leaving for Melbourne tomorrow morning and will return on Thursday evening.

Going to Signs Publishing in Warburton to get some training on how the church's publishing company works. Also a trip to get to know the folks there, seeing that I'll be working really closely with them.

Alas, will not be able to escape without giving a morning worship.

Will probably also not be able to escape without being bored out of my mind.

As far as I know, Warburton is a little country town with well, nothing much to do.

This may be a time for me to catch up on my reading and writing...

i worked with her on the yearbook during my last year at Avondale in 2002.

When I went to England in 2003, she came by to visit and stayed with me for at least 6 months. She was my faithful companion was we romped all around Europe.

When Cydknee got married in Germany in 2004, we met up again, she travelling all the way from Fiji where she was teaching and me coming from Singapore.

This year, she's back and is the principal of a primary school in Queensland.

And now, she's here in Wahroonga for 4 days for a principal's convention.

And I just realised, I'm late for my appointment with her.

Ah, to be able to meet up with beloved friends from long ago...

Natalie Bell, I missed you!

God certainly provides.

When Letrica told me on Monday she had to take back the fridge she lent me, I was beginning to stress that I may have to buy a new fridge.

Ordinarily, that would not be a problem. Except,

1. I'm living in a dorm. All I can contain in the room is a bar fridge.

2. I'm moving out end June. Economics and logic say buying a bar fridge is not a wise move seeing that I will be needing a full sized fridge when I move out.

So after juggling with the idea for a few days, I see an ad on the dorm noticeboard selling a bar fridge for $200. Still, I was reluctant to make any purchase.

That's when God stepped in.

Turns out that Bruna, my boss, has a spare fridge that is well, just sitting there.

Guess who's inheriting it?

i've been trying to understand the Aussie weather for almost a month now, but I think I'm still struggling.

Actually, maybe there is a pattern:

2 days of sunshine.

3 days of storms.

2 days of unbearable heat.

3 days of cowering every few seconds from lightning.

The only reason why this is so strange is the fact that this is the Aussie summer, and a typical Aussie summer happens like this:

2 days of sunshine.

3 days of unbearable heat.

2 days of getting sunburnt over previous sunburn.

3 days of evacuating from homes due to bush fires.

2 days of water restrictions.

3 days of heat stroke.

I think you get the idea.

Three years ago, I nearly couldn't make it for my own graduation ceremony because the highway and train lines were closed due to a massive bush fire.

But now, it would seem like Australia and Singapore have swapped weather.

This is monsoon season in Singapore. Not that it doesn't rain every other day throughout the entire year anyway.

Two days ago, I got a call from my brother who every excitedly told me, "There's a bush fire right opposite our house!" (yes, he made a long distance phone call to tell me that. And in case I never get a call from my brother ever again for that comment - I love you Shannon, and it was great to talk to you.)

We're now having storms in Australia and bush fires in Singapore.

It feels like I've left Singapore to move into...Singapore.

had a 6.30am start at work today. needless to say, I only crawled out of bed 15 minutes before. the joys of staying a stone's throw away from work.

We hosted a Communicator's Breakfast this morning for all the communicators of the different church entities. Places like the Signs Publishing Company, Sydney Adventist Hospital, Avondale College, ADRA, Adventist Media Centre, etc.

I don't think I've ever eaten as much since I've arrived as I had this morning.

We had spaghetti, scrambled eggs, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, a whole array of fruits, cereals, pastries and bread...naturally, there was heaps left over.

Guess what I had for lunch?

Guess what will I be having for breakfast tomorrow?

Guess what will I be having for lunch tomorrow?

i just paid for a guy I have never met to drive me to a deserted part of town less than two hours ago.

I had no idea where I was going, nor would I have any idea where to run for help if I needed it. Not that it would be of much help, seeing that he's got the car and I've only got my two legs.

My best defence would probably be somehow throwing him out of the car and locking myself in it. I certainly didn't know how to get the car moving.

Thank goodness he was a decent bloke, who only took me there because he was going to teach me how to drive.

I drove a grand total of 3km at a whooping speed of 15km/h. And throughout it all, he had to remind me to breathe.

But at least now I know where the brakes, clutch and accelerator are.

Next lesson Friday, 7am.

first driving lesson in 15 minutes.

pray that i don't crash the instructor's car.

it has begun - the perils of working for the church.

In 2 days, I have made as many commitments to take worship, one at a retirement village, the other at Signs Publishing in Warburton which I will be visiting in the first week of March.

And tomorrow, I'll be taking worship for my departmental meeting.

Have I ever mentioned I have a fear of public speaking?

Which is totally ironic considering I'm a Public Relations Assistant for the church.

At least I can be thankful they're short 10 mins speaking assignments and not a full sermon.

photos of the amazing love and effort put into making my yummy treat.

can a girl feel anymore loved?

Letrica dropped a huge parcel on my desk this morning.

And it was filled with such wonderful goodies from home!

There were lollies, stationery holders and peg-like clippy things but the two things that very nearly brought tears to my eyes came in the form of:

1. a gorgeous white Polo-T

It wasn't the top that touched me. It was what was printed on it - the prayer of Jabez and my name, and with it, a certain indication that I have been accepted into the youth group Jabez that I never even thought I would belong.

2. handmade pineapple tarts

Do I even need to go into details as to why it touched me? They were handmade for crying out loud!

I have been truly blessed with incredible people in my lives. Incredible people who show that they care and love despite the distance. Incredible people who accept me even when they didn't need to.

Faith, Jimmy, Lionel, Christon and Brian...thank you for touching my life.

I passed! I passed! Although honestly, it wasn't that hard.

But anyway, this now means that I'm licensed to take driving lessons! Although being under 25 (I'm actually underaged for something!), I would have to be on my learners for at least 6 months before I can take a driving test. Ah well, not complaining at all. I can learn how to drive!

Road trips, here I come!

taking my learner driver's theory test in an hour and a half.

Hopefully this will be the beginning of a wonderful life of complete independence.

Oh, and this arrived in the post for me this morning.

I have a new love!

Chinese New Year eve.

The evening of reunion dinners.

The evening where family members get together and enjoy time together.

The evening where children look forward to 15 days of red packet collecting.

An evening where I'm all alone in Australia.

I guess it's really not as pathetic as it sounds. I just got invited to a dinner gathering organised by the Asians in the area.

It will be fun to catch up with old friends and meet new ones.

The taste buds will also be satisfied with the good food (that will not be supplied by me).

But yet there is still a longing to be home with my loved ones.

To laugh, to talk, to simply be there on such a significant day.

Funny how days like these only become important once you're far away.

New photos up!

It was Kristin's birthday last Friday. Chris and Sharona's parents Jillian and David took all of us to Milsons Point for a brilliant Thai dinner.

What more could we ask for? The weather was perfect, the view was gorgeous, the company fun (and more often than not bordering on insane), the food was delicious...

After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and witnessed a lovely sunset. Saw some lovely views of harbourside apartments, the Sydney Opera House...ahhh...tis good to be back in Australia.

Jillian and David returned to Papua New Guinea where they're missionary workers this morning, revealing that I have now been adopted into their family and will forever be indebted to them.

thanks to Faith and flickr...I can put photos online!

ooh, what an exciting email to receive!

