Familiar stranger's thoughts

On the 9th day of December, my imac fell into a coma

On the 8th day of December, I took some pictures!

On the 7th day of December, I met up with old friends

On the 6th day of December, I have no comments...

On the 5th day of December, it rained the whole day...

On the 4th day of December, I was Enchanted

On the 3rd day of December, I had a blue Monday

On the 2nd day of December, I heard some bad news

On the 1st day of December, I was reminded that Christmas is near after watching the Christmas performance

I have always felt that this is an interesting Christmas song...so I will try to write my own adaption...the days of DECEMBER in the coming days...



On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
12 Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Just heard the news that my 1st nanny has passed away last Tuesday due to a traffic accident oppposite her flat. It came as a surprise as we do not keep in regular contact anymore...but I would always remember the love and care that she showered on me those days...

She doted on me because she has 2 sons, I was the daughter she never had. She started looking after me when I came to S'pore when I was 2 years old. Apparently, she was the one who taught me to speak in mandarin. She stopped being my nanny when I was 7 after they moved house.

We are saddened to know of her passing, and only after her funeral, in addition, her husband was uncontactable and away on holiday during that period. He only knew of her death today, 1 day later than us...

We went to visit them this evening...it was strange to see my 大哥哥 & 小哥哥 (how I address her 2 sons) after so many years. I absolutely won't know its them if we had met on the streets.

Indeed, life is fragile...we should drive carefully...

I guess I'm too jaded...to be drawn into discussions ...have been chatting with 2 colleagues who commented that Singaporeans are YES people...are bootlickers...are people who like to throw their weight around when they can.

I didn't want to be drawn into the discussion bcos I always feel that there are 2 sides to a coin. Your story and their story.

Of cos there are ugly Singaporeans as there are ugly people from all over the world. Of cos there are imperfections in Singapore as there are imperfections all over the world.

I belong to the skeptical group, so what if I win this discussion? We r all entitled to our own opinion...sometimes there are no absolute rights or wrongs, juz difference in values, viewpoints. So what if I stand up for my opinion? What u choose is beyond my control.

Andy Warhol...the guy who invented POP art and the person who said,"In future, everybody will be world famous for 15 minutes". It sounds weird, i thot the phrasing would be "Everybody would have their 15 minutes of fame"

As his prints are copy-righted, please do a search online to see his work. http://www.warholprints.com/

Perhaps it was bcos I was abit late, so rushed into the exhibition room in search of M, that's why I missed the sign saying that photography was not allowed. So I didn't believe that no photography was allowed when there was a caucasian lady taking pictures merrily away...even asking the security guard to step out of her picture!

Can't remember whether I wrote this on the blog before... but somehow this book by Paulo Coelho came to mind recently. This book inspired me to Carpe Diem! Well, for those who have read the book, it is about prostitution. So, NO! it is not the theme that inspired me :P but a phrase that went like:

It is easy to have dreams if you are not forced to live it, then u can blame others for hindering you in achieving your dreams.

Indeed, many of us complain about our current situation, predicament, but refused to move on. We feel miserable about our jobs, our lives, etc, but do not have the courage to do something about it. Instead, we become green-eye monsters and resentful of others. We forget that we are the cause of our own misery for allowing ourselves to be in the situation, because we do not have the courage to move on.

After reading this book, I decided finally to throw in the towel...altho I sometimes wonder whether it was the right thing. But so many years have passed, and I believe that I gave myself freedom from that job then and kept some part of myself alive.

Somehow a break juz seem to make the 1st working day more blue than ever. And it really makes 1 wonder whether a break was beneficial or should we juz continue to work every single day?!? GASP!

Remember reading an article which surveyed Singaporeans and found that WE suffer from Monday blues more than people from other countries. A fren told me that even she as a homemaker feels the Monday blues when hubby goes to work and she is left alone at home with the kids!

Hmmm hope the blues disappear soon...

Is there such a thing as "Happily Ever After?" It seems to be a fiction that little girls grow up with....

Have witnessed 2 matrial problems recently...1 a young couple, it is baffling that they survived long distance relationships and cohabitation, but not marriage...

The 2nd is an older couple with children in their 20s...is it bcos the husband was not as capable as the wife? Or is it the husband was not useful enough around the family?

They say that women are afraid of lonliness...but it seems that men cannot stand lonliness more...or is it their ego? That they like to be looked up to and fawned by people around them...even hanging around women who are nothing to shout about but are able to make the men feel useful...

What is the meaning of marriage? Is it companionship? Is it responsibility? Is it love? Is it Sex?

Can we juz remain as friends? Would you still pamper me? Be sweet to me? Chat with me? Spend time with me although we are JUST FRIENDS? Would u still do that to me 10 or 20 years down the road?

Decided to test out the newly installed GPRS ...so keyed in my street name to see which route we should take. Soon, we realised that it instructed us to go via CTE, then exit Moulmein and connect to PIE...when we usually would take AYE, which is actually my preferred choice as it is straight and easier to drive along....

To test the system further....we decided not to listen to instructions to see how the GPRS would react...sure enough it soon told us to make a U-turn. Guess the software has been written to select the expressways if possible....

Verdict: The system in France is more intelligent....and can react very fast when it detects that we have deviated from the chosen route...

Was pleasantly surprised to see the halloween candy on my desk when I came back from lunch ... didn't expect to receive Halloween candy this year, much less from my colleagues...because somehow still feel that I have not found my place....

However, it seems that I have judged too early...bcos for many colleagues, once you give them a chance, u will find that they are quite nice too....Well, u win some, u lose some....when I expected coldness....I got so much warmth ...and feel overwhelmed by the friendliness that I get .... :P

Wanted to watch Stepford wives when it was in the theatres, but somehow missed it. So when I found out that it would be aired on TV, I made sure that I was home to watch it.

Well, not sure whether it is because I missed abit of the beginning, so could not really catch up, but I felt that it was not as nice as I thought, although it had the usual message: That there is no perfect marriage, the perfect spouse. All of us have to learn to make it work, through talking it through and accepting him or her as himself or herself.

Hmm, does that mean that some of us are shooting at the stars? Hoping for a better model?

This has been a sizzling week for me....with lots of BBQ food....it all started with the BBQ at ECP on Sunday, thereafter, it was Pepper Lunch....I don't know why I always have a soft spot for Pepper Lunch ...when I don't normally fancy BBQ food...but Pepper Lunch....I would always be keen to go.... :P

To add to that, had dinner @ Hot Stones too....it is not a restaurant that I have any feelings for...given a choice I would pass...but then cos it was a big group....and I didn't want to comment too much so we had our dinner @ Hot Stones....boy did we stink after that.... :(

So when I was recommended some kind of beef cubes at Sun & Moon...I decided to pass...it would be too much BBQ food for dinner for a week....the amazing thing is...I also had curry fish head 2 times this week during lunch.....

Is there a saying for such things that happen together? Buses come in threes? It doesn't rain but it pours?
All don't seem to describe this situation properly....any suggestions out there?

While walking along East Coast Park in search of BBQ Pit G75, I saw these sandcastles in the sand...din't know that there was such an event....hence feel that it's so fortunate that I managed to chance upon them and ...and even the pictures taken with my mobile phone turn out quite nice too....

