thank you ms chocolate, mr js, mr ws.
For when i am down, at least you listen to me and made an effort to cheer me up.
morale very low today. I am physically and emotionally very very down.
I havent met my meepok and sambal sting ray quota also.
I am officially very home sick.
I almost cried that day when during the first VC meeting, I saw all my buddies from the SG office!!!
Two weeks of pure endurance. This is cyclical. It takes a lot of effort to continuously keep the spirit high, physically strong and emotionally stable to not only execute, but to structure, plan and I have to think out of the box to solve issues. I also need to keep in mind all the politics in the office, that I do not become part of it; that while i am selling my ideas concurrently, I have to ensure that these ideas can be executed; that i not only have to motivate them, but to motivate myself also because this is a job of tracking and pushing peeps to complete and I am merely there to facilitate.
Enough for today.
Calling it quits for today.
Not going to do anything more than the absolute necessary.
Will only do things that brings me pleasure for the day.
Need a break. So badly.
I MISS HOME.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Updates
I finally caught a show in the cinema today!
This is my first show in China. The cinema wasnt that bad. It was pretty much better than what I expected.
Difference with Cinema in SG:
This is my first show in China. The cinema wasnt that bad. It was pretty much better than what I expected.
Difference with Cinema in SG:
- They are pretty punctual in starting the show.
- People really just answer their mobile phone in the theatre. It wasnt as if they speak damn loudly, but in general, it is tolerable to have some "background" noise.
- Pretty spacious.
- Cheaper tickets of course: 25 RMB per ticket today. Could be cheaper but since today is sat, it is more ex.
- Good deal: Add 5 RMB = 1 SGD, you get two 250ml bottles of Pepsi.
- Popcorn : smallest is only 8 RMB, 12 RMB (MEd), 18 (not sure) Large. The packaging is the one that they use at Lido. EXACTLY the same. The yellow one. In terms of taste, not bad but not very fantastic. Best popcorn are still the ones in Siam Paragon!
Movie review:
Sorry, I cant remember the title of the show. HAha.. It is apparent a short story movie. The show is made up of 4 short stories. It is a China cum Taiwanese production I believe. In general, this is like a long long advertisements. This whole movie, I believe, is sponsored fully by China mobile because all 4 stories centres around mobile phone. It is more of an artistic film than a normal movie. There are a lot of very interesting chinese phrases, there are romance & comedies among the 4.
This is an extremely creative movie. I doubt Singtel, Starhub nor M1 will ever come up with something like that. Thumbs up China mobile - the official telecom company for Beijing 2008 Olympics.
OKay, enough of the movie..
One piece of good news: I am getting a free trip to Da Lian Next weekend!! Yay... Cos chairman says the trainees should go take a look at the outsourcing yard. Haha... Gonna be pretty fun i think.
Work:
Piling up. I am so busy running in and out of training, and then going for meetings. I still have deliverables at the end of the day. So much to do!!! And I still need to coordinate and ensure that things back in SG office is moving and on the right track. BUZZZY BEE!!
Anyway, I look forward to my Da lian and Seoul trip up next. Im going to go for my Deserved Leave at the end of DEC. YAY
Monday, November 26, 2007
Flu + Winter = Torture
Im down with flu. Arggh. BAd throat, bad nose, bad head. JS has been nice taking care of me and helping me to look for medicine and herbal tea. He even got hold of a wrapper of this herbal tea thingie, and he actually intends to go look for it. Touched! Doesnt matter if he manage to find it but the fact that he was willing to keep a wrapper and take the trouble to go look for herbal medicine for me does make me feel well taken care of. And yes. Thank you. Cos you have been taking care of me, big or small issues.
Temperature these days are still around 0 ~ 14 deg. The wind is the killer part. It is still bearable for now but i know moving forward, it will be worst.
Hmm...
No more nonsense from tom onwards. I have been busy settling some work from SG office while im here. Trying to get some stuff started here. So tom is the onset of the real challenge that Im here for. Im glad it is moving in action. He was so busy he didnt have time for me. Finally today after dinner, we sat down and spoke for 3 hours. Always a motivator and a mentor. Very grateful to be in his team.
And I just found another mentor. JS is my best buddy now. Joke, laugh, talk rubbish, bitch, talk serious work, and he even mentors me on accounting stuff, which i havent been really much attention during uni days and somehow when he put it across to me, I could absorb it better.
These days the training that i attend with the trainees are getting technical also, all the science stuff i studied 18 years of my life came into use once again.
Anyway, I wanna talk about CHINESE culture here man. Jia lat. Im going to touch on the ugly side of things. Look, im not sure if it was the culture, the one-child policy or the upbringing of some of these chinese that makes people behave this way. They are mostly pretty self- centred and like it or not, they talk damn loudly. They like to get drunk in the restaurants and my last trip here, I witnessed right in front of me, how a guy got drunk while eating steamboat. Guess what, when i looked at the table, he had beer, and the chinese white wine, like two bottles. So in his drunken stupor, he started breaking glasses and since he couldnt stand properly, he lost his balance and guess what? He dipped his hand into the steamboat pot for a good 3 seconds and I saw it. I doubt he felt much pain there and then. It is ok if he was drunk and he is a quiet drunken soul. But he wasnt and it is a norm to see people getting drunk after meals because they like to drink BAI JIU (traditional chinese wine with alcohol content from 40% to 70%). They get real rowdy and violent. Scares me pretty much sometimes.
Today is the worst man. We were having dinner halfway then suddenly across the table a woman was screaming and crying. Woah, just when i turned my head to look at that table, the guy gave a RESOUNDING SLAP Across the cheeks of that woman and started pushing her and shouting at her. MY GOD! I dun think it matters what happened because if I were her, I would just pack and immediately go to the police I swear. Apparently according to my colleagues, tom morning the woman will ask for forgiveness from the man. What the hell. Why are woman leading this kind of life? He is just a plain bastard for doing what he did in public. Cannot stand men who lays his hand on a woman. For whatever reason. We were all pretty stunned. And then the couple who was eating with the woman and the man, helped the woman walk out of the restaurant. She looked pretty drunk cos she could hardly walk, but i wasnt sure if it was because she was too shocked or that she was drunk cos she was sobbing away.
Civiliation and culture comes a long way man.
Its also pretty scary when couples quarrel on the streets cos they simple yell at each other like nobody's business. These are the crude and uncivilised ones, definitely look very spoilt brat. Guess what, you can already see kids shouting and screaming their way through in public. I guess the one child policy, together with the increasing wealth of the chinese family are breeding generations and generations of spoilt brats that is a little beyond control.
One last bit of my complaint which i HATE! The public toilets. ARGGGHHH. It is a torture man. And it is certainly a shame to have nice shopping centres with shitty toilets. I do not understand. Anyway, the pizza hut has the best toilet in that area. BEST!!! I will make sure that i use the toilet at pizza hut whenever i can just so that i can avoid having to use the rest.
Long way to go my dear China.
BUt of course, this is not the case for ALL chinese but it is pretty common to see the above happening.
Temperature these days are still around 0 ~ 14 deg. The wind is the killer part. It is still bearable for now but i know moving forward, it will be worst.
Hmm...
No more nonsense from tom onwards. I have been busy settling some work from SG office while im here. Trying to get some stuff started here. So tom is the onset of the real challenge that Im here for. Im glad it is moving in action. He was so busy he didnt have time for me. Finally today after dinner, we sat down and spoke for 3 hours. Always a motivator and a mentor. Very grateful to be in his team.
And I just found another mentor. JS is my best buddy now. Joke, laugh, talk rubbish, bitch, talk serious work, and he even mentors me on accounting stuff, which i havent been really much attention during uni days and somehow when he put it across to me, I could absorb it better.
These days the training that i attend with the trainees are getting technical also, all the science stuff i studied 18 years of my life came into use once again.
Anyway, I wanna talk about CHINESE culture here man. Jia lat. Im going to touch on the ugly side of things. Look, im not sure if it was the culture, the one-child policy or the upbringing of some of these chinese that makes people behave this way. They are mostly pretty self- centred and like it or not, they talk damn loudly. They like to get drunk in the restaurants and my last trip here, I witnessed right in front of me, how a guy got drunk while eating steamboat. Guess what, when i looked at the table, he had beer, and the chinese white wine, like two bottles. So in his drunken stupor, he started breaking glasses and since he couldnt stand properly, he lost his balance and guess what? He dipped his hand into the steamboat pot for a good 3 seconds and I saw it. I doubt he felt much pain there and then. It is ok if he was drunk and he is a quiet drunken soul. But he wasnt and it is a norm to see people getting drunk after meals because they like to drink BAI JIU (traditional chinese wine with alcohol content from 40% to 70%). They get real rowdy and violent. Scares me pretty much sometimes.
Today is the worst man. We were having dinner halfway then suddenly across the table a woman was screaming and crying. Woah, just when i turned my head to look at that table, the guy gave a RESOUNDING SLAP Across the cheeks of that woman and started pushing her and shouting at her. MY GOD! I dun think it matters what happened because if I were her, I would just pack and immediately go to the police I swear. Apparently according to my colleagues, tom morning the woman will ask for forgiveness from the man. What the hell. Why are woman leading this kind of life? He is just a plain bastard for doing what he did in public. Cannot stand men who lays his hand on a woman. For whatever reason. We were all pretty stunned. And then the couple who was eating with the woman and the man, helped the woman walk out of the restaurant. She looked pretty drunk cos she could hardly walk, but i wasnt sure if it was because she was too shocked or that she was drunk cos she was sobbing away.
Civiliation and culture comes a long way man.
Its also pretty scary when couples quarrel on the streets cos they simple yell at each other like nobody's business. These are the crude and uncivilised ones, definitely look very spoilt brat. Guess what, you can already see kids shouting and screaming their way through in public. I guess the one child policy, together with the increasing wealth of the chinese family are breeding generations and generations of spoilt brats that is a little beyond control.
One last bit of my complaint which i HATE! The public toilets. ARGGGHHH. It is a torture man. And it is certainly a shame to have nice shopping centres with shitty toilets. I do not understand. Anyway, the pizza hut has the best toilet in that area. BEST!!! I will make sure that i use the toilet at pizza hut whenever i can just so that i can avoid having to use the rest.
Long way to go my dear China.
BUt of course, this is not the case for ALL chinese but it is pretty common to see the above happening.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
My first snow experience
It snowed finally while we were queuing at Pizza hut yesterday afternoon.
It was a pretty tiring flight as always. Midnight flights save time but drain all energy.
The strong wind at sub zero temperature made the walk from the hotel to the shopping mall barely bearable.
The snow made it all worthwhile though. IT was like a drizzly snow. But nice!
The temperature today is yet again 0 - 9 deg celscius. Apparently the past two years the snow was pretty heavy. This year, according to the locals, wont differ much.
This trip was so rush for me, i left a few important stuff behind! Amongst them, my camera, my samsung charger,my epilator, my notebook, and my this very handy lappie cover!
The weather is pretty dry. Everyday i just have to diligently moisturise my biggest organ. I was NEVER so diligent. But since the last trip and my experience with the red & cracked skin, Which thankfully I managed to salvage, I will not take anymore chances.
Today I joined in their training. As usual, I enjoyed listening to his talks. They are very useful, informative, motivational and simply easy to understand.
It is tough having to go for training yet having work deliverables which I cannot really delay. It will be pretty intense but I believe I will get out better off. I just need about 1 more day to adjust back to this environment again and this is one of the worst things I hate about travelling so frequently - Adjusting.
I need time to adjust when I reach China before I get back my momentum for work. I need time back in SG before I settle down each time I return. I dun like this transition period because each time Im put in that situation, I feel so lost and pretty useless.
Time to sleep early BECAUSE I NEED TO BE AT THE OFFICE AT 730am!
Good night. I will come back with more juicy write ups once i get more brain power.
It was a pretty tiring flight as always. Midnight flights save time but drain all energy.
The strong wind at sub zero temperature made the walk from the hotel to the shopping mall barely bearable.
The snow made it all worthwhile though. IT was like a drizzly snow. But nice!
The temperature today is yet again 0 - 9 deg celscius. Apparently the past two years the snow was pretty heavy. This year, according to the locals, wont differ much.
