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Thursday, January 14, 2010 And the decades disappear like sinking ships

Today I had a glimpse of what afterhours in the working future is going to look like. After finally submitting the detailed plan to the supervisor, I decided to take a break from all things thesis and head to a lecture on war at Shangri-La (I know, so incredibly nerdy right? Kena dragged by Shirah and the pilots). Kinda reminded me of internship 'cos had to go for various talks at the same place too. Plus we were in office attire. Saw so many suits half bored to death; think most were army regulars.

Next thing I know, we went for a completely unplanned pre-dinner drinks at No.5. Again suits chilling out with their pints and bar grub. S & I looked at our reflections in the ladies and then at each other: This is going to be our future, indeed. She wants to steadfastly avoid it. But by the end of 2 gin tonics, she has relented. Hahaha, weak. I guess the only un-working adult thing we did was to make our terrible bday card for Kay. Construction paper, markers, scissors and glue littered the table. Aug egging us on. His friend scrolling through his Iphone. I paused for a moment to take in the scene -- it gives me a slight headache so I continue with the art project.

Then we cabbed down to celebrate Kay's belated birthday with the rest of the girls. Catty conversations and running gags continued, while the other girls treated themselves to wine. A year later, we'll probably still meet like that? I'm enjoying it but there is a sense of how rapid life moves on. Somehow the days of Seoul Garden and Marche gatherings have given way to spiffy retro eateries along Ann Siang Hill, stiff drinks at Dempsey, planning to raid Portsdown...

And I realized these people are gonna be my social equals/colleagues (already 3 of us from the dept are employed with another 3 undergoing selection) for maybe the next 3 years at least. It's a daunting thought because it makes me realize that maybe somehow subconsciously, my mind is preparing for the notorious lifestyle of a mafia don. It may just prevent cultural shock, especially after what I heard from Paul Chee about his initiation into the trading world.

Still wanna be an idealistic recent graduate come Jan 2011 and beyond though. Time well spent is gonna be so vital when work starts. All the afterhours chilling and catching up is fine, but it's even more important to retreat into solitude, just to soak in His presence. Really, God is the only one who makes sense amidst this rat race.