she replied yes.  I told her that it was a really nice name.

And throughout the day, I have been thinking about her.

The day was a disaster.  I just can’t really get along with that Japanese fellow.  Too much conflict and just don’t want to mention about it right now.

Colin and I went to the beer shop and get the Honey Brown.  Got to say I had this feeling of not being of getting into the bus as our stop is the last one.  True enough, the bus was full.  So we decided to walk back.  Colin told me that it would take half an hour and in the end, we ended up walking for an hour.  Nice experience though.

Eugene did reply my last mail (and cc to Colin).  What he replied was so philosophical and it took us quite a while to figure out (still) what he was trying to say.

Looking forward to tomorrow for I shall see Autumn again.

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Diary From the Attic

A Girl Called Autumn

Second day of IBSS and to issue SIR is just my speciality.  My team-mate (an Irish – Cairan) and me, we just get along.  I mean we speak in the same language.  And the class?  Just a laugh for us.  The only thing we learn is possibly the “Advance AC Methodology (Terminology)”.

One girl called Autumn.  Isn’t that a very nice name?

Saw Derek from time to time but I am not really into making friend with him.  Not the same kind of buddy, I guess.

Went to Charles Town Mall again.  Bought the (hard covered) book – Men are from Mars … Think it’s too late to rekindle the relationship but maybe it’s a good idea to prepare myself for the “next” one.

Been thinking of how many postcards shall I send to SocGen.  Either include everybody or exclude a few (because I don’t know the names).  Really a headache.  Maybe I shall decide on Friday instead.

Pizza and beer at the social centre.  Same thing.  And we dropped by and said hi to Cairan.  That guy is really into blond girls.  And I said: Happy hunting.  And he said: I’ll send you the progress report.

Really wanted to buy the board game “Axis and Allies” but it is (a) nobody to play with me and (b) too bulking to bring back.  And when Colin volunteered to bring back for me, I think it is (c) quite expensive.  Must control my expenses.

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Diary From the Attic

Life Not Complete Without Love?

First day of IBSS (Implementing Business Solution School), very disappointed with the course.  Basically, 2 days on test condition (which is very dry) and another 2 days on Visual Basic.  Just 4 ½ days, not enough to get to know anybody in depth.  But that is the way things go, not like Accent on C/S.

In US, they really discriminate against the smokers.  Heard from one guy that US government may ban cigarette in 5 to 10 years’ time.  Possibly Singapore will do it before US.  Maybe it is a good idea, why not?

Left at five thirty, had a quick and crap dinner.  Headed for Walmart at half six.  Bought 4 CDs (and Colin bought only one) and walked into a book store.  Not really time to do any decent shopping.  Colin discovered some study notes for literature.  Hence I bought one for “Romeo and Juliet” and one for “Emma”.  Hope I will understand the literature better that way.

The last bus was full, so one of the guy called for a taxi.  Had one pizza and 2 bottles of beer at the Social Centre.  Really felt very tired and tonight we planned to sleep early.

Got to say one lady from IBSS is quite pretty.  Slim and attractive.  Hmm.

Talked about JP with Colin and before he dozed off, he suggested that we (me and JP) should sit down and talk things over.  But what is it to talk because she is very likely with another guy knowing that she can’t live without love.

And Mohamed was wrong, there is a step up transformer (the one which convert 110V to 220V) but it is too expensive and just not worth it.

Actually it is pretty sad to remain single.  Those lies about being free and single and is able to do whatever one wants.  Easy said than done.  Don’t think I will ever have the courage to come up to a girl and you know … All in all, it is just loneliness.  One’s life will not be completed without someone one loves.  The world is so big, full of emptiness and void.  Then again, it’s life and it may as well turn good later one.  Who knows?

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Diary From the Attic

Whirlwind Tour at Chicago

One of our Strategic Manger (let’s call him CH) has rented a car for the whole week (USD 160.00).  So you can guess what we do for the whole day.

Woke up by myself at six thirty mainly because the curtain was not popularly closed.  Shortly after I woke up, in the mist of trying to get back to sleep again, Colin called me up and told me that he has been awaken since four thirty.  So we went for an early breakfast.

(Met up two guys from Shanghai AC during breakfast)

Oh, not to forget to mention that before we went for breakfast, I approached the reception area and asked if it was possible to move into Colin’s room.  I first asked for the supervisor.  And the girl (pretty – Italian?) actually fixed our ‘problem’ for us.  We had some nice chats and I learnt that she just came back from Italy.

The big shopping area (or ‘outlet’) will not be opened until eleven.  Therefore we took a drive to a park (Fox Lake) and had a nice walk there.  Kind of very scenic but it was a bit too brown.  Think it will look a lot better during the summer.  Met a man who was fishing which his son and his step son (from Philippine).  Talk about hookers in LA.  Kind of nice to talk to.

And had a good lunch at T.G.I. Friday’s.

The big shopping area is called Gurnee Mills.  Bought one Zippo XIII lighter with a pretty Petty Girl picture in front.  It is really pretty and come with a trading card.  The next one I bought was a dog statue for Annie.  Hope she likes it as it is pretty big.  Finally, the book – Romeo and Juliet.  With that, I hope to understand the literature better.

Wanted to go to the theme park called Six Flags but it was booked for private party.  At first felt very disappointed but we soon another place of interest.

