Fizzle

In accordance to most traditions of life, the mundane takes root, and what you pre-suppose to be spectacular, just fizzle off with nary a whimper. My mentor has left for London for a well deserved break, and the associates are finishing off some painful deal, so here I am, probably the free-est person on my level. It gives a new spin to the phrase "winding down".

Even after watching how the (self-proclaimed "small fry") associates work until 2am and come in at 7am just to finish up some deal, I'm still more than convinced that FSD is what I would do, if (and that is a big IF) I actually practice (Peijing's words always ring very clearly in my head because I remember her scolding me when i said "screw that law degree". Precisely, study so hard for what.) I am filling up some survey form now, the one that I have to hand in on my last day, which happens tomorrow, before I get my paycheck. Looking back, I really enjoyed my stint here, although so many people have told me this firm, and especially my department, is a workhouse. I mean, I actually get adrenaline rushes when I get work at 5pm (and I want to clear them as soon as possible so I can knock off at 6 and join my mates for dinner), its not that work keeps me alive, its just that i don't mind it. Its nice doing what I am doing now (come to work, surf internet, go library and read newspapers, chat with the associates etc) but really, i'd rather work. It makes me feel more productive and alive (get back to me when I am actually working and I will be whining about how dying I am, which is my mentor's pet phrase. "I am so dying".) I guess I'm like that. When I have (too much) work, I complain. When I do not have work, I complain as well. Such true blue ingaporean spirit in me would be hard to exorcise. I admit, we are all spoilt and should learn to be content.

Ok fine. I am content slacking here and waiting for the clock to turn 6 so I can go get some good ramen for dinner. I can't imagine how i'd be when I actually start working. Brat.

Peek

They do this all the time in 8days. I ain't no celebrity, but here's a peek inside what I stuff my briefcase with (briefcase? another sign that I am turning into an uncle!!) Which ones are unidentifiable? heh

Ironies

Ahh, the sweet sweet ironies of life

In regards to the earlier post, thank yew (yes you) for all the nice emails, I sure that they would have kept my brain very much mentally alive but alas, i was on MC the past 2 days, so I was basically at home sleeping. I haven't slept so much in awhile... slept the whole day, wake up for dinner, watch some prime time tv, then went back to sleep again... Basically I think my body is just rioting from all the maltreatment that I've given it

No its not bird flu, but I really suspect its pneumonia, but the stupid doctor in the polyclinic was checking some asthma flowchart to check my symptoms... I think it gives you as much assurance as a surgeon watching a "how-to" video when he's slicing you up.

Back to A&G. For me it's my absolute first time working in a while collar job. The place is posh, and the working environment nice (hmm, I haven;t had anything to compare it to, but objectively, its nice)

update late. feeling drowsy. going to sleep. zzzzz

Communication

Because I spend half my day at the firm, which doesn't allow internet access for intern beyond content/work-related websites, I cannot MSN, check my regular email account and visit kontraband.com

The plea for this week: Hit me, at jamesteo@nus.edu.sg and u will be guaranteed a reply within 5 minutes.

TALK TO ME PEOPLE TALK TO ME!!!

WhiteCollar

First day attachment at the Largest firm in Singapore, I remembered I had loads to write about but after dinner my brain is just drawing a blank. Is this how my life would be next time?

Hiatus

Bintan Morning

I love looking out to the clear expanse, wading in water clear enough to see my feet and pick up shells from, just lazing on the deck chair, cheap beer, waking up and eating breakfast by the shore, kayaking into the ocean, drinking margaritas at the bar, in essence, a resort lifestyle.


It was the first beach resort that i have been out of Singapore, but then again, Bintan seemed to be an extension of Singapore (I am deliberately phrasing my words v.e.r.y. carefully, lest someone accuses me of saying that Bintan is a colony of Singapore and hence harming Singapore-Indonesian ties). Everything was in Sing dollars, for starters, but then again, the whole northern shore of the island is a resort, and they even have this unabashedly touristy "Pasar Oleh Oleh" (think Eunos' Malay Village) where the souveniers, batik and printed T-shirts are sold... in Sing dollars. On the flipside, it was good that I had access to Channel 5 and Channel NewsAsia, so I didn't miss the IOC announcement for London. I didn't buy anything though, everything's cheaper in Singapore, except the beer. Really wanted to go Jet-Skiing, but it was $50 bucks and I needed to feed myself with the $8.90++ meals, but we did go kayaking and it was just, in a word, fantastic.

Next week, I take my first step into the White-collared Legal Working world.

Bargain

Picked up a return air ticket to Hanoi, Vietnam for $19.98 via Tiger Airways in September, which come up to about a hundred bucks including tax. Amazing, the tax costs more than the ticket. Yea! Another holiday after 2 months of Attachment hell... can't wait!

Departures

With my bestest friends from Law School, at the Emerald Hill See-Saw

Departures:
It would be a year before we meet like this again, Jason's off to New Zealand in 2 days time, Meihui to Australia in 8 days, Lionel to the US of A by August, and me? Japan. When we meet again next year, I am sure we will be very different people, each with different experiences which would mould us differently. I do not know what would string us together, but something just tells me it just would.

another revelation that we have grown up: we come to terms, we learn, and we start to accept. That some things that we hold on to so tenaciously in our youth now seem like folly, that nothing is really forever, that there are responsibilities to bear besides just ourselves, that happiness is defined by yourself and not others, amongst other things.

A fulfilling June: A spiritually refreshing Church Camp in Seremban, where I finally surrendered, and a rollercoaster High Key In Camp Training where, in many situations, I felt myself being moulded...My integrity, my character, my patience.. I build it brick by brick. Sometimes we learn only from traumatic events because we pay no heed to the hints. I live, and I learn.

July is a new month, looking forward to a Bintan Beach escapade, Attachment at Allen & Gledhill (Lunch and Dinner appointments with my friends who are already in the working world), and trying my best to teach English to Gregory, my tuition kid. Sometimes I really have no idea how to go about teaching him how to handle cloze passages, but i try my best, really dont wanna shortchange that kid.