Yesterday was a day of impossibles for me. Well, to me at least. I woke up at 5am to reach work by 7am and at about 3.30pm, went to my cousin's place and played mahjong till about 1.30am in the morning.
I think only mahjong is able to keep me going for so long. I almost did not want to go to work. I was not supposed to work on Saturdays, but because it was a closure day, all permanent staff, working or not working on that day, had to go back. I am paid OT of course.
It was tiring but it was worth it as we had good family bonding time again, not only with mahjong but with intermittently good food breaks as well. Plus, I got to see my cute little nephew who is growing up ever so fast and looks different from the last time I saw him. He is a little picky with who carries him, but I am glad that I am one of his approved carriers :P
Showing posts with label mahjong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mahjong. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Opportunity cost
By the way, my train ride to Danga may have to be postponed indefinitely. Dad is so big on mahjong (actually my cousin is, so much so that she even arranged for my morning portion to be covered as I have to work) that he decided that he would not be able to wake up early enough on Sunday, the day after mahjong.
It's a bummer that I have to work this Saturday. I don't actually work on Saturdays but this is a special day and we all have to go back, working or not working, alternate or not alternate.
Well, I guess Danga will have to wait!
It's a bummer that I have to work this Saturday. I don't actually work on Saturdays but this is a special day and we all have to go back, working or not working, alternate or not alternate.
Well, I guess Danga will have to wait!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Mahjong Bonding
Just returned from a day of mahjong. We had good bonding time and there were relatives visiting my aunt halfway through, but it was a good break for all of us.
Baby nephew Rayee also dropped by before he went off to visit his mummy's side of the relatives. It must be tired on my cousin and his wife, this being their first year with baby. Anyhow, I think they should be able to cope, with their domestic help around.
It's actually quite amusing that Rayee is afraid of my dad. It was probably my dad's tone when he spoke to him yesterday. He started crying shortly after and from then on, whenever he saw my dad, he would cry. I, on the other hand, am elated that he allows me to carry him *grin*. He usually does not let just anyone carry, but one thing I found out: he is afraid of loud voices too. Once, I laughed heartily while carrying him and he started crying :P
Going to have more bonding time with my cousin this weekend. It could be mahjong...again, or it could just be a girlie sleepover. Whatever it is, I am excited already!
Baby nephew Rayee also dropped by before he went off to visit his mummy's side of the relatives. It must be tired on my cousin and his wife, this being their first year with baby. Anyhow, I think they should be able to cope, with their domestic help around.
It's actually quite amusing that Rayee is afraid of my dad. It was probably my dad's tone when he spoke to him yesterday. He started crying shortly after and from then on, whenever he saw my dad, he would cry. I, on the other hand, am elated that he allows me to carry him *grin*. He usually does not let just anyone carry, but one thing I found out: he is afraid of loud voices too. Once, I laughed heartily while carrying him and he started crying :P
Going to have more bonding time with my cousin this weekend. It could be mahjong...again, or it could just be a girlie sleepover. Whatever it is, I am excited already!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Of mahjong and chicken wings
Woah! Last night, lost to my Dad in mahjong. Was very pissed with myself as it took me great pains to build the 'cards' but in the end, still did not win. Just not my day.
Anyway, my aunt made super delicious chicken wings in black sauce. Now, nowadays, I would not normally eat anything related to chicken, especially chicken wings. I have to eat it almost everyday as the cook is mainly given that to cook. Of course, I do get to eat a balanced meal of one meat and 2 veg, but really, I would try to avoid chicken wings at all cost.
However, my aunt's chicken wings were another thing. It has got XO!! Mind you, it is not XO sauce. It's the real thing. Haha!! It was cooked the night before and the chicken wings were steeped in gravy flavour. The meat was tender and my aunt took the pains to chop up the wing part from the drumette part. It was so yummy-licious that I took an extra bowl of rice with just the gravy alone. Mmm....... .
Anyway, my aunt made super delicious chicken wings in black sauce. Now, nowadays, I would not normally eat anything related to chicken, especially chicken wings. I have to eat it almost everyday as the cook is mainly given that to cook. Of course, I do get to eat a balanced meal of one meat and 2 veg, but really, I would try to avoid chicken wings at all cost.
However, my aunt's chicken wings were another thing. It has got XO!! Mind you, it is not XO sauce. It's the real thing. Haha!! It was cooked the night before and the chicken wings were steeped in gravy flavour. The meat was tender and my aunt took the pains to chop up the wing part from the drumette part. It was so yummy-licious that I took an extra bowl of rice with just the gravy alone. Mmm....... .
