It's over!
It's over!
It's finally over!
Whew!
*Wipes off imaginary sweat in one overly dramatic motion*

How I Met Your Mother, season 3
Episode 9
Episode 10

Heroes, season 2
Episode 10a, 10b

Labels: Heroes season2, HIMYM, TP SIP, TV shows

Well, work was the same- as usual- just that I didn't need to pay for my meals today.
Why?
Let's see, for lunch, one of the sales people treated the office to KFC because he is now a part of the management staff (other than being the director- of sorts- of the direct sales staff) and as for dinner, the Operations staff and the admin/receptionist treated me as a farewell dinner.

We went to the SAF Yatch Club after work, and it was pretty darn cold because it started raining then. Coupled with the wind blowing from the sea, it was as if winter could happen in Singapore.
It was my first time eating curry fish head, by the way, and the curry sauce was heavenly.
Thick, salty and spicy...
*Salivates at the memory*

But here comes the part I'd rather put off or procrastinate about:
Updating my internship log book.

Ugh.

ONE more day until the end of internship!

Labels: TP SIP

Woohoo~
*Whistles*

There goes another day; just one day closer to the end of internship!
And I'm getting a farewell dinner from the Operations people tomorrow!
Yes, it's just for me, me, ME!
*Evil, satisfied laughter*

Well, on a... not that exciting note... I've got to go start on completing my internship log book.

Countdown to the last day of internship: 2 days

Labels: TP SIP

Sometimes I just can't stand the sales people.

They're like this bunch of overgrown children who throw tantrums as and when they fancy, then expect others to bend to their random and unreasonable whims just like that.
If something wrong happens, they don't care whose fault it is; they'd just blame it on the person nearest to them.

Well, screw you, I says.

Countdown to the last day of internship: 3 days

Labels: Phrases, TP SIP

I've broken my record of the number of Release Orders for touch-up jobs finished in one day.
Eleven.

The touch-up jobs just kept coming today.
It was... Totally insane.

One second I was filing those checked and returned ROs, and the next, I had to put them down to write a touch-up RO.
I could go photocopy something for- what, half a minute?- and I when I come back, there'll be another RO waiting to be written.

Now, I'm just having a lot of trouble coming up with something to give the Operations and the receptionist as a farewell gift.
I suppose when one stops drawing for quite a while, rigor mortis sets in (metaphorically, of course), and it somehow hinders the part of the brain that comes up with inspiration.

Dammit, brain!
Work with me!

Countdown to the last day of internship: 4 days

Labels: TP SIP

Was in a total rush today.

Rushing to finish editing the installation workers' over-time hours, file all the invoices that I haven't the time to for the past week, and by the time I noticed, it was already noon and there was only an hour left for us to tidy our desks (and practically the whole front office area) because people from Channel News Asia are coming on Monday to film and interview our boss, so there might be a chance that they'd see our office.
It seems unnecessary to let them know just how messy our work area really is, no?

Then... there are things that we had idea where to put them, so we resorted to the best method that had ever existed: hiding them.
Behind calendars, inside ringed-files...
Besides, those people will only be there for a few hours tops.

And I'm still waiting for the next episode of How I Met Your Mother!
When is it going to be uploaded?!

Countdown to the last day of internship: 5 days

Labels: TP SIP

I am finally done with calling up each installation worker to check their over-time hours, so all that's left is tidying it and submitting it to the HR assistant tomorrow.

It's so irritating when someone comes at a fixed time each day to rush you to do the same thing that you'd be doing with or without being reminded.
Hey, it's not like I'm so free that I'm waiting for you everyday to tell me to start doing my task.
For your information, I have to assist the Operations staff, which meant getting information for installation workers, making phonecalls, keeping track of over-time hours, helping with service calls and finding information on past jobs for touch-ups.

And all that happens at anytime of the day.
Do you really think that I'd stop doing all of that just so I can do your job? You should be glad that I'm even helping you.
I know I can get things done before work ends and rushing me will only make me slow things down just to spite you, or one day I might just end up losing my temper at you, which, I have a very sure feeling that it won't be pretty.

