Friday 29 February 2008

guys

Last night I went out with the troops from the delivery partner (contractor).

Although different roles, we all worked in the same office. Since I don’t do much on my own, I took up the invitation of joining the guys for dinner and drinks.

Dinner was at Partick’s Roastit Bubbly Jocks. Apparently, ‘Roastit Bubbly Jocks’ means ‘roasted turkey’. Interesting...

The meal was great. We had the pre-theatre menu, two courses for less than £13! I started with the seafood chowder and for mains, I had the roast lamb. Bread was provided (which by now, I think it is a very western thing) before the meal and we had more bread to go with our soup. A large platter of veges to go with our main course was provided as well.

Roastit Bubbly Jocks, I was told, serves Scottish food. From what I had, it was fresh produce prepared and presented like fine dinning. The restaurant was very warm and cosy. Perhaps it was the candle lights flickering. Perhaps it was how close the tables are. Possibly the company was good as well.

The guys didn’t want any puddings so I gave it a miss. By that time I was quite stuffed anyways, to have pudding is almost, yes almost, being glutton.

Dinner was kinda awkward at first as out of the nine of us, I only knew two. Luckily, at the end of the night we all became friends.

Hanging out with the guys is rather interesting. Honestly, I do think that guys gossip a lot!!!

We then headed off on a pub crawl of sorts.

I prefer pub crawl compared to clubbing. At least you get to chat and get to know one another. All in all we went to three pubs: Fiddler’s Bar, The Lismore, Jinty McGuinty’s and ended up in Oran Mor’s The Venue for dancing.

By the time we were at Lismore, I was bequeath as ‘one of the guys’.

I think it was prolly a sight to see one girl with eight men, some of them is as old as my dad but don’t look as old as they said they were! Need to find out their secret to looking young.

We shared banters, or more like, I listened intently to all the gossips! Most importantly a good night was had. I was even invited to the next night out, or as the guys put it ‘team building’.

Looking forward to it already!

Drinks log: One glass of Sauvignon Blanc, eight glasses of G&T

Thursday 28 February 2008

clear

The letting agent, with the consent of my landlord sent over the tv guy to fix my tv aerial.

After months of annoyance and then raising my hands surrendering to an impossible balanced relationship with my telly, I have now finally have clear channels!

Thanks tv aerial repair man! Thanks letting agent! Thanks landlord!

Honestly, I need a life... -_-"

Too bad, still no Freeview. I guess I'll just have to wait for the digital switchover.

In the meantime, I've rediscovered Channel 4's 4od and yet to venture BBC iPlayer.

Wooohhooo... the world telly is my oyster?!

Wednesday 27 February 2008

beddie

Last night I was busy on the computer, playing 'Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego'.

Okay, so that does not really qualify as busy.

Anyways, am just so struggling now. All I can think of is I want my bed...

Many down filled pillows.
Fluffy down filled duvet.
Comfy luxurious bed.





*sigh*

I sooo want my bed!!!

struggle

This month seems like it had been a rather hectic month.

I guess it actually gone all bonkers during my monthly reporting cycle. Thought by now, six months on, I would have grasped the numbers or idea better. Which, in all fairness, I believe I did.

It has been a slow progress but every month I know I'm picking up things and learning things on my own.

However, this month there seemed to be grief thrown at me: being bombarded with questions of why and moaning about why I'm being busy with my own company.

Obviously I will get defensive of my company. It is no surprise that I will be defensive of my work as well. It is unfair that if I had no guidance and then have my work criticised by the very same person who is supposed to be there to support me in the first place. @_@

Sadly, that is of life. You just have to not let things get too personal and carry on swimming. Be flexible.

I think besides that and the emotional issues attached to that, other work stuff has been hectic as well. Am just annoyed with myself that I have not been on top of my APC training, especially APC diary.

Okay, I did attended a number of CPD events this month, and I need to do a write up on each of it as well. Greeeat...

It's almost end of the month and I don't even have quarter of the diary filled. APC is really hard work. And I wish I am able to put in more work to it as well.

By the end of the six month APC training, I will need to have completed my diary, researched and drafted out my critical analysis project, completed some write up or short reports on all my Level one mandatory competencies. Goodness!!!

Where am I going to find the time and strength?

