Albeit a few blisters on my hands, I went to Bangkok on Monday to attend a meeting. It was an easy trip with 3 other colleagues who had bountiful amounts of energy, bulldozing through the lanes in MBK.
Anyway if 4 of us were in a Survivor series, we would be wiped out immediately. Heavily reliant on one another, we missed the flight because one of us heard the gate number wrongly and none of the other 3 bothered to verify and took his information straight-on for granted. When we arrived at Gate E4, my colleague told me it was odd that there wasn't a Singapore Airlines plane waiting anywhere. I took out my ticket, the only one on which the gate number was written (it was issued in Singapore at the express counter) - D4. Well, one might think D & E are only one alphabet different so how far could they be from each other, right? The architect of the new Thai Airport apparently didn't share the same sentiment. After sprinting what-seemed-like-thousands-of-km, we arrived at D4 only to be told that the gate was closed.
Luckily the next flight was only 1.5 hours away and had vacant seats. So like any Aesop's fable, there was a moral learnt from this episode...
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Back...
Before you think I've scooted off to my dream holiday in Spain, let me try to explain my absence in a less dramatic way.
After 5 French DVDs, 3 lo heis, countable simple visitations and many many ulcers and blisters, the whole family is almost finally coming out of the infectious period of Hand Foot Mouth Disease.
After 5 French DVDs, 3 lo heis, countable simple visitations and many many ulcers and blisters, the whole family is almost finally coming out of the infectious period of Hand Foot Mouth Disease.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Analysis with a Twist
4 of us in the company were born in 1974 and since our chemistry isn't too lousy, every now and then, we come together for a self-created and tackily-termed occasion called "The '74 babes' Lunch".
Thanks to Benson's creativity- we had to come up with "The Magnificent 7 people" in the whole company whom we would like to work with. It can be tricky though....and one should not take it personally if your name wasn't mentioned. Haha.
I figured it'll be my turn to ask the questions during the next lunches. Name the top 3 animals one would like to be and why. :P
PS: Funny a craving for potato salad should creep up. One with loads of creamy and crunchy pieces of green apples in it...
Thanks to Benson's creativity- we had to come up with "The Magnificent 7 people" in the whole company whom we would like to work with. It can be tricky though....and one should not take it personally if your name wasn't mentioned. Haha.
I figured it'll be my turn to ask the questions during the next lunches. Name the top 3 animals one would like to be and why. :P
PS: Funny a craving for potato salad should creep up. One with loads of creamy and crunchy pieces of green apples in it...
To be continued...
How could I forget? Though it's post-Valentine's Day, there is a fine reason for me to continue.
The day when...2 people take their relationship to a new/higher level, when marriage proposals pour forth in their most creative/expensive/dramatic way. Apparently my favourite cousin-in-law, Ah Hoho became one of the 1,0000000000000000000 people in the world yesterday to do just that.
And the question was answered favourably. :) It gets executed in Jun 07, so I hear.
Congratulations!!!
The day when...2 people take their relationship to a new/higher level, when marriage proposals pour forth in their most creative/expensive/dramatic way. Apparently my favourite cousin-in-law, Ah Hoho became one of the 1,0000000000000000000 people in the world yesterday to do just that.
And the question was answered favourably. :) It gets executed in Jun 07, so I hear.
Congratulations!!!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Valentine's Day
The day when:
1. Every dining corner downtown is crowded and everything that can be considered a gift is expensive.
2. People (mostly teenage gals) walk in the streets with a bouquet of flowers in their hands...proudly (not forgetting their boyfriends having to help carry their LV bags...equally proudly).
3. Admin signs out more flowers than any other day from dispatch riders (at reception area).
4. Close friends get together for a simple but heartwarming lunch/dinner/tea break.
5. Friends take the chance to sincerely express (without feeling or sounding weird) they remember one another.
6. I literally walked off from someone, sentence hanging, irritated.
1. Every dining corner downtown is crowded and everything that can be considered a gift is expensive.
2. People (mostly teenage gals) walk in the streets with a bouquet of flowers in their hands...proudly (not forgetting their boyfriends having to help carry their LV bags...equally proudly).
