Quote : Daisaku Ikeda (1928 - present )

Those who can get along with all kinds of people, seeing them as equals, as fellow human beings manifest the true excellence of their character. They are people of genuine culture and education.

Quote : Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

Someone asked me what I regarded as the three most important requirements for happiness. My amswer was: A feeling that you have been honest with yourself and those around you; a feeling that you have done the best you could both in your personal life and in your work; and the ability to love others.

Memories ...

Dubai & Me ...

It was all a sign ... If not for my rash decision to breakup with Chay, I would not be here today ... After our breakup, I received an invitation for an interview ... One after another, I passed each interview stage ... Before I knew it, my bags were packed to head for a foreign land ... It all happened within 3 months ...

I didn't actually do much homework to find out about this new place I was to call my second home ... It was during SARS ... I had enough of the office politics at my previous workplace ... I'm a simple person ... Just wanna do a good job and get paid for doing it ...

It was a crucial decision at that time ... I almost remained at home as dad was suspected to be infected with SARS when he was down with high fever during that period (luckily the result was negative) ... At the same time, the family also sensed that his health was slowly failing ... However, after a discussion with the rest of the family members, it was agreed that it's best for me to leave and fetch a higher salary in preparation for future medical needs by our parents as old age sets in ...

Then, in April 2003, I came to Dubai ... Wow ... The airport was so modern ... Everything around seemed so different from what I have heard about the region ... Then I told myself:"Everything will be alright." ... As I can't disappoint my family for giving me the support to start a new job overseas, I strived hard during training ... Learned about different cultures and working styles ...

4.5 years later, I'm glad I have made that decision to leave home ... Being away from home, I have no one to rely upon for advice on what to do and where to go ... However, I was lucky to have survived through my first year without much hiccups ... Problems were solved slowly but surely ... Tried hard to stay healthy as I was frequently sick during the 1st year ... My social circle started to widen too ... Was attached within 3 months here but ended it with no regrets 2 years later ...

Was very down for 8 months after the breakup ... But it's part and parcel of life ... Time may have been wasted back then trying to recover but I have gained more in the end ... Supportive groups of friends both back home and here in Dubai, and enjoying my life and work to the fullest ... Thank you so much guys!!! ... Luv you all!!!

Since last year, I had gone for 2 lessons in snowboarding, made more new friends, made my 1st solo backpacking trip to Taiwan, visited the gym and played squash, discovered new makan outlets in Dubai, learned cooking, did a makeover, etc ... Most importantly, I have met my savings target this year!!! ... Yippee!!! ... It's not much but it certainly was an accomplishment, taking into consideration of my spending habits and family commitments ... Hee hee ...

Really hope that I can get my ideal HDB flat when I turn 35 ... The dream is not too far away ... (^-^) ... In the meantime, dad's health is getting worse ... Plans for hiring domestic helper is on the way ... Worried about mum's health too as it's not easy taking care of dad ... Hope dad will always be a happy man till the end ... C'est La Vie ...

It Takes Two Hands To Clap

Was recently updated by a long-time friend that couple of our common friends' marriages have ended up in divorces ... Felt really sad things has to turn out this way ... Couple of them even have kids already ... Is there no more guarantee to marriages anymore? ...

I'm starting to get more and more paranoid about marriage ... My hope is to only marry once ... No divorce ... No matter what, it takes two hands to clap and it takes two heads to solve problems more effectively ...

My philosophy ... In a relationship, there must have 3 elements: communication, understanding & trust ... Without communication, we cannot understand each other ... Without understanding, we cannot bring ourselves to trust each other ... Without trust, we ceased communicating to each other ... And it's a vicious cycle all over again ...

So what's the secret to a fulfilling and long-lasting relationship? ... Any tips? ... I've had 4 relationships before ... 3 of them lasted 3 years each and the last one ended real badly in 2 years ... I have always been the one to initiate the breakup ... Why? ... I dunno ... Maybe I was afraid ... Afraid that I'll be hurt big time if ever the relationship lasted long enough, having bared my heart and soul to the one I have learnt to love deeply ...

Maybe someone will soothe my fears soon ... Maybe not ... The clock's ticking ... But I don't care ... I'm not in a hurry ... I'd love to be pampered and to pamper agian ... But it still seems so scary ... That one day it'll all be over and everything's back to square one ... Think the best is to enjoy the last moments of my singledom before the someone opens my heart again ...