This was what I wrote to the SMRT. I cannot take it anymore. It is like a battlefield every morning when I go to work:
This is not an equiry but more a feedback bordering on a complaint. I work in the Bedok area and every morning, I have to battle with human traffic to walk that underpass to Bedok Interchange.
While it is true that you have already put up signages to tell people to keep to their lanes and have recently put yellow arrows on the floor, it is obvious that many do not bother with the rules at all. The gap between escalator and barrier is too big too! People just cross over thinking that they can be faster by walking against the traffic flow. This is very irritating as it slows down our side of the human traffic.
Might as well not have the barriers at all as it defeats the purpose. If not, do what the Somerset MRT has done: close the gap (between escalator and first barrier).
Then again, I know your reply would be that it is not possible as you need to change the directions of escalators during off peak hours.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Getting lost
Being blur can be quite a blessing. You see, I am quite a scatter brain when it comes to roads and driving from one point to another. Unless it is a place I am familiar with (example: home to office, home to Raffles City, Raffles City to Takashimaya), I have no problem. Give me a new route though, and I will be lost.
Usually, I do the cowardly way by asking someone to sit by my side and be my navigator when I drive. Today though, I am on my own.
I was to go from somewhere in the North to Jurong. The last time I did this, I went one big round to CTE (city) (Central Expressway heading towards city) and back to KJE (Kampong Java Expressway. My overseas friends, please don't worry your little heads about all these terms).
This time, I made sure that I checked the street directory before I started out. I just skimmed through the maps and thought I had all the roads covered. When I was driving this morning though, I realised that I was kinda...going around in circles again!
I could have headed straight for BKE (Tuas) but instead, I tried to go to KJE. Why? Because Tuas to me is like the end of the world. Like, nobody ever goes there as it is 90% industrial area. I had this fear that if I went that way, I will never be able to get back home. A bit like Dorothy in the land of Oz.
On my way to finding my way back to Jurong, I managed to pass by Bukit Panjang Plaza, which I have never in my life been to. If you asked me to go back there again, I would not be able to. It was a fluke shock. Therefore, it is a sort of blessing in a way such that I get to see places that I have never seen before.
After what seems like forever and going around in circles, I relented and decided to follow the Tuas route. After all, people usually mention Tuas and Jurong in one breath. Bingo! Found my way to Jurong and was not late!
Still think that taking the ECP (East Coast Parkway) / KJE is a much more straight forward way of getting to Jurong (that explains why I was desperately trying to get onto KJE).
Usually, I do the cowardly way by asking someone to sit by my side and be my navigator when I drive. Today though, I am on my own.
I was to go from somewhere in the North to Jurong. The last time I did this, I went one big round to CTE (city) (Central Expressway heading towards city) and back to KJE (Kampong Java Expressway. My overseas friends, please don't worry your little heads about all these terms).
This time, I made sure that I checked the street directory before I started out. I just skimmed through the maps and thought I had all the roads covered. When I was driving this morning though, I realised that I was kinda...going around in circles again!
I could have headed straight for BKE (Tuas) but instead, I tried to go to KJE. Why? Because Tuas to me is like the end of the world. Like, nobody ever goes there as it is 90% industrial area. I had this fear that if I went that way, I will never be able to get back home. A bit like Dorothy in the land of Oz.
On my way to finding my way back to Jurong, I managed to pass by Bukit Panjang Plaza, which I have never in my life been to. If you asked me to go back there again, I would not be able to. It was a fluke shock. Therefore, it is a sort of blessing in a way such that I get to see places that I have never seen before.
After what seems like forever and going around in circles, I relented and decided to follow the Tuas route. After all, people usually mention Tuas and Jurong in one breath. Bingo! Found my way to Jurong and was not late!
Still think that taking the ECP (East Coast Parkway) / KJE is a much more straight forward way of getting to Jurong (that explains why I was desperately trying to get onto KJE).
What's left is a slight drizzle
The bomb was dropped. Just in case you were wondering what the bomb is, it is my resignation letter. I did not type it till today (or rather, yesterday). I had already drafted out my resignation via electronic submission it was in my "save as draft" folder.
Do not really like to talk about work on my blog as I feel that each profession has its own set of issues and it does not look too good. This has affected me for quite awhile already though and I hope I am more expressing my own thoughts and feelings.
It was really funny coz my supe and my big boss, did not accept my resignation straight away. They asked if I wanted to change to another department. Don't think I want that. It would most probably be more of the same.If I were cynical and mean, I would say that they were asking questions based on a mental list.
Anyhow, I feel that these annual year-end reviews are just like confessionals. I freeze up and have to go and mmet my supe in an enclosed room, admit all that I did and did not do and ask for forgiveness. Then my supe would pardon me and the cycle begins again. In this way, my supe is like God for I have 'sinned' time and again and she has 'pardoned' me. God does that too. He is the all-forgiving God.
I am feeling drained and can think no more.
Like Scarlet O'Hara says on the last page (pg 1010) of Gone with the Wind,"Tomorrow is another day.
Does not mean that eventually I am not going to quit but at the moment, I am taking time to think things through.
Do not really like to talk about work on my blog as I feel that each profession has its own set of issues and it does not look too good. This has affected me for quite awhile already though and I hope I am more expressing my own thoughts and feelings.
It was really funny coz my supe and my big boss, did not accept my resignation straight away. They asked if I wanted to change to another department. Don't think I want that. It would most probably be more of the same.If I were cynical and mean, I would say that they were asking questions based on a mental list.
Anyhow, I feel that these annual year-end reviews are just like confessionals. I freeze up and have to go and mmet my supe in an enclosed room, admit all that I did and did not do and ask for forgiveness. Then my supe would pardon me and the cycle begins again. In this way, my supe is like God for I have 'sinned' time and again and she has 'pardoned' me. God does that too. He is the all-forgiving God.
I am feeling drained and can think no more.
Like Scarlet O'Hara says on the last page (pg 1010) of Gone with the Wind,"Tomorrow is another day.
Does not mean that eventually I am not going to quit but at the moment, I am taking time to think things through.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The storm is coming
I am awaiting to see my supe to discuss the year's progress.
It is a stressful session, almost always ending up in very bad state for me. I am praying very hard to get this one over and done with very quickly and I am going to drop the bomb.
I think there is not much decision-making for them to make. It would be a relief for them. It is more the in-between that might be sticky (from the time I step into the discussion room till the time I drop the bomb).
I have wanted to drop it right at the start but now, I am not too sure. Plus, my supe's supe (my big boss) will be sitting in too. Tres un-nerving. I really do not like these sort of sessions, but it is necessary.
It is a stressful session, almost always ending up in very bad state for me. I am praying very hard to get this one over and done with very quickly and I am going to drop the bomb.
I think there is not much decision-making for them to make. It would be a relief for them. It is more the in-between that might be sticky (from the time I step into the discussion room till the time I drop the bomb).
I have wanted to drop it right at the start but now, I am not too sure. Plus, my supe's supe (my big boss) will be sitting in too. Tres un-nerving. I really do not like these sort of sessions, but it is necessary.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Blood test and fainting
Hate the annual health screening but it is a necessary evil. I went for mine on Monday.
I had to starve from 12 midnight onwards and the most dreaded part was the blood taking. I hate needles. I do not mind looking at blood but I absolutely hate needles. What usually happens is that I try not to look and think about it.
I was in the queue and there was this Indian staff having her blood taken. Before the actual act of blood-taking, she already looked like she has scared the shit out of her own skin. Worse still, the nurse did not manage to draw blood out of her. He had to re-poke somewhere else. He was swapping her arm with alcohol (again) when I saw her roll her eyes and the next thing I know, her head went limp and she was slumped out of her chair.
That was freaky coz I have never really seen someone faint before. I have only seen my friend get fits during my Pre-uni school days but fainting like that, it was a first for me.
I am just wondering what the feeling would be like when one is about to faint and has fainted. I have never had the chance to faint. Not that I really want to, unless there was a very handsome guy to catch me when I fall. Hahaha...and I mean it!
Anyhow, my only motivation was that I could get to drink my packet of Milo once the blood taking was over. Believe you me, I actually lurve Milo and I believe that it actually is an energy booster!
I had to starve from 12 midnight onwards and the most dreaded part was the blood taking. I hate needles. I do not mind looking at blood but I absolutely hate needles. What usually happens is that I try not to look and think about it.
I was in the queue and there was this Indian staff having her blood taken. Before the actual act of blood-taking, she already looked like she has scared the shit out of her own skin. Worse still, the nurse did not manage to draw blood out of her. He had to re-poke somewhere else. He was swapping her arm with alcohol (again) when I saw her roll her eyes and the next thing I know, her head went limp and she was slumped out of her chair.
That was freaky coz I have never really seen someone faint before. I have only seen my friend get fits during my Pre-uni school days but fainting like that, it was a first for me.
I am just wondering what the feeling would be like when one is about to faint and has fainted. I have never had the chance to faint. Not that I really want to, unless there was a very handsome guy to catch me when I fall. Hahaha...and I mean it!
Anyhow, my only motivation was that I could get to drink my packet of Milo once the blood taking was over. Believe you me, I actually lurve Milo and I believe that it actually is an energy booster!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Calm before the storm
Have you experienced the calm before a storm? I think I am feeling it right now.
There is a storm brewing and yet, when I look at the grass and trees, it seems much greener. When the wind blows, it seems to blow much harder and the air feels more breezy.
I do not know what will happen when the storm arrives. I can only imagine and I can only tell you after the storm is over. What I think I know is that I am going to stand right in the middle of the storm, full of calm and embrace everything that comes my way.
There is a storm brewing and yet, when I look at the grass and trees, it seems much greener. When the wind blows, it seems to blow much harder and the air feels more breezy.
I do not know what will happen when the storm arrives. I can only imagine and I can only tell you after the storm is over. What I think I know is that I am going to stand right in the middle of the storm, full of calm and embrace everything that comes my way.
MRT sighting: 2
Today, I think I spent more time on the train than any other days.
I had to go to the Singapore Expo to one of the halls to do book screening. You see, every year, we have a booksale. We sell the books dirt cheap after deeming them not suitable for usage within the library. We had to sieve through which are the ones that can be sold and which are the ones that had to be pulped due to horrific conditions. Some look like they have gone for a swim somewhere(don't want to imagine where).
As I boarded the MRT train, I saw this police/commando that we have become familiar with. They are seen at the MRT stations during peak hours almost every morning. He was standing on the opposite side of the train entrance. There were two baggages where the middle pole is and I thought he was guarding them.
You see, it is a comman sight where banks are situated that CISCO guards stand by while an officer brings in the day's cash supply for the ATM machines. I thoght this was the same situation. I naively thought I would be quite safe!
It was not to be as a group of other police/commandos headed my (our) way. I saw one of them making a phone call saying, "I am now headed towards Pasir Ris".
A couple sitting at the two-seater near the divider then said," Don't know whose is it."
This is when I got worried. There has been this video playing on and on at the stations reminding public like us to report any abnormalities or suspicious packages or persons that are sported. Obviously, these were abandoned baggages and who knows? There may be bombs in it!
I think the officers wanted to bring the baggages back to Pasi Ris, the end of the train line. I had to change trains at Tanah Merah in order to get to the Expo stop. As I get out, I saw this woman with long hair tied up in a ponytail and hairband, take the baggages and alight at the same stop as me. The officers hopped off too and quickly 'engulfed' her. A whole string of interrogation ensued.
In my attempt to not be a busybody, I could only catch snippets of the conversation/interrogation. I found out that the woman was from Malaysia and her parents were Malaysians. I deduced that she was probably taking a plane to return to her hometown. She expressed that she did not know what was wrong and feigned all innocence.
You see, that particular train line brings one straight to the airport. What I really could not fathorm is why she did not approach the officers to state claim of her belongings. I think that was plain stupidity on her part. She looks like she works her in Singapore and I am sure she is familiar with the public transport system. Withe surge in terrorism scares, there have been increased awareness via videos and announcement to report such cases of abandoned bags.
When she got onto the train headed for the airport, she called someone to express how afraid she was. Serves her right. It gave all other commuters a scare.
