Eat Eat and Still Eat

The temperature in Chengdu is ridiculously low for a temperate gal like me. Every day we are talking about single digit degrees which oh so so so cold!!! (shivers)

My borrowed white cotton fluffy jacket is as useless as it looks. It neither makes me looks good nor keep the cold away. So yesterday T bought me a brand new nice expensive (china standard) winter coat.

All the shoppings aside (which I will blog separately if i have the time), the food i eat is killing me. Sichuan cuisine are very oily, saltish and "mala" (spicy and numbing). As you know, I love love to take pictures of the food I ate.

Summary of food / calorie intake from day 1.

Day 1 dinner - Quan Ji - Nothing to shout about. Cantonese food for dinner.

Day 2 lunch - on the way to Bao Guang Temple and San Xing Dui Museum. (Fish in oily water)

Day 2 dinner - Northern Cuisine

Day 3 lunch - Indu Chai Chai (Indian Food)

Day 3 dinner - Japanese Buffet

Day 4 lunch - Cantonese food at Xing Rong Hua

Day 4 dinner - Xiao Fei Yang (Mala Steamboat)


I promised to upload the pics once they are ready! Gotto go! Happy Boxing Day!!

我的精神很好!

Today my colleague H asked me why am I so cheerful everyday? He finds it odd especially it seems to him that everyone in my unit is feeling or appearing gloomy.

That I have no answer. My 精神 is good as always. Not easily defeated! Haha... Especially in office there are targets to nag and quibble for me to release all the pent up frustration at work and my network of gossip mongers (who are interested in the T&C story)

Also count myself too relax. Because I hardly stress myself over work because I am lucky enough to have a long term rice ticket waiting lovingly for me in Chengdu. Can quit anytime if I "buay song" :p

After discussing about China woman and their strategies. I think I should adopt some of them and asked T to pay for ALL the things. Why?

Apparently, market surveys at work and at play showed that men are willing and prepared to support their gal. Thus I think from now on, I should not work hard. Why fight for equality? This is something which i willingly agree to "lose". haha..

Sleepless again

Can't sleep again. My sunday curse is working on very well. And because of this, I am feeling very hungry. Currently boiling water to cook instant noodle for myself.

Deja vu. When T came back few weeks ago, I also had supper in the wee hours. I want to lose weight!! Too bad, those pounds i shed have piled back. I am back to officially 47kg again! Argh..

Maybe i should do some ironing or packing. Counting down to my friday trip to Chengdu!

4 more days counting...

Family Day in Sentosa

The long awaited day has arrived. It's the annual Family Day for my company. This year, our division has the unfortunate honour to organise the event. Initially, I was told Science Centre was chosen (how boring) but then the final venue was confirmed to be in SENTOSA.

I am a person who doesn't like to go under the sun, much less crowded places. Family day never attracts me. But, this year is an exception because the package is all too attractive to be missed. For $4, we get a Mp3 player (ipod shuffle lookalike 512M) as door gift, free bento lunch, Hady Mirza to sing 3 songs, and ticket to underwater world and dolphin lagoon. Even the entrance to Sentosa is free!!

The weather was bright and sunny this morning. I brought my little nephew, uncle and brother along. (since the deal is so good) Ong Bak (nephew) is a little too young to be excited over the pink dolphins and also scared of the big big fishes in the underwater world. Mum was telling me that Ong Bak went back to tell her 大大鱼。怕怕。会咬我。哈哈。


It has been 10 over years since I last went to underwaterworld. I don't find it that that fascinating. And the price tag of $19.50 is too steep. The fishes are bigger now (they grow!) thus very huge garoupas, stingray, pupper fish etc...

Had dinner with one of my colleague and had the misfortune to see for my own eyes that an up and coming engineer in my division with his scandal. One of our divorcee colleague C with her kid.

Though they were spotted many times together, but this time is special! The dinner was with the lady's family (parents, siblings) etc. Logically speaking, no man would have a sit down dinner with the galfren's family unless tjey are that close. So thus, suspicion confirm. Mr T is officially divorce and dating Ms C.

I would like to specially mention A who always happen to be lurking around (thus witnessing) the couple's significant occassions. Such as Ikea shopping for furniture, bringing the kid out to East Coast, dinner with future in-laws. I would like to suggest A to volunteer himself as their marriage witness, since obviously he has alot of "fate" with this couple.

Enough said. Before A will blacklist me after reading this.

Latest online addiction

There's simply no end to my online addiction. First comic, second youtube, third online novels, now ONLINE SHOPPING!!

Recently Ms pandaeyes introduced me to a new online shopping portal hosted in China. And I started off buying 3 jackets. This is no sweat as the exchange rate from Sin to RMB is about 1 to 5. So thus can buy alot and still don't feel the pinch. From buying jackets, I went off to buy 4 3 pairs of boots. (not counting 1 more from mspandaeyes). The one that i wanted was out of stock. So reduce to 3 pairs. But hey I discovered more shops and more shoes. So now as i write, I am contemplating to get my 4th pair of boots.

This is really a good chance for shopping because next friday I will be in Chengdu! No better excuse than to buy winter wear for my winter in Chengdu. Of course, this is a great chance to wear the knee high boots which I don't have the chance to wear in Singapore. People will think me mad! Then, also the stylish jackets. Arghh.. the disadvantage of living in Singapore is that the fashion is only for Summer. Winter an Autumn are so much more fun!

Saresha could attest to this because I think she owe too many jackets that I can remember.

Should i buy this ?

Weekend Over

Arghh.......It seems like 5 mins ago when i was blogging about weekend coming. Now, sob sob. weekend is over and now i am very awake thanks to my insomnia sunday curse.

Talk about Sundays. How could i not mention my tv? I managed to catch my favourite episode 4 of Hana Kimi. Oh drool over the handsome lead Wuzun and the cute Ella. In this episode, Ruxi's brother discovered she was studying in a Boy's school because of Quan and wanted to bring her back to America. Only condition she could stay is that Quan could break his old record in high jump within the 2 weeks he is in Taiwan.

How now leh? Quan injured himself in a car accident and had not been jumping since then. Can he jump and clear the stick (not to mention break record) to keep Ruixi ? The plot thickens.....

For those who doesn't know who Wuzun is, he is an up and coming actor from who was discovered in Taiwan. Already being cast in 2 lead roles in idol drama. A force to reckon in future. Move over F4, here comes Wu Zun!!







I have to admit. I am a sucker for pretty boys! haha...

Weekend again

It's almost the last day of the week. Time really passes so quickly and tomorrow is the start of the weekend (or from now).

Many have asked me what I do on weekend. Especially when i stay all alone and T is at so many bloody million miles away. Won't i feel lonely? Too much time at hand to spend?


The answer is yes and no.

Yes. I do feel lonely sometimes only at certain low and down period of my life. Thats when even hours at the piano couldn't help and I crave that extra moral support and seeing someone else in the house. Being independent is nothing new to me. I have stayed alone oversea s in university and in a hall where there's no other Singaporeans or close friend. I still survive! Anyway, I seldom feel depress because I am happy go lucky / optimistic gal with a good attitute. 我的精神很好！！


To clarify, most of the time I am occupied. There's just so many things to do. Weekdays, my obsession with internet aldy leave me little time to practice my piano. Suddenly after my shower, it's 10 o'clock. Time to chat online with T. Other than this, I watch youtube, read comic, read books (very badly neglected recently), visit granny on sunday, visit in-laws (low priority), meet Ms pandaeye and gang, house parties, shopping etc.. How can I feel lonely? My life is jam full of activities.


And i also have to entertain my colleagues too, who I msn at night. Of course, the nice ones are very nice and those not so nice one is very obnoxious who argued with me on almost everything. (Nothing good to say) On this note, I would like to thank Mr Me who bought me very nice, angelic chocolates from Austria which tastes very much like the angel on top of it.


One must have things to look forward in life. Well, don't laugh. I am looking forward to watch my favourite Taiwanese pop idol drama Hana Kimi this Sunday at 9.30pm.

See, now my wall clock chimes 11pm. And i haven't finish reading my comic. Argh.... who say i am lonely?

Feeling the blues

I haven't been religiously updating my blog recently. Too many distractions and also too many happenings. The last time I blog was about a month ago. Good grieve!

