another significant date for me

actually the significant date is supposed to be yesterday, 8th Feb, but i didn't have the time to write. the unpredictable wireless connection at home played a part too.
8th Feb 1999 marks the day i officially joined the 'real world'. that was the day i started working full-time, drawing a regular pay (and the regular pay cuts too - CPF, etc).
how i got that job is a story by itself. i have to quote my favourite phrase again here : "What Is Meant To Be Will Be". i didn't even applied for it. just accompanied a friend who's been called for the interview. when we got there the HR officer shoved a form to us. she realised that i wasn't supposed to be there in the first place and i almost got a scolding from her. after checking with the interviewers, she told me they will interview me after all the other applicants have been interviewed.
i was hesitant at first cos i was wearing just t-shirt & jeans. not appropriate for a job interview at all. i managed to convince that HR lady to let me come another day where i dressed more appropriately. the interview was forgetable. all i can remember after that was the phonecall about a week later. i have been accepted and had been called to report to work the next day. the thought of losing my freedom forever was in my mind when i requested to start work the following monday.
so what happened to the friend? i called her after i got the acceptance. nobody called her :(
she hopped from one temporary job to another. the diploma she got just collected dust. now she's working full-time without any tangible benefits (medical, dental, etc),but it's still a very noble job for sure. she's a full-time housewife with no.3 coming soon.
anyway, i left that job after 1 yr & 4 mths. the work didn't suit me anymore. whatever it was, that was my first job as an adult. like how i remember all my first experiences, same goes for this. i guess you'll never forget any first experiences, whatever it is ;-)