jojo ♥

Tuesday, June 29

Warning Signs

Oh dearie me no.

What if I tell you I really don't feel like Marketing? I'm so confused, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing. Is it a good thing that I'm putting thoughts into my future career path and considering it fully, or is it bad that I'm suddenly thrown into rethinking it after I signed up for my degree majors?

I can't say.

But I do know that Marketing's giving me cold feet right now. And Advertising & Public Relations and Editorial & Writing is looking so appealing.

I know - I'm so messed up.

I always thought it was a straight clear light path for me. I grew up knowing what I wanted, and I've nearly always reached it, and have barely ever regretted. I wanted to be an English teacher as a kid and read voraciously, was strongly for attending a mixed secondary school, wanted badly to make it to a Mass Communications diploma program... and now, in the last few laps of my schooling life, after making the decision to specialize in Marketing, after marking it as my degree major, I started getting cold feet.

If I wasn't so freaked out about getting cold feet now of all times, I might have found it amusing.

I don't know. What do you think? Would you find me good at Marketing? Or would I be better at Public Relations, Advertising, or Journalism?

12:14

Monday, June 28

From HuiJing ♥

I'm not on Tumblr so I cannot simply repost, but this is so completely sweet that I cannot resist.

Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep.

Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you’re just as pretty without makeup on.

One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have you.

The one who turns to his friends and says, ‘That’s her'.

P.S. HuiJing's blog is full of romantic sweet nothings - a perfect read for AWWW moments. I always go read when I need to know nice things still exist. Hee (:

14:04

Oh dearie me, I'm having a new affair!

Okay, pardon me. It's just a fantastic way to get your attention and tell you how nice the new coffeeshop boy is treating me.

Oh yes, the NEW coffeeshop boy. Boy #1 has packed up shop (figuratively speaking) and left, and so boy #2 (who has been here all along) has started serving me.

And boy, serve me he does! When I buy takeaways on busy (or warmer) days to eat up at my desk, I get so much food I wonder I should began to have it for lunch AND dinner.

No, of course I'm not on a mission to lose weight or to desperately trying to save money; it's just that there's so much food.

Call me an aunty, or a scrimp (though I generally prefer takeaway queen), but a regular takeaway rice pack has a third rice, some vegetables, countable-on-one-hand pieces of meat(s) and lots of warm air. Generally.

My wonderful packet has also a third rice, but half a packet of whatever meat/veggies/tofu I ordered, leaving my food to be rather cramped for space. Whenever I open it up, the food almost always nearly spill out.

Before I'm done with one dish, I'm quite done in. But to prevent wastage, I nearly always finish it - hence my current weight gain.

Am I obsessing? Perhaps. But it seems like losing weight or saving money is so within reach - just stop when full and continue for dinner.

I might actually save up for University faster.

13:31

Friday, June 25

Dread knows no boundaries.

This has so far been an absolutely dreadful day.

I woke up today at 7.45am; so tired that I'm absolutely glad that I get to sleep in late tomorrow - I shall be waking up at 9.15am, a generous one half hours more.

Today's my 15th straight day of waking up at 7.45am - for school and or work. It's not pleasing for sure.

I desperately need a fun holiday that doesn't involve work or studying but there is no time, and I'm too poor anyway.

Yesterday, when my meeting with the NTU students ended early and I had 2 leisure hours (albeit being stuck in Bugis), I almost felt uncomfortable. It's like, woah, so much free time! I was almost aching to do something - grab an Accounting text, draft a story, something.

And about being poor - having such a cramped timetable makes me feel that I should be compensated, financially. If I'm given such tightly scheduled days, surely someone, somewhere can ensure I have cash? That way, I can buy all the de-stressing Ben and Jerry's I need, take all the cabs I want to and buy all the eyebags-fighting products I require.

But you know, this is reality.

So on the bus I go today (as with all other days of my life), without Ben and Jerry's and with eyebags.

It's a really cold and rainy day today here in our usually sweltering country.

