Familiar stranger's thoughts

It feels good to take a little break...to do something different and bold...to enjoy the sea breeze, listen to the waves and watch the aeroplanes flying overhead, thinking about the potential holidays...and basking in love....

Is it because of the light breeze and rain? Or the small umbrella? Or the raging hormones? Is it the conducive environment? Or the festive mood? Perhaps all of the above, that led to a wonderful conclusion...

I know that I ought to go and blow-dry my hair...I know that I ought to go and wrap the presents, but somehow...the procrastinator is still surfing the internet and blogging away....

Went to Tampopo today, this is the 2nd time that I'm there, I remembered that the food was quite ok....but today, I was abit disppointed with my Ramen that I ordered, M's sukiyaki tasted much better...

Perhaps we were juz that little bit late, and the restaurant was full...so we accepted the counter seats...wrong choice...the chefs in the kitchen were right in front of us, and were bantering away....the chefs kept on teasing us, asking us to order this or that when we were taking a long time to choose what we wanted to eat...

On the counter above us, were big bowls for ramen, and in their "excitement to impress us", one of the chef nearly toppled the bowls on us!!! We were glad to get out of the place as soon as possible!!!!

Can't remember exactly when I started liking Edward Norton, I think it was the show where he acted as someone with a spilt personality. (update) ok...GM messaged me and informed me that this show is called Primal Fear (update ended). I really like Edward's acting, and I think he's so good looking.

Read from the papers last week that he has a new show! Hopefully I can get to watch it soon!

ok...muz apologise to all those who have been faithfully checking my blog...and disappointd that there were no new posts. Haha, ok, I didn't go missing like last Christmas....I juz couldn't find time to write.

This past week, seemed to have spent alot of time at Esplanade...and my dad asked me whether there are really so many shows for me to watch... :P

I am so glad that I didn't give away my ticket for Emi Fujita's concert...she was part of Japanese group Le Couple... can really feel the emotions oozing out of her singing...and I'm surprised why I've never listened to her before...but at least I know some of the songs that she sang. It was a pleasant surprise when I recognised one of my favourite songs, The Rose....

The next show I watched was The Nutcracker, although I have heard of this dance, this is the first time I watched it...although I normally don't go to dances, I must say that I quite enjoyed the performance...I think this was the first time I was seated at the theatre stalls...

I chose Foyer stall seats for Jazzy Christmas...and I'm amazed that we were so close to the stage, although we didn't buy expensive tickets...con: we had to sit with twisted necks...really didn't expect that harmonica can produce sounds so similar to saxophone!

Ha..technically today is not sunshine over the rain....as there wasn't rain yesterday...and I wore blue again today!!! Anyway, Tuesday wasn't too bad for me actually...I stole my colleague's fan since he didn't come to work (I left it at his seat which is my old seat, when i moved to my new place - Anyway, the fan was passed to me from a colleague who has left the company). It was so much better when I placed the fan right in front of me! Hence, I actually wanted to be constantly at my seat, enjoying the breeze instead of walking around the office...

Yesterday, my Korean colleague sent me an mp3, together with the lyrics..."Way Back into Love" from Music and Lyrics...the day wasn't so bad after all...

And today, was told that I may not have to go India...but may be able to go to some places which I would definitely enjoy going....Yippee!!!!

Muz really learn not to be so negative....there is still sunshine!!!

Although today is not Monday, it still seems to be a blue day...in honor of the rain the day before, I wore a long sleeve blue sweater over a tee. However, horrors of horrors! I knew I made a mistake the minute I walked into the office...the air con was not working!!! It was so suffocating!

After that, was told by the boss that I may have to go to India next year... of all the places in the Asia region, this would be the place that most people would not want to go currently...

Then, had to face so many rejections...as M had a last min biz trip, I had to sell the tickets that we have bought...sob sob...nobody's interested...A even asked me to give them to K for K's Sat date!!!! Why is it that everyone's concerned about K? Why nobody is concerned about me? Is it because I am not sweet and kind enough? *pout*

On the MRT on the way home, found the guy sitting beside me taking his own picture! What a weird place to take his own picture! When I smsed M, M told me to be careful that the guy may actually be taking a picture of me instead! Got me nervous and I started to observe the guy, it seems quite weird that he was holding his phone by his face whilst he was listening to mp3! Could only heave a sigh of relief after he alighted...wonder what recourse one has if he was indeed taking my picture! And I was wearing pants and a sweater!!! Definitely nothing to turn him on!!!!

The path home is really lonely and dark...

Messaged A to ask how she fared....she said that she suffered from cramps to both her legs from 17km onwards...and finished it in 2 hr 56min....

I am really amazed..each time I have a little cramp to my leg, I have to stop playing tennis / squash...however, A managed to continue running....really her willpower is strong...we really have to learn to conqueor our bodies..Mind Over Body!

This seems to be holiday season...3 colleagues going to Japan, 2 colleagues went on work trip to Korea, 2 friends going to US, and others, going to different parts of the world...China, The Philippines, etc...

Me? I am staying in Singapore...sob....

Do I look like an undergraduate? Went to NUS today to attend the Childaid concert (a concert where children or youths perform, to raise funds for needy children). Since I am not very familiar with NUS...had to ask for directions to my destination.

Chatted with a very pretty and helpful girl...most importantly...she thought that i was a student, a year 3 student! :P ..ha...told her that she is not good at guessing age!

After waiting for more than 15min for the bus that refuses to come, she offered to bring me on another bus. Really surprised that there are such friendly people around...

Anyways,I realised that the children all like to dress up as adults! All of them around the ages of 12-14....but look like they are in their early 20s...or are dressed in adult-fashion! Hmm...the world is really confusing right? Adults want to look young...whilst kids want to look old.

When I saw the call from K, I thought it was to discuss about meeting up....however, really got the shock of my life when he said that M's husband passed away after a fall at home....

Indeed, life is short and unpredictable....what's the use of marrying someone and loving him wholeheartedly and have him die on you?

Mood: Morbid....

