Welcome to Toon's life

Happening May

2011-05-31T22:47:00.028+08:00

4 May 2011:

Can't believe that Shahla is finally leaving us for good after 2 years of her fellowship in Singapore...sob sob...time really flies...it is as though we just met yesterday and now she is going home...although I am happy for her that she is finally able to be with her family but we will be missing her! Really amazed at how we get together so close...keep in touch yea Shahla!

So, WEHS held a farewell lunch for her in the office...

Ordered in Botak Jones

Everyone tucked in

Hmm, too bad this is not the full attendance

Made a gift for her...the one I am holding is made by me, a token from her 'children', the one she is holding is from WEHS, got a caricaturist to do a caricature of all of us! They look so real!

Shahla and her gifts...hopefully they are not too much to bring home...

Last hug! Bye Shahla! Will miss you!

8 May 2011:

It has been almost 2 years since I last met Lillian! I missed the times we drove around for short trips in Melbourne...aaahhh...how I wish I could led those kind of life again!

Anyway, she came back to Singapore to visit her friends, which are us! Haha...so nice of her! Her mum is even nicer! She said that she missed me too and wanted to treat me for a meal! Aunty, you are so kind! Even though I only met her for a short period of time but I think she is extremely nice, remembered the days we went for short trips together when she went over to Melbourne to visit Lillian...thanks aunty! Hope to see you again in Hong Kong! Weee...

At Pepes Restaurant in Ngee Ann City...with Si Liang and Lillian

After dinner, went for a drink at Coffee Club...I blend in very well with the couch! Haha...

9 May 2011:

Yeay! Today went to view my future home! After work, met up with XF to view her house as she is bringing a contractor to see how to renovate her kitchen...but wasn't very comfortable as the owner is at home and we were like strangers standing around and walking around the house viewing while there are some strangers to us who doesn't really care if we are around or not...hmm, anyway still love the idea that I will moving in to a place really close to my workplace and I don't have to wake up so early and travel so far to and fro home! Thanks to XF for renting a room to me!

10 May 2011:

Since Xue Li came to work in NUH, haven't really had a chance to have lunch with her! So finally met up with her for lunch and we decided to have a gathering, with Si Liang...can't wait!

13 - 15 May 2011:

Pre-wedding day (13 May 2011):

Finally, someone in the family is getting married! Weee...congratulations to David and Lee Sa! Haven't really been to a family's wedding! Mostly are my friends'. So was very excited when she told me about the wedding!

At first we decided that we will be driving in to KL but there were some glitches along the way and end up me and one of my aunt and her 2 kids took a flight down...so we reached KL around 3+pm due to some delay before flying...haiz...anyway, Lee Mei and Lee Ling came to fetch us and met up with Chia Ling too! So long didn't see her already! Can't believe that she actually flew back all the way from Perth just to attend the wedding! So sweet of her! Then had our lunch at Mac and since my parent are also reaching around that time, we thought of waiting for them too...but who is to know that my dad will have such big reaction...anyway, hired a 9 seater car back to my cousin's house...woah can't believe that it took us almost an hour! Faint!

Those who are attending the wedding

Our plane

What a LOOOONG walk

We are only there for a few days BUT...haha nah, the huge luggage is empty, bringing it over for my cousin

After reaching, went out to get a cake for Mother's Day...since it was Mother's Day last Sunday so decided to celebrate a belated Mother's Day for all the mothers...then after that rushed back and hid the cake in the fridge...then went for dinner...

After dinner, had lots of things to do, prepare for the big day tomorrow...made 汤圆 then surprised the mothers with the cake, but my effort seems to be in vain, no one seems to be surprised and everything didn't go smoothly...haiz...wasted...anyway, after that, the hair combing ceremony started and after that we all went back to get some rest for the big day tomorrow!

The BIG Day (14 May 2011):

The preparation

The preparation for the bride to be

The 'play-the-groom' session

Fetching the bride

Here they come

The praying ceremony

Paying respect to the elderly

Off to the groom side

Then the tea ceremony after coming back from the groom side

The cousins

The ROM

Reception before dinner begins

SWEETS! Which those at the reception didn't get to eat...sob sob

The live band

The march in

The cake cutting

The champagne popping...which didn't work

The toast

Last but not least, the photo taking after the banquet

15 May 2011:

Time to get back to Singapore...how I wish I could stay longer! Didn't get to spend time with my parent that much...=(

Things were not that smooth sailing at the airport...we were so lost, don't know what to do in regards to the procedure and have to run about getting a wheelchair for my grandma which she refused to get on but did eventually (we insist that she sits on it as the journey from the boarding gate and the plane is REALLY very far and we are behind time and we don't want her to strain herself walking too fast) and has to take care of the 2 little ones...but things gotten ironed out anyway...phew...

27 May 2011:

Went for a bereavement course using art therapy...hmm though it is informative but I find it a bit too not my style especially the drawings and expressing self through drawings...maybe I am better at handicraft but not drawings...

28 May 2011:

Today is the 2nd part of the course, argh! Have to wake up early on a Saturday! But luckily it is only a half day...

Last words: What a busy month! But I love it!

As the months go by

2011-04-30T23:27:00.072+08:00

Oh well, I guess March isn't very much exciting...nothing much happened...

4 & 5 March 2011:

Attended the Singapore Palliative Care Conference 2011 with Yasotha...wooo...I didn't know that there are so many passionate kind souls around...I really salute them! After the conference, I really don't think I would able to go into palliative field...it is so taxing and draining for me...

12 March 2011:

Sr Jocelyn asked a speaker to come give a talk on sexuality to the gynaecological cancer patients as an event for the cancer support group, she is a Clinical Sexologist, how many of these have you ever heard? She is the one and only one in Singapore! Guess what! And I got to meet her!

I must tell you, after her session I really learnt a lot! Yes, REALLY, no joke! But what have I learnt, is for me to know and for you to find out...hahaha...

19 March 2011:

I am so excited about this day! YC is here in Singapore! It has been 1+ years since I last saw her! So we met up for lunch right after she arrived in Singapore...then went around shopping and lastly we had dinner before we parted...so much to talk about and so much to catch up! Can't wait to see her again...hopefully next year! My want in going back to further my studies were fuelled by this meet up! Haha...

Went to this vegetarian restaurant in Novena Square...had a very nice meal

This is a vegetarian satay and I tell you it is very nice!

Then after walking around City Hall, stopped at Xin Wang's cafe at Marina Square for tea break...had 蔴薯and 菠萝包

Haha...I didn't know that they take it literally and put a slice of pineapple inside...

Then we continued to walk around and stopped at Canele for dinner...

But we didn't have a proper meal as we were still full after the tea break...so we ordered some desserts instead...yum yum!

21 March 2011:

Another good news! I am moving to somewhere near my workplace! Weee...so I don't have to waste so much time in travelling! Yep, I am moving into XF's house...she bought one in Buona Vista, near Holland Village and so she has been busy buying furniture and such...so today her new sofa, fridge and rice cooker will be delivered to my place for temporary storage...

That's all for March...so here comes April which is a wee bit more exciting...

2 April 2011:

Ya Shu invited us to go over to her house for a meal and Wii session! Actually it is supposed to be in March but she was down with illness near that date so we pushed back to this day...but anyway, we had an extremely nice time there...my first time playing Wii and my first time baking a pizza in Singapore!

Thanks Ya Shu for opening her house to us! And also for letting me mess up her kitchen! Haha...I haven't bake a pizza since I came back from Melbourne and she granted my wish!

So here are the ingredients

Then after that, quick fry the vegetables and lay them on top of the pizza base

Then throw lots of cheese on top and you are ready to bake

Ta da, here are the results...this is the one with meat

While this is the pure vegetables one

Ya Shu also made us a dish

This is it! Very nice! A Jamie Oliver's recipe!

After the lunch, we played Wii! Doing some crazy stuff...hahaha...

Dawn and Ya Shu playing tennis

Dawn and Yasotha playing boxing

3 April 2011:

Supposed to have a gathering with the 6 other 'princesses' but in the end most of them could not make it, and in the end left the 3 of us...so JC and SF came over to my place since we don't know where to go...had a relaxing gathering doing nothing much...haha...what a day!

17 April 2011:

Attended an orientation at Nacli as grassroot leader...hmm didn't want to attend it at first but Christine said it is a must, so no choice...the place is at South Buona Vista Road, which is near my office which means it is VERY FAR from my house...haiz...didn't expect that I have to go all the way there as if I am going to work...only one work to summarize the whole thing...BORING! Did I learn anything new? NO! Did I get to know any new friends? NO! What a waste of time...

29 April 2011:

Yeay! The long awaited day has finally come! Yup yup! Nat asked me if I wanted to go to their concert, I agreed without hesitation! Haha...actually not to listen to their singing but to see them personally! Hahahaha...my idol!

But before their concert, there is an autograph signing session at City Square Mall! So this day after work, both myself and Dawn went to IKEA to get a photo frame for Shahla's farewell gift first then after that went down to City Square Mall myself as I end work earlier than both Nat and Eve...

When I reached the mall, there were already tonnes of people queue-ing up! Can't believe this! And I heard that some of them queued since 3pm! Crazy! The event will only start at 8pm goodness me...although I reached there at 6pm but the crowd is getting more...since Nat will be slightly late due to her clinics so I started queue-ing first...also helped to collect the poster where they were supposed to be signing on! Then Nat reached about 7pm but Eve was still stuck at the office attending to a patient...so no choice, we just queue and wait for her...but she didn't came until the signing session ended! Ooppss...but still she managed to get a glimpse of them! Hehe...