I had to go to the Singapore Expo to one of the halls to do book screening. You see, every year, we have a booksale. We sell the books dirt cheap after deeming them not suitable for usage within the library. We had to sieve through which are the ones that can be sold and which are the ones that had to be pulped due to horrific conditions. Some look like they have gone for a swim somewhere(don't want to imagine where).
As I boarded the MRT train, I saw this police/commando that we have become familiar with. They are seen at the MRT stations during peak hours almost every morning. He was standing on the opposite side of the train entrance. There were two baggages where the middle pole is and I thought he was guarding them.
You see, it is a comman sight where banks are situated that CISCO guards stand by while an officer brings in the day's cash supply for the ATM machines. I thoght this was the same situation. I naively thought I would be quite safe!
It was not to be as a group of other police/commandos headed my (our) way. I saw one of them making a phone call saying, "I am now headed towards Pasir Ris".
A couple sitting at the two-seater near the divider then said," Don't know whose is it."
This is when I got worried. There has been this video playing on and on at the stations reminding public like us to report any abnormalities or suspicious packages or persons that are sported. Obviously, these were abandoned baggages and who knows? There may be bombs in it!
I think the officers wanted to bring the baggages back to Pasi Ris, the end of the train line. I had to change trains at Tanah Merah in order to get to the Expo stop. As I get out, I saw this woman with long hair tied up in a ponytail and hairband, take the baggages and alight at the same stop as me. The officers hopped off too and quickly 'engulfed' her. A whole string of interrogation ensued.
In my attempt to not be a busybody, I could only catch snippets of the conversation/interrogation. I found out that the woman was from Malaysia and her parents were Malaysians. I deduced that she was probably taking a plane to return to her hometown. She expressed that she did not know what was wrong and feigned all innocence.
You see, that particular train line brings one straight to the airport. What I really could not fathorm is why she did not approach the officers to state claim of her belongings. I think that was plain stupidity on her part. She looks like she works her in Singapore and I am sure she is familiar with the public transport system. Withe surge in terrorism scares, there have been increased awareness via videos and announcement to report such cases of abandoned bags.
When she got onto the train headed for the airport, she called someone to express how afraid she was. Serves her right. It gave all other commuters a scare.
MRT sighting: 1
This is not a posting of the paranormal. It is just plain old ramblings about what I encounter everyday on the train, on my way to work.
I was appalled today coz I saw this old man board the train and nobody, and I mean NOBODY stood up!! The men were either sleeping or reading their newspapers. I could not stop staring at this young man who looked too fit to be sitting down.
The ladies, I would excuse a little. First of all, they are my kind and secondly, some of them are in heels. I know what i is like to be in heels and standing-painful.
I coud not take it anymore. I asked the old man if he needed to sit down and he said "never mind". Guess what??????? Nobody, absolutely NOBODY budged!!!!!!!!
I mentally slapped each and everyone of them on the head ala Ally McBeal. Even though my friends and I discuss about how Singaporeans are all like that and we are not supposed to be surprised by this type of attitude, I still AM...appalled.
Usually, someone would stand up, albeit reluctantly. This time, nobody did! They did not even try. It was only at the next stop that someone was getting off that the old man got a seat. To me, that is no longer respecting the old. It was more sort of a by-the-way sort of gesture, which I still find unacceptable.
I sms-ed my housemate and she could only go "Aiyo...tsk,tsk,tsk!"
I made a mental note to myself that what goes around comes around. If I did not want to be treated this way, I better lead by example.
I was appalled today coz I saw this old man board the train and nobody, and I mean NOBODY stood up!! The men were either sleeping or reading their newspapers. I could not stop staring at this young man who looked too fit to be sitting down.
The ladies, I would excuse a little. First of all, they are my kind and secondly, some of them are in heels. I know what i is like to be in heels and standing-painful.
I coud not take it anymore. I asked the old man if he needed to sit down and he said "never mind". Guess what??????? Nobody, absolutely NOBODY budged!!!!!!!!
I mentally slapped each and everyone of them on the head ala Ally McBeal. Even though my friends and I discuss about how Singaporeans are all like that and we are not supposed to be surprised by this type of attitude, I still AM...appalled.
Usually, someone would stand up, albeit reluctantly. This time, nobody did! They did not even try. It was only at the next stop that someone was getting off that the old man got a seat. To me, that is no longer respecting the old. It was more sort of a by-the-way sort of gesture, which I still find unacceptable.
I sms-ed my housemate and she could only go "Aiyo...tsk,tsk,tsk!"
I made a mental note to myself that what goes around comes around. If I did not want to be treated this way, I better lead by example.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Chingay 2008
For several years now, the Chingay procession has been brought to the heartlands (suburbs)and this year, I got to watch it at Sembawang. It is like the Mardi Gras of Brazil. Here are some pictures:
First two pics are floats done by Singapore Tourism Board. If you cannot see clearly, it is actually a lion head.
We do not what this float is all about and who sponsored the construction of the float, but all we know is that it is very beautiful and we just had to take some pics!
This one is a globe with people standing around it but cannot remember who sponsored the float. Anyway, most of the floats have got people standing on it and waving at the crowd. I think if we were to go to the event proper, we might even get to see stilt-walkers!
I remember them stilt-walkers because I was really young then and my Dad was driving past a Chingay procession. All I could see from the back of the car was this tall 'monster' coming after us with a perpetual smile, similar to that of the Joker of Batman. I cried there and then, wanting it to go away, but we did not move much due to the traffic jam! Hahaha!
This one looks like the shape of a whale. I don't think my camera did justice though.
First two pics are floats done by Singapore Tourism Board. If you cannot see clearly, it is actually a lion head.
We do not what this float is all about and who sponsored the construction of the float, but all we know is that it is very beautiful and we just had to take some pics!
This one is a globe with people standing around it but cannot remember who sponsored the float. Anyway, most of the floats have got people standing on it and waving at the crowd. I think if we were to go to the event proper, we might even get to see stilt-walkers!
I remember them stilt-walkers because I was really young then and my Dad was driving past a Chingay procession. All I could see from the back of the car was this tall 'monster' coming after us with a perpetual smile, similar to that of the Joker of Batman. I cried there and then, wanting it to go away, but we did not move much due to the traffic jam! Hahaha!
This one looks like the shape of a whale. I don't think my camera did justice though.
Don't know whether to laugh or to cry
Today, I am really happy (despite encountering rude students at the library). I got a compliment from a customer.
He was at the library last Friday and had asked whether we had powerpoint outlets for him to plug his laptop socket to. I gave him directions and after a few attempts to get me to lead the way, he was off to search for the said area for laptop users on his own.
I would usually have gladly shown the way but I was in the wrong shoes (not black ones) and therefore, was rooted to the counter (can only see half my body). I decided to go up and change my shoes and doublecheck that he managed to find the said location.
Sure enough he did. I gave him a hand-signal to indicate that he is in the right place, smiled and was off. He nodded and smiled back. He later sent in a compliment via our website.
Why did I feel like laughing and crying at the same time? Coz he just mentioned "a Chinese lady" in the compliment. My manager thus sent out an email to ask who the staff was. This staff, who was not at branch that day, had the cheek to send an email to the manager saying that she was the one who served him.
Thank goodness the patron stated the time and we have an e-calendar that tracks our movements. If not, I am not sure who the manager would believe.
He was at the library last Friday and had asked whether we had powerpoint outlets for him to plug his laptop socket to. I gave him directions and after a few attempts to get me to lead the way, he was off to search for the said area for laptop users on his own.
I would usually have gladly shown the way but I was in the wrong shoes (not black ones) and therefore, was rooted to the counter (can only see half my body). I decided to go up and change my shoes and doublecheck that he managed to find the said location.
Sure enough he did. I gave him a hand-signal to indicate that he is in the right place, smiled and was off. He nodded and smiled back. He later sent in a compliment via our website.
Why did I feel like laughing and crying at the same time? Coz he just mentioned "a Chinese lady" in the compliment. My manager thus sent out an email to ask who the staff was. This staff, who was not at branch that day, had the cheek to send an email to the manager saying that she was the one who served him.
Thank goodness the patron stated the time and we have an e-calendar that tracks our movements. If not, I am not sure who the manager would believe.
If one day I were bashed up
I am strict person when it comes to maintaining order within the library. I do not allow for any misbehaviour.
There are times where I have told youngsters off and have gotten threats and being called bad names (like "Bodoh" and "gundu", which both loosely translates to "stupid").
I would not be surprised, if I continue to work in this line, that one day, I will get bashed up while I am walking on the streets, minding my own business. Sad to say that while we are carrying out our duty of maintaining silence and order within the library, we have had to cope with threats and scares. I have had colleagues who, after verbal abuses were hurled at her, had to wait for her husband to come to escort her home.
You might not believe it but these people sometimes belong to youth gangs and their threat is not for fun. While we have to put on a brave front to show that we are not afraid, we sometimes still have to prepare for worst case scenarios.
I pity these youngsters too for they are often the neglected bunch or latch-key kids, who feel that they only belong in groups like that. Or that the way to get attention is to threaten other people.
There are times where I have told youngsters off and have gotten threats and being called bad names (like "Bodoh" and "gundu", which both loosely translates to "stupid").
I would not be surprised, if I continue to work in this line, that one day, I will get bashed up while I am walking on the streets, minding my own business. Sad to say that while we are carrying out our duty of maintaining silence and order within the library, we have had to cope with threats and scares. I have had colleagues who, after verbal abuses were hurled at her, had to wait for her husband to come to escort her home.
You might not believe it but these people sometimes belong to youth gangs and their threat is not for fun. While we have to put on a brave front to show that we are not afraid, we sometimes still have to prepare for worst case scenarios.
I pity these youngsters too for they are often the neglected bunch or latch-key kids, who feel that they only belong in groups like that. Or that the way to get attention is to threaten other people.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
After meeting the agent
Just came back from the house.
It was mentally draining and I feel so stripped of everything. I did not feel it that much when he took the furniture but he went to change the lock as well. Felt weird coz that is my house too. I paid more for it (not that it matters much in this case) and I should have a say in things too. I feel like a complete stranger walking into that house.
Too drained to complain though. I am just letting it be...for the time being. It did not help that Dad was asking many un-necessary questions on the way to and from the house. He wanted to know who made contact first. Me contact him or he, me. Does it matter now?? To me it doesn't. I just want to get it over and done with. The rest...doesn't really matter. Really.
Agent needs to get someone from HDB to come and do a valuation thingy before we can set our price for sale. There will be another round of meeting. Another round of draining formalities and niceties.
At the end of the day though, it will be for the better and so I will bear it.
It was mentally draining and I feel so stripped of everything. I did not feel it that much when he took the furniture but he went to change the lock as well. Felt weird coz that is my house too. I paid more for it (not that it matters much in this case) and I should have a say in things too. I feel like a complete stranger walking into that house.
Too drained to complain though. I am just letting it be...for the time being. It did not help that Dad was asking many un-necessary questions on the way to and from the house. He wanted to know who made contact first. Me contact him or he, me. Does it matter now?? To me it doesn't. I just want to get it over and done with. The rest...doesn't really matter. Really.
Agent needs to get someone from HDB to come and do a valuation thingy before we can set our price for sale. There will be another round of meeting. Another round of draining formalities and niceties.
At the end of the day though, it will be for the better and so I will bear it.
A matter of courtesy
I have a friend. Let's call her Kelly.
Kelly is very sociable and she is very good at networking. I got to know her through my housemate. Through the years, I can say, we became pretty good friends.
There is one thing that I observed about Kelly that I found rather irritating though. My housemate and I were out with some new-found friends and Kelly met us a little later with another friend. After settling down and ordering food, Kelly proceeded to make small talk with new-found friend and I (we were actually already in the midst of having a conversation).
Kelly asks, we answer. It is supposed to be a two-way interaction. Halfway through answering her though, Kelly's eye contact drifted away towards her friend and we were just left hanging, halfway done with our conversation. She started to listen to her friend's woes.
I do understand that her friend is in a bit of a rut and needs to let it all out, but I think the onus was on Kelly to carry out one conversation at a time instead of leaving the conversation halfway. I don't think she realises it but what she did was rude.
