Syriana

Plot summary from IMDB:
A missile disappears in Iran, but the CIA has other problems: the heir to an Emirate gives an oil contract to China, cutting out a US company that promptly fires its immigrant workers and merges with a small firm that has landed a Kazakhstani oil contract. The Department of Justice suspects bribery, and the oil company's law firm finds a scapegoat. The CIA also needs one when its plot to kill the Emir-apparent fails. Agent Bob Barnes, the fall guy, sorts out the double cross. An American economist parlays the death of his son into a contract to advise the sheik the CIA wants dead. The jobless Pakistanis join a fundamentalist group. All roads start and end in the oil fields.

~~~

Phill and I watched "Syriana" this evening cos I borrowed it yesterday and it's only on overnight rental.

I found the film confusing and I didn't know what the relationship between Connex/Kileen, CIA and Matt Damon's character was. Only towards the end did it all come together for me but at that stage, I felt I really needed to watch it all over again for the story to sink in.
And I was shocked that America will interfere in another country's politics to the point of murdering one prince (the heir) because they had the support of another prince (who wasn't selected to be the emir). But I believe there is alot of dirty business going on in politics, which may explain the current apathy among voters or just the dip in morale among potential politicians to participate in politics. I find it one of the hardest jobs to be a clean, honest person cos I get the impression you won't rise high if that's the case, unless you have good bosses along the way. Some betrayal, dishonesty (Lies are not just untruths but omission of truth), deals and backstabbing going on more frequently than any workplace.

But if we want to make a positive change, I believe that we need morally upright people to take the post and strive to remain untainted. We need more of them to make a difference in parliament and the world.

And that is why I take a different view to couples who are wary about bringing children into this world, that it's such a cruel, difficult world to live in. I hope my children may play a part in being the solution to the problem, rather than being a part of the problem. Just like we may run out of oil one day (looking increasingly possible sooner than forecast), I hope my children will play a part some way to finding an alternative fuel that will never run out. Perhaps it's my ideal desire to have 6 kids kicking in...haha! (but too expensive in this day and age if I want the best for all my kids.)

Bullied...again

My colleagues and I are having problems with this particular colleague, E. But personally, after an unpleasant incident with her earlier, I've been cautious but my opinion of her was sullied.

Some weeks ago, when I was listening to the radio, she entered my work area and asked if I was listening to the radio. I said yes and as I was smiling while working, even though she was standing opposite me, she bent down and turned her neck so she could look at my screen. This wasn't the first time she had done that so I said, "please don't do that" (cos it was an invasion of my privacy), and she said, "I thought it was something funny you were looking at" (even if it was, it wasn't her business. If I wanted to share it, I would). And then she slammed her business case on my desk and said harshly, "Victoria, you've crossed the line" and walked back to her desk (in another room), and came back again to me and said in the same tone "You write an email to xxx (general manager) and copy it to me!". Why should I do what she wants me to do, and secondly, why should I copy the email to her even if I wanted to send my GM an email? I didn't think it was major enough to warrant telling the bosses. I told her what I'm unhappy about, if she can't deal with it, it's her problem.

And then this morning, we had our weekly meeting and when she questioned one of my colleagues, W, about her work, W had a panic attack and had to be sent to the doctor. So later in the morning, my colleagues decided to have a meeting to discuss if the weekly meetings are useful. And one colleague, S, said perhaps it's important to set some structures in place with regards to clients (cos E has been 'stealing' W's colleagues). E patiently explained to S that structures are in place and there were some misunderstandings but it's been solved (according to W, it hasn't though). And then E went on and on, repeatedly, saying how W's panic attack is long term and will take some time to get over and that she's in an industry before so she knows. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and I said calmly, "I hope this won't be used as an excuse against W".

Then E got angry and asked, "Who are you saying will use this as an excuse?"
I replied, "it's a general statement for anyone in the office who may use it."
E: "Come on, be honest, who are you talking about? Me?"
Me: "It's a general statement."
E: "Is it me you're talking about?"
Me: "Oh, stop being so sensitive" (I had by then raised my voice in exasperation.)
E: "Don't shout at me."

By that stage, I didn't reply and left for my lunch appointment.