本来以为这个星期会平静的度过, 哪知一早开电脑后,就看到一件 urgent 邮件, 须要我马上处理... 也因为同事都不在, 我还得帮忙...最后还比平时忙! 希望剩下几天能够平静的过...:P

The headlines on The Straits Times, for 2 consecutive day were on the first Singaporean to be killed by terrorist...a 28 year old lady....it seems unfortunate that she was captured by the terrorist when she was only staying a night in Mumbai...

Indeed, things are not always within our control...and we have to seize each day and live it like our last.

Do not think that just because we are doing it only once, we would be safe.

In Singapore, we used to be able to enjoy going to nearby places which offer cheap shopping, and cheap air tickets...however, recently, alot of such cheap places are not very safe to go....

Was told that someone had plans to go BKK this weekend, however, due to the closing of the airport, SQ has cancelled her flight....and she was thinking whether the airport would open again....actually, I also want to go BKK for shopping....as I didn't shop enough when I was there 2 years ago. :P

However, I feel that she should be thankful that the airport was closed before her trip...and not during her trip....at least she doesn't have to worry about how to get back to Sg....and she will not let her family and friends worry unduly....about her safety when she is there....

So...u know who u are....although we are sad that your holiday was cancelled...but be thankful that you can still change your destination...

Although AW's blog gave this movie a high review, I wasn't too gian to watch it til I heard /watched the youtube links...

After watching the show, both A and I felt that we couldn't understand how or why the male and female lead could fall in love just like that....

On the 60 year old story, I used to think that it doesn't matter if the guy doesn't express his love for the girl...however, after the events recently, I think that it would be such a shame if the love is not professed...

What is the use of writing so many letters...which are not sent? Yes, the old lady had the chance of reading the letters at her ripe old age....but what if she had died? In addition, the old man and old lady has both moved on and married someone else...how does this show that their love had carried on for 60 years?!?

I was moved by the never-say-die attitude of the old man in the band...who believed in himself and his skills...and accepted playing a handbell, just so that he could perform on stage...and his questioning of the others, why they were willing to accept not being given a chance to sing on stage...indeed...we have to believe in ourselves and dare to take the step forward...instead of complaining about things when we ourselves do not have the confidence to seize the day

人只能活一回，夢想卻有無數個，唯有放手一搏，才能知道機會屬不屬於自己……。

I can't remember where I've read or heard about people saying that a daughter is her father's 半个情人 in their past lives.

Normally, I don't believe in past lives etc...however, what is interesting is that...I think these people also said that a daugther would be a daddy's girl when she is young, but as she grows older, she becomes closer to her mother....

Hmm....I wonder whether this means that people who are closer to their mothers are more mature?

People are really funny creatures....when we feel like doing...we don't do...what we don't feel like doing....we always do....

Why is it that we choose to go when we don't feel like going? Why is it that we throw ourselves at guys we don't like? Perhaps, it is because the Stranger feels so tired...if she doesn't raise such a ruckus...she would be asleep by then...

Why is it that we can be with a group of friends...yet feel so lonely?

Looking through the photos of some friends who are my age...and realised that some of them...although they are already mothers...still look so young...like a student...whilst the Stranger....looks mature beyond her age...is it bcos of stress on the job? Insufficient sleep? Haiz....should learn to look after ourselves more...

Saw the trailer for 法证先锋 and thought it would be interesting to watch...always liked such topics...CSI, Galileo...mystery books....However, didn't have a chance to watch the first few episodes...after hearing from ZL that the show is really very worth it...decided to try my hardest to watch...

A few episodes ago, there was a breakup of 2 of the main characters of the show...it seems interesting but all so true....2 very good people...very reasonable people...but somehow...may have different thinkings, viewpoints....in the end, they are better off being friends, instead of lovers...

Somehow, their breakup was amicable and both felt better after that....is this really possible? Is it bcos they are both 萧洒 people?

Was chatting with K, who was amazed that someone, say K1, can get over a relationship so fast and go on to another relationship within a few months...somehow, it seems that maybe it is K, who thinks too much into a relationship, for K1, perhaps she goes into a relationship to understand the guy more, if he is not suitable, she goes on to the next one...perhaps we should all learn to be like her....K1 that is.....and not think too much....

After chatting with another blogger this afternoon...was thinking that whilst every blogger tries our best to write grammatically correct blogs, with no spelling mistakes etc...however...each of us have our own styles of writing...eg..we know someone likes to use "... ...", and some like to use singlish, some like to use short-form...however, this is how we are....if everyone writes the best Queen's english, then we might as well be reading from Journals or Newspapers! There must be something special about our blog...that's why people want to read!!!!

So...if you read my blog...please don't laugh at my English or my Chinese...if you think I have some mistakes...please drop me a note....and some ENCOURAGEMENT! :P

It is almost a month to Christmas...time to have my 1st Christmas Post...Have always liked this song since I was young...but then after looking at the lyrics...think it is abit sad hor....

Why is it that things that look good, may not always taste good? See this beautiful cupcake...it looks so cute...however, the taste is nothing to shout about.

Went to this cake shop called Blue Magnolia near the office, and after hearing me say that it is very cute...RL bot this for me...it costs S$3.50 before GST! Really not worth it!

Nevertheless, it brigthens my day to have such a cute cupcake given to me. THANKS!

Why is it that so many people can't face up to their feelings?

Asked M if she would accept him if he profess his interest. She said no, they are just friends...Perhaps he is not someone that matches up to her expectations, that's why she can't bring herself to say that she likes him but there is no denial that he makes her feel happy...she has that smile on her face when she describes what they did together...

暧昧...

曖昧讓人受盡委屈　找不到相愛的證據
何時該前進　何時該放棄
連擁抱都沒有勇氣
只能陪你到這裡　畢竟有些事不可以
超過了友情　還不到愛情
遠方就要下雨的風景
到底該不該哭泣　想太多是我還是你
我很不服氣　也開始懷疑
眼前的人　是不是同一个真实的你

Why are human relationships so complicated? Why can't one express how one feels freely? What are we afraid of?

A tells me that she is very sick of this 暧昧 friendship...and wants to give up. Guys advise A to confront him...whilst girls advise A to hold on. Is this Mars & Venus at work?