Folks,

Hope things are well in your respective parts of the world. I have sent this to a select group of good people as an invitation to be involved in writing a segment of a Sabbath school lesson for CQ - the young adult lesson.

I'm flattered.

yay! Day off tomorrow!

Sydney here I come!

And in case anybody's wondering, I'll be up at Avondale over the weekend, so don't count on any updates!

Fat Chance!

Bridget Jones battles with it. We all hate Ally Mcbeal, because she doesn’t seem to possess it. In fact, practically every female on the face of the earth seem to have some kind of problem with it.

We may disagree on whether durians smell good. We may debate furiously on whether Sylvester Sim is more irritating than cute, but one thing unites the female of the species – weight. Or rather, the need to have less of it.

Let’s face it, unless we happen to fall into the category of girls who do not possess any body fat whatsoever except a high metabolism, we all wish we could lose some weight.

It’s unfair how often the media reminds me that I need to be slim and therefore “beautiful”. I cannot watch CSI in peace without being given the option of going to “Marie Claire Bodyline” or some other slimming centre. At least 5 times. Even if I had no complex about my weight, watching television would give me one!

Why can’t I eat my Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream without having a guilt trip?

Why can’t I buy a size “L” top without going into a panic attack?

Why can’t I go through a day without thinking that I should perhaps go on a diet?

I wonder sometimes how much of my desire to go on a diet stems from the fact that I’ve been virtually forced to do so.

“What, you’re not on a diet? That is amazing.” Friends would look at me in awe and comment, as if I had just told them I play tennis frequently with the Queen.

I walk into a pharmacy to get vitamins and wonder if I have stepped into a supermarket instead. Shelves of diet meals of sorts, as well as numerous slimming ads hit me before I even realise what’s going on.

Every actress worth anything have either written a book on how to eat right and stay slim, or is endorsing a slimming centre that will provide guaranteed results – “just look at me!”

Worse still the numerous new fad diets that spring out of nowhere once every few weeks. Dieting has become the new fashion craze. If you’re not on a diet of sorts, be it a grapefruit diet, a soup diet or the world-renowned Atkins diet, it would seem that you’re some kind of freak.

Personally, I’m thankful I can never go on an Atkins diet. Animal rights somehow seem to overrule my uncontrollable urge to lose weight. The heavy meat and fat eating can go out the window, thank you very much. I’m sticking to my animal-free food. Besides, I don’t really want to walk around permanently constipated with all that protein and no fibre!

Seriously, whatever happened to having a healthy balanced meal? No, let me rephrase that. Whatever happened to having a healthy balanced life?

We are all so used to quick results that we would do anything to lose weight in 2 weeks. But in the process, we deprive our bodies of much needed nutrients, kicking it into malnutrition or starvation mode with all sorts of strange diets. Sure, we lose the weight, but what else do we lose as well?

Sanity.

Happiness.

A life without having to worry that eating a pea would throw our grapefruit diet out of sync.

Besides, if these diets really did work, why is there a need to come up with a new one every so often?

Maybe it’s time to start embracing the fact that our bodies are all different, and possessing a body like a pre-pubescent boy is not the only way to look beautiful.

Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that if we wanted real results, we have to work hard to achieve it. Not simply consume tea leaves three times a day or something ridiculous like that.

Call me old-fashioned, but I’m sticking to the tried and true routine of exercise and sensible eating.

Adventists in South-East Asia in Need of Help
Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia

Adventists in the tsunami-hit regions of Southern Asia and Southern Asia Pacific are now receiving direct aid from the Seventh-day Adventist Church to help rebuild their lives.

“Even though the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is already working extremely hard in the devastated areas, it is not in a position to direct assistance specifically to Adventists who are suffering from the tragedy,” said Pastor Laurie Evans, President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific. “The destruction and trauma that this tidal wave has caused is just unbelievable. Our fellow church members in the area need all the help we can give them.”

Initial estimates have indicated that Adventists in the fishing villages in India and Sri Lanka have lost their homes and their only means of income as a result of the disaster. Hundreds of families have no means of replacing the boats and fishing nets that have been destroyed or washed out to sea, as well as the livestock that have drowned. The figures on the loss of life and damages are still pouring in from a disaster of such magnitude.

Some Adventist churches in India are feeding members who have lost everything three meals a day. More immediate aid is also needed to assist people in rebuilding their lives. Requests from the tsunami-affected area indicate that at least US$700,000 is needed in the Southern Asia region alone, to help in the purchase or repair of fishing nets and boats, to replace livestock and to rebuild thatched cottages in various villages.

Every worker of the Adventist church in India, including pastors, hospital workers, school workers and retirees have been asked to contribute a minimum of one day’s wages to the relief efforts and rehabilitation of the tsunami victims.

The Adventist Church in the South Pacific has also donated $75,000 to the Adventist churches in the Southern Asia and Southern Asia Pacific regions to help meet some immediate needs.

“The effect on these areas have been disastrous and their needs are pressing,” said Rodney Brady, Chief Financial Official of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific. “If anybody would like to help, they can send donations to the South Pacific Division or via their local church. Donations need to be clearly marked “Adventists and Tsunami” so that it does not get confused with donations made to ADRA. These donations are not tax deductible.”

Facts and Figures
Southern Asia Region
Churches: 2,160
Members: 849,409

Southern Asia Pacific Region
Churches: 5,959
Members: 1,120,163

Adventists Affected
Sri Lanka:

• 5 church members died
• 100 families with damaged homes and fishing boats

India:

• 9 church members died
• 70 families with homes destroyed
• 200 families with fishing boats and nets lost or destroyed
• 50 families with drowned livestock
• 60 churches along the coast destroyed or badly damaged
• There is an urgent need to provide basic food and supplies to members.

Donations
Send donations marked “Adventists and Tsunami” to:

The Treasurer
South Pacific Division
Locked Bag 2014,
Wahroonga, NSW 2076

Cash, cheque and credit card donations are also accepted at local churches, conferences, unions or division offices, where facilities are available.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific has launched stage one of its new website. Targeted towards the general community, adventist.org.au introduces them to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific.

“Our aim has been to create a website that has the potential to change misconceptions about Seventh-day Adventists. As such, the website provides an overview of our beliefs and services using language free of jargon and a contemporary design,” says Jeanelle Isaacs, the church’s electronic media assistant.

The site has been redesigned to focus largely on the services that the church provides for the community. The new website has an easy to use interface, a new navigational system and a contemporary design.

“We hope to provide church members with an accessible resource so that they can share who they are, and what the church does, with their non-Adventist friends,” says Bruna Tawake, Communication and Public Relations director of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the South Pacific.

The launch has been actively promoted to various community groups such as health professionals, other Christians and educational institutions.

“The feedback we received when we first launched the website helped us shape the website to what it is now,” says Ms Tawake. “This is a work in progress. Visit adventist.org.au and let us know what you think.”

Stages two and three that will provide specific information for church members and church employees respectively, will be launched later in the year.

New blogger alert!

Great writer, great thinker, great person. And I like her because she used to publish my work.

Welcome to the blogging world Kel!

Letricia is a darling.

She moved out of the dorm today to a house a few minutes away. Her new place has a fridge and a microwave. She has a bar fridge and a microwave in her dorm room.

Guess who got her extra fridge and microwave?