I really felt bullied cos she refused to take my statement as it is and kept baiting and challenging me. But when my colleague, S, mentioned that certain structures needed to be put in place, she very patiently explained things to him.

I told my boss about the incident and he was very nice about it. I didn't want nor expect him to do anything like confront E but as long as he knows what has happened to me, it's enough.

When I got home that day, I cried again and Phill was so upset that he told me to quit. But I'm not in the wrong so I won't quit unless E becomes permanent (she leaves in a few months), then I may consider quitting.

Book Club!

I attended my first book club meeting earlier in the evening and boy, was it fun, even though I hadn't read more than 20 pages of Kazuo Ishiguro's "When We Were Orphans". I suppose when you have a more captivating book, like "Marley and Me", it's difficult to pick Kazuo's book instead. The plot in his book moved rather slowly (but then that's at the start) and his character was not very attractive.

But the book club was fun. The monthly meetings are held in members' home and we went to a nice home today and I got to pet a little dog (I need my canine fix!). The discussions just flowed and in the midst of that, life experiences and stories were told.

One lady said she understood why the main character, Christopher, wanted to find his mother so much cos she herself didn't know who her own mother is. And when the topic veered to expatriate lifestyle, a lady said she enjoyed her expatriate life in Hongkong for four years and enjoyed all the activities that went with it. She said it was the best time of her life.

So, even though I didn't read very much of the book, I learnt alot from the discussion and there wasn't any restrictions with expressing your views. Anyone could and did. My friend who was supposed to go with me couldn't make it that night and one of her initial concerns were that if we, the young ones spoke, the older ladies would think, "what do they know, they didn't live through the war". As it turned out, it was unfounded.

I look forward to the next meeting!

Mao Zedong

Phill went to school today (even though he's on holidays) to clear up his room and re-decorate it for the new term. He also visited his parents and brought home a present his parents had bought him from flea markets they went to over the weekend in Melbourne with their friends - a book on Mao Zedong (it was a bargain at 50 cents)!

Phill loves anything and everything about the man - the little red book, mao zedong alarm clock (which we bought in Hongkong on a previous trip), etc....very kitsch, eh!

Electric vs Manual

My wonderful husband surprised me after work with a present - an ELECTRIC toothbrush (the one on the right is mine).

Reason being, when we were in Melbourne over the weekend, I forgot my (manual) toothbrush and borrowed Phill's electric one. I've never used an electric toothbrush and so was amazed at the sensation and just how clean my teeth felt - it was amazing!!! And I was talking about getting one myself. And he went and got it for me!

I would now HIGHLY recommend everyone use an eletric toothbrush cos I think it definitely gets the job done much better than the manual one. And your teeth feels like it's getting a massage...awwww!

Megan!!!

Phill and I arrived in Melbourne yesterday and had a shop around for clothes, books and his hobby tank models.

But, we were really looking forward to today, when we meet up with our Aussie friends, Mariel and Brad, and their 19 month daughter, Megan! We haven't seen them in a year and that's way too long to miss out on wonderful conversations and the sharing of our lives.

It was great to catch up with them but too bad the yum cha (dim sum) at the chinese restaurant Phill and I usually go to (Shark's Fin House) wasn't that great cos there weren't that much food being pushed around. What a shame! After lunch, we walked around abit and settled in front of an ice cream place, Trampoline, recommended by my colleague, Sian. And I took these really cute pics of Megan.

Okay, but Phill says my pics don't do justice to Megan cos she's prettier and cuter in person!

We enjoyed Megan's company that we couldn't stop talking about how cute she is and how clever too!

The Devil Wears Prada

Phill and I watched "The Devil Wears Prada" at Hoyts cinema located at Melbourne Central this afternoon. Tickets cost us $15 each and is probably our first visit to a cinema in Australia for a long, long time. We usually hang on until we're in Singapore at the end of the year cos for A$15, we can watch 2 movies in Singapore. We miss going to the movies.

It was my choice, rather than Phill's, to watch this movie but I wanted to watch it very much cos of the fashion involved and I love watching all the different fashion combinations the actors were wearing in the movie. I enjoyed Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci's portrayal the most. Too bad I don't see Stanley Tucci enough in the movie. But seeing Andy's struggle through her job reminded me a little of the tremendous stress I was under when I was involved in ministerial trips...shudder! But at least Andy rose above it and grew to possess lots of initiative - loved her smart move with Miranda's request of Harry Potter novels for her twins.