Hopefully A would look back fondly at this period of time...at least it is better to have this 暧昧 feeling than being a 干物女 ...

Rem the time when we could go to Waraku @ Starhub Building during lunch time...but now...when we see the long queue outside pasta de Waraku...and always don't have a chance to eat there....so when I saw this ad, I knew that I had to try it!

Because of the Ladies Night, everything was 50% off! We spent about S$14 per person....

I am really a mountain tortoise now, yesterday was the 1st time I was at a mall, so was quite excited by the Christmas lights....

Saturday 8 November 2008

1:30pm: Meet at Kranji & take 170 to JB S$1.23
2:30pm: Clear Customs and continue on to Larkin / Buy some snacks to eat on the 1 hr journey to Kota Tinggi RM9
3:15pm: Take Bus Maju to Kota Tinggi RM5.80
4:30pm: Reach Kota Tinggi Bus Terminal and explore the town / enjoy the aircon at Supermarket
6:10pm: Call & meet Mr Fook at the Jetty
6:15pm: Have quick dinner opposite Jetty RM9
7:17pm: Meet at Jetty
7:30pm: Start "cruise" to enjoy fireflies RM20
8:30pm: Back at Jetty and walk back to terminal. Take bus Causeway Express RM4.90
9:25pm: Reach Larkin and board 170 S$1.23
10:30pm: Home Sweet Home!

Total expenditure: S$2.46 + RM$49!

Not bad...less than S$30 for the whole afternoon...have expected the fairylights from the fireflies to be brighter and more...perhaps I expected to be mobbed by the fireflies...instead the fireflies stuck close to the trees on the shore whilst our boat was on the river...and we were sorta enjoying Christmas lights from a distance away...

Contact: 星闪闪船务贸易 Mr Fook 013 778 5999

The stranger wonders why the planet seems to be breaking out into rain...is it bcos of the political situation looming over the peaceful planet? Or is it that the planet is tired of fighting with the opposition?

Yesterday, B messaged me and asked me what was wrong...he said that I looked unhappy...when I am normally lively...I was surprised. 1st, I was not unhappy on Monday, it was juz a normal, lazy, tired Monday...2nd, I never knew I was lively...

Today, saw P in the pantry in the morning, and she said that I have the capability to make everyone happy when they see me..and that I can make others feel comfortable.

These 2 comments really surprised me. Me? The girl who looks like she is sulking when she is actually not...Me? The unapproachable girl? Me? The one who does as she wishes?

Hmm, really wonder whether it is becos they are cheerful and lively themselves, that's why they see others like that too...

There really must be something wrong with Private Stranger...she is really getting irritated....real irritated...

She really don't understand why she feels such a great need to keep herself private and away from prying eyes...why is she so different from so many others who want the whole world's eyes on them?!?

She is really getting irritated with getting her whereabouts tracked...she really does not think that her life is really that interesting to others...but why are there people out there who are curious to know what she is doing...and want to gloat to her that they know what she did?

Are they trying to do a "I know what you did last summer?"...it feels like being stalked...

Watching the 1st episode of Galileo, and the male lead said, "Feelings are not logical. Why should one think about illogical things? To think about illogical things is a waste of time. Who thinks about why the dog poo infront of him stinks? U either dispose of it or walk away. Either way, it is a waste of time to think about dog poo" ha what an interesting thought!

Some may have noticed that some blog posts are currently missing...perhaps there has been some turmoil in my life...where I wanted to express something at some time, but after awhile, decided not to publish my thots to the public...SORRY about that, if you have read it, then lucky you, missed it and it's gone!

ZL messaged me saying that I had a very happening weekend...and I knew that she had read my blog...well...for being happening...I am now suffering from sore limbs; my calves ache...esp when I foolishly decided to wear heels this morning...and my triceps hurt...perhaps from holding onto the ropes too tightly?

To add to that, I also have dark eye circles to prove that I didn't sleep on Sat night.

ZL asked me why I didn't upload photos.. sorry...didn't bring my camera...and I left my hp with someone else so that I don't have to carry anything while negotiating the high rocks...so only have a photo of the sunset whilst we were crossing the causeway on the way home on Sunday evening...

Can't remember when our little red dot started being so crowded...no matter what time it is, the public transpot is always packed like sardines...every morning, my colleagues always complain that they have to wait for a few trains to go by before they can board the train.

I am thankful that I do not need to take public transport every morning. So when I had to take public transport, I was surprised that it was so packed...see the crowded platform at JE MRT on Friday at around 10am...

After a whole day in bed yesterday, recuperating from the trek...today seems like a bad day to start work...the engine is taking a long time to warm up...

Don't know why I agreed to go on this expedition...others were surprised when they heard that I would be going this time...as I do not have a reputation to be a good climber...haha but I SURVIVED!

Where did we climb this time? Gunang Datuk. Haven't heard of it before? Found a link in the email sent to me of some videos/ pictures that people have put up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTKxim7Ac8c&feature=related

25/26 Oct 2008
8pm - Meet at Kranji MRT to cross over to JB
11pm - After a quick supper, we board our 11 seater van
2am - Reach Tampin and tried to find Gunung Datuk
4am - Start climb
6am - Reach the peak for the sunrise
9am - Descent
11am - Reach the bottom

Height: 870m/2900ft
Location: Rembau, Negri Sembilan

This is my 1st experience trekking in the dark...but it's good that my headlight finally gets and outing...the cons of trekking with a headlight? The insects get attracted to your light...and horrors of horrors....get sucked in when you breathe! Believe me, I've breathed in at least 2 insects yesterday evening!

This is also my 1st experience trekking with so much load on my back...this is because I brought 2L of water, sweater for the cold. Going up was real difficult with such a heavy load hence I kept on drinking water...

After 2 hours of trekking, we finally reached the submit, the most horrible part of climbing each hill / mountain is the submit part...it is always difficult to get to the top. Gunung Datok's peak consists of several huge rocks. Some kind soul had provided some rusty ladders and climbing ropes for amateurs like me...even then, my legs were trembling when I climbed up the 7 ladders all positioned strategically.

The view is really magnificent! We missed the sunset because of cloudiness. :(
But after each climb, I always come back so proud of myself!

