Hunger strikes

I received this picture from M.

This is a sombre entry...I want to post it cos I want to remind my readers (if there is any) that there is nothing in life more horrible and real than this.

So let's stop the complaining (:B, this is especially to you. Ha) and be contented for what we have today.

We cannot choose our parents ; what we are born into and where we are born in.

Turnover

Seems like the company is also suffering from a 'higher than usual' turnover in the past few months. CF just told me the 'big news' that she overheard SB talking in the toilet, intending to quit.

SB is from my Division. Recently void of PMS, she has been easy to handle and work with.
Still, most of us had suffered from her bouts of 'tao hong' (Hokkien).

I'm waiting for her to throw the letter to me.
Then I can celebrate.

Eh, this is MY blog. Fuck professionalism.

To Bangkok and back...

The business trip was fruitful...but darn, gotta prepare the minutes.

SW turned out to be a very easy partner to go on trips with. I'm glad we managed to get to know each other better. I'm glad we managed to stay in a luxurious hotel (though the last time). I'm glad I managed to find a store at Lumphini Night Bazaar that sells Miffy tees. Very fruitful indeed. :P

Bangkok City is not for me. Sure the food and merchandize are cheap but the air pollution, noise pollution, overcrowding, dirty roads filled with pot holes (HORRIBLE 'traps' for ladies wearing high heels!) overwhelmed me. Basically, I came home with worn-out heels and more pimples.

"Lack of chivalry" is an understatement where GG is concerned. Got us caught in a 2-hour jam because he wanted to eat seafood at a specific place. That place turned out to be demolished. Then he walked further up, telling us that there could be more food ahead but hell no. He had a hidden agenda. He reached this IT mall and went in, sounding only a tad apologetic that he had to buy 'something'. SW and I waited and waited. Could have been 30 minutes. That plus the fact dinner wasn't settled and we were far from our hotel made me very edgy. I figured since he had the cheek to make us wait, I was going to be shameless to ask for a dinner treat.

That he obliged. I was pacified.:)

Worse moments...

Walking into a cubicle when someone before me just crapped...on a Monday morning.

What is yours?

Weekend came and went

As usual, the 2 days just flew past.

It has been cloudy and rainy.
Despite that, we managed to go to the zoo (again) on Saturday morning.
It was definitely much more crowded than on weekdays. Still managed to enjoy though.

M and I are really keen on viewing the King Cobra's mealtimes...which will only happen on Sundays and public holidays 2:15pm.

Will arrange one Sunday very soon.

Speaking of Sunday, next week, Becks' Tien Hsia class resumes. We will be haunting Kovan again soon. But you know what. Even without her class, we have been frequenting that place. The hawker centre sells the best food, especially for breakfast and teh-C!

I find myself so crazy about the teh-C that we went there on Sat afternoon when the troops napped. It costs only 70c. I can't bring myself to buy one cup from Yakun anymore....unless the old man at Compass Point is on duty. :P

What does it mean?

Nat MSN me just now requesting a meeting.
What does it mean?

You see, she sits just next to me. Even if she whispers, I can hear her.
I find myself feeling queasy with this mode of communication.
It's like a death sentence (by my staff). The kind a guy feels when his gf tells him: "I think we need to talk."

Uh oh.

Pits of the Pits

About the Bangkok trip, turns out SW and I can stay at Dusit Thani, courtesy of her boss (he'll be in Bangkok at the same time but on different agenda). But that was before the Gian Guy or GG (refer to 13 Jun entry) knew. He emailed me this: I will be staying at Boss' hotel. See you directly at the office.

Wah lau eh. Talk about lack of chivalry. He intended to ditch me and SW, just so he can soak his feet in luxurious bath tubs and use Burberry toiletries. Eh GG, you go army before or not? Why insist on top-grade hotel? A little bit cheaper cannot meh? Holiday Inn is very acceptable too what...I've stayed there before last year. In fact I preferred it to Dusit cos it's much brighter and cleaner.

