Tim Sum at Jade Laurel

Yes!

My diarrhea finally pulled a full stop this morning. As expected, mil wanted to go eat tim sum so the whole gang of us went to a very high class restaurant (Jade Laurel) in Chengdu city for a Tim Sum brunch.



Honestly, I wasn't too comfortable with eating tim sum but since T didn't protest (even though i nagged him last night) I went along with empress dowager and reminded myself not to partake oily food. Very brave.

My favourite "Chan Bao". A delicious mini bun with char siew wrapped in, with a very thin of layer of skin. yum yum....

"Har Kow". Big prawns wrapped with a thin layer of rice flour. Prawns were very fresh and the skin was "springy". Better than the ones served in Singapore Chinatown teahouses.

The super oily "Beijing Duck" which was very tempting. Cat Flying couldn't resist and took 2 portions of the duckee wrapped with a layer of pancake skin, hoisin sauce, cucumber and spring onions. Oishi neh...

Our menu consisted of

1. " Chan Bao" (Mini Char Siew Bun)
2. "Beijing Duck"
3. "Pai Gu" (Steam Pork Rib)
4. "Feng Zhao" (Steam Chicken Feet)
5. "Zhu Chan Feng" (Chee Chong Fun)
6. "Har Gow"
7. Dried Scallop with Corn Porridge
8. Fried Bitter Gourd with Beijing Duck meat.

4 of us made up the whole entourage. C.F, T, W and Mil. I didn't eat much thus was ravenous at about 5.30pm when shopping in Carrefour. I did something embarrassing. I went to those food demonstators and took free soups and coffee, pretending to be "very interested". No choice. Better thick skin than suffer the effects of a gastric attack.

Dinner at Peter

Ah... then this brave cat followed the inconsiderate entourage to "Peter" for dinner. I had pizza, steak and pork chop, cream of mushroom and caesar salad.

Better later pray I will be alright tomorrow.

Where is Clinic?

I am too free. To be able to blog 3 times a day. This is a record.

I have lost count of the umpteen times I dashed to toilet. All out are plain loose and watery bowels! (yucks!) Wind kept churning my stomach. Alot of gas to fart but i dare not in case some "stuff" accidentally escape! Argh....

And to idle the time away being an invalid, I watched dvd. A taiwanese idol series titled "Love Magician".

I am starting to dislike China. How to imagine my life here? Too boring. No doctors to visit even though i am down with severe diarrhea. People here just make do i think, with pharmacy medicine, only visiting hospital when things can't be controlled.

There's no clinic anywhere, and I was told that the standard norm for hospital to treat patient is to put them on drip. Regardless of what you are suffering. Drip first.

I am a hypochondriac and unfortunately always fall sickkk. How can I survive in a place where there's no clinic?

And yeah. The tibetian doc in yunan said i have a weak gastric. That's so true. Cat Flying got to go seek TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) when i return home. To cure my gastric, gynaecology problems and also perhaps my nose. Tibet doc said my nose will be crooked in 10 years to come.

I don't want!!!!!

And another reason i don't think i want to come is that T is too busy working. He just ticked me off for disturbing his thoughts while he is writing email. Is work more important than wife?

I think perhaps i should also put work ahead of husband? Am I now? Cos I am still stubbornly holding my job living lifes apart.

And mother in law suggested going to "Tim Sum" tomorrow for breakfast (not taking into consideration my current state of "diarrhea". Sigh.. I retract my earlier statement made today.

I am siickkk

Still not feeling better but definitely better than W.

(above pic extracked from Stickgal)

Stomach weak

A week of oily, fattening spicy food finally took it toll on me.

Diarrhea.

Since yesterday morning I have been running to the toilet (even when i was out shopping). Stopped for a while afternoon, then Cat flying was too complacent with her recovery and ate a very full dinner and eat strawberries for supper.

Last night/ this wee morning, the diarrhea attacked. Since moring I have at least visited the dear toilet for 6-7 times and i feel there will be more visits.

Took thai medicine "Five Pagoda" and went to sleep for a while. Even my 2 charcoals last night didn't help. I felt the stomach moving, alot of wind..

Mother-in-law arrived here last night and is helping me cook congee for lunch. At this time, I would say I am fortunate to have a mil minus the lack of EQ .

Oh. I am not the only who is having diarrhea. W got his last night and he is at least 2 times bigger than me. If a buffalo couldn't resist the virus, what more a rabbit?

Surprising, T is ok. Maybe he has accustomed to the oily food and hygiene here.

Mil calling to eat congee now. Will blog later.

Back Back Back

I am back!

