Happy Lunar New Year everyone. Hope everyone is enjoying themselves, eating, visiting, exchanging greetings, spending time with loved ones and simply enjoying the time off from work and school. CNY is an excuse for us to put on the weight and enjoy all the new year goodies and sit in front of the television set and enjoy all the CNY programmes. All the fireworks and various performances at the many different locations are indeed beautiful and splendid and really keep me glued to the television sets. All the new year goodies are so delicious that I couldn't stop eating them. The lightings at Chinatown are really beautiful and pretty. But the crowds there kept me away. If I happened to be at a crowded place, I'll be more concern with how to get out there rather than with shopping. Then again, I doubt I'll ever be at a crowded place.
I do understand why some people choose to get down to Chinatown or any place for celebrations and countdowns. It's the crowd and the festive atmosphere that entice them there. Talk about the attraciveness. Well, and I do know that some people do go to Chinatown on CNY eve to get new year goodies at a cheaper price. But, I prefer to stay at home and watch countdown programmes. Think about the comfort of your cosy sofa set and air-conditioning at home. And nowadays, more and more families are going to restaurants for reunion dinners; because of the convenience. All the commercialisation and money earning opportunities. Restaurants are competing for more patrons and hence many are offering compeitive prices to attract more patrons. Well, after all, the consumers are those who benefit the most out of this. Anyway, while more and more are going to restaurants for reunion dinners, I still prefer the good old traditional reunion dinner at home. The joy of every family member coming together for an extra long dinner; the smile on every person's face; the bits of perspiration rolling down the cheeks; the warmth generated when everyone sat so close to eat; all these, definitely make the preparations and the so-called inconvenience worth it. Not that you can't experience the joy and warmth when eating at the restaurant; it's just that you can take your own sweet time eating at home without worrying about the next batch of patrons. Also, you don't really have to care about your table manners when eating at home; when we are eating outside, we tend to talk more softly and more conscious but at home, we tend to be less conscious about all these and enjoy ourselves more. Plus, home always serves our favourite dishes.My brother alone ate 4 bowls of rice that night. These make eating reunion dinner at home enjoyable; a tradition I really hope that we will observe every other year.
Here's wishing everyone a Happy Chinese New Year. May all your dreams come true.

All I can say about my life right now is that I'm rather satisfied with what I'm doing. The work, though temporary and has got weird working hours, is quite all right. Though there's some 'office politics' and some other stuff among the people, I got along rather well with them. I'm starting to enjoy their company now, and I hope more so in time to come. Today, I did something new. That is, helping them to do the barcoding and pouring the urine samples from the containers into tubes. Something new and it kept us really busy and tired. But, it's better than sitting there doing nothing. I feel bad and I really have to worry constantly about being asked to explain why I didn't look for work. That's me. Oh well. Anyway, this week is the first week that I ever work for full 6 days. I started work on a Wednesday for the first week; then next was a Christmas holiday on a Monday, if I remember; then it was a New Year Day holiday; and next was Hari Raya. So, you see, I've been working for a month. Though I'm happy with my life now, I miss school! Seriously. I miss the people, the friends, the lecturers and the tutors. I miss the lectures, tutorials, breaks, and I miss the mornings when we always sat together at a table in the cafe to do our work and to talk. I miss having to do tutorials and having to read notes. The 2 years spent in college flew by so quickly. Flew; literally. I will cherish all the wonderful and beatiful memories and the friendships forged in those 2 years. I hope you will too. Take care all my friends, and do continue to keep in touch. Thank God for everyone who have come into my life and has helped me in one way or another.

