Everlasting Happiness

Unsuccessful

2011-12-02T09:45:00.001+08:00

Attempts to change job were unfruitful. I realized that even though there are many job openings available, you may still be carefully selected before being offered the job. Well, it may be fated that I have to stick to my current job for the time being. I just need to find a new kind of joy in my job.

3 more days and I'll be in Korea! I'm flying from KL and I'll be taking my first flight all by myself on Monday. This is so exciting!! I've been planning the whole 14 days itinerary since last December and everything is going to come true in just a few days time!

I've gotten all my winter clothings and may buy a pair of leg warmers. I hope I'll see snow and won't be frozen there! Will update my blog during my time there! Stay tuned!

Disappointing

2011-10-28T17:32:00.001+08:00

Following the failure of my application to go over Hong Kong to work, today I received another result of an interview I went last Thursday: "We would like to thank you for attending the interview for the above mentioned position.

We have considered your application carefully but regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you the above position."

Such lousy luck towards job change. Demoralizing.

Grade 8 Results

2011-10-03T13:23:00.003+08:00

After one and half years of preparations, the results finally came out this morning. It was really disappointing as I was aiming for distinction. Or rather, at least a merit would suffice.

Candidate	ID	Subject	Grade	Mark	Cat
NG SZE CHIEN	S8xxxxxxx	VIOLIN	08	110	P

Marking Scheme
Mark	Category
130-150	D = Distinction
120-129	M = Merit
100-119	P = Pass
0-99	F = Fail

This would really make me think twice about going for my diploma exam. Super low morale.

Violin Exam

2011-09-11T12:14:00.001+08:00

3 more days to my violin exam. I have taken more than one and a half years to prepare. My expectations are high, but I realized this has given me alot of unnecessary pressure. Just hope for the best. :)

Life has to move on

2011-06-14T00:26:00.002+08:00

Another close colleague has moved on... We went through so much together for the past 5 years. It was a shocking news when he told me he is tendering the letter. I didn't expect it to be so fast. I'll definitely miss him around, dropping by my seat for chats, having tea breaks together, attending courses, brainstorming for ideas, phone calls to update on work matters and most importantly, I'll lose someone whom I can talk heart-to-heart to.

Days in my job pass by so quickly that there is actually no real quality time to cherish and spend with colleagues. Until the day they are leaving, you will start to think back how much you know the person and how much you have done to know you really treasure such a colleague as a friend.

What are the chances of finding a true friend amongst your colleagues? Rare, but I can say I have found at least two.

All the best, my life coach.

A Turning Point?

2011-05-22T12:21:00.002+08:00

I've finally submitted my CV to HK and Taiwan. I've mentioned before in my earlier post that I wanted to go for an overseas job stint. So here comes the chance... and I'm grabbing it. If I don't go now, then when?

Some friends tell me it's not going to help me get hitched. Oh well, that's not the main point. I just feel that my current job is getting boring and I'm beginning to feel very impatient with people. I think a change will do me some good.

Hope I hear good news soon. :)

SE Journey 2011

2011-03-14T13:13:00.002+08:00

Our concert is nearing again! I'm always so excited!!! I really love to play together! Here's the poster!

2011 Resolution

2011-02-13T15:46:00.002+08:00

It may be a little too late to write this now. But this is to pen down just in case I've forgotten and to keep myself in check.

1. Save more money. At least $1k per month.
2. Obtain a distinction in Grade 8 Violin practical.
3. Organise and go for a 10 to 15 day trip to Korea with cousins.
4. Save at least $5k for a Europe trip and go in 2012.
5.

Will fill in if I have new ones... =)

Scrap-books

2010-12-12T14:49:00.007+08:00

Back from PJ yesterday night! Good times really pass by so quickly! Spent 6D5N at my cousin's place in Damansara. Eat, sleep and shop everyday! A little sad that I didn't get any new clothes there cos' it was so difficult to shop with my small nieces and nephew around. At least I get to buy some scrapbooking stuff!

Look at my new purchases!

52 Scrapbook Challenges RM$77.19 and Creative Card Making for Scrapbookers RM$24.90 SO CHEAP!

Scrapbooking 2011 Calendar RM$46.90

And Card 2011 Calendar S$25.90 (bought in Singapore)

Lousy blogspot... what's wrong with all the directions of my images??!?!?!!? Can't seem to rotate it... and there's no html to this too.... =(

Hanoi CIP

2010-11-18T21:42:00.006+08:00

I'll be heading for the first overseas CIP trip of my life on Saturday afternoon to Hanoi, Vietnam. Don't know what to expect there but definitely going to gain new insights. I'll just treat it as a 6-day camp. Have a great company going with me that will surely filled with entertainment daily. But on the other hand, extra work and meetings every night. My boss already prep me that he will be going through work stuff with me over the nights. That spoils my plan of reading and relaxing at night.

Did some reading up of the places I'll be staying and working.

1st day - 20th Nov
Staying at Pacific Hotel. http://www.pacifichotel.com.vn/bookroom.asp
Looks pretty good. And more importantly, WIFI access!!

2nd - 4th day - 21st to 24th Nov
Will be heading to Hai Duong Welfare Centre.
Address: No 93 duong Nguyen Luong Bang – Thanh pho Hai Duong.
Not much facilities there. Definitely no WIFI. I'll be glad enough if there is water and electricity. Nevertheless, I have air pillow, sleeping bag, light stick, torch and energy bars ready.

A little background of the centre:
"Hai Duong welfare center was established in March 1982. With about 1000 disabled and disadvantaged children coming from many parts of Hai Duong province, it's the biggest center of this type in the nort of VIetnam. The center aims to provide compulsory education and vocational training to create employment opportunities for the teenagers with many different age groups. The center has a wide variety of courses for children ranging from infants to 18 years old. For example, the nurses will take care of the orphans, while children between the ages of 6 to 12 will be provided with educational courses, and the older children are able to attend vocational training courses at the center. Furthermore, the center will help to look for job opportunities for the children when they finish their courses.

In the welfare center, the children are handicapped in many different ways. Some are deaf mute, some are mentally disabled, some are physically disabled, and some are both. Some of them can make many activities and some of them are heavily handicapped. So all the activities you plan have to be adapted to the children. They all have different skills and difficulties. Try to be imaginative and flexible. With one more or one less rule in a game you can make it more accessible to all of them. The children can have unexpected behaviours. Be ready to deal with it. There will be a Vietnamese teacher to help you in the activities."

5th day - 25th Nov
Will be staying at Viet Hotel!
http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com/hotels/hanoi/viet_hotel.html
Back to civilisation. Free WIFI!!

6th day - 26th Nov
Back to Singapore on a morning flight.

ANGRY

2010-11-14T23:35:00.003+08:00

1. Call her. She picked up and tell you that you called the wrong number.
2. Call her a thousand times and she will MISS your calls.
3. Give some poor invalid excuses to not turn up for duty. Worse of all, she said "I FORGOT".
4. Give you work worse than sub-standards.
5. LEECH my work.
6. Act innocent, as if gotten bullied, as if she's working for the first time.

I CAN'T TELL HER PERSONALLY. SO CAN I JUST SAY IT HERE?

YOU SUCK BIG TIME!

WE HELP YOU CLEAN UP THE SHIT EVERY TIME.

AND I HAVE TO SMILE AT YOU SO FAKE-LY.

GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE AND I HOPE YOU GET SACKED SOON!!

Frozen "Waiting" Status

2010-10-03T12:28:00.003+08:00

Got this irritating thing on my phone! The apps I wanted to download or update was frozen in the "waiting" status for a few days! Doesn't even work when I plug into iTunes.

Finally googled for a solution! What you have to do is just to reboot your iPhone!! Ta-daaa!!! ^^

My iPhone Apps

2010-09-27T22:56:00.003+08:00

Here's to compile a list of my 3.1GB of apps!! For your reference!!

A. Games
1. FarmVille
2. IceTycoon
3. Scramble CE
4. firefly
5. Sushi Chain Lite
6. Tap Tap
7. gingerbread
8. LilyandStella
9. Sol Free
10. Mafia Wars
11. Paper Toss
12. Strike Knight
13. iParkIt!LITE
14. BB Bubbles
15. Bubbles
16. Bugs&Bubbs
17. JellyfishJam
18. Hello Kitty
19. WordPopper
20. RhythmRacer
21. Pinball Ride
22. Hired Gun
23. High Noon
24. Bejeweled 2
25. VegSamurai
26. HenHouse
27. Talking Tom
28. Sushi Cat
29. Game Center
30. GodFinger
31. sudoku2
32. Slot Machine
33. Flood Rescue
34. Tamagotchi
35. Dex
36. Angry Birds
37. HeadsWillRoll
38. Drift Mania
39. Words With Friends

B. Photography/Camera
1. PS Express
2. 푸딩 카메라
3. Camera Plus
4. Polarize
5. A sunset
6. Photofunia
7. MoreLomo
8. Coolibah
9. MoreMono
10. Photo Mess
11. Scrap&Brag
12. Lenses

C. Social Networking
1. eBuddy Pro
2. Twitter
3. 微博
4. Whatsapp
5. MEssenger
6. Facebook
7. YouTube
8. Google Talk
9. Foursquare
10. Emoji
11. Skype
12. Boxcar

D. Utilities
1. TorchPro
2. PCalc Lite
3. Currency
4. ScanMee
5. ZipFileViewer
6. iPDF
7. iPDFReader
8. iBooks

E. News
1. Ch NewsAsia
2. Straits Times
3. RazorTV
4. SG 4D
5. 2010 App (F1)

F. Places
1. Google Maps
2. Traffic@SG
3. TraffiCam
4. SG Malls
5. iCash SG
6. FindNearMe
7. Carpark@SG
8. LocacitySG
9. iHealth SG

G. Transport
1. SG Buses
2. SG NextBus
3. Singapore Transit
4. Taxi Booking
5. iChangi

H. Websites
1. iGV
2. Forever21
3. WordPress
4. DBS
5. Mr Brown
6. IKEA Catalogue
7. eBay

I. Reference
1. Molecules
2. iFormulas
3. PTExplorer
4. The Thai Translator Lite
5. Essentials (Korean)
6. Dictionary.com
7. Translator
8. TCT Lite

J. TV & Radio
1. RTHK OTG
2. MeRadio
3. TVGuide@SG

K. Korean
1. iKorea
2. WordPowerLt
3. KoreanSB!
4. PrimeDictE-K
5. KorSubway
6. KBS World
7. Radio Korea
8. Hot Radio KR
9. arirangRadio

L. Food
1. SushiGuru
2. Sushi
3. Noodle
4. Korean Cuisine
5. Epicurious
6. Hungry
7. buUuk
8. HK Delicacies

M. Drinks
1. Drinks Free
2. drinks
3. Happy Hours
4. shake smoothie

N. Music
1. iTuna
2. iTick
3. AMPed
4. Shazam
5. ScorelessMS
6. VSMCarolsLT
7. Music Tool
8. Music Drawing Lite
9. Shiny Drum
10. TouchXylo
11. Virtuoso

O. Lights
1. Police
2. Super Light Stick
3. Glow Stick Fr

P. Horoscopes
1. iHoroscopes
2. TAROT

Some people

2010-09-27T13:22:00.003+08:00

I'm so disgusted with some people that treat their friends like nothing. Imagine two friends staying together......

When you cook for a friend, then that friend said that she does not feel like having home-cooked food that day. She does not offer to pack up the food you cooked as lunch for the next day.

Next day, you eat up that food because you do not want it to go to waste. She sees it but does not feel any kind of remorse or guilt.

And some people, do not learn from mistakes. No matter how bad, unreasonable, childish, hurting and violent the person is, the other party willingly takes up all these nonsense AGAIN.

I have to really give up on this person. No more hope. No more phone calls. I shall NOT be a listening ear and a friend who advises ANYMORE AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Real cool and pretty!!

2010-09-26T22:38:00.000+08:00

For Zhong Hao

2010-09-18T16:56:00.003+08:00

The string rehearsal felt so weird today. No Zhong Hao, and lotsa new faces (freshies). Sigh. I also miss my desk partners......

Going for Citizenship Ceremony now... After that, going to Marina Square for Zhong Hao's farewell dinner.

Here's what I made for him:

I realised photographs can't really show the texture. The real one looks much better. But I agree I quite suck at layouts.

Looking for a Chance to Work Overseas

2010-09-17T08:30:00.002+08:00

I wished for a job attachment or stint at UK. Or anywhere else on the other side of the globe. It is getting really boring and mundane in Singapore. Too much in the comfort zone.

I need to get out, see the world, live on my own and try out something else! I will go search for an opportunity. Let's set it at 3 years. In this 3 years, I hope to venture out.

