Monday 30 June 2008

Thursday 26 June 2008

bb9 nomination

This week, Sylvia and Mohamed are up for eviction.

Picture from Channel 4.

Last week after Alexandra’s unexpected removal from the house, there was no eviction on Friday. Instead, a new housemate was introduced, Stuart.

What an eye candy!

The first night sees Jennifer and Sylvia’s eyes opened as wide as saucers.

I want Sylvia to go.

- She is too perasan.
- She must be unhappy with her bf and went for Stuart and then worried about life outside when she gets out.
- She started the food hogging trend in the house.
- She seems to be the shadow of Alexandra.
- She is inconsiderate. Makes noise and talk to people when they are asleep or pretending to be asleep.
- The house will be a bit more peaceful.
- She is an eyesore.
- Gossip on what happens to her life outside of the house would be interesting as well.

It doesn’t matter to me if another girl go this week.

Next week, I think either Rex or Dennis or both will make it to public nomination.

current.thoughts

Why is it that we will have to sacrifice
when some one decide to spoil it all for us and make it awkward?


Why is it that when someone uses both side of the paper
they are branded as a ‘tree hugger’?

Monday 23 June 2008

loony

Due to circumstances TOH haven’t been down to Glasgow, until a few weeks back.

Somehow I don’t know whether it was because he haven’t been down for so long, or that one of my nickname is ‘Local Nut’ and somehow his is ‘Freak’, or just because the aura we exude; that weekend when TOH came down, after a long time, was the weekend of loonies.


*****


LOONY #1

After meeting up with TOH the both of us headed to the bus stop waiting for the bus home.

Then we spotted Loony #1 and tried to pretend we were deep in conversation so that Loony #1 doesn’t come over and chat with us.

Lo and behold, guess what?!, Loony #1 had to pick us and came over to speak to us.

Loony #1: Hello. *smiling scarily like a pirate and his ‘beautiful’ jangly teeth. And then speaking to TOH* Is she your girlfriend?
TOH: Yes she is my girlfriend.
Loony #1: She is beautiful isn’t she?
TOH: *smile and agree, speechless*
ennazus: *smile even more and equally speechless*
Loony #1: She is very beautiful isn’t she? What’s her name?
TOH: Suzanne
Loony #1: That’s a nice name. What’s your name? *directing the question to TOH*
TOH: *answers his name*
Loony #1: My name is Peter. (Don’t ask me why I can still remember his name). She’s pretty isn’t she.
ennazus: *smiles even more and perplexed for words*

Of course it is nice to receive praises. But to have the same thing repeated so many times and is the only topic of conversation, it is terribly uncomfortable.

Being the nice people that we are, we don’t have the heart to tell him to go away, sadly, entertained him for the longest five minutes in our lives. I even had a pretended moment of our-bus-was-arriving-we-got-to-go.

Eventually we don’t know what else to talk about and the both of us were really uncomfortable, Looney Peter eventually left us for two girls at the bus stop.

I don’t know how and why he picked them both out of the many who are at the bus stop, but we were too busy post-mortem-ing the situation to do anything.

Unfortunately for the girls, he harassed them longer than us. By the time the bus arrived the girls were just glad to jump onto the bus. And one of the girls just dropped her money into the slot and said to the bus driver ‘anywhere, just anywhere’.

Mr. Bus Driver was stunned.

Anyways, Loony Peter was drunk.


*****


LOONY #2

The next day, TOH and I were in FOPP. FOPP is one of the bestest places to get cheap affordable music, DVDs and books.

We were browsing the stuff in the shop, when suddenly...

Loony #2: *speaking to TOH* Is she your girlfriend?
ennazus: *more than likely had groaned silently, turned facing to TOH and Loony*
Loony #2: She’s pretty isn’t she?
TOH and ennazus: *smiles politely*
ennazus: *thinking: ‘I can’t believe another one!’ Mentally smacks forhead*
Loony #2: What’s her name?
TOH: Suzanne
Loony #2: I see. She’s pretty isn’t she? What’s your name?
TOH: *answers his name like before*
Loony #2: *acknowledges that* She’s pretty isn’t she?