3. Admin signs out more flowers than any other day from dispatch riders (at reception area).
4. Close friends get together for a simple but heartwarming lunch/dinner/tea break.
5. Friends take the chance to sincerely express (without feeling or sounding weird) they remember one another.
6. I literally walked off from someone, sentence hanging, irritated.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Wassssup...with you!?!
Colleagues have told me about this particular one in my department who hums whenever she works. And it's very often.
This morning, I probably witnessed the ultimate - she punched her fist in the air and went (to herself): "Yes! I got it correct...so here I am!" Then she started typing. I looked around and thought perhaps someone in front of her, many seats away has arrived. Noone. I looked at her, thinking maybe she would cast her glance at me seconds later after the expression, perhaps she was really sharing with me about her early morning great big discovery. She never looked at me.
Siao!!!!!
This morning, I probably witnessed the ultimate - she punched her fist in the air and went (to herself): "Yes! I got it correct...so here I am!" Then she started typing. I looked around and thought perhaps someone in front of her, many seats away has arrived. Noone. I looked at her, thinking maybe she would cast her glance at me seconds later after the expression, perhaps she was really sharing with me about her early morning great big discovery. She never looked at me.
Siao!!!!!
Monday, February 12, 2007
2 is better than 1 (I think)
Well it better be! My whole objective of having 2 kids within a short span of time (they are 20 months apart) wasn't accidental and/or suicidal.
M is an only child and I have a younger sister who's not close to dating regularly yet. Our cousins who have children close to Becks' age are people whom we see only once/twice a year (Chinese New Year, grandparent's birthday) so I figured Becks having a sibling would definitely be great in terms of companionship and responsibility.
After about 2.5 years now, I see it paying off. The 2 are great together. Sure they fight...but they are showing each other more and more affection day after day. Hope this lasts!
M is an only child and I have a younger sister who's not close to dating regularly yet. Our cousins who have children close to Becks' age are people whom we see only once/twice a year (Chinese New Year, grandparent's birthday) so I figured Becks having a sibling would definitely be great in terms of companionship and responsibility.
After about 2.5 years now, I see it paying off. The 2 are great together. Sure they fight...but they are showing each other more and more affection day after day. Hope this lasts!
Heartwarming Call
"Mummy! I'm making jelly with Ah-ma now!" Becks chattered excitedly over the phone.
All my blues at work went away in that instant. :)
All my blues at work went away in that instant. :)
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Humility
Debs' baby shower was very private and small. Actually it was more like an MGS-Alumni gathering. Anyway, thankfully she had very friendly galfriends, an exceptionally funny one and nice white wine to keep me entertained throughout the 2 hours.
I can say Debs was born with a silver spoon; her husband definitely as well. But they are really such nice people...and Debs and I have come a long way back. We were tight as friends. Within earshot that day, I heard she just bought a new place at Bishan. With shameless probing by the galfriend, I found out that it was a "corner terrace which they decided because a child would need the land to play."
It was said in a calm and humble tone...of course the sentence was far from humble if you choose to think about it. I can't fault her. It's proven that after all these years, she is from another planet.
Land. I mean I'm sure most of us would think of land = the playground downstairs or hopscotch right along the corridor outside your unit.
Oh well.
I can say Debs was born with a silver spoon; her husband definitely as well. But they are really such nice people...and Debs and I have come a long way back. We were tight as friends. Within earshot that day, I heard she just bought a new place at Bishan. With shameless probing by the galfriend, I found out that it was a "corner terrace which they decided because a child would need the land to play."
It was said in a calm and humble tone...of course the sentence was far from humble if you choose to think about it. I can't fault her. It's proven that after all these years, she is from another planet.
Land. I mean I'm sure most of us would think of land = the playground downstairs or hopscotch right along the corridor outside your unit.
Oh well.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Media Influence
I'm not going into a General Paper essay-like blog regarding the above. My stomach is too full (and satisfied) from Maxwell Market's chicken biryani and tapioca cake to handle that.Just remembered what J and I spoke about yesterday, among the many topics. That people in NZ were not being able to identify his nationality based on his 'accent', that his 'accent' is somewhat Americanized. He comes from a simple family where English is not the dominating language spoken at home but his vocabularly range and grasp of the language are admirable. "American TV" was what he gave credit to.
