I’d just like to say I feel saddened by the tragic loss of life due to the quakes and tidal waves in Indonesia. The effects were so far reaching that you could even feel it in Malaysia. I’ve always thought that Malaysia was safe from natural disasters of this magnitude but the news today has taught me otherwise.

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Quite a bit has happened over the last few days, especially in the free moments that I have (totally given up on Maple Story [heh, knew it'd happen sooner or later] already, ever since my friend left for home, it’s just been mindless jumping around whacking monsters and it’s thus lost its appeal to me), I’ve left myself to ponder about things and life, as I’ve always done before this for the past few years. I’ve also been catching up on my prior hobbies like tinkering with this website, taking pictures and window shopping online.

Been reviewing the year and I think I mentioned that I learned quite a bit this past six months. The experience I’ve gained from dealing with real life clients and the solutions they seek instead of what textbooks tell us they want. Everyone’s requirements are defined by financial restrictions, and idealism is overtaken by practicality. The various jobs I’ve had have taught me to deal with customers and how to draw the line between providing good service and making it cost effective towards sustaining a business. I guess I’ve been working in the low end of the market, and cost effectiveness is a business strategy I need to work with instead of differentiation to provide a unique product or service.

Was also thinking of the individual’s need to transcend their own selfish whims which leads to moodswings, being cheery towards the whole world or just being wallowed in self pity and blaming everyone else for the wrongs of the world. Serving customers does that to you, regardless of how you feel inside, you still manage to put on a smile and be as helpful as possible towards their needs. It’s like the story of how clowns have that perpetual smile drawn on their face, but no one knows how they ever feel inside…

Plus this is the first year I’m spending Christmas in Melbourne. Usually I’m back home, no matter how short the duration and due to it being a public holiday, my family and relatives have a gathering to just indulge in food and relax. This year I attended my boss’s family gathering. For me it was a family gathering of a different sort, as all the other staff who worked there also attended. We were just sitting outside on the backporch having drinks and talking. It was under a blue, cloudless sky and felt really good, just relaxing as my joints were still aching from standing so much the day before (they still hurt now when I try to get up and move).

Okie, veering off a bit. Maybe I need to put my thoughts aside a bit and let them settle down. Time to really turn in.