366/2008

To sum up the 366 days of 2008,its focal highlights were family, friendship, changes and love. I left my parent office in Tampines to move out of my comfort zone. A change in work location was necessary to accommodate my part time schooling. I hated the mad rush trying to finish assignments and last minute preparation for papers. I fell in love with the hectic lifestyle while enjoying student privileges. I'd a whole lot of fun spending quality time with my besties. LightAngel was my travelling partner who celebrated my 26Th with me in Bangkok. Ophelia and I had a number of adventures, cam-whoring. Sue, cracked me up during our phone conversations. We didn't meet up as often as I hope to but I'm thankful these three Secondary schoolmates made efforts to keep our friendship bond strong. Classmates, Hiddy and Noris are such a joy to be with. Family cycling trips were always full of laughter. As my parents age, I made more independent decisions. I call it my growing-older-gracefully process. I am feeling really blessed and appreciative of how my supportive family members are always there for me. Mum wasn't well for the past week. Yet she never fails to cook for me. That Sunday my dad promised to whip some Chinese dishes. I went marketing with my sister early in anticipation to a nice dinner. When he was due to be home late, Mum cooked instead. Initially I wanted to bring my family out but my parents mutually agreed that home cooked dinner beats any restaurant. Indeed my folks were right. Dinner was great and I feel so loved. My blissful love life I share with Phil also contributed to how wonderful the year it had been. I'm sure you'd tell. I learnt to be happy again. =)

Uniquely Singapore not!

It was probably an uniquely Singapore SBS Transit experience. The bus captain who stopped for us looks as though he is an Indian mafia off Bollywood. He had his bandanna and dark glasses on. He stopped a few bus stops later to get off the vehicle. When he got back onto the ride, I commented that with such persona, he'd the walk to match a gangsta's in a MTV. Seriously peeps, he is definitely not like any common friendly bus captains we see. Along the expressway, he blasted the music. Phil says it's in Tamil and I figured it's some hip hop hit. He horned not once, but thrice! That is no thanks to his dangerous driving and not the smooth-flowing traffic. I was visibly irritated. I put away my papers and stored the bus number. Not hard to guess, I shot my negative feedback already. To be exact I'm updating this blog right after the email.

Got off the bus service 24 and made our way to Terminal 2 to have dinner at Fish & co. Put on the heels I got the other day for a test drive. The heels made me almost as tall as Phil. So happy to be that height I always wanted to be. Heels with sweet looking pedicure give the sexy effect. They also remind me to keep my back straight. I tend to have a lazy postures when I'm in my flip flops.



Phil was concerned about my hurting feet. I'd a slight abrasion and I lost a butterfly. It probably flew away while we were happily drowning the Sharkie Freeze and whacking our seafood platter for two. Or perhaps that butterfly flew towards Mickey & Minnie who were taking pictures with a whole lot of people from the long queue we saw. I'd have gotten onto the stage to hug Mickey if only I brought my cammy along. Phil says we'd go Tokyo Disneyland. Our bill gave us a chance to try our luck to win two tickets to go Japan. Let's see if we are really that lucky!

We caught another movie after dinner at our usual haunt. We just wanted to enjoy the air con and not walking so much. Phil got the tickets and told me he decided to watch 'Australia' cos it's a romantic story and I love such shows. It's actually a romantic action-adventure set in northern Australia prior to World War II. Nicole Kidman has given such a darling performance, bringing together a sense of femininity and class but with such austerity. She plays Lady Sarah Ashley who is desperate in wanting the 'creamy' Nullah to be a part of her family. Brandon Walters plays the young aboriginal half-caste boy, Nullah displaying determinedly reverent respect to the indigenous culture. Hugh Jackman looks absolutely delectable as the nameless drover. The Australian scenery is such a beauty. I felt compensated for the movie which was a lil too long to our liking.

Breaking Dawn

Was out in the afternoon with Hiddy to look for books of the 'Twilight' series at Tampines. We included shopping as part of the agenda too. Hiddy is a vampire when it comes to shopping. Times book store was the initial hope. I was voodoo charmed by its calling. Hiddy burst out laughing at my rather embarrassing yet comical expression when i saw a pictorial on Robert Pattinson, who played a dreamy vampire heartthrob Edward Cullen in possibly the most epic romance since Titanic.

