Listening to the radio

I don't know why it took me soo long to do this, but I'm finally streaming my favourite radio channel in Manchester and listening to it when I'm at the flat doing nothing. To be fair, I only really listened to the radio in UK when I was commuting between Hulme and the hospital... My flatmates didn't like my choice of channel as it was just pop and little else. And they found the jokes and conversation really. I thought the level of intellect was perfect for me. LOL!

Also, in Manchester, I was introduced to Spotify - like an online radio channel, but you can search for whichever songs you want as well. I was praying that it'd work in Brunei, but nay... it doesn't =( Very sad when I first found out.

Now I commute between the mess and the office. Not a long commute but a commute nontheless. I have not updated my ipod. Can't upload it really, haven't downloaded anything onto my itunes. Haven't bought any new CDs for the car, so listening to things I had from Jamilah.

Also then means that I've got to listen to the local radio channels. Of all the channels, I have two favourite ones. Kristal FM and Pelangi FM. Some of the DJs are quite interesting and funny with a not so annoying voice and accent. If I leave the flat early enough, I actually get to listen to songs with DJ Hum. I like him best during my morning drive =)

But say I'm driving at 7... I'll just have to be listening to the news. News which are not all that exciting. News which are repeated at least 4x that day. And news which is broadcasted on all the channels at the same time (ok, sometimes it's not all. I haven't sussed out the schedules yet).

So this upsets me! The radio channel doesn't fulfil my needs of a broadcasting agent. It seems to entertain lots of other Bruneians though - so why am I being a radio snob? I don't even think the songs played on air are recent enough songs. And it's mostly the same ol songs everyday.

Like I said, I enjoy DJ Hum. But, the DJ for the drive back after work is boooring!!! Songs played are boooringg!!! I want NEW CURRENT songs... And I want you to talk about something funny or remotely useful information which I can use in conversations!!!

And the news!!! Can we not have uptodate news? And make it less monotonous? Sigh!!!!

I will continue to stream my fave radio channel to be slightly up to date with my songs... I don't even have to know what they're called. They are just better, wider range of songs aired. And that's enough to entertain a wee bimbo like myself.

Here's to the drastic improvement of our broadcasting radio channels.

Mess Life

Carrying on from the previous post...

I now live in the 'mess'. In the ideal situation (ie in my head), living in the mess would be easy peasy and one of the better options in life. It would mean that I will live near where I work (boleh akhir bangun), get a room, a toilet, a personal cleaner, and meals (anything you wish and ask for) all catered for you - everything for free! Just bring your stuff, and move in. That's what I thought living in the mess would be.

How wrong was I?! On MULTIPLE levels...

First of all, my 'mess' isn't within the vicinity of my camp. It's a drive away, 10-15mins drive. My mess isn't a mess as such - it's a flat. There are six flats in the building, each flat has three rooms. One room is an ensuite, and the other two share a toilet. The kitchen obviously is shared, so are the living and dining areas. My dining hall (where I'm expected to have all my meals - which obviously isn't very ideal or possible to do at all times) is 5 minutes away!

And living in a flat with three rooms, means that I have two other flatmates!!! It's like being back in university!! or when I was in Hulme with Jan and Mo (but that's slightly different as I chose those housemates). I never really liked housemates, as I like my own space, my own mess, my way of living...

I thought starting work would mean that I'm independent, able to do whatever I like and want... I mean, I've already had that life since 2001 really!!!

Settling in the flat was not an easy feat for me!!! I don't agree with having curfews, I don't quite agree with telling everyone where I'm going at all times, and I definately do NOT agree with being 'confined' to being at the mess for the first 40days!!! Being confined means you're not allowed to go out after working hours (you wake up, go to work, eat your meals at the mess, and come back to the flat) and NOT going home on weekends!!! You are in confinement until told otherwise.

I must however say that I've been lucky, because I have been allowed to go out to places and home (after asking for permission, and telling a handful of other officers that I have permission and letting them know exactly what I'm doing, where I'm going).

But that little perk is besides the point!!! Like I said, I don't agree with all this!!! I've been counselled. "We had to go through the same thing" So bloody what?! It's not on!!! We've moved on in times, and you bloody haven't. "The reason why we do this, is to enable us to teach you the ins and outs of the mess/work, and for all of us to bond." Well I'm sorry, I don't see any bonding going on!!! I just see some obligatory respect.

