forecast

Forecast (v.)
Forecasten, to plan beforehand: fore-, fore- + casten, to throw, calculate, prepare.

Ever since the beginning of the week, I had to prepare my monthly forecasts.

Didn’t help when you don’t really know exactly what to do.

Didn’t help when you were supposed to go for a site meeting that was going to take up one morning, only to have it postponed without you knowing.

Didn’t help when you got news on Monday that you have to go for a full-day training, out of office.

Didn’t help when the dateline was too soon (or I think unreasonable, perhaps).

Didn’t help that when you finally go for a site meeting, the forecasts were due that time/day.

What was my response?

‘Do I look like I care?.... Noooo.’

Great attitude in a new job eh?

Fortunately, I got it completed today. At least to the best that I know of. With whatever information and logic I can put in.

After all, forecasts are predictions.

Is there a right answer? Is there a wrong answer?

What should I do then?

Was rather frustrated as I had to swim in the deep end with strong currents.

But I swam through.

I don’t deny I actually love the adrenaline of rushing to complete it.

Am I looking forward to next month’s forecasts?

Sadly…

Yes. *shyly*

I need to prepare some ground work first.

But before that, I shall enjoy my weekend.

I’ve got another 28 minutes to go.

Yesssss!!!!

at my side

It’s been a long time since I listen to The Corrs. So it was great when on my way back to Glasgow, I heard one of my favourite song on my iPod.

It’s also a wee dedication to the two special guys in my life TOH and my bff TS. Thanks so much for being there for me! The song describes you both so well!

At Your Side by The Corrs

When the daylight's gone and you're on your own
And you need a friend just to be around
I will comfort you, I will take your hand
And I'll pull you through, I will understand

And you know that

I'll be at your side, there's no need to worry
Together we'll survive through the haste and hurry
I'll be at your side
If you feel like you're alone, and you've nowhere to turn
I'll be at your side

If life's standing still and your soul's confused
And you cannot find what road to choose
If you make mistakes (make mistakes)
You can't let me down (let me down)
I will still believe (still believe)
I will turn around
If you feel like you're alone, you've got somewhere to go,
'Cos I'm right there

I'll be right there for you
I'm right at your side

chitty chat

It's great to be back home for the weekend.

It is a time for me to be able to be in my space, feeling comfortable and peaceful. It is also the best part of the week when I get to see TOH.

It is funny how time flies whenever we are together.

This weekend, we discussed what are the things that we want to do.

Woke up this morning, I had a visitor coming to value the flat. Then after that, the time just flew. In a blink of an eye, time just went past. We really wondered how.

The only explanation is that we had chatted the morning away. It is really amazing how we can just go on chatting and chatting for hours end. Wow!

I'm really amazed. Impressed even! And it is a really great feeling. You never know how much you can really chat until you do it. Still am amazed! It's good though and I love every bit of the conversations we have.

Since its Doors Open Day today, we managed to visit a few venues, after all the delays. Thank heavens TOH bought the papers yesterday, otherwise we would have just missed it.

Doors Open Day is the only day of the year where most places of interest or preserved heritage have an open day for visitors.

I have always wanted to visit the much acclaimed Tivoli Theatre. However, we were both very disappointed with the visit. There wasn't much information about guided tour although websites said that there will be. We both agree that the theatre needs a lot of work done to it. It won't be an easy task but nonetheless it will be good to preserve a place of much historical value.

We also managed to visit the Auld Hoose of the Robert Gordon College. Again, guided tour was not advertised but we were rather impressed looking at the quardrangle from a different view. Also something to be noted is the security automatic doors to the reception. Private school in all obvious forms!

Again, in a blink of an eye. The weekend will soon be over. We'll always have the next weekend to look forward to.

Just a quick note to inform that I have uploaded some photos to the posts in the past month.

Click here for posts with photos. Hope you like! xx

independent

Growing up we never really understand why our parents left us at home with our grandma (besides we get super long, unrestricted playtime). They will go out to work in the morning and only be back either in the afternoon or evening, depending whether it’s my dad or mom.

At an early age we were left to fend for ourselves (sort of) more like plan our daily activities ourselves. Of course being the young and playful ones that we are, to us, at that time, it was loads of freedom and long playtime.

Not that our parents never provide for us, they have given us just like any parents would, the best for their children. It’s just that we were not restricted in doing anything we want, well to a certain extend. I can remember clearly the only thing we were not allowed while growing up is to be in a boy-girl relationship.

