Poetic Justice

From About.com

Poetic justice is a literary outcome in which bad characters are punished and good characters are rewarded. Think: "What comes around goes around." In its purest form, poetic justice is when one character plots to undermine another and then ends up caught in his own trap.

From Answers.com

An outcome in which virtue is rewarded and evil punished, often in an especially appropriate or ironic manner. For example, It was poetic justice for the known thief to go to jail for the one crime he didn't commit. [Early 1700s]

I am thinking of real-life examples...

Sydney Surfer Wannabee

Today, Australia braces itself for yet another season of Big Brother. It's now on its 6th straight year.

This means I had finished my three-month overseas assignment in Sydney five years ago (1st season was in 2000). Time flies so quickly indeed.

My "physical presence" (ahem, weight) has also seen tremendous growth. A trip to our company clinic last Friday for the first phase of my exit physical examination revealed that my weight over the past 6.5 years had increased by 20% ! I can already see the treadmill running over me (and not the other way around) in sheer disgust. That will change soon. Haha.

It's always nice to come across stuff that help you remember the good ole days.

2001 - Sporting the "about to head to school look" . I miss Sydney big time.

2006 - The 5-years of practicing my smile on cam have hopefully helped.

The past half decade has also been a witness to my transformation into a more sociable, international man of mystery (such nick from Oli and Pao, two of my good buddies from school) where strangers can become friends, where amazing places can be just a plane ride away.

Singapore Stopover

This is the longest stay I've had in Singapore. Been here several times for different reasons -- work, holiday, both. But this trip is meant to plan a transition -- into my new role and into a new phase in my life.

I have accepted the invitation to take up an appointment outside the Philippines starting 15 May 2006. It may not be the best time to move given all the changes but I must admit there is really no such thing as a perfect time. I feel that I am ready to move on to another role after having been in a local job for three years. My new job will help me develop a wider perspective of my company and a deeper understanding of my Expertise area. Should be challenging , just as I had wanted it to be.

Apart from a much needed work-related change, I have been praying for a change in lifestyle. I have no complaints about my life in Manila -- generally fast-paced but surprisingly controlled (by myself haha). I am actively involved in Church, I get to meet people who can carry on a conversation in my "sporadic" clubbing, and I believe I live a balanced life. But why stay in Manila if you can try it out in another country, at least for a short period of time?

Singapore is the closest I can get to Australia, US, UK in Asia, probably even better. Nope, I do not consider Singapore as a country occupying consolation place as I am unable to secure a job in those three countries at this time. I like Singapore -- it is well-run; people are warm & disciplined; it is multi-cultural. And the prospect of finding my own place (literally and figuratively) is all the more exciting.

This week, I tried to keep it simple / low-key. No bar hopping nor clubbing. Only a lot of walking and catching up with friends. I attempted to get as much sleep as I can and had been quite successful... only after decent rest time following "I can't breathe coz I'm so full" meals. Also managed to : (1) insert a trip to IKEA, my most favorite place in Singapore, so I can scout for possible furniture; (2) buy two scoops of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream (made me recall my first taste of it way back June 2001) ; (3) book a Gold Class seat at the cinema for the first time to watch "Inside Man"; and (4) meet a few new friends.

I am excited to try things for the first time when I relocate to Singapore. But as always, the good things should have a repeat act.