Trust Me or Not

One of the nuances for staying alone would be the fact that you need manage all matters related to the big umbrella term – household.

It’s a mixed feeling honestly. As much as I enjoy shopping for pretty things to decorate the house, the process leading up to the final outcome can be a real pain.

When I moved into my apartment, other than being disappointed with the under-furnished state, I wasn’t too happy with the lack of the basic necessities as well.

C’mon, where’re the curtains in the living room?

The landlord, a Filipino Chinese (read: rich) lady who owns a large corporation explained that the building management didn't think it’s necessary when she asked them.

I didn’t buy that reasoning and I reminded her that I specifically asked for it before I signed the lease and she agreed.

Hence she had no choice but to give in to my request.

After much chasing and waiting for her village’s Christmas party to be over as she said it would be too stressful for her to organize the party AND settle the curtains at the same time, the installation finally took place, six weeks later.

As they run on liquid-time, I call it, I had to take a whole day’s leave just to stay at home and stare at their turtle-speed of putting up the curtains.

Two hours into the work and only one of eight curtain rods was installed. I was really appalled.

It started with sending two inexperienced workers (one of which was only supervising fyi), to bringing the wrong drill, to realizing that the rods were insufficient.

I couldn’t help but questioned them the point of taking measurement in the first place. Seriously.

And now I’m really blaming myself again for choosing the wrong apartment right from the start. How silly of me to believe that “trust” even exist in this place.

The biggest thing to adapt in this country is the lack of trust, in all contexts. Sad but true.

In the malls, each cashier counter will have minimally three cashiers, one to collect the money, one to tally the number of items and one to pack. Initially, I thought it’s their way of job creation.

But later I was enlightened that it’s a trust issue. Even more sensitive when there’s monetary involvement.

At work, I’ve learnt to take their words with a tiny winy pinch of salt until I verify myself. I’ve to reconcile the fact that things will NOT be done by a simple one-time instruction without monitoring every stage of the progress. Commonly known as micro-management.

I’ve reckon it’s essential in order to drive towards the outcome of my desire, even if it takes to breathe down their neck.

When everything and everybody cannot be trusted, it takes a toll on the efficiency and quality of the outcome. Either the quality is compromised or the time gets dragged on.

Coming from a fast developing nation which drives excellence, I’ve unfortunately taken both for granted. 

Perhaps I shouldn’t apply my standard on them but will it make me a sub-standard person at the end of the two years? I fear at that thought.

Halfway through the curtain installation, the supervisor told me “We want to work in Singapore”.

I had to hold back my snarl and in my mind I shouted “THEN YOU GOTTA WORK FASTER!!!”

Before they left, "Ma'am, the curtains not enough."

Why am i not surprised?

An All-New Blessed Christmas

The week started a lil bumpy. 
With the returned boss (aka ArD), i'm finally getting a taste of the everyday-life with her infamous working style and witnessing the real situation which the colleagues had fed me previously.
The mood was heavier and the usual yakking was gone. But it was bearable. I don't fancy an over-bustling working environment anyway.    
When i thought the day would pass without a glitch, the evening had to end with a war between a lion(ness) and a pinoy. 
Mon had to pull off a "late lunch" stunt which ArD didn't appreciate and all hell broke loose after that. 
A seemingly innocent act triggered a whole series of truth-unveiled chapter and a see-through of a person's character. 
So the stories i've heard thus far have been so out of context. 
I was mad at myself for trusting one whom i barely know, when i chose not to believe that culture can shape a person's character.    
That evening, with info overload, i sank into a deep confusion of men's words. 
For the rest of the week, i turned oblivious to the happenings around the office and direct my focus on the corporate work plan and budgeting which were enough to zap all my energy. 


Since Christmas was round the corner and being the first time spending it alone, i decided to liven up the spirit and make the best out of the seemingly depressing situation. Spending Christmas alone is not depressing unless you want it to.
At mid-week, my Christmas dinner menu was finally established, and i spent the next two days preparing for it. 
It would be my first home-cooked meal ever since i settled in and therefore, the initial start-up took quite some effort. Starting from the basic condiments, cutlery to cookware such as the frying pan and even the oven toaster. It was quite a biceps-training exercise to lug these home.
In the course of all these, i've grown a fetish for crockery. Every trip to Landmark (aka the mall of necessities), i couldn't help but to add a plate or a mug onto my collection when i already have eight mugs and six plates at home? But but that mug would be perfect for my hot chocolate and that cute bowl for my gelato! 
Eventually, I gave up on justifying why i need that extra piece. Thankfully, they are very affordable. A nice dessert plate can cost less than a dollar sgd? Anyways...
By Thursday, i was 80% ready for Christmas. :)