More Artwork

2010-09-08T17:12:00.010+08:00

Went to attend Beyond Basics class yesterday... and learnt more things behind scrapbooking. Here's what I did for yesterday's classes:

Earlier on, I did this for my colleagues:

The pictures could have turned out better here if not for my pc. It has been sent to the repair centre for more than two weeks and they just called today saying the earliest that it can be ready is next Monday. OMG... it's really driving me nuts!! I need my iTunes and my Photoshop!!! And not to forget, my Starcraft2!!!!

All the Best to my Conductor

2010-09-02T07:17:00.005+08:00

I received a shocking news early in the morning today. My conductor has resigned from NTUSO! I don't expect it to be so sudden. A few months ago, he was just telling us about the plans for the next 5 years. Moreover, the repertoire for March 2011 concert has already been decided!

The thought of just not having him for our next concert is so weird. What will happen to our V1 sectionals? I wonder who our next conductor will be? And what will happen to NTUSO?

That makes the concert in Sept 2009 the last one together. I thought he should resign only after our 2011 concert. At least, we can enjoy our last concert together. Being an old alumni, I have seen how our SO progressed, and I'm really sad as we have spent so many years together, especially the V1 section as he also coaches us.

He has always been my inspiration in violin playing, a friend who provides me with a different perspective and optimistic outlook on life.

Wishing him all the best in his future endeavours...... I'll always remember the music we made.

My iPhone 4 is here!!

2010-08-26T22:22:00.008+08:00

Yay!!! My went down to Hello!shop on Sunday and after queuing for half an hour, I got a queue ticket to purchase my iPhone!! It was another one hour of wait before my turn. So paid for it and went home happily. After reaching home and finished bathing, my micro sim card was already activated!! It was a surprise that Singtel was so efficient despite the fact that they hadn't called me for my iPhone collection after more than 2 weeks.

Today I realized that my caller ID service was ceased on the day I recontracted. So made a call to Singtel to subscribe it. $10 bucks for first time subscription and $5 per month for it. Damn stupid. But I was surprised to get the service within an hour after calling, since they said that it could take up to three days to get activated.

Singtel did surprised me on these two incidents.

On the other hand, though the iPhone 4 is really cool, the reception is really quite bad. The 3G network reception is bad and I also had a few drop calls already. Will I be able to sustain with this phone for 2 years??

Typed this post through my iPhone4. ^^

The day I bought my iPhone is the day I let go.

Iphone 4

2010-08-10T10:37:00.004+08:00

Getting impatient for the wait... It's out of stock! Seriously! Can't even be the first few thousand to be in the queue for SingTel's launch event. So I have to wait till the end of the month for the next batch of stock to arrive. My colleague is using it, and says she has to hold the phone in a certain way, otherwise, the reception really drops. But nonetheless, I'm still set on the iphone as I'm getting bored with my Blackberry! I want all the fun apps!!

So here I'm going to list down some of the apps I'm gonna have in my 32GB iphone4 when I get my hands on it!

1) meradio
2) camera+
3) whatsapp
4) farmville
5) googlemaps
6) Traffic@SG
7) iCash SG
8) iGV
9) Light-O-Matic
10) Twitter for iPhone
11) Facebook
12) Formula1
13) Google Sync
14) GoogleTalk
15) Windows Live Messenger
16) Tap Tap Revenge 3
17) Wordpress
18) Forever 21
19) Shazam
20) Reebonz
21) The Straits Times
22) CNA
23) ComfortDelGro Taxi Booking
24) Epicurious
25) Metronome-iTick
26) iTuna-Chromatic Tuner
27) Coolibah
28) Scrap&Brag LITE
29) Prime English-Korean, Korean-English Dictionary
30) PhotoFunia
31) Photoshop.com Mobile
32) DBS mbanking
33) iPDF
34) Tarot Reading
35) iHoroscopes
36) Dictionary.com
37) Skype
38) NES
39)

And of course, I'm gonna get a portable charger cum battery accessory.

1) Pebble portable battery charger $129 from DG Lifestyle Store in Vivocity and Tangs Orchard Technobay. 5000 mAh.
2) Dexim BluePack S8 $129 from Epicenter. 3000 mAh.

Plus, I'm iTunes-ready.

Just lack of the phone now. Quick come!

My First Prada

2010-07-31T23:40:00.002+08:00

It's HERE!!!!

GBP - $240
Charge in SGD - $520.26
Refund in SGD - $53.54
Payment in SGD - $466.72

Saved - $690 - $466.72 = $223.28

S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True

2010-07-16T17:01:00.001+08:00

Everybody's got something they had to leave behind
One regret from yesterday that just seems to grow with time
There's no use looking back or wondering
How it could be now or might have been
Oh this I know but still I can't find ways to let you go

I've never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter where life takes me to
A part of me will always be with you

Somewhere in my memory
I've lost all sense of time
and tomorrow can never be cos yesterday is all that fills my mind
There's no use looking back or wondering
How it should be now or might have been
Oh this I know but still I can't find ways to let you go

I've never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter where life takes me to
A part of me will always be

You'll always be the dream that fills my head
Yes you will, say you will, you know you will
Oh baby, you'll always be the one I know I'll never forget
There's no use looking back or wondering
Because love is a strange and funny thing
No matter how I try and try I just can't say goodbye
No no no no

I've never had a dream come true
Till the day that I found you
Even though I pretend that I've moved on
You'll always be my baby
I never found the words to say (words to say)
You're the one I think about each day
And I know no matter where life takes me to
A part of me will always be
A part of me will always be with you

A Wallet I Wanna Get

2010-07-10T18:31:00.000+08:00

My friend CP is going London for business trip tomorrow!! And such a coincidence that I had the urge to get a wallet a month ago but just couldn't find the one I like and within my budget. So under the influence of YQ, I went to check out on Prada wallet and found them very classy! He must be feeling super happy that he has converted another person to liking Prada.

Hence, I met up with Mei Hui at Orchard and we went into the Prada shop at ION. The pictures I saw online could not compare to the real ones we saw. The real ones are really really pretty and Mei Hui was also tempted to get one too!

So, I have decided to get this model number 1M1225 in green!! The shop here only sells it in black, cipria, dark purple, pink and dark pink at $690. Full saffiano leather. YQ said this is so much more worth it than LV's wallet which is made of canvas. Is it? I thought LV was in leather. Check with Jiehui another time.

Nice or not? Hehe. The price I saw online was only about $120 Euros! That makes it super cheap after conversion. Mei Hui likes this in cipria, and she also likes many other wallets in the shop. I am beginning to like PRADA more and more. This is bad. ^^

My first SG Passport

2010-06-25T18:03:00.001+08:00

I finally gotten my passport today! This process has taken nearly one year to complete. I can only get my IC in September.

Here I Am, for you...

2010-06-16T18:53:00.002+08:00

This is a crazy world
These can be lonely times
It's hard to know who's on your side
Most of the time

Who can you really trust
Who do you really know
Is there anybody out there
Who can make you feel less alone
Some times you just can't make it on your own

If you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, hmmm

If you have broken dreams
Just lay them all on me
I'll be the one who understands
So take my hand

If you reach emptiness

You know I'll do my best
To fill you up with all the love
That I can show someone
I promise you you'll never walk alone

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, oooo

Everybody needs somebody who
Can pour their heart and soul into

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, Here I am

- Here I Am by Leona Lewis

Purchases from HK

2010-06-12T23:35:00.000+08:00

Yeah! Showing off some great purchases from Hong Kong!

Have been searching high and low for this Grade 8 Aural book everywhere in Singapore and it is out of stock everywhere!! I finally got it in HK.

My favourite Studio Ghibli piano pieces - Totoro, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo, etc.

And guess what? Nodame Cantabile piano scores!! Inside it are some orchestra pieces arranged for piano! Bought one of this for K Yong too. Expensive.

Beethoven Full Piano Sonata

2010-06-03T22:28:00.001+08:00

Finally back from China Immersion trip. I finally bought Beethoven's whole set of piano sonata scores (Volumes 1-3) at Beijing at only a mere RMB $157!! How great is this? It's like a one to one cost if I buy them in Singapore. It doesn't really matter that the cover is written in Chinese. The inside are all the same, with clear printings and similar quality paper. Have always contemplated to buy or waiting for someone to gift me. And this item has been on my wish list for as long as I can't really remember. So yeah! I'm a proud owner now!

Carey's Birthday

2010-05-23T18:15:00.001+08:00

Another moment to display my artwork:

Happy 25th Birthday, Carey!! This has been posted to you.

Goodbye friend

2010-05-23T01:43:00.001+08:00

You know if you've lost a good friend, when he turns around and smile at you, and then walks away with another person.

Missing my aunt

2010-05-13T09:32:00.000+08:00

This Sat is her 100 days. We all missed her.

Plans on Hold

2010-04-25T22:37:00.004+08:00

"Congratulations on being successful in your application for the sponsorship for a Master’s Degree Programme.........."

I'm rejecting the offer to take my Masters. I guess, it's better for me to do it full-time. So right now, I'll just put it on hold, and focus on what I'm doing now. I guess I'm clear and won't make a wrong decision.

Jiale's Birthday

2010-04-24T18:11:00.000+08:00

Another moment to display my artwork:

Happy 21st Birthday, Jiale!

Things to bring...

2010-04-14T07:15:00.004+08:00

Flight details are out! Going to have a transit flight at Guangzhou to Xi'an. Gotta be there for 9 whole days. Omigosh. The last time I was on task there, I felt so @(#&%)!@&@#%). The 3rd day I was there, I already sort of gave up.

Things to pack into my suitcase, don't care if I'm going to bring a large one there. I just want my things!!!

1. NDSL or PSP ? Which should I bring?
2. camera

3. ipod

4. storybook

5. sun glasses

6. Shoes

7. Addidas jacket

8. soft toy (Quick, tell me that you want me to bring you!)

9. Clothes

10. Toiletries (must remember my contact lens solution and case!!!)

11. tissue paper

12. notebook and pen

13. Spectacles and case

14. Empty water bottle

15. Plastic bag

16. Extra hand luggage bag (just in case I went berserk there)

17. Medication (especially lomotil)

18. Daily bag

19. Socket converter

(list to be added on when things come to my mind)

The most hated things to bring are the different charges for every electronic device. Sigh. They are so bulky.

The results....

2010-04-12T10:09:00.003+08:00

3 weeks after my Violin exam...and after flood and fire in Paddington causing the delay of the results... ABRSM finally sent an email to notify that I can check my results online at 10am today! YEAH!! I was awed!

Candidate	ID	Subject	Grade	Mark	Cat
NG SZE CHIEN	S8******D	VIOLIN	07	130	D

Marking Scheme
Mark	Category
130-150	D = Distinction
120-129	M = Merit
100-119	P = Pass
0-99	F = Fail

11 years ago...

2010-04-08T20:23:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday to him once again today...

China Immersion

2010-04-07T12:22:00.004+08:00

Just as I had expected, I had to go for China Immersion. Once again, I have to go Beijing. Why can't it be some other parts like Shanghai? Besides Beijing, we will also be visiting Xi'an, where the famous "兵马俑" are. Sigh. So no more Hacken Lee concert, but in exchange of endless nagging, scolding and irritants.

Well, think of all the positive things!!! That is to take the aeroplane!!! (But China Airlines, not SIA!) A stay in the (so-called 5-star) hotel! Hopefully can sleep alone in the room. Feast on my favourite 水煮牛蛙, 水煮鱼, 苦瓜炒蛋, 孜然羊肉串, 北京烤鸭, 饺子 and 麻辣料理。And that is if my company are willing to share with me, cos' the portions in China comes only in big one-size for all!

Sigh sigh sigh. Tired.

First Violin Exam

2010-03-23T20:26:00.005+08:00

Picture taken before I set off for my exam......

I finally went to do it today, 4 years later. Yes, it is my music exam. But not diploma in piano, but violin Grade 7. I gave myself 2 years to get my piano diploma, but somehow work did not allow me to do so. I thought I would have some time to practice, and hence I chosen my career path. But it proved otherwise. But nevertheless, today, I went for exam!! After 11 years since the last exam.

The examiner was very friendly. A trained pianist and bassonist. I was almost late to report for my exam today. Underestimated the time. My violin teacher sms me at 11:10am asking me where I was. It was a surprise cos' I told him not to come, otherwise it would add on to my stress. But nonetheless, he said he was there for moral support. Thanks Mr Tan!

My pianist was also there, my ex-theory teacher. It was a pity she played wrongly for almost 10 bars for my first piece. And I thought she didn't listen to my playing while she accompanied. So I was looking at her and nodding my head while I was playing, hoping to get her back. The examiner was starring at her! OMG. I hope it won't affect my marks. I was quite gan chiong over that first piece. And I think I rushed in the first few bars.