Then after that, we went for our dinner! Yea didn't get to eat anything, luckily I bought some snacks and managed to munched them while queue-ing...

You know what? I used to tell myself that those people queue-ing up to see their idols are crazy...and I can't believe that I am doing the same thing today! Hahaha...faint...but no regrets! I got to see HIM within close distance!

Okay, this is what we have been waiting for...to meet the HK actors!

Look at the crowd!

There are also lots of them standing on different levels, but those are mainly onlookers...see the fans? All came prepared with the name board and everything...which are very annoying coz they blocked everyone's view! Even after being warned by people at the back, they still ignore

Me and Nat...waiting eagerly

That is the poster that they will be signing on!

Finally they are here!

Saying hello to everyone

Then there is this game playing session where the people who managed to answer questions by the host before the actors arrived get to go on stage to be close up with them! Envy! Moses is so cute!

Ron is so cheeky!

They are still playing games but I forgot and also can't see what exactly is happening on stage as we were too far back

This would be a perfect picture minus the head!

Then the signing session starts...this is Kevin

Ron!

Moses

Bosco

Getting more nervous and excited as we get nearer and nearer to the stage

The signing session ends and they are bidding farewell...sob sob

This picture is well taken! Hahaha...as if he is looking my way...okay I am disillusioned...anyway, see you guys tomorrow!

Eve finally reached! Us and the posters!

The poster and the signatures!

Had a very very late dinner

30 April 2011:

Finally the day is here! The Concert! Although I don't think that it will be a fantastic one, but anyway I haven't been to a concert throughout my life so I will take this opportunity to do so! Haha...and at the end of the whole thing, I am still impressed by their singing but I learnt so much more about them other than the persona portrayed by them on screen! Something to take away still...phew...

So we met up earlier before the concert so that we have time to walk around Sentosa

After dinner, we went in to the Convention Centre...I wasn't prepared for the photo...haha...anyway 3 of us were there, including Nat' bf

This scene really looks like what I saw on tv

Okie the show is about to start

They sang a couple of numbers together

Before they split into solo session...and here, there were discussion who should go first

In the end, Moses lost the scissors, paper, stone so he went first

Then, Ron performed next

Go Ron Go!

Next was Bosco...didn't know this rocker side of him

Then he asked a fan to come up the stage and he performed a love song to her, she was the representative of his fan club and she received his gift on behalf of the rest

Then last was Kevin

Nat's favourite, so she wanted to take a close up shot with him and we helped her...haha

After Kevin's solo, they came up together...they are currently at the back stage discussing how to make an entrance

They wanted louder cheer before they come up...haha...

So they performed a few numbers

Gave out the remainders of the posters

Then after that, they were bidding farewell but people shouted for encore

So they decided to perform a very last song

And that was really The End...see you guys on screen then!

Last words: Hope things will be better as the year goes by...

Happy Chinese New Year aka Happy Rabbit Year!

2011-02-20T15:06:00.000+08:00

27 Jan - 8 Feb 2011:

Went home for CNY...had a wonderful time! The experience is beyond words! Though it is not very happening, but being able to spend time with people whom you really care is really heart-warming...

After reunion dinner, we gathered at my cousin's house and she suggested that we play fireworks...and we discovered this function on the camera...so they wrote Rabbit in view of rabbit's year

On the 1st day of CNY, we usually go pay respect to our grandfather at the temple, these are only few of my cousins

Went to the beach...our favourite hang out place

This year we wanted to 放孔明灯

But too bad, the wind was so strong that we could not even light it up...so we gave up after struggling for very long

And we did our jumping pose again!

Then on the 2nd day, we gathered at grandma's place

On that day, a relative happened to drop by so we took a big group photo

12 Feb 2011:

Not long after I came back from home, we went to my boss's house for her house warming also for CNY celebration...

Her house from the outside...yup is a peranakan styled house

She was explaining to us the meaning of the signboard

The interior...we had a tour of the house too!

Nat is forever photo-sensitive...haha

Su Ren and Ya Shu

Me and Nat with her famous pose...haha

19 Feb 2011:

Again a meet up for CNY...this time is with 4th MC! I can't believe that so many years after graduation, we can still have such a big number of turn out rate! *applause* We should really meet up more often!

So we went to this Japanese restaurant near Marina Square...nice food and nice ambiance but I think we were too noisy for the place...haha...

Last words: Happy Chinese New Year to all! Hope you have a wonderful year ahead!

New year new beginning!

2011-01-22T17:43:00.002+08:00

Often people will have resolutions when a new year starts...although I am very reluctant to set them but this year I really have something I really wish I could attain by the end of the year...I really hope that I could clear off my study loan and then save up some money for my Master course...

Here are some highlights of the month of a new year:

8 Jan 2011:

Had our last meeting for YGB! This meeting is to wrap up the whole event and to minute down things to take note of in the future if anyone would like to carry on this project...after that, we had our certificate presentation and lunch! Okie this is how the certificate presentation works, we shuffle the certs and then each one pick one without seeing, then you have to present the cert to the person whose name is printed on the cert you picked...sounds interesting? So here goes:

Fred to Eileen...and I don't know why he looks like that...haha

Tiong Wei to Shirley

Ziyang to Tiong Wei

Me to Shiyun

Shiyun to Alex

Alex to me

Shirley to Fred

Li Fern to Ziyang

One last group photo but not full attendance

Then we proceed to lunch!

Yup had mini pot steamboat again! Our favourite!

At night, went to Nisha's for dinner! Thanks to Nisha for opening her house to us and cooked us a sumptuous meal!

Thanks Nisha!

Once we stepped into the house, we seemed to be taking turns carrying people's kids...Yasotha carrying Nisha's youngest son

Sharon too

Then I played with Ya Shu's Lucas!

The happy mummy next to me

Reshmi happily carrying Lucas instead of her son...haha

Then the sumptuous dinner!

After food, we continued to take photos...Dawn and myself

Sharon, Dawn, Me and Shahla and Nisha's second son's head

With Ya Shu and Lucas and half of Nisha's second son

The big group photo! With Sharon carrying Reshmi's son

14 Jan 2011:

Met up with Jane before she flies back to Melbourne...I am going to miss you!

15 Jan 2011:

Had a surprise birthday outing for Shahla...her birthday is early February but since she is going to fly back to Bahrain for holiday soon and I am going back for CNY end of this month, so we carried forward the celebration! Brought her to Bombay Cafe again since she loves the place so much...

We really ordered a lot, this is only 3/4 of what we ordered...and only 3 of us eating since someone can't make it

Plus this

And not forgetting the dessert!

21 Jan 2011:

Then had a belated birthday gathering for Eve! After work, brought her to Bugis and surprised her with a mysterious guest that she didn't know will appear, Mr Jeremy Lim...however, his appearance didn't surprise her but instead I noticed she presented an unhappy face...oh well not the person she is keen to see...haha...anyway, we had dinner at NYDC went to a dessert place while waiting for Natalia to rejoin us after her meeting with her friends...then later, the 5 of us continued our chit-chatting session in Intercontinental for a cup of drink...we stayed there from 10+ to midnight...gosh...hope Eve had a nice time...

Last words: Hope this year will be better than last...

Bye 2010

2010-12-31T12:15:00.015+08:00

3 Dec 2010:

For the past few weeks, we have been going back to the office during weekends to clean up our database...so to thank us for our hard work, our boss treated us to lunch! Thanks boss!

In an ice cream shop somewhere in Biopolis

11 Dec 2010:

After the last gathering at Alicia's new house, we followed up with another...but this time not many people turn up coz most of them are sick...

Our meal!

Only the four of us

24 Dec 2010:

The five of us were supposed to go for Christmas eve lunch but in the end everyone couldn't make it, Nat was stranded in London due to the heavy snow storm, Yasotha was not feeling well and Jeremy as usual have something on at the very last minute...so end up me and Eve were the only ones around, but anyway, we still carry on with our lunch...just the two of us! But we had lots of fun! We shared lots of secrets together...*wink* Well well, I am glad that we still carry on with it! Got to know Eve better!

The Queen and Mangosteen at Vivo City

Eve and our drinks

Miss Eve and her food

Me and mine

Our orders

25 Dec 2010:

Was invited by Santhiya and Sr Mary to go over to their house for Christmas celebration...supposed to go with Ya Shu and Yasotha to Santhiya's place but since Yasotha is down, went with Ya Shu instead but before that, since all the gifts were at Yasotha's place, we dropped by her place to collect before heading to Santhiya's...

Then after having lunch at Santhiya's, went alone over to Sr Mary's house, since Ya Shu wasn't invited and she has to visit her friend...Sr Mary's house is really nicely decorated with lots of porcelain dolls collection! Amazed, but was rather lonely though since not a lot of them are people I knew, luckily there were Ward 48 nurses around, but still I left after sitting around for an hour or so...

On our way to Santhiya's, first time seeing Little Lucas smile so happily

The mural that XYZ painted for Santhiya's daughter

31 Dec 2010:

Today is the last day of the year also the last day at work for Jeremy, so we decided to head out for lunch with him after work...went to Central but also not a long meal as Nat as to rush to somewhere else while Jeremy also has to rush back...since today is the last day of the year, everyone has arrangements except for myself...went home and enjoy the last few moments of 2010...stayed up till after the countdown!

