The Getaway

I went on a 1 night getaway – with Guardian Angel along with my buddies. We headed to Avillion Port Dickson for a mission (it will be reveled later on).

The drive there was great. As usual, I kept myself busy by snapping away while Guardian Angel was taking care of the wheels. Throughout the whole journey, we were blasting MP3s ….

Snapping away

All of us met up at Seremban town for baked crabs. I didn’t eat much of it because the both of us had late lunch.

The sweet couple

After meal, we continued the journey to the resort. Checked in and rested for awhile before we gathered again. We had a walked on the beach and of course, photos snapping away…

It had been quite awhile since I last went on a getaway trip. And this was our first trip together – for me and Guardian Angel. I enjoyed every bit of it. Everything just seemed to fall into places.

At night, all of us went for a dip in the pool after dinner/ supper. One of the best things about this resort is their 24 hours swimming pool. I managed to get Guardian Angel into the pool. ;) Yay!

Pictures paint a thousand words, so I shall let you enjoy some of the shots we took during the trip.

Lack of 1 member

I love the sea breeze

The girlies

I look forward to more trips in the near future!

Oh Hoe....

I love you because you make me laugh.

PoP

I could still remember how I used to glue to the Apple computer playing this game almost 20 years back. The dungeons, fighting, jumping and roping around to pass the levels, was just so fun.

How time flies….now they came up with the movie.

We pre-booked for tickets couple of days earlier (thanks to Guardian Angel). We got good seats at Tropicana City’s cinema. The movie was quite long – almost 2 hours. I enjoyed every bit of it because I love fantasy, adventure/ action movies. The mystical story was just awesome. Only if you like fantasy and adventure movies.

I asked Guardian Angel which period in his life would he wished to go back to if he was given the gift to reverse time? He told me coolly that he won’t wish to go back to the past, but to the future! Impressed with his answer, I told him mine….

If I was given the Sand of Time, I would want to go back to the year I just got graduated – with a condition of having my current knowledge and experience. I would choose a better career path and be wiser with choices in life. I would choose the right people to be with - both in career wise and personal relationship.

But then again, sometimes life might not turn out to be how you wanted to be if you spend too much time planning it…..to be a perfect one.

Tell me if I am wrong.

Togetherness

I am happy that we are doing things together and attending events (family or colleagues' events - whenever the latter permits). I cherish him for including me in his activities, selflessly. ;)

Need Not

I thought I’ve made it clear. But, there were still messages being sent.

I was told that it was under the influence of happy juice, but a perfectly typed out message, I don’t think so. There is no need of making sure if I am doing alright or to pass me something which is long overdue.

I hope that this person understands that the past is the past. There is no need to have any guilt.

Pointless.

Communication

My day started off at 6am when I saw the email in my office mailbox. It was a very cocky email and I also replied in a politely-crude way. The way of how the message was being communicated, I had enough. It ticked me off.

It was a long day at work – filled with training in the morning, chasing after sales to close the month and later a long meeting in the afternoon to sort of the budget. Thereafter, I hopped into another meeting room to sort things out with the agency. By the time I had time to sit down to do my work, it was 5pm.

While I was walking back to my desk, the marketing guy stopped and apologized to me for raising his voice at me. His action caught me off guard. I knew he is under a lot of pressure and the heavy workload since the other person left the company. I didn’t keep it in me when he raised his voice during our discussion earlier. Sometimes it is normal for someone to react such way, simply because he is just human. So am I. I do throw temper. I am also only human.

We met up late for dinner tonight. I waited for an hour. I kept myself busy by surfing the internet, sending text messages and following up on the upcoming event while waiting without a reason told. I was a little upset initially because time is really precious to me (nowadays) but later I found out how rough his day was. I understand; understood. I wasn’t upset anymore. I became the listener (which I am glad to be).

Communication is important. It is crucial to inform or voice out the reasons or honest thoughts, or else others can misunderstood easily. However, everyone has their own style of conveying messages but as long as the other party accepts it and understands……it is okay.

Just today itself, I’ve experienced 3 different forms of communication.

Looking Forward

I am so looking forward to this weekend. And the best part is my weekend starts on Friday..opps….I mean Thursday night!!

Double yay! ;)

Don't know

I still couldn't sleep because it is mind boggling. Too many why(s) and 'will it happen again' questions in my mind. I don't know what to think anymore.

So, I decided to pull the sheets over my head and calling it a night.

You got Me

Don't forget this....

Simply Concerned

I have a concern.

It could be me just being sensitive again. But then again, the situation made me felt so, thought so.

I felt that there was something bothering. But when I tried probing to find out more, it was still kept as tight as an unopened clam. I left it there as I knew it will not be revealed. It is just its nature to do so until it is solved or sorted out.

I just felt that I needed to know – to listen, to share some advice or opinion - because I care.

I am just being concern.

