End of an era

 Last day of work in my first full-time job. 

I worked 7 years as a part-timer and 5 years as a full-timer. That's > 12 years gone. Could not believe I told myself I would quit after 3 months. Habit is a dangerous thing. 

Lots to reminisce and I can't say I didn't enjoy the journey. The children, for the most part, make it worthwhile. My boss has been great. I enjoyed the short hours. The pay, while low, isn't too shoddy if you only worked 36 hours a week. The only part I dislike is working on Saturdays. I have missed out on a lot of activities by working on Saturdays. 

My new job starts on Monday, which is stupid on my part. I don't know what I was thinking when I told them that I am available on 1st March. I should have taken a break. 

I have been crying myself to sleep for so many nights now. I guess all the feelings I have bottled up during the day just come gushing out as tears. There is no one for me to talk to or who would take me seriously. 

I decided I want to live and yet my family asks me to find meaning in life? My purpose is to live. A job is a means to the end. I never thought much about jobs. Sure, I have lofty goals and dreams when I was younger and more arrogant. I want to drive a BMW. I want to dress nicely and work in an office. I want to dine in cafes and restaurants and drink Starbucks every day. 

But that all change as entered and graduated from University. I couldn't see my future the older I get. I got disillusioned and crabby like an old fart. 

I thought, since I don't know what I can be, maybe I should just dedicate my life to help other people. But I am a coward who always overthinks and second-guessing myself. 

My five-year plan is to bid for a 2-room BTO (or a 3 room resale if possible) and invest my money to build up a passive income. I want to stop working full-time by age 45-50. I want to work part-time and/or volunteer and do what the hell I want. It will be good if I can afford a 3 room resale as I get to rent out a room. But why the hell are resale HDBs so expensive? 

Pay Rise

I'm getting a pay rise starting from August. It's actually not a lot, but any increment is better than none at all.

I'm currently getting $5.50/hour and it shall be increased to $5.80/hour. I was thinking along the lines of $6.00, to be honest. Oh well. It just means that I'll have slightly more cash to save and maybe, spend.

Anyway, by August, what with the new semester starting, I'll be back to working for 2 days in a week.

End of June

Le sigh. It's now the end of June and I'm dreading going back to the University. It is as in these time of fun and decadence, I've forgotten what it is like being an undergraduate.

This June, I've been clocking more hours than it is healthy (for me) in the workplace. Well, I need and want the extra cash where possible. I have to seize the oppotunity to earn more money so that I can have an easier time when it is needed.

I'm not saying I hate the job. Oh, how the mighty has fallen. I just dislike spending my precious holidays on work when I can do better things.

Of Nail Polish & Money

Went for a pedicure today as a treat. The colour I picked is this deep pinkish plum named Do You Think I'm Tex-y? from Texas Collection 2011 by OPI. It's not bad though I wish I could have pick something more eye-popping.

If there is one thing I have a weakness for, it's nail polish, especially those from OPI. It is a downer because OPI collections are always more expensive than other brands. But the wide variety of colours to choose from...

Before I make any decisions to buy, I will always think twice and look through the swatches provided by bloggers. The colour depicted on the website or inside the bottle may not look the same on the nails. It's great that there are people out there who act as "samplers" and give readers a look at the real shades.

I am currently in awe over the latest collection, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. I bought one of the polishes today, Sparrow me the Drama. It's a pink creme and hopefully, looks lovely on my nails. There is another which I want, Mermaid Tears, a minty green creme.

On another issue, it isn't till you start working that you know how hard it is to save money. There are 101 things out there to tempt you! Of course, I am not a spendthrift. I am quite the hoarder. I am not earning lots, just some pocket money which can help me tide over. At least, when there are stuff that I really want, I can fork out the money for it, without asking the parents.

Up till now, most of the "essentials" and "non-essentials" are paid for by the parents. And unlike most teenagers out there, I don't spend it on electronics or presents or what have you. I have soft spots for clothes, bags, shoes and accessories, not forgetting books. That's pretty much it. I love vacations too.