By this time I’m sure both of us were quite freaked out with how the weekend has been going.

They all must have communicated and hauled all the loonies informing that we were in town. And I’m convinced that something must be wrong with me or that it has been etched on my head ‘just tell me I’m pretty, NOW!’.

This time, I just scurried away dragging TOH with me when Loony #2 turned her head to the other side, even it was just for a while.


*****


I totally can’t believe what has been happening!!!

I know they are normally more than likely harmless. Most of the time, they are just drunk or really loony. And it is easier to play along rather than to offend them as you don’t know they might just turn violent.

But to have two in one weekend?!

So on our way walking home...

ennazus: I really don’t know what has been going on. Is it you or me or just the both of us? Or they know we haven’t been out and about together here for so long? We seemed to have been attracting all these loonies this whole weekend. *proceeds to rant about all the incidences we had*... And then they just have to say about ‘what’s your name?’, ‘she’s pretty/beautiful isn’t she?’ I really can't stand it when they say that. *very the exasperated by then*

We continued ranting about the experiences when suddenly...

TOH: Local Nut (That’s my nickname, btw). ‘She’s the local nut, I’m the freak, and what’s your name?’ Next time when they ask ‘what’s your name?’ then I’ll say that.

ennazus: *+____-"" can’t stop laughing by now* It’s a bit too late to think about that now right? Such a good line but a bit too late, plus will you still remember it when we meet another Loony?

Both of us continued laughing on the quiet street, prolly looking like a couple of absolute nut case.

ennazus: You better make sure you say that the next time. I dare you to say it. I’ll just have to prepare myself to run.

Friday 20 June 2008

Thursday 19 June 2008

removed

OMG!OMG!OMG!OMG!!!!!

Alex has been removed from the house!!!!


Picture from Channel 4.


Read all about it here.

Still a bit gobsmacked but am glad she is gone. I wonder what the papers have got to say about it.

Quick look at the BB website informed viewers about what happens next, especially to those who had voted for either Mario or Alex.


Edited from Channel 4.


However, if you want a refund, not only you have to write to them, but you will also have to provide a copy of your phone bill.

What if you voted from a pay-as-you phone?

Guess you are SCUPPERED then!

That, is how Channel 4 has decided to deal with it.

eviction no.2

One out and fifteen to go.

Second eviction, TOMORROW NIGHT!!! Ooooh...

It would be anyone but Mario, right, no?

Okay, he may not be the best of the housemates and a bit overbearing on Mikey, still Mario should stay (at least for another week) and Alex must go.

I’m not surprise that Mario might be playing the I’m-a-beacon-in-Mikey’s-life-because-he-has-a-disability-so-you-all-should-not-evict-me card.

Or perhaps he does genuinely want to be there for Mikey but people just think that he is using Mikey for another week longer in the BB House.

Who knows?

Alex, on the other hand, just HAVE TO GO.

Short of being a tyrant, she is a BULLY! She can’t control her temper, whines a lot, back stabber, swears a lot, inconsiderate, selfish, and the list goes on. Her presence is pulling the other housemates down.

Alex(andra).Just.Got.To.GO!!!

I wonder how she is at work? Perhaps you don’t get a lot of conflict at work as an accounts executive. I don’t know.

All I know is that, if I am in her place, I would dread to think what my boss is thinking seeing my behaviour and true colours on national tv.

Her departure will mark a drastic change in the House. But I think I rather have a nicer more peaceful house. After all, the rest of the housemates should have a chance to be in the limelight.

It would be quite weird evicting someone without a good enough reason.

Yes, the House will be quieter.

But we don’t need a bully.

Anyways, if ratings continue to drop, Big Brother will just have to come up with more interesting activities and tasks then.