It's 01/01/2011!

Last words: Well, this is it! End of 2010! Bye 2010, Hello 2011!

Feasty month

2010-11-30T11:11:00.002+08:00

12 Nov 2010:

Happy birthday to me!

17 Nov 2010: YGB 庆功宴

After many months of slogging, we finally reached the closure...so before we totally put YGB down, we met up almost one last time as a whole to celebrate the success of YGB with a feast! We went to Brotzeit...here are the photos!

The seafood platter

The pork knuckle

The cold platter

The sausage platter

A token of appreciation for all the OC members, mine presented to me by Tiong Wei aka our Assistant Project Director

And Alex did a nice mug for all of us too! The mug is imprinted with our OC photo and when you pour hot water into the mug, it will change colour from white to black and the photo will show!

The girls of MC! Girl power!

Almost all of us

Outside the restaurant, me and Fred aka our Project Director

The Pub Team! From left: Shiyun, XYZ and myself, thanks so very much for everything!

Again, a big group photo before we disperse

19 Nov 2010:

Guess what! I found another person who has the same birthday and birth month with me (yea different birth year though)! It's Su Ren! So we had a celebration for both of us today in the office...

Thanks Dawn for the lovely cake hat! I love it!

Me and my 'birthday cake'

Su Ren and hers

Since we don't have real candles to blow, we are trying to blow the candles on the hat! Haha...trying to be funny...

Birthday girls

Me and my humongous burger

Shahla 'Mummy' and me

From left: Ya Shu, Dawn, Su Ren, me, Reshmi and Gaik Suan

24 Nov 2010:

It has been quite some time since our little 'family' (Shahla, Jeremy, Myself and Yasotha) went out for dinner, so today we decided to go out for dinner...went to Marche

Me and Shahla

Yasotha and Shahla

26 Nov 2010:

Finally managed to organise an outing for the 4 of us, all thanks to Eve and the 1 for 1 coupon!

Here are our food!

All of us and our food! From left: Me, Eve, Yasotha, and Natalia

After the dinner, we went for dessert at NYDC

Our cake

The chocolate lava

27 Nov 2010:

Grace has left our division not long ago...and she has also just moved to a new house, so she has invited us to her house for a BBQ...

Both Dawn and myself went earlier as Grace said opposite her place there is a big field for us to fly kite...though that day wasn't very windy but we still manage to fly for a while...

Me and the kite

Dawn and the kite

I guess this is the highest that day

Grace and her bunch of satays

Then we proceed to starting the BBQ, Dawn hard at work...BBQ-ing otah

Myself and Grace also hard at work

And having fun too!

Hard at work while waiting for the rest to arrive

Look at the spread! Thanks to Santhiya and her briyani rice!

Everyone enjoying their food!

Including us!

There is only one person who is not having fun...poor little Lucas and mummy Ya Shu has to pacify him...aww...

Last words: So much eating for the month! But I love the get together the most!

After YGB

2010-10-31T10:05:00.001+08:00

Well, after YGB, my life has returned to its peaceful state...so since the ending of YGB till the end of the year, there's nothing much happenings...anyway, just for an update...here goes:

10 Oct 2010:

Today is World Mental Health Day! I didn't know that until now! Hahaha...oooppsss...and I think there is a worldwide World Mental Health Day just that it may be on a different date, as I heard Jane saying that she is also having something in Melbourne in view of the day...

Anyway, the division I am working for Women's Emotional Health Service (WEHS) is also participating in it! Weee...and we have a booth in Marina Square on both days (9 and 10 Oct) although today is the main day...as for me, I am manning the booth on 10 Oct...so here is what happened on that day...

Our host for the day! Vernetta Lopez and Ben Ong (If I am not wrong)...ooopppsss...

The Wall of Positivity, the guy in green is the one who will be drawing caricature of people (i.e the couple sitting next to him) onto the wall, then the person who is drawn can write something positive near their caricature

The Air Brush Tattoo, which is the most popular stall around

Yea! And I got one too! Haha...

Here is the end product, mine is at the bottom, above me is Reshmi's and then Su Ren's...

The Glass Full of Positivity, you are ping pong ball to write message and then drop them into the big box

The Be Positive Art Maze, there are glass panels which form a maze, so you can grab a pen and just walk into the maze and write things you like

For example, the message you saw on top of Dawn, that's written by her!

The Design a Posi-tote bag, where you will be given a tote bag then you can design it anyway you want with anything positive!

This is mostly occupied by little kids

The Hoops of Positivity, it is basically the basketball throwing game you will find in any arcade

Then there is performance by Jack and Rai!

Performance by Chua En Lai!

And last but not least, singing from Sezairi Sezali and Sylvia Ratonel!

Here is the crew from Day 1, from left: Santhiya, Cornelia (my boss), Vanessa (another boss of mine) and her little daughter and Sharon

Next badge of Day 1 crew, from left: Dawn, Su Ren, Deborah and Jingxiu (not our colleague but intern who is very kind to volunteer for us!)

Crew on Day 2, from left: Yasotha, Gaik Suan, Me and Dawn

And also, Reshmi!

16 Oct 2010:

A month ago, Shumin has given birth to a son and so both KKL and Shumin has a new addition to their little family! Congratulations! So today is little Gabriel's first month celebration! 4th MC and his close friends were invited and we went over to KKL's sister's condo for the celebration!

Here is the gift from all of us!

Little Gabriel!

Here are all of us with the proud daddy and mummy (in pink)

26 Oct, 2 Nov and 9 Nov:

These few days I went on a course called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (Intermediate). Oh well, although I hope it to turn out fun but it is rather dry...the trainer is funny I should say, Prof Koo, thanks! But I think the course could be better and more interesting though

29 Oct 2010:

My passport is going to expire in a few months time so decided to take leave to renew it...this is my first time renewing passport in Singapore! So went around asking my friends who had renewed it here of what should I do...

Of course, first thing is to get there as early as possible as they only have limited numbers to give out...so I think I reached there before 8am, just to be safe and sorry, I don't wish to go all the way there and can't renew it...well I should say it is much more faster to do it here...it just took me around an hour after we were let in and I could go home and wait for collection in the afternoon on the same day!

It is located on Jervois Road, a rather secluded place so had to take a cab from Tiong Bahru MRT, although when I reached there I realised that I could reach there by bus too! =.=

Yup here it is!

30 Oct 2010:

Alicia and her siblings bought a new house! So happy for her, from now on, she doesn't have to keep moving around like nomads...

So today, she invited us over for house warming...here are the pictures!

Some of us decided to meet up earlier before going over to her place...so Xf, JC and myself met at Jurong Point and we stopped at this nice dessert place a dessert...hehe

Xf and myself

JC and Xf

After that, we went over to Alicia's place and wait for the rest...Elaine was the first to reach!

While waiting, we do our favourite activity, take photos!

Then after everyone is here, we went over to Elaine's...haha since she only lives like a few blocks away...

After visiting Elaine's place we went to order our dinner at a nearby hawker centre...we are thinking hard what to order

Us and the menu! After ordering and while waiting for our food to be served, we took lots of photos! Faint...

Here is one, top row from left: Alicia, Esther, Xf; bottom row from left: me, JC and Elaine (photographer: Sf)

Next, top row from left: JC, Alicia and SF; bottom row from left: Esther, Xf and Elaine (photographer: me)

Our food!

All the happy faces coz we were starving!

Then after the dinner, we surprised these 2 birthday girls (although one has past and the other's soon), I tell you, this is the most difficult one to organise coz we have to keep shoo-ing them away from the fridge! Hahaha...

Making a wish...

1, 2, 3, blow!

The proper shot

The crazy shot

Last words: Finally regained my peaceful personal life...hope this will stay and maybe be still as exciting

Youths Give Back!

2010-09-30T20:29:00.000+08:00

What the hell is Youths Give Back!?

Youths Give Back! is a canned and dried food rations charity drive spearheaded by the Tiong Bahru Youth Executive Committee (hereafter YEC) in a bid to help less privileged and needy families living at the margins of society.

Yup! That's right! It is a community project!

Since graduated from university, haven't been involve in any volunteering work and life seems kinda boring since...so Fred asked me if I would like to join YEC and do something meaningful...so I agreed. Then not long after that, he had an idea, since we haven't done Project CAN before in CSC, we might as well do it via YEC and since we wanted to do something useful for the community, so there goes...we copied CSC's Project CAN and renamed it...hehe...

First meeting! OC members get to know each other...and there on, meeting, work, meeting, work and more meeting and work...

28 Aug 2010: Publicity Drive

After months of planning and meeting up, the big days are almost here! But before that, we have to first let everyone knows what we are doing and when will the thing be...so there is the Publicity Drive! This is where we go around door to door and giving out pamphlets to inform the residents in Tiong Bahru area that we are going to come around collecting can food and dried ration in a week's time...

Yes! After months of hard work, a bit more to go before the real thing starts! Patience!

The pamphlets!

Group leaders and OC members

OC members acting crazy as usual

After a whole day of hard work...take a picture before dispersing

3 Sep 2010:

Yeay! Big day is tomorrow! But before that, we still have lots of work to do! Have to prepare the venue for tomorrow!

Mimicking our dear logo...haha...fun before work?