I was stuck in mid-sentence, eyes trying to make contact with her while she started talking to her friend. New-found friend sess this and politely continues the conversation with me.
I don't think Kelly knows what is wrong. According to my housemate, she sees this as multi-tasking. I guess I am stickler for good manners and just don't think it is right to behave like that. I believe in looking into people's eyes when talking to them to show that you are listening and that you are sincere about making that connection.
Kelly is very sociable and she is very good at networking. I got to know her through my housemate. Through the years, I can say, we became pretty good friends.
There is one thing that I observed about Kelly that I found rather irritating though. My housemate and I were out with some new-found friends and Kelly met us a little later with another friend. After settling down and ordering food, Kelly proceeded to make small talk with new-found friend and I (we were actually already in the midst of having a conversation).
Kelly asks, we answer. It is supposed to be a two-way interaction. Halfway through answering her though, Kelly's eye contact drifted away towards her friend and we were just left hanging, halfway done with our conversation. She started to listen to her friend's woes.
I do understand that her friend is in a bit of a rut and needs to let it all out, but I think the onus was on Kelly to carry out one conversation at a time instead of leaving the conversation halfway. I don't think she realises it but what she did was rude.
I was stuck in mid-sentence, eyes trying to make contact with her while she started talking to her friend. New-found friend sess this and politely continues the conversation with me.
I don't think Kelly knows what is wrong. According to my housemate, she sees this as multi-tasking. I guess I am stickler for good manners and just don't think it is right to behave like that. I believe in looking into people's eyes when talking to them to show that you are listening and that you are sincere about making that connection.
Meeting with agent
Going to meet up with property agent today. Going to sell the house. Finally.
Finally making that first move. No, first move was to call agent and fix a date, second move was getting all those troublesome documents ready. Third move, which is today, is to meet agent to put a price on our property.
It's funny how me and him have become such strangers. There is a sort of familiarity in the way we talk to each other, and yet, we have become such strangers. Actually, it is not funny nor surprising. We have not seen each other for more than three years. I have only 'met' him recently on Facebook.
This is the moment that I dreaded and yet, after this, everything should be quite plain-sailing. Sell the house, get the papers done and I can once again soar like a bird. Truly fly! Just praying that it does not get ugly.
Finally making that first move. No, first move was to call agent and fix a date, second move was getting all those troublesome documents ready. Third move, which is today, is to meet agent to put a price on our property.
It's funny how me and him have become such strangers. There is a sort of familiarity in the way we talk to each other, and yet, we have become such strangers. Actually, it is not funny nor surprising. We have not seen each other for more than three years. I have only 'met' him recently on Facebook.
This is the moment that I dreaded and yet, after this, everything should be quite plain-sailing. Sell the house, get the papers done and I can once again soar like a bird. Truly fly! Just praying that it does not get ugly.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
No "Wong Chi Kei" for me
Remember how I was telling you that I can't wait to eat the wanton noodles from this particular shop at the Senado Square? It is called Wong Chi Kei.
Guess what? When we went there, I thought it has closed down and I almost wanted to die. Turns out that they were resting for the full 15 days of Chinese New Year (and more) and will only re-open on the 23rd (2 days from now!)!
Well, when you are that famous and earn that much money each year, you can afford to give yourself and your staff a super long break.
Not much was lost though for we found out from another almond biscuit shop owner (Fei Kei) that there were other wanton noodle shops that tasted just as good. She was not wrong, for this particular shop sold wanton made out of fish meat. Even the skin has got fish meat in it. Superlicious, yum-yum!!
After lunch, we discovered this century-old lane called Rua de Felicidade and Rua de Caldeira. It's amazing for the architecture is so very old style and yet, there is so much life in that narrow lane. There was one small, narrow restaurant that sells only sharks-fin related dishes. It only sits 4 small tables and yet, it was packed to the brim.
I am so going back to Macau!!
Guess what? When we went there, I thought it has closed down and I almost wanted to die. Turns out that they were resting for the full 15 days of Chinese New Year (and more) and will only re-open on the 23rd (2 days from now!)!
Well, when you are that famous and earn that much money each year, you can afford to give yourself and your staff a super long break.
Not much was lost though for we found out from another almond biscuit shop owner (Fei Kei) that there were other wanton noodle shops that tasted just as good. She was not wrong, for this particular shop sold wanton made out of fish meat. Even the skin has got fish meat in it. Superlicious, yum-yum!!
After lunch, we discovered this century-old lane called Rua de Felicidade and Rua de Caldeira. It's amazing for the architecture is so very old style and yet, there is so much life in that narrow lane. There was one small, narrow restaurant that sells only sharks-fin related dishes. It only sits 4 small tables and yet, it was packed to the brim.
I am so going back to Macau!!
Day 4: Macau - Singapore
It was our last day and we were back in Macau. The night before, we have checked into Grand View Hotel at Taipa island. We also got to eat this very nice homemade Chee Cheong Fun (rice flour rolls) from this shop called Biu Kee. It was a short walk from our hotel.
The next day, we went back to Rua do Cunha to get almond cakes/ biscuits and oyster sauce. That street and its surrounding areas has an old charm that I like. On the very first night, we had eaten at this Portuguese restaurant called Dumbo. It was not as nice as Pinnochio (strange how they name their restaurants after cartoon characters).
I didn't realise that this part of Taipa was famous for homemade oyster sauce, XO sauce and prawn paste. My aunt was the one who saw it in one of the old shops when she was there two years back. We bought one bottle of oyster sauce and XO sauce back to try too!
As for almond biscuits, I insisted on buying Koi Kei stuff. My aunt was a little half-hearted and bought from Choi Heong Yuen instead. She kind of regretted coz at the airport, everyone was carrying Koi Kei plastic bags. I told her that Koi Kei's almond biscuits tastes better and besides, Koi Kei does not have any outlets in Singapore while Choi Heong Yuen has. My mentality would be that I would not buy anything that was attainable back home.
With all our goodies, we headed back to the hotel, where we have deposited our luggage with the bell boy. We took out our extra bags to pack and check in.
Oh, and we decided that this would be a good hotel to stay at in the future because it was so convenient. The bus stop is just round the corner and we could take bus 11 or 33 to Rua do Cunha or even to the Senado Square, where all the action is.
The next day, we went back to Rua do Cunha to get almond cakes/ biscuits and oyster sauce. That street and its surrounding areas has an old charm that I like. On the very first night, we had eaten at this Portuguese restaurant called Dumbo. It was not as nice as Pinnochio (strange how they name their restaurants after cartoon characters).
I didn't realise that this part of Taipa was famous for homemade oyster sauce, XO sauce and prawn paste. My aunt was the one who saw it in one of the old shops when she was there two years back. We bought one bottle of oyster sauce and XO sauce back to try too!
As for almond biscuits, I insisted on buying Koi Kei stuff. My aunt was a little half-hearted and bought from Choi Heong Yuen instead. She kind of regretted coz at the airport, everyone was carrying Koi Kei plastic bags. I told her that Koi Kei's almond biscuits tastes better and besides, Koi Kei does not have any outlets in Singapore while Choi Heong Yuen has. My mentality would be that I would not buy anything that was attainable back home.
With all our goodies, we headed back to the hotel, where we have deposited our luggage with the bell boy. We took out our extra bags to pack and check in.
Oh, and we decided that this would be a good hotel to stay at in the future because it was so convenient. The bus stop is just round the corner and we could take bus 11 or 33 to Rua do Cunha or even to the Senado Square, where all the action is.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Day 3: Shenzhen-Zhuhai-Macau / Part 2
After breakfast, we entered Lo Wu Commercial Centre again. I HAD to buy me a pair of boots! Halfway to my destination, my Dad and aunt decided to follow this manicure lady to look for VCDs and DVDs!!!
I was furious! Not because of the detour but for simply following a stranger like that. What if they were up to no good? What if something bad happens to us and we kena (Malay word that is loosely translated to mean "get")harmed? I followed anyway as there was nowhere else for me to go.
We were led to this shop where there wer clothes hung up for sale. Facing inwards though, there was a computer and that was where they showed us the VCDs and DVDs that they had.
Even though they were selling illegal stuff, they were very earnest and sincere in trying to help my Dad find the titles he wanted (but of course, they cannot be compared to roast meat seller).
Alas that the titles that my Dad was looking for were either too old or too arty-farty for these youngsters to know. Halfway through searching the titles on the computer, someone comes in to tell shop owner in a stifled tone that the officer was coming.
Even though I do not approve of the way they are doing business, I must admire them for their business sense and their will to find more money to make a living.
In the end Dad did not buy any coz it was way too expensive. They offered RMB$110 for one disc when he could get it at a shop at Zhuhai for RMB$12. That shop is the real deal, selling CDs, VCDs and DVDs.
After that, we headed to my shoe shop. That in itself was another episode of mini drama. I was just looking at some boots when the salesgirl came over to offer some help. My help, I think still angry at the fact that he was not able to get what he want barked at her to "let her choose what she wants. She will see for herself".
Even I got a shock when he said that. He was quite curt and fierce and usually, I am the one who is capable of such comments and would be reprimanded afterwards for being so rude. Haha...
Next, Dad thought we could go for the kill and bargain for the super lowest of prices. From RMB$79 a pair of boots, he asked me to bargain for RMB$60 for both pairs (I was looking at two). Personally, I thought that was ridiculous, but I did anyway. If I didn't, he would give me one of those I-told-you-so lectures later on.
This time, it was the other salesgirl in the shop who barked back at us. She said it so fast and furiously that I could only get the gist of what was said. In summary she meant that even her normal shoes are sold at RMB$59 and these are all clearing stock prices. Normally the shoes don't even go so low and yet, we still want to bargain. There is no way for us to bargain, but her last words were to sell us for RMB$60 for each pair of boots.
Both Dad and aunt said almost simultaneously that I should walk out and not buy since she is so hot-tempered and proud. They took offense at what she said and Dad wanted to play the "I will walk away so that you will relent and give me a cheaper price" game.
I was just tired of walking around. I did not want to go anywhere else. You see, this was the shop that me and my colleagues went to when we first visited Shenzhen and I find them quite reliable. Told Dad that I am not leaving and I trust this shop better than the others.
After I agreed to buy, the original salesgirl who served me (the one who got barked at by my Dad) asked if I wanted to try both sides of the shoes. She very nicely asked another boy to get me both sides of the shoes. The one who barked at us, she was serving some Thai ladies who have come in a big group and seem to be going to spend a lot.
To tell you truth, I felt like shit coz I don't think we left a very good impression (Dad was speaking to me in English when we were wondering how much to bargain for). The salesgirl who barked at us also made me feel like we were misers (especially after the Thai ladies came in) and I therefore understand why my Dad was not willing to buy from that shop. Her attitude did change a little though after she calmed down.
My Dad was still complaining on the way out of the shop when I reasoned with him that one can never get a pair of boots fo SGD$12 back home (even though it might not be real leather)and I personally thought that she was simply being reactive to what my Dad did to her colleague.
I was furious! Not because of the detour but for simply following a stranger like that. What if they were up to no good? What if something bad happens to us and we kena (Malay word that is loosely translated to mean "get")harmed? I followed anyway as there was nowhere else for me to go.
We were led to this shop where there wer clothes hung up for sale. Facing inwards though, there was a computer and that was where they showed us the VCDs and DVDs that they had.
Even though they were selling illegal stuff, they were very earnest and sincere in trying to help my Dad find the titles he wanted (but of course, they cannot be compared to roast meat seller).
Alas that the titles that my Dad was looking for were either too old or too arty-farty for these youngsters to know. Halfway through searching the titles on the computer, someone comes in to tell shop owner in a stifled tone that the officer was coming.
Even though I do not approve of the way they are doing business, I must admire them for their business sense and their will to find more money to make a living.
In the end Dad did not buy any coz it was way too expensive. They offered RMB$110 for one disc when he could get it at a shop at Zhuhai for RMB$12. That shop is the real deal, selling CDs, VCDs and DVDs.
