eavesdropping

During my bus ride to work this morning, I chose to sit across a couple of caucasian expats. I gathered later on that the lady was American while the guy should be European based on his accent. I've seen them before in the same bus service. I've guessed they were colleagues or at least knew each other well enough, but that didn't turn out to be the case.

Distracted by the guy's louder than usual voice and distinct accent (It's not the adorable European one, but a rather irritating one -- I'm kind of guessing he's Italian) I ended up eavesdropping and picking up snippets of their conversation.

GIRL: I might just stay here for just a couple of months more then I fly home.
GUY: I've been here seven months and it flew by so fast.
GIRL: Yeah, I can't believe I've been here pretty much that long too.
(ME THINKING: What about me? I'm approaching two years!)

GUY: So when you fly back to the US you'll get to drive again?
GIRL: Ah yes! I miss having a car. I've been without a car for six years now. I'm so tired of public transport already. But the public transport here is quite neat.
(ME THINKING: I want my own car too!)

GUY: Musn't it be cheaper living in the US?
GIRL: Depends what city you're staying at. Of course it would be very expensive in New York or San Francisco where I would end up.
GUY: Will you live on your own in Vegas? (Where she will be moving, apparently.)
GIRL: I'll have my own place.
(ME THINKING: Lucky gal!)

GIRL: I have a friend who has been working after college for the same length I am, which is less than a year. And he has already bought himself a house in Las Vegas. I guess he's doing really well. In my current salary, it would still take me some time.
GUY: Salaries here in Singapore isn't that good huh?
GIRL: Depends on the profession. I have friends here who are doing really well.
(And I wasn't surprised when I found out later on she was in architecture. No wonder. She said she'd try getting a job from MGM, one of the contenders for the Singapore Casino.)

It was quite interesting listening to these people. I found out both of them had divorced parents. They weren't colleagues. They were of different nationalities. They must be staying in the same condo development, waited on the same bus stop, and rode the same bus. Lucky them, they actually make friends in the bus.

All these I gathered in a fifteen-minute bus ride.

four months to go

With March coming to a close, I can't help but realize that I have four months left before my original contract expires. If they follow the trend with the previous girls who are in the same program as I am, they will have me renew my contract. But as of now, I'm expecting they aren't. And I don't even know if I WANT to renew.

I've been deliberating for the past weeks if staying would be what I really want. A friend of mine told me that people who work overseas tend to underestimate the importance of work satisfaction. Monetary compensation isn't good enough. Why force yourself to do something for the pay right? When emotionally you're not completely happy.

Four months can be short or long, depends on how you see it or depends on what is in store for me during this time. But I'll just keep my eyes and ears open. And yes, I'll follow my heart and mind. I know I want to stay here in Singapore a bit longer. It's just a matter of what I really want to do here.

and good morning to you too!

The office bitch makes it a habit on picking on my emails and correspondences. She's as obsessive compulsive as obsessive compulsive can be.

I sent our contractor this email this morning:

Dear Quaker,


We refer to your submission ref. SPL/A61/Arch/1057/05 dated 16 March 06 on the Wardrobe Cabinets. As per BPPL's request, please verify if there would no cost implication if we change the internal finish of the wardrobe cabinets from white melamine to 'oak' melamine (fine line).

We hope for your urgent reply.

Thanks and regards,
Moi

Then the office bitch somewhat scolded me that my email wasn't clear. She said, not the whole interior of the wardrobe cabinet is to be changed to oak melamine. Isn't my email clear that only the areas currently in white melamine is to be changed to oak melamine?


Aaaaahhhhh! I can't do enough to please her.

when did i become an adult?

I know I entered adulthood years ago, but somehow my heart still yearns to stay as a non-adult -- a carefree teenager or an innocent child. I don't really remember when I transitioned (just coined that word) to becoming an adult. But if I do try to trace it back, I' could say it was when I stepped into college. It must have been the extremes of coming from an exclusive all-girls school to the state university with boys, fraternities, every chance to cut class, commuting to school, choosing your own classes. I dove into it, head on, not realizing what a major change it was. I just crossed the bridges I had to take.

I've always considered the decision to take my degree in UP was taking the road less travelled. Maybe that was what made me start growing up. It wasn't just the increased freedom -- it was my outlook in life. I think I started playing a bigger role in our family issues and decisions. I helped out some more. I voiced out my thoughts more. And I think I was heard. Unlike those adolescent stage years wherein you thought the whole world didn't seem to understand you or cared for that matter. People were starting to listen and I realized that I was maturing.

