Monday 31 March 2008

stardust

Over the weekend, TOH and I hang out with SR.

We had a pizza and DVD night. Choice of movie: Stardust.


I *heart* Stardust!!!

I think it was such a beautiful, magical, fairytale, sweet movie. I love the story line, the characters, the scenes, the music score(!) - oh the music score!! and somehow, the love-story element of it was magical but not taking centre stage.

I love the soundtrack so much that SR gave me a copy of it. Soooo gooood...

I want a copy of that DVD.

On another note, it’s Daylight Saving time! Another hour ahead. More sunshine and happiness!!!

Friday 28 March 2008

rough

I'm feeling awfully rough today.

And it is just morning.

Last night was our monthly guys get together.

We started with a drink at O'Neills before moving on to dinner at The Italian Caffe.

Italian Caffe serves dishes of Italian tapas. Small dinky plates of tapas to share. Had to delete dinky as it isn't as small and dinky that one would think.

Since there were nine of us, we ordered a few dishes of a kind and one or two dishes that anyone of us like to try.

BigGuyJim did the ordering since he has been there before. Some of the food we had were seafood casserole, some italian bread and olives, braised venison, and I think there must be a couple more dishes but I can't remember now.

I ordered the finely sliced raw beef with lemon dressing and rocket.

It was really really good. It was gone in seconds while the plate was being passed around the table.

The Italian Caffe is the perfect place to go if there is a group of you as you can ordered all kinds and share.

The price of the food is quite good actually. However we spent about £30 each inclusive of tips because we ordered quite a lot to drink.

You can check out some amazing pics of TIC here.

Then we moved on the a modernised traditional pub just round the corner from the Italian Caffe. Can't remember the name. But I can bring you there...

Next we headed off to a simple student-ny looking pub situated at one of the corners. Didn't really take note of the name of the place. The music was really good. Apparently over the weekend, there are live music in the basement.

The highlight of the night was foosball!

We had so much fun at foosball. There was none of those spin-like-mad-and-hope-to-score playing. All proper playing. Serious stuff maaan!

After a few more drinks here, we then headed off to another pub, which was the main reason for the gathering: to listen to a live band. Unfortunately when we arrived the band was just about to have their break.

A few of the guys decided to go elsewhere, and I went off with them. We started off at Kushion which unfortunately were closed to us because we were not students! -_-"

Honestly!

But it didn't stop there... We headed on to Sauchiehall Street to a few more places and were continuously turned away due to most of those places were having Student's Nights!

Maan, they do take their student business seriously!

In the end we ended up in The Garage. Call me gripy but it's been a long time since I paid to go into a club. Was a bit painful parting with money at the entrance.

Anyways, Garage was really big. We stayed here until about midnight. By that time, I was too tired, my feet was killing me and I had quite a bit to drink.

Somehow the clumsy me had to appear while we were leaving Garage. After going down the many flights of stairs I was fine until I trip on a small step just at the entrance of Garage. Now my left knee is aching like mad!

Went home and had another glass of red wine with Iain before calling it a night.

Guys night out are good as always.

Kevin at work always wonder how I get into work the next day after a night out like that!

Drinks log: Pint of Guiness Extra cold, glass of Pinot Grigio, glass of Red, eight G&T, one apple sourz.

Thursday 27 March 2008

lost in time

A wee while ago, I was telling TOH about this girl band that I loved so much but I can't remembered their name.

Took me a while to think about their songs and then tracked them down okay, Googled them. Voila! Found out that their name is M2M.



Okay... M2M are like waaay in the past.

So in the past that I didn't know they disbanded in 2002!

At least they are still singing.

Not too bad. Still, the same type of music I like. (I can so just imagine TS saying... 'YOUR kind of music!').

Anyways, also found out some really interesting facts about them (and meself).

Marit Larson and Marion Raven are Norwegians!

And how cool is a name Raven! (Okie, originally Ravn) I've always like that name. I remembered, those were the days when my ICQ name was WhiteRaven. Aaaahh....

They did very well in Asia (platinums and all!), no one prolly have even heard of them over here!

I even had their Shades of Purple special Asian album! Sad I know... but those WERE the days!

I've always classified them as 'bubblegum pop' but apparently they are 'folk pop'

That explains...