The examiner asked to look at the scores of my second and third piece before I played. Second piece was ok. I managed to play my D harmonic note out! HAHA! The third piece was ok. I already did my best, only a few wrongly hit notes and my own rendition of dynamics. I never ever played it through to my violin teacher before. Hence this was the piece I was most worried about. Plus, it is SOLO. No accompaniment for this third piece.

Scales. He gave all easy ones. D minor harmonic separate bow. Didn't end on the correct note. Chromatic starting on B, screwed. G major separate bow. Dominant sevenths, diminished sevenths, double stops all ok. Was he trying to help me by giving me all the easy ones?

Then followed by "the part everybody likes" which the examiner described - Sight-reading. OMG. It was easy loh. No high notes. C major in 2/4 time. Scherzando. The difficulty was in the syncopation and triple-stop pizz on CGE, followed by arco C. I thought my tempo was ok, I did subito piano well, notes was 80% there. But gan chiong me played arco on pizz and pizz on arco. Followed by the examiner scribbling away. Just give me a pass will do. I don't expect high marks for this part.

Then it was aural. He agreed that not everyone is good at that. Sight-singing was in E-flat major. Generally ok, but couldn't sing the interval from E-flat to B-flat. Shit. He gave me a second chance to sing!! He was soooo nice!! But me still couldn't sing that perfect 5th interval the second time round. Cadence was ok. Interrupted cadence in a special way. Modulation was easy. He gave a C major piece. It was easy to listen as it modulated to dominant key.

Last part on short piece questions. "Listen to the texture, style and period." he said. After playing, he asked leading questions loh! So good! It was easy answering him about the texture and period. The piece was clearly Baroque, containing mordents and ornamental notes here and there. Then clapping of the rhythm was bad. I think I only got 50% correct. Time of the piece should be in 3. I thought it should be correct.

Overall, the examiner was great, cos he gave all the easy easy questions. If it was difficult, I think I might flunk it. But I think I can do better.

Make a guess of my marks:

First piece A6: 25/30 (if he did not minus marks for my pianist mistakes)

Second piece B5: 23/30

Third piece C5: 20/30

Scales: 14/21

Sight-reading: 14/21

Aural: 14/18

Total: 110/150 PASS (only)

Don't think I deserve a Merit. I was actually aiming for a Merit. Sigh. I will know my results one week later online. I will try harder next time!

2010-03-20T19:19:00.003+08:00

They are coming to Singapore again!!!

Alan Tam & Hacken Lee Live in Singapore (左麟右李新加坡演唱会 2010)

Date: 29 May 2010, Saturday

Time: 8pm

Venue: Singapore Indoor Stadium

Tickets: $178, $158, $138, $118, $88 (yet to include SISTIC fee)

I hope, I pray, that I won't be sent overseas for work. The fan club has already bought VVIP tickets. So even if I'm going, I won't be able to sit with them, scream with them and wear uniform together. =( But consolation is that I am still going, IF.

1st Violin Recital

2010-02-11T21:21:00.001+08:00

Doing this for fund raising for Haiti... This is my B list piece that I'm going to play in my Grade 7 exam next month. This greatly boosted my confidence for my exam. I was anxious in front of the crowd, but I managed to control it quite well. ^^

To Nirvana

2010-02-08T23:13:00.002+08:00

My aunt passed away on Saturday, 6/2/2010 at 130 pm. We received a call from her youngest daughter and drove back to Kluang for her wake at 6 pm. The wake was a quiet affair at 德会馆. Her picture was pretty. She passed away peacefully. Going back Kluang tomorrow again.

Am I Crazy or WHAT!

2010-01-18T17:11:00.000+08:00

I feel life is getting boring, or should I say, life is not hectic enough? Just joking.

Over the weekends, I made up my mind. I was still wavering whether to take or not to. There's no pay increment, workload won't be reduced, no guaranteed promotion, MORE tiring days and giving up my Korean lessons. My decision was made because Aline said,"Just take it as an interest."

I am applying for my part-time Masters. July 2010 Intake. Won't be explicit here.

On Friday, I sent in my online application. Printed out the form and let my BIG BOSS to endorse. It was quite a funny experience. She actually doesn't know her staff. She asked if I have a baby, probably worried I cannot cope and will sacrifice my work.

"NO, I'm not married..."

"OH, then you have a boyfriend right?"

"NO..."

"OOOH, but will have right?!"

"Erm..."

I don't even know if she knows my name. After that, I just continued to say that my work is still priority. Oh well......

Photocopied all my transcripts and certificates. Hopefully, I will get exemption for at least one module and graduate within 2.5 years. And filled up a form to state my reason for my application. Put them all in order, stick my photo, and in the envelope they went.

The white envelope sat on my chair for 2 days. I finally posted it out today after work. Well, it now depends if they want to accept me or not. I don't really meet one of the criteria. See how fate is. Will know the results in April/May.

So Carey, I'm not going Australia to join you. I can't give up my salary. I don't want to get into a debt. I still want to eat good food - salmon sashimi, wedges, dim sum, la mian! I still want to buy nice dresses, shoes and jewellery. I still want to buy Agnes B, Longchamp, Gucci, Prada, LV bags and wallets. I still want to take the aeroplane to go for my yearly holidays - Japan, Korea, Germany, Europe... I still want to take my Grade 8 violin exam.

I'll just postphone the plan to migrate there. ^^

Counting Days

2010-01-14T20:31:00.002+08:00

My aunt is on morphine. She is so weak that her used-to-be strong and loud voice is so feeble now. She is in pain. I just hope she will persevere till after CNY.

Huh...?!

2010-01-05T23:41:00.002+08:00

My dad just stepped into my room and said, "Shall we move back to the old house? It's more windy there."

I gave him a "HUH?!?" look.

Was he serious? It meant packing my stuff all over again!

Gift for Aline

2009-12-31T12:13:00.004+08:00

My colleague who became a very good friend of mine, is leaving the school. I have made these for her. I wanted to pass her personally but she couldn't make it at that time. So I met her husband and passed them to him. Luckily I didn't pass to her personally. Because, she msg me and told me I made her cry. If I were with her, I would have cried too. And it would be embarrassing to cry in public. I just hate crying in front of others.

Aline really loved it. I will really miss her around.

Wooden board from Daiso. Some of the decor stuff were bought in Taiwan.

Mini Art Stand from Daiso (from Taiwan)

She can choose to hang up or put onto the mini art stand.

A mini scrap book that has a photograph of us on every page. And my words describing our 3-year journey.

The photo board and the scrap book.

Finally... THE LETTER

2009-12-30T23:35:00.000+08:00

The ICA letter arrived today. My citizenship application has been approved! I have 8 months to renounce my Msia citizenship and take the Oath for Sg citizenship. I foresee more paperwork and waiting.

姨妈

2009-12-30T00:38:00.002+08:00

Her condition has worsen. She cannot walk now. She has lost her appetite. She is so fragile now.

My aunt was diagnosed with fourth stage lung cancer suddenly about half-year ago. She wasn't a smoker. Nobody in the family smoked too. Doctors said it was probably due to prolonged exposure to cooking fumes. Chemo made her lose her hair and weight. Following that, her hearing ability gradually deteriorated. Doctors gave her half a year.

I remembered one year ago, she was still very energetic and loud. And when we went over to her house in Kluang, she cooked our favourite chicken rice with her special dip sauce. She is a very good cook.

My mum is going to accompany and take care of her next week. I hope she can persevere and live through CNY.

Till then, it will be hard to control my tears.

Trip to KL

2009-12-17T23:39:00.004+08:00

Back from Taiwan, and up next was to Chiew Yee Jie Jie's house in Damansara! This is my first time taking the coach to KL on my own. I woke up at 630 am, and found out my family already left the house at 5 am and were already on their way to Ipoh. I quickly washed up, and took a cab down to Novena Square. Bought coffee and sandwich to eat.

It was quite good, as I get to spend some time with myself on the coach, thinking about things and listening to Dvorak's American for string quartet to draw in bowings, fingerings and dynamics. This piece was to be performed at CHIJMES on 24th Dec when I get back to SG. I wanted to watch movie, but there was something wrong with my tv. Customs were smooth. The coach didn't speed, and I reached 1-U five and a half hours later. Chiew Yee jie jie and Cheryl were already waiting for me. It was really great to see both of them again after we bid farewell at Taipei.

It was duck spaggetti from Delicious restaurant. Very nice indeed, though I thought they could have cooked their spaggetti in the same way as how TCC does it. But the duck was the specialty. It was really filling even after I gave half of the whole dish to Chiew Yee jie jie.

Then met up with YQ for Storm Warriors movie at the old wing. The movie had lotsa computer graphics, but the story was so-so only. It was a long-awaited film (11 years later), with much anticipation but disappointment. After movie, we went to Rose Garden at the basement for food. The decoration was really nice, with a touch of Taiwan's tea house feel. They have a white christmas tree with GREEN decorations beside a white baby grand piano.

Chiew Yee jie jie called, and bid farewell to YQ. Went to 记得食 for food AGAIN. I only ate a bit of everything. SO full loh. But their siew mai, carrot cake and laksa were really FANTASTIC.

Day 2:

Dim sum for brunch! Then to The Curve to shop. Bought Cheryl a baby doll whose hair can change colour when in contact with warm water. She named it "Dreamy", and I gave her a Chinese name, "小柔". In the afternoon, I practice piano and violin with Cheryl. Then we had cheese crabs, 生虾生面 and 拉拉米粉 for dinner. After dinner, it was Cheryl's Yamaha JMC class. She had to perform a few piano pieces which we already practised in the afternoon. I sat inside the room with her. The room was exactly the same at the Yamaha in SG. One of the girls inside the class was SOOOO distracting. I think I would have lost my patience if I were the teacher.

Day 3:
Practiced violin with Cheryl in the morning cos' she would be having her recital at 2 pm. The recital was quite well organised. We left for USJ at about 3 pm. Yeah... it was a surprise to see Kang Jie and parents in the house there too. After transferring Jiale's Taiwan photos to my phone (simply love phone nowadays that act as a hard-disk too!), we left for Sunway Pyramid!

Firstly, early dinner first! All of us were hungry. So we went to have Japanese food at Sushi Zanmai. Chiew Yee jie jie and I split the bill. Then it was to FOREVER 21! I think Jiale and I stayed there for more than an hour, trying on clothes and taking lotsa pictures. So fun. If only Carey was around...... are you reading this?

Then we also bought from Kitschen and Nicci. Bought a total of 9 pieces in this entire trip. Even more than I bought in Taiwan, and more than I spent too. Just nice... the RM$1000 I brought was enough to stop me from buying more. We had "dai chao" for late dinner at USJ. Reached back to Damansara at 1030 pm. Cheryl had finally memorised the lyrics to Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and also danced the chorus of Nobody Nobody. HAHA! Felt accomplished! Cheryl can remember all the reindeers' names!!

Day 4:

Last day already. Went to have chilli ban mee. Regretted mixing in the egg. It ended up very thick and dry. I still prefer the soupy ban mee in USJ. Went back to the house to pack and change. Cheryl kept requesting and pestering me to play with her in the car, probably didn't want me to go back. I hate to leave too. But no choice. I have to work the next day. Till next time we meet!

Jammed at Tuas for an hour. Took six and half hours to reach SG. Lucky got YQ to chat with me throughout the journey, till the lady beside us told us to SHUT UP! Hope my holidays come quickly again.

Can work not come?

Day 7: Taipei

2009-12-15T23:38:00.003+08:00

It's finally the day that we didn't want it to come. Did last minute shopping around the vicinity and found out more shops there!! Like a 5-storey bookshop! And our 太阳饼 was delivered to our hotel. Click here for 太阳饼 link.

Took our luggage, crossed the road to 国光客运, a big bus terminal, with different bus routes to many tourist attractions in Taiwan. Bought the bus ticket, NT$125. You can actually board the bus anytime you want, if there are vacancies. You needn't follow strictly to the printed time. The bus had two luggage storage. Before you board the bus, you have to tell the driver if you're alighting at Terminal 1 or 2. Then he will tell you which storage you use. Cos' when the bus arrives at the airport Terminal, he will only open one storage for the passengers to collect their luggage. How smart!

Bought Loewe Aire perfume, a set of Ferragamo miniature perfume and a Kenzo deodorant at the DFS. HAHA! Felt so happy buying all these.

On China Airlines, Jiehui, Meihui and I wanted to buy the Longchamp bag, but each aircraft only carried one. =( So Jiehui got it.

Back to Singapore at about 9 pm. Hot and humid again. Grrrr....

Missed all my cousins already!!

