Braces be gone.

No one tells you about the braces removal process. You sit in the dental chair and the orthodontist clips away at your ceremic braces, bracket by bracket, while you bite down damn hard on a cotton pellet. The crackling of the brackets have you think your tooth is cracking – but I can assure you they are not. Although it does not seem the case during the process! Pretty nerve-wrecking if you ask me! And I'm not one who's afraid of pain – I have had 4 wisdom teeth extracted on the same day!

After spending a hefty sum over a period of 3 years, is it worth it?  To actually have a full set of teeth beats having to wear a denture any day.  Not many dentists even believe it could be done – shifting half a set of teeth to close up the gap left behind from extracting an incisor! 

My bottom row of teeth were crooked as f*ck so the correction for that is brilliant. 

The top row? Am I 100% happy with the tranformation? I can't be a perfectionist with this. My lateral incisor had to be re-built to become a central incisor but hey, I get to keep all my real teeth. I should be happy.

My teeth has become yellow over time because I couldn't brush them thoroughly the last 3  years... and this irritates me. I can't do a chairside whitening until 3 months later, but at least that's something to look forward to.

A "new set of teeth" is a reason to celebrate.

Being 50.

 A milestone year for all of us born in '75.

Today, I went to a schoolmate's wake. He would have turned 50 in 14 days. I wasn't particularly close to him or knew him very well, but he's joined us for our group dinners a couple of times pre-covid.

Life is such. You never know when it's time to go. But in his case, he knew. He knew his kidneys were failing him and it was a matter of time. But I don't think anyone can really be totally prepared when the actual time comes. His partner said he was heavily sedated the last 2 days... to keep him comfortable and to allow his mind to rest... 

I told my classmates I would want to see all of them before I go... and not have them come to my wake only to see me cold. I want to have a last word, a final conversation, a final goodbye and possibly collect the "pek kim" money from them too, I joked. What good is all the money collected when I do not have another generation to leave to? I would rather use all the money and spend it on my own funeral in my own terms. I have no daughters nor sons to benefit from my wealth.

I need to think about 'estate planning'. I do have fleeting thoughts about it.. but I never really indulge. I should. Seeing how I am single.

#pennyforthoughts #estateplanning #livelaughlove  

Freelancing.

Why do people choose to freelance? Is it because they do not want to be desk-bound? Is it because it comes with more money? Whatever the reasons, I feel as a freelancer, one ought to have excellent time management skills and be responsible to manage client-relations and expectations. This, to me, are the basic benchmark. If you take on a job and in the middle of it, cannot follow through in a timely manner, then freelancing is not for you. You will be better off in a 9-5 routine.

I am now managing my own time and business and have to work with different people from all over. Some are fantastic – they respond immediately when you text them, they reply your emails promptly... and if they can't get back to you with an immediate answer, they will tell you that they're on it and will advise asap – these partners are the keepers. 

Then there are the ones who say they can do the job... and then in the middle of it decides to take a holiday (and not tell you about it!). When you need changes to be done, they can only work on them in the night!? These, you have to ditch!

I find myself held at ransome when working with freelancers. I want to depend on them and want to trust them to do their job, but when they don't perform, I end up having to do their job. Remind me why am I paying them again? My personal policy: take in jobs only if you can do everything yourself. If I want to hire someone else to do it, I jolly well also now how to do it myself because I never know if they will back out on me. 

Hello. Again.

I looked at my last entry and realised it's been almost a year... since then, I have found work and have been keeping myself busy (and useful!)

I am lucky that an ex client looked me up to help run some events around Asia. That's what's been keeping me busy. To date, I have flown to Shenzhen and Manila to help produce and manage their logistics and AV requirements and in the coming months, I will be off to KL, Bangkok, Bali, Hong Kong and India. In between of work last year, I've also taken time off and enjoyed a week in Bali, 2 weeks in Switzerland, Venice, Verona, Liechtenstein, Bern, Chur! And a short trip to BKK with my mom...

Before the end of this year, I will also be visiting Washington DC and New York – my first time!