Hiddy actually wanted to watch the movie again today. It reminded me of a familiar someone who mentioned she caught Titanic seven times and she cried in all of them. No prize for getting the right answer, if you're a mutual schoolmate who knows who she is. No, I'm not missing her in any way..

I got a pair of heels to compensate myself for not getting any book. They were sold out. We had a lot of fun laughing at comments we heard about teens loving the vampire story. One store keeper even commented on how crazy the girls are, over either the movie or book.

"Don't these kids know that vampires are not real in this modern world?"
If you ask me, I'm probably infatuated with the idea of becoming Edward's spider monkey.

Phil and I caught Ip Man later in the evening. Basically, it’s about Wing Chun Grandmaster, Ip Man who was Bruce Lee's teacher, a Chinese guy played by Donnie Yen who can punch really, really fast. It was entertaining to watch martial arts minus the additional sound effects from Phil. =p I'm sure my man was enjoying the movie that much. He better not go around making so much noise pretending to be some Bruce Lee.

Tatty love

Last month, I ordered the tatty bear 2009 diary online. As weeks passed, I got tired of opening the letter box and not receiving the mail apart from bills and more bills. Who writes love letters to yours truly nowadays? Anyway, I emailed to the company to complain. That's a typical Singaporean trait ain't it? Someone finally got back to me about the negative feedback a few miserable days later. She did a check and provided details of the posting which unfortunately was sent to an invalid address. Nice.. I wanted to get mad but I didn't. I tried to re-order cos the lil cutie looks too sweet to miss. Apparently, there weren't any more stock. They apologised and offered me a full refund instead. I was disappointed. Phil tried to cheer me up by promising to get it for me. Needless to say, I was happy to receive the mail today cos it included a tatty bear too. I'm thankful that my man kept his word and I love the sweet surprise from UK.

if love is about taking turns to be grumpy, i definitely love you, Phil

Sunny Saturday spells Sentosa fun with Phil. We joined in the long queue at Vivocity to get the monorail tickets. Somehow cos I've my coffee fix from Starbucks which he got me, i did not mind the wait even after realising we'd have gotten them from machines way earlier. Happy thoughts fill my mind cos I'd be headed for Singapore Underwater world and the Dolphin Lagoon. After another wait which got my usually patient Phil frowning, we got the tickets at $16 each, that's 30% off for DBS Cards. It was almost 5pm so we were told to catch the dolphins' show beginning at 5.30pm. There was yet another queue. Welcome to Singapore, dear tourists. The red line bus'd bring us to the Dolphin Lagoon within the next 30minutes which includes the waiting time. My man started his day by waiting for me to get off work and spending the rest of it waiting. He was one grump. I'm sure you'd tell from the following picture.





The dolphins were amazingly adorable. Nice performances which I enjoyed thoughout thanks to my shades. The heat'd effects on us. Occasional obstructions caused my man and myself to shout at humans in front of us. It's really irritating to see people holding up an unopened umbrella, bills and even brochures which they inconsiderately used to shelter themselves from the sun. They'd have just sat under the tentage if they mind the sunny glares or accessorise themselves with sunnies like mine!





A quick change of attire and we took a walk to Palawan Beach.







Made our way to discover the Underwater World
soon after lovely cam whoring sessions on the beach.









Minding my own business and being happy going "Fishie.." , someone I thought who looked familiar said " hi! " Moments ago, I told Phil that he'd be a regular customer in Tampines cos he'd that familiar look. When that man tried to confirm his and my uncertainties, he went " Are you from PA? " THRICE. I ended our conversation quick with "Oh when I saw you at the entrance I thought you were a familiar face. I'm NOT from PA." He went away with his recording. Phil and I continued to cam whore. I thought for a while if he is not my customer, he'd be from FB. Then again I won't bother to figure him out. The oceanarium has a lot more to keep me amused.

Happy to see the Dugongs which I felt that these enormous vegetarians are somewhat like mermaids. Dugongs are related to manatees and are similar in appearance and behavior— though the Dugong's tail is fluked like a whale's. Dugongs graze on underwater grasses day and night, rooting for them with their bristled, sensitive snouts and chomping them with their rough lips.These mammals can stay underwater for six minutes before surfacing. They sometimes breathe by "standing" on their tail with their heads above water. I didn't get the mermaid feel while watching them though. Notice I'd changed into my dress for another round of snaps before we head for town? =)





As I mentioned, we went to town to complete the touristy adventure. We Hop On the TOPless HiPPO and take in this festive cheer as we cruise down Orchard Road on a special Christmas Light-Up Tour.