Day 6: Taipei

2009-12-14T23:37:00.005+08:00

Woke up and prepared ourselves for buffet lunch at 马辣顶级麻辣鸳鸯火锅!! The seafood was really fresh and had a vast variety of food items. Best of all, there were 8 Hagen Dazs and 8 Movenpick ice-cream to choose from. Eat ALL you can!!! However you are only given 2 hours. We all left the place with an ice-cream cone in our hands, stuff with as much ice-cream as possible. HAHA! Click here for food review.

Then it was free-and-easy for all today. Shop all you want wherever you want. Dinner was at Modern Toilet Restaurant. Don't know if it was the environment that didn't give us appetite, or the food was really bad. Anyway, we also took some photographs inside.

Pack for the night. HAHA! Meihui had to buy an extra bag to pack all her new inventories. She didn't bring an extra bag too. OMG.

The cousins had fun inside the room. We went out to buy beer, instant noodles and chips to party inside the room. Hadn't had so much cousins' fun in a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG while!!

Day 5: Taipei

2009-12-13T23:37:00.006+08:00

Had Macdonalds for breakfast before depositing our luggage a Keyman’s Hotel 怀宁旅店. We then headed to Longshan Temple. It was sunny that day.

Then to Ximending, where Jiale would go "WAAAAAAHH!!". Shopping for all the cute stuff starts here! Wanted to have lunch at 马辣顶级麻辣鸳鸯火锅, but was too crowded. So we made reservations to come back the next day. We settled at a Japanese restaurant for lunch, where I had a mouthful of uni sashimi... yummy! The Jap food was surprisingly not expensive at all! That was Chiew Yee jie jie's treat for me. ^^

3 pm, and it was time to gather to proceed to the next destination - Hello Kitty Sweets Restaurant!! We were super mad inside, snapping photos at almost every corner. Click for food review.

If there wasn't a need to rush for time, we would have stayed there for dinner. We proceeded to Miramar where 换换爱 was filmed. The big ferris wheel and the departmental store? Recall? And the bridge where 童嘉蒂 and 霍彥 met? And when 霍彥 threw money at her face?

Then finally the last destination of the day - Shilin night market. The whole place changed since my last visit in 2005. We followed the map and went rightwards, and couldn't find the night market. Little did we know, it had shifted to the left-side of the subway station. The 雞排 was bad. Not crispy at all. And the place has turned into a Changi-village style. No more small carts. The cleanliness is still bad, otherwise, worse.

My legs have finally protested on Day 5. My leg muscles ached like mad. This was also the only night I slept with Meihui and Jiehui. Meihui gave me two pieces of salon pas, and aunt also gave me some oilment to rub-on. Poor legs. We had been walking from morning till night everyday.

Day 4: Yilan --> Taipei

2009-12-12T23:36:00.007+08:00

Breakfast was whipped up by 黄大哥 and his mum. It wasn't as yummy as what we had at Rose Garden 民宿. But nonetheless, still palatable.

Our train was at 10:08 am. In less than 2 hours, we arrived at Taipei Railway Station, back to the same place we were 3 days ago. It was a little difficult to get across the road with our luggages. We had to find escalators. Luckily there were escalators. I didn't want the nightmares in Korea to start all over again!

We checked into the Taipei Key Mall Traveler Hostel on the 22nd Floor of K-Mall. As the word already described, it was really a HOSTEL. My cousins were saying our accommodations got worse as each day passed. There weren't many pictures of the rooms online, so I have to post some pictures to help people who are considering to stay here.

The last two pictures show a triple room. Looks better.

Some positive comments about the hostel:

1. Friendly staff, who helped us changed rooms when it was a miscommunication.

2. Took photos of us for remembrance and emailed them to me when I got back to SG.

3. Two computers with internet access, wi-fi at the breakfast area.

Some negative comments about the hostel:

1. The 6-persons room was a bit cram and the attached-toilet was small.

2. No towels provided. No foot mat to dry your feet after bathe.

3. The building is eerie and dangerous. Quiet, high-up and dark. You may get robbed at night. Don't have a secured feeling.

4. The drinking water ran out, and refill was not done in-time.

5. Breakfast area was on different levels with our rooms.

6. Rooms were office-converted. Different rooms look a bit different.

7. Furniture was not sufficient and impractical.

8. Cost is comparable to the hotels we found a street away.

9. Blanket is a bit dirty. We didn't use the blankets. We wore our jackets that night.

10. Mattresses also varied. The one I slept on was thin, and I felt the wood underneath. Woke up with backaches. There were thick ones. Depends on your luck!

Haha. Anyway, we left our things in the room and went out for lunch at 九豐記牛肉麵 which was just a few streets down the road. The restaurant was crowded with the lunch-time crowd. But the beef noodles were really tasty, but left us all thirsty much later cos' of the amount of MSG. Click here for the food link.

We headed to Taipei 101 after lunch, cos' the weather was quite good. We didn't want to risk going there if it should rain. So we re-arranged our itinerary. Bought the observatory tickets and queued for about half and hour just to get into the lift. It was a Saturday.

Then we headed to the 五分埔, the largest clothing market in Taipei. It was another night market. Very very squeezy and stuffy there. Most of the clothes are long-sleeved, so it was inappropriate to buy back to our SUNNY island. The clothing market leads to 饶河夜市. Less food here, but JH said the okonomiyaki was good there.

So tired, we took a cab back to the hostel. Amber and Cheryl fell asleep in the cab. Cab there is pretty cheap too. But can't remember how much was the fare. 4 adults and 2 kids in a cab. ^^

After Chiew Yee jie jie suggested to look for another hotel nearby to shift cos' she couldn't really tahan the run-down place, Peichun, Jiale and I went out to source for one. After asking a few, this Keyman’s Hotel 怀宁旅店, just down the road, seemed and was good! The price was also good. My mum was saying, the extra amount of money we paid was for security. So we paid for two nights' of accommodation. Jiale and her mum paid for another two extra days for their extended days. Yeah, we're moving to a better place tomorrow night. Just bear with it tonight!

Day 3: Hualian --> Yilan

2009-12-11T23:35:00.006+08:00

Tasty breakfast to set us off for the day. We took a group picture with 刘小姐 and thanked her for her hospitality. 潘导 then sent us to Hualian Railway station. Off to Luodong we go!

Luodong seemed pretty backwards. Dull buildings and rice paddy fields. A very quiet town. The owner of 糖果屋 was there to pick us up. He wasn't as friendly as 潘导. Being a young man, probably in his early thirties, he said we could call him as "黄大哥". :S But he was nice enough to make two trips to fetch us to 糖果屋 and sent us to Luodong Railway station the next day. We negotiated for him to drive us to three locations in Luodong for a fee of NT$2500. It's for the convenience. Taking taxi would cost about the same, but the bad thing is we had to call taxi everytime we want. It's not a flag-and-take taxi system in Luodong.

Firstly, we went to 三星蔥博物館, which 黄大哥 hasn't even heard of. We wanted to take our lunch at 田妈妈葱蒜美食馆. But it is only opened from 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm! Sigh, so we didn't get to eat all the spring onion dishes. =( We could only tour the mini museum that had many spring onions food products.

I bought the spring onion ice-cream, NT$20, which we were so excited about. New taste mah... one spoon of it, and I didn't eat it again. Haha, Cheryl quite liked it though! Click here for food link of Spring Onion museum.

We finally got a piece of 洋葱饼 from a push-cart outside the museum to satisfy our cravings. It was quite good despite it being oily.

Next up was our visit to 国立傅统艺术中心. It's like a place where they imitated the old buildings and shops of olden Taiwan. There, you can find some handicrafts and hand-made stuff, which I thought was pretty. And you won't be able to find them elsewhere in Taiwan.

Finally, it was dinner time. 黄大哥 took us to our third location - 羅東夜市. I mentioned above that Luodong was a quiet place. But here, at Luodong night market, it was bustling with people, food and... RAIN! The food was pretty good here. We started out with deep-fried maize with flavour coatings. Yummy! The rain was a bit irritating, otherwise the experience would have been better! Click for food link.

Done for the day!! REST REST REST!

Day 2: Hualian

2009-12-10T23:34:00.006+08:00

We woke up at about 7 am. Breakfast is at 8 am, and we are to set off for our day tour at 9 am. Breakfast was unexpectedly good!! The owner made the food herself with the help of her employees. She even created a set for the children! We finished every bit of it!

Full of energy to chiong whole day! We greeted our 潘导 and packed ourselves into his van. We visited 太魯閣峽谷,燕子口,九曲洞,慈母橋 and 天祥山腳下的河段. The scenery was fantastic and Meihui took many photos. The best thing was, she didn't bring her camera charger, and that was the last official day she took the 2 kg baby out. We applauded her. Lunch was at 天祥, where we ate stinky toufu in "ma la" and deep-fried style. It wasn't as stinky as I thought. But when they cooled down, the taste was a little hard to swallow. We also ordered some other dishes, and lunch was NT$92 per person. Click for food link.

Dinner was at 3番2次 (原住民风味餐厅) which cost us NT$2500 in all. Some really special dishes which we never tasted before. I thought it was quite a good experience. Click here for food link.

Time passed by really quickly, and we were back to Rose Garden again. We put down our things, and walked out to shop again. HAHA. Then, we ate Mochi (NT$10 each). I had the peanut filling one. It is quite huge and it was really really delicious. It's freshly made. JH had the ice-cream mochi, and was quite bland. This was also the only night that I had bubble tea, NT$30.

Day 1: SG --> Taoyuan Airport --> Hualian

2009-12-09T23:29:00.016+08:00

An introduction to the party of 10 people who went Taiwan:

1. Jiehui - my first three months JC classmate, and NTU coursemate as well as my hostel roommate from Yr 2 to 4.
2. Meihui - knew her since Primary 5. My best buddy in Secondary school. Then she went into the same JC as Jiehui.
3. My mum
4. My paternal aunt
5. My paternal aunt's daughter - a Yr 2 NTU student
6. My Cousin - Chiew Yee Jie Jie
7. My Cousin - Pei Chun Jie Jie.
8. Chiew Yee Jie Jie's daughter - Cheryl (5 yrs old)
9. Pei Chun Jie Jie's daugther - Amber (5 yrs old)
10. Myself - highly distressed civil servant on limited holiday period

Our detailed itinerary can be found here: Click
Comments on food and their locations can only be found in my food blog.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our flight was at 10:25 am. Dad sent Mum and I there. The wait had been long! I had wanted to travel overseas during June, but there were so many things happening that trips were cancelled. Upon boarded the plane, the feeling of anticipation was heightened.

We reached Taoyuan airport a little 10 minutes late. Chiew Yee jie jie they all had already arrived half an hour earlier than their prescribed timing. They were sitting on the chairs just outside the belt. I was so happy to see all of my relatives! We then proceeded to buy bus tickets to Taipei Railway station so that we can go Hualian. The different bus companies were shouting quite loudly to us to choose them. In the end, we took 大有巴士 (Airbus) cos' the bus was departing soon. The two little kids do not have to pay for the bus.

The bus journey was slightly less than an hour and we reached Taipei Railway station. JH and I went to buy train tickets to Hualian, Hualian to Luodong and Luodong to Taipei - 3 sets of train tickets. Luckily there were still tickets. ^^ The ticketing lady was very polite and helpful. Since there were still an hour for the train, we went level 2 to have our dinner. Taipei Railway station was big and there were many stalls. It houses three 7-11, donut shop, bakeries, ice-cream, food court, etc. We were so excited about one bakery named "Milkhouses" which sells a variety of creative bread. Despite photography was restricted, we managed to snap a few pictures. Click for food link.

It was a long journey and we reached Hualian 3 hours later... Cheryl and Amber were having lotsa fun inside the cabin, without catching a wink. They didn't have to pay for the tickets, but it also meant they didn't have seats. The train was packed and hence they had to share seats with us.

Our tour guide, 潘导, was already waiting for us outside the station. I called Rose Garden 民宿 at Taipei Railway station and arranged the timing. He was a very friendly man. He helped us with our luggage onto his Volkswagen van. He drove round Hualian city to tell us where are the nice food and the shops around our 民宿. It was a short ride of 10 minutes before we reached the 民宿.

We were greeted by a narrow staircase in between 7-11 and an eatery shop. Luckily there were people to help us carry our luggage upstairs. We checked-in, and we were all amazed by the room cleanliness and decorations. We simply love the place!

After unpacking for a little bit, we left the 民宿 to walk around the vicinity for FOOD. We ate 鹅 at 鹅肉先生 (NT$200 for half goose), cockles (NT$150), 小笼包 (NT$5 for one)，水蒸包 (NT$50 for 10)，炸鸡排，贡丸。。。before heading back. Click for food link.

I took a nice hot shower after this very long day. Settled the accounts from everyone that night before the night's rest.

Setting out on a HIGH note!

