Snap!

I have no bloody idea why they make neoprint machines react so quickly before anybody has the chance to strike a decent post? I mean dishing out $12 for an A5 piece of sticker, they can at least give us non-Japanese speaking people some time to decipher (guess) the instructions OR maybe it's time to be a little less nationalistic and adopt a more universal language like English?

Complaints aside, I do rather like the "adrenaline rush" each time we enter the little capsule where 5 pairs of eyes stay fixated on a measly small screen and 5 mouths flash their pearly whites (it seems that the majority of us have gone through some form of orthodontic correction!)

And have you noticed what I call the "eye-liner effect"? See, because neoprints are for people who generally like to act cute (big eyes = cuter), our peppers are automatically eyelined in EVERY shot! Not that I'm complaining.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TR!

Here's your surprise!

And your kisses!

And your wishes!

And more surprises!

Perks!

The one thing I took away from the Microsoft 2007 Training Programme last Friday night is how imperative staff welfare is for an office of happy working people.

By staff welfare, I don't mean more $$$ by the smaller tangibles and intangibles that help ameliorate working life.

The pantry (yes it all boils down to food!) at the Microsoft office is a dream. Based on an open concept, it stretches along full length windows facing the Marina barrage, the skyline, the Esplanade and the Flyer. I can almost hear the collective "Oooh" when everyone glimpsed the night view. And I felt better already merely by positioning myself by one of the windows.

Cosy groups of tables, chairs and couches line the windows, a convenient walk from the coffee machine, biscuits and drinks larder. I was impressed by their "green" efforts when I saw 3 recycling bins strategically placed beside the coffee machine.

My mood elevated for the second time when I saw the array of drinks in the the glass-door refrigerator - those that you commonly see at mama shops and drink stalls. The only difference now is I can fish a packet/can out without paying!

Lomoed

I recall blogging about that night as one of the nicest times I had with friends. "Nicest" in the sense that I was doing something different and it exceeded my expectations. Being so sua ku I remember thinking how "bohemian" (somewhat inappropriate word) it was to be on the rooftop of YMCA listening to a makeshift band and sipping Oreo shakes.

I realised I'm a person who needs occasional novel experiences or I'll end up a dead fish.

Adding to the "bohemian-ness" of the night, Eleta's friend brought a kitschy plastic camera (which I now know to be a Lomo-cam). I was puzzled by the weird behaviour of her friend who was waving the camera around in funny directions (further evidence of my sua ku-ness) to "draw pictures with light."

Here are the pictures drawn with light:

Who?

I'm not a big fan of soft toys (Neddy's an exception cos he's Thumbelina sized) but boxer-clad BEAREMY is stuffed perfectly for bear hugs and lots of rough and tumble cuddles.

Cool cute

The Sartorialist chanced upon a couple of cutely-cool (or coolly-cute) kids in NYC with fashion styles that put me to shame. Somehow clothes just look more adorable in miniature versions.

Sweets for my sweet

Toast to good health

I was nearly delirious with happiness that night at the dinner and it was not just because of the good company of TR's sisters and cousins.

1. I've FINALLY stopped having the runs after 2 agonising days of food poisoning thanks to Laura's miracle pill!
2. I've got my appetite back.
3. I was at the ZENITH of my thinness. It's impossible to achieve that again on my own volition and food poisoning is just not worth the pain :(

in the heart of Chinatown

Happy Hour @ Harry's

The title is rather misleading unless you read it literally - we spent a couple of happy hours there but nobody drank much booze despite the non-peak promotions. Are we teetotalers? I'm reminded of the drinking games and "dirty" secrets revealed during a gathering at Ying's house so the answer is NO.


Planning class outings require alot of tenacity, patience and SMSes. Usually it materialises only after several postponements. Thanks XX for assuming this rather unpopular post this round!


The fries are delicious! They're coated with some kind of very addictive seasoning that made us (actually just Des and I) craving for more.


I balk at the price of a half pint beer ($6 at happy hour rates). Was just look looking through my grad pics and re-discovered that a bottle of Hoegaarden was E1.39. Disgusting!

LDF

I just received 2 much appreciated cards from Cui and Mag, friends of mine in what I label as "long distance friendships (LDFs)".

LDF, unlike LDR ("long distance relationship"), works surprisingly well largely due to the lack of obligations (I don't have to put up with them if I don't want to). My friendship with Cui and Mag exemplifies this.

Two summers ago, I flew 24 hours and stayed 1 month with Cui whom I have not seen for more than a year. On my part (hopefully on her's too), I did not feel any awkwardness associated with unfamiliarity or physical absence. The gaps in our lives apart from each other somehow seemed to fill themselves without much effort of both parties.

It was the same with Mag who returned to S'pore for a week after more than a year away. We lapsed naturally into our comfortable (expletives dominated!) companionship, talked about books and did what we love best, chilled.

The strange thing is I sometimes feel "closer" to my LDF friends than my stuck-here-in-S'pore friends. I guess we all make a greater effort to fulfil our "keep in touch" promises knowing how easy it is to slip away from each other's life. And of course the best thing about LDFs is: they offer a good excuse to travel!