Here comes another weekend, a happy one without work but with joyful sharing.
Looking back first, the week, as usual, has been hectic and fast. But I managed still to squeeze in a hot yoga session at Yogaffinity, located near my office. To someone who has not tried sauna or exercising in a heated room before, this trial was definitely quite an experience. A short 15 minutes into the 1.5-hour session, the yoga-doers were already covered with a layer of shine on their bodies. Halfway through, everyone was sweating profusely, with drops of sweat dripping off their faces. The yoga poses we had were rather standard, but add a wave of heat and you get very tired bodies.
That didn’t stop me from signing up for packaged classes though. $230 for 12 lessons, which can probably last me for three months. The quest towards a more feminine composure and having greater 女人味。
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Feeling... weird
It’s weird that the emotions aren’t that great, in fact have that feeling “no big deal” when the real thing sets in. But wahaha, I’ve set a budget for all the expenses I’m going to make, inclusive of shopping and lotsa treats! Happy!
Boo. And again, the weekend is ending and I’m missing WW all over again. 最想念时刻，总是离别片刻。Next weekend is looking good though. Some light fine-dine and divine wine.
Boo. And again, the weekend is ending and I’m missing WW all over again. 最想念时刻，总是离别片刻。Next weekend is looking good though. Some light fine-dine and divine wine.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
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Tuesday, September 19, 2006
15 Sep - Day on Wheels
Had a great time relaxing, enjoying and basically touring around places in Singapore that are relatively unventured, such as Sembawang.
The events of the day can be traced from photoblog here.
It was raining almost the entire day, which put some of our plans off. Missed Sembawang Park and sunset at Changi Village, but made up for them at East Coast Park and good dinner at Siglap. What matters most is warm company, especially in such a cooling weather.
The ladies are very easy to get along with, and any suggestion goes. It's funny how YN left the street directory in my hands, and the MakanSutra book in Tong's. She was thinking it's good to have two 书虫with her to do the research and stuff so she can safely drive her cute orange Picanto on our instructions. And smart JY brought her MakanSutra book along and guided us to new unexplored eateries. My stomach won't go hungry with her around (perhaps because she eats so little too so we may end up eating her share).
Later in the evening, J joined us for dinner and gave us a sumptuous treat. That woman ah, never fails to throw in her cash at the black-leather-case-opening situations and is ever so generous with her happiness and joys. A little woman with a big heart. :)
The events of the day can be traced from photoblog here.
It was raining almost the entire day, which put some of our plans off. Missed Sembawang Park and sunset at Changi Village, but made up for them at East Coast Park and good dinner at Siglap. What matters most is warm company, especially in such a cooling weather.
The ladies are very easy to get along with, and any suggestion goes. It's funny how YN left the street directory in my hands, and the MakanSutra book in Tong's. She was thinking it's good to have two 书虫with her to do the research and stuff so she can safely drive her cute orange Picanto on our instructions. And smart JY brought her MakanSutra book along and guided us to new unexplored eateries. My stomach won't go hungry with her around (perhaps because she eats so little too so we may end up eating her share).
Later in the evening, J joined us for dinner and gave us a sumptuous treat. That woman ah, never fails to throw in her cash at the black-leather-case-opening situations and is ever so generous with her happiness and joys. A little woman with a big heart. :)
Monday, September 18, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The Tsks and Ceks
Traveling by public transport is an agony these days. On the MRT trains there are old uncles tsk-ing away, as if there is some super-sticky bubblegum stuck to their front teeth. Or maybe they are just trying to get rid of food stuck onto their fake gold teeth. Then, there are the loud young ones talking and laughing away like they are in some Great Grasslands. Add that cry baby (literally) who wails and galls.
I can’t stand the extreme vibrancy in MRT trains!
On the SBS bus, the Mobile TV blasts away in your ear, the screen flashing away in your eyes. Can’t understand why they have to turn the volume so loud. Is it to cater to the elderly? But it doesn’t help that most programmes shown are English ones, right? Please spare us the agony; we just need some peace and quiet at the end of the busy work day.
I can’t stand the extreme vibrancy in MRT trains!
On the SBS bus, the Mobile TV blasts away in your ear, the screen flashing away in your eyes. Can’t understand why they have to turn the volume so loud. Is it to cater to the elderly? But it doesn’t help that most programmes shown are English ones, right? Please spare us the agony; we just need some peace and quiet at the end of the busy work day.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Blue Day
Back in the office after the weekend, what I need is a cup of hot teh to perk up my moods and spirits for work.