I think I have a thing for folk pop. The Corrs, Jewel...

Right, I can't wait to go home (to KL) and download their album onto my iPod! ...and all my The Corrs albums and what other weird and wonderful albums I have back home...

Gosh! I miss them...

Wednesday 26 March 2008

the return of...

Can't believed what I said to TOH earlier...

'I'll call you later because Deperate Housewives is on tonight.'

Yes, season four of Desperate Housewives is baaack!!!


Aaahh... those saucy sexy ladies, juicy gossips and endless drama. Oh how I miss them... It's been too long...

TOH even got me a Desperate Housewives Easter egg and mug. The mug has this picture on it.


I'm reminded to use the mug when I'm watching Desperate Housewives.

Now, Wednesday nights are off limits to any plans, at least until season four of Desperate Housewives ends.

Luckily I have a really understanding other half. ^_^

fascination

How long do you think I will get excited with this (snow)?
For the rest of your life...

Friday 21 March 2008

comedy.crawl

Last night was a good night out.

We gathered at Oran Mor’s bar for a drink before dinner at The Brasserie.

Dinner was amazing! I had:
- Shetland Salmon and Smoked Trout Rillette with a Lemon Caper Dressing
- Fillets of Sea Bass served with Rosti Potato, Tiger Prawns and a Herb Salad with a Cointreau Dressing
- Raspberry Crème Brulee with Scottish Shortbread

The food was really yummy. So so good... Almost heavenly, and all for only £15!!!

The Stand Up! Drink Up! West End Comedy Crawl was good as well.



The comedies were held at five different venues with five different comedians.
The Viper
Coopers
The Lansdowne Bar
Uisge Beatha Bar
Bar Bola (Should’ve been decorated with lots of balls [bola = ball])

My favourite was the compere Alan Anderson.

You've got to be really open minded going for a comedy. I think some of the older folks were not too impress with the excessive swearing and cussing.

Call it Scottish culture or Weegie culture. As entertaining and bearable (to a point) it was, after awhile, it got stale. Stale because every comedian did it.

*sigh...*

Someone said that if comedies or comedian(s) resort to foul language all the way, does speak quite a bit about them.

Culture?

Some cussing is ok. Excessive?

Well, each for their own I supposed.

Nonetheless it was a really good experience.

Would like to do it again. Will bring a bigger open mind.

On another note...

Alcohol will definitely give people courage to speak or do what they want.

Honestly, what gives?!

Drinks log: One Kronenberg blanc, a glass of white wine, a cup of cappuccino, and six glasses of G&T.

happy easter 2008!




Thursday 20 March 2008

first day of spring 2008


Apparently today is the first day of spring.

I've seen that the days stay brighter a wee bit longer.

When I go to work, there is some sunlight.

When I leave the office, it is bright.

Ahh... Spring.

I'm so looking forward to end of the month when daylight saving time begins!

Tuesday 18 March 2008

doggy confidence

My current fav ad!

VW Polo - Dog Confidence

alcohol and us

Right, so I’m not that tune in on politics. I’ve got to start from somewhere right?

Anyways, the Chancellor of the Exchequer (a.k.a. Finance Minister) - Alistair Darling recently presented the 2008 Budget.

Generally the items mentioned in the Budget is probably the same in every country: cigarettes and alcohol, cars, fuel and road pricing, housing, pensioners, benefits, business, airports and air travel, environment, education, poverty, savings, economy, public services, etc.

Perhaps I will try to blog about each category, sometime...

Today, The Metro reported ‘A night at the pub? Shockingly, a night on drugs is cheaper’.

O_o??

They came up with a comparison:
Pint of beer £3
20 cigarettes £5.66
Line of cocaine £3
Ecstasy tablet £2.91
Line of speed 63p
Hash spliff £1.70
Skunk spliff £1.70
Hit of heroin £3.50


O_o"

Of course, it doesn’t mean that drugs are available to buy at the above portion and available widely.

Still. If we are comparing price by price...

Does hit home a bit, that with the recent increase in cigarettes and alcohol taxes, and the price of drugs going down year by year, it is scary to imagine what the future is like.

Yes, we do try to understand that by increasing sin taxes (somehow, drugs not included), the government is hoping that people will either stop or reduce their consumption.

Some say that if their daily fix goes up to so much (usually a limit), then they will stop.

