.::. Cra-cray Days .::.

Some days, my schedule goes like this:

0700 Get out of bed
0830 - 1730 Work
1800 - 1845 Piano Lesson
1915 - 2000 Violin Lesson
2030 - 2300 Conference Calls
0000 Bedtime!

Thursdays are always crazy, but Thursday is almost Friday so it's okay (it rhythms!).

Today was exceptionally crazy, because it's quarter-end closing week and yesterday was a public holiday.  Losing one day on quarter-close week is bad timing.  I hope I don't have to work till midnight like the last quarter!  It's going to be a long day tomorrow.  I'm in between calls now, and tired.

Weekdays are mostly crazy, and fulfilling.  I teach tuition on 2 other days and often have conference calls at night.  I always have Friday nights free, and usually another weekday night free.  Some days I rush back to cook and food-prep the day before, other days I use the slow cooker to cook soup.

Life's cra-cray, but good.  Weekends are always gym and mini-holidays around our little island.  It gives me immense pleasure when my tuitee who got 17 marks last year and failed all his tests improve to a good 57 marks the last exams.  My tuitee adores me and sometimes I threaten to 'quit' if he doesn't work hard.  It makes me feel great that I'm making a difference to someone's life.  Work pays the bills and helps me to be financially free, but it really helps when the company has values that align with your own and we get to give back to the community often.  Violin and piano is challenging, I wished I had more time, but the progress I make gives me a huge sense of achievement.  I'm nearer to my goals everyday and most importantly, I'm happy.

Happy with everything.

Time for next call!

.::. When September Ends .::.

These 2 months have been really crazy. Where did all the time go?

I have been in a contented state of mind this whole year, very thankful that everything is on track. Most of my goals for the year have been achieved. Some goals that I have set for myself when I just graduated has been achieved 2 years ahead of schedule. In no time, we will be stepping into the last quarter of the year.

The husband still remains the core of my life. I guess people really mean it when they say 'your other half', because he has already become literally the other half of me. I feel very thankful for love, for sharing others' love and being part of people's journey. So much love going around these days!

This last quarter I'm looking forward to our travel plans and celebrating our 10th Anniversary. *gasp* Yes, it's been 10 years since we started dating. It hasn't always been a smooth journey and looking back, we have been through so much together that I'm thankful for the state of contentment and stability now.

There's lots to be done these few weeks and October will be packed.  So many photos to share, but let's leave it till next time.

I'm ending September with deprivation of sleep and overflowing love for my loved ones. Totally looking forward to the last quarter! Bring it on!  =)

.::. The Paradox .::.

I might have shared this before. It's one of my favorite quotes from Dalai Lama and one that I keep close to my heart, to remind myself of what is truly important.

The heart is feeling heavy tonight. Its been a long day that ended with tuition. The tuitees are preparing for exams, and there's all that prep talk about life and their future. But the real reason for my heavy heart was work. Not exactly work, but a conversation I had with my colleagues at work.

One of the managers said that he realized early in his life that you need to make friends that enrich your life and have something to offer. It's important to learn how to spend time nurturing meaningful relationships and network with people who could help propel you forward in life. The other management trainee said that it is like a business transaction, there's an exchange of something that each party is interested in.

It makes me sad.

I suppose there is some truth in it, that one should not spend time with people who makes you feel bad or put you down. But somehow I can't bring myself to agree that the basis of a friendship should be whether or not they can give you something in return. I don't befriend someone because I think I can get something from them!

My question to them is, what happens if you are down and out and do not have anything to offer anymore? Does the 'friendship' then breakdown?

Most of the time, I feel like there's a mismatch between me and my work persona. I don't feel like I'm on the same wavelength as the people I work with. I feel suffocated by the power struggles by observing how things unfold in the corporate world, how quickly people fall out of favor, how people go all out to butter up strategically, how people change for the sake of power and money.

It's always about power and money isn't it?

It's during your climb up that your values become important as they define you as a person. Will you go against your values or bring harm to others just so you can profit from it? I can't see myself there. I suppose that these are just things which we have to grapple with in today's world. No matter how I dissociate myself with these, I'm still part of the game.

Sometimes, it's not easy to hold on tight to what is important and make it a priority.