And so I remembered what I grew up with too. "Felicity", "Beverly Hills 90210", "Melrose Place", etc. AND ARCHIE COMICS. Hands up to those who remember them oh so fondly! Archie, Betty & Veronica, Reggie, Big Ethel, Jughead Jones...
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Another Nice Lunchie
Another homecoming of a friend...from NZ. The land of 70,000,000 sheep (Actually I'm just quoting from a T-shirt I bought in 1991 when I visited NZ! I'm sure there's been more breeding since).Thanks for the chocolates, even greater thanks for the ever-active exchange of thoughts and views on everything. For 8 years, you have amazed me with your level-headedness and strong sense of opinions.
Most of all, congratulations! That SF has said 'yes'. You're truly off to a new beginning!
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
The 'sisterhood' I'm referring to is really the one I share with my real-life flesh n blood sister. Apparently having settled in Ho Chi Minh already, she has been having more time to chat online with me during the day.
I find it odd that I still experience this strange sensation whenever I chat with her. I keep having to remind myself we are both in our 30s. She's a woman now. Not the cute l'le sis whom I used to talk 'codes' with and hugged each time we faced stress during exam periods (our rooms used to be adjacent to each other. She would holler right across whenever she heard one good song on the radio, I would go to the balcony where it's commonground and just chat to take a break from studying).
I'm glad like good friends, we possess good chemistry between us to share various topics with each other. My sister, my friend. :)
Anyway, it's no wonder parents still fuss over most of us even when we are every inch an adult already. It takes quite a lot of conscious reminding to oneself, otherwise one may lose onself and continue treating the other person as if time stood still. I think my current feeling is the closest to that as one can ever experience. Till 15-20 years later, when I cross over to 'the other side' then......
I find it odd that I still experience this strange sensation whenever I chat with her. I keep having to remind myself we are both in our 30s. She's a woman now. Not the cute l'le sis whom I used to talk 'codes' with and hugged each time we faced stress during exam periods (our rooms used to be adjacent to each other. She would holler right across whenever she heard one good song on the radio, I would go to the balcony where it's commonground and just chat to take a break from studying).
I'm glad like good friends, we possess good chemistry between us to share various topics with each other. My sister, my friend. :)
Anyway, it's no wonder parents still fuss over most of us even when we are every inch an adult already. It takes quite a lot of conscious reminding to oneself, otherwise one may lose onself and continue treating the other person as if time stood still. I think my current feeling is the closest to that as one can ever experience. Till 15-20 years later, when I cross over to 'the other side' then......
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
S-P-A-M
"I am interested in finding the standard error of the coefficients rather than the confidence interval.
Does anyone can help me? The original stamps bear a picture of a Curtiss JN-4 plane, known as a Jenny, which was used for training pilots in World War I and later became an airmail plane.
Cathy wishes all of you a safe and happy holiday season and all the best for the upcoming year! Bush and many others in his administration for criminally negligent homicide..." (Bush and many others in his administration for criminally negligent homicide?!!!???)
Yadda yadda yadda....
More and more, day by day, in my work email account. SPAM is indeed my four-letter word! Argh!
Does anyone can help me? The original stamps bear a picture of a Curtiss JN-4 plane, known as a Jenny, which was used for training pilots in World War I and later became an airmail plane.
Cathy wishes all of you a safe and happy holiday season and all the best for the upcoming year! Bush and many others in his administration for criminally negligent homicide..." (Bush and many others in his administration for criminally negligent homicide?!!!???)
Yadda yadda yadda....
More and more, day by day, in my work email account. SPAM is indeed my four-letter word! Argh!
Nice Lunchie
Lunch was with mom today. She thought of the lamb stew at Secret Receipe after having seen people eat on separate occasions at different outlets. So her curiosity was officially satisfied at 12:30pm.
It ended with a nice cuppa Ya Kun beverage. :)
It ended with a nice cuppa Ya Kun beverage. :)
Personal Taste
Apart from main actress, Kate Winslet's credibility and this-time nomination, Little Children seems like my utmost favourite kind of movie. The intense dramas which explore serious issues and human relationships.
I read a journalist's review in today's papers at the pantry table, while my colleagues around me excitedly chattered about lending one another Korean serial dramas. Catch no ball ya know...