But does it really means that they or we will stop when we reach the limit?

I guess only in UK that alcohol is cheaper than water. Maybe after the budget it might not be. I’ll need to check it out during my next supermarket trip. I think Suemae said to me that in Macao alcohol is cheaper than water too.

The increase in the above sin taxes is supposed to deter binge drinking, not so much of binge smoking, not that I think there is such a thing, more like encouraging smokers to quit smoking.

Someone commented that parents should let their children have a glass or half a glass of wine everyday at meal time. Perhaps this might work. Perhaps this might turn them into an alcoholic? Who knows.

There must be a reason for binge drinking.

It could be the price of the drinks... As much as price plays a role, I doubt that would deter people from drinking less. In Malaysia, a mug of beer was RM18 (I think that is like really old price) and a pint of beer over here is around £3 (on the high-ish end). Although the conversion makes it about the same price but compare dollar for dollar, in Malaysia people still go out clubbing, people still go out drinking, on top of that there are various promotions at the clubs and pubs to encourage people to buy more.

So what makes the government think that it will stop people from drinking?

Come on, the alcohol companies and establishments still need to make money one way or another right?!

It could possibly due to a drink culture... There are various types of drinker. There are the ones who drink during meals, drink occasionally, drink to drown their sorrow, drink to enjoy, and drink because they drink.

It is important that we know which category we fall into and take the necessary action to ensure that we are not slaves to alcohol. The government over here has been playing their part by promoting various means on how they can provide help.


Whichever way it is, alcohol should be enjoyed sensibly. Bah, to the government for increasing the price (?!).

Damn! Now I wished I stocked up on my drinks before the Budget was announced.

support

Like I said the other day, time flies by before you realise.

It’s been seven months since TOH and I started seeing each other.

He has been a great ‘supporter’ of the things I do and the decisions I make. He continuously encourages me.

Like wise, I the same for him.

Although, I must say that being supportive doesn’t mean that we agree with each other all the time.

Yes, we share quite a large chunk of similarities, yet, at the same time TOH always say to me ‘we’ll just have to agree to disagree then’.

It’s not easy accepting that when he says that to me. I will pucker up and sulk. But then it was for dramatisation only. I can never be angry with him for long.

It is these banters and ‘dramas’ that makes us us.

I’m the crazy one (although I saw a quote yesterday ‘I’m not crazy. I just have issues’) and he is the one that play along so that I won’t be the only obvious crazy one.

It is not rocket science that being supportive for one another is an important virtue of any relationship, but, we often take for granted things like this.

When you’ve been in a rut like me (in my past), you will understand where I am coming from.

Seven months. It seemed so fast, yet, it that all? It seemed longer than that, in a good way.

I am happy. We are happy. *smiles contently*

TOH play cheat by wishing me last night before midnight and sending an email to me yesterday for this morning.

Nonetheless it was a good move on his side.

I have to admit however, that I actually didn’t realise it last night, along the lines of forgotten at that time of the night.

Anyways...


Happy seven months.

Thanks for all you've said babes. You meant a lot to me too and I'm always so glad to have you.

Tons of love xxx

Monday 17 March 2008

paddy birthdays

It's St. Paddy's. A day for an excuse to drink and be merry. For those of you going out to drink to your heart's content, enjoy yourself and drink sensibly.

I heard that they celebrate it big in Chicago, even turning the Chicago River green every year! Hope to see it one day!

Birthday wishes to TS and Lisa S too!!! Hope it is a good one!

bowl habit

I just realised a bad habit I have.

Have you ever seen a Chinese person eating rice out of a bowl with a pair of chopsticks?

I noticed that whenever I’m eating from a bowl or a container, I will have the habit of picking it up and holding the food ware closer to my mouth. Logically, it kinda makes sense so that food doesn’t fall everywhere.

Say for a bowl of salad, should the bowl not stay on the table instead?

Doesn’t help when I often have TV dinners, or rather, dinner in front of the telly.

I blame it on being Chinese!

Friday 14 March 2008

pleased

Just finished my reviews.

So happy that everything went well. Thanks to LineManagerMark's new template and our wee discussion yesterday. It made such a big difference.

Musn't forget the grief and steep learning I had last month, though.

Ahh... Weekend here I come!!!

