Irony

I was at Suntec Convention centre yesterday to cover the Investment Fair 2009. A rather boring assignment, which only require face-cuts of financial analyst. I was greeted by sales staff holding brochures of the latest investment opportunities, and double up my speed so that I don't have to say "no thanks" too many times. If I have the means, I will probably take a look, but luckily, nobody stop me in my tracks, probably because of the camera dangling on my shoulders, which seem to announce that Im here for work, not to browse.

This has got to be the most boring fair I have been to, because I have zero investment knowledge. But the figures and graphs shown on projector screens and ken investors listening to the sales staff talk about the latest opportunities provided some interesting shots. I didn't stay there for too long, as people with money in their pockets and looking for ways to make more of it doesn't interest me. I was told there is a job and career fair going on at the adjacent hall. Hopped over and realised that its not open to the masses yet, hence, no long queues, but there were people walking in with print-outs, which I assumed could be their resume, and looking for a job. This is when I start to see the irony of having 2 very different fairs next to each other. I thought, its either here or there, or if Im here, I shouldn't be there. I guess you wouldn't see the obvious if you did not take a step back and look from afar, as well as take a look from the inside.

As a media representative, I was given a goodie bag. From past experience, goodie bags from business and financial events reall do have goodies inside. I was not wrong this time.

To sum it all up, I was in the lift on the way to the carpark with a middle-aged man who was pushing a trolley, and he looks like a delivery man. An elderly man with a white hair and nice crisp shirt and pants enter at the last moment, holding some brochures. He thanks the deliveryman for holding the door, then there was a moment of silence.

Deliveryman commented with a smug smile "You go to Invest fair ah, not job fair?"

Elderly man replied "The job fair is open? I thought it starts from 1pm"

Deliveryman said "Yes, on the 4th floor, I just came from there".

Then there was silence.

I thought elderly man was too old to be going for a job and career fair. Deliveryman should give him a break. But I thought deliveryman was observant. Perhaps, some things can be more obvious, depending on which side you are looking from, or whether you are an outsider looking in.

How Will I Fare?

She is growing very fast now. I believe her kicks can topple a coin placed on Thao's belly. From a small peanut-sized foetus to a 33 weeks baby in the womb, its amazing how fast she has grown. With less than 2 months before Isabelle is borne, I start to ask myself how good a father I will be. She will need almost 100% of our time and attention, and more than 100% of our love and care. "Life will never be the same again."

With that saying in mind, we begin to treasure the precious time we have together, just the 2 of us. Gone were the days of backpacking across 7 cities in 2 weeks and the long and memorable walk down Champs Elysees after 4 hours in Louvre, and the feel of my first European breeze as I step out of the metro in Berlin Zinnowitzer Strasse Station. We had our fun and memories from these budget travels, and was lucky not to get mugged throughout. We probably look like penniless students with backpacks and jeans.

A year later, we are becoming parents. Thats quite daunting if I think about it, but for now, I cant help buying more toys and clothes for my girl. At 2.4 kg and 34 weeks old, Im afraid she will be a tough little girl to deliver.


Isabelle at 34 weeks. Chubby with pouty lips....doesn't look like us...strange.


Thao enjoying the sea breeze while I shoot an assignment at Pasir Ris beach.
PS: Don't swim there, the water there contains high levels of bacteria...that's what my assignment is about.