its the end of 2007...welcome 2008

2007 has left me with some great achievements, satisfaction and more experiencing moments.

The year is running towards the finishing point.
I start to recap what have I’ve achieved in this fruitful year.

Living at the age of quarter-life crisis, made me feel that I have to be cautious in every step I made. In the later stage of this year, that is. I left my previous digital imaging company in the early half of this year to pursue another interest, Visual Merchandising.

The previous company, I gain much knowledge on big brands, knowing of upcoming events/promotions, artistic flair on photographers, the techniques of perfect color management and getting to know a bunch of nice girls.

My manager is a nice woman with very naïve mind who teaches me lots of stuff. I do gain a lot from her with my ‘never-ending’ questions, the ‘why & what if’ questions and sometimes I do throw her a very nasty face or even a ‘dun come and bother me’ attitude. I admit I am a bit rude to her but I don’t admit that I am in the wrong. Those incidents were still deep in my mind.

The turning point started when I joined Timberland.
I got to know a handful of nice people.
Rizal- the fabulous guy with the kinda attitude where you wouldn’t think of becoming a colleague with him. Eventually when times passes, he has the ‘wow’ factor. No bullshit! He bitches a lot and is not afraid to tell. I wish to learn from him his
1. Planning skills in directing people
2. VM skills
3. and of course all his bullshit that manage to pull of the people around him.

But unfortunately, he left us early in July to pursue other advancements.

Celine- ‘out-of-the-world’ creative gal who manages to pull herself out from accounts to Visual Merchandising. Learning on the job isn’t easy. You need encouragements, willingness to change and most of all the ‘push’ force. It's like you are either a creative mind or a ‘numbers’ kinda mind rite? She works on both. She’s also one nice/quirky/thoughtful boss to work with. She never gives me harsh words or nasty comments. Even if I am in the wrong, she knows how to say in correctly with minimal effort.
Aww~~ In fact, I grew up more when she’s not around.
Like when she’s traveling, I got to know what I need to get things done, motivate myself more and make sure that I do the correct things. On the other hand, I need her to be around so that I am more disciplined. So I wont check my personal mails, go on blogs. At least I don’t go online shopping. That’s so bad, and addictive I guess. I guess she’s quite blur also. Sometimes, she would come into the office with the ‘sleep-walking’ mode but still greets me ‘morning!’ and I go like, ‘hey, are you awake?’. I mean the look of her lah, cos she wouldn’t be sleep-driving rite!

And the rest, Kelvin- super-duper ‘kan qiong’ quy. He looks like a toy to me. His waist is like 26’. My god! And everyone of us can actually imagine him with this walked-in wardrobe saying: “ hello friend, welcome to my home.
Let me show you to my room (with Canadian slang).
Introducing this season floral collection from designer Jean-paul gauliter. This series of design combines …blah blah.blah. And this season for the bottoms, skinny jeans is in. details like blah.blah are emphasis.
Timepieces from blah.blah
Accessories are a must have with leather from blah..blah.
This season, I also have fag bags from blah.blah. The weaves..details, colours like hues and nudes are in. and the story is never-ending. And imagine he can actually go on with the next year season 2008 fashion.
Man! I have to salute him.
Lorna- the mother who bakes marvelous brownies and muffins. Chocolate fanatics and healthy munchies woman. Unfortunately, she’s also moving on to another step in her life.
Cheryl- previously impresses me with her ‘lian’ look. But as time goes by, she such a sweetie and also smart EQ. Chocolate fanatic as well, but only selects the best.

Enough of the people. The environment was great. With nice sea-view. Shit! I forgot Sabina. The girl suffer much from culture-shock. Previously working with clinique, under the estee-lauder group. She’s much a typical ‘lian’ girl with brains. You can get everything from her. She knows everything. And apparently, she’s from a twin. And everything that comes to her mind, she will ‘ blukes’ out. Her signature phrase would be ‘WTF!’ for ‘FYI!' hands on' girl who will be willing to teach you the essence of beauty and prevention on aging. She’s a walking beauty guide I should say! and also a mobile funnie. She’s our 369 in Timberland.

