Sunday, August 31, 2008

What is She Implying??

These days my appetite is HUGE!! It's freaking me out. Friday after work me and colleagues went to Lagoon for dinner and we ordered: Stingray, satay, oyster omelette, kangkong sotong and chicken wings. After dinner we went to Beach Hut for drinks and played 5-10. I lost and drank up to 4 mugs straight. Got back around 2plus and felt hungry again!! Ordered Macs: Cheeseburger Happy Meal with medium Jasmine Tea and an Apple Pie.

Today after dinner, I had prata craving...told my friend about it exclaiming my surprise at my sudden hunger pangs, she retorted "Dont worry after tonight you wont feel hungry anymore..." Just what is she implying??

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Some people think the world of themselves just because they may have more knowledge over others. Maybe they learned things the hard way or they put in alot effort to get to where they are. Now when its time to pass on the knowledge, they think others shouldnt get it that easily. Why should others get the highway when they themselves struggled to get where they are? Is that your mentality? I hope I'm not guilty of such myself.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Tidbits of Workplace

So! A new colleague forgot to order our supply of water and when she did remember, delivery could only take place the next day around noon. Last evening we were rationing our water, of course we still have the packet drinks but I dont really like sugared drinks nowadays.

This morning we were really out of water! No hot beverage on a rainy day and delivery was delayed. When it finally came, the angmoh in our office literally clapped while water-man trolley through with bottles of supply.

Then, not too long ago we had a Japanese colleague who followed her partner here to Singapore. He was relocated to Singapore and she wanted to quit her job to follow him here. But our company offered her a spot in our Singapore office so she could carry on working, servicing Japanese clients just physically out of Japan that's all. She's one lady I can identify with! That evening, she brought the whole pack of sanitary napkins to toilet in a big cloth bag and everyone thought she was done for the day and heading home. So all bid their farewells to her wishing her a good weekend. Moments later, she walked back in and plopped herself at the seat and continued working diligently. Everyone thought there must be something urgent she might have over-looked.

When everyone's about gone home, she walked over and bid me farewell and we made small talk. I asked if there were something urgent which cropped up and she had to return to work again. She leaned forward and quietly said she didnt expect everyone to think she was going home, she meant to just head for the toilet with her napkins and resume work thereafter. She showed me her big clothe bag with whole full pack of pads in it. Alemak...who will bring the whole pack to toilet wan? No wonder everyone thinks she's going home already!!! She say she couldnt be bothered to sneak one to the loo so she just bring the whole bag along. Damn stylo right?

Then few days ago, I bumped into her near the toilet and we made small talk again (hey your suppose to ok, this is called good work ethics) then I saw that her eyes were bloodshot so asked her about it. Her answer damn straight forward: "I am always sleepy at this time of the day". My hero.

Then today she sent a private email out but accidentally included an alias which has the whole Singapore team including Heads of Singapore, Japan and Hongkong in the cc list. That private email was to another colleague. Apparently, an email was sent out announcing my departure (yes, i've resigned) to this alias. And since she just transfered to Singapore office, she wasnt included in the alias so she didnt know about my coming departure till some random chat over lunch. I guess that email was meant to update her but she replied with everyone in it and mentioned its sad news.

So happy, at least got people care about my departure. The rest dont even give much thought. Anyway I think she quite poor thing, she tried to recall the email and I think the secretary told her to be careful because alot of Heads are in the list. She must have felt miserable. I told her its ok and people make boo-boos like these, well, I always do anyways. I can send and recall and send and recall numerous times. So you wouldnt know which email to read...Anyways recalled mails will have blank contents. Reading my mails can be like
Lucky-Draw, u click on the wrong one then TOO BAD!! No content shown for this one. Try another...

She reply me saying she always do stupid things like these and people laugh at her...and that she's crying...so poor thing. I also always do stupid things like the most DUH things and wish there's a hole I can crawl to. Not bad for someone this age who's been summoned by government to exchange her ID for a new one. Government needs an update of my photo?



Friday, July 04, 2008

The bubble is really like what I would say...


Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Extreme Ah Hood Makeover

We are renovating our house in phases. First it was my brother's room because he got married. Then I took the opportunity to renovate my room and now its the kitchen.

