Vagabond At Heart

Super chef was happily preparing food for us in the kitchen.

He was distracted by the arrival of Superman who was super famished. There was a tussle between them.

Superman was held captive by Superchef! Oh dear!

But, fear not. Superman exercised his prowess by escaping when Superchef’s guard was down. See how fast he was.

He ended up in my lap (actually, by force lah! evil grin). So, Superchef could go back cooking while the rest of us kept Superman entertained. Or rather, Superman kept us entertained till we were able to stuff ourselves with Superchef delicate efforts. Ha! Happiness is having friend to cook for us and an adorable toddler to play with.

Oh yeah, we didn’t even have to do the dishes. Girls’ power! The men did all the work. One cooked, one entertained, the final one washed up. Hahaha!

Just want to jot down some random books that I read for fun this year. Just so I can remember. These exclude all the business related readings and books I have blogged about previously. No Undercover economist or anything requiring any serious thinking. 

1. Without Reservations, The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach.

I re-read this when I was in Europe. It is a good travel companion. Provides food for thoughts too. I made it a point to visit some of the places mentioned in the book too. Although, most of them are already on my list. This book helps heightened my anticipation of each visit.

2. No Fixed Address by Jackie Hartnell.

I find it to be boring and rather a let down.

3. 44th Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith.

A casual tolerable read when you are in the mood to lose yourself in fiction for a few hours.

4. A land of two halves by Joe Bennett.

A fun read that amused me on a large part of my trip. Somehow, he reminds me of Bill Bryson (one of my favourite authors). Same sadistic style of humour.

5. Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult.

This is the first time I am reading something by Jodi Picoult. A good read. I enjoyed it enough to be inspired to pick up more of her books in future.

6. Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Paterson.

Another disappointment.

7. Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner

This is surprising quite a diverting good read. I like the blending of the characters.

8. The Measure of a Man by Sidney Poitier

I really like this one. It is both interesting and inspiring. Have alot of common sense inside. The Washington Post described it as “somewhat akin to having a worthwhile conversation with a revered older relative; he doesn’t always tell you what you want to hear, but you appreciate it just the same.” Can’t remember why I picked it up. Probably a random buy at Borders.

I miss my best friend. These days.

I cannot even remember when was the last time we spend quality time together. Just the two of us. Without the husband or baby in tow. I adore both her hubby and baby. I always enjoy my visits to them. I really do.

But, sometime, I just wish I can have my best friend back. Just the two of us spending some quality time. Without the hubby and baby around. Like it used to be. Or just to pick up the phone and call her. For heart to heart talk without interruptions or a third party hanging around.

But, I have to accept that she is in another phrase of life that is different from mine. Her family is her topmost priority now. But, she is still my best friend. And someday, if I do jump into this thing called marriage, I am likely to do the same.

Yesterday, P was telling me “I told ER that I miss the old CS. The CS now wears too much makeup and skimpy clothes, going around trying to look happening. I want the old CS back”. I can’t say I disagree but as I told P, it is her life. If she feels she is happier this way, what can we do? We can only accept her for who she is. Hopefully, it is just a phrase she is going through. P gave me this disgusted look, “What phrase? She is 3* already, and still going through such a phrase?!”

Well, that is true too. I think what the two of us really feel is she is trying too hard to be someone she is not. And we are worried that her newly found veneer of assumed sophistication may just crumbled the moment a “not too decent” guy comes along. Meanwhile, we try to resist the temptation to nag at her. 

When she volunteered to bring me along so that she can introduce guys to me. I dunno how to tell her I am over clubbing and am not interested in getting picked up. Instead, I told her that I am hardly in the mood to meet people. Haiz….I do miss the old CS. 

Every Christmas, we pop down to orchard to look at the Christmas lightings together. We wander amidst the crowd for a short while, take some quick pictures and hop on a bus for a joy-ride to enjoy the lightings at ease. In this relaxed mood, we have random conversations that are a little different from our day to day talk.

As always, I think of dad. Not with sadness but always with fond memories. I think of this tradition as keeping a part of him in my life. I wonder if mum feels the same way. Nowadays, I insist on supper after that. That is nice too.

Oh and tonite was fun. Most of the shopping malls have extended their operation hours. We managed to pop in to Tangs for some girly window shopping. I convinced mum to try some fanciful dresses for fun. A low cut dress and a girly floral dress. The saleperson convinced her to try more and more dresses. It was damn amusing to watch my mum’s reaction to her low cut dress. First, horrified that it was actually so low, followed by bashfulness which swiftly converted to a dash of smugness and vanity when she realized that she does look quite good in it. That prompted her to try the other dresses eagerly.

Well, they said women of all ages are vain. Apparently, it is true. *amused*

I adhor conversations centering on the zillions of different models of cars/designers bags/designers watches/private properties and how much they cost.

Ok, I do own the occasional designers stuffs and have some interests in properties prices. But, I don’t spend my waking hours keeping track of these stuff and thinking of them.

 I find these conversations to be superficial and boring. I kind of associate a large portion of people can’t seem to help but their lives chasing or discussing the latest designer bags, watches, cars to be vapid and boring as hell. The ones that annoy and bore the hell out of me are the wannabes and showoffs.

And, of course, they find me vapid and boring for my ignorance in high end living. I usually give them this blank stare and mutter something like ”Oh, really?” in a dead tone after their outbursts of highly commendable excitment. For the nice ones, I have learned to express mild polite interest until I have an opportunity to switch topics.

The rounds of interviews with pesky questions and personality assessments have left their mark on me. It has manifested into my recently acquired fixation. Personality assessments.

None of these assessments can be 100% accurate but they do seem to be able to capture the main essence of our personality. Of course, there are some entirely irrelevant quirks throw in from out of the blue.

At the very least, they help throw in more adjectives for use in future interviews. So sick of the same self descriptives. yawn YAWN…..

This one here is quite close. Comes with a DNA map too. The T-shirts can be kinda cool as X’mas gifts.

That is not all. You have learnt to make cute faces since the last time I saw you. Really really cute expressions that prompt laughters all around. Which you join in merriment.

I am still melting from your acute cuteness. It is hard to imagine the era before you were born. It now feels like you are around forever.

Oh, and your pet phrase now is still “No”!

E was asking us what have we achieved this year.

I guess my biggest achievement this year is in studies. I am one assignment away from completing my course. It is an achievement because this is my first step to a new area of specialization I am truly interested in. Nothing to do with my foundation in business or finances. I have enjoyed the classes and what I have learnt. I have attained reasonable grades. Oh, I got a distinction for my practical assessment 2 days back. I am holding registration for the next level till I confirm a job. That will probably be the july intake.

On the work front, there is really not much achievement since I am cruising on my past efforts and have started job hunting.

Backpacking europe alone is another small achievement since it has been on my list of to do for the longest time.

To me, facing you again is another small achievement.

I guess the most significant achievements that I have this year are small accumulations of things I experienced this year. Experiences that give me the courage to step out of my mould and comfort zone. I am taking small steps.