Tuesday 26 February 2008

recruitment

Looking for a job in Quantity Surveying?
Or project consultancy?
Do you want a change?
Build a better career?
Or even get great APC support (or relavant training/ support)?


Drop me an email or leave your email and I will get back to you.

Currently there are about five positions available in Scotland. And many more positions available throughout the UK and opportunities available worldwide.

So if you are in the UK, somewhere in the world with relevant experience wanting a job in the UK or even a possibility of a local job in your country, drop me a line!

There are many unique opportunities available depending on which sector you end up in.

Drop me a line now!

Monday 25 February 2008

happy one year blogging

Time is a really ‘scary’ thing. It flies past before you even know it.

Three hundred and sixty five days ago, I started blogging on Blogger. In these three hundred and sixty five days I’ve managed to post two hundred and twenty two posts.

Not too bad an attempt. *Gentle pat on the back.*

Although I did not achieve the three hundred and sixty five posts I liked to, I think it is still an achievement of sorts.

In the recent weeks, posting has been a struggle due to various reasons.

I can only wish in the coming year I will be able to blog more frequently, logging on all sorts that I encounter in my daily life.

In this day and age of netrep, I won’t be speaking out recklessly as much as sometimes I wished I could. Perhaps some well thought out rant?

Nonetheless, this blog has provided an avenue for me to rant, record and generally let it out, good and bad, happy and sad feelings that I experience.

A quick glance at my blog shows that there are various highs and los I’ve recorded so far. There are also many more that I haven’t had the chance to write it all. For me, this blog has also been a way to communicate to people near and far, friends and strangers alike, and just to whomever who care or are curious of.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my readers who take their time to read and comment here. It is always nice to read your comments. I hope you will continue to read my blog.

Here’s to another year!

maddymadmad

I’m not the kind who make New Year’s resolution.

There are things that I will think of as the days come and go but generally, I don’t sit down or spend time think about what I want to do in the year.

Perhaps I really should. Apparently, by doing so will have a bigger chance of us keeping to our resolution(s).

Being one who believes in carpe diem, I try as much to practice it.

So this year, I set out with the resolution to continuously seize the day. And among it, is not to deprive myself an opportunity to win the lottery.

Okay, it does sound kinda shallow.

I don’t really believe in the lottery but for the sake of fun and opportunity, I’m giving it a try. After all, if I lose, it is just a quid and it goes to charity.

Eight weeks into the new year and ‘investing’ when I remember or feel-like-it, TOH and I won a teeny sum last week. Although not a lot, it does show you that in a game of chance, there is a possibility.

Nonetheless, I can’t help playing the image of one Hong Kong Cantonese movie series ‘It’s a Mad Mad World’ in my mind, when knowing I matched four out of the six numbers.

It’s silly, I know.

The movie series was really funny though.

Unfortunately, I found out that both the main characters has passed away, and more recently Lydia Shum who played the matriarch in the movie, has just passed away days earlier.

Can’t help feeling that there is such a loss in the HK and Cantonese entertainment industry. She was a talented actress and I love her always happy outlook/attitude.

At least, her legacy remains.

Sunday 24 February 2008

election fracas

Where do I begin?

I must admit that I’ve fallen out of Malaysian news. Honestly, I haven’t really been following the news. So blog reading helps, a bit. If only people dare voice their opinion on the happenings in Malaysia.

Perhaps I will leave that for another post.

Out of the blue (for a blur case like me), I heard that Malaysia will be holding it’s 12th General Election, a year earlier than it is supposed to be held.


Generally, Malaysia has a General Election every five years.

However, the Prime Minister decided to announce dissolution of the parliament a year ahead. Must be really desperate to do so. Hmmm.

Some say it is because if the GE is held next year, Anwar Ibrahim has a chance to run for election, which is a big no-no, so I heard. Poor guy didn’t stand a chance to fulfil his dream.


So pre-election, you can see and hear all these pre-election promises and provident that some have been asking for ages and never seemed to get any answer for. But come election time, all your queries and requests answered and fulfilled.

Even if it doesn’t materialise, you will be promised so many things, of which I’m very sceptical of. I once asked what if the minister or government doesn’t fulfil what they had promised? The answer I got was ‘then people won’t vote for them again’. So we have to wait for five years? Okie, perhaps dissolving the parliament a year earlier had given the people less one year of unhappiness(?).