For the kitchen, it was mostly DIY'ed by my uncle. We only hired people to knock down the cabinets and do the pipes. The rest was handled by him. Ikea has got fairly easy furniture to fix-up so that helped things alot. I wish I have pictures of the kitchen before it was torn down.

A cabinet door which had fallen off but held in place with a rope tied to its handle, a sink which was detached from the wall exposing a gaping hole alongside and a pipe choked for the last 30years. If your crazy enough to wash the floor, you'll get an instant swimming pool

BUT! All that has changed...

Pics of work in progress:

Mom and exposed pipes. That thing beside her is the water pipe which the sink should attach to



Uncle and aunty with 30yrs old worn out sink behind them. My sis-in-law painting the tiled floor

And then...



New cabinets, sink, stove and the lunch bar table with bar stools
This is my latest hangout area. It still needs afew finishing touch but its operational

Sunday, June 22, 2008



I need closure on my States trip. Mostly b'cos I itch fingers say would update on Vegas on my last post (close to a year ago...gulp). Vegas is just like what you see on TV. Lights, dance, casinos, theatres...except no church along the strip..hehe my colleague had to travel a little way out just to attend service.

Saturday, September 01, 2007

I'm going to Las Vegas! Will be back with updates...



Friday, August 24, 2007

All I hear from her is Bloody this and F* that...

One of my team associate arrived from London office. We met before during our off-site about 2 months ago.
Saw her yesterday borrow money from me liao. Its not much just buay song. She went to buy food then call out to me asking me for money to help her pay. There's no please , no thank you. Hey do you have 20bucks?

Then she wanted to smoke so she went off searching for someone to grab cigarette from. Not before she turned to me and say "stay here, Im gonna get a ciggie" I owe you ar?

Whatsmore it's not like we're friends. She can walk into the training room and treat me like invisible. We are colleagues working in the same department ley, just that she's with London office and Im with Singapore office. Damn unfriendly.

Today send out email asking our team if any of us have extra mobile phone because her phone doesnt work here. Nobody replied her.

I didnt get my money back. There's a breed of them who's all loud , noisy, dont give a hoot about you and then suddenly ask you for money.

And you know how she tries her luck to get rides to church? She asks this dude whether he goes to church. He said he hasnt had the chance to cos he's been real busy, then she say well I'm looking for a ride so let me know when you go. He diam diam...

My mobile bill is $350bucks this month...=( cut-throat...

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Gimmie some Hokkien...

I cannot take it liao! I need to say it to my heart's content!

nabeh nabeh nabeh nabeh~~~~ wah shiok ~~~~~

I've not heard or spoken Hokkien for a long long time...

For those of you who think it's dis-tasteful, suck my toe...

Hi Cherandy, how's it going??

nabeh nabeh nabeh....

Hi Cherandy, what's going on??

nabeh nabeh nabeh...

Today one account manager irritated me to no end, he called me for the umpteen time and I bit my tongue from saying "Simi Tai Ji??"

I swear he plucks his eyebrow. When he smiles at me, I can only focus on the 2 ticks on his head...



Sunday, August 19, 2007

I thought I met my imaginary friend...

We finally got to Disneyland! One dude agreed to go cos 3 of us gals paid for his ticket as a birthday present. Well he's saving money cos his parents are coming to town so I'm cool with that. Another went after much much persuasion from my vietnamese friend, she called his mobile until it nearly exploded then finally shoves the mobile to me and says he needs a motivation. So I went "pleeeaase go to Disneyland with me" then its done!


I would say it's a really messy place, spilled over with tourists and locals, there's just too many people! I always thought Disneyland would be a very far-off place buried deep in some remote area. Like travel through some wilderness then suddenly you see the big white Castle in front of you and you know your there. But no ley, it's in a town area, you would pass by shops and banks then the shops suddenly appears more funky with coloured walls and you see a big fence alongside this wall. Next thing you know it's the walls bordering Disneyland's fortress and your driving into the carpark to Disneyland! It's a huge carpark, then you take a tram which drives you to the entrance of Disneyland. No white Castle. Before you step right into the heart of Disney, you see this sign:
Feels so magical once you read it. It's like Disney's promise to you.

