for you are our rainbow, happy colourful 1st!

           

              

 

                     

Krabi

Passport to sunny Krabi!

We'd our lunch by the poolside...all to ourselves!

I was away in Krabi with these ladies. Brenda and Kim are Naz's ex colleagues. Although it is my first trip with these girls, ( given the fact that I just got to know them. ) they made nice companions. We had room service for our first dinner. It was simply awesome. It was indeed authentic Thai food. We caught a ghost story in Thai. No subtitles yet it scare the hell out of us. We had adjacent rooms so we had access to both. We talked our first rainy evening away. Conversations about relationships, men in our lives, pap smears and tampons! We were laughing a lot. I'm thankful we'd click. Headed out to do some souvenirs shopping at night. It was hilarious when we tried to bargain. I think it'd be the most memorable bargain episode for us.

We were looking for a top to match with our swim wear. We will be visiting beaches the next day. I found a pink long top which I'd go along with my tankini and shorts. Brenda liked the black sundress. We figured if we were to buy the two in a purchase, we'd ask for a discount. I've always preferred online-shopping and to ask for discounts isn't what I grew up with.

Salesgirl: You want to get? 150 Baht
Me:If buy 2, can get cheaper?
Salesgirl:You try first.

She quickly served an Angmoh and we observed that she obviously know that she can't let that big fish swim away. Brenda tried on the dress and I knew I'll just buy my top without trying. I don't think I want to wear it for than once anyway. That is probably why I thought we'd join forces to get the pieces cheaper.

Salesgirl (after made a killing over a pair of sunglasses) :How? You want buy?
Us: Tell us how much if buy 2.
Salesgirl: You tell me how much you want to buy for.
Us after a brief discussion: Best price 250 Baht? ( Pathetic look as I hope that she'd give the green light to my first bargain attempt..)
Salesgirl shaking her head: You take two. Best price 150 Baht!
Us: huh? THANK YOU!.. (laughs at our victory and rushed out off her stall before there is a change of mind!)

Did we just get a Buy 1 Free 1 purchase?! The salesgirl must have screwed up in Maths! We refused to even walk past the stall cos we laughed so hard. Even as we enjoy our massage session, we were laughing about that salesgirl. We must have been so proud!

The second day, we woke up early for our islands-hopping tour. Sleep was sound. Perhaps having a good massage helped. We took a lorry to the beach before our tour. I felt like one of the banglas back in Singapore having to be seated in a full transport as we picked up other tourists. We took a speed boat to get to places. The ride was crazy. Sings 'Jumping jumping'. I'd hear my fats around my waist scream. It was drizzling and the sea was choppy!

My pink top I got in a bargain.

Us with Malek, a Muslim Thai tour guide.

At night the girls went for another massage session while I had my hair braided. It took 2 hours. It costs me about S$50. It reminds me how my mother used to braid my hair when I was 21. Alicia Keys had braids then and I loved that look.

If I'd ring the bell for good service in Vouge Resort & Spa, I'd do so a few times!

It took 2 Thais two hours to braid my long curls this way!

I came home really tanned. Definitely happy to see B fetch me at the budget terminal. I missed this man a lot during my 3D2N vacation. When I heard from him that he missed hearing me for the 3 days, I feel so loved. B, you will always be a heart beat away cos I love you so much! We'd go on vacations together someday.

pleasant surprise

B is away for a few days so this came in as a surprise. I was in school rushing to finish up two projects. A call to check if there was anyone home to sign for the delivery took my frowns away. I was smiling silly. Hiddy suggested to wrap things up and sent me home. B will always be a heartbeat away no matter where he is.