I am currently not feeling that good. Dad's health is failing and is in the hospital the 4th time since coming home last week. Last week was a surgery to fill up a hole in his scrotum area as his dialysis liquid is filling up that hole, thus inflating his *ahem*. As a result of the surgery, he has to go for blood dialysis for 6 weeks before his wound recover. Today i heard from mum that he is back in SGH to insert another tube for the dialysis, as the one inserted last week could only last him for 1week. Now, question? Why the doc insert a tube which last 1 week when they know he will be doing it for 6 weeks? Doctors.... All cannot be trusted sometimes. They just don't tell you the whole picture.

No wonder shaggyfish told me that must be prepared of the complications. Now i realised what she meant. It's not the dialysis that kills but the complication arising out of the dialysis programme. I can't imagine going through surgery after surgery just to poke tubes in my body. Not to mention the lost of blood every time. Patients from kidney failure already suffer from the drop in red blood cell. Now with the surgery, double blow.

Mambo just told me another healthy young man just died in his sleep. The no ** case so far. Can be a plot for X files for a series of young men dying in their sleep.

So healthy young men. Watch out! You may be next! Hahaha....

Not 1 but 2 Bikinis!!

What would you buy if you are given $190 but with restrictions

1. You can only buy items which can be given as a gift
2. Max of 3 item in 2 receipts
3. Amount must be within $190 to $218

The whole office have been cracking their brain to come up with buying ideas. Some resort to asking for receipts so that they could claim the money and pocket them. Others like me, are stumbled by the restrictions because when I buy, I don't care. I buy what I like.

Last week, I thought I was lucky because Saresha wanted to buy a Serge Luten's perfume. So aha... free receipt. But in the end, she didn't buy anything so no receipt for me.

There's really nothing for me to buy recently so I forced myself to buy something. In the end, I bought a King Size Aussino Quilt Cover for $97.75 (after less 30%) and 2 sets of bikinis for myself.

My nice nice bedsheet!!

Sick and Very Sick

I haven't been eating much since I was down with gastric flu since friday. These few days were miserable for me, especially last night which I couldn't sleep at all because of the discomfort my stomach was giving me. I woke up so many times to vomit and it was really pathetic because only water came out, as i haven't been eating. My stomach just wouldn't take any food at all, despite me feeling so bloody hungry.

Getting caught in the rain yesterday afternoon made me feel all the weaker. This morning, docconfirmed that i am running a fever at 37.8 degrees. Doc also gave me many more yucky pills and one day of mc to rest at home.

Went to granny's place to recuperate. I feel so weak oh.....

Over the hill after 35?

An article in Sunday Times Life! was the hot topic recently over lunch sessions with my colleagues. An article which wrote about how women over the age of 35 find the door to dating scene, slam shuts on their face. Women who are beautiful, successful and smart are also not spared. If you are over 35, you are face "Sorry miss, You expired liao!"

And I thought we are moving towards the 21st century ? Why are men still stuck in the old asian mindset that women are childbearing machines? No wonder the vietnamese mail order bride businesses thrive in recent years. Men over their prime (or rejected stocks) could still "buy" a young and virginal bride at a small sum of less than 10k. Women after 35 ? Doom to die alone with your dog.

Anyway, I totally disagree with the direction the article was heading. Women after 35 have a life of their own. Finding a mate could be just a icing to the cake. Like men, we also have our needs. Why need to marry? Just find one, stay together be happy. Not happy, boot him out and change another one. So Simple, Easy and Convenient.

Women like men have their dreams to chase. As long as you are contented with yourself, and lead a fulfilling life, does it really matter to have that man?

New York 2007

Last night, C and Mspanda was talking about going to New York in 2007. That really got me very interested especially I don't think T would ever, travel to anywhere further than Australia with me.

New York. The city that never sleeps. The beautiful buildings, Museums and Broadway all calling out to me. In New York, there's so many things to do. Shopping, sightseeing, museums hopping. I must start saving for money for the big trip next year. Hopefully will be able to join the gals for un trip de la culture.

Our de la culture trip shall consist of
1. Visit to MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
2. Visit to Met Museum
3. Broadway Musicals
4. Opera (Madame Butterfly)
5. Statue of Liberty
6. Tiffany (Make famous by Breakfast in Tiffany) / Macy / Saks fifth Avenue
7. Niagara Falls
8. Empire State Building
9. Ground Zero
10. Architecture appreciation - Guggenheim, Chrysler Building etc..

Ohh... so excited. Suddenly feel that I am in UK all over again.

And also the PERSONAL CHALLENGE 2008. I shall blog abt it next time.

The craze for Japanese Manga

Recently I was very distracted with alot of online activities. Beside msning one DLOs from SLA almost every night, I was also addicted to reading comic online.

The wonders of internet. Few weeks ago, I was so addicted with youtube.com and also accidentally caused mspandaeyes to be addicted as well. Now, my craze for youtube craze is over and I am onto Japanese Manga.

The Manga that got me hooked was Hanazakari No Kimitachi E. For you in full blossom. This story is about a girl who disguised herself as a boy and sneak into a all boys school just to be close with her idol, a high jump athlete. Alot of fun and hiccups along the way and i shan't disclose the story here.

I enjoyed reading every pages. Total 23 volumes, with 200 pages each. Burnt alot of midnight oil and suddenly i am back to my younger days when i was also crazy over "Slam Dunk" and "City Hunter".

Anyway, this comic is adapted by the Taiwanese and will be screened as a Taiwanese idol drama somewhere in November 2006. The lead actress will be played by Ella from SHE. The male actor will be Wu Zun from Farenheit. More information. Read here.

And i lost to the big fat carrot

Sleeping Staying alone for the past 2 years really made me a hermit. For once, I am not used to the big loud speaker that constantly produce the loud irritating snores before I sleep. So many things to re-adjust. The house seems smaller, messier and suddenly, I am not alone again.

Well this is just a small disruption in my life, will last one week usually on the China's National Day when T is back for the golden week holiday. Anyway, our situation is much clearer now. I know what are my choices, and know what T's choices.

And I am not very proud to say. I am no way compare to the big fat carrot his boss dangle infront of T. Not when the big fat carrot is the future project director in an oversea operation. Not when the most projects are as big as Ang Mo Kio and will likely take a decade to develop. Not when, especially when you boss blatantly hint to you that .................you ahmmmm might be the one.

So, I am not very proud to say I lost. In all practical sense, which men in the world will give up his bright future for a woman? Hmm.... maybe in Korean Drama.?? Real life?? Maybe for China woman.

Duhh..... wonder where will thing heads if i am unwilling to move??

Cat took a tumble

High heels shoes are definitely not good for walking balancing. Especially not when it's a 3 inches high platform court shoe.

This morning, I wore the IMF shoes and stepped on something that protrudes out from the concrete pavement. (looks like a survey peg) Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough to do any Jackie Chan's stunt and I lose my balance. I FELL........ Knee first then followed by my arms onto the rough concrete pavement. Immediately my palms felt as if it was stung by a thousand needles and my left knee was too painful to feel anything since I was still reeling from thousand needles sting.

Well, the physical pain is nothing compared to the embarrasment that follow.

As expected of the typical, selfish Singaporean, no one lend a helping hand to the bruise Cat. (Thankfully no one crowd around, which is damn fortunate)I quickly helped myself up and looked around, mentally checking who else have witnessed my fall from grace. Luckily only 2. A male and female.

Still the female sex is the kinder one, for she asked "Are you ok?" when she walked pass me.

Sigh.. It must be the shoes. My poor bruised knee!

It's finally over

My duties at the IMF ends tonight as I send the Latvia VIPs out to F59 Gate at 940pm. I was supposed to be on shift till 1am but managed to escape early after ranting to my O I/C.

No more waking up at 5am for 6am shift. No more knocking off work at 1am. Everything will be back to normal from next week.

Perhaps I am really getting old (Turning to 31 today), all the shift work is wrecking havoc to my internal biological clock. No matter how much sleep, I still feel tired.

Better sleep early. I am determine to spend a wonderful day tomorrow later today because it's my Birthday!!!!

When VIPs think the plane will wait

I am not sure why VIPs have this notion that they can check in late (say 35 mins) before plane departure, and the plane will wait for you.

I'am sorry BUT, no plane will wait for you unless you are a King, Sultan, owner of airlines. (When you have your own plane) Not even if you are a Finance Minister from donno what name country or, Bank Governor of donno what name country.

Standard procedure - normal gate close 30 mins before departure. That means no more checking in. The plane is getting ready to take off and those passengers waiting in the gatehold room will start to board the plane.

Today, I met with 2 VIPs from never heard of countries who wanted to try this stunt. I have earlier phoned the DLOs 3 hours before the departure explaining that they need to be in the airport 1 hour before departure.