After that, we headed to my shoe shop. That in itself was another episode of mini drama. I was just looking at some boots when the salesgirl came over to offer some help. My help, I think still angry at the fact that he was not able to get what he want barked at her to "let her choose what she wants. She will see for herself".
Even I got a shock when he said that. He was quite curt and fierce and usually, I am the one who is capable of such comments and would be reprimanded afterwards for being so rude. Haha...
Next, Dad thought we could go for the kill and bargain for the super lowest of prices. From RMB$79 a pair of boots, he asked me to bargain for RMB$60 for both pairs (I was looking at two). Personally, I thought that was ridiculous, but I did anyway. If I didn't, he would give me one of those I-told-you-so lectures later on.
This time, it was the other salesgirl in the shop who barked back at us. She said it so fast and furiously that I could only get the gist of what was said. In summary she meant that even her normal shoes are sold at RMB$59 and these are all clearing stock prices. Normally the shoes don't even go so low and yet, we still want to bargain. There is no way for us to bargain, but her last words were to sell us for RMB$60 for each pair of boots.
Both Dad and aunt said almost simultaneously that I should walk out and not buy since she is so hot-tempered and proud. They took offense at what she said and Dad wanted to play the "I will walk away so that you will relent and give me a cheaper price" game.
I was just tired of walking around. I did not want to go anywhere else. You see, this was the shop that me and my colleagues went to when we first visited Shenzhen and I find them quite reliable. Told Dad that I am not leaving and I trust this shop better than the others.
After I agreed to buy, the original salesgirl who served me (the one who got barked at by my Dad) asked if I wanted to try both sides of the shoes. She very nicely asked another boy to get me both sides of the shoes. The one who barked at us, she was serving some Thai ladies who have come in a big group and seem to be going to spend a lot.
To tell you truth, I felt like shit coz I don't think we left a very good impression (Dad was speaking to me in English when we were wondering how much to bargain for). The salesgirl who barked at us also made me feel like we were misers (especially after the Thai ladies came in) and I therefore understand why my Dad was not willing to buy from that shop. Her attitude did change a little though after she calmed down.
My Dad was still complaining on the way out of the shop when I reasoned with him that one can never get a pair of boots fo SGD$12 back home (even though it might not be real leather)and I personally thought that she was simply being reactive to what my Dad did to her colleague.
Day 3: Shenzhen-Zhuhai-Macau /Part 1
Went to have breakfast near the bus interchange/checkpoint at Lo Wu. This place has a very cute name called Sunday. The Chinese name though, has the direct translation of 3 islands (san dao).
The panfried carrot cake was sueperlicious. The Chinese sausage that was in it was very tasty, unlike any other that I have eaten. The mung bean dumpling was yummy too! It came with one plastic disposable glove so that one could open the lotus leaf without dirtying one's hand.
What surprised us was their coffee because it was the machine-style coffee, not one of those that tastes like water from the drain.
Well, this more than made up for the discomfort I had the night before. Like I said, the hotel was tres comfortable and tres boutique hotel without being too cramped. The only minus point is that it is located right next to the road junction where taxis enter the MTR taxi stand and buses enter the terminus.
China being China, the people do not have much patience. Some of them taxi drivers see such a long queue and they cut queue. Because they cut queue, other drivers start horning at them and at those who let them do so. There are others who horn out of frustration and in protestation of such a long wait. It is a bit of a vicious cycle. When they horn, it is not a short toot. It is a long horn. One horn starts off other horns.
This happened around 1.20am when we were trying to get to sleep. By about 4 or 5 plus in the morning, I was awaken by the horns again. It was absolute noise pollution. Now, I understand why the Chinese government has to ban horning in certain areas in the cities. Guaranteed to go deaf if it goes on 24/7.
The panfried carrot cake was sueperlicious. The Chinese sausage that was in it was very tasty, unlike any other that I have eaten. The mung bean dumpling was yummy too! It came with one plastic disposable glove so that one could open the lotus leaf without dirtying one's hand.
What surprised us was their coffee because it was the machine-style coffee, not one of those that tastes like water from the drain.
Well, this more than made up for the discomfort I had the night before. Like I said, the hotel was tres comfortable and tres boutique hotel without being too cramped. The only minus point is that it is located right next to the road junction where taxis enter the MTR taxi stand and buses enter the terminus.
China being China, the people do not have much patience. Some of them taxi drivers see such a long queue and they cut queue. Because they cut queue, other drivers start horning at them and at those who let them do so. There are others who horn out of frustration and in protestation of such a long wait. It is a bit of a vicious cycle. When they horn, it is not a short toot. It is a long horn. One horn starts off other horns.
This happened around 1.20am when we were trying to get to sleep. By about 4 or 5 plus in the morning, I was awaken by the horns again. It was absolute noise pollution. Now, I understand why the Chinese government has to ban horning in certain areas in the cities. Guaranteed to go deaf if it goes on 24/7.
People from all walks of life
While we were buying dinner from the roast meat seller,there was an old lady hanging around. It did not take long for me to realise that she was a beggar.
As soon as she saw me watching her, she turned towards another target. Once she was done, she waited for us to finish buying our stuff. As we walked away from the roast meat shop, she approached us.
"Happy new year, may you have wealth...can you spare me some money...?" We just walked on. We figured that if we gave her something, she might either demand for more or others would miraculously appear out of nowhere. This was to be the first of many beggars and it really amazes me how these beggars can come in all shapes and sizes.
We walked on to the underpass to cross over to where our hotel is. Here, we met our second set of beggars. Set because it was a whole family: Father, mother and daughter.
Father said,"Please save us, please save us, our daughter is sick, please give us some money so that she can see the doctor...."
As he was saying all that, his daughter lowers her head as mucus drips onto the floor, as if on cue. Actually, I wasn't even sure whether it was mucus or saliva. I just knew that it was going to drip onto my shoes if I didn't move. We didn't give anything. We simply walked away.
At that point of time, I just felt very disgusted that the child's parents have exploited her in such a way. They were healthy-looking people who seemed capable of an honest day's work. Then again, in China, one never knows. One may be willing to work but there may be none to work for.
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The gap between the rich and poor seem to be getting bigger and bigger. While I see huge condominiums and housing estates being built at Zhuhai (as seen on my bus trip back from Shenzhen), there are those who are not so literate, trying to make a living by selling pirated VCDs (as experienced in Lo Wu Commercial Centre)
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The next day, when we were walking back to our hotel with last-minute shopping from Lo Wu, this middle-aged man in woollen vest and suit beckoned us from the other side of the barricade (as in, we were on the pavement while he was on the road).
"Sorry...sorry...can I ask you something? (Dad walks nearer) It's like this, I need money to take a cab, can you spare me some?"
My Dad walks away. We still find it quite unbelievable that someone so well-dressed could ask strangers for money.
We headed back to Macau via Zhuhai. I don't know whether it was our way of dressing or the bags that we were carrying or how my Dad was too enthusiastically pointing out that the Gongbei Checkpoint (as if I don't already know), that made this woman carrying a baby approach us.
"Gong xi fa cai, xin nian quai le..." She kept following my Dad, expecting him to give her some money. She was really persistent in 'accompanying' us until we entered the customs.
At that point of time, I really do not know what to feel about them. On the one hand, I feel that they should earn an honest living. On the other, I feel that I do not know their situation and circumstance enough to pass any sort of comment.
All I can say is that, this trip to China has been an eye-opener. I see the different beggars, I see that the customs checkpoints are not all that scary (even though I am still on the alert), I see people working hard on their plot of land. I also see on t.v, how the winter monsoon has hit the people of Yunan (just but one part that was hit) and their crops destroyed.
Once again, I am thankful. Thankful that there are people out therer growing vegetables for us to eat, providing us with professional services in shops and restaurants, so that we can live life that much more comfortably.
As soon as she saw me watching her, she turned towards another target. Once she was done, she waited for us to finish buying our stuff. As we walked away from the roast meat shop, she approached us.
"Happy new year, may you have wealth...can you spare me some money...?" We just walked on. We figured that if we gave her something, she might either demand for more or others would miraculously appear out of nowhere. This was to be the first of many beggars and it really amazes me how these beggars can come in all shapes and sizes.
We walked on to the underpass to cross over to where our hotel is. Here, we met our second set of beggars. Set because it was a whole family: Father, mother and daughter.
Father said,"Please save us, please save us, our daughter is sick, please give us some money so that she can see the doctor...."
As he was saying all that, his daughter lowers her head as mucus drips onto the floor, as if on cue. Actually, I wasn't even sure whether it was mucus or saliva. I just knew that it was going to drip onto my shoes if I didn't move. We didn't give anything. We simply walked away.
At that point of time, I just felt very disgusted that the child's parents have exploited her in such a way. They were healthy-looking people who seemed capable of an honest day's work. Then again, in China, one never knows. One may be willing to work but there may be none to work for.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The gap between the rich and poor seem to be getting bigger and bigger. While I see huge condominiums and housing estates being built at Zhuhai (as seen on my bus trip back from Shenzhen), there are those who are not so literate, trying to make a living by selling pirated VCDs (as experienced in Lo Wu Commercial Centre)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, when we were walking back to our hotel with last-minute shopping from Lo Wu, this middle-aged man in woollen vest and suit beckoned us from the other side of the barricade (as in, we were on the pavement while he was on the road).
"Sorry...sorry...can I ask you something? (Dad walks nearer) It's like this, I need money to take a cab, can you spare me some?"
My Dad walks away. We still find it quite unbelievable that someone so well-dressed could ask strangers for money.
We headed back to Macau via Zhuhai. I don't know whether it was our way of dressing or the bags that we were carrying or how my Dad was too enthusiastically pointing out that the Gongbei Checkpoint (as if I don't already know), that made this woman carrying a baby approach us.
"Gong xi fa cai, xin nian quai le..." She kept following my Dad, expecting him to give her some money. She was really persistent in 'accompanying' us until we entered the customs.
At that point of time, I really do not know what to feel about them. On the one hand, I feel that they should earn an honest living. On the other, I feel that I do not know their situation and circumstance enough to pass any sort of comment.
All I can say is that, this trip to China has been an eye-opener. I see the different beggars, I see that the customs checkpoints are not all that scary (even though I am still on the alert), I see people working hard on their plot of land. I also see on t.v, how the winter monsoon has hit the people of Yunan (just but one part that was hit) and their crops destroyed.
Once again, I am thankful. Thankful that there are people out therer growing vegetables for us to eat, providing us with professional services in shops and restaurants, so that we can live life that much more comfortably.
The roasted meat seller at Lo Wu
Remember the salt-baked chicken seller? He also sells roasted ducks and pork meat too. I have heard many stories about Shenzhen and Lo Wu; that it was very dangerous, there many pickpockets, etc, etc.
This man though, he comes across as very sincere and honest with us. Perhaps it was because he was going to close shop for the day and wanted to sell off all his meats (he sold us the chicken for RMB$28 instead of $30) and gave us a huge packet of rice, so much so that me and my aunt had to share. It was more his attitude that struck me.
His attitude made me feel like he wants to earnestly and honestly earn a living, that he was working very hard because the shop is his life. Maybe he does not really think like that, but my impression at that moment, was simply like that.
There was another lady who was helping him pack the food. She was not young, probably late 30s or early 40s, but she was definitely younger than the roast meat seller. She looked good for her age. She looked like the sort who controlled the money in the household and I presumed that she was his wife.
Despite her looking like the controlling type, the roast meat seller did not seem displeased with her or irritated by her (as with some men who do not like to be controlled). He seemed contented to let her be at the helm. She was not overbearing either. They worked well together.
Seeing this, I feel contented for them. I felt that perhaps, it was enough just living like that. Working hard all day and have someone to go back with at the end of the day. Then again, I imagine too much. Maybe life for them is not that simple.
This man though, he comes across as very sincere and honest with us. Perhaps it was because he was going to close shop for the day and wanted to sell off all his meats (he sold us the chicken for RMB$28 instead of $30) and gave us a huge packet of rice, so much so that me and my aunt had to share. It was more his attitude that struck me.
His attitude made me feel like he wants to earnestly and honestly earn a living, that he was working very hard because the shop is his life. Maybe he does not really think like that, but my impression at that moment, was simply like that.
