More Paul & Joe

I went and did a crazy thing this evening. I went to the Paul & Joe counter at Bugis Junction and bought me-self 3 bottles of the foam cleanser mousse that is going to be out of production soon.

The lady at the counter told me she had nine bottles and I wish I had enough money to buy up all of it, but on second thoughts, it would be quite ridiculous to do so too, as it would take me ages to finish and by then, the product might have expired.

I said my peace to the girl. I told her that I was very surprised that they were going to axe this particular product. I told her that this was the only thing that does not cause redness on my face. I also told her that I have been using this particular cleanser for at least 3 years now. She was really surprised. I also told her that I was so upset the other day that I did not buy anything in the end.

Of course, all this was told in a conversational way and not an accusing way (hopefully she did not find me too long-winded). She was very nice to listen to me too but I doubt she can do much either. She was also quite surprised that I have used to cleanser for so long :P

One thing I did not like though, is that she told me she would give me samples of the new cleanser to use (the new range that the sales lady at Isetan was trying to sell me). I only found out on my way home that it is not exactly the new sample at all. The moisture lotion, I have bought before and it gave me millia seeds. I refuse to use whitening stuff as I feel that it is more harmful to my skin the long run, so the whitening emulsion can go straight to the bin. The only thing that can remotely be used is the light cleansing milk, but anything with the word milk makes me squirm and think millia seeds again. Does not help that they have the world "light" on it.

What I am a little unhappy about is not delivering what she promised (as in, the right sample). Guess I cannot be too picky as they were free stuff.

Well, at least these three bottles are going to last me for at least a year an a half or so. Till then, I shall be more prudent with my usage and then think of what else to use later.

Oh, and thanks to wildswans for your recommendation. I shall kiv and once I have finished my limited supply, will try yours out. Hee!

The end of Paul & Joe for me

I was really upset to find out that they have discontinued the Foaming Facial Cleanser that I have been using for the past two to three years. It was the only thing that was mild enough not to cause redness on my skin and does not give me skin irritation.

I was so upset and angry that I did not even buy that moisture gel that I originally set out to buy. I cannot fathom how they can just decide to cut a certain product line just like that. If I knew this was going to happen, I would have bought a whole box of it the last time I visited their counter.

This sales lady at the Isetan Scotts outlet was also quite unprofessional. She was talking on the phone for quite awhile until I took the products off the shelf and approached her to get the products for me to buy.

After looking for the longest time, she then told me that the cleanser that I want has been discontinued. Then WHY display it there in the first place?????? So angry. Then she told me the new cleanser can moisturise even more etc, etc.

I really did not want to listen anymore coz I really did not need one that was too moisturising. It would just give me millia seeds. Some of their products have already given me that as it is too rich.

Sigh...I am now in search of another product as I feel a little 'betrayed'. I know, very drama, but I just feel like that at the moment. Until I find the next best product, woe is my face!!!!

Concert tonight

SANDY LAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going for her concert tonight! Bought the tix like two to three months back I had to remind myself to keep it in the bag that I carry and once in awhile, check that it was really there! Haha!

If I manage to time myself efficiently, I would be taking one straight bus to the Indoor Stadium. Sigh...got to make sure that the shoes that I wear are comfortable. Can't be wearing stilettos.

Well, that does not mean that I cannot dress up! Hee... .Can't wait!

"Welcome to where time stands still..."

Hahahaha....Those were the lyrics and the start to Metallica's song, Sanitarium and yes, I was a fan and yes, I still remember those lines. I would like to think that I expose myself to a wide range of music and heavy metal was, and still is one of them.

It all started when I went to pre-university. I was hanging out with this group of girls and one of them had a nickname called Morbid Angel. She was this church-going, drum playing girl who put on black lipstick and nail polish at the slightest chance she could, despite the fact that she had a pretty strict dad (sorry uncle) who kept remembering my name as "Shandy" (like the beer with sprite drink. Hahaha!).

She introduced me to Guns N' Roses, Def Leppard, Sepultura, Skid Row (I remember you) and of course, there was Metallica. The black album was all the craze and almost everyday without fail, we would be singing "Exit light, enter night, take my hand, off to never- never land" during recess.

Why all this reminiscence? I was at HMV two days ago and I saw Metallica's new album out on the shelves. It was called Death Magnetic. It was on one of the tester CD stations and I took an 'earshot' at it. Wow!!! Completely blew me away with all this familiar 'duhn...duhta,duhta...' sound. It is the sort of sound that I like. The sounds being produced by bass guitars and played by Lars Ulrich. It's something very...Metallica.

