No Flight Home.

Although I have book my flights since 3 weeks ago, yet I could not get a flight in this time from SF to Hong Kong, although Hong Kong to Singapore is confirmed. Sigh... (Christmas Season is the main reason)

The only next available flight is on Monday, which is 3 days later than planned.
The Colleagues stationed in SF are very nice (although demanding), they planned to relocate me to SF city, so that I can enjoy the weekend while waiting for the flight. (Our SF Office is in Redwood City, beside the Head Quarter of Oracle.)

Unfortunately, my boss encountered difficulties in Chicago, and the users there prefer me to fly back to assist them. Frankly speaking, the problem they have is not in my area, and I could not help them much even if I am there. They just need someone from the IT department to feel better and I happen to be in US. Well, I do not mind if I can help, since my boss has been very nice to me.

So, in short, nothing is confirm. My next flight, my next destination.....

Happy Birthday, Sunshine (Voice of me)

This may be a year that given a choice you will not want, I know. But it has came nonetheless, so make the best out of it. This year you have learn a lot, I am sure, but there is a lot to learn and practise. Keep it up, do not be disappointed and sad anymore. If nobody around, there is still me. Love yourself, so as to be loved.

You woke up so early (7am in San Francisco) today, it is because you wanted to do this blog before the days ended in Singapore (it is 11.40pm in Singapore) and this is your birthday wish - To be happy. So how is your feeling of having your birthday in a foreign country working? Oh, busy working, but happy to see some friends wishing me through blog and Instant Messager, the feeling is good in general, and just 20 mins ago, a important friend wishes me too, I am so glad that it is still on time.

I will be happy, and next year when I review this blog, I should be able to say I am more happy now.

Musical 'Wicked - The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz'

This is definitely the best musical I have seen recently. It is humorous and touching at the same time. The setting, music and lyric are all of top quality.
The story involve
- Being different is not necessary always bad (the ‘wicked’ witch is born green and without friends, but she process intelligent and talented in sorcery)
- Being able to uphold your belief even if no one is behind you. (when the ‘wicked’ witch is being frame because she believe that animal should not ill treated, despite what everyone think)
- You can change others through your action and self sacrifice. (how the ‘wicked’ witch teaches the stuck-up girl to be a good witch in the end)
- Compassion (the love of animal)
- Things are not always as what you see. (the 'wicked' witch is most kind and being frame to be wicked)
- Love in the eye of the beholder (the prince was transformed to be a scarecrow, but still deeply in love with the ‘wicked’ witch)
- Friendship (the ‘wicked’ witch rather sacrifice herself than let the good witch risk her reputation in protecting her)

If you ever have a chance, go and see it, I am sure you will not regret it.

For more photos and story, see here.

我一向都佷欣赏散文集写的blog.

今天看到他写的'魔术',甚有感触,在此记下,做为借镜.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
心理治療應該也是一場魔術表演。心理治療師會用他們的魔法把愚弄我們的情緒弄走。

我們便是我們的心理治療師﹐只要我們願意認同我們自己的情緒﹐和它們談談話﹐把那些我們不太願意重提的事件﹐一一的把它們找出來﹐細細的尋找一些我們可以學習的部份﹐放進我們的心裡。然後把餘下的放進一個氫氣球裡﹐讓它升空﹐看著它慢慢的消失在天空中。我相信﹐我們的心情便會好起來。

處理情緒不是逃避它﹐而是要面對它。

他没有错(歌)

歌手：范玮琪 歌曲：他没有错

就这样放了彼此的手
究竟是尽头还是个出口
只是我还记得他每一次抚摸
只是我还熟悉他每一个轮廓
不知道从此要难过多久
我相信一定和孤独一样久
原来天长地久是形容一种痛
这样的有始有终换来怎样的海阔天空
他没有错
只是没有爱我很久
他没有错
是我飞蛾扑火我求一个经过
不妄想一个结果 他没有错

他没有错
只是没有爱我停留
他没有错
是爱的不是时候
他没有错
只是没有陪我到最后

Out in the snow. Look forward for tomorrow night.