Also, could they stop transferring the same calls out over and over again over the PA system?
If none of us are picking up, it simply means that we are not free or that we are already on another line.
Do you have any idea how frustrating and murderous it makes someone feel when you hear:

"Operations, line *. Operations, line *. Urgent."

for 4- 5 times in a row in a span of less than 30 seconds?
And add to that her airy and overly saccharine voice.
*Vomits vulgarly*
Use your brain and get that arse to call back later, won't you?
Everything is urgent; just what makes you think that the call we're answering at the moment is less important than the one waiting for us to pick up?

One of these days I'll end up being the one shouting all the way to the back office that "We're ALL on another line, DAMMIT!"
Other possible vulgarities not guarenteed to be kept unspoken of.

Countdown to the last day of internship: 6 days

Labels: TP SIP

There goes another day of attachment.
Was darn tired and woozy (is that even a word?) after lunch when I had to search for a billing slip, that had obscured price, date and method of payment, from two thick files of them (all those words and numbers. Oh, the horror!) because that slip wasn't there but the customer was sure they had paid.
Then, the admin/receptionist realised that there was a duplicated record in the system (no thanks to the admin/accounts people), where the first record was already correctly billed and all... which was why we began our louds exclamations of frustration and irritation.

I didn't manage to finish updating the top-up and returned materials today because I've started to tally the installation workers' over-time hours and made calls to confirm their total hours with them (and this takes up loads of time).
And halfway through updating the information about the materials, I was suddenly told to edit (and update) the list of guests (I'm guessing) who are the more... regular customers of the sales people's and are going to be invited to the company's annual Dinner & Dance.

She told me to make that day free.
I'm like, can I not?
Considering that she's sort of in-charge of the arrangements, she'll probably find a way to persuade someone who's directly responsible for the D&D to give it a theme like Glamourous! and I'm not too crazy about finding something I'm sure I will not like and will not be wearing for a second time after that night.
Such a waste of money.

Heroes, season 2, episode 9a, 9b

Countdown to the last day of internship: 8 days

Labels: TP SIP

I seem to be able to find time to steal for slacking amidst all my daily tasks.
Which is either a good thing, because it can mean that I'm getting more efficient, or it's a bad thing because it also shows how good I am at slacking/skiving so that I can do my personal stuff.
Although, it isn't as if the other staff don't do the same, surfing the Internet, I mean. Most of them have their MSN messenger logged on too.

To "atone" for my slacking and to make myself look not-that-free, I did more filing today than I've had for the past few weeks. And I've photocopied invoices and stuffed the originals into envelopes to be mailed.

Yup, it's another pretty peaceful (as peaceful as this company will ever get) day, albeit a little... dull.

Countdown to the last day of internship: 9 days

Labels: TP SIP

Well, pretty much did all the routine stuff, plus helping that sales person type another project quotation and write some transport claims for the installation workers.

Even though it seemed slow when SIP first started, it actually felt like the past months have just disappeared and that internship is ending soon.
Woohoo!

( TP SIP E-Journal, 5 of 5 )

Countdown to the last day of internship: 10 days

Labels: TP SIP

Saturday (yesterday) passed faster this round.

Helped one of the sales people do some minor typing and major editing for a project quotation.
Never knew that reporting typing skills would actually come in handy, along with the patience when it came to adjusting alignments and numbering bulleted points.

And knowing that a formal letter ends with "Yours Sincerely" instead of "Yours Truly".

When work ended, one of the Ops staff, the admin/receptionist and I went to Singapore Expo to

1)
Take a walk around hall 5 for the Asia Pacific Food Expo.

2)
"Spy" on the sales people who were in charge of our company's booth in hall 6A.

We guffawed when we walked pass one of the interior design booths because we remembered how that comfortable, nicely made bed with beautiful bedsheets had looked the night we went to pass 2 packets of floorboards to our installation workers:

Mouldy, yellow, tattered mattress... And let's not forget the holes in the fabric.

We made a stop at Novena before heading down to the Expo, because the admin/receptionist needed to visit her friend, who was hopitalised at Tan Tock Seng Hospital for tiring himself over work (don't we all ended up doing just that?).