I was engrossed in Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief on the bus (yes, I'm that outdated. And yes again, bus rides are now my entertainment time), trying to ignore the cold and the uncomfortable squeeze (Uncle on my right with his legs wide open, and Art Lady on my left with her art tube poking my arm - real comfortable).

Just as I thankfully got down from the bus outside my workplace and was about to cross the drowned road, a bloody orange hatchback SPED past and SLOSHED half the road's wet on my dress.

My dress!

My black, back-crotchet dress.

My black, back-crotchet dress that I wore today for a meeting in Orchard.

It was almost in slow-motion (I know they all said that, but seriously. I saw the droplets fly and I just STOOD still. Beats me why too.), and then before I could react, the road wasn't drowned anymore - all the water's on me.

So I'm tired, sleep-deprived, cold and VERY WET. And so very super angry, that I was relieved that the lift up to Level 4 at work was empty so I can scream.

See why I never liked orange? To think I've been trying to like it (it can look so pretty on leather bags).

And yeah, I've been doing a lot of inner loud, muted, agonizing screams. In the lift today, on buses several times and many many countless times at home.

Okay, maybe not agonizing, but you get the idea.

I need a holiday.

Labels: writings

10:21

Tuesday, June 22

Rambles

It is so tiring to go up against a wall.

It simply stays put, quiet and so silent... that I cannot help but wonder if it heard me at all. It only stands there.

And this completely irks me, because it does not reply and it does not help. In fact, it only builds up and go higher - making it harder to scale and complete.

The list of things I need to do it long, and I cannot do it without help because I am not allowed to.

The silence is making me go quite mad, and especially with the whole lessons and study during my leisure time - I feel like I'm being stretched at times, and I have no one understanding to grouse to.

I do try to get it out, but it seems they are just passed over and no one hears it. So in it goes, bottled up. I resent, but I guess I understand: I feel like my grouses and me are too old for me.

Okay, I know I have been told that I should stop thinking that. But I cannot help it when I am again reminded and reminded that I am not young. And if I am not young, then I must be old. That only make sense right?

So continues the old feeling.

Now I feel happiest on weekends when I get to live like a student - going for class from 9am to 5pm. Sometimes, I actually forget it's the weekend! To be able to stressed out for not understand how to calculate Variance, and to think hard about what to have for lunch - that's easypeasy and fun.

And the best person to listen to me now is my Momma. I know, I sound like a mumsy girl but really, it's just easier to air my grouses to her.

I should really learn to be happier for small things now. Perhaps all my wild dreams finally caught up and made me expect too much. So perhaps dash that mansion, and the fleet of sports cars, and go dreaming for a decent apartment in a decent town.

I wonder if that's too much to ask from myself.

08:59

Monday, June 21

I ♥ Owls

Like, look at these perfect owl motifs! Heehee
They are so adorable, and a much prettier choice than the insects motifs that was the rage a few months back.

You didn't notice it? Good, because that trend is going away and (hopefully) never coming back.

Meanwhile, we shall continue rocking our owls and butterflies.

Look at Owls in Fashion:

Lovely rings from I-don't-know-where.

Me ♥ these earrings!

Earrings photos from 1981.

And I have these heavier ones in another colour. The stones must weigh a ton; these studs keeps dropping off. Bah.

Will show y'all my lovely owl assets! My necklace! Upload photo later.

18:15

Friday, June 18

When the Internet connection is scary...

Everytime I get a break, or sit in front of the laptop (and telly) at home, I visit Facebook first and then (almost always) tons of glorious shopping havens.

Facebook, well, it has become a habit. Good or bad, I cannot decide. But I'm glad I haven't stooped to making it my homepage yet.

My second destination are shopping havens, and they are *swoons* to die for. In fact, all my bookmarks on my browser are shops after shops after online shops.

I know Aileen and a ton of people don't agree, but online shopping is WONDERFUL.

