Complete with stiff legs, sore muscles and just a sense of overwhelming exhaustion. Not to mention a case of dejavu. After living in dorms and apartments for nearly 7 years in the US, and moving at the end of every school year, 6 times in all, the thought of packing boxes, masking tape and heavy-duty garbage bags inspires quiet dread and nervous energy.

The move went well on Saturday. Tomorrow, I'll be working out of my new cheery yellow cubicle, at an L-shaped dark gray desk, surrounded by dark wooden cupboards with a spectacular view from windows just behind me. Some walls are in a lime-green while most are lily white. The creative people are in an open area to my right, separated from me by a 5' partition. But my cubicle is rather cosy if I do say so myself. In fact, others have commented that they prefer it to the offices of the higher management. My only gripe is, is that I don't have space to hang a large framed picture. Oh well, that view from the window makes up for it.

If you can't tell already, I'm excited about this new place althought a tad bit nervous. You see, the last time I was with a company that moved office, the company (one of those dot-coms) went bust about 9 months later. I know this company has greater staying power than that but that feeling persists.

Anyways, wish me luck at the new place. I'll take pixs and put them up as soon as I can.

I've been quiet I know...forgive me. It's been all hell and packing on the work front. We're moving office this coming weekend and the stuff that I'm responsible for, is scaring the bejeebers out of me. I wish I had a carpet bag like Mary Poppins. You remember the one from which she pulled out a hat stand, some flowers and clothes? I emptied just half a cupboard tonight and that took 9 boxes! I threw out about 2 huge boxes of stuff. And I've got several more cupboards to go, not to mention this one storeroom that's cramped with other boxes of paperwork. Arrgghhh!!! I welcome anyone with hands and will to spare.

Interesting book I just bought at that warehouse sale I mentioned below - Encyclopaedia of Snow by Sarah Miano is a collection of short stories, essays and poems with the theme of snow. Think I need Santa to bring me some new bookshelves this Christmas.

I'll post again by mid-week next. And hopefully there'll be pixs of the new place.

This whole weekend has been one "meme" experience. I've indulged, pampered and rested. I've had mini spa treatments such as salt sea scrub showers and hydrating masks while listening to Pink Martini. I've written -on this blog and elsewhere. I've read - completed Angels which I bought yesterday at the warehouse sale. All the while, getting my energy levels restored and gearing myself for the next 5 week dash till Christmas when I have another chillout break over the holidays.

I've chanced upon another possible project, something I've not touched since college. Book making! I've seen some recently that have inspired me with ideas for my own journal. Especially the ones at Lovely Design. The artist recycles found paper into creative colorful keepsakes that have many refraining from committing pen to paper. The whole process of making a book is really a labour of love. Patience in the measuring, the scoring, the sewing and folding, embossing, the pasting. Besides these quirky designs, I'm also in love with the lux editions like this beauty here with a replaceable leather cover, that's produced in Australia and can be found at Life Editions.

Went trawling this afternoon at the Book Warehouse Sale at the Expo. And it was huge! Unlike the last warehouse sale of books that was held by MPH, this one was by the main book distributor here - Pansing. Good collection of books at terrific prices! Came away with 10 books for a total of $48. While there were the usual John Grishams, Clive Cusslers, Wilbur Smiths and other box loads of pot-boilers, some patient digging was rewarded with unusual finds - Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichel, Enchanted Night by Steven Millhauser and Simple Kabbalah by Kim Zetter. But the ultimate find was Stephen King's On Writing for $8!! I whooped when I found that, not believing anyone could pass up that treasure.

Yup...it was altogether a most satisfying afternoon. Although now I've got zero excuse to say I've got nothing to read. :-)

And it contains over 400 U2 songs including some unpublished tracks. I love the group...and if they ever came to Singapore, I would pay big bucks to see them in concert.

This is one break that sort of backfired. I'm bored! I miss work which starts again on Tuesday! Can you believe I said that? I'm stuck at home, with cramps and am getting bug-eyed with books and endless tv.

I devoted most of Thursday to the 3rd season of Sex and the City...back to back to back, thanks to DVDs from Lynn. I know Carrie ends up with Big, but I do love Aidan (John Corbet). He's the strong, sensitive, creative type that so few guys are these days. Definitely my type (I've always been a John Corbet fan since the 'Northern Exposure' series when he was younger and a few pounds lighter). Big is too flashy, too uncertain...too unsteady. As attractive as that character is because of all that machismo he radiates, Big is not a long-term relationship guy. Give me an Aidan any day.

The parental units have certainly been quiet - not a phone call yet from them. Bet they are having a blast in Memphis, although according to D, all they seem to be doing, is sleeping. What with the coolish weather, warm house and sunsets at 5pm, they are falling sound asleep almost immediately after dinner! LOL!

Note: Yasser Arafat passed away 2 days ago. He will be buried in the West Bank town of Ramallah until his body can be laid to its final rest in Arab East Jerusalem. I was thinking of how totally opposite this man was to another nationalist fighter, Gandhi. Both men fought for the freedom of their country from occupied forces. Yet one lived to see it happen and achieved near sainthood with his policy of love and non-violence, while the other spent his entire PLO life dressed in army green, agitating and fighting for his beliefs.

This Friday is my first off-day in 3 months. I'd be on a plane bound for the sunny beaches of Bali if I had realised earlier than September that 12 Nov was smack in the middle of a long weekend (Thursday 11/11 is Deepavali, followed by Sunday and Monday of Hari Raya Puasa celebrations). By the time I did some checking, all flights to Bali (and other popular beach destinations like Phuket or Krabi) are booked, no thanks to others who are also dying for a getaway.

Remember to do: To note holidays at the beginning of every year so can plan accordingly and book!