Voila! Almost done...the venue for volunteers to gather before setting out...

Well, not just yet maybe, still have to distribute cardboard boxes to each table...well too many cardboard boxes until we are buried by them? Haha

One last meeting to confirm everything!

Yeay! To celebrate the hard work and that finally the day is here! A cake to kick start YGB!

OC members and the little cake

4 Sep 2010: Youth Collect

This will be a door-to-door collection drive, carried out within the 4-room and 5-room residential areas of Tiong Bahru, Leng Kee, Henderson and Bukit Merah.

Yes! It's here!

So we started off with welcoming volunteers at Tiong Bahru MRT...Welcoming party consists of Shirley, Kit, Myself and Shiyun who is taking the photo

The volunteers

At the CC

Firstly, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee gave a speech

Token of appreciation

Then VM briefed the volunteers of the Dos and Don'ts

Set out!

Here is the actual thing, knocking on doors to collect can food and dried ration

So here are the collections

And, when they got back to the CC, we sorted them into different categories

Once sorted, volunteers to help to pack them into bags

Bags which contain almost a complete meal for families

So after a hard day of work, we de-briefed the group leaders

Also, the volunteers

Not forgetting to celebrate birthdays of people whose birthdays are over or coming soon...so CSC...aaawww...
Then the OC have to pack up

While Secretary cum VM hard at work, keying all the information of the volunteers for the day

Then last but not least, de-briefing for OC

11 & 12 Sep 2010: Youth Donate

This will be carried out at NTUC supermarkets where booths will be set up within the vicinities of the supermarkets and volunteers will have to appeal to members of the public to donate generously by purchasing canned and dried food rations from the supermarkets.

Preparation before the start of Youth Donate

Moving of cardboard boxes to each booth

At Tiong Bahru Plaza's NTUC

At Bukit Merah Central's NTUC

Moving of collected food back to CC

Via van by our log team

Again, sorting

Still, not forgetting to celebrate birthday! Haha...

18 Sep 2010:

Gosh! Need a life outside of YGB! So went out with Yasotha and Shahla, what did we do? Shop and eat, of course! Haha...

Shopping - Shahla's favourite past time...hehe...

Then we stroll along Orchard Road

Went to some high class shops, but didn't buy anything...hehe

Saw some nice decorations

Then went to Marche for dinner!

Shahla enjoying her food

19 Sep 2010:

Oh well, back to YGB...since we didn't manage to finish sorting during Youth Donate, we have to go back to sort the rest of the food...

Oh no! Not enough food! How how?

Don't worry, just go and buy!

So we went shopping

Look at our happy faces!

Tada! Done!

25 Sep 2010: Youth Distribute

Volunteers who have helped out during the previous drives are encouraged to turn up and assist us in distributing the canned and dried food rations to the needy households.

Last and final phase! Jia you!

Loaded! Ready to go!

There are a few collection points, at CC itself...

Or at Neighbourhood RC

Or even door to door distribution

At the cut off time, we prepared appreciation dinner to our volunteers

But then work is still not done yet! There are quite a lot of food packs left as the owners did not come forward to collect, so we have to vote if we wanted to continue on

Yes, it is decided that we shall continue

So here we go! All loaded and ready to go door to door to distribute

Whilst distributing, we do not forget to enjoy ourselves! Haha...

At last, almost done but still have a bit more to go...but since it was late, so we shall continue another day...jia you everyone! But this is the end of the scheduled YGB...

Anyway, here is the whole committee! Great job everyone!

Last words: Thanks to all our volunteers and also ex-CSCians who came forward to help! We wouldn't have done it without all of you! This is the inaugural YGB, will we have subsequents?

More highlights

2010-08-27T21:35:00.000+08:00

Here goes:

19 July 2010:

Just 5 months into this job, heard one of my colleagues whom I met during orientation is leaving...oohh...although feeling a little sad but if he has better prospect somewhere else then all the best! Bye Eu Jin! So before he leaves, Karen and myself decided to organise a farewell for him...so after work, we went to a Japanese restaurant for dinner...nice place and nice food!

25 July 2010:

After our YGB meeting, Fred, XYZ, Tiong and Myself decided that it is not time to go home yet so we lingered around Dhoby Ghaut and then headed to Marina Bay Sands...first time visiting Helix Bridge!

The shopping mall at MBS

The whole Helix Bridge

Close up

MBS hotel

The Singapore Flyer

30 July - 8 August 2010:

After postponing the trip back home...so here I am...HOME! Oh so nice!

22 Aug 2010:

Yeay! First time to Macritchie Reservoir with Eve and Yasotha...we wanted to take the shortest walk but in the end it turn out to be almost 10km of walk! Faint...but it is rather fun! We should do this more! Last but not least, thanks to the Korean uncle who offered and dropped us at the MRT, if not I think we would have died before reaching the MRT...haha...

Which path to go?

We decided to take the HSBC Treetop Walk! Since it is not too long...

Some picture taking of the nice scenery before starting our journey

Breath-taking! Just can't have enough of blue sky...

Macritchie's map...our journey starts!

Lots of monkeys around

This is the kind of trail we are walking on

The Jering Trail

OMG! I just can't believe the view is so NICE! But too bad my phone function and resolution not so good...the colour is a bit off

The two of them trailing

Though tired of walking but not forgetting to take pictures

Oh my! Finally we reached the TreeTop Walk!

The hanging bridge

It is rather scary...the bridge is swaying up and down as you walk...

View from the bridge...nothing but trees

Can you imagine?! There is reception! Haha and that is a phone call from work!

Finally! Out of the reservoir...lunch time at Subway! See our happy faces! Haha...

25 Aug 2010:

It has been some time since our little 'family' outing...but too bad this time Shahla couldn't make it so only 3 of us...so after dinner, Jeremy brought us to this very nice dessert place at Dhoby Ghaut...here are the very nice and delicious desserts!

My mixed berries smoothie

Peanut butter cake and raspberries sorbet

And of course the star of the night...sinful chocolate cake! I tell you it is very nice! Can't remember the exact name though

Last words: All the best to Eu Jin in UK!

Highlights

2010-07-13T14:38:00.038+08:00

Okie, I know I have been very lag in my updates, so sorry gals and guys...I didn't mean it, have been very busy lately and have been SICK...gosh, that's what I don't want...but what to do...anyway here goes, will just give you some highlights:

14 June 2010:

Shahla is back from her trip back home! Weee...so after work, the four of us decided to go for a dinner at Vivo City! Here are some pictures which I took while waiting for both Jeremy and Shahla to reach...me and Yasotha were early as we left office to attend MOHH talk prior to the outing...

17 June 2010:

Jane is back from Melbourne! Weeeee! Met up with her at City Hall for dinner and then we went to tcc for dessert...

18 - 20 June 2010:

Just not too long ago, mum informed me that they are going down to KL to attend my cousin's wedding and casually asked me if I want to join...of course I want! Haven't seen my parent since CNY, so quickly get hold of bus tickets and KL here I come!

Although the cousin is someone I didn't meet before but it doesn't stop me from wanting to go and attend his wedding...haha...ooppss...all the photos from the wedding dinner are with my brother, so here are some that I took around KL:

Meal is provided...haiz, I shouldn't have taken my lunch before boarding then...

There is a tv but the whole journey I was sleeping...hehe...

Finally reached KL, jam, jam and jam...usual

The bus I took...Aeroline

Where I alighted

Waited in the lobby for my cousin to come pick me up

Where we stayed

Then my cousin took us out for dinner at this famous restaurant, nice! And thanks for the treat!

Second day, went out with my parent to walk walk, then we went to Lot 10 for lunch, recommended by my cousin's bf...the most famous top 10 eateries are here...so the name

Then after that, we went to Time Square and there is a theme park in the shopping mall, impressive! First time there...tsk tsk...what a Malaysian I am...haha

We sat down in this shop to have ice-cream

Ordered four and shared...Blueberry flavour

Golden kiwi

Macha or green tea

And black sesame

This names the end of my trip to KL, this is the meal provided by Aeroline on my way back...slept throughout again...haha...

23 June 2010:

This is the fateful day when I got really sick! The rest of the days spent were sickly...sob sob...

26 June 2010:

Went to President's Challenge with YEC people...guess what! Pornsak was the host and we took a picture with him! Haha...that was the highlight of the day...ooppss...

27 June 2010:

After so long, finally going to meet up with Si Liang and Xue Li! Woohoo! But unfortunately Xue Li was down with a headache, so only met up with Si Liang...but we still had fun! Went for lunch in Marche and went for a shopping spree! Hehehe...feel so guilty!

Marche at 313

Our lunch

Our dessert

29 June 2010:

Went out with dear Shahla and Yasotha again! Haha...went for a shopping spree! Oh gosh I have been shopping a lot! I MUST STOP! haha...

30 June 2010:

WEHS Retreat...hmm nothing much though and throughout the whole thing I was feeling very sick...so didn't participate much...after the retreat we went for lunch at K Gourmet, nice!

3 July 2010:

Chia Ling's departure to Perth! Went to the airport to send her off...it reminds me of my departure more than a year ago but it seems like yesterday! Bye Chia Ling, enjoy your time there!

