Sotongz

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Time flies and before I know it, we are at the beginning of another year.... This is the time of the year when we reflect on the one that has just past and look forward to the upcoming year with new resolutions.....

The past year has been one with alot of ups and downs in my family, my relationship, my career as well as my health. With a fresh start now, I would just very much like to leave whatever that has happened back in 2009 and embark on 2010 with some pizazz like never before. Resolutions for the new year includes:

Really taking care of my health by observing regular sleep hours coupled with exercise and lotsa water
Taking on more ownership for my dogs. That includes diligently grooming them, bringing them out for long walks and really spending more time with them
Spending time with the family. This has been something that I have been trying to work on for 2009 and I'm glad to say that it's picking up very well. But time with the family and loved ones will never be enough so this continues to be one of my resolution
Building up my career. Career has somewhat taken a back seat for the past year due to the numerous personal issues I was dealing with. Now that the dust has settled, it's time the focus swing back to my career

There are definitely more things that I wish to achieve in the upcoming year but nothing comes close to heart as the above.

Have a great 2010 ahead and what's your resolution??

Boxing Day Family Lunch

2009-12-28T08:14:00.000-08:00

Just to share the festive joy with everyone and what my family has been up to...... Food, food and glorious food!!! :o)

Absolutely engrossed with the prawns that I'm about to devour... Hehe...

The spread.

My parents.

One for the camera again. Smile!!

Food galore destination: Olive Tree at Hotel Intercontinental.

I had a really good holiday with the family. I hope everyone has a good holiday as well.... :o)

Just to share the festive joy with everyone out there and what my family has been up to.... Food, food and lotsa food!!

My Entertainment Tidbit

2009-08-14T21:46:00.000-07:00

People who knows me well would understand that I have never been a major fan of the electronic square box that has worked to dominate the lives of so many people. And while the masses are glued to the TV for etertainment, I am normally reading.

I have been such an avid reader since young but it's been a really long time since I've managed to finish a book within the span of a day - a feat which I've done with the above book.

Titled ''The Next Big Thing'', it's definitely not considered food for the soul, but it's wildly entertaining!! :o)

It accounts the feelings and thoughts that a over-weight women who is taking part in a reality show has to endure in her fight for dignity and love. Like I say, not something rated high on the intellectual scale, but it definitely served it's purpose in being a late night entertainment snack for me.....

Things that Made me Smile :o)

2009-07-30T09:43:00.000-07:00

I realize that as you mature, it's really the little things that made a smile lit up your face...

And for me, it's as simple as being with close friends. Friends that really understand you and accept you for who you are. The sort of friends that you will be totally comfortable in silence while watching the world go by on a Saturday afternoon. I am always the target-board for jokes and Sotong-related humour... But they did it so endearingly that it just speaks of the amount of sheer love that they have for me as a friend. And these are the friends that I am talking about -

My decade long friends....

Renjin a.k.a Daddy....

Renjin and camera....

Wensze. Urm... I don't know that we were trying to do here...

Finally... The 3 of us....

Thanks for making it a point to always celebrate my birthday with me. The best part about being single is realizing the kind of friends you have always been surrounded by... Esp, the likes of Renjin and Wensze...

Hello, my name is Joey....

2009-07-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, my name is Joey and I'm ALMOST a shopaholic....

You know there are actually steps documented to help overcome these ''addictions''.... and the first step is admitting that one cannot control one's addiction or compulsion. Hence, this is it....

My purchases ranged from clothes, shoes, bags, cosmetics, skin-care to even perfume.... Most people don't believe the amount of stash that I have. To set the stage for the next few entries, I will be sharing on the treasure cove that lies within my room.... So follow me on my recovery process from the ALMOST Addiction..... :o)

On the Harry Potter Bandwagon.....

2009-07-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

It's no longer news that I have been a HUGE fan of the Harry Potter series since the beginning - both books and movies!!! And it's little wonder that I insist on watching Harry Potter - The Half Blood Prince on the very first week that it opened.....

I have been asked a couple of times on just why Harry Potter appeals to so many people.... I can't answer for all, but I think the key thing for me is that there is this element of courage that underlies all the main characters which I can definitely identify with. It's the age old story of good Vs evil how good always triumps evil regardless of how dark it is as long as the characters persevere.....

And at this age, where being good and courageous not necessarily means triumpant and definitely don't mean sucess in the corporate world.... Harry Potter might prove itself to be just the respite that we can go to to relieve those age old moments.... :o)

Go watch it....

Much Ado About Nothing - William Shakespear

2009-05-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

A romantic play written by William Shakespear that evolves around how the main character's mistrust in his wife's sexuality leads to a disastrous wedding secene with dire consequences.

Sounds serious and boring for a play to be watched out at Fort Canning under the stars?? Apparently not!!!!!

I have to applaud the SRT for injecting so much wit into the play and of course the outstanding potryal of Benedick by Adrian Pang that brought the whole show to LIFE!! It was funny, witty, passionate and everything other than a normal run of the mill production.... It was a play that was perfect against the romantic back drop of the Fort Canning Park!! :o)

One for the camera!

For those who are reading this and are un-decided about the play. STOP! Buy your tickets, pack your picnic basket, stash in a bottle of wine and I bet your loved ones will be plesantly surprised by this gesture. Now.... I just need to start finding that romantic someone to bring along the next time round..... :o)

Laying my Life Out....

2009-05-15T10:43:00.000-07:00

I mentioned on Monday that I started carrying this notebook around to jot down feelings or scenes that sparked off thoughts in me. A week has gone by and there is still not a single entry into the little book of mine.