No more having to worry about food getting stolen or going bad! No more having to eat only canned food! No more having to wake up early to go to work so that I can have breakfast first!

Have I mentioned how much God has blessed me?

What have I done to deserve this? Hmmm...nothing. Then again, I did nothing to deserve Christ dying on the cross for me too.

Ah, the beauty of God. He loves and gives simply because He is.

oh why oh why is it so confusing trying to get a health cover? Geesh.

My health cover is giving me a headache. I thought it was supposed to help me prevent one. Or at least reimburse me for having one. It's not doing anything except drive me up the wall. Not that I have a health cover yet because it is TOO CONFUSING FOR ME!

Please pray that I don't get into any major accidents before I get one.

Thank goodness for friends who are more familiar with such things. I think I now have a better idea as to which cover to take, and which company to take it with.

I've always thought after 4 years away from home, living by myself this time round is not going to be much different. How wrong I am.

I'm no longer a student, or a volunteer. I'm actually here working. Independent as independent can be.

I need to fend for myself. I am responsible for everything that happens to me. Granted HR at work is somewhat responsible for me while at work (and they have done a wonderful job caring for me), but I am basically left on my own.

No more mummy to sort out my finances, insurance, investments, bills, food, etc. etc.

This is turning out to be harder than I thought.

All I can say is, thank God for people who care for me and try to look after me. I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by them.

all sorted out. Almost.

I finally opened a bank account. Show me the money!

My new mobile number came today. (email me if you want it. Of course I won't publicise it here.)

Have put my name on the waiting list for a house in July.

Got my first article written today.

Now to decide on a health cover plan and get my driver's license.

my boss actually chased me home today. How great is that? Certainly a huge change from when I needed to sneak back home even though it is official time to knock off work.

Am honestly really enjoying work. Granted, it's only the second day, but everything is simply lovely.

My boss and colleagues came dancing, yes dancing, into my office today carrying a huge bouquet of orange gerberas and lilies. People stop to say hi and chat with me. I get smiles everywhere I go. There is always laughter in my department.

I am doing what I love. Organising events. Writing news articles. Doing interviews. Putting together documents that will soothe the anal-retentive side of me. My brain actually gets challenged. I am in a lovely comfortable environment.

All I can say is I thank God for giving me this job.

finally. I got food. In fact, I bought almost $100 worth of food. My wallet bleeds.

Thankfully I was given a ride by Letricia, my colleague. Goodness knows how I would be able to transport everything back otherwise.

The next challenge would be to actually cook it. Is anyone surprised that I copped out and bought stuff like bread, pasta, fruit and lots and lots of canned food? The cooking can start tomorrow. Right now, I'm postponing cooking and simply having grapes and a banana.

At least there are decent kitchens at work where I can cook and store food without being worried they get stolen.

Ah. First day at work.

Hardly got anything productive done actually. Was shown around the building and managed to successfully get lost and forget everybody's names almost immediately after. Thankfully I'm working with people I knew from before, so it saves me some embarrassment.

Thereupon which I had to sit in on a tele-meeting between the Communication Department, ADRA and Signs Publishing over in Melbourne, brainstorming on how to better publicise ADRA's tsunami-relief efforts.

Am extremely impressed as to how efficient everything is here. My nameplate has gone up. My computer system/email has all been set up. My phone/voicemail system has been more than ready. Besides the fact that I have to open a bank account, and that is my own fault, I believe I have successfully integrated into the whole South Pacific Division system!

Although it is rather strange to have an entire office all to myself. Stranger still that there is a departmental assistant (Letricia) who sometimes acts as my secretary. I am totally unused to not doing things myself.

But the best thing about everything? I get off work at 5.15pm. And with living a mere 10mins walk away, I suddenly have a lot more time to myself than I ever did when I was working for Citibank!

so I went to her family gathering, on account of being her brother's girlfriend's best friend.

At the gathering, I find out that Sharona's uncle is a Marketing lecturer at Avondale whom I have interviewed for a radio show before. And he is married to the sister of Ronald Townend, President of the Southeast Asia Union Mission in Singapore.

When you enter the Adventist world, you realise that everybody is interconnected.

It is amazing what wonderful people they are though. For the last few days, I have not once felt treated like an outsider while with the Thieles. Not even at the family gathering. And boy did I enjoy myself there.

The double-storyed house was gorgeous, built on the top of a hill with a backyard landscaped such that you felt like you were walking down a nice little garden path down the hill to a lovely sized swimming pool.

There was a cool breeze and beautiful sunshine while we enjoyed the abundant and delicious food - haystacks with fresh salad generously covered with avocado, a great variety of cheese, olives, pineapples and an excellent vegetarian sauce. Not to mention the wonderful fresh fruit salad mixed with a delicious custard tart and vanilla icecream.

I have been extremely blessed since I arrived, no thanks to Kristin (best friend), Chris (best friend's boyfriend), Sharona (best friend's boyfriend's sister), Gillian (their mother) and David (their father - whom Kristin introduced to me as Satan).

Where I could have been moping all homesick alone in my room, they have befriended me, taken me out, fed me and simply made me feel welcomed.

Now to face first day of work tomorrow.

I need to get used to the idea that I am living ALONE.

so I went shopping on Friday.

so I bought bedding and other stuff in order to actually make my room more like a...room.

Besides finding to my joy of joys that they sell all sorts of different Garnier products like they do in England (yes Faith, shampoo, body moisteriser, face products...the entire range) and then also realising they had a 30% discount at K-Mart for all bedding (which meant great savings on my bedsheets, pillow and quilt), I also managed to get other various stuff like hangers, a laundary basket, detergent and the works.

I get home, fully happy in the knowledge that I am probably almost settled in. Kristin helps me with my bedding while I hang all my clothes into my wardrobe, thankful that I am more or less moved in and no longer have to live out of a suitcase. I look around my room, rather pleased with myself when I realised...

I FORGOT TO BUY FOOD.

I truly, honest to goodness forgot that I needed to buy food. I have nothing. Zilch. Well, except some dried mushroom stems but they don't exactly constitute a meal do they?

I have gotten too used to eating out. I have gotten too used to having my mother buy all the food and constantly having a well-stocked fridge. Now I don't even have a fridge of my own. All I can do is put my food in the fridge and pray like crazy nobody steals it (sometimes, prayers don't get answered)...

But why should I be worried about food-stealing? I have nothing to be stolen!

Honestly though, I haven't had to worry about food since I arrived. I have been extremely well-fed for the last few days.

Kristin's boyfriend's family happened to be living less than 5 minutes away from me and on account of being her best friend, I have been more or less accepted into the family as well. They have fed me good and true and I am even going to some extended family gathering tomorrow where I'm sure more food awaits.

Sabbath was also worry-free since Waitara church which Mae (a fellow Avondale graduate who now works at the hospital and lives 10 minutes down the road) took me to had a decent Asian community that was more than willing to feed me silly.

And since Mae has an unbelievably kind heart, she has also donated a packet of So Good, some muesli bars, a packet of noodle as well as a bowl, plate and cup to me upon hearing my plight.

I am such a pathetic soul.

No wonder my mother worries about me fending for myself.