There was another lady who was helping him pack the food. She was not young, probably late 30s or early 40s, but she was definitely younger than the roast meat seller. She looked good for her age. She looked like the sort who controlled the money in the household and I presumed that she was his wife.
Despite her looking like the controlling type, the roast meat seller did not seem displeased with her or irritated by her (as with some men who do not like to be controlled). He seemed contented to let her be at the helm. She was not overbearing either. They worked well together.
Seeing this, I feel contented for them. I felt that perhaps, it was enough just living like that. Working hard all day and have someone to go back with at the end of the day. Then again, I imagine too much. Maybe life for them is not that simple.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Day 2: Macau-Zhuhai-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Shenzhen
It was a busy day. There was much travelling to be done and therefore, we had to wake up pretty early.
How much travelling? The bus from our hotel, upon learning that we were going to Gongbei Checkpoint, fetched us to The Venetian, this mega huge casino hotel that just opened in December last year. From there, we took a free ride to the checkpoint (if not, we would have to take a bus from the ferry terminal, which was where the bus was going. Usually people take the ferry over to Hong Kong).
From Gongbei checkpoint, we cross over to Zhuhai, China. We wasted no time in buying bus tickets to take a bus to Shenzhen. The bus trip took us about 2.5 hours. I had much training from my trip to Korea. We sometimes have to spend up to 4 hours in the coach in order to reach our next destination. This was no big deal.
Shenzhen was not our last destination. We walked from Lo Wu (which was where the bus terminus, checkpoint and MTR was)to our hotel. It was supposed to be a 5-minute walk, but it took us much longer than that. We could see the hotel but because of all the barricades on the road dividers, we had to walk longer and farther. The barricades were supposed to stop people from jaywalking, but it defeated the purpose. The Chinese just jumped over the high barricades easily to get over to the other side.
We dumped our luggage at Days Inn Hotel and went for a very late lunch at Laurel restaurant. It was a lunch with no regrets. Introduced my Dad to the bun with milk custard and salted egg yolk filling and he absolutely loved it. There were lots of new Cantonese type of dim sum that pleased him no end.
Once stomach was filled, we took the MTR over to Hong Kong. Why didn't we take the ferry straightaway? We did not want to lug so much luggage in Hong Kong. It was troublesome and while it is the norm to be seen with cabin luggages in China, I personally think it is uncool to do it in Hong Kong. I know, vain.
We arrived at Tsim Sa Tsui East MTR station at about six plus in the evening. I headed straight for Miramar Shopping Centre where Uniqlo is. Bought heaps! You don't know how much, but let's just say that am a very happy person. What's funny is that I thought I saw my former housemate, fat Joe (who happens to be a Hong Konger). I pretended not to see him.
Next, we heade for Wing Wah to buy our beloved prawn roe flavoured noodles (xia zi mian) and abalone flavoured noodles (bao yu mian). It's flavoured because they cook the stuff for a long time and use the reduced sauce to mix into the noodle dough. Wing Wah is actually more famous for its wife biscuits rather than its noodles, but somehow, my cousin discovered their noodles and we have been hooked ever since.
It just so happened that Wing Wah was very near one of the entraces/ exits of the TST MTR. With 3 big bags in each hand, we headed back to Shenzhen.
It was about 9.30pm when we reached back to Lo Wu. The shop where we saw many roast ducks and salt-baked chickens hanging on our way out of Shenzhen, was already cleaning up and closing for the day. We were hungry and Dad refused to eat MacDonald's (as I did not see many eateries around and thus suggested it). As we passed by the Lo Wu Commercial Centre, we saw another shop selling salt-baked chicken. We bought one chicken and a packet of rice and went back to the hotel for dinner. My Dad had earlier on bought small loaf of bread as he didn't want to eat so much rice (diabetic).
It was one of the yummiest dinners that I had. My rice bowl was a teacup. Seemed to make the rice even tastier and chicken eaten with fingers, fabulicious!
How much travelling? The bus from our hotel, upon learning that we were going to Gongbei Checkpoint, fetched us to The Venetian, this mega huge casino hotel that just opened in December last year. From there, we took a free ride to the checkpoint (if not, we would have to take a bus from the ferry terminal, which was where the bus was going. Usually people take the ferry over to Hong Kong).
From Gongbei checkpoint, we cross over to Zhuhai, China. We wasted no time in buying bus tickets to take a bus to Shenzhen. The bus trip took us about 2.5 hours. I had much training from my trip to Korea. We sometimes have to spend up to 4 hours in the coach in order to reach our next destination. This was no big deal.
Shenzhen was not our last destination. We walked from Lo Wu (which was where the bus terminus, checkpoint and MTR was)to our hotel. It was supposed to be a 5-minute walk, but it took us much longer than that. We could see the hotel but because of all the barricades on the road dividers, we had to walk longer and farther. The barricades were supposed to stop people from jaywalking, but it defeated the purpose. The Chinese just jumped over the high barricades easily to get over to the other side.
We dumped our luggage at Days Inn Hotel and went for a very late lunch at Laurel restaurant. It was a lunch with no regrets. Introduced my Dad to the bun with milk custard and salted egg yolk filling and he absolutely loved it. There were lots of new Cantonese type of dim sum that pleased him no end.
Once stomach was filled, we took the MTR over to Hong Kong. Why didn't we take the ferry straightaway? We did not want to lug so much luggage in Hong Kong. It was troublesome and while it is the norm to be seen with cabin luggages in China, I personally think it is uncool to do it in Hong Kong. I know, vain.
We arrived at Tsim Sa Tsui East MTR station at about six plus in the evening. I headed straight for Miramar Shopping Centre where Uniqlo is. Bought heaps! You don't know how much, but let's just say that am a very happy person. What's funny is that I thought I saw my former housemate, fat Joe (who happens to be a Hong Konger). I pretended not to see him.
Next, we heade for Wing Wah to buy our beloved prawn roe flavoured noodles (xia zi mian) and abalone flavoured noodles (bao yu mian). It's flavoured because they cook the stuff for a long time and use the reduced sauce to mix into the noodle dough. Wing Wah is actually more famous for its wife biscuits rather than its noodles, but somehow, my cousin discovered their noodles and we have been hooked ever since.
It just so happened that Wing Wah was very near one of the entraces/ exits of the TST MTR. With 3 big bags in each hand, we headed back to Shenzhen.
It was about 9.30pm when we reached back to Lo Wu. The shop where we saw many roast ducks and salt-baked chickens hanging on our way out of Shenzhen, was already cleaning up and closing for the day. We were hungry and Dad refused to eat MacDonald's (as I did not see many eateries around and thus suggested it). As we passed by the Lo Wu Commercial Centre, we saw another shop selling salt-baked chicken. We bought one chicken and a packet of rice and went back to the hotel for dinner. My Dad had earlier on bought small loaf of bread as he didn't want to eat so much rice (diabetic).
It was one of the yummiest dinners that I had. My rice bowl was a teacup. Seemed to make the rice even tastier and chicken eaten with fingers, fabulicious!
Day 1: Singapore to Macau
I flew Jetstar Airlines to Macau. They have only started this route recently. It used to be the exclusive route (in terms of budget airlines) for Tiger Airways.
Never have I met such obnoxious people while travelling on the plane. I just settled myself down when this bunch of guys came on board the plane. I knew their purpose was to go gambling in Macau. They have the word "gambler" stamped on their forehead. No, it was more like their behaviour which gave them away and they were speaking in Hokkien.
They were ok for the first (small teeny weeny) part of the journey, but after they have taken their food, they started chit chatting. Or rather, they were shouting across to one another.
You see, there were four of them seated in a row, AB and DE. These fellas had it good. Three seats or two persons. I mentally called them Hokkien Ah Beng monkeys because they could not stop chatting. They only spoke in Hokkien and they talked like they wanted the whole world to know what they were up to.
First, they were splitting up Macanese money (money from Macau) among themselves. One of them must have changed money for all of them and they were splitting it up in the plane!! Any money splitting that I ever did was within the four walls of the hotel room. Was taught never to 'flaunt' money like that.
Next, they were announcing to the whole world (more like everyone on board) the maximum amount they were going to gamble. One of them kept asking,"$2000...$2000, ah? Sure $2000 ah?"
Another guy was so impatient to get his hands on gambling chips that he kept asking whether they have reached Macau or not and why did it take so long? Don't you think they behaved like childen??
All this time, everyone around them (including myself, who was woefully seated in front of them) were trying to sleep. Everyone was too polite and civilised to complain though. I, did not want a bad start to my holiday and so decided to keep quiet. I could not stop complaining to my Dad though, who reasoned with me that there are all sorts that make up this world and upbringing plays a big part.
That night, we stayed at Pousada Marina Infante at Taipa island.
Never have I met such obnoxious people while travelling on the plane. I just settled myself down when this bunch of guys came on board the plane. I knew their purpose was to go gambling in Macau. They have the word "gambler" stamped on their forehead. No, it was more like their behaviour which gave them away and they were speaking in Hokkien.
They were ok for the first (small teeny weeny) part of the journey, but after they have taken their food, they started chit chatting. Or rather, they were shouting across to one another.
You see, there were four of them seated in a row, AB and DE. These fellas had it good. Three seats or two persons. I mentally called them Hokkien Ah Beng monkeys because they could not stop chatting. They only spoke in Hokkien and they talked like they wanted the whole world to know what they were up to.
First, they were splitting up Macanese money (money from Macau) among themselves. One of them must have changed money for all of them and they were splitting it up in the plane!! Any money splitting that I ever did was within the four walls of the hotel room. Was taught never to 'flaunt' money like that.
Next, they were announcing to the whole world (more like everyone on board) the maximum amount they were going to gamble. One of them kept asking,"$2000...$2000, ah? Sure $2000 ah?"
Another guy was so impatient to get his hands on gambling chips that he kept asking whether they have reached Macau or not and why did it take so long? Don't you think they behaved like childen??
All this time, everyone around them (including myself, who was woefully seated in front of them) were trying to sleep. Everyone was too polite and civilised to complain though. I, did not want a bad start to my holiday and so decided to keep quiet. I could not stop complaining to my Dad though, who reasoned with me that there are all sorts that make up this world and upbringing plays a big part.
That night, we stayed at Pousada Marina Infante at Taipa island.
I am back!
It's great to be back! It is even greater when you know what direction you want to take in life and that you still have friends and family to support you.
Unlike many 'super on' new media people, I do not have a PDA or like to carry a laptop with me on holiday. Instead, I have got a good old trusted notebook that I scribble everything in and so will update this blog very, very soon. Watch out for my Macau account!
Unlike many 'super on' new media people, I do not have a PDA or like to carry a laptop with me on holiday. Instead, I have got a good old trusted notebook that I scribble everything in and so will update this blog very, very soon. Watch out for my Macau account!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Will power
Do you know what is will power? Will power is the ability to stay awake till 4am in the morning to finish all book reviews because you know that the next day, you will be flying off on a holiday and you don't want your supe sms-ing you all the way back from the tiny island of Singapore, chasing after your work.
No. You would want peace.
In fact, subconsciously I so want peace that I forgot to bring home my handphone charger from rented home and now have to live without it for 4 days. Neat! A little panicky, but neat. Finally, some peace.
No. You would want peace.
In fact, subconsciously I so want peace that I forgot to bring home my handphone charger from rented home and now have to live without it for 4 days. Neat! A little panicky, but neat. Finally, some peace.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Have you ever...
Have you ever felt like you could not breath? That any minute now, you would drop dead and die? I know this is the CNY (Chinese New Year) period and that words about death should not even be mentioned..
Anyhow, I felt like this yesterday. Yesterday, I could not open my eyes. My body refused to move and my head felt all heavy. The night before, I had a mini asthmatic attack. I did not have my inhaler with me and so I took my antihistermins and went back to sleep.
It really helped me a lot as I have had insomnia for quite some time now. The antihistermins help me sleep very well. Too well in fact. For a person my size, the dosage is a bit too much and the effects do not wear off till well after mid-day.
