Wednesday 31 October 2007

halloween 2007


You know its Halloween when…


Saw this HUUUUGGGGE pumpkin on our outing last weekend. So big!

I wonder how many dishes we can make with the insides of it?



Pumpkin soup.Pumpkin pie.
Pumpkin muffin.Pumpkin cake.Pumpkin pudding.
Pumpkin tart.Pumpkin pickle.Pumpkin risotto.
Pumpkin cheesecake.Pumpkin salad.
Pumpkin pasta.Pumpkin lasagne.
Pumpkin ravioli.Pumpkin enchiladas.
Pumpkin mash.Pumpkin scones.Pumpkin curry.


What a list! You'll be so pumpkin-fied after all those dishes. Of course in my most crudest way of saying 'eat pumpkin until you puke!'

And even pumpkin halwa! As well as Pumpkin, Rum and Raisin Ice Cream!!!

I wonder how it would be. I love Love LOVE my Rum and Raisin Ice Cream. But with pumpkin??! Hmmm… I wonder. Must make it one day then.

Last year I sort of got dressed as a witch. Sort of, because it was just black top, black skirt, black ballet pumps and a witches hat (which I have two and not sure what am I going to do with two!).
And I said if I have to get dressed this year, I may just dressed as Dorothy from Wizard of Oz because I have a pair of really nice red shinny shoes.

But I doubt I will be dressing up or doing anything tonight.

One. I’m not prepared.

Two. I couldn’t be ars*d.

Oh well…


Since I’m going into town tonight to buy Tommy Emmanuel’s ticket, I may just drop in one of the shops or supermarkets to pick up some sweeties just in case someone come knocking at my door.

Yup. I have a door with public access. Hmmm… -_-

Should I be a scrooge and pretend I’m not home. Hmmm…

And then end up eating the sweets myself, say if I pretend I’m not home or nobody actually comes a-knocking. Hmmm…

Not that I don’t have a supply either. Hmmm…

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FOLKS!

Monday 29 October 2007

concert!!!

After seeing TOH off at Buchanan bus station I headed off to Borders for my continued book shopping, even though we were there the day before.

Just after I crossed the road to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, I thought 'why not have look at that poster there (highlighting events in Glasgow)?'

As I looked at the various upcoming performance, guess what I saw?!!!

Tommy Emmanuel in Concert!!! Wednesday, 14th November 2007, 7:30pm at City Hall!


OMG.omg.OMG.omg.OMG. O.M.G.!!!!!

The last time I saw him in concert was in 1998, when he was performing in KL at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (Petronas Philharmonic Hall).

I have MarcusKhoo to thank for though. I think without him I probably wouldn't have known about Tommy Emmanuel. Wait.a.minute. It could be MelvynKhoo. Hmmm... *deep thoughts*

On the safe side, let's just say one (or maybe both) of the Khoo brothers that told us (the rest of the lot) about Tommy performing in KL.

But just before that I have been listening to some of Tommy's music, again, stirred by the one of them (goodness!!! I have a strong feeling it was Melvyn). Whichever one of you, please do not come and strangle me for not remembering exactly who... I'm trying very hard to remember...

Anyways, I remembered there was quite a small group of us that went. If my memory serves me right, we went for a guitar workshop and then the concert later that evening.

Right after the guitar workshop, I remembered going into the then Salem Power Station to buy his The Journey album for his autograph session.

I still have the signed copy of the album back home aaaaannnnddd the group of us even have a group picture taken with him!

As much as I am a fan of his works, the only other album of his that I have is (hey, his albums don't come cheap!) The Day Finger Pickers Took Over the World, his works with Chet Atkins. I think it must be the album cover that got me buying it in the first place.

Anyways, after not following his works for a long time, it was somewhat interesting to see his pic on the poster with his greying hair, after all he is this cool and talented dude even at the age of 55! And the last time I saw him was almost 10 years ago!!!


So I went to look for his tickets online. When I was searching for the tickets I can't remember where was it going to be held, so I did a general search 'Tommy Emmanuel Glasgow'.

And then I clicked on the website, World Ticket Shop and guess how much the tickets were? It was £100 (€145) a pop!!! I was like wtf O_o?!!

Unsatisfied, I tried googling 'Glasgow Concert Halls'. And then I found the tickets here, only at £14.50.

What a difference!

I want to go and buy my ticket in person so that I can choose the seats and it doesn't really say online if it is £14.50 for any seats or starting from.

Oh well, wish me luck!

*Updated Wedensday 31st October*
So I finally managed to go into the boxoffice at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to buy the tickets. It was £14.50 for any seat. So that's me sorted for Tommy Emmanuel's concert on the 14th. Now I need to update my Outlook Calendar!!! Wooohoooo..........!!!!!

