Showing Colours ....

I have heard that women can see many spectrums of colours and many shades, whereas men can only see the few primary and secondary colours. In most cases, I never have a problem communicating to guys about colours, until recently.

I was supposed to pick up something from someone. He told me he was wearing a blue shirt with black pants. Blue, to me, means the normal blue colour, a shade lighter than the colour of my dashboard. And black means black.

So I was looking around for someone who has on a blue shirt and black pants. But I could not spot him. Finally I sent him a message, telling him my exact position and before I knew it, he was right in front of me.

His shirt is light blue (like the colour of my header). And his pants are dark grey, not black! Dark grey looks a lot like black, but it is not black! So I said, "I thought you said blue shirt and black pants?" And he said, "Yes, that is what I'm wearing."

Well.... I did not wish to get into a debate on the different shades of blue, so I just left it. Later on, I met a friend for dinner and he gave me a lift back. His car is tangerine. He said orange. So I said it is tangerine. Orange is a bit lighter. And he gave me a bewildered look, as if I was speaking Ewok talk.

Some time back, I wore a mustard coloured top to work. I bumped into one of my male colleagues during lunch, and he said I was as bright as the sun. So I said I am wearing mustard, not yellow. Apparently, in a guy's vocabulary, mustard, lemon, et al, are all yellow. Light blue, dark blue, teal blue, navy blue, sky blue, are all blue. Tangerine is orange, and olive, lime, grass, are all green. Lavendar is purple.

Quite a good education actually. I realise I need to be more careful how I communicate, because what I term as maroon may be just red to a guy. Oh well.....

Colours Galore!

I went for a grooming class this morning, conducted by a trained image consultant. The class is on the colours that bring out one's skin tone, how to determine what colours is most suitable, how much contrast for an outfit, and how to mix and match to look professional at work and when meeting business-related clients. The image consultant brought with her colour drapes to determine one's skin tones, whether cool or warm. So apparently, I can take both warm and cool colours, with medium to high contrast while mixing and matching, and more moderate to intense spectrums of colours.

It is a pretty useful workshop though, because at least I know what clothes suit me and what do not. Apparently, I have been wearing the right colours and the right kind of style for my skin tone and body type. Thank goodness there is no need to revamp my entire wardrobe!

By the way, another "miracle" happened today. I actually stepped into a bookshop and emerged without even so much of a book cover! What was really amazing was that all the books I wanted to read were on sale and display, but I already promised myself not to get anymore books until I thoroughly tidy up my current stock, so it was a tiny achievement indeed that I did not buy a single book!

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I Am A "Natural Beige"!

I came across an interesting personality profile using colour coding and analysis, and this was what resulted from the questionnaire I completed. The colour happens to be my third favourite colour, and also one of the colours that really complement my skin tone and season.

Hmmm... now all I need to look for is someone who is Yellow or Grey. One bright and sunny, the other dull and gloomy. Interesting .... Wonder if the colours reflect the real personality as well? As far as mine is concerned, it is mostly true!

By the way, I came across another article which is somewhat true where the general population is concerned. There are people who gripe about not being able to find someone, but at the same time do not wish to do anything about it. There are those who manage to find someone, but just want to remain stuck and not be committed. Then of course, there are people like me who are looking and willing to commit, yet somehow never manage to find someone. Such is life ....

Yellow Yellow ....

I always wondered about this song. Why the title? It means more than the colour of course, but just what exactly is it about?

One interpretation can be that the song represents things that are yellow, like the stars in the sky (do they even look yellow? I can never see the actual colour of stars), and the colour of the skin (probably referring to an Asian).

But there are certain things which I do not understand. Now why are the things done yellow? So even if a turn is to be taken, it would be a yellow turn? How to measure?

And in the seventh stanza, there is a phrase saying “For you, I bleed myself dry”. Now that sounds so much like Jesus’ crucifixion. Forgive me all those who love the song, but somehow I can never quite relate to the lyrics.

I am not saying I absolutely loathe the song. The tune is nice and catchy, and some of Coldplay’s tunes are really good. When I first heard this song, I thought it was catchy and rhythmic, but when I listened to the lyrics properly, I realized I had no idea what the song was about.

Then I gathered it is a love song of some sort, albeit an unorthodox one, but up to now, I still cannot relate to the lyrics, as some parts do not make sense.