However, I must comment on SNP (Scottish Nationalist Party) for fulfilling their promise of no more tolls in Scotland. Well done!

But can’t deny that a lot of the candidates'/ ministers’/ government’s other promises seems to be hitting a brick wall or have been highlighted, to be reminded of their promises, but have not response to it properly yet. We shall see in due time.


Anyways, side tracked there...

So yeah, election... I’ve never had much interest in politics. I only believe that if people are good enough to be elected they should be responsible enough to do the best that they can in the interest of the nation.

Yes, who puts them up there? I believe people who know them, put them up there.

Call it naïvety. I know. And I don’t care.

Perhaps it is the under exposure to politics. Perhaps it is apathy. Perhaps I don’t see any difference. Perhaps it is always the same.

Perhaps I have given up.

And as out of touch as I am, the 12th GE has been heavily emphasised but the day when the GE is held has not been. After much difficulty, I finally found out it is on Saturday, 8th March.

In Malaysia, to be able to vote, a person must be 21 years old and above, a Malaysian citizen and registered as a voter with the Election Commission (EC).

However, that is not enough. The EC maintains a register of voters that is revised and certified regularly and only those on the electoral roll are allowed to vote.

Looking at the EC website, in their FAQ it has been repeatedly commented that any mistake they blame on error in data entering.



At least they admit that they are human enough to err.

Interestingly, there is no facility for overseas Malaysians to vote. Postal votes are only available for armed forces and those eligible. Many thought that overseas Malaysians can register to vote by post or go to the nearest Malaysian High Commission and cast their vote there. However, you can’t. If you are overseas, you sort of ‘given up’ your right to vote, unless you are back in Malaysia, registered to vote and on the electoral roll.


Anyways, besides the obvious I’m very intrigued on why a Malaysian donating £8m to St. Andrew’s University. I first caught the news on Friday on the front of The Scotsman. This news has also been covered by Malaysia’s National Paper, The Star. £8m is about 50m Malaysian Ringgit.

I’ll leave the questions to you.


Back to election... I’ve always been fascinated with the posters, banners and buntings that are hung all over the place during an election.

Fascinated because it is interesting that people come out with all sorts of paraphernalia they can think of for their campaigning.

Fascinated as well by how many trees they have to sacrifice for a week or so.

Fascinated that the display of posters, banners and buntings are allowed to make Malaysia a more ‘vibrant’ place.

Fascinated at the end of the day, how much rubbish has been created.

Whichever way it will be, 8th March will an interesting day. At the end of Saturday, a change may happen, who knows.

We'll just have to wait and see.

Friday 22 February 2008

hanging out

Last night was a really different night from the norm.

I was supposed to meet up with Sabrina for Japanese food. We were going to give Nanakusa on Sauchiehall Street a try.

However, mid day, Sabrina emailed me to tell me change of plans.

We were going to her friend’s place for dinner. Being one who is easily pleased, I just tagged along. After all, it would be good to meet new people and see new faces, at the same time catch up with Sabrina.

I don’t really know many people in Glasgow (or at least I thought), even more so hang out with anyone.

Besides my workmates colleagues, I hardly speak to anyone else. Such is of life.

Anyways, I was introduced to three other Malaysians. It was interesting that it was a case of ‘six degrees of separation’ - the person knows someone who knows you or knows someone who knows someone who knows you. You get the idea.

For years while abroad, I don’t really hang out much with Malaysians, those I hang out with a the really selected few. There are just too many reasons, excuses, experience and past that probably contributed to it.

Anyhow, I was glad to have been invited to hang out with them.

We both girls were ‘pampered’ by the three guys. One, who lived in this really nice flat in Merchant City, who was hosting the dinner, did all the cooking. And another was busy jaaam cha tai sui (literally pouring tea and bringing water), making sure we were comfy.

Sabrina and I can’t help feeling a wee bit guilty but since the boys have it under control we just catch up.

Dinner was amazing! We had wonton noodles served with pak choy, char siew (honey roast pork) and wonton (dumplings) in soup. All homemade! Okay, just the char siew and wonton...

Nonetheless it was yummy!!!

After that, we had red bean soup (dessert) with stuffed glutinous rice balls!

What a wonderful cook!