That is another factory outlet.  Bought three ties and one pair of Timberland shoe.  It was kind of a rush as we walked into the shop ten minutes before closing.  But we got what we wanted.

Next, we head for Chicago for a pizza.  CH was tired in the middle of the drive and I had to take over (as Colin needs to direct us).  The pizza was not that good but at least we have been to Chicago.

Well, what was I thinking of for the whole day?  I kept think that my life will not be completed without a lover (and obviously you know whom I refer to).  I can try to be happy spending all the money and time doing what I like but I have no one to share the happiness with.

And I have already set my target for the coming year 1998. That is:

  • Get promoted to consultant
  • Get my Singapore Citizenship
  • Get a girlfriend
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Uncategorized

Flying to America

Saturday, woke up early in order to pack up for my US trip.  Stepped out of the hotel after midday and took a taxi to CDG airport.  And there I go, I have to fly again.  Called up my family at the business lounge.  Always nice to talk to family.

The flight was about eight hours.  I still think that Singapore Airline is the best so far.  As for the Air France business class, it was not at all that fantastic.  Kind of a bit disappointed.

Today was pretty cloudy in US.  So not a very nice day indeed.  It was just as depressing as Europe.  The funny thing is that I don’t really feel that much as compare to what I have imagined.  This really puzzled me.  Guess when one travel too frequent, everywhere is just the same.

Colin left me a message and when I knocked onto his room, he was not in.  Kind of disappointed and as I have missed the dinner hour, I have to go to the Social Centre and had my pizza.  By the way, the American beer – Honey Brown – is pretty good.

Left a message in Colin’s room and we met at the Social Centre.  Throughout the night, he was very tired and we didn’t get to talk much.

Feeling kind of lonely.  I miss JP again.

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From the Attic Reflection

Looking Back on 1996

As I have promised myself on the last day of 1996, I will review what I have done in the last year. And hopefully, I live a better life in the year 1997.

As I was playing my guitar tonight, singing the song “Nobody Knows”, I remembered my days back in the US.  Indeed, that was one of the happiest moment of year 96, or perhaps my life.  Being influenced by US culture (movies, music, and jeans) for so long, it was the first time I have ever stepped into the land of liberty.  I still remember the excitement in me when I first landed at the San Francisco Airport. The limousines. Everything seemed so different – the roads, the buildings and even the air.

I drove into Chicago so many times and I could not remember how often.  I was with Collin all the time. Great friend to be with.  I still remember we got lost initially all the time and eventually, he directed and I drove.

Three weeks in St. Charles.  I hang out with Collin, Yoshito (Japanese man), Mitzi (Korean lady) and another Australian lady.  Great friends to be with. The drinking parties in my room and the lovely conversation with Collin and the beautiful Mitzi.  Life was good.

Vividly I remembered a pub with a large dance floor, country style.  Collin and I left the party without telling Mitzi, who was too busy dancing with all the guys on the dance floor.  And she was not happy when she knew that.  The next day, before she and her friend flew back to wherever they came from (Australia), we had a conversation by the fireplace.  Some random topics and Collin and I saw them into the bus.

And then, I felt a sense of emptiness.  Suddenly all the friends were gone.  And I was back in Singapore, facing the hot sun.  The whole period in US was like a fairy tale.

Yet, there was another fairy tale – my two trips to Paris.  The first one lasted for 5 days and the second one lasted for 60 days.  The BNP promotion with Francis was fun.  We had great food and since we are not the fuzzy type, we can get along very well.  I showed him Paris whenever we had time.  The other trip was for Societe Generale.  During the first 3 weeks, I had Damien with me.  I miss those days with Francis.

Life in Societe Generale was pretty peaceful.  Work started at 9 in the morning and usually ended at 6 in the evening.  The people there were very nice.  Sad to say, Sophie, Claude and Lionel left for Sydney in the middle of my stay.  But my days with Aurore, Noubi and Mohammed was great.  Especially Mohammed, we called each other brothers.

Weekdays after work, I usually went downtown to have my dinner.  As for weekends, I always started from La Defense and ended up in Paris center at night.  One movie and one meal and back home.  During nighttime, I composed electronic messages that captured my feeling and observations during the day.

The food was good.  The MTV in the morning was good.  The French music was good. By the way, I felt in love with Mylene Farmer.  Her music is just fantastic.

During those days back in Paris, someone thought that I was lonely.  But I was not, I was in another state of mind. If I had my guitar with me, I would have composed a lot of great songs.

Back in Singapore, I am glad that I know Sam as a friend.  He has introduced me into his circle of friends (which is big).  Through him, I know a lot of people.  Although they are all men, I don’t really mind.  All the Wednesday night out, cheap dinner, and Karaoke.

Enough of stating what happened in year 96, but that was not the main topic in here.  What could I have done better, hopefully in year 97 ?

The New Motto: To actively pursue what I want.  I have been too passive.  Not determined enough. Always avoid the reality.  Must face it and direct the future into whatever I dream of.

Action: To plan and stick to it.  I must treat my personal life as yet another project.  To self improve or to exercise?  It must be planned and followed.

Beware : Spend within budget.  I have been spending too much money on things that may not be necessary.  This is no good and must change.  I must keep track on how money is spent and plan for future saving.

Goal: Must list out all the goals I want to fulfill this year.  Thought goals, I will have motivation.