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Oh Blue Monday Blue~
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Sunday, September 10, 2006
祝爸爸生日快乐！
Yesterday was Dad’s birthday, and we threw a feast for him at home. WW and I bought prata, durian cake and otah – all from Jalan Kayu. Health-conscious me then got Subway Veggie Delite sandwich for myself (still refusing to eat a whole piece of prata) and WW had a Subway chicken sandwich. However, my healthy vegetarian sandwich was let out to Dad as he wasn’t too keen on oily prata either! On top of all these food, Tian and Henry chipped in with New York Pizza, Old Chang Kee curry puffs and 611 Tau Sa Piahs; Mama cooked some rice and steamed a piece of fish too. Quite a feast! In the end we all had a little of everything.
Now Dad has become more health-conscious due to recent health problems such as high blood pressure. Gradually I’m converting the rest of the family to have my dietary habits – mainly vegetables and fruits, steamed rather than fried food, and no unhealthy snacks. Eat healthily and live a longer age!
Now Dad has become more health-conscious due to recent health problems such as high blood pressure. Gradually I’m converting the rest of the family to have my dietary habits – mainly vegetables and fruits, steamed rather than fried food, and no unhealthy snacks. Eat healthily and live a longer age!
附带条件
Is there anything that doesn’t come with a price anymore? When you have dealt more with the outside world, you tend to bring the same mentality of being calculative back home.
When Mama asked me for a few ang pow packets for future uses, I gave them to her but was thinking how many I should keep for myself. I was willing to give, but not quite willing to give all, thinking I may need them for myself and will have to buy more in time to come. That was my first reaction, but thinking on it, it seemed like everything has to be conditional. When we give, we think too much about what we are sacrificing.
Well, that should not be the case. Giving should be unconditional and truly from the heart. I suppose this conditional giving attitude partly arises from the commercial and retail situations we face. When retailers promote their products at a discount, you wonder if there are any conditions tagged to them (usually indicated in their advertisements in super-micro fonts, or a mini-asterisk). Or when your boss treats you to coffee or a meal, there is usually more work to come. Even when you get promoted, you had better expect to place more time and energies into your work, say having extended working hours. So it’s right to say “there is no free meal in this world”.
But this shouldn’t be brought into your personal life and into the way you treat your family and loved ones. When you treat others in a calculative manner, they treat you back the same way and it becomes a vicious cycle. Besides, giving without restrictions will be a much happier thing to do, though that may take some time to realise.
So the next time I give to my loved ones and friends, I’ll bear in the mind the true art of giving. To those who aren’t sincere, hmm, shall consider. Wahaha.
When Mama asked me for a few ang pow packets for future uses, I gave them to her but was thinking how many I should keep for myself. I was willing to give, but not quite willing to give all, thinking I may need them for myself and will have to buy more in time to come. That was my first reaction, but thinking on it, it seemed like everything has to be conditional. When we give, we think too much about what we are sacrificing.
Well, that should not be the case. Giving should be unconditional and truly from the heart. I suppose this conditional giving attitude partly arises from the commercial and retail situations we face. When retailers promote their products at a discount, you wonder if there are any conditions tagged to them (usually indicated in their advertisements in super-micro fonts, or a mini-asterisk). Or when your boss treats you to coffee or a meal, there is usually more work to come. Even when you get promoted, you had better expect to place more time and energies into your work, say having extended working hours. So it’s right to say “there is no free meal in this world”.
But this shouldn’t be brought into your personal life and into the way you treat your family and loved ones. When you treat others in a calculative manner, they treat you back the same way and it becomes a vicious cycle. Besides, giving without restrictions will be a much happier thing to do, though that may take some time to realise.
So the next time I give to my loved ones and friends, I’ll bear in the mind the true art of giving. To those who aren’t sincere, hmm, shall consider. Wahaha.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
KL Rat Race
Back from KL Rat Race
The race was not as bad as thought as the weather was kind to us. It rained heavily around half an hour before our race, and stopped just when we were assembling at the starting line. The slopes were conquerable, and I felt somewhat proud of myself when I overtook some guys who were walking on these slopes. Perhaps I have the advantage of being younger, and of course, having had my regular runs.
Bursa Malaysia was hospitable. They invited us, treated us like VIPs (which I suppose we truly are, in their eyes) and were all smiles (genuine ones) when they came up to us during the dinner after the race. On a broader note, Malaysians seem friendlier than us lot. There is less pretence; they are more humble and down-to-earth.
The others in the two teams representing my company are cool guys and ladies too. The male captain, our Corporate Communications head, was full of humour and wits. We simply had to laugh when he talked about his boss (who was there for the race as well) with his straight face. Very funny guy. I had my good buddy with me throughout the two-day trip, being my roommate and dear companion. Judy is a wonderful girl!
Now I’m missing the bed comfy bed in Shangri-la. Ooh, sleeping under the comfortable on the bubble-soft mattress and double-stacked pillow, wearing a bathrobe and shorts.. I didn’t want to get out of bed the next morning. That’s what they call 5-stars. You have everything in the hotel room.