It was interesting learning about others. I know it is called networking. But I think it was probably the common thing we share that made the night a really good one, us all being Malaysians.

Thursday 21 February 2008

power of empowerment

Power is often associated with the control or command over others, the authority or delegated authority bestowed onto one. With this power, it is often expected that one uses it wisely and responsibly.

Read: ‘with great power, comes great responsibility’.

In an ideal world, that should be what it should be.

However, in reality it may not necessary be.

Empowering is to give power or authority to someone to do something. By giving this permission for them to carry out task(s) responsibly offers the empower-ee the opportunity and sense of control as well as command to complete tasks that he/she may not have prior opportunity to do so.

Nevertheless, there are people who do not want to give or share the control to others. They rather have them doing all the work and/or (yes, and/or) hover above or over the shoulder of the person even when they have delegated the task to that person.

In this situation, how can anyone learn or develop?

Empowering someone does not mean that we ‘dump’ all the responsibility(ies) to them and forget about it. Or give them all the nasties and wash our hands of it.

Empowering is about allowing someone to learn and develop. Allowing that particular someone to become a more responsible and confident person in making decisions.

In most Asian culture, empowering is just a buzzword. One that may not be necessarily be practiced, especially in a small organisation, or one that had been honourable enough to be awarded with the title of 'Chinaman company'. In these organisation(s), there are only two rules:

Rule number one, the boss is always right.
Rule number two, if the boss is wrong, refer to rule number one.


Yes, I had been told, from one boss, and I think he wasn’t really jesting at that time either. Perhaps he was. Who knows? After all, Rule number one says it all.

In my observation there are many incidences of this, not empowering another or giving the opportunity for another to learn, to follow their footsteps. Perhaps they never thought what happens when they leave or worst when they kicked the bucket ?

Is it the person’s fault that he did not teach another person, or is it his superior’s oversight on this to foresee that it will be better to have another person equipped with the skills?

At the end of the day, it is whether or not as well, we want to share that responsibility and if the other person is willing to take up the additional responsibility.

For some it is not easy, but every journey begins with a single step. I guess it’s time for me to take that step, in accepting and sharing.

Monday 18 February 2008

compromise

What’s yours is mine, What's mine is mine.

Not allowed.Why?Because I said so.


Every relationship should go by the above rules. Bear in mind, the ownership of the rules is the female party of the relationship.

Most sensible men know that.

For example, buying a house: if the woman said no, the man has to go with it. However, if the woman says yes, the man can’t afford, then it is a no. Even if the man can’t afford but the woman wants it exceptionally much and the man sort of want it (at least he must sort of want it), they will still get the property. But the woman will make the main decision. You’ve got to watch enough of Relocation, Relocation; Property Ladder; Grand Design; or any property related programme to see this reoccurring pattern.

I’m glad that TOH understands that - only oh too well.

But it doesn’t mean that he is always being pushed over by me. He just gives in most of the time. And most men do that so that they don’t get into too much hassle - a wise move on the male species. Most importantly TOH loves me, and I think the rules isn’t really too too bad.

There are times that TOH also just put his feet down and say no to my whims and fancies. And it works the same, because I love him too. Okay, there will be some resistance, as usual trying to get my way. But I know when a no should be a no, as well.

To summarise it, it is actually all about compromising.

And when you love someone enough, you will do whatever you can to make them happy, more so, to make the relationship work. However, this does not mean that you neglect your principles or even voicing your opinion.

Even if you don’t make a conscious change, I find it very interesting that we subconsciously make subtle changes, subconsciously, unknown to ourselves, things that probably, someone else will notice.

It is through compromise and good communication on both our part, the past six months went by a breeze. It always amazes the both of us that we only been together for six months because it feels much more than that. Maybe because we understand each other so well, more so, I believe it is because we give and take. He gives a lot and I take plenty. >.< ^_^


To my darling, Happy Six Month Anniversary! I’m so glad to have you in my life. With lots of love. xx

Sunday 17 February 2008

long.day.

Friday 15th February 2008

0430 Crawled Jumped out of bed, jumped into shower.

0525 Just finished getting ready and the taxi is already here! Five minutes early. Luckily I was ready. Phew!

0545 Lost somewhere in Govan because local taxi driver (from the West End) not familiar with Govan. Found AD and on way to Glasgow airport.

