D&D 27th August 2008 @ Aquamarine

This's year's D&D was a small scale one, unlike in 2007 and 2006.

I didn't bother to take many pictures. I didn't talk as much. I didn't laugh as much. I felt like everything was very hazy. At times, I didn't focus on what was happening around me. I had a very hard time absorbing what people were talking about.

It's not coz it's small-scale and boring. In fact, I would very much prefer a small scale get-together in a cosy environment to eat, chat and relax with people I feel comfortable with. I would very much think I would enjoy myself more in simplicity. However, I don't feel like I've enjoyed myself just now.

What have we but language to make sense of our senses stirred?

Sad to say, I'm at a loss for words to describe how I'm feeling now. I just didn't feel as enthusiastic as before. I don't like how I'm feeling now.

I think I'm exhausted... physically and mentally.

I would like to include in this post: "to be updated", "loads of photos to come", "watch this space"... But you know what? I think I'll just leave it as this for now.

I had a very sweet dream last night and when I woke up, I felt very lost. It was as if I don't belong in this realm. My dream felt more real than reality itself. I hope to bask in sweet dreams later and not wake up from it at all.


[picture credit: Audrey Kawasaki]

Adding colours to my life

I love munching on my vitamin C sweets.


The other day upon opening the bottle and discovering that one of each flavour of sweet was left, I could not help but marvel at the beautiful coincidence.






It's sad to add colours to one's life in this manner.

Revenge of the NERDS

Just the other day, my cousin from Harvard came to visit me.

She brought along her beau.

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GOSH!

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They're damn NERDY can???!!

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星光大道... NOT!

As mentioned in an earlier post, I was in a singing competition organised by the company.

I haven't mentioned how this singing competition came about right?

Well to cut a long story short, big boss watched 星光大道. Big boss loved 星光大道. Big boss wanna incorporate 星光大道 into the company. Big boss called for mini 星光大道 singing competition.

Please tell me it's so LAMB!

Also mentioned earlier was how I was involved in it.

Well to cut the next long story short, 2 representatives had to be nominated from each group. My group has people more power than me. These people more power than me were past years' reigning champions. Past years' reigning champions were not qualified to join. Joining as this year's candidates from my group were the next best alternatives or rather, people who can somewhat sing and don't mind losing face for the glory of their group.

I also said I had this sneaking suspicion that I would be booted out at the very first round.

My prediction came true.

Wahahahaha...

It was a PK competition. Yeah, tell me about it... I really hate PK.

Before the first round, I was just telling everybody that I hope I would not choose colleague S or colleague P. If I suay suay choose them, I would just say, "Ok. That's it. It's a walkover. You win."

They're really that good.

On that night, I forgot which stupid judge chose the envelope with my name in it, declaring me as the 1st contestant.

[Aside: viv, who is the stupid judge huh? Not you right?]

On that night, I knew this stupid Jolene chose the envelope with colleague P's name in it, declaring mentally that I was already the loser.

Well, it was all for fun. I was glad I "lost under colleague P's hands". She was a worthy opponent.

My other group member was also very suay. Colleague S picked her envelop. It was a tough fight but she lost anyway. Damn wasted.

That's why I hate PK.

'nuff said. Let's look at photos for now.

Big boss was so crazy over this 星光大道 idea that he decided on a photoshoot for all the contestants.

On the day of the photoshoot, I had only a few hour's sleep before that. I was sleepy and grouchy with loads of work to do and totally not in the mood to pose.

I didn't like how my individual shots turn out. I really wish I could be more siao onz like during "simon says" impromptu shots. However, I simply wasn't in the mood at all.



My individual poster


We get to keep our individual posters at the end of it all. But what for?

These are lying uselessly on my non-functioning tv now.



As for the group shots, they were more fun.

The colleagues in charge of the photoshoot wanted to achieve this feel from the original 星光大道.


For a moment there, I hope you didn't get a shock thinking those were us.

