It's no fun telling me

A friend of mine recently commented that it's no fun telling me "breaking news" or gossip. We were having a group dinner and she did a drum roll kind of announcement of some rumour she heard. And as per my usual "cool" and collected look, I didn't respond as expected, i.e. surprised. She then asked me if I had already heard of the rumour, which I had not. So she exclaimed that it's no fun telling me these things as I always don't look surprised. Nevertheless, the kaypoh me still likes to hear all these. Haha! Maybe I should try to act surprised next time.

Anyway, it's not the first time something similar has been said to me by other people. There could be a few reasons.

1) slow reaction - I can be quite 慢半拍 at times.
2) it takes a lot to surprise me? or maybe the news has to be something that pushes a certain button in me.
3) and maybe, as you can tell by now, I analyse a lot, so maybe I respond in my mind to find plausible reasons for the piece of news first, and not respond with emotions, hence missing that momentary surprise factor.

Anyway, on another topic, wishy washiness by friends can be quite detrimental to the relationship at times. With all good intentions, they might think they're being kind or are avoiding facing the problem, or even worse, trying to have everything. It might be unconscious or they think they're doing the right thing or being "noble" (for want of a better word) . However, some things not addressed early will snowball into something much bigger that leads to frustration of the relationship and misunderstandings. Heard friends' stories and maybe my own. At times, you reach the point of not wanting to talk about it not because you don't care or take the blame upon yourself, but that you kind of have given up and become jaded, because somehow you feel that the other person will never realise their part in the whole affair or see your point of view.

My new iPod Touch (5th generation)

I finally bought my new iPod Touch!

Actually, I had planned to get it when the 5th gen range came out. When the 4th gen was released, it was too close to my 3rd gen iPod Touch, so I decided to wait till the next gen, which was released a couple of months ago with the iPhone I believe.

So here it is. :)

I bought the red version. I like red, and my past two iPods always had red covers to go with them, but this time, the body is made of a beautiful red aluminium. And I got it engraved! What's good also is that by buying the red version (which is only available via the Apple Store, and ships directly from the assembly factory in Suzhou), Apple donates a portion of the price to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Can do charity at the same time! All their (Product) Red stuff serves that purpose.

Ok, what does this new iPod Touch have that my old one didn't?

1) bigger 4-inch screen - the screen has expanded (just like the iPhone 5)
2) Retina display
3) camera - now I can take photos, Facetime, etc. on my iPod Touch!
4) microphone - I can speak into it directly to record or call people via wi-fi. I used to need to use a separate earphones set with microphone.
5) slimmer & lighter
6) faster processor with A5 chip
7) Longer battery life

That's all for now...still discovering it.

Anyway, my older iPod Touch is starting to get a bit laggy and battery life is not as good as before. I know these sound like excuses to justify my purchase, but hey...
I guess I might relinquish my old iPod to my nephew for him to play games.

Oh, and to add on, I don't really like the new iTunes. It hangs whenever I try to use it to browse my songlist on my iPods! Maybe I have too many songs? But the transfer of songs seems super fast. It's like 1 sec 1 song for me to transfer songs from iTunes to the device.

Studying again!

I mentioned that I was going to apply for the MA in Arts & Cultural Management degree a few months ago. Well, I did and school starts in January!
I won't say I'm the studying kind coz I'm quite lazy and last minute when it comes to my studies, but I do believe this was a God-led decision. It's a long story. I could have backed out then as I was happy where I had moved to. But well, I was accepted into the course anyway, so I took it as a sign to continue with it, daunting as it is.

It's daunting in the sense that it requires a rather high level of commitment from me. I have classes 4 evenings a week! Nope, am not taking time off work; am still working full-time. And furthermore, I have recently been given heavier responsibilities with co-leading my team. Next year will also be a very busy year for the organisation with major events and I believe I'll be quite involved. Yikes!
Even though I do not have exams, the 1st semester alone has 8 assignments (2 per each of the 4 modules). I think the 2nd semester will be the same. Some readings have already been sent to us (think we have 10 in the class). I don't know what I've gotten myself into, but it's too late now! Hope I can cope.

Because of the packed schedule, I'm sad to say I will probably have to sacrifice a lot of show-catching, the first pinch being Mosaic Fest already. Hopefully there aren't too many acts I want to catch (no researching then!), although I had wanted to catch Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, but it clashes with one of my classes. On top of this, I can only travel during school holidays. Not that I travel that often, but you know it feels kind of restrictive. Looks like I probably can't visit my friend in Canada during the 1-week term break coz it'll be too short a trip and I might have to submit some assignments in the week after, unless....But we'll see.

