aDrenais' Book of Shadows

It's almost 2 months since I had time to blog (bar the indignant one about my hooker shoes), or even thought about blogging. As usual, a laundry list to kickstart the end of a dry spell. Since 22 Oct, the major occurences in my life:

1) KL trip 22-29 Oct 2009. The very best KL trip I had in my life, thanks to the hospitality of Ahchong and her family. Malaysia is a lovely place to visit when you get to tag along whilst a local shows the sights to her boyfriend visiting Malaysia, Truly Asia for the first time. I only wish I wasn't such a disgrace, sleeping away on long car trips up Genting and around Malaysia in general while Ahchong drove and the boyfriend nagivated the GPS. Useless non-license holding thing I am, I've promised Ahchong's mummy that the next time she sees me I'll be capable of driving her to Penang. Although I don't think I'd ever have the guts to drive in Malaysia.

A side trip to Penang took me to the first Hard Rock hotel I've ever seen, let alone stayed in, and we visited the temples and Peranakan museums with a Penangnite in tow, thanks to the kindness shown to an employee by Ahchong's mother. The first time (and hopefully the last) I felt compelled to finish 2 bowls of Chendol in one sitting, and the first time I've seen so many Chinese in one place in Malaysia.

Since I was in KL anyway, I made my way to Bukit Bintang for the finals of the Malaysian Pole Idol 2009. All the talk about how unsafe KL is for a lone traveller had me clutching my bag tightly under my arm as I made my way down the street from KLCC, eyes constantly sweeping left and right looking for the motorcycle bandit that will drag me for 20m while I hang onto my belongings. I must have looked like a right prat. Thankfully I arrived at NEO safe and sound, and was rewarded for my endeavours by Gordon's guest performance in sexy PVC tights. I took a picture with him, happiness! He is all of 23 years old too.

Pony's big day, the reason for my KL trip. The first time I was given the honour of being jiemei, and the first time I've seen such a grand affair of a wedding dinner. They had a personalised standee by the reception table, and a hugeass personalised backdrop for the stage. There were performances put up by the students of the groom's martial arts school, and the groom surprised Pony with a rendition of 永邦's "你是我最深爱的女人". I cried buckets, for Pony who got her 一生难忘的婚礼, and for myself who should be thanking my lucky stars if I get married at all.

2) Pole Dancing. Started Pole 4 on 3 Nov 2009, last class falls on next Tuesday 15 Dec 2009. It's the first time I'm undering Linna's instruction, she who brought pole dancing to Singapore. It's the first time I'm not able to do most of the tricks in the level, with the same amount of practice. Damn it's time to put the pole at home to good use. Level 5 starts 23 Jan 2010, more than 1 month to get the shoulder mount and damn head stand right. 努力!

Asian Pole Summit pole workshops 5-7 Nov 2009. Much-anticipated classes led by the famed Bobbi and Kim of Bobbi's Pole Studio. I had to give up the weekend KL trip with Tan to support Cheong's stab at CIMB Star with much regret, but I couldn't pass up the chance to attend a Bobbi pole class. It's like learning the tricks of value investing from Warren Buffet, or golf from Tiger Woods, or song-writing from Jay Chou (Note I didn't say singing). It was an honour meeting them in person, both lovely, sexy and and incredibly without airs. Watching them dance in real life, making everything look effortless is almost surreal, after watching their Youtube videos over and over in vain attempts to try to emulate them.



3) November - A month of birthdays. Ying's, Daddy's, Daniel's, and Brother's the most significant of the lot, Brother's 21st the biggest milestone. On the subject of birthdays, my 27th passed without much fanfare. KTV with the family, and the first time I donated blood on my birthday. Tan had steamboat lunch with me after the blood donation, but it's been so long since I had 麻辣火锅 that my tolerance for the spicy 汤底 was at an all-time low - didn't enjoy the lunch as much as I thought I would have. The second steamboat lunch with Linli at Parkway foodcourt was much better, Tomyam instead of 麻辣, and I had my fill of golden mushrooms. Way too expensive though, I must give her a treat in return soon.

4) Ying's wedding 28 Nov 2009. My second attempt at being a good jiemei. I headed for her house after an overnight shift, sincerely hope the lack of sleep doesn't show up on the photos! The other jiemeis were experienced personnel who knew what to look out for, what to remember and what to note, so I was basically only tasked with following Ying around and keeping her handphone safe in the morning. The plan was for me to follow her to the hotel, but I was sleeping on my feet by midday, and I went to Tan's to sleep until 6pm. Everybody was kind and understanding about it, but I felt bad because I'd been sure I'd be able to tahan until the day was over.

Ying, thank you for remembering me in your thank-you speech, it's the least I could do as a friend! After all the Changi Mac days, the 木船 days, the 85 days, you're still surprised that I'd give my all on the biggest day of your life? 太小看我了吧. In my typical "must-make-a-joke-out-of-everything" fashion, after your speech I told the people at the table "死莹莹，没有讲好好我是做什么工的，只是讲我昨晚去她家帮忙，之后去上班，搞不好大家都以为我是舞女", although I was secretly very pleased at being mentioned at all. Very pleased indeed :)

5) Work - too many changes and additional responsibilities taken up by my team. Everybody is on super low-morale mode, the bonus in February the only motivation at the moment.

Lastly: I hope I got it wrong, but in case I'm as perceptive as I think I am - I'm sorry, ZennZenn.