Sunday 28 October 2007

shopping weekend

As usual TOH and I had another wonderful weekend.

Weekends are the only time we get to spend with each other. As much as the both of us wished it could be longer, other life commitments such as work, as well as distance, keeps us apart during the week.

Two weekends ago, we had a cultural weekend, which I will probably blog about it by end of this week, hopefully.

This weekend was a shopping weekend.

How can we not indulge in the activity that puts Weegieland 'The' place for shopping in the whole of Scotland?! Even if we haven't get paid.

Auld - Great Western Road
Our first stop after getting off the bus was to this bakery. I was in the mood for treats. I got a fudge donut and TOH got a rice crispies.

Ever since SR introduced Fisher & Donaldson's Fudge Donut, I have been going around trying various fudge donuts to find the ones that are better that it. So far, nothing can compare to Fisher & Donaldson's. Too bad Fisher & Donaldson is only available in Dundee and St Andrews. Need to get SR to bring a supply when TOH and him are down in a few weeks time.

Caledonia Books - Great Western Road
Our main reason to get off on Great Western Road was to go and have a look at this book shop. This is a second hand book shop that specialise in antiquarian books and quality second hand books.

I think this must be one of my first proper second hand book browsing experience, I think. I bought Autobiography of a Geisha all too typical with my love for autobiography. TOH bought four books from there.

Costa - Great Western Road
We then had a quick take away drinks: Mocha for me and Tea for TOH.

Felix & Oscar - Great Western Road
Walking past this shop to the bus stop how can we or at least I resist not to go in there?! Nice shop with interesting things for gift, interesting homeware by Alessi too!

Alessi have like the coolest stuff around. This caught my attention. So christmassy. Nice.


After a little browsing in Felix and Oscar, we then jumped on the bus and head into town. Our next stop...

Marks and Spencer - Sauchiehall Street
Our favourite store. Which actually is now our second favourite store because we found Peckhams during our Cultural Weekend. TOH needed to get some clothes for his alternate weekend home and I needed some additional work clothes. Nonetheless we still spend quite a bit of time browsing here.

As we continued our shopping trip, we stepped into Schuh (Sauchiehall Street) to have a wee browse since TOH is on the prowl for new trainers. When I mean on the prowl, it was more like 'it's been a few weeks since he first wanted a new pair and still have not get it'. hehehehe...

Apple Retail Store - Buchanan Street
We then have a short stopover here. Very impressive store.

Really nice acutally. You get to try everything. They have a big quantity of their products for you to try, play with and decide if this is what you want. You name it, they have it: iPods (all models) and Macs.

The new Mac desktop is very impressive with the superslim keyboard. It is a really nice and spacious store with a mezzanine level and a beautiful glass stairs leading upstairs. Cool store!

Now, I just have to wait for the iPhone to come out and test it. Yaaay!!!

Borders - Buchanan Street
The experience to this shop probably require a blog post on it's own.

In short, let's just say it was a 'visual overload' experience.

Nonetheless, TOH bought two books and I bought a magazine.

We then had McDonalds (Sauchiehall Street) for dinner, not realising we haven't had anything since scramble eggs and toast, treats from Auld and drinks from Costa. We were famished. Our blood sugar level were low. Low enough that we didn't realised it was too low for normal people like us.

Lesson: Always allocate food time.

Last stop was Cineworld for Ratatouille which probably also need a blog post about our experience there.

Sunday was another whirlwind of shopping.

Drop by Morrisons for a bit of grocery and later to In Store to pick up the much needed step ladder.

After that we just have a nice and relaxing time before the imminent goodbyes in the evening.

Friday 26 October 2007

how to talk to a widower

I just finished the most beautiful book, in a long time since I started reading again, by Jonathan Tropper.

How to Talk to a Widower.



Taken from the back cover of the book:
When Doug Parker married Hailey – beautiful, smart and ten years older – he left his carefree Manhattan life behind to live with her and her teenaged son Russ in a quiet Westchester community. Three years later, Hailey has been dead for a year, and Doug, a widower at 29, wants nothing more than to drown himself in self-pity and Jack Daniels. But his family has other ideas…

Russ, furious with Doug for not adopting him after Hailey died, is getting into increasingly serious trouble on a daily basis. Claire, Doug’s irrepressible and pregnant twin sister, has just left her husband and moved in with Doug, determined to rouse him from his grieving stupor. Then there’s younger sister Debbie, engaged to Doug’s ex-best friend and maniacally determined to pull off the perfect wedding at any cost.

