Saturday, December 31, 2011
Day 26
Day 25
21-26 Dec 2011 (Gopeng, Cameron, Ipoh).
After year-round of slogging our guts out at work, we finally found time to leave and go on a relaxing break...or so I thought. I blame it on myself that I couldn't find time earlier to book a trip somewhere further away to some dreamy island, so LY had to come in to take us to not-so-dreamy... Malaysia.
This trip was no walk in the park. In fact, the only way to summarise it is that the three of us "are survivors".
First shock. We were dropped off along some deserted road in Gopeng at 4am in the morning. Three of us walked along the gravel road dragging our luggages to find the bus station. The streets were extremely quiet and there were stray dogs barking at the din we made. We made it to the bus station where we waited for dawn to break. Lying on the benches, we were mistaken as vagabonds, and Ly even had to fending off a cat that pounced on him twice.
2nd shock. We made it to Gopeng resort and were told we were the only 3 guests in the entire resort that could accomodate "more than 100 people". Dots.... There were many parts of the trip that defied my expectations, but this was the worst. It reminded me of the time I went to Cambodia and had to live in a pseudo war-time quarters.
Over the 1 day at the resort, I realised that I had used a lot of swear words. SL told me "it's ok, with this kind of conditions it is only natural that you'll want to use swear words". We were given this kampung hut on silts with no beds, only mattresses which didn't even look washed. There was a bathroom downstairs with poor plumbing and no heater. No heater?!! We just came back from waterfall absailing and white water rafting and it was raining. Luckily from my cambodian experience I learnt that the best thing to do in such circumstances was to...ask for hot boiled water, which thankfully was given.
3rd shock. "Bus ride to hell". That's what I termed the bus to Gopeng when we were waiting at the Ipoh bus station for our pickup. There were a few men shouting and waving in those who wanted to take the bus to Gopeng. I just got off the yucky bus from Gopeng to Ipoh, and standing where I was, surrounded by the disarray, the uncleaniness, the 2nd-hand cigarette smoke, just couldn't surpress the exasperation.
4th shock. Jungle trekking in Cameron where 3 pairs of shoes were ruined. It was the "season where Rafflesias were blooming", and Ly's sis kindly signed us up for a 1-day adventure tour which included jungle trekking. For me who thought i had left the worst behind in Gopeng, it was a moment of "you mean it's not over yet?" Together with a few caucasians, we shared a jeep ride to the mouth of the jungle. It was drizzling while we trekked 2 hours up to see 1 rafflesia, and climed down again.
The trekking was quite an experience, afterall it was the first time all of us have ever seen a rafflesia. It was also the first time in a very long while that I was caught up in a physical and mental marathon. It was a very muddy climb, every step you take you risk sinking your feet into the deep sludge that was all around. Within just 5 minutes, that happened to me. Pretty shoes all gone. But once you get over the fact that there is absolutely no way that your shoes are going to stay pristine, the going is less tough. You simply just walk and try not to fall over; or fall through the rickety bridges made of bamboo into the rapids.
Looking back, the rafflesia trip was the most memorable part and I'm glad we signed on. Only thing we looked very silly at Ly's house trying to scrub our shoes, and we were drenched at cold for the entire day.
There were other memorable bits on the trip. For instance, re-learning our xmas carols to kill time the day we were trapped in the kampung hut... The Gopeng water sports were rather enjoyable, as was Cactus Valley and the night market in Cameron. We also spared no effort in rewarding ourselves for our hard work. For 2 days in a row we had steamboat in Cameron! :):) The Ipoh leg was extremely satisfying too! As usual, we went for the must-haves - 芽菜鸡, 流粉, and 蜜瓜西米露. Coincidentally there was a mega food fair the day we arrived. We spent Christmas chilling out at Old Town and catching Missing Impossible 4 at the theatre. On this trip I also discovered the most heavenly kaya puffs! So heavenly it's by pre-order only. Now I know what to ask Ly to get for me when he goes back home. :):)
Finally, from the trip, I realised that I'm not that cut out for outdoor adventures after all (not unless there's good food thrown in). I'm more suited for eating trips. lol. My next trip....we shall be gourmet travellers!