I have survived 700km to Yunan (not kunming), 3500m high up the mountains, braving the cold wind and high altitude sickness.

In travelling, there's no way to keep up my make up regime. Especially when the weather is about 5 degress in the mountains and about 15 degrees in Lijiang. I slacken.

No toner, no makeup. No perfume. Can't be bothered. How i managed to shower everyday in the freaking cold weather is a miracle.

I am still a tropic gal true and true.

Cat is off vacationing

Stealing few minutes to blog before leaving for Chengdu Airport.

Cat Flying will be vacationing in Kunming/ Lijiang and won't be back till 28th April 06. Please drop by after 28th for more updates and pics!

Oh... and i had my first taste of rabbit meat this afternoon. It taste like very chicken.

Cat in Chengdu

Cat Flying reporting from Chengdu!

This morning left home at 5.30am to catch the CA flight at 740am. Flight was full. Lots of Singaporeans heading for the touristy "Jiu Zhai Gou". My first meal was terrible. I had salmon fish with egg fried rice and it was neither tasty and a tad too unfresh salty to my liking.

Cabin meal - Fried rice with not very fresh salmon.

Reached Chengdu Airport at about 12.30pm. I nearly lost my luggage because i couldn't recognise my new bag! And I didn't mark it with any stickers or strings and to me it looked just like any other bag. Fortunately, managed to retrieve it after most had claimed theirs.

Lunch at a Hong Kong Style "Cha Chang Ting". Had yummy roast goose and spicy oat fried egg plant. The best i have ever eaten.












We went to a restaurant in "Qing Tai Lu" for dinner. This is a touristy place where the streets are lined by old and historic building with pitched roof. Think those sword fighting movies where the heros leapt up the roof. That kind of building.

I surprised darling T with the latest pen from mont blanc starwalker series. He kept admiring it and could tell his joy all over his face! Of course lah... expensive pen for free. Who not happy? Somemore flaunted his pen in front of his colleagues! haha...

Wrap up the day with a foot massage at "Tian Yi Zheng Tang". W finally got his lemming fulfilled. Going to have a sleep tonight. I am off to Lijiang/Kunming tomorrow!

Packing Packing

Many things to pack. Very last minute. All the food stuff 1st priority. Can't get good 3 in 1 coffee in china so i ended up packing 6 big packs of coffee mix. The whole big boston bag full of food!!

Clothes in. Jeans in. Lingerie in. Nope. No sexy lingerie. Sharing the house with mother in law and how sexy can i be? No more impulse to dress up to impress T. Already old husband old wife. After being apart for nearly 3 months, I wonder how my insides will react? Happy? Exhilarated? Bleah...???

And, I have a surprise present for him! hehehe... Since he was lamenting that from courtship days till now, i have never present him something expensive.

Spookiemouse latest post had me in suspense. What shenanigans have she done this time? Must get her to update.

Counting down to holidays

Two more days and i am off to vacationing in Shangrila, China. Yet work are piling up in my office, so many report and papers to write, especially on my art project.

Called Mr B today to obstensibly seek for help but actually to hear his voice! Naughty me. But as usual, Mr B offered many many advices. I hoped he don't find me a nuisance because I have been calling up whenever i have a chance! hahaha.... *evil grin*

Sigh... no mood to pack. My luggage still almost empty.

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

My previous blog attracted alot of comments especially from the guests. Oh yes. So many things happened and how could i forget to mention the video clips????

Not that Cat Flying screened uncensored "video" at home but one guest happened to have the notorius *t* video clip on his hp and showed it to the rest who have yet seen it. On top of it, there's this scuba fuck clip showing two scuba divers having a go at it under the sea. A very big feat considering both are clad in nothing except the weights and the gal had endure the fuck. There was no face mask and only a oxygen tube to her mouth. She had to control not to breathe in throw her nose and only though her mouth. No opening of eyes. The salts water sting!

Bloody hell. How she managed that is really beyond us. We could tell she was in pain. The divers in the party swear that this is a high risk stunt as if she forgot herself and breathe in throw the nose, that's the end of her.

The finale. Very funny when the guy ejaculated. Could see a zagged stream of *little swimmers* floating in the water.

A dirty party indeed. Sausages and clips..

Reading University's 80th Anniversary

Many parties last week. Blame it on the long weekend. Starting from Good Friday, I attended Reading Uni 80th anniversary, granny-in law donno how how old birthday celebration then to lastly R's 2nd recital party. Broke my records.

This blog is long over due.

Thanks to Chris, who informed us last month that this year is Reading's Uni 80th Anniversary. *tink* A good idea and excuse to party and get all the Reading mates and associates together.