I was really tempted to buy the album already except that I find their intro very long and I am not sure, at this point of time, whether I can still take to this type of head-banging for more than 10 minutes. Got me-self a Robin Thicke instead, among some others. Will test-listen to it a few more times before deciding whether to get it or not.

For now, I will just "sleep with one eye open..." (lyrics from Enter Sandman). Hahahahaha....!

Just a little note: I am no music expert and I do not bother myself too much with musical terminology. Therefore, there might be certain terms that may not be accurately described. Whatever it is, this is a personal posting so I really do not care much for terminology. Ha!

Silly me :(

Just went to double check on the date of the Hit Awards and it is the Deepavali weekend that I would not be around. Silly, silly, silly.

Nevertheless, I can still let my colleague know the price and see if she wants to go with someone else.

One down, three more to go.

Concerts, musicals, awards and such

Gosh!!! There are so many performances coming to town that I really do not know which one to go to. Worse of all is that I cannot go for all of them!

First of all, Rihanna is coming to town!! Not sure if any of my friends would be that interested to want to go and see her but I am prepared to go alone. The price is a little steep though. I am also waiting a little longer before purchasing the tix. I do not want them to pull a Robbie Williams on me. You see, he was supposed to come and we bought tix and all only to hear that he was cancelling his tour to this part of the world. There were refunds and all that but it was quite a big disappointment.

Then, another friend wants to see Kylie. Her, I am ok. Won't die if I don't see her concert. Besides, she cancelled before too! That was only coz she found out she had breast cancer just then.

To tell you the truth, the last time I saw one of these pop/ contemporary Western singers come, was when New Kids on the Block came to Town. Hahahahaha!!!! Don't laugh alright? They just came out with their comeback album and my childhood schoolmate, who now lives in the States, just went for their concert! I can't believe that after all these years, she is still so into them.

Then there is the musical, Cinderella, which is performed by Lea Salonga and a whole stellar cast from Broadway. That, I would very much like to watch too.

There is also the Singapore Hit Awards which my colleague is very interested in going.

Sigh...decisions, decisions. I would give Rihanna 90% affirmity of going and Cinderella 80%. As for Hit Awards, I will see what my colleague says tomorrow.

From Grey's Anatomy

"The expected is what keeps us standing still, while the unexpected brings on changes in our lives." - Meredith Grey

An alternative solution

In another extravagant world, where I as an extravagant person, I prided myself in using what was what good and what was hip. I was still trying to be quite extravagant but then I thought, maybe, I should use an alternative that could be easily gotten.

You see, I was very set on using Philosophy stuff, especially the 3-in-1 shower gel. It acts as a shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. It was the only thing, until a week back, that does not make my skin itch from dryness or have an overpowering perfume smell that would be almost fatal to my sensitive nose.

I was even thinking that I can make use of this time of good exchange rate of US currency to order my 'loot' online.

Well, don't need to now. I just tried Cetaphil and it works fine on my skin. I can get it at the local pharmacy or Watson's and at a fraction of what I paid for Philosophy bought off the rack. Besides, if I really suffer from a Philosophy withdrawal syndrome, I could also try to get some from Hong Kong. I last bought it at Wing On Plus Department Store. Hopefully it is still there.

For now though, Cetaphil will suffice.

Me, the sick

I am sick at home again. This nose of mine is very irritating. I wish someone would invent some kind of home vacuum for the nose whereby one could stick it up the nostrils (sorry to be so crude) and suck out all that mucus.

They are stuck in my ears and it is irritating as I feel like digging them out but can't. Only nose drips and medication can do the job.

Well, before I say night-night to the rest of the day and rest, I managed to do some research over the Internet on Hong Kong and Shenzhen again. Now I am just wondering whether to get a pre-paid phone card while I am there as we may be meeting up with some friends based there and may need to use the phone quite regularly. Hmm.....party, party!

YES! Hong Kong, here I come!!!!

I almost thought that it was not going to happen but it did. I managed to pluck up enough courage to ask for leave towards the end of the year and it was approved! Before, I was not three months into employment yet, and was afraid that it would not get approved.

Hee! Hee! Now that it has, I rushed to book air tickets and hotel. I met with many...challenges. Firstly, my first choice hotel, Kimberley Hotel was charging way too much at $123 per person per night. Plus, they might be fully booked up too. Managed to find a cheaper choice: Ramada Hotel Kowloon. This was also at Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) area, but Octopus.com could not give me an instant confirmation as they were just making the reservation on my behalf. They still had to wait for the hotel to get back to them before confirming with me again. It would be another 48 hours of anxiety.

