The howling wind was a rampager.

The moment I depressed the door’s handle to venture to the hall, I could hear the crying gust expressing its angst and grief through the windows.

I took a peek through a window, and wondered if I should video the wild boogie of the trees in the raving night.

I thought some might even get uprooted with the violence carried in the wind.

But the wind spooked me enough to force me to retreat into my room for the rest of the night. It was as if a whirlwind was approaching or some sort.

Its tantrum toppled one of my wooden stools, and what were resting peacefully on the living room table were swept onto the floor.

The heavy curtains were badly battered after a night’s of fervent dancing to the manipulating wind.

Newspaper strewn across the tiles, some of which clung tightly to the Christmas tree.

I should be glad the Christmas tree was found standing upright in the hall.

I swear I was joking last night when I joked that my house looked as if a tornado swept past it with the mess I had yet to clear up prior to the heavy storm.

I didn’t realise the gale eventually did create an even bigger mess, until this morning.

As if it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I shall keep my mouth shut the next time round.

***

What the hell did you guys do to him?!

He is using me as a training board for SMS flirting(and you thought the guy is a block of wood and can’t flirt for nuts) since late morning till now.

Muahahaha.

Must be the new hair. No, no, no. New wardrobe. No, no, no. Oh man, don’t tell me he had acquired a gait in his walk, like you do?

***

I am not sure what’s with my luck these days.

Am not sure to even classify them as good, or bad.

Remember how I mentioned someone offered to whisk me away to some exotic island, or to Hong Kong/Australia some time back?

After some people offered to sponsor a trip to Bali, too, earlier this year, to join them for their break.

And, last year’s offer to go New Zealand for a shoot…

Recently a very kind gentleman suggested that perhaps I should spend my winter in Europe. London, Paris, wherever. In Europe.

*Gasp gasp gasp*

Perhaps my yearning for Europe were screaming out of my every pore, and it could even be sniffed in far away Europe, thus for the suggestion.

I would really love to, but it is not something within my means at the moment.

He then made an offer I almost couldn’t resist.

He would get me air tickets, and even sponsor my accomodation and expenses.

*Gasp gasp gasp gasp gasp*

London, we are talking about, you know? When everything is measured in snobbish and hefty pounds.

It’s Europe we are talking about, hun.

I retorted that he could pay for my accomodation and food, or even transport. BUT, how could I blardy not shop if I am in Europe?

I mean, that is indeed one of my concern, and I really do want to be paying for myself.

Unless he is saying that whenever I strut into Prada/LV/Gucci/Loewe/Hermes, he would whip out a stash of cash(credit cards of all sorts welcomed!), and buy me the entire franchise so I could rob the shop clean and sashay out in style with all those filled, stiff and pretty paperbags.

With the sales assistants kneeling on the glossy tiles, worshipping me in reverie.

Joke, okay, joke.

Truth is, if I really do want to make the trip, I would really love to be in Europe, but I would rather be sponsored by(read: If I have to choose), yes, call me a brat for all you want, Daddy, instead of burdening anyone else.

Just when I thought that was that, an awaiting email I received yesterday threw me off my seats.

Someone is offering to bring me to New York with him.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. I can start buying myself a map and strike off the places that I am being offered sponsorship too.

Europe. Checked. China. Checked. Asia. Checked. Exotic Islands. Checked. Australia. Checked. US of America. Checked. New Zealand. Checked.

Africa, anyone?

Okay, okay.

Darn. Too bad this winter would be crucial period to something I am starting to work on… eek.

Wait. Just let me check back with Mr Bring-me-to-New York if he is going to buy me any brand’s franchise before I decide on that.

Kidding.

I am overwhelmed by the kindness that poured my way these days, as if blessings were abundantly available around.

Thanks for the offer and the generiosity, really. But I would really love to make the trips by my own means than anything else, with the ability to spend, and thoroughly enjoy myself without any limits set upon.

Just because I am broke and jobless has made everyone spared me with so much sympathy. Muahahaha.