This year, Singapore is lighting up Christmas with a candy theme. "A Sweet Christmas in Singapore" decorates Orchard Road with the illuminated adventures of "the Sweet Family".
As a result of the Sweet Family's arrival, Singapore's shopping and business district has been re-created into a glowing candy fantasy-land, complete with candy cane street lamps, gumdrops, and cupcake houses. The traditional Christmas Light-Up is supplemented with Sweet Family activities in the Orchard Road area.









The ride was a breezy one. $10 per Adult. Considering to bring family take this ride this Christmas eve where this promotion will be available till midnight. We started our candyland exploration from snowy Tanglin Mall and it ended with a fireworks display at Heeren. I'm talking about decorations here. I'd have more fun if only I wasn't getting grumpy from hunger.

If love is about taking turns to be grumpy, I definitely love you, Phil.

linkie

Hey lovelies, instead of just shopping for clothes, check out this website too?? Pretty please? =*
http://www.ltdaddiction.blogspot.com/ we'd accessorize and the pieces are really affordable. The owner of the site will have a variety of collections if the site gets more hits.. and that is what I'd like her to do.. We'd share what is best for us and others too.. ;)

Love you all

ACM

Our initial plan was to head for Chek Jawa in Pulau Ubin. Rainy morning postponed my meet with Ophelia to 230pm where we excitedly made our way in the drizzle to another adventure.


We walked by where the General Post Office used to be,
The Fullerton Hotel.


Looked around for signs to locate our place of interest.


Cute attractions caught my eye.



Found it.. before you thought.. ahh? museum? Boring..think not! I love museums as much as Ophelia. They are like encyclopedias to me, plenty for me to discover. I got to know how ink was made and how the beautiful calligraphy came about. It is a lot of patience and dedication to produce lovely prints. We learnt more about cultures in different countries. One which we found amusing was in Bulgaria, for Muslim boys, mass circumcision is practiced. They were treated to a feast and dance to celebrate. There were some tales to listen to about some cultures of the inhabitants of Asia.







It was a whole lot of fun and we almost brought down the ACM with our laughters over goofy cam-whoring episodes and the new found knowledge. Coming down the stairs after exploring the galleries, I spotted my dearest boyfriend waiting patiently.


Interesting decorated piece.


We grabbed dinner at Lau Pa Sat where I really hated the touting. I was well-fat (fed) before it drizzled again.

All smiles.


The night looks deserted in the drizzle.


The red Christmas tree we came back for.


Captured the lights with Phil's help.


Another day with Ophelia which did not fail to put a big smile on my face and this time, I'd a tiara!

8th anniversary

It marks my 8th year with the company today. Just how on earth (in my right mind) i managed to turn up for work till today? Despite all the challenges which often discourage me from staying even a second longer. Looking back to my years of innocence, I remember I loveD this job because meeting people is my passion. The irony of it is, I'm hating this job so much over the same reason! People.. I've grown selective with customers I attend to. I no longer have patience to serve slower customers. Then again I do not in any way enjoy to be of service to the kanchiong spiders.... people who are deemed as uptight! To celebrate the joyous occasion of my survival, I wanted to cam whore with Phil. Yet, he didn't charge his camera. How disappointing.. It was only much later after pathetic shots, did we realise we are using the same type of battery.. DAMN... by then, I was already no longer in the mood to smile cos my cold got worse. The highlight of the day would be the few phone conversations with Sue, thanks to the numerous drop calls. We'd lots to laugh about. It all began with my ex Primary classmate, Halim who broad casted a message about his wedding invite.

Results

Kelvin sms me announcing that our results are out! Eager with anticipation to know if I'd any supp papers to take, I called him. He put me on hold and so here I am just waiting and typing.. =) Cleared all my modules! Woohoo... silly him tried to tease me about failing the Accounts paper which I actually had more faith in passing. When he said he was sorry I have to retake that, I wasn't convinced!? I passed both tests and I doubt I did so badly for my exams. Time to celebrate. Phil hasn't been well so definitely not able to share my joy as yet. He promised to recover soon and take me to Sentosa.