Bummer

It's the third week of the holidays and what have I been doing? Surprisingly, I did not suffer from withdrawal symptoms which arise from the transaction of "very busy" to nothing to do.

Most of the time, I just laze around, doing nothing except going online. But since the start of this week, I have to go to work 4 times a week which is a serious bummer. It's not like I like it in the first place. 2 times a week is alright. But 4 times, oh gods, I can't stand it!

I suppose I should be thankful. It's not like I have things to do at home and I get money, yay. I need to save up for a rainy day, even after I go for my vacation. Now, I need to beef up the bank account as much as possible. At least, I will have a substantial amount of savings to last through.

I have been watching a lot of satirical videos from Downfall parodies in which Hitler rants about everything under the sun to Monty Python and Not The Nine O'clock News. Now, I think I know the meaning behind the term "British humour". I adore it. It's delicious sarcasm.

Every morning after I woke up, I feel so lethargic and basically don't feel like using my brains. In time, my thinking powers will deplete. This means that I have to boost up the brain cells when University starts.

Pathetic

I know I have been in hiatus for a week. I can't find the energy to do stuff, much less use my brains and type a post out.

Fridays are the worst. Thank God it's Friday? I doubt so. Ever since I signed myself up for work at night on Fridays, I have been thinking and thinking whether this is even a good choice to make in the first place.

I most certainly am not desperate enough to want to work for 2 hours on a Friday night to earn 10 bucks. I don't know how to explain, but let's just say I am doing a favour. The instructor is in need of people, so I go. The money is just an incentive.

If you think that working from 8 plus to 6pm then rushing to another workplace without even having time for a proper dinner is easy, think again. This is not the kind of life I find myself doing. I leave the house before the sun rises properly and only step into the house when the moon has long risen.

It's more than 12 hours of continuous working, no wonder my eyes feel sore. Gods, why am I doing this again?

No proper food makes me an irritated person.

I am thinking of not going for next Friday, since it will be the end of my internship, and I really want to celebrate it. We'll see how it goes, I suppose.

Another matter I want to rant on. Bus 58 is going to be the death of me, I thank the stars that I don't work at Ubi permanently. I am sure I'll go crazy by the month end.

It is peak period during the 6 o'clock rush hour. So I don't see the reasoning behind not deploring more buses out, especially since that place is an industrial area with only one bus service. I am sure that it will be better when the years are gone, but what about right now?!

It is stupid to wait for more than 30 minutes for one pathetic bus to take us 4 stops to the MRT station.

I know that it is useless to talk about it here. I should totally being this case up to LTA and SBS bus service about this useless system they are having. But, my rational is, I am not there for long anyway. It is just 5 more days for me and I'll not return.

Speaking of which, it's only 5 days away from freedom! The day I have ben waiting for is going to arrive! Like real soon!

Saturday Woes

Oh gods, today was worse than I thought.

I had fun over the last week and now it's payback time. The amount of homework from each child is that many and we had to mark all of them, today. There were only 3 of us left to finish the work. Bloody hell.
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It's 8 hours of straight work for me, on a Saturday. I started at 9.27am and ended at 5.29pm. I saw this coming and my reaction is relatively numb over this.
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At least, I got pay by the hour. Oh, why am I doing this anyway? I keep questioning myself. At least, I won't feel guilty over how I spend. And I know I need the cash, if I am going to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1 at least twice.
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Contrary to common belief, I do not do this just for the sake of money. Oh no, you can call me a chronic goody-two-shoes who is too responsible for her own good.

When I have to do something, I make sure I do it right. When something falls under my care, I have an obligation to make sure it works out right. That's how I am and I hate it. A recent example was the camera business. It's all in my previous post.
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I am seriously in need of therapy. I need therapeutic shopping. Actually what I need is a good holiday, free and easy. All I want is to relax and relive, is that too much to ask?
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I don't know which one of the two jobs I have now is worse. I can only console myself that regardless of what, jobs are temporary. If you hate it that much, shove it.
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Anyhoo, the thought of fulfilling my goal is comforting.

