In my shoes...

Like the colourful display of light...seemingly in motion- mirrors my life; one that is always on the move- never in stasis.

Where do I start?

It's been a good 3 months since I last said something here. Admittedly, many things; mostly good things have happened, but i did not find the time to document them. I guess work has been an excuse for me being reticent. Then again, my career has always been at the back of my mind, whether i like it or not, it has dominated my life. In fact, I even dream about work! This is not to say i do not carve out time for myself, I am for one, a firm believer of striking a work-life balance, however, work is just simply too important to put aside!

Anyway, enough of my ramblings and moving into a succinct update of my life, thus far....

I have been with a major bank for 9 months now, I have since been confirmed, and my bond of 9 months is coming to an end, which essentially means i am free to seek out greener pastures (fyi: I still love my job). How time flies, it is hardly enviable being in the area of work i am in, given the financial crisis of mega proportions. However, being an eternal optimist, I will continue to press on regardless of how challenging times may be. In fact, i am so thankful to still have a job. I have known of people who have been asked to leave due to cost-cutting by financial institutions.

My area of work has somewhat stabilised from the fallout, but things are still slow-moving, we are far from the days of yore where my banking seniors; my mentor included, could earn as much as a 5-figure monthly salary doing what we do. I got to face it, the glory days are gone, and life is less rarefied; more down to earth.

Henceforth, I have used the down-time to upskill myself. I am currently pursuing a professional finance course (part-time) at the Singapore Management University; for banking professionals. The 3.5 month course is ending soon, and I will embark on another; something on Fund Management. I am basically creating more opportunities for myself, so that when the economy recovers, I can go places with my new found credentials.

Besides work and studies, one must be wondering whether I have a life. Well, yes! I enjoy catching up with peers in the evenings over a nice dinner at decidedly spiffy places, and perhaps adjourn to the likes of Canele to titillate my palette. I am also finding it hard to resist the temptation of stepping into Gastronomia for their cake in a box...heavenly!

Work, studies, food aside.... I have recently joined a country club; hence, I am going to make the best of it by using the gym and pool, tennis court, and perhaps a few rounds on the driving range.

I have also been burning plastic over things like shoes...i am a closet Imelda Marcos...haha. And, am also very fond of "bling-bling"...that I decided to walk into Tiffany one fine Saturday, and ended up buying a Signature 1837 Concave pendant for moi. Being a purveyor of good food (food again!)...I have no qualms about spending good money for good food. Lest you think I am a connoisseur, I am not!...I do fancy hawker fare, alas, it has got to be Newton Circus, because not only its food but her environs are my cuppa.

Life has been good, and I really am thankful. What next? I can't keep still it seems. I guess I need a vacation. I am now seriously considering a vacation in the fashion capital of the world; Paris. But before going there, I have plans to read Philosophy at Oxford University for a week over the summer (intensive but fun) and then jet set into Paris... I want to savour the experience of stepping into LV...the one at Takashimaya, just does not do it for me...(too many hoi polloi in their flip flops) Now, now...before you think I am all material boy, I am not! haha... I would love to visit the Louvre by I.M Pei (the architect I admire most; fyi he designed the headquarters of the bank I now work for; go figure) and the many museums of art and history. Enough of fantasy for now, I am a dreamer; but also very much a planner-I would have you know.

My schedule as always is packed for the next few months....life is never in stasis. Up next, the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge and also mugging for my finance papers.
Between all that, I relish taking life easy....you can catch me at Kinokuniya; mostly in the design section when I need to feed my mind and fuel my curiosity.

Feel free to holler...I can always carve out time for those dear to me.

That's all folks, albeit for now.