THE PARADOX OF OUR TIMES

Is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers

Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints

We spend more, but we have less.

We have bigger houses, but smaller families

More conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense

More knowledge, but less judgement

More experts, but more problems

More medicines, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often

We have learnt how to make a living, but not a life.

We have added years to life, but not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back

But have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We have conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted our soul.

We've split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We've higher incomes, but lower morals.

We've become long on quantity but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character;

Steep profits, and shallow relationships.

These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare,

More leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorces;

Of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window, and nothing in the stockroom.

.::. Making a difference .::.

Had to share this. Such an inspiration and selfless woman. How many doctors actually has such a big heart and courage?

Makes me want to spend some of my time helping people in a cause I believe in. Makes me appreciate all I have more. Makes me realize that perhaps there's more to life than what most of us are pursuing.

.::. Largest Companies in the world .::.

Part of my job, the more interesting part, involves market research. I’m not in an industry that I’m really interested in, but I am intrigued by some aspects of it. Sometimes, my results lead me to deviate from my original intent out of curiosity. It’s like a chain of thoughts and I research about many different topics constantly, just because. I’m constantly amazed by the things I find, and surprised to find that a lot of the brands are actually under one same company. Did you know that Sealy, Stearns & Foster, and Bassett are all under Tempur? There are many things that you spend so much time choosing between 2 brands, but they are actually; the same company and probably uses the same suppliers with little real differentiation in quality.

I have yet again deviated from my point. The intent was to share my shock and disbelief when I found out which are the largest companies in the world. Make a guess? I bet that probably not many people know that the top 3 companies in the world is actually Chinese. ICBC bank is top, followed by China Construction Bank and Agriculture Bank of China. JP Morgan is 4^th while Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway is 5^th, with Exxon Mobil at 6^th place. Apple is only ranked 15^th. So yes, the tide is changing. Chinese companies now take up the most slots in the Top 2000 ranking, 674 places to be exact. Oil and Gas companies also take up quite a few top places.

Food for thought for those who dislike mandarin, and those stupid policies that reduce the importance of mandarin in Singapore. Even if you do not work in a Chinese company, there are high chances that you will get to work with the Chinese or have Chinese vendors or customers. Being able to speak mandarin fluently will definitely help and make things a lot easier, even if the Chinese do speak English.

Here are the links if you’re interested:

http://www.forbes.com/global2000/list/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/liyanchen/2014/05/07/the-worlds-largest-companies-china-takes-over-the-top-three-spots/

.::. Q1 in photos .::.

Luckily I uploaded most of the pictures before my phone dropped into the toilet bowl and stopped working!

There was our 2nd and last free stay cation at Intercontinental, 2 nights with Cheer Chen's concert.

We had our meals nearby, Purvis Street. It has one of my favorite hainanese chicken rice and thai food. The hainanese chicken rice is one of the most authentic places left as all of them actually do speak hainanese, with food that tastes my like childhood.

First Thai, I love the kang kong but the standard seems to have dropped.

And of course...bubble baths!


Cheer Chen's concert! I love her, she has the voice of an angel and he got tickets for my birthday - emailed to me when he was overseas on my birthday.

And I try to cook as often as possible, though it's getting challenging these days due to my ridiculous schedule.

I usually jog on Wednesdays by the lake, because tuition starts at 7.30pm. I've time to squeeze in a jog and dinner before teaching.

This was dinner alone at Suntec's soup spoon after gym. The husband was attending a wedding. I love the new concept.

And I dug out my old iPod. The 8-year-old iPod that's still working and was my birthday present.

And this year's the year of weddings.

I think this was CNY dinner at our place.

One of the rare evenings when I'm home and can witness the twilight by the bay window.

The husband took leave and we went dating. Mondays are usually forced leave for me instead of off-in-lieu for those public holidays that fall on Saturday.

I love the Interlace, the unique design and how it's near and integrates into nature. 

My belated birthday celebration on Duxton Hill, and my huge Christmas present at home that I didn't realize.

Birthday celebration with the girls. It's been a good 15 years.

The dog, my ever-loyal companion.

Chinatown and birthday dinner with the neighbors when the husband wasn't around.

My best tom-yum soup attempt.