November Hopes

This past 2 days had been great, almost to the point where my internship seems to be nothing but a dream. How I wish it is true.

On Saturday, after work, I went for a manicure. It's been too long since I went for one, and seeing that I just received my pay cheque, I wanted to treat myself. Alas, I can only go for conservative colours because I still have to work.

On the other hand, it's gloomy thoughts for me as I was asked to go to work on Friday nights. I mean, what?! I don't want to but I can't lie so I said I'll try. After all, if I arrived late, I'll just have to call and say that I can't make it.

Sighs, I do not do this for money, despite me saying otherwise. I just couldn't lie to save myself, although I do have my pride.

Anyway, the next 2 weeks will be kind of good for me, as I do not have to work on Saturday and the upcoming public holidays. Never have I been this grateful for public holidays!

Oh, November looks to be a eventful month, for the entertainment side. There is, of course, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 to look forward to. I'm already trembling with anticipation over it.

On the 3rd of December, the last day of my internship, I'll exempt myself from Kumon because I want to celebrate my freedom.

Today, my grandparents went for a vacation in China. We went to Changi Airport early in the morning for breakfast before sending them off with cousin's family. It was a fun day indeed.

Everytime I went to Changi Airport, my heart will give a little tweak as I watch travellers departing and arriving. I want to travel too. Even though I hate the idea of flying, I still want to travel. It is such great fun to put down what you are doing and just enjoy and relax.

October Wish

My October wish is for October to go faster so that I can get away from this agony. Out of the 3 months, October will be the worst because it's limbo. By the time November comes around, it will high time to start a proper countdown.

I managed to survive another week in internship, so that makes it 2 weeks down. 9 more weeks to go.

During the internship, I’ve experienced a different kind of environment and now, I have an inkling of what kind of work and environment I’ll like to work under. The aspects of work life which I like and not preferred, this internship is more of the latter.

If there is something really deep I learn in this internship, it is that I want to keep my options wide open and really choose a good job to settle down. The last thing I want to do is to sell my soul to the devil.

I'll never do that because it is plain stupid. That is also why the plan of setting up my own business will not occur to me now. Perhaps for some, experiencing this motion makes them want to be their own boss. For me, it's something ugly and seriously, being your own boss equals no balanced work life.

Furthermore, since I will be graduating real soon, my immediate plans is to think about my options, go for a well-deserved holiday, think about it some more and go for further studies. That is my plan.

I really don't feel like working after experiencing it for 10 days. It's a chore, to drag yourself awake and drag your feet to work. You basically have no life because once you come home, it's dinner and some time for yourself before going to bed.

I was discussing about the ugly side of work with my fellow intern and I realised that I have no wish to travel that far for work, I thought gloomily to myself.
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You know what? After going through today's sharing session, I've found out I'm much blessed. The way things are going for me cannot be compared to what some classmates gone through. I would have curse and swear to the bank if I land one of their unfortunate jobs.

Calling out all day long? You've got to freaking kidding me! I will cry everyday if I have to do that.

Working in a travel agency and having to work through the weekends? Working in a hotel? Once again, no way in hell. See? This is way I did not choose tourism in the first place. I knew such horrors would happen. Choosing tourism as a major is so much different than working in the industry.

I should count my blessings then. At least, I am stuck with a 9 - 6 job, five days a week. At least my job scope is better than some which do repetitive work throughout their 11 weeks internship.

Still, of course, there are people who landed better jobs than me. I know that. But, it's somewhat sadistic to be "gleeful" knowing that there are others who are worse than you. I can't help this feeling.

Oh well, I supposed I'm a little more appreciative of my job now. To deal with incompetent and negligent supervisors are the worst lot.

This sharing session is good. It broadens up my perspective and allows me to view things in a clearer picture. Though, I have to say, that does not make me less likely to complain and rant about my worklife. I have to have an outlet to vent my anger.

Errand Boy

So, I've been reduced to a errand boy now, huh?

