Walk on.

Love the wind. Love the stillness. Love chilling.

Hasn’t been an easy week at all. Glad to let it out in paintings, photos and doodling. My soul breathes.

Hope.

Onward Bound

Totally amazing – the train ride to Seattle has been really therapeutic. Just seeing the blue skies, forests and space really brings so much solace, rest and renewing. THIS is my kind of holiday. Not Bangkok.

Was a little afraid that seated against the train flow would make me dizzy, but thankfully I’m ok. Symbolically, it feels like I’m reflecting and looking back at the week that just went by.  I’m still taking it in. Wrote a note to Melvin, telling him how thankful I am for this opportunity; also to Ruth – just really glad she’s here –to chat, be there,  go into the indoor heated Jacuzzi pool together (you need 2 to be in there) and be excited about shopping J. Oh yes, of course, thankful for Calvin too – I spent most of my waking hours with him – going for all meetings, work on SG projects, taking calls together and also hanging out.

The last week has been fabulous – despite the long flight, packed schedules with back to back meetings and needing to tune into SG work at night in Pacific Time. Was superb to meet up with Studio D across the globe, feeling the energy, the excitement and witnessing the innovation and shifts that are taking place. After all the emails and concalls, it’s really good to see them face to face . Am looking forward to future collaborations and more integration. Felt I’ve learnt much and gained a broader understanding of the communications, the industry and of course WE/Studio D.

I must say Melvin’s a fantastic boss (he hates me calling him that) but he is a really good leader. Amazed at how smart he is and also how much he cares for people. Thankful for his coaching and openness. Was lying on the office bed and a flash of thought came to me – it’s been such a journey – so much has transpired over the last 1.5 years I’ve been at Waggener. So much.

Super glad that Mel, Cal and I get along really well both at work and also off-work. Beyond the crazy schedule, it was superb that we could chill together – have late dinners (almost suppers), hang out and laugh it off. There were just so many ROFL moments (also with Ruth) that just made the whole experience totally fabulous. Call me sentimental, but these are the things I treasure a lot.

With Calvin, since he came on board in March, I’m both relieved and happy. Having someone there to bounce off ideas, consult with and go through challenges together is a good thing.  Really happy to explore Portland, take photos, have fab meals together.  I’m glad that with little sleep and challenges, we can laugh things off and crack silly jokes instead of being grumpy. Can’t imagine the trip (or Studio D APAC) without him.  Thankful for his friendship, so so so glad he is here.

Okay, onward to Seattle – half wishing Cal can go on the trip together but heh, he’s got to go home and cover me for work. Hoping the weather keeps up and looking forward to new sights, fresh experiences and different dimensions.

Flight

It’s my fourth day in Portland. Still feeling slightly jet lagged.

Love flying – just peeking out to see the clouds – just reminds me how small I am and how majestic God is. Beautiful, just beautiful

Getting Jabbed

heh – will be travelling the next two months

after reminders from mom and Andrea, i decided i better go today. surprisingly, i had a really good experience at Tan Tock Seng’s  Travellers’ Health & Vaccination Clinic (THVC). It’s the first time i’ve been to TTSH after it renovated – it was near the MRT and struck me as new and efficient. The nurses were great – caring, patient and fast. I love this about Singapore. I can understand why people from the region come all the way here for medical services.

yup – so i had 3 jabs (ouch) and a blood test to see if i have enough immunity to fight chicken pox (had a mild case in my teens).

Shoe Fetish

Popped by Merve’s house for housewarming a few months back, heh, amused that he’s got such a shoe fetish – for collectable air Jordans. Though I have 21 pairs of shoes, I’m sure the total worth of my shoes will probably amount to max 3 pairs of his.

I must say, the Air Jordans are pretty.

Are Diamonds a Girl’s Best Friend?

Had an interesting conversation with Mel and Cal today… about on a scale of 1-10, how practical are you? Cal mentioned he’s a 3… leaning towards the practical. For me, I think it varies for diferent things. Somethings I’m extremely practical. Other,I’m a hopeless idealist. But having said that… I think the last few years have thrusted me towards being more practical… more temperate… more restrained… which can be a good thing. I think I’m beginning to dream a little bit more, hope more and look forward a little more… after feeling I’ve lost my dreams and hope for a good 2 years.

I wonder what people perceive me – am I deadpan realist or a dreamy romantic? I wonder… Well… Mel thinks I’m practical… due to the fact I would rather have a DSLR rather than a diamond ring. Cal thinks I’m rare. Am I?

I think diamonds are nice, pretty, shiny. But that’s about it. Not much value otherwise. At least to me. I would rather have a DSLR or channel the money to a nicer honeymoon destination or cooler funkier home decor. Maybe it’s because I’ve lived on borrowed pro cameras all my life… it’s awesome I have great friends who lend me theirs when I travel or do freelance in the past or for church purposes… but I really really hope I’ll get to own a DSLR and a Video cam one day…Plus diamonds have poor resale value (not that I would ever want to sell an engt/wedding ring) but it sure is not worth much. Mom popped by that day wanting to buy me diamond earrings… I told her I rather her give me the money so I could travel… Why would anyone trade great new experiences with a piece of shiny stone? Cut, clarity, colour… I rather have a camera in Cuba.

Maybe some women tag how much they are loved by how much a guy is willing to spend on them? Maybe some women need to feel they are worth something by the size of their diamond ring? Maybe some women feel special that way? Maybe some women feel they are better than other women if the diamond on their ring is bigger? Maybe it lasts forever?

Find Rest, my Soul.

Embracing the Moment

I’ve never been a huge Bon Jovi fan (unlike Lee Kiah – who is always raving about him… now its GEM, ha)

But remember feeling really down last year and was just discouraged. Stumbled upon this song and it made a WHOLE lot of sense. Looking back, am glad to have moved on lots since last year… and just embracing each moment and moving on…

Welcome To Wherever You Are

“Maybe we’re different, but we’re still the same
We all got the blood of Eden, running through our veins
I know sometimes it’s hard for you to see
You come between just who you are and who you wanna be

If you feel alone, and lost and need a friend
Remember every new beginning, is some beginning’s end

Chorus
Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life, you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are

When everybody’s in, and you’re left out
And you feel your drowning, in a shadow of a doubt
Everyones a miracle in their own way
Just listen to yourself, not what other people say

When it seems you’re lost, alone and feeling down
Remember everybody’s different
Just take a look around

Chorus

Be who you want to, be who you are
Everyones a hero, everyones a star

Possibilities

I just went for a run. It was ’shiok’! Love the wind in my face as I trod down the path.

Happy to note that my stamina has improved and running is more comfortable now.

I remember when I first started… was panting and puking. I hated running. With my asthmatic lungs, allergic rhinitis ridden nose and sensitive eczema skin. Running was a torture. Sheer torture.

Somehow I picked it up in 2007. I think I was inspired by friends like Eileen and the people who ran marathons in YC. With Eileen’s encouragement, I started running. And running. (or rather jogwalking). Then Wally & Ami gave me Nike+. WOAH. That was FABULOUS! Just love blasting music whilst I run and knowing exactly how long, how much and how fast I’m running. Love plugging my ipod nano and seeing the beautiful charts.

I don’t think my runs are spectacular. I think some people will deem it slow. But I’m happy. That I’m improving and I’m enjoying my runs…

Possible is Something.