Soon, Doug finds himself forging a new relationship with Russ, reconnecting with his own eccentric nuclear family, and reluctantly dipping his toes into the shark-infested waters of the second-time-around dating scene. It isn’t long before his new life is spinning hopelessly out of control, cutting a harrowing and hilarious swath of sexual missteps and escalating chaos across the suburban landscape.


Though it is not a deep thought provoking kind of book (it is humour-fiction after all), I haven’t read anything like this since, since I can ever remember.

It was by chance I picked up this book from the library. It was spanking new although I am the third person borrowing it.

The book was beautifully written.

Jonathan writes above love so deep and moving. He wrote of how much Doug loved his wife Hailey. It really makes every girl wanting a man who loves her as much as Doug.

Though, some may argue that maybe it is written from the perspective of loss. That when you lose someone you tend to project love more than you ever had. Possibly, but there are many references of how he loved her, even when she was alive.

Each time the author write about Doug’s feelings - love, hate, anger, loss or mind displacement, it is so real and vivid. You feel so much in character.

Yes, I know that is possibly what reading a book is about.

The various characters in the story each are interesting, even the smallest role.

I love all the characters. I love how the story develops. Though there are parts that you can somewhat predict the next scene or ending, most of it end up not what you expect it would be.

Every now and then a twist is add in here and slot in there.

There are many well written sentences.

There are many parts that make you laugh.

There are parts that make you feel sorry for the loss. The parts that make you feel the loss and the pain as well.

There are parts that just make you go ‘awww…’

What makes it a very interesting read is that all this is written by a man!

Some may think that this is just gayness showing but I don’t think it has anything to do with that. Why can’t men write or express love so detailed and beautiful if they can?

It is a very gripping book. You don’t want to put it down. For the first time I stayed awake throughout my three hour journey returning from Aberdeen.

I know this book shouldn’t fall into the hands of someone sappy like me. But it is not a sappy sappy kind of book. It has machoness and character. And as sappy as the whole book seems to be, I only cried one part.

And I can’t remember the last book if any ever made me cried.

I can read this book again and again. And if you love love story and sappiness, I suggest you read this book.

It is so good that I’m going to get my own copy.

Thursday 25 October 2007

countdown

Cannae believe it is 60 days to Christmas!!!

Just saw it on Facebook.

I should really start writing out my cards list, think of what present to get as well.

For now, I'll just be contented that it's the weekend soon. Just a skip and a hop away...

Tuesday 23 October 2007

enough

After two days of keeping my head down concentrating on the work at hand, I really had enough.

Will be going off slightly early to get my Freeview sorted out. Then see how I’m feeling to sort out the rest of the things I need to do at home. There are tons to do! If only I will put in as much concentration on it…

I may just have a nice relaxing bath. Lamb burgers (not just any burger, it’s M&S burgers) for dinner. Jamie and The Wild Gourmet are on tonight too.

Can’t wait…

Monday 22 October 2007

great annoyance

I am so annoyed damnblardie annoyed!

After weeks of not having the convenience of Freeview, I was looking forward to moving down my Freeview box and enjoy many many channels and hours of tv indulgence.

However, the first thing I found out is that the existing aerial lead socket does not fit into the Freeview box. Annoyance number one.

Right. I will just find an adaptor. In the meantime, thankfully the socket fits into the telly and I can still watch terrestrial channels, albeit fuzzy and not all crisp, sharp and clear. Bear with it.

Then, I went to Currys and bought an extension aerial cable with an adaptor. All I only wanted was the adaptor actually. Nevermind, that was what they had only. Fine. Went home tried the adaptor. But it didn’t fit!!!

It. Didn’t. Fit. Great! Annoyance number two.

Spoke to SR about it and he was really nice to provide me with a couple of adaptors to see if any one of them worked. Happily went home 150 miles (not immediately) and tried it. Nope. It didn’t work. More like, neither of them fit. Wonderful! Annoyance number three.

At that point, I just felt, right, instead of trying to hunt down this adaptor, I will just change the aerial lead socket. After all it does look a little old and it won’t be that expensive or difficult to get it.

Right. It is only not difficult to get it if you know where to get it.

Sadly, I only know where to get it in Aberdeen but not in Glasgow. So had to wait patiently until I’m back in Aberdeen.

Finally(!!!!!) last weekend, TOH and I went down to Nickle and Dime at Aberdeen Market to get the lead socket. This shop sells everything I tell you!!! Honestly. Well, more like anything that you can’t find elsewhere.

Anyways, happily bought two aerial lead sockets - one male, one female. Just in case. After all it is not expensive.

Happily I took my journey back home, all 150 miles. It was as if I’ve found the Holy Grail!! So chuffed!

