Goodbye 2011

The last day of the year and we gonna say goodbye to 2011. I wonder where is the good in good-bye. Well, at least everyone is happy and more important healthy. A year to remember for Fyn on her university exchange in New Orleans. Two holiday vacations for me and Margaret namely Spring Shandong and Autumn Dongbei. Guess it's business as usual for Smily and he should finish his study come June 2012.

How I wish time could passed us by a little slower. With each celebration, we are getting older. Come tomorrow, it's 2012. Happy New Year! But we are busy preparing of the Lunar New Year which is about 3 weeks away. What a joke! In fact Margaret is baking pinapple tarts now. To date, we had bought fish maw, 2 cans of abalone, fishes fresh from the sea, big prawns, etc. Yes, there are many CNY goodies yet to arrive. Hold on........ Let's have steam boat lunch tomorrow and welcome Fyn's return on the 5 January 2012.

Strange

I was having a tea session with my ex-colleague at the Fairprice Coffee Shop @ Bedok last night and something strange happened. The empty glass which I had my tea earlier shattered by itself. I was shocked for a moment before Vincent shouted 'Huat Ah!!!' I reached out for my mobile phone and snapped the above picture. Well, this good friend of mine interpreted this incident as ' you are going win something big'. May it be so.


Wouldn't you find it strange when your former company called to ask if you were gping down to collect your cheque? When I questioned the account executive that I still have money with them, she immediately realised that she had called the wrong person. OMG! How I wish. My colleague Song was with me when the call came in. He said that God of Fortune is knocking on my door and I should spend a little on any lottery that comes my way. Ok,ok. Await my good news should I receive God of Fortune big present.

3 polo shirts

Move over Christmas, here comes Boxing Day.. What's next after this? The celebration continues with New Year 2012 this weekend. We gonna say goodbye to 2011. Rock on!

As for me and Margaret, we are preparing for the coming Dragon Year. I bought 3 polo shirts for myself for the coming occasion. Roger is not forgotten. We shall be bringing him to town to shop this weekend. He told us he needs a new pair of shoes. I am certain he needs more than that. He ain't heavy, he's my brother.

Merry Christmas

Give a little bit
Give a little bit of your love and warm
to the lonely elderly, the less fortunate and the neglected
this joyous, blessed Christmas season.

Monsoon season

The monsoon season has arrived and it's raining on and off, day and night for 2 days already. Weather forecast predicts it's gonna continues for the next 3 days with lightning and thunder. That is the norm right here in Singapore especially in December. Got to make sure I have an umbrella wherever I go.

The guy came to take the measurement of my common toilet door last Saturday. He will return to install the slide and swing door that I ordered on 31 December 2011. Just in time for the New Year. Cheers!

Frying Pan

I was affected by the 3 recent MRT service disruptions. Guess the faults were not as simple as reported and expect more frequent disruptions should the relevent departments do not go to the roots of its findings. Thankfully, the recent incidents were not fatal. Let's not complain and pin point fingers at anyone and allow the Committee of Inquiry to look into it. I, for one, would continue to pray for more comfortable and peaceful journeys. May it be so.

OMG! I broke the handle of Margaret's favourite frying pan. She bought it at a Japanese fair. It's Made in Japan but without a brand. Moreover, it's not readily available at any departmental store. I have no choice but to wait for the fair to return in order to enquire where to change the handle. Suckzzzz......

Lunch Party

It's been a month and I am still in an unfamiliar territory. My colleagues and I are trying to gel as a team. Remember one of them is a 64 years old man and he has strange habits like singing loudly in the office, adjusting the air-con to his direction and others which I do not wish to write. When he is in the mood, he can be a nice guy too. I understand there will be more coming in after the lunar new year.
There will be a X'mas party on the 23 December 2011 and the Burmese professionals will be joining us. Turkey, log cake, etc for the lunch party. Hope it's going to be a memorable one. Cheers!

