Wednesday 31 December 2008

happy.hogmanay.2009

AULD LANG SYNE
by Mairi Campbell and Dave Franci


Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought tae mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
For auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my deor
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp
And surely I'll be mine
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run aboot the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine
And we've wander'd monie a weary fit
Sin auld lang syne

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine
But the seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my deor
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

HAPPY HOGMANAY 2009!!!

song.and.dance

The year end holiday season holiday has provided the perfect opportunity for us to watch two wonderful performances in the city of Glasgow.

*****

On Christmas Eve, the gang trooped to Theatre Royal for The Scottish Ballet's clever interpretation of Sleeping Beauty.

I enjoyed the ballet performance. The dancers were extremely graceful, the costumes were amazingly colourful, and the story was enchanting. Even the male dancers were really good.

Contrary to many who thinks that men who dance ballet are camp and gay. The men were strong and yet graceful, not overly macho or clumsy... except for one scene. It was the scene where the Prince and the Bluebird were dancing. It was quite a shocker and so wrong.

Nonetheless, it was just amazing! I'm so glad we went to watch it.



*****

Yesterday evening, we went to see Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Clyde Auditorium (a.k.a Glasgow's Amardillo).

It was another great performance, colourful and catchy songs. The costumes were not as elaborate as Sleeping Beauty but cleverly written and sung. Prolly it is one of the few performances which has more male casts compared to female (there were only five).

There were quite few good looking men. The ladies were really good dancers as well.

Craig Chalmers who played Joseph had the blondest blonde hair and whitest teeth, too white in fact. Tara Bethan who played the narrator can sing really high soprano notes. However, her overly energetic aerobic-resque dancing can get quite annoying at some point, especially when she danced at the highest step of the stage.

There were plenty of legs to see too (goodness I sound like a bloke!). Eve Marchant's legs went on forever - so envious. And there was one female dancer that sadly danced like she has the fits (mean! mean!).

All in all, everyone had great voice, even the little kids who were the Joseph Choir had so angelic voices.

*****

I'm so looking forward to next years event!

Thursday 25 December 2008

culling.part.one

It was 3649 text.
Last night.
Currently.
I'm down to 3355 3354.
Bring it on!

merry.christmas.2008



Have a blessed Christmas everyone!

o.holy.night


O HOLY NIGHT by Josh Groban

O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining.
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine! Oh night when Christ was born!
Oh night divine! Oh night! Oh night divine!

Chains shall he break for the slave is our brother,
and in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the lord, that ever, ever praise we.
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!
Noel! Noel! Oh night; oh night divine!

Wednesday 24 December 2008

christmas.isn't.christmas



CHRISTMAS ISN'T CHRISTMAS
By Jon and Joy


Christmas isn't Christmas
Til it happens in your heart
Somewhere deep inside you
Is where Christmas really starts
So give your heart to Jesus
You'll discover when you do
That it's Christmas
Really Christmas for you

Tuesday 23 December 2008

oh.come.all.ye.faithful


OH COME ALL YE FAITHFUL by Faith Hill

Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
Oh, come ye, oh, come ye to Bethlehem
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels

Oh, come, let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him
Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation
Oh, sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!

Glory to God, all glory in the highest
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be all glory giv’n
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing

Oh, come, let us adore Him, oh, come, let us adore Him
Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Oh come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord

Sunday 21 December 2008

fairy.tale.of.new.york

It's almost Christmas and I thought why not share with you a few of my favourite Christmas songs. Starting with my all time favourite...




FAIRY TALE OF NEW YORK
by The Pogues Feat. Kirsty MacColl


It was Christmas Eve babe
In the drunk tank
An old man said to me, won't see another one
And then he sang a song
The Rare Old Mountain Dew
I turned my face away
And dreamed about you

Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I've got a feeling
This year's for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true

They've got cars big as bars
They've got rivers of gold
But the wind goes right through you
It's no place for the old
When you first took my hand
On a cold Christmas Eve
You promised me
Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome
You were pretty
Queen of New York City
When the band finished playing
They howled out for more
Sinatra was swinging,
All the drunks they were singing
We kissed on a corner
Then danced through the night

The boys of the NYPD choir
Were singing "Galway Bay"
And the bells were ringing out
For Christmas day

You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old slut on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last

I could have been someone
Well so could anyone
You took my dreams from me
When I first found you
I kept them with me babe
I put them with my own
Can't make it all alone
I've built my dreams around you

Friday 19 December 2008

christmas.party.08

Last night’s Christmas party was great!

It was a fantastic night.

I had a good helping hand from SM. Although, I’m sure she was still aching all over from her dash in Chicago airport. I was thinking of all the little things she helped, which in fact when you think back about it made a big difference.

The girls were looking gorgeous. Someone commented today that he never seen so much legs from the girls in the office before! *smiles*

The men were dashing. Everyone did their part to wear some tartan. I loved Debbie’s tartan ribbon in her hair and that heather tartan corsage was beautiful. Until now, I’m so glad that my pal Suzanne decided to dress in her gold frock instead of a typical black dress cos she was afraid her bump would make her look like a house. But she didn’t. And she looked stunning!

The ceilidh band turned out better than expected. I had a few dance during the first set and didn’t dance again until the last dance of the night. I was busy catching up with folks I haven’t seen for ages! And it was good to just chat with some of the old friends.

We later headed off to One Up for drinks. By 130am I just had enough and headed home to wonderful smelling cookies, and bed.

Some of the pics from last night were out. The decent ones. The dodgy ones (so they say) will be out soon.

Interestingly, there was lots of gossip to catch up on today as well. The accidents that happened - the top guy of the area fell and broke his wrist, he was a really happy man last night 'tho; the scandalous gossips that get tongues a wagging.

Oh, the power of alcohol.

At least this year, I didn't have a massive hang over and sore throat of my own doing that lasted me the whole holiday season!

So I guess this marks the start of the holiday season. I better stock up my alcohol (not that I really need to), and other festive goodies.

After all, this is the season of indulgence and gluttony!

Thursday 18 December 2008

every.mile


*Taken from Postsecret

Mine would read:
You ARE worth every mile!!!

Happy 17 month anniversary baby!
With lots love
xxx

Tuesday 16 December 2008

our.tree.


