Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Box of surprise

Guess what came in the mail!


I was supposed to have received this huge brown package last week, but because no one was home to sign for the registered mail, I only managed to collect it from the post office this morning. I was waiting in anticipation whilst the lady at the PO took her time to search for the package. The thing is, I've always had a phobia of things going missing in the mail. I shop online very often and rely on Singpost to do a good job of delivering my mail safely to my home. After a few scares of my purchases going missing, I decided to invest in insurance to ensure that in the event my mail goes missing, Singpost is made liable for the mishap and compensates me for my loss. Small price to pay for peace of mind. So far, none of my registered mail has gone missing, thank god.

I was elated to hold the package in my hands, but I was not prepared to open it yet. It's not everyday you receive a nice big package like that, so I wanted to prolong the moment. Throughout the day in the office, I took little peeks at the package and it really made Monday feel less dreary.

Finally, at 11pm at night, I tore the brown paper away to reveal a heavily guarded shoe box.


I stripped the box of its defences, leaving it helpless and susceptible to attacks.


Ta-da!! A nice fluffy pillow!


An exquisite piece of patchwork....


Put them together and what do you get?

King of all Pillows resting on its mighty throne!


Picture of a happy patchwork pillow onwer. What better way to say thank you?


Another darling creation from Onebowl Inc.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Advertisement

My friend Onebowl has a passion for sewing and being crafty! Not in the sly sense of the word, but rather, she is good with her hands at creating new things.

I promised her a while back that I will advertise her website on my blog, on the presumption that there are still some people checking my blog for updates now and then (I know, I know, I've been neglecting it!)

So without further ado, here's the link to her blog cum Etsy sale page.

http://two11.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5372393

This is a multi-purpose clutch bag. It can hold money, credit cards and whatever rubbish girls like to hoard in their wallets!

Another type of clutch with cutesy Hello Kitty prints.


I have seen (and received) some of her products, and I must commend her for the excellent workmanship. She really has nifty fingers, no joke. She has some ready-made pouches and clutchies, matchboxes containing tiny goodies and knick-knacks for sale on Etsy now, but she can cater to custom orders as well! Just drop her a line and she'll be more than willing to help! It'll be good if you could casually mention that you came from JellBell's blog (for the purpose of collecting commission haha). Best of all, her creations are inexpensive and would make great gifts for your girlfriend/sister/daughter etc.

Plus Etsy is such a nice place to shop. It's an online platform like eBay and Yahoo auctions where people sell their handmade creations or stuff they no longer have any use for. I love browsing through the vintage dresses section! They're very cheap, compared to what you will find in Oppt shop or Granny's Day Out. And the best thing is, you're being ecologically friendly by recycling! :)

Have fun shopping!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Reflection on 2007

In the blink of an eye, we have heralded in the new year and left 2007 far behind us. I've neither had time to sit down and reflect on the year that has so fleetingly passed me, nor anticipate what the new year will bring me.

2007 was definitely a time of change where my career was concerned. I took a big step and left my shelter...a place which was both familiar and comforting to me, a place which saw my peers and I grow up and bond together. Leaving certainly was difficult, but the reason to leave at that time was so compelling and as they say, opportunity doesn't knock twice. Till this day, I still miss some of the people in my old firm, and though painful, I have accepted that things can never be what they were again.

The past year in the new firm is what I would describe as tumultuous. Going into a new job scope and environment meant a great deal of re-learning. I had to start from scratch and seek guidance (instead of being the one providing guidance!) from junior staff. I invested time and effort to build new relationships with my colleagues and clients. And most crucially, I had to adjust to the dynamics of the new firm. It was truly a humbling experience! Earlier in the year, a couple of unpleasant incidents shattered my confidence and morale badly. I was miserable, depressed and unmotivated. Fortunately, things have taken a turn for the better and I am glad I gave myself the time to slowly adjust and recover.

The past year has left me feeling jaded, insecure and drained. I can't say I'm truly happy here but neither am I unhappy. Metaphorically, I feel like I am just "floating" around, without a destination and purpose. I want to feel more passionate and optimistic about my job but I don't know how to achieve that. I refuse to make resolutions that I know will not stick. Hopefully, the answers that I seek will find me faster than I can find them...