After year-round of slogging our guts out at work, we finally found time to leave and go on a relaxing break...or so I thought. I blame it on myself that I couldn't find time earlier to book a trip somewhere further away to some dreamy island, so LY had to come in to take us to not-so-dreamy... Malaysia.
This trip was no walk in the park. In fact, the only way to summarise it is that the three of us "are survivors".
First shock. We were dropped off along some deserted road in Gopeng at 4am in the morning. Three of us walked along the gravel road dragging our luggages to find the bus station. The streets were extremely quiet and there were stray dogs barking at the din we made. We made it to the bus station where we waited for dawn to break. Lying on the benches, we were mistaken as vagabonds, and Ly even had to fending off a cat that pounced on him twice.
2nd shock. We made it to Gopeng resort and were told we were the only 3 guests in the entire resort that could accomodate "more than 100 people". Dots.... There were many parts of the trip that defied my expectations, but this was the worst. It reminded me of the time I went to Cambodia and had to live in a pseudo war-time quarters.
Over the 1 day at the resort, I realised that I had used a lot of swear words. SL told me "it's ok, with this kind of conditions it is only natural that you'll want to use swear words". We were given this kampung hut on silts with no beds, only mattresses which didn't even look washed. There was a bathroom downstairs with poor plumbing and no heater. No heater?!! We just came back from waterfall absailing and white water rafting and it was raining. Luckily from my cambodian experience I learnt that the best thing to do in such circumstances was to...ask for hot boiled water, which thankfully was given.
3rd shock. "Bus ride to hell". That's what I termed the bus to Gopeng when we were waiting at the Ipoh bus station for our pickup. There were a few men shouting and waving in those who wanted to take the bus to Gopeng. I just got off the yucky bus from Gopeng to Ipoh, and standing where I was, surrounded by the disarray, the uncleaniness, the 2nd-hand cigarette smoke, just couldn't surpress the exasperation.
4th shock. Jungle trekking in Cameron where 3 pairs of shoes were ruined. It was the "season where Rafflesias were blooming", and Ly's sis kindly signed us up for a 1-day adventure tour which included jungle trekking. For me who thought i had left the worst behind in Gopeng, it was a moment of "you mean it's not over yet?" Together with a few caucasians, we shared a jeep ride to the mouth of the jungle. It was drizzling while we trekked 2 hours up to see 1 rafflesia, and climed down again.
The trekking was quite an experience, afterall it was the first time all of us have ever seen a rafflesia. It was also the first time in a very long while that I was caught up in a physical and mental marathon. It was a very muddy climb, every step you take you risk sinking your feet into the deep sludge that was all around. Within just 5 minutes, that happened to me. Pretty shoes all gone. But once you get over the fact that there is absolutely no way that your shoes are going to stay pristine, the going is less tough. You simply just walk and try not to fall over; or fall through the rickety bridges made of bamboo into the rapids.
Looking back, the rafflesia trip was the most memorable part and I'm glad we signed on. Only thing we looked very silly at Ly's house trying to scrub our shoes, and we were drenched at cold for the entire day.
There were other memorable bits on the trip. For instance, re-learning our xmas carols to kill time the day we were trapped in the kampung hut... The Gopeng water sports were rather enjoyable, as was Cactus Valley and the night market in Cameron. We also spared no effort in rewarding ourselves for our hard work. For 2 days in a row we had steamboat in Cameron! :):) The Ipoh leg was extremely satisfying too! As usual, we went for the must-haves - 芽菜鸡, 流粉, and 蜜瓜西米露. Coincidentally there was a mega food fair the day we arrived. We spent Christmas chilling out at Old Town and catching Missing Impossible 4 at the theatre. On this trip I also discovered the most heavenly kaya puffs! So heavenly it's by pre-order only. Now I know what to ask Ly to get for me when he goes back home. :):)
Finally, from the trip, I realised that I'm not that cut out for outdoor adventures after all (not unless there's good food thrown in). I'm more suited for eating trips. lol. My next trip....we shall be gourmet travellers!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Day 24
Meeting trips are great because you don't have to write trip reports; you have a whole hotel room to yourself; and you get to play hard! There are these special programmes by the host economy where they bring you to touristy places to soak in the local culture & heritage. This time the Thai host brought us to watch the Siam Niramit show, which I must say tops all the culture shows I've watched. It reminds me of the show at "Shijie Zhi Chuang (Window of the World) in Shenzhen, but better. The kind of grandeur and exactness in cheorography is really impressive!
