I can't understand why I need to spend 15 mins every mornig chasing people to get in line for the morning assemble. Why the reluctance to be the first person in line, or even to get in line?
I can't understand why people cannot stand at attention and show some respect for their national anthem. Why they will continue to fidget, stand with their legs wide apart, hands in pockets or crossed in front (as though at a funeral), lean feebly to one side, crack jokes and laugh, talk among themselves and totally disregard their anthem?
I can't understand why people will come in a multitude of coloured and designs hair accessories when the rule says strictly black, blue or white?
I can't understand why people can work in a litter-filled environment. Ants are crawling along the ledges beside them, the floor is filled with used facial blotters, bottle caps, sweet wrappers and food containers.
I can't understand why groups of good friends can get so bored with everyday life that they try insulting each other to see who can sprout the most vulgar language. When words fails, tussle and push each other, and cat fights if they are girls.
I can't understand why there is so many rude people around. As I speak, they interrupt. The volume of their voices escalates till I have I have no choice by to shut myself up.
Everyday, I go to work in such an environment. It's uncomprehendable and totally ugly.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Tasting Curry
With lots of encouragement from us, Qq began tasting a little of curry from the roti prata stall. We went to different prata stalls and each time, she was gamed and eagered to try out the curry.
She can't take it so well of course. After each tiny drops of curry she takes, she use her hand to fan her tongue fervently. She would then dap a piece of prata with lots of sugar and quickly pop it into her mouth.
But she didn't give up. Today I cooked curry noodles at home. I also prepared non-curry noodles for her but she asked to taste our curry. She eats more of the curry today, but it's still spicy to her so she also gurlps down a whole cup of apple juice.
She can't take it so well of course. After each tiny drops of curry she takes, she use her hand to fan her tongue fervently. She would then dap a piece of prata with lots of sugar and quickly pop it into her mouth.
But she didn't give up. Today I cooked curry noodles at home. I also prepared non-curry noodles for her but she asked to taste our curry. She eats more of the curry today, but it's still spicy to her so she also gurlps down a whole cup of apple juice.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Meeting an old friend
Ran into a long lost friend on Tues. It was Ed who spotted him from a great distance first. We didn't go over to catch up with him. I am in a somewhat social recluse mood. But after we're done with shopping and about to leave, we ran into him again, head-on, at the lift lobby.
Anyway, we chatted. He's married, eldest child in K2 now. His wife was an ex-teacher in a pri school. She resigned to take care of the children. I took the opportunity to ask him about his opinion of primary school here in the east. I presume his wife would know better and have discussed with him.... He named a few of his choices. It was a pretty pleasant reunion. Haha... He exchanged phone numbers with Ed. Ed being the salesman by nature and by profession, always makes it a point to build up his network of friends like this.
Ed and i had known him for ages, ever since my college days. He dated one of my girlfriend then, but it didn't work out. He was fun loving, thoughtful and easy to get along with. Would have made a good BF. What he was lacking then was qualifications. He dropped out of Poly, didn't have a diploma and for that i think, didn't score points with my girlfriend's parents. He set up his own business and should be doing well now, if he can let the wife not work. I wonder, if things were better then and my girlfriend married him, how would her life be now? Probably at home taking care of their kids, rather than slogging in some harsh corporate world.
Not that I envy stay-at-home-moms. As a working mom, it will be a dream come through if I can switch freely between work and not-work every now and then. If husbands can earn enough to support wives, allow us to stop worrying about expenss and don't work once in a while, I will be much happier. I will have more time for my family members, wake up late in the mornings, never have to worry about deadlines and never have to waste time sitting through unnecessary meetings. Hope this utopic day will come one day.
Anyway, we chatted. He's married, eldest child in K2 now. His wife was an ex-teacher in a pri school. She resigned to take care of the children. I took the opportunity to ask him about his opinion of primary school here in the east. I presume his wife would know better and have discussed with him.... He named a few of his choices. It was a pretty pleasant reunion. Haha... He exchanged phone numbers with Ed. Ed being the salesman by nature and by profession, always makes it a point to build up his network of friends like this.