*Pic from Postsceret

Mine would read:
Next year I want to get OUR tree with you.
xxx

Monday 15 December 2008

the.last.full.working.week.of.the.year

So it has begun - the last full working week of the year.

And I’ve just only begun the first full working week since my time off. *Sigh*

What is this?!

What have I done in the past 50 weeks??

What have you?

Time certainly flies.

Thursday 11 December 2008

one.two.christmas

It's a week to office's Christmas party and two weeks to Christmas.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh..... Where has all the time gone??!!

I need to get a dress. I need to get Christmas shopping done.

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh.....

Wednesday 10 December 2008

what.tomorrow.holds

I have just been thinking... tomorrow should be an interesting day for work.

I've been off work for six weeks. My mailbox should be overflowing with emails.

Coming home from the airport today was quite weird. Weird because the landscape is so different from when I left.

At 4pm it was like 8pm. Perhaps I am just tired.

Tomorrow will be a long day.

I hope so not....

home


It's great to be home!

The air was cool and crisp at 2 degree celsius. Just how I like it.

And it was a beautiful sunshiny day. Perfect!

Was rushing off the plane (thank God there was an exit at the back of the plane) as quick as I could to the immigration as I wanted to meet up with mom and SA before they fly off to London.

I was greeted with empty immigration desks for other (non-British/EU) passports.

However, I had someone who was probably on his first day.

*smacks forehead*

And as his mentor / buddy is guiding him on processing my entry clearance, the image that repeatedly played in me head is me banging my head onto the desk continuously.

After quite some time the process was completed.

Still... it is just great to be home!

Mom and SA has rearranged and decorated my flat - I needed some time to sink in. Don't get me wrong, it is nice. Just different.

And missing them all. Felt really sad that I didn't get to spend the past week with them.

Anyways, it won't be long until they are back. And then us all including SM will be together for Christmas. How good!

In the meantime, I will first look forward to TOH's arrival on Friday. This is the longest time we've ever been apart!!!

Tuesday 9 December 2008

thanks.and.missing.you!

It wasn't as easy leaving this time as I thought it would be.

This time, funnily wasn't the same as the previous times.

I felt homesick before I even left the country! Let alone the house!

The thought of it will be a while before I see all things familiar - my grandparents, dad, YenJie, Ron, the family home, the place I grew up in, the city that I'm rather familiar, my bedroom, the kitchen, the garden, the house, the dust, my friends, neighbours and everything around me that I've been in contact in the past six weeks.

I don't deny that there are some things I wished I had done during my so called 'exile'. But I wasn't in that 'place' to do so.

However, there are many things that I didn't thought I would have the opportunity to do so during this trip but managed to.

The unknowingly wait gave me the opportunity to celebrate Ron's birthday, attend the Nation's Sale (not that I bought a lot anyways), participated in a Rotaract project, met up with Katherine and Kellee, and spent lots of time with dad, YenJie and Ron.

I wished I had spent more time with my grandparents. We did spend some time together. Some days we just watched movie on tv together, other times, a little outing to the supermarket. There's more that we could have done. But the what little time that we had was really good.

There are friends that I wished I had spent more time with but there is always next time. And perhaps, next time around, there would be better planning and hopefully less obstacles.

In this time of my 'extended holidays' I've watched three Chinese serials. It was crazy but it was so addictive! The first serial I watched, I sat down and watched ten forty minutes episodes in one go!

I.Honestly.Need.A.Life.

Then there was the mahjong sessions. Initially I felt it was me who was entertaining the aunties, but then truth be told, it was the aunties who were keeping me entertained. Thanks to mom, Aunty BB and LanCheh.

It wasn't so much about losing the money playing mahjong, even though there will be a very small element of it, but more of the excitement of playing the game.

And as I saying then and now, mahjong isn't just a game. There is understanding, skills, and risk. As they say, mahjong keeps the mind sharp.

I must thank the various people who have been supportive of my extra time in KL and made it easier to pass time. To the people who took the effort to get me out of the house, the people who made this time away a little more pleasant, my heartfelt thanks to you.

Perhaps I shouldn't leave too big a gap between now and my next trip.

I will miss you all! I know I am already!

the.wait.is.finally.over


This is what I want to know.

FINALLY!!!

My thanks to all who had been supportive and helpful during the long wait.

Thanks, you know who you are!

xoxox

Sunday 7 December 2008

observations

Two men from SYABAS (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor - Selangor State Water Supplier) siphoning water off from a fire hydrant into the SYABAS water tanker.

...Is it allowable?


Traffic slowing down on the Middle Ring Road causing massive jam at the Ulu Klang primary school, where the landslide evacuees are.

...Nothing better to do?

Saturday 6 December 2008

idiot

What an idiot! *Smacks forehead*

I've every good intention to attend my friend Sheera's wedding today.

But found out on site that I was there on the wrong date.

So I will miss her wedding next week and I've missed going up to Genting with my grandparents.

But honestly, what an idiot!

3.47.am

It was 3.47am.

In the silent of the night a rumble was heard, masses of earth moved, enveloped upon homes.

It was 3.47am.

They were sound asleep. Unknowingly to some of them, that was their final sleep.


Ever since I arrived home, all I see was development – high rise apartments and condominiums, new townships, more houses, and land clearing.

And all that I often said was ‘KL is over developed’, ‘Why nobody controlled these developments?’

Even the beloved Taman Melawati which had minimal or controlled development in the past was not spared. It is going through major developments and has even gone through a big change compared to my childhood days.

Do we need all these multimillion Ringgit projects? Or more of it?
Do we need more homes?
Do we need high migration?
Do we need more cars?

KL is getting more and more congested - with human and vehicles. Every home owns at least 2.5 cars. But public transportation has not improved much.

Are all these expenditure worth the lives who were buried under the landslide?


What about the lives that were lost?

What about the children who were looking forward to their school holidays?

What about the parents who had hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their children? For their family?

What about the people who were looking forward to a nice long weekend break?

What about their homes?

Did anyone realised the increased of developments caused more harm than good?


The influx of these developments has caused increased cases of flooding due to loss of water catchments areas.

Each time it floods in KL - our capital, home to the world tallest twin towers - The Petronas Twin Towers, it is a loss of tens and hundreds of thousands Ringgits.