There's so much to look forward to in life and I try and remind myself of that. Although to be honest, I end up burying myself in work all the time. I kinda enjoy what I'm doing right now because work gives me the opportunities to travel but it sometimes gets stressful too. Because I'm pretty much working on my own now. I have tonnes of emails to answer to every day, along with the event layouts I have to work on (event backdrops, directional signages, table tentcards, digital agendas, etc) I wish I had another pair of hands to help, but it's never easy to look for support when you need it. I pride myself to be able to 'track down' production support in most of the Asian countries I have to go to. I've worked with event companies who would very quickly tell me, "Oh, it's not easy to work with the people in XXX, it's better for you to fly in the crew from Singapore...". Yes, and no. It is never easy when I'm dealing with new people I have never worked with, and it's a risk I am willing to take. As much as Singaporeans are known to be efficient, we sometimes think too highly of ourselves. I always believe if you want to do something well, you have to do it yourself. 

Do I want to eventually hire permanent help and move into a small SOHO? Why not?

But I am also selective of work. I would really rather do direct work with a corporate client or an agency, than to work with a AV/production company. 

You get what you pay for when you decide to work with me. And more. That's what 2 decades of experience gives you.

It is 11.58pm now and I have to get up at 3.00am to get to an outdoor event by 5.30am. 

Today is one of those days I struggled to get through the day. I have my good days and my bad days. Everybody have their own struggles. Do not judge a person by how cheerful she is and dish the fact she might just need a hug. 

Hello.

So much has changed since my last entry. I am no longer in a familiar work space/environment. And the person known to be my boyfriend of 20 years is no more. So where do I go from here?

I am still finding my way around life I suppose...

A recent health screening and pap smear results weren't any cause for celebration either. 

I have been taking life slow these days. I wake up as I would every day, at 8.00am, make myself a hot cuppa tea and watch some Netflix or read the e-papers. Sometimes in the afternoons, I would steal a nap. Life is good but too mundane. I am used to the fast pace at work... so much so that I don't know how to slow down to be honest. I'm not sure how some people enjoy "doing nothing". When I do nothing, I feel restless. Staying at home gives me a headache. Because when the sunlight streams through the living room windows in the afternoon, the glare almost always triggers a headache. And headaches ruin my day. 

My leaving the company was as low-key as it could get. I didn't want to have to explain anything to anyone and I sure didn't wanna rock the boat. The team is good enough to handle what comes their way... with or without me I'm sure.  I didn't even mention to "H" that I was leaving, although I had hinted to "W" I was going to take a hiatus from work. But judging from the way things were, they both would have probably figured something was amiss. 

On some days when I'm feeling up to it, I would make an effort to have lunch with friends I've not met in a long time. Friends I've kept at bay because it was a chore to have to "report" my every move. 

I took up motorbike riding lessons because it was something I've always wanted to do. But it's been 3 months since I've gone for a lesson. So much for determination. Also because the training ground is fucking far from where I stay!

I am open to work at the moment... just picky with what I want to do. Not like I have that many options anyway. 

I have not bought a new bag for the last 6 months. That's something to be proud of! Hahahahaha

I have not bought a new pair of shoes for the last 6 months either.

Not having a stable income has prevented me from buying things I would otherwise not have to think too hard about.

I have looked into investing my monies... and updating my insurance plans... #adulting

I have had more time to read a book. And live.

Being able to wake up everyday is a blessing in itself. And I'm learning to appreciate that. 

Grey Skies

Backtrack to Sunday, 29 November 2020. It was one of my usual stay-at-home weekend. I would browse the e-papers, with Netflix playing in the background... and then browse some shopping sites, with absolutely no intention of purchase. It was a regular Sunday. Until I decided to check on my Facebook posts and read that he's passed on, on Monday, 23 November 2020. The post was published by his brother, to inform that his ashes have been scattered in the sea (as per his wishes)... and thanked everyone for the love they have shown to D when he was around. 

