Tuesday 17 June 2008

Gimme Five

I've been tagged by Flying Pink Elephants to do this. It is all associated with the number five.

What were you doing five years ago?

It was the most trying period of my life. I was starting out as a single mother and entrepreneur. I knew nothing about the business and had to learn everything from scratch. This picture was taken 5 years ago during Christmas. My kids were away with their father and I spent mine with my brothers.

What are five things on your to-do list for today?
1. Bring mom to the hospital for her MRI scan results (already done this morning. The good news is the tumour has not grown any bigger.)
2. Buy 6 Chinese coins and a small vase for my office, as advised by my Fengshui master.
3. Book a massage session for mum.
4. Order TV console for the living room.
5. Go running.

What five snacks do you enjoy?
I don't snack alot but I do enjoy these...
1. Ice cream
2. Cakes
3. Chocolate
4. Nuts - any kind
5. Cookies
What five things would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Buy a nice house surrounded by lush greenery.
2. Invest in properties outside of Singapore.
3. Share my wealth with family members.
4. Help the underprivileged (animals and people).
5. Travel the world and learn new crafts.
What are five of your bad habits?
1. I'm very impatient and expect to get things done quickly.
2. Though I appear pretty cool, I can get anxious fairly easily.
3. I'm highly critical, not so much of others but of myself.
4. I'm beginning to realise that I often let my pride get in the way.
5. I'm too sensitive and emotional.
What are five places you have lived?
1. For the first 2 decades of my life, I lived in a modest house in Lim Chu Kang. Our house was situated on a small hill facing a tributary that led to the reservoir. The area is now taken over by the military for training purposes.

2. We moved to a bigger house in a secluded location within an agrotech park. It's sited on a large piece of farmland where my mom cultivates orchids. Unfortunately it's only accessible by car.

3. When I got married, I lived in a bright airy apartment in the East. The living room, balcony and bedrooms were large. They don't build apartments like this anymore.

4. The apartment was later sold en-bloc and we moved to a maisonette nearby. Though it was beautifully renovated with timber floor and glass walls, I moved out soon after when the marriage broke down. I don't have good memories of the place. Though I was awarded the house by the court, I didn't move in. Last year, I sold it at a loss.

5. Next month, the kids and I will be moving in to our little apartment with a patio. I'm sure it is a good move.
What are five jobs you've had?
1. While waiting for my 'A' level results, I did a couple of temp jobs. I was a promoter of Vidal Sassoon haircare products at C.K.Tangs. I was too shy to speak to people, my sales were terrible. I did better as a relief teacher in a primary school after that.
2. My first real job was an editorial assistant in a publishing house. I did alot of proofreading. That was when I started wearing glasses. Later, I was promoted to a writer. I interviewed architects and attended many trade events related to the building industry.

3. My second job was an editor for an interior decor magazine. I visited alot of beautiful homes and interviewed home owners for stories. It was where I met my ex-husband who was an art director.

4. We started a design company together. It was a really interesting business but sadly, when we parted, we wound down the company.

5. I am currently a trader of shipping containers. Here is a small feature in our local newspapers.

Like always, I am not tagging anybody. But if you have nothing inspiring to blog about today, like me, then you may just want to Gimme Five!

15 comments:

Nick Phillips (15/03/1967 - 04/11/2022) said...

Wow cool, you've been featured in the papers :D

If they were to feature me in the local daily it would probably be for having slapped an incompetent government official over here ... LOL!

The World According To Me said...

I can relate to all of your 'bad habits!'

I love the sound of writing in an interior design magazine. You've had some cool jobs. And you've featured In a local newspaper! Impressive!

Sorry to hear five years ago was a difficult period, but look how far you've come.

Anonymous said...

Cool... I like your meme and the ad with you in it! Yes and thru your jobs you've come to know about my job as well!

WaterLearner said...

Wow .. which newspaper was that? And when was that?

Blur Ting said...

Nick - haha, I would like to see you in the papers, but not that kind of news!

Blur Ting said...

Hi World - Yup, it was a nice job snooping around in people's homes.

Blur Ting said...

Yah JY - Isn't it a small world! :-)

Blur Ting said...

Hi Water - Remember 2 years ago, during National Day, Straits Times had a special supplement? I was featured under the interesting jobs section.

WaterLearner said...

oh .. I did not know u then. haha .. nonetheless, I am still proud of you reading about it now.

The Real Mother Hen said...

What a great meme!
I can so excited about your new place, despite I'm so far away :)

PS: Great news about your mom too!

Amel said...

WOW!!! Nice to get to know you better and WAY TO GO on that article!!!!!!!

From being a single mother to moving to your own place and owning your own company...ENCORE!!!!!!

May the wind of hope always blows at you and help you out in your endeavors!!!

Amel said...

P.S. No wonder you write SO well. So you worked as a writer before he he he...

SOUL said...

very cool .. all of it-- jobs, places you've lived, all very cool.

so happy to hear about your moms good news.

hope you are havin a good day-

Michelle said...

Lovely list, Ting. I feel like I know you much better. :-)

I hope your mom's health keeps improving.

and I think the magazine piece on your business was great!

La delirante said...

Wow! You rock girl!! I loved your answers and cool article!

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