Watch and learn

This weekend has sent the clockwork in my head into overdrive. I simply could not keep up with the pace at which the melange of mind-blowing information was being fed to me involuntarily and ripping me abruptly away from the growing-up phase. Suddenly, the monsters living out in those prime time TV serials have all crawled into my life to live just next door. My perception of the adult world just gained another facet, one that isn't pretty to look at at all. But it will be a lesson learnt from the victims of circumstances that I will cross fingers and toes not to commit.

We all have to grow old, but I'll only do so with you

I had the most amazing birthday week.

The entire nation was rustling to a restless rhythm last week when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge came to town as part of their SEA tour. It's one of the many times when I thank this job of mine for giving me the chance to strike off one item on my bucket list.

 The event brought the British community out in full force - as well as the Royal Couple's Singaporean fans - to welcome them at Strathmore. I was just across the media pit and was lucky enough to snap this beautiful shot of an English mother bringing her toddler out to catch a glimpse of the Royal Couple,  together with a zealous fan of the couple posing for a shot for the ST Online camera.

The crowd - and media alike - were thrown into a frenzy. Because the whole community was waiting for this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

I'll have to admit; I'm still starstruck. There was definitely something so magical about the Duke and Duchess which kept everyone so awed. The small gestures they exchanged, the way they glanced at each other, how they always complete each other so well... Everything about them took my breath away. Kate was contented in a Raoul blouse-and-skirt and her L.K. Bennett pumps, of which the latter has been prudently worn over and over again on many occasions. And it wasn't difficult to spot her sapphire wedding ring even from a distance - a reminder of her humble upbringing yet royal marriage. This experience will be the one I will bring with me as a reminder to always stay frugal and thankful no matter how temptations lurk. Thank you, William and Kate.

Of course, my very own prince in shiny armour planned me a lovely birthday.

This is the umpteenth time I've said this - I'm suckers for simplicity. I'm a habitual skeptic, so bombastic shows of affection are nothing but hot air to me. Instead, I crave the bare basics because I need the fundamentals to keep myself grounded in this flamboyant world of change; it is often easier to lose one's footing and fall head first into a freak show than to stay sane and logical.

Since my birthday gift from le Fiance this year is a bowling ball, it made perfect sense to spend some time improving on my mediocre skills. Haha. Nevertheless, I believe it's a blessing in disguise; it gave us another level on which we could bond and interact.

Plus I was treated to an ear feast at Jane Zhang's concert. 

The concert would have been more memorable if it hadn't been for the lazy audience, who remained unmoved and reserved throughout the concert. Having been a performer myself, Jane's disappointment was visible despite her stellar performance. Nevertheless, she executed every song beautifully, pitch-perfect and nothing short of stunning. One guy even took the opportunity to propose to his girlfriend. Despite the crusty old-fashioned proposal, we both cried tears of happiness for them, only because it takes one to know another. And she said yes, too. :)

Then le Fiance let me loose at Brewerkz - another item to strike off my bucket list. I haven't seen him allow me to drink in public so willingly before, and I was truly appreciative of that. I'm definitely getting better, judging by how we could hold intelligent conversations past midnight.

I'm well-fed, thankful and geared up for this next leap before our year-end vacation.

Cherry on top

An unpaid advertisement for Twelve Cupcakes - because their Chocolate Mint spoke louder than the supposedly good Red Velvet. Yummy visually and gastronomically, but punishing to the waistline.

As I end my third week at work in a new environment, it's only human that I start to evaluate my choice to transfer to the ground. Unlike "up there", as they all call unanimously, my new office is bustling with energetic young managers earnest to learn and perform together as a team, as well as well-weathered seniors to keep us from veering off-course. The support staff are a fun bunch to be around, especially when they call us their "xiao hai zi" (little kids). I'm still starry-eyed and getting used to the fact that there's staff reporting to me, and not me reporting to everyone else. A senior raised a challenge to me while chatting on the bus ride home today, by betting a meal on the duration I'll last in this race. "Let's wait and see," I retorted. And I'm bent on claiming that treat.

Heartstrings

Time flies when you're spending time with your loved ones.

I saw a lot of myself in Brave - the foolhardiness, the rebellious and headstrong daughter she believed her parents could never own, the older sibling who's always failing to keep the younger ones out of trouble, the one who's always running away. The movie itself had been a pleasant surprise, as with all Pixar films, with little twists and turns planted cleverly in the plot.

Long weekends never fail to feel shorter than normal Saturdays and Sundays put together, and this inverted difference seems even more evident when the weekend is all you'll ever have before the storm hits again. So we decided to make the best of it by going for a special fitting session. :)

Mr Jack le fiance had tried to get me into bowling on many occasions but to no avail, largely because I would keep gripping the house balls and scrapping my thumb badly. Bad pain was a huge deterrent, so I wasn't too keen when he wanted to get me my own bowling ball. The ball did all the persuasion, though. I didn't need to grip the ball with my thumb anymore, since it's tailored to my palm size. The weight was substantial and yet manageable. The cherry on top would be the pink and black swirls design which would turn any girl green with envy. Thank you, and I promise I'll put in my best to learn and improve. :)

Happier

One month ago, I took matters into my own hands when the Director asked to speak to me. It had been a casual chat, but my agenda was clear. I decided that I've had enough of trolling around a cold and segregated work environment where everyone's just minding their own business and watching their own backs. So I told her that I was ready for the massive shift whenever there's a vacancy ready for me.

One month on, I've settled into an all-new work environment, with new names and faces to commit to memory, countless new work processes to pick up and master, and a vibrant buzz around the office to get used to. After watching how policies are being worked out under the pedestal, it's high time I put this knowledge into good use to help those who really need it and penalize those who err despite being in the know. I'm happier now, I'm sure.