Can you spot her flight? 930 to Perth

Haha...my uncle taking a photo of us and I am taking him taking us

Miss Tay there busy receiving gifts

Some of her best friends

The whole farewell party gang

Then after that, went out with Eu Jin, Shanny and Karen for our delayed monthly outing...this time is a bit different, Eu Jin is leaving! Wish him all the best back in UK! Since he lost the bet that we set when we were having our orientation in March, the person who resigned first, will have to treat the rest who stay...hehehe...so this was his treat! Thanks Eu Jin! You will be missed!

Then after that went to meet Jane! She will be leaving for Melbourne again! Sob sob, can't wait to see you again!

Went to Gelare for a snack since Janey hasn't eaten her lunch yet

Her belated birthday treat! Oh so not sufficient...next time I shall treat you properly

4 July 2010:

Finally full attendance for our 7 princesses outing! So happy! Thanks SF for organising under my pressure...hahaha...

First time in full attendance! Woohoo! At Mad Jack's

After dinner at Mad Jack's we went back to Plaza Singapure for dessert...hehe...so we passed by this!

Cafe Cartel's happy hour...half price for all cakes! Wee...

Today:

Here I am at home, supposed to be resting...I was supposed to be back in my hometown since Saturday, but on Thursday I was down again! Argh! So now here I am taking 2 days just to rest even though I didn't manage to go home...hope everything will be fine!

Last words: I really hope my good days will last, that is good days minus the sickness! Wish me good health! Thanks in advance! Haha...

Updates

2010-06-06T13:17:00.016+08:00

Oh I have been lagging in my updating...oooppss...okie here goes:

On 23 May, met up with my ex-colleagues from TMC! Woohoo! It has been a while since we last met, but it has been awfully difficult to get all of us together, so finally thanks to Hendra we got a date to meet up, but there will be only a few of us...there should be Susanto, Hendra, Litong and myself but then in the end don't know why can't get Litong so the 3 of us met up and Susanto brought his wife and daughter along! His daughter is so cute! We had our dinner at Sushi Tei in Vivo City, after our dinner, had a walk around and we got stuck in Toy R Us because of the little girl...haha...it is good to meet up after such a long time, I think we should meet up more often!

Our food!

On 24 May, we had orientation for our level as we will be moving in on Saturday, so we have to attend the orientation so that we will be informed of some important information like how to operate the AV equipment, ht phone and also about the fire exits...

The following Tuesday, had another must-have dinner outing with Yasotha and Jeremy but then Shahla was not around, we missed her already! Hope she is having fun at home with her family! Shahla, we must meet up when you get back! Can't wait!

On 30 May, it is our moving day! Yes! We are moving to our new office! Woohoo! We no longer are seperated from our other department colleagues! We are supposed to meet at our new office at 4pm, so after collecting things from my aunt's house, I walked over to the new office...after making unpacking and making sure that our computers are working properly we left...then went to Holland Village again with Yasotha...haha...we just love Holland Village nowadays, don't we? We went to NYDC coz she said that the dessert there are very nice, so there we headed...had our dinner and desserts...here are the pictures:

On Monday, first day at work at the new office! Wee...I just love the new office, but I know not everyone has the same sentiment, well I don't care, I love it coz of the view that we have from our office, we get to see the sea! And it looks more like a working area as compared to where we were...but the only minus point is that there is no canteen at this building as the F&B outlet is not up yet, so we have to walk very far to get food...but other than that, no other complaints so far...then at night, went for dinner with Fred and Shirley, finally get to visit the Thai restaurant at Shaw Tower, the queue was long! And while waiting had the ice-cream from the shop opposite it, they are really nice! Guess who we saw in the restaurant! Chen Li Ping and Xu Ya Hui! They sat just behind us! First time I had such close encounter with artists in restaurant!

New office! We are sitting together with Family Medicine Department and Cardiology Department

The common corridor

My colleague who is sitting opposite me with the panel in front of them seperating us...from left: Grace and Nisha and the empty seat is Sharon's

The empty seat is mine...from left: Yashu, me, Yasotha (temporarily seated in between me and Santhiya) and Santhiya

From the other side...we are just sitting back facing the psychologists...

The common pantry

The aftermath of moving...

The view outside of the big glass panel!

On Thursday, took leave to fetch our beloved Miss Quah from the airport! Woohoo! It has been 1.5 years since I last met her...very eager to see her again! She landed around 11.30am, when I first saw her in the baggage pick up point, it reminded me of the time where I did the same thing when I first arrived in Singapore...and after she came out, we had lunch at the airport, there was a surprise for her, her friend also came to fetch her, no wonder while I was busy taking pictures of her collecting her baggage, I saw this girl keep waving at her direction, if I were to know that she is waving at JC, I should have told her that she won't be able to see who it is as her glasses broke and that she can't see properly...hehe...anyway, after that we took a cab back and I really disliked the taxi driver's attitude, it seems like he was very unhappy with us, when we reached our block, and was waiting for him to help with the luggage, he sort of raised his voice at me to ask me to unload the luggages, but I don't think I have the strength to carry a luggage by myself as they are really heavy, then he complained that while carrying them at the airport to load them in the boot, he sprained his wrist or whatever...hello uncle, not my fault that you sprained your wrist, but anyway I just apologised...I did help though just that I need another person to help me with the unloading...haiz...disappointed at the service!

Terminal 3 is where she is be landing

This reminds me of me a few months back

Can you see Miss Quah patiently waiting for her luggages?

Done collecting her luggages, now walking out of the Arrival Hall

JC with all of her luggages

Yesterday, went to Jurong East to view some rooms with JC, but then in the end it all didn't turn out right! I think all the agents' services are lousy! We were supposed to view a unit at Block 219 at 7pm but when we reached the void deck of the block, the agent was no where to be seen and after calling her, she said she is reaching and when she reached, we told her we can't see her then she told us that she is at Block 109 coz the unit at Block 219 has already been rented out! What the! Can't she tell us earlier so that we don't have to waste our time?! Then we tried to look for Block 109 but we can't find so we gave up...okie we were supposed to meet another agent at 8pm then this agent kept changing her plans...a while said go view this block a while the other block, then in the end she said Block 216, then we have to walk over to Block 216 again after we have left the vicinity...gosh I think we have been walking a lot, really a lot! But when we were almost at Block 216 the stupid agent said that the unit doesn't has air-con installed which was previously promised by the owner that she will install, but now she changed her mind...what the! I was really quite mad then coz what are they doing? What kind of sickening service is this?! We were also supposed to meet Elaine but then the agent never get back to her so we can't view it either...haiz what a waste of time last night...

Hmm, today stayed at home to rest, started to have sore throat, today totally lost my voice...argh! Hope I do get back my voice...

Last words: More updates to come, hopefully more promptly!

Fast forward

2010-05-23T13:50:00.009+08:00

Gosh! It has been almost 3 months since I started my current job...time really flies! Lots had happened since the last time I blogged...hmm I should update the blog more often but then it is rather tough when everytime I reached home from work, I am already half 'dead'...hahaha...

Anyway, had 4th MC outing last Saturday after the YEC meeting and really wanted to thank Jooch for recommending such a good place for a dinner, an Arabic restaurant! First time having arabic food if I am not wrong...after the dinner, went out for a drink...

Our food! Nice!

My strawberry drink!

Saw this sign! E3! And Fred wanted to take a pic with it...tsk tsk tsk...haha...

Then on Sunday, went to Tiong Bahru CC to help out for the dialogue session with the Prime Minister...woohoo! First time seeing PM in person! And I must say, he is really humorous! Although much of the topic touched during the session were distantly related to me, but it is good to know...

The stage

PM's seat

PM and MPs

Lots of people who came from CCs for the dialoge

On Thursday, had our first Pub Team meeting! Discussed the publicity drive for our project! And also brainstormed some possible names for our project! Hope that we could decide on one soon! A bit nervous and part excited about it, never in my project life did I took up role in pub team...hmm...hopefully I could be able to do a good job...and I really am not really comfortable leading though, but I hope I will be able to handle it well!

Then on Friday, finally went to take my basic theory test for the second time and I PASSED! Haha...finally! I should have studied the last time! Actually it is not that difficult...really wonder how on earth did I fail the last time...haiz...my fault for not studying it properly...so did my conversion and will be expecting my license to arrive in 2 weeks time! Weeee...

It has also been some time since I am back from Melbourne but how come I am still not well since then...I really hate it! I felt that I haven't been in a really good shape since then and I really really wish I could get back to the same old me SOON! *Help me*

Last words: Things are going a bit too fast! I need to slow down and digest them...

B****ing

2010-05-09T13:01:00.010+08:00

Another b****ing session here...

I am just amazed by how people treat other people nowadays...don't know if I am really taking it too personally or it is just how people treat people nowadays...when I told my friends about what happened to me previously, almost all of them told me that it is normal and that it happens everywhere to everyone...but does that mean that if everyone do it or it happens everywhere then it is the correct thing to do? I personally beg to differ...NORMAL DOES NOT EQUAL CORRECT, right?

Anyway, another interesting thing happened to me recently, my colleague asked me to go meet her at the clinic as she will introduce a patient to me, so after meeting the patient, we saw a psychologist at the counter, my colleague walked over to say hi and asked if she could attend the workshop run by the psychologist as she said she attended a course which the psychologist is also conducting and found it very useful for our group of patients...then I was a bit excited when she brought it up and thought that okay now I have new things to learn...who knows, she told the psychologist that she doesn't want to start the workshop yet as she will be away in a few months time and that she is busy now...okay fair enough, but I can start attending first right? Then she told the psychologist that she could start attending the workshop only in July next year when she is back...then the psychologist told her that she will also only be free in June or July this year, but if she can only make it next July then be it...hello! *knock knock* I am just standing next to you, I will be in charge of the same group of patient, so would it be good to ask me if I want to attend the workshop? NO, I wasn't asked and I just stood there the whole time like I don't even exist...well done! *clap clap* Now I know where I stand, no where...great! I didn't voice a word because I was really shocked, so I just went back to my office...