thru papa's love

MAYBE i just can't live with loneliness. I don't mind being alone but being lonely never fails to make me miserable. To me being alone is a choice. I don't lack company. There is always things to do with companionship. I came home to an empty house every Sat, lately. My family would be at aunt's. Then again even when my family is home, I still feel lonely. While the rest watched TV and I want to join them, they never include me in their conversation. Yes, the walls have been my friends. Soon, these walls would even be my family. Only when Papa comes home, I feel I'm home. He will make sure we eat together and talk over issues at work and health. The amount of quality talk was shared between besties; Hiddy and Phil is definitely more than anyone I spoke to, at home. Sad but true. Papa's love is most vocal or the least, I'd hear in my loneliness.

bday

Hiddy and I celebrated our birthday with Philo by going to Universal Studios Singapore. Being out with my two besties made it an even special day. There weren't much rides. The one I took was scary enough but I'd Phil with me so I felt safer. I loved the Shrek 4D adventure ride. A lil disappointed that I couldn't take any pictures with any character.

This guy ran after me. He stared at me while Phil took our picture. After which Phil asked if I forgot he is visible, I still happily stare into another guy's eyes lol I even kissed a frog! Thanks for taking time to be with me, B and having you around is already my best gift.. but you can always give me a birthday present. Dun forget!

May I

It has been weeks since I last scribbled anything here. I'm in my second last trimester for school. I am looking forward to complete my part time studies. I'm also very much looking forward to my cousin's wedding cos that is when I'd be on my annual leave! It's time for a break and I'm hoping to get a new job real soon. It's May Day; the RECRUIT section of the Straits Times caught my attention: TIME TO MOVE ON. It shares five signs which tells you that it is time to seek greener pastures.

I thought things through about my job. I've always had high expectations of myself and since my transfer to this branch, I haven't been happy. There's plenty of negative aura coming from unappreciative customers and unmotivated colleagues. My manager told me that I'm always too strong-willed about being right. The fact is customers are always right! Once, based on the service compliance I refused a customer's remittance request. He demanded to see my manager. She proceeded with the transaction. She didn't even know why I refused such a routine transaction. I explained. Guess what? She told me that I'd have just stopped her! I told her in my experience, I'd also know how to work with discretion. She is my superior which means she'd have the authority to refuse the customer firmly. I cannot bend rules just to please customers who are louder.

I had a traumatic phrase recently where I was sexually harassed by a regular customer who insulted the modesty of women. I made a police report only cos my company did not take any prompt action about my safety. The incident had caused me emotional distress for a few nights. It is really disappointing when my manager took the matter lightly. She commented that nothing will happen to me since the man cannot do anything in broad daylight. Either she is unemphatic or this is definitely not the proper way to deal with grievance. Family and close friends showed their support. They provided the listening ear and shoulder to cry on.

Mama encouraged me to get a new job. I'm thankful for her blessings and understanding. I need not take all the nonsense from work. I have given myself a deadline to quit! Just thinking of no longer having to put up with the unhappiness brings smiles to my face and heart. May God bless me with the strength to pull through this period. What I know and believe is, everything is gonna be alright! God is just helping me see what I truly want to do, thru the trials at work. ❤

bbq reunion

I bid goodbye to the year of the OX with my maternal cousins and family instead. I won't be going CNY visiting like the usual. I dreaded waking up really early just to avoid the terrible traffic jams across the causeway for the past few CNY! I welcome the change but at the same time, I wonder if this is really what Papa compromised for.

As I mentioned in an earlier entry, we'd BBQ instead for our reunion dinner. In the sunny late noon, the younger cousins happily played with kites. The strong sea breeze swept the kites off the ground to greater heights. Papa jokingly warned them that the highest flying kite may hit a plane! The sky looked lovely decorated with kites of various colours and sizes. Lazing around on mats was undoubtedly enjoyable although many of us got sun-burnt. I got irritable waiting for the 'full attendance' to have the birthday cake cutting session.