Reasons or excuses if you want to call them are various... I hope the first entry could have been a more philosophical or one with happier moments than me ranting about my job. The past week has been a horrible week at work and it is really starting to affect me emotionally. Secondly, when I try to pen down my thoughts.... I always feel the wondering eyes of the guy/gal sitting next to me. Granted that I might never see them again, but I still do not wish to have someone looking over my shoulders when I'm trying to write down some of my deepest thoughts!!!!

The notebook was meant to be a minute map at the end of the day to how I have travelled along the various roads junctions available in my life. And I realized that the choices I have always made are always based on options forced on me by circumstances but never something that I have free will upon. So, for a change, I am going to set goals in my life!!!

But before I can set those goals, I need to find the inner spirit within me...... I need goals that I will look back and think I have achieved something and not short term ones just to get me out of the current rut that I am in. Yes, I am probably not in a good shape now..... But, give me time and I will prove myself....

Notebook for My Adventures.....

2009-05-11T08:22:00.000-07:00

How often have you looked back in your life and wondered how fast time just seem to pass you by??

I have!!! For many times in fact......

While I was out stationary shopping today, I came across a nice hardcover notebook and a thought suddenly came into my mind.... I wanted to record my thoughts on the things that happened to me and images that I see while on the go.

I have always kept a diary since young. However, this habit took a backseat since I started working as sitting down for an hour to pen my thoughts is just too tiring at the end of a LLONNNGG workday. Guess this is somewhat an equivalent of twitter in writing...

Will see how this works out to be..... :o)

Be At One With Nature....

2009-04-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

It's often not until you're in the midst of nature that you understand just how wonderful God's creation is..... Took a trip down to Sungei Buloh Wetland Nature Reserve and experienced nature for itself.

The Wetland

The Ferns

The Sky

The Iguanas!! (Not for the faint-hearted!!)

Spot of Green among the Roots.....

From a Bird Viewing Gallery

It was a humbling albeit traumatic experience due to the numerous commando mozzies that I had encountered during the hike. But doing something like that sure beats hitting the malls anytime. I hope Singaporeans can find it in themselves to stay out of the malls more and really enjoy all that life has to offer even in the little country that we live in..... We do have loads of things to do in Singapore.... :o)

What Does ''Joey'' Means??

2009-04-24T04:32:00.000-07:00

Had an enriching trip to the zoo cause I finally know what my name means!!!!

PLEASEEEEEEE don't ever say that I'm a muddled-head (aka Sotongz) ever again cause it has already been stated within my name!!!

Joey = Baby Kangaroo = Baby ''I Don't Know''!!

For friends that has been calling me Sotongz all these years endearingly.... Just so you know that it was written in the stars the day I was named Joey... Haha....

Just a prayer......

2009-04-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

When words are not essential except for a prayer said in silence.....

This is for my Grandfather who has always shown me since young that I am worthy of being loved despite my family background.... This is me saying my prayers for him and only him.....

10 Random Facts about mE!!

2009-04-11T00:17:00.000-07:00

In my quest for some inspirations on interesting topics to write about in my blog, I chance upon this tag that many bloggers write about. I guess why not.....

I am allergic to bird's nest. You heard it correct!! I break out in rashes the moment I eat bird's nest. Bummer....
I LOVE dogs. Have a Schnauzer and a Yorkshire with me and they're both re-homed dogs. I don't believe in paying for puppies when there are so many dogs out there needing a home.
I have a Masters in Materials Engr and I specialize in Bio-polymers for my thesis.
I have a minor shopping obsession with loots to tell of the extent. Started off with clothes obsession and branched off into makeup lately. Curbing this right now! *cross fingers*
I have been playing the clarinet since secondary sch for more than 10 years. Stopped after I completed my degree.
I am allergic to my own body heat. Hate jogging as I normally break out into a rash the moment my body heats up!
I don't eat the organs of animals!!!!
And I don't like to eat shellfish with the exception of prawns.
I serve in my church as a tambourine dancer during worship.
And weirdly, I also took hip hop classes for a while as a workout regime.

That's about it for now. And the quest continues as I am making the effort to ensure that this blog don't just fizzle and die off due to the lack of updates. Bear with me for now....

Not a ''Virgin''.......

2009-04-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yup! You got the title right! I'm no longer a virgin........ at ALOT of sports, hobbies or online applications that are all the rage right now!!!

But..... I seem to constantly have this issue at following up with what I have started. And the list of things that I have dabbled with but dropped out halfway just keeps piling up constantly.... Vicious reminder of my persistence in life....

Lets do a run and see what I have accumulated in my list thus far......

Yoga. Constantly sign myself up for yoga classes but end up I bailed on half the classes in the term.
Tennis. Went for tennis class, got a tennis racket, skirt, shoes, bag. Basically the whole ra-ra going on and I have not touched tennis since more than 2 years ago.
Golf. Got the essential irons (good clubs btw), sunday bag, etc... Yes, I have the whole ra-ra again but stopped going to the range again.
Baking. Got myself recipes, baking oven, gloves, baking pans and gave up after a few miserable baking attempts.
Badminton. Again, racket, shoes, shuttle-cock and gave up only after one badminton session.......
Walked my dogs every night when i just had them. Now? Relinquish that holy task to my dog nanny aka parents!!
I have 3 blogs inclusive of this till date over the years. The number of entires till date? Less than 10 accumulatively!!!!

I mean my list can probably stretch on for MILES..... And the purpose of this post is not to recount of what I have gave up in my life after a few attempts but just a reminder of the persistence that I need to demonstrate more. Isn't persistence a true mark of someone successful??

Let me go master the courage to dig deep and search within the depths of my soul for that much needed persistence....... *pray*