Maybe they should just throw in the money so I could say, learn Italian in Italy, learn photography in US, or pick up music in London or something?

Dream on.

***

Was with SBB on the phone on Wednesday, speaking of the friend who just had his brain tumour removed.

With the usual coincidence, I realised the guy, Marcus, was actually working for VampTreSS’ mentor prior to his surgery.

And he works in the company David co-owns(oh, so many Davids, which one, you say? Sister David, the darling).

SBB and I spoke of the vulnerability of life, when I mentioned how 3 people in my friendster list are no longer around, and people close to me, seem to have lotsa more setbacks than I could remember.

I certainly don’t want to go through that kind of feeling, especially after losing a dear, dear friend last year.

Um… sweetie, can you remove me from your friendster list, then?

Duh. Coward. Hmphf.

What I didn’t expect was that, the very next day, Finicky Feline informed me of the demise of La Idler.

Though there was never any personal exchange with the said blogger, there was a slight anguish within me that couldn’t quite be explained.

It was perhaps that reason why I was kept up longer than I should on a Thursday night.

In a conversation with VampTreSS when I got home, I spoke about how some of the people I most love, had been through things I would hope never to befall on them.

Dad had a bad heart attack year ago.

Mum had a lump and had her ovaries removed.

A very, very close pal, had a medical condition, and had to undergo surgery and very painful treatment years ago. She took a year off school before she recovered.

Another of my very very close pal had a cyst removed from her breast couple of years ago.

A very darling pal had a surgery to her leg when an infection to her leg occured out of nowhere.

The above 3 pals’ names are often thought of when I am at my lowest, in a couple of posts I had mentioned.

Then, the recent revelation of Marcus’ brain tumour….

And how Guangyang passed away in his sleep when his airway collapsed last year. Shubin’s accident years ago. Linda’s accident earlier this year.

Not forgetting the pre-cancer in me a couple of years ago.

Then I mused how fragile life is.

Isn’t it frustrating when it happens to people you care most about?

Ya huh, it seems to happen to people around you, quite bizarrely.

I mean, it doesn’t make sense. They don’t smoke, don’t sleep around(okay, maybe with exception of my dad), don’t drink, don’t do drugs, are people with great personality and are not evil. Why huh? WHY?!

Hmm… You have been living the wrong liftstyle.

Yeah, I guess. I should start to smoke, sleep around, drink, take drugs or something?

***

I got intimidated by the loud noise, and shrimped back into my room, forsaking my original dinner plans.

I shortchanged my Friday a great deal to make Thursday a lengthy one, and Saturday an early one.

For that, I was aghasted to realise that I deprived my body of food, water and a decent shower for the whole of yesterday.

Come to think of it, I have yet to savour the taste of plain water for more than a week. Yes, I am that reluctant to drink any fluids, which I know is a darn lot unhealthy. Not to mention that I already have a very screwed biological clock that is not doing my health any good.

Wait a minute, I am sure I had a few sips on Thursday, but that’s about it.

I don’t like to drink water. Period.

I am not sure if Thursday had drained me so much that I needed the entire Friday to recuperate.

I only managed to hit the sacks at 1pm, Friday, to give my body some Thursday rest.

By the time I woke up, it was already half past 6.

Was so bored that I decided to give my body, ahem, some tender, loving care.

Had very much wanted to take a walk or jog to get myself some dinner, but when I heard the ghostly wails out there, I gave up the idea, and holed up under my duvet instead despite there wasn’t any rain at all.

I didn’t want to be swept away, you see, though the probability is extremely low with my weight stabilizing me.

It was 11 plus when I drifted in and out of consciousness, and dozed off.

It was close to 1am when I sat up, and decided I should end my night once and for all.

Wow. My Friday lasted no more than 5 hours.

Bad move.

I went to sleep and perhaps my body wasn’t quite used to the change in the timing, and woke up numerous times throughout the night, wondering why isn’t it daybreak yet, before I would force myself to indulge in more shallow sleep.

I greeted the day finally when the daylight sept into my room, and it was 8 in the morning.