This trip was so rush for me, i left a few important stuff behind! Amongst them, my camera, my samsung charger,my epilator, my notebook, and my this very handy lappie cover!
The weather is pretty dry. Everyday i just have to diligently moisturise my biggest organ. I was NEVER so diligent. But since the last trip and my experience with the red & cracked skin, Which thankfully I managed to salvage, I will not take anymore chances.
Today I joined in their training. As usual, I enjoyed listening to his talks. They are very useful, informative, motivational and simply easy to understand.
It is tough having to go for training yet having work deliverables which I cannot really delay. It will be pretty intense but I believe I will get out better off. I just need about 1 more day to adjust back to this environment again and this is one of the worst things I hate about travelling so frequently - Adjusting.
I need time to adjust when I reach China before I get back my momentum for work. I need time back in SG before I settle down each time I return. I dun like this transition period because each time Im put in that situation, I feel so lost and pretty useless.
Time to sleep early BECAUSE I NEED TO BE AT THE OFFICE AT 730am!
Good night. I will come back with more juicy write ups once i get more brain power.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
8 immortals place (china) + my Farewell entry (SG - Now)
Im gonna leave in less than 5 days' time. Im writing now because I dun think i have much time the next few days to pen an entry.
Im so gonna miss all of you.
I bought a lot of stuff from Marks and spencer and some tidbits from candy empire. This is going to be a long trip for me, the 2nd longest away from home after my exchange. Nevertheless, Im looking forward to it. This marks the opening of another door for me to enter. Until I go in and finish what I have to do, I cant say for sure if this is going to be a good trip or not. Im glad, however, that I have company and I dun have to travel alone.
I havent been sleeping well and in fact, my sleep debt is ballooning these days. I have got a lot of things to cover, to hand over, a lot of loose ends to tie and I just have to maximize my presence here to clear as much stuff as possible. I can always sleep in the plane. I can always sleep early when I go over. Maybe that's why im not sleeping enough.
Im going to come back as a better person next year.
Wait for me peeps!
Talk to me on MSN at night.
Email me and keep me in the loop of whatever that is happening.
I will continue to update my blog though i cannot view it.
NIGHTY!
Sunday, November 11, 2007
ARGGHH
I cant upload photos onto my blog. AGAIN!
Im kind of stressed up now. Lots of work to do and I have to finish them before I leave this weekend.
Talk later. I will.
Im kind of stressed up now. Lots of work to do and I have to finish them before I leave this weekend.
Talk later. I will.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Really fun so far
I havent laughed so much in so many days since a long time ago. Haha...
I enjoy the company a lot!
It's cold here. Im not sure if it was the dryness or the cold, my skin actually started "cracking" and there were like red lines showing. It's itchy and painful. I freaked out upon seeing how bad the condition was.
I have to keep replenishing the moisture. Pretty demanding.
Today. HAha.. Even though I have been staying in hotels for so long, today, for the first time, I decided to fill the tub up with hot water and I had an incredible bath!! Woah... espcially under such weather condition, the warm water makes the blood circulate so well I almost fell alseep in my tub!
I got great deals from the night market. Im pretty happy with my purchases.
I cant wait to get back to SG. BEcause I think my skin needs to take abreak from such harsh weather.
I enjoy the company a lot!
It's cold here. Im not sure if it was the dryness or the cold, my skin actually started "cracking" and there were like red lines showing. It's itchy and painful. I freaked out upon seeing how bad the condition was.
I have to keep replenishing the moisture. Pretty demanding.
Today. HAha.. Even though I have been staying in hotels for so long, today, for the first time, I decided to fill the tub up with hot water and I had an incredible bath!! Woah... espcially under such weather condition, the warm water makes the blood circulate so well I almost fell alseep in my tub!
I got great deals from the night market. Im pretty happy with my purchases.
I cant wait to get back to SG. BEcause I think my skin needs to take abreak from such harsh weather.
Like no tomorrow
It doesnt matter if we make it in the end.
All that matters now is that we are both going to make the dream a reality.
Nobody has done this. Nobody knows how and what is going to happen or what the way should be.
Because you made me see and believe in something I never was able to, and because this is the best time, Im with you.
Im no longer lost. No longer confused. I know now, that there is no point getting worried about things not within my control and that was exactly what I was so affected by the past week. Now I have let all the fear go. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be.
I have the freedom to lead my life the way I want to. I have the freedom to happiness. No one can take it away from me. And I shall embrace life today, like there is no tomorrow.
All that matters now is that we are both going to make the dream a reality.
Nobody has done this. Nobody knows how and what is going to happen or what the way should be.
Because you made me see and believe in something I never was able to, and because this is the best time, Im with you.
Im no longer lost. No longer confused. I know now, that there is no point getting worried about things not within my control and that was exactly what I was so affected by the past week. Now I have let all the fear go. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be.
I have the freedom to lead my life the way I want to. I have the freedom to happiness. No one can take it away from me. And I shall embrace life today, like there is no tomorrow.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Once in a lifetime opportunity
This is an incredulous night. Hmm...
I think i would have to just come over as early as possible to assist him. And he made me feel that whatever i was holding on and trying so hard to fight for is really insignificant. Not on a negative light though. That was an ultra motivation boost.
"Your shoulders grow as you age".
That is so true.
Sometimes I can shoulder the responsibilities, but not the stress. When i am at my top form, I can handle both. There are also times when i can shoulder none and I need someone to be there for me. Not to shoulder for me, but to make me believe that I can continue to shoulder and that I can move on. That is what I need. Im very glad to have people around me so far who can assist in me moving on when I am stuck.
I have the best mentors around me at every stage of my career. Im really grateful and thankful for that. They have been one of the greatest people in my life to either make me see that I can achieve so much and go so far, or they just train and guide me to take me to another level. These mentors play a very important role not just in my career, but in my life as well. They are trulygreat people whom I respect and will go all out for them if they need me.
It is pretty disheartening to see you down. I hope that I am of some help in one way or anothe.
I think i would have to just come over as early as possible to assist him. And he made me feel that whatever i was holding on and trying so hard to fight for is really insignificant. Not on a negative light though. That was an ultra motivation boost.
"Your shoulders grow as you age".
That is so true.
Sometimes I can shoulder the responsibilities, but not the stress. When i am at my top form, I can handle both. There are also times when i can shoulder none and I need someone to be there for me. Not to shoulder for me, but to make me believe that I can continue to shoulder and that I can move on. That is what I need. Im very glad to have people around me so far who can assist in me moving on when I am stuck.
I have the best mentors around me at every stage of my career. Im really grateful and thankful for that. They have been one of the greatest people in my life to either make me see that I can achieve so much and go so far, or they just train and guide me to take me to another level. These mentors play a very important role not just in my career, but in my life as well. They are trulygreat people whom I respect and will go all out for them if they need me.
It is pretty disheartening to see you down. I hope that I am of some help in one way or anothe.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Mighty
After the last entry, I drifted into dreamland for a good 4 hours.
I did what I used to do for years, but havent done in a very long time. I went to the coffee shop opp to da bao dinner. It's kind of sad that my market got burnt down and for quite a while, I wont be able to eat my fried oyster, sambal sting ray, satay and cheng teng.
I cleaned up my room and chatted with mummy a bit. I showed mummy the Raoul halter dress that I got during the recent sale. It was such a steal!! U.P: $299. I got it for? $30. It's a tad too long but it's ok. I can always run to tailor wong's shop and get him to do the alterations for me. That kind of fabric, design and style... I didnt even think and I paid for it.
While tidying up my bookshelf, I chanced upon my journal for the Namaste trip. I started flipping through and reading each and every entry. I think i will type them into soft copies and get them printed out nicely so that I can show it to my grand children next time. Im going to do that for my blog also. Especially my exchange trip. AHHA.. JI YOON!! Imagine our grandchildren playing together, either we all gather to eat kim chih in korea, or savour friend carrot cake in SG and us sharing our exchange stories with them. Haha. That will be good fun!
Oh well, I have got no choice but to start working on the stack of things that I brought home last friday. The to-do list that I had to come up with because I will not be in town for the next 9 days is crucial for me to settle as much as I can tomorrow before I leave on Tuesday. And it didnt help much that I was on course last thur and friday.
I am stressed up because I HAVE to balance my life. I have to squeeze out time for everything and everyone as much as I can. And That includes myself.
As such, the number one thing that I have always been trying to maintain and of which there will be no compromise whatsoever, is the fact that i have sufficient sleep.
Alrightey, from not happy, to a state of tranquility, I rest my agony of the day.
he is wise who knows others
he who knows himself is enlightened
he is strong who conquers others
he who conquers himself is mighty
~TAO TE CHING~
I did what I used to do for years, but havent done in a very long time. I went to the coffee shop opp to da bao dinner. It's kind of sad that my market got burnt down and for quite a while, I wont be able to eat my fried oyster, sambal sting ray, satay and cheng teng.
I cleaned up my room and chatted with mummy a bit. I showed mummy the Raoul halter dress that I got during the recent sale. It was such a steal!! U.P: $299. I got it for? $30. It's a tad too long but it's ok. I can always run to tailor wong's shop and get him to do the alterations for me. That kind of fabric, design and style... I didnt even think and I paid for it.
While tidying up my bookshelf, I chanced upon my journal for the Namaste trip. I started flipping through and reading each and every entry. I think i will type them into soft copies and get them printed out nicely so that I can show it to my grand children next time. Im going to do that for my blog also. Especially my exchange trip. AHHA.. JI YOON!! Imagine our grandchildren playing together, either we all gather to eat kim chih in korea, or savour friend carrot cake in SG and us sharing our exchange stories with them. Haha. That will be good fun!
Oh well, I have got no choice but to start working on the stack of things that I brought home last friday. The to-do list that I had to come up with because I will not be in town for the next 9 days is crucial for me to settle as much as I can tomorrow before I leave on Tuesday. And it didnt help much that I was on course last thur and friday.
I am stressed up because I HAVE to balance my life. I have to squeeze out time for everything and everyone as much as I can. And That includes myself.
As such, the number one thing that I have always been trying to maintain and of which there will be no compromise whatsoever, is the fact that i have sufficient sleep.
Alrightey, from not happy, to a state of tranquility, I rest my agony of the day.
he is wise who knows others
he who knows himself is enlightened
he is strong who conquers others
he who conquers himself is mighty
~TAO TE CHING~
Not Happy
I need sleep. Badly.
Im not really happy at this point of time. Im not sure if it was the weather, the lack of sleep, the work stress, the constant expectations management that I have to do for both others and myself, my inability to put across how I feel properly, the fact that I havent packed and the fact that I cant bring myself to pack, the uncertainty that lies ahead, the fact that gaps and differences are surfacing, or simply the because I havent spent enough ME time these days.
I feel that I have neglected myself. I havent been tending to my needs and havent been listening to that inner voice too.
I am really drained emotionally.
Thank you for talking to me on the phone while you were at the platform waiting for the train. And because you wanted to make sure that I get the advise that I need, you ignored the fact that 10 trains have passed. You just continued talking to me, explaining to me, listening to me, and just rationalising to me why I feel unhappy. I really appreciate that.
You said Icant always just load up issues in my heart and when I reach the saturation point, I sink into some mini depression and would require immediate and intense consultation to empty the load before I can move on again.
I would like to, and I am learning to unload as issues surface, not keep them within me until I reach my threshold. It is not easy because this is my character and I have been programmed to think and lead my life this way. It's time for change.
It's time to do a major overhaul of things at this juncture.
I need a break badly.
Im not really happy at this point of time. Im not sure if it was the weather, the lack of sleep, the work stress, the constant expectations management that I have to do for both others and myself, my inability to put across how I feel properly, the fact that I havent packed and the fact that I cant bring myself to pack, the uncertainty that lies ahead, the fact that gaps and differences are surfacing, or simply the because I havent spent enough ME time these days.
I feel that I have neglected myself. I havent been tending to my needs and havent been listening to that inner voice too.
I am really drained emotionally.
Thank you for talking to me on the phone while you were at the platform waiting for the train. And because you wanted to make sure that I get the advise that I need, you ignored the fact that 10 trains have passed. You just continued talking to me, explaining to me, listening to me, and just rationalising to me why I feel unhappy. I really appreciate that.
