bitterness gone with cloudy

The accumulated bitterness of going to work had suddenly gone. On Friday my office was closed due to Public Holiday that falls on Saturday. I suppose not all offices and companies were closed that day and ECP was unusually jammed that morning. Everyone was going to work, whereas I on my way for my morning jog at 9 o’clock. I know, the commuters’ eyes must be looking at me with envy hehehe….! (yah, I am being alil sarcastic here :P)

The park was quiet, with occasional cool breeze from the after-shower brushes on my skin.

On my way home, the road outside and along East Coast Park was almost empty. No car following closely behind, as though forcing you to move aside for them. I was so happily cruising until I missed the exit!! Sometimes, it's good to skip that drink-till-late session, but to wake up early and feel the morning sun. I think it’s also good to take a day off on a weekday just to stroll at the beach or park.

♣ ♣ ♣ ♣ ♣

When was the last time you went movie alone?

I just did.

Later in the day, wanted to catch 500 days of summer, ended up watching…

.

.

.

.

Since I missed the show time, and gotta watch a nice-but-too-kiddy-for-me movie. I started to get bored and begin camera-ing in the theatre. (hmm… I dunno if this is legal, anyway...) I’d say the animation is really good, cos I was so hungry by just looking at the animated food on screen.



I finished my day at WJ's place with mich and den, 4 of us boozing till late that night.


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East Coast Sawadee

After such a long talk about meeting Joo, we finally did. May, Joo and I went to where-else but east coast again.. it was my 3rd time there this month *yawn*. Good thing is, each time I manage order different food.

Knowing Joo from before, he was a cheerful and care free person, drank like 9 bottles of beer almost everyday. Being an alcoholic ruined him. He has to now go for kidney dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hrs each. The process is dreary and painful, poking arms with needle as thick as satay stick into the blood stream, described by him. Follow by a strict diet, with no food of high potassium eg. beans, orange, banana and confine to minimum water intake, making him lose tons of weight. It is heartbroken to see a friend becoming like this.

Probably, I should cut down on my drinking too…. probably

Later came 3 friends, May’s hubby and 2 are friends of theirs. The night, well… turn out a group of drinkers tipsy and merry. Joo was absolutely fine, he wasn’t tempted at all, but was happily listening to our conversation.

Then one of us suggested continuing drinking at some Thai disco. Apparently you are allowed to enter with shorts and flip-flop like me. So we went, except Joo who gone back and rest.

I couldn’t believe the place - Neverland is actually the once-upon-a-time Fire Discotheque (you might not have heard of it if you are born in the 80s. Now guess my age…). It definitely had a face-lift. I mean, of cos, not comparable to Zouk. But it’s also not the type of sleazy joint which we’d imagine. The place is packed with youngsters - males & females, which I’d say… around early to mid 20s?

With Thai live band and occasional young, pretty Thai dancers performing in between breaks makes me think I am holidaying in some part of Thailand, Pattaya, Phuket or something, especially with the attire I am in. Our party eventually ends at 3, but their party continues till dawn.

It was surely an experience. Perhaps it has been a while since I go out..

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1 wrong move

Since my membership with the gym is expiring in 7 months time, and was quickly spotted by a sale person, he told me, he’s one of the managers. He wanted to introduce the loyalty program to their existing customer for continuation of membership. But I was already late for the spinning class, he then withheld my card so that I’ll have to see him after the lesson to let him sales-talk me - what a sale tactic.

Allowing him to do that, I sort of also interested to see what he has to offer, so I walked into the sale strategy, ARMED. Becos’ I paid a very good rate previously and would expect the same, thus, if the price isn’t right, I’d politely reject and leave, I thought.

BUT, he made a wrong move ! Never doubt your customer information !

He insisted I paid a certain amount previously (which is more and definitely not what I remembered), so I told him nicely, it’s not the same I recalled. He refused to accept and wanted to prove me wrong by trying to show me the data thru’ their system.

I kept quiet.

He still insist that the rate is attractive and promotion will end soon any time from now, in another words I better sign up today. CRAP !

After spending some time fiddling with the login name and password, we are there. And after making some calculation, I am RIGHT ! The amount he quoted me was more than what I had paid. Now he is trying to twist his words, “but it’s only a few dollars more every month” No word of apology.

Sigh ! yes, it might be just a few dollars but it’s the sincerity. HELLO??!! (he seemed too desperate to close the deal)

I say no and told him there’s still 7 months to go, there maybe a better promotion then.

His face changed. “I don’t think so” he said persistently.

I just smile, pick up my bag and leave.

.............

p/s - not that if he's sincere I'd buy it from him, price is still the main issue

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Animals. Aviator. Adventure

My mobile phone chirped, “Sorry, I will be a little late”, a text message from Sharon, her car was blocked by a huge lorry.

Today I took a half day leave so that Sharon could bring me to buy my tools for my soon-to-start class. It as an exquisite decorated place, but the shop wasn’t too prominent, so may take a while to find (if you haven’t been there before). A neat place with all the necessary equipments to use for makeup and styling and even a small table where you could paint your own nails – FOC! (what's the best? Free's the best ! hehehe)

♦

♦

3 kinda animal hairs - squirrel, sable, white goat are found in this set of brushes, only 1 is non animals' :

can you spot which one?

