DEPARTURE

27th October marks one of the saddest day in my life. My best pal cum colleague, Claudia, has left the company for a greener pasture. I was informed by her only two weeks prior to her last day.

Man, I was shell-shocked.

For more than four years both of us stuck together like twins, have lunches like school girls(sometimes with marwan), teabreaks, went to colleague's weddings side by side... I was with her when she was still single and dating, to her ground-breaking news of getting pregnant and marriage, her initial struggles to take care her newborn child and handling her impossible mother-in-law, her second pregnancy, her worries, frustrations, sadness, laughters, tears and office politics.. to all sorts. Likewise, she is the witness of my four years' life: rollercoaster-relationship, my depression after breaking up, my personality and physical changes, my countless job interviews with half-hearted zeal etc. Throughout the years both of us had been talking about quitting, down to details in how to showdown in front of those imbecile managers and how cocked up the system is... and both of us knew that it's so difficult to leave because we couldn't bear to part with each other. I even had an offer from a MNC company last year and parting my best pal inevitably became a main concern.

Well now she's gone. I always thought among three of us (including marwan), I would be the first to quit. I have taken it for granted till she broke the news to me on that Friday. I tried to cope with it by arranging farewell lunches, snapping pictures and helping her to pack. Making myself busy so I won't have time to think how I will survive once she's gone.
Now her desk's empty, my lunch becomes solo and my days at work seems to stretch into endless pit.

With her family committments and her new job, it will be a difficult task to arrange a meetup next time. I really hope this is not happening right now.. I seem to have lost a precious stone in my heart. Really miss her.. She's the greatest friend I have found and the strong pillar of support I have in my life. Though I hate my workplace, my colleagues, I thank my company for giving me a treasure, which is Claudia.

I know parting is part and parcel in everyone's life... But I still have not come to terms with it.

Sob.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS PART 1

Everyday in my workweeks, I would get myself a cuppa at the cafe, half hour before lunch. It has become a routine for me - daydreaming at a corner all by myself while sipping the rich coffee. After that it would be toilet business and off to lunch. I didn't know my habit has become part of someone else's routine as well. The owner and assistants at the cafe are so used to my presence that they will prepare the coffee upon my arrival, without any order prompted to me. Their service is rated top quality in my opinion because they even remember how many servings of condensed milk I need!
This isn't my first encounter, there are many others.. like the wanton mee stall owner. He knows what I would order everytime I go near the stall. "The usual? With more chili and gravy, yes?" Even though my visits are counted only during weekends. How about the grocer? Everytime she sees me, my usual stock will be in her hands and without a word, the price will be keyed into the cash register. Everything becomes automatic because of my routine, my habit.
I'm sure some of you experienced it too. Don't that make you feel special? People we barely know make effort to beautify our days. And the best part is that a bond has formed between us, giving us ample grace and respect towards each other. Yes, perhaps monetary terms do play a part. But they won't lose much if I dun buy from them, afterall it's only an eighty cents coffee, two dollars noodles and etc. Well then, I reckon its the little expectations that come from each party that signifies the relationship. Simple and direct. No strings attached. However, if you reflect upon those people whom you care and love, when both have status-wised expectations and strings attached to their hearts, its a completely different story.
More often than not, we step in a little too close towards the people we love. We enforce some hidden or tangible rules and expectations onto each other and sometimes we even start to take each other for granted, conscious or sub-consciously. Quarrels and arguments erupt. No one compromises. We forgot the simple respect and basic expectations. How come we can be so different in front of strangers and to the ones we cherish dearly?
So much care and concern towards them but when negativity strikes, we are the ones that hurt them most. Yet we behold our manners and respect in front of other people we are not even close to.
Isn't it ironic?

POPCORNER'S WEEK (AKA NO-LIFE BREED)

Watched three DVDs over the weekend..

Adaptation - directed by Spike Jonze
Poignant, funny, dark and provoking. It dwells into the life of Charlie Kaufman (whom, is the scriptwriter of this film but this role was played by Nicholas Cage), his struggles against his personal and career stump. He detests his twin brother, whose character and outlook in life is totally different from his. Charlie doesn't realize till the end of the show that, it is his sibling that will help him to change his perceptions. Meryl Streep plays the author of a novel whom Charlie is supposed to write into a screenplay. Chris Cooper plays the role of an avid orchid collector whom Meryl begins to get obsessed with. These characters began to revolve into each other's lives in an unsuspecting manner. It's all about Passion.
Well, I do hope Charlie Kaufman isn't like that in real life.. I like his films a lot :)

Movie Rating - 4.3 out of 5


Soul Plane - directed by Jessy Terrero
This is crappy shit. Nonsensical. Watch it if you really-really-really have nothing to do, or if you have watched too many re-runs of Scary Movie 1 & 2. It's definitely a lousy hijack when I watched this film right after Adaptation. Kevin Hart plays the man who owns the first all-blacks aeroline after an airplane incident (and was compensated loads after winning the lawsuit). Whole story pans on the first virgin 'cruise', the unique service and funny people on board. Snoop Dogg plays the rookie (or so it seems) pilot and the rest just sang with the choir till the film ends. Anyway, it's a no-brainer.

Movie Rating - 2 out of 5


Live In Baghdad - directed by Mick Jackson
This HBO production details the true events of a brash CNN producer in Baghdad, 1991, when Gulf War was about to erupt. He brought along his crew, with a streetwise co-producer and salvaged thru the streets of Baghdad to film the demonstrations, the pre-war situations and even broadcasted live to the rest of the world during the first day of war. Lively dialogue, smart humour and fast-paced motions will make you glue to your seat way thru the end. Michael Keaton plays Robert Wiener and Helena Bonham Carter is the co-producer. I like this film because it captures the emotions and professionalism of journalists, the needle-sharp balance between sympathy and practicalism. Besides, it's based on true story. People like them do exist. At some point, I even rewind (as in navigate back) to some scenes. This is the advantage of watching dvds. Haha.

Movie Rating - 4.2 out of 5


i still have 10 dvds to clear over the next few weekends.. yay!