Then one of my friends, who did not reply immediately, decided the next day to go with us (there were already two of us). The air ticket part was easy. Either book the same airline but sit separately or book a different airline altogether and then meet at the airport. Hee! I forgot my friend has never been to Hong Kong, while I...have been going there almost every year since...I can remember.

The problem was in the hotel booking as I only booked a room for two and with the pending confirmation, I was worried sick (that is just me). Then I received this email saying that my booking at Ramada Hotel was not successful. They suggested Empire Kowloon Hotel.

I have stayed at this hotel before and it is a really beautiful boutique hotel, but I also happen to know that it was not cheap. Dad, who has become online hotel booking expert, told me to go to agoda.com. Hee! Hee! Managed to book another hotel from there and it was an instant confirmation.

The other little issue left is that, the last friend's leave is still pending approval. Keeping fingers crossed. If leave is approved, then I will proceed to amend the hotel booking.

Whatever it is, I am rearing to go and have already started planning where to go! Definitely going over to Shenzhen to get me-self more cheap but good shoes!!!!! Plus, it's the season for boots too!!

My weekend

What can I say? I live for weekends. I played mahjong at my aunt' place again. There was good food for everyone, including the family dog Browny.

Passed by pet shop two days back and remembered to buy him something. I was his favourite person for the moment as he realised that I was the one with the good stuff. Usually, he would look at us longingly as we eat and yet not get any. This time around, he is one happy dog!

Today, had a family day, sort of. Went to have breakfast at Whompoa Market and then went to church. Dad decided to go to the library while waiting for me. By the time I we were done, it was time to eat again. Dad was still mulling over what to eat when I suggested we go to Hup Seng Duck Rice at Sin Ming. YUM!!!!!

I was in duck heaven when we managed to have braised duck and the duck soup with pickled vegetables (or Itek Tim if you are a Peranakan/Straits Chinese). This place is super popular and if you go any later than 1.30pm, be ready to eat the air instead.

Even at 1pm, my Dad was worried that the braised duck would have finished. I was sent to see whether there were still any available while my Dad waited in the car. There was no queue. I quickly ordered before calling my Dad on his cell to park his car. That was how 'exciting' the situation was.

After I have ordered, a long queue formed again and by the time we finished eating (which was about half an hour or so) there were no more braised ducks hanging on the rack anymore. We counted ourselves lucky. *grin*

After eating at two of our favorite haunts (amongst others) we went home.

The other side of the road

I usually rush to school after work and somehow, on school days, there would be something that would happen around 5.30pm that would not allow me to leave on time.

This time, it was like I described, but nonetheless, I have managed to see a Subway while taking a bus to Orchard this morning (switch buses halfway. Isn't that what the government wants us to believe? The one who do more transfers of public transport will save the most). I decided to give it a try and find that place this evening.

I was really worried that I would not manage to find the place, walk there and back to school on time, but I did. I also managed to get a glimpse of the museum and buildings on the other side of the road as I walked from SMU (Singapore Management University, where the Subway was situated) to my school. I am usually looking from the museum side across to SMU instead.

It was definitely a different view and for that short moment, I feel that I should look at things from different angles and not just from one point.

Hectic study days.

Finally got my text book on Monday (6th Oct). The last Monday that I tried to get it, I was too late. It was sold out.

Now, with that 'Bible' in early childhood, I can relax and rely on it. I am the sort who feels more secure to buy what the teacher recommends.

Topics are getting heavier as we talk about cognitive and physical stuff, but thanks to very nice classmates who are very supportive, we are surviving.

I found that many classmates sitting near me are actually either catholics or are teaching in Catholic kindergartens. It brings me to one of my obscure thoughts to teach in one such kindergarten. Anyway, it is one step at a time for now. I will work for one year at my present place first and then decide where to move on from there.

Today, I brought Milo packets for them as the school only provides coffee and tea packets. I am so afraid of insomnia now, I have sworn off coffee during weekdays.

The other funny thing is that I find one of the senior people in my previous organisation is also taking up the same course with another earlier batch of intakes. She is in-charge of programmes and at first, when I saw her at the car park, I thought she was going to guest lecture. After seeing her on several occasions though, I felt she might also be a student her and asked one of my friends, who was with the other class. She told me that she and her husband are both taking the same course.

Right there and then, I could hear the little voice in my head singing," It's a small world after all...".

Well, now that I have settled my leave for December, I am sooooo going to work very hard for my assignments.

Playing cheat

With less numbers of days of leave, I find that I have to be very creative when going for holidays. It is called maximising. Actually, people have been doing this for ages, even if they on a leave scheme that gives them 28 days. Ha! Ha!