Also I read a couple of nice books like ‘How full is your bucket’. A book on positive minds and ideas. I would never go near such books, god. But it was good and of course it gain me some human reactions towards compliments. Haha! Haruki Murakami- The wind-up bird chronicle. In depth and in some sections I might even fall in deep sleep as I have run 42km. And speaking of that. I manage to complete this year 10km woman’s standard chartered run. With 1 hr 30mins as a first timer I am quite please with my results already. Next time I am going to strive for 1 hr. '

This year I also got my driving license, which was a major accomplishment. With 14 demerit pts. I also got to learn Visual Merchandising, another aspect in design. Working in a bigger company, with more politics, more changes, more first-times and more people management.

I learnt that i've grown up as well. and i am happy with that. al least i have future goals and targets to meet. Realizing how tough is life and not to take things for granted and having more friends is always much more better than a enemy.

Bon voyage 2007!
i lurve all the sweet memories and its going to retain here for recap.
next up will be my new year resolutions.

woo!

rachel @ homelessconcept

the weekend

my weekend was spent at the coasta sands.
had much put-in effort bbq food from yongyuan & francis.

most of them were from my sec. school. I thought i managed to burn off the food by exercising 3+ hours. But i was so wrong. bbq food is so meant to be oily when 'experience' is not up to it. I brought along Royce chocolates and brownies from the 'Brownie Factory' to pamper them. And they were great. Like my main course, as usual.

And i'm glad they like them too. *dun seem to have yet tasted royce*

We spent the night watching tv. Yes, i know. Boring rite? and have myself smell like 'bbq scented'. Later we drive down to Changi to see some 'people'. Apparently, they seem to have moved. Not many of them there thou.
And we also went to 'OCH'. Commonly known as Old Changi Hospital. And the three of us girls were like so damn scared that we had to stay together in the car. and the naughty boys were exploring. Actually i am not tat timid lah, but just that i am in the particular day of the month, thats why.

Went to have a drink at one of the coffee store and was back to the chalet at 4am+.

Gosh..i am going for combat class leh.. at 10am.

As usual,
KC is not here again. Fever at 38.8C. and stupid JD still can tell us to go and buy 4D.0338 or 3880.

Class was bad. His cues and moves were ... Songs were >_<... And it was the first time i went out of someone class during the last combat track. and its official that i wont go for his class, unless he improved. i was wondering.. how did he pass the audition and whatsoever test. And so my fav instructors were:
1. Meech (*so irreplace-able)
2. Christina (the aussie/chinese looking girl who's been trying to speak Mandarin)
3. Roger (best selection of tracks everytime..sharp, witty and full of energy)
4. Cheslyn.. (if only u were here...sweet, cutsy and animated)
5. KC (pre-cues were good, but too many 'animated' sounds and v.uncle to me)
6. William (was once my fav. until he dropped his standard..coming back to revival)
7. Azrino (the slim guy who always make funny actions, but sharp and bold)
8. June/Ayesha/Mae (the girls are lacking of audiences)
9. Suhaimi (enjoying..dun expect to be serious in his class)
10. Tomomi (the yet to be born star, shines bright and lotsa room for improvement. can be in top 5.)
11. Collin (sharp and good, but dun appeal to me. and timing is a big concern. Entertaining)
12. JD (pattern more than badminton!! and forgot all the cues, almost in every track..i am going man! Made me go 'arghh...' for the first time!)

more holidays...

Put my pressie into use-Look at that owl magnet that firmly grab onto e photo- Sistas in Crime!

This present is from Celine- my boss who can tolerate all my 'blur-ness' at work. LOL

Looks 'chem' thou, but was told that its quite simple to understand and inspiring. Hopefully i get inspired.

Next up.

I will be going to the sales meeting aka 'Go-To-Market' meeting at Penang. Lucky for me that it was only 3 days where initially it was one whole week. *gym that is my main concern.