Okie enough of b****ing...now get back to the interesting part at work...erm, not really at work though...luckily I still have a few nice colleagues to keep me alive at work...

Wednesday after work, 4 of us went out for dinner, we intended to celebrate Mother's Day in advance for Shahla, but there is a hidden agenda! We will be getting a cake to celebrate both the Mother's Day and Jeremy's belated birthday! Okie, a few days before, both Yasotha and myself had been cracking our heads to look for a dairy-free cake coz our birthday boy has problem with dairy products...gosh, that's a very very tough task indeed...but finally we found a place which has all sort of different something-free cakes, such as wheat-free, dairy-free, egg-free etc...woohoo! Done! Next, how are we supposed to collect the cake without both of them knowing? Hmm, in the end we just make do with telling Jeremy that we will be getting a cake to celebrate Mother's Day but kept the birthday thing from him...this is done, but how are we supposed to collect the cake without him realising? So we just told the person that we don't want any candles...but very lucky indeed, he said he wanted to go to a bank, so me and Yasotha went to collect the cake without him and I brought the lovely candles that doesn't give away the age which was used during my birthday last year...courtesy of Fred! Luckily the candle wasn't light so I can reuse them! We collected the cake and straight away stick all the candles on the cake and we got him to go wait for Shahla and meet us at the place we going for dinner...left the cake at the counter and had our dinner...I am so glad that I have them at work! Although all of us didn't know each other for very long, but we could get along very well...

After dinner, both of us went to get the cake and tried to light the candles before walking to our table but the candles just get blown off...hmm but anyway we tried our best to get some of the candles lighted...haha...so sorry Jeremy! Hope the last candle will make your wish come true! So here are the pictures!

Jeremy, Shahla and Yasotha

Shahla, myself and Jeremy

The cake and the lovely candles!

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Belated Birthday

After the dinner, we dropped by Shahla's house as she is just staying in Holland Village, where we had our dinner...then we had our ventilating session continuing from where we left of at the place we had dinner...left her place around 10pm...reached home around 11pm and slept at 12 midnight! Oh what a day!

Last words: Hope everyone enjoyed our dinner outing and we should have more of this! And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all Mothers on earth!

Outcasted?

2010-05-02T14:32:00.002+08:00

Okie, some issue has been bugging me for the past weeks...I thought that I could get it over after talking to my friends, but I realised it didn't...maybe only a little bit...I also didn't intend to bitch about it, but I thought it would be good to blog it down...to get it off my chest once and for all!

Okie here goes:
A few weeks back, can't really remember the exact time but I think around early April...one day my colleague suddenly came over to tell me that my boss asked me to take over all the job from her, meaning from that day onwards, he will not be clerking any new cases, I will be fully in charge of clerking new patients, attend tumour board meetings and conduct psychosocial rounds...when I first heard this, I asked my colleague, so what will you be doing? She said she will just settle her admin stuff for her studies which will be starting in October...me wondering...so many admin stuff to settle that you need so many months to do it? Anyway, I just replied okay...but I was quite mad then...not because I am thrown all the work, but how come I wasn't even included in the arrangement of me taking over?! I suddenly felt like an outcast, what am I? Am I not part of the department/programme? Why wasn't I called into discussing about this? Why do I have to hear the outcome from someone else as if I am totally not part of it? Okie enough whining you would say, why don't just confront my boss and find out? I will but probably not now...I am still new, I don't want to jeopardise some relationship yet...

Next, after a few weeks of taking over, and into the work I am doing, I realised that I am still not doing up to certain standards yet...but when I see there are no feedbacks, I thought okay maybe it is me who is overthinking...maybe I am okay...but apparently I am NOT and I am RIGHT! One day, after one of our psychosocial round, my boss who happened to sit in, told me that I should be more proactive in giving details about the patients and not just wait for the doctor in charge to ask for them...I said okay, and at the same time, my colleague whom I will be taking over cut in and told my boss that "Yea, I will be filling her in on what should be done". And my boss added something just before she left, 'Good first attempt, though'...'Knock knock' is this my first time running the psychosocial round? NO! Why didn't both you tell me after my first attempt? I did exactly the same thing back then!

Then after my boss left, I asked my colleague, does my boss also think my presentations during our weekly department meeting a bit too short, she gave me a big fat YES...bravo bravo! How come I don't get any feedback? Then she also told me that she told my boss she noticed it also! HAHAHA...great great! So why didn't she tell me? Is she enjoying the part where I fooled myself? Then she also told me that she told my boss that I am still new and that I will get better at my work...oh! How do you expect me to get better when there is no feedback? And why is my boss asking her how come I am giving all such short and sweet presentation instead of asking me? WHY?! *fuming mad* not shown though but felt inside me...

I tried to tell a few of my friends about it, but all gave me a kind of response that it seems to them are perfectly okay, that I am over reacting or overly sensitive...am I? To me, I just thought that if we are going to work together, we should be COMMUNICATING with each other instead of PASSING message or command from one person to the other? Maybe it's only me? Maybe they knew each other too long that they forgot about the NEW me sometimes?

Anyway, I am satisfied with my work, no complains on that part, also no hard feelings with my boss and my colleague, I really think they are good at their work but maybe just the communication bit that is lacking...

Okie that's all I have to bitch about...thanks for hearing if not listening...

Last words: Mind including me?

Outings

2010-05-01T15:04:00.002+08:00

Just some updates on my outings...been having quite some outings! Woohoo love them!

10 April 2010:
YEC meeting cum team bonding session at Pitstop! Had dinner, meeting and crazy board games session...

Part of TBYEC members

Went for dessert at Azabu Sabo after the meeting with Tiong and Fred...nice!

11 April 2010:
Finally yet another outing with my girls after repeated postponing...went to this restaurant in Tanjong Pagar...quite an isolated place, but that's good, it means no crowd! Yeay!

Me and my girls...haiz, my phone just can't take nice indoor pictures...

19 April 2010:
After a long break, 4th MC finally has another outing...guess what! KKL and Shumin is expecting a baby! Woohoo! Amazing! Congratulations boss! Thanks ZQ for arranging and so glad that there were more than half of the MCers attended! Haha...great dinner at Shokudo and drink at tcc after that...

24 April 2010:
Fred and his steamboat...haha...so here we are realizing his dream again...thanks Shirley for organising...although I am not really satisfied with the steamboat but the company was great! We should do this more often!

25 April 2010:
Went out with beloved Shahla and Yasotha to Swensen for our lunch outing...a 'mother-daughters' gathering...hahahaha...sorry Jeremy for not inviting you, coz we will be having free ice-cream so we might as well not ask you, if not you will have to sit and watch us enjoying the delicious ice-cream! Okie next time yea...

Us at Swensen

Free ice-cream! Thanks to Yasotha and her coupons...hehe...

30 April 2010:
Dinner outing with my colleagues! Went to Bombay Cafe in Little India, a place where I would not otherwise go if I am alone...but great company and great food!

Shahla enjoying her food

Santhiya enjoying her dessert

Ya Shu enjoying her food while eyeing something

Yasotha, a happy girl

Further in the picture: Sharon, Grace, both enjoying their food too

Woo! Our sizzling brownie, shared between myself, Yasotha and Ya Shu...the waiter pouring the chocolate into the hot sizzling pan

Here it is!

And to add on to the sin, my chocolate milkshake...haha

Then after the dinner, I took Circle line for the first time!

It actually looks similar to NEL but it definitely cut my travelling time by a lot!

1 May 2010:
Today! Happy Labour Day to everyone! Went for Japanese buffet lunch at Kuishinbo with Karen, Shanny and Eu Jin...hope we could continue our monthly after pay day treat as long as could be...and thanks Karen for the ride back home...

Last words: I need more of these!

What's that all about?!

2010-04-18T18:10:00.002+08:00

Not that I want to bitch about this, but the problem is I find that there is really something really wrong with what I am going to tell you...

Okie, here goes:

1st April a new colleague joined our department, well, she is not exactly new, but she just transferred internally from another department, and the following week, another new colleague joined us...then what follows are what I felt is not appropriate...the same thing that happened to me previously happened to them! I totally can sense that they were being isolated or ignored! Let's name them N and J...when N joined us on 1st April, there was not even an interaction happened with her, so I just started talking to her and she asked me how to order a stamp etc, I just told her what I know and tried to make her feel like she is welcomed...but I think she is perfectly fine with being alone lar, so hopefully she doesn't feel like she is not being welcomed...then for J, same thing happened, after being introduced to all of us, he was totally left alone, sitting in one corner, cause he really is sitting a bit away from us, but still...but I have been a bit busy and he was also busy so I just let it be, then when one day I was not as busy and saw him at his desk, I just went over to talk...asked him if he felt isolated, he never actually said anything and said that he is okay but then I told him I felt the same thing too then we started to chat...

