BIRTHDAY PLANS

My colleagues really have no stealth whatsoever. I was doing my thing, at my desk, when I heard some chucklings got louder and louder from behind.

Soon after, a mast of shadow was cast over me. It was Mich, all grins and crinkled eyes.

"Ehy F, hehehehe, Thursday you free not?" She asked leaning over my desk.

"No lei sorry," I replied, truly apologetic.

"Huhhhhhhh.. WHYYYYYYY???? Where you going?" She grumbled.

"Chiong la. My friends had Thursday planned for me long ago ler. Sorry la."

"Okay lorrr.." And she walked away.

Barely fifteen minutes after...

"Ehy really Thursday cannot ah?" Her voice boomed in my ears, making me jump a little.

"Really la."

"How about Friday?" She quipped.

"Ehy. Why ah? This better not be for my birthday hor. I don't want some huge bash can?" I sweat a little in the fully air-conditioned office. Birthday bash meant for self petrifies me. A night out partying, fine... No problemo. If they are going to sing me a song, make me blow out candles yadablah, I will die. Really.

"Hahahaha. No la. Just us homies. Friday ah. Set ah." And she scamperred off leaving me all frowning and skeptical.

The whole week, people in the office have been asking me about my upcoming birthday, asking me if I was turning 18. Retardos.

And once, while I was chatting with someone from the circulation room, I saw Mich and Elle making their rounds around the newsroom, like two brownies selling cookies, collecting moolah from the rest of them and putting the cash in a huge envelope.

I tapped on the glass window vigorously to get their attention. When they looked over their jaws dropped and they attempted to shield the view of the envelope from my eyes with their bodies. It was hilarious. Within seconds, all of us were bent over, clutching our tummies as we exploded into fits of laughter.

Seiously, no discretion. At. All.

I for one, am excited about the events of this evening and tonight with the sorority. To be completely frank, I've had this birthday plan roughly drafted out in the beginning of the year (yes, like in January) and now it's all falling into place. Every bit of it.

The last stop of the night, the club we are heading to, its party theme happens to be a Pajamas Party. It's like okayyyy, is it like totally meant for moi or what. ME LOVE! I have a plenty of those somemore in my wardrobe. Perfection is the word. Clubbing in comfort. Awesomeness man...

It's going to be one helluva birthday this year turning twenty f o u r. Hoorah!

(8:07 AM)

Ladies and gentlemen, I bring to you, my current favourite band, THE LOVE WILLOWS!!!

I heart heart heart heart HEART them so! Okay you know I'm selfish with my music so please handle this with care. I love their pop-ish retro sound. Hope Partlow's vocal is kinda Duffy-esque but unlike Duffy, their music is not so devastatingly sad. It's fun and super feel good. They remind me a little of The Cardigans. I wouldn't know if they are riding on the radio waves already cos I stopped tuning in a long time ago.

I'm crazy about the song Falling Faster. OMG I can't download it anywhere, so I have to buy it on iTunes can! I think I'm just gonna buy the physical album from Amazon though. Can't wait to have it in my iPod. Kill me already. I got links to the single though if any of you are curious to hear the whole track.

Cute music, cute lyrics, cute band, cute vibes. Cute all around. Do check their MySpace page. And if you are listening to their samplers, listen to the original version of Falling Faster, not the funked up remix.

Enjoy!

(1:36 AM)

REDS

It was a Friday evening and while other people were having dinner, drinking, or if you're my poor colleagues, slogging to meet offstone so you could party after, I was sitting in a chair, reading Cosmo, decked up in a brown robe and hair all up on my head, looking like Padmé Amidala suddenly decided to be a jedi.

I blame it on Rae who introduced me to Reds, my current favourite pampering haven.

The last time I was there was a month ago when I decided so bravely to get me some bangs. The do sure took some getting used to but right now I have developed some kind of an affinity to it.

I was back today only cos the bangs needed a trim (they were tickling my eyelids and I was scratching them eyelids silly half the time at work). Also, it's within two weeks before/after my birthday and since I am now a member, I was entitled to a 30% discount during this period.

I'm not gonna lie. It's not the cheapest kinda haircut but I adore the whole experience I really don't mind forking the extra moolah. How do I love Reds? Let me count the ways.

I love it that from the time I stepped into the salon, a bevy of pretty faces do their best to make me feel special and pampered.

I love it that they serve me tea, Earl Grey, my choice, no milk. And on my next visit, they remembered what I had previously and how I like it done. And the tea comes with some crackers or biscuits.