When we were younger and also when we were much older, my mom would cook us lunch before she goes to work. Then there was a period that we had a maid who would take care of us. Much later when we found out that there was a catering service at the end of the street, we were given the choice to buy our lunch.

Looking back, while growing up, our parents has given us a lot of opportunities to make our own choices in many things. They have given us also the opportunity to grow up and be independent.

Along the way, they thought us life skills such as cooking, washing, cleaning and I learnt how to iron from my dad. Yes, I’m proud of that! Cooking was a lot of trial and error. Thank God we didn’t burn down the kitchen (although there had been a few near misses).

Due to this, it was easy for us, at least me to live away from home. Many often ask if I ever feel homesick? My answer is no. Okay, I do miss the great choice of food in Malaysia, sometimes my family but not that I must be with them all the time. My mom loves that we are scattered around the world. Gives her an excuse to travel.

I do realise that the independence we grew up with made us not rely on others. There are good sides and bad sides to it. The bad sides are that we tend to feel that anytime we ask for anything, it seems as it is a burden to others, we feel bad for asking.

Then the whole expectation issue comes in. The higher your expectations, the bigger your disappointments. I hate whenever something doesn’t go as expected.

But we just have to plough on, ya?

In this age of ‘teamwork’, having growing up and stuck to that habit of independence, it can be quite hard. But we learn, after all, life is a life long learning journey.

Past few weeks, my struggles in making choices have been more than usual.

This week, my challenge was to think and decide what is going to happen to my temporary accommodation.

To me, it has not been easy. After much thinking, I think I have found the solution.

At the end of the day, and as many times I have repeated, as long as you have money and willing to spend, money will solve everything. Sadly but true.

I’m waiting for my replacement credit card to arrive, all I have to do is just call, arrange for the accommodation and part happily another £150 or so on my weekly accommodation.

It’s only money. Don’t you think?

Anyways, as the age old Chinese saying goes ‘when the boat reaches the shore, it will automatically become straight’ or ‘when the horse dies, you’ll just have to get down and walk’. My favourite brand summarised it in the simplest phrase ‘Just do it’.

I guess whatever that life throws at you there is always one way or another to solve it. It’s just a matter of how we are going to do it.

block

I can't believe I have a blogger block today!

I guess I must just be too tired.

Maybe I’m just trying to input too many things at a short period of time. Half the time I don't even understand what is being said to me. It is such an obvious case of ‘talk at me'! Goodness!!!

I won't be surprised that this will be a jumbled up post.

#1. Songs Genre
This morning on the bus, I browsed through my iPod's song genre list. I can't believe that every genre is filled up, even if it is just one song! Seems like iTunes or maybe the songs that I downloaded had been categorised into genres that you wouldn't think it would have be in.

By the way, wtf is porn groove??!!!

Need to find time to sort out my library of songs, organised it, create smart playlists, etc. There is just so much to do!!! If only I have my computer with me!

#2: Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So as research says. However, in order for me not to be late for work, I don't have breakfast until I get in. Another reason is that I can't buy lots of things and lug around every time I move. Or I can't fill up my drawers with food. This seems that is the way now.

Rephrased: I can't fill more/all of my drawers with MORE food.

But most of the time I end up not having breakfast. Which is not good. Then I crave for junk food the whole day because sarnies just don't fill me. The amount of food I eat probably have TOH regretted going out with me. (I know you don't baby... xx)

Why is it so difficult to decide what to eat for breakfast?

I always love breakfast as it is the easier meal of the day. Okay, it WAS easy because breakfast means typical fry up. But I can't have that everyday as it is not very healthy.

In Malaysia, like I have mentioned in my earlier post, it is so easy to get food for breakfast. A walk to the nasi lemak stall, or whatever stalls for that matter or a sit in in the coffee shop.

Yoghurt and cereals is not going to fill me!

I want kon lo mien, won ton mee, assam laksa, pan mee, or whatever that I can just step into the shop and order!

Arrggggh...

Right, this is a really lousy post but I think I better pack up and go.

Next question is: where do I want to go and what do I want to do?!

Arrrgggh… It’s so frustrating!

Okie, the sun is out, finally! I think I’ll just go and have a nap in Botanic Gardens again. Toodles…

wrap mountain, wrap sea

Work has been picking up. Which is good. Can’t really complain, really.

After all, I thrived being under pressure and juggling tasks. Someone once said that I ‘pau san pau hai’, literally ‘wrap mountain, wrap sea’. This actually means, wanting to take up everything and do everything. Well, at least that was what I understand of.

