It doesn' t get any better than this! I really consider myself lucky working in such a stress-free environment. Most people assume Singapore to be a fast-paced work environment. It's work or no work at all. Fortunately, my job doesn't require that much effort on my side. It does get challenging at times, but I guess if you truly love what you do, the pressure just drops.

I have a lot of free time in the office (I am blogging right now, aren't I..and it's the middle of the afternoon of a weekday). So here's a glimpse of my daily life in Singapore in what is probably one of the best offices! You'll see why...

My desk. This is where I spend 8 hours of my daily life from Monday- Friday...and my department has the biggest space!

AXS Rooftop at night. Finally..a shot worth bragging about! :P

This is my lunch group and they are my favorite people to mess around with.. This is us "South-Parked!" - can you spot me??

Goofing around with the Wii! Yes, we have two consoles on a 32" Flatscreen TV!!

Perhaps a quick game of 8-ball?

or some Air hockey! I'm still undefeated!!

...and 13 orders of fries..is that it here? "WINE and BEER!" - our bottomless supply of party drinks.. *burp

AXS Afterhours. Office turns into a bar with crappy music but free booze! Fun starts when the drinking games begin!

I went to Bintan, Indonesia last week to partly celebrate my birthday with housemates and new found friends. Just stayed for a night though. The weather was good, prices were cheap but the only problem was the beach... We couldn't really go swimming coz our resort is sorta located along the coast. You could only walk by the beach during low tide. Good thing the resort had 2 swimming pools.

Spent most of the afternoon playing volleyball and frisbee with friends, eating and of course drinking the rest of the night away! Our rooms were HUGE by the way... for an additional $13, you get upgraded from a deluxe superior to a family room! Our meals (for 9) people would range from 612,000 - 800,000 ... dollars???! Rupiah! That's like less that a hundred bucks!

Hopefully we'll come and visit again soon.. longer...

Our humongous family suite! we got 3 of these for the cheapest price!

Enjoying dinner worth thousands of cash!!

Hauling my "overweight" friends in one of the resort's antique carriage displays. It would've been easier if the wheels weren't nailed to the ground ;)

This was one of the common mode of transportation back in the day.

Say what??! I couldn't resist taking a pic of this on the ferry terminal back home! Better send this to engrish.com! hahaha

Here are some highlights from my trip :

1. I discovered a new drink there called "Happy soda." It's basically just soda and condensed milk?! weird right.. but Rhane(my housemate) said its good... Just get me a beer!
2. The locals there learned to line-dance thanks to yours truly! hahaha! the restaurant by the beach turns into a karaoke club at night and a band plays too.. I was teaching them dance moves to the tune of..i dunno what.. it was in indonesian! :P
3. Breakfast is served hot and spicy!
4. On our way to the resort, i noticed every house.. and i mean every house and building we passed each had a sattelite dish attached to it! I wonder how many channels they get.

still can't wait for Bali ;-)

Boracay, the island paradise.. though i consider that my second home, it's still a place of mystery for me. I guess one might say it's an escape from reality.. A place where everyone can just unwind, relax and bask in the sun without ever worrying about getting skin cancer or something. Where walking on the sand is just as relaxing as watching a sitcom at the comfort of your own couch. Where celebrities and musicians are just known by their first names. Where anyone can opt not to have a last name, and simply- a place to be Happy. That's the magic of the island.

I've met quite a number of people during my visits over the years. Socialites and stoners, athletes and posers, rich folks, poor folks, smart and stupid...and of course, what's an island getaway without a beach fling?

They say if you want something so bad, the entire universe would conspire to make it happen.

I just wanted to have a good time.. no flings, no hook-ups, just alcohol and music surrounded by friends. But i guess the universe got a little carried away..

Boracay Sunset ;)

It was an average night, when a gust of bad luck swept through a band who was supposed to be playing a gig- it got cancelled. I was with the band. So we found a place to drink.. a place not many people go to.. It was turning out to be a good night after all.. Drinks, laughter, music.. Then there she was...

I didnt notice her at first.. i was busy catching up with old friends. She was with two other ladies, sippin' their cocktails at the other table. It didn't take long before my dad, yes-my dad, spots them and decides to play "pimp-daddy" on us. He invites them to our table, he made the manager turn off the music so the band could do an acoustic setup and jam.

They played the guitar, i was beating the table, she was singing.. everyone was having fun and getting to know each other a little better. The night ended up pretty ok. Everyone was happy.. end of day 1..

Day 2 : I didn't realize how much fun i had at that table the previous night. I was attracted to her. It was a beach crush.. I didnt know if i'll see her again. I tried not to think about it.. So i went to another bar with my usual friends and the band. My dad - yes my dad again, wanted to meet up and have a few rounds with us.. and then there she was again with her friend! trailing behind! I smiled.. she gave me a hug.. she gave a stranger a hug.. maybe she likes me too.. just maybe.. So i buy them drinks, we jammed again, she sang, she danced, we cheered! and we drank a little bit more..

Thanks to my clumsiness, i spilled a drink on her thighs.. took her to the ocean to clean up.. then we talked.. then we found ourselves lying in the sand.. singing musicals, talking about movies we liked.. there was a spark..we were both smiling.. we were both surprised that we were clicking.. two people living worlds apart happened to like the same things..it was a mystery..but a good one..i was afraid the more i talked, the less she might like me... But i couldnt stop..she wouldnt let me.. i wouldnt let myself too.. I actually had to sober up to have the courage to hold her hand, look in to her eye and try to steal a kiss.. She was more than willing to give it.

We spent the night swimming in the freezing cold water (the only swimming i did) hugging, kissing, even dancing and laughing under the stars in the island paradise.
So i take her home, kissed her goodnight and hoped to see her the next day. We ended the night soaking wet and craving for cigarettes.

Day 3: I wanted to see her so bad.. It was late in the afternoon and i was with my bestfriend having the same bottle of beer at 5 different bars.. hoping i could bump into her..no luck.. i lost her in to the island..

It wasnt till after dinner i saw her again.. she was with a group of people.. i felt awkward around her that time..i left.. she seemed she forgot what we had the night before.. i was kinda sad.. and as the night deepened, i didnt think i'd see her ever again.. it was her last night after all.. i try to drink it off..

On my way to another bar..i stopped to buy cigarettes..and just as i turn, there she was again! Looking as lovely as ever.. she had a big smile for me.. we walked a little and she kissed me.. she spent her last hours in the island paradise with me..i felt so lucky...It was 5am.. the last day of the year..and i was carrying her bags.. We rode in a side car of a bike still whispering sweet nothings in each other's ear.. she took snapshots of us.. stupid me, i didnt bring my wallet! i wouldve taken her to the airport myself! she offered me cash to get back..i hesitated..it wouldve been weird.. but it was funny.. so i sent her off and got my last kiss of the year..and boy,was it a good one too! :)

We broke the island rule..she gave me her last name and i gave her mine.. there was a moment we looked each other straight in the eye..just staring at each other.. thanks to the internet and facebook..we still keep in touch.. we make travel plans.. we tell each other what we did for the day.. I will be with her again in July.. earlier..hopefully ..

I can't wait!

I i cant wait to get a hug, a kiss..just to see her lovely smile again.. She tells me i make her smile.. i just hope she's smiling when she reads this..

so much more to talk about..long way to go.. the countdown continues...