Started with a sorethroat on Saturday, then my cough came back. That was the worst bummer because it took me so bloody long and a whole bottle of cough syrup to get rid of it. Phoeey.

Now my nose is runny and I’m sneezing my head off. Shucks.

Regardless of this all, I’m still reluctant to take the flu jab. Never been much of a fan of vaccinations of illnesses that continuously evolve like the flu bug. The first time I took the jab (1.5 years ago) was almost under duress — the doc jabbed me before I could make my final decision. Although that year, I didn’t catch the flu that often, but the drawback is that the flu vaccination needs to be updated every year. So this means a new jab every single year. Bleargh.

No thanks you. Let’s see how long I can do this without getting jabbed again.

So when the same effort isn’t reciprocated, I feel cheated and used. Why are people so selfish?

Maybe I just shouldn’t bother sometimes.

Seriously! How many times can one repeat oneself??! It’s like, once bitten, twice shy, right?

Nooooooooo…some women stubbornly persistent to pine after the same type of male whose track record of shitty behavior has been proven in past experiences but they.never.seem.to.learn!! What’s worse, they make excuses to justify the behaviors of these sorry excuses of men.

Gah! Makes me sooooo exasperated I feel like slapping some sense into them!!!

Usually when someone asks me to do something for them, if I am able to do it, I normally wouldn’t say no.

But sometimes, I just wish people would put in a little effort to try to sort their tasks themselves before asking me to do it for them, especially when the information is readily available and all they need to do is put in a little bit of effort to digest and make sense of the information.

I find that a lot of people would just look at a task on hand and immediately say “I don’t know how” before trying to dig a little deeper to find out the details and how to go about completing the task. And mind you, this is not only work-related. And it bugs me because when they ask me to do it and I find the information so easily on how to complete the task, I’m like “Did they even try?”.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to help someone out, especially if they are having problems or incapacitated to perform their tasks. But it annoys me when people, who are perfectly capable of carrying out their tasks, don’t make the effort to do so before asking someone else to do it.

You are busy, I am busy, everyone is busy. Although I am happy to help you out, it would be helpful if you put in some effort and try to do your homework to complete your task before giving up and asking me to do it.

I should learn how to say ‘no’ sometimes. Because trying to juggle my work and schedule, AND worrying/thinking about other people’s tasks is just too much.

Fever + aching limbs + runny nose + sneezing fits + sore throat = perfect recipe for the flu.

Am annoyed with the doc who told me to get the flu jab because although I know it doesn’t prevent all strains of flu, it didn’t decrease the severeness of the symptoms of those it doesn’t protect against. Especially when the doc who was pushing for me to take the jab told me “Oh, even when I get flu now, I only get very mild symptoms and can continue working.”

Bleargh. Did she forget to mention that different people react differently to it? It’s all about setting expectations, man. Hmph.

This bout of flu put me out of commission for 2.5 days.

A friend remarked that she doesn’t mind getting asked the “When are you having kids” question because it shows that people are concerned and that they care.

Well, good for her if this makes her feel good.

But for me, I strongly disagree with this if I were in the same situation. I’m a private person – always have been, most likely always will be – and questions like this annoy me and make me uncomfortable. Call me sensitive or whatever, but it is MY life, MY decision to make and MY decision if I choose to discuss this topic with anyone aside from my partner. And no, I do not wish to discuss this topic with anyone aside from my partner. Why don’t people get this?

And it gets on my nerves when people try to frame the question like another third party had asked it (which may or may not be true) but they are just as interested to find out the answer.

Thank gawd I only encountered 3 instances of this during this CNY. That’s 3 instances too many for my liking but it could’ve been worse. Phew.

~~~~~

What I’m NOT looking forward to this Chinese New Year is people (read : family and/or relatives) asking me/us when we are planning to have kids *rolls eyes*

I think of all the personal questions one usually gets bombarded with by people who think they are showing concern (e.g. do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, when are you getting married, why are you still single, etc.), ”When are you going to have a kid” is the most impolite (in my humble opinion) question and I detest it.

Why would I want to announce to the world when/if I plan to have a kid? As far as I’m concerned, this is none of anyone’s business except mine and my partner’s. In another scenario, imagine a couple who has been trying significantly long to have a child but were unsuccessful. How would they feel if people kept bringing up the topic and harping on the fact that they still haven’t had a kid yet?

Anyway, this is one part of the Asian culture which I could do without i.e. people automatically assuming that you are ready to start popping out spawn the moment the reception is over *rolls eyes again* As if that is the only reason to get married. Sure, it might be true for some people and they can do whatever they want for all I care, but I do not wish to be lumped in the same category.

People might think they are being caring by asking these questions but seriously, it is such an intrusion. Because most likely I won’t be able to tell the person off; I just have to grit my teeth and pretend to appreciate the concern *barf*

Because you know what? It isn’t yours to begin with.

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You’d think corporate people would be more civic-minded but no, they are not.

I am especially annoyed when they don’t clean up their mess after they use the toilet because I have to clean it up so that the next person who uses it after me (when there’s a queue) doesn’t think that I am the one who made the mess.

Maybe some people need a crash course on how to use public toilets.

1. Pee in the correct hole.
2. Flush the toilet when you are done.
3. Clean/wipe the toilet seat if you had any mis-aims or accidents.
4. Throw tissues into the dustbin provided or flush them down the toilet.
5. Use the bidet properly i.e. don’t wet the entire stall.
6. Throw sanity napkins into the disposal provided and make sure it’s gone down completely. Don’t just leave it on TOP of the lid.
7. When the restroom is crowded, don’t flick your hands to shake of water after you’re done washing your hands. People do not appreciate being sprayed with water on their legs and/or pants.

Seriously, how difficult is it to clean up after yourself after using the washroom and apply the fundamentals??

Project B : 80,000+ mandays
Team size : An army
Duration : Across several years

Scope : Similar for both.

If this is not a recipe for failure for Project A, I don’t know what is.

~~~~~

On the other hand, it feels good to be recognized and appreciated by my peers.

I did a series of .ppt decks in preparation for a project which never took off. When it did finally take off, I was unfortunately assigned to this current hellhole of a project. But my colleague who was in the same team at that time managed to get back to that project and on two occasions, she MSN-ed me :

“Your decks are really useful!”
“AI LING!!! I miss you!! Please come back!!!!!!!”

Even my peers can show some appreciation. But I guess the big bosses think it’s too generous to give a word of praise now and again.