My travel buddies this time were Sandra and Dave, and they really took care of me when we were there lol. Dave was like our local guide since he frequents bangkok. On the first day, he brought us to BMK via the BTS (MRT there), introduced us to Thailand's oyster omelette (puts the S'pore ou luah to shame), and took us on a tuk tuk ride. On the last day, we had about 3 hours before our flight and he took us for a quick shopping trip at some street market (can't remember if it's Chatuchak).
The most lasting impression Bangkok left on me were the elephants we saw at Siam Niramit and oyster omelette. Definitely the oyster omelette! haha =P
Picture opportunity with the elephants at Siam Niramit
A must try when in Thailand- Oyster Omelette!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Day 23
The theme for this week is Food....*glup* I've been pigging out so much that I feel more than a tinge of guilt. We had workplan session yesterday and a short ice-cream making course for team bonding. Creating home-made ice-cream was no easy feat. First you whip the eggs and sugar for so long that your arms ached. Then you continue mixing in the milk, whipped cream and flavouring. Afterwhich, as a faster alternative to putting it in the fridge, you pour liquid nitrogen into the mixture and it freezes over almost immediately! It was quite an experience making ice-cream that way :) I'm so worried now that even though I don't have my own kitchen I'm already cooking and eating so much...imagine the day when I have my own kitchen!!! omg!!!
~Excitement from ice-cream making~
~Vietnamese Rice Rolls from the Thai food stall~
Sunday, December 04, 2011
Day 22
November was a mentally and physically fulfilling month. I finished a couple of books, and the whole series of the Slam Dunk manga. I know I'm a very late follower of the series, but better late than never. I'm a fan now! :) The timing couldn't have been more perfect. It coincided with my taking on of a new sport, netball. And the day which I finished the last book was the day just before our friendly match against Malaysia. There were many times I felt I could feel what 樱木花道 was going through as a newbie, though I'm not that good a player. (No innate talent..ha..)
We formed this netball interest group in spring in preparation for the games. And through the training every once or twice a week, I got to know more people while enjoying the intense workout. The group consists of so many young girls (sweet young things younger than me) whose exuberant energy I could not match. Some of the enthusiasm and competitiveness rubbed off and the team even printed t-shirts for a common team identity. Throw in a 1 night stay at Changi Village Hotel before the games and the potential of a day-off if we did well, how could we not win the next day?!
This month we also set up our Xmas tree. Our tree is so small, but it's really a challenging task to get it up every year because we didn't get one of those easy-to-install kind. Plus as our tree "ages", it sheds more and more leaves. This year we had to use ropes to secure the base and tie the branches to the trunk. But we got it up eventually and all that hard work brought along a huge sense of achievement. :) HYong helped a little this year and he commented that "your xmas tree is really DIY!!" lol it's like putting your own snowman together.
Can't wait for xmas to come!! For the first time I'm going to be on long leave!!
We formed this netball interest group in spring in preparation for the games. And through the training every once or twice a week, I got to know more people while enjoying the intense workout. The group consists of so many young girls (sweet young things younger than me) whose exuberant energy I could not match. Some of the enthusiasm and competitiveness rubbed off and the team even printed t-shirts for a common team identity. Throw in a 1 night stay at Changi Village Hotel before the games and the potential of a day-off if we did well, how could we not win the next day?!
This month we also set up our Xmas tree. Our tree is so small, but it's really a challenging task to get it up every year because we didn't get one of those easy-to-install kind. Plus as our tree "ages", it sheds more and more leaves. This year we had to use ropes to secure the base and tie the branches to the trunk. But we got it up eventually and all that hard work brought along a huge sense of achievement. :) HYong helped a little this year and he commented that "your xmas tree is really DIY!!" lol it's like putting your own snowman together.