After so many takes...


Don't you think we pale in comparison?

When they took the last shot, I almost suffered from butt-ache and left-calf-muscle-cramp coz I was sitting with 1/3 of my butt on the seat and only my left leg to support the rest of my body weight.

The final posters





Me and my group S counterpart trying to form an S-shape


I LURVE this sinister-looking Oscar to bits


The Oscar belonged to this super young colleague who is into lots of quirky stuff.

When she put the paper bag mask over Oscar, everybody thought Oscar "mei lian jian ren".

Next, came the disturbing Hannibal Lector mask. Everybody deemed it strange and ugly.

Soon, blood came dripping from its mouth. Everyone screamed at her for being a psycho.

Then, the lizard in its mouth was the last straw. Everyone hated Oscar.

I was the only one who went, "Oh man! I love Oscar's new look."

Oscar, Oscar, please share your lizard with me ...


or I'll snatch it from you.


While the rest of the demure colleagues were posing cutesy poses with other soft toys, I was busy uglifying myself by chomping lizard.

The colleague in charge of the photoshoot told me that photo ought to be made into my individual poster.

Hahaha... I wished it was.


It would look something like this:

Sick and Disgruntled

Saturday: husky voice
Sunday: no voice
Monday: no voice
Tuesday: no voice
Wednesday: record-gone-wrong voice

Throat infection I was told.

How come I whole life plague with throat infection wan?

Wait a minute… it’s August right?

I remember that the same month last year was my most sickly phase ever.

What with all the URI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) and having to feel so lifeless during D&D last year. This year’s D&D is next week and I wanna eat sooooooooooo much stuff lor. Hmmph! Stupid virus!

The good thing was I was given 3 days MC straight. YAYNESS!

Now for the BOO… I don’t care the f*** for MC cos I still go back to work for a few hours every day despite coughing my lungs out. I feel pretty stressed up when I think of all the pile of work waiting for me to clear.

What was most infuriating was that big boss had to piss me off by telling me that he’s gonna take my pri el staff off to another department. He even assured me that my workload wouldn’t increase as it’ll only take up 20% of her time.

I say “BULLSHIT!”

Taking up 20% of her time means my workload increase by 20% what! Who’s kidding who?

Yeah and coz I lost my voice, I was whispering to him in agitation. Even though I was pissed, I didn’t show it too openly. However from my raised tone of whispering, he knew that I meant business. The whole arguing scene appeared comical to the rest of my colleagues in the room. They were laughing whilst we were arguing but even my “quarrelsome buddy” knew that I've been overloaded for too long and had to tell big boss not to bully me when I’ve got no voice. I was quite thankful for that.

What saddens me is that the said staff actually shows an interest in going to the other department. Well, I can’t blame her. Curriculum department is really quite siong and I know from the very start that she doesn’t have strong interest for pri el. I kinda feel bad that she was transferred to my pri el department of shit work last year but what to do? She was the best candidate and a really sweet girl. She was such a great help.

I replied that if I had known he would drop me this bomb, I wouldn’t had come to work on my MC day only to feel more miserable. And guess what his reaction was? He looked stunned and said that he always knew I’m very “guai1” and that’s why this kind of staff cannot leave.

WTF?!

The directors all along knew that I have the intention to leave if I should find another job. I’ve made it very clear to them that I’ve missed 2 interviews just coz I’ve got so much work to do here and taking leave was simply out of the question.

So is this their way of making me stay? By giving me more work to do so that the responsible me would stay to finish up what is required of me?

I told him about the idealistic plan of revamping the curriculum, reiterating that it is idealistic and could only happen if I have more staff helping out. (I secretly know they wouldn’t hire more staff for me.)

Well, he said if it is beneficial for the company and for the students, he would do it. He also added when that time comes, I’ll have 2 to 3 staff under me and I’ve to be a good supervisor and ensure that nobody leaves. With that, he gave me a knowing look.