Well done...now to go and rest my aching limbs...

Feel very blessed this week because of kind souls who kept me well-fed. :P

Wednesday morning, SW bought Chee Cheong Fun for me for breakfast.Then during dinner, OC told me that there was yam cake and my favourite kind of CHEESE sausages! Yummy! Although I had to work late in the office, my spirits were kept high!

Today, BS offered to share her mee siam with me for tea-break, then when OC and group came back from their training, they bought donuts for us! With all the sugar-fuel, managed to submit my report before 10pm today.

Hopefully I won't have to OT tomorrow, although I have already discovered that I missed out some points in the report that I submitted today. :(

Haven't blogged in the office for some time...cause haven't been too busy to need to stay OT, plus the Transport Uncle in the mornings now go by a longer route, hence each time we reach the office, it is almost time for work and I no longer have extra time to do some blogging.

So proud of myself!

Managed to
1. Add Blog entry heading
2. Change Font Color
3. Change Font
4. Change Font size
5. Understand what h1, h2 etc stands for

Next on List:
1. Add counter?
2. Add label?
3. Archive based on Blog heading?

Really don't know why I am wasting precious sleeping time to play around with my blog tonight....

Don't know why...I always get irritated when people ask me

1. What are you busy with now?
2. Where are you going?
3. Who are you going with?

Normally, I would be able to diffuse questions that I don't want to answer. However, when people ask me such questions....it always seem to get on my nerves...

I really don't understand why i have to report to others!!!!

Must be exhaustion that caused me to stop blogging, after spending time to spruce up my blog....or perhaps it is writer's block? Or perhaps, it is that my need to keep myself private has arose again?

After laying low for some time, finally decided to change the blog design again! Hope nobody gets lost in this interesting main page! :P

It seems that sometimes we have to practice tough love…however, it seems that only AY can do it…to drill it into her she is the only one that can help herself…that she has to believe in herself…and stop wallowing in self-pity…for me…if I had been tough on her….it would just have been a shouting match….and the results? 2 angry persons with 1 guilty conscience..

I am well known to be a 爱美不要命 person...a plaster queen....having to use many plasters because of wearing shoes that hurt my feet...but I remember SC in PW has a record of using a box of new plasters at a time...i.e. 5 plasters per foot. Me? My record is only 3 plasters per foot. :P

Anyway, have been on the lookout of nice white shoes since some weeks back...I visited heartland malls like Junction 8, Jurong Point and shopping malls in Bugis, Wisma, even Central...but could not find one pair that I like...it seems that I may have hit paydirt this time....except that they do not have my size! Haiz...after checking the sizes at other outlets ...will see whether I can get hold of my size tomorrow!

Found a song on Youtube about 干物女! So interesting! And realised one thing...干物女 still believes in love...that's why she watches romantic 韩剧...

It's so funny....people say that they can't seem to reconcile the fact that I like to watch 韩剧

在理发店里 翻女友杂志时, 偶然看到关于「干物女」的特写文章...便被这张文章深深吸引...haha I have learnt a new term again...

A search online threw up this explanation of 「干物女」 from
http://reineosse.blogspot.com/2007/10/vs.html:

日本最新的流行语是「干物女」，也就是像香菇、干贝等干巴巴的女人，干物女最典型的特征是是在职场上看似光鲜的OL, 已经放弃恋爱，凡事追求轻松, 假日几乎都待在家里, 凡事都说：「这样最轻松」的年轻女人，假日时几乎都在家里睡觉，穿着高中时代的体育服装，歪斜躺在家里躺在沙发上、床上喝啤酒看棒球转播、DVD, 看电视或者上网。每天 下班后会直接回家，一个人边看漫画，边喝酒……回复短信，不但字数少而且慢。口头禅：“麻烦死了”“随便啦”“唉，就这么可啦” 完全进入颟顸懒散舒服的生活，这原本是日本漫 画《萤之光/小螢的青春》里二十七岁的女主角雨宫萤的状态，也是许多年轻女人的生活写照，引起绝大共鸣。

Don't know why this article struck a cord to me...perhaps...because some aspects of 「干物女」seems to be my life story....

Wonder whether it is the conversation with K the evening before...where he asks why I am not attached when your "条件不差"...and then he went on to ask me to lower my expections...

I've always felt quite peeved when people say this to me, but somehow, hearing this that evening, made me more irritated then ever...it seems to say that it is all my fault...perhaps, it is because he started asking me whether I would accept someone of lower qualifications or lower salary etc...perhaps it is because I found out that he is now unattached...perhaps it is because I didn't have enough sleep...

I know that I could have diffused the situaion easily...but somehow I didn't and we had to change the topic quickly ...

wow...there seems to be quite alot written about this topic
http://baike.baidu.com/view/1009921.htm

I think I muz b crazy...to let myself be poked so many times...it is really puzzling that we let others get away with such things. But at least I can now say that I have tried it! I have been acupuntured...and am now deflated...ok...lame joke. :P

It feels good to be able to meet up with old friends...cos they know me so well...I don't have to worry that what I say would offend....and they are always so willing to accommodate me. Really miss the times when MZ and I used to chat late into the night....and it's good that she bothers to meet up when she is back. Really happy to chat with her again...cause it seems that there are some things that only she can understand...it's sad that she is leaving again...but at least we made use of the 2 months that she is back in sg.

It is heartening to hear that HM is having it well...although we seem to only meet whilst celebrating her bday...we can always continue where we stopped...perhaps this is because we have known each other for so many years...I think the friendship that I have with her is the longest, since I haven't bothered to keep in contact with so many others...Looking forward to see the new her...

Feel abit upset by some of the happenings around me...

A: Sudden hearing loss in one ear...doc's comments: 50% chance of recovery.
Was quite shocked when heard this from A. Finally had a chance to meet A to offer comfort & support today. Surfing internet to find out more and to check the benefits of A's current treatment so as to give A encouragement.

http://www.american-hearing.org/disorders/hearing/sudden_hearing_loss.html

B: Mastectomy on Monday after relapse of cancer, at the same time, biopsy to check whether cancer has spread to lymph nodes.
Was at the hospital on Sunday to give support.