Happy holidays

I am confused. We are approaching Christmas and neighbourhood stores are selling Chinese New Year decorations. The Lunar New Year 2012 is less than a month away from the X'mas celebrations. These merchants have no choice but to bring forward their champaign.
Anyway, it's December and let's talk and celebrate the birth of Christ. Sad to say, I will be working on X'mas eve. Since Christmas falls on Sunday this year, December 26 is also a public holiday. I am still wondering what to do or where to go on these 2 days.
And the following week is New Year's day. January 2 2012 which is on Monday is also another public holiday. Gosh! I am running out of activities. Definitely it's too early for Spring cleaning. The good news is... our daughter Fyn is returning from New Orleans.
Meantime, Happy Holidays!!!

Mr and Mrs Cedric Tan

Congratulation to the newly wed couple Mr and Mrs Cedric Tan. It's my 1st for both witnessing a church wedding and attending a wedding lunch. Coincidentally, I need to work on Saturday and took time off for my neice special day. Here's wishing them a blessed marriage with many happy anniversary to come.

Christmas already?

Santa Claus must be crazy. There are still days to Christmas and he gave me a big present. Way too early man. I received my final pay cheque from my previous project. It goes without saying that I am more than happy. Like I always say, don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. I got more than what I bargained for. A blessing to be in..... a good company with beautiful people. Till we meet again..... Merry Christmas and God bless.

Happy blessed Birthday to my dearest sister Jessie. Many happy returns. Cheers!!

Ex-colleague

It's been more than a month since I left Changi City Point. As both my ex-colleague Vincent and me were free tonight, we decided to meet up for dinner. Like me previously, he was carrying his barang barang from his working place back home. He is leaving at the end of this month.
I am sure he was glad to see me again. Needless to say, the chat went on and on. The bond is there after 2 years as colleagues though many times we don't see eye to eye with each other. One thing in common was we had been punched, back stabbed and betrayed by 'God knows who'. Our conscious is clear and life goes on.
Looking back, we shared many joys, laughters and 'huat ah'. I really do not know how we survived the many '24 hours a day' works. I bet we will be good friends for many years to come.

Return

Margaret's appettite returns but she has to watch her diet especially orange, coffee, etc. The daily cup of milk does the trick and hopefully she recovers fully. Of course, she is still taking the medicine prescribed by the specialist.

Fyn's lost handphone returns. She should be thankful to the New Orleans Police Department to trace and return the phone to her. Be careful.

Arsenal thrashed Wigan 4-0 to return to the top 5 of the EPL table. Remember a few months back, they were at the bottom of the table. Only a great manager like Arsene Wenger is able to perform this miracle. Keep firing!!!

Romeo

One of my good friends Leslie visited me at my workplace yesterday afternoon. We had not met since the lunar new year. I treated this cheerful guy to lunch at a coffee shop nearby. Surprisingly he showed me his newly acquired senior citizen card. OMG! This young at heart Romeo is 60 years old now. Keep rocking, brother!

Poor Fyn. She lost her handphone yesterday. So far so good for her except this incident. Time flies and she will return early next month. Will she bring an ang moh boy back? Let's keep our fingers crossed.

A cup of milk

It's the end of November. The completion of Changi City Point and the beginning of Lion City Square. It is sad that the outstanding due at CCP is not released. Maybe they never will. Still, I believe these wonderful people would not do anything so drastic unless they bear an unforgivable grudge. Whatever, life goes on.

The good news is I got my 1st pay packet from LCS. Financially aside, Margaret is recovering from her gastritis. My colleague Song enlightened me that a cup of milk before sleep helps. Hopefully this works.

Elephant

Elephant Parade @ Tangs

Level 4 curry

A Lady's Night @ Metro Paragon with 20% discount storewide. Sheryl went in with Margaret to shop while me and Smily waited for them at The Coffee Bean sipping coffee, a complimentary treat from Metro.