Anyway it falls right after Jenna's Big day, the following week. Sharing room with our office Drama queen- Sabina. Which means i would have more complains, whinning, 'LOL' laughter' to entertain me throughout these few days.

Next.

These few weeks, i have been becoming more and more picky. the people of the bus, how they stand, look at people, how people 'eat hamburger' in the bus, sitting so near beside you...etc.

Am i sick or what? i simply dun understand why some.. OR MOST people dun pay attention to their mannerisms. what i meant it be normal and do the norm things, dun try to be some 'gugu' and try to talk to yourself in the bus/smile at yourself. sicko!!!

Next.

Something happy. Yihui aka my best hongkong-ese friend is goin to organise some bbq.

the 'got-nothing-to-do, get-together and -have-fun' thingy. really looking forward to it, as she's so excited like when she was 17. when she got her first bbq b'dae celebration. appreciated her thoughtful-ness. so i am going to bring something there- some sweet and chocolately aka my fav.

and coming up..i am going to post more before the year ends.

yeah! baby...

rachel@homelessconcept

gimme me pressie

Marks and Spencer Cookies- they are the best and nicest selection. Yum Courtesy of Su Yin- one of the nicest girl in the office..

From my fav label- agnes b, courtesy of Vivian, my evil sister. I feel odd is i call u 'angel' sister just b'cos of this. so thanks, evil sister!

MORE PRESSIES

Xmas, the season i love. To receive, share and give. Surprises, lotsa food, carols, jingles & wishes. Keep those pressies coming. *evil grins

the bad day

The whole of last week was absolute gloomy, dull and moody.I was stuck in whether to go to my boss house anot. And that is so not me. If i dont wanna go somewhere, i would say ‘No!’ or give some excuse straight away. But this matter seem to be bothering me.Only Monday was good as i went for my 2 hours combat.

Thats it.
So on that day, i actually went and it was suppose to be POTLUCK.
So happily, i went down to Da Paolo to get their pizzas. I dun wanna get Pizza Hut as i wanted something special. and they were huge and delightful.
One major issue is that, there are too many food, especially the huge ham fromgoodwood park- order by one of the director. and nice-c mash potatos, pomelosalad, XO dumplings, foudue, crystal jade treats, durian puffs- from goodwood park,and dozen more.

But no one ate pizza.
except me and someone.
it wasnt really my fault..so in order to ‘Reuse’, they brought it to office the otherday for lunch. i was on half day, hopefully they did ate them.
and do u know what i enjoy the best that night?
the star awards show. i simply got to block out the rest and watch my TV.

rachel @ homelessconcept

all time favourite combat tracks

Here's my combination, scratch it!

warm up: stuck on you

combat 1: the final countdown

power training 1: mangas verdes

combat 2: new sensation

power training 2: sweet dreams

combat 3: shake ya shimmy

muay thai: shake

power training: symphony 9

conditioning: we are family

cool down: when love and hate collide

another trip to ann siang

i explore the much re-vamped asylum. they have a lot of design icons around this time to align with the design festival.
the first time i stepped in style:nordic. scandinavian designs. clean cut and designers paradise.
the upper floor. this time was filled with design furnitures that are award-winning.

Front row. Tempted for their cup-cakes. But only spot dean and deluca candies. and their designer apparel were on sale. woods and woods..blah blah blah.. but unfriendly staff.

ann siang hill- the hill where surprises u with some therapy and nice gourmet. (da paolo was there, seven on club, jerry's..) and also (wild child, venue, vanilla home...)

retail therapy

Last week i went to Haji lane for some serious retail therapy.
In search for something quirky and out-of-the world.

Despite having my ulcers, i was still hugging onto my triple chocolatecrunch from Marks and Spencer. i boarded the bus and i was all the way munching onto my cereals. the crunchy oats and dark chocolate really get me going.