C: Nervous breakdown
Try to spend time with C whenever possible so as not to give C time to have negative thoughts.

D, E: Bruises from fall, biopsy.

Wonder whether it is because one is of the age where the engine is slowly going downhill, that's why there are engine problems... Pray that everyone would have speedy recovery.

Meeting and chatting with M today, I realised that I miss having mid week dinners...wonder whether we stopped going out midweek because we need more rest during the week, or because of my current job location or my current job demands.

Was wondering whether I was being too sensitive over the issue mentioned earlier...however, it seems that M also believes that I have been made used of. And I really wonder why I am so affected by all this political issues.

Is it because I have decided to drop out of the rat-race? Or that I have decided not to turn on my fakeness? I really don't know...perhaps...what they say is true...workmates are juz colleagues...they are not your friends...u r juz there for them to step on....

Well, I really don't want to be bothered about all these things...I should juz be myself...and be bothered with bimbotic issues like what to do with my disaster haircut, or what color to paint my nails, how to do my eye makeup. :P

Sometimes I wonder whether we trust others too much...or expect others to have the same honor codes...however, it seems that others may backstab u when u trust them too much...

I wonder whether it is that the border that I have drawn between myself and the top is too clear...or that I trust others too much....

But I always thot that I have protected myself well by drawing a clear line between work-related workmates...

Well, at least a consolation is that this case is not lethal...but shows all very clearly what kind of person one is.

Many people asked me what I did at Bintan, who I went with, whether it was fun etc...and I am really amazed by the number of people who are so concerned for me...hence this is for you folks...some pictures taken in Bintan....

Yours truly was too lazy to A)charge my camera's batteries and B)bring battery charger.

This year's theme is 韩流.

1. Korean restaurant at Mosque Street. We had cold noodles, ginseng chicken soup and BBQ beef. Yummy!

2. Korean restaurant at Far East Plaza. We had BBQ. Burp!

3. Korean corner at Food Republic @ Wisma. Had za-jiang-mian. Bad service.

At TMFT, we met so many Korean families, many of them were also at Bintan Lagoon Resort....throughout our stay, we met the same group of Koreans. Even on the early ferry back to Singapore island, we met the exact same group of Koreans on our 1st day! It really is 韩流.

August crept up to me this year...and it was national day before I knew it. Normally, I would have the opportunity to watch the fireworks during the NDP rehersals. However, it seems that I missed all the fireworks before NDP this year...hence was glad when the opportunity came to catch the fireworks on the actual day...9 August.

Was quite keen to go to this "secret place" to watch the fireworks...but as it is, there is not a place that is completely secret or unknown in Singapore and there were already other groups around... Nevertheless, to us, it was still an exciting expedition... and although I did "grumble" about us forgeting to tabao food, or there being mozzies, I would admit that I enjoyed myself tremendously that day... Although, due to the rain...we very nearly wanted to give up and go for dinner instead. If not for the constant cajoling, we would most certainly have celebrated National Day by going for dinnner. :P

Anyway, because of the rain... we managed to catch the rainbow... Well, another life lesson learnt... When we lament that something is happening in a way that we do not like, we forget that, most often, after all this unexpected incidents, what results may be something beautiful...

Today, PB asked me for my comments on Co1 & Co2...

A summary of a typical work day in Co1:
8:30: Official start time
9:05: Reach office
9:30: Work & discussion with TLN where necessary
12:00: Lunch
2:00: Work & discussion with EL, KK, SC & co where necessary
5:45: Leave office

A summary of a typical work day in Co2:
8:40: Reach office
9:00: Official start time & work
12:40: Lunch
1:45: Work
6:10: Leave office
8:00 Check office email

How different do you think Co1&Co2 are?

During today's lunch, we found out that everyone of us in this lunch kaki has some special event next week....

Monday - Replacement Holiday
Tuesday - ML: on leave, MP: lunch with boss, RL&HH: Senai
Wednesday - ML: training, MP: Loyang, RL: Senai
Thursday - ML: training, RL: Senai
Friday - ML: training

CS: What is your schedule?????

Received an email wishing me 七夕情人節快樂, hence I realised that today is the Chinese Valentine's Day! Am not very familiar with the 典故...but remember it is about the moon and the opportunity for the lovers to meet once a year on this day!

I am in the Land of Protons...of sodomy-accused politician...and the country of my birth..

I cannot remember how it was years ago when life this side of the causeway was similiar to the other side....but now...it seems that we have progressed so much that things seems so different.

I cannot remember when I started not liking to be at this side of the causeway...can't remember whether it is due to the time spent at the causeway, or the traffic from too many cars & poor public transport...but I know that I dread coming.

However, I know that it is not so easy to cut off all ties with this land..perhaps it is this reason that I demand so much more from this place and get frustrated even more when my expectations are not met...

However, this is the best place to slow down...spend more time with the family ...and be pampered....for this I am glad that I am here.

Wonder why this sense of inertia...this fatigue....this push to curl up in bed... hopefully with this hibernation...the butterfly would emerge with renewed strength...

I guess we are all like that...thinking that we have the worst job in the world...when actually there is someone out there who has a worst job then us...

Feel very blessed to have such a caring boss..who flew down especially (actually he had another agenda in another part of Asia) because of all the unhappiness / dissatisfaction at work recently...

Over 2 days, we discussed all the outstanding work...list down priorities...and areas where he could help...at least I now know when I cannot breathe (now actually)..and when I can.

While discussing a point of unhappiness...he used a French saying "You cannot turn a monkey into a racehorse"...it had me and JT in stitches....hearing him describing her in such a way...I never knew he felt the same way as us about her...Who is this "her"? Read about "her" in my blog of 12 July 2008...

Each time when I feel that I have already reached the pits...it seems that he can really help to improve the situation...hopefully now...the bunny would last longer...