After unpacking my bag on Sunday, I sat down on the carpet and get going changing the socket. I did see someone doing it before. It is not that difficult I guess.

But alas! I stopped short. Felt I better check out how to change it.

Went online. Googled it. And after fruitless searching (I can’t believe it was so difficult to find it) I finally found what I was looking for. So continued with what I had set out. Annoyance building up…

Once it was done, I excitedly switched on the Freeview box.

Nothing came up. Right.

Re-scanned the channels.

I waited with baited breath as the progress line on the screen kept moving but the channel found counter did not move. Great!

It says that there is no signal. Greeat!

Very annoyed at this point. Annoyance number four.

Called TOH and spoke to him. Had to share my annoyance.

TOH asked me to check the Digital UK website. Got the website, type in my postcode and this is what I got:

POOR RECEPTION
It is unlikely that you will receive any Freeview coverage at this time. Selecting an alternative transmitter above could affect the channels available to you.

Remember to check back later for the most accurate updates.

Can you believe it!!!

There is no signal here. Here in Glasgow!!!

The largest city in Scotland!

The second largest city after London!!!

Even though it is pointing at my area, but still. You can imagine my annoyance! This really took the icing of the cake.

Just to make sure, I typed in my Aberdeen postcode.

Lo and behold! There is digital reception there. All 56 channels!!!

This is unbelievable!

I can just feel my blood boiling!

It is unacceptable that my new area has no reception. If it is anything it should have better reception!

*Blood continue to boil…*

I have arranged for DetJA to come and have a look at the issue at hand.

Until then, keep breathing, breath in, breath out…

Thursday 18 October 2007

bff - best friend forever


TS is here visiting.

We met up yesterday.

We went around the West End exploring places. He in his usual know-it-all manner (it’s a compliment just in case you are thinking otherwise) patiently explained the things that come within our sight. In between, we catch up what has been happening since the last time we met.

The catching up continued over pizzas: proper Italian pizzas. I had the porcini, anchovies and sweetcorn topping, which I think the anchovies was a little on the salty side but later realised the combination actually went quite well together, and limonata. We later had a hot drink, I had Hot Chocolate. I think the only thing missing was gelato.

Ever since having gelato in Italy it is something I always crave for. Beautiful, tasty and rich proper gelato.

Anyways, we later catch up over watching tv as well.

Sitting opposite TS, it was then I realised that how great it is to have a best friend it was then I realised how blessed I am to have best friends.

I can’t help thinking of that special someone, TOH.

I am truly blessed to have found a wonderful friend who I can call my best friend.

Someone I can share my joys, tears, frustration, ideas, anything and everything.

A person whom shares the same interests with me.

And still put forward his opinions which normally end up us being argy-bargy due to both of us being stubborn of our own opinions.

Someone who puts up with my insaneness. My eccentricity. At the same time can match all of it and then keeps me grounded when necessary.

Someone who watches over me. Even though there is a great distance between us, at least for now.

Someone I look forward to see all the time. And spend every single moment with.

My weekends are not the same because of you.

You are special, very special in every way to me.

And I’m truly blessed to have found you!

Thank you for the exceptional life experience you have given to me for the past eight and a half weeks!

Lots love as always… xx


You're...
My Friend,
my companion,
through good times and bad
my friend, my buddy,
through happy and sad,
beside me you stand,
beside me you walk,
you're there to listen,
you're there to talk,
with happiness, with smiles,
with pain and tears,
I know you'll be there,
throughout the years!



Wednesday 17 October 2007

house-trained

Yesterday’s appraisal went well.

Thank God by that time I’m feeling much better, didn’t want my boss to travel all the way to my office and see me in a bad mood. The sight of my boss as well as chatting with him made me feel so much better. He is a really nice person, anyone who knows him can vouch on that.

While waiting for the other person, my colleague’s turn for his appraisal, I offered to get my boss another cup of tea or coffee, to which he replied ‘I’m house-trained, you know.’. I can’t help smiling to the mentioned of that.

That is the second time I heard that phrase said.

It was during one of our outings/dates between TOH and I that he mentioned he was ‘house-trained’. Until today, I can’t help breaking into a smile thinking of that phrase.

It is great to know that men these days are house-trained. There are not many actually, I think. With that I believe that they should be able to take care of themselves which includes cleaning, feeding and taking care of themselves and keeping the household up to scratch, which includes washing, laundrying, ironing, DIY, etc. All in all, it is good to know that men can do everything or at least most things on their own accord.

Yes, I know that men will definitely think and believe that they can do everything themselves.

Knowing, thinking and/or believing - can do and applying or putting it into action is TWO totally different things.

Yes, it is.