Well ya the park was crawling with confused tourists running around trying to get into those snaking lines. It really was just about planning, navigating and trying to get around. I only have 1 day... Waiting in line for the Carousel ride, we saw the wicked queen from Sleeping Beauty walked in and waiting for the Carousel as well! She was so zwai! The air around her, her face and the way she carry herself! She was the perfect wicked queen! We climbed up the horses and hey I'm riding next to her! We acknowledge each other (dont even think for 1 min she will smile ok, otherwise your a shame to the Sleeping Beauty tale) , then I ask her does she ever smile. She glance back at me and say: I'm smiling


Then she asked me "Whose your favourite character"
Without even thinking twice, I pointed at her and say You! *swallow saliva*

Good answer
Next she asked me if I like pies (you wonder where this conversation is heading)

Er...yes...

What flavour?

Apple pie? The regular pie

Without hesitation she went Good, I have a very good pie recipe, you wanna try it?

Of cos you say no lah! Then she dismissed me saying it's my loss. Ok lor, Mac Donald's have very nice apple pies too 24/7 somemore. I wore my favourite Superman Tshirt to Disneyland, well, to be part of the fictitious imaginary legends. A band of Ah Pehs clad in band military clothes marched past playing and one Ah Peh stopped, pointed at me and yelled "Look! Supergirl!" and instinctively I posed a Supergirl for him and he waved at me.




We walked on and found ourselves at a quiet little corner of the park, here my friends suggested they take a proper photo of me alone in my Supergirl shirt. I did a really good pose, ready for the camera. To the side of my side, a figure sneaked up and stood beside me and I could see my friend behind the camera smiling back at us. I had no idea who it was. After the picture was taken.... it was Eeyore the Donkey standing beside me! I ran up and check out the picture wondering what Eeyore was doing and found it was posing together with me as well! I turned back and ran after him telling him to give me a hug and he kindly did.




Seemed to be in an awful hurry into the gates behind us. We continued walking into the crowd and saw Winnie the Pooh walking past us. My friend was like quick! I want a picture! We ran after Pooh Bear and my friend was screaming for him to stop and take a picture. The Bear actually ran away.. I dont really blame him, maybe like Eeyore they finished their shift and are in a hurry off to the gate and if he stops for her, everyone else would want a picture too. But if I'm Pooh, I would stop simply because my friend was the first to stopped him and she was screaming so badly to take a picture with him. You dont walk normally and start running off when people want to take picture of their favourite character in Disneyland. But anyways, she managed to take a picture of Jessie from Toy Story so that helped alittle. Note that we were in motion as we snapped this picture because likewise, this character was in a hurry as well.
Here's the link to the rest of Disney pictures:
click here

It is truly an experience visiting the park. You do feel your cut away from the rest of the world and in a land of legends and fairy tales just like what that plague promised. They really do have that much money to build a fantasy world.



Thursday, August 09, 2007

Diam Lah

I'm chatting more with my friends then with someone I would like to
There's just always something that comes up and never me
I guess this trip is a real good test and it does show just what people can and cant do for you
It does show how much your valued, your worth spending time with

Initially when I first came and a certain friend of mine knew I was miserable stayed online
and had her lunch in front of the comp and just chatted with me for hours
The chat was really dull and she was basically asking me about how I spend my time here
You just know its not so much of the chat but people just 'hanging out' with you
Spending some time with you, this is kindness

It does show, it really does. Maybe this was the purpose of the trip

Maybe I bugged people too much. Well they always hang it by their mouth saying hey lets bring her out here, lets bring her there. Then when the email was sent out. Nobody replies

I would then ask each one individually, those whom I thought I heard them rally on saying yeah let me know when you guys plan on doing so. And then they say they never planned for Disneyland.

Another dude initially was okay with the idea of heading out to Vegas but he said he doesnt gamble so he would just walk around. Then I said I wont gamble too so I can walk around with you. Couple of weeks later, he said his parents were coming to town and he needs to save money. He said he never wanted to go Vegas

So I was asking that Disney fella about other scheduled trips upcoming and just threw in a 'u sure u dont wanna go Disney with us =( '

And the reply I got was, "Asking me to go Disneyland is like asking you to go on the Duck-tour to see the Merlion. Dont get me wrong you will have fun but everybody who comes here ALWAYS wants to go Disneyland" Dont have to say until like that right? This is like the ultimatum asking you to bug off.