I give this movie a 6.5 cos there were times I wasn't as absorbed watching it as I hope to. But when the fashions came and spotting the famous models (Gisele Bunchen, one of them), it was fun!

After the movie, Phill asked me a serious question -
Phill: "would you buy those clothes if you had the money?"
Me: "Yes, why not?"
Phill: "REALLY?!"
Me: "Yes, it's nice."
(I forgot to add that I first have got to have the figure for them, although I don't have the height)

Understanding Islam

Phill and I attended a seminar on understanding Islam at our community centre today. Apparently, it was a really popular seminar that was quickly booked out. But it was also "popular" among a small group of residents who wrote letters to the papers to complain about the seminar. Some felt that they were here to convert us to Muslims (???!!), others said there is no seminar on other religions so why is there one suddenly on Islam. I believe these comments were due to ignorance and hopefully, not anything truly and genuinely vindictive.

I found the seminar presented by a Muslim couple a really useful one. Of course, being from Singapore and having Muslim friends helped in my understanding of the religion too. I think because of that, I know more about the Islamic faith than the average Australian. There is some differences between Islam and Christianity (tho not as many as I thot there were) and the main differences I can remember is that as Christians, we believe Jesus came to the world to save us from our sins but Islam believes Jesus as one of the prophets and also in the accumulation of good deeds. What was interesting was that Muslims celebrate a festival where they give family and friends Noah Pudding - to celebrate Noah's ark surviving from the great storm. How wonderful!

The wife who presented was very articulate and very passionate about sharing her faith and clearing up any misunderstandings people may have about the faith. She said something that was very brave - "I don't like to use the word 'hate' but I hate Osama bin Laden and I've said it publicly but the media don't carry my comments". It's true and sad, when the media only chooses to show the negative side of a particular group of people. In this instance, I think having a regulated media will be helpful cos someone can then step in and say that a positive example of a group in society will help to generate a more balanced view.

Irwin's Memorial

I was waiting to watch the Steve Irwin Memorial, more interested in it than the state funeral that was held for Peter Brock yesterday in Melbourne. After work, I watched snippets of the memorial on the commercial tv news. But it was only towards the end of a 5pm news that I saw a significant portion of the memorial and again at another news program.

My tears just flowed when Irwin's friend, Wes Mannion, read his tribute, watching Bob and Bindi and Terri's crestfallen expression and then Bindi's speech. That just blew me away because of her composure and touching tribute and memory of her dad. One particular sentence really touched a chord - "and most of all, he was fun". If anything at all, when I'm a parent, I hope my kids remember me as fun.

Link to Bindi's tribute on video - http://media.theage.com.au/?rid=22027&sy=age&source=theage.com.au%2Fpm%2F2006%2F09%2F20%2F

Link to Wes Mannion's tribute on video - http://media.theage.com.au/?rid=22026&sy=age&source=media.theage.com.au%2F%3Frid%3D22027%26sy%3Dage%26source%3Dtheage.com.au%2Fpm%2F2006%2F09%2F20%2F&t=5NJFR1&player=wm7&rate=364&flash=1&ie=1

When Someone Believes In You...

A bunch of daffodils given to me on Monday by a local resident whom I interviewed last week. It was from her own garden. That's another reason I love about being in a country town - all the beautiful gifts from nature! That really brighten up my day and week!

I've just had a great start to the day with the first phone call I received this morning. Normally, the outcome of the phone call wouldn't have given me any joy but it was what the person on the other line said and the things he did which has encouraged me.

I went for a job interview last Wednesday and really wanted this job, out of all the jobs I have applied for. I've been waiting to hear the outcome of my interview and emailed one of the panelists last Tuesday who said the manager, O, was having a meeting with HQ about staffing needs and will get back to me on Wednesday. I waited but he hadn't called me and I thought he may still be in discussions. And then, I got the call this morning...