I can't believe my luck when I received that call this morning. I was told to bring a CD from the office and bring it to Bartley Secondary School to deliver it.

In my mind, I went, Oh man, it's just my luck and I, of course, cursed. But what can I do? I'm here to serve. I can't help but to rant on the money I had to fork out to take the 2 stupid buses out and back again. What the freaking thing is this?!

Let me say, the month of October is the worst. September is almost ending and November will the start of the countdown to the end. So, October is definitely the limbo.

Bah, there's nothing much to be said except that why must I get all the "dirty" work done?

Screw It

Wheeeeee, I'm in such a good mood today once I realised this is the last they will see of me! Hip, hip, Hooray!

This is the last weekday I'll be working, at least for the next 3 months. Gosh, I need this.

I don't have to put up with those annoying children anymore and they don't have to put up with me. It's the best of both worlds. No more easy answers! No more feeling frustrated and annoyed! No more channeling bad vibes!

I have had enough of those disgusting children for a long time. I have to put up with their crap and whining and then I started putting up a strict front. It's bad for myself and them. I hate this aspect, you know.

I ignored them for most of the part, but there are times when you can't even bordered it up.

Ha! I shan't miss them. Now that I think of it, could the internship be a blessing in disguise? I need a change of environment real bad, and this is a good chance to compare. Too bad we're treated like cheap labour.

Whereas, in this job of mine, the pay is acceptable, but the children treat you like crap. Seriously, I often wonder how they do in school and what would happen when they grow up. I often find myself comparing because I can't fathom how they can go about life like this.

True, they are young, younger than I and I pity them. The world they are going to live in is not going to be easy, at all. If ours is bad enough, then theirs will be worse. It's something to chew on.

Oh well, I know what some people will say. It's just a godforsaken part-time job, for goodness sake, don't put so much heart and emotions into it. Frankly, I don't. I don't see myself investing my share of feelings and heart in this. I used to think of myself as a robot, marking and marking from start till finish.

So, once again, I found myself in a limbo, between a wall and a cliff. The cliff is looking good at the moment and please do not disappoint me. I will try to make the most out of it.

Saturdays though, I have to meet those damned children again. But, at least it's once a week. It's a gloomy thought, but I suppose my plans will make all these worth it.

It's a plan to conquer myself and humanity.

No hard feelings, eh?

Take A Moment & Ponder

"Out of the frying pan, and into the fire"

I think it is an apt description to what I'm in for. Each time I tell myself that today will be different, it just ends up the same, with me being irritated by the kids.

It's not that I even like the job, to be frank. I'll do my work and I get paid, that's a good combination.

Anyway, I keep telling myself that this week will be the last I see of them before I go for an "extended vacation". In some ways, I am thrilled to drop what I am doing now and embark on a new journey, a "real" job, some may say.

On the other hand, like that idiom suggests, it's not as if I'm really in for something big. It's a graded job with me being kept on my toes all the time. I really hope to be at least happy in it.

Now that I'll be gone, I won't say I'll miss those ickle children. I don't necessary like my position now because they keep asking me for help and what not. I don't think I am up to the job of being a patient person.

Due to this week being my last week working during the weekdays, I will try to be extra tolerant and giving. They always say, be at your best when it's your last. Sighs. However, I've signed myself up for Saturdays and you know that Saturdays are always the worst.

Why? It is because that is almost no ending time. At least on weekdays, by 10 plus, we'll be packing and getting ready to leave. But on Saturdays, if there are other matters to do, it means we have to stay back, unless I pull a fast one and balk. Obviously, I can't do that everytime. It makes my credibility go down and god know that I'm extremely pliant, most of the time.

My feelings on this? It's mixed, to be sure. I love the idea of not reporting to this job but it just means I have to report on the other job. I'm not happy, just numb, like always.

We do not exist for ourselves. When we are young, we exist for school, it is all for the future, they say. If you want to be successful when you grow up, you have to slave in school.

When that future comes along, you exist purely for work; your boss and your company. You slave even more, towards that bright light at the end of the tunnel. You want material things in life to make your future substantial.