With less budget to work with as well, I also have to be creative in where I want to go. I used to scoff at the thought of going to Malaysia, but now, I think it will be one of my first choice as, in terms of proximity, it is the nearest and it does not burn a big hole in my pocket. Went down to People's Park to book for coach and accommodation to Sunway Lagoon for the next long weekend holiday.

Just to let you in on a secret, this is my first time going to Sunway Lagoon and I have never been to the Petronas Twin Towers. Well there you are, it's two of my secrets revealed (and not just one).

Going with my Dad and two aunts. My mum? She does not like to travel, especially if she had to take a coach. She would rather stay at home to watch Discovery Travel&Living. That would already be her travelling and tour.

His messages, His will

After good food and some shopping exercise, I went for evening mass at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (Saturday evening mass).

I was quite urgent and had to go to the ladies first as service was going to be an hour long. I passed by a nun selling something. At that point of time, I was wondering what they were selling now and how was I going to reject if it was something that I did not need.

Turns out that the Sister was selling 2009 calendar. They were celebrating the bimillenium year of St Paul. I remembered some time last year, I also bought a calendar from the Franciscan brothers as they were celebrating the year of St Francis of Assisi.

I found the whole buying calendar experience very short but...strange (for the lack of a better word). First of all, the Sister told me that their shop is based at the Church of Risen Christ, the church I am frequenting now. I had tried to look for the bookshop the last time I went to church, but did not manage to.

Sister managed to confirm that the bookshop I was looking for was the correct location. She also told me that other than Monday and Thursdays, they are always open.

Then, as if she knew or maybe she could see it written on my face or there might be some sign (or maybe they always ask any girl or lady that comes along), she asked me if I wanted to find out about religious life and about vocations.

At that point of time, my mind just went blank and I could only hear a humming sound in my ear and I really want to cry out and ask her so many questions. Anyway, she said something that eased my mind a little. She said, "Just be open to what God has to say to you".

I was still all confused when God gave me another task to do. The stranger beside me had asked me what is going on just before receiving the body of Christ (Holy communion). I told her that if she was not baptised, that she does not need to receive the body of Christ. She can just pray at her seat.

I thanked God for letting me help a stranger and thought that was that, but we continued chatting as walked out of church. Turns out she is from Vietnam and she is studying here and comes to this church quite regularly. She wanted to know more about God and about the Catholic Church.

I told her about RCIA and then, for the lack of ability to explain, I told her I will email her the links to such information instead.

Amid all this confusion, I think He wants me to go deeper into my faith and have an even better understanding of it first before making my next move.

Anyway, I think God is ever-present in my life and shows His presence in the most unexpected ways. He also has the most interesting way of conveying His messages. Sometimes, I am very confused and my mind goes berserk trying to 'decode' what He is trying to tell me. In the end, I don't try at all.

Shiok Shokudo!

Met up with some Primary school girlfriends today. We went to eat at Shokudo, Raffles City. I had wanted to check out what the hype was all about as there was always a long queue on Fridays.

It is also touted to be the Japanese version of Marche, where one just uses a card to 'buy' stuff and only pay when we exit the restaurant. I find that there were dishes like pasta and rosti that should not have been there. They are quite un-original and unnecessary.

There were stuff that were very Japanese and I enjoye those very much. I especially liked the yakitori and sashimi. There is something that I wanted to try but did not get to, and that is the oden. It is actually, as they have stated on heir display dish, Japanese yong tau foo. I have always seen people eat oden at Mr Sushi, but never did have the courage to order it. Now I know where else I can go to, to eat oden.

As for the yakitori, they have quite a variety for you to choose from and there was something that I ate for the first time and found it very delicious! That was the quail eggs wrapped with bacon. Yummy!

There is also mochi which I did not try, but because I prefer savoury things, I have put it off till some other time. Coffee was not bad and acording to one of my girlfriends, the hot chocolate is actually not bad too!

We sat there for like a good two to three hours; from full house till not too many people at all. The only complaint is that they kept repeating the same CD (music) over and over again. We eventually left because of that. No, nt really. It was getting cold and we were all very full and wanted to do some 'excercise'.

It was a very pleasant afternoon with one of them asking us what is the meaning of life to us. Or rather, what drives us to wake up every morning. This led to a whole series of chats about work, children and lots of other stuff.

NEW PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry. Got a little too excited. I wanted to wait till December and change to the other phone operator with the green theme, but I guess I could not resist the phone calling out my name and saying,"Take me, please take me home. I am yours!"

Ha, ha, ha!!!