Because of my boss coming into town...we brought him out to dinner....technically, I was also another invitee...cause I am not familiar with this part of Singapore. :P We went to Ubin Seafood restaurant and had chilli crabs, mee goreng and salted egg prawns. Found the review & picture at http://www.soshiok.com/articles/25


After that, we went for durians & mangosteen....JT suggested going to Four Seasons...a few streets away. This place was actually featured in the papers recently...hence was not surprised that it was quite crowded on a Tuesday evening ... the review can be found at the same site http://www.soshiok.com/articles/10326 ...burp...really too full to go to sleep now....

In this hot summer afternoon, we went to Wuxi...the heat was really unbearable! But we now have some nice pictures...

Wonder what happened in the 5 seconds when I closed my eyes...and opened to find that I was sitting on the ground.

Wonder whether things would be very much different if Jul was not beside, preventing a free fall....

It was a lovely full moon when we reached Shanghai...However, it seems to be blocked by clouds in this picture....the weather forecast predicted rain and storm...however, all was fine that evening until the next afternoon....and we could do a quick run of the shops...I would say that this trip was the trip that I spent the least amount of $!

Today is my last night in Nantong...my presentation is finally over! :P

Tomorrow we are going to 无锡 for our Team Building Trip! No more work issues! Yippee!

Our Hotel & Office is in 通洲, which is in Nantong...However, for the 1st 2 nights here, we had dinner @ Nantong Town...& today is our 1st time having dinner in Tongzhou....the restaurant was a typical China restaurant...so vastly different from the place we had dinner yesterday...After today's dinner, we strolled back to our hotel...exploring Tongzhou and also getting some local shopping...getting lost a couple of times...but managed to find our way back after asking some locals.

It seems funny that we returned to the hotel the earliest on our last night...and finally I got those "nuisance calls"...it seems that the well known knocking of doors by Ladies of the Night is now replaced with telephone calls...

Although the hotel is 3 stars, it is extremely well-equipped. See the display in the bathroom.

Although I woke up at 5am yesterday morning and only went to bed after 12am...I still woke up at 5:30 this morning...when I was supposed to wake up only at 7am...wonders of wonders...I can always wake up when I am not staying at home...when I do not need to wake up so early....

Think I forgot to draw the curtains...hence was woken up when it was daylight.

My room on the 8th floor is the highest in this hotel..see the scenery from my window.

I am back in the Land of Horns...every driver has one hand on the steering wheel, and another on the car horn....

I've forgotten the headache that this gave me while I was in Shanghai 4 years ago...

This time...we are in 南通 for the Greater China Finance Meeting...we flew in to Shanghai taking the 8:05am flight...however, we only touched down at 1:40pm....about 5 1/2 hours later. The flight was only supposed to take about 5 hours!!!

Then, we were drove to the town of 通洲......finally reaching our hotel Asia Hotel at 5pm. What a long day!

The Hotel is a 3star (Chinese standard) hotel...so think they don't have gym nor pool...many of my colleagues are staying at this hotel.....since it is supposed to be only a short distance away from the office here...my wonderful room? 8008!

I wonder how many people dare to tell their immediate boss that they felt so angry that they thought of emailing their boss with these 2 words "I QUIT!"?

I wonder how many people dare to tell their more senior colleague that "I don't want to spoil my evening any longer! Bye!"?

Perhaps she really 不想混了！

一直以为自己经常想太多。。。原来别人比我更会想。。。看来我要多学习！

档案一：
先用无薪假期，以后如果需要赔还时可能薪金已增加！

档案二：
要加入公司之前要先问清楚几时加入才会得到年终奖金！

1. I am misunderstood to be unwilling to check. Just because I am not at Ground Zero and do not have the actual figures or knowledge on the complicated flow.

2. I am misunderstood to be unwilling to challenge. Just because I know that nobody would take note of my little voice + I believe in checking our figures thoroughly before challenging.

3. I am misunderstood to be putting the company in a bad position. Just because I am unfamiliar with the foreign laws and asked about the requirements of the law.

4. I am misunderstood to be a tattler. Just because I was concerned and wanted to help.

It seems that things can never go right. I guess my consolation is that Person 4 bothered to clarify the issue with me. Hopefully Person 4 understands now and do not get upset. Perhaps things can only go up from here, since it can't go any worse.

I always thought that I should give others the benefit of the doubt because of different cultures and different interpretations of the words used. However, it seems everybody is defensive and not trusting enough to give the other party the benefit of doubt.

Well, at least the weekend is near! :P

In my blog of 16 April 2008, I wrote of Uncle who just found out that he was in the last stage of cancer. Today, he is now safe in the arms of the Lord. It is around 3 months since he found out about his illness...

I nearly turned into the red eyed monster when I heard this news...but with all the things happening in the office, I think I have grown just this teeny bit stronger...especially in the office...

Although we may miss Uncle, it is comforting to know that Uncle is no longer in pain

Hmmm, perhaps this museum is more interesting.

Musée de l’Orangerie
Jardin des Tuileries
75001 Paris.

Paintings by Renoir, Monet etc are on exhibit in this museum. :P More value for $.

Since one has to go to different museums to view the different paintings that one likes, decide to have a list of museums to visit for my own record.

Claude Monet
Coquelicots
en 1873
huile sur toile
H. 0.5 ; L. 0.65
musée d'Orsay, Paris, France

Claude Monet
Londres, le Parlement. Trouée de soleil dans le brouillard
en 1904
huile sur toile
H. 0.81 ; L. 0.92
musée d'Orsay, Paris, France

When I got "The Bedroom", I thought that it would look nice in a red frame. However, the frames a the Puzzle Shop were quite expensive, so I decided to get from IKEA instead. Finally found the chance to go IKEA and got my frame. :P Albeit a silver one, but better than the black frame that i have at home.

Didn't manage to find the "Cafe @ night" at the Van Gogh museum at Amsterdam. I like this painting because it is the one on my Starbucks mug. It was a present from a long time ago... It seems funny that the pictures of the Cafe was also not available at the Museum Shop. After doing some research, I think it is exhibited at another museum in The Netherlands, the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller, Otterlo...Too bad I didn't know the existence of this museum during or before my trip.

Guess to someone who does not know anything about museums, I just thought that all or at least the most famous Van Gogh paintings would be displayed at the Van Gogh Museum. But it seems that there are many museums exhibiting Van Gogh paintings in The Netherlands and even France. Ah, a lesson to learn for this person from the Little Red Dot.