While having lunch there along with some random chatting, I realised that there are... conflicts of interest, between the admin/accounts and the staff in the outside office.
And that it's prudent to be wary around the admin/accounts staff because obviously, my giving them a benefit of my doubt won't be reaping anything positive for me.

So much for me thinking that it's just her who's having a bad influence on them.
Turns out my grandmother's right (the way she always is right); birds of a feather flock together.

Anyways, the Expo food fair was all right, and that when you exit the exhibition hall, you'd suddenly realise that the stalls sell mostly the same things.
But we had fun, so that offsets everything else.

I have no idea how some people are able to shop the whole day away.
Just walking around for a few hours was enough to tire me out, not to mention the crowd.
Oh gosh, the CROWD.
It's a common knowledge, what crowds do to me, so I was dead beat by the time I got back to my aunt's place.

Had almost 11 hours of sleep.
If it weren't for my protesting bladder, I'd get to slept longer.

Has it got something to do with the fandom?
Somehow, my CSI:Miami fanfiction had surpassed the Wild Adapter fanfiction in a mere week.

That feels... a little alarmingly disappointing.

Labels: Creations, Fanfictions, One-shots, TP SIP

They say that each night, when the duties of state permit, she climbs, on foot, and limps, alone, to the highest peak of the palace, where she stands for hour after hour, seeming not to notice the cold peak winds. She says nothing at all, but simply stares upward into the dark sky and watches, with sad eyes, the slow dance of the infinite stars.

- Stardust, By Neil Gaiman
"Epilogue: In Which Several Endings May Be Discerned"

52nd and 53rd day of internship:

Yesterday was... kinda fun, because after the usual work routine, we (that is, the Operations staff- minus one of them- and me) took a "company sponsored" trip down to Singapore Expo where our installation workers were preparing for tomorrow's exhibition at different contractor companys' booths because one of the booths didn't have enough materials, and none of our drivers were free to make a delivery.

*Of course, it was a relief to spend even more time away from her.*

After deliberately arriving late at the karaoke (because the Operations staff wasn't too crazy about going in the first place, while I had been steadily losing my initial enthusiasm when I realised that I would inevitably hear her sing), the 4 of us sat there, feigning interest at other people singing, and then I realised our room had a pool table.

Unable to resist- and also at the thought that I'd get a good challenge, seeing that the ones playing are the guy sales people- I asked to play the next round.
I think that they had decided not to be too hard on me, since I'm a girl, and a student at that (should have seen the face of the sales person whom I had asked to save me the next round. It was as if I told him Singapore was snowing), because instead of playing against one of them, I got to play with one of the guy's wife.

And here's the thing about me playing pool:
I play good when the other person is good.
I play pathetically when the other person is rubbish.
'Nuff said.

So despite my typically horrible long shots and equally bad (at least to me. Apparently, they were all shocked at how I could play), I still won, which was nice nonetheless, considering that everytime I had won in the past was because my then-not-yet-ex kept deliberately letting me win. That, is a worse feeling than losing, because I would be fully aware of the fact that I had not earned the win.

Got trashed at the next (winners') round, though.

Having sated my thirst for pool, I resumed to sitting with the Ops staff and joining them in pretending to be having a good time.

She lost her wallet last night, by the way.
It's probably horrible of me, but I was inwardly dancing and twirling in happy little circles thinking: "Serves you right. What's the point of carrying all those credits card that you had not earned yourself. Now you get to lose them. Yay!"
It was probably horrid of me to think that, but I don't seem to recall ever having morals, so... no harm done. At least to me.
She found her wallet in the end.
Damn. Just when I was feeling so happy.

Somehow she knew that you didn't get many moments like this in your life: moments when you know, without any doubt, that you were alive, when you felt the air in your lungs and the wet grass beneath your feet and the cotton on your skin; moments when you were completely in the present, when neither the past nor the future mattered.

- WALL: A Prologue, By Neil Gaiman
Exclusive Material from Stardust

As for today, I revived the company SMS system.

To think that all that was needed was to pull out the USB, plug it back in, and reinstall the software, which of course I would have already done if it had been my computer. But I would rather not risk the company's assets with my instinctual reactions to the funny things that electronics do.