Wonder why I was so careless to miss seeing the map that the organiser has so painstakingly searched for and enclosed with the email....so ended up walking 1.5 hrs...from the bus stop opposite Mandarin Gardens, along the underpass, pass the cable ski lagoon, the food centre, Bedok jetty, the outward bound school before I found them....at the extreme end of East Coast Park by the National Sailing Centre.

This is the first time I walked so much along East Coast Park alone....I kept on thinking that I was reaching....and didn't want to take a cab....thinking that I can enjoy the walk....ignoring PG's advice that I should rent a bike.....with my bags getting heavier, I kept on walking....the silver lining was seeing these sandcastles.....I used to be crazy over powdery white sand ....even have a collection of bottles of sand from Sdyney, Pulau Redang, Bintan...

The above phrase is from the book of Deuteronomy of the Bible and from Chapter 33 Verse 25.

I feel that this phrase like the other verses of the Bible is very wise. Many people complain of life being difficult...but it is a tough life that makes us a better person! Through each hardship, we learn to be wiser and stronger...everything in life happens for a reason...so all these difficulties mould us to be a better person....and this differentiates us from juveniles...

Well, although i want to grow...I hope that life doesn't get too tough for me :P

Feel quite good that there was quite a good turn-out to KX-HH's 1st collaboration to organise a beach volleyball outing on Sunday...based on our count...there were 19 of us...THANKS to all who turned up! :)

It was quite fun to be out again...to enjoy the sun and company of friends...but alas the sun was juz a little too scorching for volleyball play when we first reached Sentosa so we hid in the shade...and before we know it....it was almost time to return home. So this time, I didnt' play much volleyball, just played abit of ultimate frisbee and softball...and it was great to be able to put some mileage into my lomo....for some pictures of our event....go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hwei2/1576497371/in/set-72157602431603461/

This is also the 1st time I had to scan my own lomo pictures...luckily i found out that I could do it in the office :P ...so do be more patient and check back to flickr regularly for more updates....

Although many turned up this time, I'm sure we all felt that our little miss sunshine was not in our midst, and many did not join for dinner ....but it's ok....we all have to start somewhere....so I'm satisfied with my first attempt.

Poor me! ...had to suffer from hunger 3 evenings this week ...Tuesday...no dinner as we were rushing to a concert and Genki Sushi was so slow in serving my nabe udon...Wed and Thur evening....had to stay OT...in the office...this being the Kampong...no place to buy dinner....this is the first time I stayed til so late in the office...left the office almost 12:30am! Reached home at 1am! Poor tummy....was so keen to return home for dinner today....and was too lazy to go out so cancelled our movie outing...sorry KX!

Unfortunately, don't seem to have a flatter tummy after all this hunger....sad....

M glad that the staff can ICA did not just follow law...but as promised...managed to minimise my waiting time at their premises. When i saw the crowd at ICA, I thought that I would never make it in time before closing....luckily Mr Laz delivered his promise and got his staff to process my application first, and within half an hour, I was out of there!

Kudos to the staff at ICA for being so efficient!

What M said is so true...Y bother to think or rationalise others' actions? Perhaps they r so self-centred that they only consider about themselves and do not have any ulterior motive!

October seems to be the month of birthdays....have so many birthday celebrations this month...on Monday was WJ's birthday...see the cake full of candles...

Today...Dad's birthday! Although we already went out for special lunch on Sunday....decided to go out for dinner again today...since today is the "actual" day stated on his birth documents....as is the norm for people their era, the date on their birth documents may not be their actual birthdates!

Just now, while we were walking back to the office after lunch, we heard screeching tires, loud horns and turned our heads in the directions of the noises.

Apparently a white car had stopped abruptly on the road, causing the car behind to bang into it. The screeching tires were made by a 3rd vehicle, the taxi behind, which managed to stop in time...A 4th vehicle, a heavy truck was moving very fast...luckily it managed to stop in time too...else the taxi passenger (if any) would have become flat meat...

Some excitement in an otherwise mundane lunch...where we went to our normal 粗菜馆 which it seems is our weekly Friday lunch place. :P...

The ride to work nowadays seem so quiet…everyone busy doing their own things, the Driver: busy driving, :P the others: busy reading, me trying to fall asleep. It used to be so different…when the colleague on maternity leave was taking the bus..she used to create some noise, when MC was still around, at least we would be talking…

Now that MC is no longer working here, there is nobody to correct my English pronounciation, nobody to be my jukebox, nobody to comment on the cars with …it sounds sad right? Luckily RL is now taking the transport….at least I have someone to talk to….

Anyway, it seems amazing that the Driver uncle can just turn around on the way to the office and comment that I'm not wearing specs today….when I sit at the back of the van...so I joked with him saying that he omit saying that I look prettier or not...He very quickly said that one muz be subtle when praising girls...haha 姜还是老的辣!

Since I haven't played tennis for a long long time, decided to join the squash group this week, although I am not much of a squash person.

Alas, the squash team consist of only 4 players this week, luckily they were all patient enough to play with me...I'm surprised that Uncle H still remembers my name...and was very nice in chatting with me while we waited on the bleachers. Quite surprised by some of the stories that he told me..I must really been out of the loop or really insensitive to not know all these things that happened...well, I've always been not much up-to-date on the news of this group since I am not a regular player of their squash games...

Anyway, it's great that Uncle H agreed to join our Volleyball @ Sentosa on 14!

So upset that the old template was not suitable for me as the side panel was too narrow, and cannot fit in the chatbox and photo which would be partially cut-off...hope that blogspot would have new templates for us to choose from as I haven't found another template that I like from the existing templates.

Update: Yours truly managed to tweak the template! :P a pat on the back....I managed to amend the HTML using a little bit of common sense...I know it's nothing great to people who can use it...but to me...it is an achievement!

Cannot remember exactly why I bought Bebel Gilberto's CD, but I guess I heard it at the CD shop and liked it so decided to get it. The way that she sings is so comforting and relaxing...so when M asked whether I wanted to go to her concert...I agreed.

Let me ask...How many people can sing WELL lying down? Bebel Gilberto! And there was no change in her voice quality although she was lying on the stage! However, it would be a more suitable place to listen to her sing in a lounge and not a concert hall...Although I know that her voice is great and soothing, and I was really excited when she sang those familiar songs but alas, I could not really get into the mood as the concert hall feeling was all wrong...

Well, perhaps I should go listen to her album this evening...

Anyway for those interested to preview her genre of songs, please go to http://www.bebelgilberto.com/
My favourite songs are in her first album Tanto Tempo and not in her newest album momento.

Was very keen to stay at home yesterday evening as it was Mid Autumn Festival and I guessed that there would be fireworks released from Chinese Garden. After knowing that MJ can see the National day fireworks from his window, I got very jealous...so want to experience viewing fireworks from my window too....

Years ago, when we first moved into this place, we also caught some fireworks unexpectedly during Chinese New Year....sometimes during National day, we can also hear fireworks released from the science centre....thereafter, we don't have such luck....