He said I didn't get the job but I was one of the key candidates and had interviewed well [yippeee! =O)]. He told me not to be disappointed and that I had in fact been pipped at the post. He had also spoken to another manager, D, about me and a job vacancy D had at the moment. And he gave me that manager's tel number. O said that it's a 2-year position and if I wanted his advice, it'll be a great way to get my foot through the door. He also said that he is currently revamping his department and there might be a future vacancy in his dept in the next 2 years. I thanked him and said I enjoyed the interview and look forward to working for him in future (he really came across like a really nice boss and the reactions of his other 2 staff who was at the interview strengthened that view). I also wondered if his delay in getting back to me was because he was trying to work out a way (budget-wise) so that 2 candidates, instead of one, could work in his department.

I called D and he said he'll send me the position description but the deadline was today. I said I'll try and meet that deadline. Less than an hour after he had sent an email to me, D called to ensure I've got his email. I thought that was fantastic! I emailed the HR person and got an out-of-office reply and forwarded my email to D to inform him I've met his deadline and he replied to acknowledge receipt.

So, now I wait to see if I get an interview...

Thank God for O, his belief in me, his advice, and guidance, and also for D, who ensured I had the information needed to apply for the job. In my other experiences while searching for a job in Australia, I have not received that level of care and thought from potential employers. It really makes a difference when someone cares enough to know I am disappointed about not getting a job and then think of ways to help me. This really further strengthens my positive opinion of O.

It makes a world of difference when your boss believes in you because as an employee, you will work hard just to prove they're right.

I pray one day I'll have a job in O's department...

Rendang....yum!

Phill and I had rendang for dinner last night with Prima Taste Rendang Mix and prime beef steak (it cost $33/kg but I bought 450g and at sale price of $11). It was beautiful and really made us miss Singapore food heaps! We're really thankful for these mixes and when we head to Melbourne next week, we'll be buying up heaps....hahaha!

One game Phill and I play often is to name Singapore dishes we miss most (we can't name just one dish, it's too difficult).

At the moment:

For him - it's char kway teow, carrot cake, tau suan, butter crabs, roti prata, mee siam, laksa, Mos Burger and peach tea.

For me - it's cheng ting, mee pok (dry), brown chicken rice, roti prata, mee siam, chilli crabs, and anything hot and spicy....yum!

But it's a really torturous game to play with each other cos we can't taste the food we miss most. And invariably, Phill will ask me what will be the first dish I will have upon arriving in Singapore at the end of the year and who cares what time it is, but I think at the moment, it's cheng ting...hahahaha!

When we were out for a walk on Sunday, I suddenly had a craving for green bean soup. I said to Phill, "it's strange how when we don't have the variety of food that is available in Singapore, I crave for even the simplest fare that I may not even eat that often if we were in Singapore".

Singapore Food - the ties that bind us....heehee!

Brock dead

Another Australian personality passed away this afternoon - Peter Brock. Admittedly, his death didn't affect me as much as Steve Irwin. Not sure if it's cos Brock's kids are all grown up vs Irwin's kids are still young. Or that I didn't admire Brock as much cos he left his wife for her good friend after over 20 years of marriage, despite Brock being a huge supporter of Collingwood (the Aussie Rules team I support).

Still, a death is sad...

R.I.P. - Irwin and Brock

Steve Irwin

I was shocked when my colleague told some of us that Steve Irwin, 44, the crocodile hunter, was dead. I thought it was a sick joke until I read online the Aussie papers confirming the news - that he was speared by a stingray barb which went throught his chest and heart. I was numb....kept searching in my mind if it was April's Fool.

I love his laughter and the way he made us, the viewers, laugh. He has such a unique personality and was so brave even in front of the most dangerous animals. Watching his shows wasn't boring. It was entertaining, educational and most of all, funny! He was really a little boy in a man's outfit.

I questioned why his passing seems to have such an effect on me. I had all along thought he was invincible - he had survived times when I thot it was near misses and his experience convinced me that he will know when to dodge if danger came. But he is not, neither is anyone of us, invincible.

My illusion of the confidence and control in my own destiny has been broken. We are not in control. I am glad it's God in control of mine. I have to remember to walk closely with Him. I struggle cos I can think of other books and magazines I would prefer to read over the Bible. But I'm learning to take one little step over another and take those steps to be closer to Him who loves me.