A quiet weekend

This weekend is a REAL weekend for me. I still haven't on my lappie to do any work and I am having a quiet, relaxing weekend with Guardian Angel.

Nothing much to do or we did, but I am enjoying every bit of it. I wonder if he feels the same?

:)

Seriousness

"Why so serious?" That was the line that Guardian Angel said repeatedly after watching Batman 4.

Yeah, I suppose why sometimes want to be so serious in life? Why take things so seriously? Is it worth it?

Only be serious when it is needed, or else it will only upset oneself.

** On a separate note - As I was on the line with Guardian Angel tonight, he said something which made me smile; unexpectedly (after having an "upsetting day") I really didn't expect it.... :)

A little pledge to myself

I’ve kinda promised myself that I will (try) not work on weekends.

I know I have been neglecting you and not spending the time we have together.

Too much for too little time

(Back to Sunday evening)

It’s almost 6pm now. Here I am sitting in the room alone, venting out my thoughts and frustrations right here.

I know I shouldn’t wind about this over and over, but I just couldn’t help it. I was being very positive at work, trying to complete whatever that I can cope with and within my capacity. I tried to do as much as possible so that I can enjoy my weekend, at least.

To me, the definition of enjoying a weekend is: there is no need to turn my laptop - no need to look at any materials and looking at my emails. Enjoying a weekend is by spending time with loved ones, doing the things that we like and be free as a bird. I have not been doing that or getting that privilege which is quite upsetting.

This weekend is just another working weekend and I kinda of lost track of how this-kind-of- weekends I had lately. I’ve been neglecting my special ones and just doing my own stuff. My mind is occupied with work, and nothing else. I think this kind of tick some people off….me being absent minded.

Other than work, I also had some other personal errands to run. Weekend is the only time that I have.

Last night, we met up with his friend for dinner nearby his place. We adjourned to his friend’s house for yacking session and later turned out to be a ‘mind, braveness and face exercise session’ – Cards playing and we played Texas Poker! I enjoyed the night very much but partially I was thinking about work.

By the time we hit the bed, it was closed to 6am. I was too tired to continue with my work as I woke up early that morning.

I kind of also remind myself and telling others: “Time is precious, and I cannot afford to lose any.”

I know going through hardship is ok because I will learn and be experienced. But, at times, I wonder if the effort and time put in is being appreciated by others? Is it worth it or will I just get some ‘love emails’ shooting me left, right, and center? But if on the other hand, other appreciates the personal time that I’ve sacrificed, it is a whole different ballgame.

When it comes to personal time, I think I want it. Yes, I am now that selfish and not dedicating all my time to work unless it is really needed!

Practice what you preach – Work Life Balance?!

Just a little Mind Boggling

How would you know that the person is meant for you? Do you depend on whether both of your hands fit each other well; if one of you can finish the other’s sentence or you know what is the other‘s thinking/ reaction or you just know through your gut feeling?

If you have met someone similar to whom you used to love but things didn’t turn out well and you regretted, do you think that this person right in front of you is kind of the ‘second chance’ for you? What would you do?

Keep cool, stay calm - it makes a difference

I called her up to clarify some business matters and also to inform her on the orders she made (both hers and her colleague’s) on my company’s staff sales. She raised her voice at me saying that I promised that I would settle the extra orders and fulfill what she ordered. I was quite annoyed as I knew I didn’t do wrong but followed what her ordered. I was kind enough to give her the priorities for orders than to my close friends. But…..ended up…kena scolding?!

I kept my coolness. I knew if I were to be defensive and loud, things would turn worse. I explained to her that was the 4 items that I received from her and *kapish. That was all I got on hand. I told her that I didn’t receive any orders more than those items. I know the staff sales/ purchase is really reasonable and hard to come by (twice a year with limit), but hey, please remember that I am just doing you a favour by letting you using my allocation.

After the conversation, I didn’t care much. I continued doing my work, trying to clear as much as possible without any disturbance and interruption. Later in the afternoon, I found out that her colleague actually left out another piece of order which was supposed to be given to me. I felt God was fair and I sure hope she realized that I took shit from her for nothing.

It was a long day for both Guardian Angel and I. We were both busy and worked till quite late. I was the second person to leave the office. I packed dinner on the way to Guardian Angel’s place. He was working on an important and urgent report. We watched tv while having a quiet time together over dinner.

11.45pm, he accompanied me home.

In just a few more hours, it is the beginning to a brand new day…..

Chilled out after a Fast Week

This week had passed by really fast. I felt it that way, at least. Just as I thought it was Wednesday, it was already Thursday, actually.

My time was filled with work yesterday. Just too many nitty-gritty details to look into and to plan. There were deadlines to meet also. In the evening, I received a text message. It was from my mentor. The message went like this: “Grace, you’re different today. Very positive and energetic. ;) Simple love it. Have a good weekend.” It was kinda mind boggling the reason she sent me that message. I didn’t realize that I was the way she described. Does that mean I am normally quiet and negative at work?

