last minute

This weekend seems like a Sex and the City episode wherein it all ties into one theme. For me, this weekend is about doing things last minute.

For the past weeks, I have been exposed to another project in the office -- a Harbourfront four-storey office building which has the same budget as the two-tower of thirty-five storeys each condominium I am also helping with. My role, as my superior told me, is "to run the project!" which, in our office terms, means that I will handle contract matters -- submissions, dealing with clients, following through the project once the design is somewhat settled. And he thought it would be good that I get exposed to the design process. Which of course is good. For the condominium project I joined when the design was pretty much finalized, the tenders have been awarded. So it was hard following or mastering the design when I wasn't there during the development of the form.

So anyway, the design architect in charge -- well, there isn't enough time for me to really gauge how he is but it seems like he's used to doing things last minute. For several times I've offered to help him -- be it check the codes, work out some design details, etc. But I guess he was shy of passing me work since he was concentrating on that one job while I am working on five other projects aside from that one. But everytime we are scheduled to meet with the client and other consultants he ends up preparing the materials in the eleventh hour. So for the past weeks I've witnessed informal presentations that lacked some drawings, details.

So we have a major presentation this Thursday and the superior asked me to help. The design guy was supposed to pass me the drawings to render by Friday but he was unable to finish them. So I told him he can email the drawings to my personal email on Saturday. I didn't want to ruin my weekend by going to the office just because he didn't give me the drawings on time. I'd rather work on it from my apartment.

Another reason I didn't want to go to work on Saturday was because I was itching to go shopping. I don't really know why. I think lately I've been depriving myself from buying something nice -- limiting myself to just going to the grocery. So after quite some time I headed down to Orchard Road to look around. I tell you, no other mall centres in Singapore come close to Orchard Road. Not even the Suntec/Marina area. There's something about Orchard Road with the different activities, the impossibility of NOT seeing tourists looming around, and having to walk through the "boulevard" to jump from mall to mall.

I think it has been some time since I really walked from shop to shop to check out their clothes. The Great Singapore Sale has officially ended but some shops were still offering aftershock sale items. Maybe they're like cast-offs but so what! A bargain is a bargain. There's something for everyone. I always like going to the sales when they're about to end, when the prices have been dropped further. A bit last minute but better late than never!

So yup, I ended up buying one item. Even at 50-percent off it was still a tad more expensive than what I usually buy. But I just loved it! Even with a minor defect I snagged it. I told my mom I'll have her mend it for me when I fly home haha. And to justify the expense I told myself it was the only item I bought from the two-month long GSS anyway. Haha. Don't mind me. I find myself a cheapskate but at those occasions that I actually splurge, I justify it with different reasons like treating myself for this or that, or since I did overtime this day, etc.

So even if I just managed to buy one item during the three hours I was at Orchard Road, I felt very contented haha.

So going back. My colleague did email me the drawings. It was wrong of me to postpone working on it today (Sunday) because it turns out the drawing file he sent me was corrupted or something like that. I texted him to inform him. So we'll work on them tomorrow. I know we will be able to finish it. But when it comes to work, I don't like doing things last minute.

countdown...

3 days till the weekend...

11 days till august... which means...

34 days till my next vacation home...

I terribly need a break.

After months of agonizing over working with my evil superior, I'm now battling with having too much work in my plate. I know I can't complain since I spent so many of the past months having not much to do, and there are other people in the office handling MORE than what I currently have.

Hopefully the next weeks before I fly home I get to see if this is really what I want to do. Then I can do some soul-searching and thinking while I'm on neutral ground.

44 days to go...

So near yet so far. I know it will fly by fast cuz it just seemed like last week that I went to the nearest SISTIC outlet on the first day they released the Coldplay tickets, but I still ended up not buying. That was 19th of May. From then till now, a lot of things happened. But they're all a blur. Emotional anguish. Fun times.

But I really can't wait till my flight home. This is the longest I was away so far. The longest before this was the very first time and I waited 6 months before my trip Christmas 2004. Now it will be 8 months since I was last home. I know, I should be getting used to it. But still not I guess. Even if I saw a part of my family during the Chinese New Year break and also a couple of months ago. It still isn't the same as going back to the life I once had back home.

filipino way of thinking and humor

I just gotta quote this guy. Sorry, I don't know you, Valentin. I just picked it up from my friend (who must know you) So if you end up reading this, hope you don't mind. The least I can do is mention your name.

"But last Saturday, I watched the England vs. Portugal game with friends, while drinking. The drinking makes you an expert in the game. And suddenly everyone becomes deaf so you have to shout in every dialogue. You also begin to have an English, German and even a Portugese accent. Watching football should be done in groups, drinking beer and with friends. Its so much fun that way." - Valentin Posadas

Hahaha. I like your thinking, man. Makes me wish I followed the World Cup. It's really great how Filipinos find humour and lightness in every situation.

Yesterday one of our office secretaries, an fifty-something grouchy auntie commented that I smile to much. I answered back, "What's wrong with smiling?" She muttered something about me being too happy. Eh? Sorry I'm not as grouchy as you.

I'll just keep on smiling...