Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Year Celebrations
So it is that all good things must come to an end. Felt very xian last night as the realisation that all the year end fun had ended and it's drudgery I must be off to the next day onwards. It's not that I hate to work for a living. I mean, I love the feeling of serving some purpose and earning my own keep. But those in the know will understand wat I mean.
Perhaps it's PMS (most likely it is). Or perhaps the trip back to NUS had brought back certain memories that I wish to stay in. But we all have to move on and I am glad that I am strong enough to do so, by God's grace.
Was looking forward to ktv on Fri, but din enjoy myself as much as I thought I would, perhaps exactly due to that raised expectations. But most likely, it was becos of PMS. Nothing out of the ordinary. At times, I get broody and morose for no rhyme or reason when it happens. The peeps seemed tired out too and there was no fight for the mike as usual. Only Shizhi seemed more enthu, as usual hehe. We all sang different songs from our usual favourites. The result was a night of oldies, which was enjoyable. The taxi driver that drove me home was particularly frenly. He could tell I just went for ktv becos of my rough voice! We chatted abt ktv and he even waved to me when driving off.
Went shopping to use up the money allocated to us employees for personal enhancement every year. Managed to get a cool Oakley specs for Bro, which shd be more lasting than his usual. Then got myself some books, one of which I am already more than three-quarter way thru, "Memoirs of a Geisha". Looking forward to catching the movie, though I still can't understand why must they get Chinese actresses to act the part of Jap geishas. Think they said something abt them being more proficient in the English language. Hmm... Anyhow, that really squeezed the wallet dry so I hope the claims come back fast!
This year's countdown was spent over at church. Felt a bit strange becos the service was rather solemn, not our usual informal style. Pastor even remarked that he wasn't used to seeing us seated in rows like in pews. But it was an interesting and meaningful experience to renew my covenant before the Lord as a means to spend the New Year. When the clock ticked 12 midnight, we all went abt greeting one another happy new year. It felt heart-warming, with some hugging. I am not a particularly huggy person, but it always feels good to be embraced. One thing I loved while in Europe was the free way in which they greeted one another by embracing and kissing. I remember my cousin-in-law's Grandad saying to me something like," Oh, come now. I know I am an old man." and offering his cheek to me. He was so cute! Rather hen-pecked but very adorably British, we cousins all agree. So for some reason I find kissing him to be particularly memorable and sweet. Think this is one aspect that we Asians should learn from the West.
Pearl had kindly invited us to her house for supper once again. The noodles was good. The cheesecake was simply divine! The lana cake was incomparable, as usual. Just love cakes heehee. I liked the soup too. My Mom always say I have a very Western taste bud, but one thing I can't resist is herbal soup.
We spent the night at the transformed Hons Room. Liked the walk there. It was a bit drizzly, but we could see stars. It felt like the nights when I stayed in hall so long ago, when I used to go out with my frens for supper or to watch hall production etc. And strangely, it felt like I had never left NUS for even a day. I always have the same feeling when I go back to Jakarta, no matter how the place had changed in reality. As I looked at the Hons Room, I recalled the Thu nights when I would pop by after CG to say hi to the folks who stayed over. I seemed to see the images of the various scenes of what had gone on before in the room. Like the jokes and intellectual discussions exchanged over packed lunches. The various nonsensical scribbling on the board. Sigh. What would I give to be an undergrad once more.
It was strange that I had never stayed over at the Hons Room back then, but that I stayed over now that I have graduated. Quite a fun experience.
Perhaps it's PMS (most likely it is). Or perhaps the trip back to NUS had brought back certain memories that I wish to stay in. But we all have to move on and I am glad that I am strong enough to do so, by God's grace.
Was looking forward to ktv on Fri, but din enjoy myself as much as I thought I would, perhaps exactly due to that raised expectations. But most likely, it was becos of PMS. Nothing out of the ordinary. At times, I get broody and morose for no rhyme or reason when it happens. The peeps seemed tired out too and there was no fight for the mike as usual. Only Shizhi seemed more enthu, as usual hehe. We all sang different songs from our usual favourites. The result was a night of oldies, which was enjoyable. The taxi driver that drove me home was particularly frenly. He could tell I just went for ktv becos of my rough voice! We chatted abt ktv and he even waved to me when driving off.
Went shopping to use up the money allocated to us employees for personal enhancement every year. Managed to get a cool Oakley specs for Bro, which shd be more lasting than his usual. Then got myself some books, one of which I am already more than three-quarter way thru, "Memoirs of a Geisha". Looking forward to catching the movie, though I still can't understand why must they get Chinese actresses to act the part of Jap geishas. Think they said something abt them being more proficient in the English language. Hmm... Anyhow, that really squeezed the wallet dry so I hope the claims come back fast!
This year's countdown was spent over at church. Felt a bit strange becos the service was rather solemn, not our usual informal style. Pastor even remarked that he wasn't used to seeing us seated in rows like in pews. But it was an interesting and meaningful experience to renew my covenant before the Lord as a means to spend the New Year. When the clock ticked 12 midnight, we all went abt greeting one another happy new year. It felt heart-warming, with some hugging. I am not a particularly huggy person, but it always feels good to be embraced. One thing I loved while in Europe was the free way in which they greeted one another by embracing and kissing. I remember my cousin-in-law's Grandad saying to me something like," Oh, come now. I know I am an old man." and offering his cheek to me. He was so cute! Rather hen-pecked but very adorably British, we cousins all agree. So for some reason I find kissing him to be particularly memorable and sweet. Think this is one aspect that we Asians should learn from the West.
Pearl had kindly invited us to her house for supper once again. The noodles was good. The cheesecake was simply divine! The lana cake was incomparable, as usual. Just love cakes heehee. I liked the soup too. My Mom always say I have a very Western taste bud, but one thing I can't resist is herbal soup.
We spent the night at the transformed Hons Room. Liked the walk there. It was a bit drizzly, but we could see stars. It felt like the nights when I stayed in hall so long ago, when I used to go out with my frens for supper or to watch hall production etc. And strangely, it felt like I had never left NUS for even a day. I always have the same feeling when I go back to Jakarta, no matter how the place had changed in reality. As I looked at the Hons Room, I recalled the Thu nights when I would pop by after CG to say hi to the folks who stayed over. I seemed to see the images of the various scenes of what had gone on before in the room. Like the jokes and intellectual discussions exchanged over packed lunches. The various nonsensical scribbling on the board. Sigh. What would I give to be an undergrad once more.
It was strange that I had never stayed over at the Hons Room back then, but that I stayed over now that I have graduated. Quite a fun experience.
// posted by Jenn @ 11:27 AM 
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