Back in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised by WW’s offer to pick me up from the airport. Sadly, due to miscommunication, he waited an hour for me when I had got out of the arrival gates half an hour earlier. Thus, I had waited half an hour too, stoning and thinking he might be still on the roads. This taught us – call on the mobile instead of sms-ing! More effective and avoids miscommunication! Ended up both of us were feeling frustrated, and spoilt our beautiful night. But me still happy that he made all the efforts, threw his work aside, and drove down all the way to meet me at the airport. My dear Wonderwen =)
The race was not as bad as thought as the weather was kind to us. It rained heavily around half an hour before our race, and stopped just when we were assembling at the starting line. The slopes were conquerable, and I felt somewhat proud of myself when I overtook some guys who were walking on these slopes. Perhaps I have the advantage of being younger, and of course, having had my regular runs.
Bursa Malaysia was hospitable. They invited us, treated us like VIPs (which I suppose we truly are, in their eyes) and were all smiles (genuine ones) when they came up to us during the dinner after the race. On a broader note, Malaysians seem friendlier than us lot. There is less pretence; they are more humble and down-to-earth.
The others in the two teams representing my company are cool guys and ladies too. The male captain, our Corporate Communications head, was full of humour and wits. We simply had to laugh when he talked about his boss (who was there for the race as well) with his straight face. Very funny guy. I had my good buddy with me throughout the two-day trip, being my roommate and dear companion. Judy is a wonderful girl!
Now I’m missing the bed comfy bed in Shangri-la. Ooh, sleeping under the comfortable on the bubble-soft mattress and double-stacked pillow, wearing a bathrobe and shorts.. I didn’t want to get out of bed the next morning. That’s what they call 5-stars. You have everything in the hotel room.
Back in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised by WW’s offer to pick me up from the airport. Sadly, due to miscommunication, he waited an hour for me when I had got out of the arrival gates half an hour earlier. Thus, I had waited half an hour too, stoning and thinking he might be still on the roads. This taught us – call on the mobile instead of sms-ing! More effective and avoids miscommunication! Ended up both of us were feeling frustrated, and spoilt our beautiful night. But me still happy that he made all the efforts, threw his work aside, and drove down all the way to meet me at the airport. My dear Wonderwen =)
Monday, September 04, 2006
KL Here I Come
Flying off to KL in less than 8 hours’ time, bound for some hard-sweat race with the corporate runners. Good thing we have two teams, total ten of us from my company to sweat it out together. Last Saturday, I had my run at Bedok Reservoir where I conquered the steep slopes and was left with no energy to complete the whole track without stopping. It was simply a torture! Can’t imagine the hills and mountains I have to conquer tomorrow afternoon, on familiar grounds some more. Shall inspire myself with the end goal in mind – get over that last 100m steep one and see food and one day of shopping and relaxation ahead!
Tomorrow morning have to be up by 4am, in time to reach airport for a 630am flight. Okay la, beats an X-hours coach trip to KL, right? By flight it takes slightly less than an hour only. And it’s my great fortune to have a buddy waking up early to have breakfast with me, though she’s not part of the team heading for KL. Yeah! I always believe in a good start to the day with a nice breakfast with a loved one or a good buddy. Happy happy!
Tomorrow morning have to be up by 4am, in time to reach airport for a 630am flight. Okay la, beats an X-hours coach trip to KL, right? By flight it takes slightly less than an hour only. And it’s my great fortune to have a buddy waking up early to have breakfast with me, though she’s not part of the team heading for KL. Yeah! I always believe in a good start to the day with a nice breakfast with a loved one or a good buddy. Happy happy!
长大的代价
Just finished ironing the clothes from last week’s wear. A good one hour I took. And now I’m sweaty sticky and feeling really uncomfortable. TP you must help me oki, especially now that we have bought more button tops.
That’s it. When you grow up to be an adult, you have so many more tasks to do. Often, things are not within your choice. Ironing is just a mole-hole example.
I suppose those who just came out of school into the workforce would find it challenging, exciting and be so full of drive. But ask me who has been in it for two years, I would just give you a nonchalant look. This kind of working lifestyle is just so numbing. Although I don’t have to slog till say 9pm every work day, I still find the routine hard to swallow. Weeks pass by like nobody’s business, and I’m getting a little wary and scared that time will pass by just too quickly. In no time you find yourself hitting your 30s, and again, following through life’s motions as if it were all scheduled to be.
Somehow I think these kinda feelings are linked to the passionate you find in the things you do. Check out a passionate soul who likes his or her job; you won’t hear a grumble often. Can’t blame me for concluding it’s the job scope, the job environment or the nature of job itself that is bogging me.
