New Blog Skin

Just felt a change was in order.

My last blog skin was all black, the header picture was moody.. and reflected a different Joanne. A Joanne who needed change, who was restless, who was expecting something, but not quite sure what.

Well, I think I'm in a different place now.

A lot lighter (pity not physically, sigh), a lot more cheery.

Hence, a happier blogskin is called for.

Still a few kinks, but I'm getting there.

Still a dreamer, still longing to be a traveller. But also enjoying the joys of being a lover. :)

Relocating

Don't worry, not me. Just been receiving news lately that a number of friends and acquaintances are throwing off the shackles of Singapore life and heading out to make their mark in the world.

I know three people who are heading to the Middle East, China and Hong Kong... and a certain Ms Tan has always made known her intentions to head to the US.. and my sister is already there.

What is it about moving to a foreign land that's so attractive? I personally have never felt the need to relocate. Seriously. And I don't think I'm being narrow-minded here. Heck, I know Singapore is definitely NOT the end all and be all. And it has many faults.

But it's home. And whenever I feel the need to see the world, I do just that. Head overseas and frankly, after a while, I do miss home and want to sleep in my own bed. I've been known to exclaim with glee upon reaching Changi Airport. It's warm! and carpeted! and look ma, pretty flowers!

Besides, I simply have too many connections tying me to Singapore. Family, friends, love...

Hell, I gave up the chance to study overseas because of well.. Fadz. Back then, there was no way I would have willingly chosen to be away from him for 6 months because I knew that would spell the end of our relationship. And I never regretted that decision.

Now.. well, there's a new link tying me to Singapore. :)

Some people may scream... "WHY THE HECK ARE YOU GIVING UP CAREER FOR A MAN?? A MERE MAN!!?? WHAT HAPPENED TO INDEPENDENT WOMEN?"

Err, ok.. more power to you. But do I strike you as the career type? Besides, who says I can't have both? And surely I need to feel a powerful attraction for this foreign land before making the leap right??

I do think I've travelled quite a bit (by far no where complete, but sufficient).

And I've yet to visit a place that I can conceivably call a second home. The closest would probably be New York, but even then, I hate the stinky, old subway where you never know if you're going to be molested and even then, you're helpless and you can't do anything on the crowded trains.

London - expensive, grey and sometimes depressing
Tokyo - language barrier
Melbourne - racism
Hong Kong - health hazard
Paris - safety concerns (haven't you all heard how I was accousted by a gang of men at the foot of the White Cathedral or Basilica or whatever you call it??)

And I haven't really figured out what I want to do with me life. If that's the case, how do I even go about searching for opportunities?

I suppose my current job has also contributed to the lack of restlessness. If I was stuck in a 9-to-5 job in the office, I would probably go out of my mind as well.

But my life is such that I'm often praying to be in the office. Most days, I'm thrown out of the office and pounding the streets. When I'm working, I rarely have the time to even think, much less ponder about my sad life.

(Ok, now's the exception cos I'm manning the morning shift that's a nice respite from all the normal craziness.)

But back to the post. Relocating.. despite all my protests, I would never say never. I just need a strong enough incentive.

I'm dreaming of another holiday.

I know, I know, I can hear screams of "didn't you just go to Hong Kong and New York??"

Well, yes, I did, but that doesn't mean I can't plot and dream about my next trip, right?

Ah, if only life was one non-stop vacation rollercoaster, and working was the in-between bits to fill time, rather than vice versa.

Thinking of touring Xinjiang next. To do the China Silk Road bit. Sounds cool right?

Route: Xian, Turpan, Urumqi, Kuche, Kashgar, and back.

I shared my plans with Fadz via email. He emailed back:

"HAHA! Sounds so alien. You might as well have said Tatooine, Vulcan, Klingon."

-_-''''''''

Haven't been doing much since I came back. Aside from researching about Xinjiang. Do you know airfare to Xian is $700? and a 1 day train from Xian to Turpan is USD103, and from Turpan to Kashgar is USD63?

Tried destroying my liver last week. Guess that counts as a memory.

Drink(s) at No. 5 on Thursday, clubbing at Butter Factory on Friday, beer and live music at Wala on Saturday.

Met Fadz on Sunday, and I was literally clutching my scarred liver.

