Still The Same
It was a simple dinner get together with a few NPCC friends. After they parted ways, she pondered about the things that she heard from them.
One (Friend A), an auditor-turned-adviser in a very reputable auditing firm, had recently acquired a certain bag with monogram prints from a major label favoured by the Japanese ("I got my friend to buy it for me from Paris... It's cheaper there, about S$800") The same person took 2 months no pay leave to rest from work in Tokyo, Japan. She also engaged a maid with her own money to take care of her mother when the latter was sick.
Another is an expectant mother (Friend B), who nearly met up with Friend A in Japan, while she took her young son to accompany the husband on a business trip. They missed each other because Friend A left Tokyo when the family was there. Friend B was calling up the credit cards she has in order to check for a discount at the restaurant when the bill arrived (she wasn't showing off, they were simply trying our luck to get a discount). She has been working in her current office for 10 years now, and if not for her pregnancy, she would be still flying to countries for business trips.
Friend C, someone who always end up working in the capacity of the office bao-ka-liao jobs staff, was at Germany for a 10-day "training" trip recently. "Nothing lah, just show us the factory only!" She had joined Friend A on a Hokkaido trip in Feb this year. This woman knows alot about the entertainment scene, and also knows which flat has been upgraded, and which is not. She also knows exchange rates, ovulation and other very informative knowledge.
Friend D, who was not present, but is mentioned here because She asked about her before they parted ways after dinner. She serves full-time in the national green squad, and has been in the United States for about a month now, said Friend C.
Friend E went for her last overseas trip to Cameron Highlands for a 3 days 2 night retreat over last weekend, by coach, no less. The last flight she took was probably to Sarawak for a mission trip about 2 years ago. At the department store, she has to think hard when faced with the decision whether to part her money for the bag worth S$39.90 or not. The closest encounter she has with Germany is with a big corporation that her company works with, and she proofread their brochure that was designed by her company. Her closest encounter with Japan is eating sashimi at Hanabi Restaurant.
She was quiet when the other friends talked about their trip and fat salaries. But was grateful that there were times when she could chip in with a question or two on married life and ovulation.
Since when have things begun to look like that? She felt a wide distance between herself and her friends. She couldn't match up at all. Will the translation class gave her a higher achievement when she completes it? She is not sure yet. But she is definitely terrified at the idea that all those education (money) will go to waste, and that she will remain in her position for a very very long time.
She loathes that. The last thing she wants is to be stuffed with skills but not able to use them to achieve a better kind of life.
Tonight, she is transported back to tunnel of uncertainty again. What will become of her the next time she meet up with these friends again?
One (Friend A), an auditor-turned-adviser in a very reputable auditing firm, had recently acquired a certain bag with monogram prints from a major label favoured by the Japanese ("I got my friend to buy it for me from Paris... It's cheaper there, about S$800") The same person took 2 months no pay leave to rest from work in Tokyo, Japan. She also engaged a maid with her own money to take care of her mother when the latter was sick.
Another is an expectant mother (Friend B), who nearly met up with Friend A in Japan, while she took her young son to accompany the husband on a business trip. They missed each other because Friend A left Tokyo when the family was there. Friend B was calling up the credit cards she has in order to check for a discount at the restaurant when the bill arrived (she wasn't showing off, they were simply trying our luck to get a discount). She has been working in her current office for 10 years now, and if not for her pregnancy, she would be still flying to countries for business trips.
Friend C, someone who always end up working in the capacity of the office bao-ka-liao jobs staff, was at Germany for a 10-day "training" trip recently. "Nothing lah, just show us the factory only!" She had joined Friend A on a Hokkaido trip in Feb this year. This woman knows alot about the entertainment scene, and also knows which flat has been upgraded, and which is not. She also knows exchange rates, ovulation and other very informative knowledge.
Friend D, who was not present, but is mentioned here because She asked about her before they parted ways after dinner. She serves full-time in the national green squad, and has been in the United States for about a month now, said Friend C.
Friend E went for her last overseas trip to Cameron Highlands for a 3 days 2 night retreat over last weekend, by coach, no less. The last flight she took was probably to Sarawak for a mission trip about 2 years ago. At the department store, she has to think hard when faced with the decision whether to part her money for the bag worth S$39.90 or not. The closest encounter she has with Germany is with a big corporation that her company works with, and she proofread their brochure that was designed by her company. Her closest encounter with Japan is eating sashimi at Hanabi Restaurant.
She was quiet when the other friends talked about their trip and fat salaries. But was grateful that there were times when she could chip in with a question or two on married life and ovulation.
Since when have things begun to look like that? She felt a wide distance between herself and her friends. She couldn't match up at all. Will the translation class gave her a higher achievement when she completes it? She is not sure yet. But she is definitely terrified at the idea that all those education (money) will go to waste, and that she will remain in her position for a very very long time.
She loathes that. The last thing she wants is to be stuffed with skills but not able to use them to achieve a better kind of life.
Tonight, she is transported back to tunnel of uncertainty again. What will become of her the next time she meet up with these friends again?