There is no point of you saying you can iron but don’t.

There is no point in saying you can cook but don’t.

There is no point in saying you can clean but don’t.

You get the idea.

You’ve got to be a practising house-trained man. Knowing the theory does not qualify to be house-trained, no matter what your argument.

Although I know that women has been created and possibly commanded to be the submissive gender, this doesn’t mean that we womenfolk should be slaves to the menfolk.

Of course I like to spoil TOH at times and do everything for him.

But many times I too like to be spoilt by him, having him doing everything for me. Though it may take just a wee slightly little tad longer than expected (just wee slightly little tad, babes), he will definitely get it done.

I’m certain. And I know.

Sometimes I just accept his offer to do things for me as I’ve also been taught that not to turn down an offer (well, depending what it is). Then there are the times that I insist that I do the chore instead. And there are times it is funny that both of us insist on doing the chore which end up like two of us pulling on a rubber cord - going no where.

Whichever way, I consider myself truly lucky to have someone like TOH in my life.

Now babes, I’m still waiting for you to clean my windows, change the bulbs and make me my gin and tonic. xx

Tuesday 16 October 2007

disturbed

I’m disturbed.

It is first thing in the morning. I feel rough. Not that I had much to drink the night before. Heck, I don’t even think it was alcohol related.

Anyways.

I’m disturbed.

I open easily to anyone.

When I was young, I was known to be able to chat with perfect strangers. I guess it was one of the earliest childhood memories that I can recall.

Now, I still strike a conversation with strangers. But I guess with age, experience, society norm and behaviour, I tend to tread a little more carefully.

The point I’m getting to is that I open easily. I can speak about almost everything. From everything under the sun to things that are very personal to me, things that most people keep to themselves and not share.

I don’t know why. Sometimes I think when speaking to stranger it is easier to pour out as they don’t really know you so they won’t judge you. Perhaps.

So speaking about everything of myself and life.

In some ways I’m not expecting people to agree with everything I say. I know I can take criticism. Yet, I know at the same time if I share something and gets a negative feedback, I often felt as I’ve been shot down.

Perhaps it is selective listening acceptance. It’s like some things some people say I can accept and maybe the same thing that is said by someone else I can’t.

I know very well it is just me shutting people out when things like this happens. Things like ‘I know what I’m doing, don’t tell me what to do’ or ‘relax, I know what I’m doing, don’t give me negative feedback’.

And I know very well when things like this happen, I won’t share with the same person again. Not if that person is really close to me, not if that person I’m always comfortable with speaking whatever and listening to whatever feedback.

Selective acceptance I’m sure.

It is when things like this happens, I shut myself away. Never to bring up or share anything close with the person again. It has happened time and again. It is not good.

Blatantly, it is a matter of me not being able to accept and move on. But have you ever had the feeling that it is pointless explaining?

That is how I feel.

Perhaps it is just me. It is just me I know.

But life is like that ain’t it?

You don’t get everything that you want.
You don’t get everything that you think you want.
You don’t get everything that you think should go a certain way.

It’s hard.

I’m drained thinking about this. I should let go.

Better go prepare myself. I have an appraisal in a moment.

Friday 12 October 2007

are you busy?

Are you busy? Are you busy?
My baby?
Friday morning almost over.
It's not long 'til you're over.
Can't wait now.
Can't wait now.

::Sang to the tune of 'Are You Sleeping?'::

Can't believe I just sent that over to TOH.

The things that I come up with.

^_^

It's Friday after all...

Tuesday 9 October 2007

connected

Guess who has a phoneline AAAAAND unlimited broadband again!!!

me! Me! ME!!!

*smiles broadly*

Woohoo!!!

You cannot imagine my joy knowing that I have my broadband reconnected/transferred!

No more being unsocialable.

No more not keeping in touch.

No more 'prohibited internet access'.

No excuse to be online during what supposed to be working hours (I still think exception applies, at times. ;P)

I can talk to TOH for endless hours.

I can vegetate online watching endless hours of movies and tv programmes.

I can do so so much now!!!

I had to call BT four times(!) before a really nice lady arranged for an Engineer to come out to take a look.

It wasn't really BT's fault to be exact.

The main reason is that BT can't see my address on their system. This means that as far as their knowledge there is no BT line in the property or the property has a phone line from a different provider. A few possible addresses appear but there is no point connecting the wrong address, say, my neighbour downstairs and I've to run there whenever I have to answer the call or use broadband.

After a few calls to the Property Manager and then BT again, BT still can't find the address or names of past residence there.

That means that if there is no line then I have to pay £124.99 including VAT to have a line put in.