What better place to have it but at Cat Flying's humble abode? Cat's mum was very kind to stay and assist the steamboat preparation. (Thanks mum!!) We had lots of yummy food. Eg. Aunty Molly Otah and Soon Kueh, courtesy of Chris, Free Flow of Red Wine by Spookiemouse & Litep, sausages, cheese chips ++++++ the rest bought so much food that all our stomachs almost exploded.

The evening was spent talking cock and was especially exciting when we exchanged ghost stories. The most horrifying and raised our neck's hair was Shaggyfish's story about her colleague who can "see" things.

Eeeeee....... All of us was totally spooked! And I was told that someone left her steamboat in the car because she was too afraid to take it out and made a mad dash home. Haha. You know who you are hor..

The Reading Gals ( Spookiemouse where are you?)

Friends posing for a shot

Dessert - Wine, sausages, cheese and Aunty Molly Otah!!!!

Gathering of Aspiring Pianists

Classmate R was very kind to invite all the pianists who performed in the school 2nd recital. Not many turned up, only half of the performers. Most of them, students of Andrew.

It was a very wet evening. Inital plan was to have the dinner outdoor, it started drizzling again after we sat down eating. So we shifted to the inner porch (and yes, R house is a landed property at the prime location of Bukit Timah)

It's really weird to sit down and watch the recital on tv especially yourself performing. That was what we did after dinner. Some idle chit chat with classmates while watching ourselves on TV exclaiming how nervous we were, blar blar..

Come to my part, I thought i played it too fast. But honestly, I was surprised that I could hardly tell i was "lost" in the middle of song. P said i looked so calm and nothing looked amiss. Hee.. teacher then clarified that he knew i was lost cos' i was secretly smiling to myself, and my song was longer than usual, said i forgot how to end. Ahaha.. The ending to me was quite perfectly executed. P (one A star student)

huh... the ending was so beautiful. Cannot tell!!

I like this P already!

Some concert clips can by seen here Play by Ear Music School

Minor Car Accident

Damn piss. While parking my car today, one mercs reverse and bang into my car. The old man refuse to compensate me! Sort of half threaten me that he will also claim his insurance. F**king mad. Somemore he is on the phone and did not stop when i honk him twice. In the end, both party suffer damage. My car and his were scratch. I demand compensation and he refused! Bloody $$%^$.

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

Monday 17 April 06.

Bought my car to dad's fren workshop. In the end decide not to claim cos' expert said its difficult to prove my case (no witness) and its at car park lot. In the end, both of us decide not to claim insurance. Too minor. Confirm my opinion that those uncles who drive mercs got no money! Can't even fork out money to pay!! Darn! Darn! @#$@%$#%^

Help from Mr B

In the course of researching for data to write for my art paper, I encountered many helpful people from the Singapore Art Scene who offered, me tremendous help and advices. One of them is Mr B, from Singapore H Museum.

Just two days ago, I emailed Mr B thanking him for all his expert advices and I have appointed the art consultant and got the funds do the the art programme. Very courteous on my part to inform him, since he was my unofficial "technical advisor" and deserve a closure.

And within minutes, Mr B replied

Sure I am sure it will be worth it

The process is just beginning.

Argh... I was very tempted to reply and complain that the process of getting the programme approved and appointing the consultant had taken 5 years of my life. My lifespan be shorten by another 10 years when i complete the project. (provided I am not taken off it mid-way)

Oh, btw I think he is very cool. Very dynamic, like a force that swept you over type. According my art consultant S, he will up and coming force to reckon with in years to come.

"A very smart boy who will go very far"

Sure he will,

I am already a fan.....

Lesson in Love

This moment, Cat Flying has a strong tendency to share some of her views and lesson in love. Especially since so many of my friends and colleagues are single.

Call me old school but I feel that women in general should take a "step" back and not take initiative in a relationship.

What i meant in "initiative" is that

1. A lady should never bare her heart and soul to the guy and let him know that she will always be there for him.
2. Always take intiative to look for opportunities to date him out
3. SMS him every now and then.
4. Sleep with him the first time he initiates
5. And NEVER pay for him. (unless he is so damn broke)

To me i find it logic. For men would seldom treasure what they have and look for greener pasteurs. Especially if the existing land is so easy to conquer and would be soon forgotten. It would be best if you can keep him on his toes, not knowing what you feel and what you might do.

It would be all very exciting if you make the guy sweat to get you. Let him chase, serenade you with flowers. fine dining, etc.. I am sure for all these and if he (god forbids), do complain,
you can throw it straight onto his face,

"because....I'm worth it"

Night of A Thousand Stars

Yesterday was my company D&D at Suntec City. The theme for the night - A Night of A Thousand Stars. In the end I really see stars because it is the first and most boring Dinner and Dance I have ever attended.

