In train.

Sometimes I wonder why I must take the public transport. Then I remember that it is because I didn't want to go and learn driving. Sigh. It's so crowded in the train now and I'm going down to town to meet Xue. Stuck in a cabin filled with army guys. Dying of air pollution now.

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 6:56 PM ~ ~ ~
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Testing from phone.


I'm sitting in front of the tv watching my mtvs and trying to blog at the same time. Sigh.

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 1:18 AM ~ ~ ~
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Auckland.


I was in Auckland for a month this June. The company decided to send me there to learn new stuff so that I can implement the good practices from partner companies here.


I had to endure the freezing weather every day. God! It was really quite bad there that I wore 6 layers of clothes! My Kiwi colleagues told me that I was exaggerating as the weather was not even cold yet. According to them, it was still summer.


Despite this, I enjoyed my stay there though. The company provided 2 houses for me with domestic help. One was very near the city centre while the other was a little further. The only thing that was not provided for me was a car and a chauffeur. I had to take the public bus to work and back. On the days that it rained, I was stranded in the office lobby waiting for it to stop.


The people there are quite friendly. I've had people strike up conversations with me while waiting for buses and even when I was queuing up to buy things. Some people liked to tell me that "Hey! Your English is very good!" while I secretly rolled my eyes at it. I always replied with a very polite "Thank you!". Good God! Of course it's good! It's my first language for goodness sake!


The scenery was beautiful and I even went to Mata Mata to take a photograph with Gollum. I poked and hit him and all he did (or could do) was to look straight in front and grin wickedly. Xue was so jealous when she found out that I was there. I love the chicken and mushroom pie from the coffee shop across Gollum. Come to think of it, I love all the pies that I ate while I was in Auckland. You can't find any quite like them here.


The shopping there was nothing great. I spent most of my time at Foodtown shopping for groceries. Griffin's Hundreds and Thousands is the best I've tasted so far. The Australian one pales in comparison. I couldn't find much to buy on Queen Street except for Lush, which Xue loves. Newmarket was quite fun with all the food and especially, the bakery behind the bus stop that I took Bus 6 from.


I went to Rotorua with a few of my colleagues during the weekend of the Queen's birthday. The sulphur from the hot springs didn't affect me at all. I actually enjoyed it! I must have seen countless sheep, cows and horses on my way there and back. After a while, every place seemed to look the same from inside the car.


The only things I dislike about the place are lamposts that are few and far between and the fact that the shops close at 5pm or 5.30pm every day. Give me city life any day!

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 3:20 PM ~ ~ ~
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Study leave.


I received a letter in my tray that my study leave has been approved.


I was ecstatic when I read it. I can FINALLY leave to study for 2 years!


When I applied for it, my CEO asked me to stay and defer my studies for a few years. I replied that it has been 5 years since I graduated and if I do not go and study soon, I'll lose my interest in studying.


On one hand, I felt flattered that the company thinks so highly of me and wants me to stay. On the other hand, I felt annoyed. Wasn't there anybody else who can do my job? Does it want to squeeze every ounce of blood from me before it is satisfied?


I am getting very jaded with what I have to do every day. I think that I need a place to recuperate and gain fresh ideas before I decide whether to return to the company after my studies.


I told Xue that if I had a chance, I would not want to return to it at all. If I had a better offer, I never want to return to this company again.


I think that I am in it for the money, really, and the flexible work hours. It'll be difficult to find a job with such a pay and the hours. Sigh...

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 2:23 PM ~ ~ ~
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Happy birthday to me!


A year has come and gone.


What do I actually want in my life?


Sometimes, it just seems pretty aimless for me. I just don't know what I want to do any more.

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 10:18 PM ~ ~ ~
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Then and Now.


The past few years were really hectic for me. What with having to stand on my own feet and understanding what I have to do, I realised that time actually flew by when I was very busy.


It's been nearly four and a half years since I graduated and I am enjoying my job and everything that comes with it. The pay, the perks, the people and even the dirt that I have to clean up when others do not do their job. It really is nice to know that I have my family, friends and colleagues to depend on for help and to cheer me up whenever I sink to the doldrums.


Recently, I've been thinking about going back to school to further my studies. I think that I need to be with the books again. Somehow or other, I feel that I need to start before my memory fails me.

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 10:21 PM ~ ~ ~
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I'm back!


After a few years away, I'm finally back!


Thanks be to God. :0)

~ ~ ~ Skye's telling at 10:37 PM ~ ~ ~
Hey! Are you in on the secret yet?