I worked with D when I was 26, 27 I reckon. That was during my stint at my second multi-national ad agency. D was an Art Director and I was the account manager. He was probably best known for his baggy jeans and oversized tshirts. A jolly good fellow of sorts... caring, generous. Jolly. You could almost always hear him go "How you doin'?", in his exaggerated American accent. 

We hung out a fair bit because we worked closely together. He treats everyone the same at work – always ready to help (no matter how ridiculous the deadlines!)

I remember I tore one of my contact lenses while rubbing my eyes and he actually walked to Bras Basah to help get me a replacement. This was just the sort of things he would do for his friends. 

After I left the agency, D moved to China to work and we never really kept in touch. 

Just last month, I commented on a post that he's published in Facebook and found out he's been back in SG for a year. He joked he hasn't heard from me since he's back and I said I'd buy him coffee soon! 

I'm sorry that coffee didn't come soon enough. I was looking forward to hear about his China experiences. 

I hope you're resting well, D. And may you go with the tide to all the places you've wanted to visit. 

Your passing came as a surprise to many of us who have had the opportunity to work with you. We have no idea how/why you're gone, but the memory of you will always live on in our hearts... 

Why, HELLO!

So, out of curiosity, I decided to see if I could still get access to this blog. And TA-DAH! Here I am again! Back after 3 years?! Say what!!?

The Adventure Begins.

And the treacherous journey begins. 5:50AM SG time. I’m gonna be literally strapped to my seat for the next 30hrs. Oh, okay, with a couple of breathers in between.

I think I can get used to air travel on DeltaAirlines. I seem to be fed all the time (whether I’m hungry or not is really beside the point). Airline crew were friendly… all smiles… service was great. I’ve forgotten what cabin service is like, what with all my budget airline travels. Tsk. How can I ever go back to flying on budget airlines? Did I mention I like airplane food?

First leg of the journey was about 7hrs into Narita International Airport, Japan, where we stopped over for 3.5hrs, before jetting off to Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEATAC) – this was another 9hr 19min of air travel.

Plenty of in-flight entertainment, although I slept through most of it. Montana’s like 15hrs behind us, so I figured it would be wise to start adjusting the body clock!

Backtrack to airport check-in earlier this morning. We almost didn’t make it. It seems we have a knack for late boarding, without even really trying and in spite of arriving 3hrs before boarding!

We had purchased 1-way tix from SIN-FCA and had applied for the 90-day ESTA waiver. According to its terms and conditions (which I obviously did not read!), this waiver is applicable only if you have return tickets as proof that you will not exceed the 90-day allowance.

No way were they going to check us in without proof of a return flight. What followed was a frantic pair (that’s us!) logging in online, to attempt to purchase our return flights. We just went with a bogus return date on whichever flight was available because we had every intention to cancel these as soon as we were in Montana.

We were down to like the last 15min (or less) when they finally let us in.

What’s a trip without a drama, huh!

On the Seventh Day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me,

say hello to Violetta!

a bun---nnny innnn aaa box (to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas of cos, silly!)

Not one but two #Moschino iphone cases in the same year! 2014 is gearing up to look a-ok! Thank You, darling!

On a side note, I initially thought it was clothing of some sort (or shoes!) in a box that size! (Check out the first pix where I strategically placed my keys next to the box for comparison) It's such a non-economical way to pack something so small! I mean, really, Shopbop, you need to re-think your packaging options.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was gone in a flash. There was no champagne, no countdown, no merry-making with the usual suspects because D chose to spend her Christmas in Iceland! So we gathered for a quiet brunch and exchanged our pressies. Thank You ladies for the wonderful gifts - 24 awesome nail polishes from the Ciate mini mani month and a large bottle of Bio oil! (I swear it's like a lifetime supply at the rate I'm using it)

Christmas Day was spent at the SIL's, with turkey, chicken, spaghetti, sausages and beef. And the two days before this, here's what kept me busy, and totally sucked out all my energy:

So yeah, I have no idea how baking (or cooking), can be therapeutic because it sure as hell drained out all my energy. I could never be able to bake every other day... unless I have help to clean up after!

I hope you've had a merry Christmas.