You said Icant always just load up issues in my heart and when I reach the saturation point, I sink into some mini depression and would require immediate and intense consultation to empty the load before I can move on again.
I would like to, and I am learning to unload as issues surface, not keep them within me until I reach my threshold. It is not easy because this is my character and I have been programmed to think and lead my life this way. It's time for change.
It's time to do a major overhaul of things at this juncture.
I need a break badly.
Monday, October 22, 2007
4 weekends left
I have only about 4 weekends left to be spent in singapore for this year.
Catch me peeps! Catch ME!!
2 more trips to PRC - One for about 7 days, another one for 5 weeks.
I do look forward to the 5-weeks trip. It's going to be pretty fun hanging out with a group of 12 young peeps around my age and also to undergo training with one of the great mentors i have in the company.
I have to manage whatever i have started in SG office from abroad. That is why I am working pretty intensely to get as much things going and cleared as possible so that there is less to be settled later on.
I make sure that I leave the office not later than 7 these days. Work will always be there and if I dun strike a balance, I will not be able to accomplish much as a person, on the whole. This is especially so since my work requires me to travel intensely these days. I need time for myself, my friends and my family.
I have chosen SWORD B. Im happy with my decision although I still am not sure if that is really where I will be heading. Like the way things have been falling into place somehow for me the past 9 months, Im not going to worry because I know Im in good hands.
Ji Yoon...
It's been a long long while since we last met and got together. Im really excited about spending Xmas in Seoul!! Arrrghhh... I can imagine how we both will just chat and chat non stop about anything and everything... LAugh over the silliest thing on earth. And finally I get to meet ya mum in person! I miss her cooking SERIOUSLY!!
Im not sure if it will snow in Seoul this Xmas. I have never seen snow in my life but im looking forward to having a white Xmas!
I may not blog much after I start my 5 week trip in PRC because I wont be able to see what i blog and I dun really like that.
Anyway, I treasure each and every day that I spend in Singapore for now.
Today is one of the rare times that I actually got home before 830pm.
Sleep is darn important and I will ensure that I have sufficient sleep.
My happiness level is inversely proportional to my sleep debt.
HAPPIE happie for now!
Catch me peeps! Catch ME!!
2 more trips to PRC - One for about 7 days, another one for 5 weeks.
I do look forward to the 5-weeks trip. It's going to be pretty fun hanging out with a group of 12 young peeps around my age and also to undergo training with one of the great mentors i have in the company.
I have to manage whatever i have started in SG office from abroad. That is why I am working pretty intensely to get as much things going and cleared as possible so that there is less to be settled later on.
I make sure that I leave the office not later than 7 these days. Work will always be there and if I dun strike a balance, I will not be able to accomplish much as a person, on the whole. This is especially so since my work requires me to travel intensely these days. I need time for myself, my friends and my family.
I have chosen SWORD B. Im happy with my decision although I still am not sure if that is really where I will be heading. Like the way things have been falling into place somehow for me the past 9 months, Im not going to worry because I know Im in good hands.
Ji Yoon...
It's been a long long while since we last met and got together. Im really excited about spending Xmas in Seoul!! Arrrghhh... I can imagine how we both will just chat and chat non stop about anything and everything... LAugh over the silliest thing on earth. And finally I get to meet ya mum in person! I miss her cooking SERIOUSLY!!
Im not sure if it will snow in Seoul this Xmas. I have never seen snow in my life but im looking forward to having a white Xmas!
I may not blog much after I start my 5 week trip in PRC because I wont be able to see what i blog and I dun really like that.
Anyway, I treasure each and every day that I spend in Singapore for now.
Today is one of the rare times that I actually got home before 830pm.
Sleep is darn important and I will ensure that I have sufficient sleep.
My happiness level is inversely proportional to my sleep debt.
HAPPIE happie for now!
Trust
It's a good show. Go watch it.
Miu Kiu Wai is totally man and suave in all his suits in the movie. I think he really makes a good lead actor in this show. Not usual for him to be playing the lead role, but i guess this is certainly a great milestone for him. He has aged to be so so manly and very attractive in the show! I like!
Andy lau, on the other hand, is not playing the lead role. But I love his acting nonetheless.
Fundamentally, it's all about trust in all relationships. This is the simplest thing but also the most challenging aspect to build. With no trust, all relationships, especially BGR simply cannot sustain.
Coincidentally, 3 out of the 4 movies i caught on my flight back is also about trust. That is one of my biggest weakness too! I have to learn to trust, cos I know, that is the only way I can be happy in all relationships.
I grow up with Hong Kong movies. I love hong kong movies.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Nothing beats returning home
Im so tired! Emotionally and physically.
Usually I would leave for the airport to take domestic flight to beijing at around 8 plus to catch the 10am flight. Because of the meeting today, I took the 1:00pm flight. So, it was pretty intense for me to have my day start with a meeting, rushed to the airport, got delayed for about 20 min, and my check-in luggage took FOREVER to be loaded on the conveyor belt. By the time my luggage was picked up, it was already 245pm. My flight is at 4pm.
Beijing airport sucks big time. Imagine for international flight transfer, I have to get out of the domestic side, go and take a lift to level 2 with my full baggage. And there is only 1 lift at that side. And each lift can only fit max 3 trolleys. And THAT same lift is used for not just going up, it is also for the passengers going down, leaving the airport. I waited another 10 min for the lift. That was pretty ridiculous.
When I finally reached the check in counter, the guy kept asking me if my flight was confirmed to be today. And after checking for 5 min, (during which i lugged my 24kg luggage onto the conveyor belt for check in) he ran to his manager. GUESS WHAT? she told me that my flight wasnt changed to 17th. It was still on 16th. And the flight for today is full.
I almost died on the spot because I havent had lunch (that fish and rice in the aluminium foil from Air china domestic flight doesnt count) and I am very tired and irritated from all the waiting.
Right, so i asked for a solution because in my mind, I just wanna go home. I do not wanna be stranded in Beijing and the last thing i would ever want, is to be stranded in BEIJING AIRPORT.
So, she says i have to wait until the check in counter closed and then she will see if there are additional seats. I was lucky. I called my colleague to check if the negligence is at the airline's end or the travel agent because if it was the airline, im going to fight all the way, even if they only have seats in first class to make sure that I get back to SG. Well, in the end i didnt have to resort to that cos there was an extra seat, not only that, my favourite aisle seat in the centre portion. But that was not all lor, cos she said counter has closed, I had to bring my luggage to the OVERSIZE BAGGAGE CHECKIN. I had to lugg that big luggage again!
Tired. Hungry. Grouchy shi.
Thank god the food was good on the plane and the movies were fabulous too. HAha.. I watched 1.5 ang mo movies, and 2 hongkong movies. Except for the last hongkong movie, the rest of the movies were really good. I lauged and teared on the plane. A little embarrassing haha.
I have been feeling giddy the whole day. Even now. I was car sick on my way from airport to the office. Still car sick from office to airport. And when I reached changi, I think the heat sort of made me felt giddy again. And my luggage again, took much longer than usual to appear.
This trip hasnt been really that smooth. Anyhow, I came back in one piece. I need rest. Im very happy to be on leave tom! yay!
Usually I would leave for the airport to take domestic flight to beijing at around 8 plus to catch the 10am flight. Because of the meeting today, I took the 1:00pm flight. So, it was pretty intense for me to have my day start with a meeting, rushed to the airport, got delayed for about 20 min, and my check-in luggage took FOREVER to be loaded on the conveyor belt. By the time my luggage was picked up, it was already 245pm. My flight is at 4pm.
Beijing airport sucks big time. Imagine for international flight transfer, I have to get out of the domestic side, go and take a lift to level 2 with my full baggage. And there is only 1 lift at that side. And each lift can only fit max 3 trolleys. And THAT same lift is used for not just going up, it is also for the passengers going down, leaving the airport. I waited another 10 min for the lift. That was pretty ridiculous.
When I finally reached the check in counter, the guy kept asking me if my flight was confirmed to be today. And after checking for 5 min, (during which i lugged my 24kg luggage onto the conveyor belt for check in) he ran to his manager. GUESS WHAT? she told me that my flight wasnt changed to 17th. It was still on 16th. And the flight for today is full.
I almost died on the spot because I havent had lunch (that fish and rice in the aluminium foil from Air china domestic flight doesnt count) and I am very tired and irritated from all the waiting.
Right, so i asked for a solution because in my mind, I just wanna go home. I do not wanna be stranded in Beijing and the last thing i would ever want, is to be stranded in BEIJING AIRPORT.
So, she says i have to wait until the check in counter closed and then she will see if there are additional seats. I was lucky. I called my colleague to check if the negligence is at the airline's end or the travel agent because if it was the airline, im going to fight all the way, even if they only have seats in first class to make sure that I get back to SG. Well, in the end i didnt have to resort to that cos there was an extra seat, not only that, my favourite aisle seat in the centre portion. But that was not all lor, cos she said counter has closed, I had to bring my luggage to the OVERSIZE BAGGAGE CHECKIN. I had to lugg that big luggage again!
Tired. Hungry. Grouchy shi.
Thank god the food was good on the plane and the movies were fabulous too. HAha.. I watched 1.5 ang mo movies, and 2 hongkong movies. Except for the last hongkong movie, the rest of the movies were really good. I lauged and teared on the plane. A little embarrassing haha.
I have been feeling giddy the whole day. Even now. I was car sick on my way from airport to the office. Still car sick from office to airport. And when I reached changi, I think the heat sort of made me felt giddy again. And my luggage again, took much longer than usual to appear.
This trip hasnt been really that smooth. Anyhow, I came back in one piece. I need rest. Im very happy to be on leave tom! yay!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Pen and the Sword
He told me, to be a first class manager, I need to be able to hold the Sword and the Pen.
Im at a lost because I am pretty much forced to decide which Sword I would like to hold. There are implications of course.
Sword A:
If I wanna stay in this industry, this is definitely the SWORD. At least, this sword that he is offering me is certainly value adding. However, there lies a list of sacrifices that I have to make. Above all, it is the environment that I fear. I have heard too much and see for myself how I would certainly not prefer to be in such a situation. It takes at least 1.5 years to build and hold the sword. And should I decide that this is the sword I want, there is no turning back.
What I am also struggling with at this point of time, is in deciding if this kind of sword is suitable for me because I will have to work on building it for at least 1.5 years.
Sword B:
I was trained in school on how to make this sword. However, I never had a chance to really practise it. If I were to remain in this industry, this is certainly a much smaller sword compared to sword A. However, I know for sure I would have an excellent environment and very good mentors with me to see this through. Im not sure how far this sword can bring me. I am also not sure if this sword is good for me.
I would like to be a warrior in this game. Of which, both Swords A and B are crucial. I can comfortably just go on with Sword B, but without going through the process of making A, I will never be able to use B fundamentally. They are intending to groom me to not just make Sword A, but to also keep it and use it.
I would really prefer going through the process and understanding how Sword A is made and can be used, but it is never my calling to hold Sword A.
I am already holding a Pen. I know I am not holding the best pen because I am still in the process of upgrading it.
I cant make a decision in 5 days.
I remembered a line in "Munich" - the movie, "If you cant decide now, you will never decide".
I hate to be in situations like that. But I know that until I feel comfortable enough to make a decision, I shouldnt. So far, in all situations like such, I struggle so much I cry. But each time after, because the decision I make ultimately was something that came from my heart and supported by my head, I dun regret.
High risk, high return. Of course, high lost.
I may lose everything. But he said no matter what, I will definitely be better off than I was.
I thank him for everything. The guidance, the attention, the sincerity, and the mentorship. I am deeply touched. I am certainly willing to go all out for him. What is holding me back now, is that I may not be happy doing what I do and when that happens, I know I dun have passion anymore and when I lose that passion, I am no good for any company because I will no longer love my job.
I miss home.
Im at a lost because I am pretty much forced to decide which Sword I would like to hold. There are implications of course.