Wednesday 18 June 2008

drive to you




Being alone used to be just fine
Now life without you is just passing time

When you're not here, it feels like a hole in my chest

So I drive to you tonight
I was blind, now I have sight.
I couldn't leave you even if I tried
Your heart beats inside of me
Like a star in the dark of night
Like birds lost in flight
Like clouds in the sky of blue
I belong with you

I can't stop, won't stop
Love is what we've got
I know I've reached the top
When I put my arms around you
I can't stop, won't stop
You are all I want

So I drive to you tonight
I was blind, now I have sight
So I drive to you tonight
I was blind, now I have sight
I couldn't leave you even if I tried
Your heart beats inside of me
Like a star in the dark of night
Like birds lost in flight
Like clouds in the sky of blue
Like clouds in the sky of blue
Oh, I belong with you

Tuesday 17 June 2008

dental.mental

I never practice the ‘every six month visit to the dentist’ because I don’t like the dentist.

I hate the dentist. I’m afraid of the drill.

Perhaps it was the numerous fillings I had at a young age. So much metal in my mouth that once Suemae said that ‘it might trigger the metal detector’. Still, I do not take heed of that advice.

Then, there was that RM400 smile. I think it was for polishing and scaling. Mom moaned a lot after that because I spent so much on one trip. And I had that tag above my head. I think I saved the receipt, somewhere in my past.

When I was in primary school, you get a yearly check up by the dental nurse. Oh how I dread those time. I feel as if they were out to get me. There seems to be something or some work to be carried out. Oh yes, I’m convinced that they gave me fillings just for the thrill of it.

*****

To cut the long story short, I finally registered and made an appointment with a dental practice who does NHS and private treatments.

My first visit was about two weeks ago. I had a quick dental check and x-rays for my molars just to check if they are decaying inside. Mr. Dentist (not Dr. as it was shown on my treatment sheet) advised that I needed fillings done to the front of my teeth, two fillings.

Other than that my teeth looked well overall, very pleased with myself. The toothache that I had a while back was just my wisdom tooth growing through the gum (but he said it with some bombastic words that I had to clarify with him after that just to make sure we were on same wavelength).

An appointment was made to see the Dental Hygienist, fillings and to discuss the result of the x-rays.

*****

Today was my second trip to the dentist.

First I went to see Ms. Hygienist. She was a very nice and kind lady. Even advised and showed me how to brush my teeth properly. She carried out scaling and polishing and prepped my teeth for Mr. Dentist.

TOH later said for the amount of money I’m paying, of course she was nice. More on that later.

Anyways, the appointment with Ms. Hygienist was quite interesting because you get to wear a bib and protective glasses. Hmmm...

As much as I kinda enjoyed the experience, I was dreading the drill for the fillings.

Once my teeth have been polished and scaled, I went on to the next consultation room to see Mr. Dentist.

*****

Compared to the earlier more relaxed room, Ms. Dental Assistant was not helping the atmosphere by making lots of banging and slamming sound in the room.

This time I wore a pair of ‘sunglasses’ and a bib. Honestly, don't remember wearing a bib in my past dental expriences. So professional. So impressed. So dreading.

Mr. Dentist showed me my x-ray and said that I will need work done in four of my molars.

Great just great. -__-

Today two in the front and another two more appointments for the rest.

That means more drill. That means more pain.

*Sigh*

And that means more money out of my pocket.

More sighs.

Anyways, Mr. Dentist said that he will be proceeding with injecting anaesthetic onto my gums to numb the area before the fillings on the two front teeth.

Anaesthetic?! O.o?!

The only time I get an anaesthetic was if I getting my tooth extracted.

I said I’ll give it a try. After all, I’m paying for it.

After I had the anaesthetic injected to my gums, the right front part of my face started becoming numb, all the way up my nose! OMG, it was such a weird sensation.

Once ready, Ms. Dental Assistant made herself useful. She had this wee vacuum in my mouth to vacuum as Mr. Dentist works.

Very interesting.

Don’t remember having a fancy vacuum in any of my dental visits before. This vacuum is different from the typical one because in the old fashion way, you prolly have this hook-on vacuum, not a very nice sight, but you still have to get up to rinse and spit, very often. Now, that action has been minimised.

