Here's to another great year!
Thursday, August 19, 2004
TGIF? No... it's TGI-HOLIDAY!!!
As the title indicates, am ecstatic because I have a long weekend coming up. Took leave so can rest, hangout, and spend time with family members who are coming up for a visit. Also need some time to finish another Master's assignment but not going to dwell on that for now.
Family from the States might come down but with standby tickets no one really knows whether they will make it or not. Keeping fingers crossed though and hope they do. Will be nice to meet them again :)
Was late for work yesterday because a stupid squirrel ran into the house and didn't know how to get out. Jumped on furniture, pulled on curtains and ended up in the downstairs room. I was kinda afraid to enter (afraid it will jump on me and gouge my eyes out or something) so I did the next best thing. I send Biscuit in. Hehe... I kinda see Biscuit like a dog. He's just too burly and aggressive to be a bunny. Anyways, he didn't do much but hopped a bit and went back to the garden. Took me awhile but with a broom and a pillow (for a shield), managed to chase the poor rodent out of the house and then rushed off to work (on foot).
Anyways, am on half day leave today, leave tomorrow and another half day on Monday! WOOHOO! Holiday, holiday, holiday...
As the title indicates, am ecstatic because I have a long weekend coming up. Took leave so can rest, hangout, and spend time with family members who are coming up for a visit. Also need some time to finish another Master's assignment but not going to dwell on that for now.
Family from the States might come down but with standby tickets no one really knows whether they will make it or not. Keeping fingers crossed though and hope they do. Will be nice to meet them again :)
Was late for work yesterday because a stupid squirrel ran into the house and didn't know how to get out. Jumped on furniture, pulled on curtains and ended up in the downstairs room. I was kinda afraid to enter (afraid it will jump on me and gouge my eyes out or something) so I did the next best thing. I send Biscuit in. Hehe... I kinda see Biscuit like a dog. He's just too burly and aggressive to be a bunny. Anyways, he didn't do much but hopped a bit and went back to the garden. Took me awhile but with a broom and a pillow (for a shield), managed to chase the poor rodent out of the house and then rushed off to work (on foot).
Anyways, am on half day leave today, leave tomorrow and another half day on Monday! WOOHOO! Holiday, holiday, holiday...
Monday, August 16, 2004
Reflections
Been having some soul searching of late. A few incidents prompted it. One was the realisation that I've spent 6 months at my current job! And it just whizzed by. I can remember how every month at my previous job was so slow coming. Thinking about things like this prompted a flashback (which is always good to have to keep you grounded and forward).
10 months ago:
- Seemingly pointless job and zero career path made me turn in my resignation. Also prompted by boss who never kept his word. Promises should always be kept.
8 months ago:
- Began job hunting in earnest. Offered a part-time teaching position at The One for Business Management. Never taught before and was intimidated as I really know nothing about Business Management but jumped into it and enjoyed it.
7 months ago:
- Job hunting was not going well, probably because I wasn't keen on most of the prospects. Decided to change tack and apply for lecturing positions.
- Feb 2004 was both a blissful relaxing month but also stressful as after 3 months of job hunting, no jobs were forthcoming. Finally got my current job 2 days before I took a break to go to Cambodia.
6 months ago:
- Kicked off new job and had a whole new lease on life. Amazing how perspective can change so much so quickly.
5 months ago:
- A last minute decision made me rent an entire house which will have cost me half my salary. Jumped into it with eyes closed and started CreativeKids. Realised that if I didn't commit, my hopes for a side business will never materialise so commit I did. No students = no money to pay rent = unthinkable.
4 months ago:
- CreativeKids kicked off with 2 students in the first week. House has also been done up and things seem positive.
2 months ago:
- Student numbers reached the 10 student mark! A target I thought will take half a year to achieve, not 2 months. Although am working harder than ever before, it's very rewarding to be in control of your life.
1 month ago:
- Signed up for a Masters in Online Education. Realised that after working full-time and with CreativeKids, I still have time to spare so didn't want to waste it. Am going to do all I can now to achieve goals before I hit 30.
Today:
- Bike is stolen but inconsequential. In 10 months, I've moved from being grumpy, directionless, and lethargic, to being driven, positive, and pumped. It's an amazing experience and all it took was the decision to quit. Risks must always be taken for rewards to come to play. Never believed in that (always played it safe) until now.
:)
Been having some soul searching of late. A few incidents prompted it. One was the realisation that I've spent 6 months at my current job! And it just whizzed by. I can remember how every month at my previous job was so slow coming. Thinking about things like this prompted a flashback (which is always good to have to keep you grounded and forward).
10 months ago:
- Seemingly pointless job and zero career path made me turn in my resignation. Also prompted by boss who never kept his word. Promises should always be kept.
8 months ago:
- Began job hunting in earnest. Offered a part-time teaching position at The One for Business Management. Never taught before and was intimidated as I really know nothing about Business Management but jumped into it and enjoyed it.
7 months ago:
- Job hunting was not going well, probably because I wasn't keen on most of the prospects. Decided to change tack and apply for lecturing positions.
- Feb 2004 was both a blissful relaxing month but also stressful as after 3 months of job hunting, no jobs were forthcoming. Finally got my current job 2 days before I took a break to go to Cambodia.