I fear the boogeyman that hides inside the old and wooden cupboards in Dusit............

Peace Talk?

To have or not to have...I can't bring myself to go through this shit again.
I am short-fused...so please stay in each other's space for a while more, a long while more.

Thank you.

Mong's Milestone Check-up

The neubilizer again. Mong wailed and wailed. I literally felt my heart crack open...but it was meant for the better. As the super mom, I maintained composure and helped the nurse ensure the treatment was completed the best way possible. Boy, was he strong for a 2-yr-old.

I am assured by Dr Toh's assessment. Though I am aware that his speech is not as developed (if you compare it with Becks or any girl toddler), I do believe he has a personality of his own. "He is very focused and methodical. His 'cognitive IQ' could be higher than usual but may be hindered by inability to express himself", so said Dr Toh.

Playgroup or speech therapy? Necessary? $$$$$ :P
He could be a top-notch engineer in the making *wink*. Shall see. Very likely I will bring him to a speech therapy for assessment first. I want the best for him afterall. I am only hoping the timing is suitable. Logistics is EVERYTHING for a working mom.

By the way, Dr Toh is getting prettier. Her image is always changing. Heh. I reckon she is 45 and above but she has got this exquisite look. Very chio.

Oh, and her consultation charge is very high too. :P

Becks got impatient, nonetheless. Luckily mom came to the rescue. They are now settled at her place while I am back in the office (blogging! Ha!). Like I said, logistics is everything.

Gathering - materialized

I can't do it. It = work.
Boss left me with this report which he said he wants it by tomorrow....but my mind is clogged, mainly from weariness.

I didn't sleep well last night (as usual) plus my old body isn't used to outings after work. M is right - it needs an overhaul.

Yes, the gathering did materialize.

It was always comfortable meeting and catching up with BX first. That fateful night 15 years ago at the bus stop where she saw me weeping was when we really became friends. What a sad sad sight. She still remembered so many things! I didn't. I only remembered WHY. :P But I realised she was quite the good friend...

Then Bong arrived. Nothing to comment cos we were never close. She's likeable. Very chill, very comfortable.

I'm glad Khim made it though she was 20 min later than expected. The minute she saw us, words poured out in top speed, gestures and facial expression most animated ever. Welcome back, ole friend.

I'm glad she turned up. I was skeptical cos she was well-known in giving 5 secs of enthusiam. After that she would disappear.

I guess people do change with time. I definitely did.

Looking forward to a breakfast session soon. With the TKGS 2/2 gang at good ole Sengkang Town. :)

10 Hottest Men in Showbiz

I found this on MSN today, flashing in my face - 10 Hottest Men in Showbiz.

1. Ewan McGregor

OK lah (but I know :B LOVES).

2. Hugh Jackman
I like!

3. Jet Li
Huh?!

4. Josh Hartnett
I like, esp in the show Wicker Park.

5. Benjamin Bratt
Ex Mr Julia Roberts?

6. Enrique Iglesias
(With or without The Mole) No No No!!!!

7. Heath Ledger
Minus a few pounds ....

8. Luke Wilson

Huh?! But at least better than his brother.

9. Russell Crowe
Yes, only for his acting skills.

10. Taye Diggs

Niceeee....unexpected. Reminds that I should try watching Equilibrium.

MBO...a bane

OMG. There CF goes again. A casual conversation became an interrogation.
That means I should just shut up? (Lesson re-learnt. :B, this is what A meant when he said it).
Please tell me I can stay in Dusit Thani in peace for one night in Bangkok.

CF stands for "Cauliflower". Cos of the shape of her hairstyle. But it seems too mild a nick. There are many reasons why I (and among many others) hate that bitch.

This bitch happens to be in HR....

And now, an hour later, she thinks the hotel rate is too expensive and so will not approve our advanced claim. She will do anything to hinder staff's progress. I guess it's in her MBO.

Fuck that MBO!!!

Gathering

I wonder if it will materialize afterall.