While my interest in movies is consistent (hence, predictable), in songs it is not. So I realised. Because the era of soft rock is long over (17 bloomin' years!), we hear quite a lot of crap on the radio these days. Nevertheless, I found myself enjoying the latest singles of Paris Hilton and P. Diddy (some rap that featured Christina Aguilera).
What is wrong with me?!
I read a journalist's review in today's papers at the pantry table, while my colleagues around me excitedly chattered about lending one another Korean serial dramas. Catch no ball ya know...
While my interest in movies is consistent (hence, predictable), in songs it is not. So I realised. Because the era of soft rock is long over (17 bloomin' years!), we hear quite a lot of crap on the radio these days. Nevertheless, I found myself enjoying the latest singles of Paris Hilton and P. Diddy (some rap that featured Christina Aguilera).
What is wrong with me?!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Oh Ginger!
Happiness is...when boss is away for a whole week!
I know with more time, I can blog but I lack inspiration and topics completely. So for the sake of making my mark here in his absence, I'll post something very random and what comes to mind.
I just realised that there is "old ginger" and "young ginger". I approach grocery shopping with apathy mostly. But that day I was stumped. What's the difference?! And how old is old anyways?
Domestically (and botany-cally) hopeless is me.
I know with more time, I can blog but I lack inspiration and topics completely. So for the sake of making my mark here in his absence, I'll post something very random and what comes to mind.
I just realised that there is "old ginger" and "young ginger". I approach grocery shopping with apathy mostly. But that day I was stumped. What's the difference?! And how old is old anyways?
Domestically (and botany-cally) hopeless is me.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Excess
There's always trouble when there's excess.
I'm sure you know the dangers to one's health when one consumes too much salt, too much coffee, too much lard, too much of anything, even water. And there's a long-time proverb - "too many cooks spoilt the broth".
What I fear most though - too many women in an office and household (including maid). Personal experience.
I'm sure you know the dangers to one's health when one consumes too much salt, too much coffee, too much lard, too much of anything, even water. And there's a long-time proverb - "too many cooks spoilt the broth".
What I fear most though - too many women in an office and household (including maid). Personal experience.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Baby Shower
My mind has been alternating more actively recently - to go or not to go. That is the question.
Debs is organizing a baby shower. She told me the theme and the maternity place which would be sponsoring this shower. There are rules for what I thought was a simple gathering. This set me panicking...and dreading.
Before Debs, I knew this other person (not close...thank God) who threw a baby shower. Rich, English-educated and a penchant for hosting anything. I should have known. :P And before this other person, I only knew "Miranda" of Sex and The City and "Ashley" of Junebug throwing them.
I guess it's just me - lazy and low-key (make that 'very' lazy). I guess if there is any way I can do to keep myself away from being the centre of attention, I would. Apart from my own wedding...and well, collecting a Nobel Prize (for ambitious wishful-thinking?!).
Debs is organizing a baby shower. She told me the theme and the maternity place which would be sponsoring this shower. There are rules for what I thought was a simple gathering. This set me panicking...and dreading.
Before Debs, I knew this other person (not close...thank God) who threw a baby shower. Rich, English-educated and a penchant for hosting anything. I should have known. :P And before this other person, I only knew "Miranda" of Sex and The City and "Ashley" of Junebug throwing them.
I guess it's just me - lazy and low-key (make that 'very' lazy). I guess if there is any way I can do to keep myself away from being the centre of attention, I would. Apart from my own wedding...and well, collecting a Nobel Prize (for ambitious wishful-thinking?!).
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Yaya Papaya
Miffy: What is this? (pointing to a fruit)
Mong: *spontaneously* Papayaya!
Miffy: No....try again.
Mong: *cautiously and with conscious effort* Papa.....Ya.
Mong: *spontaneously* Papayaya!
Miffy: No....try again.
Mong: *cautiously and with conscious effort* Papa.....Ya.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Nightmares
The past 2 days had me in deep slumber during the last 1-2 hours before my alarm went off. So my mind was left vivid with those 2 dreams I had.
Actually I would say they were nightmares. Not the adrenalin-pumping, heart-stopping sort that leaves you sweaty but they were pretty gruesome.