I've finally finished Neil Gaiman's Stardust today (woohoo!).
Returned it at Sembawang's library because a book I wanted to borrow was available there so I thought, why not just get it all done with today?

Well, the other reason for wanting- needing- to borrow something to read (besides the fact that I like to read- what? What's with that look? Fine, laugh all you want) was that it gives me enough of an excuse to not needing to participate in their brainless after lunch conversations (oh, the manicures... Cheap rebonding? Take me to Malaysia with you! Can I stay over at your place?... Must shop for new clothes because despite having a wardrobe full of them, I can't seem to find anything to wear! Oh, the horror! *Insert cringe-worthy high-pitched giggles*).

Plus, it's not as if any of them ever noticed when I talked. It's practically like I'm not even there.
Just this afternoon, I had to repeat myself no less than 5 times before resorting to raising my voice to finally get a response, which, wasn't much of an answer anyways.

The first time I say something: no reaction.
The next second when another person says the same thing (exact same thing, mind you), it's as if everyone received enlightenment then.

The first few times I read after finishing my lunch, they jokingly mentioned that it looked as if their conversation was too boring for me and I'd rather read (please, I'd rather swim than join in the talks about superficial and inconsequential stuff. Considering my fear of swimming, that's saying a lot already).

So I snorted and replied a No, I just liked to read.

Such rubbish. Of course I lied. It's my second nature, dammit.
If it could save me from repercussions, I would lie.
If it could prevent my more ugly, sarcastic and offensive thoughts from appearing in the spot light, I would lie.

Just what exactly made you think that I'm just dying to contribute to the conversation?
I don't know whether to say that they had overestimated my tolerance to airheads and stupidity (have I mentioned that stupid people, namely bimbos, tire me?), or to say that they've underestimated my evils just because I liked to read.

Tsk tsk tsk.
Haven't you heard about not judging a book by it's cover?
Or the one about the quiet ones being more dangerous?

And after thirty years had passed, all that remained in her memory was the sheen of green and violet on a magpie's wings: the knowledge that, when you got up close, it wasn't simply black and white.

- WALL: A Prologue, By Neil Gaiman
Exclusive Material from Stardust

Heroes, season 2, episode 8a, 8b

How I Met Your Mother, season 3, episode 8

Labels: Book recs, Heroes season2, HIMYM, TP SIP, TV shows

So totally tired for the past 2 days.
Amidst helping out with the Operations staff, I had to help the admin/receptionist with the preparation of Release Orders for this weekend's Singapore Expo exhibition, where we sponsor for some of the booths over there.
Naturally, there had been a fair bout of walking to-and-from between the two departments.

Oh, and the system that's installed into one of the company computers for sending and receiving SMSes is... screwed (for a lack of a nicer-sounding word), so I can't check incoming SMSes for installation workers' overtime hours.

Still, I was kept busy (thankfully) so the hours vanished faster.
Phew!

Company outing (and at the same time, celebration for having confirmed that we'll be receiving the branding award) tomorrow!
Karaoke~ Woohoo!
Although, I doubt there'll be enough time for everyone to get more than 2 turns each, considering that 25 of us are going.
Then again, I'm not staying long anyway. It's not like it'll be entertaining there, with the others being more interested in her airheaded and superficial conversation topics while I'm not only (in her own words, and so certainly am not) an otaku, but also (implied by her) am BORING.

To either be stupid with a head so emptily full of air and a face of beauty that's a farce, or be "boring" and bookworm-ish with enough knowledge that the weight of it knocks her far beyond next week...
I think the decision is pretty obvious.

Labels: TP SIP

Whew!
Just got off the phone with YM.
Our topic changed (strangely) from Major Project arrangements to guys to internship life to MSN emoticons to Harry/Draco and finally to Koike Teppei.
It's nice; sort of reminds me that I'm still connected to the rest of the world, or rather, the eastern side of Singapore.

Well, work today resumed its hectic-ness, and it almost took me the whole day to complete checking the top-up and returned materials on the ROs, amidst the times when I had to make delivery confirmation calls, fill in ROs, key in over-time hours and service jobs, answer calls and- get this- help the boss's wife buy her lunch.