Today (still Saturday in Chicago), I worked with Vicki setting up the Network (wired and wireless) and the VoIP phones till 4pm. I asked her if there are good musical in Chicago? I have always love Musical! Great, a good broadway musical is in Town, 'Wicked'. After that, I braved the snow to get ticket (that is when I shoot this picture, the sky is so dark after 4pm, sigh...). Luckily for me, there are still tickets for individual seats. Those people in front is booking so many tickets (at least 5 tickets) and so advance booking (for shows at Jan - Mar 06). The show I have manage to secure will be on tomorrow at 7.30pm (Sunday). At least, there is something I can look forward now.

P.S. : Almost all outdoor decoration for Christmas is like that in US, kind of simple after seeing how Singapore's Orchard Road's Christmas Decoration'.

Snow covered Chicago

This is a photo took from my hotel room (36th floor).

Wise Secretary and Snow Storm

Frankly, I did not really notice the important of getting a hotel so near office because the last round in March, I stayed in a hotel at the Magificiant Mile (shopping area). But I see the wisdom of our Chicago Secretary, Deborah, now. This year, the worst weather came earlier than usual and there is a snow storm outside now. Her choice of hotel has save me a great deal of problem, because it has a underground pass to reach my office. Today's work is quite smooth, compare to New York, so I can return to hotel at 5.30pm. By the way, the relocation workers has gone since 3pm, I wonder it is due to the snow storm. Oh yeah, their weather is so accurate. Shame on my home country, a small little island and yet the weather forecast is never accurate at all.

Who should paint my portrait

Edvard Munch Edvard Munch should paint your portrait. You are a very emotional person. You are always up for a good talk with one of your friends. You don't like to keep things bottled up. Often, you are friendly and outgoing, but that can change very easily to being introverted and cold. Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Work done. Next Stop -> Chicago

New York, job done. (Picture - New York this morning)

In Chicago now, not feel like going out, because it is freezing cold at -7 degree celsius now.

The flight to New York

Second visit to New York this year. Not much changes, but it is very much colder now and snow can be seen and the sky goes dark very very early.

The flight tooks arounnd 19 hrs in total, excluding 2 hrs transit waiting in Tokyo.

I watched 3 movies on the flight other than eating, sleeping and playing with my laptop.
1) Fanastic 4
2) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
3) Cindrella Man

I quoted from 'Fanastic 4'
Alicia (blind girl) told 'the Thing', 'being different is often not a bad thing'.
I wanted to believe that.

I quoted from 'Charlie and Chocolate Factory'
Willie Wonka asked Charlie, 'What make you feel better when you feel terrible?'
Charlie answered 'Family.'
There isn't a better answer, is there?

I quoted from 'Cindrella Man'
Jim tell the press, 'I know what I am fighting for now... Milk'
Milk symbolise the need of the family, so simple, straight forward and powerful.

I will be going to work in 12 hrs time.
Time to rest to adjust myself from any possible jet lag.

8 hrs before Leaving Singapore

It is less than 8 hrs before leaving Singapore.
The flight is at 7.15am. Will need to wake up at 4.30am.
The 1st destination is New York, transit at Tokyo.
Suddently, I felt very peaceful at leaving everything behind.
Not really everything, I do brought some blessing (gifts) with me for this journey.
:-)

3 Birthday Gifts from colleagues

I just received another 3 Birthday gifts, all from my colleagues.
But they are all regarding life, I guess everyone is seeing me as a person that still have not gone out of the shadow yet. Perhaps they are right, looking from their angle, they do have a clearer picture of me. Thanks and I really appreciate them, I will try to be happy, and I mean naturally happy.

A song - Friends

As requested by Corinne, here is your song placed online.
Cheers!

A quote from 'happiness in a nutshell'

Recently, one of my friend tell me not to be too attached to people. I guess I am, but I learnt.

The following is a quote on 'Attachment' from the booklet 'Happiness in a NutShell' by Andrew Mattews.

The moment you get
too attached to things,
people, money...
you screw it up

The challenge of life
is to appreciate everything
and attach yourself
to nothing

A Song for you.

A friend has fallen ill, she has request for this song last week, so I hereby present this song and wish her a speedy recovery. This song is 阿杜's 下雪.

A early Birthday Gift

I watch the 2 musicals with my UK classmate, Florence, who also loved Musical. She is also having problem looking for friend to watch musical. Great, now you have partner to watch musical! On Wednesday, while watching ' a twist of fate', I mentioned that I am trying to mix cocktail and just now before watching 'RENT', I received my early birthday present from her (My birthday is in Dec, and I should be working in San Francisco during that time this year), it is a book on cocktail, what a great listener! I am deeply touched by attention and sensitiveness shown by her. Thanks, Florence.

