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....