Like, hello, it's not as if she's a salesperson, or that she has things to do in the office.
I, on the other hand, had to answer calls for 3 other people while they take their turn for lunch and she expects me to abandon the calls just so she can eat?
What is she? Three-years-old?
Not feeling competent enough to buy her own lunch?

Naturally, I was swearing at her the whole trip to the canteen and back.

Anyway, I'm amazed that my CSI:Miami fanfiction has, in 20 hours, received more than half of the hits that my Wild Adapter fanfiction (posted 8 months ago) had.

Even as I was typing this, the numbers have reached 156.
And look!
Zero reviews still!
Pfft.

For the hits that The Bullet has, I am half glad and half upset.
If you do the maths, the conclusion is that in a same period of time, The Bullet has more reads than Novelty.
To say that I'm feeling a little... complicated, is quite an understatement, considering that Novelty is my first fanfiction and will therefore always be special to me.

Labels: Creations, Fanfictions, One-shots, TP SIP

Type: One-shot
Words: 941
Pairing: Eric/Ryan (HardyBoys)
Warnings: Slashy hints. Major spoilers for Season 5 episodes 14 and 15.
Rating: PG-13.

Disclaimer:
CBS, Anthony E. Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn and Ann Donahue own CSI:Miami. I don't own anything related, save for some avatars.

Summary: There are things Ryan is uncertain of, just as there are things he has no doubts about.

( The Bullet )

Also available on my website. Check the sitemap if you ever get lost.

Labels: Creations, Fanfictions, TV shows

I've finally finished that Management report for the month of October. Phew.
Filled in a few Release Orders, helped fill out and photocopied delivery schedules, made some confirmation calls, keyed in touch-up jobs into the Excel file...
Actually, time passed quite quickly today.
Thank goodness.

Anyway, I've just come back from Parkway because I needed a new pair of shoes.
The last pair was this close to disintegrating in situ... so... yup. Bought a new pair.

Plus, some guilty pleasures from Gramophone.
Ugh, the pain of parting with my money. However, my purchases perked me up. So there's no harm done.
At least, that's what I like to tell myself.

Koike Teppei's first solo album, pieces.
So looking forward to the lyric book/photo collection inside.
Ooh~ Pretty boy~

L'Arc~en~Ciel's AWAKE album back from 2005.
I've just never had the chance to buy it then.
L'Arc~en~Ciel!
*Dances crazily*

The Sound of Music.
Been wanting to get this since years ago (secondary2? secondary3? Can't remember) when MX mentioned it to me.
Blame it on our choir genes and fanaticism about all things musical.
Hello~ It's a classic musical! I just could NOT resist.

How I Met Your Mother, season 3, episode 7

Labels: HIMYM, L'Arc, Photos, TP SIP, TV shows

47th day of internship:

Despite only having the Management report to continue working on today, I was still fairly stressed.

Not because there are lots of things to do for that report, but rather that everyone in the Operations department (never fail to) get agitated whenever the clock reaches 5pm.

Reason?
Overly demanding sales staff having ridiculous and unreasonable requests one hour before office hours end.

And naturally, frustrated people intimidate me and I fear doing something wrong that would incur their wrath.
Heh. Just imagine: me, afraid. Pfft.

Labels: Phrases, TP SIP

Another busy day. Ugh. Oh, the abomination.

We had KFC for lunch today. The only high point of my day.
It was a treat from the sales personnel because they had gotten their incentive (ie. extra ka-ching) today.

Oh, and the pair of heeled shoes that I wear to work from Monday to Friday? It's falling apart. Or more specifically, the left of that pair is.
I mean, I wear them like I would a pair of Converse Classics.

'Nuff said.

Anyway, I was logging in to my FanFiction.Net account when I took a good look at the verification given to me this time.

Click here.
Oh the hilarity and coincidences.
(For those who don't quite understand what it means, I don't know if I should pity you, or laugh at your lack of basic knowledge.)