So I was pleasantly surprised to suddenly hear some "explosions" and when I turned around, i saw the fireworks in the sky! Quite a nice ending to this unexciting day...

This year's Mid Autumn Festival was spent sending off MC...this special day was his last day in the office. Although I've joined this company for almost 6 months...the people that I actually speak to in this company are very limited...and MC is one of the guys that I spent quite alot of time with...this is because we take the same transport to and from work...so we do have time to talk on the van / mini-bus and we also have lunch together....

Although in the first few weeks when I started taking the transport, I somtimes felt that my time to sleep on the journey was deprived by our conversations...yet...when there is no one to talk to....the silence needs some getting used to....guess we are all like that....u never notice it til its gone....

Well, of couse we wish him all the best in his new job. Dinner with MC, CS, RoT, RC @ Crystal Jade Taka was interesting...cos it seems that it is the first time I am out in town with my new colleagues....the other times...we seem to be only going to places which seem less populous....

As it was also MJ's birthday, I met up with him and K for drinks @ Indochine. Have walked past this place many times, but yesterday was the first time I was sitting there and enjoying the atmosphere...it is quite an interesting place with live music...it's amazing that live music really livens up the place...the place wasn't too crowded since it was a weekday night.

Well, although I wrote a long blog about my getting lost in Paris, it was really a good trip cos I was exposed more towards the life of a French family rather than life of a tourist in Paris...

Well, in my earlier blog, I didn't mention the part about Eric bringing me to their neighbourhood market. Well, actually the French culture is very similar to the Chinese culture, both being very particular about food & both eating anything under the sun that moves...

Anyway, in the market...it was like a wet market...not a supermarket! But it was abit cleaner as it was not wet.... (haha...abit contradictory)..

At the store where they sell pork / beef...I found a strange looking animal on display...after checking with Eric, it was confirmed that the poor animal is a rabbit. (Pls do not kill me, M, we did not buy it so I did not eat it)...

Opposite the store selling pork/beef/rabbits is a store selling horse meat! And there were also stores selling cheese only....it was definitely an eye opener...

For lunch, my hosts served some kind of meat....to my horror, I found that it was chicken and pigs' hearts....to complete my French experience, I tried some of it...but declined a second helping...to the delight of my hosts' children who love it.

I also have to own up that in the posh French restaurant that Eric brought me to in my first evening in Paris, I tried some fois gras...and actually I didn't really like it cos it was abit slimy....

Anyway here is the link to my Paris photos:

by iridescent4

Fish story 1:
Today, R drove us to have curry fish head for lunch. It is quite a new experience since we normally just walked to somewhere near during lunchtime...however, since our lunch kaki size is reducing...we have to start mingling with other people.

Having curry fish head together...is quite a new thing...when we all share a common dish...whether one cares for others is very obvious....Me, not being an expert in eating fish...just ate quietly by myself...however R kept on putting more fish on my plate....it's really quite fun to have lunch with her...and have her "fuss" over us. :P

Fish story 2:
Don't know why i suddenly had craving for swordfish sashimi...after we had dinner & drinks...anyway, it was fun to b able to juz pop to sushi tei and order my fav sashimi as dessert before the they close....

After my adverture on Saturday, I was abit reluctant to venture out alone on Sunday....so after the nice BBQ lunch prepared by my hosts...I told them that I was ready to shelve my plans of going to the Monet Museum. Actually another reason is that I haven't really done my homework, and am not exactly sure which museum I should go to.

Anyway, so Eric decided to bring me on a cycling trip...and I tell u, it is like the most I have cycled in my life! It was almost 4 hours of cycling....we went with "Come", Eric's eldest son...and it was quite difficult cos we had to lug our bikes up flights of steps for some of the distance...and also becos I was riding Coralie's bike which has a baby seat behind...I had difficulties mounting the bike and it was also an additional weight. Seriously, being a mother is not easy!

I was really very exhausted...at the end of the day ....ended up having candle-light dinner with Eric and Coralie in their backyard...and while Eric was watching The Rugby World Cup with his friend, Coralie and I chatted in the garden, sipping our wine...it was a good evening..and I had to go pack my bags for my trip back home the following day.

Part I of my adverture in Paris on Saturday:

Saturday!!! Day of shopping...and jostling with the Paris crowd....

As I have a shopping list of things to get on behalf of colleagues and friends, I was on a mission. Luckily, some items on the list were easily found at Galeries Lafayette...but alas, they were quite heavy and I had to lug them around with me, while I walked around Paris. As usual, this blur girl got lost...walking in the opposite direction...and having to walk double the distance in the end....

It seems silly cos I know that Printemps is beside Galeries...but which direction is it beside? I spent some time searching for it b4 I remembered that I had to go to the Terrace on the top floor to see the scenery...I think it is the 7th level... so I went back to Galeries again...

See my picture of Eiffel taken from the Terrace....then I attempted to travel to Madeline station as instructed by my hosts...the problem was that there are many train stations...so somehow, I went to a train station that do not link directly to Madeline station and I had to switch a couple of trains before reaching Madeline station....and walk towards Champs Elysees...as mentioned above, my sense of direction was not very good or should I say that I got complacent when I saw the correct street name that I didn't check the direction that I was walking and went in the opposite direction instead...with so much walking, I had to call it a day b4 i reached the Arch de Triomphe as it was quite late already.

This is Part II of my adverture in Paris on Saturday

The trains system in Paris is such that there is a main Metro for downtown Paris and another train system called SNEF to travel to the outskirts...while I managed after asking around, to find the station to get to the SNEF station. I couldn't find the platform where the train goes to Gany (where I was staying). When I found the platform completely empty, I started to panic alittle...yet no one could tell me where to go due to the language barrier.

After going back to almost ground level in the station, I attempted to ask some passerby...an immigrant....and he very kindly put down the bags of groceries in his hands and went to the display screen to read the display. Well, the display screens are abit funny...they do not show the current trains...but the next train (I guess), and also the stations are identified by numbers / alphabets eg. A1, B3 etc. But these listings were not listed on the maps that I have...so I couldn't really find out the platform I should go to board the train.

Well, I mentioned the immigrant becos, truth be told, I'm abit afraid of them..cos somehow, they have not left a good impression on me. But thru my process of getting lost, I realised that they can be the nicest and more sincere people...more so than the Parisens on the street.

After much searching around, I finally found my platform and got on the train....it was about 11:30pm when I arrived at my station...and had to walk about 10min back to my hosts' place...it was abit scary cos it was quite quiet and I looked alittle conspicious with the branded shopping bags (Shopping List from colleagues)...

I was really very relieved when I finally reached their street...think my host was also abit worried about me being out alone til so late.....luckily it was a good ending afterall.

Although I remembered watching this show, I can't remember the exact storyline, except that part of the movie was filmed in Montmarte. This Friday evening, Eric brought me to Montmarte to visit the Sacre Coeur.
After walking around to find a suitable place for dinner, we finally settled at La Grolle de Montmartre. This place specialises in the cuisine of Savoy, an Alpine region that produces lots of fromage, which is Eric's hometown.
We ordered tartiflette which consists of sliced potatoes, sauteed onions, cubed ham and gooey cheese...it was quite nice!