And in case you're wondering, I will be going groceries shopping on Monday evening.

so I'm here. And it doesn't really feel like I've left Singapore because it is as hot here as it is back home. Except when the sun sets (at 8pm) and then I start getting cold because I'm wearing a sleeveless top and shorts.

My arrival was rather non-dramatic, no setting off alarms at the Charles Kingsford-Smith Airport and whatnot. Although the customs officer did peer curiously at my dried mushroom stems (it's my vegeterian ikan bilis/anchovies!) and furiously hugged my bolster. Not entirely sure what she thought I was smuggling.

Did not take too long to spot Colin, who then drove me straight to my workplace to say hi to the folks. Which turned out to be a huge reunion coz I went to Avondale with practically all of the people at my department.

The biggest surprise turned out to be the fact that I actually have my own (HUGE) office, with chairs for visitors and all. This is going to be fun.....

Next stop: nurses' residence at the Sydney Adventist Hospital right across the road. My home for the next 5 or 6 months till Kristin graduates, whereupon which we'll househunt together.

I am taken to my room where I find this huge cutout stating "Welcome Home Melody!" pasted on my door, and when I walked in, the room was filled with balloons. And then Kristin pops out of nowhere, scaring me out of my wits first before happiness took over.

The next few hours was spent hunting down friends who were in the area, as well as bumping into people I did not know was here. All this done while sleep deprived, confused and more or less running solely on adrenaline.

Bedtime turned out to be 9pm for me last night. So much for my plan to arrive on Thursday, in time for late night shopping. Which meant I went to bed in a sleeping bag on top of a bare mattress. Thank goodness it is summer right now.

The shopping begins in a few minutes...

In about an hour and a half, Mel's Mindcave, previously known as Mel's England Tales 2003, will become Mel's Aussie Adventures.

Am looking forward to meeting up with friends whom I haven't seen for about 2 years.

Am looking forward to getting cheap bohemian clothes.

Am looking forward to fresh figs, cherries, strawberries and other delicious fruit.

Am looking forward to visiting the wonderful markets at The Rocks.

Am looking forward to my new job with the SPD.

Am looking forward to visiting the amazing numbers of secondhand bookshops.

Am looking forward to so many things typically Aussie.

Am not looking forward to saying goodbye.

Reality sinks in. 

2 more days to a life completely changed.

The complexity of my emotions still remain.

Mel Highway Fame City 3 Lake Love 24 Mt. Happiness 52 Childbirth Hospital 164 County Jail 358 Please Drive Carefully

Username:

Where are you on the highway of life?

From Go-Quiz.com

desire is a strange thing.

For the longest of time, I have been wanting to leave Singapore. To live and work in another country.

I prayed about it. I longed for it. I so badly wanted it.

I got it.

And now, I have a strange inertia about the whole thing. I'm trying to find the latest possible date that I can fly out to Sydney.

Suddenly, I find myself extremely reluctant to leave.

I have gotten comfortable here. I have gotten so much closer to my family. I have renewed old friendships. I have gained new ones. I have so many amazing and valuable relationships that I find extremely hard to let go off.

Things will never be the same again. Then again, things never remain the same. Why would this be any different?

I just know I'm going to miss my family and friends back here in Singapore so incredibly much.

Leaving is never an easy thing.

Sigh.

Faith is built on stories like this.

The reason why I write is because of stories like this.

You're a What?

I have never faced as much challenge to my faith and belief in my life as I had over the last two weeks.

I became a Seventh-day Adventist when I was 19 and as such, had the fortune of never having to face Sabbath issues in school like many of my SDA friends in Singapore had. Six months after my baptism, I moved off to Australia to begin my college education at Avondale College. Upon graduation, I went on a one year volunteer stint with Newbold College in England as a Public Relations assistant.

The SDA community surrounded me for probably the whole of my born-again life. I lived the “easy” life where I had Friday afternoons free to prepare for the Sabbath, and nobody questioned me about going to church on a Saturday.

That has all changed since I’ve returned home to Singapore two months ago.

Not wanting the commitment of a full-time permanent job just yet, I decided to take up short-term temporary jobs. Unfortunately, most jobs required working through the weekends and as such, job opportunities were far and few between.

Two weeks ago, I decided to start hunting for a full-time job. Besides sending in applications, I also signed up with a job agency. The phone calls for interviews came pouring in and that was when my true test began.

Practically all the phone calls I received required me to work on Saturdays and going through interviews soon became an ordeal. Interviewers would look at me questioningly when I said, not without regret, that I could not work on a Saturday because I had to go to church.

“I thought church happened on Sundays?”

“Yeah, a lot of denominations do that. But because I’m a Seventh-day Adventist, I go to church on a Saturday.”

“You’re a what?”

And thus would begin a historical lesson on Sabbath and Sunday worship that I’m not sure the interviewer actually wanted to hear. To their credit, they listened to me with patience and understanding. Of course, that also meant that I never got the job.

It became quite exasperating because I would get job offers that I would be happy to take up, but had to immediately decline upon hearing the work hours. However, I managed to do so with a light heart largely because the jobs were never much of a temptation to begin with. I liked the job scope, but it was something I knew I could live without.

So my test got harder.

Recently, I was offered a job with a well-established production house in Singapore. It was everything I wanted in a job and would help me gain much desired experience in film production. The Managing Director of the company himself spent more than an hour talking to me about the company, its past and future projects and the responsibilities I would be taking up. I was filled with so much passion and enthusiasm for the job that I was prepared to take it up immediately.

Just as we started discussing my salary and benefits, the MD mentioned in passing that I would be required to work on Saturdays as well.

My world came crashing down.

“I can’t,” I told him, tears nearly filling my eyes.

After hearing my reasons, the MD actually spent close to two hours trying to convince me otherwise.

“Religion is about a relationship between you and your God. It’s about your heart and your mind. You don’t have to worship God on a special day to be a Christian,” was the MD’s line of argument. “Surely your God would not smite you down if you did not go to church on Saturday. It’s not as if we are worshipping the devil here. You’re working and your God would understand that.

We are living in the real world and when you are, you have to leave religion aside. Having a religion is a good thing, but when it interferes with your life, you need to realise that you have got to live and that your work has to come first.”

When I told him that I knew God would still love me despite me working on a Sabbath, and that I agreed with him that Christianity is about a relationship, he could not fathom what then was stopping me from working.

He shot back with, “But if you take up this job, you never know, you may pick up skills that would be useful for your church in future.”

Our discussion went on forever without any conclusion. He finally told me he thought I was making a stupid decision, that I was throwing away a perfect opportunity and that I was too rigid to my beliefs. But I left with him asking me to reconsider, and that if I changed my mind, he would be happy to take me on and have me start work immediately.

I would have to go through almost twelve hours of pain and agony after that as I had to decline the job three times during that time period. The increasing number of times I had to say no did nothing to numb the pain. On the contrary, the loss I felt for giving up what I felt was my dream job became more real after I said sorry to the MD for the third time. I could not help it, something at the back of my head was saying that I would probably regret my decision in years to come.

Naturally, I started questioning my religion in the days to follow. I started wondering if it was even worth it to be a Christian, and began harbouring the idea of turning my back to God. But it is something I simply could not do.