I can sit comfortably at home, in PJs if I like, with a pint of Ben and Jerry's in my left hand and a fast finger hovering over the mouse. Browsing through any shop I like to find a pretty dress, a slouchy tee, the perfect pair of shorts and it's addictive.

Not that I've always wiped out my savings shopping though, I do exercise barely-controlled self-restraint. So far, my spoils are limited - 3 dresses, 3 earrings and a hair accessory.

My 'restraints' - countless dresses and blouses, a couple pair of shorts and some shoes. So you see, my figures are pretty decent.

And when I feel mighty poor, I visit lookbook and fashionising to check out the latest in trends and the best looks to go. Vain, bimbotic habits maybe, but one I cannot resist.

I suspect though, that my wardrobe will soon sport many online-store bought items, and my birthday list this year will be suspiciously uh clickable. All the better for those wanting to buy me gifts (hee)!

Of course, I'm not a total airhead and a cheapskate.

I'm shopping at Reebonz too - love the Prada deerskin in cream, and that fun Burbery tote!

Signing off,
AirHead

13:29

Thursday, June 17

5 reasons why I think I'm old

Remember I said I'm compiling reasons why I think I'm old? I announced it to very unpleasing agreements on Facebook a while back.

Here's 5 reasons why Jojo's old. D:

#1 Coffee, my water

I drink way too much coffee for my own good. A cuppa steaming hot [I don't know what's with me and the words hot and steamy] coffee during breakfast, after lunch, after a good dinner, just for the heck of it and when I'm very cold. If I don't feel guilty, I'd love have it after breakfast as well!

Coffee is just so yummy, and it gives me a happy feeling.

And no, I don't mean the ice blendeds they sell at Starbucks or Coffee Bean. That's really just milk coffee with chocolate powder, too much chocolate sauce and lots of ice. I should know. No, my favourite's a warm skinny flat NSA Mocha Latte from Coffee Bean.

So you see, I am really old inside. Most youngsters (oh dearie me) go for sugar-doused ice blendeds, or only drink coffee on occasions right? Hell, some wake up to a cuppa Milo in the mornings. I never had that.

#2 'Adult Hours'

I keep 'adult' hours. I get sleepy at 9pm (something 8-ish!) and wake up early for work / school - such that my internal clock kind of got used to it, and promptly rouse me every early morning. Yes, even weekends, even on sleepy days, even on comfortable rainy days.

I'm really envious of those who can wake up in the afternoons. But then again, the younger sleep better right?

#3 Old Breakfast Choices

Did I say? I grab coffee first thing in the morning, and my first breakfast cereal was muesli. That should already render me super old. Sin 2: I don't like breakfast cereals like Koko Krunch and Fruit Loops. And I really love muesli, with yogurt.

That's it, I'm in the 40s category already. Muesli is too healthy for younglings.

#4 Looking 25

This, I'm innocent. I did nothing to warrant this: being told by enough people that I look much older than I look. My great pal Aileen (25), my facialist (25), Eehong (22)... Even HuiJing said 22 too right?

At 15;
bank sales representative: "Hi, would you like to get a credit card?"
me: "I'd love to, but I'm 15"
bank dude: *horror* "Aiyo, it's so late! (10pm at Orchard) Go home, now!"

Which leads to...

#5 Dress Sense

I'm sorry (not really) that I don't like graphic designs much. Nor cartoon characters as a kid. Nor street shoes and sporty shoes. Nor coloured hair. Nor backpacks. Nor skulls, action heros shirts, coloured jeans.

They simply look funny on me. On the rare chance that I like something trendy, trend(ier) teenages have moved on to the next craze.

In fact, I remember when I visited the zoo as a child, I wore a somber deep red dress with peter pan collars, black velvet panels and matching black maryjanes. All I need then was just longer legs, black sheer stockings and black eyeliner.

It's just unfortunate that I prefer other stuff - which my mom kindly calls 'classic'-er.