There's almost no time to relax, to take a step back and exclaimed, this is not what I want.

But, I guess what is even more frightening is to really find out that what you are doing for, it's all for naught. Perhaps, you have seen the light and decided that worldly things don't matter anymore. Perhaps, it's better late than never.

But to start over, it's just plain discouraging and taxing.

Gotta Fly Once

Does it make me a lesser being the way I act with the idea of internship, particularly under this circumstance? I don't think so. Just like how it doesn't make one a greater person by being so accepting and thrilled.

There is, ultimately, only one path to go. If I have to be dragged, kicking and screaming into this insanity, I might as well feed my inner-self. As least one of us will be happier. Oh, I can be very accepting and supportive, this is just not the right situation.

I have done some soul-searching and have came up with this conclusion. In fact, I'm not upset over the general thought of internship, because I know it's a rite of passage that I've no choice but to go along. It's the mere thought of being exploited in a first-world country that makes me fumed.

I am toying with the idea on writing to someone, somewhere about whether all these are justify. Even if it doesn't help, hey, at least I know a bit of the law, right? And I will know that under what kind of circumstances I can draw a line at.

All I wanted was to better understand my rights as an employee, even though I'm actually an intern.

What a load of crap! Ok, I am still going to work during Saturdays, in my part-time job. I guess I'm eating my words now, because once upon a time, I ranted about quitting once September rolls in. Sighs, I am certainly not being forced or coerced into this.

I just thought that I should continue, afterall the job is very flexible, and I can treat it as a form of supplement to my measly pay.

You know what? All these just makes me more determined to make that trip to USA as a form of reward for all the crap I put up with this 3 years. I mean, if I have to do all these, I should have a form of "carrot", non? I hope to concrete my plans once the year ends.

Oh boy, Year 2010 kind of stings, me thinks.

The only way I'm calling it quits is when the end is nigh. I think, that's when nobody will care whether it reflects good on them or affect their goals. Now's that when I'll say "take your job and shove it".

Limbo of the Working Class

"My way or the highway"

Ha! I did some background check and found out that interns in Singapore are covered under the Employment Law. So, we too are entitled rights. What I need now is advice from a lawyer.

So, basically, once interns hit the 44 hours per week mark, employers are liable to pay us overtime. Seeing that my hours per week hit a whooping high of 50 hours per week, they better do so. Should they fail to do that, it means that I am in a position to bring this issue to the Liaison Officer, right?

I mean, I most certainly didn't sign any stupid contracts with fine print saying that I will sell my soul to the company.

For gods sake, I did a check on the average working hours per week in Singapore and around the world, Singaporeans still clocked in higher-than-average working hours than others. Normally, Singaporeans hit the 40 hours per week.

Well, I guess at least we get paid while getting tortured. And it's a good thing I am not in the hotel industry, they have shift work and some work for more than 12 hours. Are you freaking kidding me?! Never, I rather stick with office work.

They literally have us stuck between a wall and a cliff. It's my way or the highway, to put it bluntly. We couldn't say no to the Polytechnic, right? And once the company have been decided for you, you can't change it.

We are not given any choice in the matter at all. Unless, you count that pathetic excuse of self-secure. *roll eyes*

Whatever happen to the calm and poised approach I wanted? I thought that since this is something I have to go through anyway, I will be more open-minded. But, no, seems like I still freak out over it.

Sighs, whatever happen to my wishes? I am destined to get stuck in this limbo of the working class for as long as I live. Unless, a miracle happens.

Anyway, I'm not going to think so much, because whenever I think too much, everything just turn for the worse.

I'm not determined to hate it when I haven't even experience it. I am just writing what I feel and think. Let me pass my judgement on Judgement Day.

I still can't believe I am not even worth $2.20 per hour! Gosh, am I worse than say a typical construction worker? My mother's company certainly pay their foreign workers better.

Blast of a Year

Holy Crow! I'm literally flirting with deadlines here.

It's only the second day and I'm feeling the pressure and stress that is in association with Year 3. "You are no longer in Year 2", to quote the lecturers. Well, obviously. But they expect greater things from us this time round.