*****

Speaking about sit up to rinse and spit, I find it rather interesting that when I get up to rinse/spit, Ms. Hygienist/Mr. Dentist will straighten up the seat and then lower it again. Every time!

Service? Hmmm...?

*****

Then the dreadful thing commenced, the drilling. It wasn’t that bad I guess. I was too busy squirming from the drilling sound and more busy wondering if my face looked weird from the anaesthetic.

Oh, before Mr. Dentist started his work, we had a chat about the works on the molars. He did provided a couple of options to me, NHS provides metal fillings for about £12-£15 each or the private white fillings for about £50 each.

I said I’m not that fuss. But actually I was thinking, ‘goodness more money!’

So halfway through the cleaning and drilling I had to stop Mr. Dentist.
ennazus: See the metal and white filling you were talking about earlier...
Mr. Dentist: Yes.
ennazus: That’s not for today right? That’s for the molars isn’t it? And you will be giving me white fillings for my front teeth today, right?
Mr. Dentist: Yup.
ennazus: Just to make sure that I’m not the crazy one who say ‘whatever fillings to my front teeth’.

Honestly. I kinda freaked out there.

*****

Before I realised it, the two very small fillings had been done and Ms. Dental Assistant was pointing this blue light at my teeth, which I presumed it was some UV light. Which I presumed it was used to speed up the drying and setting of the filling.

Which again, I find it all interesting.

Why?

Painless work and no metal feeling and no you-have-to-wait-for-donno-how-long-before-you-can-use-that-part-of-your-teeth advice. I would have liked the dentist then.

Anyways, the UV light story...

It is at this time you look up to see Mr. Dentist and Ms. Dental Assistant look away while waiting for the beeping sound (of the UV wand) to prolly indicate that the right dose or time has passed. I guess that’s why the ‘sunglasses’ was provided.

See, one thing I really can’t stand is that they don’t explain everything.

Like what the ‘sunglasses’ was for. Or like it is not that harmful. Or that the ‘sunglasses’ will protect my eyes. Or that I don't have to wonder or even worry.

Just like the earlier visit when I had the x-ray. I was asked to open wide, Mr. Dentist put in the x-ray film into the back of my left mouth, asked me to chew on it, aim the x-ray machine at the spot, and then walk out of the room, close the door, open the door and then come in again to do the same to the right side.

Now, what was that all about? No explanation nothing. Such a weird experience. I don’t even know what to do. So I closed my already damaged eyes. I don’t need it to be damaged further, not that I’m not doing enough on it already.

*****

The next thing I know, it was all done. I wanted to ask Mr. Dentist something but forgotten because I was too engrossed thinking about my next pain or painless session and the hole in my pocket that seem to be getting bigger with every visit.

He advised that the numbness will go away in two hours time.

I wonder how weird I’m looking. Up until now I haven't been showed a mirror. I guess it’s different when you were a kid, the dentist will let you hold a mirror to see the work being carried out. Perhaps it was one of those ‘how things work’ experience.

*****

Anyways, how could one forget about the money?

When I first made the appointment to register and go for my initial check up, I had to provide a £10 deposit over the phone. Fine.

I thought maybe it’s their way of making sure you don’t miss your appointment.

After the first visit, I was told to pay £4 plus for my x-rays.

Hang on a second. The reason I went for NHS so that I don’t have to pay or pay minimum.

Then I was told that the estimates for the treatment is £53 plus. What?!

And I had to pay another £10 deposit plus that £4 plus. What?! again.

£4 was the outstanding charge for the day's treatment and the £53 was the whole course of treatment. Apparently, this includes the two x-rays, fillings for my two front teeth, and hygienist appointment and check up.

The only thing that was free or covered totally by the NHS was the check up.

Great. £53 already in one visit.

Fifty odd quid for treatment I haven’t done in years, it’s not too bad I justified to myself.

And that £20 deposit will go towards my next appointment. Very clever man, these people. I also thought it was a good idea so that I won’t have to pay lump sum as I’ve already put in some money towards it.

*****

But then today, the bill has come up to £107 plus!

Whaaaa..??