God has become a part of me and giving God up would be equivalent to choosing not to breathe. I have my ups and downs with God. At times I don’t even feel his presence. But I could never ever knowingly give him up. Especially not when I realise that the only reason why I have gotten to where I am, with the experience I’ve got to put into a resume that enticed employers to call me for an interview, is all thanks to him.

And certainly not when I know that my younger brother’s own faith would be shaken if I chose to break the Sabbath.

This afternoon, I had to decline two more jobs because of Sabbath issues and I still feel the loss. Yet, I trust and know that he is going to provide me with something that would be beyond what I could imagine.

And in the near future, I know I will be writing a sequel to this article, on how I have found my true dream job. A job that would help me honour my God. A job that I would love, embrace and call my own.

An article written sometime in March 2004.

An article which existence I had forgotten about.

9 months on, it has become an article which I have already unwittingly written a sequel to.

Wow.

In order for the South Pacific Division (my would-be employers) to get me a work visa, they would need to apply for a business sponsorship license. The application process would normally take at least 4 weeks.

It took them about 4 days.

In order for me to work for the South Pacific Division (SPD), I would need a work visa. The application process would normally take 4-8 weeks.

I got a call this morning telling me that my application has been sent in. The only problem is that they cannot seem to locate my X-ray which was sent to the visa place last Friday. I provided my SPD contact person, Colin, with the tracking number of the courier package to see if the visa place could better locate my X-ray. He got the tracking number and provided the visa place with it.

Ten minutes later, he receives a phonecall telling him my work visa has been approved.

The entire process took....2 weeks? And I'm being generous at that.

I am left utterly speechless as to how swift everything has gone. What would normally take months has taken me weeks to obtain. Why do I have this strange feeling that God really wants me in Australia?

I can only wonder about the reason why.

In the meantime, I'm going to have to prepare to leave for Sydney on January 13 or 14, 2005. I start work January 17, 2005.

Wow.

Disclaimer: This post sent to me by Gail.

12.19am. From the desk of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Khoo Boon Hui

Dear Mr Tan,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I am directing Commander Ang Mo Kio to look into the matter and see how they can expedite the matter. As I am unfamiliar with the reasons for the delay, I can only presume that it may still be required as evidence for the court case or is the subject of a disposal enquiry.

Regards,
Khoo Boon Hui

1.24pm. From the desk of the Covering Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Station

Dear Mr Tan,

Let me apologise for the inconvenience caused to you. The delay was due to the fact that your handphone might be used as evidence in court. Nevertheless, we have since made some alternative arrangements so that the handphone could be returned to you earlier.

My Investigation Supervisor, Mr Sabil Juni, will be contacting you shortly to arrange for the collection.

Once again, thank you for your feedback and we look forward to serving you better.

Regards,
Michael Tan
Commander Ang Mo Kio Police (Covering)

Moral of the story?

When you want fast action, go straight to the head honcho.

The Call of a Desperate Phone Owner - my brother

Dear Mr Khoo Boon Hui,

More than a year ago, my mobile phone, a well-beloved Nokia 3315, was stolen by a youth misguided by society.

The reason for my writing is not to express my woes about the youth of today, because the wonderful police force that keeps Singapore safe had actually managed to retrieve my adored tool of communication, along with the misguided youth.

A report (ref no: F/031009/0125) was filed dated 9 October 2003 with Sgt T00148 Lim Swee Hua at the Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre, which I have attached for your reference. This case was then handed over to the Ang Mo Kio Police Station on the very same day.

Unfortunately, my much missed electronic device is still not in my embrace.

The police officer in charge of the case, Ms Nurul (Tel: 1800 6218 0000), had mentioned that she needed my mobile phone as evidence. As a law-abiding citizen ever willing to cooperate, I bade a temporary adieu to my little bundle of joy. I was promised its safe return within a few weeks.

If my calendar is the same as the rest of Singapore's, it has been almost 15 months since then and I still have not felt the familiar warmth of my phone.

I find it extremely disturbing and am worried my phone may fail to recognise me when it ever returns.

Understanding that our police officers have much to do, I have tried to aid them by calling Ms Nurul on at least 20 separate occasions, so that she did not need to trouble herself to contact me. When I manage to speak with her and question about my phone, she would immediately
brush me off by saying the phone is not ready for collection. It is amazing what a wonderful photographic memory she has, that she does not even need to refer to any documentation as to which case I was referring to.

Also, when I have been unable to speak with her personally, my calls to her would all be unreturned and my desperate pleas ignored, dealing my self-esteem a severe blow.

Now, I sincerely have no idea what has become of my mobile phone and would yearn to have it taken off my "missing persons" list. However, I am not getting much help or response from Ms Nurul or Ang Mo Kio Police Station where my case was reported to.

Mr Khoo, I sincerely plead for your help in this matter as I think I have been placed on the "to be ignored" list of Ang Mo Kio Police Station.

I would really appreciate an explanation of the entire matter, whether my portable communicating device has helped the misguided youth in returning to the flock and if I would ever feel my mobile phone in my hot little hands ever again.

Thank you so much for your time in dealing with this issue.

Looking forward to a much favourable reply soon.

Yours sincerely,
Shannon Tan (Mr)

cc. Quality Services Manager Rajoo V Gopal, Commander 'F' Division Jessica Kwok, Ms Penny Low (MP, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), The Straits Times forum pages and Streats comments pages

do people actually care or listen in this country?

I could have been sprawled on the floor of the train this morning, half-dead and foaming at my mouth and I doubt anybody would have bothered to help me. Surreptiously walk to another corner, more likely.

About 15 minutes into my journey on the train to work this morning, I was suddenly hit by a pang of general unease. My heart start racing (and believe me, it had nothing to do with the flamboyant entrance of a stunning specimen of the male species), my head started spinning, my stomach started aching, I thought I was going to throw up and I was doubled over thinking I was going to die.

For some unexplained reason, I was unable to breathe properly and all I wanted to do was to curl up in a feotal position.

Strangely enough though, despite feeling so uncomfortable, one part of my mind was wondering how long it would take for people to take notice of a person dying. Obviously, far too long. I could jolly well have been a decomposing heap of rotten flesh with flies buzzing around and nobody would have thought twice about calling in the police, or some crime scene investigators.

Honestly, I looked around, and people were either asleep or staring into space in a direction other than at me. Singaporeans give others far too much privacy it seems.

On another note, I just got a phonecall from some fellow looking for my uncle who uses our address and phone number for correspondence (the reason why is too long to explain).

Guy: Hi, I'm calling from NTUC Income, can I speak to Mr Tan Hock Lai?
Me: Actually, he doesn't live with us, can I help you with anything?
Guy: Yes, I'm from NTUC Income, I would like to speak to him.
Me: Ok, but I can't put you in contact with him at the moment because he's not here.
Guy: Oh, do you have his mobile number or office number or something?
Me: I don't, but my mom does and she's not here at the moment. Maybe I can take a message?
Guy: Erm, do you know him?
Me: Yes, he is my uncle. What is this regarding?
Guy: We just wanted to ask him if he received a letter from us regarding combined funds.
Me: I'm sorry, but maybe my mom would know.
Guy: That's why I think it's better to talk to him. Can you give me his mobile number?
Me: Look, I don't have his mobile number. My mom does and she's at work. Do you want to call her?
Guy: Is 62xxxxxx Mr Tan's office number? I can call there.
Me: I don't know!
Guy: Maybe I can call him later tonight when he comes home from work?
Me: I told you, he doesn't live here! He just uses our address for correspondence!
Guy: Ok fine, that's alright. Bye.