I love my hairstylist. I love it that he talks to me just enough so I know he's not mute and incapable of human interaction but knows when to leave me alone as soon as I reach out for a frivolous magazine. I always find it painfully tiring when faced with a hairstylist who feels like they need to talk to you all the damn time. He doesn't shrug off my demands like some righteous hairdressers do, but he's honest enough to voice out his opinions on my decision.

I love his minion. Yunno, every credible senior hairstylist always have a minion to do their bidding like the washing or the blow-drying etc. My hairstylist's minion is very cute. A butch.

Aesthetics aside, the minion was so careful and meticulous when washing hair, you wouldn't get a drop on your face. She would adjust the temperature of the water exactly to your preference.

Today, I shivered ever so slightly at the first touch of water on my head. She noticed and asked if I was cold. "Oh just a little," I said. She whizzed off and came back with the robe (yes the one that made me look like a jedi), made me stand so she could put it on for me so I was all wrapped up and warm.

I had a scalp treatment as well so I was already expecting a head massage with the usual hot towel draping over my face, that's really not a big surprise. BUT she also went on to massage my neck, my shoulders and my back for a good twenty minutes. Sighhhhhhhhh...

I just think that this is how every single haircut trip should be like. It's like I could just die there on that easy white salon chair and it'll be a-okay. Oh life's indulgence! I could not hype the experience up anymore than to say that it was certainly a reminder why we surrender ourselves to someone else's very capable hands.

I’m already counting down the days until my next visit with anticipation. Thanks for getting us acquainted Rae.

(11:09 PM)

I REALIZED

So this blog wouldn't go into extinction for the second time, here goes...

One, I realized my laughter is very awfully and incredibly loud. I mean I know I'm obviously not soft to begin with. I'm not daft, I am aware that I'm not one who covers her mouth or stifles her glee. But today in the office I laughed so exceptionally loud, the pealing sound of my cackling with joy bounced back into my ears! It was annoyingly raucous. I could have woken up the dead. Like if it wasn't coming from me, I would have stuff something down the throat of the owner of that laughter.

Two, I realized if I come home and do NOT make the usual beeline to flip open my lappy, I can get a hella lot of productive things done. Another reason of my being absent from cyberspace of recent. Point is, I could do more reading, get reconnected with yoga, regain my core strength in pilates and I feel now, significantly stronger physically. It's a good feeling. It'd be picture perfect if I am skinny.

Three, I realized for the first time ever that this year I'm actually looking forward to my birthday. I guess I should not speak too fast less I become morosely emo as soon as I click on the "Publish Post" button. But as of now, with all the three-day plans somewhat in place, I'm kinda stoked.

(12:36 AM)

REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

So it's not the most action-packed or entertaining movie of the season, but I enjoyed it. Thoroughly if I may add.

Excessive fagging and sloshing down of booze seems to be the concurrent vices that the scenes revolve around. I did a little bit of research though and discovered that they were simply realistic portrayal of the context. In the 1950s everybody smoked everywhere all the time. Life was a disease, and smoking held it temporarily in remission.

The whole going down the path of excruciating banality is poignant, and the hopeless emptiness of where life is headed, relatable.

The accusatory speeches and acidic words when articulated cut deep, and one can truly sympathise with the suppressed misery of the noble sufferer played so convincingly by Kate Winslet. I'm of course partial to Leonardo Dicaprio, him being the talented (albeit slightly pudgy) actor that he is.

A movie of yearnings and desperation in search of life's meaning that is so depressingly raw, I find it devastatingly palatable.

It left me though in an utterly sullen state of mind.

(11:39 PM)

SAVE. SCRIMP. SCROOGE.

Judging by the looks of it, I need to do all of the above. I'll be the first to admit it doesn't come naturally to me to save. In a way, I can totally relate to Rebecca Bloomwood.

But if I do want to materialize the being away for my coming into a quarter of a century, I got to. Because if I fail, I'll be that twenty-five year old sad fuck.

B is back from Italy and he's already discussing his next trip with gusto. Annoying I tell ya. But at least this time he's discussing it with me so I got one less reason to be bitter.

B says (20:56):
eh...

B says (20:56):
so where we go next holiday?

B says (20:56):
iceland?

f says (20:56):
NO

f says (20:56):
u go urself

B says (20:56):
huh???

B says (20:56):
i tot thats the plan???

f says (20:57):
u dun con me

f says (20:57):
im not so easy like u

f says (20:57):
we both know i dun do freezing temperature

B says (20:57):
dun say i easy lei

B says (20:58):
lol

f says (21:01):
i think we decided on south africa! haha!

f says (21:01):
or brazil

B says (21:01):
!!!

B says (21:01):
actually i wld love to go to brazil

f says (21:01):
ya let's

B says (21:01):
but i think i'm not ready

f says (21:01):
damnit

B says (21:01):
that takes years of training then can handle one

f says (21:01):
u want to be 40 then go ah

B says (21:02):
no la...