Sword A:
If I wanna stay in this industry, this is definitely the SWORD. At least, this sword that he is offering me is certainly value adding. However, there lies a list of sacrifices that I have to make. Above all, it is the environment that I fear. I have heard too much and see for myself how I would certainly not prefer to be in such a situation. It takes at least 1.5 years to build and hold the sword. And should I decide that this is the sword I want, there is no turning back.
What I am also struggling with at this point of time, is in deciding if this kind of sword is suitable for me because I will have to work on building it for at least 1.5 years.
Sword B:
I was trained in school on how to make this sword. However, I never had a chance to really practise it. If I were to remain in this industry, this is certainly a much smaller sword compared to sword A. However, I know for sure I would have an excellent environment and very good mentors with me to see this through. Im not sure how far this sword can bring me. I am also not sure if this sword is good for me.
I would like to be a warrior in this game. Of which, both Swords A and B are crucial. I can comfortably just go on with Sword B, but without going through the process of making A, I will never be able to use B fundamentally. They are intending to groom me to not just make Sword A, but to also keep it and use it.
I would really prefer going through the process and understanding how Sword A is made and can be used, but it is never my calling to hold Sword A.
I am already holding a Pen. I know I am not holding the best pen because I am still in the process of upgrading it.
I cant make a decision in 5 days.
I remembered a line in "Munich" - the movie, "If you cant decide now, you will never decide".
I hate to be in situations like that. But I know that until I feel comfortable enough to make a decision, I shouldnt. So far, in all situations like such, I struggle so much I cry. But each time after, because the decision I make ultimately was something that came from my heart and supported by my head, I dun regret.
High risk, high return. Of course, high lost.
I may lose everything. But he said no matter what, I will definitely be better off than I was.
I thank him for everything. The guidance, the attention, the sincerity, and the mentorship. I am deeply touched. I am certainly willing to go all out for him. What is holding me back now, is that I may not be happy doing what I do and when that happens, I know I dun have passion anymore and when I lose that passion, I am no good for any company because I will no longer love my job.
I miss home.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Deeply treasured indulgence
I enjoyed the biscuits + Cheese +Wine.
I enjoyed every single meal that I had with you because each was so special and every meal was savoured beyond the physical aspect, it was an indulgence shared, felt and treasured by the heart.
Mooncakes that kept us going and lifted our spirits amidst the lonely afternoons; after a hearty meal to make the whole experience more holistic. It was indeed a happy food.
Ikea lunch was refreshing.
DIM sum brunch was a an intense fulfilment.
Even a simple porridge or a da bao-ed cai fan is worth remembering.
Im definitely going to miss all these while im away for the next 11 days. Im glad though, that it is only for 11 days.
I look forward to continuing this euphoric indulgence after my return, with none other than YOU!
I enjoyed every single meal that I had with you because each was so special and every meal was savoured beyond the physical aspect, it was an indulgence shared, felt and treasured by the heart.
Mooncakes that kept us going and lifted our spirits amidst the lonely afternoons; after a hearty meal to make the whole experience more holistic. It was indeed a happy food.
Ikea lunch was refreshing.
DIM sum brunch was a an intense fulfilment.
Even a simple porridge or a da bao-ed cai fan is worth remembering.
Im definitely going to miss all these while im away for the next 11 days. Im glad though, that it is only for 11 days.
I look forward to continuing this euphoric indulgence after my return, with none other than YOU!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Finally found the ideal luggage
Hmm.. The lighting isnt that ideal. But this is the luggage. Look at the prints! And it is white in colour. Very chio!! I love it. It is about 60 cm by 80 cm by 40 cm.
Retail therapy
Im a happie girl.
For $126,
I got:
Ettusias Liquid Eyeliner,
Ettusias Gel Make up remover,
Ettusias Foundation
3 pieces of Triumph Undies
1 Top from Hypnosis
& My favourite, Luggage - a free gift from Ettusias. (Frankly, I was more interested in the luggage than the products, but since I need to get pressie for my sis anyway, this came as a really good steal).
That is a good hand luggagem, white base with silver bow prints, exactly the size I wanted and the design is just fantabulous. I havc been checking out the ISETAN luggage counters weekly but I was never able to find something that caught my heart the way this luggage did.
I no longer have to lug my lappie during my trips. I can just put my hand luggage all in this Beautiful suitcase.
HAppie!!!
For $126,
I got:
Ettusias Liquid Eyeliner,
Ettusias Gel Make up remover,
Ettusias Foundation
3 pieces of Triumph Undies
1 Top from Hypnosis
& My favourite, Luggage - a free gift from Ettusias. (Frankly, I was more interested in the luggage than the products, but since I need to get pressie for my sis anyway, this came as a really good steal).
That is a good hand luggagem, white base with silver bow prints, exactly the size I wanted and the design is just fantabulous. I havc been checking out the ISETAN luggage counters weekly but I was never able to find something that caught my heart the way this luggage did.
I no longer have to lug my lappie during my trips. I can just put my hand luggage all in this Beautiful suitcase.
HAppie!!!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Another great weekend
My weekend started a bit later than most peeps cos i ended work late at around 9pm on friday night. I looked so worn out and I was exhausted no doubt, i took a cab home, had my dinner and plonked straight onto my bed.
I had about10 hours of sleep - something I was yearning since the beginning of last week. I woke up refreshed and went over to my aunt's place for a buffet lunch. Yesterday was my cousin's wedding day. I manage to have lunch, squeeze out 2 hours for SY, rush to do my hair (very simple styling), rush home and imagine, when I reached home, my ah gong and papa were already wearing their socks. I had to change, rush to do my basic make up within 10 min and then grab my mascara, eye shadow and earrings and hurry down to meet the men in my family cos they were all waiting for me.
I heard the best bridegroom speech in my life yesterday. I was impressed. Not that I had attended a lot of weddings but seriously, the way my cousin delivered the speech... he was witty, funny, to the point and he used very fluent mandarin for his short but touching and entertaining speech. Very Proud of him indeed. CONGRATULATIONS!!
And after the dinner, i was back home, again, I had to rush, change out and ran down to meet CY for a drink with his friends at Jalan Kayu and later on card games at his place all the way till..... 5 am. Yes. And I won. Haha.. My gambling luck hasnt been very good this year but surprisingly, I made it last night. Haha
Today was nice, simple and again, a happy sunday for me.
I certainly had a very wonderful weekend, which wouldnt have been possible without all of you. My absence from SG on weekends when I had to spend them in China made me value my weekends ALOT.
Not only do I have a lot of catching up to do with my friends, I have a lot of catching up to do with my life.
Woah, JS said I looked more haggard these days than I was a few months ago! I shall ensure that I clear my sleep debt to prove him wrong!
I had about10 hours of sleep - something I was yearning since the beginning of last week. I woke up refreshed and went over to my aunt's place for a buffet lunch. Yesterday was my cousin's wedding day. I manage to have lunch, squeeze out 2 hours for SY, rush to do my hair (very simple styling), rush home and imagine, when I reached home, my ah gong and papa were already wearing their socks. I had to change, rush to do my basic make up within 10 min and then grab my mascara, eye shadow and earrings and hurry down to meet the men in my family cos they were all waiting for me.
I heard the best bridegroom speech in my life yesterday. I was impressed. Not that I had attended a lot of weddings but seriously, the way my cousin delivered the speech... he was witty, funny, to the point and he used very fluent mandarin for his short but touching and entertaining speech. Very Proud of him indeed. CONGRATULATIONS!!
And after the dinner, i was back home, again, I had to rush, change out and ran down to meet CY for a drink with his friends at Jalan Kayu and later on card games at his place all the way till..... 5 am. Yes. And I won. Haha.. My gambling luck hasnt been very good this year but surprisingly, I made it last night. Haha
Today was nice, simple and again, a happy sunday for me.
I certainly had a very wonderful weekend, which wouldnt have been possible without all of you. My absence from SG on weekends when I had to spend them in China made me value my weekends ALOT.
Not only do I have a lot of catching up to do with my friends, I have a lot of catching up to do with my life.
Woah, JS said I looked more haggard these days than I was a few months ago! I shall ensure that I clear my sleep debt to prove him wrong!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
philosophical words of wisdom
Quote:
失败中学到，成功中得到，
生活就像山谷里回声，
你对它付出多少，就会得到多少。
忍耐是做人第一法，礼貌是处事第一法，
谦虚是保身第一法，宽容是用心第一法。
Sweet and simple. Apt and to the point. I love this book.
One of the gem i found off the rack in the small cafe at yantai airport while waiting for the domestic flight.
I read a lot each time I travel and I enjoy every bit of it. I was at my aunt's place yesterday afternoon and she enjoys reading “NU REN WO ZUI DA" magazine. Taiwanese magazine on beauty, fashion and make up. After a while, after reading taiwanese and chinese magazines, one simply cannot go back to mag like her world and Elle or style cos these magazines are less commercial and they are more informative. I am always amazed at how fast i can finish reading Her world even though it is a close to 5cm thick mag.
In one of the fashion magazines I bought in CHina, they did a review on some of the facial products. They do not simply state which are the brands of products that are good, they openly listed and showed brands of products you must avoid. That is true review. It is not about reading advertisements and seeing posters. It is vital information that readers look out for.
Kudos to the "Vanilla" magazine. Still my favourite!
失败中学到，成功中得到，
生活就像山谷里回声，
你对它付出多少，就会得到多少。
忍耐是做人第一法，礼貌是处事第一法，
谦虚是保身第一法，宽容是用心第一法。
Sweet and simple. Apt and to the point. I love this book.
One of the gem i found off the rack in the small cafe at yantai airport while waiting for the domestic flight.
I read a lot each time I travel and I enjoy every bit of it. I was at my aunt's place yesterday afternoon and she enjoys reading “NU REN WO ZUI DA" magazine. Taiwanese magazine on beauty, fashion and make up. After a while, after reading taiwanese and chinese magazines, one simply cannot go back to mag like her world and Elle or style cos these magazines are less commercial and they are more informative. I am always amazed at how fast i can finish reading Her world even though it is a close to 5cm thick mag.
In one of the fashion magazines I bought in CHina, they did a review on some of the facial products. They do not simply state which are the brands of products that are good, they openly listed and showed brands of products you must avoid. That is true review. It is not about reading advertisements and seeing posters. It is vital information that readers look out for.
Kudos to the "Vanilla" magazine. Still my favourite!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Awesome weekend back in SG
I spent my last two saturday mornings working in the office in China.
Im happy to be back.
Since I fell asleep real quick on fri night, I woke up at around 9am yesterday re-charged. Guess what I did on a sat morning? Spring cleaning. Im not really done yet. I mean looking from the point of view of the whole house, I am only 1/3 done. 2/3 more to go. I think i will spread that out over the coming week. Hopefully by the next weekend, I can go get some nice mirrors and set up a proper dressing table..
I cleared 7 bags of stuff in 2 days. More to throw!
Looking back, I never really spend time doing a thorough clean up. Right after my last sem I was away in Nepal doing my com service. Not long after my return I started work. Work was just intense for me these 9 months. And before I know it and when I least expected it, I had to travel back and forth China and SG.
After having everything so prim and proper and so well set out and everything packed and done nicely for me in the hotel, I came back to my home, determined to continue that kind of neatness for my environment. That's a little tough I know but Im progressing.
Anyways, I had a great weekend spending time with my love ones.
Im really tired now. I guess I cant do much for the night for now. Will sleep soon.
Im happy. I miss the cheese, the bizkits, the sausages, the wine certainly and most importantly, the company. & today, I spent the whole day with my family. Dinner with papa and mama. Havent done that in a very long time.
Im happy to be back.
Since I fell asleep real quick on fri night, I woke up at around 9am yesterday re-charged. Guess what I did on a sat morning? Spring cleaning. Im not really done yet. I mean looking from the point of view of the whole house, I am only 1/3 done. 2/3 more to go. I think i will spread that out over the coming week. Hopefully by the next weekend, I can go get some nice mirrors and set up a proper dressing table..
I cleared 7 bags of stuff in 2 days. More to throw!
Looking back, I never really spend time doing a thorough clean up. Right after my last sem I was away in Nepal doing my com service. Not long after my return I started work. Work was just intense for me these 9 months. And before I know it and when I least expected it, I had to travel back and forth China and SG.
