End of August!!

It's the end of August. Isn't it exciting that year 2007 is going to end and 2008 will be coming? I hope 2008 will be a much better year than 2007.

Payday is arriving soon. Despite the measly pay, it's still something to look forward to. A lot of things have happened in the past 8 months, both exciting and dull. The most exciting event is that I will be obtaining my coveted citizenship soon.

Still ambivalent whether I should return to Brunei for good, but most of my friends were against the idea. My parents gave no conclusive answers either, understanding that Singapore somehow provides more opportunities and room for growth.

I'm surprised that one of my secondary classmate is having his engagement next month. Most of us were caught by surprise, as we all know of his Malaysian girlfriend thing only beginning this year. Anyway, congrats to him.

Anyway, I feel that I am drifting apart from some of my close friends. Just a gut feeling, but I hope whatever the cause it can be remedied.

Back In Lion City

Returned to the island republic yesterday afternoon via SilkAir SQ182. The picture was taken at Brunei Airport. There were strong turbulences throughout the journey. My friend went to Changi Airport to fetch me and then we went out for a while.

Things had been going awry since my return. Has it got anything to do with the Lunar Seventh Month? Walked into AMK Nature's Farm and my bag accidentally broke the handle of a maple syrup, thanks to the aunty and fat shop attendant blocking the way, and the shop attendant insisted me to pay, $13+ for something I don't need, with threats of calling in the security.

Nevertheless, I decided to opt out of the gym session, despite opposition from my friend, whether he really meant it or not. Anyway, I just don't feel as enthusiastic as before. Maybe his new-found buddy will be much better. As the problem dragged on, I became flustered. Out of the blue I was told the problem was solved tactfully, but I still find it a little weird. Let's see if this is the last time, and for the meantime, gym sessions are indefinitely postponed.

My mp3 headphone has its right side spoilt, much to my dismay. I accidentally step on it lightly in AMK library and didn't expect it to be so fragile. Intern workload is increasing, and I have yet to fill in the logbook.

Anyway in about 3 weeks' time I'll have to return to Brunei again to be officially sworn in as a Brunei citizen. I will then be taking an oath of allegiance, or 'sumpah', the last legal requirement as mandated under Brunei Nationality Act and I have to be wearing formal traditional Malay clothing.

My return trip this time round is to surrender my Entry Permit and Birth Certificate to the issuing departments, thereby renouncing my Brunei PR/Stateless status and also to sign some documents to acknowledge items surrendered. Finally the long wait is going to be over. Once the citizenship certificate presentation ceremony is held, I can cancel my Certificate of Identity, apply for my yellow IC (thus surrendering my pink PR IC), and apply for the new biometric passport, which looks just like the new Singapore passport. Then I'll no longer have travel restrictions.

Bad Trip Day - Back in Brunei

Wow, today, or actually, this week had been rather rough. I received a last-minute memo that I had to return to Brunei to formalize my pending citizenship status yesterday noon. Had to scout for air tickets and chose Singapore Airlines. Maybe I can leave as soon as next year.

This is my 7th plane ride of the year. Unfortunately I missed my morning SQ flight at 09 20 due to heavy traffic at TPE right until Pasir Ris Drive 12, and had to be rescheduled to Royal Brunei Airlines departing at 13 40 instead. The jam effectively trapped me in the taxi for 40 minutes, and it costs a bomb afterwards. Of course there was a penalty of $100.

My second embarrassing moment was I attempted to board a wrong flight. I went through all the security checks at my designated gate, only to be turn away at the waiting lounge. Another flight was using the same gate and it was flying to Kuala Lumpur. I had checked in too early. Later I re-did my security checks and the guard asked, "You sure you are on the correct flight this time? To Brunei?"... Omg...

On the way to my departure gate F59

Finally arrived in Brunei around 16 30. Flight was slightly delayed, and air traffic in Changi Airport was rather heavy. We had to queue to depart. Anyway, I still prefer SIA any day... I really don't know what happened to me, seemed like I lost myself some time ago, becoming stoic...

The waiting lounge before departure

My SIA flight become Royal Brunei Airline le... so sad

Loading of our luggages and cargoes into the plane

3 planes - RBA, SIA push-back to get ready for taxing, and TigerAirways at the back

Been having a rough busy week. Tuitions after work, as my student was having Continuous Assessment.

A persistent friend was trying to join our gym session, causing my gym buddy and I to have heated arguments. He was trying to take control and sowed discord by asking my friend to ignore me completely and go gym session with him at another timing, which I will not be convenient at all. Luckily my friend never obliged.

Thereafter, he incessantly persists to join even though we had been insinuating otherwise for some time, declining every now and then as it would be better to have gym sessions rather than gym gatherings. Odd number pairings is not a good idea, especially for us... He didn't even bother if we obliged, he just wanted to have his way, even to the extent of clinging on to my friend!!! This caused a strain between my friend and me. What was once a leisurely activity initiated by us two only now becomes a point of contention.

Nevertheless, the damage is done. Due to the persistence of this friend who cannot pick up or purposely don't want to pick up cues or signals we sent we would probably cancel all our future gym sessions, and he is getting clingy, tracking down where we did our sessions and will insist my friend go gym with him even when we are not having gym sessions...

Some more I don't understand why he suddenly decided to go gym, and thought he said he rather go California Fitness and seek professional trainings. Wonder which idiot drill into him the idea of gym training with us suddenly some more, creating troubles and headaches for us, nbzzz.... What a good friend huh, thank you leh... Intro a friend who tried to PS me...