On Thursday, I explored Versailles, where the office and hotel are, by myself...

Walking around by myself was really quite fun...I could just walk to wherever I felt like going. First abit of shopping, and then I discovered that I do not have my camera nor my wallet with me!!! Hence, wasn't really in a mood to shop, just in case the wallet was lost, instead of lying somewhere in the hotel room. Then, I walked over to Chateau Versailles, the famous Palace in Versailles...and walked around the garden til almost closing at 8:30pm....and I got truly and completely lost. Luckily with no special plans made...I could just wander around, looking at the beautiful buildings... Luckily I managed to find my location on the map after some time and got back to the hotel safely...

too bad this absent minded girl forgot to bring the camera..so only took some pictures from my mobile...

See the neat trees in the palace!

Finally I am back in the most romantic city in the world...everything happened so fast that it really seems like a dream. When I was asked if I want to visit the office in Versailles...I was screaming inside...OF COURSE!

But I didn't dare put much hope into it since the company is cutting cost...Hence I really couldn't believe it when Eric called me to tell that I can go to Paris...I was like REALLY?!? Anyway, with only a week to prepare, I haven't really had time to think or plan on the places that I want to visit...

Although I was feeling apprehensive in the beginning, cos it is the 1st time I fly 12-13 hours alone...I was still looking forward to my trip.....I am so lucky to have a wonderful boss....for my first evening (Wed)in Paris, Eric brought me to dinner @ a nice restaurant in Paris behind Notre Dame...we walked abit along River Seine before dinner...

Coralie, his wife, is the most wonderful woman. I wonder how many Chinese woman can let her husband go out with another woman....and this was not the first time ...we also went out for drinks together when we were in HK...this is really a hard act to follow....

Walking thru Raffles Place after work, brings back memories of my 3 years @ KP...seeing the people in corporate gear hurrying home or to the gym...this was my life then...

Walking towards Big Bird and sitting by Singapore River, I am reminded of the lunch-times where P and I sometimes walk all the way from our office just so that we can enjoy some peace and quiet from our stressful lives...

It feels so good to be able to chat with P last weekend...I really miss her, probably it's time for me to visit her and her baby...

Is insomnia contagious? Why have I caught it? Sharks...have to survive on less than 4 hours of sleep today....

The problem with girls is that sometimes they can be so sensitive. I've always thot that girls would talk about it when they are upset, but was surprised that sometimes they just keep quiet and hope that the other person would understand...this I thot would be what they do to guys...and the poor unsuspecting guy would be so obtused and not know that he has touched a raw nerve...

But between an obtused guy or a guy who is so sensitive...one who feels like a girlfriend...with all the insecurities of a girl...that feels weird too...

Which would u prefer? I think I belong to the camp where guys should be guys and girls should still be girls...

Went in search of Handsome Strawberries... and we found it @ Corduroy and Fitch on 6th Avenue (779 Bukit Timah Road)...aren't they cute? The creme brulee was good too ...it's not too sweet and without the glazed sugar on top....

Corduroy & Fitch's mantra:
"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art..."

Showing off some of my LOMO pictures! :P More @ www.lomohomes.com/hwei2

I still remember the time when i was fresh out of school and in my first job as a receptionist...and being told that "I'm not your friend, I'm juz a colleague"...and trust me, she meant it....

I guess this experience stuck with me... or perhaps, it is my nature of self-protection...hence I've always treated colleagues as just work-mates...

Luckily, I've always met sincere and wonderful people @ work...people who were willing to be friends with me and break down my defences ...whether it is P, who has since moved to Perth, or SH...who never misses to give me a treat with each promotion or even, SC, SL, K etc from PW.

@ this new job, probably due to the fact that work is nothing interesting, or because I have quite fascinating lunch kakis...lunch time is really the highlight of the day...hence, although I am glad for D that he is saved from his misery...I still feel that lunch time won't be the same anymore, without his mesmerizing smile...and his deep laughter...

Although he seems like someone who cannot settle down...and continues to reflect such traits in psychological tests...I must say that he is at least more faithful than me...:P having stayed more than 6 years in his previous job...I'm not sure whether it is because I have not found the RIGHT job yet, or that I'm naturally fickle...but the longest that I've stayed so far in a job was just a little over 3 years...

Anyway, it's great that we shared some fun times...(CS&D r the only guys i know who like to take photos of themselves) and Here's wishing U all the best in your future job...

M asked me whether there is anything that I felt proud to have done in my 30 years....I thought for awhile and told her that I think was my lone trip to Sydney in 2000. Going to a faraway land myself, to visit a friend that my parents disapprove of, on an airline with a bad safety record...

Since then, 7 years have past...and i can't think of any other such "maverick" achievements...I look @ the pictures taken then, and wonder why there are no more of such peaks in my life...

Guess it should be about time to create more climax in my otherwise mudane life...hmmm...I wonder whether this person whom others describe as a "want to, but don't dare to do" person can set out to do something 轰轰烈烈 !

Quite touched by the well wishes, gifts and meals with friends this month...it's nice to have friends by my side while i herald in the Big 30...at least it was a far cry from the depression that I fell into the same period last year...perhaps, I am really getting wiser! :P

Thanks also for the fireworks yesterday..and hopefully the fireworks today...they appear in the dark sky and bring joy to all who see them...even if it is for a short period of time...I definitely enjoyed the fireworks and my dear friends who indulge me by jostling in the fireworks-crazed crowd with me...Sorry lah...I don't know why I suddenly have such an interest in seeing them since last year... :P

Had a great dinner with M yesterday at Ricotti @ Riverside Walk...great place...managed to catch the fireworks action, albeit abit blocked...M always complain that for her birthday, we always have a quick celebration, while for my birthday, we always do something more special...what to do? She is better at planning such things for me, while I pale in comparision to her good event-planner skills... "P

To walk off the dinner abit, we walked towards the Asian Civilisation Museum and free-loaded on the music from the nearby restaurant / pubs...it's peaceful to enjoy the Singapore River, the bum-boats...on a Friday evening, with an old friend...we slowly walked towards Fullerton One...where it was more windy and we settled @ Starbucks for a quick drink b4 catching the last train home...

This year, I received 3 gifts...a casio watch, a lomo, and a pair of jade earrings...what's a lomo?..here is a picture of my lomo...a fun camera...


Thanks, PG for being the first one to wish me Happy Birthday...ahead of M, who was just beside me... :P and also to SL, who happened to sms me accidentially...also to D and L (in chronological order) :P

Although i haven't heard of this person before and neither have I been very much interested in history...but somehow, I decided to go and watch this play ....After watching, I still do not feel for this guy or his causes, but I definitely have a better understanding of this guy known as Lee Dah Soh...

Something the actors said struck a cord in me...why should the government control the language that their people speak?

Indeed, I grew up in a closely regulated environment, my friends who are about the same age as me lament the fact that we are of a certain nature...well, it sure do not feel good to be reminded that this is the way we grew up...as we meet people from different countries...we realise that we are really not that apt at interacting or improvising...