I decide to stop the thrill.
i went straight into the lane and pass by some shops which were not my kind. seriously look at every stairway that might be a good hunt for me.
I went in collage. Just to see what stuff have they been stocking up.
This time the ppl in there were quite friendly. and immediately this nice cutting- tulip dress caught my eye.
They have it in white and red.
i try on the red and it fits in size M. i thought i might have to go for a L instead.
But they insist that i shouldn’t be wearing too loose. sloppy! i was still pondering.. just then, they took out theturqoiuse color. NIce..!
i try that on as well. and happily looked at the price.
$89. still affordable, but in haji lane like not very worth it hor?
but was told that it was their house collection.
ask them for opinions. in the end i opt for the tur. and demand for discounts. but since they said that it was their new product, i shall not insist.
next, i went up to soon lee.
they have nice edgy tops and dresses which are quite oddy-cut.
i always like their designs, the shopping experience, and nice things to look at.I tried on a straight-cut top/dress.
Can be wore in both styles. but apparently i find the cutting weird.so i left there with nothing.
And also to some shops, the assistants were quite quiet. maybe it near dinner time.

Salad is not bad as well. nice household and apparel.
Then there was also ducti-fly, pluck, 3, flowers and plants...and i notice that most of the shops
there adopt/own cats.

Meow..

i left the pace feeling satisfied. Even thou with only 1 buy, i get myself update on their styles and trend.

Haji lane. i see you soon.

its a race of motivation, endurance and fulfillment

Yipee!

I have raced myself to complete the 10km women's standard chartered run. It's my first attempt and i am quite satisfied myself.
5.30am- wow! woke up with excitement. did a bit of dilly dally stuff and was too excited to talk
6.10am- hopped onto bus 133 and me and my sister was on the way to meet yihui and belinda at city hall mrt
6.40am- once we alighted at the bus stop. many look-alikes were found. all dressed up in the classic marathon tops. like one big family. hah!
6.45am- meet yihui and belinda. kindly put on our tags, adjust our timer at the shoe-laces. was told that if we lost it, got to paid like $50? crazy man!
7.00-7.20am- was going round and round for the baggage deposit area
7.25am- we head for a light breakie and some water to hydrate ourselves
7.50am- we were already lining up for the race. you can imagine the people. But the atmosphere was truly fun and motivating!
8.00am- we are still walking towards the START point as there are a lot of people there, we could not even start to run. Its running at the start point then westarted of jogging. I had my friend, Yihui with me all along. we are quite constant with our speed and it feels great to run with so many people as well!
Fabulous!

The run started and we din stop till like 7km and we stop for a drink.
the location at that time was- Marina South. The place where the Superbowl is or where people usually have their steam-boat and food.
I never imagine myself being able to run that far.
Gosh...
And the rest of the road back was inspirating as well. We did stop for drinks at certain points especially for 100 plus cos all the previous stations were serving mineral water only!!
and at last we reached the 100plus station and guess what? Diluted 100plus.
Just as i threw away my cup and starting running again.
Me and my friend overheard: “ Ee.. Diluted one!’ and we both laughed.
The last 1km was great. Lotsa cheers, noisy shout outs and man i completed in 1hr 30mins. I think the results was satisfing as i am not a frequent runner.
i love it and we collected our medal later and head to a delicious bon-appetite breakfast.


see you next year, standard charter.10km women;s run!

10km race

Yipee!

I have raced myself to complete the 10km women's standard chartered run.

It's my first attempt and i am quite satisfied myself.

5.30am- wow! woke up with excitement. did a bit of dilly dally stuff and was too excited to talk

6.10am- hopped onto bus 133 and me and my sister was on the way to meet yihui and belinda at city hall mrt

6.40am- once we alighted at the bus stop. many look-alikes were found. all dressed up in the classic marathon tops. like one big family. hah!

6.45am- meet yihui and belinda. kindly put on our tags, adjust our timer at the shoe-laces. was told that if we lost it, got to paid like $50? crazy man!

7.00-7.20- was going round and round for the baggage deposit are