I feel very sad over this possible cancellations, we used to have some long term goals and visions and now all our efforts for the past months are going down the drain, just because of this one stupid friend.

Really headache... What am I going to do with this friend huh? I am scared I'll lose my close friend too.... He did this to ghost last time, causing tempers to flare between ghost and her bf... Now my turn... He really likes to see people arguing over him... Haiz, so sad... Should I condemn Taurus too? I really dunno how to walk out of this chapter... HELP!!!

Long Live Tiger Airways!!!!

Saw a great piece of news around the middle of the week. TigerAirways was granted landing rights to Brunei Airport!!! I can now immediately ditch AirAsia flights from JB to Miri, which is such a hassle and I no longer need to apply for Malaysian visa. It will really facilitate my return.

It has been a rather fulfilling week. Work was smooth-sailing, and I really learned plenty of new things during this week. So much it is starting to be overwhelming, haha... Nevertheless I am really glad that I chose this company, and I can soon upgrade my programming skills to the next higher level.

Went to catch a horror movie - ALONE after work yesterday at Vivocity. My friend arrived rather late and I believed we were the latest to be seated. The movie literally made me jump on my seat three times - never been so jumpy in a horror movie before!

Went Thompson road for supper later, and I had a very palatable mushroom cheese prata - if I didn't remember wrongly. As far as my line of sight allowed, I only see a long stretch of eateries and cafes. Maybe next time can "jio" more people there.

My mum was pestering me with plenty of missed calls then, and I thought finally the immigration letter to inaugurate me as Brunei citizen has arrived, and I can leave much earlier. FALSE alarm!!! The call was meant to confirm whether TigerAirways is really flying to Brunei.

Purchased some jerseys and Adidas shorts over the weekend not long after I received my first pay. Luckily at the end of the month I can get paid for my tuition to shoulder the expenses. Also wrongly purchased bus concession instead of MRT today, but managed to get some free bus rides after reverting it back to MRT concession, haha.

Feel sad that ghost and anonymous are condemning me, lolx. Am I that bad? I do listen sometimes. Thanks for all the persuasions, I'll note all justifications should I intend to review my decision.

Thoughts on a lazy Saturday afternoon

It's Saturday again! Returned from tuition session in the morning. Feeling a little lethargic from the exercise session yesterday. Nothing much to do over the weekend except filling up my attachment logbook.

Thursday, Aug 9 was Singapore's 42nd National Day. The event was celebrated at the waterfront at Marina Bay instead of the usual National Stadium and Padang. On this eventful day, I managed to recoup my long-overdue rest. I practically slept through most of the day.

Speaking of National Day, I remembered a few years back, I was at a mini NDP parade in Yishun area which was followed by fireworks. It was rather exciting then, as I had then aspired to be part of Singapore eventually, but such aspiration has all but waned. Such mini-parades were no longer held as well.

I'm not very sure whether I would still be here during the next NDP. Nevertheless, I have given this issue some due consideration. Honestly I find Singapore a rather pleasant city which I have grown fond of, but circumstances have slowly crushed my hope of staying in this vibrant city. Maybe everything is fated after all.

Flags neatly hanging from a Hougang flat for National Day

Hopefully I will not regret any decisions made in the future. A close friend of mine did persuade me to stay, and honestly I'm a little surprised and moved by the persuasion as it was rather out-of-the blue, considering we were nothing more than mere acquaintances before the previous semester. Probably I should heed the advice and not hastily conclude a decision.

However, I'll definitely attend the convocation ceremony next year. It's a little foolish not to attend after struggling so hard all these while. The onus now lies on when the Brunei government will bestow citizenship upon me.

Life can be divided into many stages. Recapping my 7 years of residence in Singapore, this island has provided me with satisfaction and opportunities to grow that I have never had before. I learned a lot during my stay here, and although throughout these years there were many happy and distasteful events, I felt that these were the most meaningful moments of my life.

Lastly, I would like to thank all those that were part of my life, be it those friends who treat me sincerely or those who betrayed or used me for their own good. Thank you for adding colors to my otherwise dull life. To my few contemporary close friends, thank you for all the supports and advices given. I will always cherish these memories for the rest of my lives. Thank you.

Tuesday Mini Gathering

Haven't been blogging for some time. Anyway, first time blogging from office, taking a break from all the rhetoric debugging sessions.

Had a mini gathering again this Tuesday. Was supposed to be held in July, but alas, it was continuously postponed until the 1st August, and everyone managed to attend nevertheless.

Some ruckus were created while deciding on the dinner location, before settling for dinner at Suntec Soup Restaurant. Service was not exactly fantastic, and the food was probably a little overrated, though I liked the soup and the tofu. The bill came up to $25, quite a hefty amount for a penniless intern like me.

Saw some discounts for waffle at Gelare and had "supper" over there. Actually someone came up with plans after waffle session but unfortunately some of us had to work the next day. Talking about work it was so demoralizing. Everyone had high paying salaries, except me, where my pay is only 3 number digits.

Some pictures for the outing....

The 2 scorpio ladies at the gathering (Soup Restaurant)

The guys at the gathering (Soup Restaurant)

Shan and her coveted waffle with vanilla at Gelare

Sneaky pictures while dining, beware of cameras!

Mini-session photo - The high-salaried gang

Best expression for photo-posing