Anyway, my point being that why do they keep people at bay? I have never been in this kind of situation before, in my previous 2 jobs, when I first joined, all my colleagues did was to welcome me by chatting with me, asking about my history and etc...all these chatting although a bit unnecessary to some people, but I stil think that it is really useful as a tool to welcome someone to your big family, you can't expect people to feel welcomed if you just ignore them and never talk to them right?

Then on Friday, one of my colleagues wanted to order McDelivery for lunch, all of us agreed and I had to abandon Alicia (sorry yea Alicia)...so I went over to ask J if he wants to join us for lunch, he said okay so we proceed to order...then the colleague who is taking the order whispered to another colleague, asking for J's name! I was so shocked! Hello, he is already with us for more than a week and you still don't know what is his name?! It just shows that you totally don't bother to get to know your colleague! I was a bit pissed, hopefully J didn't realise it coz the colleague who asked for the name was back facing him...I am really ashamed that we are in this helping profession yet we are not being what we are supposed to be! I am not trying to be a saint here, but I just feel that if you can't even treat your peers right, how are you supposed to treat your clients right? Maybe I am wrong, but to me, it is totally unacceptable to be ignoring someone...but what else can I say? *shake head*

Last words: It's just beyond words!

Farms outing

2010-04-03T21:51:00.025+08:00

Yesterday was Good Friday, stayed at home to rest as today had to wake up early to help out at the Farm Outing for our patients! Yup! Was asked to be a volunteer, but no grudges as the places that they going to visit I hadn't been before! Woohoo! We went to Hay Diaries Goat Farm and MycoFarm!

Woke up the same time as if I am going to work...then went over to Jurong East MRT to meet up with the rest and got to know a few other new colleagues...after most of the patients turned up, we departed JE MRT at 8.45am...oh by the way, my job is to keep time, to make sure that our itinerary goes as plan...

Our bus, the bus driver is really good!

On our way...

After around 30 minutes of journey, we reached Hay Diaries Goat Farm! First time here...there was a guided tour informing us on how they milk the goats...interesting! Although the farm is a bit smelly but nonetheless, learnt quite a bit of new information about goats and their milk...then after the talk, we went around to check out the goats...it saddened me as the goats were all caged up with at least 10 per cage...and the kids were placed in cages seperated from their mothers...hmm...then after that, most of us bought goats milk home...

Some confusion, some of them supposed to go back to their cage, some just came in to be milked...hehe

The person in white is the owner of the farm and he is giving us a talk on how they milk the goats

The goats being milked then the milk will be sent through the tubes to be packed and sold

Goats in cages

Aww...so sweet

Little kids

The different packaging

We left the place only after about an hour there...we were ahead of time! So my job was a bit slack...haha...next, we headed to MycoFarm to see mushrooms! My first time too! Saw how the mushrooms were planted and what kind of mushrooms need what kind of environment...shitake mushrooms need lower temperature while oyster mushrooms need more water...we were also told that those dried shitake were shitake which were already starting to rot, so they dried them up...hmmm, now we know...and button mushrooms were planted using dunk...eee....she joked that if you were to eat a lot of button mushrooms means you are full of shit...hahaha...and cordyceps were planted using corps...eeewww...

Our tour guide of the day...Ms Christine (if I am not wrong)

Where all the mushrooms are cultivated

The logs are where shitake mushrooms are planted

Shitake mushroom

Oyster mushrooms

I forgot what is this called...hehe...

After the guided tour, the tour guide cooked some mushrooms for us to eat...yum yum! Then after the eating, we bought the mushrooms...really very fresh! After that, we left the place and went back to JE MRT...for me, I headed towards Vivo City to scout for my mattress...haiz, still couldn't find the brand that my aunt bought so in the end bought another brand but similar type of mattress...since the mattress is big and it was raining outside...so I took a cab back! Gosh, haven't taken a cab since more than a year...didn't really like to take a cab coz it is costly...but told myself this time is an exceptional...

Our tour guide cooking for us

All the mushrooms in a wok being stir fried

Yum yum!

I bought 3 of the bigger packs and the small one is given as souveniors

After reaching home and rested for a while, went to my aunt's place for dinner with my cousin, brought the mushrooms that I bought over to cook...my grandmother was at her place that's why she asked us over...and I took over the cooking once I reached, to free my grandma from the cooking...after the dinner and satay supper, me and my cousin came back to our place...what a day!

Last words: Enjoyed it!

Satisfying!

2010-04-01T22:54:00.006+08:00

Today is a busy day for me after a week of slacking...suddenly there is no new case this week...but I still go around looking for things for myself to do...had a discussion with 3 other colleagues of mine to work out a schedule on who will sit in which psychiatrist's clinic session...so today I went to sit in my boss's clinic...although not the first time sitting in, but I am still very nervous, because the very first time that I sat was the very first day I went to work...she will ask me what do I think about the case! Argh, I am so afraid that I will say the wrong thing or not knowing what to say...but still very happy that I would be able to sit in as this is one way that I could learn new things and see real cases!

So after my tumour board meeting, quickly rushed to Neuroscience clinic by 2pm...waited for almost half and hour before my boss turned up and before she started to see patients, we had a little chat, she asked me how was my week and I told her about the incident which happened a few days back...then she told me that my approach was not entirely right...ooppss...she told me that I was neither here nor there...as in my approach was not really clear if I wanted it to be a problem solving, peer support or directive kind...she said mine was a bit problem solving yet doesn't really hit the core of problem solving and a bit directive but also not really directive...haha...okie now I learnt something! Now I know what to do in the future...then the registration nurse came in with a whole stack of patient files for my boss to allocate which cases should be seen by which psychiatrist...my boss told me that today I would be sitting in with a new psychiatrist...this psychiatrist is specialise in anxiety disorder and depression in geriatric population...okie no problem for me, then I could be her translator as she is not a chinese speaker...cool! She is also from Malaysia but has been staying in UK and practising there for quite a number of years...and the 3 cases that we saw were rather interesting! Along the way, she asked me about some culture difference issue...felt that I gained quite a lot of things today...

After seeing 3 cases, it was almost 5.30pm...my boss asked me if I wanted to sit in for the debrief session with the rest of the psychiatrists, I wanted to, but I was rather tired so I just left...maybe next time! Hope she doesn't mind, coz she said that it was optional...hehehe...

Last words: Up till now, feel satisfied with my job and hope to be able to learn more!

First

2010-03-29T22:32:00.002+08:00

Today I went for my first real time face-to-face counselling! Oh my goodness! When I received a phone call from Sr Jocelyn to go down to the private women clinic to meet a patient, I said okay and was on my way...then half way there, I realised that I forgot to ask her what is it regarding...then when I reached the clinic, I looked for Sr Jocelyn and asked her what is the matter, she filled me in and I was shocked! I really was...oh in case you don't know what I am doing, I am a Case Management Officer, in charge of assessing women with gynaecological cancer...

She told me that Prof Low just broke news to the patient that she has to undergo chemotherapy and hence she is crying frantically...so I went to look for the patient...when I saw her sitting next to her son, she was not crying at the moment, but then when I brought her to an empty room to talk, she immediately broke down in tears...gosh gosh gosh! What am I supposed to do?! I don't have any hands on experience at all in these kind of situation! Even if I took a counselling module back in Melbourne, I don't think I am qualified to handle such case without supervision...I was freaking out then...then I told myself to keep calm and just talk to her as per normal...

So started off asking her how is she feeling and she cried...oh my! Did I say something wrong? I hope I don't and hope that I would be able to calm her down...so then I passed her a box of tissue and it finished within minutes, luckily I found another box in the room...

Then asked her about her feelings, she asked why all these happens to her and that she has to go through all these, she said that she had check ups very frequently and how come when they detected it, it is already quite late stage...then I tried to explain that it might be an acute cancer (gosh, I really don't know how come all these information came to me), I told her I am not sure but it could be a possibility...and said that there are people who suffer from these acute cancer too, nothing detected and when it is detected, it is already quite terrible...she quieten a bit while listening to some amateur trying to cheat her way through...=S

And then she said that she is worried that she will be a burden to her family and that she is scared of the chemotherapy and she heard chemotherapy is a very painful experience...I told her I am not sure how the chemotherapy would be, but she could check things out with the medical oncologist team when she meet them...and I also told her not to think that she will be a burden to her family, also told her that she shouldn't think that chemotherapy is terrible but instead to think that it is a step that she should take to be fully recovered...even though she already had a surgery...she is sad also because of this, as she thought that after her surgery she would be okay but how come she still has to go through chemotherapy...I told her that there are cases like that too...and that if the doctor ordered for chemotherapy then it would probably be a way for her to get well...I think I bullshit a lot on that day...

Then she will stop crying for a while when I was explaining to her and told her some cases of patients who are in the similar situation...maybe she felt better when she learnt that she is not alone but when we go back to the topic of chemotherapy etc, she started crying again...so in order to put her mind at ease, I asked her to think of questions to ask the medical team about her chemotherapy and what she could foresee during the chemotherapy and some other information she would like them to provide...told her that if she were to understand the procedure and know what to expect, she would be much better prepared...right? Anyway, talked to her for almost an hour and my stomach started to grumble as it was already 12+ noon...and I noticed that she is a bit more stable, I told her not too think too much about the negative things and just focus her mind on coming up with questions to ask for the time being until she meets the team the next day...she said okay and I brought her out and walked both her and the son out...