However, I don't believe that there is no such thing as no phone line. Of course Glasgow being a much bigger city, there is also the possibility of more than one phone provider. Great.

After moving in the property and seeing the phone sockets there I am not satisfied to be fishing out money to get the line installed. It should just be a matter of connecting, no fee.

Finally, BT lady and I decided that she will send the Engineer over. If there is a line I don't have to pay, if there is no line, I have to.


Tall BT Engineer came yesterday afternoon to fix the phoneline. Of which, I had to skived off early. Felt guilty actually.

Anyways, according to Tall BT Engineer, apparently a new phone pole has been installed in the past few years and probably at that point in time the occupant wasn't a BT customer. So when the pole was changed, BT did not rewire the property from the pole.

Now, I have a case to argue if say BT is going to make me pay. Of course I rather not pay but we shall see how.


Tall BT Engineer is a perfect candidate to live in this flat. His head just missed the door frame. Especially since my kitchen cupboards seemed to be build for someone tall, like six foot or whatever. The kitchen top is higher than usual. The cupboards are too high for me.

I need to grow taller. I need a step ladder!

Honestly, I shouldn't complaint. The flat is really nice actually.

Monday 8 October 2007

catching up

Many know by now I still call Aberdeen home.

Yes, I know and I don’t forget that I was born and grew up in KL. But somehow Aberdeen always has this place in my heart. And I guess the age old saying of ‘home is where the heart is’ always hits the target.

After living in Aberdeen for four years in total, it is a big deal for me to uproot and move to a strange city that I’ve never really like - Glasgow.

Anyways, I will speak about moving to Glasgow in another post.

This weekend I went home, to Aberdeen.

It is the first weekend and many more to come that I didn’t go home to Great Western Place.

It was great going to see some friends that I haven’t seen a long time as well as meeting friends and familiar faces around the city.

TOH was really patience with stopping every now and then. Being introduced to new faces or just wait for me to have a brief catch up with those we know. It seems as though as I’m some celebrity *flattering own self*. But I must admit that it was great to see friends that I’ve not met for a while.

Somehow I must say that it is weird I did some shopping in Aberdeen instead of the shopping city of Glasgow, which is actually the second shopping city after London.

But I guess it is the familiarity, the place that I know, where I need to go to get what I need. The scale of the place that makes shopping seems so close compared to a big and strange city. SR shares the same sentiment.

Saturday evening, TOH and I met up with SR to catch up. It was just great. Good friends, close friends, best friends all catching up over a few drinks. SR as usual has kindly got me Katie Melua’s new album - Picture.

On Sunday, we went back to Great Western Place to see if there were any mails for me.

Was it emotional? I’m not too sure.

It was nice walking the ever familiar streets that I’ve walked so often. The route that I used to take going home: walking down Holburn Street and then turn off at Alpine Bikes into Ashvale Place. Walking down the rather long one way cobbled stone road with four-storey granite tenement flats along both sides.

Almost at the end of the road is the intersection between Ashvale Place and Great Western Place.

Ahh… familiarity just come rushing to me. Whenever I reach this point on my journey home, I know it is not far now that I am just steps away from my flat.

The flat is at the end of this road. I don’t have much pictures of this road and I didn’t really take pictures of this road yesterday. But still this is a really beautiful road. Often nice cars lined up the road.

Once, someone said to me that Great Western Place is a posh area. And I was like ‘Oh really? If you say so.’ I never really thought about it but after that encounter I can’t help thinking how wonderful it was to be able to have lived on a great street. Quiet, beautiful and ‘posh’ street with a ‘posh’ address.

I always love the ring of it: Great Western Place.

After checking if there were any mails we left but not without looking through the windows of the flat I once called my home. The very same window I peered through when I first saw that it was up for lease.

There stuck on the window was the ‘For Sale’ sign.

Again, I didn’t take a photo of it. Should I have?

Looking through the flat, I see the vast space that once hold my things, my belongings, the place where I go home to after a long day out or a place where I just hung out in the evening watching tv or being on the computer.

It was somewhat emotional. I was a big girl and brave it without shedding a tear.

TOH as usual was ever understanding and gave me a hug as I had my back against the flat, walking away.

Farewell 7 Great Western Place.

Thursday 4 October 2007

gurly investment

It’s finally here

My big gurl investment is finally here.

There was once I read somewhere that says:
A Woman Should Have…
… a set of screwdrivers. Check - courtesy of SR.
… a cordless drill. Something I’m planning to get.
… a black lace bra. Check.
… a friend who always makes her laugh. Check.
… and one who lets her cry. Check.
… a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family. CHECK!!!
… eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honoured. Half check? Working on this. Does four matching plates work? I’ve got the wine glasses though. Meals making my guests feel honoured… well, you just have to be there to know it.
… a feeling of control over her destiny.
Check. Well, more or less I know how it is going.