These flooding prompted the government to spent RM1.9bn (USD514.6m) on the SMART Tunnel (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel).

Has anyone ever put one and one together?

Has anyone ever thought of controlled development? Planning permission?

Yes, we could argue the benefits of all these projects - government spending, developing nation, reputational projects.

But do we want to be famous for the further loss of green areas?
Do we want to be known as a capital of flood?
Do we want to continue to waste more money during a flood?
Do we need a second SMART system?

And do we need further loss of lives?

Did anyone realise how much it costs for those rescue missions?


It was 3.47am.

The emergency services have been wailing its sirens periodically ever since.

Rescue efforts has been aggressive - the police, the army, the fire and rescue services, civil defence department, ambulances, local authority, SMART (Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue) team, helicopters, diggers, and even dumper trucks, rushed to the scene providing their best efforts.

Are we as smart as we think we are?

Is this another event where ministers come out to show their faces and sympathies?

Another event for hoo haaas - ‘No hillside development’, ‘Planning permit required’, etc.

Do they not understand it is not all about hillside development - it is about over development!

Did anyone remember that on 11 December 1993, a very high profile landslide tragedy happened not far down the road from here, caused a residential block - Highland Towers Block 1, to collapse and claimed 48 lives?

And what about the numerous landslides around the Ulu Klang area?

Or the various landslides that has been happening in KL of late?


It was 3.47am.

I woke up to the power cut.

It was 3.47am.

A landslide happened in Bukit Antarabangsa, destroying the homes and lives of many.


When will we ever learn?

All pics are from The Star Online Gallery, for more pics click here.

Thursday 4 December 2008

plea


There must be something
that can be done. Will someone
give me answers please?!


Wednesday 3 December 2008

the.story.so.far

TS teased the other day about my ‘exile’ in Malaysia.

I suppose it does all really seem to be an exile, which I can only hope it is not. You know, you don’t really want to joke about things like this.

My worries and stress started months ago, when I embarked on this journey in obtaining my working visa.

What appeared to be an easy, straightforward process had grown arms and legs, at least that is how I felt.

Should it not have just been a swap in visas?

Could it not have been done in UK?

And let’s not get started with the other issue that really disturbed me.

To the unknown, to get a working visa in UK, one will first need a work permit. With this work permit, Malaysians who plan to work in the UK requires an entry clearance, or what is also known as a visa. (But then all changed on 27th November as well...)

After weeks of fretting and worrying the possibility of getting the work permit, there were issues that could render complication with the work permit, I was relived to obtained it.

My initial plans of coming home to attend SA’s graduation and play tour guide to TOH, has turned into a tri-purpose trip as I was required to submit my visa application in KL.

So there was the commotion of preparing all documents ensuring that I have all required before the journey home, and any other preparation to ensure that the visa will be obtained in the shortest time possible.

In my mind, I was thinking that three days was all it takes to get the visa. After all that was the case in the past. But past it was.

When I submitted my application, I was told that it would take minimum 10 days to maximum 30 days to process.

Yikes! 10 days?!

But I didn’t have a choice. I NEEDED it. I needed this visa. So 10 days it was.

But then 10 days came and gone.

They said it was now minimum 20 days to maximum 30 days.

Great...

But then 20 days came and gone too.

So has my trip to Dubai. So has TOH returned to UK. And I’m stuck here.

And now even mom and SA has flew off to Glasgow – seems like we are each house sitting for the other.

I’ve spoken to and emailed the visa centre on numerous occasions; I’ve even got myself in the firing line of the British High Commission’s telephone operator – oh yes, she barks!, but there was nothing.

No one could give me a definite or even a tentative answer. No one knows which stage of the process it is in. No seems to want to help. No one could give any advice nor any reassurance. Nothing. Zilch.

Poor? If you are in my shoes, I’m not sure if poor is the word to describe it.

I try to empathise with them - issues with their system and the backlog of work; issues with the change in visa application; and anything else I can think of - a blocked toilet?

But all I want is a definite answer.

At what stage is the application at?

How long more is it going to take?

When will I receive my passport and visa?

Is there anything else you need from me?

Why is it taking so long?

What can I do to speed up the process?

I just need questions like this answered.

Unfortunately it seems that no one really gives much of a toss, or so it seems. Thankfully there are the few who are very supportive and encouraging.

But, there are still not many people who would understand and just feel that all this is just procedure, that this is how things work. That it is other and not me.

I’ve been absent from work for three weeks now. My work is piling up. I’ve missed out on quite a lot for my RICS APC training. And more importantly do I still have a job when I get back?

I can only solemnly hope so.

Yes. Who would have thought that it would be so complicated?

I just want to be back to the job I love, to be with the people I love, to the place I love and to spend Christmas with my family.

I know this is a long post. A post of what have been bottled inside for the past six months. Yes, six long months.

I’ve never really wanted to say much about it for all this while as I don’t want to jeopardise the approval of my visa.

But I feel wretched and I feel hopeless.

I just need answers and results.

I just want all this to be over.

Anyone out there can help?


Tuesday 2 December 2008

weird.frustration.dejected

Weird to see mom and SA away in the taxi and I'm still here.

Frustrated that nothing has been resolved.

Dejected beyond words can describe.

*sigh*

Saturday 22 November 2008

mahjong

Last night, I finally won some money playing MahJong with the Aunties!!!

So pleased that I didn't pay any tuition fees - for the first time.

Friday 21 November 2008

WD40

You know it is bad 
when you spend your idling time 
spraying WD40 onto hinges and what nots 
to pass your time.

a.day.of.a.tai.tai.

It's the end of another week of waiting. And sadly still no news.

The workaholic in me just can't register with all this idling time.

Luckily the unofficial ChakTai had a day out with the unofficial ShawTai.

We went to Ikea at Ikano for one of our favourite activities.

However, there is something about Ikea that is just not the same as the Ikea I used to know... it just lacklustre.

The food wasn't as great as we used to remember and the place... Let's just say it was a big disappointment.

To us, as sad as it sounds, Ikea was almost like home. (Yes, it does sound really sad). But now, it is just... *sigh*

On a happier note, we celebrated Ron's sixth birthday yesterday. That little chap was spoiled rotten with the numerous gifts we gave him. So bad... we shouldn't be spoiling him really.