Got the Sony Ericsson W910i. I think, my choice is non of the above (from my wish list). The reason why I did not want that phon at that time was due to the fact that the camera only had 2.0 megapixels while my present phone had 3.2 megapixels.

Well, as the salesperson told me, it is not such a great difference, the megapixels, unless we are talking about 3.2 megapixels versus 5.0 megapixels. I agree.

As OLKGAL once said to me, a handphone should be a handphone. Why pay so much for camera functions when you know that it can never function as well as a real camera (well, something like that). I agree with her on that too.

KPE

Went to my grand aunt's funeral wake for the second night in a row. Was a little excited as I was going to travel on the new KPE tunnel from the other direction for the first time (usually, I go towards city and head off to PIE, when the tunnel was not fully in operation).

Going towards Punggol was quite smooth-sailing. There were cars (as it was about 8 plus at night) but it was not traffic-jammy sort of irritating situation. The best part was I was going home from Punggol. At first, there were only 2 cars: one car in front of me and...my car!!! It was so empty and the feeling of almost having the whole road to yourself, was wonderful!

Driving on a little, after passing Airport road exit, there were a few more cars that joined us: two to be exact. Not bad at all. Of course, it was eleven plus at night and the traffic on the road would have been sparse. This being a new tunnel at that, just made it even more so.

Love the KPE for now. Just wondering when it will become overcrowded again, just like all the other major expressways.

What a lazy day kind of day, except...

Was supposed to go to Ubin with my colleagues today, but the weather wasn't too promising. It was threatening to rain. We all decided to sleep in.

Watched some TV, did some blogging (as you can see from my previous postings) and planned to go watch a movie on my own. Then I learnt that one of my grand aunts have passed away. This saddened me quite a bit as she was my favourite grand aunt. She was always laughing loudly (like me) during any sort of family gatherings, which is usually at birthday and wedding dinners. Her older sister was the more sarcastic one and never fails to tell you off.

Anyway, still went to watch Mama Mia! but with Dad and Mum instead. Quite surprised that Dad would want to watch it as he is quite picky about movies. The are certain genres that he just would not watch. I guess Meryl Streep got him to go and watch it.

We went to Downtown East, which was not too bad at all, except Mum did not like the noise or crowd one bit. It gave her a splitting headache. I was just having fun, eating Superdog hotdog and enjoying the movie. I was tapping my toes the beat of the music most of the time.

Said part came when we went for the wake. Although I know that she has been called home to be with the Lord, I just feel really sad still. I just went to visit her on September 1st when I had a Teacher's Day holiday. Little did I know that it will be my last.

I guess this is my wake up call to visit my own granny more often, as always find some kind of excuse not to. Maybe subconsciously, I do not want to see them get old, but I do know that time is running out and I should not delay any longer.

Samgaetang

Had dinner with Dad at Ju Shin Jung last night. This is at Joo Chiat.It was under the heavy recommendation of his Korean student who is learning Chinese under him. We went for the Korean Ginseng Chicken (samgaetang) and it was quite delicious.

However, I find the dishes a little overpriced. A korean pancake is going for $20. Even if it had lots of kimchi and seafood, I don't think I will pay that much for flour-y stuff like that. I would still prefer Manna any time. The food variety is more to my liking. I promised Dad I would bring him to Manna one day :)

Anyway, forgot to mention how embarrassed we were when we first walked into a Korean restuarant, thinking that was it! We did not realise that the name of the restuarant was different and we had to walk out again, realising it is more of a Korean barbecue place rather than Ju Shin Jung, the one specliasing in Ginseng Chicken Soup :)

Nostalgia

Well, I did say that I went to stay over at my cousin's place from 20th night till 21st Sept. I found lots of nostalgic treasures that were still in good working condition. Rather than waiting for these treasures to disappear from the earth forever, I took pics of it instead! Can you see the brand of the fan?

Satisfying dinner

Went to have dinner and stayed over with my cousin on 20th September. We (my aunt, my cousin and I) went to have dinner at the Marriott. Was either thinking of the Crossroads cafe (where I used to work as a captain) or the poolside cafe. We ended up at the Pool Grill as it was full house at the Crossroads Cafe and the hostess/maitre d'hotel could not guarantee us a table even though we had to wait for 15 minutes.

Here are the pics of what we ate:

I had a veal scallopini.

My cousin had the blue barramundi (hope I got this one right).

My aunt had the salmon.

The most rewarding bit was the coffee though. If you are thinking of spending little at a quiet environment, having a cup of coffee there would be ideal. They use Illy coffee beans (at least their cups say so). It would also be a good place if you just wanted to drink some wine while looking at the skyline of Orchard Road.