After having everything so prim and proper and so well set out and everything packed and done nicely for me in the hotel, I came back to my home, determined to continue that kind of neatness for my environment. That's a little tough I know but Im progressing.
Anyways, I had a great weekend spending time with my love ones.
Im really tired now. I guess I cant do much for the night for now. Will sleep soon.
Im happy. I miss the cheese, the bizkits, the sausages, the wine certainly and most importantly, the company. & today, I spent the whole day with my family. Dinner with papa and mama. Havent done that in a very long time.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
PEKING
While Transiting Beijing, HM and I sneaked out of the Beijing airport to try the famous Peking duck. My fav dish was actually the dish in yellow gravy. That is the most awesome food for the trip. It is Chestnut with White cabbage. The gravy is made from some really good stock. The white cabbage has thoroughly infused the essence of the stock in the gravy and somehow they made a great combination. The chestnut was nice and soft, certainly sweet.
That was the 3rd peking duck of the trip. Very fattening, though it's really good.
Other dish shown above -
Top left hand corner of the 2nd slide: Deep fried oyster with salt and pepper
Right: Chestnut with chinese cabbage
Bottom left corner of the 2nd slide: Fresh scallops coated with salted egg yolk, mixed with corn bits coated with avocado.
Right: Fruit Platter
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Milestone
It's the 2nd Sunday in GGH.
Im looking forward to going back to SG soon.
This trip has been truly fruitful. It was a very intense week but i learnt a lot about the operations of the yard. It would have been rather difficult should I have just stayed in SG office. With HM's help, we manage to draft a record number of flowcharts in 3 days more than what I have done in 1 month. Interviewing people, grilling them and asking very specific questions are the key to getting workflow out from them.
G has been the most helpful. Without his guidance, I never would have been able to appreciate and understand the way the yard functions. While I was sitting in the meeting that day, I looked at all of them in the yard uniform. I look at the bosses. I look at the CEO. I hold the utmost respect for them.
I respect G a lot too. He is a great leader, definitely a high flyer for someone his age. What makes him so respectible is his ever-readiness to share his knowledge and his very humble attitude for someone who has already reached his status today.
The whole experience and exposure made my work more fulfilling than ever. Working in China, more specifically, working with the chinese national in their homeground is very much an art on its own. When you cant get past the cultural divide, you will never be able to get your work done. In the short term, you can use an authoritative method. But you know that is the worst method cos it starts and stops there and then. I cant say that I have a formula now but it is really important to build "Guan Xi". That is beyond gifts and luncheons though these are a must. Sincerity is very important and once you break their emotional barrier which resulted from the cultural divide, work moves along much faster.
In any case, Im happy to be in this company, at this time. It is a really exciting period and a very valuable learning opportunity for a fresh grad like me. I drowned a few times in the past and every now and then I still do. But at the end of the day, I know, that while my frantic struggle each time I drown has made me progressed very much faster than if I were to have a smooth sailing ride.
People here love fireworks. Firecrackers too. Other than the public toilets and garlic-infested breaths, I love this city!
Im looking forward to going back to SG soon.
This trip has been truly fruitful. It was a very intense week but i learnt a lot about the operations of the yard. It would have been rather difficult should I have just stayed in SG office. With HM's help, we manage to draft a record number of flowcharts in 3 days more than what I have done in 1 month. Interviewing people, grilling them and asking very specific questions are the key to getting workflow out from them.
G has been the most helpful. Without his guidance, I never would have been able to appreciate and understand the way the yard functions. While I was sitting in the meeting that day, I looked at all of them in the yard uniform. I look at the bosses. I look at the CEO. I hold the utmost respect for them.
I respect G a lot too. He is a great leader, definitely a high flyer for someone his age. What makes him so respectible is his ever-readiness to share his knowledge and his very humble attitude for someone who has already reached his status today.
The whole experience and exposure made my work more fulfilling than ever. Working in China, more specifically, working with the chinese national in their homeground is very much an art on its own. When you cant get past the cultural divide, you will never be able to get your work done. In the short term, you can use an authoritative method. But you know that is the worst method cos it starts and stops there and then. I cant say that I have a formula now but it is really important to build "Guan Xi". That is beyond gifts and luncheons though these are a must. Sincerity is very important and once you break their emotional barrier which resulted from the cultural divide, work moves along much faster.
In any case, Im happy to be in this company, at this time. It is a really exciting period and a very valuable learning opportunity for a fresh grad like me. I drowned a few times in the past and every now and then I still do. But at the end of the day, I know, that while my frantic struggle each time I drown has made me progressed very much faster than if I were to have a smooth sailing ride.
People here love fireworks. Firecrackers too. Other than the public toilets and garlic-infested breaths, I love this city!
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Getting better
Finally. Today during our Ma La hot pot dinner... I opened up and became a little bit more happy inside. J and N were really really funny. They were talking about the F1 race in Shanghai this oct. I wanna catch it too. It possible, I wanna do a stopover and catch it with them before we all fly back to YT for work.
I guess I am still adjusting my heavy work load and that I will have to travel at least once a month from now till at least the beginning next year. I will not always have HM with me cos he has his own work to do.
I dunno what caused me to be so unhappy these days. Perhaps it was the work load. I just dun like the idea of having a list of things that I have yet to finish at the end of the day. I have to deal with it i guess and I guess I am still dealing with it.
Before Im done with one thing, another thing crops up. Half the time I am chiselling work away based on the level of importance. As you know, once something is not that important, it will tend to always stay at the bottom of the list. That's not very good.
But it is ok. Shall put away these negative things. Im glad things are getting better. Im looking forward to this weekend. I will have a good rest. Seriously. I need a good sleep.
2 great dinners this week:
First: we had seafood BBQ at the roof top of our hotel. Imagine, we are at the gulf, we have a really fantastic sea view and apparently that day was some "CAI SHEN DAY". There were at least 5 sets of fireworks everyone... So pretty. The temperature is dropping and so the sea breeze at night is rather chilly. Anyway, the view is superb. The food is not that bad. I just didnt have the guts to eat the grilled silkworm.
Second: Today. The ma la hot pot. I am beginning to eat hot pot like a local chinese. Their sesame sauce + fermented bean curd juice and then you add a lot of spring onion. This is the best dip for hot pot!! EAT IT LIKE A LOCAL.
Im gonna adjust my lifestyle and mentality. I know Im ready when I begin to start travelling to nearby places.
One piece of fantastic news: DNV audit is gonna stretch till early next year for sure. I see myself coming back once a month at least from now. And OCt is going to be the interface of the autumn and winter. I hope it snows in dec. And it i am going to come back again in JAn. JY!!! Im going to seoul for sure. I wanna celebrate my birthday there and I certainly deserve a break.
FAntastic. Gonna go Qingdao & DA lian next time round.
Im suppose to be happy. I will.
I guess I am still adjusting my heavy work load and that I will have to travel at least once a month from now till at least the beginning next year. I will not always have HM with me cos he has his own work to do.
I dunno what caused me to be so unhappy these days. Perhaps it was the work load. I just dun like the idea of having a list of things that I have yet to finish at the end of the day. I have to deal with it i guess and I guess I am still dealing with it.
Before Im done with one thing, another thing crops up. Half the time I am chiselling work away based on the level of importance. As you know, once something is not that important, it will tend to always stay at the bottom of the list. That's not very good.
But it is ok. Shall put away these negative things. Im glad things are getting better. Im looking forward to this weekend. I will have a good rest. Seriously. I need a good sleep.
2 great dinners this week:
First: we had seafood BBQ at the roof top of our hotel. Imagine, we are at the gulf, we have a really fantastic sea view and apparently that day was some "CAI SHEN DAY". There were at least 5 sets of fireworks everyone... So pretty. The temperature is dropping and so the sea breeze at night is rather chilly. Anyway, the view is superb. The food is not that bad. I just didnt have the guts to eat the grilled silkworm.
Second: Today. The ma la hot pot. I am beginning to eat hot pot like a local chinese. Their sesame sauce + fermented bean curd juice and then you add a lot of spring onion. This is the best dip for hot pot!! EAT IT LIKE A LOCAL.
Im gonna adjust my lifestyle and mentality. I know Im ready when I begin to start travelling to nearby places.
One piece of fantastic news: DNV audit is gonna stretch till early next year for sure. I see myself coming back once a month at least from now. And OCt is going to be the interface of the autumn and winter. I hope it snows in dec. And it i am going to come back again in JAn. JY!!! Im going to seoul for sure. I wanna celebrate my birthday there and I certainly deserve a break.
FAntastic. Gonna go Qingdao & DA lian next time round.
Im suppose to be happy. I will.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Sunday
My room service breakfast this morning: I woke up at 10, forced myself out of bed to go down for breakfast thinking that it ends at 11am. I was wrong. Ends at 10.
I have to get out of bed because:
- I need to clear the work for the week before I can start Monday and the coming week right as I have a whole load of things to do ahead.
- They are expecting some kind of work done from my side. I have to manage the expectations of my bosses.
- I want to be able to enjoy the rest of my sunday at the pedicure place, shopping with Iris and have a great dinner tonight.
- Work stress is looming and ballooning and I have to do something about it before I crumble.
Honestly, now I feel really lousy. Arrgghhh...
BUT. Yes, Im gonna finish up the club sandwich above. (This is far from the one I had in Thailand, at Hua Hin Beach, it doesnt even have eggs inside!). Gulp down my Grapefruit juice. Finish up the work. Take a nap. Take a shower. ENJOY MY SUNDAY! :)
I miss home. I really do.
I felt kind of empty and lonely yesterday night. With all the stress, work, tussle. I teared. A little. A bit. But it was good emotional relief. Hmm... I suppose the size of the hotel room does make me feel a tad more empty inside.
Long long 2 weeks ahead.
I miss you.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Pamper me
I got myself a watch. Thank you WM. The more I look at it, the more I adore it. The Black Balance Irony. I trust swatch. Reason why I didnt get a guess? The design is too common and there are too many imitations available. I have to admit that this was kind of an impulse but I guess this was something that I have been keeping a lookout for and since mummy's $40 voucher is expiring soon, and I think it is time I get myself a nice metalic watch, I grabbed it.
This is a symbolic first.
The first watch that I got myself after like 23 years? Haha.. my existing collections are either gifts or pass-down.
The irony of it all is that I have stopped wearing watches for quite sometime. Maybe cos they were never my choice. This time it is different. I thought through it and it was my decision.
He asked me why I chose swatch when I was looking for a metallic one. True, swatch's forte isnt on metallic watches. I did think about it for a while. Haha... But I guess I love the brand and I trust swatch I guess I just had to go for Swatch. There will be time for more ATTAs watches later on. I want to start with something formal, nice and chic.
NICEY. Most importantly. I love it.
Ok. That's for retail therapy.
I saw how haggard I looked in the mirror today. My dark eye rings were all time black. My spiritual well-being is all time low. There are times I felt like crying when I would realise later than it is more of an emotional outcry that I had than a physical outcry. I dunno how to tear emotionally and not physically. That is something pretty painful. How do I put it. It's kind of bad. Im glad Im leaving for this. I look forward to going on the plane. To not have to think about work. I need a getaway.
Lift my spirits.
I got work to finish but I think I should sleep.
I havent packed for tom night but I think I should sleep.
Im tired of being plagued by things like that.
HAZELNUT MILK. I crave for a hot cuppa.
YAWN.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Too much memories
Would You Be There
Artist: Redwan Ali
Composer: unknown
music.yeucahat.com © 2006-2007
If I were blue, would you be there for me,
And whisper in my ears that's ok.
Would you stand by me, let me hold you tight,
And say you love me one more time.
If I feel good, would you slow dance with me,
And touch my lips with tender loving care,
Would you die for me, would you run with me,
And never look back..
Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?
Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?
Would you be there..If I will wait,
would you still think of me,And wished that you could hold me now.
Would you die for me, would you run with me,
All the way ...
Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,to take my breath away?
Would you be there to save my soul tonight,
Would you swear that your love is always true,
Would you say that you always be there,
To kiss my pain away,Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,to take my breath away?