2009-12-08T23:39:00.002+08:00

Goodbye Singapore!! I'm going to have my long-awaited holidays!! I will try to be online there. My flight is gonna be early. Need to reach the airport at 830am. The flight is at 1025am. ^^

*Will be back to Singapore on the night of 15th Dec.
*BBM and Google latitude will be turned off. No more tracking of me on Earth.
*Phone and SMS accessible! On roaming! You can still SMS me!

Meanwhile, take care, my friends!! Will miss u guys!

Looking for this book

2009-12-04T13:43:00.002+08:00

Been looking high and low for this particular book. Reserved it at Kino before, but forgot to go collect. In the end, the book was let to others. Going to get this one day.

As a follow-up to the popular Propless Games® resource book, Allan Lee has compiled another collection of 101 icebreakers, deinhibitisers, energisers, brain teasers, lateral-thinking activities and team-building games. The unique feature of these games is that they can be conducted using simple or minimum props. Designed to provide hours of fun and learning, the book is a great resource for facilitators, trainers, camp organisers, teachers and student leaders to jazz up their workshops, camps and events.

Features of the book include:·

Step-by-step instructions for each game.
Variations on numerous games.·
‘Note to the Facilitator’ to highlight unique learning points that can be derived from the games.
Precise printouts that can be photocopied from the pages (or downloaded from the website).
Illustrations to help you understand how the games are played.

Available at:

Singapore: Kinokuniya, Times, Page One @ VIVO, Big Bookshop, Harris Bookstore and Republic Polytechnic Booklink.
Overseas: Kinokuniya (KLCC), MPH (Midvalley).
Distributed by Marketasia (www.marketasia.com.sg).

Taiwan's Itinerary

2009-12-01T15:18:00.005+08:00

The itinerary is considered FINALISED! Ready to be printed!! I will print extra copies for my friends and relatives (with maps)!

Time to go shop for a nice jacket!!! Time to dig out a nice suitcase!!!

I saw this Hideo Wakamatsu suitcase with Sakura flowers prints at Plaza Singapura a few days ago. It was damn damn damn nice!! And the price was $400++~~~~ for a medium piece!!!!! OMG!!!

Going to play in a sextet on 24th Dec. Some extra bucks, but it also means I can only go to my Christmas' party much much later. =(

Trina's Wedding

2009-11-27T01:14:00.006+08:00

Attended Trina's Wedding at Fullerton Hotel. The Ballroom was super grand. And means there goes my ~^$$^~. Helped her out in her tea ceremony reception. Thomas, Aline and I reached her condo at around 10 am and we were supposed to decorate the room. With our creativity, it was really nicely done up. My favourite part of the room was the "bells".

That was all in the day. Then it was quite a mad rush, clearing up the place. And then Thomas sending Aline and I home. Then I changed and left the house again. Walked to Tampines Central to get stockings for my dress! Before I knew it, it started pouring heavily. I waited for nearly half hour for the rain to stop. I was all wet, cos' of the strong wind too. At that moment, how I wished I had brought along an umbrella.

Ok... finally got my stockings as well as a shiny silvery eye shadow from Ettusias. Hehe. Then Thomas came to fetch us again. Yeah... to Fullerton we go! We were quite early and took lotsa photographs. Trina didn't come out till the first march-in. She was so pretty! And Fullerton's Ballroom was really really GRAND!

The food was good. We didn't have to take the food. Food was served to us on individual plates. It was so much fun teasing Thomas throughout the dinner. Of course, there were some wierd comments given by some colleagues, which I chose to ignore. Took more photos and then Thomas sent us home again. HEHE!

Have a BLISSFUL marriage, Princess Trina and Louis!

Finding a Husband

2009-11-26T23:15:00.002+08:00

Article by Candice Z. Watters

Some single women hang out with a "buddy," never requiring him to state his intentions. Others have pre-marital sex and don't understand why their "partner" has no momentum toward marriage. Most spend all their time with the same group, even though no one in that group is a possible marriage partner.

These habits are pretty good for preventing weekend loneliness. But the very things singles do to avoid being alone on Saturday nights may keep them alone for the rest of their lives.

Sadly, we're members of a generation which, on the whole, desires marriage, but doesn't know how to get there or believes there's no rush to make it happen.

It turns out there are things you can do to move a relationship forward. But you have to know what not to do first.

Resist the counterfeits
If you want a mate who respects you, you've got to respect yourself. That means setting high standards for your relationships. Are you the gal guys always come to for advice about other women? Do you spend all of your time with a guy who's not your boyfriend? If you've answered yes, you may need better boundaries to protect your heart and time. This will help you resist the temptation to spend your prime years and best self on counterfeits.

Retain sexual power
Unmet sexual longing is a powerful motivator for men and women alike. Many of our parents and grandparents, had short courtships thanks to this natural force. If you're having sex outside of marriage, you're diminishing your sexual power and your ability to find a good match. Men having their sexual needs met casually have fewer reasons to sign up for marriage.

Reassess your options
A lot of women have good friends who are men. They describe them by saying, "Oh, we're just friends; we've never thought of dating." Too often we overlook men in the "just friends" category because we're not "attracted" to them. Instead of asking who you're attracted to, start asking "Of my friends, who would be a good husband and father?" You might be surprised who you're attracted to!

Parents used to choose their daughters' husbands for them. You can be sure the last quality they considered was physical appearance. I'm not suggesting a return to those days — they had problems of their own — but we can borrow a principle from them: if a woman is paired with an upstanding man, love will have a chance to grow.

Check your expectations
A US report in 2002 detailed a trend among single men who have sex with their girlfriends but admit they'll never marry them because they're not "soul mates."

Most people want a mate who knows them at their deepest points and loves them fully. When asked to describe their soul mate, many singles imagine a person who "completes them" and who will love them exactly as they are and never ask them to change. But what happens when those two soul mates encounter the turbulence of marriage? These expectations cause them to doubt that they've found their "soul mate" after all.

Despite fantasies of marriage as an endless date, a lifelong partnership is actually about the day-to-day stuff of life: raising kids, paying bills, cleaning the house, etc. A lasting marriage requires commitment, no matter what. You have to go into it expecting highs and lows.

Ask the people you know for help
Until recently, marriage was, for most people, a primary purpose of life. Friends and relatives were willing partners in helping singles meet the eligible bachelors in their lives. If we only spend time with peers, the competition for available men will likely be fierce. But if we have friends in different life stages, it's probable they will know eligible men. And if these friends are believers in marriage they can be helpful allies.

Changing your way of relating to men may seem unnatural at first — and for some, not worth the effort. But if your goal is marriage, it makes sense to do what's in your power to achieve it. Don't misunderstand: there's no formula for making two people fall in love and commit their lives to one another. But you still have a part to play. And if you're doing things that lead you away from the altar, why not purposefully change direction?

Adapted from Finding a Husband by Candice Z. Watters

Copyright © 2003 Candice Z. Watters. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. This article was published on Boundless.org on February 23, 2006.

Preparations to Taiwan

2009-11-23T11:32:00.005+08:00

Finally sat down last Saturday and settled all the itinerary for my Taiwan Trip (9th to 15th Dec). There are going to be 10 of us on the trip in free and easy mode, and doing up the itinerary is really quite a headache.

The air tickets are expensive! S$756 on China Airlines. So the accommodation must be more budget. ^^

Just 3 more weeks to the trip. I hope all of us will have fun there! I will blog about this Taiwan trip. The last Japan and Korea trips weren't blogged.

After coming back from Taiwan, I will head to KL for four days! Going to stay at my cousin's house and also meet YQ who will also be there! I just wanna get away from Singapore.

Forget the people, forget the troubles and come back afresh.

Feeling all excited already!!

Best Wishes to Mr T

2009-11-22T01:04:00.002+08:00

I am very sad and know I will lose my good friend, Mr T, after what he told me over dinner just now. It further reasuured me that all men are all alike.

Life still has to carry on for me.

Kitty Lab

2009-11-19T23:47:00.006+08:00

I went to Kitty Lab today! It cost $35 just to go in. And worse of all, you cannot take photographs with all the Sanrio characters inside!! Basically, when you enter, you are given this KTA:

Then you go in, and a young guy tried to tell you the introduction to Dr. Kitty and his boomed-up hairdo. I guess the response would be good if he wasn't in Singapore. Good try to him trying to give some anticipation to his audience.

So you're to carry this KTA to all the stations. Each station is a kiddy-simple game. If you win the game, you can choose the shoes, hair, expression, clothes, friends, favourite food and horoscope. If you lost the game, the trait given will be random.

The place inside EXPO is very small. You can easily complete the whole thing within 15 minutes. If you complete all the stations within 35 minutes, you will get a Kitty badge:

At the end, there is this souvenir shop. I thought they would bring in a vast variety of Sanrio items for Kitty fans. But they didn't! It was only their Kitty 35th Anniversary mechandise. I got a pair of chopsticks at $15. I was hoping for more Sanrio stuff!

Well, I thought the whole Kitty Lab could have been done much better for the Kitty fanatics.

Satisfaction

2009-11-03T15:35:00.003+08:00

Even though the gifts were virtual, I'm glad they were from him. Even though I suspect it isn't him, the sight of seeing the name is satisfying enough.

After-post:
Indeed, after checking with him on MSN, it was from him.

泛溅、自讨苦吃

2009-10-26T11:27:00.003+08:00

人都是泛溅的。我是其中一个。为何有简单的日子不要过，得自讨苦吃，自找工作和烦恼？这是所谓的 "ego"　吗？

Thanks to YQ for reminding me I have a blog. Will be back to back-post some events. =)　

Journey 2009

2009-10-03T02:39:00.001+08:00

This year's concert was better than last. The pieces were more manageable. And with more number of sectionals, there was better cohesion amongst the V1. The only bad thing was an intensive 1.5 months of practices and rehearsals.

I must thank my students who came down to support. It was heartening to see that there are students who care for me too. At least, this is what will keep me in my job.

After the concert, there was this big group of us who headed down to Mr Bean's to chill. This is the third consecutive year we did this. And every time, the group gets bigger with the addition of new members, and older alumnus. HAHA!

It was quite a sad goodbye at the end. Throughout of this whole 1.5 months of interaction, I really took every time as a LAST time. The conductor said there will be no concert in 2010, and the next will be in March 2011. I wonder if my migration plans will have taken off by then. Though there are countless things and people I can't bear to leave, a new environment is tempting.

Alumus who came to support!

At Backstage

With Yong Quan

Full Orchestra

The Application

2009-08-04T14:54:00.001+08:00

I finally submitted my application for citizenship after procrastinating for 2 months. There were many documents to submit. And there was this lady inside the room that handles all the paperwork, and she looked like a lawyer. She was really fierce to me. And I was thinking, "What the hell?!" Eventually it was over.

Holding a Singapore passport will enable me to travel to many countries without a VISA, which is super troublesome. And this passport will allow for easier migration, I hope.

marry me

2009-03-20T13:53:00.002+08:00

a colleague told me today: the person you marry should be the best person whom you can tag-team with. not the one with the most romance.

how true. it has to be somebody to accept the ugliest part of you.

suddenly i feel like getting married. TOO. do you want to marry me? :)

A Friend

2008-12-04T14:56:00.002+08:00

A post going out for a friend called LINUS. Have you forgotten me? In the midst of your busy work schedule, we have stopped talking for ages. I wonder how are you doing now. Missed the times we chatted online. Take care, my friend.

Batam Trip

2008-11-18T23:38:00.001+08:00

Went to Batam last Sunday! Reached HarbourFront and waited for stupid Von to arrive. Collected our ferry tickets from BatamFast and had Mac for breakfast. We had signed up for a $148 package with KTM Resort. It includes a set lunch, body mask, body scrub, hydrobath and massage that last 3 hours in total. And we had to give extra $21 for don't know what ferry or sea tax.

We went to the gate at 910am only to realise the gate for our ferry closed at 0905am!!! OMG! We were so mad that the lady that issued the boarding pass to us did not tell us about the gate closing time issue. It's only our first time taking the ferry to Batam! She should have at least pointed it to us, cannot assume all customers frequent Batam right?!

Inside Penguin Ferry

So in the end, we went back to BatamFast and asked if we could transfer to a later ferry. Yes... with a fee of $2. So we had to pay $2 to transfer to Penguin Ferry to take us there at 1040am.

The ferry was not bad. At least it's air-con! It took about 45 minutes to reach Sekupang Terminal. The residents there are a bit rude, keep pushing their way through. Nonetheless, custom clearance was easy and we were out not long after. I pulled out the KTM Resort sticker and the KTM Resort driver immediately directed us to the mini bus which will transport us to the resort. Very EFFICIENT!

Inside the Mini Bus to KTM Resort

The trip to the resort only took 5 minutes! The resort looked decent, and it has a very huge white Guanyin statue and a place for worship inside the resort! Something that is so unexpected in that place!!