Friday felt like the last day of work before CNY. Even though i was stressed up with a deadline that very day and it required highly intense number crunching.
Well, the malay cuisine lunch prepared by ArD did ease the stress a lil, since i was craving for "home-food", but not until i submitted the final set of numbers at 5pm. Brain dead. 
Talking about home-food, i have been having strong cravings for lor mee and wonton mee since last week, my all-time favourite local cuisine. After twittering about it, the sweet Alywin boy offered to send me images of them but i told him it would only make it worse.
Cravings is one of the hardest things to overcome. 
On Friday evening, ArD brought me to a home party, hosted by the ex-president of the Ladies Association who is a Singaporean. She is here with her husband who is the attaché of MINDEF. Wow.
The sound of home party seems very casual to me. I used to have them quite regularly back home. But for this, it gave me a totally new perspective of a HOME PARTY.
Quality is the way to go. 
The party took place in a condo located at Fort Bonafacio (aka The Fort) which is approximately 20 min away from Makati (where i am), without traffic (which is impossible in Metro Manila's context). 
The Fort (aka The Global City) is a newly developed city which they say, modelling after Makati to be the next commercial district. To me, it's like a mini San Francisco. Not as if i've been to SF but at least it's like how i pictured it to be. Very spacious, very westernised, from the retail offerings to the road signs. One of my favourite cities in Manila. Anyways...
Located at level 40, the night had a good head start with the spectacular view of the city. Honestly, with that altitudinal experience, i was won over by 50% of the overall impression. 
Upon entering the door, we were welcomed by the host and almost twenty other guests, seated around a round banquet table which looked like an add-on for the party, and a oblong dining table. Male at the round table while the ladies congregated at the dining table, made up with elaborated dining ware.   
On a second look, i realised i was the most under-dressed as the rest came in ball-like outfit. Thank God i didn't change into my shorts and birkies. 
The Singaporean couple presented a buffet of Singaporean fare which included nasi lemak, fried bee hoon, curry veg etc. Yay!
The best of all, they were served on dining ware with the Majulah Singapura imprint. Double WOW. For a moment, i thought i was having a national day dinner at the Istana of sorts. I is impressed.
And for the rest of the night, i elevated my level as i mingled with the tai-tais and conversed about kids, living abroad, maids and whatever nots. Until the husbands, at the other table, initiated the closure for the night.
I've to admit, i laughed to myself in several occasions as i felt as though i was part of the cast of the Joy Luck Club movie. Hilarious. 
An eye-opener indeed. 


Then came Christmas eve. 
After catching up with ample sleep, i set off for brunch at Seattle Coffee, only to find that i was the only patron. I guess the Pinoys were mostly home preparing for their noche buena, their Christmas dinner which usually commence after the late evening mass.
The malls and the streets were quiet as well. 
I decided to give myself a pampering Christmas spa treat. No, i wasn't bua with log cake, not was i hammered with turkey. But the combi of Swedish and Shiatsu massage was enough to crack my bones. Oh my.
And then it was my home-cooked Christmas dinner! 
For the mains, i had oven baked salmon with rosemary and garlic butter sauce, serviced with mashed potato with bacon bits. Awesome. I gave myself two pats for this first attempt. :)
For dessert, it was vanilla ice cream drizzled with muscat. Sensational! I was inspired with this dessert during my last trip at Perth. Oh now i miss Perth.
The rest of the night was spent washing up while catching glimpses of the Korean drama playing in the living room. Ok despite the fun, it was quite a chore to cook.


Honestly, i couldn't recall any year when i had to spend Christmas alone. 
Minimally, a home party with several close ones, gift exchanges and of course, glorious food. 
First year away and alone. Yeah the thought seems depressing but i'm not complaining, and i think it gotta do with age. 
Before my home-cooked dinner, i said a little prayer. Thanking God for who He is and sending Jesus to save us two thousand years ago. Not forgetting His provision and the wonderful works He has done in my life. :)


Blessed Christmas! 

Happy One-Month Anniversary

It has been a month. 
Am i getting used to it? Honestly, i'm not sure. 
While enjoying the freedom to do whatever i want, i do miss the company back at home. 
Having said that, i'm trying to enjoy life, to my best ability. :)


So...how shall i start? 
Alright, with the basics i supposed?
On 15 Nov, i arrived in NAIA Manila Airport, embarking on a 2-year journey of...excitement. 
I found myself a nice apartment (ok not that nice after all) at The Residences at Greenbelt (TRAG) located in the heart of Makati city. To put things in context, it's like staying at The Orchard Residences at ION. I would never imagine.
Well, even when i'm still coming to terms with the wrong choice of apartment within TRAG, kinda under-furnished and minimal. Self-furnishing in progress.
But if you can reach the mall within 3 minutes and the cinema within 5 and no midnight charge after late drinking sessions, the interior doesn't quite matter after all.
Since Philippines clocked the record of having the highest utilities bill in Asia, as much as i would love to, i avoid staying home if i can.
Thus having air-conditioned malls within the proximity is critical in a tropical city like Manila. 