Celebrating Ju's birthday.

CNY hair.

I'm crazy about black chicken soup these days. *yums!

Cute Chikey, with his BFF Rugby.

One of the rare nights we went back to our old dating places. And he's tired before it's even 10pm!

Home-cooked meals.

Many steamboats gatherings.

Sometime, BBQ.

Bits of pieces of Q1, not in chronological order because I'm lazy but still wish to remember what was 2014 Q1 like.

Q2 might be a potential change in direction, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

To a great Q2! =)

.::. Sky .::.

I love the sky.  I always remember to look up and admire its beauty.

Yesterday, just before i fell asleep, I had some random thoughts.

Life's too short, I must be happy everyday.
Life's too short, I will not shortchange myself.
Life's too short, I would like to...do something else with my life.

.::. Salt or Pepper Shake? .::.

Do pepper shakes have one hole or three holes?

I always thought this was universal, international.  But apparently, it isn't!

I never once doubted that the pepper shake is the one with 3 holes, while the salt shake is the one with one hole.  I don't remember getting it wrong ever either!

It all started with our trip to Nepal - the salt shake is the one with 3 holes, while the pepper shake is the one with 1 hole.  The husband apparently thought like me, and happily sprinkled what he thought is pepper in his food.  Yet to his horror, it was actually salt.  He added salt to his already salty food.  It led me to conclude that Nepalese loved their salt - salty food and salt shake with 3 holes!

I posted a comment on Facebook and a friend I knew from Europe commented that salt shakes with 3 holes are international.  Then I started googling it and realized to my horror that there is no 'international' or 'universal' pepper/salt shakes!

I'm beginning to realize that those universal things I originally thought isn't universal at all.

I used to think that keyboards were universal, since I learnt typing on a typewriter since young and the computer has the exact same keyboard.  I never once suspected that different languages had different keyboards.  After all, I typed Mandarin words using the same keyboard.  Now, I wonder why did I think that?  

.::. Words have power .:;.

他们总是说＂我说你是为你好＂，真的好吗？

I really like this picture/advertisement which is circulating on Facebook these days. It's such a powerful tool, delivering such a powerful message. I guess visuals have power too!

People forget that words are double-edged swords which can cut deeper than anything else, leaving scars which make an impact forever.

The next time you feel like saying something negative, think again. Say it in another way, change your tone, or simply do not say it at all. Think of how you would feel in the recipient's shoe. If it doesn't affect you directly, it's none of you business and don't go judging other people's choices or giving unwanted comments.

Find something positive to say to make someone's day. Give them some encouragement, positive energy and make them smile. The world has enough negativity, too much in fact. No need for more negativity.

I'm still trying, trying to stop letting thoughtless words impact my life, trying to avoid people who would tempt me to spurt out words which may hurt. And I must remember not to become one of those cynical aunties who has nothing positive to say someday! I see so many people, with so much negativity, complaining about everything and everyone. I look at them and wonder, don't they have anything that they are thankful for in life? Don't they have anything nice to say?

I was with my gym-buddy on the stationary bike today, and the topic always goes back to trying to lose weight and look good enough for our wedding someday. Afterall, gym sessions are endured with that aim in mind. We, the ladies who never seem to be slim enough for the society's eyes always have it the worst.

When I thought that my horrible insensitive relatives' comments were bad, hers was worst. Mine constantly asks me to lose weight and question why don't I lose weight. And obviously, they tell me that I have put on weight every single fucking time they see me. At that rate, I would have became obese already! Nothing to say to me? No need to make such small talk about my so-called weight gain. I can still fit into my first Levis I bought 7 years ago, though I'm slightly rounder than my slimmest days! My mum comments on how my huge butt can balance a tray on top or how I look fat some days. These people really makes me feel good about myself. Only god knows how hard I work just to stay in shape and fend off these comments.

Hers? Tells her in her face that she has a big butt and fat thighs - luckily she has a smooth face, else nobody will want her! Her friend had it worst - the future mother-in-law told her that if she (MIL) had her thighs, she would have chopped her legs off. That MIL still asked her to learn how to makeup and doll up, otherwise risk being dumped by her son!