So I thought it would be probably about time for me to ‘own a good piece of furniture that is not handed down….’

Even though I have a computer table I don’t think that would fall into that category. One, it is a flat pack piece of furniture. As good as it still is, surviving assemble, then unassembled, moving and assemble, it is not a piece of furniture that I would put in that category.

Secondly, it is just MDF. (Honestly at this rate I feel sorry for my computer table. It is as if I’m dissing it. Poor table, it is a really good computer table actually. I think I need to go home and sayang my table now and coo and sooth its feelings.)

Anyways, when I was in my old flat, I wanted a coffee table. Marks and Spencer had this set of tables on display and I love it to bits. It is a nest of two solid wood coffee tables from the Tiga range. It was so popular that they had to discontinue/suspend taking orders for the range until they can fulfil the existing orders.

You can imagine my disappointment when I got news of that.

However, after weeks of keeping track on it (was really lucky to have that privilege to do so), when I found out that the product was in stock, I finally put in my order coinciding with the business’ Home Event.

There was also an offer that if I placed the order for the nest of two tables and a side, I can get the whole lot with a good discount. After some consideration, I went ahead with the nest of two coffee tables and the side table.


As I ordered it during the Home Event, I had 20% off from the sale and another 20% off from Staff Discount. On top of that, I have saved up various vouchers and that offset-ed what I had to pay. In the end for the whole lot of about £500 original price, I only paid £161, which I think is a really good buy.

It took me a while to think of should I buy it or should I not. SR thinks that I was crazy to spend so much for the tables. But agreed that paying £161 was a bargain compared to £500. But still, he thinks that I was crazy to spend that kind of money.

TS on the other hand was very supportive and said I should definitely go for it.

Whether I necessary needed it or not was another story.

Yes, I needed it because I don’t have a proper coffee table in my then lounge.

Yes, the tables would be nice if I have a dinner party we could all sit around the table on the floor since my existing dinning table was only a two seater.

Yes, the tables would be a good enough investment if I bought my own flat in future I have a really nice set of coffee tables.


No, I don’t need it because I don’t own a flat.

No, I don’t need it because it will just be another dumping ground for my ever increasing pile of rubbish.

No, I don’t need it because that means me spending unnecessary money.

No, I don’t need it because… I probably just don’t need it.


Eventually I still bought it because number one I fell in love with the tables. They are solid wood, not just your MDF, flat pack furniture, good quality tables and all the way from India. Thank havens I had TS to support me there.

I believed it is a really good buy since I only paid £161 for the whole lot!

Anyways, after the order, there was a wait for 12 weeks. It didn’t bother me that much since I bought it at a good price anyways.

But 12 weeks became 16 weeks and then another few more weeks were added on because I was moving and I didn’t want to have them delivered to my Aberdeen address and I have to find a way to move it down to Glasgow.

So more waiting. More liaising with M&S.

Finally after all the hassle, it finally arrived yesterday. Which I had to skive off work to be there to sign for the delivery.

What I was disappointed was that I was promised great customer service from M&S delivery team. That they will be there to unpack my furniture, inspect it with me, when I’m satisfied, sign the papers, they will take away the packaging and I will be happy and proud of my new purchase.

If I’m not satisfied with the item(s), meaning that if there are any damages, I will call Customer Service, speak to them about it, and I will keep the damage item(s) until they have the new items ordered and replaced.

However, in reality I was left with the tables in two boxes. Mr. Delivery Guy said that because it was ‘Express Delivery’ they don’t do that with me.

So here I am with my purchase in two boxes. On each boxes it was printed ‘two person to carry item’. Right. -__-"

I managed to unpack the side table. Luckily they were in good condition.

But I can’t unpack my nest of two coffee tables. One, the tables weigh 46kg. Two, it did say to have two persons to carry the item.

I tried to carry it alone but think that I shouldn’t risk it. After all if anything does happen like I accidentally damage it, I doubt that I will get a replacement.

Being the good gf that I am, I have to wait patiently for TOH to be here to help me unpack it. In the mean time, I just have that box staring at me in the living room while I watch my tv.

Funnily yesterday I had this vision of me laying in the box since it was about my height. Can’t help telling TOH about it and he laughed at me saying that I must be thinking I’m a small kid and that being in the box is my little safe place. I can’t resist asking ‘Can I keep the box?’

Tuesday 2 October 2007

freaky

This is so bad.

First I didn’t blog enough last month and then now, I’m blogging twice a day! Well, at least I seemed to have some good reasons. Reasons good enough for myself to know. What a whole load of excuse.