But I'm trying now! I'm wearing yellow nails, hot pinks and uh tees? I cannot drop my love for gold tones though.

Perhaps I should just embrace my age (and coming birthday!). Coffee and gold doesn't hurt does it?

14:21

Tuesday, June 15

The 2010 Birthday List

On Yanny's advice, I'm going to come up with a comprehensive birthday list of 13 items from shopruche, tracyeinny, hervelvetvase and many other sites that I recently declared "I-hearts".

I'll add 7 items that are not clothes related. (:

So I'll have a grand total of 20 items on my birthday list for my growing age. I suspect my birthday list will be a minor - and only! - reason to enjoy the growing number; I really wish to remind 17 and young and stress-free.

Guys, beware: it may get guniang.

Will put it up soon!

17:59

Monday, June 14

Dirty Gold

I have an inexplicable urge to own masses of dirty golden hair and fair skin (as always). They seem to be perfect for matching anything, from elegant blacks and whites to the wild prints, from glamourous chic right down to sweet country girl looks.

Yes, I am very envious.

For some reason, they just look better. Even if they wear creams and nudes that are close to their natural colour.

Instead I have hair that cannot decide to be black or brown, and skin that are waging a war fighting for a common palette.

I got into this unjust mood from looking at Frida's lookbook pictures. Click here to view! She's got pretty good style.

17:18

Thursday, June 10

I’m Having An Affair

I’m having a hot steamy affair with the coffeeshop boy at work.

Sounds exciting? I think so too.

He makes my workday more interesting, and I definitely look forward to lunch more – hot steamy lunch with extra heaps of those yummy chicken and veggies served with a cheery hello! What’s not to like?

Never mind that he appears overenthusiastic and mildly freaked me out with a unwell-aimed “Xiao Ke Ai”. I nearly froze on the spot.

Prior to our affair, I had to face a very fierce mean serving lady who stares very hard when I take disposable cutlery for my takeaways (as if I will take extra to hoard), who is very curt with me and who counts the pieces of chicken she serves like they’re gold.

So am I glad for this affair? Hell yes.

Aileen was super shocked. “Ohmygod, you’re going out with the kopitiam boy!” Well, if going out means buying food from him everyday, then yes.

Then her rich, faithful, caring boyfriend (our little secret!) Thad accused me and primly reminded me to “stop hitting on the coffeeshop boy can!”

How Singaporean, the pair of them (teehee). So come back here! And buy food with me. You’ll see that he’s the one who asked me where I work, when I get off work and is the nice server who’s willing to give me extra heapings.

Oh yes, I like this affair.

Until the next, uh, conquer! Now, it's lunch time.

Labels: writings

13:13

How Utterly Unfair, don't you think?

I quote Mr Thomas L Friendman, who wrote this in a commentary for TODAY:

" When meeting this year's grads it's best not to ask: "Hey, what are you doing next year?" Too many recent grads don't have an answer. They can't find jobs even remotely related to their fields. This year's graduation theme is: "Don't ask. Can't say." "

Reading this makes me remember how many of my graduating peers cannot do what we want - the universities that we truly most want to enter, the courses that we most want to take up, the jobs that we most want to work in and perhaps the business ideas that we most want to work on.

And most of the time, it is not really our results that left us hanging and stopped us from what we do. It's simply a lack of space in universities, a lack of confidence and or reputation in the private education sector (from almost everyone!) and perhaps a lack of boldness or passion is setting up our own businesses.

While the entrepreneur bit is only our own to blame, we cannot be made to suffer the lack of space / credentials in the education system.

Local universities have very limited spots for students. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe they currently house less than half the student population in Singapore. Or lesser. (I read somewhere which actually cited 30%. Will find exact figures.)

This statistics is really odd, seeing that a Bachelor Degree is seen as the minimum in today's working world - that is, if you want to go somewhere in your industry reasonably fast.

So, if you need a degree but the local universities are filled up, you can only go overseas if you're financially able or do a private degree.