On the other hand, a lot of modern song lyrics do not make sense anyway. The essential message is that of a lover to his loved one. And I guess that is one aspect of love, no matter how weird it is.

A Whiter Shade Of Green

Green is a soothing colour. It represents the trees and grass, the main source of oxygen and fresh air we breathe in, and it is good on our eyes. Being a secondary colour, it can come in many vibrant shades – from pale turquoise to bright forest green.

The walls of the rooms of the second floor of my house have been painted Whisper Green. The painting job is still on-going, as the contractors are left with the walls of the first floor.

The colour is very light green, so pale that it looks almost white. My room was completed yesterday, and I could hardly sleep a wink last night due to the lingering smell of paint.

Now that my room has a tinge of greenish hue, it seems more soothing at night and during the day. The ultraviolet light reflecting off the walls are not as blinding anymore, and it has an overall cooling feeling to it. It makes me seem more relaxed, calm and peaceful.

Maybe it is all in the mind, but now I feel my room is in a better state to make major decisions, since it gives me a cool and laid-back feeling, not as stressful and tired as before. And making a decision is just what I need to do.

I started work yesterday. It is a small firm, thus not as structured as bigger firms. Anyway, every company functions differently. What I find strange is that I have started work, and yet have not even signed the Letter of Offer, which means I have no idea about my pay, benefits and welfare.

Besides, the director I am working for was sick yesterday, so he was not in office. And no one knew I was even starting work yesterday, so there was a bit of confusion for the beginning of the day.

Other than that, my first day of work saw me clearing away and sorting out lots of backlog. Now why can the handover not be done properly before I start work? I have to come on Saturday mornings and stay late some weekends just for my predecessor to come back and brief me.

But at the end of the day, I received a call from one of the big companies I interviewed for. They asked if I am still keen on the position as they are considering me. I answered in the affirmative.

Of course, if that company confirms the offer with me, I will definitely take up the job. I always like to go in-house, and besides, working in a big company will have better prospects, development, learning, benefits and welfare, not to mention a better structure.

But in that case, what is to become of this current job? It will be a little unfair if I jump ship so fast, especially since a verbal confirmation is deemed as actual confirmation, only not contractual binding as a signed letter.

On the other hand, how often can one have the opportunity to work in a big company? I believe most people will take the better offer. I just feel bad that I am playing out my current company for leaving so fast if I do get the offer.

Besides, working in a big company may not be all a bed of roses. The prospects and everything is there, but the stress and politics are much more intense than in a smaller firm. Which is why I need to make a decision on whether to stay or go if I do get the confirmation.

Trying To Be Active ....

Earthquake again, in Indonesia, followed by a tsunami. Wonder what the extent of the damage will be this time? I really pity the people there, and having known a few Indonesians, I can understand their concerns too, since I am sure they feel the pain much more intense than me.

I was at my cousin's place earlier on when I saw the news. My cousin-in-law then remarked about a possible volcanic eruption in Indonesia, as there have been reports that one of the active volcanoes is spewing. Apparently, if this volcano really erupts, Singapore itself may be in danger.

I went over to my cousin's place to find out how she is doing now that she is almost four months pregnant, and helped to dog-sit at the same time. I shared with her my photos from my recent trip, as well as the trip we went together in Australia last year.

She showed me her photos from Nepal, where she and her husband went for a second honeymoon early last year. The Himalayas are really beautiful at close range! I am sure it is so much better for real as compared to in the photos! Perhaps Nepal will be the next place I go to, after it is finally politically stable again.

My job search is progressing at a slow rate. I have sent in resumes, but so far no news, except for the interview I am going to on Wednesday, by one of the listed companies, incidentally owned by one of the female Nominated Members of Parliament. The company is in the hotel and resort business, with resorts in Bali, Bintan and Maldives. Perhaps if I do land the job, I can finally get to go relaxing in Maldives!

Actually there are three positions I really wish to land. One is that of an Education Consultant, another is Supervisor for the Children's Aid Society, and the third is an Educational Guidance Officer of the Asian Women's Welfare Association.

I still enjoy it most working with and around kids. It is still more meaningful to make a difference in the lives of the younger generation, than to work in a company and generate more profits for an already-wealthy organisation. But my parents just do not see it this way.

When I first left mainstream teaching, I actually landed a job as a music supervisor in a Catholic kindergarten. The job suits me to a tee, even the Principal of the kindergarten said so, as it has a Catholic background, most of the kids are from Catholic families, and the job is to oversee music pedagogy and developing kids' minds and movements using music. Ad-hoc jobs require playing the piano for mass and religious sessions.