I didn’t contact Guardian Angel until later part of the day. I told him that I needed a chill out session, do nothing or something at night.

We were supposed to meet at home for dinner, but less than 5 minutes after the agreement, he called me and invited me to join him and his colleagues for drinks at Perfume 3, TTDI Plaza. Hey, sounded great, so I agreed and met him there.

The night was filled with ‘international jokes’ and magic. Those guys were funny in telling jokes. Laughters and beer filled the night. It was great to meet his colleague and manager. Chit-chatted and I got ‘interviewed’. After don’t-know-how-many jugs of beer, we played British Pool. I’ve not been playing pool for many years now, so I am kinda rusty. ;)

Anyway, overall it was a fun night. We left the place at 2am.

That’s what I call a simple, chill out night.

A Flower a day keeps the Frown Away

I was supposed to be at my customer’s place at 2pm. But I only managed to leave my office at 1.20pm and arrived at the florist at 1.40pm. I texted my customer to inform her that I would be running a little late.

Yesterday evening, I called up the florist who I used to deal with back in my marketing days. I ordered 6 sets of bouquets which consist of 3 stalks of red carnations with fillers. In addition, an extra special bouquet for someone important and special – a stalk of sunflower with fillers and leaves, wrapped with cheery color wrapping papers. I specifically instructed the florist to make all of them pretty. I was excited yet worried to see the flowers that I’ve ordered yesterday. Excited to see how they were being wrapped up and at the same time, worried if they didn’t turn out nice. You know, it is a gift and it is all about packaging in this world, to impress or disappointed (make or break). (Sorry, was rushing all the way, I didn't take a photo of them)


Wow, they turned out nice. Something simple and pleasant. The store assistant helped me to carry them to my car, placed all them standing to avoid any water being leaked out. I rushed over to Shah Alam and walked super fast to the office.

I waited for awhile at the reception area. Later, I was called into the office.

There are 6 customers who will receive the flowers. I walked to the second room first as she is the important one. She looked a bit down when I stopped in front of her room. She told me she was feeling down and stressed. I passed the bouquet with the sunflower to her. Her face expression changed to a happy, cheered up one; immediately.

Wow, I realized how powerful flowers are…especially when you give someone her favourite flower!

I went on being a ‘flowerina’ giving away the bouquets. Some of them were surprised to receive it. One of them hugged me. Well, the red carnations were in conjunction to Mother’s Day this weekend. Each card has a motherly quote on it.

It motivated me even more to own a floral shop now. Since young, I always dream of owning my own shop filled with flowers. This is simply because such a fragile, tangible item is able to make someone smile.

I just feel happy seeing someone smile and laugh. I knew I've made someone happy. ;)

A thankful reminder

I tend to get frustrated and be unhappy with my work, my job off and on.

But,

I constantly remind myself (whenever negative thoughts start to flood my mind) that if it was not because of this leap; this change; this choice of path, I wouldn’t have found the lost happiness. The happiness is just in another form – through a guardian angel.

And hence, I am thankful.

Two Men in One Night

I watched 'both men' that night. It was the beginning of my weekend; my long-awaited weekend that I was looking forward to as I didn’t have to work on Friday. It was a replacement off day from the company.

At 6pm sharp, I reached Guardian Angel’s office in his Bumblebee. He took over and off we went to One Utama for our agenda of the day. We had dinner and then headed to the cinema to meet up with the rest. The first movie that we watched was Ip Man 2.

Ip Man 2 ended at 11.20pm. We had an hour’s of free time before our next movie – Iron Man 2. Yup, we planned a movie marathon for the night. The both of us had a game of pool to kill time. Iron Man 2 ended at about 2.15am. The both of us were tired.

Well, he was because he woke up as per usual time; and me? Why was I tired since it was my off day…? Well, because I freaking woke up at 8ish am. I so wanted to sleep in, but my mind was bothered with something…..obviously the only thing that bothers me now is my work. I woke up. Phone calls came; emails in my inbox….and I had to finish up a short proposal for my buyer. Mid morning, I had to pass a document at my buyer’s office.

We headed home right after the movie. Honestly, Ip Man 2’s story line and action is better than Iron Man 2. I didn’t find Iron Man 2 very exciting somehow. Not quite worth it to watch.

Without wasting any time, we dozed off because it was an early morning the next day……….

The next morning, I woke up first to get myself ready before waking him up. We picked mum up for a 11am movie. After the movie, we adjourned for lunch before heading home. In the evening, Guardian Angel and I attended my ex-colleague’s wedding at One Bangsar.

That night, I wasn’t feeling too well. Felt a little sick and uncomfortable. We headed straight to lala land.

I knew I still had one more day of the weekend to spend.