Can't wait for xmas to come!! For the first time I'm going to be on long leave!!
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Day 21
Monday, October 10, 2011
Day 20
Are there people around you whose minds are so strong, who are as tough as steel, who will not bow under pressure, who will climb back up if they fell, brush the dirt off and move on? It would be interesting to find out what you would do if one day the person collapsed, and you were expecting him to get up on his feet again but he never did? What if the person defies all your expectations and lay motionless on the floor never to wake up again? Would you 1) stare, blink, blink, blink, 2) feel a prick in your heart why you never saw his softer side, or 3) imagine that he stood up and continued on your journey?
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Day 19
Have been meaning to blog this down for quite awhile, but many things have kept me from it. I'm referring to having the chance to vote for the first time, thereby partaking in the country's politics. Not that mine was the deciding vote, I wouldn't dream for it to be so, but like many other youths who had the chance to exercise their vote for the first time, going to the polling station is a momentous affair which sort of marks the coming of age.
In May, we voted for our MPs, and in August we voted for our President. Overall, I think it there was not much contest, we all knew who was to emerge winner in both races. However, I think the fun was in trying to interpret who was voting for whom. There are people who prefer to keep mum on who they are rooting for, people like my dad and sis who will go "your vote is secret", but we all know who's side they are on. Then there are the less boring people like my mum, who will go around boisterously asking others who they voted for, and sharing her views on the candidates. If you're still wondering, I belong more to the latter group, that is, the fun group. However the "hustling" was not so much in trying to persuade other family members to vote alongside me. Instead it was more to get them plugged in onto the broadcasts and news feeds on youtube, the net and fb. It was in essence a battle to convert my parents over to "technology's side".
When it came to discussing with friends and colleagues, it can be mostly summarised as gossip sessions. What the candidates did, said, and wore became the staple of lunchtime talk. During the GE, being part of certain constituencies conceivably drew more "oohs and ahhs" than others. People would sit up and listen more keenly when you said you were from Aljunied or even Marine Parade. There was some unfounded swelling as others asked me for the latest scoops on Nicole Seah vs. TPL, by virtue that I was from the Marine Parade constituency. But no, I don't have anything that has not already been reported by the papers, and I've never seen my MP in all my 25 years.
It will be another 5 years before we get to vote again. Till then, the memory of this year's elections will stay with us. And I am still hoping to see real changes in my neighbourhood and standard of living.
In May, we voted for our MPs, and in August we voted for our President. Overall, I think it there was not much contest, we all knew who was to emerge winner in both races. However, I think the fun was in trying to interpret who was voting for whom. There are people who prefer to keep mum on who they are rooting for, people like my dad and sis who will go "your vote is secret", but we all know who's side they are on. Then there are the less boring people like my mum, who will go around boisterously asking others who they voted for, and sharing her views on the candidates. If you're still wondering, I belong more to the latter group, that is, the fun group. However the "hustling" was not so much in trying to persuade other family members to vote alongside me. Instead it was more to get them plugged in onto the broadcasts and news feeds on youtube, the net and fb. It was in essence a battle to convert my parents over to "technology's side".
When it came to discussing with friends and colleagues, it can be mostly summarised as gossip sessions. What the candidates did, said, and wore became the staple of lunchtime talk. During the GE, being part of certain constituencies conceivably drew more "oohs and ahhs" than others. People would sit up and listen more keenly when you said you were from Aljunied or even Marine Parade. There was some unfounded swelling as others asked me for the latest scoops on Nicole Seah vs. TPL, by virtue that I was from the Marine Parade constituency. But no, I don't have anything that has not already been reported by the papers, and I've never seen my MP in all my 25 years.