Another commitment would be financially. It's not a cheap course, costing $9K per semester, which comes up to about $27K for the course, with the last semester not even having classes (meant for us to work on our thesis)

Really need God's sustenance to keep me well next year.

Tis the season to be jolly...

Somehow, this Christmas felt rather more joyful for me, maybe as a contrast to last year.

Made some really good new friends and got to know some people better. Even though am meeting less of some friends due to travels and also my transfer, but it makes the meet-ups even more precious.

What I felt most joyful was the giving of gifts this year. Not that I wasn't happy giving gifts previously, but this time around, somehow I found great delight when my friends liked the gifts I gave, especially even more so when it was something they found useful or wanted (I like to give practical gifts that can be used, not just for display). You know how hit & miss Christmas gifts can be. Needs some observation and 心思.
Anyway, happy friends make a happy me. :)

The year comes to an end soon and I wish everyone a joyous season and a Happy New Year ahead.

Resolutions 2012 Year-End Review & 2013 resolutions

Time really flew by this year and it's already the year-end!

It's time to do a review and sad to say, given the 2 little resolutions I'd set, I didn't fulfill all!

1) Learn Japanese - well, this was kind of a "cheat" as I was rather sure I would sign up for it end of last year. Took 2 levels of conversational Japanese, but have not been practising since I stopped classes. :P Hopefully I'll find time to sort out my notes and do some revision.

2) Re-learn my violin - eh...didn't get down to doing this. Looks like I've got to postpone this to 2014 as I wouldn't have much time next year because of my studies.

And for 2013:

1) Pray on my way to work every morning - need to be more disciplined!

2) Finish a book - Need to catch up on those unfinished/untouched books I own.

3) Be less bossy - eh...need to shake off my nickname.

"Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye

I recently noticed this during my catchup on Glee Season 3 and it kind of stuck in my mind. I find it quite retro sounding...disco age? 

Have since downloaded the album it's from (Making Mirrors) but have yet to put it on rotation.

Still waters

I'm like the deep ocean, where the surface may look still, but deep below, the undercurrent is strong            

"Distance" by Christina Perri (feat. Jason Mraz)

Heard this on the radio a couple of days ago. Couldn't hear much of Jason, but I think I'm beginning to like Christina Perri more and more. Loved her "A Thousand Years". Her "Arms" and "Jar of Hearts" also not bad.

Invisible track

As I was walking the stretch from Esplanade to The Parliament House carpark, I was suddenly struck by how alone one could feel along there. As if you were invisible to the world, as if you don't exactly belong in that time and space; like you are there but not there.
I felt as if I could just keep walking on and maybe reach a strange land, or pause to take it in and go through a time warp.

The nice people and those who caused the problem

I mentioned about facing some challenges in my career, and most crucially, my "lifespan" in my current job. I was kind of "played out" by some silly things people did (and not my fault or choice), which has caused my worst fears to come true. But I shan't talk about the story as it will only raise my blood pressure and get me all upset. Quoting someone, I was "hard done by".

Anyway, this post is more about the good things I've seen out of this situation. I'm glad that I've found some kind souls, whom I'm not even that close to, but who seem sincere in trying to offer me some help. Like the highest authority whom I could approach (yes, I wrote in a "complaint"). Contrary to rumours, she was very personable and has promised to personally look into the matter. That posed some relief to me.
Also, one of my colleagues has even helped me to drop a note to a couple of colleagues for any "lobang" for me and even sent me alerts of plausible positions. Actually, it was very strange how this started as he suddenly asked me one day if I would be interested in looking for other positions. I don't know if he had heard anything about my problem. Anyway, I'm glad there are these nice people around in the organisation...it makes the situation more bearable.

Of course, I'm also glad that I have a couple of friends whom I had confided in and who would keep me in prayer. Hope I had not been too burdensome in loading all the details on you, even though you might not fully comprehend the situation.

Also strange that someone else asked me today if I'm already a permanent staff. Must be because the news of people getting converted to permanent are coming soon (heard July/August), but obviously, I've been left out because of this silly situation that wasn't caused by me. He was very surprised and agreed it was a bad turn for me and maybe I should take some precautions and do some planning just in case.

Talking about planning, I wouldn't say I was purposely doing any planning, but an opportunity presented itself as in maybe to upgrade myself. See my earlier post about taking a Masters in Arts & Cultural Management. I don't know if that will eventually come to pass, but maybe it can be a backup some day. Also, a discussion the other day gave me some hope, but that might be just talk only.

Oh well, I've done what I could of the situation and am leaving it in God's hands.