February started on a Monday. A dull, rainy Monday. I remember feeling queasy that day, like something bad had happened, without my knowing. So with some feeling of trepidation, I set forth to work in the afternoon.
It was quiet, not at all the usual vibe, like a certain sense of dread loomed in the air. Making my way into the office, I was greeted by colleagues who looked like they had something up their sleeves. I gave an inquiring look, but no one responded. I put my bag down.
‘铭恩啊，xx的xx昨天去世了。我们决定给白金，数目是一人xxx元。’
That was my answer! It took a while before I replied. Seeing the looks on their faces, I knew what they had said was real. Woah, I thought, not another death.
In any case, we gave our share and just carried on with work.
Weekend came. The first one was spent at my Aunt's condo apartment in CCK, just a stop away from work. Arriving at CCK station in the evening, I made my way to the groceries, to stock up on some drinks for the party later on. All of our family would gather there that night and stay over. It promised to be fun.
Later on we watched TV, swam, had a walk downstairs. It was a lovely evening, with the moon beaming brightly and few stars scattered in the sky. Walking to Lot 1 was convenient, as it was just across the road. It did feel like staying at a chalet, with everything so nearby and all.
Next morning we had Mac breakfast, my cousins and I. Soon after, I took the train to work. It took only 10 minutes, from Mac to my office! Imagine that!
New Year few on the subsequent week, and a one-week break was set to come soon. After all the lessons had ended on the last day, we packed up, ensured all the windows were closed, rubbish was cleared and switches were off before we left. It was going to be a one week break!
The next day saw KC, Fillet and I taking a bus from Toa Payoh to Balestier for K session. Nostalgia surfaced, as I recalled the times I stayed there. It wasn't till Year 1 in Poly did my family move out. I spent my primary and secondary school years there. All the hard work, late night studying, listening to radio at night.. It seemed elusive now, the memories.
We had fun singing, all the way till evening. The places was quiet, the ambience was good. Wherever we had dinner, this seemed to have evaded my memory.
Last day of break, 18th of Feb, I took my driving test. It was the deciding factor- to finish this battle of more than 1 year, or to continue on with my lessons. Lucky for me, the route was easy, and I walked out of the centre feeling victorious and elated. Finally I got my licence!
Next day at work, there were only me and Xinyi. We chatted a lot, from driving to work gossip. It was kinda fun, even though we had to work till almost 10pm. At least there was entertainment throughout.
And if I recall correctly, when the toilet proved to be a 'stink-bomb', I started using Dettol to wash the floor. Now the real problem came when both smells mixed, with the detergent smell overwhelming the stench, and got very (and I mean 'very!") concentrated. So once the door was opened, a strong smell would waft out, and well, let's just say it takes more than a strong mind to resist it.
February came and went, a short four weeks. While I wasn't exactly enjoying every moment of work, looking back, I do find some moments of laughter. Perhaps that is how we function, to only recall the good, and all the bad will come to be memorable memories that you don't ever want to live through again.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Year Log - Jan 2010 post
Now probably seems like an appropriate time to write this. With only a month left to the end of 2010, it is time to start the flashback.
It started off with a funeral. Picture this: New Year's Eve, dressed in a white cotton shirt and black pants, I was at my grandpa's funeral till the wee hours of the morning. As the new year approached, I headed back home and turned on the TV, silently wishing myself a happy new year as all around me, fireworks lighted up the sky. It was the new year.
The next few days were spent at the wake, greeting visitors who came to pay their last visits, and the cremation on the last day. I doubt anyone would ever forget that moment. As the coffin was rolled into the furnace, whatever emotions we had held back all but surfaced, and we cried. Mum broke down into hysterical cries, and I hid my tear-stained face in her shoulders. We just cried.
Soon everything was over. We returned home, and life seemed to carry on as usual.
When I returned back to work, condolences were offered. Thinking back from now, I can probably still remember sitting in the office and answering questions, like how I was holding up, how my family was. But I'm glad work continued on. The new classes had commenced, and it got busier in the evenings when parents brought their children over and we had to show them the way to the classrooms.
Meanwhile, I had to study for the upcoming SAT. It fell on the 23rd of Jan, which was a Saturday. All of a sudden studying held an appeal to me, especially when working seemed mundane and predictable. So during meal times and off days I burrowed myself in the guide books and prepared for the test. It was hard work, having to do many questions and studying notes I thought I was already done with.
The next Sunday saw me waking up at 5 in the morning and trying to catch a bus to ECP for the RML marathon. It was a short run of 3km, and enticed by the goodie bag, I made Norman sign up with me to run. Of course, we never really did run that fast; it was more of a jog. That was the day he named me 'Running Monster' for being that enthusiastic about running. In any case it was fun to work out and see so many people around on a bright, cheerful Sunday morning.
And this marks my Jan 2010. Feb coming up next!
It started off with a funeral. Picture this: New Year's Eve, dressed in a white cotton shirt and black pants, I was at my grandpa's funeral till the wee hours of the morning. As the new year approached, I headed back home and turned on the TV, silently wishing myself a happy new year as all around me, fireworks lighted up the sky. It was the new year.
The next few days were spent at the wake, greeting visitors who came to pay their last visits, and the cremation on the last day. I doubt anyone would ever forget that moment. As the coffin was rolled into the furnace, whatever emotions we had held back all but surfaced, and we cried. Mum broke down into hysterical cries, and I hid my tear-stained face in her shoulders. We just cried.
Soon everything was over. We returned home, and life seemed to carry on as usual.
When I returned back to work, condolences were offered. Thinking back from now, I can probably still remember sitting in the office and answering questions, like how I was holding up, how my family was. But I'm glad work continued on. The new classes had commenced, and it got busier in the evenings when parents brought their children over and we had to show them the way to the classrooms.
Meanwhile, I had to study for the upcoming SAT. It fell on the 23rd of Jan, which was a Saturday. All of a sudden studying held an appeal to me, especially when working seemed mundane and predictable. So during meal times and off days I burrowed myself in the guide books and prepared for the test. It was hard work, having to do many questions and studying notes I thought I was already done with.
The next Sunday saw me waking up at 5 in the morning and trying to catch a bus to ECP for the RML marathon. It was a short run of 3km, and enticed by the goodie bag, I made Norman sign up with me to run. Of course, we never really did run that fast; it was more of a jog. That was the day he named me 'Running Monster' for being that enthusiastic about running. In any case it was fun to work out and see so many people around on a bright, cheerful Sunday morning.
And this marks my Jan 2010. Feb coming up next!
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