If I thought Sem 2.2 was tough, honestly speaking, it seems like child play. Really. Looking back, I realised those were so much easier than what we are doing now.

2010 will pass soon enough. The tentative timetable is like this.

By July, we'll finish all projects. August will see us a one month study break/holiday due to the Youth Olympics Games. Thank goodness! First 2 weeks of September will be exams, then comes the Internship/attachment for 3 months. Around December, which will be well into Semester 3.2, the internship will end. Back to school for a couple of more subjects, then it's time to graduate.

This means that by February 2011(if I'm not wrong), everything will come to a close. Around April/May 2011, there will be a graduation ceremony, as it's happening now. Wow, to think that next year will be us. I'm going, of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

So, it's either I leave for my trip before or after the graduation ceremony.

Oh my god! This is insane! What a tight schedule to operate on! I don't think I can get myself into the mood of enjoying even my brithday.

The months and days will blend together so much so that I'll work myself up in a frenzy. As seen from the tentative dates above, technically, I'll have no holidays. So, it's just my luck that YOG is here this year and we get to have a break!

Fortunately, among this mess, there will still be simple pleasures in life. There are movie events, books release coming up that I can treat myself myself.

As for work, we'll see how that goes. I'm toeing a fine line by working and studying at the same time in such a crucial year. Where my priorities lie, of that I'm certain. Still, it'll be good if I can have cash by my side. God knows I need money for my coveted trip.

Tuesdays are going to be a bomb. I'll be leaving home early in the morning (7am) and only be back at (10pm plus). What a joke! Stupid arrangements.

I can still take it this couple of weeks, once the semester really starts, I'll have to decline any other work on other days.

This year is going to be blast. This year is the year where limits will be pushed and tested, where emotions will run high. All in all, I must get ready for an emotional rollar-coaster ride of a lifetime.

If I lose my sanity behind... prayers will be needed...

Le Premier Jour

"When Life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand something else"

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First day in school as a senior. Officially.
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Wow, it was a torture waking at 5.30am after a nearly 2 months hiatus. Naturally, buses were full of people but the bus I took had vacant seats.
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When I reached school, the front area near Engineering School had lots of people milling around. I bet most of them were first year students waiting for friends. It's quite funny though.
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Like my friend said, freshmen usually tend to stick around as a class for the first one month or so, and then they will start to spilt into their various groups and cliques.
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For us, we have "been there, done that". I'm quite desensitized.
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The situation in the canteens and buses are going to be bad for the first few weeks. There will be lots of students, all eager to make it. After the original first few weeks, attendance will drop and canteens will have vacant seats again. Not that I like canteen food.
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So, first day lecture was Event Management. I just found out that the month of August will be a holiday (study weeks) for us. It is due to the high participant rate in the Youth Olympics Games and the fact that the few week of September will be the examinations.
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Yay! All the more for me. I can treat it as a minor holiday before the day of reckoning.
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However, rather than cutting study materials short, I guess they squeeze all the syllabus before August. The deadlines for projects are certainly so. Oh boy, projects here and there. Have to start early.
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Well, that's that. Nothing to talk about actually. I'm glad to see my friends. One last year before everything changes. The debacle on JCs, Polys and Universities is making me very nervous and anxious. It's certainly a reality check for me.
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I know that going to University from a Poly route isn't going to be easy, but never have I thought it will be so tedious and difficult. I used to think that as long as I get good results, I can stand a fairly good chance of making it. Now? Not so much.
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I never think of stopping with a Diploma only from Day One. In my opinion, that's really not a choice if I want what I want. Each of us have different thinking, it's how you work it out that matters.
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In the past, I harbour thoughts and plans to go to an overseas University. I still do so, but I guess my dreams are going to crash. Going overseas is and still is my first choice for studies. If I can't make it this time round, there is always higher education like Masters. Then, I'll go overseas.
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At least, I have one year to work things out in my favour. I just need the strength and will-power to do that. If I am not changing now, when will I do so?
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Things aren't looking too good now. Life isn't a bed of roses, I know that. I just never thought that it will be a bed of steel needles. Sighs.
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Having work on Tuesdays and Fridays. Double Sigh.