The resort rooms

Facing the Reception Area

The dining area

We went to the reception, and the receptionist suggested that we take our lunch before the massage, otherwise it will end late and we will be hungry. Actually the people in Batam speaks quite good English! So we proceeded with our Set lunch, that comes in a tub of rice that you cannot finish, cereal prawns, fried fish slices in tomato sauce and mixed stir-fried vegetables.

The food was quite delectable and we didn't dare eat too full cos of the massage that was coming up. We were about to leave the dining area when a guy server walked towards us with 3 big coconuts! HAHA! We forgot there's coconut drinks! We only drank a little and ate some flesh, cos we were afraid of puking later! Sigh... if only we didn't miss the early ferry!!!!!!

We took some pictures around the resort. But didn't walk around that much either, didn't take photo with the staircase carved out of a big tree root.

The murky green swimming pool that Adults need to pay 20 000 RP and Children 15 000 RP to swim. So yucky.

The atap-looking rooms behind us

KTM Resort

The Place for MASSAGE

SPA Villa

We proceeded to the waiting room and waited for slightly more than half hour before it was our turn. We requested to do all the scrub and massage together in a room. Hence they prepared three massage beds for us. The SPA Villa faces the sea, so any boats that go pass can look in. Lucky they have got many curtains to block unnecessary stares.

Waiting Room

It started with a scrub on the back, totally so comfortable that I wanna fell asleep. Following was a mask. Then flip over to the front and the same thing repeated. 45 minutes for this. Then Von and I put on tube sarong, ready for Jaccuzzi!! Poor JH couldn't join us... must be the COCONUT?!?!

I was amazed at the size of the Jaccuzzi tub!! It was meant for three people. I had to climb two steps to climb into the tub. AND most wonderful of all, the water was BUBBLED! SUPER wonderful experience!! Von and I pitied JH who can't join us. 15 minutes for this.

We were served hot ginger tea after the Jaccuzzi. Then it was the last part - one hour massage.

We tipped each of our massager S$5. Haha, Von was afraid they might curse us if we didn't. We left the resort by Taxi ($15 per taxi) to Batam Center. The ride was about 20 minutes, and cars on the roads were a bit... dangerous.

First thing upon reaching Batam Center was to buy ferry tickets!! It was only 430pm and the 630pm ferry was already sold out. So we bought the 8pm one instead. That also gave us good time to walk in Batam Mall and in the ferry terminal. We first checked out on Ralph Lauren's Polo. There were three RP shops in the terminal!! The first look at the Polo, you couldn't differentiate which were imitates. So we only checked out the prices.

Later, we crossed the bridge to go over to Batam Mall. There we exchange some SGD to RP cos we had to eat dinner! The money changer gave me 100 000 RP extra. I wasn't that honest enough to return him. Hence this 100 000 RP was used to offset our A&W dinner.

Yummy curly fries!

After dinner, we went to the basement to get some things from the hypermart. REALLY cheap stuff there! We bought many sanitary pads there... and toiletries. CHEAP CHEAP. JH and I got J.CO doughnuts which were so much cheaper! I bought 6 for only 30 000 RP, amount to about SGD4.

It was time to go back to the ferry terminal to get POLO tee. After much comparison, we finally decided on one shop. And it happens to be the REAL RL! People, the shop has original RL logo and it's quite easy to differentiate. You have to see that the colours of the POLO are consistent, and the logo is neatly embroidered. The imitates have running colours and the logos were ugly-ly machine-stitched. And they dare to sell at the same price!!! So don't get conned! BUY ORIGINAL!

We boarded the full two-tier ferry back to SG. We were so tired we slept. Just a distance to dock, we were stopped by Coast Guards. The ferry stopped for nearly 20 minutes! Some police came on board to check passports. We only managed to clear customs at about 11pm. SO MANY PEOPLE clearing customs.

It was late already, so we decided to cab back. There were SO MANY PEOPLE again queuing for taxis. Nearly 50 of them in front of us. But I was really lucky and a cab saying "TAMPINES" came by the minute we stepped out of Mac. And no one actually stayed in Tampines???? Wah... hence I took that taxi back. SUPER SUPER HENG.

Batam trip again? OF COURSE! The next time, we three will be in the Jaccuzzi tub. =)

SE Journey 2008 - Worst Concert Ever

2008-09-27T01:59:00.005+08:00

Oh my goodness... my blog is as good as none! I miss those days where I just sit in front of my comp blogging! I have yet to type in ANYTHING for my June's Korea trip. How worse can I get?

So, I've decided to sit down and do a blog entry on this year's Journey concert. This year's repertoire is much much manageable than last year's. I always enjoyed Bach's string pieces and his Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 is my favourite. However, this year seemed to be very rushed. I felt that there wasn't enough practices and rehearsals were not very proper. Perhaps ZH felt the pieces were easier, and the increase in the number of better players this year, as such, even on the day of concert I was feeling really lousy.

What I hate most is those CXXXX people who come and go as they like, don't listen to conductor, don't attend sectionals regularly, and worse of all, LIE so innocently!!! But of cos not all of them are like that.

But in V1 Section, it was terrible. I even asked if they are playing V2 for Brandenburg, and they replied yes. When audience clapped and we started the piece, they were BLOODY HELL playing V1. WHAT THE F***!

Being the fifth stand, we can't even hear the front stands! In the end, our Sinfonia and Concertos, I just merely air bow! FEEL LIKE CRYING! All these years I've playing, even the most difficult John Williams pieces, I also never air bow loh!!

Hence that makes my determination to do Grade 8 in Violin in the next two years.

Want to thank my colleagues and their partners who came to support me. They commented that the band could not make it. Horns were OUT OF TUNE. And their entries were bad. Sigh. No budget, what to do.

One thing good about this concert was that YT came back to play with me!! My stand-partner I dearly missed last year. And some good friends made - YQ and WK! YQ is like 6 years my junior in MSE. HAHA! But he is a really funny guy. Without him, practices would be boring!

Some pictures to share:

YQ and I

KY and I

WK and I

YT and I

The V1 Section

Samantha and I

The Orchestra (not full)

Taken after the Concert

Hope next year's concert will be better!

April 2008

2008-04-20T15:09:00.003+08:00

Hi Everyone! I have not forgotten the password to my blog. I'm just too tight-up with mostly - work. It has been so long you've never heard from me. I guess I have to start typing in my entries soon.

I managed to go for a good trip last December to Japan, namely at Tokyo to Osaka. It was fun! I have never been to such a cold country where I have to wear Winter clothings. Hence I prepared heat packs, turtle-neck cotton wear and a big black knee-length jacket from Winterland! However,my legs froze as the cold wind blew as I only have one layer - jeans. Japan is a really nice place. Its citizens are courteous and civilized. Their country is so clean and so organised.

I've had the tastiest RAMEN at ramen museum. Its soup is so creamy!!

For more photos you can log onto my Facebook. HEHE.

Cheers for the year ahead! School has been fine. I'm adjusting really well, and I've learnt to handle all the tasks we're given. There's just so much work, and multi-tasking is one BIG skill you have to have. I've also learnt to work more efficiently, and now I am able to spend more time on TV and sleep. =)

Next, would be spending time with my friends. There's just so many friends I haven't kept in contact, like Yuhua, David, Jiehui, Choon Pang, Yvonne, Meihui, my String friends, NIE friends. I miss them all! I have not forgotten all of you!!

He is A.T.T.A.C.H.E.D.

2007-11-13T19:08:00.000+08:00

He is attached. No wonder he didn't ask me out on my birthday. I will never get my ruby gems from him. SIGH. Whatever will happen, will happen. What is not mine, will never be mine.

Journey 2007

2007-09-30T12:21:00.000+08:00

Journey 07 ended yesterday night at NAFA Theatre. This year we didn't have much time for rehearsals. That explains why my bowings were messy as well as I can't manage a few parts of the repertoire. SIGH. Never felt this helpless before. I even felt like pulling out at the last minute.

Rehearsals were screwed up. But luckily, we managed to pull through the concert. Barber in Seville was never-ever so nicely played. I was like "WOW" after the struck of the last chord.

Harold in Italy was ok. Not as bad as I thought it would. Tchaikovsky's String Serenade was ok. Managed to do Waltz properly. Sun Ke's Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto was good!!

There were alumni who came to watch. Some unexpected faces, and some older alumni were back. It's heart-warming to see alumni giving us their support! Yiting gave me a blue flower!! I LOVE BLUE FLOWERS!! THANK YOU YITING!

After the packing up, we sat at Mr Bean's. The usual thing we always do after concerts. The food is quite nice! HEHE. Left the place at about 115am. Was really very tired. Burnt-out over the whole week's daily rehearsals. My left shoulder and arm is very very tired! Have to put YOKO YOKO. And got a red mark on my shoulder. PAINFUL!

Some photos:

Andeline and I

Me, Gerard, Yiting

Violin I Section

Full Orchestra with Dr Yeo in Viola Solo

Full Orchestra Group Photo

NOW IT'S BACK TO WORK!

BOO HOO

2007-09-28T12:17:00.000+08:00

The website I pay to download music is now closed!!! AND I HAVE CREDITS WITH THEM!!!! NOW I CAN'T GET MY MONEY BACK!!!

And I only realised it today!!! IT WAS CLOSED DOWN 3 MONTHS AGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBSSSSSSSSSSSS

2007-09-21T19:58:00.000+08:00

Flowers for Jiehui on her Birthday

Changes

2007-08-08T22:47:00.000+08:00

Hiiiii, it has beeeeeeen so long since I blogged. Ever since school started, I have been kept super busy. Cannot really take it anymore. Everyday go home at 6pm, and I was locked in the staff room last Friday!!! Just feel like crying inside!!

Anyway, so many changes took place in school. Feel like crying!! Now need to draw markers and only got one ream of white plain paper for the whole semester. Why must we be restricted to all these when they are a necessity??? I just don't understand the management. They always decide things without consulting us. And stick a piece of dumb white paper on the wall above the photocopy machine one early morning to "inform" us of the change. I mean, can't they just inform IN ADVANCE during the torturous weekly staff meeting?!?!?!?! ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! And now, they want to rearrange the tables in the staff room. I think I'm going to get affected. Anyway, maybe one day when I reached school, I won't find my things there. BECAUSE they will take action before informing.

Was so stressed up over the second observation. In the end, Number 2 wasn't free to come in. So only RO came in. Damn damn stressed. Cos' it's my second chance to prove myself. Luckily, the review was good. I hope Number 2 won't have time to come in in Term 4 and RO can submit this observation for evaluation.

MH is coming home this Friday!! YEAH! Don't know to feel happy or sad. Happy because there will be someone to enjoy food with me. Sad because the house will be noisy and the toilet will smell and more plates to wash. BOO HOO.

Went house hunting for the past few weeks. Most probably the en bloc will be successful. So tiring to go house after house man!! Cos our criteria is so high. Mum wants a good and big kitchen, MK wants a room by himself which means the house must have four bedrooms, rooms must be big enough to put study tables, wardrobes and beds, and for me, another piano. Then the house cannot face east or west, must be accessible, and most importantly must give a good home feeling. SO you say la, how difficult it is?!!??! Then there were a few choices to select from. Eventually, we got the last house we saw. Haha. 145 sq m. Expensive, cos' property prices are so damn high now. Now still undergoing paper work. It'll be done maybe in Nov. Then we'll renovate the house, and move in hopefully by June 08. Hehe. When MH comes back, we can show him the house.

1st Blood Test

2007-07-04T00:35:00.000+08:00

There was a free blood test for all staff today. With MUCH effort making time out of my heavy timetable today, 200 cc of my blood was taken out from my left hand. I even signed for extra tests to be done on my blood. Total cost was $188. ZZZZZZ heart pain.

The needle didn't make much pain at all! I was so surprised by the gentleness of the nurse. But my blood flowed so slowly, I sat there for more than 5 min to get 200 cc of blood out. And my left hand was numb throughout cos' the nurse did not loosen the constriction band on my arm.

HMMMM..... even more thoughts has to be put in if I want to donate my blood. My brother always asks me to donate blood, but I fear that HUGE needle. Now with my blood flowing so SLOWLY, how much time will I need to fill that bag of blood?!?! Oh man, I think my whole body will go numbbbbbbbbbbbb.

Back from Beijing

2007-06-01T00:42:00.000+08:00

Oh I'm back! The trip was overall - FUN. Of course, there were many times when I was pissed off by my students. The food was not bad, despite most of the meals were vegetable-based. The best of all is I managed to eat my MA LA NIU WA and SHUI ZHU YU.