It seems difficult to choose from the range of movies available on Krisworld for my flight to Tokyo...since there is not much to choose from and I've already watched 2 of the interesting movies and all the CSI series. A 7 hour flight...and have to start work almost immediately... Hence, I only watched a movie and have to try and get some rest.

I chose to watch 27 dresses. Main female lead is someone who likes to take care of others. Hence, many of her friends requested for her to be a bridesmaid and she was always very good at wedding planning etc. She has held the torch for her boss but just went she wanted to profess to him. Along comes her younger sister and captured his attention.

Comes 2nd male lead who is always by her side, but not "seen" by the female lead because she only has eyes for her boss. However, somehow she realised that the 2nd male lead was the one for her.

Predictable storyline...just a chick flick.

Have always being amazed by the way that dancers can dance so gracefully and with such ease...and the thought of learning some street dance has always been on my mind. Hence chose to watch Step up 2. Their dance moves are really amazing! I wonder whether I would be able to dance like that one day if I start now. :P

It's good that air travelling allows me time to watch movies that I normally won't pay to watch. This is the movie I chose on my return flight from Hong Kong.

This was a movie that I've wanted to watch for the longest time, can't remember where I got to know of this movie, but whenever it was shown on TV, I didn't manage to watch it.

While flying into Hong Kong, I was quite disappointed to find out that the new releases on Krisword was not very interesting, hence decided to watch Before Sunset.

The story goes that Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) met on the Eurorail. As they had a connection, they decided to spend an evening in Vienna together (where the train was passing by).

Vienna was one of the places that I visited in April this year, hence it was quite refreshing to watch the Vienna street scenes.

As the movie was quite an old one, the only pull was the story line...and I find it quite interesting to see the interaction between the 2 leads as it was their only evening together.

My problem right now is that I want the best of all worlds. Although I am busy at work, I'm unwilling to forgo my social life. Hence, I get upset when I don't have enough time for everything.

Nevertheless, sometimes, it is good to take a break. Breathe in fresh air...do some exercise...I never knew that it was that easy to walk up Mount Faber. But we did it! :P

For this walk, we had a chance to meet some trekkers with their family. Uncle Low also shown us the Malay Regiment Museum...didn't even know that such a museum exist in Singapore. Guess I am really very ignorant.

There is an entrance fee of S$1 for this museum. However, we just explored the gardens and found these statues...

Time is a precious commodity...all of us have 24 hours everyday...and if we don't make good use of it, there is no way of us getting it back.

I really feel so hardpressed for time. Work, friends, family are all fighting for my time...Normally, I only feel depressed Sunday evening when I think about going to work on Monday. But this time, I started to feel upset on Saturday...because I know that there are so many things to be done...brought back so many things to be done from the office...although I have still not started...it is constantly gnawing at me...cause I HAVE to send it to my boss by SUNDAY evening.

I really want to rest over the weekends, not think about Monday to Friday....

This past week have OT'd 2 evenings and brought work home 1 day...I think I may have to continue this for a few more weeks before my life gets normal again. I really don't know how others can bear to work everyday from Mondays to Sundays....

I've always felt that I am not equipped with the skills to do my work...all the software that I supposed to know...I was not properly trained in the use of them, neither were there proper user manuals to turn to.

This has been my frustration from some time back...however, somehow I managed to overcome this...however, somehow, this week, I had to use a software in my course of work and the deadline was by 27 June 2008.

I can't really complain about me having to use this software as this was one of the software where I had at least 2 days of training. However, I've always felt that the days of training were not very useful as I still do not know how useful this software was for my work.

With this urgent deadline, I had no choice but to jump into the deep end of this software....luckily for me, I had very helpful colleagues who helped me in their own way so that at least I could a) make sense of this POWERFUL software b) use it to retrieve the information that I need.

Really want to say a BIG THANKFUL to all those who spared me the time to give me some instructions...It is amazing that when at first, they all seem so unhelpful and even said harsh words to me, but now patiently gave me step-by-step instructions.

Well, don't know whether we can blame it to the weather...because of the heavy rain...I couldn't get back to the office on time after lunch...which led to me being asked when I can complete my project.

With 2 weeks travelling and working on other projects, all the existing projects were put on hold...hence they came back to haunt me...although I kept on chasing the service provider...even when I was travelling...they got back to me on the additional information that they needed ONLY on my deadline. Of course I couldn't meet the deadline!!!

Perhaps it was due to the rain that I was in a bad mood...plus the question on meeting the deadline was the spark and my temper sorta blew up. I guess my attitude wasn't very good after that. But then, I feel that I shouldn't be penalised for the bad performance of the service provider. Perhaps we should be more vigilant next time when we choose a service provider...

Anyway, with all these pent-up tension inside, it was a good thing that I could hit the walls as hard as I want...SQUASH really is good at times like this and nobody can blame u. :P

For breakfast this morning, we chanced upon a noodle store in Shinagawa Station and decided to try it. I ordered a soba that costed 480 yen (S$6). This is a shop with no seats and everyone ate standing. The soba was great but the "fried cakes" seems not very well cooked, and I could taste abit of flour.

For lunch, we went to a restaurant near the office (along the same road). I chose the sashimi set and it costs 1,500 yen (S$20). The sashimi was so fresh and tasty! I could really taste the flavour of the fish, scallop and octopus. The set also included tempura, miso soup, chawamushi and ice-cream. I chose the melon flavour. It was heavenly!

Yakitori restaurant for dinner. Didn’t realize that yakitori means BBQ chicken in Japanese. So we were wondering why we kept on getting all kinds of chicken...including chicken liver (urgh!), chicken heart!!!

Finally reached Tokyo after the 7 hours long flight…too bad I couldn’t really sleep this time…although I know I really should cause would need to start work when we reach Tokyo.

We paid 3,000 yen (S$39) for the airport transfer to Hotel Prince Takanawa, although the hotel is abit inconvenient being so high up on the hill, it really has quite a nice garden and big rooms. As we were both quite hungry, we decided to find food at the hotel since it was quite far away from the train station and where we could find food.
We had brunch at the hotel which costs us 2,200 yen (S$30)! It was the only food available since all other restaurants were closed as it was only 11:30am.