I was screaming in my heart.

I could not fight back on this point as all the other colleagues in the room don’t know of my intention to leave. He had cleverly chosen to tell me this in the room and not in private when I wouldn’t have the chance to voice out certain issues openly.

I could only retaliate by telling him that he whole life say wanna employ people but they’re all words, no action.

All along the directors and my superior have always been telling me that they recognize my efforts and all that I’ve done for my department. They have also noted the number of hours I put in every week and such an employee is hard to come by… bla bla bla…

HOWEVER, I don’t like the fact that big boss wonders how my then superior could handle the dept all by herself while I need another staff to help out.

HELLO? I was alone in pri el dept for 1 whole year before permanent help arrived. I added more sections and modified parts of the curriculum out of goodwill and for the benefit of my students. I spent time changing certain layouts coz they were simply an eyesore. When I could not finish my work, I came back on my Wednesday off days to complete them.

That was how I handled the department all alone.

With the sudden departure of a colleague in charge of the kindergarten curriculum close to 2 years ago, I was naturally appointed to assume the role since I had experience with kids of that level. I made substantial modification to the kindergarten curriculum as well. This time when I could not finish my work, I came back on my Sunday off days to complete them.

ME, ONE PERSON, handling 2 departments. Coming back on 2 off days to complete my work. That does not even include marking till the wee hours of the morning.

Don’t I deserve more help?

I held back my agitation. I held back my hot tears of anger. I made a mental note to have a major “showdown” with boss when I get my voice back.

In the meantime, I put on my happy mask and tried to let my mind wander off to other frivolous stuff, like letting all my colleagues tease me for having no voice to suan them back.

kh fetched me home that night. The first thing he asked when I opened the door was, “Why you sick still come back to work?”

It wasn’t his usual disgruntled voice whenever he told me not to work so hard. He asked in such a concerned tone that I started to tear. I was simply overwhelmed with emotions.

He thought I was crying as I felt very sick. Then, as I related whatever had happened and how disgruntled I felt, the floodgates flew open.

He chided me for coming back to work. He said I should just rest at home and show them how my absence would affect the curriculum. However, I can’t do that. I simply wasn’t able to rest at home in peace. I can’t be nonchalant coz nobody could see how my absence would affect the curriculum and I would only be giving more shitwork for myself at the end of the day.

Some of you would ask me:
“Why bother to do so much?”
“Why can’t you be less responsible?”
“Why don’t you just quit?”

Why? I dunno, it’s just me.

Other than the workload, I’m quite fine with this job.

The colleagues are generally nice. The directors could switch from clown mode to serious mode when the occasion calls for it. We have lotsa fun company activities. Welfare for staff is fine. We have World Café meetings to voice out our views. The pay isn’t too bad. (However, I can’t say the same if I were to divide my salary with the number of hours I work.)

So really, it isn’t all too bad.

I’m holding on till after my wedding. I really dunno if I would be able to hold on that long but the thought of having a steady income and sunstantial savings should drive me to hold on.

I‘m a very simple person and the next job I’m looking out for would be more family oriented. I want a normal 9 to 5 (or should I say 9 to 6?) job when I could have my nights off. I guess I should cross out teaching for I always suffer from URI and all other symptoms related to prolong talking and raising of voice.

I’m not a very ambitious person when it comes to career. In fact, I would love to be there for my child during his or her growing up years. I don’t ask for a lot in life. I just hope to have a happy family in future.

Am I asking for too much?


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Replies to tags

8 Aug 08, 10:23
passer by: Hi may i noe what magazine did you take the pictures from? I see chinese words but the models are definitely japanese. Waiting for your reply.
Hi there, sorry for this slow reply. It’s from a magazine called “Popteen”. It’s the Taiwan version. I like how everything is in Chinese. Good fashion spread, great make up tips, gorgeous models (most of the time). It’s very un-teen to me and definitely one of my favourite fashion magazines. You can google “popteen” for more info.