In between shopping and birthday celebration, SA and I both still managed to squeeze in some Sims time. I will blog about Sims in another post.

In the meantime, I'll just have to find out more things to do to fill my time.

Wednesday 19 November 2008

not.tai.tai.material.

It has come to my attention that I may never be able to be a TaiTai (click to see definition).

I've now been so called stranded in Malaysia for the past one week. I was supposed to fly out of KUL on 13th November to the exoticly super fast developing Dubai city.

But alas! No. I'm still stuck here... pending the return of my passport from British High Com.

Without going into details and sounding like an ungrateful sod, I live my days here one day at a time - checking with the people who are working with the high com on the processing of visa.

The beloved TOH had been such a sweetheart and decided not to go to Dubai alone and stayed back to be with me. How lucky!

Now that he is back in the UK, I'm here all bored out. Everyone has their own things to do. And me? I'm 'floating about' I guess.

Daily routine would be - wake up, switch on computer, check status, and then *blank*.

People in Malaysia often think that if one worked in the UK they will be abundantly rich due to the exchange rate.

Currently the exchange rate is not as strong as it used to but nonetheless is still about five times higher.

But how much shopping and lazying around can one do?

I still need to pay bills and I'm not even sure whether I'm getting paid while being out here.

Plus, I'm a workaholic.

I've had my share of my holidays.

And now I don't know what to do.

I miss my work. I miss my flat. I miss my space.

Now, will someone please help get me out of here?

In the meantime, if you are a TaiTai or someone who has nothing to do during the day like me, we can possibly meet up and do some TaiTai activities - I suppose...

Tuesday 28 October 2008

wet.floor

You know you are in Malaysia when...
the toilet floors are wet!

Monday 20 October 2008

mile.high.cinema

He said...

'Hi
Fancy going to the movies?
What about Wall-E or Get Smart, hows that sound?
It has to be said it's not going to be the normal cinema,
we'll be sitting at 35.000ft and travelling at 300mph.

These are the featured movies for our flight babes.
Fancy watching together?'

Me...

*Gushes*

And the countdown begins...

Six sleeps to go.

Sunday 19 October 2008

let's.go.to.the.zoo

It started out as a belated birthday celebration.

My treat to TOH to Edinburgh Zoo... So much for trying to wake up early, at least, by the time we arrived at the zoo it was only 1210pm - we left Glasgow at 11am.

It was a lovely day (by Scottish standard). Actually, it was a beautiful October day. We were prepared for the day, so a little shower now and then wasn’t that bad. At least when the sun was out, we did felt the heat.

Edinburgh Zoo was worth every penny we paid, and we even got £1 off each! - that was a bonus. The zoo is located on a hill so there was quite a bit of walking but it wasn’t as bad as we thought it would be. The zoo bus to the top of the hill wasn’t on a regular schedule the day we visited it.

The only part that was really difficult was the last leg of the hill to the hill top for the views. Other than that, it was a good walk on a lovely day.



The interesting thing that we noticed is that most animals are in pairs. It was almost like Noah’s zoo!

My fav couple pic.



Their tails were entwined together. So lovingly.

So is this couple of one horn rhinos.



Okay, so they are not ‘entwined’ but just lovingly cuddling together.

Our fav cat.



The Pallas Cat. So cuuuute!

The newly opened Budongo Trail was amazing.



This chimpanzee enclosure is equipped with all the tools suitable for education enhancement and is kids friendly too!



This is Cindy, she is 44 years old. That is quite old, I think - considering chimps live up to about fifty plus years old in the wild and sixty plus years old in captive.

The zoo has an incredible collection of animals - 160 species.

The highlight of the day was seeing the Penguin Parade!



Everyday, the penguins come out for a stroll around this particular path or circuit. And they do it on their own accord! Apparently, the amount of penguins out for walkies is uncertain, just depend on how many feel like a stroll.



Contrary to what it is like keeping penguins in Asia, the penguins here just sit out in the open. I wonder if the water is in a colder temperature or not. So is the polar bear, it just sits outdoor and not in an air conditioned enclosure.

Edinburgh Zoo is definitely worth a visit. It is also very accessible. And it doesn’t smell like Zoo Negara.

Depending on how you see it, some animals will be in the indoor enclosure keeping warm instead of roaming about in the open. Only down side is that some animals will be hiding or hibernating with the onset of winter. I can’t remember which animal, but one of it has been hibernating since September!

I think the enclosures were cleverly designed as well - like having passages where animals can travel between enclosures, almost like a Habitrail.

I’ll upload more pics on Facebook.

And as I said earlier, my birthday present to TOH, which somehow turned out to be our 14th month anniversary celebration. Unknowingly.

Actually we both enjoyed ourselves so much that we forgotten it was the 18th. At least, it was a fantastic day out!

Friday 17 October 2008

C4.so.clever

Ugly Betty Season Finale tonight.

And Channel 4 is sooo clever! They showed Desperate Housewives Season Finale on Wednesday night and then the last five minutes was 'Five Years Later', all the Housewives life is different. And I'm like 'What?! Have to wait until next season'.

And guess what?! The New Season starts next week.

Wooohooo!!!

Only that, I'm going away. So I think when I come back, hopefully am able to catch up on all the episodes because you can catch up on 4OD for a month.

Tuesday 14 October 2008

more.apc.reading.

RICS’s isurv describes itself as ‘the definitive knowledge base for property professionals’.

If you go to its APC Channel and click on any of the titles under ‘Sections in APC’, you can find the competencies descriptions in it.


But... the best thing about this site is that, for every competency, isurv provides ‘recommended reading and services’ material!

isurv also provides various other reading materials for your training or your day to day job. Although, be warned, that some (or most) contents will require subscriptions. You will need to check that your company has subscribed to isurv and that you have access to it as well.

Anyway... Now you have no excuse not knowing what to read.

This is really starting to worry me - that there is so much to read and I haven’t been doing enough in the past twelve months!

At least now I know and I will have to read, read, READ!

Monday 13 October 2008

bail.out

RBS, to the unknown is the forth biggest bank in the world, has been announced the biggest partly nationalised bank in the UK, with taxpayer owning 60% of the bank.