I honestly think a private degree is not different from local universities or the same foreign universities. There are institutes and partner universities who do work properly together to give private students the same education they would have received had they attended school in the main campuses.

But there is still the problem of credibility and reputation from potential employers and the public. Many still believe that the private education sector are dodgy places following the brouhaha over certain untrustworthy institutes. I have heard horror stories about how degrees - earned similarly from years of hard work and studying - are not recognized by employers and considered lesser than other degrees.

And I loathe the unfairness.

How is a degree gained from a credible institute working with a reputable foreign university neither credible nor reputable?

If so, perhaps we should return to the root problem and make space for all students to gain a fair chance to enter local universities - so that if they do not make the cut to their preferred school or program, it is only because of their bad grades and not a lack of space.

To be frank, I do not really condemn the fact that Junior College students get priority (after all, an A Level student is not equipped with any tertiary education). I get that they need the education.

But from the perspective of a student wanting to be well employed and well reimbursed in a working world when a local degree means the world - then yes, it is truly unfair.

Perhaps someone should have waved a red flag in our faces when we choose to do a tertiary education in polytechnics, saying "Go to JCs, then go to local universities! The world is a cut-throat place, leave the suckers behind or you'll be left behind in the future.

Not very nice perhaps, but that what it feels like.

Well, almost. I, for one, thankfully believe that private education won't destroy my future.

Read Mr. Thomas L Friendman's full commentary. He's a Pulitzer winner, and though the article's more for US than Singapore... it quite makes sense. Click here!

Labels: writings

10:07

Wednesday, June 9

The Man behind Beeconomic
Karl Chong is a great success story in the corporate world – a legally-trained Asset Manager who was born in Singapore, bred in Australia and gainfully employed in the United States. To make the story sweeter, Karl was working at international names like Proctor & Gamble and Macquarie Bank.

However, his affinity for entrepreneurship came knocking when he stumbled upon a website selling vouchers for a month of indoor climbing during the recession years. Though one of the few lucky survivors during the retrenchment, Karl was soon overworked and tired of the 9-to-5.

The month of indoor climbing gave him the opportunity to get out and make lasting friendships, and revived him of his exhaustion. So he thought, “this is exactly what busy executives need: a service which sources out what the city has to offer for them.”

Still, Karl bided his time, did his research and in January this year, he and his brother Christopher decided to drop their careers in US and Australia respectively –settling midway in Singapore to set up Beeconomic.

There is good reason for the brothers’ return here. Beeconomic’s concept of buying power in numbers is relatively unknown in Singapore, which gives them a first mover advantage. In comparison, the concept has already taken off in US and Australia.

And if you were wondering – yes, Beeconomic does mean “be economic”, which Karl says represent their keenness in helping consumers indulge without breaking the bank. Also, the ‘bee’ in the name represents their adage: buying power in numbers. Karl shares, “Bees are powerless alone, but when they work together in a hive, there’s power.”

With a great concept, quirky representations in their name and a first mover advantage, Beeconomic seem ready to take on the world, Singapore first. So the rest, as they say, is history – or is it?

“First, we need to educate the market about our concept, both the merchants and the customers. Also, it is important for us to maintain a standard of quality. We had to say no to a lot of people (because of it),” said Karl.

One good case in point: the Beeconomic team is very thorough when sussing out a dining place to feature. They screen through everything they deem important, from the yummy factor of the food and the décor, right down to bathroom hygiene.

And it seems that this standard of quality is what made Beeconomic the Number One choice, with 100% of their featured merchants wanting to come onboard again.

However, Karl attributed their success also to the team’s personality. “We don’t sound like we’re pitching to 100 merchants and they’re our 99th choice. I think that was what convinced the merchants to work with us.”

But with competitors very hot on their heels – springing up only a week or two after their launch – does Beeconomic worry about losing their lead?

“The competition is a challenge, but one that I am happy to take,” Karl shares. “It keeps me on my feet.”