A quick browse at my calendar, I will be quite busy this month. That means more things to blog about! Anyways, it has been a long time since I used MS Outlook. It is such a cool tool because I can plan/fill out my appointments as they come in from my emails, add on if it is not from emails, accept/decline/maybe invitation for appointments/meetings and send out appointments for confirmation. How cool is that?!

Okay, I’m out dated with things like that. Still…

Today in my mail I received a wee task from Head Office. What they do is that every month the company will send out mails introducing new starts. So my task is to do a little write up in third person.

And I’ve come up with the following:

ennazus is a university graduate. She enjoys taking up challenges and tasks, doing more than what many thinks she can do. Sometimes she surprises herself too!

During her free time, ennazus likes to spend time in bed catching up on her sleep (as if there is such a thing!). These times include getting too comfy, napping in the sun and getting a sun burn. When she is not relaxing, she would be doing something klutzy or clumsy.

Her last escapade involves her slamming the car door on her right thumb. It still aches until this very day. The event has left her with a bruised and injured thumb, holding her pen and writing in a rather odd way.

Right I better get back to work, else I will be swimming in it…

weekends

It’s Monday, again.

Can’t believe how time flies. Noticed that my weekdays and weekends come and go really fast.

I think the only time that time doesn’t go fast enough is whenever I’m on the bus home and coming back. It doesn’t help when you have the occasional loud inconsiderate being on the phone in the bus or a terror whining all the way.

Weekends are my favourite. It’s the only time I get to see TOH as well. Besides the fact that it is everyone’s favourite because they don’t have to work. My weekends are so different now compared to before.

Before, I work long hours on Saturday, sometimes from 12 noon to 12 midnight. It is rather weird now I lie in late on Saturdays and laze around or hanging out with TOH.

Last weekend was great cos we didn’t waste too much time indoors, sort of. It was a really beautiful day too! Had to go and pick up my digicam from the courier office. It’s fixed! Well, I wasn’t too happy cos I wanted a cheque for a new camera. Nonetheless at least I have a working digicam now. Count my blessings…

After that, we went back into town for brunch at Frankenstein.

We had the Full Scottish Breakfast, which we both think was absolutely value for money!!! I kept saying it as English breakfast, really wanting a slap I think.

The Full Scottish Breakfast comes on a hot plate and includes bacon, 2 portions of eggs: fried, poach or scrambled, mushrooms, black pudding, potato scone, sausage, half a tomato and even haggis! The whole plate was full. We also have a choice of coffee or tea, free glass of orange juice and a free drink: juice (i.e. soft drinks), Foster or Guinness.

I had fried eggs and pint of Guinness and TOH had scrambled eggs with a pint of Foster. Both of us went for tea.

You can imagine how full our table was, what with two pots of tea and it was just the two of us! And all for only £6.25 each! So stuffed!

Nonetheless, the meal was good. Will have that again sometime soon but not every weekend (let’s hope).

Weekends are our unhealthy indulgence. Not only we have prepared meals (i.e. eating out or take aways), we also have drinkies.

Arriving on Friday, I would grab a take away on my way home. Saturday is one big meal for the day and Sunday is a meal before heading down the road. Once everything is more settled, I have to start cooking and eating healthy food. Can’t go on like this.

During the week, I don’t have the healthiest eating plan either. I need a flat to settle down!

Anyways, we were supposed to go golfing or at the least to the driving range. But alas! Distractions are always abundance when I’m hardly around and there is just so much to do!

Task for the week or at least to be carried out: golf shoes and clubs hunting.

Met up with POCO, which I think I will re-christen him to SR, it’s shorter and nicer I think. Had a couple of drinks. Catch up on whatever we had been doing. It was good; at least it is a start to meet up friends one by one. I just hope I better not get his chicken pox! Yes, I know you are not contagious or in your words ‘contaminated’ anymore.

No packing done as usual.

I finally got my desk today! Yaaay!!! Okay, so they are sorting out a phone for me. But at least things are slowly falling into place. Also, it’s great to have a nice quiet mouse and key board for a change. The last mouse I was using was so noisy whenever I use the scroll button. Really felt the difference when I was using my computer back home over the weekend.

However, one of the cupboards is missing from just beside my desk and I can see everyone passing by. Quite a bit of distracting. Okay, so I can’t surf the internet as much as I want to. Plus my desk is rather near to higher level management so it is not so nice to be surfing all the time…

But at least I’ve got a table now. My desk hopping days are over. Hope AD gets a desk soon.

Anyways, roll on Friday! Right, I need to sort out my tickets up the road as well.