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Of Treasures & End

Today was quite the eventful day for me.

For one, I finally cleared and spiffed up my cupboards since years. It's on my to-do list this holidays, I just never got about doing it. Well, on this beautiful, last day as a free person, I did it.

I will give myself a pat on the back for a job well-done. I had this big bag full of papers and what not to throw away. In the midst of clearing, I discovered treasures from the past.

Can you imagine having diskettes still? Those should belong to a Museum of technology. Lots of mouse pads too.

I had uncovered diary entries that made me laugh in horror. Boy, was my spelling atrocious back then. It isn't exactly better now but all thanks to spell-check, I can ensure that what I wrote is proof-read.

Anyway, I can't bear to throw all my memories away. I just ripped off some of the notes that I did way back when I was in Primary School.

I had collected many news articles over the years. Those I can't bear to see them gone. Each and every one is important to me. Why else would I cut them out in the first place? Lots of Harry Potter related articles, posh cars advertisements that caught my eye, etc.

I did throw out those movie reviews I thought was bad taste. Pheesh, what I want are facts and news coverage, not some critical reviews which has absolutely nothing to do with what I like. If they don't like it, fine, I don't have to read what they have to say.

I vacuumed and wiped my tables.

I still didn't managed to spiff up everything. But the remaining potions will have to wait. Holidays are a-ending and I'll extremely not free.

Well, well, I am proud of myself having accomplished what I set out to do.

Besides cleaning, I arranged for a pedicure and haircut session as well. A new start for a new semester.

I tried something new this time. I went for a dark blue colour for my toes. It's pretty bold for me to choose this colour because I usually stick with pinks.

Alas, the polish was not completely dried and I hit my foot against the pedestal in the hair salon. Gone was my nicely painted toes. I really, really hated it...

Luckily, it was my toes instead of my fingernails.

Today was extremely wonderful as I don't have work! This is the crucial event that led to my arrangements.

The end is near.

Craptastic

Edited: Ok, after thinking it over and discussing it, I can accept the timetable for what it is. (I have to accept it, don't I? It's not as if I can change it.)

Darn it!

What a crappy timetable, at least in my opinion.

Waiting for the timetable is just as nerve-recking as wating for results. But, at least, for results, it's much more predictable and I can control it. Whereas for timetables, they're like lottery, you never know when you'll strike big time.

For 3 times a week, I have classes at 9am which means I have to wake up at 5.30am. Bloody Brilliant. On the other hand, I get to go home early on most days, except Wednesdays, classes till 6.00pm.

Thursdays and Fridays will be ending as early as 1.00pm, which makes it possible to go for work. Whoopidoo.

I'm going only for 2 days a week. So, it's either Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays. I rather I be free on Saturdays actually. Or alternate days will be better as well. Damnation, I won't be coerce into making stupid decisions.

That teacher, again. I should have known. We must keep up our standards now.

Oh no, the very thing I wished for didn't come true! Why?! The teacher I wanted for Managerial Accounting 1 is nil. Noooo! Well, he's off teaching his Business Finance classes.

I could live with that, I suppose. With time, I could even learn to love it.

Opening Date for WWHP

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I heard the most exciting news!

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is set to open its doors on June 18th 2010!

If I thought I was excited before, I was mistaken. You can't imagine the anticipation coursing through my blood when I first saw the news.

Oh gods, I wish mightily to go on its grand opening day. However, that is not possible. For one, I just have to live on the other side of the world. For another, cash. Besides, the place is going to be flooded, and I mean really flooded with HP fans and not months after opening.

Gahhhhh! I can't believe some of things they are introducing in this theme park! It's going to be a surreal experience indeed. They want fans to have a complete experience in the world created by J. K. Rowling. And that's the best part, Rowling is involved in this pet project from Day 1. How cool is that?