Polling Card
It will be another 5 years before we get to vote again. Till then, the memory of this year's elections will stay with us. And I am still hoping to see real changes in my neighbourhood and standard of living.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Day 18
~Homecook chicken rice set~
Need to work on a presentation tonight, but I'm soooo just not in the mood. Haha. Upload this first, do other superfluous stuff, then start work. ;)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Day 17 - Shanghai
This has been an extraordinary year cos I got to go to both the US (SF and Montana) and also China (Shanghai and Hangzhou). Just returned from Shanghai last night. And yes! It's finally IS a leisure trip lol.
I'm so grateful for the 1 week getaway from work. Although I was mostly touring Shanghai on my own, it was still a pleasant experience. At least I proved that I could find my way around places and act as Little Miss Independent; booking my own flights, flying alone and then travelling to all the tourist spots via the subway.
Shanghai wasn't what I imagined it to be. I thought it was a cosmopolitan city, modern and glitzy like Singapore, where the people were well-dressed like the Hongkongers. But then there were hoards and hoards of Chinese from the other provinces who swarm the place, and they weren't exactly the most polished people in the world. LY told me that the reason I couldn't find toilet paper in the toilets (not even the railway toilet) was because it would be gone the moment they installed it. And so much for 1st impressions, I had to encounter a taxi driver from hell when I arrived who smoked shamelessly, drove way over the speed limit, and even chatted loudly on his mobile phone. The cab was in such a dirty and unkempt state that throughout the 1hr journey to the hotel, I didn't dare move for fear that the dirt will rub onto me. Shanghai also didn't live up to its reputation of being a food haven. All of the xiao long baos and tang baos I ordered disappointed, and also the local freshwater fishes which just doesn't suit my tastebuds.
However I did discovered some gems during the trip. One was the 香辣虾 restaurant just across the street from the hotel we were staying which served 干锅牛蛙 (stir-fried frog legs) and 扬州炒饭 that were absolutely fantastic. We went back a second time and ordered the same dishes. I also enjoyed eating at the 鸭王 chain along East Nanjing Rd where we wrapped our own Peking Duck with rice paper, and got to eat 鸭舌.
Then there was the beautiful old street with shophouses in Hangzhou;that was given a facelift, it was the most perfect juxtapose of old tradition and modernity that I've seen. The walk down the street made me wish I had taken up architecture as my major, which was one of my dreams back in JC. Lastly was all the shopping, mainly at the supermarket. I didn't buy much but I'm quite pleased that I managed to buy the most famous Shanghai produce- 炖鸭肝 (duck liver).
Waiting for more trips, including biz trips, that will bring me to more countries... and continents.
I'm so grateful for the 1 week getaway from work. Although I was mostly touring Shanghai on my own, it was still a pleasant experience. At least I proved that I could find my way around places and act as Little Miss Independent; booking my own flights, flying alone and then travelling to all the tourist spots via the subway.
Shanghai wasn't what I imagined it to be. I thought it was a cosmopolitan city, modern and glitzy like Singapore, where the people were well-dressed like the Hongkongers. But then there were hoards and hoards of Chinese from the other provinces who swarm the place, and they weren't exactly the most polished people in the world. LY told me that the reason I couldn't find toilet paper in the toilets (not even the railway toilet) was because it would be gone the moment they installed it. And so much for 1st impressions, I had to encounter a taxi driver from hell when I arrived who smoked shamelessly, drove way over the speed limit, and even chatted loudly on his mobile phone. The cab was in such a dirty and unkempt state that throughout the 1hr journey to the hotel, I didn't dare move for fear that the dirt will rub onto me. Shanghai also didn't live up to its reputation of being a food haven. All of the xiao long baos and tang baos I ordered disappointed, and also the local freshwater fishes which just doesn't suit my tastebuds.
However I did discovered some gems during the trip. One was the 香辣虾 restaurant just across the street from the hotel we were staying which served 干锅牛蛙 (stir-fried frog legs) and 扬州炒饭 that were absolutely fantastic. We went back a second time and ordered the same dishes. I also enjoyed eating at the 鸭王 chain along East Nanjing Rd where we wrapped our own Peking Duck with rice paper, and got to eat 鸭舌.