Anyway, I shan’t complain. Coz it’s all a parcel of Grown Up. Who doesn’t have to work? Who doesn’t need to bring home the beacon, answer to oneself or one’s family? In all it’s about telling yourself what needs to be done, how you want to get it done, and how in the process you take care of your heart and soul.
That’s it. When you grow up to be an adult, you have so many more tasks to do. Often, things are not within your choice. Ironing is just a mole-hole example.
I suppose those who just came out of school into the workforce would find it challenging, exciting and be so full of drive. But ask me who has been in it for two years, I would just give you a nonchalant look. This kind of working lifestyle is just so numbing. Although I don’t have to slog till say 9pm every work day, I still find the routine hard to swallow. Weeks pass by like nobody’s business, and I’m getting a little wary and scared that time will pass by just too quickly. In no time you find yourself hitting your 30s, and again, following through life’s motions as if it were all scheduled to be.
Somehow I think these kinda feelings are linked to the passionate you find in the things you do. Check out a passionate soul who likes his or her job; you won’t hear a grumble often. Can’t blame me for concluding it’s the job scope, the job environment or the nature of job itself that is bogging me.
Anyway, I shan’t complain. Coz it’s all a parcel of Grown Up. Who doesn’t have to work? Who doesn’t need to bring home the beacon, answer to oneself or one’s family? In all it’s about telling yourself what needs to be done, how you want to get it done, and how in the process you take care of your heart and soul.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Customer Service
The government is promoting customer service levels in Singapore, pushing our standards higher and trying to brand our nation as a world-class place for both Singapore citizens and foreigners to live in.
Of course, this is a good move; in fact it is one long-awaited. All along, most of our customer service staff lack the etiquette and the courtesy towards customers. You can go into a shop expecting all kinds of treatment – from passionate hospitality to ice-cold treatment.
Having served by our usual customer service staff, I have learnt to manage my expectations and try to bear with lousy service most of the time, although I still frown at super slow cashiers behind the counter. After the recent movement to promote good service, I’m gradually raising my bar for good service. Don’t tell me we are not bucking up especially when the directive comes from above!
End up now, I’m frowning more at slow service (reasonable ones are pardoned), sometimes even tempted to give a black face. I wonder: are we raising our expectations given the recent highlight to up the service standards? Or are the improvements catching up too slow? Perhaps we’ll be able to better tolerate the current standards if we leave it as is.
Meanwhile, I’ll still be turning my pleasant face away from the ones whose service leaves much to be desired. But of course, everything goes both ways. Customers have to start first by being courteous and friendly to the service staff. As the phrase goes, everything starts with a smile!
Of course, this is a good move; in fact it is one long-awaited. All along, most of our customer service staff lack the etiquette and the courtesy towards customers. You can go into a shop expecting all kinds of treatment – from passionate hospitality to ice-cold treatment.
Having served by our usual customer service staff, I have learnt to manage my expectations and try to bear with lousy service most of the time, although I still frown at super slow cashiers behind the counter. After the recent movement to promote good service, I’m gradually raising my bar for good service. Don’t tell me we are not bucking up especially when the directive comes from above!
End up now, I’m frowning more at slow service (reasonable ones are pardoned), sometimes even tempted to give a black face. I wonder: are we raising our expectations given the recent highlight to up the service standards? Or are the improvements catching up too slow? Perhaps we’ll be able to better tolerate the current standards if we leave it as is.
Meanwhile, I’ll still be turning my pleasant face away from the ones whose service leaves much to be desired. But of course, everything goes both ways. Customers have to start first by being courteous and friendly to the service staff. As the phrase goes, everything starts with a smile!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
With my lappie on the bed
ASUS W5F
Thursday Tian, Henry, Shou Bi and I cheong-ed down to EXPO after work, rushing rather madly to the show halls to grab my object of desire before the show closes for the day. Managed to get a good price as Henry was good in bargaining. Moreover, the exhibitors were not honest; they had no more stock of the exact specifications as in the brochure. Cheater bugs! Heng I spotted the discrepancy on the sticker on their display set. On the sticker it's 512MB RAM, 100GB HDD for $2,698, whereas on the flyer it's 1GB RAM, 80GB HDD for the same price. They claimed they could give us a free upgrade to 1GB RAM, but for HDD there are only sets with 100GB left. And for that variance of 20GB HDD, we have to pay $100 more. What? Or course bohua, lah. Good thing we managed to shove it back to $2,698.
Last night WW and I went down to EXPO, this time he to buy a laptop and a printer. We reached the show halls at slightly after 830pm, but still managed to grab what were needed. The smart man had done his homework, so we simply zoomed in on our hunts. He got a EPSON printer and a LG laptop - a cool piece with ivory-silver casing, a typical Korean product with the looks and the specs.
It feels good to be empowered. With the spending capabilities. Hooyay.
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