It is going to be such a treat! Even if I have to drag myself onto that plane, fly halfway across the world and perhaps sat myself on my first roller-coaster in my entire life, I'll be there.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey sounds terrifying and unique. It will be inside the castle itself and the waiting line will not seems long because there are so much to see inside the castle. Woohoo!

I am going to be spending and spending when I get there. So much to see, so much to buy! I may be years late, but one is never too old to go to Hogwarts.

I have been planning for months now. Years, maybe, when I first saw reports of plans to build Hogwarts. Why else would I be sticking to my job?

I'm going to save, save, save and then spend and spend in Universal!

I may be not be there this year, but next year, I'll be ready. Once I graduate, I am free! The problem now lie at "Who will be going with me?"

This is probably a once in a blue moon chance and I have to make the most out of it. As I said, I don't have the privilege of living in the States, where most of the happening things are. If I make this trip, it will possibly be the first and last in a few years.

I am searching for a packaged deal, which will include accommodations and park entrance ticket, air ticket will be most welcome. Actually, air ticket is what that bothers me. A freaking S$4000 plus just for air ticket on Singapore Airlines?

I would rather sign up for a tour package. But what if the airline they have is not SIA? I guess since I'll become a "sick cow" once I'm on the plane, it doesn't matter much if the airline is SIA or not.

The grand opening is going to be awesome! Some of the Harry Potter actors/actresses will be there and perhaps J. K. Rowling as well. I can only read it in reports. Sighs.

Wow, wow, wow! It's like Christmas came early this year. I really envy those who can make their trip to Orlando this year.

For more info:
http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/show/3359/page/1

Reason to work

Ahh crap!

More concrete reason why I should have work 4 days a week. Which is exactly what I am doing now.

For the fun of it, I checked out the price rates for a SQ flight to Orlando, Florida. To my horror, a round trip ticket would cost me S$4.8K, minimum. Holy crow! Where am I going to so much money? And it's just air tickets! What about shopping, theme park access, food and hotels?

Then, I went over to check out Chan Brothers travel packages. I found one that is pretty awesome. It starts from S$4.8k and it's a 13 day itinerary spanning from New York/New Jersey to Washington to Orlando. I figured, from Orlando, I can just stay on for another few days before leaving for Singapore by myself.

It's true that I don't know what flight this package consist of, there is a high chance that it is not Singapore Airlines.

Anyway, I just want to have a gauge of how things are. Obviously, I'm not giving up this goal. Because if I did, I wonder how will I be? To be living life without a goal is the worst thing that could happen. How I survive the rest of the semester depends very much on my goals when it is time to go.

With this goal, suddenly, I feel like I have a purpose to do well in my studies, to endure my work. I really do not want to forsake it because of some minor matter.

The date is changable, as long as I have a companion. But, I am not willing to wait for another year. Oh no. I have to make the trip before the second half of DH premiers.

Worst to come would be to join a tour, and that is actually a better solution. It is cheaper, I can visit attractions I normally wouldn't go by myself and I don't have to worry about accommodations/on the road expenses.

Actually, the main reason for checking out the flights and travel packages is because now that my mother wouldn't be going for a eye surgery this March, it means that we may have a chance to go overseas. Besides, she wants to go Taiwan. However, the real problem is that how will we find tours that are not fully booked. Free and easy is out since Osaka and Taiwan flights on SQ are not available during that March holidays.

On a more personal note, I had already signed myself up for duties for 4 days per week. And this is because there is shortage of staff. So, if I were to go overseas...

Ha, but it is wishful thinking if they think I will stay on while the rest of the family enjoy themselves. Of course, I would tell them early if only the date is fixed. Damnation.

Sometimes, I wish I would stop being so responsible to the point of nauseating. I feel irk at myself too. When it is clearly not MY problem, why should I have worry? Huh? That I really don't understand. And when will I stop viewing things out of proportion? I seem to escalate things and get so worried and strung-up over them. Then, I lose sleep and my mind buzzing, filled with all these nonsense.

I need to get those out of my system. Really. Period.