0600 Blink of an eye, we were at airport. So near. Well, sort of.

0610 Checked in at one of those self check-in machines - still had to go to the check-in counter to obtain our boarding pass because we don’t have the credit card that booked the tickets.

0620 Had breakfast. AD paid. We were going to claim under expenses anyways.

0630 Sauntered to the boarding gate. Only to be told that the flight is delayed a few minutes. Turn out the plane needed a shower/hose down/application of something(??), I don’t know.


Quite a dinky little plane, flight wasn’t too busy but you know that everyone on the flight was flying for business.

0840 Flight arrived on time in London City Airport. Whilst in the air, AD commented: ‘two breakfast before 8am?!’. But it was good, of course.

0900 Travelled into London City Centre. Line Manager called to ask a few questions because it was the Big Guy review day, which I normally attend but have to skip this time. Felt so business-like.

0940 Arrived at Chancery Lane Station. The mothership parent office is just a stone throw from the station. So we decided to go for a wander around the area.

I’ve never really been around this area and was very impressed with the buildings. Within the area are Lincoln’s Inn, London School of Economics, and the Court of Justice. Legal area plus it is London, so you can imagine the ‘poshness’ of it. We said that the company must be really doing well being in this area. And of course it is!

1020 Headed to parent office. Got lost. Newsagent didn’t give good directions either.

1040 Finally arrived in office. Luckily we were on time. Hang about and catch up with Karen who flew in from Edinburgh.

1100 Corporate Induction started.

1245 Lunch break. Must say that food spread was really good, fine finger food in the room next door. Posh-est finger food I’ve tried. Good to mingle around and spoke to people who are from sectors all over the UK.

1400 Events of the day resumed. Karen and I missed the grand tour of the office because we went to the ladies/ busy chatting with someone/ there was no announcement of tour. It wasn’t in the agenda initially. Still... Kick kick. @_@

1605 Agenda for the day finished. Stayed for a wee chat with people from the London office, after that, the Scotland team headed off to the nearest pub. Typical Scottish! I bought a round of drinks - note to self: expenses. Then we headed off to the airport.

1710 Arrived at airport and headed straight to departure lounge since all of us had checked-in in the morning, the joys of flying out and returning on the same day. Of course we all continued to have more drinks. Met up with people from Edinburgh office whose flight was delayed.

Someone from the Edinburgh group said that our flight was delayed as well. Bummer! And I had a train to catch going up north. But then just before the flight was due, I saw the nearest gate screen that our flight was boarding. Sheeshh. There were four of us within the company on this flight, so we downed our drinks. Luckily our gate was just beside the lounge. Thank God!!! It was also final call for the flight.

1820 Flight finally took off. Still feeling very lucky. Had dinner on flight, the joys of BA flight, not budget airline - best of all, it’s all paid for.

2005 Arrived in Glasgow and headed to taxi rank. Dropped AD and then me.

2108 Waited for bus since 2055. No sight of bus. Should have asked the taxi driver to wait while I ran up to my flat and grab my bag. Feeling very jittery as bus was delayed and I still had to walk to the train station. Panic settling in.

2142 Thank God, managed to catch the train with few minutes to spare - ran all the way to the station. Train was empty, probably because it was the last train out, couldn’t sleep on the train.

0020 Arrived Aberdeen, feeling extremely relieved and exhausted. It’s been a long day indeed.

Thursday 14 February 2008

hectic

Today has been a rather hectic day for me. So it is no surprise that I am enjoying a nice and quiet evening at home.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service was on site today and I’ve signed up to give blood.

Donating blood has been an ongoing thing for me, especially during my college years. It does make a big difference that the people in charge at TARC makes an effort to organise the event at least three times a year.

After my college days, I believe I did go to the blood bank once on Jalan Tun Razak, which, by the way, was quite an impressive place, at least at that time, not too sure its condition now.

The last time I gave blood in Malaysia was my last trip back in 2006.

Anyways, I’ve always wanted to donate blood in the UK but it just hasn’t happen, until today.

The SNBTS came to our office site in a modified bus.



I think it is very impressive, inside. It even has hydraulics doors! Yeah.. I know.. -_-

Anyways in is amazing how they managed to cram in a sitting area, registration area, consulting area, wee kitchen, four beds and even an analysing station in this bus!

The whole experience was more or less the same.