Apparently this includes the four fillings to the molars, in my next couple of appointments.

-__-"

*Sigh*

Paid for the day's treatment and still have another £30 plus to pay when I come in next time. I just hope they won’t find anymore reasons to work on my teeth.

*****

Times are really changing.

Obviously there has been technological advancement.

Obviously it has been ages since my last dental visit.

Obviously we are getting older.

In the UK, I believe they are moving away from mercury fillings because of the apparent danger and more importantly it is un-environmental friendly for disposal. You know those ‘un-green’ or ‘unsustainable’ buzz words.

*****

Gone were the days that Dentist Lee had to put the filling capsule into this machine with dials to have the mercury filling capsules ‘mixed’ about (I think). And then he will put the mixture on this 'plate' and use a syringe like thing to inject the fillings.

Gone were the going up the dark-ish stairs to ring the bell or rap on the dental practice's grille as it prolly wasn’t the safest area around. Or even walking to the back of the dental practice in the dark to the toilets.

Gone were the times that we will walk about Dentist Lee’s consultation room while one of us sisters or our parents had their dental treatment.

And as much as I hated going to the dentist, Dentist Lee’s place was this very minimal decorated place. Just concrete floor, some old dental posters - one of them will at least have an animation of a tooth or Captain toothpaste or something along that line, some boring 1970s/80s sofa, and that coffee table/rack filled with magazines, on the front page woman with big hair and bright make up.

Those were the days when we will go open the drawers of Dentist Lee’s patients’ records, not that we know what it was all about. To us, it was just the kaleidoscope of colours on those manila cards that held our attention. Or rather the action of opening and closing the drawers. Very mindless. Or just sitting in the reception swivel chair.

We were kids anyways. We were easily entertained. We were bored.

*****

And every time after the dental appointment we will go to the bakery next door, Twinkles, to buy cakes, to smell the freshly baked cakes and breads.

That, is the highlight of the trip.

That, is the only thing that made going to see Dentist Lee a bit more bearable.

That, I’m sure wasn’t the best of ideas. Cake = sugar.

But I’m sure my parents knew it would please us.

And so we look forward to the next trip. Sort of.

*****

As for now, I just had a look at my newly polished and scaled pearlies. Man, do they look good!

So shiny! So happy!

Too bad I forgotten to take a pic of my before and after procedure. I think it wasn’t that obvious anyway, or maybe not.

I didn't want to eat anything or drink anything to stain it, to take away its shine, to damage this so called perfection.

Looking forward to that weird numbness sensation in two weeks time? I really wonder...

Sunday 15 June 2008

father's day 2008

Happy Father's Day Daddy
Wishing you good health and happiness always
With lots of love... xxx

Friday 13 June 2008

happy.clappy

I’m sooo happy today.

Perhaps it’s Friday.

Perhaps the day has been busy but easy-relaxing.

Perhaps I’m finishing work soon. Less than two hours to go!

Perhaps I get to see TOH and spend another wonderful weekend with him.

Perhaps I finally get to see GB and his garden. I miss them both so much!

Perhaps I had made donations for my colleagues fundraising events. And I’m hoping to go to Suzanne’s zip slide across the Clyde next week. I know sounds so weird like I’m speaking about myself in third person.

When I communicate with her its like: Hi Suzanne, Suzanne here... blablabla... or Suzanne, blablabla... Regards, Suzanne.

Anyways... hopefully the timing is right so I can go support Suzanne and then hang about the area and then go see Bon Jovi concert. I still need to get tix for that.

Perhaps I spoke to a friend whom I have not spoken to for ages and it was really good to catch up.

Perhaps I’m planning ahead for our next holidays.

Perhaps I finally made the call to the driving school.

Perhaps I was chatting to Donald about gardening this weekend.

Perhaps I was talking to George about hiking/hillwalking, concerts and Glastonbury.

Perhaps I had a little dose of eye candy today.

Perhaps I had a little rant with the girls and then we gushed at Pete’s wedding pics and grilled him about his overseas wedding. Okay, so that’s where his/her/their family are from, Northern Ireland.