DLO 1 - Malaysia airlines said i can checkin 35 mins before departure.

Me - Yes. But then the gate close at 30 mins before departure. You won't have enough time. Suggest you come earlier.

DLO 1 - But during the training, we are told VIPs are allowed to checkin 45 mins earlier.

Me - That's training, if you come late and miss the flight, you have to explain to VIP.

That last sentence always work very well for me. It my killer, you must do it kind of statement. More or less telling DLO,

" You come late, flight fly away. Sorry hor, you answer to the VIP. I already told you to come early."

Anyway, someone who was with an asian delegate came very late yesterday and had to resort doing a 100m dash to the gate in order not to miss the flight.

I can assure you, it was not a pretty sight.

Bye Arrival, Hello Departure

The duties for the arrival VIPs ended this afternoon at 3pm. We are not expecting anymore delegates as the IMF meetings are towards it end. Many of our mindef counterparts are leaving today for their duties in various hotels. An end to the partnership over the past 1 week. A tinge of sadness because it was fun working with the army boys. For the past week, I felt i am 23 all over again!!

Today, I have the good sense to bring my FX9 to work. Thus i managed to capture some shots of the boys who have worked with me. I have arranged them in a slide show, as memories.

I am in charge

Many of our ALOS (Airport Liaison Officers) involved in the Airport IMF duties have to co-ordinate with other Liaison Officers from other ministries. My Finance colleague find the ones from MAS particularly annoying. Especially when you meet those "gan cheong" DLO (Delegate Liaison Officers - attach to VIPs) who seems to have no idea what is going on, yet want to be in-charge.

We were told, that for Airport operations. WE - the ALO will be leading. Hello DLOs, please stand aside and listen to our instructions. So far, those DLOs who worked with me are very friendly and obedient. Though I may look soft, I am an no-nonsense person. The instructions were given clearly and if any chance i find that the DLOs are the "smart alec type" I will add my killer statement to "scare" the DLOs

"If you give the wrong information to the VIPs (without clearing me), You have to explain and do the damage control yourself, I can't help you." ( deliver it with a bit of drama and shaking of head)

This, I realised practically scare all the smart alec DLOs who want to act smart and call the shots. After that, they will look up to me with admiration and wait patiently for my instructions. So far it works, I have many DLOs who message me back to thanks me for my help.

Of course lah. To make their job simple, I just told them. "Talk to the delegate. The rest I will handle."

So simple right? No wonder they all love me! :p

ALOs getting ready for a long haul flight from Europe. (thats the ugly uniform)

ALOs posing for a shot before the VIPs arrival.

Cat posing with DLO (from MTI) for a Slovenia VIP

That's the VIP lounge on a less busy day.

Ambassadors are hard to handle

After so many hours of trainings and simulation by the organiser, there are still cock-ups.

Everyday when I report for IMF duties, we are given new sets of procedures to follow. And each sets differ from different wings we are assigned to. During the training, we were told to do a "seamless" exit for the VIPS, and today, the procedures are to bring all the VIPs in to the VIP lounges and then the ALOS will clear the custom and pick up their luggages after which the VIPs can leave. (Previously, VIPs to just walk out and their luggage will be send to their hotel).

This afternoon and evening. Business was brisk in airports. So many flights to handle I was deployed to another wing to assist. I was then tasked to welcome an south-east asia minister. The ambassador was there too, to welcome the minister but in order for him to score point, make our life so much difficult. Other ALOS shared the same experience too!

My legs aching now. Haven't been doing all these running and walking since i was 17. 8 more days to go!!! Argh....

I can help

Over the past 2 weeks, Changi Airport was bustling with preparation for the IMF/World bank meeting. After all, we are the best in the world and this is a good opportunity to show why we are the best.

Since Tuesday, Cat has been involved in the IMF Airport Liaison duties. Very very tiring as my shift starts at a (god forbid) 5.45am and ends at 3pm. Nevertheless, I am required to response to office emails at home and sneak to office to clear my in-tray and answer to numerous question from doubtful engineers.

Each of the Airport Liaison Officers is given 2 grey suits for the event. We are also suppose to pin the "I can help" badge near our right chest. Due to the slow arrivals, my wing did not receive as much delegates and VIPs as expected.

Even than, the early hours are wrecking havoc to my biological clock. I am used to sleeping at 12am and waking up at 7pm. An estimated of 7 hours. Now, this event I only manage say 4-5 hours each day. Mainly because I wake up at 430pm and sleep around the same time.

Very tired now. Burnt about 12 hours today at work which i only receive 2 delegates. Business not brisk today.

Clean bill of health

It has been a year since I had the surgery to have my dermoid cyst removed from my right ovary. This morning, I was due for the one year, post-op checkup. You see, I am scared of seeing doctor. Same as daddy. Because seems like everything i go to one, I will be diagnose of something bad. So thus, I rather adopt the donno, oblivious attitude.

However, recently I have been feeling some pulling ache where I had my surgery last year. No choice, better go see doctor before it turns to something nasty. I have had enough bad news and cancer news to last me for the next few years.

As unexpected, Doc said everything is fine. Yahooo.... no need to worry!! MSpanda and T were chiding me for thinking too much. Now can rest my mind, till next year.

Meanwhile, I have found another way to watch my tv. Youtube. I accidentally stumbled onto this show by Cyndi Wong and Nicholas Teo (Malaysian)and has been chasing the series since. It's quite nice.




I thought the OST in the show are very nice. Especially 北极星的眼泪 sung by Nicholas Teo. I haven't NT prior to this show but I will definitely look out for him in future. I like his vocals which are the light, feathery and gentlemanly sort. Very refreshing to my ear! I am hooked!!

When it can be more wrong

I haven't been blogging for a long while. Just that work and family business have kept me busy and the last thing i wanted to do, is to blog. Bitching over the msn is way faster to release any pent up frustration.

Last week, I was officially without wheels. I handed over the car keys to the agent and managed to take back say $600 on top of the paper value for the car body. Thereafter, I realised it is very inconvenient not to have a car because suddenly I have alot of errands to run over !!

Dad is humpty dumpty

Dad had a fall. My dearest, chirpy dad who on the day of his discharge went and forgot that he was a patient and ran after a bus. Unfortunately, he fell and broke 2 of this front tooth, cut his lips and luckily break no bones. When I saw him on Friday, he was trying to show me his missing tooth which I thought was very funny because he looked like a comedian.

Due to the infection, Dad has to return to the PD centre at SGH for his daily dose of anti-biotics. After his fall, we can't trust him to take any bus because he is physically weak. No choice, must give him money to take cab (from chai chee to SGH !!! FAR.....rr...) so that he won't feel the pinch of the $$. I also volunteered to bring him on my off day so that I could check out whether he can eat bananas or not.

See. when you don't have wheel. Suddenly alot of this kind of things to do.

And i am feeling the pinch of taking alot of taxi recently. ARghhhh.... my car and petrol is fully paid for leh.

Oh. I think Banana is my new enemy. Dad had a fall because he went to buy bananas!!!

Kidney patients can eat bananas meh??Apparently, nurse said can. (because dad potassium level is low)

What the fish...????

Murphy's Law

What will go wrong, will go wrong. This sentence best sum up my dad's situation right now.

Last night, I received a call from Bro saying he suspects Dad having an infection. And the irony of all is, he was likely to be contaminated by the nurses doing his whatever test yesterday morning. The new nurses were being orientated and dad was the so lucky chosen guinea pig.

This early morning, (fortunately still having wheels) i zoomed dad to the A&E dept. Dad was recounting the tale that he suspected the nurses not washing their hand before handing him. Plus after drawing some liquid from him, the liquid was injected back into his body. What the fish?? Anyway, the nurse in the PD dept said the procedures were correct.

So Dad was admitted because he has an infection. Need anti-biotic drip to kill all the bad bacteria. Despite all the safety precautions he made us go through while doing the dialysis, like wash hands (soap), wash hands (alcohol), no talking so that the germs from our mouth won't jump into his wound seems laughable to me now. Even the professionals like the nurse could get it wrong too.

I am wondering whether I could write a appeal letter to SGH getting some waiver of bill. Since the prima facie evidence shows that it might be due to the nurses. Especially since he was alright during the checkup and then immediately after the nurses tests, he has the infection.

Anyone who has experience of their hospital bill waiver due to similar situation, please teach me. Must claim for some compensation.