Yeah and everytime someone randomly says to bring me somewhere, you will make some noise and say let you know when.

Somemore keep asking me when I will play pool with her. Ask me for what. You plan the day and take charge la. Your the one with heaps of commitment, I only have my tv in the hotel room. So I say why dont you decide then she says okay maybe towards end of week , we'll talk again mid-week. No more news and when it was nearing end of week, she sends out a mail saying she's got this event with her friends and asked if anyone's interested to go. Hello, what happened to pool?

Today have the cheek in loudly in front of everyone say she waiting for me to schedule a time for her. She wanted to make it sound like Im quite prissy and never got to hanging out with her. Please lor, I shoot her back saying ya we were deciding on the day then u say we'll talk again mid-week and it never happened. Then she was all innocent like well I was waiting for you to get back to me (ya right, u say talk mid-week becomes waiting for me) then I say you had your event so I guess you didnt plan for pool. By now everybody was laughing already that I retorted her, she wanted to say something back again but it was buried in laughters. I think people here like to see 'action' like woah! she spoke up and shoot this back wahaha!

And angmohs always like to talk back. They will die if you say your stuff and they never get to say their last piece. They cannot hold their tongue. Die die must say something.

So, I've got enough of people just sprinkling their saliva and mia when it comes to action.
Seriously, its become quite amusing. Someone wants to organise something, sends out an email and you only hear crickets. Or one by one they will reply with "sorry my cat got pregnant I need to stay in take her pulse"

Sometimes I cant help but just feel like telling them..."Diam la"

P.S. Ive gotten by so far without you. It is a waste, really a waste. It could have been a very good opportunity to prove something more. I really thought it was worth it.


Beverage Toy

Hillside Mocha Latte Coffee! It's so ingenious, packed in a self heating container
Upon activation, the coffee heats up and you get hot coffee anytime you want.
Always interested in stuff like these, I saw it in the grocery store and bought 2 cans without hesitation


first, you turn the can upside down and pull off metal bottom


Pull down firmly on the button, which releases coloured water into a storage of quicklime
(when mixed with water, chemical reaction starts and heat will be released)


After few seconds, turn the can rightside up and wait for the pink spot to turn white
that's when it's ready. A hot cuppa mocha latte!


But it tasted like shit and when I pour it out there were coagulated particles which I think is milk solids
This freaking thing can warm itself up but cannot ensure that it's fresh lor.
Goodness knows how long its been on the shelves already...
I've got another can....dont know what to do with it.


Monday, August 06, 2007

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miss my guitar...




My room number should be 369!!

Gosh I cant believe this, the negotiated internet rate I had causes the system charge me on a daily basis just so that Im entitled to half price. You want good price? I give you half price, see me key into system? viola! Now our system will charge you half price everyday, whether you logon or not.

I discovered this a week after I activated my connection and decided to check out how much I was owing for internet. That bill nearly sent me back to Singapore. The shock, I meant. Yes, they charge me half-price and on top of that they charge me everyday too. I say this is not right and told them the days I actually did logon (thank goodness I recorded the times I logged in). Lady at counter didnt even flinch. She just went "oh, just tell me when are the days you did logon and I'll take the rest off" fwwwwahhh so cool ar??

This is not about how cool and nonchalant they are, it scary to think they dont have a proper system. It's my word against nobody's words. I would like to think this is a good thing but it can turn either way. They can simply question you and how to resolve like that?

Anyways they dont even look apologetic, more like: har? got mistake ar? just reset again lor
Marriott hotel ley...you shock guests like that you dont even appear apologetic?

Also, each time I order room service and give my credit number for them to charge, this particular "Tricia" yankee would go..."264..WHAT?" yes it's that loud like how Ah Sorhs would HAR? me at wet market. That kinda HAR can instill sense of familiarity with me, but not service staff at hotels lor...you try doing that at Singapore's Marriott, you better pray your underwear is red colour. I dont think Tricia knows it even and means to be curt but am afraid it does sounds that way.