Perhaps I know it’s going to be a fantastic weekend even though it might be cold.

Perhaps I’m looking forward to the long hours on the bus where I can read Memoirs without distractions.

For whatever reason(s), it’s been a while since I feel so happy.

Why can’t everyday be like this?

Thursday 12 June 2008

passion

My current passion: reading Memoirs of a Geisha and watching Big Brother(9).

I normally try to catch the first night when they introduce Big Brother contestants to the BB House and then don’t follow up.

A bit the same as watching the audition episodes of X-Factor/Pop Idol/American Idol and then don’t follow up.

However, I feel that this year there is a good mix of BB contestants.

Immediately, I’m drawn to Mikey. I want Mikey to win. Sympathy vote? Initially perhaps but I think he is genuinely nice.

I think Kat is annoyingly-cute-interesting to watch too. Mario and Lisa are addictive to watch, esp they can be soooo childish as a couple, mind you they are 40+.

Initially, I wanted Luke to be out this week but as much as Steph is a bit of an eye candy, I want her out on Friday instead.

She looks ghastly without her make up. That’s why I always feel that one should not wear too much make up daily because when they don’t, they look ghastly. If one doesn’t normally wear make up and when they do, they look absolutely fabulous!

Side tracked.

Besides looking ghastly, she is too self centred (okay, I know that there are a few of the other contestants who bear the same characteristics, and may they be evicted one by one!), and many other reasons (that might not be rated G enough to rant about) that gives her a reason to be evicted on Friday night.

Next week, I want Alexandra out! I don’t care how quiet it will be after the bully leaves.

As for the rest of the housemates, they didn’t seem much watch-worthy after the first night. I’ve seen Mohamed during my last trip to Hamleys. There’s Darnell who is interestingly an albino of African-Caribbean heritage.

What’s going to happen next, I don’t know.

I’m trying to catch as much of the highlights as possible. And I’m trying to see how long I’ll last watching this every night for the next three months.

I’ve started reading Memoirs of a Geisha and I will write about my experience reading this book when I finish reading it.

For now, I can say I’m sacrificing some computer time so that I can be in bed by midnight to read until 130am. Less of Facebook and other computer related stuff. Apologies for not being able to tend to your ('Lil) Green Patch (I’m sooo loving this application, but must admit it’s getting a bit monotonous now).

TOH and AD wonder how I managed and come to work.

Boys, this is the reason I’m feeling tired now. The dimmed light above me is not helping either.

cat.away

LineManagerMark has just left for his holidays to Florida for two weeks two weeks and a bit (as he corrects me).

So... The cat away the mouse will play.

The Commercial Manager came up to me beginning of the week to say ‘no pressure, but you are in charge while he is away’. Right...

Given the chance, I think I will go home early tonight.

Take the 5pm train which means I leave around 4:50pm. Go home relax. Watch The Simpsons. Read in the second bedroom, hopefully the sun will be out and the room is nice and warm.

Euro 2008? What Euro 2008?

Now, instead, I can’t wait to know more about the Rooney-McLoughlin £5m wedding! Saw it on BBC News earlier.

I wonder when will it be out on OK! I haven’t even finished reading that copy of Hello! on Peter and Autumn Phillip’s wedding!

I have been trying to come to work early, rather, the time I’m supposed to be in, but failed a couple of times this week. Considering, it is not that bad after all because for weeks I had been coming in at a later time which has become my usual time.

Like they say, the cat away the mouse will play.

Wednesday 11 June 2008

six month APC meeting

Goodness gracious me! Time flies!

It’s the second week of June already! Six months into the new year!

I’m at my ninth month of my APC training.

I wanted to blog about my six month Supervisor and Counsellor meeting. I didn't got that done.

I wanted to blog about how to fill your diary.

I still haven’t got it done. @.@

Where has all the time gone? Everything seemed a whirlwind.

Things have been hectic in all aspect. Other times, I’m just too tired and drained. So pooped out. I don’t know why.

Then of course how can procrastination not get a mention???!!

Yes, it could well boil down to poor time management.