Would you be there to save my soul tonight,
Would you swear that your love is always true,
Would you say that you always be there,
To kiss my pain away,
Would you be there ..... for me ...
Try this link: http://music.yeucahat.com/listen.php?s=24019
Artist: Redwan Ali
Composer: unknown
music.yeucahat.com © 2006-2007
If I were blue, would you be there for me,
And whisper in my ears that's ok.
Would you stand by me, let me hold you tight,
And say you love me one more time.
If I feel good, would you slow dance with me,
And touch my lips with tender loving care,
Would you die for me, would you run with me,
And never look back..
Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?
Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,
to take my breath away?
Would you be there..If I will wait,
would you still think of me,And wished that you could hold me now.
Would you die for me, would you run with me,
All the way ...
Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,to take my breath away?
Would you be there to save my soul tonight,
Would you swear that your love is always true,
Would you say that you always be there,
To kiss my pain away,Would you be there to love, to be with me?
Would you swear that your love is always true?
Would you say that you'll always be the one,to take my breath away?
Would you be there to save my soul tonight,
Would you swear that your love is always true,
Would you say that you always be there,
To kiss my pain away,
Would you be there ..... for me ...
Try this link: http://music.yeucahat.com/listen.php?s=24019
Impressed & Depressed
Woah.. Mr HS - Philip... Im still not getting used to this name.
I just read your post and i am impressed!! Woah, you are the 2% you claimed to be. I read your post and I could feel the kind of excitement and anticipation that was heightened. She must have loved you to bits!! So so SWEET!!
I feel happy for you and her.
ok. Enough of you. Now let's talk about me.
I want to catch IMC 2007 so so bad. I wanted to catch a live Muay Thai show in bkk last year but i didnt get the chance to. Finally, they are holding an international championship here and WHY must it be scheduled on 14th Sep? SOB SOB!!! Im going to try so very very hard to be back in SG on 13th because I want to watch this real bad!
I wanna catch Swan Lake. I wanna catch Marriage with Figaro.
I miss catching shows at the Esplanade. I miss the little spiritual engagement each time I was there for a performance. Even if I were to be all squeezed up in the restricted view seats, I enjoyed every bit of it. I wanna be there again. I need to be there again before I go all mad with my work.
Im gonna leave again.
I dun feel as excited as I was previously. In fact, I am so bogged down by work, I dun feel much. I hope this trip will be good. A part of me wants to hurry off to another country, away from the heavy work load here. Another part of me wants to stay so badly because I know I will miss the weekends in SG so badly.
I just read your post and i am impressed!! Woah, you are the 2% you claimed to be. I read your post and I could feel the kind of excitement and anticipation that was heightened. She must have loved you to bits!! So so SWEET!!
I feel happy for you and her.
ok. Enough of you. Now let's talk about me.
I want to catch IMC 2007 so so bad. I wanted to catch a live Muay Thai show in bkk last year but i didnt get the chance to. Finally, they are holding an international championship here and WHY must it be scheduled on 14th Sep? SOB SOB!!! Im going to try so very very hard to be back in SG on 13th because I want to watch this real bad!
I wanna catch Swan Lake. I wanna catch Marriage with Figaro.
I miss catching shows at the Esplanade. I miss the little spiritual engagement each time I was there for a performance. Even if I were to be all squeezed up in the restricted view seats, I enjoyed every bit of it. I wanna be there again. I need to be there again before I go all mad with my work.
Im gonna leave again.
I dun feel as excited as I was previously. In fact, I am so bogged down by work, I dun feel much. I hope this trip will be good. A part of me wants to hurry off to another country, away from the heavy work load here. Another part of me wants to stay so badly because I know I will miss the weekends in SG so badly.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Im eating better...
I love this movie.
It is Witty, cute, funny, Classy, very well animated and it has a really good plot. There were many words of wisdom from "GUSTEAU" and these lines inspire. I like that.
After Finding Nemo, I think this is the second best cartoon that I would really classify as a must watch.
I havent been able to eat well for almost a week. I know im in some kind of trouble when I cant eat because that almost NEVER happen except when i started my work. This is the second time I would say.
I had a very good, simple but heart-warming and relaxing time since yesterday night. Thank you for the company! We didnt do anything exceptionally exciting but I enjoyed each and every moment spent, especially at the cinema catching this show.
Somehow after that, I felt that the knot in my stomach was untied. I no longer have to force food down my throat. And when I begin to wanna fight for the last piece of mushroom from the cabonara and I finished the last piece of waffle from Gelare, I know I am recovering.
Watch it peeps!Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Lost
Funny aint it. I actually feel lost back in SG.
Maybe this was all due to the fact that I was swarmed by a huge load of work before i even caught my breath and I know I have a tight deadline to work with and I must clear as much as I can before i fly off again next week.
HMMM!!!
During the 2 weeks that i was away, other than my boss, and my mom, only 1 person called me every now and then to chat, tell me about the person's day and hear me talk about my day. & other than my boss and my mom, only 1 other person, same person as the one i mentioned earlier smsed me to see if I was ok. I appreciate that. I appreciate that big time. I have a China mobile and incoming is free for me and when im away working and every night alone in the hotel room, I leapt with joy when I get to talk to someone close from home.
Whatever the case, I look forward to my next trip.
Cant wait to get away again.
It hurts most when the reason and excuse that I used to pacify and console myself is no longer made available and I have to swallow and accept things which, deep inside, I know, I have reached another limit. This is not how I want my life to be. This is not what I expect things to be. It is at the end of the day, an utter disappointment. Time and time again I tried to change, I tried to run away, I tried to protect myself, I ignore, I fight, and looking at now, I know, it's all in vain. I do not want myself to suffer, at least, not in this way.
Im on the verge of giving up again.
Maybe this was all due to the fact that I was swarmed by a huge load of work before i even caught my breath and I know I have a tight deadline to work with and I must clear as much as I can before i fly off again next week.
HMMM!!!
During the 2 weeks that i was away, other than my boss, and my mom, only 1 person called me every now and then to chat, tell me about the person's day and hear me talk about my day. & other than my boss and my mom, only 1 other person, same person as the one i mentioned earlier smsed me to see if I was ok. I appreciate that. I appreciate that big time. I have a China mobile and incoming is free for me and when im away working and every night alone in the hotel room, I leapt with joy when I get to talk to someone close from home.
Whatever the case, I look forward to my next trip.
Cant wait to get away again.
It hurts most when the reason and excuse that I used to pacify and console myself is no longer made available and I have to swallow and accept things which, deep inside, I know, I have reached another limit. This is not how I want my life to be. This is not what I expect things to be. It is at the end of the day, an utter disappointment. Time and time again I tried to change, I tried to run away, I tried to protect myself, I ignore, I fight, and looking at now, I know, it's all in vain. I do not want myself to suffer, at least, not in this way.
Im on the verge of giving up again.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Give me more time
Time flies and before i know it, it is 530pm. I knock off officially at 6pm.
Not enough time.
I run around in and out of meetings, rush documents, clean up spreadsheets, run numbers, consolidate data, do presentations, talk to people, think about how their processes should be streamlined, write more policies and procedures, flowcharts. From preparing my own department's handbook about 6 months ago, till overseeing all the department's handbook today, the scope, the exposure, the expectations, the skills required, have all changed.
Intense is the word.
Somehow I miss my days in China. Truly. Im glad really that i will be back again very very soon.
Cos when i travel, I get time off for myself. I take a step back to look at my life, read the magazines and books that i want to. I get to spend time grooming myself. A simple pedicure makes wonder to my well-being.
Still On work:
Practise makes perfect. Certainly. Im using excel and word to do things that I never did before and at a speed i never thought I was able to achieve.
At the end of the day, what contributes to most stress is not so much the actual work. It is managing the human relationship involved in every process that is the most challenging. That is something that I believe I am still trying to refine and trying to improve and i know even 30 downs the road, i will still be doing the same. This is especially so in China. When they say "guan xi" is important, I never quite understood until after this trip.
NEVER ever go to China and assume you are more superior and that everyone should listen to your way. In any company, no matter how experienced you are or how high a flyer you see yourself as, when you fail to first understand what the company is doing, what the people are doing, what their culture is and how it affects how they have been running their operations, whatever you propose will only be good for your previous appointments and operations which contributed to the way you shaped your idea of how things should be. For sure, you will fail. Especially so, in China.
Half the time people succeed in what they do not only because they are good at it, it is very much also because they are able to manage the relationship of the people involved very well. No man is an island. This is especially true in the corporate world. Unless you are a researcher working in labs, or that you are a professor who very much just run your own show, you need to be a team player and a leader whenever the need arises.
In essence what Im trying to say is, your technical knowledge brings you only this far, to truly excel, it is the skills and how good you are with people especially that truly allows you to hit above the mark.
Anyway, today is supposed to be the day 2 of the new school term. I miss school. I miss attending classes, meeting friends, hanging out at kopitiam, chilling in the library, buying textbooks, talking crap, doing projects (ermm.. some only). I am truly grateful to SMU for allowing me to explore life and experience life with the boundless opportunities which eventually made me who I am today.
I enjoy work because it takes my mind of a lot of things which are beyond my control and at the same time, I wasnt very pleased with.
I am not someone who can stand things being the opposite of what I firmly believe. But I have learnt, and have changed. Not that I can stand these things better nor have I changed my belief, I have learnt to shove them aside and just ignore them. This is real tough because I hold back. I hold back a lot. When I couldnt any longer, the spillover effect bring me to a state of confusion, depression and unhappiness when I have to spend some time putting my emotions into place again before I get on with another phase. BUt I will not change this believe because I know it is only a matter if time. I see it worked and I know that is the way it should be. I can choose to change now but I know this is not me and unless i am convinced, I will never be able to swallow something I do not believe.
I used to flare. I dun anymore.
I used to make a big fuss out of it. I dun anymore.
I used to mind and be totally impatient about it. I control.
I know i have reached a limit when i dun even feel that there is a need to say a word more.
Anyhow, I am grateful to have peeps to listen to me, hear me out, continuously and selflessly just be there for me whenever I need someone. When I needed a hand, a ear, a hug, they are there. These are the peeps that got me by. I will always remember the kindness and the effort.
Thank you.
Not enough time.
I run around in and out of meetings, rush documents, clean up spreadsheets, run numbers, consolidate data, do presentations, talk to people, think about how their processes should be streamlined, write more policies and procedures, flowcharts. From preparing my own department's handbook about 6 months ago, till overseeing all the department's handbook today, the scope, the exposure, the expectations, the skills required, have all changed.
Intense is the word.
Somehow I miss my days in China. Truly. Im glad really that i will be back again very very soon.
Cos when i travel, I get time off for myself. I take a step back to look at my life, read the magazines and books that i want to. I get to spend time grooming myself. A simple pedicure makes wonder to my well-being.
Still On work:
Practise makes perfect. Certainly. Im using excel and word to do things that I never did before and at a speed i never thought I was able to achieve.
At the end of the day, what contributes to most stress is not so much the actual work. It is managing the human relationship involved in every process that is the most challenging. That is something that I believe I am still trying to refine and trying to improve and i know even 30 downs the road, i will still be doing the same. This is especially so in China. When they say "guan xi" is important, I never quite understood until after this trip.
NEVER ever go to China and assume you are more superior and that everyone should listen to your way. In any company, no matter how experienced you are or how high a flyer you see yourself as, when you fail to first understand what the company is doing, what the people are doing, what their culture is and how it affects how they have been running their operations, whatever you propose will only be good for your previous appointments and operations which contributed to the way you shaped your idea of how things should be. For sure, you will fail. Especially so, in China.
Half the time people succeed in what they do not only because they are good at it, it is very much also because they are able to manage the relationship of the people involved very well. No man is an island. This is especially true in the corporate world. Unless you are a researcher working in labs, or that you are a professor who very much just run your own show, you need to be a team player and a leader whenever the need arises.
In essence what Im trying to say is, your technical knowledge brings you only this far, to truly excel, it is the skills and how good you are with people especially that truly allows you to hit above the mark.
Anyway, today is supposed to be the day 2 of the new school term. I miss school. I miss attending classes, meeting friends, hanging out at kopitiam, chilling in the library, buying textbooks, talking crap, doing projects (ermm.. some only). I am truly grateful to SMU for allowing me to explore life and experience life with the boundless opportunities which eventually made me who I am today.
