yeah....Things will only get better

Sometimes I wonder why is there such a huge hoo ha over 21st birthdays. I never had any party of any elaborate celebration. Just plain glad that I can leave the army that year. Well, my 21st was spent alone, as usual. My parents were working and I don't expect them to do anything. Oh well, Dad will give give me an angpow. That will be my allowance I guess. Fancy getting your allowance on your birthday. What if I don't have any birthdays? I guess I will have to wait till he remembers. When he does, it will be a cheque of $200 -$500 bucks, for a period bewteen 2-5 months? Not too sure how he passed his maths in school. I can't complain though. I'm old enough to earn my own money. So whatever he gives me is a bonus.

I still remember my first pay when I worked just before serving the nation. Pay day conincide with Dad's birthday. I bought a bottle of wine, hoping to have a drink with him, yeah to celebrate his birthday. Oh well, he come home that night pretty late. I had to sleep early because I had work the next day. The bottle of wine was left in the fridge. The next few days was the same, he had to work late and I had to sleep early, hence no chance to meet him. The bottle of wine remained in the fridge for the next week or so.

Of course I had the chance to drink with him a week later. It was a great feeling. However somehow the feeling is not the same as it would be should we had that bottle during his birthday, the actual day rather than a "make-up" one. Of course, work committments and blah bla blah... prevented the family from celebrating together. Call me a green horn with little work experience, sometimes I feel that excuses of not being able to spend time with family is really rubbish. Proper planning and of course priorotising is gonna do the trick. Of course there's always last minute this and that that prevents , however , if everything's properly planned and prioritised, I guess such last minute stuff can be avioded. I for one will not barge if there's any last minute inclusion of work unless absoultely necessary. I will try means to postpone or avoid them. Of course unless one deems that such time is unnessary.

I need my personal time too.

I don't need any celebration of my birthday, just some time with my loved ones. Jay and company are nice enough, they did try to ask me out, but I guess I'm just not in the mood. The ones I desire are not around.

I look around the room. I have my tv, my lapy, radio, fridge and so on. I have dad and mom, I have my brother, I have my gf. But somehow, all of them are not around me. I don't need any presents, or food, just hope to be be accompanied by them. Perhaps by organising a huge party or lavish dinner, you invite many people and yeah, you are in their company? So that's what people want for their birthdays?

Dad's forever working and I have given up on him. The only time you don't see him working, I guess it's during Chinese New Year. The first 2 days, that is. I guess I have to be like him after working for him, not too sure when would that be though, but I know it will be very soon .

It's so unfortunate that my birthday happens to fall on Vesak Day this year. The Buddha's brithday is defintely more important than her son's birthday I'm sure. Even if it's not Vesak Day , she would either be working or be with her friends.

My brother? Not too sure where is he.

My gf? She just messaged me. She's back in mainland having some BBQ. Hoped to spend the whole day with her initially because I knew my family is like that. Somehow, she just informed me a few days ago that she has to do some stuff that was last minute assigned. If I'm her position I would have turned it down. But well, she has prioritised it ahead of me. I have no choice but to take a back seat and play second fiddle. I just have to accept it, most reluctantly. I will be meeting her later I guess.

While I believe quality time is more important than quantity time, however have we lured ourselevs into a situation whereby deceiving ourseleves that as along as we can give quality time, everything is ok. While we strive to move ahead in life, advance our career opportunities, hence taking up a huge amount of our time, however why can't we just reexamine our schedule and ponder. Can we increase the efficiency and free up more time? I bet we can. Just look around at the work place. How often do you see people relaxing long hours in the canteen?

I'm sure we can free up more quality as well as quantity time. Stop deceiving yourseleves that you are forever busy 365 days a year and for God's sake, please don't believe that packing your schedule would make you appear to be more capable or you will defintely earn more money. Quality time is also required at the work place. Staying OT doesn't mean anything. And please don't include and take on unessary additional work. If you have time to spare, spend it with you love ones.

I'm sure both the quantity and quality and be improved. They are not mutually exclusive?

DOn't agree? I'm always ready to defend my stand.