The Story of Ah BAN

Once there was a man named Ah Ban. He was a simple-minded, happy-go-lucky guy. Never having to worry about his life. His day job was simple. Starts at 9. Ends at 6 or 7 every evening. During the day, he just perform whatever that he was told. From 1 to 10, A to Z...all will be detailed down for him to the last tiny bit of instruction. With his single-minded nature, he would not be able to spot a missing step or if the instruction was indeed correct. He follows a simple life philosophy - if the instruction is wrong, so will be the outcome.

Days went by, and Ah Ban at times would grow frustrated over his small existance at his work place. He would throw some short tantrums and continues doing nothing. Or refuse to accept any work being assigned to him. But usually by the next day, he'll turn out to be ok again. And that went on for 3 long years. People around him have either gave up on him or just use him for running some simple errands that would require anybody with a good pair of arms and legs. He might be simple, but he ain't stupid. He knows...but he couldn't care less either.

Today, he finally digged up some courage. He told the world that he is going to leave. A new ship is willing to take him on board and he's determined to set off to a new land with a new start. Let's hope he would end up being a captain someday and not sweeping the deck again.

Judgements

For one, i've heard alot of stories about how 'female'(even if you're a female) someone can be if you have the slightest intention to watch the recent Sex and the City show. I was abit skeptical at first. One fine day, i found it on someone's harddisk and thought i'd quietly copy that out and watch them during one of my 'quiet' nites and never tell a soul. Turns out...this show, if you are able to look deeper...below all the shinies, you'll find a really good storyline. Story about friends and love and all the things that's happening in our real, daily life. I'm gonna have to learn to be more ignorant & less typical. A new year's resolution, if its not already too late.

Next, i have an old friend which i've known for years. Recently, maybe due to the changes in one's life. Character may become...mmmm...annoying. Babbling away everyday and night about the stuff one's wanting to do. I was trying to be supportive mostly, but i ran out of fuel after 2-3weeks. When the same thing happen couple of days ago, i was really at lost of words. I dont feel like repeating myself anymore. I'm just tired. I felt like an awful friend. Times like this, i should have put in more effort and be more considerate. But i dont want to be pretentious at the same time. What could be worse than faking in front of your old friend? Perhaps, i should make it a point to learn...how to deal with such situation, gracefully.

On third, well...its finally some happy news...i'm goin back home tonight...wooohooooooooooooo! Something which i have been waiting for, for a while. Hopefully with the new year and all the earthly good things to come...i'll feel alot different when i get back to work in Feb.

till the next lunar year...adios.

What are we?

Working in such an environment, day in day out...you see People. All sorts of people.

Some would sniffle around, like old dogs with an alert nose...they can pick your stench from far away. They can tell if you're gonna make it big someday or if you'll just waste 20 years here and still sitting at your old cubicle. You can see their eyes shine when they look you in the eyes, words that comes out from their droopy lips are usually fake-sounding. They smile and get really friendly with you. But deep down inside, only a very minor percentage are sincere.

Some just sit there the whole day, doing their stuff...afraid to comment about anything, thinking they would lose their job if they dare to part those lips. These...are usually those people that have been sitting in the same cubicle for the past 20 years. Those that dont make it. But at least, they get to keep their jobs till today. And it's probably a wise thing to do. Occasionally, they would roll eyes up while keeping their heads down whenever there are people talking. But they will still remain quiet. Deep down inside, i'm pretty sure they have got things to say...but reality bites them the hardest. Most of them have a few smaller mouths they have to feed back home. Who could blame them?

Others belong to the reptile category. These are spineless thieves that we should all be very careful not to trifle with. Whenever they catch a glimpse of victory, they will come marching in with their best outfit and most resounding shouts. Whenever there's a puddle of poo, they would also be the first to high-tail out of the scene, leaving no trace of their existence. Clever and smart-witted snakes. Some can be poisonous too though most are toothless, only good at the ancient art of tai-chi.

What i've become...? I am slowly falling into one of the above. For i fear, i no longer have the will nor the energy to resist. The dark side has taken hold of my soul. I think i'm gonna rot in the bottomless pit and never find redemption.

The rotating world

Recently, someone told me she was getting depressed over her
relationship. Though from the outside, she seem happily married,
contented and joyful. Took her some courage to let others know all
those are just what was displayed for others to see. It's tough being
in a relationship and its even tougher keeping it up. It would burn
through most of your energy when your other half is just...simply not
as compatible as you have once thought.