Yesterday evening I had almost an hour's nap.

Now, that is unheard of unless I’m really really tired.

I was in the second bedroom and the sun was shining through. I thought this is such a nice place to read in the evenings with the warmth of the sun.

I had a quick lie on the bed and the sun was in my eyes. So I closed it for a while, only to be knocked out dozing into dreamland.

Ah... bliss!

******

Anyways, I had my six month Supervisor and Counsellor meeting in April.

General comments are to organise something to ensure I carry out more training/work on pre-contract activities, and rotation in the company or the office to gain experience on other aspects.

Mainly I’m lacking training on –
~ T013 Construction Technology and Environmental Services, which I’m trying to attend as many lunch time technical presentation when possible and then write little reports on what I've learnt.

~ T074 Quantification and Costing of Construction Works. I have one project that is going through for approval on Friday which had some pre-contract work to do. And I will need to write my assessment on change notices as part of this competency in the diary

Thing is that we have an Estimating Team. They do all the pre- and post-contract quantification works. My job covers the cost control during the contract, assessment of payment application and assessment of change notices.

I will have to bug the Estimating Team to learn more. Not that I’m not bugging the main guy already...(>.<)

Luckily I will be starting some post-contract activities: assessing Final Accounts and all the associated paperwork for the stage sign off and handover to defects team.

I was supposed to write short reports on my experience on all my mandatory and technical competencies. It will be a record of my work that I have the experience of carrying out tasks meeting with the various levels of each competency.

I was supposed to have that or some done by end of May so that I can have a meeting with my Supervisor to sign it off.

Haven’t done that.

During the six month meeting, we also have a quick chat about the project I’m choosing for my critical analysis, what I’m going to scrutinise and write about, and how I’m going to write about it.

So far, no progress. @.@ T.T

So fail.

Oh well, I guess I have to get it all done by end of this month.

Checklist:
1. Diary: three months of work! So much to catch up!
2. Competencies report. Where do I start?!
3. Professional Development report. To record what I have learnt from each CPD event.
4. Draft on more information for my Critical Analysis Report.

I honestly must do more work and read less blogs!

Arrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhhh...

Monday 9 June 2008

for the journey...

Lloyds TSB has a series of advertisement depicting life journeys and the various products they have that will help 'for the journey...'.

This is where it all started.



If you like it you can watch part two here.

Part three.

Part four.

Part five.

Part six.

And part seven.

I also found that you can watch the whole journey sans voice over.



Too bad the quality is not very sharp.

Nice ads?

TOH and I are loving them!

Did you know apparently each part has a trainspotter? Can you spot him/her/it?

Sunday 8 June 2008

family.business

I didn't know the family started a business on sandwiches.


I wonder what to do next, just to make sure I'm not missing out on the profits. (>.<)

Thursday 5 June 2008

operational

An open letter to Mr. Constanti.

Dear Sir,

My other half and I had just return from our holidays from Spain through one of your packaged holidays.

We had a good time there. We were pleasantly surprise with the quality of the hotel which was beyond our expectations. The only down side was the noise coming from the Discobar at night due to patrons leaving the Discobar door open to the patio.

We were also very pleased with how efficient and friendly your cabin crew was.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the ground crew.

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon when we checked in at Glasgow airport. However, it was obvious that the check-in assistant clearly wished she wasn’t there, behind the counter. She was neither friendly nor cheerful. We were just glad that the necessary was done and continued looking forward to our holidays.

Our return flight experience was not the most pleasant either.

Noting that your travel information informed that 'check-in counter opens three hour before departure', we made our way for check-in just slightly earlier than three hours. We were about third in queue when we were informed that check-in has been revised to two hours before departure.

Preferring not to stand in the queue for an hour, my other half and I sat at a couple of the comfortable seats available.

We were very thankful for Malaga airport for the comfortable seats that we even caught forth winks there!

The queue for check-in continued to grow, within the hour a crowd gathered neatly in queue. Three queues for Glasgow (the longer queue in the picture) and another four for Manchester.