I can't help it but admit I'm losing my cool when it comes to work. Customers drive me mad and I became one shouting biatch.. I'm losing my voice. Yup.. it's that bad! Lucky for the long weekend, I'd have a break. No need to argue since my throat hurts. Fight with them another day. Imagine how terrible this is? I'm going to work to shout at people who do not listen. My colleagues have only one word to describe me. Fierce. Oh man.. why do things turn out this way?

Someone told me as a human being, we will have a limit to our patience. Perhaps 8years have taken a toll on me. What happened to the awards I received in recognition of service excellence? Why didn't I do justice to my achievements? I'm very tired. I do not want to argue anymore. I do not want to defend any staff. I do not want to bothered about anyone. I do not want anyone to dislike me. I am not unreasonably fierce. I just want those dimwits to listen and know that I can help only when they stop shouting and banging tables.

Why make me hate work so much? I no longer want to climb the corporate ladder. Leave me alone. I want to smile and wish my customers have a nice day sincerely. I want to be me. Can I be less angry with everyone? I'm so stressed having to finish the undone work and cleaning up the office. At home, I never even need to or would be found doing housework. Back in my workplace, I find myself cleaning the workstations and tidying up everything on my own. I feel so misunderstood. If only extra fats can make me find the me I was. Where is the love.. I need happy food, tons of them!

big fat lizard!!

December kicks off with a hectic Monday and at work without my manager! Though there were some hiccups in the office , we managed to resolve them. In the midst of being a busy bee, I get work done and of course managed to sting some customers. That is probably my way to make the battlefield a little enjoyable! I need a battle of wits to argue intelligently with customers without offending them upfront.. let them, slowly realise they have been stung by me!

One man told my colleague that he did ask that lady (me) about his remittance transaction before deciding to queue. When she took the longest time to get that piece of big fat lizard off her counter, he began pointing at me and commented he should have gone directing to the main branch! I smiled at him and said "Sir, you did interrupt me attending my customer just to ask what were the documents required and acknowledging your presence even when you didn't see I was occupied, I mentioned the approval will take some time. Thank you for patience to complete the transfer." He was shocked and muttered "Sorry".

I faced a number of super duper stressed people today. They are humans but they rather be lizards! Oh that is solely my observation, no offence to anyone who recalled on some incidents, they DO go clicking (sounds your house lizards would make..) while waiting in line! Patience and me do not quite fit. If i need to waste my time waiting in line to be served, I rather make appointments!

Shopping is fun but what determines if I'd end up buying is actually the queue to the cashier! I do not want to call myself a lizard. I prefer shopping online for a valid reason. Sure i get my purchases a few days later but i need not snap at other woman, for that piece of clothing i thought i saw first?! Upon its delivery, i have that silly smile every time i unwrap a packet. It's like getting a present on your birthday just that you paid for the item and you can comfort yourself from the damage it does to your wallet by jumping with joy and scream " Yes! I finally get to own you!" That 's a little too much drama but hey we are taking about ME! I'm a drama mama and i believe it's an art to be one. I'm expecting a pretty dress this week. As I type this entry I'm feeling the excitement of filling my wardrobe with yet another piece of find!

Hubby terminated

For the past two days since I'm back at work, there seems to be a change in my working hours. Unofficially and unpaid, I was in the office till 7plus. Reasoned as I have to learn how to manage the office since my manager will be holidaying in Africa next week. Seriously there haven't been anything worth my time. We were just bonding and she came up with A (everyday-it-gets-longer) TO DO LIST. The management gave her a lot of pressure to cut cost so I MUST help her manage her stress level. IF that is the actual purpose so what eh..Powerpuff Yann to the rescue!? We were reminded to stretch our abilities to the max and perform our best. Apparently, due to insufficient manpower, we dealt with even more overheads.
I suggested to take stats and make my branch do without the extended hours which we are paid overtime. Hopefully it works. =P Recession affects everyone. Being in the front line and hearing so much of financial problems from my customers, I feel that stability means so much to me. I really do not wish to be without a job that pays my bills. Talk about retrenchment is no joking matter. What does being employed means to you? To me, it makes sense that people work to earn a living. Quoted by a customer,"You want to live, you work till you die!" Unless you are being provided for, I suppose. Just when we think that times are bad, do count our blessings! I'm sure there will be better times ahead.
I looked through my contacts in the cobwebbed multiply account. I knew everyone except Ahgu Gu. I stared and sweared at our relationship status. "ahgu gu is your husband Singapore , Singapore" How on earth did I even accept his add or not realise our married life in multiply? I do not want to be associated with such a dumb name! I tried to do a change. It shows "Please choose your new relationship. ahgu gu will receive a message describing your change and asking for confirmation. Your change will not take effect in our system unless confirmed." This is crazy. I deleted my account. 'nuff said..