I suppose all relationships start off with some spark and excitement,
but when the flame dies out...what happens? We can try to salvage
whatever there is and hope it would at least rekindle some of the old
desires...but when all else fails...what is there to do? Should we
continue to stay on and pretend we are OK, or should we call it short?
It's a tough decision...most people would just ignore and hope they
will just get use to the feeling and everything else would be fine by
then. Some would choose to take matters up and either call for it or
get some things done. Those that call it short would be labelled as
selfish, irresponsible, inconsiderate...and in today's society...i
guess many many more names will be thrown at you. And all the faults
and wrongs in this world would lay on the one that took the first
move. Why? Simply because you made the first move. Most of us would
not want to go through such decision and would just choose to let it
stay...hoping that on one of those fine days...you will still get some
coincidental spark...and on those days that not, you just simply get
through life on a flat-line scale. Nothing out of the norm should come
up and agitate you, which would in turn remind you of your current
ignorant state. What could be worse? Such feeling once kicked in,
would probably stay a couple more days till you can be fully ignorant
again. Rinse & repeat. And that's the entire lifetime for most of the
people. My take is simple...Live for yourself, dont waste your entire
lifetime living what you think others might have want you to.

Another place, another time

This morning, I shifted into my 4th room in my 3years over stay in this small island. This time around, i picked a place further from everything else. My criterias for a place does not stick to what it used to be anymore. I'm looking for a quieter place more than convenience now. I guess I'm getting really tired from the all the human traffic and the congestions. I need a breather...and hopefully this new place would be able to give some.

All in all, this place isn't anything fancy. Compared to my old room this one is alot lackluster...in many ways, the bed is just a simple thin alluminium framed setup, the matress is just a floppy foam. Even the curtains are clearly home-sewn with a cheap, glossy cloth...at least 3 times thinner than my both towel.

Though it's a lil more spacious...and more importantly, the people...for now, are alot nicer. In time, all those lil nice-to-haves...though might contribute to my overall feeling for this place...but will never break anything compared to things my ex weirdo landlord did.

So its done

My break has been almost used up now. To think just a week ago, i was still babbling about how to spend my time off. I guess time which have not been put into good use will expire anyhow. Though I've managed to get a few things done. Suprisingly withdrawing $ from our provident fund wasn't as tedious as i thought it might be. It's just the wait. For my case, at least it is still bearable. Slightly more than a week from the filling up of forms to going to the bank, wait for the bank to prepare the statement and submit it to the board. Now...i'll have to wait for another 10days or so for my cheque to arrive. Then i'll be a lil richer.

My days for the past one week has been quite long, waking up early in the morning...dozing off only close to dawn. Being at home is a good feeling. Breakfast, lunch and dinner without worries. It's a bliss. Having to do whatever and go wherever the heart pleases. I just wish the week would be longer.

Ohhh...and I hit 80 just this morning on WoW. And that mark's the end of all the tough leveling work. I wouldn't even wanna think on what's gonna happen next. *shivers*

Grats once again to the resto druid!

And so it begins!

Ms Sotong's wedding dinner was a blast last nite...it was like a mass gathering for all the Mandiri people. Was fun indeed having to see those old familiar faces that i once knew. Though the service was pretty bad, the food was pretty alright...the only annoyance was the 80 years old lady and her big birthday bash next door...so much for sharing venues...and MC...it was pretty messy but i guess we have all learnt to ignore the mc entirely after a few rounds of confusion. Have to remember not to hold any party when the venue is co-shared, especially if they dont have separate sound system.

Though i am trying very hard not to count, i cant help but to think my 2 weeks break will be over sooner than i thought. Today's my first 'official' day off and i have at another 14days ahead.

Traffic sucks back home. I have been out almost half a day running errands and all, i came back grumpy, cursing at the weather and at the car's air conditioning.
Wasn't pleasent day but at least i managed to get some stuff done.

Next, i gotta wait for a week for my documents to be ready by the bank. In between Now and Then...I still have not figure out what else i can do with my break apart from...well, if i can think of something better to do...i'd pass on WoW any given day. All I need now...is just some knocking on these lazy bones and perhaps a small dose of inspiration....