Anyways…

Had been having some IT problem with a certain web based collaboration thingamajig for the past two days, or well, for the past so many many days but only decided to tackle it yesterday. So I had been in contact with the IT folks.

What really amazes me is that these IT folks can just log on to your workstation from whatever location they are in and just take over your computer! And all I could hear is their voice over the phone. That is if they are speaking to me and resolving the problem at the same time.

There are instances that you leave your computer in their capable hands to solve the problem. That was when everything seems awfully freaky. You not touching your computer but you can see your mouse moving about clicking here and there, words appear on the screen as the other guy types.

All this happening with that guy probably miles away, in a secret hide out or lair. Okay, I’m exaggerating. I’m sure if I go and track it down I’ll know which site these guys work in. But to know that these folks are like the backbone of the company solving every single technology based problem big or small, it is just amazing.

Technology, just like the opposite sex, you can’t live with them, you can’t live without them.

Thanks guys.

I have to finish setting up my computer at home tonight.

tagged

My first tag blog tag to be exact.

Always wondered about this tag thingy. It isn’t until it really happens to you that you have to give it a good think about. So here goes…

Instruction:-
Each player of this game starts with 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says you are tagged in their comments and tell them to read your blog.


Here are 6 weird things about me...

1. I like to touch everything I see. Sometimes smell everything I touch too.

2. I do things in a very organised way. Many times in a very systematic, bureaucratic way.

3. I have flying toes. Both my pinkie toes does not touch the ground.

4. I like to be cosy in bed. Even while living in Malaysia I sometimes have two layers of blanket. Cosy but not too warm or hot. I also like to sleep with many many pillows – around me not necessary sleeping on it.

5. I’m a power-, control- freak, at least when the occasion arises. I think it has mellowed a little over the years. But yes, it is still in me. Maybe I’m just a very determined person, when I want to.

6. Finally… I have more guy friends than girl friends. Not that I planned it that way, somehow it seemed that most of my closest friends are guy friends.


Six people that I want to tag:
1. Alicia
2. Mei Qi
3. Anyone
4. Somebody
5. You
6. Yes, you

Not that I can put a comment into person number 3 - 6, what a cheat!

Monday 1 October 2007

birthday boys

Daddy just celebrated his birthday over the weekend too.

Hope you had a great day, good health and happiness always!!! xoxox

TOH was down over the weekend for his birthday weekend.

We had a great time hanging out together in my messy flat, with all the boxes lying about.

It was good though. At least we managed to do quite a bit of things. He made up my computer table while I continue to unpack more of my endless rubbish.

We went out for a nice meal in
Oran Mor. I had initially wanted to take him to dinner at The Brasserie but it was booked and the earliest table for us would be 9:45pm. And that was only 5:30pm!

So we went to the other part of Oran Mor and finally got a table at the
Conservatory Restaurant.

The meal was excellent and we had a good time. After dinner we had a nice stroll back home up Great Western Road, hand in hand.

It was a beautiful cooling evening and we had an enjoyable time looking at buildings along the way.

We then popped in to our favourite shop (smaller version) for a little shopping before heading home.

TOH had a wee cake and I gave him his birthday present which I’m glad he loved it.

It was nice to then spend the evening hanging out watching tv and reading papers.

Amazing how simple things made the evening such a nice and enjoyable one.

Looking forward to the coming weekends.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY… xx

randomness monday

Honestly, I spent half the day thinking what I wanted to blog. Until…

I was rather disappointed that I’ve only had fourteen posts for last month. Should have been better but can’t really blame if I don’t get proper internet connection. Blogging during office hours should not is probably not acceptable. But…

Spoke to BT today trying to get my phone line as well as broadband sorted out once and for all. This will be my fourth time calling them in three days. Rather annoying that I had to try to find out whether there was a phone line before this since there is not one on their system.

Had a really nice girl on the phone today and she was very helpful. Was really kind to organise for an Engineer to come and have a look at it. If there is no line, it is going to cost me £124.99 to connect a phone line. Let’s just hope there is one since I can see the phone socket. But if I have to spend it, I will just have to.


The flat is getting into shape. There are still countless boxes everywhere, in almost every room. At least my bedroom is looking much better, just have to clear out one box of toiletries from my bedroom and the other in the hallway. Will work on the boxes in my living room and my computer tonight. Maybe touch a little on boxes for the kitchen that is all about in the dining room. At least I have unpacked my plants yesterday (after six days!). Fed them some food and water. Hope they like their new home since now they are sitting nicely on a window sill with evening sunlight.

Sleepy Baby Gee has tagged me. I need some time to think about it.