first impressions

I find that I have this tendency to try to suss people out during my first few encounters with them. I do it both unconsciously and consciously, really. Unconsciously, because I can feel - beyond my control - my intuition sensing signals, much like antennae receiving frequencies automatically. Consciously, because I know what I'm reading when I'm reading people.

And usually, I'm right. But I don't say it first, because I don't want to seem to be making a premature judgment. Leo's really good at it too, actually, I think he's better at it. Probably because I try to make concessions on behalf of those people I get negative vibes from!

:)

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Today was the first day of my attachment at a social service agency. Once again, I was sussing out the various characters, and what their interactions were saying about one another. In general, it was a good vibe. Specifically, it was quite a culture shock actually. Having been part of the unforgiving newsroom before, this workplace was extremely nurturing.

In fact, in response to a compliment from one of the staff, I actually blurted out: "You guys are so constructive!"

I don't know how the next few months are going to pan out, whether first impressions will remain first impressions. But I am very thankful to God my Father. Thank you for the way you have directed my path, and always shining your light for me. Thank you for putting up arrows pointing the way to go, when I didn't know what to do. Thank you for just being who you are, even when I did not understand. Thank you so very much.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. - Proverbs 3: 5,6 (NKJV)

it's over

And so, the wait was over at 11.01am today, according to the wall clock in the chilly classroom. Pens down, check that you've written your matric number, and if you have used more than one booklet, remember to tie them together with the string provided.

That was fast. Like the two hours that flew by as we furiously regurgitated our answers today, the past four months slipped by almost unnoticed. Half an academic year has disappeared, and another half will start in another 30 or so days.

But before all that talk about how fast time flies, it's always good to spend some time relishing the pleasures in life. Like a bowl of deliciously smooth coffee and chocolate gelato. Time to take a break and tuck into a bowl of something nice. Bon appetit.

just the two of us

we hardly have a nice pic together, since we're always not happy with how fat our faces turn out...because we're always taking pics of ourselves (other people always don't take it right). so you know...the nearer you shoot, the broader your face is. but I think this one can pass lah.

a lil' down

Exam didn't go too great today. :(
Kinda blanked out for this 10-mark question on ethical dilemmas. I only had one point to talk about, and I elaborated on it as much as I could. And couldn't think of any more points So sucky. The MCQs were so tricky too. It's like choice number one also can, choice number three also can, or is it all of the above?

On normal circumstances I would have vegged out in front of the tv after the paper. But feeling quite so down, so thought I'd start cramming for my third and last paper, which is happening this coming Tues.

Cos of my anxiety, I'm wondering if I should send Mr Jai food tomorrow, as I had decided on it at the start of this week. I really should. But I'm thinking of just pressing the doorbell once, leaving the food outside his home and making my exit before he opens the door. I know he will want to have a chat with me, and I'll feel bad not having a chat with him and just taking the money and leaving, but I have to. Staying for the chat with my mind somewhere else makes no sense.

Dilemmas dilemmas dilemmas.

pre-test questionaire

have a friend who requested to have this link put up, cos she's conducting a survey on work-related blogging for her university dessertation. Do click here to take the survey, if you can. Thanks!

i'm gonna run run run

Where you jog makes all the difference. Went running along Old Punggol Road again yesterday and it was actually such a pleasure. Maybe it was the sweet wetness of the air after the rain, maybe it was the tranquility offered by the green sanctuary, maybe it was just the fact that there were no tall HDB flats in sight for that little while.

I love it.

Only drawback: Girls have to be on the alert all the time because the road is quite lonely. Sigh...is this the curse of urban living???

two sides to me

My new haircut! I also dyed it a two-tone ash colour that's hard to see from here. Ah...what wonderful therapy! The cut is also asymmetrical. Don't know why my hairstylists love to do that, but I love it! :)


Above: the boyish cut on the right side.

Above: the girlish cut on the left side.

Above: the complete look.

rain rain (don't) go away

On Sunday, mum jio-ed me to go brisk walking along the tree-lined Old Punggol Road that leads to the beach and jetty. She was sick of going around in circles along the drabby grey pavements by the main road, so we decided to explore the road less travelled - the more natural side of Singapore that brings you past Punggol 17th Avenue and Punggol 24th Avenue.

Entering Old Punggol Road territory was like taking a trip into a nature reserve, with lovely thick foliage forming a continuous canopy along the slightly undulating long road right up to the sea. Jogging or walking under the protection of the never-ending row of trees was such a pleasure, because of the comfortable cool shade it offered. The twitter of birds, the chirping of the crickets...all these calls of nature were all the more magnified in the stillness of the natural surroundings. The only human sounds that provided the occasional distraction were the purring engines of the few cars that cruised by and my off-and-on conversation with mum.

Alas, our walk was interrupted by the sudden heavy downpour. Funnily, it was not an unwelcome interruption, although we were soaked to our skin when we were still about 15 minutes away from our home. Instead, it was the most invigorating shower I've ever had, rain drops beating down on my sweat-tinged skin, a wakeup call like no other.

I had broken into a trot (to try to get home to rescue our clothes that were hung out to sun) before deciding to wait for mum at a bus-stop. You couldn't really call that seeking shelter because I was so drenched. She reached, and we sat down for a while before deciding that it wouldn't hurt to continue the journey back on foot because we couldn't get any wetter than that!
Mum laughed and said it was the first time in all her life that she had ever been caught in the rain, because my late grandpa, being the authoritarian he was, would beat his children up if they ever did get soaked. Thank goodness I bit my tongue before declaring a silly oh-man-where-did-your-childhood-go, because this was mum who caught fish in the longkang and climbed trees when she was young.

But oh, what a pity that she never knew how it felt to be kissed by the rain! I, on the other hand, had my fair share at outdoor camps.

Mum, looking quite so happy despite her matted long hair and sticky clothes, then added: "I guess this is God's way of showing me how wonderful rain can feel!"

I couldn't agree more.