I picked up my phone to messaged my supe to take half a day of emergency leave. I fell back to sleep only woke up after a while. Finished my messaging and it was approved. Thought I would message my branch manager too, only to wake up two hours later, handphone still clutched in one hand, message half typed and not sent. Forget it. Got to work.
Was thinking of taking the whole full day off as I felt a fever coming. Then the sms started to come: I had missed a review for AV (which in this case is usually a CD-ROM on educational stuff for kids) and the deadline was up.
My head spun some more and I took a cab to work. Don't think I could walk properly with fever and a deadline on my back.
Managed to finish storytelling without much major mishaps. Favourite boy with autism did not come for my storytelling again because other boy from his school (Pathlight) was there and he did not like him. Other boy took his head to knock it against his own. Therefore boy with autism did not want to come in anymore. I am sad for boy with autism is very, very attentive.
Went back to finish my review. The game is actually quite interesting and I kind of cannot stop playing it. Nevertheless, I had to finish review and so got down to it.
The phone would not stop ringing. After I refused to pick up phone, my neighbours' phones all started to ring, one by one. It is as if I was in some thriller/horror movie whereby the phone just refused to stop ringing and it came to a point that it becomes a symphony of phone rings.
My head wanted to burst and I wish I could lie down and be dead...until the next day (stupidly thinking that my troubles will go away). I know it doesn't. So I messaged supe to stop calling coz it stresses me no end. I had enough of being polite. Politeness did not get me anywhere. It just got me more work, more stress, more of everything that I did not know how to handle.
Worse still, what could go wrong, went wrong. I almost could not log into my own email. The scanner could not scan. My headache and fever does not go away.
I thought I would not live to see the next day, but here I am, typing away. I am alive and I am thankful. Except, I wonder when this 'fire-fighting' of my life would ever stop. Or perhaps never? Sigh... .
Anyhow, I felt like this yesterday. Yesterday, I could not open my eyes. My body refused to move and my head felt all heavy. The night before, I had a mini asthmatic attack. I did not have my inhaler with me and so I took my antihistermins and went back to sleep.
It really helped me a lot as I have had insomnia for quite some time now. The antihistermins help me sleep very well. Too well in fact. For a person my size, the dosage is a bit too much and the effects do not wear off till well after mid-day.
I picked up my phone to messaged my supe to take half a day of emergency leave. I fell back to sleep only woke up after a while. Finished my messaging and it was approved. Thought I would message my branch manager too, only to wake up two hours later, handphone still clutched in one hand, message half typed and not sent. Forget it. Got to work.
Was thinking of taking the whole full day off as I felt a fever coming. Then the sms started to come: I had missed a review for AV (which in this case is usually a CD-ROM on educational stuff for kids) and the deadline was up.
My head spun some more and I took a cab to work. Don't think I could walk properly with fever and a deadline on my back.
Managed to finish storytelling without much major mishaps. Favourite boy with autism did not come for my storytelling again because other boy from his school (Pathlight) was there and he did not like him. Other boy took his head to knock it against his own. Therefore boy with autism did not want to come in anymore. I am sad for boy with autism is very, very attentive.
Went back to finish my review. The game is actually quite interesting and I kind of cannot stop playing it. Nevertheless, I had to finish review and so got down to it.
The phone would not stop ringing. After I refused to pick up phone, my neighbours' phones all started to ring, one by one. It is as if I was in some thriller/horror movie whereby the phone just refused to stop ringing and it came to a point that it becomes a symphony of phone rings.
My head wanted to burst and I wish I could lie down and be dead...until the next day (stupidly thinking that my troubles will go away). I know it doesn't. So I messaged supe to stop calling coz it stresses me no end. I had enough of being polite. Politeness did not get me anywhere. It just got me more work, more stress, more of everything that I did not know how to handle.
Worse still, what could go wrong, went wrong. I almost could not log into my own email. The scanner could not scan. My headache and fever does not go away.
I thought I would not live to see the next day, but here I am, typing away. I am alive and I am thankful. Except, I wonder when this 'fire-fighting' of my life would ever stop. Or perhaps never? Sigh... .
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
More about Lent
OK, I know I am very long-winded but I promise, this is the last posting I will talk about Lent...for today.
This year's Ash Wednesday and the Lenten period marks the second year that I have returned back to the Catholic Church. For a period of time, I was lost. After seperation, I thought that I would have no place whatsoever, in the Catholic Church.
After going to churches of other denominations though, I decided that I still wanted to have a relationship with God through the Catholic Church, as it was the most relevant for me.
I am thankful each day, that I can talk to God, like I talk to an old friend. It is through journeying with Him that life is worth living.
I am not 100% goody two shoes. I still skip mass sometimes and eat meat on some Fridays (and drink alcohol on most Friday nights), but knowing that He is there for me all the time makes me feel that much better.
This year's Ash Wednesday and the Lenten period marks the second year that I have returned back to the Catholic Church. For a period of time, I was lost. After seperation, I thought that I would have no place whatsoever, in the Catholic Church.
After going to churches of other denominations though, I decided that I still wanted to have a relationship with God through the Catholic Church, as it was the most relevant for me.
I am thankful each day, that I can talk to God, like I talk to an old friend. It is through journeying with Him that life is worth living.
I am not 100% goody two shoes. I still skip mass sometimes and eat meat on some Fridays (and drink alcohol on most Friday nights), but knowing that He is there for me all the time makes me feel that much better.
What should I give up during Lent
I am still thinking, procrastinating, on what to give up during Lent. Well, giving up something that you like is not the only way to pass Lenten time but it is one of my preferred things to do.
Last year, I limited my usage of credit cards to something like once a week or not more than 5 times in the 40 days (something like that). This year, my colleague/friend is limiting herself to not eat meat (fish can eat lah). This is a pretty good idea too except that I will be going for that little trip and good food is right down my alley.
The Pope has asked us Catholics to do more alms-giving. Well, I am still not so sure that it will have such a great impact on my personal spiritual growth.
I will ponder about it some more (even though I really should have already put thoughts into action) and update you later.
Last year, I limited my usage of credit cards to something like once a week or not more than 5 times in the 40 days (something like that). This year, my colleague/friend is limiting herself to not eat meat (fish can eat lah). This is a pretty good idea too except that I will be going for that little trip and good food is right down my alley.
The Pope has asked us Catholics to do more alms-giving. Well, I am still not so sure that it will have such a great impact on my personal spiritual growth.
I will ponder about it some more (even though I really should have already put thoughts into action) and update you later.
Out of courtesy or chivalry?
I would like to gloat that I've done a good deed this morning, but no, I think I just did my part as a member of the public and a citizen of this country (what a load of crap. Hahahaha!).
I made this guy give up his seat on the MRT train for a pregnant lady. It was very obvious that she was quite heavily pregnant (and judging from the outbreak on her face and her nauseous actions that she was expecting a boy). The two priority (for the aged and pregnant ladies, generally) seats were taken up by an old man and an office-going male executive.
The choice was obvious. I purposely asked the lady whether she needed a seat and then I proceeded to ask the gentleman whether he would be so kind to give up his. Of course! If he didn't, I don't even think that he would be fit to be called an animal. Hahaha!
Well, that is a good start to the day for me. I gave myself the title of "unofficial policewoman on board MRT trains" a few days ago. I am sure you can see why.
I made this guy give up his seat on the MRT train for a pregnant lady. It was very obvious that she was quite heavily pregnant (and judging from the outbreak on her face and her nauseous actions that she was expecting a boy). The two priority (for the aged and pregnant ladies, generally) seats were taken up by an old man and an office-going male executive.
The choice was obvious. I purposely asked the lady whether she needed a seat and then I proceeded to ask the gentleman whether he would be so kind to give up his. Of course! If he didn't, I don't even think that he would be fit to be called an animal. Hahaha!
Well, that is a good start to the day for me. I gave myself the title of "unofficial policewoman on board MRT trains" a few days ago. I am sure you can see why.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Lenten Time
I'm still searching for an answer
I'll let God lead my way.
In this time of Lent,
I'll let deep thoughts and prayers
Make my day.
Oh Lord, my God will guide me
His answers soon revealed.
My prayers now, I must say
So that my Shepherd can show me the way.
Something that I just thought of and decided to 'pen' down.
I'll let God lead my way.
In this time of Lent,
I'll let deep thoughts and prayers
Make my day.
Oh Lord, my God will guide me
His answers soon revealed.
My prayers now, I must say
So that my Shepherd can show me the way.
Something that I just thought of and decided to 'pen' down.
I think I can like cats
Yesterday, when I returned home from work, my housemate's cat was at the door to greet me. He has not seen me for quite a long time (over the CNY period). He was meowing really enthusiastically.
I used to think that I was no cat lover and that I was more impartial to cats, but this cat has made me re-consider my relationship with them. To me, Mao Mao is a very special cat in that it actually talks back to you and he really understands what we humans are talking about.
You see, last night, I suggested to my housemate that I should start putting food into their bowl so that I can get used to feeding them. Immediately after I said that, Mao Mao came to me and kept rubbing his head affectionately on my shin. I think he understood that I would be the food provider for the night and he needed to win my favour. How cute!
Apparently, Mao Mao meows at people who use my toilet too! It is as if he is protesting and telling them that they are trespassing and that they should get out immediately. Hahahaha!
I also think that he sensed that I had a long and tiring day at work and he lay there so contently on the sofa to let me sayang (to love in Malay, but actually I was just stroking him).
There is of course another cat around the house, but he is too weary of us humans that he would scutter off to his room at the flick of a pinky. The only word that he would respond to is "mum-mum" which is 'to eat' in kid-speak. At that very word, he would meow back at you and wait expectantly. It has become a great teaser as we can do little else to interact with him.
Yes, cats may not respond as readily as dogs and they may not be able to do that many tricks, but they still offer loads of selfless love that sometimes even we human beings are not capable of giving.
I used to think that I was no cat lover and that I was more impartial to cats, but this cat has made me re-consider my relationship with them. To me, Mao Mao is a very special cat in that it actually talks back to you and he really understands what we humans are talking about.
You see, last night, I suggested to my housemate that I should start putting food into their bowl so that I can get used to feeding them. Immediately after I said that, Mao Mao came to me and kept rubbing his head affectionately on my shin. I think he understood that I would be the food provider for the night and he needed to win my favour. How cute!
Apparently, Mao Mao meows at people who use my toilet too! It is as if he is protesting and telling them that they are trespassing and that they should get out immediately. Hahahaha!
I also think that he sensed that I had a long and tiring day at work and he lay there so contently on the sofa to let me sayang (to love in Malay, but actually I was just stroking him).
There is of course another cat around the house, but he is too weary of us humans that he would scutter off to his room at the flick of a pinky. The only word that he would respond to is "mum-mum" which is 'to eat' in kid-speak. At that very word, he would meow back at you and wait expectantly. It has become a great teaser as we can do little else to interact with him.
Yes, cats may not respond as readily as dogs and they may not be able to do that many tricks, but they still offer loads of selfless love that sometimes even we human beings are not capable of giving.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
I thought I was tough
After all these years in my job, I thought I would have gotten used to the verbal abuse by the patrons. I thought I was toughened by the number of times that I had to 'handle' them.I thought that my hide would have grown thicker. I thought that my angry and breakdown days were over.
No. It is not over. After all these years, I still broke down. All no thanks to this four Malay ladies who had had so many face and boob jobs done that they now look like a he-she.
They were talking real loud, bitching away about something in Malay (not trying to offend anyone here but just stating facts for facts). You know, I would have ignored it if they talked a little less loud, but after telling a little girl to lower her voice, I also needed to let them know that they needed to show the kids some good example. I was selecting books for my programme then.
I think they already have this everybody-against-us mentality because they really looked like pondans* (sorry I had to use this word but there is no other way of describing them); a bit like Little Richard with boobs. One of them said that she is waiting for her son but I still told them to lower their volume. Well, they were bitch-ily (if ever there was such a word) observing me, seeing what I would do next.
Once I finished selecting my books I went back to my counter. I observed these two teens chatting away but they were really not that loud. I decided to wait a few more minutes before I told them off.
That was when the Mamas attacked. They swayed over to the counter and told me that "you are not fair you know? (and they were tall, ya?) you tell us to keep quiet and yet you see, you see? You are not fair (finger pointing at me)!"