At the pedicurist, the girl from China was able to "break the rules" and provide some freebies while the Singaporean was quick to reject any such request...well, guess we really have to learn to adapt...else we will definitely lose out...

We went to The Secret Garden cos it was nearby, and M said that her friend recommended it. But alas, the food was expensive but nothing to shout about. Guess people just go there for the ambience. After having one bite of the brownie, i craved for G-Spot at Big O. So we decided to leave the brownie intact and took a bus down to Orchard.

It's amazing that even the waitress @ Ajisen would ask me whether there was anything wrong with the food when it was left uneaten....and the waiter at Secret Garden didn't even enquire about the uneaten brownie...Haiz it shows that expensive restaurants are not always better...come to think of it, the food should have tasted delicious cos I was starving that day...my stomach even growled during the play! But still the food didn't appeal to me...think it must have been pretty bad!

It seems funny that I should visit two Parkway Hospitals in a week when I am no longer working there...anyway, it was quite fun to visit friends and their new babies...

After visiting CP, KX brought me to Katong to have steak @ Aston since it is near East Shore Hospital...I had the prime ribeye...altho it was still abit bloody, it tasted good...and we were quite full after that, so we took a short walk to Marine Parade before going home...
http://www.blurbme.com/find/place.php?leId=11103

Sat, it was visiting Boss @ Mount E Hospital, it is amazing that she managed to deliver a 4.1 kg baby without epidural! E said that Boss liked the gift that they brought for her 1st born....Diapers! So we bought diapers this time again...couldn't find a shop selling ribbons @ Paragon...so just gave the diapers to her in the supermarket plastic bag....so paiseh...no gift-wrapping @ all!!!

As her son weighs 4.1kg, i suggested buying the S (4-8kg) sized diapers instead of the "new-born" sized diaper, E was surprised that the weight stated on the diaper refers to the weight of the baby and not the weight of its contents!!!

With the company of SL and SC, I had a wonderful National Day this year...having my favourite sashimi and sushi...but City Hall sure was crowded that day....it seems like the whole world has descended @ City Hall....

Thereafter, we started walking towards Raffles Place area to find a nice and comfortable spot, which is also not too crowded...we ended up at a bridge near Boat Quay...our fireworks view was slightly blocked by the the Parliament Building...but it was not a bad spot...and we squealed in delight when the fireworks started...

However, an odd-number group of girls is not too good it seems....

I can't remember the last time I watched a movie on it's opening day...but somehow, we decided to watch 不能说的秘密 on it's opening day...as most theatres in the city were sold out, we decided to go to CCK.

Bad choice, the theatre and seats were not properly cleaned and there was a piece of tissue left on my seat when i tried to sit....

With this experience plus our last experience of creaking seats @ Jurong Theatre...we would definitely try to spend our $ at newer theatres.

Both of us didn't know the story-line hence was quite surprised by how the plot unfolds....however, there were a number of illogical sections in this movie...watch it and u will find out for yourself! :P

Yes or No?

If the person asking is not G, think my answer would be obvious... but somehow....it seems so difficult to come to a conclusion now. Well, since I do not expect anything and know that it means nothing to G, so why is it so difficult to make this decision?

I have always like musical boxes and the tinkling sounds that they produce...so when I found a whole range of musical cranks with different tunes available on Friday, I was like a kid in a candy store...trying out all the different tunes...alas, could not find one that I really like...anyway, in the end, bought one playing La Vie En Rose, using the excuse that M likes it.

In the midst of magazines showing cleavages this month is Men's Health magazine...showing actor Qi Yu Wu's defined abs...I've always wondered whether it is that easy for men to buff up their abs so easily....most male frens confess that theirs is 一大粒... well if female cover girls can have their blemishes digital removed, features enhanced...it shouldn't be that difficult for men to have theirs improved on the covers too right? His fans....pls do not kill me.... :P

It seems like magic...when I wrote about Sushi Tei...I got sushi tei again today...when i wrote about my CASIO wish....and people are offering it to me... :P

Hmm...does it mean that I should now wait for either Daniel Wu, Daniel Henny, Takeshi or Wu Chun to appear? :P

Anyway, it is a pleasant surprise to hear that this group is offering to get me Casio ...cos it is quite a small group so the per person rate is quite high....hmmm actually it's ok for me even if my Casio doesn't come from them...cos I've already found a confirmed sponsor! :p But it's the thought that counts! Thanks to them anyway!

有时在夜晚的时后，去兜兜风是件幸福的事。。。

真是个方向白痴，就算已经听了交通指示，但还是走错路。。。还好不急着回家，所以就借这机会吹吹风。。走远路。。还到了熟悉的南大校舍附近。。然后再倒回。。。很快的就到家了。:P

1st, it started with Sakae Sushi, then i moved on to Genki Sushi...then....it was Sushi Tei....I can't seem to get enough of sushi! And the cheapest way to have good sushi is at sushi train outlets. My current craze is @ Sushi Tei...I've been to the branch at Vivocity, Paragon, Ngee Ann City and Holland Village. The usual items that I would order would be meijiki sashimi, phoneix roll, hotate something (scallop with cheese), "torched" salmon sushi...opps forgot abt the egg roll that SL recommended! :P

I start to salivate thinking of the food! Yummy!

However, the service always disappoints...this time, the cashier charged us an extra item, and when we went back to ask for a refund, she grudingly gave us our refund without a word of apology! It seems like we were just making life difficult for her when she was wrong in charging us extra in the 1st place!!!!

However, the unhappiness was forgotten when we got to Big O. The G spot really hit the spot! :P
It was wonderful...I didn't know that chocolate fudge would taste so good....cos I didn't really like Lana....ha...looks like I would be @ Big O again real soon! :P

I know that it is time for work...but there is really some things that I can't stand. And that is when people have hidden agendas.

Somebody, let's call him X, asked me to go with him and Y. When I said I don't want, X said Z is also going. I was like...what the ? Is he testing me to see whether I would go if Z goes?

Sometimes, I find that between X, Y, Z...there is hidden agenda amongst some of them...why can't everybody be friends? Why must there be hidden agendas?

Hidden agenda was also one of the reason why I was upset with E when he was after J...others thot that i was upset cos I was interested in E....but they are wrong, it is the feeling that others have hidden agenda...

I really am very tired of all these....why can't everybody treat everybody with a true and pure heart?

Haven't been putting up attractive pictures for some time...so here goes...



For those who like more of Daniel

Since i have blogged abt ugly singaporeans, i should also blog when i see wonderful singaporeans....

Today while on the bus home, there was this uncle who was on the phone and apparently need to write down some numbers...but both him and his wife didnt' have a pen with them...another passenger on the bus apparently heard them saying that they don't have a pen and this passenger quickly found a pen and past to them....

After that, they were saying...o no place to write...i thot people would normally write on their hands...but never mind...guess what? A lady actually took out an envelop and tore a small corner for them to write!