First and foremost, the compere of the night is so boring. The games we played were like so "old school". Second, the food is hardly worth drooling over. Portion was small and I ended up not so full after all. Third, my table people weren't very sporting. Thus my mood went downhill from the moment the cold dish was served.

But, the prizes were really to die for. Top prize was a 42 plasma tv. 2nd prize was a pair of SQ tickets to Sydney plus $500 voucher. Alas, cat flying's luck was beyond poor last night and end up nothing except a useless door gift. (a game set)

Lucky. I didn't spend any dime on dressing up. Thus, $13.50 for a 8 courses meal is still worth it.

I reckon i will have more fun in Chris's party last night.

Qing Ming Festival

The season to remember the dead and also appreciate the living. I was told that the actual day of Qing Ming falls on the Wednesday 5 April. All the rush to the cemetries, temples started 10 days before and after this date. Someone was telling me, its unlucky to go pay respect after this date.

Today, being the filial daughter and grand-daughter, I drove my granny, aunt and mum to the temple where my grand-dad and his ancestors ashes were kept. The temple is at Jalan Senang, somwhere located in Kembangan among those private estates. Not many people there this noon, at least the air wasn't reeking with "ashes" and "smokes" from incense and what not. Strict rules on no burning of offering thus, many had to bring back boxes and boxes of paper offerings.

We paid our respects to my grand-dad, grand-grand parents, grand aunties and two uncles who passed away during their prime. We displayed grapes, apple, oranges, vegetarian bee hoon, canned drinks, marble cake, pandan cake, some chinese style cakes on the table. Took the incense and pray for the ancestor to "come" and "eat". Meanwhile, we went to the hall where all the ashes were kept. Looked for grand-dad and the ancestors.

Mum and me helped granny wipe the photos on the ash holder, then I was a tad busy body reading what was written on it. I was reading on my grand-auntie when I realised she passed away at age 31? Gosh.. I asked my aunty E why? and she secretly whispered that my Feng grandaunt went for an abortion and died after it went wrong.

Nevertheless, this "kind" were the carried out by the illegal "doctor". Aunty E explained that during the 1960s, people were poor and she was too poor to have more kids as she had 5 already! Grand-aunt went to seek help from a Malay woman to had an illegal abortion. Aunty E added that she heard the Malay woman took a stick to "stir" the foetus to kill it! Yucks! I can't imagine the pain and the blood. Oh, Grandaunt was having twins. She died with the babies.

Aunt was describing the surgery when we were interrupted by granny. Thus no chance to hear more. Time to pack up our offering to go. Mum made me do the double "red crescent" thing where I got to pray, ask my ancestor whether they have their filled and threw it on the ground. If it show alternate sides, it means they have "eaten". Mine showed alternate meaning ok. We packed up and headed back to another temple after this.

I wonder, whether this ritual has been lost among the young people nowadays? I hardly see any younger people in the temple except people my mum's age and granny's. ( I would say abt 40-80 yrs old) Hardly see one in 20s or 30s. Does this mean that nowadays our society has come to a stage where one has no time to pay respect to their ancestor, even once every year?

No where close to target

Most of us are worried about our future. I remember in my uni days, I hoped to achieve something great by the age of 35 or 40, if not at least somewhere along that line to achieving the goal. Looking back, those were the foolish and ambitious days where the sky the limit to us.

What, If you are nearing your 40s, never achieve great things (I would say reasonable position in your organisation, not condemn) and looks like you probably wouldn't in few years to come?

Quite sad really for my colleague T who is in this bleak situation. I would say it's the perception he has portrayed that landed himself in this. Everyone who I discussed about his performance isn't optimistic. Some commented things like his english is bad, no leadership qualities, has never proven himself etc. Guess it doesn't help that he reinforces and reminds us every opportunity available that he is a " condemn" case.

Recently, I am getting abit pissed with "condemn" case remark. I know he is trying to take it lightly and laughing it off, hoping for sympathy but didn't he realise that but being so, he is actually digging his own grave to bury himself and subject to ridicule by callous colleagues behind his back?

Maybe i should direct him to litep who often has good advice for corporate leadership?

My list of corporate tips on to do and do not.

1. Always "market" your strength. You never know when a special project will land on ur lap.
2. Down play your mistakes. Try not to let others know where you went wrong.
3. Dress smartly. It will inspire confidence in others.
4. Do not whine about no promotion. It looks like you are a loser.

