CSI wannabe

Staying connected
I’ve meant to write since my last post but have been ‘busy’. With what? Hmmm…. We keep saying that we are ‘busy’. But are we really that busy to even call a friend or write an email?

I’ve actually found a good time to catch up with friends and family– to call when I’m driving. A friend ‘taught’ me this. So now, I call my parents on Saturday evenings while driving to dinner or call my childhood friend in Florida while driving home from work. I used to keep in touch with people while riding on the MRT when I was in S’pore. So for those who think that you are too busy to stay connected to your friends, try it. But of course, unless you think those friends and family are not worth your effort at all…..

What am I busy with?
Oh, yes, I’ve been busy. Watching DVD/VCDs!! A colleague has a huge collection of movie DVD and I was busy ‘catching up’ on the movies I missed - X-men 3, MI3, Memoir of a Geisha, etc.

Now my evenings are spent watching the Japanese animation of ‘Initial D’. ( NC, if you are reading this, let me tell you – I know quite a bit of (car) racing and drifting now. I was clueless when you, EG and CC talked about souping up your cars way back then.) A friend lend me his whole collection of 4 seasons (>50 VCDs) and I’m only at no. 18. Way to go man!!

On the work front
Ok, for those who are even interested, I am doing a transit study for the local agency. It’s to determine if LRT is a viable option along a particular corridor connecting the downtown to a ‘regional’ center (as we know it in s’pore). It’s nothing but tons of number, ridership numbers. I work with a very senior traffic modeler who is looking to impart his skills to juniors like me. (again NC, if you are reading this, it all sound so familiar right???) It is a good chance to pick up modeling skills but this area was never my interest. It’s a dilemma….

My other project is analyzing traffic and parking situation for a local city. The city planners want to intensify the downtown and we are studying the viability for them. Back in PD, these were work we did ourselves. So that was good training for me now that I’m the other side of the table. I certainly know what the planners are thinking ahead of time.

Social Life
Don’t worry, despite spending my evenings after work in front of the TV, I do have a life. I go out, hangout with friends and meet people. I do my grocery shopping and cook. I still shoot almost every week (but ammo is getting really expensive. Maybe it’s the war?!). Finally hit the slope before the end of winter (thanks to LS!!). But had quite a bad fall (shhh….) while learning to snowboard that my tail bone hurt so much even after 2 weeks. I am going to the doctor tomorrow. Haven’t been volunteering at the animal hospital for 1.5 months. Gotta start again this week.

Planning to go Disneyland with a colleague and her friends. Looking forward to that……

It’s Spring
Yes, spring came 2 days back, at 5.07pm (?!). I guess that was when the groundhog saw its shadow 6 weeks ago. For the first time 2 weeks ago, I noticed the hills around were all green. Dale said that it only last for 1 month before they turn brown for the rest of the year. I told Carol to see it while she can. My tomato plants are budding and the apricot tree at E’s place is blooming with flowers all around. He said this year’s fruits will be good. I’m waiting for the cherry…….

It’s fun to be in a place with different seasons!!