Then there was the beautiful old street with shophouses in Hangzhou;that was given a facelift, it was the most perfect juxtapose of old tradition and modernity that I've seen. The walk down the street made me wish I had taken up architecture as my major, which was one of my dreams back in JC. Lastly was all the shopping, mainly at the supermarket. I didn't buy much but I'm quite pleased that I managed to buy the most famous Shanghai produce- 炖鸭肝 (duck liver).
Waiting for more trips, including biz trips, that will bring me to more countries... and continents.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Day 16
Was in Bozeman, Montana, for about 2 weeks. It wasn't a particularly enjoyable trip since it was a work trip staffing the bosses, plus with all the pre-trip preparations and what not I was quite burnt out even before we took off to San Francisco.
We were in a ski resort up in the mountains the whole time. There was obviously not much to do up there. We even had to drive midway down the mountain to look for more decent food. There were mountains, mountains, and mountains. Spent most of the time cooped in the apartment doing work stuff. I mean I did enjoy the HUGE apartment with a living room, kitchenette, fireplace and at least 2 bathrooms, but I AM a workaholic and given the time difference I found myself working even longer than my usual work hours. Mornings & afternoons spent attending meetings and preparing for upcoming meetings, and responding to usual office stuff in the night.
But it was a good change being away from home, escaping from the really hot weather in Singapore. We also did visit the Yellowstone National Park. It was like a geography field trip, the park was rather scenic and colourful, but unfortunately we didn't see many animals there. One lasting impression of the park was the huge lake that was completely iced over.
We were in a ski resort up in the mountains the whole time. There was obviously not much to do up there. We even had to drive midway down the mountain to look for more decent food. There were mountains, mountains, and mountains. Spent most of the time cooped in the apartment doing work stuff. I mean I did enjoy the HUGE apartment with a living room, kitchenette, fireplace and at least 2 bathrooms, but I AM a workaholic and given the time difference I found myself working even longer than my usual work hours. Mornings & afternoons spent attending meetings and preparing for upcoming meetings, and responding to usual office stuff in the night.
But it was a good change being away from home, escaping from the really hot weather in Singapore. We also did visit the Yellowstone National Park. It was like a geography field trip, the park was rather scenic and colourful, but unfortunately we didn't see many animals there. One lasting impression of the park was the huge lake that was completely iced over.
It was an iceball, not snowball. See the frozen over lake.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Monday, May 02, 2011
Day 14
I attended a friend's wedding before where the groom (my friend) during the exchange of vows asked of his wife to join him in working hard, saving and leading a frugal lifestyle together. The bride very suavely also inserted into her vows that they would work hard, save, but also get to savour the fruits of their labour from time to time. Not knowing the bride I didn't think much of her before this, but her clever retort made me see her in a different light. I think an intelligent woman is one who understand the concept of frugality and also importance of slowing down once in awhile to just rest or treat yourself. For their own sanity, and for a long lasting marriage, I trust that an intelligent man would also find a partner like that an asset as well?
p.s. this has been a fine long weekend whereby I managed to watch many episodes of canto drama, meet friends and catch up with family.
p.s. this has been a fine long weekend whereby I managed to watch many episodes of canto drama, meet friends and catch up with family.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day 13
This sort of videos are all the rage now. Super creative and engaging, it takes real talent to produce this.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 12
This week I had conversations with 6 different men on different occassions, we talked about work, politics, life, and other random stuff. I also sat in a car listening to 3 men crack jokes about their weight, about a joker who just found out that he was 25, about another joker with a business plan that defied the law of thermodynamics, and other lame jokes. Keeping up conversations men is quite challenging to me, from initiating topics, finding common ground, breaking akward silences, trying not to sound stupid, being cautious that your body language doesn't make you come across as a prude, etc. But once in a while, if you find someone who can offer you an intellectually stimulating conversation, I think it can quite refreshing.