Why do these people, who chose to be outstanding and special want to wait and pounce on people thinking that they are the 'victims' of discrimination? Sad to say, seemingly normal people behave like that too. My Indian colleague was once told off by a patron of another race and was asked whether she was racist. This was only because my colleagues had many things to handle at that time and could not accede to her wishes 'in time'. She kept accusing her of being a racist and that, in itself, I feel is racism on the part of the patron.
I think these people have already discriminated themselves way before others have discriminated or judged them. As I am writing this now, I cannot help but feel sorry for them, but at that point of time, I just wished that I was more in control of the situation and I could have told them that I will access the situation and act accordingly.
I am angry with myself for not being able to handle the situation efficiently and professionally.
Nevertheless, at the same time, I have also quite made up my mind. Enough is enough. Eight years is a too long a test for tolerance.
No. It is not over. After all these years, I still broke down. All no thanks to this four Malay ladies who had had so many face and boob jobs done that they now look like a he-she.
They were talking real loud, bitching away about something in Malay (not trying to offend anyone here but just stating facts for facts). You know, I would have ignored it if they talked a little less loud, but after telling a little girl to lower her voice, I also needed to let them know that they needed to show the kids some good example. I was selecting books for my programme then.
I think they already have this everybody-against-us mentality because they really looked like pondans* (sorry I had to use this word but there is no other way of describing them); a bit like Little Richard with boobs. One of them said that she is waiting for her son but I still told them to lower their volume. Well, they were bitch-ily (if ever there was such a word) observing me, seeing what I would do next.
Once I finished selecting my books I went back to my counter. I observed these two teens chatting away but they were really not that loud. I decided to wait a few more minutes before I told them off.
That was when the Mamas attacked. They swayed over to the counter and told me that "you are not fair you know? (and they were tall, ya?) you tell us to keep quiet and yet you see, you see? You are not fair (finger pointing at me)!"
Why do these people, who chose to be outstanding and special want to wait and pounce on people thinking that they are the 'victims' of discrimination? Sad to say, seemingly normal people behave like that too. My Indian colleague was once told off by a patron of another race and was asked whether she was racist. This was only because my colleagues had many things to handle at that time and could not accede to her wishes 'in time'. She kept accusing her of being a racist and that, in itself, I feel is racism on the part of the patron.
I think these people have already discriminated themselves way before others have discriminated or judged them. As I am writing this now, I cannot help but feel sorry for them, but at that point of time, I just wished that I was more in control of the situation and I could have told them that I will access the situation and act accordingly.
I am angry with myself for not being able to handle the situation efficiently and professionally.
Nevertheless, at the same time, I have also quite made up my mind. Enough is enough. Eight years is a too long a test for tolerance.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
The wrath of driving an automatic car
I used to be able to drive a manual car. I am not so sure I can now, but I think given some time to practise, I should still be able to do so.
I have been driving a lot lately as it is the CNY period. In a auto car no doubt. It is supposed the easier way out. Don't need to change gears and such. Just step on teh accelerator and go.
I had to go from our house to pick my 2 aunties up and then go to my eldest aunt's house. Back and forth, back and forth. It gets quite bad when I get tired coz I don't have to change gears. I have to ask my Dad to keep talking to me. I would rather do that then let him drive. His judgement can be quite impaired nowadays, even though he does not want to admit it.
Another bad thing is that my right knee hurts like mad. Won't be surprised if I get osteoporosis later on in life. Anyhow, this is a once-a-year sort of affair and so, I actually do enjoy driving my aunts around. It's good bonding time! :)
I have been driving a lot lately as it is the CNY period. In a auto car no doubt. It is supposed the easier way out. Don't need to change gears and such. Just step on teh accelerator and go.
I had to go from our house to pick my 2 aunties up and then go to my eldest aunt's house. Back and forth, back and forth. It gets quite bad when I get tired coz I don't have to change gears. I have to ask my Dad to keep talking to me. I would rather do that then let him drive. His judgement can be quite impaired nowadays, even though he does not want to admit it.
Another bad thing is that my right knee hurts like mad. Won't be surprised if I get osteoporosis later on in life. Anyhow, this is a once-a-year sort of affair and so, I actually do enjoy driving my aunts around. It's good bonding time! :)
What happens when you don't have the necessary equipment?
I did say that I went back home to stay for the first few days of CNY right? Despite the fact that I went back to my rented pad one more time to take stuff (like contact lens and facial toner), I still forgot other very important things like eye shadow, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil and rouge!!!!
I could kill myself!!! But I found that when one gets desperate, one learns how to improvise. I had a palette of eyeshadows left at my parents' place. That was a palette that I seldom used as I did not feel too confident using those colours. Nevertheless, it was limited edition from M.A.C and casing was just lovely and so I just left it lying around.
I plugged up enough courage to use the palette and I improvised by using the dark brown for eyebrow pencil. I also managed to dig out my marjolica marjoca rouge powder which I bought from Taiwan. Was saving it till eternity coz we cannot get this brand in Singapore. I am hoping to find it this time in Hong Kong.
Managed to pull a decent look together (as seen on previous posting) and feel a good about myself. Loose powder and such? I did bring it home with me. The Laneige brand of base and foundation is pretty good.
I could kill myself!!! But I found that when one gets desperate, one learns how to improvise. I had a palette of eyeshadows left at my parents' place. That was a palette that I seldom used as I did not feel too confident using those colours. Nevertheless, it was limited edition from M.A.C and casing was just lovely and so I just left it lying around.
I plugged up enough courage to use the palette and I improvised by using the dark brown for eyebrow pencil. I also managed to dig out my marjolica marjoca rouge powder which I bought from Taiwan. Was saving it till eternity coz we cannot get this brand in Singapore. I am hoping to find it this time in Hong Kong.
Managed to pull a decent look together (as seen on previous posting) and feel a good about myself. Loose powder and such? I did bring it home with me. The Laneige brand of base and foundation is pretty good.
What we wore on first day of CNY
Just thought I would post these few pictures of my beloved family and close relatives. My 2nd aunt and I wore similar colours, while my eldest aunt and my Dad wore similar colours.
What happened on the first day of CNY
Wel, we were supposed to go visiting, from relative to relative. Every year, we would go to my Grandpa's and Grandma's place as a sign of respect. After they died, we went to my eldest Uncle's place. Even though he has also passed on, my eldest aunt, his wife, is still around and we still go to their place first.
We usually go to other relatives' homes from there. This year, it is a little different. My uncle has passed away for only about half a year and my aunt does not feel right to go visiting. According to Chinese tradition, they are not allowed to go visiting or to give anyone ang paos (red packets) as they still mourning the death of a loved one. They would have to wait for the next year to resume the ang pao-giving.
Since they were not going visiting, my cousins decided to play mahjong to while away time and also, to keep my aunt's mind off memories and stuff. Hehe...they were lacking one player and had asked if I wanted t stay. I gladly agreed and was spared of all the visiting. It is no joke as it can get quite tiring after a whole day of visiting.
For my family, it is also quite interesting in that, even though we have all congregated at my eldest aunt's place and greeted "Happy new year" to one another, we still had to go to each and every individual's family to visit.
What happens is that they would give mandarin oranges (usually 2) to the family we are visiting and in turn, they would return 2 to us. It used to be that my aunts would go into the kitchen and return with 2 different looking mandarin oranges. Now, they just do a rowing sort of acting. I give you the oranges and you immediately give them back to me. Of course, when the oranges are given, auspicious words have to be said to each other. Why mandarin oranges? Coz it looks like big gold coins and that equates to money.
Anyhow, I played mahjong till about 12 midnight on the 7th and won a small some of money. Halfway through, one of my cousins had to leave and I had to call my Dad (who was still visiting) to come take over. Well, he had to come anyway. I needed a lift home. Both of us went home happy.
We usually go to other relatives' homes from there. This year, it is a little different. My uncle has passed away for only about half a year and my aunt does not feel right to go visiting. According to Chinese tradition, they are not allowed to go visiting or to give anyone ang paos (red packets) as they still mourning the death of a loved one. They would have to wait for the next year to resume the ang pao-giving.
Since they were not going visiting, my cousins decided to play mahjong to while away time and also, to keep my aunt's mind off memories and stuff. Hehe...they were lacking one player and had asked if I wanted t stay. I gladly agreed and was spared of all the visiting. It is no joke as it can get quite tiring after a whole day of visiting.
For my family, it is also quite interesting in that, even though we have all congregated at my eldest aunt's place and greeted "Happy new year" to one another, we still had to go to each and every individual's family to visit.
What happens is that they would give mandarin oranges (usually 2) to the family we are visiting and in turn, they would return 2 to us. It used to be that my aunts would go into the kitchen and return with 2 different looking mandarin oranges. Now, they just do a rowing sort of acting. I give you the oranges and you immediately give them back to me. Of course, when the oranges are given, auspicious words have to be said to each other. Why mandarin oranges? Coz it looks like big gold coins and that equates to money.
Anyhow, I played mahjong till about 12 midnight on the 7th and won a small some of money. Halfway through, one of my cousins had to leave and I had to call my Dad (who was still visiting) to come take over. Well, he had to come anyway. I needed a lift home. Both of us went home happy.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Cookery class-Part 2
Vegetables that were waiting to be cooked.
Initial plating position.
Team mate taking photos of the finished products.
The final presentation. Our team won best team work and plating!
Cookery class-Part 1
This posting is long overdue but anyway, here is a look at what we did in cookery class. This course was also supposed to help us learn more about teamwork and team building. Check out the bread! It is the soup 'pot'.
Reunion dinner with my Dad's side of relatives
Broccoli topped with abalone.
Mushroom with fatt choy (hair vegetable that I talked about in my previous posting).
The "yu sheng" before it is being tossed. However, I am really disappointed with the portion that was given. It was more for like,2-3 persons? There were 11 of us.
All the pretty food laid out on the table. It was a satisfying meal and happy family times together. Before we went home, there were promises of playing mahjong tomorrow. Can't wait!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Rest now my child
Rest now my child, rest thee well.
Fall on my shoulder
Shut your eyes.
Leave your worries at the door
Put your burden down on the floor.
The magnitude of My love
Will melt this heavy load to naught.
Close your eyes now
Stay very still.
Let the humming voice from the distance
Sooth your weary soul.
Rest now my child, rest thee well.
Dream sweet dreams
And have no cares for things of this world.
Fall on my shoulder
Shut your eyes.
Leave your worries at the door
Put your burden down on the floor.
The magnitude of My love
Will melt this heavy load to naught.
Close your eyes now
Stay very still.
Let the humming voice from the distance
Sooth your weary soul.
Rest now my child, rest thee well.
Dream sweet dreams
And have no cares for things of this world.
Reunion dinner last night
Ok, so this was supposed to be the "Yu Sheng" or "Lo Hei" (tossing of the fish). Silly me forgot to take the picture when it was still untossed and so this is what is left after the tossing.
"Pen cai" or my direct translation would be basin/pot dish. It is traditionally quite big a pot and there are many different layers. Each layer is a different type of vegetable and it is a bit like a treasure box as we finish each layer to unveil new layers of food.
Vegetarian sweet and sour fish. I usually don't like this type of pseudo food but somehow, I think they made the 'fish' themselves and it tastes pretty good!
My grandparents. Still super loving after so many years of marriage!
My grandma and parents. Check out how photo-happy my Dad is.
Sauteed seasonal vegetable with some kind of special mushroom in a basket made out of potato shreds.
Brown rice fried with some kind of special vegetable called 'lan chai'. Direct translation would be olive vegetable.
Mango with cream and pomelo and sago dessert.
Just in case you have not noticed, all the dishes were vegetarian. As my mum is a vegetarian, we have been coming to this vegetarian restaurant for many years now. It is called Lingzhi Vegetarian restaurant and it is under the Tung Lok Group of restaurants. Food is tres delicious, tres fusion without being too strange.