6 months ago:
- Kicked off new job and had a whole new lease on life. Amazing how perspective can change so much so quickly.
5 months ago:
- A last minute decision made me rent an entire house which will have cost me half my salary. Jumped into it with eyes closed and started CreativeKids. Realised that if I didn't commit, my hopes for a side business will never materialise so commit I did. No students = no money to pay rent = unthinkable.
4 months ago:
- CreativeKids kicked off with 2 students in the first week. House has also been done up and things seem positive.
2 months ago:
- Student numbers reached the 10 student mark! A target I thought will take half a year to achieve, not 2 months. Although am working harder than ever before, it's very rewarding to be in control of your life.
1 month ago:
- Signed up for a Masters in Online Education. Realised that after working full-time and with CreativeKids, I still have time to spare so didn't want to waste it. Am going to do all I can now to achieve goals before I hit 30.
Today:
- Bike is stolen but inconsequential. In 10 months, I've moved from being grumpy, directionless, and lethargic, to being driven, positive, and pumped. It's an amazing experience and all it took was the decision to quit. Risks must always be taken for rewards to come to play. Never believed in that (always played it safe) until now.
:)
Monday, August 09, 2004
Mulling over a monday
Yawns... woke up this morning thinking that I had no job (flashback to when I quit) and it felt both exhilirating and scary. Then realised I had a job and became tired all over again. Hahahahaha... weird.
Had a good weekend with family. Spent time chilling out and doing some shopping. Ikea was fun as usual. Had 15 meatballs, a hotdog, and a currypuff for lunch. Burp... Every weekend with family around I tend to overeat. Argh... lethargic...
Two assignments for Masters due end of this week. Argh... and I have an evening class every Monday now till 8pm. Double argh...
Yawns...
Yawns... woke up this morning thinking that I had no job (flashback to when I quit) and it felt both exhilirating and scary. Then realised I had a job and became tired all over again. Hahahahaha... weird.
Had a good weekend with family. Spent time chilling out and doing some shopping. Ikea was fun as usual. Had 15 meatballs, a hotdog, and a currypuff for lunch. Burp... Every weekend with family around I tend to overeat. Argh... lethargic...
Two assignments for Masters due end of this week. Argh... and I have an evening class every Monday now till 8pm. Double argh...
Yawns...
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Monday, August 02, 2004
You light up my life
Weekend was a blast, albeit unproductive. After the talk at The One, which was admittedly mediocre, I rushed off to Ikea to find the roads clear, and Ikea as empty as a weekday. Deduced it to be due to the deluge of traffic heading towards the Hush Puppies and Diethelm warehouse sales. Hehe... couldn't be happier :)
Ikea was great! Sale's on so stuff is cheap. Got me a lot of knick knacks. My living area or CreativeKids hub now has 10 lamps! I so love lights. Can go from classroom lights to romantic to soft with a few switch clicks. And removed all fluorescent tubes. Homes should not have fluorescent tubes. Too bad I don't own the place or I'll remove everyone! My room itself has 5 lighting options :)
On another note, ground floor tenant has moved out. I'm thrilled. More space, more privacy and more freedom! Woohoo! Plus no more icky baby smell. It just makes me feel like I'm at my grandma's place. Not what I want to smell at home. Bluergh.
Recent flyer exercise has been pretty good. Netted potentially 6-7 students. They're doing the free trials now but hope they stay. If they do, I'll be earning almost half my current salary. Very cool. Although, my current take home earnings (creativekids including) is not even equal to what I was earning at my last job! But now I'm enjoying a much greater spending power and doing a whole lot more. Goes to show it's not how much you earn but what you do with it. :)
Working hours at work has changed to 930 - 6. This means I could sleep as late as 9am if I wanted to. BLISS! :)
Weekend was a blast, albeit unproductive. After the talk at The One, which was admittedly mediocre, I rushed off to Ikea to find the roads clear, and Ikea as empty as a weekday. Deduced it to be due to the deluge of traffic heading towards the Hush Puppies and Diethelm warehouse sales. Hehe... couldn't be happier :)
Ikea was great! Sale's on so stuff is cheap. Got me a lot of knick knacks. My living area or CreativeKids hub now has 10 lamps! I so love lights. Can go from classroom lights to romantic to soft with a few switch clicks. And removed all fluorescent tubes. Homes should not have fluorescent tubes. Too bad I don't own the place or I'll remove everyone! My room itself has 5 lighting options :)
On another note, ground floor tenant has moved out. I'm thrilled. More space, more privacy and more freedom! Woohoo! Plus no more icky baby smell. It just makes me feel like I'm at my grandma's place. Not what I want to smell at home. Bluergh.
Recent flyer exercise has been pretty good. Netted potentially 6-7 students. They're doing the free trials now but hope they stay. If they do, I'll be earning almost half my current salary. Very cool. Although, my current take home earnings (creativekids including) is not even equal to what I was earning at my last job! But now I'm enjoying a much greater spending power and doing a whole lot more. Goes to show it's not how much you earn but what you do with it. :)
Working hours at work has changed to 930 - 6. This means I could sleep as late as 9am if I wanted to. BLISS! :)