I am 27!!! And I have lived independently before!!! And even my parents don't ask for my every whereabouts or gives me ridiculous curfews!!!

PLEASE!!! We are of age, we are now officers, I'd imagine you'd treat us like officers!!! I don't wish to be treated like a slave, to be at your beck and call, or to buy you food or cigarettes in the middle of the effing night!

I wish I know someone who I can relay this feeling to, someone who would actually do something about the system!!! I SERIOUSLY think in this day and age, all this is effing unnecessary!!!

So yes, that's my life currently. I apologise to all if I haven't been able to meet up, to do stuff together... God knows, I'd MUCH prefer doing that!!!

Obstacle One - Done.

It has been an ultra long time since the last time. I check this page every now and again, thinking that I should write something. I know I have lots to share, but can't seem the energy, or urge to do so... I've missed this place, and reckon that the least I can do is to write something now.

So I've stuck to this career path, and have overcome the first obstacle. Currently given 2 weeks off to sort out some admin - done most, Thank God. Work will commence this coming Monday. I hope it's exciting!!! And I still pray that I've made the right decision to stay. Amen.

I played netball tadi. It was 10 months since my last 'game'... And I'll say it myself, I am supershit!!! Didn't know my spatial awareness. My passing was shite. My feetwork was appalling. The only thing I was relatively ok at was the running!! Sigh... 10months, and what 'skills' I had are GONE!!!

I sincerely hope that my medicine knowledge does not replicate my netball skills. If it does, then I am DOOMED!!! Fershure!!! YIKES!!!

God Knows who reads this place anymore, but I hope to update this 'regularly' when I live in the mess!

Much love,
FR

Next phase in life

Hey Ina, this is for you =))

I've just realised what the theme of my life will be if I stick to this current career path...

'Menunggu arahan' / 'Waiting for orders' and a life with little or no sleepins!!!

I worry... I wonder if this will be the right choice... For as you know, I hate waiting, and only good logical orders are accepted by this brain of mine. And what is worse, I love my sleep ins!!!

Need to think for the best...Early retirement insya Allah!!!

Hope all is well with you Ina!!! And mau update lagi, because this one is only for you! =)

Food and drinks =)

I feel like blogging, but the internet isn’t letting me ‘log masuk’ (log in) my blog! Such a disappointment!

There are other disappointments too. To list a few: the lack of organisation in the body that I am hoping to get a job in, the slowness of the internet, the Malay speaking websites – my homepage spoke to me in Malay. But, there are a lot of ups as well: no housework as the top example... Heaven!

Anyhow, it will be a week tomorrow. In a week, I have achieved nought. But, I have found my potentially favourite hangout place – CheezBox at The Mall. Went there a couple of times in the past, then again with Dhi in June when I thought I’d like it. Been there twice so far this time round – personal favourite is the Kolo Mee chicken with mushroom. I have now been offered the privelage card, YES!!! And I’m surely going to go more often. However, this card is a rip-off. It works as a point system. Each dollar spent is a point on the card. But it takes 100 points to equate to $5 (ie $20 spent to get you $1) off your bill/or to be cashed out.

It’s quite popular for its Ultimate Chocolate thing, which honestly, I’m not such a big fan of. Tried the latte today, it’s promising, at a competitive price =) Looked at the breakfast option – also great for my grandma, who seems to love breakfast out with a cup of cappuccino =) Only downside is that it has way to many steps for my poorly grandma :s

My father tried the Beef Daube today, which I must say was pretty good at $9.00; tender beef, with mashed potatoes and long beans. Unsure about the choice of vegetables, could have picked a nicer one, but alas, I think we have to make do with local availability =)

And the other great thing is that its menu is so varied that you have options from the medium to expensive price range, to tailor for almost everyone. The one good thing about the place, which isn’t so great for me, is that it is children friendly, to a point that it has a little mini playground. Oh well, at least the little kids in the family can enjoy their time if they come along.

If you fancy going to CheezBox, lemme know, so I can come too (hehehe) and we can enjoy it with my privelage card =))