'til we meet again

Time flies when you are having fun.

This time last week, Suemae and I were standing in front of the British Museum poking fun at TOH made some new friends.

What actually happened was TOH was waiting for us at the museum while we got coffee from Starbucks across the road. When we were done, we noticed that TOH was talking to a couple. Only to find out later that they were with the Metropolitan Police!

Interesting... Perhaps.

My point is that, this time last week, we were on holiday. I was supposed to be sitting in the office milling on my numbers for the monthly commercial report, but I wasn’t.

Today, I’m sitting in an all day review. Currently on my break between reviews.

Good thing the weekend is here!

Anyways, time indeed flies when you are having fun.

It was great to have Suemae around. I think she enjoyed Glasgow immensely. Of course, you can’t really compare Weegieland and The Deen. There isn’t really much to do up north.

I guess the Glaswegians lived up to their reputation of being friendly and Glasgow lived up to be a shopping haven.

Everyday all I can see is that Suemae shopped and shopped, and coming home with bags of shopping. I’m not a really big fan of shopping but spending time with her made me realised how many more things I need to go shopping for. TOH will be glad to know this. He’s moaning about I don’t shop enough. What more can I ask of a bf? Lucky me!

So yeah, it was great to have Suemae around and she will be missed, definitely! I hope she enjoys her time in Birmingham for her ‘brother’s’ wedding and I look forward to having her around again.

Thursday 13 March 2008

rantrantrant

Have you ever had once of those days that you just want to stay at home and do nothing?


Around 10am I said to LineManagerMark that I want to go home. And he said that ‘everyone here also wants to go home’. Yes, I’m sure.

I’m in the midst of the monthly commercial reporting cycle. Even though I was away to London, and it seems that I have to catch up on two days of work, in reality it is not.

I’ve come to terms and devised a way for reporting my numbers, so I’m not afraid of what I put into the figures.

The only thing that frustrates me this month is then when I go back to the spreadsheet, the numbers now are different from the number I’ve inputted two days ago! And I have the prints to prove it!!!

I know I can investigate through ‘track changes’ on MS Excel but it shows an older data, like another two days back from it!

On top of that there is some mystery concerning one of my project’s numbers. I can’t for the love of God find and pin point the variance. I’m sure it must be due to some knock on effect or change but my project total (value) has gone up mysteriously by another £14k!!!! Which is not good.

Arrrggggghh… *tearing hair*

I am going to go home early and have chocolate mint ice cream with peaches soaked in rum!

Wednesday 12 March 2008

inspiring

For someone who love food, I always find it interesting to share and learn cooking methods from others.

I always believe that whatever you can have outside, you can cook it at home as well. Just as long as you have a well equipped kitchen, ingredients readily available, and a passion to try. Of course, I don't deny there are some dishes are better left to the experts.

I was craving for Thai food and I called Suemae and said to her that we should have Thai food tonight - at home.

Having Suemae around for the past week, I had been eating more greens than usual, it is not a bad thing actually.

I find it very 'satisfying' to know that I have eaten healthily and fascinating that green are so beauoootifoool and yummy too!!!

Anyways, Suemae made Vietnamese spring roll and I made seafood Tom Yum soup.

Creating food requires imagination. I'm impressed by Suemae's thought of combining various complementing ingredients to create delicious Vietnamese spring rolls with a simple sauce of sweet chilli sauce and nampla (fish sauce).

It's been a while since I cooked Tom Yum soup. To make it without using Knorr's Tom Yum cube was a little daunting at first but the results was so good. Of course I got a bit of sarky comment: 'self praise is no praise'. Still, I love it and I think I will continue to make Tom Yum without the cube from now on.

Our little spread

We had so much fun making dinner together. So simple, yet satisfying. So inspiring. I can't help to think of organising a dinner party soon!

Tuesday 11 March 2008

down

I had high hopes

One five-hundred words essay
And one two-hundred words
Beautifully written supporting text

Four more two-hundred words essay
And that should be all, they say

I went through two stages
Considered not bad
Okay, considered very good
Since there were three stages

An opportunity of a lifetime is at stake
Accolades were too, at stake
More importantly
A Blackberry was for me to take

I want to go to the last stage
I want to have the Blackberry
I want to go on stage
To stand proud with MY Blackberry

Alas! It was not meant to be
Another year, I guess it would be

I did enjoyed the experience
It wasn't easy
And I'm proud I've tried

Let me wallow in sadness
Just until my tears have dried

Monday 10 March 2008

big smoke

Was away to London for the past four days, long weekend.