One had a gal in my department as a victim in some sick game a.k.a. Saw (for those who have watched any one of the 3) with the executor being a guy from another department. The mastermind (Jigsaw?!) was his boss, as I later found out. In real life, upon reflection, that guy is pretty shrewd and the executor, being someone who does things out of instruction - never more, never less, so I was told. But then, I don't have direct dealings with them so the girl's role (my role) left me baffled. Maybe I'm just short-changing myself, right? Putting myself in a pessimistic light when reality isn't this bad, right? *search sub-consciousness*
Another nightmare had this animal crouching in a corner, patchy, ugly, resembling no less than a hyena. When I got near it careful not to make any noise, it woke up and stretched...and there it was, uglier with a bloated stomach and it had no nose. It circulated around me...and then I think I forced myself to wake up.
Actually I would say they were nightmares. Not the adrenalin-pumping, heart-stopping sort that leaves you sweaty but they were pretty gruesome.
One had a gal in my department as a victim in some sick game a.k.a. Saw (for those who have watched any one of the 3) with the executor being a guy from another department. The mastermind (Jigsaw?!) was his boss, as I later found out. In real life, upon reflection, that guy is pretty shrewd and the executor, being someone who does things out of instruction - never more, never less, so I was told. But then, I don't have direct dealings with them so the girl's role (my role) left me baffled. Maybe I'm just short-changing myself, right? Putting myself in a pessimistic light when reality isn't this bad, right? *search sub-consciousness*
Another nightmare had this animal crouching in a corner, patchy, ugly, resembling no less than a hyena. When I got near it careful not to make any noise, it woke up and stretched...and there it was, uglier with a bloated stomach and it had no nose. It circulated around me...and then I think I forced myself to wake up.
Here kitty kitty kitty...
The morning rush downstairs and across the street to catch my bus is a norm. To have a very dark cat literally and frantically dashing past my path is not (so frantic so sudden that I let out an involuntary "whoa").I am not superstitious at all but my curiosity got the better of me. I googled to satisfy it and found in OldSuperstitions.com a long string of stuff. Amazing.
So anyway the cat wasn't really black...
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Maids & Us
There are always 2 sides to a coin.
We employers fear getting a new maid who is unreliable (sneaky, lazy, always falling ill, untruthful, etc.) but have we ever considered their situation? They are standing at an even more vulnerable spot. They can't choose their employers, they are clueless (other than our voices over the phone- some agencies allow phone intereviews) about our background, our personality.
But so many times, I find my friends/colleagues talk about maids as if they are the horror of the worlds. "Nanny" told me about her impossible mother who never lets the maid out of her sight, who unhooks the telephone wire and locks the telephone in a room which the maid has no access. I also kinda recall DDD relating a story about her difficult sister-in-law who instructs her maid to hang specific type of laundry using a specific coloured bamboo pole. Once, a colleague who complained about her maid every other time wanted to retain her when her contract was expiring...that left me puzzled. Then she explained simply why she would rather retain than engage a new one. "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."
Geez...so who's really the 'devil'? I guess some of us fail to check our reflection in the mirror regularly.
We employers fear getting a new maid who is unreliable (sneaky, lazy, always falling ill, untruthful, etc.) but have we ever considered their situation? They are standing at an even more vulnerable spot. They can't choose their employers, they are clueless (other than our voices over the phone- some agencies allow phone intereviews) about our background, our personality.
But so many times, I find my friends/colleagues talk about maids as if they are the horror of the worlds. "Nanny" told me about her impossible mother who never lets the maid out of her sight, who unhooks the telephone wire and locks the telephone in a room which the maid has no access. I also kinda recall DDD relating a story about her difficult sister-in-law who instructs her maid to hang specific type of laundry using a specific coloured bamboo pole. Once, a colleague who complained about her maid every other time wanted to retain her when her contract was expiring...that left me puzzled. Then she explained simply why she would rather retain than engage a new one. "Better the devil you know than the devil you don't."
Geez...so who's really the 'devil'? I guess some of us fail to check our reflection in the mirror regularly.
The Beginning....
Becks brought home something yesterday. Something which marks another milestone. No, not a boyfriend (I hope this doesn't happen till at least 15 years later!), something simpler. Homework.
So from yesterday on, every Wednesday, she will have Chinese homework and Friday, English and Math. My little girl is really growing up...(as if I need any more reminders...)
So from yesterday on, every Wednesday, she will have Chinese homework and Friday, English and Math. My little girl is really growing up...(as if I need any more reminders...)
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