Not long, the crowd swelled and it looked like a scene of ‘last flight out of Malaga’, since check-in for both flights was pushed back to two hours before check-in.

However, check-in did not commence as shown on the screen. Although it commenced slightly less than two hours before departure, the queue didn’t seemed to clear.
My other half and I decided to continue waiting seated.

About 75 minutes before departure, we joined the queue, which by now has decreased a little.

Sadly, when we were standing in queue, it hardly moved. We even changed queues three times!

We were finally checked-in about half an hour before departure, leaving a small crowd still waiting to be checked-in on teh Glasgow bound flight. Bear in mind, all passengers should have been at the boarding gate 15 minutes ago, 45 minutes as stated on the travel information.

When we were next in queue to the check-in desk, I couldn’t resist asking one of your holiday rep, who was asking security questions on behalf of the check-in assistant, what was the cause for the delay.

To our disappointment, his reason for the delay was ‘coach strike, people were trickling in’!

Just to re-cap, we were at the airport more than three hours before check-in!

And we know that holiday reps at the hotels had arranged for taxis to transfer passengers from their hotel to the airport instead of the coach. This, I must say, was a good call on the holiday rep’s part.

Also, would the check-in area be swamped with passengers, if they were ‘trickling in’?


After the long check in process, we all had to be crammed into the transfer bus ferrying us from the boarding gate to the air plane.


Do you know how glad us passengers were when we finally see the smiling faces of the cabin crew and were seated nicely in our seats?

It was quite interesting to hear an announcement made saying ‘Good evening and welcome, I would normally say I am your captain, but, I am not. Your captain is in the plane on your left that has just landed.

Due to operational reasons, the cabin crew in that plane which has just arrived from Glasgow will swap over with us and you will be on your way soon.

We have decided to have you seated so to avoid any further delays.

I guess we just have to face it that in this day and age of credit crunch and economy uncertainties, we have to be understanding that ‘operational reasons’ will supersede ‘customer satisfaction’.

Will we be patronising your services again? Sadly, us consumers will not heed ‘once bitten twice shy’ until something seriously drastic happens.

Thankfully the initial cabin crew were fantastic, taking their time treating us as we were in their care all the way. Equally, the assigned cabin crew deserved praises for their professionalism as well.

Having just touch down after a three hour flight and completing their post flight duties, walking across the tarmac and continue their duties for the next three hours, with enthusiasm and broad smiles, was very professional of them. They deserve every praises.

Our flight was delayed by an hour in total. Only saving grace is that the pilot and his team managed to catch up precious flying time, all fifteen minutes of it!

Perhaps on hour doesn't seemed long but the bad experience did leave some bitter taste.

I am very curious to know what your feedback on this matter is, if ‘customer satisfaction’ is still on the company’s agenda.

Yours sincerely,
S.

Wednesday 4 June 2008

handbag.laptop

I want a MacBook Air!!!



TS call it a 'handbag laptop'.



Tried the laptop at the Apple store when it first launched.

Didn't really like it at that time, actually didn't like because it is totally different from using a Window system.

However, trust Apple to come up with simple attractive design. After all, I'm Asian and I'm a sucker for packaging! I'll just need a bit of time getting use to it.

Now, anyone giving away a MacBook Air???

Monday 2 June 2008

irrelevant

TOH and I just got back from Spain last night after almost an hour delay on our flight.

I'm rather very tanned and he's kinda burnt because he has sensitive skin. Quite sexy tho. Hehehehe... A little colour always look nice. (>.<) Had a nice easy-ozzy day after seeing TOH off at the bus station, then a quick shot of Sex and the City at the cinema.

Quick shot, because I forgotten to check what time the movie end as I had a dental appointment.

Damn!

Yes, I was the mad one who walked out on a movie. Paid for. Will go and watch it again this Friday if time permits. Great great great...

So far I am loving the movie.

Uploaded the hols photos on my computer AND found out that I took over 840 photos on my phone! Now, I just need to quality scan them as I'm sure not all are clear.

So, wait patiently, while I share with you what I think is the most irrelevant ad.