10 years 9 months

It's been 10 years and 9 months since I started working full-time. 

I met a friend for lunch today. A friend whom I first knew during my first job. We just only realised that we have known each other for around 11 years today. Who would have known? It is so hard to keep friendships nowadays, especially for me. I don't belong to any gang, to any group. I hardly feel connected to many of my primary, secondary school, college peers. 

Perhaps it could be due to my bluntness? My different background? My peculiar thoughts? My eclectic tastes? 

I don't really feel that strongly about my lack of a bustling social circle though. Perhaps only when I see people travelling or meeting up in big groups and then I would stop to wonder why I don't have that. Whenever I meet friends for meals, it is always only one or two people at once. 

Anyway, to cut a long story short, we both came to the conclusion that after 10+ years, none of us managed to make any big ripples in our industries, haha. I think I'm kind of living out the song 小人物的心声.

"我从来都不在乎

自己不是一个大人物

因为平凡也是一种幸福

看到名人总是忙忙碌碌

我的时间由我控制

平凡日子一样会充实"

Today's lunch was at a cafe called Amber Ember which serves Jaffles (toasted sandwiches). The best part was that I had a direct bus from right in front of my block that stopped right in front of the cafe, how lucky! Despite the very limited menu, people still bothered to queue to eat there, how weird! For what it was worth, the Jaffles was pretty filling and flavourful but I would probably not revisit since there aren't much food and drink choices available. 

Cheeky Beef Jaffles

18 hour braised pulled beef cheek, mozarrella (cheese), gruyere (cheese), emmental (cheese), sliced tomatoes, poached egg, parmigiano reggiano (cheese), salad with vinaigrette

(A nightmare for people who don't like cheese I guess)

Lunch + A 1.5km walk + grocery shopping were all settled in 3 hours, efficiency at its best, hahahahhahaha.

On Being Thankful

I recently read that journalling is a good hobby to have, but gosh, I seriously can't remember the last time I wrote something that wasn't a part of work. In fact, I have been doubting whether I would ever write again since I feel almost brain dead by the end of each work day.

Anyway, today's theme for self-reflection is going to be THANKFULNESS.

With 2020 being a such a crazy year and all, there is so much negativity going around, people falling sick, people losing jobs, people going mental from being cooped up at home (haha, definitely not me!).. Instead of feeling down in the dumps, now is a good time for me to reflect and be thankful for the stuff that is going on (or not going on) in my life.

One - I am grateful for my job in a sustainable and financially stable company (heard my previous co has decreed pay cuts for senior management @@) that allows me to be able to not only survive but also provides me with extra for savings and indulgences in life.

Two - I am grateful for having a roof over my head and not having to worry about not having a place to stay (I love you to pieces for this my dear aunt). Living alone during this period might be slightly lonely but it in turn offers me tons of freedom and the ability to work from home without disturbances.

Three - I am grateful that my home did not burn down today. While using the kettle in the kitchen this morning, there was this horrible smell of burnt plastic. To my horror, the extension plug had a hole burnt through and the plastic at the back near the socket had melted. I had smelt the same smell yesterday and had dismissed it to something burning outside. Thank goodness nothing serious happened (I very well know a fire hazard when I see one). Due to 'One' (finances) and 'Two' (freedom), I could immediately head off to the mall to purchase a new kettle to replace the pitiful old one whose plug had also melted together with the extension plug.

Four - I am thankful for my brother being at home with mum at this point in time when I am stuck in another country. Even though they may bicker and argue all the time, at least they are there for each other. I think he deserves a nice present for this years birthday, hmm...

Five - I am thankful that I have a holiday booked and my biggest worry for this year is when would my trip be postponed to, which shouldn't count as a worry at all, heh. The weirdest thing is that I purchased a 'Plus' package that comes with free flight changes (no cancellation though) when all the while I have been purchasing the lowest tier ticket available. Oh well, I'm usually lucky when it comes to travelling.

So yeah, quite a few nice, big, fat, good reasons to feel thankful today. 

Being thankful put me in quite a good mood and being in a good mood, I splurged and picked up this awesome giant chrysanthemum on the way back from electric kettle-buying:

 Please bloom nicely for a few more days to give me an extra reason to feel thankful ok?