It happened when RBS and merged Lloyds and HBOS received £37bn bail out from the government.

Interestingly, the London Stock Exchange raised 8% and NY Stock Exchange raised 11%.

But, bank shares fall despite bail-out.

What does it all mean then? We'll just have to wait and see.

A report few months back detailing how the big wigs at the banks and City Workers received big bonuses of millions of pounds and thousands of pounds respectively.

One may argue that, 'they get high pay and big bonuses because they have high responsibilities'.

But then what happens when the top guys muck up? They leave their jobs. Sad but perhaps not.

Because they had prolly squirreled away their thousands and millions of pounds salary including bonuses. And a nice little 'gift' for their resignation / early retirement.

*sigh*

There is still a lot to learn...

blardie.hell...

...my gas bill for the quarter was £270.31!

Fishcakes....

Sunday 12 October 2008

first.weekend.apart

After being together for 59 weeks, this was our first weekend apart.

It wasn't really that bad. Just that we missed each other tons, and the next weekend seemed ages away.

Thankfully for technology: phone, texts, and emails.

At least both of us got quite a lot of things done as well.

He got the roof painted. I got some of my APC diary and report done.

He hung out late until 4am(!) on Friday (tsktsktsk...) and I went to Suzanne's 30th on Saturday.

We did well. *pat on our back*

Roll on Friday!

Friday 10 October 2008

metal.fillings

My sister, Suemae, once jest that I have so much metal fillings in my mouth that I will set a metal detector off.

Thankfully, I've never trigger a metal detector with those filling in me.

Received this in one of those forwarded email.


I supposed I got away with not triggering the metal detector, instead the fridge magnets has consistently pulled me near the fridge.

Now I know why I am shaped and sized like how I am!

Wednesday 1 October 2008

more.birthday.wishes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!

Hope your day will be wonderful.
Hope your dreams will come true.
Love you lots and missing you.

Lots and lots of love...
xxx

Tuesday 30 September 2008

daddy's.birthday

Dearest Daddy
Have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Wishing you good health, happiness and love always...
xoxox

Sunday 28 September 2008

that.over.the.sea.country

There was a Scouting joke I heard when I was still actively in Scouts.

Every two years (if my memory serves me right), the Malaysian and Singaporean Scouts will participate in the bi-annually Goodwill Camp (or Goodwill Camporee or Kem Muhibbah). The camp will be held alternately in either country.

One of the Scout badges or one of the activity as part of a badge (I can’t remember which one because it has been that long ago) requires a Scout to have ‘foreign’ or ‘overseas’ pen friends - and Malaysia and Singapore are separated by the sea (Straits of Johor, to be exact). Hence, the Singaporeans recognises Malaysia as an overseas country, even though we are just a drive over the causeway away - actually any country other than Singapore itself, is an overseas country because they are an island after all!

Anyways... back to the point of this post...

So there I was watching the interviews during the pre-Singapore F1 race, and they interviewed the President of Singapore, S.R. Nathan.

As if having the first F1 night race and first Asian Street Circuit wasn’t awe-inspiring already, seeing that their president (without trying to sound overly prejudice) is an Indian, really intrigues me on what this country over-the-sea is all about.

If you like me, believe and wanting to see true unity in diversity, will understand where this post is going to go to.

I mean, I know where Singapore is. I know what it is like, I’ve been there a few times, I’ve friends from or living there but I think I need to know more about this cili padi of a country.

So, I Googled them.

And yes, I know - take everything you read (online or not) with a pinch of salt.

Where were we…?

Yes. As far as I know, English is their first language, their national anthem is in Malay, and their prime ministers have been ethnic Chinese.

Well, their past prime ministers have been and currently is still held by an ethnic Chinese. Will this change? We can only wait and see.

The national language of Singapore is Malay, hence, the national anthem? - is in Malay.

However, one of the official language and the language of administration is English.

Okaaay...

Moving on... their current president is a Singaporean ethnic Indian and their past presidents have been a mixture of Malay, Eurasian, Chinese and Indian descendant.

Perhaps the only lacking in the whole equation is a woman in position.

I’m sure that there will be complaints or dissatisfactions by Singaporeans on their political scene there but on the surface, it does seemed like a country that embraced unity in diversity, in a balanced manner, in the sense of everyone who qualifies has and it has been proven, that they can be a president (for now not inclusive of the role of Prime Minister) regardless of your ethnicity.

Now, what are the chances of a non-Muslim being elected the Prime Minister of Malaysia or *gasp* a Sultan for that matter or *gasp*…?

For a country that strives for self sufficiency, there are a lot of reading materials out there to backup Singapore's desire and will to be that. How about that?!

Does seemed like a ‘where there is a will, there is a way’ country.

...that over the sea country.

singapore.f1

Did you watch the Singapore F1 race?

First night race. First Asian street circuit.

Marina Bay circuit – was indeed a good course.

It was a good race indeed.

So much awe-ness.

So bright - one generator to every four lights. I'm certain that you can see the circuit from space. I wonder if there are any satellite pics of the race or not?

So much dramas.

Unexpected twists.

*Good sigh*

I was eagerly looking forward to the race and it didn’t disappoint at all.

I was rooting for Felipe Massa - just because he had won all the street races so far in this season.

Until, the first safety car.

Until, THAT horror incident which cost him the lead position.

And then Kimi Raikonen’s unfortunate crash out - right at the last four laps.

There goes the red team chance.

And dreams are indeed possible at F1 as Fernando Alonso proved to everyone.

The fourteen place climb was indeed an achievement. Lucky guy!

Somehow I was glad that Lewis Hamilton didn’t win. But he put up a good performance by overtaking David Coultard.

I wonder if there will be an investigation into the fuel hose incident. Luckily nothing serious happened to the engineers but still... This incident could easily be a drama itself.

Whose fault was it?

Is it the signaller’s fault? The fuel engineer’s fault?

Or in true Singaporean term: did someone sabo* Massa / Ferrari?

*sabo = sabotage

Hmmm? *with inquisitive and suspicion look*

We can only wait and see. I'm so glad I caught the race. *beams*

Thursday 25 September 2008

grandfather.stories

We often take for granted saying ‘grandfather/mother stories’ when trying to imply listening / telling / reading detailed or long winded stories.