Sigh.. another week of shuffling to SGH. More tedious now since I will be wheeless on monday. Sob Sob...

I am a idiot

Few days ago, i have accidentally dumped a plastic bag of stuff which i thought was empty wine bottles.

So on tuesday, i was shocked to see the same DFS plastic bag with the wine bottles still lying on my living room.

What the hell have i thrown away?

First, i thought it would be my pilot jacket, my scarf etc from the car since i just cleared all the rubbish on monday.

Suddenly, this evening i realised it could be my bunch of keys to my old house which also has the very expensive computer lock key to my safe box. (damage $100 over dollars)

And just a few moments ago, when i am trying to re-arrange my shoes I realised where the hell is my new NEW BALANCE sports shoe?

*realisation hits*

Darn.... This tuesday for the very first time I worn my free pair of New Balance shoes to gym and then pack my black 3 inch stiletto shoes together the addidas after shower. Duh....


Shit Shit Shit.....

The new shoe is worth $159 i think and the stiletto don't come cheap either.

Fu**

This idiot cat now has no lesser shoes.

(And i just gave mum a pair of New Balance shoes just now) :(

Heart pain. Very heart pain!

The Cat who cannot fly

On Monday, I got the shock of my life when my weighing scale suddenly shoot up by another 2-3kg, just over the weekend!!!

NO WAY!!

The last time i was THIS fat was when I had a big bad cyst in my stomach, ten over years ago. Darn! Not only i gained happiness over the weekend in Phuket. I have gained weight as well.

Looking back, my diet over the past week when T was back was hardly the healthy sort. This is what i ate.

Sunday - Chicken Rice for breakfast
Monday - Japanese Buffet for dinner
Tuesday - Indonesian feast for dinner
Wednesday - Home cook feast for T
Thursday - 8 course dinner in teochew restaurant complete with suckling pig and my fav yam paste (ohh.. nee)
Friday - Holiday in Phuket - Feast Feast Feast
Saturday - Buffet Breakfast, Seafood Feast, More Seafood Feast
Sunday - Buffet Breakfast, More Seafood, Burger King
Monday - Rest. Normal food.

And thanks to all the delicious food i have partook, the IMF uniform / skirt nearly burst the seam when i tried it on this evening.

*Alarm*

This call for emergency recovery plan. As for this week, I have hitted the gym twice. Eaten nothing but yong tau hoo and soupy food.

I am feeling so damn hungry now...

Opps.... My cheese sausages ready.

Every cats need a break !

Cat goes to the beach

I am back! Many must be wondering about my disappearance over the last week. Afraid not. This Cat was away for a short getaway at the beautiful and very "ulu" Bangtao Beach of Phuket.

The temperature was wonderful. Not too hot nor cold at about 26 to 27 degrees. The sun however wasn't co-operating!! It rained throughout the time I was there! Have to run and hide to avoid the occasionally heavy / light drizzle.

The sea was very choppy. No one dared to venture any further than the sandy beach. Not once did I get the chance to swim on the beach. (Swimming Pool yes!!)

The red flag says it all. Argh...

We stayed at a Junior Suite in Allamanda Laguna Resort. The stretch of beach/ laguna is fronted by many stars hotels, including Banyan Tree, Sheraton, Dusit Laguna etc. Allamanda Laguna is partially owned by Banyan Tree and the famous Singaporean Mr Ho and Mdm Claire Chang. In the resort, we are cut off from civilisation. No shopping centres, no night markets, no restaurants. (no shopping???? arrrr......)

*********** The Resort***********

The junior suite we had was roomy and overlooked the fairway green. The room was very artfully decorated with a very resort type of look, balinese style. The sight of the bed itself send me straight to heaven. Soooooo bl***dy huge. I haven't seen such a big bed before !!

Big Big Bed

View of the Allamanda Villas along the Laguna

More villas

Nightscene of Sheraton Hotel

When my boss is in trouble

My very capable senior M, mother of four who manages a very small unit supporting the entire division in tenders and contract administration.

When I joined the unit last year, M was definitely the blue eye girl whom everyone told me is very influential in my division. However one year later, my senior seemed to has lost her midas touch.

What a shift in fortune. Currently, my unit is in the hot spot for not performing and making mistakes. In my directors eye, the blunders M made is seen as our unit not performing. Very unfair.

Just when i thought there is future in my current position, my senior fate is going to adversely impact my career.

Much to do about Promotion

These few days, office is abuzz with speculations on our pay increment and THE promotion list.

Last friday, those who are not to be promoted received their consolation prize of the annual increment. Not alot, a single digit percent of our meagre salary but nevertheless additional money. This Cat of course is excited to receive more money. Because Cat can spend more now!!

However one particular colleague was maddened by the increment because she expects more! Thus, there was banging of cabinet, and then face blacker than charcoal. All sensible ones (like yours truly) had to avoid her because we can't stand the blacker than black face and the anger radiaton.

Today, the promotion results are out. Those who we thought will be promoted, promoted. Those whom we didn't expect to be promoted, are also promoted. Mr T whom i earlier blogged about, hope and hope but was unfortunately not promoted. Hence fulfilling the prophecy made by several staff who i surveyed earlier. (maybe i should survey about myself !)

Of course, Mr T is devastated. Because this is the year, where staff fulfilling 2 years of service regardless of any meritocracy are being promoted. If he miss this round, chances are they will not be another one.

Sigh... when will my turn comes ? ? ? (for promotion of course)

Concert Again

This afternoon, my new piano teacher asked me to perform in the year end concert.

I got to say this Cat is no good, but then he thinks that I am better than his other students. Haha. So, this thick skin Cat of course seize the opportunity to perform. Take it as a good chance to build up my guts and hone my performing skill.

The song i decided (or my teacher Dragon decided) is "Fly me to the moon." The style i got to play is ballad, then to Latin. Very difficult to get the rhythm correct. Teacher today had to whip out his teaching stick to scare me because this Cat couldn't get the chords and notes right!
But hey!! This Cat not young any more, where got scared? ahaha

The new style of playing is difficult because I couldn't stretch one octave with my palm. And because of this, i have difficulty playing full chords and block chords. Now i am starting to regret that i say yes. The next few months will probably playing one song only. So waste my money.

Maybe should tell Dragon that I am going for holiday..Then no need to practise hard !!!

I am pissed

So very bad mood. Especially since i have been having alot of self doubts recently. Also i realised that I am having problems pronouncing words which are easy. And to add that I am not speaking coherently thinkly clearly. Everything seems to be a mess in my life right now.

And i am feeling a pulling sensation on my right pelvic area. The place where I had my surgery last year. Shit! Could it be a re-occurence. I need to see my gynae soon! Argh..

At home, no one to talk to because T is sick and is throwing tantrum. I really dislike his grumpy self. Irritate the hell out of me and I wondered why in the world i married such a grumpy, and miserable sod. It's not my fault that medical sucks in China and he is taking forever to recover from his tonsil infection.

Serve him right to stay in China and leaving me here. Maybe its time for me to start going out and have fun again.

No more stay at home.. auntie doom.

Can i say i am single? (since i am living a singleton life. Not entirely wrong yah?)

Post Lasik Checkup

Time flies. Today I was scheduled to return to Optimax clinic for my annual checkup. This is the 3rd checkup since i did the lasik 3 years ago. So far, my vision is still good. I can still see 6/6 with both eyes.

Before the lasik operation, Cat was a blind bat because my myopia was over 700 degrees on both eyes. 3 years later, my left eye is perfect vision, and right eye a residue of 50 degrees myopia and 75 degree of astig.

The only side effect from the lasik is my dry eyes. Optometrist advise me not to stare at the computer screen for long hours. How not to? Plus i luvvvv watching TV and recently back to watching marathon serial.

Oh my god. My eyes.. sure die.

So many sick

Darling T is sick. Down with fever and infection on his tonsil. As i have written in my earlier blog, medical care in China is to go to the hospital for drip. No small clinics like Singapore.

Today is the fourth day, and T is not getting better. I wonder how to survive in China like this? Medical care is so convenient in Singapore.

On the other hand, dad is getting better. He went to work yesterday and as expected, ate whatever he like. As of yesterday evening, he ate half a bag of strawberries and 2 pears. How to control? I wonder what he ate for lunch?

Life too unpredictable. I just attended the wake of my ex-student's father. He was 53 and died 3 months after diagnosis of end stage lung cancer.

So many sick and bad news make me very depressed.

I can be a night shift security guard

After seeing Spookiemouse personal note on her msn, I think I could also be a night shift security guard too!