Thank goodness TOH called on Thursday morning.

ennazus: Hello.
TOH: Morning, just checking that you are awake.
ennazus: *Laughing sheepishly* I was still in bed.
TOH: You must be joking.
ennazus: No. What time is it?
TOH: Twenty to Five.
ennazus: You must be joking. *Squints at big clock. Can’t see clearly what time it is without eyes* Seriously, what time is it?
TOH: Twenty to Five.
ennazus: Really?! I gotta go. Catch up later!

The taxi was coming at 5am! Dammit!

Luckily I was ready in time for the taxi but had to put on face at the ladies after going past security check.

Thank God TOH called!

It was great seeing my sister Suemae. It will almost be two years since I last saw her, come summer 2008.

Nonetheless, I got a bit of telling off snide remarks on my English and public display of affection. Oh well. . .

After breakfast, we left our luggage at Charing Cross train station (TOH’s great idea: saved us a good bit of unnecessary travelling time).


Did the tourist thing by getting some pics at Trafalgar Square before heading off to the National Gallery. Went in there, only to realise this is not really where I wanted to go. So went next door to the National Portrait Gallery.

TS was right. I loved thee National Portrait Gallery!!! Especially the contemporary range! I want to go there again and spend a long time slowly browsing each piece of art.

And when I get my DSLR (which is a digital single lens camera), I would love to go back to London and photograph each building including details that excites and fascinates me!


We had lunch at Wahaca (Covent Garden), first time, trying proper Mexican food. Was very intrigued by the wash basin and I liked the décor. Nice food too!


We visited St. Paul’s Cathedral - our first visit! Interestingly, we didn’t realised we were short of time but we still managed to see a lot except for the upper galleries and the dome. We even stayed for the Evensong and ringing of the bells to mark the beginning of East Festival.


It was indeed a good experience attending an Anglican service and sitting in the choir stalls. Only thing is that by this time most of us were really tired.


We had dinner at O’Neil’s before heading off home.


We spent the most of next day at the British Museum. I’m proud to say that we’ve managed to see all the exhibits that were opened. Sadly, we didn’t managed to get tickets to the highly acclaimed The First Emperor: China’s Terracotta Army exhibition. @_@


Oh well...


We met up with TOH’s friend Robyn for a nice Chinese dinner near Chinatown and shopping/browsing/sightseeing around Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square.

Saturday it was shopping at Portobello Market. Was a bit disappointed with the weather and we didn’t anticipate the crowd there. O-M-G!


Would like to go there again, this time with a more prepared mind. Yes, shopping is very psychological! I would also like to see Portobello Market during the week and weekends.


We had lunch at Gourmet Burger Kitchen on Portobello Road. The food was good but it wasn’t really worth the wait. Could have gone to another GBK outlet. Next time we know.


Then it was more shopping in town.

Before the trip, I knew that there was engineering works on a stretch of the tube line. So there was much planning and deliberation on it.

However, I later found out for that weekend only, if we have a valid travel card we can take the Heathrow Express from Paddington to Heathrow!

Only, we jumped on the Heathrow Connect. So it wasn’t really a big deal.

London was good.

It was nice to see my cousin and her family.

It was great to spend time with Suemae and TOH.

Too bad it was short.

But long enough to burn a hole in my pocket.

I dare not think how big the hole is...

Tuesday 4 March 2008

so-called work

Haven't been doing much work today (and some days leading up to today).

Well, I had been busy. Sort of.

Actually I had been so busy trying to draft out what the gang is going to do down in London.



Yes, I'll be going away for a few days. Early morning flights, plenty of walking and sightseeing.

I know it is sad, I have it all done on spreadsheets.

I. Honestly. Need. A. Break.

Monday 3 March 2008

white-ish



It snowed. We had some snow showers over the night.

Not much snow. Just a thin layer.

Still. It is beautiful.

Not sure how long it will last.

Sunday 2 March 2008

is that all?

This evening we were a bit early for the bus. So we had a wander around the new Aberdeen Bus Station.