B says (21:02):
u know, i actually feel urgency alr

B says (21:03):
like...shit, wat am i gg to do

B says (21:03):
i dun hv enough time n money

B says (21:03):
but i want to go to so many places

B says (21:03):
so like, which shd i do first???

f says (21:03):
haiya take it easy man... one by one

f says (21:03):
i know!

f says (21:03):
egypt!

B says (21:03):
haha

B says (21:03):
ya, egypt wld be nice sia

B says (21:03):
eh really a not???

B says (21:03):
i dun mind one

f says (21:04):
then i can sing, THERE CAN BE MIRACLESSSSSS WHEN U BELIEVE....

B says (21:04):
errrr.....

B says (21:04):
we can back up spain

f says (21:04):
what happen to france?

f says (21:04):
is it not in the nomination list?

B says (21:05):
it is la

B says (21:05):
but france is very ex

B says (21:05):
and france is easy

B says (21:05):
haha

f says (21:06):
i dun see the link

f says (21:06):
u think u can travel to france even when u're old n weak?

B says (21:06):
yup

B says (21:06):
thats the idea

B says (21:06):
since i hv u for company...

B says (21:06):
must go somewhere more treacherous

f says (21:06):
u think im xena the warrior princess ah

f says (21:07):
honey i cant protect u

B says (21:07):
i dun need u to protect me sweetie

B says (21:07):
pls la

B says (21:08):
i am perfectly capable of handling my own trouble

B says (21:08):
but to know someone is there is actually comforting

f says (21:26):
so how so how so how

f says (21:26):
where to go

B says (21:27):
spain is good for me

B says (21:27):
egypt as well

B says (21:27):
but let me go read up first

f says (21:28):
when do we have to decide like FOR SURE

B says (21:28):
if we want to be really comfortable...

B says (21:28):
by dec

I have eight more months to save up only. OMG. Somebody needs to freeze my bank account stat. I can do this, I can do this, I CAN DO THIS GODDAMNIT.

(11:43 PM)

UNIQLO MAYHEM

Okay I don't think at this point that it would be that big a stretch to say that EVERYONE was at Uniqlo today.

It's the opening so I guess I expected the crowd but to have the queue for entry to the store ran all the way to the restroom is kerayzieeee. I really zhua dio (ie stunned).

Actually the whole effing new mall was packed like fuck. There were people standing in front of the escalator, blocking my way up like The Guardian of the Stairs. Then there were really old aunties in the store itself (just to check out what was the deal) wasting valuable space. Seriously. How do I tell them Hang Ten and Bossini is down one level?

Once we got entry we split up and went wild. We were on a meter. My strategy was simple. Grab everything I can find in size S and then sieve through them while queuing for the cashier to pay. It was like looking for Osama Bin Laden.

All the Ah Lians got to size S before I did. GRRRRR!!!

Ya that's another thing. I swear to God that bengs and lians, mats and minahs will all be decked in Uniqlo now. Pui. It's a good thing some of them clothes are pure simple basics.

I got two tops. Got my deadline tee but the white in S is gone so mine is purple in color. Very Prince-esque. I'm trying not to cry here. Work with me. Also got another grey baggy tee that has the word "POP IT" on it. Cute.

It was cheap cos everything was on 20% discount for the opening. But honestly, to hell with the damn discount. I'm coming back to pay in full when the rave has died down.

After the whole ordeal, we were so shagged and had lost all shopping mojo. Just wanted to sit down, eat ice-cream and get fat.

Xian diao.

(11:58 PM)

COLLEAGUES**

I know I'm spending too much time with my colleagues when I'm seeing them even on my off days.

So last week, I went crazy shopping with Elle. Tomorrow I'm attacking Uniqlo with another colleague cos lately I have so many off days. Life is awesomeness.

OMFG. Can I just say just the thought of Uniqlo here in SG makes me wanna die of happiness?!! Granted it's like in freaking Tampines. Can somebody tell me why the fuck please?

Good God. There's so many room in Orchard la! Just tear down one of those lok kok Ocean Pacific or whathaveyous for a space and TA-DAA!!!

But it's okay. Nevermind, nevermind. I can deal. No place is too far for shopping. I have to get my hands on this uber cool basic:


How rad will it be to wear this to work! I want it kinda baggy over tights or skinnies with a jacket/blazer as an outerwear. Me likey!!!

AND this weekend, me and some colleagues will be checking out the freshly re-opened Butter Fact for its Poptart night baby. Woohoo! Poptart is when they play things like pop, punk, alternative, postrock, twee, electro, rock and britpop. It's really cool music, very forward.