Ed and i had known him for ages, ever since my college days. He dated one of my girlfriend then, but it didn't work out. He was fun loving, thoughtful and easy to get along with. Would have made a good BF. What he was lacking then was qualifications. He dropped out of Poly, didn't have a diploma and for that i think, didn't score points with my girlfriend's parents. He set up his own business and should be doing well now, if he can let the wife not work. I wonder, if things were better then and my girlfriend married him, how would her life be now? Probably at home taking care of their kids, rather than slogging in some harsh corporate world.
Not that I envy stay-at-home-moms. As a working mom, it will be a dream come through if I can switch freely between work and not-work every now and then. If husbands can earn enough to support wives, allow us to stop worrying about expenss and don't work once in a while, I will be much happier. I will have more time for my family members, wake up late in the mornings, never have to worry about deadlines and never have to waste time sitting through unnecessary meetings. Hope this utopic day will come one day.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Malacca
Day 3
Found the hotel breakfast too crowded and would be ending quite soon, we decided to have our breakfast out. Ed prefers eating at traditional coffee shops which is much cheaper and with a more local taste.
We ended up at the chicken rice shop just in front of Stadhuys. The last time we visited the place, the shop was SO crowded, with a long queue to enter, we refuse to waste time waiting. This time round, the place is pretty empty at 10.30am in the morning. They serve “fishballs” which QQ will like. Feeling strange to eat Hainanese chicken rice without the rice, later we discovered that the “Fishball” was a rice ball. So nifty, rolled into small balls that’s just nice to have a mouthful. (breakfast + tea cost RM15)
After breakfast, crossed the road to visited The Stadhuys. Took a couple of photos at the square then quickly pop into the shops along the area to stay out of the heat. Bought some souvenirs at the shops. 2 pairs of slippers: RM20, QQ’s batik dress: RM20, woven bag: RM10, small batik bag for mom: RM20, 4 postcards: RM 0.80 each. Trishaw ride: RM10 for 15mins trip and a photo stop.
We returned to the Nonya dumpling shop to get lunch and buy the Dou Qian (Soya noodle) which Ed and I loved. The noodle sold here is the freshest that we can find and best tasting. We bought some the last time we visited the place a few years back. Ever since then, we had not been able to find anything as good as it is anywhere else, be it in Singapore or JB. Nonya dumpling: RM3.80 each, Dou Qian: RM12 for 3 packs. Along the way back, we found a stationery wholesale shop which sells colourful pencils with a wooden toy attached to the top. QQ can give that to her class on her birthday. Bought 36 of them for RM50, works out to SIN 60 cents a piece, quite cheap I think!
Parking Summon
We parked our car at a roadside lot without displaying a coupon. We decide to take a chance with the parking attendant since we didn't buy the local parking coupons. Malacca parking attendants turn out to be very hardworking and booked us less than 30mins after we had gone off. A RM50 fine,
We've heard enough stories of Singapore car who got wheel clamped or denied entry into Msia when they don't pay up their summons. Decided to be law abidding, we waste no time in asking the hotel concierge where we can go to settle our summon. We're told to go to the town council, a 20mins drive to the outskirt of the city. By taxi, it would cost approx RM25 one way. In my mind, I was thinking "no wonder people don't want to pay, their office are so inaccessible!" Concierge offers to pay on our behalf and fax the receipt back to us. We were greatly and I was already contemplating taking this easy way out, with a little tip for the guys who are so kind and helpful. Somehow we declined, perhaps still unwilling to part with the money.
Thankfully we didn't take up the concierge guys' offer. I later checked with 2 traffic policemen outside our hotel and they said that I can settle the summon in the shopping center beside our hotel which I did immediately. I was only charged RM5, cos I pay up within 24hrs of the offence. If beyond 1 day, then need to pay full amount. I saved RM95, haven't count in the trouble if I had really gone to the town council!!
Came back to Singapore, I wrote a complaint letter to the Equatorial Hotel GM about their concierge!! I was unusually kind and decided to give them the benefit of doubt, only claiming that they lacked knowledge of local traffic practices. Ed says I should make a bigger fuss about it, make them really guilty and perhaps offer us some compensation like discount on our next visit. Haha, I think I already had a good offer for this stay. One shouldn't be too greedy.
