Finally time for myself

I finally wrapped up work in
the laboratory. In July, I was
back to lab on most days including
some weekends.

There were a lot of turbulence and
some major disappointments. But
I'm feeling rather great now.

My biggest strength is that after
a huge disappointment, I kinda
forget about it within a couple of days.
I can feel super disappointed during tt instance,
but tt feeling don't usually last.

This year has so far been pretty
peaceful. My income has
shrunk by quite a lot but
my happiness level has
gone the other way; proof
tt $$$ does not bring happiness.
Freedom does and I still can't
get enough of it.

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For my birthday this year, I went to Barracks @
Dempsey. I have wanted to dine there for
a long time since my failed attempt
when I was with pals
Kwun-ho and Bryan.

The place is quite nice. It is very laid-back though
not too quiet. However, the food wasn't
really worth the $$$. The quality
was also average.

However, I was really quite surprised when
the staff came up with the birthday cake.
I was signaling to them to come over to my
table to top up the water. Somehow, all of the
waitresses seem to ignore me. The next moment,
a number of them rush over with the cake and
sang the birthday song.

I like to spring surprises so when I am at the
receiving end of it, I find it rather
amusing.

Anyway, I am 31 and there are some
dreams I hope to realise.

The past 5 years was quite strange, it
was like time flies. People always said
tt when you enjoy what you are
doing, time flies. BUT, the past
5 years just wasn't fun.

I wasn't doing something I detest. But,
there was no result and I lurked
from setbacks after setbacks
until I was numbed
to it.

Still, compared to my NS, I would still
prefer living the past 5 years. NS
on hindsight was rather carefree,
but I hate to have my freedom
taken away.

NS was fun when fellow serviceman,
Adrian, was around. He is like
the soul of our group. He is lazy
but he makes life so much
enjoyable. When he left,
things changed.

It is kinda cool though when your
camp is in the now popular
Dempsey area. I always
remember passing by
Orchard after booking up
daily, tt feeling is still one
of the best.

The cookhouse food was terrible.
Sometimes, the kitchen served
some exotic dishes like lychee
chicken. But, I learnt to
realise tt their menu
always sounds very exotic.

The chickens all taste the same even
though they have different names
on different days. Taste just as
bad!
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The other day, Junwei was teaching me
how to play mahjong. He is quite
a good teacher. Effective and
doesn't put me to sleep.

It was more like a refresher. I remember
getting really confused years ago when
I learnt from Jiajian & pals. Tt time
I found mahjong just too tedious
for my liking.

Still, the greatest kick I had was playing
blackjack with Eugene & co. during the
Chinese New Year. I was just
on an impossible winning streak.
A year ago, I
lost all the $$$ in my wallet.

Lady Luck can indeed love you and ditch
you just like that. Always remember
to enjoy her when she is on your
side. Just smile & be generous.
Lady Luck might like you
& stay longer!

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