But I thought college was the real world. That was totally underrated. The freedom and responsibilities I had then are totally underrated as compared to the responsibilities I face now. I have to earn a living, pay my rent, pay for utilities, manage my time, manage my finances, plan my future, maintain relationships, do my own chores. And the list doesn't stop there. Everyday is made up of decisions ranging from the simplest to the more complex. You can't take the small decisions for granted as they could pile up and affect your future. And there's the added task of managing leaves to fly home often enough so as not to miss out on the lives of family and friends. Suddenly I constantly hear the terms financial obligations, pension plans, insurance, and benefits. Grown-up words indeed.

Although I am quite blessed with a decent job, a headstart for my career, a chance of being independent. I am grateful for all those. But sometimes the responsibilities that come with the situation I am in chokes me for a minute. Suddenly I have to foresee my future at such an early age. It won't be that easy for me to transfer jobs, move to another country or come back home. There are a lot of implications. I wonder how some people have it easy moving from one job to another. Or deciding to resign to rest for a bit. I wish I had it that easy.

But then again maybe I'm just being too hard on myself. Maybe I'm taking this adult role too seriously.

Although I know I'm not all that adult-like. I consider myself one of the mischievous ones in the office, conspiring with the others sometimes by using the internet during office hours, not going back to the office after an afternoon meeting, and I've even tried exaggerating sickness so I can take the day off.

Maybe I can play adult for now then in time I can go back to being a carefree kid at heart.

responsibility

I have been a delinquent emailer and blogger for the past two days cuz the week just didn't start right. I was getting hell from the office's bitch and I guess it was getting to me. It just reached the peak yesterday when I started getting depressed and was feeling like I didn't learn a thing for the past year and a half. But I do realize that there are some other people in the office who do not think of me as useless and inefficient. In fact, I could name two who have already inspired me for their willingness to help me out.

It just felt like a sign last night when I was watching reruns of the first season of Grey's Anatomy. It was the fifth episode that struct me. The theme of the episode was RESPONSIBILITY and being the doctors that they are, they were tackling issues regarding their liability when it came to the lives of their patients.

Meredith Grey, the main character, was wondering when did she ever become an adult? She said that when we were kids our problems included not having to eat cookies for breakfast. That was totally underrated. As an adult you have to worry about RESPONSIBILITY -- earning a living, renting your own place, and even the lives of others. But in the end, she decided that being an adult has its perks: living on your own, having sex, not having parents scolding you. So it isn't so bad after all.

And she's right. I am an adult. I am a master of my fate.

personal shopper and headhunter at you service!

For the past months I've realized that I have a fulltime job of being an architectural assistant, but I have also served as a tourist guide, personal shopper and headhunter.

Among the three I like being a tourist guide the least. For one, Singapore isn't know for its tourist spots so don't expect me to visit those "must-see places" more than once. No thank you. But if you're gorgeous and available, anytime! Wahahaha. (I meant a guy, of course!)

Being a personal shopper is fine by me. I spend most of my lunch break in the mall. And a good way to waste money for myself is to do errands for others. I've looked for stuff like baby thermometers, watches, digicams, adult diapers and men's undershirts. It could be quite interesting. Maybe if there was a Singapore Price is Right I would have been a good contestant!

Now for the past couple of weeks, people have been approaching me for possible employment here in Singapore. I helped people by forwarding their CVs and what not. My sister is having me help a couple of friends of hers. But i'm glad to help for two reasons: (1) if they end up finding work here, a couple more potential friends for me and (2) more reason for my sister to think of working here. Having a sister/ relative work here too would answer all my issues!

So I'm quite a jill(?) of all trades. So if you wanna hire me for anything for my spare time just let me know! ;)

looking forward to the weekend (or not?)

I don't know why I end up bumming half the time when it comes to Fridays. Somehow I run out of things to do during office hours or I'm just too lazy to work with the weekend so nearby.

I do look forward to the weekend. Meet up with friends, relax, go on with my marathons of the various series.

I also decided to give this guy a chance by agreeing to watch a movie with him. After a few months of texting me now and again, I realized the most I can give him is a chance. He doesn't give me much of an impression. He doesn't interest me. He has poor texting presence. The only time he redeemed himself was when he sent me flowers unexpectedly.

And he picked such a bad time to ask me out for a movie. No good movie is out. If there are, I've watched them. So I shortlisted the films until I decided on Pink Panther. And it doesn't even appeal to me. I do hope he pays for me. If it were some guy I was interested in, I wouldn't mind watching an action or gory movie. But now I'm stuck with a movie and a guy I'm not toally into.

So why did I decide to agree to go watch with him? Maybe it's one of those what ifs I want to get rid of. Who knows right? Maybe he has more to offer than we he lets on. Maybe I intimidate him hence the weird text messages?

He's lousy when it comes to asking a girl out though.

Advice for single guys out there: when you ask a girl out for a movie. Suggest a particular movie. But tell her you're open to watching something else she wants. Suggest the day and time. Don't leave all the decisions to the girl! The girl wants to be pampered a bit. Make her feel special that you're going the extra mile to make it a bit more special for her.

Got it?