one.for.the.boleh-land

Was snooping around on the internet trying to find out about the luxury coach that travels between KL (Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore. So I headed on to Aeroline's website.

Besides the fantastic service and product that Aeroline provides, extra point should be given to Aeroline's courteous and well explained FAQ.

However, I can't help but sharing this. Only in Malaysia...

Screenshot from Aeroline

...don't think you'll see this on Megabus' website.

My respect to Aeroline for explaining this to folks that needed common courtesy explained to them delicately.

Prices seemed reasonable too. Will let you know if we do get on their buses one of these days.

only.at.GLA

Only at Glasgow International Airport...

...Whisky tasting starts at 5am.

...If you forget to put on your face in the morning you can get it here.

...But then, why not just come at 7am to get skin care consultation before beauty make overs to look fab and start the day with dutch courage of whisky!

builder

Everyone needs Bob the Builder on their site / side.

songsmith

Songsmith eh?

Sounds like a good idea. Until everything in your life becomes a song.

Still a good idea?

that.over.the.sea.country

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, I Googled them.

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

Where were we…?

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

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

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

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

Okaaay...

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

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

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

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

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

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

...that over the sea country.

quickie.random.figures.&.thoughts

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

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’?

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...

weird

Today has been a rather weird day.

It was really quiet as I walked to the train station to go to work.

Then the train seemed really quiet.

While crossing the usually busy road to my office, the road was unusually quiet.

Hmmm...

Guess everyone's away to Manchester for the UEFA finals.

experiment

I've been carrying out an experiment since last week on travel expenses.

Nothing that great. But just to find out how much I actually spend on travelling.

All this while, I buy a monthly travel card for two zones at £49.80 for four weeks.

I wanted to find out how much I am actually spending on travelling.

So far, week one:
Sunday: Bus from town to go home: £1.20
Monday: Train to work return: £2.95
(Long story why this price will be different from the reoccuring trip)
Tuesday: Train from work to home: £1.40
Wednesday: Didn't pay for train to work and got a ride home with Iain: £0
Thursday: Went to work late and got a cheap day return: £1.50
Friday: Didn't pay for train to work and got a lift with Jim into town.

In total, I spent £7.05 for the week.

If I take a monthly pass, it will cost me £12.45 per week. And a weekly pass will cost me about £13.80.

Buying tickets as and when I require has some drawbacks as well.

Among those are the it is not as flexible as having to flash your travel pass. Journeys have to be preplanned so to maximise the cost effectiveness.

Then you need to either have change all the time for the bus or cash for the train. Actually, you can pay by card on the train. So it is not that bad, for the train.

I think it isn't that bad. I guess I shall stick to buying tickets for now. Let's see how.

Anyways, note to self, the next time if the train is cancelled or I'm late, just take the next train or the bus.

I didn't take the bus today because I didn't have enough change. So I took the train to Glasgow Central and then walk to Queens Street. Should have got off at Argyle Street instead. Got a bit lost at Central finding my way out. It is such a huge station!

Anyways, yes, taking the next train from Anniesland compared to wasting all this time gets me to work at the same time.

Honestly it's more hassle than it's worth.

Of course, if I took the bus, I would have been in here 10-20 mins earlier. Oh well...

Still, I got in to work.

olympic.circus

Headlines on Monday’s Metro: Sports stars, 2,000 police, protesters (plus Denise Van and the Sugababes) turn torch procession into a... 5-ring circus.

I find it somewhat fascinating and curious to all the riots and protests by pro-Tibetan groups/individuals.

It is quite sad actually to see civilians and even monks fighting for their rights. It really humbles us on our day to day lives that we so often take for granted our freedom and rights.

However, I do believe that there is always a place and time for everything, protests included.

The London leg of the torch relay was quite a shambles really. I do agree with the above headline, why is there non sports personality carrying the torch?

To add some ‘glamour’? Sports personalities are not good enough? Who knows?!

Then you get these torch protectors. The Chinese team of torch protectors in their blue tracksuits, with, get a hold of this a waist pouch!

Don’t you think they look rather ridiculous?