It was supposed to be last Tuesday but it got postponed because I wasn't feel very well.
Then no news now...

I'm half-hearted. Not keen cos it will take away my time from the troops (esp. with Becks ... in our daily 'ritual'. heh.), keen cos simply, I'm curious. Since the "O" levels, we haven't met up with one another, haven't bumped into one another on the streets.

Most of them are married already with half of us having at least 1 kid.

I will so cringe if BX starts asking Khim some insensitive questions.

So anyway, see if it materializes.

20062006

I love being on leave and going out on a weekday. Enough of crowds everywhere!

Mong's birthday was kept simple. Zoo in the morning (I totally love the zoo!) and cake-cutting with the folks in the evening. He doesn't know the meaning of birthdays yet... but I believe with each day from now onwards, his cognitive, emotional skills and articulacy will develop with leaps and bounds.

I can't wait.

ps - I think we ought to insist on getting a membership with Awfully Chocolate soon.

2nd cup of the day...

This is what happens when 2 bored and restless souls meet for breakfast and then lunch.

I am drowning in TT sweetness! Eeeks...

Who will know?

Craving finally satisfied. Despite a heavy downpour, :B and I proceeded to have prata and TT to wash the blues away.

I didn't sleep well. Becks was fretting between 2-3am. Then she choked. Then when I inclined her head, she breathed better and slept better.

:B had it worse. She has been having "issues of trust" with her bf. Then something unexpected happened...and she wants me to return the precious gift to her bf on her behalf. I'm sorry :B. First of all, things are best settled between you 2. I dun want him to know I know too much. It may be awkward for him. Second of all, please dun pass them to me. I'll just add them to my collection. And last of all, have the chance to throw them into his face. :P

:B asked who I'm intending to share this blog with. She asked, "Definitely not with colleagues, right?" Damn right. I am friendly with all of them but just not sociable. I dun care. We can't click! I want to blog about them freely. So that means if you know about this blog, chances are you are someone whom I'm comfortable sharing my sentiments with, someone whom I'm not likely to bitch about (though "Pig", "Bastard", etc. can be ANYONE and YOU'll never know! Ha!)

Oh, Michelin (my other TT kaki) is having her interview in 10 minutes' time. I hope she gets the job.

The Lorraine Motel

Weekend came and went. We finally found The Animal Resort. I thought Sengkeng West Farmway areas dun exist in Singapore anymore. Filled with rust, algae, moss, lalang, etc. It is not for the clinical. :P

Mong had a good time with the goose though. The aggressive honking from a goose only put a smile to his face. I was freaked out. Geese can be so fierce meh?

Finally tried Miss U Cafe. I know, extremely tacky name but the deco and lighting was a contrast to the name. Food was ok considering price was so reasonable.

Had cake-cutting at the in-laws'. Dearest Mong was completely oblivious to the significance but of cos, it was more meant for good ole chieh chieh, who loves the candle-blowing experience and presenting the slices of cakes to the elderly. :)

Hey, have you ever seen a movie you liked so much that you would rewind and watch, rewind and watch? Esp at specific parts? I'm like that. I'll do that till I suffer from 'indigestion'.

In "Elizabethtown", I found myself mesmerized by the part when Drew (Orlando Bloom) and Claire (Kirsten Dunst) were driving to meet half-way after a first night-long phone conversation with each other. How it led to that point, complete with suitable soundtrack was...well, beautiful. It is not a typical romance story. It also takes you on a roadtrip in America, where people forget about Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis.... And I learnt about The Lorraine Motel.

OK, I'm gonna watch it again tomorrow....when the troops nap. Yea, I'm on leave tomorrow.
Mong's 2nd birthday - 20062006. Time flies.

Sleaze to the power of 100

Panty is one sleazy bastard man....

Miffy is Dutch!

Miffy is a picture book character in the form of a small female rabbit drawn by Dick Bruna. Her original Dutch name is Nijntje (pr. nine-che) which stems from a toddler's pronunciation of the word "konijntje" meaning "little rabbit".

