The New Year: The Year of the Dragon

Well, it is a new year and a relatively new job. Starting my own business was far more difficult than I anticipated and as a result that dream has been put on the back-burner until I have enough money to get a business off the ground.

I have recently entered into the employ of a company by the name of RedInk Multimedia. After four months of organising, sorting and administration, I have settled into the role of Administrator... not one I enjoy but for the moment I will 'suck it up' and get on with my work.

Being the year of the dragon, I hope this year is one of adventure, new experiences and success. Whilst at the New Year Cultural Festival at the Nanhua Buddhist Temple, I made a wish for just those things. It was really quite an experience. Apart from the hustle and bustle of hundreds of people (something I dislike intensely), it was a great experience. The food was fantastic despite the lack of meat, the entertainment was beyond my expectations and the company was new and totally enthusiastic.

With the offering light ceremony at the beginning, filled with chanting and the ceremonial lighting of candles and then placing them on the tables before the statues, the day started on a sombre note.

We went to get food and possibly the biggest milk tea drink I could have possibly imagined ... the straw was as think as my middle finger.  It is HUGE!!!! And I thought my giant tea cup was big.













We watched the Opening Ceremony which consisted of a dragon dance and 3 tigers doing jumps and tricks.  The dragon was carried by about 20-25 men doing jumps and running around the open area... the tail end being the ones that had to run the most - having to catch up with the rest of the body.













The tigers were in different colours: a purple (in the back of the picture to the left), a golden one (in both pictures) and a red one. The tigers have 2 men in them who jumped onto wobbly benches, unsteady stands and high tables - seemingly with ease!




 The day ended with some quick shopping - didn't buy anything though except a parasol for the sun when watching the opening ceremony, making a wish and throwing it onto the wish tree, visiting the museum to see ink art and driving our way home!



So this year should be an interesting one, apart from doing my honours in Psychology (a daunting task in itself), I have a relatively new relationship under way (a full 8 months) and the prospect of moving to a new place together and a new job.

Contemplating Madness

I have been contemplating the madness of my own psyche and have come to the conclusion that more people should dip their toes into the pool of insanity. Makes for interesting conversation, whether it be between your multiple personalities, you and the voices in your head or with a random stranger on the street.

In all instances insanity can be that proverbial icebreaker.

"Are you real or just a figment of my imagination?"

What a pickup line!

Mad people are very rarely boring, except for the catatonics (drooling and staring vacantly into the middle distance - FUN!), and in most cases they are quite intelligent. Steer clear of the sociopaths and psychopaths ... best not to mix with people that may want to wear your skin as a dress.

I suppose everyone is mad in their own way ... bit of OCD, bit of paranoia ... we all have a quirks and eccentricities.

I say EMBRACE THEM!

Anticlimax

After all that stress and imaginings of my imminent doom... nothing happened. She was (can you believe it) NICE! Gave me advice and encouragement and wished me all the best.

No sulphurous fumes ... no fiery torment.... no being poked with a pitch fork... all was cordial and serenity...

How very disappointing ... and here I thought I would be able to come back on here and spill forth my malice and feelings of injustice... oh well ...

Yay for a month and a bit of slavery!!

Then.... FREEEEDOM!!

Quitting your job

It is rather difficult deciding how one should drop the proverbial bomb on one's boss. Monday or Friday? Morning or Afternoon? Letter or Email? Meeting or chuck the letter at the boss and run? Decisions, decisions.... It would be so much easier if you could hire someone to do it for you, someone impartial who wouldn't mind receiving the brunt of the boss' wrath.

Any takers? No?

I have never had to give in my resignation ... so this is rather new to me. I do not relish the insanity that will ensue once I have broken the news, nor do I relish the idea of the full calendar month following said news breaking... From experience with applying for leave ... I can imagine it will not be pleasant.

Level 1 - Hell, Level 2 - Purgatory, Level 3 - Tartarus, Level 4 through 7 - Dante's Inferno

 Maybe I could take the stairs?

Musings of a not exactly sound mind

Have you ever wondered why things are the way they are? Why certain things are expected of you?

They say women worry more about their accomplishments. By age 30 you are expected to be in a long term relationship... or married, with a career ... or a rich husband. Settled down, planning for the future and all that jazz.

I barely manage to plan a week in advance!

I have goals and aspirations, as do most people - vague and fanciful ones - but hell if I can get over that laziness that creeps in like a sly, slow-moving sloth. An affliction that, once deeply ensconced, is rather difficult to dislodge.

Every so often I manage to rid myself of the veil of lethargy and become a creature of purpose and drive. Sadly, those moments are short lived.

What is that saying: "The power of positive thinking."

Possible answer?

Perhaps ... perhaps not.

Vicky's Desert Island

Oil painting gives such a great texture and effect... its just bloody messy and takes forever to dry... but sooo pretty! Yet another gift for a passing of time and a first attempt at oils!!  

Andrea's Capturing the Castle

Anyone seeing a theme here? Dragons, sorceresses... surrealism... as I have been told... Aquarians do NOT live in the world of rational normalcy... but in a world of their own. I think I would like this world, unless, of course, I got eaten by said dragon capturing said castle. That would be unpleasant.