After that, we started work at the office. Time passed quickly and soon it was time to go off, as this was the only free night for us @ Tokyo, we went to the store nearest the office and shopped like there was no tomorrow. Finally had a chance to take taxi @ Tokyo! It wasn’t that bad, costs us 1,970 yen (S$25) to reach the hotel.

It really is a fresh experience blogging at the airport....and also taking A380 for the first time. Brain seems to be abit blank...don't know what to blog about. I juz know that I still miss my bed...having been away from it for one week...and then have to leave it again for another week...hopefully I would sleep better this week...and not wake up at 6am every morning...

This time in Hong Kong, I stayed at Renaissance Hotel. Since the hotel is very near Victoria Harbour, I have been walking past the harbor almost everyday. However, the weather hasn’t been good and the scenery is always of a very hazy Hong Kong business district. 

The internal audit is almost over, so hopefully I would have an opportunity to go over to Hong Kong Island for more shopping. Everyone’s amazed by the speed I managed to buy things in Hong Kong. But it seems like in Hong Kong, there are always things to buy…still remember my trip many years ago where I spent half my $ on my first day in HK and had to watch my spending for the rest of the one and a half weeks of my stay there.

Have been having mango almost everyday whilst in Hong Kong. Yummy!

Although I thought it would be a very relaxing work week, somehow, still feel very exhausted at the end of the day. Staring at my computer screen the whole day…and somehow waking up before the alarm rings each morning…hopefully with the coming of an end of the assignment, I would be able to sleep well tonight!

2 June 2008 (Monday): Met the audit team and introduced them to the Greater China Team who were also staying at the hotel..then we quickly jumped into 2 cabs and were on our way to the airport. It is amazing that Taxis in Hong Kong allow 5 people in a cab, which means 4 passengers behind. It really is a tight squeeze.

Since it was our first day of working in Hong Kong, we took it slowly...for lunch, we were brought to a Vietnamese restaurant at the Ocean Building...We left the office at around 6pm...
After dropping our things at the hotel, we walked to the nearby Lock Road and found a Cha Chan Teng for dinner...and I found out that we were so near to Chung King Mansion of Days of being Wild fame.

As it was around 8pm, we were in time to watch the Panaroma of Lights. I was abit disappointed cause I guess I expected more...but nevertheless, guess most were quite impressed...

1 June 2008 (Sunday): We went to Lanma Island..a little island nearby. My colleagues from Taiwan invited me to join them for the "mountaineering" trip, hence I flew into HK one day earlier than I was supposed to...I thought it was a real climb which would take a few hours and involve some very vertical climbing. I brought my hiking boots and backpack. However, all of them were dressed as if they were going for a walk. So no prizes for guessing how easy the "climb" was. It was not technically a climb cause we just followed the path uphill, sorta like walking up a slope. There were some people on the ferry who were dressed like they were going for some serious climbing. However, we took the leisurely route instead of the "expert" route.

It was good that the weather was fine although the weather report had predicted rain the whole week.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we walked to Victoria Harbour and took the Star Ferry from TST to Central, there was abit of a delay and we rushed to Pier 3 to get onto the ferry to Lanma Island from Central. There are 2 piers at Lanma Island, one at Sok Kwu Wan and another at Yung Shue Wan. That day, we took the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan and walked to Yung Shue Wan to return to Hong Kong Island.

I enjoyed myself tremendously that day. It was relaxing to be out doing something physical. And I enjoyed the company that day.

May 31 (Saturday): Took the morning flight SQ862 from Singapore to Hong Kong. Flight time was about 3+ hours. The weather report for the week predicted rain...

Reached HKIA and took the Airport Express to Kowloon. There was a certain deva vu coming back to HK a second time for a business trip. This time I was on Kowloon island instead of Hong Kong island.


Reached Renaissance hotel at around 4pm , dropped my luggage and went out into the battlefield. There was a SOGO near the hotel and it was the last day of SOGO sale. It was good that I did not return empty handed. :)

Our hotel was opposite the famous Peninsula Hotel. My colleague's room was really big..there was a double bed and a single bed. However, she still booked a separate room for me using her Marriot points.



We had dinner at 糖朝, a restaurant that I would think is similiar to Crystal Jade, specialising in Cantonese food, it is within walking distance from the Hotel and the office. This was the first time I was introduced to some of the other colleagues from Taiwan. After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll back to the hotel, enjoying the scenery along Victoria Harbour.

How easy is it to work for 2 bosses? I thought it was difficult when different bosses were fighting for your time, wanting you to do their work first. However, it seems worse when you have 2 bosses with 2 different sets of ideas doing the same piece of work! And here I am stuck in-between.

She said that I have my own opinion and should voice them out. However, is it because I am afraid of him that's why I do not voice them out? I really do not know. It would be easy if you just tell me what you want. However, nobody really knows what they want, they just want me to get it done. Perhaps I really should have my own opinion and stick with it. However, being me, when everything is new, I just want to listen to everyone's opinion.

In the papers, I read of heroic acts by normal people, trying to help others who were affected by the earthquake in Szechuan, China. Indeed, there are many heros amongst us, if only they have a chance to show their good side.

Many people may lament about the reason for these natural disasters that had happened recently, however, it seems that God does have His reason for letting some things happen. If we take a step back, we will realise that it is through seeing how small we are when compared to Mother Nature, how easily we can be wiped out in a few minutes or even seconds, that we are put back into our place on earth. We are not almighty, we are not everlasting. Hopefully, the survivors and the rest of the world would learn to treasure the things that matter in eternity...and not only care about their jobs or the house they live in or the cars they drive...and start to care about more important things...things that REALLY matter.

O dear it's so hot again! Look at the weather report!

A short distance of less than 10 mins away from my place, is this glorious and wonderful paradise...it is a forgotten garden...and should be valued for its serenity.

See my new love: Marc Jacobs. Look at all these glorious bags! According to the online prices...these bags are still affordable. :P Hmm I wonder where I can see the real bags in Singapore...