Apparently, their task is to ensure that the flame does not go out, light it up again if it does, but to circle around the torch bearer? Honestly!

I wonder do they really don’t put out the flame of the torch, even on the plane? Apprently they don't.


And I read somewhere that there is always one person (the flame protector) stays awake to guard the torch. Hmmm... again.

This round of torch relay is somewhat interesting.

In the sense that either there are lots of people lined along the road waiting with anticipation and excitement for the torch to come through, or a road barricaded with ‘actors - innocent-enough-not-demonstrating-or-protesting school children waving flags of China’ welcoming the torch.

The various additional fanfare and banners of protests.


The various antics of protestors demonstrating on the relay path.

Possibly the first torch relay on a bus and boat?

And the broadcast of the torch relay on China’s telly that omits any footage of protesting/ demonstration.

Talk about a closed country. Talk about interesting(!).

Not being pro-Chinese or pro-human rights or pro-Tibetans, why in the world did China received the votes to carry out the Olympics in the first place??!!

And as wrong as China is, as well as those who want their voices heard, this is the Olympics for goodness sake!

An event where continents are united through sports. Where the sporting ideals are being celebrated. Where great sporting talents are being recognised. Where people are brought together for the good for sportsmanship.

And the Olympic flame is supposed to be a symbol of peace. So where's the peace then?

Like I say, there is always a time and place. I’m not sure if I’m even looking forward to the 2008 Olympics anymore.

moooo matters

I came upon this term the other day: Chief Operating Officer.

Wikipedia defines the Chief Operating/Operations Officer (COO) as a corporate officer responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the corporation. He/she is also responsible for operations management.

In short, they are known as the COO. In Scotland a Coo is a highland cattle.


Aren’t they the cutest!

A cow refers to a female bovine.


However, if you call a person a ‘cow’, it means that you are calling them names, fat, ugly, stupid... mainly used in reference to the female species.

So if you dislike the COO and say she is not the brightest, can you call her a cow??

What if it is a guy? An ox? A buffalo?

Of course, if one can hold that position, I’m sure they are nowhere as close as a cow.

Honestly, I shouldn’t be name calling or even spending time thinking about things like this...

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

unsung heroes

Many of us probably take the salt gritters for granted.

If the ground is not gritted, we moan and blame them.

If the ground is gritted, we are pleased but often take it for granted.

Yes, no doubt that these salt gritters, just like many working class, are paid.

But think about it.

They have to wake up at some ungodly hour in the morning.

They need to know when to grit and when not to grit.

(Don’t think the public would be pleased to know that their hard earned, hard-to-let-go-but-no-choice-of paying council tax money is being used to grit the grounds and roads during summer.)

And I’m sure they are not just hired or salaried to grit the roads and pavements only. What about the days that they don’t need to grit the grounds?

Anyways, I just thought that it is so nice of them to grit the ground.

I almost slipped on the frosted pavement within the work compound this morning.

On an unrelated incident...

Yesterday as I was walking within the work compound, passing the few office blocks and warehouses, a car almost hit a pedal cyclist.

I think the driver of the car was avoiding a group of men walking on the left hand side of the road and then she probably wasn’t paying much attention. Although the road was wide enough, she had a wee swerve to the right.

Anyways, that is not what that matters.

I was walking on the right hand side of the road. A pedal cyclist cycled past my left and then he was going to pass by the right side of the car. However, the car just turned sharply without indicating, into a parking bay on the right, narrowly missed the cyclist.

That was honestly a near miss incident.

Thank God the cyclist was fine.

During my trip to Shetland months ago, I cycled from Lerwick to Scalloway. It was a 14 miles cycle between the towns. I couldn’t cycle to save my life but managed to cycle there and back, all 28 miles (!), with majority of the time what I called ‘bike-pushing’. Luckily I went on the trip alone.

The point is that as a driver, you wouldn’t realise what it is like being a pedal cyclist until you experienced it for yourself. Although the traffic in Shetland was not as busy compared to a city and the roads were wide enough with a rather large verge, it was still quite a scary situation.