I enjoy work because it takes my mind of a lot of things which are beyond my control and at the same time, I wasnt very pleased with.
I am not someone who can stand things being the opposite of what I firmly believe. But I have learnt, and have changed. Not that I can stand these things better nor have I changed my belief, I have learnt to shove them aside and just ignore them. This is real tough because I hold back. I hold back a lot. When I couldnt any longer, the spillover effect bring me to a state of confusion, depression and unhappiness when I have to spend some time putting my emotions into place again before I get on with another phase. BUt I will not change this believe because I know it is only a matter if time. I see it worked and I know that is the way it should be. I can choose to change now but I know this is not me and unless i am convinced, I will never be able to swallow something I do not believe.
I used to flare. I dun anymore.
I used to make a big fuss out of it. I dun anymore.
I used to mind and be totally impatient about it. I control.
I know i have reached a limit when i dun even feel that there is a need to say a word more.
Anyhow, I am grateful to have peeps to listen to me, hear me out, continuously and selflessly just be there for me whenever I need someone. When I needed a hand, a ear, a hug, they are there. These are the peeps that got me by. I will always remember the kindness and the effort.
Thank you.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Im back to SG
It feels good to be home. I just miss home. Perhaps this trip happened too suddenly and it was almost a fortnight. I guess that is why i actually felt homesick.
I hate shanghai airlines. Bad BAd airline. Terrible service and delayed at every opportunity they can for no apparent reason and worst of all, at the point of take off when the pilot already put the engine on full speed, the loud engine sound suddenly died down. Heng we havent took off, although we were already moving very fast on the runway. It is a damn small plane, not a boeing nor airbus. Some canadian brand plane. Two seats on each side and there is just one small aisle. That is how small the plane is. As a result, my plane which was suppose to take off at 950am from Yantai to Shanghai Hong Qiao took off at 12.40pm. My flight back to SG from Shanghai Pudong was at 435pm. See.. by the time i reached Hong Qiao, it was already 3pm. And there were like 100 people waiting for taxi and i am not kidding. You know the Changi airport taxi queue had barricades where you had to go wind up and down, yes, the one at Hong Qiao is about 3 times the length and there were 5 lanes. I was so mad. And it was damn hot. I had to rush to Pudong and the journey took one hour.
Thank goodness Chris manage to help me change my flight I caught the 7:05pm one.
I was famished when i reached Pu dong and immediately I walked straight into the restaurant and had a tempura soba. Man!! I think the seafood at yantai is the best and so fresh, it took me no effort to realise that the prawn they use for the tempura at the airport is NOT FRESH! argghh..
I was happy when i boarded the SQ plane. Hey, Im very happy that this flight, the service was up to expectations! The stewardess were pretty, the service was fabulous, the food was superb, they even gave out a menu, and we each had a Magnum ice cream for dessert.
I do not understand why the crew on my flight to shanghai were so unprofessional. Well, I do love the national carrier afterall. The only thing was that there were no more aisle seats for me, and well, i was put right beside the window. And what was worst was I had two big size ang mo sitting beside me on the same row. I felt bad about going to the toilet so I held on until I couldnt take it any longer. They dun even have enough leg space for their legs and bellies.. haahha.. and so they definitely had to stand up and let me pass.
Im pretty lucky le. They were nice people. One of them even offered me the GODIVA he bought from KrisSHop. HAha.. But im not a chocolate fan so yeah.... haha I rejected him.
I read a lot today, all my magazines basically.
Next time perhaps I would do a stopover shanghai to play. Havent been there to explore.
Okay, time for me to head to bed. Tired.
Im used to a 11pm-630am bedtime routine. Hmm.. Let's see....
Qin, Jingyi, Darryl!! All back from Overseas!! Gottta meet up REAL SOON
I hate shanghai airlines. Bad BAd airline. Terrible service and delayed at every opportunity they can for no apparent reason and worst of all, at the point of take off when the pilot already put the engine on full speed, the loud engine sound suddenly died down. Heng we havent took off, although we were already moving very fast on the runway. It is a damn small plane, not a boeing nor airbus. Some canadian brand plane. Two seats on each side and there is just one small aisle. That is how small the plane is. As a result, my plane which was suppose to take off at 950am from Yantai to Shanghai Hong Qiao took off at 12.40pm. My flight back to SG from Shanghai Pudong was at 435pm. See.. by the time i reached Hong Qiao, it was already 3pm. And there were like 100 people waiting for taxi and i am not kidding. You know the Changi airport taxi queue had barricades where you had to go wind up and down, yes, the one at Hong Qiao is about 3 times the length and there were 5 lanes. I was so mad. And it was damn hot. I had to rush to Pudong and the journey took one hour.
Thank goodness Chris manage to help me change my flight I caught the 7:05pm one.
I was famished when i reached Pu dong and immediately I walked straight into the restaurant and had a tempura soba. Man!! I think the seafood at yantai is the best and so fresh, it took me no effort to realise that the prawn they use for the tempura at the airport is NOT FRESH! argghh..
I was happy when i boarded the SQ plane. Hey, Im very happy that this flight, the service was up to expectations! The stewardess were pretty, the service was fabulous, the food was superb, they even gave out a menu, and we each had a Magnum ice cream for dessert.
I do not understand why the crew on my flight to shanghai were so unprofessional. Well, I do love the national carrier afterall. The only thing was that there were no more aisle seats for me, and well, i was put right beside the window. And what was worst was I had two big size ang mo sitting beside me on the same row. I felt bad about going to the toilet so I held on until I couldnt take it any longer. They dun even have enough leg space for their legs and bellies.. haahha.. and so they definitely had to stand up and let me pass.
Im pretty lucky le. They were nice people. One of them even offered me the GODIVA he bought from KrisSHop. HAha.. But im not a chocolate fan so yeah.... haha I rejected him.
I read a lot today, all my magazines basically.
Next time perhaps I would do a stopover shanghai to play. Havent been there to explore.
Okay, time for me to head to bed. Tired.
Im used to a 11pm-630am bedtime routine. Hmm.. Let's see....
Qin, Jingyi, Darryl!! All back from Overseas!! Gottta meet up REAL SOON
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Last night in Yantai
Haha.. I will return to my mee pok land tom! Yay... Sigh.. it is 14 hours of travelling and waiting before i can go snuggle back into my bed at home. It's been a really great trip. I enjoyed my time working and of course, hanging around town like a tourist.
I met so many new people here and I got to know the company's operations better. I got to know good mentors too and it is really great being able to learn from them.
Yesterday Chris brought us to eat "毛家菜" at "美食一条街". Haha... guess where we went after that? This night market that is like pasar Malam. And I ate the "smelly toufu" which was really damn smelly. He loved it but i was only gungho enough to take one piece. I think that is an acquired taste. I dun think i have acquired though. And the night market sells puppies... Oh oh oh.. they are ubby cute puppies.. hmm... and he told us about how his dog died when he was very young after it ate the rat poison. Can tell that he really loves dogs....
Today i hung out with the expatriates here from SG. Did some last minute shopping before returning to the hotel which i think i would afterall, miss. The bed and 4 pillows for sure.
Well.. I have been enjoying the priviledge of being the only girl around about 90% of the time and i dun even have to open and close most of the car doors. Even on my trip here, i hardly have anything to carry.
NOW, on my trip back... I have to do everything myself leh.. I have to travel alone back to Shanghai, and then take a cab from one airport to another, check in, wait for my flight back to sg. From breakfast till dinner.. i will be eating alone. Time to relax and spend time with myself.
Haha... this trip, i think i got to know man better. From how they think, what kind of values, the good and bad, to how bad they can smell (think of the workers in the yard).
Great trip. Im going to enjoy my korea drama and rest!! LAst minute packing to do tom. I hope i can wake up on time.
Tada!!
I met so many new people here and I got to know the company's operations better. I got to know good mentors too and it is really great being able to learn from them.
Yesterday Chris brought us to eat "毛家菜" at "美食一条街". Haha... guess where we went after that? This night market that is like pasar Malam. And I ate the "smelly toufu" which was really damn smelly. He loved it but i was only gungho enough to take one piece. I think that is an acquired taste. I dun think i have acquired though. And the night market sells puppies... Oh oh oh.. they are ubby cute puppies.. hmm... and he told us about how his dog died when he was very young after it ate the rat poison. Can tell that he really loves dogs....
Today i hung out with the expatriates here from SG. Did some last minute shopping before returning to the hotel which i think i would afterall, miss. The bed and 4 pillows for sure.
Well.. I have been enjoying the priviledge of being the only girl around about 90% of the time and i dun even have to open and close most of the car doors. Even on my trip here, i hardly have anything to carry.
NOW, on my trip back... I have to do everything myself leh.. I have to travel alone back to Shanghai, and then take a cab from one airport to another, check in, wait for my flight back to sg. From breakfast till dinner.. i will be eating alone. Time to relax and spend time with myself.
Haha... this trip, i think i got to know man better. From how they think, what kind of values, the good and bad, to how bad they can smell (think of the workers in the yard).
Great trip. Im going to enjoy my korea drama and rest!! LAst minute packing to do tom. I hope i can wake up on time.
Tada!!
Monday, August 13, 2007
More Words...
Ooohhh
I dunno where to start really. Saturday IS A WORKING DAY IN CHINA. But we dun work till 5pm. We ended around 3pm.
Went to 杉站 to shop. It was raining cats and dogs. Imagine our shoes.. all soaked with black dirty water on the streets and there were puddles everywhere. Chris also brought us to this place that looks like Bras barsah. There are these shops that sells nothing but magazines. Of course, they are all in Chinese.
Sat was really cold and windy. We had hotpot for dinner. Yantai is well known for the fresh seafood. And I felt really guilty for eating the live prawn and live octopus. Chris had to throw the octopus parts, which were still undergoing spasm, still gliding around slithering in the plate thought it has already been chopped up, and the live prawn, without asking me for permission, he threw one into my pot and I screamed cos i wasnt prepared and the prawn was still ALIVE!!!!! But seriously, the prawn was extremely fresh!! I didnt put another prawn into my pot until about 40 min later, when all the prawns were dead and nobody else wants to eat them. I do not want them to die in vain, so i ate them after that. BUT I NEVER EVER WOULD WANT TO EAT SOMETHING THAT IS DYING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!
GUESS WHERE I WENT AFTER DINNER??
Ohh.. KTV. NOt any KTV. The four of us went to meet up with the marketing guys... with the clients, for the first time, I am in a KTV where there is 小姐 service. That is not a very sleazy place but well... it was quite an experience.
The ladies that came in all kept shooting me wierd and unfriendly looks cos the they sent many many girls in for the client and the other guys in the room to choose and most of them got rejected, and there i was sitting there.
They were thinking, "她是那一组的?".
Haha... tOo bad... And JO was so funny.. he asked one of them, if they know me. The lady actually say yeah, looks familiar. She even name the ma ma san of the other team and said i must be with her. Then he ask why and she replied cos not from her team, must be from the other team.
Then later on she heard me speak English to the client, he told her there is this PaPaSan, who now recruits university students and they can speak English. So I became 小勇组. JO's Chinese name has a 勇.
Anyway, it isnt a sleazy place like i said earlier and I DID sing quite a bit of songs.
Hmm....BUT BUT BUT...
Ladies out there... I have learnt and seen for myself. I think next time, I would rather go for a guy who has sort of "played" or at least "explored" or "be exposed" to these kind of things before. Cos it didnt take much for me to see for myself, who are the ones that are totally jerks, at least as far as their marital status is concern. The ones who appear to love and take great care of their wives.... When i see the other side, sigh... Im sorry, I never will respect him the same way again. On the other hand, I see the guys who knows very well what they are doing and i cant really describe how but seriously, it is not difficult to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys.
That is certainly an experience. Haha.. He said he wanted me to take a look and see for myself rather than just assume and let my thoughts go wild. There isnt any very open sleazy business but for sure, there were quite a bit of body contact. He said that was to prepare me for my marketing department rotation. Haha....