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Break time
I am having a break from my mahjong session now. I have won some and lost some but I must say, we have all graduated. We are playing at a much faster pace now and we can really chit chat while playing. I used to be real nervous and not be able to enjoy a good conversation.
Tonight, my aunt is going to cook claypot chicken rice. YUM! I shall see if I can take a pic of it and post it later.
See ya! Back to my game now!
Tonight, my aunt is going to cook claypot chicken rice. YUM! I shall see if I can take a pic of it and post it later.
See ya! Back to my game now!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Choosing the right set of mahjong
I have long wanted to buy a set of mahjong for my Finnish friend. He has a mini set, but I felt that he should have a real one, so that his big hands will not be so uncomfortable.
The thought of wanting to buy did not really coincide with the action, as my knowledge of where to buy it, is limited. I only knew that City Plaza has 2 shops selling it and there is a push cart stall at Marine Parade Promenade that sells it.
When I have decided to buy a set from City Plaza, my dad chided me for going there. He felt that Chinatown would have cheaper sets. On second confirmation with one of my cousins, it was conferred that there were more choices at People's Park.
What a day to go down as there was road closure from 2pm onwards for the lighting up of the roads for Mid Autumn Festival. Had to take a bus down but also had to walk on many diverted roads. Could not even walk across via the bridge.
When we finally reached our destination, I lifted my head to see where we could find a mahjong shop. There, right next to the escalator, on Level 2, was one. It was a wholesale centre. We went there.
We saw what we wanted but the price was not quite right and the lady boss did not really want to reduce the price anyway. We told her we would be back. I was at a lost. I did not know where else to go and my dad suggested we walked back to the other side of the road. I pulled a really long face. I was not ready to walk back there at all. It was a long tedious walk with too many people.
Just as was exasperatingly turning round and round Level 1, looking for a shopping directory, I saw this mahjong shop behind us. We walked in, the lady was friendly but not pushy. After showing us the several sizes of mahjong and me telling her what colour I was looking for, she took out what I wanted.
It was one size smaller than the one I saw before at Level 2, but when compared to similar sizes seen at Level 2, the set was still cheaper. We bargained a little more and got the set at a satisfactory price. My dad was also on the verge of buying a foldable mahjong table. She was willing to throw in the dampening mat at a preferential price.
However, my dad remembered that we did not drive down to town and decided not to buy the table...yet. Good choice as the mahjong set itself was rather heavy already.
The lady was very nice and she knew what was customer service and he concept of repeat business. She told us to come back to her when we decide that we wanted to buy the table. This lady must be called Irene as the shop was called Irene Engraving Services and Mahjong Shop.
Oh! Why did I wait so long to go buy the mahjong and not ask my dad to buy for me instead? I am a little weird in the sense that I feel that the FEEL is very important. I cannot just buy ANY mahjong set but I must look at it and like it, and have a good feel about it. I must also feel that the person playing it will love it. If not, there is no point buying it.
Well, I am glad I went down to get this set myself. I really love the colour and how it looks a bit jelly. I will take some pics and upload it as soon as possible.
The thought of wanting to buy did not really coincide with the action, as my knowledge of where to buy it, is limited. I only knew that City Plaza has 2 shops selling it and there is a push cart stall at Marine Parade Promenade that sells it.
When I have decided to buy a set from City Plaza, my dad chided me for going there. He felt that Chinatown would have cheaper sets. On second confirmation with one of my cousins, it was conferred that there were more choices at People's Park.
What a day to go down as there was road closure from 2pm onwards for the lighting up of the roads for Mid Autumn Festival. Had to take a bus down but also had to walk on many diverted roads. Could not even walk across via the bridge.
When we finally reached our destination, I lifted my head to see where we could find a mahjong shop. There, right next to the escalator, on Level 2, was one. It was a wholesale centre. We went there.
We saw what we wanted but the price was not quite right and the lady boss did not really want to reduce the price anyway. We told her we would be back. I was at a lost. I did not know where else to go and my dad suggested we walked back to the other side of the road. I pulled a really long face. I was not ready to walk back there at all. It was a long tedious walk with too many people.
Just as was exasperatingly turning round and round Level 1, looking for a shopping directory, I saw this mahjong shop behind us. We walked in, the lady was friendly but not pushy. After showing us the several sizes of mahjong and me telling her what colour I was looking for, she took out what I wanted.
It was one size smaller than the one I saw before at Level 2, but when compared to similar sizes seen at Level 2, the set was still cheaper. We bargained a little more and got the set at a satisfactory price. My dad was also on the verge of buying a foldable mahjong table. She was willing to throw in the dampening mat at a preferential price.