There were some differences, such as.

Registration: they print out a form for you with your particulars and you have to complete the forms, ticking boxes mainly. If you are a first time donor, you are given a very informative Donor Information Leaflet to read, lagi impressed!

Consultation: this is where you have a wee chat with the Sister where she check if you are qualified to give blood. My consultation took a little longer than the rest because she had to find out if someone with a Dengue Fever history can donate or not. Unlike in Malaysia, they didn’t test and tell you your blood type or give you a booklet if you are first time donor.

Giving blood: This process was very straightforward. Only difference is that there was an additional pouch for taking blood samples on top of all the test tubes samples they are already taking. If only all this were explained. Okay, not like they explain in Malaysia either.

There wasn’t much difference in the refreshment I suppose.

I was informed that in a few weeks time I will receive my donor card in the post and to bring this card the next time I donate.

Many people don’t realise how important it is to give blood. For those who are able to give, many are put off with the needles, citing that they are afraid of needles. This should not be an excuse. Giving blood save lives.

I was browsing the SNBTS website and found a wee article about B negative donor. Some interesting facts from it:

#1. In Japan blood group analysis has almost become a national obsession. Blood type is thought to lend insight into character and compatibility, and every morning on the news the day is graded according to luck for each blood type!

#2: Group B (blood type) people are ambitious and have a positive outlook on life. Erhem, erhem… *cough cough*

#3. Group B’s are particularly likely to be millionaires. We shall wait and see..


The Curry night went well and I won one of the raffle prize - more bath products. We raised £1,038 that night!

valentine's day 2008

I’ve mentioned time and again, important dates/days to me are birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

V-day should not be the only day one declares their love to another, as love should be celebrated everyday. But V-day can be a day to make an effort to do something a little more than usual.

It don’t have to be a day that couples have to go for fancy dinner, or lavish each other with expensive gift(s), I believe it should be a day to reflect on what the other half meant to you.

I don’t deny that I hate the commercialism behind V-day.

However, being Asian and a sucker for packaging and marketing, I can’t help going to shops ooohing and aaahhing at all V-day’s paraphernalia.

Just in case why I included Asian in that sentence, it’s because through TS’s observation that Asians are a sucker for packaging, which is rather true: think fancy stationeries, nice packaging, free gifts in fancy packaging, etc.

As much as V-day seemed to be geared towards couples, it can also be a day to celebrate friends: have a party, stay in at home for a girlie movie(s) or pampering night, etc. And if you want to celebrate singles day, you can also do it on V-Day however, it seems that 15th February is Singles Day.

Anyways, I won’t be doing much this V-Day. Nice quiet evening at home. No rushing through inflated-price-and-not-necessary-up-to-usual-standard meals, which they glare at you to hurry you up so that they can have faster table turnaround dinner.

I will be in the office for a Charity Curry Night. At least, we will be fund raising for a good cause.

TOH and I had a fantastic dinner last weekend. Although we are miles apart, there is the phone where we will have our nightly conversations.

Whichever way you are celebrating Valentine’s Day, hope it is a good one!

Thanks babes for being my other half. You know always how happy and lucky I feel about having each other.

And thanks for the unexpected beautiful bouquet of flowers.



Lots love. xx

Monday 11 February 2008

end of an era



Ever since my first bus trip
I have now logged
29 trips to and from here

Goodbye
Aberdeen bus station
Though the city needed a better
Bus station, you will not be forget

I'm sure everyone will appreciate
Your replacement
More car parking space!

Aberdeen Guild Street Bus Station
Somehow seemed to have no record
Ceased 8th February 2008

Demolish....???
Not long now

Sunday 10 February 2008

one hundred



We went to the driving range on Saturday. Woohooo!

Initially, one hundred balls each sounds like a good idea.

The last time we shared one hundred balls between the both of us. It seemed so fast for them to vanish.

This time, it felt a bit toooo long.

Fifty balls costs £3.00 at Kings Links Golf Centre and Driving Range. One hundred balls costs £5.50.

Since we had two lot of hundred balls, we get two bays on the range.

Compared to my first trip to the driving range, I think I did slightly poorer compared to then. Was a bit disappointed with myself.

However, it was a beautiful day.