Sad to say, man are always more "anxious" about their job them woman. After all, the social stigma is still there for man to "achieve" rather than woman.

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

Oh by the way, I got all the signatures signed for my paper in just 1 morning time. An achievement since

1. It's a difficult paper because of the high contingency amount i am proposing
2. It's not a standard paper
3. No one has that record (3 signatures, read an approved in one morning)
4. The chairman of the paper is 20km away. (I drove and bang at his office refusing to leave until he signed the paper :p)

All in 4 hours time.

Did i say my paper is 8 pages long and have 6 Annexes ?

I am a hero today!

Good News or Bad ?

Good news and bad news in office today. Not too sure whether I should celebrate or cry over it?

This morning, I was doing a mad rush for the art paper for approval. A very tedious process since art is like "you can have it or you don't". Alot of hiccups along the way (good things never run smooth huh) and today I finally wrapped it up, signed and endorsed by my department big boss.

Everything was smooth until i encountered my first question from the approving authority (AA). Why like this.. why like that? Oh oh.. Can't answer. Must double check with my senior for the "right" answer. The authority don't take people as junior as me answers as "answer". So I beat a hasty retreat, assured the AA that I will check and confirm and answer his question. (Hope that will reassure him, the next time I see him).

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

Back to the news. My senior broke the news that the two portfolios I am doing was taken over by another engineer. Wah... Came as quite a shock. Not that I am particularly fond of these 2 projects but then responsibilities reduce. Even though these two are considered "ECA", not my core responsibility but they are still "ECA". No more brownie points to score! (sob sob) Senior also had her fair share taken over by another guy. It's more on the "management" shift. I just happen to be the affected party.

Hopefully, my art project still retain. My Senior said she will fight hard for us to do that.

Dinner Overload

Currently slouching on my swivel chair, baring my big stomach for myself to see and trying to blog at the same time. Before this, have been trying to gobble down 4 big "tang yuans" i bought yesterday, without much success. Still have a huge one to go.

I admit. This cat is very thrifty. Most times, I will try to eat whatever left over (few days before) and try not to waste food. This stupid stunt often result in

a) Food Poisoning - See here
b) Over eating - thus indigestion
c) Getting Fat

Sigh... What to do? Must save some money to buy the Panasonic Lumix FX 9 to replace my Nikon Coolpix.

Oh.. and this evening free dinner by one super nice colleague at Soup Restaurant. Once again this cat ate up whatever was shove to her (rice amount = 2 days portion) Argh...and I still gorged down the 3 "tang yuan".

Help! My tummy is exploding!!

Another bleah Sunday

Lesson cancelled. Teacher too tired to teach after yesterday concert. Just as well. I have more free time. What should i do?? Visit in-laws!

Not that I am extremely filial and "kwai" daughter- inlaw but, then next week is my company dnd. Must make sure i pop in to wave hi and pronounce that I am still alive in this world otherwise i will be pronounce "Missing in Action".

Played mahjong to entertain them and fortunately despite my father in law winning streak, i did not lose $$. My sil and mil lost heavily. Fil treated us to Blk 85 at Bedok North for dinner. Nice dinner I had!

Was msning HB and considering changing my piano teacher. Prolly I will do it after my term end. V would be a better choice than A since i think he is having difficulty teaching me too. Well, will cross the bridge when reach it. There's still 2 more months to go.

I really love the song "The moon represent my heart". Must get teacher to teach me the intro and technie bits. I have no problems playing, but nowadays must high standard abit.

Need to impress my friends when they visit me at home! Haha.

Just told T i might go to Chengdu next year after my contract end. He better find me something to do!

The Concert

I am on adrenalin high now. The concert was a astounding success. We all had fun! All of the students played well, with hardly noticable hiccups. Me too, in fact! Everything was fine during my last min rehearsal but during the actual playing. Black Out. *faint*

Fortunately, I was able to improvise my way through making not very noticeable mistakes but I was abit disappointed that I didn't play the full version I practise hard for. At least I had my first experience on a concert grand, and yeah I think i played well under the tremendously stress.

Made alot of friends and their family members. Every one has nice things to said to encourage one another. Talk about World Peace! haha

Group picture with all the students and teachers.

Victor's (middle with long white sleeve shirt) students mainly made up of the higher graders standing on his left. One guy (2nd from left) even had a performing diploma!! My teacher, Andrew, is standing on Victor's left. His students are mostly simple players like me, Rita, Jan and Rachel

The 2nd half of players. Hillary, Rita, Me, Rachel and Justin.

*Forgive my pictures. Abit blur due to dim lighting indoors but i can't resist posting them*