Found the hotel breakfast too crowded and would be ending quite soon, we decided to have our breakfast out. Ed prefers eating at traditional coffee shops which is much cheaper and with a more local taste.
We ended up at the chicken rice shop just in front of Stadhuys. The last time we visited the place, the shop was SO crowded, with a long queue to enter, we refuse to waste time waiting. This time round, the place is pretty empty at 10.30am in the morning. They serve “fishballs” which QQ will like. Feeling strange to eat Hainanese chicken rice without the rice, later we discovered that the “Fishball” was a rice ball. So nifty, rolled into small balls that’s just nice to have a mouthful. (breakfast + tea cost RM15)
After breakfast, crossed the road to visited The Stadhuys. Took a couple of photos at the square then quickly pop into the shops along the area to stay out of the heat. Bought some souvenirs at the shops. 2 pairs of slippers: RM20, QQ’s batik dress: RM20, woven bag: RM10, small batik bag for mom: RM20, 4 postcards: RM 0.80 each. Trishaw ride: RM10 for 15mins trip and a photo stop.
We returned to the Nonya dumpling shop to get lunch and buy the Dou Qian (Soya noodle) which Ed and I loved. The noodle sold here is the freshest that we can find and best tasting. We bought some the last time we visited the place a few years back. Ever since then, we had not been able to find anything as good as it is anywhere else, be it in Singapore or JB. Nonya dumpling: RM3.80 each, Dou Qian: RM12 for 3 packs. Along the way back, we found a stationery wholesale shop which sells colourful pencils with a wooden toy attached to the top. QQ can give that to her class on her birthday. Bought 36 of them for RM50, works out to SIN 60 cents a piece, quite cheap I think!
Parking Summon
We parked our car at a roadside lot without displaying a coupon. We decide to take a chance with the parking attendant since we didn't buy the local parking coupons. Malacca parking attendants turn out to be very hardworking and booked us less than 30mins after we had gone off. A RM50 fine,
We've heard enough stories of Singapore car who got wheel clamped or denied entry into Msia when they don't pay up their summons. Decided to be law abidding, we waste no time in asking the hotel concierge where we can go to settle our summon. We're told to go to the town council, a 20mins drive to the outskirt of the city. By taxi, it would cost approx RM25 one way. In my mind, I was thinking "no wonder people don't want to pay, their office are so inaccessible!" Concierge offers to pay on our behalf and fax the receipt back to us. We were greatly and I was already contemplating taking this easy way out, with a little tip for the guys who are so kind and helpful. Somehow we declined, perhaps still unwilling to part with the money.
Thankfully we didn't take up the concierge guys' offer. I later checked with 2 traffic policemen outside our hotel and they said that I can settle the summon in the shopping center beside our hotel which I did immediately. I was only charged RM5, cos I pay up within 24hrs of the offence. If beyond 1 day, then need to pay full amount. I saved RM95, haven't count in the trouble if I had really gone to the town council!!
Came back to Singapore, I wrote a complaint letter to the Equatorial Hotel GM about their concierge!! I was unusually kind and decided to give them the benefit of doubt, only claiming that they lacked knowledge of local traffic practices. Ed says I should make a bigger fuss about it, make them really guilty and perhaps offer us some compensation like discount on our next visit. Haha, I think I already had a good offer for this stay. One shouldn't be too greedy.
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Farmosa Resort
Day 2
We travel to A Farmosa Resort today. It was suppose to be just 30mins car journey there but being unfamilar with the streets, morning traffic jams and a outdated map, we took almost an hour to reach there.
First impression: Very run down, lacks maintenance, far away from city centre and rather deserted. I will never come back again.
Cost: Not cheap. RM65 for adults and RM51 for child, inclusive of
(1) entrance to Animal Safari + tram ride,
(2) Entrance to Water World and
(3) a set lunch
Good thing about the Safari:
The Animal Safari area is huge and with a large collection of animals. Almost every animals that we have in Mandai zoo can be found here. They took us into the safari in a old, noisy, caged up tram. But at least, don't need much walking around.