Still, I feel as if I didn’t rest enough, and a pending headache was tugging me again.

I recalled that I have not drank a single drop of fluid for more than 24 hours, nor a single bite of food.

Dehydration.

I scrambled out of the house in the drizzle before the weather gets bad again.

Proper breakfast. Bought lotsa bread for the day just in case another storm comes knocking in the afternoon.

And I am slightly pissed that I am not able to do my laundry today with the sucky weather.

And I thought I should be happy that it gives me an excuse to hole up at home with another read, and not doing anything.

***

My Wednesday was yet another plain and simple one.

Started at 6pm, no less.

That was simply because I had spent the night up ablazed with the reading bug.

I finished 1/3 of my Jeffery Deaver’s read, and only slept when it was near noon. Books are bad, and I shall say it again.

The day was coupled with a couple of phone calls from SBB in the evening and later in the night.

And…. of course, 3 hours spent over at Alvin’s for another night of Mahjong, and I was 15 bucks richer by the end of the night.

Ended the session with a supper over at Taman Jurong’s 24-hour golden arch branch, before I headed home to do a bit of surfing and planning, and indulge in my read again.

By 9am, I finally finished my book and caught up some sleep for the long day ahead.

***

4.30pm. And I was awoken half an hour earlier than expected.

Struggled to get out of bed after some procrastinating. Washed up. Piled on some makeup.

Slipped on the black dress, and shook my head as I saw the brutal image that greeted me in the mirror.

Yucks.

No choice. One of the few black dresses I have in the wardrobe, that is of the required dress code. Crew colour of the night.

On went the heels, and I strutted out of the house, merging with the off-work crowd at 5.45pm on a Thursday evening.

I felt totally out of place in the train, but put myself at ease by doing some reading, oblivious to the curious stares I gathered.

Was at Good Wood Park Hotel’s Thumper 5 minutes past the arranged 6.30pm, and there wasn’t anyone I recognised there except for another lone figure standing at another corner.

Went to the ladies, and dialled for VampTreSS, who as usual, would take quite a while to reach.

By 7pm, I acquainted myself with 2 gorgeous babes, Stephanie and Daphine, while VampTreSS sashayed into the ladies to meet up with us.

It was a quarter past 7, when the 4th girl, the very lovable Felicia(I heart that darling) joined us.

And here, I present to you, the Santarinas in black!

And us with our Mamasan, before Felicia joined us.

And sigh, I have to reminisce the days when I look so much slimmer in the same dress.

Like:

That was last year and look at my arm!

Or, this year’s March:

Fat………

Alright. Enough of such heart-breaking topics. More pictures from Thumper.

We were at the Christmas event of Expat magazine.

A very big thanks to the photographer for the event who helped us to take the above picture.

And he took some other pictures of us, and took the time to send to me by email. What a nice soul!

When he passed me his namecard, I saw that he actually took pictures for events and concerts.

I briefly asked what concerts had he covered, and he revealed that he was at the recent David Tao’s concert for a local entertainment magazine, and was the official photographer for the stadium and the record company.

I exclaimed that I was at the concert too, and joked that he better not have pictures of me losing my poise and composure.

It was then as if he recalled something, and he whipped out an album.

Apparently he had just compiled the concert’s official pictures, and had the album, CD-rom with him that very day!

And, he very generously showed me the exclusive official pictures of David Tao’s concert, and I was immensely glad when I couldn’t see any evidence of my groupie self in it.

Very nice shots, I must say. That was incredibly sweet of him.

Am I lucky or what?

Some other pictures from him:
And us, acting cool/cute.

And some other pictures taken by Vamp:

The girls are absolute darlings to have around. No airs, and are extremely uplifting to be working with.

Had so much fun with them around, especially Felicia who was the goofy one, making the evening so much more pleasant.

They were all smiles and there were absolutely no complaints from the 2 hour of standing.

Besides them, the staff from Expat made our job a much easier one with their amicable personality.