It's all lighted up at Orchard Road and once again the X'mas feel is there. By the time we had dinner, it's almost 9pm. No regrets for we had Japanese curry rice at the basement restaurant @ 313 Shoppng Centre. A first for both Smily and Sheryl. Smily ordered a level 4 curry which was a little too hot for his mouth. Haha.. Anyway, he finished the plate of rice. All of us were smiling on our way home. Slurp!!!

The 'gift'

It's Thanksgiving Week. And who else but my sister Jessie to thank for the 'gift'. I am not going to reveal what I received. Ask her, haha! Just in case I forget, have a blessed X'mas in Korat Thailand. She will be there on a church mission from 22Dec 2011 to 29 Dec 2011.

Thanks but no thanks. The taxman wrote to tell that I didn't pay enough. Of course I am not happy after I had sent a cheque to them months ago. I have no choice but to sent them another. I hope they would leave me alone after that.

20.11.2011

Another beautiful day 20 November 2011 i.e. 20.11.2011. Okay, me and Margaret had lunch with our regular kakis at an air-con zhi char restaurant along Jalan Besar Road. Do not ask me the restaurant's name for it's all written in Chinese and I can't read. All I know is it's a eating place with Hokkien orientated dishes. A complete change from our typical Teochew restaurants. Surprisingly, Margaret loves the food. I would take photos and upload them here should I have the opportunity to return to there. Slurp!!!

'Man at Work'

God damnit! My new project is taking a toll on my health. I am down with a throat inflammation and lost my voice. I didn't have the luxury to take a day off to rest. It's either I didn't drink enough water or lack of rest and sleep or overstress. My colleague told me it's a sign of flu is coming. Whatever, I can't imagine working without a voice. Oh yes, I am on medication after consulting a doctor the other night.

I am happy that my ex-colleague has a few job offers in hand. He called me yesterday and thought he had dialed a wrong number. Must be surprised to hear an 'old lady voice'. What a joke! I am sure he will firm up his offers and move on in January 2012. Good luck!

Wazzup!

Lion City Hotel is coming down to make way for a commercial and residential development. Yeah, I started work on this project yesterday with a completely new team. A new immediate superior and a new colleague who is 11 years my senior. There will be more staff joining in as the works progress. I will be kept busy from now till Chinese New Year 2012.

The sad news is Margaret is not getting any better with her gastric problem. She will be going for her endoscopy this Wednesday. Pray that it will be a minor hiccup and hope she recovers with medication.




Oh yes! The HHG gang had a gathering at Sheraton Tower on 11.11.11 i.e. 11 November 2011. Trust us, it's not planned or organised to coincide with this special day. The fact that it had ding dong on the date since early October. We tried to accomodate everyone on the list but in the end failed. If not for Winston mixing up with the day (Thurday and Friday), we would have met on 10 November 2011. Poor Lee Hoon had a hard time co-ordinating. Me and Pipi got lost on our way there. Both are sua-ku. Others present were our engineer turned fortune reader Tuah Kiat, Koh Sing and Adeline. The 1 for 1 buffet at the Dining Room was value for money. With the live music and singing from the lounge besides, we cannot bargain for more. A great night. Thanks buddies.

Argh.... dental appointment.

Guess it's my lucky day. I managed to register myself for this coming Friday Seminar on Civil Defence Bomb Shelter at the BCA Academy. It's a last minute thing for me and gosh..... squeeze myself in. Prior to that, I went to the place I hate most...... dental clinic. Yeah, to make an appointment. The reception girl told me that I can choose any time in the afternoon. I couldn't believe myself for usually it's fully book till a week later. I went down at 3 pm to have my three cavity teeth filled. Don't ask me how much I paid. It's just as painful as having toothache. For the record, my last visit was 2 years ago. That is really a consolation. Haha..

