Shirtsleeves.

It's somehow pretty much disappointing that days after A Levels didn't turn out to be what I had yearned for when I was still in the midst of the excruciating battlefield. When I was madly drowned in the piles of books, I couldn't wait for it to be over just so I could do things at my own leisure. And when it was really over, the impregnable sense of emptiness had almost jeopardized my mind, body and soul. It was so tormentingly torturous having to make myself feel fully occupied every day and at the start, I didn't feel as horrible as a living soul in a dead body because I thought reading, watching TV shows, hanging out with my friends, baking, playing more music, could make me live through these three months that are seemingly spun out.

Boy was I wrong.

As you know, I love basically everything in Pacific Coffee and I would be more than willing to be working there if I ever had the chance. On the plus side, the people there are amiable and fitting in might not be a problem. Thus, I went to enquire if they had any available vacancies. I was on cloud nine when the supervisor said they were in need of part time staffs and when he almost had handed me the job applicant form, he asked if I would be working for at least four months, and at that time, my brain didn't manage to function quick enough, and I said I would be most likely leaving in another three months. He said they needed at least four months of commitment, leaving me hopeful but crushing it into smouldering ashes at the same time.

I knew I could have lied. But I didn't.

As disappointed as I was, a cup of coffee and a book could heal everything. Blimey, look at that flawless snowy froth!

I gave up looking for a part time job ever since because it was almost the sole working place I believed I would enjoy very much. But just a week ago, when I was waiting for JiaYing at Setiawalk, I aimlessly loitered around to find out that Gloria Jeans was hiring too. I'm not a fan of Gloria Jeans. In fact, I've never fancied their overpriced coffee. I thought to myself, well, no harm giving it a go, right?

I walked in, but it was so quiet that I almost had to creep in. There was no customers, nor was there anyone who came to serve me. When I looked around, I found three Malay staffs wearing Gloria Jeans uniform, completely engrossed with their respective mobile phones. I was already turned off at that scenario. When one of them saw me, she came to me and I found out that they couldn't speak in English while she handed me their applicant form. I was to another degree, turned off upon that, because first things first, my Malay is... TERRIBLE.

The next place I saw with a hiring notice was Porcupine. I was ecstatic because I absolutely love their food and service, as stated in my previous entry. I walked in to find out that the boss was baking at the pastry counter and with just a few questions, I was called in to work for a three-hour tryout. It felt absolutely surreal because I've never in my life gotten a legitimate job.

When JiaYing arrived, we had dinner at Ticket To Korea, a Korean restaurant newly open. As usual, we had our favourite Hoegaarden Rosee at Brussels Beer Cafe after that while I listened to her dramatic stories. Hence, no photos of us because it didn't come to our mind, haha.

Anyway, the tryout wasn't as bad. But my job scope was actually quite spread out, including checking the cleanliness of the toilet, wiping the glass doors and windows, polishing the cutleries, serving the customers, taking in order, bill payment, arranging tables and chairs, and basically everything apart from cooking. Three hours weren't enough to kill I guess. But yesterday was my first official working day that lasted for seven hours. God knows how the others who worked the whole day managed to keep up with everything even after so long. It's even harder than keeping up with the Kardashians...

Although I don't find it a simple job to handle (waking up with backaches and more muscle pain this morning), I want to believe it's something that widens my vision to the world, deepens my understanding for the reality and strengthens my perseverance in upgrading my experiences. Having said that, I can't guarantee this job would last for three whole months. Nevertheless, everyone there has been very helpful and is always there to clear my doubts. Oh well, we'll see how it goes.

Few days ago, we had a small Buttfarts gathering at LingHui's place. Some of them had a sleepover there the night before so even before we went, each of them contributed in making hotcakes and the one and only potato salad following LingHui's AWESOME recipe. I would say, the potato salad especially, was the BEST potato salad I've ever tasted. How great is it to have a bunch of friends who cook like some professional MasterChefs right? That was only our breakfast by the way.

For lunch, LingHui and TzeSheng made Kimchi Jjigae. My tolerance for spicy food is fairly low, but it tasted so, SO GOOD. This definitely reminds me, once again, the need for me to start learning to cook...

Two nights ago, Daddy, Jane and I went to Marc's, the restaurant that replaced my all time favourite Rockfish, sadly. But I will definitely rate their food above average. Also, they make really pretty crepe cakes too! I can't wait to visit the next time to get a munch on it!

Yesterday was Fathers' Day. I didn't manage to spare some time to bake Daddy something as I had a shift from 9.30am to 4pm. So the night before yesterday, the sisters and I came up with making something for Daddy, Pinterest inspired just so you're wondering. Here's a picture of it, don't mind my ridiculously gruesome expression, HAHA.

Very often, I take my father for granted. Why, though? Why do we always take our parents for granted?

Simple. Because they love us, unconditionally.

It's inevitable for us to be pressurized by more and more issues around us. The pressure will only double and treble as we grow up, because things are MEANT to work this way. Even, say, you marry a multi-billionaire who could get you a Rolls-Royce, and a billions-invested mansion that is envied by thousands of eyes, you're still pressurized by the societal labeling and self-security itself is already a major problem.

We are always so busy growing up, so busy complaining why such pressure has to take over our life, so busy achieving more of the impossibilities, so busy trying to compile our shattered pieces back in place, so busy taking our parents for granted just because they love us so very much that regardless of the legions of tantrums thrown and displeasing complaints, they are always stranded with the love they have for us.

And do we not realize that when we are busy growing up, they are also, busy ageing?

The first time it seriously hit me was when I flipped through the photo albums my mom managed to keep from the start until now. The wrinkles on my father's face are like streams of rivers that flowed from one side to another. It was unstoppable. And with the friction caused by the gushing water, the wrinkles could only deepen as years go by.

When I come to deeper thinking, the hair on my father's head is no longer like how it used to be, but presently, covered with snow and it only gets worse. My father doesn't go for golf anymore, because his knees started acting like a stubborn kid, giving him pain physically, when golf was a great hobby to him. My father doesn't go for yoga anymore, because some of the postures exceed his abilities. My father can't drive long distance anymore, when he used to be able to drive six hours straight during Chinese New Year. My father started becoming more absent-minded, when he once could remember everything in his hands.

And last but not least, my father doesn't work anymore. He is a retiree, and a senior citizen.

His infinite contribution for the family is highly-admired. He tried his best to bring us close together when things went out of hand occasionally. When I was younger, I thought I could marry my father one day. And growing up has made me come to realize that things don't work this way, but I still hope I could marry someone like my father in the future, someone who prioritizes his family more than anything. And I might find my Prince Charming someday out there, but this man here will always be my King.

We all have our that one man - our father. Although I'm one day late, I wish all fathers out there, Happy Fathers' Day!