You can’t cycle fast because the cross winds were so strong and can flip you over from the side. You can’t cycle too slowly because besides defeating the purpose of cycling, you will also get blown down. Cycling in Shetland IS definitely an experience.

Anyways, we easily take for granted that we, as a driver are protected within the car, ignoring other seemingly ‘unimportant’ road users. Everyone is important on the road, whether they are in/on a smaller or bigger vehicle/mode of transport, whether they are walking or running, and whether they are in the same vehicle as you.

I know I’m not the best of drivers but it is still everyone’s responsibility to use the road safely.

hairline timeline

What's with men and their hairline?
Okay, I'm sure the answer is obvious.. -__-"

Today's five projects progress meeting and one project briefing in the morning was rather hard going.

Perhaps only less than three minutes for each project only concerns me. So the rest of the time is doodling and observation.

I practiced on my portrait drawings/illustrations and abstract doodling (sound so artsy-fartsy!).

Anyways, it was somewhat interesting to see that two of the men had receeding hairline on the whole cap of their head, what some calls as bald patch; six of the men with what I was told 'envelope' hairline - hairline that resembles the triangular flap of an envelope, which includes normal and advanced envelope hairline; and three of the men had normal hairline - whatever normal is.

Thank heavens the three ladies in the room didn't have any of those hairlines that the men had.

It's been a long day...

hogmanay 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!

Last night TOH and I took it easy. We sat at home watching tv, surfing the internet, and having a few drinks before heading out to Castlegate.

We met up with Dawn and her friends for a few drinks before making our way to the stage - fifteen minutes before the Bells! So much for free concert.

The weather was exceptionally mild last night. TOH and I were dressed sensibly, overly sensibly I would say. I actually bought a GAP skirt the other day for Hogmanay. It's a very nice Italian material grey short skirt. Too bad when I was packing on the Friday coming up, I was too fragile and forgotten to pack it! What a shame.

Hogmanay or New Year's Eve is often very cold. I remember one year I was in Edinburgh and it was freezing cold! The next day it sleeted.

Last night was mild. One of the mildest nights in days. Today it is grey and miserable. TOH and I are just hanging out at home resting for the party tonight at Tracy's. Tracy throws the best party around I must say!!!

Anyways, back to last night's Hogamanay...

Travis was good as usual. It was just unfortunate that they didn't perform 'Auld Lang Sang'. How can they not perform that song after the Bells??!! After all we are in Scotland for goodness sake! Honestly, don't know what they were thinking or it could've been too expensive for them to sing an additional song.

I was somewhat disappointed that they didn't perform Loch Lomond as well. Okay, I'm bias, it is one of my favorite Scottish songs - could be easily mistaken for Scotland's anthem though. Oh well, what do I know...

After the Bells we headed back to Espionage to meet Dawn and gang. The last time I was in Espionage it was with AC for his farewell party. After that experienece, I don't think any other time will match how much fun we all had that night. Espionage was packed.

The drinks costs a bomb! I bought two whisky Coke (yes, yes, it is such a cardinal sin to have whisky and dash, it should always be on the rocks!) and vodka lemonade for £9.60! Goodness that is £3.20 each. Okay, maybe I had been lucky all this while and had people buying me drinks, still... But TOH did say that drinks in Espionage is not the cheapest around.

Dawn had to leave with the girls, and that left TOH and I there. After a while, it got a bit bored so we decided to go home and watch DVD.

We had a discussion that it is such a shame that in order to have a good night we have to be tipsy/drunk. It does make a difference when you see the rest of the people are 'merry' and we were so sane or insane for that matter.

Nonetheless we enjoyed Travis, although we only caught a few songs. The atmosphere was great and Aberdeen City Council has organised it rather well. Comments to Grampian Police as well since they were everywhere.

Hogmanay celebration wishlist: Stonehaven's Fireball Ceremony, or Hogmanay in Glasgow, or going back to Edinburgh for their street party. Hmm...

Oh yes, just in case anyone is wondering, we haven't really have proper snow what with this global warming business. I think Glasgow had some sleet about three weeks ago, which I did got quite over excited as TOH bluntly puts it.

It has been forecasted that it might snow tomorrow. We'll just wait and see.