This cat has officially upgraded to another Cat- Panda. Even the 2 days of MC last thursday and friday didn't help. Tired.. Tired.. Tired...

Eyes so tired, but the body just wouldn't sleep. Feel damn "pek chek".

The power within me

I didn't know that i have such a strong gut vocal which will unleash unintentionally when i feel threatened or i have a need to defend myself. Though Cat is not known as soft spoken person, neither I am a loudspeaker.

This evening,this cat actually raised my voice while arguing with my two big bosses. Bosses who have the power to stuff out my career. No matter what, if I have to defend my professional judgement, I have too. That's what i am employed for and that's what i was trained for. And especially it was all for the good interest of the company.

Even my colleague P was fed up with my bosses for not employing staff to assist her. The recent new staff for our division were for maintenance and some special system. Poor P, who has been piloting solo on new projects for quite a while now. No second officer in sight for her. Boss told her that it will take 2-3 months, somewhere in october when my senior management approved the hiring of more staff.

Being the naughty me, I cheekily said that if my bosses were to say that to me. I would have reply

"Like that resignation faster leh. Only 1 month"

And

To the staffing policy. I would have said

"Whats the point of hiring baby sitter when the baby is still not born yet?"

Maybe I'm more garang because I have a spring board that can spring me to Chengdu. *wink*

Is marriage so difficult to maintain?

Every fairytale or almost every one has a " live happily ever" plot for the hero and heroine.

But is the real world like this? Did the hero and heroine live happily ever after??

Perhaps, Cinderalla and her prince need not worry about how to earn more money so as to afford a condominium, a luxury car, a maid (why they have many!) and when he is getting his promotion.

Both of them also need not worry the stress and temptations of the modern world like Sex, Gambling, Fame, Status. After all, the fairy tale world is picture perfect.

The prince and the princess will love each until the day they die. (Think so, though its not written, must give Hans Christian Anderson the benefit of doubt)

But......

Is the true world like this?

Earlier this evening, I finally met up with my poly mates who braved through thick and thin with me during the times we were in Singapore Polytechnic. Once again, one of them dropped the big bomb saying that she is getting the divorce. Her reason - Husband is an impulsive gambler. We didn't know that she has been paying his debts for so many years. After all, she was the picture of happily married woman. Kid, husband, successful career and all. And her husband is her childhood sweetheart since eighteen.

Her enough is finally enough when she found her front door splash with red paint. When her husband failed to pay the car instalments and her car (under husband's name) was towed away. And any love for him was utterly doused, when he said he is not going to care and visit his daughter after the divorce.

And the ironic part is, among the six of us, three have been though a divorce. One fortunately managed to salvage her marriage after counselling. The rest of us are still luckily living "happily" but for now. Even J brother is also getting a divorce. It seems like divorce is so the rage these days. Not happy. Divorce loh. What happen to the death till up part oath/vow we took?

At the end of the evening, we agreed that marriage and family is still the most important in our life. The pain of a failed marriage is something not even money can compensate. A hole that stay and burn in your heart forever.

Hungry Ghost Month

Today is the start of the Hungry Ghost Month. This morning, I walked out of my apartment to see some elderly auntie burning incense paper on the carpark. I didn't read too much to it until Spookiemouse msn me this morning telling me about her close encounter with that kind.

Last night, Spookiemouse woke up halfway to see her handphone lighted up when she remembered switching it off. There was no call nor sms. Yeeeh...... I told her that maybe she was having nightmare "Hum bin" but she is very sure she switched it off.

Even me, had my own close encounter. Last night (pass 12 am) i thought i heard some noise in my living room. Something that sounded like the door knob turning. I couldn't care less cos i am very sure that i locked my door.

Today is the just beginning.. 60 more days to go. Will there be more spookie things happening??
Maybe should ask Spookiemouse to go pray with me for "ping an" during this lengthy 2 hungry ghost months.

At a crossroad

Still feeling very wide awake after a lenghty tele-conversation with T. Tonight, especially tonight I succumbed to the lonely and missing you bug and for once had a heart to heart talk with T.

As usual, T with capital letters IMPATIENT T refused to speculate any sensible "what if" scenarios. He said I have cried wolves too many times and now he rather not raised his hopes too high. Indeed Cat has been giving false hopes that I WILL go. But I have never committed the time. I reminded him that all my plans are basis on whether he got his promotion, and that only realised on 1st July 2006. ( only 24 days ago)

So you can't blame me for being fickle minded. We all agreed that we will look into the matter seriously after you got you promotion!

Now, dad's illness was something unexpected and threw another perspective in the whole equation.

Life is full of choices. But sometimes, some choices are very difficult to make. There's no eat 2 cakes scenario. Any choice I choose, I lose something.

Things which are practically close to my heart.

Sigh.... Sleepless night again.

Dad who eats whatever he likes

Dad who now looks 10 years older his age and very much like my grandfather, has zilch self-control on food. His illness is the result of so too much carbonated drinks, oily food, high protein food etc. Food which taste good but harmful to our health.

Dad has never liked home-cooked food. It doesn't help that my working mum did not work and we all grew up on my grandmother bland homecooking. Dad would often bring us out for delicious supper. Supper like the famous Beh Sua Pu (hokkien translation of Bugis) Chicken, Yu Sheng, Congee or Joo Chiat Place Fei Fei Wan Tan Mee. Dad's passion for food brought us to so many places. Sometimes Joo Chiat, Haig Road, Katong, Changi you name it. We've been there. And those days in the eighties, times were not so good. Not many people went around eating like this. At least not my neighbours nor my classmates. Fortunately, Cat grew up without much hardship. Eating whatever food given to me, attended "additional" classes than friends. What more can i ask for?

Knowing Dad's weakness for food. I specially asked the Doctor to speak to him last friday.

Doc : Uncle, you cannot anyhow eat already. You only can drink 500ml of water everyday.
Cat : See lah. You cannot drink soft drinks already.
Dad : Coke can?
Doc : Cannot.
Dad : Orange Juice?
Doc : No orange juice and fruit juice. From now cannot drink all juices.
Dad : Coconut?
Doc : Also cannot.
Cat : What about fruits doctor?
Doc : Uncle, you also cannot eat fruits which has high potassium content. Only can eat one piece of apple a week and maybe watermelon. The rest you cannot eat already.
Dad : ......."looking forlorn and speechless"......

**************

Last week, Aunty P brought lycees to visit dad. Dad as usual, no self control asked to eat one. So one he ate, and then two, then four. Mum who knew nothing feed him as per request. I wasn't around so no one to stop. There were still many remaining lycees so Aunty P gave some to dad's two neighbours. All of them (whom eyes the lycee previously) happily ate the juicy fruits.

And that night , the sugar level of the 3 patients shot up and each of them given a jab to reduce their sugar level. Haha.. a painful price to pay for just eating 4 nos of lycee. (and also sabo the other 2 patients for giving them the lycee :p)

Ban my Aunty P to the hospital.

Oh.. and last night i was furious with mother because dad's asked her to bring him fishball noodle DRY w/ chilli and she unknowingly fed him that! Also, this afternoon fed him chee chong fan!! Argh.....

I am going to draw up a list of food he can and cannot eat. *Evil Grin*

National Education

Yesterday was a one full day crash course on National Education. Cat is notvery proud to say that I was volunteered to be an Airport Liaison Officer during the IMF event in the coming September 2006.

After a full day course, I learnt that Service Quality is

1. Must SMILE. (That's what the 4 million smiles campaign all about. Nevermind, my granny no teeth. Gums also can)
2. Never say NO. (very difficult leh.. especially for ladies)
3. Go the extra mile.
4. Promote Singapore. (Must be able to spout at a snap of finger tips, Singapore achievements. Best Airport, Best port (Still?) etc etc)

Anyway, Cat was most interested in the food section - What is the top 10 food that represents Singapore?

1. Chicken Rice (Me and T all time favourite)
2. Char Kway Teow
3. Bak Ku Teh
4. Satay
5. Roti Prata
6. Rojak
7. Curry Fish Head
8. Fried Carrot Cake (This one is meh??)
9. Chilli Crab
10. Laksa

What happen to our Kaya toast, Bak Chor Mee, BBQ Fish, Big Prawn Noodles?

Anyway, our service quality has nothing to rave about. Even Hong Kong has over-taken us in a recent survey. I was told recently that our one famous Bak Ku Teh shop refused to extend the working hours for Hong kong Finance Minister upsetting alot of Hong Kong press. For more information. Pls click here.