So... What happened was I was sitting with PMBrian earlier filling up a form.

ennazus: I don’t think we have enough space to put your grandfather story in there.
PMBrian: *started laughing* Is that a Malaysian saying?
ennazus: Oh. You don’t say it over here?


There you go. A little Malaysian-ana for you.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

apc.tools.&.reading.materials

Here are some useful information for your APC training.

Tools: DeLever

You can get planning and study aid from DeLever.


Order your free! Timeline Wallchart and Top 20 Tips to help you with your APC planning, whether you are planning to embark or already started your APC training.

DeLever also organises APC / ATC seminars, provide Podcasts and RTA support, and sells APC diary software as well as DVDs.

You can also subscribe to the APC/ATC updates.

And guess what?! They even have a Facebook page where you can read and discuss any APC issues - 'APC Support and Discussions – Jon Lever FRICS FInstCPD (RTA)'.


*****

Reading: APC Advice on Property Week

At APC Advice, you will find what you need to do step by step on your APC journey.


It is a twelve month guide and you can read the start of this year’s cycle here. At the end of each guide, there is a write up on a competency.


*****

Reading: APC Trainer on Building

Building Magazine has a section called ‘APC Trainer’.


You can find out notes on every Mandatory and Technical competencies, it includes potential question asked during your APC Interview.

Don’t forget to bookmark this page or subscribe via RSS as new articles are available weekly.


Enjoy!!!

the.APC.diary

This is a long overdue post which I meant to write ages ago.

The APC diary is used to record your APC experience.

You will need to record your day to day activities on what is it and what you did. You should also mention the name of the projects that you were working on. The diary should be as elaborate as you think you could write but not overly detailed.

Try to write it as if someone with no knowledge of your project would pick up and able to understand what you are trying to record. So you don’t want to bore them with too many nitty gritty details. However, if there is an issue that you want to highlight, you might want to write it in detail.

You will need to remember that although the diary is not checked by anyone other than your Supervisor or Counsellor, or that you don’t need to submit it to RICS, the diary should be written clear enough for you to revisit what you have written as well.

If your company does not provide a template for you to record your experience, you can download the RICS templates as mentioned in Section Thirteen of the APC Candidate’s Guide.

For the diary, RICS has even come up with a suggested format.

Don’t forget:
- you should not record a period of less than half a day
- you are not required to record the Mandatory competencies
- you should only record one Technical competency to each day or half day period.

For more info on recording your experience, read page thirteen onwards of the APC Candidate’s Guide.

The following are bad and good examples for comparison.


Bad Example


Good Example


The recording of your diary is not confined to the above example. Chat with your Supervisor and seek his/her advice to improve.

You should aim to complete your diary once a week, so that you are not overwhelmed by the task and be put off completing your diary altogether. Ideally, if you are super organised, record your diary at the end of each day or the beginning of the next day.

At the end of every month, you will need to total up your hours and record it in your log book.

You will need to provide your log book at every Supervisor / Counsellor meeting to chart your progress for the quarter. At that time, your Supervisor / Counsellor can advice on what activities or competencies require more attention so that you get a balanced experience at the end of your training.

Don’t forget that you will need to submit your log book to RICS during your interim and final assessment.

Additional reading on:
--Property Week's ‘Recording your experience’

--Jon Lever's APC Support & Discussion on Facebook 'Getting Started on your APC'. Scroll along and you can see some advice on recording your diary.

floating.airport


Floating airport with floating AND rotating runways!

Read it all here.

taking.the.piss

Opportunist. Is it a sin to be one? Or perhaps is it wrong to try?

Sometimes in life you do wonder if you are really worth what you think YOU are?

There are hundreds of books, articles, programmes, courses, etc... out there telling people they are ‘unique’, ‘wonderful’, ‘special’, etc.

Then there is the reality of who really gives a damn?!

When does trying become ‘taking the piss’?

What about ‘if you don’t try you won’t know’.

But, sometimes the result of trying just makes you feel that you don’t worth as much as you think you do.

Do you really worth as much as you think you are?

Otherwise, wake and smell the coffee, I suppose.

Tuesday 23 September 2008

mah-ney

Money.

You can’t help thinking about it.

It is the concern of all issues.

It is the cause of all problems.

It is the root of all disputes.

And as the saying goes, everything is money, even though money is not everything.

Is there anyone who moans that they have too much money? - So much so that they don’t know what to do about it?

I think so not.

Money.

A touchy subject to mention.

One may be short of money and feel that they are struggling, but then, there are those who have none at all.

A bit of a, if one was diagnosed will illness but compared to the one with terminal illness and dying in days, suddenly all is not all that bad.

But, we are only human. We worry about the things unknown. We worry about what will happen next. We worry about the sky falling down even.

We. Just. Worry.

Yes. The whole Matthew 6:25-27 just went out the window.

I could list down all the things whether financial or not - that we, as human worry our pants off. And so does the next person (everyone can do a list, what's new?!).

I can start fretting and worrying about all (not that I don’t normally do). And so what? It doesn’t settle by it self or go away.

Why can’t we ever be content? And also not to worry about money?

When will I earn or have sh*tload of money?!

The what happens next?

*sigh*

I find comfort reading ‘Do not worry about tomorrow’. It will do for now.

I suppose, one person’s ‘lack of’ is a blessing considering others who ‘don’t even have it’.

We just need to believe that everything will be fine.

More importantly, we just need to be thankful for what we have (and don’t have for that matter).

So, can I still wish to be minted?!

parking

How not to park your car...



H.O.N.E.S.T.L.Y!!!

shout.out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIS!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday and living the dream!

xoxox

Wednesday 17 September 2008

christmas.in.september

It's official!

Christmas don't start in October anymore...

It starts in SEPTEMBER!!!


Chocolates and sweeties


Christmas cards!!!

O.M.G...

Tuesday 16 September 2008

gutted

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh......

So damnblardie annoyed.

Found out that the flights TOH and I booked a couple of weeks back is now £274(!) cheaper!!!

How.Can.This.Happen??

O.o?

-.-'


*sigh*

Wednesday 10 September 2008

Monday 8 September 2008

that.line.