It almost makes me feel better, like I have it better. How can I swallow such comments?! Although these are people whom you call your 'elders' and you should treat them with respect, I believe that due respect is given till proven otherwise. Don't expect people to have any ounce of respect for you when you act like you don't deserve it.

Seriously, what's wrong with these aunties?! What are they thinking when the lash out such remarks?

.::. Organized .::.

Are you one who uses organizers, or have you upgraded to electronic organizers?

I'm one of those who never fails to get an organizer every single year. My organizer MUST have a month-view and I don't really care about weekly/daily views since I graduated from school. I simply do not have so many things to write anymore. I just need an overview of the month and my appointments, income and expenses.



This is my 2011 organizer. It's really cute.

And today, I got my 2012 organizer. Super cute too.

I'm girly in a way, I tend to buy pinkish and cute stuff. But I never do buy any pink clothes nor bags and shoes. It's just that I like to add such cute touches to the little things I carry.

I love scribbling on my little organizer when I day dream and plan my life for the year, set saving goals, plans for holidays, shopping lists or any ideas that come across my mind. It's during these me-time that I evaluate my life and let my imagination run wild.

So yea, I reckon that my organizers is pretty juicy and personal. It has always been, and I have kept all my organizers since Secondary school! It still makes me smile when I flip through those pages.

.::. Hooked .::.

P.S. took out the chatbox, too many annoying spam that does not go away!

.::. GOD .::.

An unique and goddamn expensive way to evangelize in Orlando.

Unlimited reach, the sky is your canvas.



If you ask me?

I think it's insane.

Probably better off spending the time and money to do some charity work in the name of god?

Oh well.

.::. Angry Birds .::.

I think Chye will like this. Lol.

.::. Filling Tax? .::.


Can someone tell me when did I change my name to....'TANG GOI"??

I logged in the first time to double-check whether or not I needed to file tax (no need, since I didn't earn enough) and almost thought that the system has logged me into someone else's account. I double-checked my NRIC and realize....that's me?!

Hello! Even if I haven't started contributing to tax, at least get my name right! How to get it SO wrong? I'm going to start paying tax very soon afterall, and I'm not going to condone such inefficiencies!

.::. Time .::.

I wished I had more time. There's so much I would like to do, yet no matter how hard I try to make time for them, I always fall short.

It's has been a tiring week last week, and a very tiring Monday. My product segment ain't doing well for Q1 and there's so much analysis to account for the shortfall i.e. which country or products are causing the shortfall. Then there's the stupid system, and I don't even want to start.

At least most of the trip's stuff is settled and booked. And at least I'm doing my HIIT workout 3 times a week. I'm feeling stronger and fitter.

I need to seriously write a to-do-list.

Sometimes, I keep reminding myself to do something or tell/ask someone something, but I end up not remembering whether or not I actually did it. So I end up repeating myself or forgetting to update my friends about some things I would like to share.

I'd like to push myself harder, aim higher, for I know that time is not always a luxury and every minute counts.

Who knows if the next minute belongs to me?

.::. Little things .::.

Little things which I would like to do:

(1) Say 'NO' to eating Shark's fin
It's so cruel. I can't really bear to eat it after watching a documentary about how they cut off the sharks' fins when the sharks are still alive. Then, they throw these bleedig sharks which are in pain back into the sea. This is because the demand for sharks' meat is low and space is limited on the fishing boats. They'd rather bring in more fins than waste the space for sharks.

I'm NOT going to serve sharks' fin for my wedding - how can I let so many sharks die just because I'm getting married?

(2) Say 'NO' to plastic bags
I barely used any plastic bags when I was in Sweden, because we had to pay for it. I always brought my own grocery bags to the supermarket. Judging from the large amounts of plastic bags lying around at home, I really think we do not need so many! Many-a-times, we throw away the bags we receive from shops minutes after we step out of them. It makes a difference using just what you need and decline plastic bags when it's not necessary.

.::. Choices .::.

Everyone has choices. Everyone of us do.

I remembered reading a book a long time ago. It was about how this girl went down the wrong road due to circumstances and was bitter about her life. It was until she was old and met someone wiser that she realized that everyone had choices, even someone like her. You can't blame anyone for the choices you made that lead you to where you are. I don't remember the title of the book, but it really left a deep impression in my young mind then.