On Friday, I hopped down to the Front-desk again and request to pay for some room service charged to the room so that I can be billed and submit my weekly T&E claims. I fainted and collapsed on the floor...! I kp ask them why they keep doing this. This is when they finally explain to me about the system thing. Then I say how like that? How would you know when I login? They say just tell them when and they'll Trust me. Oh my gosh.

This Alex staff better be around when I check-out. He used the word Trust. I tremble...

Anyways I think I'm quite notorious here liao. From the many many times I locked myself out of my room, to my kpkb at their internet rate and then loving them for charging me internet daily, I'd like to think they have a picture of me hanging inside their office wall with header: Sibeh Mafan



Sunday, August 05, 2007

Let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel...

Each time I spend a day out, I returned sunburnt without even attempting a tan. Woke up rather early and decided on exploring Balbao Island once again. Previously I had my bicycle with me and it was rather inconvenient to check out the crowded shops with the bike so took a bus there instead and just walked on foot.


This part of town just feels somewhat different. Little shops lined along both sides of the street and each shop is heavily decorated with their merchandise and have lots of American flags hanging off of them. Each shop is unique and it's a typical American town. The same goes for the houses here and I believe these residential place is worth millions especially those that goes right out to the beach with private piers for their boats.






Balbao Island in Newport Beach. This is the place where celebrities own summer houses and where I spotted a Sea-lion beached itself 4 feet away from on-lookers and simply posed for my pictures.



I walked on and noticed cars driving up onto a ramp above the waters and saw it's a transportation ferry. People just walked right onto it and so did I. The other side of the island seems real near so I didnt think twice about getting on. This 3 min ferry costs a buck and passengers sits next to cars (max 3 at a time) with their occupants in it. The crew was a funny guy, when he went round collecting the fare from the car passengers, he jokes whether they're hiding anyone in their trunk. Now that's an idea! Next time we go Sentosa, I shall pack my friend in the trunk. Save 2 dollars. Hey 2 dollars can get you a cheeseburger okay. You eat the cheeseburger and stay in the trunk.






Other side of the island is where I had my lunch, the Harbourside Resturant. Diners have plenty of sea-view thanks to their large glass. My server was standing round ensuring my food was fine when he suddenly look out and seemed mesmerized. Then he turned to me and said that's John Wayne's boat! I looked out and saw Wild Goose. He asked you know who John Wayne is right? Yes, I heard of him before just like I heard of Clint Eastwood and James Dean but it's not my era. I only know he did alot of cowboy western films and his name is quite legendary. And I thought he's still alive but really old kind. So I asked in amazement, do you think he's up there? And the waiter said erm he's passed on...oops




My waiter told me John loves his Wild Goose and used to have a bunch of celebrities in it all the time.
I went online and check it up abit and true enough he did have Wild Goose and this is now owned by a cruise company and you have to pay a hefty sum to charter for it. I prefer my 1 buck open-air ferry ride. I found myself staring outside the waters while consuming my lunch. There's so much activity out there and then I saw a bunch of sea-gulls diving near the surface of the waters and circling the same area. Small powered boats would stop their engines and floated around observing that part of the waters. And then I saw it, a small black head bobbing up the waters and flinging some stuff outta its mouth, then flipped its tail and splash into the waters. It was a sea-lion again. I guess it's trying to break some food into smaller bits by all the flinging, but it sure gets all the birds and humans excited.

And then another waiter came to collect my bill and I was like "Look a sea-lion!" to which he just "uhuh" then collected my bill. Tamade! At least entertain me abit can? He's not like the other John Wayne waiter, I dont like him very much...

It seems alot of the supposedly Rich & Famous stays here at this Beach: Michelle Pfeiffer, Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Dean Koontz and Dennis Rodman. But I dont see them ley...I only see sea-lions which is fine with me. Because even if I do see a celebrity, I'm not going to whip out my camera and do all that "Autograph!!" mania...I will most probably act nonchalant and keep parading up and down sneaking side-peeks at them. With sea-lions, at least I can under broad daylight photo-shoot them from various angles.