Overdress?

I am very fond of wearing dress to work. Mainly because Cat has a tendency to wake up late which left say couple of minutes to decide what to wear for the day before pulling out the ensemble. Very risky because if I am still half asleep, I will piece together a nasty combination and regret like hell (bloody miserable ) after I see myself in the office mirror .

So, dresses are often the safest bet because they tax the least fashion brain power.

As usual I woke up late for work this morning. I grabbed my newest purchase, a black dress. The sleeveless dress has a low v neckline, but not too indecent for office since it does not expose any cleavage and flare skirt up to my calves and a very stark contrasting white sash tie as a ribbon around the waist. I paused on the mirror on my way out, a little dressy for work but hell. No time already!

And....... the whole morning whoever i meet in office commented something. Most of them nice comments. BUT won't you be irritated if whoever you meet in office stop and give their comment on how you look? I was fine with the first few but it eventually got to my nerves when almost ALL my colleagues stopped and discuss my attire. In the end, I have to resort to saying "YES. I AM ATTENDING WEDDING DINNER TONIGHT" to shut them up. How bloody pathetic.

It also doesn't help that lunch was a appreciation dinner for all the senior officers from my organisation. Thus, I am "EXPOSED" to colleagues from other division. People (Men especially) who never see me before ( i bet they saw me) said hello and exclaimed that they hardly see me before. Even a director (rumored to be lecherous) singled me out and asked me for my name saying that he did not meet me before. Gosh... I felt like a stupid and irritated eye candy.

My conclusion. In an organisation it helps being a pretty young thing because you get noticed! Visibility counts greatly.

THE DRESS THAT GRABBED ALL THE ATTENTION

Hospital week

It had been a busy week since dad admitted to hospital. I had to play the role of a dutiful daughter and visit him whenever i can. It doesn't help that I work in Changi Airport and he is staying in SGH.

For the past few days, I have been a regular visitor to SGH. Very tiring because I have to commute to and fro from east to central, most of the time by MRT. I only took a break on Sunday because I was too ill to visit. Down with a cold.

Dad was lucky to have so many people turning up to visit him everyday. At least the morale support helps in cheering him up. So far, he undergone 3 dialysis since Saturday and has been showing tremendous improvement. His creatinin level has dropped from 1270 to about 500. A normal person creatinin level is below 100.

I didn't visit him today as I'm back in office after spending 2 days in British Council learning how to write.

Hopefully, that will make me a better writer in future.

Life is still looking bright this moment.... Must maintain my fighting strength for more adventures ahead.

I AM CAT FIGHTING.....!!!!

Thanks for the concern

I didn't realise I have so many friends reading my blog. These two weeks has been a difficult time for me, but because of the emotional support from you, everyday seems brighter. I don't know what to say, except thank you.

Dad was warded this afternoon in SGH. There's really nothing we could do, except watch helplessly when the doctor tried (many times) to draw his blood for test. I couldn't really bear to see him looking so lost and forlorn. The house doc was saying that due to the high toxic level in his blood, he might be having some confusion internally.

According to the nurse, there are 2 types of dialysis. Water and blood. The water treatment is very cumbersome. You can do it at home but need the assistance of a maid. The tricky part is, you got to go through the dialysis 4 times a day! Wah.... How to live like this?

The blood treatment is equally as trying. It has to be done 3 times a week, 4 hours per session.

We didn't get the chance to speak to the NKF co-ordinator and dad's doctor as it was after 5pm when the admission was completed. The next step is to apply for the NKF dialysis and get the as much subsidy as possible. Brother is tasked to meet the doctor and go to do the NKF thingy tomorrow.

Wonder what is dad doing now?

Another Perspective in Life

I haven't been getting much sleep lately. Not sure whether it was due to dad's illness or that i simply just can't sleep.

Thanks to Shaggyfish who immediately MSN me when she read my blog. She provided alot of advices as she had experienced what I will be going through in the next many years of life. Kidney treatment is very painful for the patients and their family, especially the emotional trauma coupled with the physical pain the patient has to go through . The endless poking of needles to find the veins, bruises, lengthy hours and visits to the dialysis centre. Life will never be the same again.

I haven't been to any NKF dialysis centre before, but come soon I will probably need to conquer my fear of needles to provide moral / emotional support to my dad, who unfortunately is very terrified of pain. (He hates to see the doc!)

The hospital called up and dad has to go for a blood test tomorrow and likely an operation on thursady. I was talking to him this evening, he is sounding less coherent. Not a good sign. It just dawn on me that life is so fragile.

Suddenly, i just feel that having kids has its own advantages. At least, they will be around to provide emotional/ financial support when you are ill. (and the "send the clock" part) :p


Oh and today (just past) is Shaggyfish birthday. Happy Birthday to Shaggyfish!

Dad is Sick

The world came crashing down on my family's feet when dad has to go for dialysis.

Yes, it was a shock. But we are somewhat expecting something like this. Dad's health has taken for a worse in recent months especially he has lost so much weight which is very visible on his small frame.

Last week, we forced my brother to accompany my dad to his schedule visit to SGH which he usually does it alone. It was there that the doc said dad's kidney function has reduced to a mere 10% and need to go for dialysis. All along, dad was telling us he doesn't need to go as yet, which we took it for granted. Now, after few years it finally come to light he has been keeping to himself his condition and that the dialysis cannot wait.

Somehow, I felt rather remorseful that all of us didn't bother to accompany him for his checkup. At least we would be able to coax him to go for the dialysis or even sharing his emotional fear. Even when i see him last thursday, he was quite optimistic that the doctor was scaring him. Argh.... I really give up.

So, the next step for us to sign him up for NKF and think of how to minimise the blunt of the enormous dialysis bill. Unfortunately we are neither that needy to fall below the average mean of 3.5k per montly income, nor that rich to be able to cash out $2k per month for the dialysis.

Maybe this whole event is going to throw a spanner into my grand plans of going to Chengdu. Can't think now. Too bloody depressing.

Which was why i have no mood to blog for the entire last week.

My childhood hero

Watching Superman Returns brought back memories of growing up in the eighties. Those days where cinema tickets costed about $2.50 and there's kacang puteh Tumbi standing outside the entrance, selling what else but kacang puteh and Superman was - Christopher Reeves!!

Superman. My childhood hero in blue tights and the red cape. When I was young, i used to imagine myself as Superman, flying around with a towel and jumping up and down imitatng the some flying stunts in the movie. Also fighting my brother as if he was the evil Lex Luther. I am the Superman of my house!! (my brother can only be Lex Luther! Hehe)

Now twenty years later, I don't want to be Superman anymore! I want to be Lois Lane!! Hahaha... Replacing CR as Superman, I thought Brandon Routh did a terrific job. His chiselled look and he muscles oh... to die for. Perhaps I have grown up, suddenly Superman become a sex symbol as well. Especially with those muscles threathening to burst through the blue tights! Watching BR alone is worth the $9.50 movie ticket!

Heres a handsome pic of Superman! Drool.....

Picture taken from Warnerbros website. (Gracing my desktop background now)

By the way, i don't remember Christopher Reeves as muscular as BR. Must go check out the previous movies.

Double Celebration

Yesterday was a night of celebrations. Many good tidings (2 promotions) and 2 birthdays.
Just yesterday morning, T emailed me to confirm his promotion and the increase of his salary. So now cat has to decide whether to go china or not. (I shall fuss about it later)

Spookiemouse sms me to say that Litep is again promoted. Wah... how can. He seems to be doing the promotion jump once every two years. What is he now? Deputy Director. Maybe going to be chief executive in 10 years to come.

Back to Cat's house, we threw a steamboat celebration for Spookiemouse and lacy cat. It's their birthday next week. As lacy cat is the "pan tan" kind, she sternly reminded us not to wish her happy birthday as she is still in mourning for her granny.

So, each of us contributed something to Cat's house for the steamboat. Heres the pictures to show.

Monsieur C's Favourite Satay!

Happy C posing with her satay and the steamboat spread

ohh lala... the food..

G and spookiemouse glowing with happiness (not that kind mind you)

Happy times together, C and Spookiemouse

Rest of the gals with spookiemouse


It was such a fun night! I am so happy!!! he he hee
(husband forgotten)

Good or Bad?

Good news and bad news? You tell me.

In civil service, a high profile job is always good. Because that is when you get the opportunities to rub shoulders with the higher management whom you don't have the chance to encounter in your normal day of work. Just like the game snake and ladder, if you got to the space with ladder (which means you pull it off), there you go. Skip many steps to go up.