As the sun sets, we got our BBQ started. Very soon, I realise I was BBQ-ing the fresh seafood (courtesy of Papa of cos.) under the stars! I miss seeing that many stars. Being occupied with the BBQ, I didn't manage to capture the moments in my camera. I did not camp overnight with the rest of my family. I thank God for the good food and lovely evening. Happy CNY and Happy Valentine's to all!

cina vs italia

We agreed to meet up for Italian food at Ricciotti. I was really tempted to come back for the cakes. Going through the menu I realised I had little options. It was funny when only Phil's order was taken. When he did a check, I decided to just order spaghetti. Phil insisted that he could cook that for me anytime so we shared the pizza instead.

The highlight for the day out wasn't Italian dining. It turned out to be the unexpected wandering about Chinatown which was more enjoyable despite walking a long stretch in heels on a warm late afternoon. Many Chinese were getting their CNY goodies and necessary preparations for the year of the Tiger.

Valentine's Day falls on the Lunar New Year this year. For a change, we will be replacing our 'reunion dinner' with BBQ at Changi Beach to celebrate my sister's birthday too. It'd be fun.

work joy

Angry man came today to refuse a delivery meant for him, insisting it is not his. I was baffled so i asked why he was sure it is a wrong delivery. He ignored my qns and snapped in return "maam, how u know the item is mine!?".. i told him cos it is addressed to his name and persuaded him to open the envelope to confirm his doubts. It turns out to be his online purchase and he went "shit..I shouted at my wife for being stupid signing for the delivery" -.-''

quote

Sharing something I read today: A successful relationship requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Always with the same person, but deeper and deeper every time. Each time on a whole new level you together open in love and discover the truth of your beloved anew. Recently, I came to a number of incidents where people I know asked about my bf, Philo. I realise that I was actually more comfortable with my single hood than I expected. In fact I wasn't bitter over our break up. Perhaps we made efforts to remain true to our promise. I'm contented being loved by my love. We are happy and that matters most to me. I will come back to this entry as our relationship withstand the test of time.

weekie

The start of 2010 proved hectic. The queue at work only grew longer each day. I'm back in school. The new class for this trimester is concentrated on PBL. What seems comforting to me is Hiddy is in my project group. Initially we wanted to form a group with folks from our new classmates. It turns out that not many were even considering to move out of their comfort zone so it is back to my former team with Hiddy and Kurt as our newbies. I'm hopeful the two projects turn out well.

Philo and I visited the museum last Sunday. I enjoyed student perks to watch the exhibition 'Quest for immortality' for free. Although non-flash photography is allowed for this exhibition, instead of being pre-occupied with taking photographs of the various artefacts, we should see and learn more by taking time to view the various exhibits. I would like to visit this exhibition again with the intention of attending one of the guided tours that will also be a great help to give a deeper understanding of the ancient Egyptian's attitudes to life and afterlife.

There is an activity section in this exhibition where we can write names using hieroglyphs, which was used in written communication during the Old and Middle Egyptian eras. We can also play a few ancient Egyptian indoor games. We had wanted to attend one of the Curator's Tours, only to find that all the tickets have been sold out!







I had to return my book at the library where I saw my bro who asked about my relationship with Philo. He commented on why I keep breaking up and even advised me to stop dating guys from the same criteria. He assumed the men I fell in love with, were all fairer than me and 'sepets'. l wasn't being racist. I dated around when I was younger. Now that I've grown conscious of having to find someone to settle down with, it felt that loving someone seems so transactional with a motive. Bro jokingly suggested I'd try my luck at Darul Arqam! Apparently, I loved in vain cos of different faiths. Perhaps truth hurts but just live it!

365

2009 has been fabulous. I managed to clear my papers and made it to my final year. I spent quality time with my family and quality time with besties. I didn't travel out of Singapore at all. I suppose I watched the most number of movies. I realised I'd love him even more when I broke up with Philo but it isn't necessary. At the same time, there is a strong calling to learn more about relationship with God. 2010 fills me with hopes. I will treasure the sweet memories of the past year and live for a better 2010. Count our blessings and the world would be a better place. Happy New Year, folks. Have a good one.

"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.”