What is wrong with these people?!?!

A letter from the Home Office to the People of America

In the light of your failure to elect a suitable President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of Your independence, effective today. Her Sovereign Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories. Except Utah, which she does not fancy.

Your new prime minister (The Right Honourable Tony Blair MP; for the 97.85% of you who have until now been unaware that there is a world outside your borders) will appoint a minister for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded.

A questionnaire will be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

To aid in the transition to a British Crown Dependency, the following rules are introduced with immediate effect:

1. You should look up "revocation" in the Oxford English Dictionary. Then look up "aluminium". Check the pronunciation guide.

You will be amazed at just how wrongly you have been pronouncing it. The letter "U" will be reinstated in words such as "favour" and "neighbour", skipping the letter "U" is nothing more than laziness on your part.

Likewise, you will learn to spell "doughnut" without skipping half the letters.

You will end your love affair with the letter "Z" (pronounced "zed" not "zee") and the suffix "ize" will be replaced by the suffix "ise".

You will learn that the suffix "burgh" is pronounced "burra" e.g. Edinburgh.

You are welcome to respell Pittsburgh as 'Pittsberg' if you can't cope with correct pronunciation.

Generally, you should raise your vocabulary to acceptable levels. Look up "vocabulary". Using the same twenty seven words interspersed with filler noises such as "like" and "you know" is an unacceptable and inefficient form of communication.

Look up "interspersed". There will be no more 'bleeps' in the Jerry Springer show. If you're not old enough to cope with bad language then you shouldn't have chat shows. When you learn to develop your vocabulary then you won't have to use bad language as often.

2. There is no such thing as "US English". We will let Microsoft know on your behalf. The Microsoft spell-checker will be adjusted to take account of the reinstated letter "u" and the elimination of "-ize".

3. You should learn to distinguish the English and Australian accents. It really isn't that hard.

English accents are not limited to Cockney, upper-class twit or Mancunian (Daphne in Frasier).

You will also have to learn how to understand regional accents - Scottish dramas such as "Taggart" will no longer be broadcast with subtitles.

While we're talking about regions, you must learn that there is no such place as Devonshire in England. The name of the county is "Devon". If you persist in calling it Devonshire, all American States will become "shires" e.g. Texasshire, Floridashire, Louisianashire.

4. Hollywood will be required occasionally to cast English actors as the good guys. Hollywood will be required to cast English actors to play English characters. British sit-coms such as "Men Behaving Badly" or "Red Dwarf" will not be re-cast and watered down for a wishy-washy American audience who can't cope with the humour of occasional political incorrectness.

5. You should relearn your original national anthem, "God Save The Queen",but only after fully carrying out task 1. We would not want you to get
confused and give up half way through.

6. You should stop playing American "football". There is only one kind of football. What you refer to as American "football" is not a very good game.

The 2.15% of you who are aware that there is a world outside your borders may have noticed that no one else plays "American" football. You will no longer be allowed to play it, and should instead play proper football.

Initially, it would be best if you played with the girls. It is a difficult game. Those of you brave enough will, in time, be allowed to play rugby (which is similar to American "football", but does not involve stopping for a rest every twenty seconds or wearing full Kevlar body armour like
nancies).

We are hoping to get together at least a US rugby sevens a side by 2005.

You should stop playing baseball. It is not reasonable to host an event called the 'World Series' for a game which is not played outside of America. Since only 2.15% of you are aware that there is a world beyond your borders, your error is understandable.

Instead of baseball, you will be allowed to play a girls' game called "rounders" which is baseball without fancy team strip, oversized gloves, collector cards or hotdogs.

7. You should declare war on Quebec and France, using nuclear weapons if they give you any merde.

The 97.85% of you who were not aware that there is a world outside your borders should count yourselves lucky. The Russians have never been the bad guys. "Merde" is French for "Shit". French is the first language of a country called France which is in Europe. Europe is one of the continents in the world other than your own.

8. July 4th is no longer a public holiday. November 2nd will be a new national holiday, but only in England. It will be called "Indecisive Day".

9. All American cars are hereby banned. They are crap and it is for your own good. When we show you German cars, you will understand what we mean.

All road intersections will be replaced with roundabouts. You will start driving on the left with immediate effect. At the same time, you will go metric with immediate effect and without the benefit of conversion tables.

Roundabouts and metrication will help you understand the British sense of humour.

10. You will learn to make real chips.

Those things you call French fries are not real chips. Fries aren't even French, they are Belgian though 97.85% of you (including the guy who discovered fries while in Europe) are not aware of a country called Belgium.

Those things you insist on calling potato chips are properly called "crisps". Real chips are thick cut and fried in animal fat. The traditional accompaniment to chips is beer which should be served warm and flat.

Waitresses will be trained to be more aggressive with customers.

11. As a sign of penance 5 grams of sea salt per cup will be added to all tea made within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, this quantity to be doubled for tea made within the city of Boston itself.

12. The cold tasteless stuff you insist on calling beer is not actually beer at all, it is lager.

From November 1st only proper British Bitter will be referred to as "beer", and European brews of known and accepted provenance will be referred to as "Lager".

13. From December 1st the UK will harmonise petrol (or "Gasoline" as you will be permitted to keep calling it until April 1st 2005) prices with the former USA. The UK will harmonise its prices to those of the former USA and the Former USA will, in return, adopt UK petrol prices (roughly $6/US gallon - get used to it).

14. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns, lawyers or therapists.

The fact that you need so many lawyers and therapists shows that you're not adult enough to be independent. Guns should only be handled by adults. If you're not adult enough to sort things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist then you're not grown up enough to handle a gun.

15. Please tell us who killed JFK. It's been driving us crazy.

Tax collectors from Her Majesty's Government will be with you shortly to ensure the acquisition of all revenues due (backdated to 1776).

Thank you for your cooperation.

And this ought to teach you Americans not to abuse the right to vote.

it's terrifying, but I think I have reached THE age.

The age that I never thought I would reach. The age where people were mature, sophisticated, intelligent and unbelievably cool. Well, at least that was what my young impressionable mind used to think years (centuries?) ago.

Now that I'm here, I realise it's not that cool after all. It's an age where 24 year olds still behave like they're 16, yet hating the real 16 year olds (my brother not included. Then again, he's 17.). An age where responsibilities start to weigh down on one's shoulders. An age where we would all have to start seriously thinking of our futures.

An age where friends either start getting married or having babies.

I received a wedding invitation in the mail yesterday. It would have been exciting if it weren't the 3rd one I've received this year, the 4th wedding I'll be attending this year and the goodness knows what number person I remotely know who is getting married.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm extremely happy for all my friends who have found the someone they want to spend the rest of their lives with. But do they really have to do it all within months of each other??

"Saul was looking for donkeys, while God was looking for a king." Lessons from 1 Samuel 9 summarised by my bible study partner.

After almost a month (perhaps more) of struggling, I now realise I've been having a donkey moment.

Since returning home to Singapore, I've been having pangs of depression because I sincerely believed that my life was at a standstill. I knew my place was not in Singapore, and yet I could see no way out. I was stuck in a job I did not appreciate, but felt reluctant to let go, mainly because it was extremely difficult to find a job with a 5-day work week.