I've just recieved my pay for the past 2 weeks. Not much; I'm just a few hundred dollars richer. But money is not the issue here since my family doesn't need it. I'm fortunate, I know. This is my first pay check and I haven't really figure out how to use it. I know I'm opening myself to people asking me for treats; I know what to do. In my opinion, I don't equate money with the type of work that you do. One can earn a lot. But if one does not get along with the people in the company and colleagues, then I guess, one will not be happy. I'm not trying to say that I'm noble by not thinking of the amount of money one gets from work. Bread and butter issues are still the most important for many people; especially for parents and many others. But what I'm saying here is that, for me, I think relationship with people and getting along well with others one of the more crucial factor. I'm still trying to bridge the gap between me and my other colleagues. It's improving; but there's still quite a way to go.
Ever since I work, I have come to realise the expenses needed to maintain a family; with children. I'm not sure how I know, but I just do. Really, believe me, it's not easy. Our parents really are doing their best. I mean, they have to pay for our food, clothes, education, and not forgetting the water, electricity, gas and many other bills. Though what's left goes into their banks, but remember who pay for the occassional holidays and other luxuries? It's reaaly not easy on their part. Now, when you spend your next dollar, try to think of your parents who are always working for our sake.

I'm sure we all like to be loved by everyone around us; and thus, most will go all out to be accepted by others. And they included ways like the following:
1. Following the crowd. Or more simply "Monkey see, monkey do".
2. Behaving the way that others wanted you to.
And so on...
Basically, for those in an all new environment, be it a new class, a new school, or even workplace, we will all be anxious about being accepted by someone, if not, everyone. It's the nature of a social being, no doubt. But does that include going against your own character just so to be accepted? Sometimes, being in a new environment does force one to grow up and mature, and to open up to others. But the basic principles that one live by should and must stay and not change with the flow. Sure, one can be a smart worker when it comes to work, but that doesn't mean that one should slack when working, or do the job badly. The main thing is to get the job done well and good. And also, do not be so eager to be accepted by all. It takes time for them to warm up to you. And you certainly do not want to mix with the wrong company. So, take your time. Besides, we are all accepted by God. A God who so loved us that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for all our sins. Well, by writing all these down, all I hope is that God help me set my priorites right and not to go with the flow that I lose sight of my goals. I am learning to put everything into God's hands. Sometimes this can be hard. But I'm learning. Moulding in the process. And all glory goes to Him. Nothing without Him.

Isn't it very troublesome to tap your ez-link card before alighting from a bus? I was so so afraid that I might forget to do so and the moment I broad another bus, the card reader would give off a loud, disturbing sound. I'm sure it's not just me who find this too troublesome. I seldom have to do so when still schooling. And now, I would be so conscious of the amount of money left in my card and to top it up when necessary. Oh, how I miss those days when I have student concession.
And on working life. I'm now working longer hours. Positive and negative. Good because I earn more, and there's nothing I can do at home and there's only me and my mum. Bad because the hours are kind of weird. It's not like those 9-5, or 8-6 hours, but 1-8!!! it's like in the middle of nowhere. I can't go out before or after work. The only days when I can go out is on Saturday evenings and Sundays.And I'm usually so tired after work that I really don't feel like doing anything when I get home. I still prefer schooling days. Oh, how much I misses school. Wouldn't it be nice if I can don't tap my card before alighting the bus and not work and still get the money? I better face up to reality.

A brand new morning; a brand new year; a brand new start. Happy New Year, everyone. 2005 has become history and 2006 is the present. There are wonderful memories of 2005 that will always be remembered and looked back upon fondly by many, and I hope that 2006 will be one with many beautiful memories as well. Here, I must thank many people who have made my 2005 a wonderful year. Without them, there would not be such fond memories. And there are my classmates, my schoolmates, my juniors, my ex-schoolmates, my teachers, my lecturers, my tutors, and God Almighty of course. I want to thank them for making this year (deemed to be one of the most important years of my life), memorable. The journey towards the 'A' levels seemed much easier with them around. Without their constant encouragement and motivation, I would not have studied so hard. Without their friendship, I would not have graduated from college feeling loved and accepted. Without the love and care from the tutors and lecturers, I would not have felt that college was my second home. Without the strength and guidance of God, I would not have sailed through this journey as smoothly as I had. So really, a million thanks to all these people. Now, 2006 would be one of new challenges. Work, and university. These would be new things that I've never been through. I pray for God's guidance for me to get through them. Also, I hope that everyone will be safe from all harm in this brand new year. God bless.