8 Aug 08, 19:10
reg: hey gal, I've been using curling tongs for a month now cos my perm has died. It only takes 15mins! And the curls look very nice Maybe you wanna buy tongs?
Wow! 15minutes??? What brand did you buy and do you tong your hair everyday? If your perm has died, mine would be dead for eons.

13 Aug 08, 23:11
sherin: hello dearest jolene! been so long since i read ur blog. i adore those curls/ perms too, but my hair never seem to grow. sobs ! and i dun tink i'm tt hardworking to maintain. LOL.
Hey good to see you here! No need to sob. Your hair is already very long and silky. Actually I don’t spend a lot of time on my permed hair. In fact, the almost the same amt when I had straight hair. Btw, your side swept fringe is nice and I can imagine you with those soft curls.

16 Aug 08, 02:29
canny: drop u a msg to say "hi"! back to comment when i get online again! *goin back to continue packing up again -stress!* =p
Welcome back! How was your trip? Waiting to read about it! I dropped a short “hi” to you on your tagboard too. =)


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Replies to comments

“08-08-08”

-- bwilly said...
hi..
:)

And hello, long time no see!

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“It’s the return of the hairy issue”

-- lian said...
Yo yo~~~ It doesn't take too long for me to DIY curls using the curling tongs .. about 30 min max? Once you get the hang of it that is ... :P

Me trying to make my hair grow longer too! >< color="#993300">AH LIAN!!!
Yoyoyo… Oopsie! I got the wrong lian. Hehe… Ooh, what curling tongs are you using? Ok 30min really sounds quite reasonable but do you tong your hair every day?
Well, I agree with you on hairdresser snipping inches of hair when you just ask them to trim. Luckily I found a good one in Yishun who could really neaten my hair up w/o compromising much of the length. I like the way she cuts my hair. A pity you don’t stay in the north if not I would recommend you to go there. Hs (as in our ex colleague) also likes the way that hairdresser cuts her hair w/o snipping much length away.


-- Anonymous said...
Hello Jolene,

I got here from one of the chanel perfume links from google. I would like to ask if your friend with the ceramic perm did her hair in Singapore. If in Singapore, can you ask which salon? Thank you.

Hi there,
I’m terribly sorry for this late reply. Well, I remember my friend telling me that it’s a neighbourhood salon somewhere in Hougang area. As for the exact address, I would have to ask her again.


-- Anonymous (Yen) said…
Your friend has really nice curls if you say there is no stlying products at all. Nice hair colour too. I also wanna know where she perm her hair ok?

-Yen

Wooh, you interested as well? I’ll go ask my friend ya?


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“Simba”

-- Anonymous said...
Hugs to Jolene.

-Yen

Hugz back!


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“Beauty World Cha Cha Cha”

-- Anonymous said...
i watched, i loved.

it's very funny how you try so hard to sound singlish when your review for this musical is packed with a punch. it's so funny seeing you reverting from cheem ang mo to singlish time and again.

are you an acclaimed critic or a singapolian?

in case the above come across negative, i'll add KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

Eh... very funny meh? If you hear me speak in real life, I can be pretty Singlish you know. I'm not like some cheem ang mo pai person trying to sound Singlish.

That's because...

I am a Singapolian!


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08-08-08

If only we could manipulate time...

It’s the return of the hairy issue

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Warning:
Bimbotic post ahead. As stated in the title, it’s about hair. Hence, if you have no interest in hair and beauty whatsoever, don’t read. =)

Hey you over there! Stop calling me a bimbo.
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I wanna perm my hair whenever I see curls like these….












I wanna buy curling tongs of all diameter whenver I see beautiful DIY curls like these…



If you have curling tongs and loads of time, click here to watch a video of how to achieve this style.




video



video

However, I know I won’t have the time and patience to “tong” my hair for more than an hour.