Musicals

I have always loved Musicals since studying in UK. I have the opportunity this year to enjoy 2 musicals in this week. One a local production and another a Broadway production.



‘A Twist of Fate’ is a local production and it is also the 3rd time it is presented in Singapore before performing at the Broadway. It is Voted Best Musical of 1997 by The Straits Times.

Stars Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary Poppins - Laurence Olivier Award Best Actress 2005). Appearing on stage with Ms Kelly will be an all star Singaporean and international cast, including accomplished theatre actor and MediaCorp artiste, Adrian Pang.

Lyrics by Laurence Olivier Award winner Anthony Drewe (who has just written the lyrics for Disney/Cameron Mackintosh's production of Mary Poppins, currently on in the London West End), and music by Singapore's foremost composer Dick Lee. Book by Steven Dexter and Tony Petito.

In the tradition of Agatha Christie and the great "whodunits" of the 1930s, A Twist of Fate is a delicious musical comedy of twists and turns, false clues and dastardly deeds, set against the backdrop of a Peranakan family in Singapore. Dark and stormy nights, midnight rendezvous, an inconvenient murder or two and memorable times makes this an entertaining, suspense-filled evening at the theatre.

I enjoyed the show very much since it is a very localise performance and I really did not manage to guess the murderer. It is really fun!



On the other hand, ‘RENT’ is a Broadway Production that sweep all major theatre awards, including 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical as well as the Pulitzer Prize, RENT captures the heart and spirit of a generation. Inspired by Puccini’s La Boheme, RENT is a joyous, breathtaking and often heartbreaking musical that celebrates a community of young artists as they struggle with the soaring hopes and tough realities of today’s world. This is its 10th Anniversary World Tour starring Karen Mok.

This performance is consist of various performance like heavy metal, sentimental, Tango, etc. Overall, I think it is a bit heavy on the music and volume, unlike Les Miserable and Phantom of the Opera, but the 2nd part of the show is very nice and Karen did performed well. Songs like 'Season of love' and 'Light my candle' is very nice indeed.

Mixed Feeling Yesterday

Yesterday, some dumb users deleted production data, thinking they are at test environment, and yet they can yell saying the test environment did not have a BIG word saying it is test environment.
If a test environment does not match the production environment, then can it still be a test environment? Why blame it on the IT team? then, they can call and yell, 'Hey, I have been waiting! when do you finish restoring the data? I still have work to do!'.
I returned my 'fire' for the following Legal Reasons.
1st) Restoration Request not raised
2nd) So, it is not approved
3rd) depend on whether the tape is offsite, we may have to get them back
4th) According to Our service level agreement, restoration will be done in 2 days.
Although, in the end, I still help them restore the data in 4 hrs. What I hated it so much, is that you have work, so am I! And their dumb action caused me to waste my previous time and disrupted my work and yet they can yell.
I am so angry, but when I think twice, why angry, it only hurt myself, cool down and be happy. Yeah, I choose to be happy everyday, right?

Due to this dirty work, I missed a birthday celebration session in the office. What warm my heart is that my colleagues do care.
1) My neighbour colleague 'P' bring me nuts and nogart
2) My Project partner 'KH' brought me cake, knowing that I miss it because of his users.
3) My far away colleage 'C' reserved pancake and drinks for me.
They make my day.
I am a person who will remember who is kind to me and if I can, I will return the favour and more whenever I can.
I also learn to release myself from anger, because anger will bring us down and the people you dislike does not even feel it or feel bad about your feeling.

Yes, I choose to be happy everyday.

2 Movies a day

It is far passed midnight, so it is yesterday that I watched 2 movies.


In the morning, I watched 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'. A exciting adventure full or mythical creature and wonderful special effect. This is the forth in the series and I will say it has done well, but I regret the death of Cedric in the movie, he is such a fine young man and friend with a bright future.


In the late evening, I watched 'Just like Heaven'. A sweet romantic movie about a doctor Elizabeth (Reese Witherspoon) who is so committed to work that she can work 26hrs in one shot, but when she meet an accident and the spirit left the body, she discover that no one actually know about her because she have no life other than work. She can only communicate with the man, David (Mark Ruffalo), who rented her apartment while she is coma. Of course, finally, she learn what life and love should be, and he learn to love again (since his wife's death).