A day of fasting and abstinence
Today is a day of fasting and abstinence in preparation for Lent (mainly for Catholics). Traditionally, this is done on Ash Wednesday (which happens to be tomorrow), but because tomorrow is the eve of Chinese New Year (CNY), the church has set the fasting day one day before so that everyone can celebrate CNY eve without having to worry about the ingestion of food.
Traditionally too, for the eve of CNY, people will go home to their families from wherever they are (be it overseas or locally) to have reunion dinner. It is very much like Thanksgiving. It used to be that families will cook up a feast at home. There will be fish (in my family, it is usually steamed), chicken, a dish of mushrooms with fatt choy (some vegetable that literally looks like hair) and lettuce wtih oyster sauce (coz the Chinese word for lettuce is "sheng cai" and represents growth, be it wealth or in terms of children).
In recent years though, people have switched the location to restaurants and such so that they do not need the hassle of preparing and cleaning up afterwards.To me though, the meaning of it all is not lost as everyone still comes together to catch up on lost times.
Traditionally too, for the eve of CNY, people will go home to their families from wherever they are (be it overseas or locally) to have reunion dinner. It is very much like Thanksgiving. It used to be that families will cook up a feast at home. There will be fish (in my family, it is usually steamed), chicken, a dish of mushrooms with fatt choy (some vegetable that literally looks like hair) and lettuce wtih oyster sauce (coz the Chinese word for lettuce is "sheng cai" and represents growth, be it wealth or in terms of children).
In recent years though, people have switched the location to restaurants and such so that they do not need the hassle of preparing and cleaning up afterwards.To me though, the meaning of it all is not lost as everyone still comes together to catch up on lost times.
Wanton noodle, wanton noodle...
...Double-boiled milk, double boiled milk (sung to the tune of "Are you sleeping, are you sleeping, brother John, brother John). This is what I will be chanting for the next week or so until I leave for the land of casinos: Macau!
No, I am not going to gamble. Just using Macau as a stepping stone to go to Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. "Woah! That's a lot of places", you say.
Yup, but I am going to try. Hong Kong is optional, but it would be a case of 'so close and yet so far away' if I didn't go. One friend expressed that she already felt tired listening to my itnerary.
Guess I caught the pseudo backpack travel bug from my Dad. He just packs and goes (for the first time anyway and mainly in China at the moment) without planning much. He will then find out how to go where he wants wants to go when he reaches his destination. For example, he will reach Zhuhai and then decide where he wants to go and from there, find out whether it is more feasible to take bus or train. He has unofficially become China guide to my two aunts and me.
I must admire my Dad for being so adventurous too for is so bitten by the travel bug and budget airlines, that he has learnt how to make hotel reservations online.
Oh, as for the pseudo part of the backpack travel, I don't really carry that little and I would prefer to stay in at least a 3 or preferably 4 star hotel. Actually, as long as the hotel has got clean beds, carpets and toilets, I am fine. If not, my sensitive skin will start to each and my nose will start to react. Therefore, between spending money on comfort and spending money on doctor's fees, I would rather choose the former.
No, I am not going to gamble. Just using Macau as a stepping stone to go to Zhuhai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. "Woah! That's a lot of places", you say.
Yup, but I am going to try. Hong Kong is optional, but it would be a case of 'so close and yet so far away' if I didn't go. One friend expressed that she already felt tired listening to my itnerary.
Guess I caught the pseudo backpack travel bug from my Dad. He just packs and goes (for the first time anyway and mainly in China at the moment) without planning much. He will then find out how to go where he wants wants to go when he reaches his destination. For example, he will reach Zhuhai and then decide where he wants to go and from there, find out whether it is more feasible to take bus or train. He has unofficially become China guide to my two aunts and me.
I must admire my Dad for being so adventurous too for is so bitten by the travel bug and budget airlines, that he has learnt how to make hotel reservations online.
Oh, as for the pseudo part of the backpack travel, I don't really carry that little and I would prefer to stay in at least a 3 or preferably 4 star hotel. Actually, as long as the hotel has got clean beds, carpets and toilets, I am fine. If not, my sensitive skin will start to each and my nose will start to react. Therefore, between spending money on comfort and spending money on doctor's fees, I would rather choose the former.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Going ga ga about geek toy
I did mention in my last posting that I was getting a new baby. Haven't given it a name yet but soon I will give it one.
It's a Toshiba. Yes, yes, I seem like a traitor, abondoning the Mac scene, but I think, this is easier on my pocket.
It was really funny. Was so excited about my new toy that while typing this posting, so many things happened. First I forgot t plug in the cable to go online. Then, laptop auto shut down due to low battery. Why, I did not turn on the powerpoint.Just when I thought all was well, the screen blacked out again!!! This time, I realised that I did not connect the two wires/cables together!!! Hahaha! How silly could I get?
Thank goodness for technology, my posting was automatically saved and all was not wasted. Not that I wrote a lot yet to begin with. Hehe...I am having fun... .
It's got this thing called the fingerprint sensor technology whereby I could use my fingerprint to lock and unlock my laptop. Hmmm...wonder when the novelty will wear off or that fingerprint reader will spoil... .
For now, it will be "blog away anytime" for me! I am one happy girl!
It's a Toshiba. Yes, yes, I seem like a traitor, abondoning the Mac scene, but I think, this is easier on my pocket.
It was really funny. Was so excited about my new toy that while typing this posting, so many things happened. First I forgot t plug in the cable to go online. Then, laptop auto shut down due to low battery. Why, I did not turn on the powerpoint.Just when I thought all was well, the screen blacked out again!!! This time, I realised that I did not connect the two wires/cables together!!! Hahaha! How silly could I get?
Thank goodness for technology, my posting was automatically saved and all was not wasted. Not that I wrote a lot yet to begin with. Hehe...I am having fun... .
It's got this thing called the fingerprint sensor technology whereby I could use my fingerprint to lock and unlock my laptop. Hmmm...wonder when the novelty will wear off or that fingerprint reader will spoil... .
For now, it will be "blog away anytime" for me! I am one happy girl!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
My baby Milou 'died' today
Remember how I told you about my baby making strange noises and nothing appears on the screen? I finally managed to go down to the shop to see if something could be done about it.
Brought my baby down to Funan the I.T. mall where I first bought it and they told me the motherboard is damaged or something like that. It will cost me about $1100 just to fix it. Salesperson asked me if I would like to fix it or get a new one.
You know, if the service was good and the vibe was good, I might have considered trading in and buying a new one. The service was so bad that even before they told me the diagnosis of my baby, I already decided not to get any more iBooks from them.
First of all, when I went into the shop, I was like some lost sheep that did not know where to go. Nobody attended to me. Then, when I finally approached the cashier, he was not that polite either (partly my fault coz I went to say iMac instead of iBook. Guess he was anal and had to correct me on that).
Anyhow, he then directed me to another counter where I presume, is the servicing department. Saw many old Macs waiting to be fixed and such. I stood in front of the counter, waiting to be served. One of them was serving another customer, so I waited. Another guy was on the phone, having no intention to put down. This other guy was packing stuff on the left side of me and I don't really expect him to help me (given the vibe of the service here).
Talking about vibes, this place gave me the same vibes as it did 3 years ago when I bought my baby. It was not very welcoming and a rather hostile environment. It was like, you needed to know your stuff if you step into the store. It becomes exclusive and univiting.
Everyone had the tech-geek feel and look and they did not care much about customer service. While the guy (who was packing stuff later re-appeared) was serving me. This other guy was rudely talking to him while I waited for the diagnosis and when he was explaining to me what was happening, the other did not seem to have the intention to stop talking.
Anyway,today is the official death of Milou (sounds a little morbid, I know)and the birth of another.
Brought my baby down to Funan the I.T. mall where I first bought it and they told me the motherboard is damaged or something like that. It will cost me about $1100 just to fix it. Salesperson asked me if I would like to fix it or get a new one.
You know, if the service was good and the vibe was good, I might have considered trading in and buying a new one. The service was so bad that even before they told me the diagnosis of my baby, I already decided not to get any more iBooks from them.
First of all, when I went into the shop, I was like some lost sheep that did not know where to go. Nobody attended to me. Then, when I finally approached the cashier, he was not that polite either (partly my fault coz I went to say iMac instead of iBook. Guess he was anal and had to correct me on that).
Anyhow, he then directed me to another counter where I presume, is the servicing department. Saw many old Macs waiting to be fixed and such. I stood in front of the counter, waiting to be served. One of them was serving another customer, so I waited. Another guy was on the phone, having no intention to put down. This other guy was packing stuff on the left side of me and I don't really expect him to help me (given the vibe of the service here).
Talking about vibes, this place gave me the same vibes as it did 3 years ago when I bought my baby. It was not very welcoming and a rather hostile environment. It was like, you needed to know your stuff if you step into the store. It becomes exclusive and univiting.
Everyone had the tech-geek feel and look and they did not care much about customer service. While the guy (who was packing stuff later re-appeared) was serving me. This other guy was rudely talking to him while I waited for the diagnosis and when he was explaining to me what was happening, the other did not seem to have the intention to stop talking.
Anyway,today is the official death of Milou (sounds a little morbid, I know)and the birth of another.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Tired
I am tired of reporting
Every single movement
That I make.
Tired of being tracked
And questioned.
Tired to be careful of each and every move.
My head feels heavy.
My eyes feel droopy.
I am tired just let me go.
Curl up in a corner
In a foetal position.
Stay there forever
No one need know.
My shoulders are laden with worries.
My legs are weary from walking.
How far more,
To end this agonising journey?
Every single movement
That I make.
Tired of being tracked
And questioned.
Tired to be careful of each and every move.
My head feels heavy.
My eyes feel droopy.
I am tired just let me go.
Curl up in a corner
In a foetal position.
Stay there forever
No one need know.
My shoulders are laden with worries.
My legs are weary from walking.
How far more,
To end this agonising journey?
How bizarre, how bizarre
I was watching China Fastforward on Discovery Travel & Living (cable) last night and found the whole show rather bizarre.
Here was a Chinese tv presenter being brought about by a Caucasian man telling the Chinese about the history of China and pointing out which chair Chairman Mao sat (you see, this Caucasian guy, called Norris, bought many of these historical sites and turned them into restaurants).
Anyone who did not know what was going on would go,"What the fish? Doesn't the Chinese know his roots?"
That was what I thought too, except I knew that David is an American-born Chinese and probably knows less about Shi Huangdi than the Caucasian guy (or ang moh, as we like to call them. Not a very nice way of calling though. It is kind of equivalent to the word chink).
It is STILL really quite bizarre though for the ang moh seemed to talk with an air of superiority and as if he IS Chinese, when in actual fact, he is not. I suspect, most of what he knows are from history books, recounts of the past that can only be imagined and not truly experienced. I can only say then, that he is a very good storyteller.
What is more ironical is that on the surface, he seems so knowledgable about the Chinese culture and history and yet he is using it against the Chinese in that he is earning their money,'making use' of them.
Of course, I exagerate a little. Plus, as I am writing this, I am still confused about the whole relationship of the ang moh and the American-born Chinese. I can only boil it down to the amalgamation of cultures...for the moment.
Here was a Chinese tv presenter being brought about by a Caucasian man telling the Chinese about the history of China and pointing out which chair Chairman Mao sat (you see, this Caucasian guy, called Norris, bought many of these historical sites and turned them into restaurants).
Anyone who did not know what was going on would go,"What the fish? Doesn't the Chinese know his roots?"
That was what I thought too, except I knew that David is an American-born Chinese and probably knows less about Shi Huangdi than the Caucasian guy (or ang moh, as we like to call them. Not a very nice way of calling though. It is kind of equivalent to the word chink).
It is STILL really quite bizarre though for the ang moh seemed to talk with an air of superiority and as if he IS Chinese, when in actual fact, he is not. I suspect, most of what he knows are from history books, recounts of the past that can only be imagined and not truly experienced. I can only say then, that he is a very good storyteller.
What is more ironical is that on the surface, he seems so knowledgable about the Chinese culture and history and yet he is using it against the Chinese in that he is earning their money,'making use' of them.
Of course, I exagerate a little. Plus, as I am writing this, I am still confused about the whole relationship of the ang moh and the American-born Chinese. I can only boil it down to the amalgamation of cultures...for the moment.
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