Though I didn’t quite catch their names, they were with us at the entrance for most of the night, buzzing in and out of Thumper as guests poured in.

It is so fun to be working with people who are absolute darlings, and that no one is bitchy nor too obnoxious to make conversations with.

The most impressive ones were Angeline and Fiza, who are such sincere and gorgeous beings.

The vivacious Angeline, with the gorgeous sunshine smile.

And I spent a good half of my night gawking at Fiza, who is such a classic beauty.

Vamp and I were musing over how gorgeous she is, and I even tried to make a conversation with her, as if I was picking her up or something.

I joked that thank God I am not a guy, or else there would be a good chance that I would be mistaken as some pervert or something.

Ain’t she such a beauty?

Her huge eyes and infectious smile were mesmerising, I tell you.

We were then talking about how we look in the past, and I admitted that I was such a tomboy in the past that I was mistaken for guy.

A trip to Australia when I was 12, the airstewardess actually said, ‘Hello boy, this way’ when I was disembarking.

Grrr…

And I was surprised when she commented I actually look feminine with my feminine features, and there was no way I could ever look like a boy.

If only she saw those ghastly pictures from the past.

Which was such an irony, cos that very same night, the basket Nick, Roy and Kelvin had said that I look like a transvestite, which on hindsight, wasn’t the first time it was said.

Talk about me being on the extremes.

The evening breezed past with such ease with little conversations here and there, and me being a little overwhelmed cos I couldn’t when was the last time I got acquainted with so many nice people at some public event.

A change from the recluse, isn’t too bad.

Me and Daphine, who is of Indian-Chinese mix, thus her pretty feature.

Midst of work.

After 2 hours of work, we were all hungry, and tired but their positivity made everything seem more fun than it should.

E.I.C. was there to perform for the night as well. Since I was supposed to go into the club to prepare for the lucky draw segment, I bumped into them at the stage. Vamp took a picture for us too.

And finally, we were released, and sat around taking a break, munching the leftover cream puffs.

Once again, thanks to Willie, the photographer, for the pictures.

Don’t look at the fat legs of mine, thank you.

Felicia, Stephanie, Daphine and um.. no, that’s not me you are seeing. Ha!

The highlight of the night came when we were supposed to make our way to the very nice New Asia bar, cos one of Vamp’s friends was celebrating his birthday there.

It was then, when Felicia or Stephanie suggested that we could take a bus, cos the cab queue was too atrociously snaking.

Erm, yes, the idea of us taking bus wearing what we were wearing was, interesting. A pretty good laugh too.

But all of us being totally unglamourous people on usual days, the idea grew on us, and was well-received.

Can you imagine us being totally excited at the idea of taking bus in dresses?

Quite fun, I must say.

The short bus ride was a rowdy affair with us giggling like school girls, and falling over our seats during some clumsy moments.

And Miss Vamp had captured some of the drama moments with her constant snapping.

That’s what I call free advertising. Too dark.

That’s better.

One of the rare proper shots.

I thought Felicia and Stephanie look an abundance of cuteness here. I really adore them.

The usual girlie talks.

You could even see the streets of Orchard as we waltzed through the traffic.

And we even captured the Christmas lightings on our short bus ride. Yay.

Met up with Nick, Kelvin and Roy at the ground floor of Swissotel, before the entourage headed up to the 71st floor of the hotel.

Hmm. Not my first time to New Asia Bar.

But, somehow, it brought back a lot of unnecessary memories.

The first time I was there was Kirk’s wedding.

2nd time was a drink with Philip.

3rd time was when Kenneth joined Philip and I for a drink.

4th time was Chin Yee’s birthday, where I met Mr Z4.

There was nearly a 5th time when we nearly went with Mr Plastic Surgeon, Mr Neurosurgeon and Mr General Practitioner, but it was already closed.

I always joke that is a jerk-related place.

And Vamp wondered if I would meet any jerks on my 5th visit there, and I rolled my eyes at her evil intention of me meeting more jerks than I need in my life.

It was their friend, Dexter’s birthday.