Bad thing about the Safari:
No narrator in the tram. Only a grouchy and disinterested looking driver. Safari is bared, there is no greenery or attempt to make the place more attractive and pleasant. Everything also must pay money. Elephant ride at RM6 per pax. Purchase of photo RM15.
The Water World is much more exciting. There is certainly more people here compared to the safari, makes one feels that the place is an attraction. We played in the artificial wave pool for quite long cos QQ seems to like the waves. Then to the kids water play area which QQ attempts to take a slide which is pretty steep and wavy after much persuasion from us.
Good thing about water world:
Pretty pleasant surroundings. Much more maintained than the safari.
Bad thing about water world:
water polluted by fallen leaves from nearby trees and sand from artifical beach. Need to rent the float for RM8.
We travel to A Farmosa Resort today. It was suppose to be just 30mins car journey there but being unfamilar with the streets, morning traffic jams and a outdated map, we took almost an hour to reach there.
First impression: Very run down, lacks maintenance, far away from city centre and rather deserted. I will never come back again.
Cost: Not cheap. RM65 for adults and RM51 for child, inclusive of
(1) entrance to Animal Safari + tram ride,
(2) Entrance to Water World and
(3) a set lunch
Good thing about the Safari:
The Animal Safari area is huge and with a large collection of animals. Almost every animals that we have in Mandai zoo can be found here. They took us into the safari in a old, noisy, caged up tram. But at least, don't need much walking around.
Bad thing about the Safari:
No narrator in the tram. Only a grouchy and disinterested looking driver. Safari is bared, there is no greenery or attempt to make the place more attractive and pleasant. Everything also must pay money. Elephant ride at RM6 per pax. Purchase of photo RM15.
The Water World is much more exciting. There is certainly more people here compared to the safari, makes one feels that the place is an attraction. We played in the artificial wave pool for quite long cos QQ seems to like the waves. Then to the kids water play area which QQ attempts to take a slide which is pretty steep and wavy after much persuasion from us.
Good thing about water world:
Pretty pleasant surroundings. Much more maintained than the safari.
Bad thing about water world:
water polluted by fallen leaves from nearby trees and sand from artifical beach. Need to rent the float for RM8.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Short Vacation
Ed changed the schedule of his working trip to China. Before that, I couldn't plan any vacation timing that suit all our schedules;
My parents US trip,
My school meetings and project deadlines,
Ed's travelling plans and some block out dates, and
QQ's drama camps and enrichment classes.
Now I can plan a short vacation to Malacca from 14-17 June.
My parents US trip,
My school meetings and project deadlines,
Ed's travelling plans and some block out dates, and
QQ's drama camps and enrichment classes.
Now I can plan a short vacation to Malacca from 14-17 June.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
BRONZE
My choir got Bronze award. The girls cried buckets. Both conductor and pianist who had lots of experience with other choirs said they did well and can expect a silver. That raised their hopes. But the judges thought otherwise and gave them bronze.
The disappointment was unbearable. Even I felt so awful and went on a binge and shopping spree that night to make myself feel better.
The girls are rather inconsolable. They were still teary the next day when the school announce their results during assembly. They were supposed to ring the victory bell, a tradition in the schol whenever we win something, but nobody was willing to do it. One even wailed " they (the school leader) want us to ring the bell.... how to ring?" and burst out crying even louder than before.
Fabian and I had to do the damage control, to psycho them into the right mood so that they will be ready for the speech day performance the next day.
The disappointment was unbearable. Even I felt so awful and went on a binge and shopping spree that night to make myself feel better.
The girls are rather inconsolable. They were still teary the next day when the school announce their results during assembly. They were supposed to ring the victory bell, a tradition in the schol whenever we win something, but nobody was willing to do it. One even wailed " they (the school leader) want us to ring the bell.... how to ring?" and burst out crying even louder than before.
Fabian and I had to do the damage control, to psycho them into the right mood so that they will be ready for the speech day performance the next day.
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