According to the owner, she will soon stop importing animal hair brushes, cos’ it’s cruelty to animals. I couldn’t agree more. Although, no animal was supposed to be killed in the process claimed by the manufacturer, we believe some were definitely injured or dead during the capture.

We should cut down the use of animals’ hair brushes, but change it to synthetic hair instead. Ironically, that was one of my best purchases of the day :P

After that, we walked across the street to look at some wholesalers selling accessories. I found my 2nd most-like item – an aviator sunglass.

I have been looking for a shade like this a long time. Usually nice ones are expensive eg. A pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses would cost around $300. But this one is nice and cheap, less than $15 !!! Wahahah ! So happy when I managed to buy nice things at a good price. You may be thinking, sunglasses are use to protect our eyes, it’s ok to pay a little bit more … to me, sunglasses are like accessories, no point buying a good one knowing that I would only wear it for awhile.

After sharon left, I did something….. ermm… unintelligent, unwise whatever… (just refuse to use the word “ssssstu – pid”)

I felt alil giddy, then I remembered I hadn’t ate much the whole day. Since I was pretty close to Chinatown, I decided to walk there to eat the long-time-no-eat soya chicken noodle, and also trying to be cheapo to save on that 50c ERP charge (you know, it’s so irritating to have ERP systems set at every corner). With my high heels, I was practically dragging half way thru’ the journey. But my will was strong! It took me 20 mins…. Finally I’m there,

CLOSED ! It was closed… Can I get any luckier?!!!

Knowing there’s another shop selling the same stuff nearby. Hungry, tired, sweaty, I dragged my feet further. All I could see was a lady washing the floor of the seating area. Sigh.

With no choice, I gotta continue my hunt for food. Singapore a food paradise, everyone loves to eat here, I can’t find a proper meal?!

Eventually I settled with a plate of boring wantan mee at Chinatown hawker centre (<_<)

ok! I am not going to walk back to collect ET8, I told myself, so I took a bus – 65c. When I exited from the carpark, the evening peak hour ERP was already on, another 50c. ARGH! I might as well ride there & back, it'd have been the same price or cheaper. So angry with myself ! It’s tedious trying to outsmart this system.

That pretty sum up my day of adventure.

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Allergy

Mom and Dad’s friend from the states came visit us. Naughty baby G bitted her at the ankle, when she was trying to get rid of some garbage. She freaked out (I guess anyone would) of cos, but was ok after awhile. Glad she isn’t typically afraid of dog.

By the way, if you don't know who baby G (baby pig) is, he is shiraz my rascal dog. I've just thought of giving him this new nick. Cos' with the amount my mom feed him, he is turning into a pig in no time.

After we couldn’t find the famous bak kut teh which dad wanted to bring us, we had lunch at a random coffeeshop along Balestier, and then headed towards Orchard road, as mom wants to check out ION. It was my 1st time there. It was also baby G’s 1st time to Orchard. Frankly, I don’t really enjoy going Orchard anymore, reasons; bad traffic, ERP everywhere, expensive parking fee, crowded street… so many more.

I must admit ION is really big and impressive. or becos’ I hardly go downtown anymore.

The only time I would go there is for my gym sessions but always leave hurriedly.

I remembered my Portuguese ex-colleague used to say “No crowded places pleassse! I’m allergy to HUMAN!” in a bitchy tone when we were deciding where to go. It was funny when he said that.

Since when our country has become so packed and when had I become like him, dislike streets that are filled with humans?


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8月15

Lantern festival… no… it’s mooncake festival… well.. should be mid autumn festival. I have been giving these festivals funny names, with things that are associate to it. But seriously, what do u call dumpling festival?

Since our life is full of options, so as our mooncakes. Now there are various types of mooncakes in the market to choose from, ranging from ice-cream to chocolate. Over the years, creative chefs had come up with new ideas to fulfill the taste-buds of many picky customers.

Japanese sweet potatoes with champagne choc by Intercontinental Hotel

However, 大中國月餅 only sell the most traditional mooncakes, not even snow-skin. Most of the younger generation may not have heard of this brand. But I’m pretty sure if you ever walked around Chinatown, you’d have come across a traditional Chinese looking shop selling all kinds of Mandarin pastries and cakes. I’ve been eating their mooncakes for the longest time. I just hope they’d continue to produce these wonderful pastries for more generations to come. Some traditions are irreplaceable and always well-liked for decades.

Lastly ...... HAPPY MOONCAKES FESTIVAL !



Goodnight

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A B C

Today, my swiss colleague brought us home-made soup,

Ingredient
Pork
Carrot
Radish
Leek
Cucumber
Chilli… chilli?! ok, whatever
and of cos, his love, he said



Hey, I’d say it’s quite good only a lil spicy.. ang mo making Chinese ABC soup with his own style. Not bad huh !

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