However, my dad remembered that we did not drive down to town and decided not to buy the table...yet. Good choice as the mahjong set itself was rather heavy already.
The lady was very nice and she knew what was customer service and he concept of repeat business. She told us to come back to her when we decide that we wanted to buy the table. This lady must be called Irene as the shop was called Irene Engraving Services and Mahjong Shop.
Oh! Why did I wait so long to go buy the mahjong and not ask my dad to buy for me instead? I am a little weird in the sense that I feel that the FEEL is very important. I cannot just buy ANY mahjong set but I must look at it and like it, and have a good feel about it. I must also feel that the person playing it will love it. If not, there is no point buying it.
Well, I am glad I went down to get this set myself. I really love the colour and how it looks a bit jelly. I will take some pics and upload it as soon as possible.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Mahjong woes
Today's (or rather, yesterday's) highlight was mahjong. It was a time for interaction and catching up. There were news of friends who got attached and friends who went their own separate ways.
There were lots of laughter and yet, there were also lots of squabbles over mahjong matters.
I think playing mahjong can really reveal a person's character: whether they are gentlemen and/or ladies or whether they go all out to 'kill' everyone else.
Today started and ended quite badly as two of the players refused to used chips to play. They wanted to use real money. Coins to be exact. I guess, if I came in all ready with a whole bag of coins, I would not minded it so much, but the fact is that I did not have so many coins. The other thing is that I am more of a chip person; play with chips first and then pay the real money right at the end.
In the end, we decided to use half coins half chips: two of them used coins while my ex-housemate and I used chips. Should be easy right? Whichever coins you have would be your winnings. NO!!! There were discrepancies and the biggest loser in the game had already paid everything that needed to be paid and nobody refused to budge. In the end, I took out the mere 90 cents to settle the unhappiness.
Well, for one, I think I have only seen people use real money when they play big: their starting pay out is $1 and $2. For the other, if it were me, I would respect the host's wishes as to whether he or she wants to use chips or real money. If the host had told me beforehand that real money is to be used throughout the game, I would have respected that. If the host insisted on chips, so be it.
It goes to show one thing (to me at least): that arguments and conflicts do not just occur among children. Grown people have to deal with it everyday too :)
The thing I got out of this whole mahjong session is that we learn to interact with one another in our own different ways and I try to adapt and accept them as they unfold before me. Who knows? I might also be able to use it on incidents that occur among children. Hee, hee... .
All that said, I also remembered how my cousin just walked off the table last week leaving us with one player less (not sure whether I mentioned it in my earlier blog). She had continually lost to her mum and worse still, she was the one who kept giving her mum the winning tile. Luckily thouh, her brother came to the rescue.
Aahh mahjong. it teaches me that I have to watch my manners too.
There were lots of laughter and yet, there were also lots of squabbles over mahjong matters.
I think playing mahjong can really reveal a person's character: whether they are gentlemen and/or ladies or whether they go all out to 'kill' everyone else.
Today started and ended quite badly as two of the players refused to used chips to play. They wanted to use real money. Coins to be exact. I guess, if I came in all ready with a whole bag of coins, I would not minded it so much, but the fact is that I did not have so many coins. The other thing is that I am more of a chip person; play with chips first and then pay the real money right at the end.
In the end, we decided to use half coins half chips: two of them used coins while my ex-housemate and I used chips. Should be easy right? Whichever coins you have would be your winnings. NO!!! There were discrepancies and the biggest loser in the game had already paid everything that needed to be paid and nobody refused to budge. In the end, I took out the mere 90 cents to settle the unhappiness.
Well, for one, I think I have only seen people use real money when they play big: their starting pay out is $1 and $2. For the other, if it were me, I would respect the host's wishes as to whether he or she wants to use chips or real money. If the host had told me beforehand that real money is to be used throughout the game, I would have respected that. If the host insisted on chips, so be it.
It goes to show one thing (to me at least): that arguments and conflicts do not just occur among children. Grown people have to deal with it everyday too :)
The thing I got out of this whole mahjong session is that we learn to interact with one another in our own different ways and I try to adapt and accept them as they unfold before me. Who knows? I might also be able to use it on incidents that occur among children. Hee, hee... .
All that said, I also remembered how my cousin just walked off the table last week leaving us with one player less (not sure whether I mentioned it in my earlier blog). She had continually lost to her mum and worse still, she was the one who kept giving her mum the winning tile. Luckily thouh, her brother came to the rescue.
Aahh mahjong. it teaches me that I have to watch my manners too.