I love my buildings, wander about and critiques on buildings. So it is no surprise I have a few things to say about this new development.

Overall, the new Aberdeen Bus Station is part of the £82m Union Square Development.

The bus station occupies 9,500 sq ft with an estimation of 500,000 people passing through annually.

Many agreed that the new bus station is far better than the old one. The brand new station does look nice, just because it is new. And that is all I think it is worth.

Now, where do I begin? O_o"

The indoor area of the station consists of many obvious undesirable looking heaters or heater curtains. Wait, I’m not sure if it classify as curtains because it is not continuous. Anyways, I know these heaters will come in to good use when it is switched on during winter times. And I do hope it will be switch on then!



This area includes a long bus ticketing counter. Opposite the counters, currently with its roller shutters down, I can only speculate it is the (or one of the few) entrance(s) to the new Union Square retail part of the development.

The high ceiling makes the area airy and bright, of this brightness, artificial lighting actually played a big part. Currently, this area is being used as an indoor waiting area, with only two measly plastic chairs.
Where are the waiting seats?

Now, if this is going to be a high flow area in future, will it still be considered as a waiting area?

Where are people going to wait in the warmth?


Currently, there are no seats in any area for people waiting for their busses. I wonder has any seating been allowed for within their £2m bus station development.



The new bus station has been fitted with about ten 32" LCD screens just above the bus stances. It is beautiful and supposed to provide information on busses.

Supposed, because at the moment it just shows slides of ‘Welcome to Aberdeen Bus Station’, Stagecoach bus product information, apologies for the inconvenience caused during the development, and any information along those lines.

With say, ten screens, I wonder what they are going to show there.


Stance two: xyz bus to Stonehaven. Departing xx:xx.

The same goes with all the screens?

Why so many screens???


I’m sure the bus station is fitted with numerous CCTVs so let’s hope that there won’t be any damages to the nice LCD screens.

However, the bus station is just beside the harbour. Because of this location, Aberdeen always feels a little colder at times because of gales from the sea.
Now, if it rains and the gales are blowing, what will happen to the screens? I supposed they are waterproofed?

Speaking of rain, I don’t understand why there is no cover above the stances?
The part under the ‘veranda’ (if that is what it is called) and the bus. When it rains, passengers will get wet trying to get on the bus. What about stances 1 and 2, where busses heading south (Scotland and England included) stops at? There are no coverings above these stances, at all! The ticket investigator and passengers, including the bus driver who is loading the bags will all get wet!



I’ve noticed a few times that queues for busses in stances 1 and 2 snakes around the building into the ‘indoor waiting area’. Although I understand that this probably happens every half an hour or every hour for a duration of time, if the indoor area is a high flow area, it would be really congested.

As of now, trying to walk around the building to get into the queue is difficult enough!


So, what if there is a queue for tickets in that high flow area?

Then there are these nice galvanised fence-like barriers at each stance (applies only from stance three onwards). How are people going to put their bags into the luggage compartment of the bus? Even if this task is going to be carried out by one person, bigger bags might have a problem going through the space between the bus and the barriers.

Perhaps, the above stances were designed for short distances busses, the kind that you don’t have to put any luggage in the luggage compartment.




With any transportation hub (airports, railway stations, transport interchanges, etc.) passenger pick up and drop off area is fundamental.

But where is this pick up and drop off area?

Where should the elderly, disabled or even those with huge luggage be dropped off at or picked up from?

Where is a taxi rank should one need it? At the railway station?


Honestly!

These are the few I've observed, for now.

I want to love this new bus station, but as hard as I am trying, it is proving to be difficult.

Yes, the new Aberdeen bus station is indeed a welcoming sight. A new development, which in my humble opinion could have been designed way better.

Perhaps the developer/ architect/ designer should have spent some time in a bus station doing more research, observing what can be improved, asking commuters and passengers what they want, what can be bettered.

Maybe most of them were privileged enough to drive fancy cars and not worry too much about their carbon footprints, or perhaps they have never taken a bus from a bus station before, who knows?

It is a new development. One which the developer had a chance to deliver a better designed, user friendlier and more practical bus station, but it was somehow overlooked.

I can only hope that this is not all. There is more good to come.

Let's wait and see...

For more pics on the bus station, click here.