I almost hit a wee boy with my straying shot. He stepped out of the bay onto the whatever-is-the-name-of-that-place, and the ball just flew past him. I was shocked! Thank God the ball didn't hit him. Nonetheless it was frightening.

The little buggy was out at one point, going about picking up the golf balls.

It was funny. We were on the far left bays. When the buggy was reaching the far left, you can see golf balls from the far right flying across towards the buggy. I can't help laughing there.

It is so true that everyone aims for the buggy.

The guy behind the wheel must love his job.

The wee boy's brother said that he wants to hit the buggy.

Goodness!!

Anyways, golf is such an intriguing sport.

Looks easy but later you realised the existance of muscles you never thought you had.

Yes, I'm aching all over again. But not as bad as the last time-ish. I think I didn't sleep properly on Saturday night and my right shoulder is aching rather badly. I just hope I didn't injured myself.

Just spoke to TOH a while ago. I think we should get fifty balls each. Or, with my kiasu-ness, we shall get a hundred balls and share, and hog two bays unless someone comes along.

And then we go to Codonas Pirate Island Adventure Golf for putting 'lessons'. And then go and play that coin pushing game...

I need to get professional golf lessons soon!

Friday 8 February 2008

home-work

I left work at 7pm last night.

And was fuming, well, -ish.

I saved some work and brought some paperwork home with me as well.

And I can't believe I actually loved working at home.

This is going to become a habit. Albeit a bad one.

I had my iTunes on. And just slowly taking my time getting the work done.

It was so enjoyable.

Perhaps having the 19" monitor with good resolution does help tremendously.

I finshed the bulk of it at 230am. Luckily I managed to come into work on time, actually, I was earlier than usual!

At least now I have an excuse if I come in late to work.

I work from home last night.

Sad?

Yeah.

Thursday 7 February 2008

deadline

I'm so annoyed.

My numbers are due end of Friday. And the PMs come and ask me today to do something that is due Friday lunchtime.

As much as I love each of you...

Can't you come and tell me any later???!!!

*sigh...*

Wednesday 6 February 2008

happy chinese new year 2008



新年快乐

May the year of the rat brings you lots of happiness, good health, love, joy, luck and wealth.

With lots love
xxx

rushed.bored.

What a boring day!

What a rushing day!

Had progress meeting on site this morning. I honestly think that having five projects meeting at one go is really hard going.

Why can’t people just keep it short and simple?

*sigh*

Anyways, at least it was a beautiful day.


Greenock, taken from the site.


Had McDonalds for lunch - I was starving and my PM needed his coffee fix and lunch of course.

It seemed like ages ago since I had McDonalds. I normally have a Fillet-O-Fish and Chicken Nuggets. I know it seemed a lot but have you seen the portion size?

It must have shrunk through the years or my stomach have grown. Let’s stick with the ‘it must have shrunk...’.

I had the Wednesday Deli special - pork melt sandwich. I was very impressed that you can choose white or brown bread, with or without salad and with or without cheese.

I’m not denying that it defeats the whole healthier option if you go for the meal: with fries and Coke, doesn’t matter whether it was a medium or large. The burger was relatively nice. Relatively.

Anywaaays... McDonalds around the country, or rather in Scotland has been going through a revamp-refurbishment.

It has a very contemporary look now. I supposed it is a much needed update.


As much as I love McDonalds, I hardly patronise the place because, one, thank goodness it is not anywhere near me. Two, I try my best to eat at home. Three, pub food is heartier for about the same price, just about. Four, McDonalds has seemed to become a hang out place for neds or rather (as well as) youngsters.

I think it is terrible that many are afraid of, what I was told ‘these little sh*ts’. But sadly that is life.

Anyways, I’m glad for the uplift. Now, please bring back decent sized burgers!!!

Because the meeting was dragged on for waaay too long, when I reached back to the office, I had only half an hour to check my mails, show face and then off to the company’s office in town for my monthly APC meeting.

Funnily (or rather not really that funnily), I was the only person who turned up for the meeting. Was a bit cheesed off that the person in charge did not cancel the meeting. So I made my time worth, after being made waiting for 20 minutes, by speaking all I can, just to make the whole trip worth it.

Was a bit fuming. Just a very very itsy bitsy fuming. Actually was more tired than fuming. Maybe a bit annoyed.