Equally uplifting is when the people around you read you correctly, or in this case help you read yourself correctly. Previously, I used to stumble over the question "how would you describe yourself". This week, when I was posed this question I answered "grounded". No doubt there was a leading question just before this that probably made me throw out the word "grounded" so quickly, but never have I felt so comfortable with any answer I have ever given to this question. So finally, at long last, I think I nailed the right answer. :)
There are a thousand and one little things that will determine whether your day goes "yippee" or "pttfff". Smiles, retail therapy, good food, engaging company, mindless chatter, intellectual stimulation, a shoulder to lean on, makes it into the first group. Despodent looks, boring company, being nagged at, claustrophobic environment, cold weather, ignorant fools, belong to the second.
Equally uplifting is when the people around you read you correctly, or in this case help you read yourself correctly. Previously, I used to stumble over the question "how would you describe yourself". This week, when I was posed this question I answered "grounded". No doubt there was a leading question just before this that probably made me throw out the word "grounded" so quickly, but never have I felt so comfortable with any answer I have ever given to this question. So finally, at long last, I think I nailed the right answer. :)
There are a thousand and one little things that will determine whether your day goes "yippee" or "pttfff". Smiles, retail therapy, good food, engaging company, mindless chatter, intellectual stimulation, a shoulder to lean on, makes it into the first group. Despodent looks, boring company, being nagged at, claustrophobic environment, cold weather, ignorant fools, belong to the second.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 11
These 2 weeks been pretty hectic (which week isn't) with our new bosses coming in and the announcement of the new sme defn. Fortunately we had a break on Friday when our group went to USS for bonding session. We ran about in teams, trying to complete all the stations for the scavager hunt. It was quite fun actually, not to mention extremely sweet when our team walked away with the first prize (a combination of 93% luck, 5% wits, and 2% perspiration)! Winning is sweet, esp when it's least expected. And I was not the only one who felt this way. Someone actually texted me after midnight to tell me that she was still feeling high from the win and cldn't sleep! lol.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Day 10
All attention is turned on Japan this week as the country struggles to cope with the tragic combination of a quake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. News about the unrest in Libya and Egypt takes a backseat. It's unfortunate for any country to encounter such a calamity, furthermore a country so beautiful and so rich in culture, and with such a huge stake in the world market.
I heard over the radio that some Japanese have said that it was "lucky" that this happened to Japan and not some other country. This is because no other country in the world is as prepared to deal with such a situation as efficiently and calmly as the Japanese. Amidst the chaos, there is some kind of orderliness. No one screaming or brawling in the streets as we saw during the 04 tsunami which hit India and Indonesia. No looting of supermarkets. Supermarkets band together to offer free drinks to the needy, shoppers help to replace fallen items back on the shelves. Households offer whatever little food they have to passerbys. No littering about the evacuation shelters. And neat queues to buy petrol which is limited to USD2 per car. Neat queues too and no unruly behavior at train stations where the frequency of the train service are reduced and , people are forced to take the stairs because the elevators are non-operational in a bid to save electricity. The Yakuza coming out to direct traffic flows....
With everyone behaving so responsibly and sensibly despite what has happened, Japan is shining example of crisis management.
I heard over the radio that some Japanese have said that it was "lucky" that this happened to Japan and not some other country. This is because no other country in the world is as prepared to deal with such a situation as efficiently and calmly as the Japanese. Amidst the chaos, there is some kind of orderliness. No one screaming or brawling in the streets as we saw during the 04 tsunami which hit India and Indonesia. No looting of supermarkets. Supermarkets band together to offer free drinks to the needy, shoppers help to replace fallen items back on the shelves. Households offer whatever little food they have to passerbys. No littering about the evacuation shelters. And neat queues to buy petrol which is limited to USD2 per car. Neat queues too and no unruly behavior at train stations where the frequency of the train service are reduced and , people are forced to take the stairs because the elevators are non-operational in a bid to save electricity. The Yakuza coming out to direct traffic flows....
With everyone behaving so responsibly and sensibly despite what has happened, Japan is shining example of crisis management.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Day 9
What green fingers I have....
This is my african violet which bloomed last week...
And this is my colleague's....lol
This is my african violet which bloomed last week...
And this is my colleague's....lol
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Day 8
We had a nice cny lunch at Jumbo today. The service there was pretty good I must say. Did a recording of all the lines recited by the waitress as she prepared the Yu Shang.
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