Age gracefully

Thank you so much for the thoughtful birthday greetings. Yes, greetings from my wife, son, daughter, loved ones, childhood friends, former classmates, polymates, ex-colleagues, etc. It's not only through facebook but from sms and email too.
Birthdays are no longer as interesting or exciting as before. With each year, I am nearer to the senior citizen club. In fact some of my friends prefer not to celebrate so as not to remind them of their matured age. Well, there is a saying ' if you are young at heart and you stay forever young'. For me I would say 'stay healthy and age gracefully'. Yeah, my dad told me to catch up with time and stay relevant.
Whatever, let us celebrate more rocking years ahead. Birthday rawkzzz!

City Square

Selamat Hari Raya Haji to our Muslim friends.

Travelling to Johore Bahru is like travelling to Boon Lay to us. The difference is we have to get our passport stamped at the check point. Surprisingly, the journey was smooth today without the expected traffic jam. Furthermore, the immigration white card is not required for this special day.
We had lunch at the Nandos Restaurant @ City Square. Each of us had a quarter chicken set which comes with 2 side dishes. For dessert, we had custard tarts. Together with 2 drinks, we paid about R$50. Value for money.
It took one and a half hour for us to reach home. That's pretty fast considering we had to clear 2 check points, the bus and MRT journeys.

Time flies

It's All Souls' Day festival this month. May all the departed souls rest in peace. May it be so. Me and Margaret went to pay our respect to her late grandmother this afternoon. It was just like yesterday when she was playing with my son who was then a toddler. OMG! Smily is 24 years old now. Time flies.

Watch & Upgrading

Finally, my favorite watch returns after two and a half months and it's as good as new. The glass got chipped off, casing scratched and the belt worn off. The next best thing was to send it to the service centre to get them changed. They quoted me S$150 and was told to wait for 3 months for the parts to arrive. Worst, I had to leave the watch behind. This afternoon, they sent me a sms to say that it's ready for collection and I rushed down in the evening. Well, a happy man with his treasured watch. What a reunion! Hehe...





What the hell are they doing to the pillars at our void deck? Me and our neighbours were puzzled. Removing the paint, plaster it and re-paint it again. It's wasting our money. Creating jobs for Singaporeans? No, all of them are economic migrant workers.
I had a good conversation with these people this morning and was told that they are strengthening the pillars with fibre mesh prior to the plastering. It makes sense but then is there a necessity? Hm... I better not ask too much and leave it to the professional to do their job.

Happy birthday Fyn!

To our dearest daughter Fyn,
Have a wonderful 22nd brithday in New Orleans.







Attended our secondary school class gathering at Lau Pa Sat last evening. No doubt there were about 10 of us there, the star of the night was Rohana. We have not met since leaving school thirty over years ago. Probably she was happy to see all of us again.
As usual, there were many whys. Why always meet on a Wednesday? Why always meet at Lau Pa Sat? And the famous WHO. Who else is coming?
It's good that all of us put in an effort to make this gathering a success. Definitely a collective effort this time round. Everyone tried contacting those in contact. Sadly, there were quite a number who could not make it. Needless to say, I am always the one who initiate it.
Well, I had announced the next gathering would be Chinese New Year 2012. No more Wednesday. No more Lau Pa Sat. You guys propose and suggust. It's my turn to ask WHY. And who else is coming? LOL.

Radio silence

Halloween was never a celebrated festival during my younger days. Since when was it marketed here? I can't tell. All I know is my children's generation is having fun and it's growing bigger with each year. Like the saying goes.... if you can't win them, join them.

Smily and Sheryl are having their examination. Brand's essence of chicken, red bull, etc to keep themselves awake. Jia you! Radio silence on Fyn's side. Pretty quiet. Guess she is having her examination too. Jia you!

Another shopping centre

Happy Halloween 2011.

I hope you guys enjoy and have fun. As for me, I am preparing for tomorrow, my last day at Changi City Point. The nature of our job is like gypsy. Here today, gone tomorrow. When the building is complete, we have to hand over to the management and move on to another new project. Coincidentally, my next project is still a commercial project i.e. another shopping centre. This time it is at Paya Lebar. I am taking a short break till 12 November 2011 prior to restart all over again.