I convinced myself I was reaching for the stars, and would ultimately crash. I was stuck, and would never get out. I gave up my dream and started looking at something that I did not like, but could at least live with.

I was certainly looking for donkeys. Turns out that God had a much better plan that I would never have thought possible.

When I gave up a job offer at Mission College, I really thought I had given up my last possible chance to leave Singapore. Not only that, I felt bad about turning down a job offer that I had expressed immense interest for months. Then God showed me He already had it all worked out by offering the job to Shimona. And goodness knows she'll do a much better job than I would, having actually chosen to "buy the product", tasted it and thought that it was good.

That left me still stuck at my job at Citibank. The desperation got worse when I was offered a permanent position. I truly felt I had gone past the stage where I was digging my own grave. The tombstone was about to be placed.

Then I was given an opportunity to apply for a job with Signs Publishing, as an assistant editor for all their magazines, one of which was The Edge, a magazine I wrote for occassionally. Hey, Melbourne, although not my favourite state, would be better than staying in my grave in Singapore.

I was still looking at donkeys.

God hit me left of the centre by having the Director of the South Pacific Division's Communication Department send me an email asking if I would be interested to apply for the position of News Correspondent.

God really had it all planned. I could have ended up in Thailand or in Melbourne. I was on the verge of taking up a working holiday visa to live in the UK for two years. I could jolly well be working in Citibank (shudder). These were all the options I saw.

I was looking for donkeys, while God was looking for a king.

After weeks of waiting, long distance phonecalls and a 6.30am interview, I have just been told that I have got the news correspondent job.

I may not have a throne or a crown. I certainly am not getting the immense responsibility and influence. But I am going to be working and living in Sydney, doing what I love best - writing.

I am so glad God was looking for a king, not donkeys.

i got high today and it was the wierdest feeling in my life.

After not taking medication for any illnesses I had for the last 3 years or more, I finally succumbed yesterday night.

I was running a high fever, my joints were aching, I was having a pounding headache and I thought I was going to die. Naturally, my mom dragged me to the doctor's. And despite my better judgement, I agreed to taking medication.

Big mistake.

Last night's dosage was fine since I went straight to bed immediately after popping the pills, but this morning was an entirely different story altogether.

About an hour or so after taking the prescribed dosage, I literally felt the drugs kick in. Suddenly I felt that I was floating in the air, I couldn't speak properly, I couldn't think straight, much less walk, and all I wanted to do was lie in bed and go to sleep.

Medication never had this effect on me before. Then again, I've never went on a three year "drug fast".

It terrifies me to experience the strong effects of these prescribed drugs. We instinctively pop pills whenever we're ill and we don't even think twice as to what taking certain medication can do to us. Perhaps it's because we have become so used to the side effects of drugs that we don't even notice it anymore. All we know is that the pills can cure what we want cured.

But honestly, instant cure is not a cure if there are side effects like the ones I've experienced.

My medication can stay on the shelf. I'm not having another "high" experience again.

Below is an actual letter sent to a bank. The bank manager thought it amusing enough to have it published in the New York Times recently, and I find it amusing enough to blog it. Guess banking isn't all that boring after all.

Dear sir,

I am writing to thank you for bouncing my cheque with which I endeavoured to pay my plumber last month. By my calculations, three nanoseconds must have elapsed between his presenting the cheque and the arrival of the funds needed to honor it.

I refer, of course, to the automatic monthly deposit of my entire salary...an arrangement which, I admit, has been in place for only 8 years. You are to be commended for seizing that brief window of opportunity, and also for debiting my account $50 by way of penalty for the inconvenience caused to your bank.

My thankfulness springs from the manner in which this incident has caused me to rethink my errant financial ways. I noticed whereas I personally attend to your telephone calls and letters, that when I try to contact you I am confronted by the impersonal, overcharging, prerecorded, faceless entity which your bank has become. From now on I, like you, choose to deal only with a flesh-and-blood person.

My mortgage and loan repayments will, therefore and hereafter, no longer be automatic, but will arrive at your bank, by cheque, addressed personally and confidentially to an employee at your bank whom you must nominate. Be aware that it is an offence under the Postal Act for any other person to open such an envelope.

Please find attached an Application Contact Status which I require your chosen employee to complete. I am sorry it runs to eight pages, but in order that I know as much about him or her as your bank knows about me, there is no alternative.

Please note that all copies of his or her medical history must be countersigned by a Notary Public, and the mandatory details of his/her financial situation (income, debts, assets and liabilities) must be accompanied by documented proof.

In due course, I will issue your employee with a PIN number which he/she must quote in dealings with me. I regret that it cannot be shorter than 28 digits but, again, I have modelled it after the number of button presses required to access my account balance on your phone banking service.

As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Let me level the playing field even further. While this may, on occasion, involve a lengthy wait, uplifting music will play for the duration of the call.

Press buttons as follows

1. To make an appointment to see me.

2. To query a missing payment.

3. To transfer the call to my living room in case I am there.

4. To transfer the call to my bedroom in case I am sleeping.

5. To transfer the call to my toilet in case I am there attending to nature.

6. To transfer the call to my mobile phone if I am not at home.

7. To leave a message on my computer, a password to access my computer is required. Password will be communicated at a later date.

8. To return to the main menu and to listen to options 1 through 7.

9. To make a general complaint or inquiry.

The contact will then be put on hold, pending the attention of my automated answering service.

Regrettably, but again following your example, I must also levy an establishment fee to cover the setting up of this new arrangement. May I, however, wish you a happy, if ever-so-slightly less, prosperous day.

Your humble client, Judy ----

(last name omitted intentionally by The New York Times)

This is especially interesting for me since I love writing - NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), starting November 1.

A whole month to celebrate the joy of writing. Not that I would actually do much in that area. My script seems to have inevitably gone down the drain, what with a lack of resources and yes, I'll admit it, procrastination.

But well, there's always the knowledge that something like NaNoMo exists. The written word is not dead!! Not everybody has forgotten the existence of books outside of school texts!!

And bringing NaNoMo to the next level (where people live in virtual space), Blogger has come up with NaNoBlogMo!

Long live the written art form!

it's amazing how people deem themselves as appropriate to nose themselves into other people's business.

A colleague came up to me after lunch today, telling me about a conversation that had transpired between her and another colleague, a person whom I do not know, nor have ever met.

Apparently, she enquired of my colleague as to how can I be dressed so casually. And this was not done in an off-handed manner, but in a disgusted "my nose is so high up in the air, it's a wonder I can still see where I'm going" tone.

My colleague simply replied, "She's a temp staff. And she doesn't need to deal with customers. Your dress code is not applied to her."

"Oh, she doesn't have to see customers?" came the sneering response.

1. What I wear is none of your business. I can choose to turn up in a bunny suit and it still is not any of your business. I leave it up to my supervisor to talk to me about what I wear. And since she has not actually commented on my dressing, I think you should keep your opinions to yourself.

2. I understand I'm working in an office, and I have already succumbed to the culture by NOT wearing jeans, T-shirts and sneakers.