I reckon that I've a strong character, and I'm the decisive kind who knows what I want most of the time and work towards it. It is difficult for me to understand why some people make certain choices for themselves but blame the whole world, other then themselves for it. Yet there are some who blame themselves for everything and mope in pity instead of choosing to get out of it.

There are some girls who keep complaining that they never meet the right guy. They claim that they want a stable relationship and someone whom they can trust and rely on. Then they keep choosing guys who they know from clubs or have a reputation for being a playboy. And then? They lament that life is unfair to them, that they are unlucky and will never meet the right guy. Some others make certain choices and then blame others for their decisions. They claim that they made the decision because of someone else. Or there are those who go on and on about how they would like to be rich but not work hard to earn more income but spend or gamble their money away instead.

When would these people wake up and realize that everyone has choices and that you are the only one responsible for making choices for your own life? How life turns out to be would be dependent on the cumulative choices you make. With every choice, you gain some and you have to give up other choices. Perhaps there might be some wrong choices that you later realize, but it's always possible to learn from it and get back into the right path again. What other people achieved was a result of the conscious choices and sacrifices they made along the way.

Everyone has weak momements when they feel down and in despair, including myself. Whether or not you let that bring you down or choose to pull youself out of it is itself a choice.

Whenever I feel down, I always tell myself - "You have a choice". Either give up and run away, put it behind you or simply endure and be the best you can be. For youself, not anyone else.

If you don't love youself enough to choose the best for youself, then nobody can help you.

Let's love ourselves alittle more and complain alittle less. Then perpahs, it's easier to reach our goals in life.

.::. Short? .::.



I have had the same hairstyle for a long time. It was for practical reasons the past year or two as I can trim my own fringe and go long periods without trimming my hair. It was too expensive to visit the Salon in Sweden.

Maybe short hair?

P.S. I think hardwork pays off. I love my 'bottles of magic'. I even bought a nice box to house them.

.::. Retainers! .::.

I left my retainers in a hotel in China when we changed hotel. They were together with my toothbrush and toothpaste which my sisters helped to pack. Apparently, they didn't notice my set of 'transparent teeth' and I did not double check the toilet thinking that there's nothing important in the toilet.

I only realized that I left it behind when I can't find it at night, in another town. No more chances of finding it back, and I mourned its lost. Retainers ain't cheap!

To my horror, I couldn't sleep well without retainers. I keep getting up at night for the past week, and it's extremely annoying when I'm really tired. I'm really surprised how much retainers have become a part of me.



The first thing I did when I got back was to order my retainers! Luckily the orthodontist still has my old mould and I waited a week in agony.

Now, I've brand new, shiny retainers! *beams! And it only cost me $85 instead of the $300 that I expected. My teeth has shifted and they feel tight now. But I'm happy. My teeth is moving back to where they are supposed to be.

My colleague got me the mask and yummy gum from Korea. The mask feels so cooling and smells nice while the gum tastes really special with pretty packaging.

On a random note, the budget terminal totally looks like a hospital. Doesn't it?

Moreover, Tiger airlines is the worse airline I ever sat. The seats were so cramped, worse than Jetstar's. There were so many seats which could not be inclined. The stewardess were so unprofessional and rude too! I was so uncomfortable throughout the 3-hour flight and she kept asking me to make my seat upright when we were about to touch down - in both english and mandarin. I just stared at her since my seat was totally upright. When I told her, my seat is not working at all, she actually said "Okay, it's fine. I'm just asking!' in a less-than-polite tone. Goodness!

.::. From the iPhone .::.

My life changes after iPhone came into my life, but I guess that warrants another post altogether.



I reckon it's the Christmas season, I'm feeling the urge to shop!

I succumbed and got a L'Occitane hand cream. It must be age catching up on me, I really feel my skin getting more dry and hand creams are very important for me, especially in the office. I really feel like getting some good skincare too! My wishlist is getting really long.

They set up a skating rink in the middle of Novena Square and there are figure skaters performing everyday too, complete with 'snow' floating down!

Rojak @ Toa Payoh's foodcourt - the queue was really long and almost every table had a plate of this! *yummy. It's fresh with lots of nuts.

One of the rare days I got home before the sky turned dark.