21 Aug 2021

We finally bought a table-top grill/BBQ/hotplate last month. 

And we did a mini home BBQ session last Saturday on our balcony haha. K was the chef, I was his assistant, helper was prepper, and the kids were.....the customers lol. 

Pork belly, swiss brown mushrooms, shabu beef, prawns, squid, beef patty, chicken, tau geh, scallion, lettuce, hot dogs...K made his own burgers too haha...

Anyway, it was fun and yummy (and oily lol) and we were watching the NDP performances at the same time too. 

Food was good, company was good, NDP performances were great...

It was a happy Saturday 21 Aug 2021 evening!  

bits....and...pieces!!

Went back to the office yesterday for a couple of hours. Was happy to catch up and spend time with ST. 

Was happy too to get my new laptop and catch up with some of the tech guys who were there. :) 

But I realised, being the introvert that I am, and having not physically spoken to so many people face to face for a long long time (save for meals with the extended family), I felt quite drained after that lol. Could literally feel my battery juice and energy run low. :D

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And so, after 10 years, I'll be back to using a Thinkpad. I started out with an IBM Thinkpad in this place in 2007, sought it over from the company when the 3-year refresh period was up and eventually passed the laptop on to my FIL who tinkered with it for awhile before it finally kaput. 

Pending some other set-up to be done and configured first before I switch over to the new laptop. It's a Lenovo Thinkpad now haha. 

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Pumpkin sprouts are growing well! But I have no idea what t do with them thereafter.... haha...Haven't had the chance to do any research also...will have to play by ear when they get bigger and taller....

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Meet-ups and gatherings in the next 2-3 weeks. Plus a much needed haircut. Hope my hairdresser is available on my off day. I've not cut my hair for 14 months. And it's getting very unruly at the ends...I need to lop off at least 4-5 inches I think....

Of bits and pieces

Dr Mok gave me an affirmation yesterday. 

"You are very self-aware. Some people don't even know what's wrong or which areas to fix. You are also a determined person and put in effort to manage things."

I just have to remind myself again and again not to overthink. Because our thoughts influence our feelings, which in turn influence our actions and behaviours. 

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坚持是雄壮的。- Dennis Chew, on Hear You Out Season 2 Episode 4.

Pushed myself hard back in Sec 4. Pushed hard in the last year of uni. Pushed hard on and off in the last 9 years. 

有时候觉得累， 有时候觉得骄傲。

有时候觉得不知道自己在干什么， 只知道自己只能往前走。

Keep walking, keep going. 

I might be slower than some others or taking a longer time but I'll keep at my pace and my comfort level, just as long as I keep walking. 

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A certain Mr Fernando told my friend during my internship when I was 21 years old that "Michelle will not survive in the corporate world when she goes out to work next time." 

His comment pops up from time to time. It can lie dormant for several years and then something triggers that memory and the comment floats up again. 

Not sure if my striving hard at work has anything to do with proving him wrong. Yeah, I'm not private sector corporate per se, but I think I'm still doing well enough in the public sector. 

And at my own pace. I am not very ambitious. I don't actively seek out chances or opportunities so I can shine. I don't look for work or new projects to showcase myself. I just sit and wait in my corner. If there is an opportunity that happens along, and I feel I can take it, then I do so.....

Just thankful for all that has come by in my working life....good or bad...