I see guys with firm and strong values, and I see those that come up with silly excuse and disgusting mannerism and lousy lies even to the colleagues. Aiyah...
男人多半是不可靠的
I dunno where to start really. Saturday IS A WORKING DAY IN CHINA. But we dun work till 5pm. We ended around 3pm.
Went to 杉站 to shop. It was raining cats and dogs. Imagine our shoes.. all soaked with black dirty water on the streets and there were puddles everywhere. Chris also brought us to this place that looks like Bras barsah. There are these shops that sells nothing but magazines. Of course, they are all in Chinese.
Sat was really cold and windy. We had hotpot for dinner. Yantai is well known for the fresh seafood. And I felt really guilty for eating the live prawn and live octopus. Chris had to throw the octopus parts, which were still undergoing spasm, still gliding around slithering in the plate thought it has already been chopped up, and the live prawn, without asking me for permission, he threw one into my pot and I screamed cos i wasnt prepared and the prawn was still ALIVE!!!!! But seriously, the prawn was extremely fresh!! I didnt put another prawn into my pot until about 40 min later, when all the prawns were dead and nobody else wants to eat them. I do not want them to die in vain, so i ate them after that. BUT I NEVER EVER WOULD WANT TO EAT SOMETHING THAT IS DYING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!!!
GUESS WHERE I WENT AFTER DINNER??
Ohh.. KTV. NOt any KTV. The four of us went to meet up with the marketing guys... with the clients, for the first time, I am in a KTV where there is 小姐 service. That is not a very sleazy place but well... it was quite an experience.
The ladies that came in all kept shooting me wierd and unfriendly looks cos the they sent many many girls in for the client and the other guys in the room to choose and most of them got rejected, and there i was sitting there.
They were thinking, "她是那一组的?".
Haha... tOo bad... And JO was so funny.. he asked one of them, if they know me. The lady actually say yeah, looks familiar. She even name the ma ma san of the other team and said i must be with her. Then he ask why and she replied cos not from her team, must be from the other team.
Then later on she heard me speak English to the client, he told her there is this PaPaSan, who now recruits university students and they can speak English. So I became 小勇组. JO's Chinese name has a 勇.
Anyway, it isnt a sleazy place like i said earlier and I DID sing quite a bit of songs.
Hmm....BUT BUT BUT...
Ladies out there... I have learnt and seen for myself. I think next time, I would rather go for a guy who has sort of "played" or at least "explored" or "be exposed" to these kind of things before. Cos it didnt take much for me to see for myself, who are the ones that are totally jerks, at least as far as their marital status is concern. The ones who appear to love and take great care of their wives.... When i see the other side, sigh... Im sorry, I never will respect him the same way again. On the other hand, I see the guys who knows very well what they are doing and i cant really describe how but seriously, it is not difficult to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys.
That is certainly an experience. Haha.. He said he wanted me to take a look and see for myself rather than just assume and let my thoughts go wild. There isnt any very open sleazy business but for sure, there were quite a bit of body contact. He said that was to prepare me for my marketing department rotation. Haha....
I see guys with firm and strong values, and I see those that come up with silly excuse and disgusting mannerism and lousy lies even to the colleagues. Aiyah...
男人多半是不可靠的
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Food Paradise
Im back into the hotel.
Time to share some pics with you guys. Although there are a lot of fundamental service that the hotel can and must improve, like making sure that their towels absorb water, I am pretty impressed with their laundry service cos the clothes came back wrapped up like I just bought them from a departmental store. Also, they have this nice little box of chocolate placed beside the breakfast card every day. HAha. yup. 4 boxes, 4 days.
I went to this provision shop outside the shipyard, about 15 min walk to buy ice cream. On the way, I saw a newstand and here.. my withrawal symptoms for the lack of magazine is cured!!
I went to this restaurant "Ah Wa San Zai" for sichuan cuisine.
Check out the salted vegetable fish head, the must eat in this place. There is the toufu, corn coated with sugar and flour, and frog legs.
I am controlling my intake of food. I try to do some simple workout in my hotel room cos i cant take this lifestyle man seriously.
Anyway the food was good. I am just looking forward to sunday. When i finally do not have to work.
HAppy birthday Sg!!!!
This is my first national day out of town. And well, i never expected myself to be working!!
Anyway, I should update a little on the pubbing cum mini clubbing that night. Was pretty simple and fun. I enjoyed it. This is one of the must do activity too. The youngsters here are pretty hip. A lot of pretty girls yeah....
I was hanging out with Jason, HM and Matt... IF only I had one other female colleague. That would be pretty great!!
Enjoy the pics...
Im gonna sleep early tonight. I am incurring sleep debt. The next time round I dun think I will wanna stay here anymore. I want to go to the 5 star hotel here! Arrggh too bad that this trip was too rush, we didnt manage to book the hotel.
I cant work in this hotel room. The lighting is not condusive for working. only for blogging. haha
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
2nd working day
I forgot to share my breakfast experience.
Let me start with my hotel. The hotel has a rather grand lobby. I was just extremely disappointed when the lift door opened. Cos the corridor was dimly lit. Looked pretty scary. I was glad I chose a room which is not far away from the lift and so i dun have to walk to a far end of the corridor.
The room was pretty nice. Like a 3.5 star hotel based on SG standards. The bed is the best thing in this room. I dun really like the toilet for a hotel but i am beginning to get used to it. How do i put it.. Hmm.. I just feel that the toilet is a mismatch to the room. The toilet is like a 2 star hotel toilet.
I love my bed. The firmness of the mattress was just nice.
I just jumped on the ringing of the phone. Man... Damn scary. Anyway, my colleague called and we are going drinking tonight with the rest of the expatriates here. HAHA.. should be fun!!!
I had peking duck again for dinner and dinner today was better than yesterday. At this rate that i am eating seriously. MAd!!!!!
And I had a peach when i came back. Yummy, juicy and extremely fresh. plus it is sweet.
I will continue later..... most prob tom. Need to run!!!
Let me start with my hotel. The hotel has a rather grand lobby. I was just extremely disappointed when the lift door opened. Cos the corridor was dimly lit. Looked pretty scary. I was glad I chose a room which is not far away from the lift and so i dun have to walk to a far end of the corridor.
The room was pretty nice. Like a 3.5 star hotel based on SG standards. The bed is the best thing in this room. I dun really like the toilet for a hotel but i am beginning to get used to it. How do i put it.. Hmm.. I just feel that the toilet is a mismatch to the room. The toilet is like a 2 star hotel toilet.
I love my bed. The firmness of the mattress was just nice.
I just jumped on the ringing of the phone. Man... Damn scary. Anyway, my colleague called and we are going drinking tonight with the rest of the expatriates here. HAHA.. should be fun!!!
I had peking duck again for dinner and dinner today was better than yesterday. At this rate that i am eating seriously. MAd!!!!!
And I had a peach when i came back. Yummy, juicy and extremely fresh. plus it is sweet.
I will continue later..... most prob tom. Need to run!!!
Monday, August 06, 2007
Why does china block blogspot?
Sigh, And I will not be able to see my posts. That sucks.
Anyway, my trip to Shanghai is nothing exciting, except that I was pretty disappointed by the service standards of our national carrier. They are deproving. The stewardess cant speak well, they dun listen and they even appear kind of rude sometimes. Service is not there. Bad. Food is not fantastic also. Thai airways have way better food my last flight with united airlines was so much better.
When we reached Pu dong yesterday, we had to take a cab, 1 hour to Hong qiao domestic airport. After we checked in our luggages, we hoped on to a cab and went to this nearby shopping mall for lunch. We just kept eating and eating cos the food is damn cheap and they are pretty good.
We were stuck in the domestic airplane for 1.5 hour on the runway cos apparently the air traffic there had a jam and we couldnt be cleared for take off. But the Shandong Airline has really good airplanes. Their seats are as wide as the SG airlines, yes, no kidding and that is like a very rare thing for domestic flights.
Guess what, we reached our hotel at 1030pm instead of the expected 9pm. We were lucky to have a restaurant opp the hotel that is 24 hours. I had a beary delicious beef noodle soup and some dim sum plus the EXTREMELY smooth and nice Yantai beer.
I am growing so fat so fat!!!!
Barely slept and I had to wake up at 615 to get ready to leave for work.
But anyway... I have a huge king size bed with 4 pillows. Nice TV. The previous hotel was much better that this but this hotel has great breakfast. Its kind of cool to be staying here for 2 weeks. Haha... My male colleagues got calls asking them if they would like to have massage the moment they checked in. Haha.. apparently this will happen every night.
Today I had a yard tour. That was a lifetime experience seriously. I see right before me, the semi submersibles in constructions, the cranes, the yacht carrier, and right down to the production and even the steel plates that I always hear them talk about.
DINNER WAS AWESOME.
Yantai is famous for its seafood. We went to this very nice chinese restaurant. It isnt posh posh kind but seriously, the food they served is top grade. I love the ma la chicken. Man. We all fell in love with it. The MA LA sauce made the difference and changed the whole meaning to my understanding of " MA LA". The other dish is the salted vegetable sliced fish soup. The fish is some freshwater fish and it's meat is so tender and sweet. Perfectly cooked with the salted vegetable. Peking duck was also really delicious.
Guess what, after dinner, while we waited for cabs, we stopped by the fruit stall by the road side. IT IS THE SEASON OF PEACHES!!! How cheap are they? 2 Jin for 5 rmb. And 2 jin i can get about 5 peaches. 5 fresh, juicy and sweet peaches are selling for SGD1. Where to find? Yantai is famous for its fruits other than the seafood.
Im enjoying every bit of this trip. The food, the people, the experience.
Never before!
Anyway, my trip to Shanghai is nothing exciting, except that I was pretty disappointed by the service standards of our national carrier. They are deproving. The stewardess cant speak well, they dun listen and they even appear kind of rude sometimes. Service is not there. Bad. Food is not fantastic also. Thai airways have way better food my last flight with united airlines was so much better.
When we reached Pu dong yesterday, we had to take a cab, 1 hour to Hong qiao domestic airport. After we checked in our luggages, we hoped on to a cab and went to this nearby shopping mall for lunch. We just kept eating and eating cos the food is damn cheap and they are pretty good.
We were stuck in the domestic airplane for 1.5 hour on the runway cos apparently the air traffic there had a jam and we couldnt be cleared for take off. But the Shandong Airline has really good airplanes. Their seats are as wide as the SG airlines, yes, no kidding and that is like a very rare thing for domestic flights.
Guess what, we reached our hotel at 1030pm instead of the expected 9pm. We were lucky to have a restaurant opp the hotel that is 24 hours. I had a beary delicious beef noodle soup and some dim sum plus the EXTREMELY smooth and nice Yantai beer.
I am growing so fat so fat!!!!
Barely slept and I had to wake up at 615 to get ready to leave for work.
But anyway... I have a huge king size bed with 4 pillows. Nice TV. The previous hotel was much better that this but this hotel has great breakfast. Its kind of cool to be staying here for 2 weeks. Haha... My male colleagues got calls asking them if they would like to have massage the moment they checked in. Haha.. apparently this will happen every night.
Today I had a yard tour. That was a lifetime experience seriously. I see right before me, the semi submersibles in constructions, the cranes, the yacht carrier, and right down to the production and even the steel plates that I always hear them talk about.
DINNER WAS AWESOME.
Yantai is famous for its seafood. We went to this very nice chinese restaurant. It isnt posh posh kind but seriously, the food they served is top grade. I love the ma la chicken. Man. We all fell in love with it. The MA LA sauce made the difference and changed the whole meaning to my understanding of " MA LA". The other dish is the salted vegetable sliced fish soup. The fish is some freshwater fish and it's meat is so tender and sweet. Perfectly cooked with the salted vegetable. Peking duck was also really delicious.
Guess what, after dinner, while we waited for cabs, we stopped by the fruit stall by the road side. IT IS THE SEASON OF PEACHES!!! How cheap are they? 2 Jin for 5 rmb. And 2 jin i can get about 5 peaches. 5 fresh, juicy and sweet peaches are selling for SGD1. Where to find? Yantai is famous for its fruits other than the seafood.
Im enjoying every bit of this trip. The food, the people, the experience.
Never before!
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