But, if you land up in snake, (boo boo ) then you slide down many steps. If one is super unlucky, can return to the starting point.

Today, I was told by my director that I am out of the art project. The one that i sweat blood to research, study was off my hand. Not that I am no good. But because this project is too high powered and even my director could not make decision. Working on it is like cha cha.. One step forward, two steps backwards. Rather than me dying with this job, my director wants me out and leave my senior to do it herself. Now without my assistance, her road would be more bumpy ahead.

On a happier note, my paper on a very big project was cleared by my director. So happy!

Office Superband

Like the title said, we have a superband in office, and i am proud to say we are rather good!

The superband consist of colleagues from my division who know somebit about music. Me the conveynor managed to scout few talents who made up the guitarist(s), drummer(s), keyboardist (me me), crooner (ssssss) to name a few.

The office band was formed last year starting from a simple chat over music. It was from there that i discovered that there is a music room in our recreation club, the rest was history.

And me, took up the baton to co-ordinate a session once in a blue moon. Used to be very hot, once a month but then our interest fade off. It is never easy trying to pitch to the keys our singer can hit. We only know how to read the score and chords. Thus some singers are pretty frustrated and sang off key, while the rest of the music makers just played the keys they knew.

I assure you. It was not a good sound sight.

This evening performance was rather co-ordinated, we had special guest from other division doubling up as drummer/ keyboardist. Even our rusty standards improved !

Looking forward to the next session soon.

Boring Sunday

Another boring sunday. Went to Ding Tai Feng with W for lunch. No wonder T complaint that I am getting fat. I got to agree. With no gym and no aerobics,I could hardly pull up my pants!

Mum is lazing at my home since friday. She is contending the title for marathon TV. Lucky she did all my housework (thus saving me the effort to do). I also know better than to nag her otherwise she will get upset all over again!

Yesterday pics on the food wasn't that impressive. So here it goes. More pics.





My favourite thai style steam fish. The meat was just nice and very different from the usual deep fried/ teochew steam style.












Claypot beancurd in sharkfin style. I can assure you that we couldn't tell the difference!










Thai style curry crab. This one was specially done for us. Very like curry chicken but somewhat nicer. It goes very well with toasted garlic bread. Yummy!!!

Must bring T back when he is back on holiday.

Dad's 60th Birthday

It's dad 60th birthday today! The whole family has plans to bring him out for a nice dinner. I suggested a Fish head steamboat whereas brother wanted to eat crab at the famous still road coffeeshop. So thus, we set off early at 6.00pm to the famous Joo Chiat restaurant.

Too our horror! A long queue awaiting.

From this place, we went to the one below.

The International Market & Restaurant in Big Splash.

The food were prepared by the executive Chef Somsak who won the 2005 Food Festival.

The food was great. All thai style prepared. I especially love the fish prepared using lot of green chilli and lemon. Sour and saltish which is very appetising. The claypot beancurd cooked in ala sharkfin style was also good!

Chef Somsak who is my SIL (Ah tar) boss came over and entertained us. I even went to his office and took some silly shots of me in chef uniform!




This pic is taken from Chef Somsak's office, showing off his "The lord of the Sea" the winning dish in 2005 Food Festival.

My colleague T

Sentiments in the office are rather bad lately. Even I am not spared from the depression mood. Colleagues left in bulk and the management isn't appreciative of the work until the day they received their resignations.

How do you view your current job? Is it a career or it is simply just a job. I have posed the questions to many of my colleagues. Most voted the latter, and are colleagues who worked for many years. Like me, already jaded and lost all zest to "cheong".

I am very close to T. He is a nice chap who alway hitch a ride home. A very down to earth man a good father, a good friend, good colleague. However, he is very down on his luck in my office. The bosses have bad impression of him and one particular one take every opportunity to ridicule his english. (and he is an Aussie grad!) He is more of less condemn since he has already passed the chance to promote. Did a poll in my office and 10 out of 10 would say he has no chance of promotion.

After six years, he is the longest serving contract staff in my office. Most of the entries around his time are already promoted or have left. Leaving him, biting the bullet, going on. It doesn't help that he can't write, and always remind us every chance possible that he is being condemn. In the beginning, I took it lightly and encouraged him. But recently, i felt that i can no longer stomach all the "i am victimised" comments.

Perhaps I have a very strong self-esteem. If i think i am not valued in a company despite giving my best shot, I will leave. This is what I said but Mr T has another theory himself. He will only leave if he have an offer (which is fair) but then his criterias in the next job really sabotage his chance of finding one.

First. Don want to work in contractor. 2nd - Want to work in consultant firm/ or developer at the current pay. (say 4.5k?)

Have he ever thought about what he has to offer? Consultant firms don't engage engineer who have no experience in designing, and with his salary expectation. I find his road out of the airport, very difficult.

Unless he do something to change other people's perception of him. Otherwise i think most of us will surpass him in few years to come.

Oh. and i feel that sometimes he just unintentionally do things which make himself looks bad. For example, he likes to claim his time off on every friday afternoon. Since this year (and last) he has been on 1/2 day off every friday. God knows where he got the time to claim time off because non of the engineers on the same duties is claiming the off like he does.

Sigh.. does he knows he is sabotaging his career? Or is he simply bo chap?

What would you do if you were him? Late 3os and going no where?

Induction Course

Over the 3 days, today is the most interesting and exciting day of all.

The day started with Mr Rozario teaching us the fundamentals of Writing which was very enriching for bad writers like me. Most of the activities involved hands-on, and each team was made to write and submit their essays for the whole class to comment.

Our team comprised of Me and Hanqi. Potential and George , Shirley and Naomi. It was really fun. We joked, laugh and took the whole writing exercises non too seriously. We nominated Foong, whom we called "Potential" to be the official typist cum writer. "Potential" because he is a scholar and has the highest CEP among all.

Learnt of alot of tips in writing from the trainer. Now i know writing is very important in public service because our boss, judge us based on our writing skills. Our train of thoughts, our coherency, our grammar etc.

Very motivated to improve my writing skills. My promotion depends on it!

Who moved my kaya?

An interesting lesson learnt today while I was attending the MOT induction course at civil service college. The trainer showed us an motivating clip of two mice and two little people who spend their time running around a maze looking for cheese. Cheese in this case is a metaphor in which something we want in life. Could be money, career , love whatever.

In the beginning, the two mice Scurry and Sniff together with Hem and Haw found a cheese station C after running around the maze. They kept going back to the cheese station for cheese everyday after. However one day, the cheese ran out / disappear.

So what did the mice and little people do?


The disappearance of cheese signify the changes in life and how we cope and change ourselves when we encounter such situations. In the clip, both scurry and sniff ran out to search for new cheese once the realised that the cheese had ran out. Hem and Haw on the contrary stayed behind hoping that the cheese would re-appear. The cheese never did.

Lessons learnt today.

1. Changes occur in life. One must adapt to changes quickly to look for new cheese. And it occur to me that this is what T is doing. Looking for new cheese because he realised that the cheese he has now will run out in a few years time. He represent the mice, venturing into the maze (unknown) hoping to look for new cheese.

2. Anticipate changes. One must get ready for the cheese to move.

During the training, the cheese issue set me thinking. Me currently like Hem or Haw is too comfortable with the current situation and dislike any changes. But if i don't change and my cheese is moved, what will happen to me? If i venture into the unknown, maybe there is a new and bigger cheese for me.

This is really quite true in business world. One must keep on changing in order to stay relevant. No wonder our government keep on emphasising in innovation, creative, new, changes.

The moral of the story - We must be ready and be quick to change.

My Kaya (Singapore context) has moved, should i chase ?

I am no computer idiot after all

Great! The chanting must have given me alot of power and good luck. After many futile attempts at setting up my linksys password and also the singnet broadband, I finally got it!

I am so excited. It seems very simple yet how it eludes me for the past 2 weeks. i don't understand. Must be the chanting. Ah ma must be blessing me now. (for going to the chanting ceremony)

This time no escape

Having escape the chanting two weeks ago, i have no excuse not to go this time round. The last round chanting was for T's Grand-dad who passed away almost the same time as the grandma, one year later. This time, the chanting is for grandma's 3 years anniverary.

The last chanting lasted for 45 mins. This time, the chanting is increased to 1 and half hours. We were joking that must be because of the 10k donation FIL made to the temple. So the monks must work hard to chant otherwise really not worth oh.