The hotel stays were memorable - all alone by myself! HEHE. Then some teachers and I went drinking beer and eat meat-sticks and talked. It was a really enjoyable time together. The tour guides were also nice. I managed to have some good chat sessions with them.

Didn't buy much there. Only a HU LU SI (chinese musical instrument that is like a flute blown vertically). A top that I can wear for racial harmony day. A packet of dried MA LA steamboat paste.

I think I don't mind going again next year. Just hope I go with the same company again. ^_^

Trip to Beijing

2007-05-22T22:41:00.000+08:00

Tom afternoon, I'll be flying to Beijing. Taking Singapore Airlines there! WOW! I wanna watch movies and listen to music and play games!!! I hope my students DON'T bother me!!! It'll be a 6-hour flight there, reaching there around 11pm. Then we have to take the coach for about 45 min, then perhaps wait another 1 hour to check-in. I just hate the process of checking-in. Then have to unpack, bathe and check on the STUDENTS!!! Then, sleep. I think it'll be around 2:30am already!!! SHUCKS LOH!! And guess what? Have to wake up at 6am again! And they will have breakfast, travel to school in coach for half hour, and hopefully reaching the school by 730am where the school will welcome us with..... Lion Dance perhaps? HAHA!

Oh man! I'm foreseeing SUPER boredom when students go for their lessons. Maybe I'll just nap in the lounge. I HOPE THERE IS A LOUNGE FOR US!

Ever since Minkie went to serve the nation, the house is left with 4 members. A nice number to sit round the coffee table for table while enjoying the 7pm drama serials and MH complaining about brown rice. Then MH left for US, leaving 3 members. So I made a point to always be home for dinner. Now I'm going Beijing tomorrow, the house will be cold with 2 members. =( And when July comes, it'll be left with me cos' my parents will be away in Japan and MH won't be back yet. LONELY LONELY ME!

I hope to be able to relax and have fun during the China trip. Then when I'm back, it's hectic cos' next day gotta give out report books and surely got SJAB camp stuff to settle. Then 3rd June will be going Subang Jaya, then to Redang!! WAHAHA! Alrite, I must remember to work too. Time is not enough.

Happy 22nd Birthday Carey!! *Ribit Ribit!*

Letter from Management

2007-05-20T14:23:00.000+08:00

*To:*

*Subject:*

Letter from Management to All Employees

*To all Employees: *

*Effective January 2007*

*Dress Code *

1. It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your salary. If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a pay raise.
2. If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a pay raise.
3. If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a pay raise.

* Sick Days*

We will no longer accept a doctor's certificate as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

*Holiday Days*

Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturday & Sunday.

*Compassionate Leave*

This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have non-employees attend to the arrangements. In rare cases where employee involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour and subsequently leave one hour early.

*Toilet Use*

1. Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the cubicles.
2. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the cubicle door will open, and your picture will be taken.
3. After your second offence, your picture will be posted on the company notice board under the "Chronic Offenders" category.
4. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sanctioned under the company's mental health policy.

*Lunch Break*

1. Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more so that they can look healthy.
2. Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
3. Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. Remember we are an employer of choice and we are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

* Management*

Overseas to Beijing

2007-05-19T23:09:00.000+08:00

3 more days and I'll be in Beijing already. This time is not with my family, but STUDENTS. Yes... they are going for an immersion trip. Good thing about going there is I get to eat "MA LA" food again!!! YUMMY! And I get to go to BIG bookshop to buy books!!!!! YEAH!!! BAD side is the boring part with the kids and no free time to do own stuff. Anyway, I will look forward to coming back, because I'll be going Redang again!! This time is with my parents and auntie and uncle. YEAAAAH!! I'm going to the clear waters and nice beach with fine sand!!!!

Look at what I found on the internet!! A newspaper generator!! So cool!

This is the Nike bag I bought! The borders are lime green, and the bag is dark navy blue in colour. NICE NICE??

The Phantom of The Opera

2007-04-08T21:33:00.000+08:00

I must say the opera was SUPER DUPER FANTASTIC!!!!!!! CP, JH and I went to watch the matinee show today at Esplanade and our seats were very good!! Close to the stage and eye-level!! Everything was so perfect!

The stage was very cleverly put up, with many beautiful backdrops, props, curtains and smooth transitions between the scenes. And there were gun shots and some pyrotechnics that blinded my eyes!!

Then there was the beautiful songs and voices from the cast. The price for the ticket was totally worth the show!! You should have seen the chandelier moved up and down, and the Phantom suspended in the middle of the hall. Read: HALL, not STAGE! And in the Phantom's lair, the water was so real-like and the boat moved with perfect ease. The water was done by lotsa smoke from the dry ice. Then there were "electric" candles that were so pretty and they actually "reflected" in the water. I love that scene best!!

After the intermission, Act 2 was the Masquerade and I was totally dazzled by the bright and colourful costumes and lightings!! It was REALLY spectacular!

The show ended with the Phantom performing a "magic" trick! He covered himself with a black cloth and POOF! He disappeared right in front of everybody!! WOW!!! REALLY GREAT SHOW! If you would like the full story, you would have to see the film version because the show ended with Meg holding onto the mask and looking at the audience. I WANNA WATCH IT AGAIN! This is the best musical I've watched!! SPLENDID!! Or as Raoul said when Christine was singing "Think of Me" in Hannibal: BRAVO!!!

I bought the program booklet ($25) and mug ($15) as momento. The mask on the mug appears when hot water is poured in. HAHA! I LOVE IT!

Looking for A New House

2007-04-06T21:34:00.000+08:00

My area has finally been successfully en-bloc-ed. I have always wanted to move to a new home. Now the chance is here.

The problem now is the search for a new house. My mum wants to stay back in Tampines. *SIGH* So we are searching for flats around Tampines MRT. I want to renovate my own room. Paint nice colours, make a L-shape table, a TV point, LAN point, phone point, AIR CON unit, music corner with my piano and jigsaw and nice curtains. Oh man, this is just too exciting!!!

On the other hand, I think I'm going to miss my neighbours. They are so tolerant with my heavy banging of Beethoven's Sonatas and chicken-screeching violin out-of-tunes. You have seen or heard so many stories of nasty neighbours. I am afraid to meet one!!!!

And I'm going to miss this current flat I'm staying for 19 years - the familiar route from Qiaonan Primary School to my home, the CC where I first learnt piano, art, tuition, reading room which I used to study to survive my O levels, the 292 bus stop where my first bf picked me up from, the park where I broke up with my last bf and the view out from my bedroom's window. There are just too many to state.

But there are also many unhappy moments which I want to forget - the piece of wall where my mum banged my head into, the window in the kitchen which I wanted to jump off from, my bedroom's door where I used to close to cry inside...

Anyway, I look forward to my new home.

Life

2007-03-24T21:30:00.000+08:00

My colleague's mother passed away. The second impact came to her less than a month later - her husband contracted cancer. My primary. secondary and JC friend cum neighbour lost her mother too. It was an unexpected death. I attended two wakes in a week. During the wakes, they grieved over their mothers' death and recalled the good old days with their mothers. Unknowingly, my tears also struggled around the rims of my eyes, and dripped uncontrollably.

I'm glad my family members are well. Treasure them before it's too late.

1st break

2007-03-06T20:45:00.000+08:00

CNY was over very soon. It was not the first time I didn't enjoy myself much. Maybe the time spent with cousins was too short. Maybe I felt left out by my cousins. But the food was good this year, because my mum spent lotsa time preparing food in SG and bringing it over to MSIA.

Since I don't know when, I started to change. I became anti-social. Is it due to my busy schedule? Friends jio me out, but I just don't feel like going out. I prefer to spend time with myself. Why am I like this?

I'm not producing good results at work. It's really disheartening. Sigh, and I know I cannot satisfy everybody and make everybody like me. The one week break is coming. I'm looking forward to take a good break.

Last week I went for SPA course. And I met my secondary 4 form teacher!! Oh man! I was so delighted to see him again after 9 years!! And the best is HE REMEMBERED ME!!! Then I realised he is actually quite tall leh! I think he is taller than 1.8m We chatted quite a bit and I got to understand him a lot more. I even asked him a question whether is he a jovial person in realistic. He replied it was his first year of teaching and he heard many terrible stories about my class, and many teachers were telling him about my class. Hence, he had to put a stern face. But he added that my class was his best class with 100% distinction in Science. After our class, he used our results to motivate his other classes. He also added that he would used a different appraoch for my class now - show more care and concern. He also said that many classmates were spoilt. But I didn't ask who. One thing that didn't change was that he was still defensive of himself. The second day of training, he was only there for 2 hours. I'm touched he remembered me.

Teachers will touch your hearts. Even though my whole class hated him, I am glad he made a difference in my life.

I hope this will push me on. Meanwhile, I must take a good break. 2 sets of Korean drama are waiting for me.

At a Cross-Junction

2007-02-07T23:10:00.000+08:00

Long time no post. Haiz. Firstly CONGRATS to my conductor on his marriage! Playing Wedding March at his church was a very great experience. YT actually teared during the solemnisation. Oh man! The bride was so PRETTY!!

Have been very busy everyday ever since the opening of school. 6pm is my average daily knock-off time. *sobz* There is so much work to be done. After I go home, still need to work till 12 midnight. Some days I am just so tired that I sleep at 10pm. In school, there is hardly free time to do markings too. Not even say to reply SMSes. *SOBZ even louder*

I haven't been going out, very long time never go catch a movie. Only been to Eastpoint Mall and Tampines Central to buy necessities. Basically, biscuits, coffee and Pokkey (is this how you spell?) to put in office. And I have developed 10 photographs to put them on my softboard. Part of my softboard is magnetic, so I lined them up and stick them using magnets. So when I'm down, there is you supporting me! I needa get a life soon!!

I'm feeling quite sad today. "Do you understand what I mean, Jessica? You cannot write in this way." my supervisor was telling me. She was going through the Work Review Form with me. Basically this form is like Appraisal Form. Somehow I felt reprimanded. I'm supposed to typed in my targets for the year and let her vet. It's SO difficult to type the stupid form, because there are so many guidelines to follow. Plus my poor command of ENGRISH, I just hate to do it!! Plus plus the stupid brain of mine in its stupid shell. Hello, I don't even have a sample on how to write that thing loh! I HATE ADMIN WORK! IT'S ENDLESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just wanna teach and do marking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't even have time to come up with a creative lesson!! WHY is my job so contradicting!?!?!??!?! I'm so confused now! What am I assessed for? Whom do I care first - me or the students? WHO comes first?!?!!?!?

Rain's New Movie

2007-01-24T01:11:00.000+08:00

Look at this! Muahaha!! Although critics say the movie is not good, and Rain himself said, "You have to watch this movie to see Jung Ji Hoon, not Rain.", I will go watch it!

Till now I don't really understand why he said that. Maybe I'll let you know when I've watched it.

Rain's World Tour: Singapore

2007-01-21T23:56:00.000+08:00

I WENT I WENT I WENT!!!!!! Although it was the cheapest ticket, I could see him because my seat section is nearest the stage at the circle seats. I grabbed MOS Burger from TM and took cab down to Indoor Stadium. TM was full of people waiting for cab, so I went over Century Square and there was no queue at ALL!!! Easily, I reached the stadium around 730pm. The concert is at 8pm.

The overview of the stadium. People are slowly going in. And I saw Renfred from Campus Superstar there too!

Then I found the East entrance and there was so many people. So I queued and got into the indoor stadium.

There was sales of Rain's limited edition stuff!!! OMG! There were many people crowding around the table. Hence I decided to go toilet first. And the queue was LOOOOOOOOOOONG. After toilet, I went to grab Rain's limited edition stuff! I got his calendar, program booklet and handphone strap. Total damage to wallet = $68. I regretted not getting the cap because when I saw people wore them, it was so chio loh, with his signature at the side of the cap. There was also towel set, postcards, facial masks, notebook, pendant, POP poster, DVD... And I met this IDIOTIC guy who cut my queue. TMD. Not gentlemanly at all. That explains why he is ugly, cos' he has negative kharma. BLEAH.

8pm. People were still going in. I found my seat at 815pm after waiting to buy Rain's stuff at the stall. It was then that I realised my seat was not bad. HAHA.

View from the top. See... the stage is so near me.

830pm. Fans were shouting "Jung Ji Hoon" repeatedly. And there were cheers. It's starting, I tell myself. Heart is feeling excited.