Filing now or just a few weeks later
Went to open a joint account with the bank today. It was needed for the sum of money that would come from the sale of the flat. Troublesome.
He pestered me about filing for the papers again. I really, really, really hate people who go on and on by your ears and cannot stop. What does he expect me to do? Go down to the lawyers immediately???
My lawyers told me to settle the property before looking for them. He claims that his lawyers said otherwise. I told him that if he thinks so, HE can go do the filing. What IS the hurry when the final appointment with HDB is only one week away?? After that, we can file away all we want.
It was upsetting. Very upsetting. No matter how amicable I try to make it, it somehow does not seem to end up quite right. Now that I have opened my mouth to ask him to file the papers, I am just wondering whether there will be any backlash. Hopefully not. I am praying very hard.
I was so upset that I sms-d Kelly in the middle of breakfast. She wanted to meet up, but I had to go back to my workplace and then play mahjong with ex-housemate and gang, so I offered her tomorrow for coffee. She has not replied, but it is comforting to know that there is always somewhere there who could lend a listening ear and be there to support you (even though that person in question may be a little petty at times. Haha!)
He pestered me about filing for the papers again. I really, really, really hate people who go on and on by your ears and cannot stop. What does he expect me to do? Go down to the lawyers immediately???
My lawyers told me to settle the property before looking for them. He claims that his lawyers said otherwise. I told him that if he thinks so, HE can go do the filing. What IS the hurry when the final appointment with HDB is only one week away?? After that, we can file away all we want.
It was upsetting. Very upsetting. No matter how amicable I try to make it, it somehow does not seem to end up quite right. Now that I have opened my mouth to ask him to file the papers, I am just wondering whether there will be any backlash. Hopefully not. I am praying very hard.
I was so upset that I sms-d Kelly in the middle of breakfast. She wanted to meet up, but I had to go back to my workplace and then play mahjong with ex-housemate and gang, so I offered her tomorrow for coffee. She has not replied, but it is comforting to know that there is always somewhere there who could lend a listening ear and be there to support you (even though that person in question may be a little petty at times. Haha!)
Friday, August 15, 2008
Family day on a Friday; a rarity
There are some days that I think I might die from shouting. Haha!!! It is an occupational hazard. I still love my job.
Unlike other Fridays, I chose to go home. Called dad up to see if he wanted to have dinner together. He told me he was catching a Olympic table tennis match on tv. I suggested home delivery pizza. Hahaha!!!!
My dad and pizza? It is not a common equation, but after eating one time during one of our mahjong session, he felt that this is quite a novel way of having a meal. It was Hong Kong serial and pizza time for the whole family!!
Unlike other Fridays, I chose to go home. Called dad up to see if he wanted to have dinner together. He told me he was catching a Olympic table tennis match on tv. I suggested home delivery pizza. Hahaha!!!!
My dad and pizza? It is not a common equation, but after eating one time during one of our mahjong session, he felt that this is quite a novel way of having a meal. It was Hong Kong serial and pizza time for the whole family!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
How did I spend NDP?
NDP is short for National Day Parade. It WAS the Singapore's birthday yesterday. Unlike previous years, I chose to spend it at my aunt's place, playing mahjong :)
I was doing two things at a time: playing mahjong and watching Olympics and NDP at the same time. I did not really care about the performances etc, etc. It has become...routine...and lack-lustre.
Anyway, family time was more important and we had loads of it and loads of laughter too!
I was doing two things at a time: playing mahjong and watching Olympics and NDP at the same time. I did not really care about the performances etc, etc. It has become...routine...and lack-lustre.
Anyway, family time was more important and we had loads of it and loads of laughter too!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Pong*!
I have talked about playing mahjong like nobody's business and yet I think I forgot to explain that among my group of players, there were two Finnish.
One of them, is my (ex)-housemate's husband. He can play super well and he had even won quite many limit pay-outs before!! The only funny thing is that at the end of the game when I sometimes request to see who was holding my cards, he would refuse to show anything.
Once, I put down all his cards (at the end of a game of course) and he got really angry. He said that this would show people how he strategised. Well, I am not so 'chiem' and really! I am not much of a strategist myself. I cannot even remember what card people throw out sometimes, let alone remember strategies.
Anyway, I guess I should have respected his wishes and not 'revealed' his cards like that. Guess I am too used to playing with my aunt, cousin and Dad.
The other Finnish, is his visiting friend from Finland. The hand that u saw in the earlier posting, is his. Spotting fella who places his cards not in a neat row, but in what we call "Stone Henge manner". Quite understandable, as he not too familiar with he many signs, symbols and characters. I had to write a translated sheet for both of them for the north, south, east , west and the numbers for ten thousand, twenty thousand and so on.