She was created in 1955, after Dick Bruna had been telling his one-year-old son Sierk stories about a little rabbit they had seen earlier in the dunes, while on holiday.

The first Miffy book was Miffy at the Seaside.

Miffy's friends include Melanie, Aggie, Snuffy and Boris Bear.

Miffy is drawn in a very minimalist style, requiring only a few lines and one or two primary colours. In a sense, it reminds one of Hergé's ligne claire. The Miffy books each contain sixteen pages of story. Each page has one illustration and four lines of verse. The books are printed in small format. Dick Bruna says he considers it important that his audience feels that his books are there for them, not for their parents.

Miffy has been appearing on TV since 2003, in a show named after her that airs on children's television channels such as Treehouse.

Many think that Miffy is Japanese, because the line style is also used in Hello Kitty and her friends. In addition, the Miffy brand is popular in Japan and there is a lot of Japanese-made Miffy merchandise. However, Miffy is a Dutch character. In Bruna's hometown, Utrecht there is now a square named after Nijntje, the Nijntjepleintje (lit: Nijntje Little Square, to retain the rhyme) and in 2006, a little museum opened.

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I want to go to that museum!!!

A new day...

:B, this is for you.

I come into office. Old Man is not around, neither is my boss. CF is on leave, all peace and quiet.
Then my craving for prata and TT sets in, intense. But no kaki today. :B is still recovering.

But the peace gets disrupted when in walks The AUNTY.

She greets me, she moves slowly towards me and then with her irritating opening line: "Lorraine, I want to ask you a question............" Then it becomes more than 'a question'.

*GROAN*

Becks' face is broadening; she is maturing by the day.
Sigh........

Weekend is here again. I want to check out Animal Resort. I've been teaching Becks about farm baby animals. Heh. She's getting pretty good. :)

Oh, and I'm going to Thailand afterall. With the seemingly nice new IT gal and the 'gian' man. Think it should be quite a relaxing trip lah.

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Quote of the Month (courtesy of Becks): "Hey, who farted....?"
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Same Difference

Had a meeting with boss yesterday.
Talked about transfer of other staff...and he said this:
"In Japan, there is say - neighbourhood garden is always better."

I looked at him, amused. Unintentionally (I swear), I blurted out:
"Oh, 'the grass is always greener on the other side'!"

He seemed embarrassed or whatever...kept nodding his head:
"So...so...so..."

You see, my boss is a Japanese.

M has an obssession with the scabs on his legs. No wonder the 5c-10c (scars) on them are increasing. He'll peel them off slowly and have blood oozing out. Then he'll squeeze somemore to ensure all the blood oozes out.

No wonder I had that bad dream about him and that chopped-up dog. :P

Why is my Mong always sick? He got the 'curse' from me. The doctor confirmed that it is hereditary. Dad->me-> Mong. :( He does have inherited other good genes lah.

My Shots

First time in my life. 2 shots in the morning.
No no, not tequila and not down my throat.
Up my nostrils. One shot each. It's supposed to improve the quality of my sleep, the quality of my life. My curse...........

But thanks to M, for figuring it out how to use it.
My curse...but at least there is hope.

There she goes again. The AUNTY f*cking irritates the hell out of me.
She asks me a question. I dun tell her the answer...I guide her to the answer...but she can't take my cue. Then I have to reveal the answer. And there she goes - "yah lor. I agree. I thought about that. Jiu shi lor..." BLOODY HELL. Then why didn't you say so in the first place!!!!!!!!!!

CF is another one. She got rejected by the company after the 1st round. Damn.

Random thoughts & feelings for the day:
1. JJ Lin actually has a good voice. I'm impressed.
2. A hamlet is a village without a church.
3. I dunno what Jay Chou is singing most of the time. Chinese words have so many 'sh' sounds to them meh?

Business Trip

Why you so gian? It's only Thailand.....

For the IT un-savvy....

Gosh, this easy? :)