The lights went out. ~~~~~SCREAMS~~~~~~ The backdrop fell and drums thump!! Fire sparks went up. Music came. It's the arrival of a submarine. Pyrotechnics went beaming around the whole stadium. One of the central screens lifted up, and a white life-size submarine appeared. It then "exploded" into two, sideways, and there was Rain, half-kneeling, in white overall suit and Aviator sunglasses.

~~~~~SCREAMS~~~~~~

The concert started with the song - It's Raining. Fans were cheering and screaming. The atmosphere was high; warming-up was not needed. A few songs followed with great dancing steps and perfect music-dance-action-effect timings. Effects were like the stamping of his foot in-sync with the drums and fireworks. Yes... there were REAL fireworks!! And there were lotsa them!!! OMG! It was SPECTACULAR!!!

Rain spoke in English. It was not bad, though some of the words wasn't pronounced accurately. But it was good enough to let him communicate with the audience. He teased the audience when they screamed as he attempted to take off his sunglasses. He's so cute!!!! Then there was one segment where Rain changed into Chinese Kungfu clothes and demonstrated Drunken-Fist. COOL!!! At the two sides of the stage were also long red translucent cloth that wrote "Zui Quan" in Chinese and his concert logo.

Of cos, there was RAIN. It is his famous segment of all his concerts - singing, kneeling under the rain. Rain called all of us - his babies.

All his songs were with good dance steps. The song on the two conveyor belts was quite an eye-opener. He was singing with a standing microphone studded with crystals and moving sleekly on the two contrary motion conveyor belts. Who says only Stephanie Sun has crystal-studded microphone? Rain's one is a standing microphone. More crystals than Stephanie Sun. What's the big hoo-ha about her microphone?

Back to the concert.... Then there was throwing of towels after he wiped his sweat to the audience, and a bouquet of flowers. *Meltzzz* He was holding on to his left hand at the last few songs. I could feel his hand hurt but was still performing at his best. Towards the end, Rain was saying his thank you's. I was sad it was ending. I was tearing a bit because he was so sincere in saying his thanks - thank us for supporting him, and that he will always perform his best, work hard and also his uncertainty in breaking the US market. The last song was Friends. And he stood in the central stage, got elevated up, and wings appeared on the screen behind him.

Then he kissed goodbye to all of his audience. He is so dashing, so charismatic... *meltzzzz*

Encore piece....... he was dressed in red cotton sporty overall with "Rain's World" printed at the back. It was a lively piece, ending the whole 2-hour performance.

Curtain call.

Rain once again kissed goodbye to his audience.

************************************************************************************

I hope Rain will come give a concert in Singapore again.

East entrance was nearest to the bus stop. At the bus stop, there were 3 buses waiting there! Each going to Boon Lay, Tampines, and Woodlands. WOW! Got direct bus! I didn't know SBS would do this kind of arrangement. I wonder whether it was Unusual Productions who arranged for these buses. Nonetheless, the bus journey cost $2 but brought me back home in half an hour. While waiting for the bus to depart, I saw a crowd of people outside the stadium. Then there was flashes of light from cameras. I wonder if those people are taking photos with Rain!!! Cos' there wasn't many people at the bus stop!

Rain, hope you have a good rest and all the best for your world tour. I'll support you.

Sweet dreams tonight. ^_^

Screwed

2007-01-04T02:02:00.000+08:00

Screwed my first lesson with my form class. Didn't want to. It's all because I didn't prepare well enough. Haiz. Must put more effort from next week onwards.

I went to search for my student's blog. Enter a few keywords and you can actually find them very easily. And once you find one, you find the rest. Because they are all linked.

Note of warning: It might be demoralising to read their comments.

So well, I found one. And it was on this screwed lesson. And I realised one thing - besides giving stern faces on the first day, the first lesson is equally important. It determines the impression you give the students - whether you're a good teacher or not. And this first impression is screwed by me. I hate myself.

Everything just started wrongly. We should never NEVER NEVER be introduced as trainee teachers. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT MAKES MY LIFE DIFFICULT.

Only You

2007-01-02T02:16:00.000+08:00

Finished another Korean soapy before school opens! This show is quite nice. The starting is fast. But however when it gets to episode 4 onwards, the show becomes draggy. It kind of spoils the good starting. Nevertheless, it has a happy ending, so you should watch. Haha!

The second female lead (in pink) is also the second female lead who acted in Sang Doo! Let's Go To School (together with Rain). She looked prettier in Sang Doo. However her role in this show wasn't bad.

The male lead (in white) has charisma. Hoo hoo. I wonder why they always never fail to charm me. Hiak hiak.

New Year's Eve Dinner

2007-01-01T13:52:00.000+08:00

Happy 2007!! Von, JH, CP and I met at Taka Crystal Jade Ginseng Chicken Restaurant for dinner last night. It's supposed to be Korean cuisine. The cost is not cheap, plus we needed to wait for quite a while even though we made a booking. Here's what we ate:

Ginseng chicken, seafood in spicy soup (inside there's cod fish, flower crab, scallop, prawns, golden mushrooms, udon, toufu, mussels, seaweed, Japanese fish cake) and Teriyaki chicken. SO filling loh!!! I couldn't even finish my rice. Worth to eat! Will go there again if I have the chance to!!!

After drinks at Coffee Bean, CP drove us to his condo in his white Mazda 3. At his place, we played poker where Von made a lot of stupid yet funny stunts. Then she went to watch Goong on CP's pc and the 3 of us played 3-legged majong.

JH fell asleep very quickly after we turned in. Left me and Von there doing stupid things - disturbing each other on bed. Haha... in the end she also fell asleep. But it was fun. She has her cute side.

Christmas!

2006-12-25T15:52:00.000+08:00

Christmas is always a wonderful festival. Because it
1. falls in the long holidays,
2. the weather is cooling/raining giving the cooling and soothing atmosphere,
3. the streets and roads are decorated with happy lights,
4. people exchange presents,
5. time for feasting.

This year it is special. It's the first time we did a Christmas party. It was held at CP's Bukit Timah Condo. There was CP (of cos), Marvin, YX, Von, JH, Mr A1 and Mr A2. There was lotsa food - pizza, fishball, turkey, chocolates, log cake, ice cream and tidbits. There was majong, poker cards and jigsaw. CP's house is REALLY nice. What I missed out was the Christmas lights in Orchard.

JH's present for me. It included this nice card with my wired-name. I feel so guilty not putting enough effort for my presents.

CP's present for me. Snow globe that has a button that keeps the snow flying all over. Special!

Von's present for me. Paper bag charm. LOL. The real thing is not ready yet... so she printed the design on paper and put into a nice box. Fainted when I opened it.

Marvin gave me a really nice pen holder. Just in time for use in school.

Our log cake from Taka Basement 2. Nice cake!!

It was a great get-together. Too bad Von had stomache and didn't sleep over with us. Only JH and I stayed over.

Looking forward to parties and gatherings!

2006-12-16T23:41:00.000+08:00

X'mas party is coming up at CP's house!! I'll be in charge of making sandwiches, fishballs and deep-fried chicken wings. Woohoo!! I don't mind the hastle, cos' it's worthwhile preparing for luscious food!!!! *Dripping saliva* I'm a good cook I must say. I've got common sense for cooking food. HAHA!

Marvin will be in charge of turkey, JH and Von will be in charge of the Christmas Tree and deco! Haha! But I'll be doing shopping together with them coming Wed! Oh man! Great! CP will be providing his house to us, a Condo in BUKIT TIMAH! *gasp* He will buy log cake. Heh. *drools*

And CP hates eating spaggetti!! WHY?? Spaggetti is so nice loh! I mean minus the not-nice ones la. And home-made spaggetti is good! Remember you have to get Prego's spaggetti sauce, or Leggo's Carbonara sauce. Mix them with minced meat, tomatoes, mushrooms.... then finally add a dash of herbs and olive oil! Oh man! Why didn't he know how to appreciate spaggetti? Sigh.

Carey told me she WILL be going back Rengam for CNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? I was already preparing myself not to be able to see the silly "kali-doi" for CNY 07. Looks like now I have something to look forward to. Carey I MISS U A LOT!

The one in red is "kali-doi". And the rest are my cousins. CNY is so fun, cos I get to see my cousins. Taken in CNY 06.

I hope to have more taken in CNY 07. Hope to see Carey soon!

There has been so many questions to me from others: Why didn't you convert to be Singaporean?

Besides the latest change in lowering PR's and foreigners medical subsidies, no edusave, no Singapore Shares, non-requirement for VISAs to many countries, list me some benefits I can have. I might consider. The feeling of stucked in between is bad. Where do I belong?

Old Things

2006-12-15T17:29:00.000+08:00

While packing my room, I found this:

PSLE receipt!! The signature is of course not mine. It's my form teacher's Ms Lee Bee Horng. Wow... I still remember her full name! The number "6" on the right corner is my register number.

HAHA! I keep lotsa rubbish.

End of NIE

2006-12-10T12:57:00.000+08:00

Ever since the end of NIE courses, I've been slacking at home. Worst of all, I've been mapling and watching Korean soap dramas.

I finished watching My Girl:

I like the ending... Haha! Another shuai ge in the show. I always feel that pictures doesn't really show the shuai-ness, it's always during the show, that I feel they are shuai! Perhaps they have what they called - CHARISMA!

Second show that I watched is Sassy Girl - Chun Hyang:

An easy to watch drama, not soapy enough though. I thought the ending was a bit draggy. But it's quite nice to watch!

Third show - Snow White (aka Sweet Love):

I don't like the ending!!!! Why didn't she end up with the shuai ge? Haiz!

In progress - Which Star Are You From?

The male lead is the one from Love At Harvard. I think he is a good actor! Another one of the charismatic guys!!

JB Trip

2006-12-08T23:46:00.000+08:00

Woke up early this morning... meeting Bao, Mic, MC and Phil. We are going JB to shop, eat and do nails. From Bugis, we took the Singapore-JB Express over to JB. The customs was considered smooth. Then we walked over to City Square where we waited an hour for Phil to meet us. We were so super hungry, and hurried to an eating place. So we chose this - Hong Kong Kim Gary Restaurant at B2. We waited a while for our table cos' it was quite packed! Business is good! There is also a newly opened outlet at Vivo City.

And guess who is the spokesperson for the restaurant? It's Huang Zhong Ze!!

He is so dashing loh!!!

And so... prepare some tissue for ur dripping saliva... here's what we ate:

MC ate fish fillet spaggetti in corn sauce.

Phil ate this pork chop in hot stone. It's very delicious and value for money.

I ate this fried chicken wings in ramen in typhoon shelter style. Quite spicy with lotsa fried garlic as garnishings. Tasty wor. And it's a VERY big bowl. Mic had something similar, except his was pork chop instead of chicken wings.

Bao had this - Nissan Chu1 Qian2 Yi4 Ding1 noodles. ZZZ. So not worth it. I also know how to cook this.

And I forgot to take a picture of our mango ice dessert!!!! Delicious! And very filling!!

After which, we took teksi(taxi) to Holiday Inn Plaza. It should cost you only RM$6. Don't get cheated. There, the girls did our nails, and the guys went for body massage. I did pedicure-spa, cost RM$100. Bao and MC did manicure and pedicure. Bao even added the 3D decorations on her toes. HAHA! NICE!

I bought 2 posters there!! Rain's one!!! HAHA! The shop didn't have Hacken Lee's one.

Shop location: Wumeng Enterprise. Holiday Plaza. Jalan Dato Sulaiman. Taman Century. Top floor.
Tel: 07-334 7450

Besides these 2, I got a third one for my friend - her favourite Goong poster. Total cost for 3 posters was RM$27. She gave me only $3 discount. Nevertheless, I was happy with the posters as they are big!!

It was already 7pm when we left Holiday Plaza. We took teksi again to Taman Sri Tebrau (Da4 Ma3 Hua1 Yuan2) for dinner. Teksi should cost you RM$5. We ordered steamed fish, da4 tou2, sambal kang kong, black pepper crab, chilli crab and hotplate toufu. The fish wasn't nice. We ordered red garoupa, but it came a black one instead. Felt cheated. When we asked the aunty, she said, "It's red garoupa." Duh. Like we don't know the skin should be red instead of black. We didn't pursue the matter. I just felt that the price we paid, we could have gotten better food in JB. I won't go there again.

Took cab to customs. RM$6. Mic bought the Ramlee burger there. We stood there and eat. RM$2 vs S$2. HAHA! Same burger, different price. Reached home about 11pm. ZZZ. A day spent without slacking at home! HAHA!

Nice X'mas Snow Globe!!!

2006-11-29T23:03:00.001+08:00

2005 Christmas Snow Globe Shake the snow globe and watch the people inside fly around!

Happy Marriage to Hacken and Emily

2006-11-28T17:54:00.000+08:00

May Hacken and Emily have a Blissful Marriage! Zao3 Shen1 Gui4 Zhi3!

Finally My Sneakers

2006-11-20T18:52:00.000+08:00

I finally got my new pair of sneakers!!!!

Addidas!! Gold colour!! And it's on offer!!! Original price is $89.90... after 15% discount, only paid $75!! Wahaha!! I'm so happy