I want curls that look good whether they’re let down or tied up.




Maybe I should just go layer my hair to get natural fluffy waves like these…






I haven’t had super long locks for a long time. I really miss my super long hair before my virgin (and rather horrendous) perm in 2006.



I see some of you cowering in fear and screaming, "Sadako!"



My hair now... What to do with it???



My dream is to keep my hair really really really long, probably about waist length, and to perm spiral curls exactly like these…







I don’t even know if the above is achieved by perming or DIY curling tongs!

You know what? I'm a scaredy cat procrastinator. I'm still haunted by the nightmare of my virgin perm and how it damaged my hair totally. Recently, I saw many people with permed hair and their hair condition is really not very good.

Must beautiful curls only be achieved by tongs?

My answer would always be "no" whenever I think of this person.


Our apr dearest! Ceramic perm with no styling products at all save for some hair oil. And that's her natural hair colour. In real life, it looks like ash. If you could touch her hair, the texture is soft, not at all like those siap feeling when you touch normal permed hair. She has the most beautiful curls I've ever seen on someone other than those magazine models.


By the way, my hair is a little shorter now. I would need more months to attain my dream hair. I just had all my dry ends snipped and cut a heavy side swept fringe. Before that, I had flat hair with a dead parting more dead than the dead sea and stubborn baby hair that grow in the opposite direction from said dead parting.

I really liked how I look when I left the salon -- exactly like those fringe you see on those Japanese models. Plus, they “tong” my hair a little.

I can’t say the same after I wash my hair. Let’s wait and see if I’ll cry in despair tomorrow.

Meet up with the F4

Why is it always Jap with you babes?

Mine… SLURP!


What we shared









You know, I really love to see all of you. I always feel that there isn’t enough time for all the updates.


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Replies to tags

30 Jul 08, 06:13
canny: erm, we are actually doing it once again.. blogging and leaving tags at each other blog just a few hrs apart.. =p 2nd time le.. haha!! So qiao! back for a longer comment. =p
30 Jul 08, 06:14
canny: Ciao for now, take care babe! =)
Coz we all got telepathy!!!

4 Aug 08, 23:51
lian: YO JO! You r getting married? Congrats congrats. When's the big day? U seem to be leading a good life now. Still the eateateat as ever huh. God bless! Weee...
Thanx! No exact date yet… looking at next June/July. Yes I know, we had better hurry in booking the date. Good life? So-so la… Disgruntled work-wise lor... Been dying to take leave.

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Replies to comments

“Simba”

-- Anonymous said...
Jo, u realised that Aug 1, 2008 is the start of the 7th month.. =P
- Zanne

Zanne,
NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Let me recall... I had that dream a night before I posted this entry!

Anyway... I really don't mind seeing baba again. =P


-- Anonymous said…
EEEKKKS! Zanne why you say that? I thought it was sad and then funny at the end den when I read your comment I got scared.

Hey are you anybody I know?


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“Christian the Lion”

-- Yen said…
Hi Jolene,

That is really very sweet. Very heart warming. It is as if the lion become a kitten when it saw the owners.

I'm quite surprised at the 2nd video that the lion can be rear in the house!

Yen,
Ya lor... It's just like a little kitten.

Tell me about it. I'm surprised at the lion in the house too.


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“Spotted… Gluttons at MELT”

-- Yen said…
Hi Jolene,

You are putting up lesser and lesser photos of yourself recently. Good to see your photos and your deardear too.

Hope you had fun with the machines. What is $70 if you have fun rite? ^_^

Yen,
Yes I so totally agree with what's $70 if we had fun. =)


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“In love with the rings at Love & Co.”

-- Yen said…
I love the song on their website!

Their rings are beautiful. Which one did you all chose?

The 3 pairs we've shorlisted aren't on the website. Too bad they don't have catalogue or I would definitely take pix and post them up. Their rings are really lovely!


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