I felt so amazed that there are such helpful people around...and there I was not lifting a finger to help! *embarassed*

After knowing that AY would be posted overseas for a year...we threw her a birthday party, went wakeboarding, went for beach-volleyball at Sentosa....and the "grand finale" we went to St James...well, we will definitely miss her...she is always willing to sacrifice her time to help organize and coordinate trips, events etc...and making sure that everyone is comfortable...and also uploading the photos after our trips.... As she is also very cheerful and friendly, she managed to bring together people from all walks of life....and we are all willing to be part of the activities that she organise cause we know that it would be fun and well-organised.....guess my social calendar would be empty now....that she is not around to organise . :(

This is my first night-out, after the smoking-ban at nightspots was imposed. It is really so refreshing not to smell of smoke after a night of enjoyment....

I have been to Al Dente a couple of times before, some years back...don't really have a good memory of the food there...so when SC suggested going there to celebrate SL's birthday, I wasn't too keen..but since I m not one to rain on someone's parade...I didn't voice my objections...

Anyway, it's good since they enjoyed their lunch...and I, in my bid not to eat the pasta there...ordered portobello...alas, it was too little to fill my tummy...

Anyway, here's a nice picture of our birthday girl...& me in purple...in honor of the bday girl who's fav color is PURPLE

Someone called me a lazy pig for sleeping til 11am last Sat....well, looks like I really live up to my name then...for I slept from 9:30pm to the next morning on Thursday night.... :P

The air con in the office feels so cold when it rains...and on Thursday evening, I felt myself coming down with fever...but still had to stay back for a conference call....after the call ended & I cleared the necessary work, it was ard 8pm so I waited til 8:30 (company policy for us to claim taxi reimbursement) before leaving the office.

Reaching home around 9pm, I headed to bed immediately after my shower....sleep was more impt than dinner....and it seems that SLEEP was the thing that gave my body strength to fight the fever monster.... :P

Don't know what happened to me...had a cold since morning...which escalate into a very bad cold after lunch....Poor nose....it is as red as Rudolph's...and it's still so many months to Christmas!!!! :P

Hopefully I will get better after a good night's sleep.....

1st time I'm blogging in the office...taking the last few minutes before 9am to write something... :P

Feeling sleepy....cos slept abit later yesterday...but then still have to go for an early morning discussion with the legal dept later...haiz...苦命... :P

What a way to to end an episode...and a relationship...parting ways not because of incompatibility or love gone...but because of each others' responsibilities...

Indeed, if we cut off our ties with our parents, we would be considered as unfilial...if we cut off ties with our children, we would be considered inhumane...however, if we break off because of others' objections...it is only our hearts that we are cutting away...nobody can accuse us of being irresponsible...

But how easy is it to cut off one's love...and to live life happily without thinking of your lost love?

I'm always thought to be one who 想太多...although I try to shut down my imaginative mind and not to think too much into things...there are times when I still can't control myself....

I don't know why N doesn't like me...and would decline my offers of candy...(ha...can't use candy to 哄her)...some months have past...and it seems that she is not willing to have anything to do with me...

I don't know whether it is because of her liking for him that translated to her dislike for me...when I am just nobody to him...if she seriously liked him...she should try to get him to like her...I would do all my best to help her...if she wanted...too bad...she refused to make her intentions known...probably...sometimes...when u really like someone...u really don't want to talk about it...

Anyway...apologies for those who's comments have been inadvertently deleted... :P

It seems quite amazing that things always happen this way....if it doesnt' happen....it doesn't happen...if it happens...it will happen again....

This Wednesday, we decided to change our weekly tennis session to UE2...hence after tennis, we decided to adjourn to have 肉骨茶 at Mohd Sultan....which was supposed to be quite famous...it was the first time...that we had a meal together....and I had my 2nd 肉骨茶session within the span of a month.

Al probably felt apologetic for hitting me with the tennis ball....that's y he offered to send me home after dinner...it is quite a miracle that there was no visible bruise nor pain on the "injured" part...for Al is the one with the most strength...and the ball was definitely travelling at great speed...but luckily the ball hit me after it bounced off my racket hence reducing some of the impact....

Of course I declined the offer for them to hit me on the other cheek so that I could have balanced high cheek bones....

Last National Day, I was in a frenzy to watch the fireworks, both from the Fireworks festival and National Day Parade. I have done strange things like go to Marina South and up HDB blocks to watch the fireworks....

This year, however, I do not have any special plans to go fireworks watching....I've heard the fireworks for 2 weeks, either at home or at a friend's place....think they were "released" at JE central and Chinese Garden....both times I only HEARD them....but didn't manage to see them. :(

Yesterday, however, I managed to catch a little glimpse of some fireworks...I was at Central....waiting for KX when I saw many people running in a certain direction....when I realised that it could be the fireworks from the National Day rehearsal / preview...I followed the crowd to be in a better position to see them...alas, my view was blocked by a building in front...and could only see the fireworks which were of a certain height....haiz....

KX, who was on her way from Clarke Quay to meet me....managed to see them....Lucky her!

Anyway, Central was abit disappointing....although there were plenty of crowds...and a number of eating places...the shopping was nothing spectacular....as the eating places were quite crowded...we decided to head over to Clarke Quay....the place was also very crowded with both tourists and locals...

Clarke Quay seems so interesting now, compared to the last time I came...the reverse bungee was also having brisk business...we finaly settled at TCC, which was also where we went the last time I was at Clarke Quay...

Interestingly, both KX and I felt that Clarke Quay reminds us of Xiaotiandi in Shanghai....

It seems quite interesting that I've heard 2 different guys comment about their preference for certain brands of tissue (but their preference differs from mine)....as for me....I am only particular when i have a running nose...since I haven't had a cold for some time, I haven't really stocked up on my favourite brand of tissue....

Perhaps due to insufficient sleep the past week, I started developing a running nose on Friday....and my nose started to get sensitive from all the not-so-soft tissue that I was using....

By chance, when I was at D's cubicle, my nose started running again and I got some tissue from him. Boy-o-boy! He gave me luxurious KLEENEX! After using kleenex....I really can't bear to use the other brand of coarse tissue on my nose and immediately got my own pack of kleenex after work!

Good-o'kleenex.....it really is the best that I can give my poor nose on it's running day! Luckily, after much sleep....my nose decided that it has ran enough! :P

Finally got the wakeboard pictures! But y are they so small?!?!?!

In Saturday's papers, it was reported that a non-profit organisation is conducting a vote for the world's new 7 wonders of the world. The website at http://www.new7wonders.com/index.php?id=633 has now published the results and are as follows:-

1. Great World, China
2. Taj Mahal, India
3. Petra, Jordan
4. Colosseum, Italy
5. Pyramid at Chichen Itza, Mexico
6. Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
7. Machu Picchu, Peru

However, I feel that there are some other wonders that should make the list. A look of the remaining 14 finalists:

1. Statute of Liberty, US
2. Stonehenge, Britain
3. Sdyney Opera House, Australia
4. Statues of Easter Island, Chile
5. Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
6. Timbuktu, Mali
7. Eiffel Tower, France
8. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
9. Kremlin, Russia
10. Alhambra, Spain
11. Kiyomuzu Temple, Japan
12. Hagia Sopia, Turkey
13. Acropolis, Greece
14. Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany

If I have voted, i would have included the Pyramids and the Angkor Wat in the wonders list. But how did Sdyney Opera House get into the finals?!?

