As usual, while I was munching down my breakfast today, my mum would religiously kick-start the day by telling me the all the “interesting” headlines from the papers she read yesterday.

Blah Blah Blah.

Normally, I would do the bo chap routine - “arh - arh. really? oh..OK”, and I would continue sipping my hot milo. But today I congratulated her for hitting my hidden spot when she mentioned that there is only one winner who won the 6million TOTO by quick-pick yesterday. I got high instantly. But bo bian, I still have to maintain my sian early morning expression. If not she would babble on more and more with greater zest and enthusiasm.

LUCKY ASS

And so I begun my agony of thoughts with bittering envy on why a person can be so damn lucky to win $6 million over night. I would imagine he can be the unluckiest person in the world since the day he was born, until yesterday - the day he won the lottery. Now, everything is paid back in full and alot more. I wonder if he managed to sleep that night. You know how folks always say how certain events can change a person overnight. Obviously they know what there are talking about. My influx of creative hormones begin to form ideas on what he might possibly do with the 6 million dollars. Sorry, or rather, what I would do with MY own 6 million dollars. Many things I would want to do.

Hereby, I praised myself from being such a imaginative and prudent person when it comes to money.

I remembered reading a psychological report somewhere about human behaviour especially after winning a sudden windfall OR dealt with a major disability (etc; blindness)

1) If the individual is a unhappy and discontented person - 6 months after winning the lottery, the initial excitement of winning will pass off and he would still remain as a unhappy and discontented person.

2) If the individual is a happy and upbeat person - 6 months after a major disability, the initial shock and depression will pass off and he would still remain as a happy and upbeat person.

I thought the study is quite interesting. You see, any major events that happen in our life may change the our external context dramatically. In the end, the closest values that root within our character would always remain unchanged to guide us.

I hope the winner do some donations.

I realised today is abit different. I didn’t have to report to work.

Yea. Now I want to impress you with my laughter of joys and contentment that I derived while lying happily on my bed. I had left my job last Saturday after 9 months of bitching around. To that, I am officially not a hubber anymore.

Credit to what I have learned for the past months while on the job - Customer Care Consultant. The unspoken heroes behind the scenes. The guys at the front-line who unselfishly run into blazing heat to put out the fire. Those gentle calming voices you hear when you dial 1633, fuming on why starhub network so bad or why we cut your line.

Believe me, there is a good share of nitwitted people within the gracious populace in Singapore.

You see, its a job that requires great tactfulness and skills to navigate around the bend while keeping in control. Being detached professionally yet able handle each customer with accommodating level of apathy is an acquired skill. Kudos to those are striving at the job and those seasoned pros who never cease to offer a gracious helping hand to me.

When I was there, I strive to be as helpful as I possibly can to assist the customer. But since I am unable to fulfill my competencies that well, my consolation would be the absolutely wonderful working environment I have had the fun to work in. A team of young, energetic individuals I have shared tons funny memories.

There is’nt a particular name to mention.
It is simply called the General Enquires 1633 PT team.

Anyway, for further enquires, you may dial 1633 and look for Ray.

I kind of remember watching this film when I was like 10, 12 maybe? This is one classic film that I can relate to, especially in my younger years.

I could recall reading up the TV guide in paper before sitting right in front TV in anticipation to watch those Golden Harvest HK films during the 2230 movie slot, either on Wednesdays or Fridays. Those were the days where Taiwanese variety show were completely non existant. Those were many movies, but ghost or vampire flicks (gui xi) have always had a special attachment to me. Like this one.

Theme Song - A Chinese Ghost Story

I borrowed the DVD at the library today, while I don’t exactly remember the story, I took a chance since I figured film maestro Tsui Hark is its producer. Well, sure enough it is nothing less of my expectation. The production has every element to make up a great orthodox Chinese movie. It has punching humour, great flying fight scenes, really realistic monster and most importantly a grand love story entwined between a human and a ghost. Oh boy, was she beautiful. The main character is played by the late Leslie Cheung as a rather lost, timid tax collector and his opposite by the super gorgeous Joey Wang as the female ghost (Xiao Qian). And then, there is the Taoist Monk - Wu Ma as a ghost-hunter, depicted as if he is suffering from some closeted mid-age crisis. Long story put short, both fell in love even though they were’nt suppose too. In entirety, I has a utterly enjoyable experience watching it back, relishing the good old memories of the early 90’s..

I suppose most of us would recall her as a popular Singaporean cover girl during the mid 80’s and early 90’s. Apart from being a top model from a relatively sedate fashion nation, she was also the author of her own controversial autobiography , “Excuse me, are you a model?”. She was only 29 when her flight, SilkAir 185 crashed in 1997 killing her and all on board.

The tragedy was more then 10 years ago, about 6 years since I first read her book. Till now, I remembered clearly my first experience while and after reading her book. (I mentioned as my first experience because whenever read it again, I tend to relate differently.) It had a mixture of envy and intrigue. Her simple and charming revelations detailing her life, experiences and observations offered a nostalgic throwback during 80’s Singapore. They evoke richness of thoughts on relationships, life and social consciousnesses. While many of her subjects are not often discussed openly, the essence of her writings embrace the appreciation of pillars such as family and friends.

Her writing has made a bold reflection about society and interpretations of living life and its causes. I like to assume most of us humans are living for a reason, which brings about our motivation. As renowned life theories explain - a pinnacle of life seeks self actualisation. Interesting, many people are still unsure of what to achieve in life except financial freedom. I never knew Bonnie Hicks until I read her book and I can only dream up of getting to know her. As I discerned closely, I can safely assumed she had to be living a free spirited life of meaningful existance, purpose and learning.

There is alot more I have gained and experienced from her book. Its a really good read. Take a chance and read it especially if you are born around the early 80’s in Singapore