homely Sat

Awoken this morning by my family's excitement of wanting to go Sembawang with the rest of my cousins and families. My decision, not to follow them ended up with an almost at home all day. Out near noon to collect a book reservation and grab lunch. The rest of the day was spent hanging on the phone line with Phil who is home all day too cos of his sore foot. I feel so free not knowing how else to occupy myself.

Now that i need not study anymore since the last paper last evening marks the start of my school holidays. This term break seems to be something worth looking forward to. Will chill and look forward to my results on 22Nd Dec. Hopefully I'm blessed again not having to take any supp papers. Did my best despite the usual mental blocks when i attended to the questions. Like what Ian said in my c-box , the results will show how I fared. Will be back to work on Monday. The week went by fast while I was busy preparing myself for the exams, thou whilst doing so, I managed to watch Body Of Lies. =P Hoping for a fine Sunday since Ophelia and I made plans to embark on another cam-whoring adventure in that little island I belong.

Got a call from an ex-classmate on Friday who started his conversation by asking if I have migrated to Singapore since I'm his Uniquely Ubinian friend. =P It made me laugh cos I actually answered I became a Singaporean when I turned 21! It has been 10 freaking years since secondary school days I last spoke to him and it's weird he called to ask if I knew what time does the money changer opens till. Since when did I turn into some kind of information counter?? .. Now back to my reads..

boohoo

Done with HRM paper which got me f***** Apparently it felt like the revision lecture went terribly wrong! Seriously both Hiddy and I tried our best to go thru past papers, read up on our notes and paid more attention on the so called tips.. I think i'm 18/20 certainly right for MCQs and the rest of my 80% are no-kidding-me crap!!! I wrote and scribbled nonsense literally. Checked on how my overall will be assessed this morning before breakfast. I was so bothered about how the paper was. It states 30% from my project assignment. 70% from the unfortunate paper. Hiddy suggested we go into the White Tigers' enclosure. If you guys do get updated news about the recent tragedy in the zoo,you'd know how suicidal Hiddy was. I was telling (grumbling non-stop rather) Phil that he'd throw us on the roads instead but make sure no traffic! hehe I want to have time and opportunity to get cold feet and get the hell outta traffic. Like the late cleaner, he didn't have the chance to live even when he fought his regret. I assumed he was suicidal based on the initial reports. Come on.. who in the right state of mind would go near the tigers who can jump 10m?? i was at the zoo late last month and i remember making fun of the distance the tigers are capable to jump, in comparison with my miserable long jump results. Nevertheless, my condolences to his family who got to see the video clip on the horrid last moments, which supposedly would be a closure for them.

love

For the past month, despite the madness of getting my projects done, i really had fun! Thanks to the lovely company which I'm privileged to have. They include the lovely animals, zombies, bats, witch, pumpkins in the night safari, more animals in the zoo, art exhibits in the museum, my two lovely members for the website project, of cos my beloved family members who put up with my cranky mood swings and not forgetting, my man who gets the ultimate nonsense from me when anything else upset me. oh yes.. I received a lovely present from bf for our anniversary. One more week to exams. I'm having a lot of fun learning and practicing my Accounts which is also enjoyable now that i understood the topics and clarified almost every doubts with a really helpful classmate who coached me after lecture last night. I'm gonna do my best and look forward to lots of fun after the papers. Don't we all love holidays?? I'm working towards a new career goal and my student has already left the company. Nevertheless, I'm still feeling very blessed and i do have a feeling that everything will turn out well! Till my next update, keep stress bugs away and may joy be with us always!