It was fun though and who knows? We might even be starting some historical thingy, being the first ones who passed the knowledge of mahjong to the Finnish!!! Hahaha!!! Fat hope. I am sure someone else has already done so and there are other Finnish out there playing mahjong too!
We did not play much last Saturday in the end as all could not get up on time and they went for some real swimming before dry swimming on the mahjong table. Hee!
Nevertheless, friendship grew stronger with whatever little time that we managed to meet up.
Did not end up eating any sushi but bought OCK (Old Chang Kee) and some good and delicious hawker food like fried carrot cake, chui kueh and ondeh-ondeh from Bengawan Solo which were bought by my mum and oh so delicious!
Knowing that we were going to trek at Macritchie the next day made me 'relax' about what food I put in my mouth.
*For my non-Mahjong playing friends: "pong" means to 'eat' a card from someone else to form three of a kind for yourself. One can pong from which ever player who has thrown out a card but if one was trying to get three cards in running order eg. 123, 456, etc) then one can only 'eat' from the player before oneself. Blur? Start playing mahjong. It works your mind and contrary to what some may take as gambling, can be healthy for the brains if one doesn't play with money or does not play too big. :)
One of them, is my (ex)-housemate's husband. He can play super well and he had even won quite many limit pay-outs before!! The only funny thing is that at the end of the game when I sometimes request to see who was holding my cards, he would refuse to show anything.
Once, I put down all his cards (at the end of a game of course) and he got really angry. He said that this would show people how he strategised. Well, I am not so 'chiem' and really! I am not much of a strategist myself. I cannot even remember what card people throw out sometimes, let alone remember strategies.
Anyway, I guess I should have respected his wishes and not 'revealed' his cards like that. Guess I am too used to playing with my aunt, cousin and Dad.
The other Finnish, is his visiting friend from Finland. The hand that u saw in the earlier posting, is his. Spotting fella who places his cards not in a neat row, but in what we call "Stone Henge manner". Quite understandable, as he not too familiar with he many signs, symbols and characters. I had to write a translated sheet for both of them for the north, south, east , west and the numbers for ten thousand, twenty thousand and so on.
It was fun though and who knows? We might even be starting some historical thingy, being the first ones who passed the knowledge of mahjong to the Finnish!!! Hahaha!!! Fat hope. I am sure someone else has already done so and there are other Finnish out there playing mahjong too!
We did not play much last Saturday in the end as all could not get up on time and they went for some real swimming before dry swimming on the mahjong table. Hee!
Nevertheless, friendship grew stronger with whatever little time that we managed to meet up.
Did not end up eating any sushi but bought OCK (Old Chang Kee) and some good and delicious hawker food like fried carrot cake, chui kueh and ondeh-ondeh from Bengawan Solo which were bought by my mum and oh so delicious!
Knowing that we were going to trek at Macritchie the next day made me 'relax' about what food I put in my mouth.
*For my non-Mahjong playing friends: "pong" means to 'eat' a card from someone else to form three of a kind for yourself. One can pong from which ever player who has thrown out a card but if one was trying to get three cards in running order eg. 123, 456, etc) then one can only 'eat' from the player before oneself. Blur? Start playing mahjong. It works your mind and contrary to what some may take as gambling, can be healthy for the brains if one doesn't play with money or does not play too big. :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
From Mahjong to food
It is the second Sunday in a row that we were playing mahjong and there is going to more this coming week except that we will be playing on a Sunday so that we can play till quite late and recuperate the next day!
On the first weekend, we ordered KFC home delivery so I thought we should have Pizza Hut the next weekend. Turns out that nobody likes Pizza Hut and we ended up ordering California 241 Pizza instead. Turned out real good and delicious as they have put lots and lots of toppings! Yum!
For the coming week's mahjong session, I am thinking of getting sushi party sets. Not sure if they would be full with that. Anyway, will ask their opinion.
See that little thingy on the finger? It is their Hello Kitty charm!!! Hahahaha!!!
On the first weekend, we ordered KFC home delivery so I thought we should have Pizza Hut the next weekend. Turns out that nobody likes Pizza Hut and we ended up ordering California 241 Pizza instead. Turned out real good and delicious as they have put lots and lots of toppings! Yum!
For the coming week's mahjong session, I am thinking of getting sushi party sets. Not sure if they would be full with that. Anyway, will ask their opinion.
See that little thingy on the finger? It is their Hello Kitty charm!!! Hahahaha!!!
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