3. I am not you. I do not like to look like a Christmas tree. Or a walking target for robbers. Even if I had money, I would rather spend my money on something more worthwhile and useful than decorating myself so that people would know how wealthy I am. Or dress in such a way so that people would think I am rich, even if I am not. I am more true to myself than that.

4. Is it really that bad that I choose not to conform to the stifling, brainless and superficial corporate culture that I am unfortunately working in? I cannot help it that I happen to have a style I call my own, a style in which I am comfortable in.

And I'm sorry for giving you an ulcer with what I wear.

Actually, I'm not.

my hi-fi set has decided to develop a life of its own.

or is now possessed by a poltergist.

switched on my hi-fi a few minutes ago wanting to listen to a CD. Only problem was, the volume level refused to change. I thought hey, maybe it's got something to do with the buttons on the machine itself, so I tried my remote. No chance there.

Not sensing any alarm yet, I leave it alone for a while. Only thing is, I did not want to listen to track 1. No, I wanted track 7. So I pick up my remote and chose track 7.

That was when I realised my hi-fi was alive.

The numbers on the display kept skipping and refused to settle on a single track. When it finally did, it stayed for a few seconds and moved on. Then it just went absolutely insane.

I stopped it. (and this was probably the last time I managed that.)

I changed CDs. Hey, maybe it was my CD that was faulty.

The moment I put in the CD, I realised something was wrong. The hi-fi just read through ALL the tracks in my CD. It just kept reading the tracks without playing it.

I hit play. It ignored me.

I hit play again. It grudgingly obeys and plays track 1. But within a few seconds into the track, it figured it didn't like the song, and skips to track 2. I stare at it in disbelief. Then it decided it didn't quite like the starting intro music of track 2, so it forwards it a few seconds and then listens on...only to realise that it hadn't forwarded it enough....

My fight with the hi-fi (both using the remote and simply pushing the buttons on the machine itself) goes on for several seconds before I think, maybe I should try to change its function and see what it does in the radio function. Bad decision.

While in its radio function, it starts searching for all available radio stations under the sun, settling at certain ones for a few seconds before moving on. At one point, it stopped for a while at a Tamil station. Goodness knows why. It also stopped for a significant amount of time at Class 95FM.

Sometime while this was happening, I call Faith. It was her hi-fi before I owned it. Maybe she could tell me about the restless spirit haunting it. At the same time, I'm trying to change the function of the hi-fi again, to tape or CD, but it was simply having too much fun that it ignores me. Then I try switching it off. Once again, it refused to obey. It just went on and on, trying to find a station it liked.

After struggling for a good 5 minutes, she suggested I pull the plug. After pulling out 2 other ones thinking it was the correct one, and of course causing both of us to freak out because what would happen if the last plug didn't stop it? It finally stopped with the pulling of the last plug.

It was the only way it could be stopped.

I have a hi-fi that's alive.

While waiting to cross the road to get to the food court near my workplace, I turn to talk to my colleague. Turns out she was already looking at a spot just behind me, with a look of bewilderment on her face.

I turn to see what she's looking at, and took an involuntary jump back. The face of a grinning old grandma was mere inches away from mine. I stared at her in shock while she still stood there, holding an umbrella, grinning like a Cheshire cat.

"It's so sunny, come under my shade," she said in Mandarin.

I nodded at her dumbly.

"What are you so afraid of? Did you think I was a guy?" she continued, drawing closer to me. "Now, if you were in Indonesia, where I'm from, you would have a lot to worry about. But it's so safe here. I walk around by myself late at night and I feel perfectly safe! There's nothing to be afraid of!"

My colleague, a much warmer and friendlier person than I am, responded with, "Yeah, you're right. It's is very safe here."

I simply continued staring, trying to smile politely.

"Actually, I'm afraid to cross this road alone. I was wanting some company," she admitted, firmly placing a tight grip around my wrist.

Now, grandma reaches only up to my shoulders, her hands therefore having a shorter distance away from the ground than I do. Suddenly, not only did I feel circulation being cut off from my hand, I find myself standing as if I have a severe back problem that required me to stand with one shoulder higher than the other.

"By the way, how old do you think I look?" she continued, never wavering in her grip.

Thoughts raced through my head:

If I say she's older than she is, I would piss her off and she probably would detach my hand from my arm within seconds.

If I say she's younger than she is, I may be so far off target that she would think I was being cheeky and would still detach my hand from my arm within seconds.

I turn to my colleague with a pleading look in my eyes.

"63," she guessed.

She smugly shakes her head and says, "No, I'm 71," and then goes on to rave and rant about this product that she was using that provided her with such a "youthful radiance".

Meanwhile, I am simply hoping that the traffic would clear within the next few heartbeats so that I am free of her iron grip and the uncomfortable stance I was in. Not mentioning the fact that I probably looked rather weird standing the way I did.

Suddenly, in her eagerness, she loosens her grip to gesticulate something or other. And at a beautiful coincidence, there was a break in the traffic. Quick as lightning, my hand moved to her back as we swiftly crossed the road to my freedom.

I can only thank God that it didn't occur to her to have lunch with us.

What is up with me and strange grandmas? At least this one isn't as vicious or long-term as the last one.

An appointment made with her a few days ago.

Me: "So we're going to the gym at Novena?"
Her: "Yeah, I'll be there early, so give me a buzz when you arrive and I'll tell you where I am."

The phonecall to her yesterday.

Me: "Hey, I'm here, where are you?"
Her: "Oh, I'm at Punggol Plaza." (For those not from Singapore, Punggol is where she lives. Novena is a full hour's train ride away.)

30 seconds of stunned silence.

Her: "Actually, at the Koufu food court having dinner."

Another 30 seconds of silence as I ponder if she was pulling my leg.

Then I hear a loud exclaimation, "OH MY GOSH! MEL!!!!! I'm so sorry!!! It totally slipped my mind that today is Tuesday!!!"

Now I've been called all sorts of different things since I came back to Singapore, but this has got to top everything.

While sitting quietly in a corner of the office trying to change the copy of one of our letters to our customers, I hear a voice behind me go, "Timothy?"

I turn around to find a UPS guy looking at me eagerly, face filled with expectation that I would respond to his call.

All he got was a blank look and a "sorry?"

His face fell and you could read it in his face that he fully expected me - full-blooded female with hair tied up in a pony tail, wearing a blouse and a skirt - to be Timothy. My response threw him off and he hesitated before he ventured, "I'm looking for Timothy?"

As I directed him to Timothy, the naturally would be male Timothy since Timothy is a male's name, he muttered, "so he's not sitting here..."

DO I LOOK LIKE A TIMOTHY?!?!

i finally have my own computer!

Not that this is the first computer in my house, but I've either been working from my ancient 5 year old laptop or my brother's computer before and to finally have my own private pc just feels like absolute bliss. Especially when we've finally moved on with the times and subscribed to cable internet.

Now I can download whatever programs I fancy without having to worry (much) about a lack of memory space.

Now I can play Gunbound without my brother breathing down my neck - a game that reminds one of its cousin, Worms 3D, but with interactive player options. A game in which I'm still trying to figure out.

Now I can surf the internet using the brilliant Mozilla Firefox web browser - much friendlier, powerful and intelligent.

Now I can write articles and do research at the same time.

Now I can stay online forever!

Ah, what has my life become that a computer makes me so happy?