FIL rang me up early at 9am to wake and remind me that the ceremony will start at 1030pm. I will be hitching a ride from my younger brother in law.

Was complaining to T online, and he michievously replied that I need not do all these if I am in China.

Awwww... i feel like smacking his backside!

Lei Gardens

For a change, the whole family grandkids and all went to the Lei Gardens at Chimes to celebrate my MIL's birthday. It is my first trip to the chimes Lei Gardens. My previous trip was years ago when i was temping for Caltex.

The boiled chicken with sharkin soup was yummy! Very thick and full flavour. Even the chicken meat has absorbed the overall essence. I haven't taste such yummy soup in along long time.

The rest of the meal was disappointing. Not worth the $720 price tag. Even the signature dish - chicken was a tad too salty for my taste. In fact, almost all the dishes were too saltish for me. Even the dessert was too sweet.

Deep fried fish / Sliced fish fried with French Beans.

Steam prawns with egg white


(Cat Flying apologies the lack of imagination in decribing the dishes)

Family love and ties

I am very fond of my latest toy - my compaq V2000 notebook. Using it always reminds me of T because this is a present from him! Heehee.

My house is quiet once again since Spookiemouse return to her rat hole on thursday. Mum came over today to help me iron my clothes and clean my house. Mother is really the best in the world. She will come to help me out with housework and then the accompany me so that i won't be lonely. I am very fortunate, to have my mum uncondition love. (my dad too) Must remind myself to be more filial and bring them out for more dinners.

I always feel lonely on friday nights. Especially since I used to hang out with friends. Nowadays i just want to hole up at home, play the piano, surf the net, watch tv and msn.

Oh no ! I am showing the signs of auntie-doom. Argh.....

Chris's Morris Pot

Spookiemouse has been staying over with me since monday as her room was under renovation. It was rather fun staying together and it brought back memories of our Trinity Hall days in Reading.

Yesterday, we had a Morris Pot session. Morris pot is a small steamboat and can be used as dry pan fry or normal steamboat. There is a cute story behind the buying of the morris pot. I shan't say it here. That's our Chris's secret.

It was fun, having a small steamboat for just the 3 of us. Chris brought alot of food from cold storage. We chatted, joked and watched Sex and the City together. It was for all for good fun.

The spread with Morris Pot

Farewell, Adieus, Good Bye

Not in the mood to do anything. This afternoon we threw a farewell lunch to J who is leaving at the end month. It seems there's a farewell once every week.

Many reasons for people to go. I could sprout out some. Every chance possible, my colleagues and I will discuss and lament at our misfortune and poor treatment by the organisation (in dollars and cents).

J's departure sparks off a serious of kamikaze engineers who feedback that our employment package sucks. Cat flying had her turn too yesterday. Very courageous, very unlike me though i am quite vocal but talking about dollars and cents is a very sensitive topic.

After everything, T's offer of stay at home wife in china looks very tempting.

Family Bliss. Is that what we want?

Yesterday was family fun at my in law place. The occasion was to celebrate my little niece wen's 1 year old and hao's 4 years.

All T's siblings who were married have 2 kids each. My younger sil C, a year younger than me has 2 children. Hao's who is now 4 years old, and baby Ee turning 1 year in September.

Even Dan, my china sil, married a year later than me has 2 kids too. Lei - A smart 2 years gal who can recite Tang Poems if you dangle the ice-cream or coke carrot and the michelin baby wen.

Family bliss (with kids). Something which eludes me. I can't really say i crave for it, but then is having a complete family (as in kids and hubby) one's milestone in life?

Advantage of Kids
1. A total distraction from work
2. Reason for you to buy kiddie stuff you couldn't afford when you were young
3. Watching him / her grow up
4. See shaggyfish blog (for more)
5. Someone to "送终”

Disadvantage
1. Need to wake up at wee hours to milk
2. Need to reserve funds for their education
3. No longer able to wake up at 12pm.
4. No guarantee they will be good to you when old
5. No korean drama marathons
6. Cannot travel as and when u wish
7. May come to blows with inlaw how u educate them
8. Time no longer yours, it's theirs.
9. Divorce - where are they going?

So what happens if one is single or married but couldn't have kids?

Can happiness and family bliss be between husband and wife?

Happiness to a singleton if they enjoy what they want in life? (By choice)

Communications Technique

Thanks to Litep who send me this article.

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A very warm welcome from Carmen Sutra:

We recently discussed the major indicators that a relation-
ship will not succeed long-term: stonewalling during argu-
ments, criticism, defensiveness, anger, resentment, etc.
These warning signs are not inevitabilities, though. The
good thing is that strong communication between partners can
greatly help combat these negative aspects.

Affective communication does not have to be an enigma. As we
will discuss in our communication series, positive outcomes
are often about the presentation: the order of the words you
choose, the TONE, and more. Keep in mind that many of the
techniques we will review can be applied to different types
of relationships: your romantic partner, child/parent
relationships, friends, etc. After our alarming anger article
a couple weeks ago, many of you asked that I print infor-
mation on how to affectively communicate. Just ask and you
shall receive! I have divided the communication series into
three parts, but we can adjust if necessary.


Today's Topic: Communication Techniques Part I

This might sound simplistic, but the first thing you need to
ask yourself is whether you are genuinely interested in your
partner. Also, do you sincerely WANT to know the details of
their day? Do you really want the relationship to succeed?
You both need to answer yes to those questions in order for
a successful, happy union. One person cannot maintain a
relationship. That being said, if a couple is genuinely
interested in one another, asks questions, is mutually
supportive, laughs together, etc., they have an increased
chance of long-term happiness. The question is how to achieve
a positive balance.

Affective communication is a delicate balance between properly
listening to your partner and knowing how to express yourself.
One of the most important ways a person can feel loved is by
being heard. But there are important components to knowing
HOW listen and hearing the right messages. For instance,
when a partner vents about a day or shares a problem, many
of us immediately want to solve said problem. But we need to
take ourselves out of the equation. Perhaps your partner
doesn't NEED you to solve an issue; may he/she just wants
to physcially release the problem and know you are listening.

In this case, we don't need to provide solutions; we just
need to be a sounding board. In fact, when we listen we are
actually striving to validate the person's feelings, not
necessarily solve a problem. Validate that what they are
feeling is okay; after all, we can't control our feelings,
but we can control how we express them. Thus, sometimes the
healing is in the act of being heard. Enter "reflective
listening", in which we reflect back to our partner what we
have heard .

Like I mentioned before, presentation is everything. That
means your body language needs to be in check. You must make
positive eye contact (not a blank stare, you must look alert),
bend down if the situation calls for it, mirror your partner's
body language, etc. Your body language needs to reflect that
you are fully engaged in the conversation - that means no
arms crossed or bored expressions!

Specifically listen for words that indicate how your partner
is feeling and what caused it. You want to hear as specific-
ally as possible so you can get the best possible under-
standing of the situation. But also note your partner's body
language as well. Not all people are comfortable verbally
expressing their feelings, which is why you also need to
"listen" to their body language. Note if your partner is
especially quiet, eyes are downcast, they are distracted,
etc. To hear feeling words and notice body language, you
must, again, be fully engaged. You will miss important
words or gestures if you are constantly distracted by a
chore, mentally reviewing your day, etc. I know our days
are split into a thousand different tasks, but this needs to
be a very high priority.

Now you need to "reflect" back to your partner what you have
heard. This lets your partner know you are listening and
allows them to correct an interpretation, if necessary. Even
if you hear something in a different way, your partner knows
you are genuinely concerned and making an effort. To "reflect,"
identify your partner's feeling, ie sadness, frustration,
anger, etc. Then identify WHY they are feeling this way and
then RELFECT it. For instance, "You are hurt because I went
out with my friends without considering our schedule."

In this situation, you are identifying the feeling (hurt)
followed by the reason for the situation (because you did
not consult him/her). Remember, feeling, then cause. Feeling,
then because. Try to be as exact as you can. This might seem
awkward at first, but the more you do it, the easier it will
become. Your new techniques might catch your partner off
guard, so be patient if he/she doesn't respond exactly how
you would have expected. Just as you are learning a new skill,
so are they.

Listening and affectively expressing ourselves go hand-in-hand
and create a cycle. Next we will address how to affectively
express our feelings. A positive communication cycle can
create a harmonious atmosphere and a well of goodwill. The
more relationship goodwill you have, the more smoothly you
will be able to handle arguments. So what do you think of
reflective listening? Give it a try and let me know how it
goes for you! As always, I remain...