So I talk and talk and talk and talk and talk (yes, yes, I know you get the point), until I felt that there is no point in talking, which in reality wasn’t as long as I wished it would’ve been.

Wanted to go to this new Japanese restaurant on Sauchiehall Street, Nanakusa for a treat but was early, the staff were having their dinner, and I didn’t felt like eating so early. So I gave it a miss, this time.

Went window shopping around town.

And can you believe it? - I was so so so so damnblardie bored.

Hang about in Borders for a while but couldn’t stand it so I went home and rot there instead.

I.Honestly.Need.A.Life.

Tuesday 5 February 2008

fear

This is dedicated to TS
(since you liked it so much and thanks for sharing this song with me),
THANKS for noticing. A true friend as always.



F.e.a.r. by Ian Brown

For each a road
For everyman a religion
Find everybody and rule
For everything and rumble
Forget everything and remember
For everything a reason
Forgive everybody and remember


You got the fear

Final eternity arouses reactions
Freeing excellence affects reality
Fallen empires are ruling
Find earth and reef

Fantastic expectations
Amazing revelations
Final execution and resurrection
Free expression as revolution
Finding everything and realizing



Monday 4 February 2008

haunt

The past will haunt you.

Sadly, I’m feeling that right now.

The past. At that point in time, I believed that I did and said the right thing. After all, there is only so much I can do. And I did all that I could have done. And possibly exceeded more than what others would have done (I liked to think so).

Perhaps, I did do something more than I could have done. And that one thing condemns me.

I had no choice. Yes, I’m sure I had a choice. And I chose to do what I did.

Still I was condemned.

Although that incident has been shelved and left in the cupboard, like they say ‘the past will haunt you’.

The present. It is interesting that we let things like this, incidences, the past, whatever, hang above our head.

It is appalling that we let things like this govern our lives.

No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes.

To have the past controlling our present and future is just unacceptable!

I.am.STRESSED. O_o

I have let this got out of hand. It has been hanging above my head the whole day. It is consuming me from inside. I'm feeling the pull and strain at the back of my neck. It has now developed into a headache.

It is out of hand. I’m stressed. Totally unacceptable!

There is so much I can do.

And there is no point in getting stressed about.

I do what I can do.

The past will haunt you.

And the only way that it doesn’t haunt you is to take control of it and NOT let it preside over your life - the present and future.

Sunday 3 February 2008

lobo

TOH and I were talking about dogs/puppies name. And then it suddenly dawned on me, Boo, as in 'Me and You and the Dog Named Boo'.

I can't believed that TOH has never heard of Lobo.

So I You Tube-ed it and found a good remix of this song, with a really nice video.



I remembered when we were much much younger, we always listen to songs from Lobo (as well as others from that era) on long distance journeys.

I think we were quite articulated on popular songs that our parents listen to that time, even though we were around two to four years old.

*sigh* Memories.

Then I clicked on the song 'How Can I Tell Her' and OMG, I now reliased what the song was about. I was like WHAT?!!!

Oh well... Anyways, just a snippet of childhood... Lobo...

Friday 1 February 2008

gales

Got sent home early yesterday.

The Commercial Manager came and gave me a fright, just because I was busy full of concentration scrutinising a printed receipe. (Yaaayaaa... work...)

Anyways, it was reported that the weather was going to be bad, so CM said that if I have nothing urgent to finish, then I should go home because the roads and public transport will be chaotic.

So I packed and headed to the train station.

The usual eight minutes walk to the station proved difficult. The gales blowing from behind was so strong that I 'floated' a few steps every now and then on my journey to the station.

Thank God the train did come. I was afraid that the trains would have been cancelled.

Running errands proved to be a bad decision. A very very bad decision.

I went to the optician to request for the account to be transferred from Aberdeen to Glasgow, another reason is that I've ran out of contact lenses many weeks back.

Just before leaving the optician into the outside, I heard on the radio that the gales were going to be 80mph. Great...

Stepping out of the optician, the wind was strong and hitting hard, my forehead was sore from the cold. Stubbornly I push on. I had to go to the library to return some books.

In my mind... This is a bad idea... I should have gone home straight.

But my books were due that day!

To make matters worst, somebody had to go to the supermarket.

Yup... Stubborn.

Don't worry, I made home safely.

Luckily the wind today was not as bad. But it was indeed a scary experience.