Here is wishing my buddies all the best and God bless!

Ah Joyce getting married

Congratulation to my eldest brother Thomas and sister-in-law Jeannette on their daughter Joyce Ng coming wedding on 10 December 2011. Kong xi kong xi!

Deepavali Greeting

Happy Deepavali to our Hindu friends.

Sports

Sports, sports, sports! New Zealand All Blacks defeated France 8-7 at the Rugby World Cup Final. Congrats! Btw, when did I go into the rugby game?
You bragged and laughed when you thrashed Arsenal 8-2 weeks ago. We must thank Manchester City for that lesson on you. No sane person would believe mighty Man United got whacked by noisy neighbour 6-1. Shiok!
As for Arsenal, they defeated Stoke City 3-1 at home. They are now lying 7th in the league table. Keep it up!

Autumn chill

It's not only countdown to Halloween but to my last day at Changi City Point too. 31 October 2011, that's it. Thank you for the memories........ the good, the bad and the ugly. Oh yes, and many laughters too. The management has confirmed that I can offset my leave. That leave me with about 11 free days before I start my new project. A good suggestion by Margaret to go for a short holiday. But where? Let's wait and see.

Away from home, Fyn is feeling the chill in New Orleans. Mind you it's only Autumn. But then hor.... she was in bikini on her Facebook. Aiyoh! How not to feel cold? For the angmohs, they are used to it. Watch your health! Anyway, Margaret has just send a parcel of 'everything' over and that includes barang barang which she asked Jeffrey to buy. She should receive in the next few days.

Lucky Star

OMG! Three job offers in a week and all of them are going to start next month. One manhunted and two strongly recommended. Am I in demand or just plain lucky? Guess my lucky star is shining on me and there is no stopping.
What come next? Maybe good fortune. Sincerely I pray for good health for everyone especially during this coming festive season. Come next month, it's goodbye to my Changi City Point pals. There are gossips of colleagues bad-mouth from behind. I wish to leave in good spirit with all of them in good memory. May it be so.
Another good news. My Arsenal defeated Sunderland 2-1 and is in 10th position in the league table. Bravo! The best is yet to be.

take it easy

'take time to take it easy pal........' Thanks Aloy. A timely advice. I can feel I am growing older. I lost direction when my project was completed. Though I am allowed to relax till the end of the year, it's never my way of life to idle. Thankfully, a new mega project comes along and I am going over in the middle of next month. That is to say......... I am still useful and wanted in my industry. Well, will write more about the project when I am there.

I was down with diarrhea or tummy flu for the past 2 days. Feeling damn bloody lousy. Anyway, who doesn't? Yesterday morning was the worst, having to live with a cramp and painful tummy. The bacteria inside was giving me hell and I swallowed 2 Bigestic pills without second thought. And it worked. Right now I am alive and kicking. Relax man!

New project?

Feng shui has changed. It's been confirmed verbally that I am going to start a new commercial cum residential project somewhere in the middle of next month. Back to the basic with a new team. No more overseas holiday till the earliest..... Autumn 2012. Let's wait and see.

Margaret has been down with gastric for the past weeks. Her recent medication has helped a lot. She got to wait till 8 Nov 2011 for her specialist appointment. I pray that by then she has recover fully. Remember, healthy first!

Healthy first

It's so strange. You wouldn't believe that I went to the Singapore Pools outlet yesterday afternoon and back out at the last minute. I wanted to buy 2 sets of numbers and suddenly I told myself to seek health rather than wealth. Anyway, the numbers didn't appear in the draws. Good health to everyone prior to good luck.

We shifted our office again and I don't see the feng shui is any better. It's still at the basement level. The consolation is the big air-well at the entrance brings yang qi from above. Hopefully, everyone is better-off in terms of health and wealth.