Where do you draw the line between determine and obsessed?

There are some, who prefer to find the solution, no matter what - the kind who keep searching until they come to a resolution, a closure.

Then, there are those, who investigate and gather all proof and knowledge to satisfy themselves, to accept that why things are because of all the hard evidence.

And then there are some. Who knows what they are looking for, finds an abnormality, search for a solution, and fret about not knowing the reason, but still pining hope for an answer - a relieved answer.

Many times we just want someone to listen, or to reassure us that everything will be a-okay, preferably someone with a substantiated answer.

Yes, it is not easy. But is it impossible?

However, people are easy to judge - you, me, the person next to you. We are all the same, like it or not.

We don’t understand why people feel what they feel.

We try to understand why they expressed their experience.

Yet, it is so easy to just brand someone - worrier, determined, obsessed, etc.

Indeed, there are those who easily discount the fact that we just want to achieve our goal - the goal to find out the truth.

How far should one go to seek this knowledge? To seek their goals? Aspirations? Dreams?

Where do you draw the line to stop? To give up? To lose hope?

Where do you decide that it is not determination but obsession?

Friday 5 September 2008

bb9.final

3 months ago, there was a dread knowing that once Big Brother is back, gone are the interesting topical documentaries; fashion; cookery; and property programmes and good old American dramas on Channel 4.

Having only watched (rather) intensely one series of BB and never really liking it, I thought why not give it a chance? After all, it is going to invade our lives anyways.

Compared to the previous years, I think C4 has come to their senses and not show BB on C4 endlessly on its evening/night slot. I believe BB is still being broadcasted live on E4 but this doesn’t bug me anymore because I don’t have E4.

Anyways, I must admit I look forward to the daily one hour long highlights - 24 hours condensed into an hour. The website is great but it would have been good if they have videos of all diary room chats (I think ‘Diary Room Uncut’ is available on 4OD).

I was a bit disappointed that I’ve prolly missed about a third of the highlights.

So three months.

Yes, three months has come to past and we are left with final five housemates, all vying for a chance to win the £100,000 prize money. Out of the five only four are part of the original housemates.

Tuesday’s sudden double eviction has not only thrown housemates off guard but also viewers!

Not only it was sudden, favourite to win, Katherya was evicted!

As annoying as she can get, I’m sure gasps were heard across the country.

Tonight’s BB final. I know where I will be.

Thursday 4 September 2008

dreads

Life is constantly full of change. Come to think about it, life without change would be stagnant, boring and not challenging at all.

Yes, there has and will be change.

The BigGuy has left the team to work in another part of the (client’s) business or location to be exact. I think he is the best Senior Project Manger anyone could ask for. Since I’m handling most of the in-house delivery partner projects, my portfolio of projects has been absorbed by an SPM who deals mainly with IHDP on other project solutions.

I haven’t thought of a nickname for this SPM yet, as what I have in mind may not be the best name.

Bottomline is that, I’m dreading working with this guy. AD worked with him and I can see for myself what kind of person he is at work and at social events.

*Dreads - big time*

Interestingly, I found out that two out of my three project managers are not looking forward to working with NewSPM.

*More dread*

Well, I can only hope for the best and shall wait and see how it goes. I do hope that our wonderful team will continue to stick together.

Why couldn’t we be a standalone team? *sigh*

AD has been told that his services with the existing client will end soon. And the company has another job/client lined up for AD, still in the same industry, same-ish roles but different location - travelling to work increases and also a bit of travelling to the north of the country.

AD is a really good listener - will really miss having him around.

Will miss our wee lunch outings every now and then.

I’ll still prolly see him at least every two months, but, it will never be the same.

Will just have to embrace change. It is after all easier than to resist.

I can only hope.

Wednesday 3 September 2008

quickie.random.figures.&.thoughts

- Property prices in the Scottish capital, Edinburgh fell for the first time in 37 years.
- Gordon Brown decided to give a ‘tax holiday’ on stamp duty for properties less than £175k. No stamp duty for a year.
- Potential saving of up to £1,750. But how many properties is less than £175k? And most new build developers are ‘paying’ the stamp duty for the buyers, anyway.
- Who is going to fund the void? How is the government paying for this 1% stamp duty?
- Inflation currently at 4% and might reached 5.3% by November.
- Growth is only 1.2% compared to 1.8% forecasted. Lowest growth in 40 years.
- Bank of England interest at 5%.
- Average mortgage interest about 7%.
- Recession looming. What is it going to be like?
- High inflation, high fuel price - even though price per barrel has dropped.
- Repossession of properties rise by 48% compared to a year ago.

Thursday 28 August 2008

fishcakes!!!

I've been wanting to change my blog template for ages and finally gave it a try.

However, the preview blog function didn't worked too well.

So, I saved the new template(s).

Have a look at the blog with the new template(s).

Not very impressed with it.

Tried reverting back to my earlier design...

And guess what???

I lost:
1. Pictures on my side bar.
2. My blogroll.
3. Other things that I've typed in.

Basically, anything that have to do with widgets.

I.AM.SO.SAD.SO.ANNOYED.SO.DISAPPOINTED.

*SIGH*

Monday 25 August 2008

appalled

I’ve always been thankful for all the facilities that are provided here at the client’s office.

I remember how impressed I was that tableware and a dishwasher is even provided!

However, people get complacent when good things are provided to them.

They misuse the providence. Sinks are full of unwashed tableware and cutleries. The dishwasher was full but no one put on the load. And when they’ve all been cleaned, the dishes and mugs lie asleep in the dishwasher. Oh yes, not to forget, people who put in dirty dishes into a newly cleaned load.

Now, where is the common sense?

For as long as the dishwasher has been here since I’ve started working at this site, I believe there has been numerous breakdown of the machine.

What happens then?

The sink gets full.

Tea or coffee stained mugs piled up high. People knowing that the machine is broken (because there was a rather obvious sign) still place their dirty tableware and cutleries into the machine, possibly expecting a miracle.

People here also have a few very bad habits, like if they spill milk, coffee or sugar on the worktops they can’t be bothered to wipe it clean.