It was then I received a SMS from Raf that Feroz(her fiance)’s sister saw me at Thumper.

And when speaking to Dexter, I realised he actually knows Gareth and Feroz, cos he too, is a ship broker, which is what Feroz is doing now.

I guess all my friends are interlinked.

No one really danced, and all of us, especially Roy, Kelvin, Nick and me, were trigger-happy.

The fabulous night view sparked off the photography urge, and we were all engrossed in taking pictures of the pretty night instead of partying away.

And here are some of my favourites. Taken by non-professional cameras.

My camera lousy, the best I could manage.

And people, if you never did realise how enchantingly beautiful this tiny island is, this is the proof:

My favourite nightview picture above, by Nick, I supposed.

Somehow, I quite like the picture taken of the road junction, too.

I think this was by Nick, which I personally like too.

I am sure you didn’t make out that this is actually a glass of champagne, taken with the lens in the glass.

Mine.

Some self-taken shots.

At least my hand didn’t shake much!

It was then we got into the groove of things, and had plenty of fun sitting around, getting acquainted with the new friends.

The very sweet Felicia, enjoying her Moet. She helped to hold up my hair tenderly when I was trying out her eye shadow on the bus. Such a thoughtful lass, she is.

Felicia the darling, with me.

Stephanie the one with the delicate features. She is of English-Chinese mix. Gee, so pretty.

Us and our Mamasan!

Woops, not very well-taken.

Finally one which our faces could all be seen.

I thought this picture is really cute. I like.

Of Nick, the birthday boy, Dexter, Vamp and Leon.

A self-taken shot when bored.

When the birthday boy gets tipsy, never stand around taking pictures and unaware of what’s happening.

I learnt it the hard way when I was standing around taking picture of the wine counter, when suddenly someone slithered right next to me, and I was in a slight state of euphoria shock when he started humping my thigh!

God!

The only consolation is that I had it easier than Roy:

Gee.

Crazy but sporting fun.

Me and the birthday boy, when he was tad more sober, and all the rowdy fun died down.

We then sat around when most of his friends had left.

Before I knew it, I was part of the photography subjects.

And I really like some of the pictures they taken, especially this, which was taken earlier when we were taking scenery shots:

And some other random pictures as we sat by the window to chat later in the night.

Super act cute, I know.

Super act sweet, I know too.

I wasn’t aware when this was taken though.

I think I was indeed mesmerised by the pretty night sky.

Vamp took a picture of Kelvin’s attempt to shoot me with his handphone.

And of course, the picture in the previous post which some took as a cue to launch a subtle attack. Heh. Interesting.

Roy took his cameraphone to take pictures of me, too.

So I ended up having 2 cameras and 2 phones aiming at me.

I thought this picture was very cute with Kelvin and Nick looking like 2 young boys.

Nick! You are cute, you hear that?!

Kelvin and I.

Nick and Ting.

The last picture my camera could manage before it ran out of battery.

Harry and I.

The poor chap was just saying he hates to be photographed, and before he knew it, he was snapped, and being mocked that he looks like a construction worker.

Woops.

The group then adjourned to Hotel Rendevous Kopitiam for supper.

It was then, I joked to Vamp that we were taking the walk down memory lane cos we first met at Thumper, and later on went on to the very same place for supper some 7, 8 months ago.

It was the same place, she told me her nick is Angel of Night, which I was slightly startled, cos surprise, surprise, my nick used to be Angel of the Dark.

Never did I expect it to lead us here.

Anyway, it didn’t start off with the right note, and… look how far we have come together(yes yes, you are supposed to grab some kleenex and sniff hard into it, pretending how touched you are!).

Imagine the horror we both had, when we were leaving, that Harry mentioned something about being angel of the dark, and Vamp and I shot each other an amused look.

Interesting night, eh?

Quite a fulfilling night, though it was a tad tiring. Not sure if it was from the constant smiles that we had to put up for the guests.

Still, meeting lotsa of beautiful people, was a blessing, too.

Nice.