Office at Ayala is about 5 to 8 minutes cab ride away from home and yes i take cab everyday, everywhere i go. 
The jeepneys, buses and trains just look too adventurous for me and paying an average of SGD3 for each cab ride to work is negligible as compared to my cab-indulgence back home.
In the evening, i will take a 20-min stroll home, via an awesome covered pedestrian bridge that links Ayala to Greenbelt. If i can say, that is the most thoughtful infrastructure they could ever have. 
On the way, i can decide which mall do i want to drop by, depending on my needs then. 
However, i have a tendency to overbuy such that the short walk home can be dreadful. 
But but...there are just too many things that i need! 
I've got a new obsession of buying kitchenware when i don't know why i need 4 mugs and 2 glasses when there's only me, myself and i. But but...they are so nice and you will need a different mug for coffee, juice and plain water. :p
I've got 2 plates but i think i need 2 smaller ones for desserts and fruits. 
Oh i lack dessert forks and steak knives as well. And wine glasses. 
Oops. 
If i'm not buying things for my kitchen, it will be toiletries which is totally unjustified when i've shipped 2-year supply of most items over. But but...ok fine. 
Well, at least it's not food? That would be of a higher concern. 


Life after work? Well, so far, i've been succumbing to Mon's lure to his drinks session. It's bad, i know. But i couldn't resist the mojito when it costs the same as your Starbucks grande frappacino. Seriously. 
But my new year resolution! Hit the gym at least thrice per week! I is determined! 
Anyway, Mon is my new (and only) Filippino Chinese friend cum colleague. He stays alone in Manila while his family stays at his hometown in Davao, another province of the Philippines. A chain smoker and drinker despite being two years my junior. He said he started smoking and drinking since he was 15. With cigs costing at SGD1ish per pack, i can really see why. All thanks to him, i have turned into a passive smoker. 
Greenbelt is like his second home and hence, our hangouts become very convenient. 
Talking to him can be rather tiring as he wouldn't approach a topic at surface level. But honestly, how can one talk so deep everyday?? I'm still trying to manage that. 
Interesting character, and of course i wouldn't mind a new friend. :)


Christmas is just a week away. For the first time, i'll be spending with me, myself and i. And i shall dedicate this song to myself. 

The New Life

The new life has indeed started.

Three more days and it will be a month since i've been "in-market". 

Being in STB has been a journey which i would never have imagined when i was in school. 

I love its mission and most importantly, God has brought me to this place.

Seven years is long. As i looked back, i couldn't be more grateful to the awesomeness God has given me. 

Seven years later, i could feel the nudge from God. Not sure if i was too sensitive but i'm pretty sure it's not my preference. 

It has become such a comfort that i would gladly retire doing the same old thing. 

But God is cute. He never wants me to be too comfortable. He is against complacency and stagnancy. 

Therefore, upon the divine opportunities, here i am, out of my comfort zone. 

It was as if changing an entirely different portfolio is not enough, He had to add on the challenge by plucking me out totally. 

Half a year ago, i would never have imagined i would end up in the Philippines. 

A country which i didn't even know geographically. 

I just like the way it sounds and i think i can enunciate it pretty well. :)

Oh wells, i attempted to negotiate with God but He reminded me that i've asked for it in the first place. A change was what i asked for, but i could never dictate its outcome. God could. 

All i could do is to obey and f.a.i.t.h became the root word. 

Even when i'm still clueless why did God bring me to the Pinoyland, i know someday it will be revealed.

God is in control, and that is already a comfort.

Life wasn't a bed of roses eversince i arrived. In fact, it was the other extreme. 

I thought i fell into a depression as i couldn't eat at all. That is the most serious it could get. NOT EATING? ME? 

The last time i felt this way was the time when i was posted to a secondary school, not of my choice and very far away. 

"Not of my choice and very far away".... seems like the case now! No wonder. 

I couldn't deal with the uncertainty and it didn't help when work became overwhelming on the third day of my Manila days. 

My apartment was disappointing, my visa had a problem, my shipment was delayed, work sucked and whatever could happen, happened.

It didn't get better, but worse, for the next two weeks. 

After which, a KL trip became a saving grace. Even when i had to work an average of fifteen hours every day. 

I guess i needed the break from the pit hole.

Now that i'm back to Manila, it seems easier to manage and things seem to be falling in place. It's the perspective i reckon. A kingdom perspective would never go wrong. 

Yes that is it! Cast in stone. The going will get tough but if God is with me, nobody can be against me. 

James 1:12

 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.