It seems that there are a number of such organisations listing such sites....the Unesco also has a world heritage webpage (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list) which shows 851 places around the world. Alas, our little dot does not feature in the list! :P

After seeing what he sent me, I was at a loss for words...cos I felt that this has finally confirmed our suspicion....actually I wanted to say alot of things...I wanted to tell K that I was RIGHT! But didn't dare disturb him since it was quite late into the night already....

Anyway, today, I went with my colleagues to Adidas sale at Tai Sing and bought a pair of shoes, and 3 sports tops....my poor wallet....after that we went to Ikea (Tampines) for dinner....I wonder why I am always going to far away places for dinner etc and have to travel all the way back home alone...

Is it still considering malinger-ing if you tell the doctor outright that you are tired and need to rest? :P

Well, actually it is served me right for going wakeboarding on sunday and so have a "hangover" on Monday...but since it is closing period, I didn't want to take leave....so thought can try for an MC...since the doctor agreed to give me an MC, i should leave it as that.

Anyway, I really don't know why blood-sucking insects are always attracted to me like bees to honey....this time I kanna a big red bite again! Everytime we go to the beach I would get bitten by sand-flies and this time....I decided to apply both insect repellant and sunblock....however, I still got bitten....sob sob sob....it is so irritating and itchy!

My ex-colleagues wonder why I always go to the beach or wakeboarding and subject myself to such insects....but I've already cut down on the number of times that I go to the beach....anyway, this time it is only one bite...compared to the times where there were at least 3-4 bites per leg....

This has been a sunshine weekend for me again....on Sat....went to watch National Day Parade Rehearsal on Sat as my mum's fren managed to get some extra tickets....this is the first time I watched NDP....I've never watched it when I was in school, or managed to get tickets to go or even on TV. But I figured, since this year is @ Marina Esplanade and so special...I should give it a try....managed to get abit of a tan while waiting for the show to start....I wasn't too impressed with the dances or the singing...But I liked the parachute jumps and the fly-past...I would have enjoyed the fireworks too...but too bad no fireworks during rehearsal.....

Then on Sunday....we went wakeboarding at Punggol....I used to be crazy over wakeboarding...but it is an expensive sport and so the times we go wakeboarding became less and less frequent. We went again this time, cos AY is going away and requested us to go with her. After not wakeboarding for more than a year....I couldn't do it the first few times and sorta have to refresh my memory....although I managed a few (tiny) jumps....I find myself getting tired easily....and didn't manage to convert the move that I was trying to learn....to change my footing...from right leg in front to left leg in front....

It's good to spend time at the sea...it is very therapeutic...but I believe I would have very sore muscles in the following 2 days!

Finally managed to satisfy my craving for meat bone tea... have been craving for it for some time....but each time my parents visit that place, I am always not around...and my mum refused to tabao soupy things for me if she didn't bring the proper metal containers....but it's funny also cause it seems like I am juz having pepper soup!

Anyway, not sure whether it is my bad posture, or carrying of my notebook...that is causing me bad shoulder aches recently....hmmm wonder whether visiting those massage places would ease the discomfort...probably will find a suitable place to give it a try...luckily i m not a guy....cos guys always get that kind of look when they say that they want to go for massage...people will think that they want to go to those places with special services included... :P

A beach at Phuket, we went there in Jul 2003. My frens have gone back a couple of imes but this is the 1st & only time that I was there.

The people in this photo are the same as that under Project Surprise 1 (Jun 15, 2007)....see how much we have changed from year 2003

I don't know what prompted me to dig thru my old records, but...these photos sure bring back memories.... This is a photo taken by me in Sep 2003 at Pulau Perhentian.

Note: I do not know the lady in the picture. :P

Today is the first time I start to wonder whether I need female lunch kakis...or is it because I am not in the best of my moods....today we went to a coffee shop that sells only shao la...normally i don't order shao la cos it is always fatty.....sure enough when my duck rice came...it was very fatty...but surprisingly, my colleagues' were not so fatty...

Anyway, the funny thing is that one of my colleague gave me his not-so fatty meat when I passed him all the fat portions....it was abit strange cause I always thought that they can't be bothered with me....anyway...

The reason why I feel that I need female lunch kakis is that I THINK they will be more understanding towards my dislike for fatty meat....but now it seems ok too..just that the guys would definitely think that I am VERY fussy...

After working so hard during the past week....OT til past 10pm on Tuesday and Thursday and til 7+ on Wednesday....I was glad that it was finally weekend again....

For many, the weekend is a chance to rest those tired brains / bodies so that they can work hard again during the weekdays...

For me, it seems the weekdays are to recuperate from the weekends ... :P

Since I missed my tennis session on Wednesday due to work commitments, I decided to join KX and her group to go climb Bt Timah Hill on Saturday as they had to train for their KK trip...I was worried that I would be a hindrance to them since they are "seasoned" already. Luckily as we were abit late in starting, the rest of the group started out without us and waited for us at the "vistor's centre".

Climbing Bt Timah Hill was quite tiring....and at parts, the stairs seem to go on forever...but the sense of self-achievement after that is worth it...til the next climbing "expedition"! :P

Anyway, today we went for our beach volleyball / frisbee session again...it would be the last one before AY leaves....too bad I was not on top form...so could not enjoy the "baseball session" or join for dinner ...

We used to have such sessions on a monthly basis....but sometimes due to weather, or other commitments...such sessions get postponed etc....and I can't remember the last time we had our session and we found that Sentosa has changed so much! Anyway, it was nice to get some sunshine and get a chance to see some hot bods....

Anyway, KX and i managed to squeeze in some quick shopping at Queensway before heading to Harbourfront to meet the rest of the gang and I managed to get a pair of tennis shoes to replace my old pair and she managed to get some work shoes at Harbourfront.

I've always liked things in white...i bought my birkenstocks in white too....so when I set my eyes on this casio WHITE model...it set my heart fluttering....however the grand price of S$128 made me hesitate... anyone who has extra $$$...please feel free to contribute to my WHITEY cause! :P

Another surprise that we had instore for the birthday girl ...an idea of another friend...was a scrapbook with input from all her friends...so we went about sending emails out to request for input and also to meet up to plan what to put in the scrapbook...after a few weeks of planning, choosing of photos...etc....we finally managed to complete the scrapbook with different pages collected from all her frens...and then bind them all together...

On the day of the event, we went to her place to pick her up...she was still unaware cos we brought her to a neighbourhood...Macdonald's @ AMK Ave 10...she was quite surprised to see all her friends clapping for her entrance....and then we played some silly childish games...and presented her with the scrapbook...that's when she was so touched that she wet her eyes....

It was worth it to see that she was really touched and really enjoyed the company of all her friends from different parts / time of her life ...and she told us that she really felt loved by all the effort that we put in to celebrate her birthday before she gets relocated....

Anyway, I feel that we all need some goal...to work towards...now that the event is over...must start searching for new events ...

It is good that Project Surprise went so smoothly...and the birthday girl was pleasantly surprised...and even shed a few touched tears.....

This was a project that I didn't mind planning because I had like-minded "team-mates" whom was with me all the way during the planning stages....