This frank answer comes with no surprises. After all, Karl actually dropped his Masters program at INSEAD for Beeconomic despite being just a few modules away from graduation.

The reason was, he wanted to be quick in introducing the buying in power concept. Such passion and faith in his business is very impressive.

“It is important to be passionate about the products and services you’re selling. Be innovative – sure, you can copy but try to be different.” Karl stresses, when asked to give advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.

With a laugh, he piques “Have a lot of energy, because you are not going to have much of a social life!”

But the greatest advice, the best piece that I thought was lacking perhaps in other budding entrepreneurs or other businesses was “being kind”.

Karl explains this all-important kindness, “Replying immediately to consumers, rewarding your employees and fostering your relationship with your merchants.”

Perhaps with a little kindness, a lot of passion and a great business idea, we can all be successful entrepreneurs, just like Karl.

Related Links: Beeconomic, on FreshGrads!, Shop Review: Beeconomic

Labels: writings

14:34

Monday, June 7

Wages for Beauty - is that fair?

I’m not sure if you have read about the brouhaha over at Citigroup in New York City, but if you haven’t, here’s a good summary - click here!

A quick apt gist: A curvy lady was fired after she didn’t adhere to bosses’ request to stop dressing to distract her male colleagues. Her office attire? Pencil skirts, turtlenecks, jackets and regular heels – in the same style as her colleagues.

The commentary goes on to unearth shocking revelations, which on hindsight is probably present all the while, taller guys and thinner girls get paid more.

Revelation #1: In 2005, a study showed that good-looking people and taller people gets a “beauty premium” of an extra 5% per hour, while plain people suffer a loss of 9% in wages.

Another study shows that for every inch of height a guy has, he earns an additional $1,115 per year. And obese women have a tendency to earn lesser than women of average height.
Is that fair?

If I’m as capable, equally qualified as the next graduate but have somehow failed to find the secret of keeping my weight at 44kg when hovering at 1.61cm, I get regular or up to 9% less in wages.

(I hope the 9% is the difference between the beauty premium and the plain penalty; instead of it referring to 9% below average! That would cap the difference at a much higher 14%.)

And let me remind you that that’s an unhealthy BMI of 16.9, and MOH dictates that healthy BMI stay in the 18 – 25 range. Yes, I’m a tad BMI-obsessive.

But in the name of higher pay and more money, I will be sure to stay a strict exercise regime, and to look for a tall boyfriend and to get my future kids to work hard at skipping rope.

But here comes Revelation #2: unattractive people are more employable.

And no, this isn’t directly implied by the Citigroup brouhaha (now a lawsuit), nor an indication that companies want to save on the 9% / 14% difference. It’s because the men in the company do not want to be tempted by beautiful forbidden fruit, and the women do not want to be depressed and distracted by prettier women.

And vice versa. Though I'm betting women do not mind being tempted by 'beautiful forbidden fruit' of the male variety, and men... do you guys get depressed when working with better looking males?

It is rather discouraging however, and telling of society that we have gone not after geniuses and talents but looks and beauty.

Which I will (have no choice but to) attempt to follow in order to join and win the competitive rat-race – uhm, a question though, will unattractive tall people get better wages?

And remind me not to tell you how quickly I was employed after graduation.

Labels: writings

11:25

Tuesday, June 1

Room Revamp

The writing desk I want! But in black. (:

I want to revamp my room!

Yes, I know it seems really soon since the last.. But then consider this: I last revamp in November! Isn't that really long?

In any case, I only need a small revamp.

1. Someone to drill some metal stuff into the walls to hold up my shelf.
2. 2 new cushion seats! Red and...black? My walls are purple.
3. A new writing desk, in black with chair!
4. MAJOR: new panel floorings for the whole apartment!

Okay, I listed the last for fun. But I really want the first three. (:

Oh, and a nice strong helping hand to carry / drill stuff.

Am I demanding? Hee. I can always save up myself, just saying here.

Labels: birthdaylist

11:31