Mich managed to put us on the guestlist so we would not have to pay cover. The moment we submitted our names we realized that we are totally asking for it cos we are all working the following day! Ultimate chibai la. But whatevs man.

So yeah, I think it's amazing that a bunch of us do actually like each other's company and want to be in each other's presence. It's such a healthy work environment to be surrounded with and I feel so fucking lucky.

Elle couldn't have put it into words any better..

f says (16:50):
bianca is going to sydney

f says (16:50):
im arranging the junket now

f says (16:50):
bitterly

elle says (16:51):
haha

elle says (16:51):
we have each other

elle says (16:51):
thats more than a junket!!!!

elle says (16:51):
lol

Damn right bitches. We sure do.




**The term "colleagues" does not include my direct teammates only because they are still new and this thing takes time. Also I'm kinda judgemental see, so the process is further stretched.

(11:54 PM)

BIATCH

So today I went slightly kuku on my teammates at work. Not out of stress though.

I mean, as much as I'm job-hunting with a passion, I still don't dread coming to work. Although having said that, not coming to work makes me wanna skip around with a big grin on my face.

So Jane, oh Jane. Where do I start? Okay, thou voice is giving me aural cancer. She attempts to be adorable (at 40ish years old) by, get this, POUTING and saying things like, "You so naughty la you."

My ears literally throb. They hurt so much I want to shoot myself. In my head I'm all like, lady if you are not cute, keep it on mute thankyouverymuch!

And yunno, the whole spasm of repetitions coming out of her mouth is affecting my chi. Jane is a constant a bundle of nerves, always on the edge, shaking like she's having a conniption. In a day, I don't know how many times I have to tell her to chill.

Today, a gahmen body emailed, wanting to know the contact details of the editor in-charge of the forum pages. Jane asked me what to reply.

Very listlessly I said: "Just reply to whatever the question is asking."

I know, kinda duh. What she wants me dictate to her the response?! I would totally understand if she's new but fact is, it's been some time already.

My PA doubts it but aside the fact that I find her painfully annoying at times, I really do think that she is genuinely a nice person. It's just that maybe she’s got some clot of blood in some gland that secretes logic and that is why she’s all screwed up.

My new teammate Kitty, is way sharper. Thank God for my sanity. But for someone who's two years older than me, she can be quite the whiny kid sometimes.

Today when I asked her to attend the meeting with Jane so she would know what was going on, she sulked and groaned.

In all firmness of a discipline headmistress I went: "SIT. IN."

Damn xiong right? She left me no choice. Don't teh with me, I'm not your boyfriend.

Also, my PA finally saw with her own eyes what I told her about Kitty. I told Shan that I don't think Kitty has strong enough grasp of the English language.

Kitty thinks in Chinese, which is totally fine of course. I've got many bilingual friends and some of them peeps with their eloquent Mandarin are in fact FAR more fluid in English than I can ever hope to be. But Kitty seems uncomfortable in English. I noticed that during meeting and it really worries me.

Today she had to translate some chinese news to English. My PA actually had to help her, only to notice that girl had to refer to dictionary.com for the spelling of misappropriate.

Would it totally evil for me to tell her to start reading a bit more?

(1:23 AM)

JUST DANCE

I don't normally post a youtube link but this deserves much attention. Lady Gaga's Just Dance gets a rock treatment.

Please watch it, it gave me chills! In a good way of course.



Perez said it's "majorly bad-ass."

Methinks it's seriously FEROSH.

(11:54 AM)

SELF-INFLICTED

I can't stop
Don't care if I lose
Baby you are the weapon I choose
These wounds are self-inflicted

I'm going down in flames for you
Oh you are the weapon I choose
These wounds are self-inflicted
One more thing I'm addicted to

(2:58 AM)

SALE! SHH!!!

So I'm up at this ungodly hours (in my terms) even though it's my off day because fashion retailer FJ Benjamin is having a hush hush sale at one of the ballroom in one of the hotels on our island.

Sorry, I'm selfish. I'm not going to say where here. But of course friends can text me and I'll dish the address.

FJ Benjamin carries brands like Gap, Banana Republic, La Senza, Guess, Marciano, Raoul etc. Everyday wear kinda clothings, not so much high fashion.

It's kinda funny cos I was forwarding the flyer to my colleague, Elle, at work yesterday to tell her about the sale.. And when we found out that we are both getting our off day today, she not only IM-ed me to tell me the time and place we are supposed to meet (in caps, exclaimation marks and several emoticons), she also texted me on my cell when I was still there chatting with her online AND proceeded to power brisk walk to my desk to reiterate the same damn thing.

-___-

Well, I get her excitement. Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping.

(8:39 AM)