When the idea to hold a birthday party at MacDonald's was suggested by my team-mate, we started to "survey" around for the general popularity of such a party. Like most ideas, there were supporters and opposition for this suggestion. However, after sourcing around for other avenues, we found that this was still the best idea as we believe that the birthday girl would be quite game.

So we started by surfing the MacDonald's website for more information on organising a birthday party. We found that only certain outlets are "birthday hubs" (i.e. outlets where birthday parties can be held. And amongst these birthday hubs, only a few are near MRTs. Our first recee trip, we went to Macdonald's Toa Payoh entertainment centre...the area was quite small, next we went to AMK Ave 10, it was not very accessible, then we went to United Square...the Macdonald's was no longer a birthday hub but the website was not updated.

As the Macdonald's party would only last at most 2 hours, we decided to find a place for us to adjourn to after the MacDonald's party....so we began searching for some places with nice ambience, through surfing the web...we shortlist some restaurants:

1. Marina South Pier (Pier 11)
2. Marina South Pier (Riverboat- a floating restaurant)
3. Mount Faber (Jewel Box)
4. Labrador Park (Olive something...)

See my post on May 27, 2007...on these restaurants...

This is the first time for as long as I can remember that I had instant noodles 2 days in a week...On Monday evening, I decided to OT because there was a deadline that I had to meet.... I ate the cup instant noodles that I had in the office and worked til 10pm.

Today, because I went to the plant in Senai, the transport delivered me almost to the doorstep, hence I was lazy to go out to buy dinner....so I cooked my own instant noodles....both days I had the Shin brand of Korean ramen...I think I am going to get sick of it very fast....the rate that I am eating it....

Due to another deadline to meet today, my boss said that it was unwise to schedule a meeting outside of the office when there is a deadline. However, I felt that the deadline came after we settled the meeting...so it can't be said that we didn't think of the deadline before the meeting.

It seems abit bad that both Monday and today, I worked til after 10pm...seems like I am biting more than I can chew.....

It is funny....yesterday I went past Mitsuoka's showroom and was juz thinking that I've never seen their cars on the road and before I know it....I saw a Mitsuoka car parked in front of my office this afternoon while going out to lunch!!!!! I was waiting for my colleagues to go back to the office to pick up umbrellas when I saw a unique looking car in the parking lot in front of the building...and I think the picture above is of the car I saw.

Today's lunch was interesting bcos after seeing the mitsuoka, I saw a rolls royce, then a red audi TT....it's amazing....cos I've never seen cars like that ard the kampong that my office is situated....

anyway, decided to do some research on Mitsuoka cars and realised that their design replicates the British cars of 1950s and 1960s. Some of their cars look real funny! Juz go to the website if u dont' believe me!

http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/

I started watching this programme on Sundays @ 8:30pm. It is a half-hour programme which highlights normal Korean who are considered masters in whatever they do.

Examples of masters:
1. Fish packer who could scatter salt with his hands onto the fishes he is packing with amazing speed compared to his other colleagues. He is considered an expert as he can use his hands to measure the exact amount of salt for the fishes that he is packing.

2. Lady who cooks hot pots can use her bare hands to handle the hotpots as she is used to the heat after so many years.

3. Guy who pey-kang skewers of food can distinguish the kind of food being pey-kang by the sizzling sounds when the skewers are being cooked over the fire

4. Guy who can guess the brand / type of instant noodles by eating the noodles...

This show is enjoyable as it lauds the normal man in the street...in this show, it doesn't matter what your job is...as long as u are an expert in whatever you do ...there are such people everywhere...doing amazing things in whatever role they play....

Just finished reading this book...which my colleague lent to me...he said that it is quite a funny & interesting book. This book is about a British guy called Paul West and his adverture working in France...It is a more a male kind of book...with a running commentary on his amour life in France with the French girls....

French culture I learnt from reading this book:

1. French like to go on strike
2. French = amour
3. French = healthy, tasty food

Think i am turning into a MacDonald's kid soon. Had another Mac's orange juice on Wednesday, after tennis...as the followday day was a public holiday, when KX suggested going to Mac @ Tea Garden, I agreed....

Today, had craving for hotcakes...so tabao back from the Mac @ Science Centre....

Have been writing alot without visual attraction, so have added a picture of a pretty boy....actually I only like his character from the drama Hana...about the real 吴尊 I have no comments.

It doesn't feel very good to be the new kid on the block....to be unsure of my work...to have to keep on asking people to explain or to clarify...however, I think this is a necessary stage that I have to endure while adapting to my new job....this is the passage of life in a new environment. I hope that I learn the ropes real fast...cos right now...I still get sleepless nights when I worry about stuff in the office cos I am unsure of my responsibility and role.

I don't know when I started being so particular about orange juice....

On Thursday, we went to one of the eateries near the office and I ordered a cup of orange juice without ice...however, it was a disappointment when the vendor added lots of water to top up the "juice" to the brim....I think it is totally unforgiveable for the vendor to dilute the juice with water after charging me a premium for pure orange juice (without ice) hence I felt that it was my right to request for a cup without dilution....however, the 2nd cup that the vendor served me was only abit better but still not pure orange juice....it was probably a waste but I just couldn't make myself drink it.

Anyway, just realised that this weekend, I've had MacDonald's orange juice everyday...on Friday....I got one at West Coast Park, on Sat, I got one at AMK, on Sunday, I also had one at West Coast Park.....

These few weeks, KX and I have been going around Singapore in search of a nice restaurant....so on Friday, after having dinner at Siglap, we began our search, first we went to Marina South Pier, we found 2 restaurants, Riverboat and Pier 11.

Riverboat is a restaurant on a boat, according to them, they serve T-Rex food...I don't really know the genre but to me, they serve American / Cowboy style food. However, do prepare motion-sickness pills....we started feeling giddy after awhile..this is quite a big restaurant/boat. On the first level is the main dining hall (air-con but bad ventilation...u will smell of food after eating there), then there is a 2nd deck...suitable for functions with 100+people.

The 3rd deck is open air and quite nice...I would think that the scenery would be quite good...except that there is nothing much to see at night as it is too dark...

Pier 11...situated in the main building...the attraction of this place is that u can request for the outdoor tables with the sea view....

For those in search of a quiet (and dark) place, go no further then the 3rd level....there is a piece of grass verge on the 3rd level (open air) facing the sea...so u can enjoy the sea breeze (if any) while glazing out into the sea....

The 2nd place we went is Labrador Park....I thot the restaurant would be by the sea...alas...the restaurant Olive something was on the hill....no seaview whatsoever...juz mozzies....the selling point is dinner at the secret tunnels....but it is sectioned off and seems like a normal room to me....

Next, we tried going to Jewel Box on Mount Faber...we drove up Mount Faber near Harborfront but after going up and around twice, and not finding Jewel Box, we almost gave up....however, we recalled that there is another way up to Mount Faber and went in search of it, after circling around, we found the other road up Mount Faber and finally found the Jewel Box....however, we didn't go in as there seems to be parking problems and the road was blocked by the tourist coaches.

On the way home, we stopped by West Coast Park's MacDonald's for drinks....and I had my first Mac's OJ for the weekend...