Heroes, season 2, episode 7a, 7b

Labels: Heroes season2, TP SIP, TV shows

Had more things to do today than the yesterday. Which, is a good thing, lest I dehydrate from boredom.
Had more delivery comfirmation calls to make, more Release Orders to fill in, and I've only made it pass the first 40 invoice numbers of the management report that I was doing for the month of October. I didn't even have time to check the top-up and returned materials against the ROs.

( TP SIP E-Journal, 4 of 5 )

And I had another inspiration for a fanfiction.
Let's see if I can actually get it started and completed by this week.

Labels: Creations, Fictions, TP SIP

Boring boring boring routine stuff.

4 more weeks to go!!

*Runs off to rush that darn SIP e-journal*

Labels: TP SIP

Jasmine flower; Lily; Silver needle green tea

Right, what's this, you ask?
I'm just being a real nice friend here and helping Zi Yang promote his Artisan tea.

Anyway, the tea is made of the highest-grade special green tea of fresh spring crops and natural herb flowers. These are picked young in early spring before they bloom so that it retains its subtle flavours while the shape is kept small and perfectly formed. Then, when seeped in hot water, the flower buds unfurl and reveal delicate flowers.

Jasmine flower; Gomphrene globosa; Silver needle green tea

*Ahem*
Now, it's take a look at the benefits.

Because the ingredients are selected from the finest green tea and natural herbs, artisan tea can improve your immunity system, skin complexion and helps prevent premature aging.
What's even better (to anyone like me who isn't too crazy about spending money), the tea buds can be infused several times (meaning: buy once, use many times) before the flavour starts to thin.

Yellow chrysanthemum; Silver needle green tea

So if you're health-conscious (as you should be, practically anything edible and inedible can cause cancer these days *note sarcasm*. No really, there is some truth there), it wouldn't hurt to try it out; allow yourself a few minutes of relaxation and simple luxury every few days, not to mention that it's pleasing to the eyes after it's prepared.

Camellia; Nasturtium; Silver needle green tea

Gomphrena globosa; Jasmine flower; Nasturtium; Silver needle green tea

Anyway, Zi Yang has 5 flavours available, along with packages, which are ideal gifts for anything from birthdays to Moon Cake festivals (or is my family the only one who drinks tea with moon cakes?).

Here're the prices:

Single Artisan Tea bud: $1.90
Any 3 Artisan Tea buds: $5.50 *only available to students*
Any 5 Artisan Tea buds: $8.90
Any 10 Artisan Tea buds: $16.90

*Prices are negotiable for larger quantity, though*

And there are tea wares available for purchase:

Check his site for more details on that.
But just so you'd know, each set includes ONE teapot, TWO teacups and TEN tea buds.
And a maximum of TWO teacups can be added at $1.50 each with every set purchased.

*All prices stated are in Singapore currency*

So if you still have any questions, click here or call him (Zi Yang) at 96236096.
Or you can send an email to Zi Yang by clicking here.

Labels: Ads, Photos

And that was yesterday. But I was tired and beyond exhausted by the time I got back home (to the east side).

Well, nothing much out of the usual happened yesterday, except I wrote something during the more... free minutes of work.

( An Unsent Letter )

It's also posted on my website, just follow the sitemap if you get lost.

Oh, and I've finally finished Fragile Things, by Neil Gaiman, today.
Just think, it was only years ago when I had more than enough free time to sit comfortably and read a book from start to finish in one sitting.
Those were the days, those were the days.

Had to renew/extend the due-date for Stardust, though. I haven't even started on it, much less finish it before it's due.

How I Met Your Mother, season 3, episode 6

Labels: Book recs, Creations, Fictions, HIMYM, One-shots, Scribbles, TP SIP, TV shows

For some strange reason, today wasn't as busy as the past few days.
And in the one hour after lunch, I was- yet again- close to falling asleep, as usual. Hah.

On-campus is just 2 days away!
Ugh. Which reminds me, I have to finish 4 weeks worth of internship reflection logs by tonight so that my supervisor can sign it tomorrow before I go back to school for on-campus.

Well, I guess it's time to start coming up with some nonsense for those reflection logs!

Labels: TP SIP

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