Then there are the phantom lazy ones who I don’t know for what reason whatsoever cannot throw their used tea bags into the bin, which is located like three to five steps away from the worktop. Where do they throw you ask? In the sink! Now, who is going to clear that away for them???!!!

Let's not go to where people put their used mugs in and around the rooms/office...

I’ve prolly tidy up and clean up the kitchen quietly a few times as the mess do get on my nerve. And it is a good distraction when I needed time away from my desk.

The point is that why can’t people clean or wash up after themselves? It is not like we have a person full time here to make sure the kitchen is clean throughout the day. It’s not like people are uneducated, for goodness sake, they work in an office!!!!!

Eventually, the facilities team got fed up as the kitchen was becoming a tip.

So, four months ago, an email was sent out to people within the office...

...I would expect that anyone using dishes would wash up after themselves but as this is not happeining (sic) it leaves us with no alternative to remove all dishes from the area. Staff would then be expected to provide their own crockery and wash it as you use it.

The dishwasher will be removed and washing up liquid supplied and roller towels put in place to dry your cups etc.’


Not long after that email was sent out, the machine bid farewell to us ungrateful sods.


Somehow today, there wasn’t any washing liquid available. Don’t mention the milk for the drinks. *sigh*

Saturday 23 August 2008

foxy


Fox on foreground: What? Have you not seen a fox before?
Fox on background: Oooh. Oooh. Oooh... We are going to be famous!!!


Aren't they so cute!

They are like dogs, pissing all over the place marking their territory.

Nice brown, shiny coat - looks so nice and soft.

But alas! They are also known as 'urban pest'.

Still, I just want to run up and cuddle them...

Friday 22 August 2008

one.liners

Movie updates. Am going to attempt to review them in one line.

*****

Hancock


Unexpected love story.

*****

Kung Fu Panda


Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift;
that is why it is called the present.


*****

Mamma Mia! Movie


Thank YOU for the Music!

*****

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan


Bush: for cushion or strangulation/suffocation, your choice.

Monday 18 August 2008

but.for.now

But for now I’ll just say I love you
Nothing more seems important somehow
And tomorrow can wait come whatever
Let me love you forever but right now
Right now

But for now let me say I love you
Later on there’ll be time for so much more
But for now meaning now and forever
Let me kiss you my darling then once more
Once more



Happy one year anniversary darling!
It has been fantastic...
Tons of love
xxx

Wednesday 13 August 2008

optimistic

Yesterday, it was announced that UK inflation is now 4.4%, the highest recorded so far since 1997.

Today, it was revealed that unemployment is now at 5.4%, in the three months leading up to June 2008.

By now, the buzz word ‘credit crunch’ should be a familiar phrase since 2007. News report blames high fuel price and expensive cost of products pushed global economy downwards and costs upwards. It doesn’t help with property prices are in the decline and interest rates going up, unless you are a saver.

If this carries on, will we spiral into a recession?

I’m not sure if I want to experience one, like everyone else, I can only hope this is the lowest that it can go and we will bounce back soon.

Optimistic? Perhaps.

one.year.work

I went to AD earlier this morning and said ‘HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!’.

It’s to our year working in this office and friendship. Silly I know.

A year ago today, both of us were this two fresh faced strangers sitting at reception waiting for the relevant person to come and show us to our desk, which, much to our dismay, no desk. Were they not expecting us, since the week before?!

It was great having a fresh faced companion to go through the past year with me. We stuck by each other and help each other out, more like having AD for me to emo to, tears and all. So embarrassing!

Am actually very privilege that way, made good friends with AD.

The learning curves had been steep at some point - I stirred some trouble, and learnt a lot in the process too.

A year on, I never thought that I would go through putting forward an unacceptable behaviour complaint, declining one drunken interest and fending off a freaky weirdo.

Being the nice person that I am, it was an achievement sending out an email that goes like this.

Hi xxxx, Thanks for your invitation but I’ll have to decline. I want to be clear that I’m not interested in going out with you. Regards.

All in a year, in this client’s office.

Ten lessons from the past twelve months. I’ve learnt that...

One: It is important to have everything jotted down or sent in an email as a written proof. It doesn’t matter how big or small the matter.

Two: Just because it is acceptable to some, or nobody says anything, or people are ignorant about some things, doesn’t mean that you have to accept and keep quiet.

Three: It is not a bad thing to stir trouble. I’ve prolly caused quite a lot of trouble intentionally and unintentionally at work.

Four: Not to be afraid of being whiny or a big baby. Chances are if a matter bothers you, it is a matter requiring resolution. No one should bottle it all up.

Five: Everyday is a school day. Be open to learning and accepting the various issues in the work place. Diplomacy and politics are words to remember.

Six: Besides work relationship, the only other relationship with colleagues is friendship. Anything else is not acceptable.

Seven: You are never alone. No matter how insincere some people are there are still a handful of people who really care, even if it is just one person.

Eight: Enjoy the work at hand. It is easier this way than to hate what you are doing. If you hate what you are doing, take action, chances are you are in the wrong job. No one deserves to be unhappy.

Nine: No one deserves to be bullied, whether at or out of work.

And lastly, Ten: never be put off by bad experiences.

Achievement in the year:
Not sure if ‘acquired two stalkers’ should be the highlight.

I don’t know what will happen in the coming year and I don’t know who else I will meet or get acquainted with, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

The past year has brought me colleagues who I can call friend, who I can confide in with confidence, and those I can gossip with.

Just as the business I am in, the client I am with, and just with nature of life, people come and people go, I just found out that The Big Guy will be leaving soon to another area within the business. He will be deeply missed. I dread working with the guy who we will be reporting to since he is not that nice a person plus he is a perve. Wonderful. OK, maybe that is not fair - we'll just have to see how we get along then.

Likewise, AD will be also be leaving this office not long now and move on to another client’s office. I will miss him dearly, all the banters, emo-ing, and outing during lunchtime.

To AD, thanks for being a great friend!

Friday 8 August 2008

08.08.08

Let the games begin!


Beijing Olympics 2008.


So cute!
You can download more cutesy wallpapers and screensavers here.

Not so sure about the theme what with everything that has been happening on the protest front.



An influx of 'AoYun' (奥运) babies, meaning 'Olympic Games' babies.

And a bigger couch potato in making...


Events Schedule.