The job is made for me, so to speak. I will have really loved it there. The only catch is the salary. My salary was cut down by half. Childcare teachers do not earn a lot. So my parents made me turn it down, and told me to be practical, get a job elsewhere that could pay me the same or not much difference, and with prospects for growth.

I am not saying they are wrong, but for me, I always prefer a job which I really love doing. To me, money is not everything. I can work for free as long as I like my job. If I hate my job, even if I am paid a six-figure sum per month, I will still not like it.

My cousin told my to cut my hair. So I told her maybe I will get a shave for charity. And she was totally horrified. On the other hand, her husband said to go ahead. She said it does not matter to a guy, but what will a woman look like if she goes bald? She told me perhaps a new hairstyle is the only way to get out of the depression and move on with my life. Meanwhile, get a new hair colour too.

She has a point there. I cut my hair really short the very first time I broke up. And I felt like a new person after that. My hair is due for a trim anyway. I just have to decide which colour I want to use this time. Maybe I will take pink! I can just foresee my parents' faces if I come home with pink hair!

So tomorrow will be the day I change my hair colour. And to snip off my locks at the same time. The rest of the week will see me going down to SPCA to volunteer my services. Plus, I will be helping the contractors repaint the house. My parents decided to use white on the outside, and whisper green (of all colours!) on the inside.

My mum says whisper green is very pale green, almost like white. In that case, why not use white? Now I am at the stage where my parents try to accommodate me in as many ways possible (they actually told my brother to let me watch the television last night even though he was in the middle of a show, something that never happened before!), wonder if they will allow me to paint my room baby pink or peach?

Being active is a good idea. It keeps my mind occupied, and I can start focusing on other things. Wonder if there will be a donation drive for the poor victims of the latest earthquake? If I could, I would want to go right to the site and do what I can. But right now, the only way I can help is through monetary and material contributions.

Men In Pink?

Lately, I am seeing more and more guys (and grown men) wearing pink. Pink shirts (that is not too bad actually, because work wear is always classy), pink T-shirts, pink polo shirts, pink shoes, even pink bags (no, definitely not the girlfriend's bag)!

Personally, I have no qualms with men wearing pink. It is just a colour. If women can wear blue, why can men not wear pink? Most of my guy friends (and some girlfriends) feel disgusted at men wearing pink. Their opinions are that a man in pink equates to an effeminate sissy.

That is just stereotyping I guess. There are many macho men out there who wear pink too! Some of my guy friends wear pink, and they are as macho and manly as a man can get. Being sissy or not is not in the dressing, it is in the behaviour! If a guy behaves in such an effeminate way, no matter what he wears or what colour, he will still be a sissy!

But pink suddenly seems to be the hot colour, not for girls but for guys. Right now, about one in five guys wear something pink. Of course there are those who are of the other type, but most guys I see who wear pink are healthily heterosexual, unless they happen to be a closet one, then that is another story.

Pink itself is a pretty nice colour, typically associated with girls. Afterall, pink is supposed to be a girly colour, something mild, pure and sweet. The colour for guys is always blue. I have no idea why, so now people know that pink and blue are supposed to be matching, like matching a female and a male.

Pink used to be a taboo colour to guys. No guy (at least none I know) in the past would ever come close to using that colour, and certainly not on their garments! In fact, those friends I mentioned are one of the few guys I know who have no problems in wearing something pink.

However, as in many things in the modern world, I suppose more and more guys, especially the younger ones, are being more open-minded and have no qualms wearing pink. In the past, if a guy even wears something salmon-coloured or lilac, he will be teased mercilessly by his peers. Now, guys can even wear a bright shade of pink with no one (at least not that many people) battling an eyelid.

I still see people who squirm whenever they see a guy in pink, but honestly, what is wrong with a guy in pink? As long as the guy looks good in whatever he is wearing and able to carry it off, does it really matter what colour he has on?

My Favourite Colour(s) ....

Someone asked me the other day what my favourite colour is. I have two favourite colours actually. Most of my clothes, accessories and things are in these two colours. Whenever I buy or do anything, I always prefer to have either one of the colours if not both.

For those who have been following my blog, it is actually very obvious what my favourite colours are. Anyone like to venture a guess? ;-D