Think I'm getting too old. Maybe not. Butter is smoking hot! Saw Benedict Goh, and lots of (married) bankers looking to get pissed drunk/laid.

Saw many SMU peeps too. Guess it really is the hottest hotspot of the mo.

Ok, back to American Idol. I'm just blogging cos I'm bored and waiting for the results.

Haha!!

Photos of New York up on Facebook. If you're not on my Facebook (unlikely) and waiting for the pics here.. ermmm...

The Twilight Insanity

So it's my first day of enforced leave... just chilling at home. It's not too bad. At least I'm not spending money. HAHA

Anyhoo, caught up on my Gossip Girl (love love love!) and Grey's Anatomy (is it me or is the show going downhill?)

With more time to kill, I decided to watch Twilight once and for all to see what the hype is all about.

My verdict? Dang, but the acting is bad! Like, 90210 the remake bad! Like over the top, I don't know how to look scared so I just open my mouth like a gaping gold fish, BAD.

But I would get why girls, and women wanting romance, can get so caught up into the show. Certain parts, I was like, just get it on already!!!

Hmm, and Rob Pattinson? He's not THAT hot what. Acting, sub-par, too pale, too skinny. God, give me Brad Pitt any day, wrinkles, eye bags and all!!

I mean, I guess I do sometimes like the pretty boy type, and Rob has certain good angles, but come on, I just want to run a comb through his hair!!!

Now Chace is great looking, a pretty boy, and has great hair! So for all the young ladies who are fantasizing that they will meet their prince charming and hence would like someone closer their age to make the fantasy work, at least pick a right target.

But please... who can beat...

My darling David...

OR...

Brad?

Oh god, give me a MAN any day....

New Year, New Blog Skin

Hmmm, guess I've been neglecting this blog now, haven't I?

Just haven't had much time to do much else, I suppose.

In between coming back from Japan (which I loved, loved, loved to bits), and today, I:

1. Got out of my holiday stupor (took 2 weeks)
2. Went to work (unwillingly, I might add)
3. Met up with friends (but still so many whom I haven't seen forever!!)
4. Celebrated Shawn's birthday
5. Went to Haji Lane
6. Celebrated X'mas Eve with Fadz
7. Celebrated Xmas with the family
8. Played mahjong for days and nights
9. Am in the midst of planning a holiday to Hong Kong with KB Gang in March!
10. Worked on New Year's Eve. Reporting about a countdown party. At Nee Soon South. Yes, Nee Soon South. I'm so bloody cool.

All my photos are up on Facebook. It's such a drag to upload both on Facebook and here...

But oh gosh, it simply doesn't feel like a new year!

Sigh, I failed to blog about something really important and devastating that happened to me....

I LOST MY GUCCI WALLET UPON RETURNING FROM COLOGNE.

Yup, my darling wallet survived through a foreign land, through numerous purchases, through museum trips and all.

But I came back to Singapore, went for dinner with Fadz at the Changi Airport Terminal 3 Foodcourt, set my wallet on the chair next to me, and left without it. Just left.

I was so tired that I slept all the way home in the taxi. When I wanted to pay, that's when I realised that my wallet was GONE.

Frantic calls to Changi Airport and the foodcourt ensued. But to no avail.

Sigh, I guess I'd buy a Burberry wallet in Japan.

Fadz offered to buy me a wallet, something nice from Elle or Pierre Cardin.

Oh darling, don't you know once you go luxury, there's no turning back?

Injury prone

Sigh, I sprained my ankle. 3 days before I'm heading off to Germany.

No, I wasn't running after a story, I wasn't wearing high heels, I wasn't climbing some mountain.

I was talking to my boss in his office, turned to exit, and my left foot got stuck in the carpet.

Bam! Crack! Ow! There goes the old left ankle again.

Circa May 2007, I sprained my right ankle in Beijing while on holiday. Also in flats.

Circa 2006, I sprained my ankle while playing volleyball. Also in flats (sports shoes to be exact).

My conclusion? High heels aren't dangerous. I've NEVER hurt my ankles in them. It's the flats. they're killing me, seriously. At this rate, I'd run out of ankles to injure.

Bloody sodding hell. At least my boss let me off early to see a doctor.