Phew...what a day...throughout the whole session, I kept telling myself to stay calm and not to be drawn into her emotions as I am so afraid that I would cry with her! Luckily I didn't...although I don't think I did a good job here but I am happy that I actually get to experience something real and that I hope it could help me in the future if I were to encounter such incident again...

Last words: Hope she is okay and that this experience could help enhance my future ones...

AMazing March

2010-03-26T15:36:00.010+08:00

Finally started my first job after I came back to Singapore! 1st March, such a nice date! So reported to my HR at around 8.30am before going to the orientation...when I got to the HR department, saw lots of people crowded outside, my guess probably going to the orientation like me...

Goodie bag received when I signed the employment letter

What's inside the goodie bag

My HR handed me my employee card! Woohoo! First time in my working life that I get a staff ID...so after gathered enough people, all of us set out, I was introduced to Karen as I am not sure of the way to staff canteen and she does, while I know my way to PGP's Auditorium...so both of us led the way to PGP...then after got ourselves registered, we went into the auditorium, and both of us talked to the two person walking behind us, Eu Jin and Shanny...soon we became like good friends...

I was also supposed to meet my colleague, Ya Shu who were already working in the department since 4 months ago but she didn't manage to attend the orientation back then so she came for this one...

Orientation was not very useful for our work but was just an information session for all of us and for us to know what is NUH's vision and mission, and NUHS way...luckily we have company throughout the 3 days...if not I think I would be bored to death...

Where our orientation is held...PGP (missed this place!)

Apart from them, I also got to know a few more new people and most importantly people from other department whom I will not have the chance to meet if I were to start work immediately...

On Thursday, reported to my office and finally met the rest of the case management officers who are temporarily based in JGH's cabin outside of main building...though at first I didn't felt welcomed, but now it is all history...

Main building

My temporary workplace...

The department I belong to!

For the rest of the weeks, I learned lots of things and met lots of new faces, ran around the hospital like nobody's business...was tired everytime I reached home and slept quite early...but no complains! I am loving it...

On 10 March, moved into my cousin's place...call me crazy for moving so far away from where I am working...but hey, this is my affair and I do what I think is right for me...I kept having to explain myself the reason I moved, but they still don't get it...so please bug off, this is my life!

Yesterday officially got my first paycheck since Jan 2009! Woohoo! I am liberated again!

Last words: Looking forward to gaining more knowledge!

Exciting February

2010-02-28T13:40:00.022+08:00

Attended 2 wedding dinners of the same person, CNY celebration back at home and helped a professor from NUS collected data...what a fulfilling month...

A long lost friend invited me to his wedding...how we get connected with each other again is rather interesting...haha...back in June 2009 when I was collecting my data for my thesis, I sent out mass email to 'beg' people to help me fill up my questionnaires and I didn't realised that I sent an email to him as well...and he replied! I really can't remember since when I have his email address in my email contact list...after graduated from O level, I have never keep in contact with him until then...in the email he replied in response to my questionnaire, he mentioned that he is getting married this year...then suddenly in December 2009, he sent an email to invite me to his wedding in Singapore, as so happens that I will be coming back to Singapore after I left Melbourne and also to his wedding dinner back in our hometown as it is near CNY...I agreed and so here I am attending his wedding in both Singapore and KB...

On 6th February, attended his church wedding and on 7th February, attended his wedding banquet in Grand Copthorne...here are the pictures:

The church

Solemnization ceremony

Touching...my friend hugging his father

Congratulations!

Grand Copthorne...where the banquet is held

I like this!

After the banquet, we celebrated Poay Phing's birthday...yup on the same day

Then on 12th February, attended his wedding banquet in our hometown...during those wedding banquets, met up with lots of my other long lost friends...
here are the pictures:

Chinese Chamber of Commerce in my hometown...most chinese will hold their weddings here

The wedding car

Yum Seng time

Some of my long lost friends

After rushing for the wedding banquets, it is time for celebration! Woohoo! Chinese New Year! This time round, my cousin followed me back to my hometown as he finished his A levels and just awaiting for his NS to start, so he decided to go back to visit our relatives this year...so happens that it was his birthday on 12th February, so he treated us for a meal...

My cousin treated us for a meal here

Mum, grandma and aunt enjoying their meal

Don't know why my cousin sweated so much for the meal...haha...maybe are all the spicy food

Then during CNY, had many sumptuous meals, went to beach with my cousins and aunts, met up with my secondary school friends etc...what a wonderful CNY!

My cousins who joined us for reunion dinner

Our reunion dinner

Bachok beach

Coconut trees

My cousins, brother and aunt

Shooting star? Haha...nah, just a rocket

My cousin, Lee Sa and me

Our group jump attempt

All of us (except my uncle and my bro)!

Then after a wonderful time back in my hometown, started some volunteering with a professor from NUS, helping him to collect data...hmm too bad the response was not very good...felt a bit sorry for him...

Next, I counted down to my first day at work! Woohoo! Can't wait till I get to earn my own money again! Feel so empowered!

Last words: End of an exciting month...start of another exciting month?

New year = good beginning?

2010-01-31T10:45:00.016+08:00

It has been almost a year since I left Singapore and I really really can't believe that I am done with my course! I have even gotten my results last month...

Okie let me recount what happened in December which I haven't update in the last post, just a few days before the release of result, my supervisor emailed me and congratulated me on my thesis result! I got a HD! Hahaha...when I saw the email I couldn't believe a word he said! He said that I got 85, which is barely just HD but I was so happy coz I don't think that I have ever gotten a HD in my university days before...haha...all thanks to my supervisor's great coaching!

Then on 12 December 2009, it was the day our results were released and I was so nervous and scared! So I logged into my school's website and clicked on the My Results tab and after I did so, I closed my eyes and crossed my fingers, on the count of 3 I opened my eyes and I was shocked of what was presented in front of me! I got D for the 2 subjects that I did in the last semester! So I quickly took a calculator to calculate on the average how I fare for the whole course and it came up to 79.9 which I hope they would round it up to 80 and that means I got a First Class Honours (if my course is under the Honours class)! But since mine is a Postgraduate Diploma, I wonder what they would call it?

I was so happy that I printed out the results and on that day mum was on working half day so she would be back anytime soon...and when she reached home, I showed her the results and both my parent were so happy...and coincidentally we planned for a dinner that night, actually is just to bring my aunt to a new restaurant just outside my house but it turned out that I have a good news, so we took it as a celebration for me! Haha...

Okie that's not all of the good news, on 24 December, eve of Christmas, another good news from my cousin! It was her PMR result release day, so I went along with her mum and sister to school to accompany her in collecting the result and amazingly she got 7As out of 8 subjects! Woohoo! Congratulations! She broke our (mine and my another cousin's) record of 6As...haha...

Okie, that's all for 2009...what about 2010? Well, I started the year with not a really good start with my body still not fully recovered when I came back to Singapore on 4 January, but things were starting to look good when I went to see the chinese physician in the Free Buddhist clinic...I am broke so I have to resort to visiting them...but hey if they can cure me, why not? So after a few visits, I noticed some recovery in health! Wooohooo! I couldn't be more happy! Seriously!

But on employment wise, things were not looking good as yet until I was called for an interview for the job that I applied, thanks to the referral by Alicia, it is in the Department of Psychological Medicine in NUH...on 20 January, went for the interview, I was rather nervous as I really wanted this job, I believe it could really help me towards my goal in becoming a psychologist! With my results from the course and this job experience, I can finally see light! I really believe that my goal is achievable now where it used to be such a far cry from nowhere...I am really thankful to everyone that has helped and to whoever that have been giving me support! I couldn't ask for more! The interview only took about 25 minutes or so, the director and co-director of the programme that I will be in if I were to get the job were really friendly! I love them! I didn't feel any pressure during the interview but I didn't think that I did very well as they asked if I have any questions to ask them, I only asked a few...hmm...I really hope I can get it!

Had a gathering with my ex-housemates on 24 January, but too bad only 4 of us could make it...XF, Elaine, Esther and myself...hmm but we still had a wonderful time! Had dinner at Mad Jack in PoMo (or what it used to be called Paradiz Centre), the food were nice and most importantly NO service charge! Haha...we could save quite a bit there...and after the dinner, we changed a venue to continue our conversation, it has been quite a while since we last saw each other, we went to Cafe Cartel in Plaza Singapura...I was rather hesitant to step in at first because the last time we went the service was BAD! But this time, surprisingly it was good...so I guess Fred's complaint did work then...haha...

This is an Australian food restaurant...how ironic, I didn't eat all these back in Australia...haha

Our food

Our drinks

Elaine and XF

Esther and myself

Cafe Cartel

Our dessert

So one week down the road from the interview, I got a call from NCSS for an interview so I promised to go down...but just a couple of days before the interview, I got a call from NUH telling me that I got the job! ARGH! I can't believe my ears! I was so exhilarated! But don't know who to tell coz there was no one at home then...so I smsed my dad, emailed my mum (and mum replied that it is a good news for this year) and told my cousin over MSN...here comes the dilemma, do I still go to the interview at NCSS? Well, I promised to go, so I better go right? Anyway, went to meet Si Liang just a day before the interview to consult her as she is currently working in NCSS...on the day of interview itself, I accepted the offer from NUH and informed the HR personnel of NCSS that I am not going for the interview...yeay! I still couldn't believe that I actually got a job with only an interview! It wasn't the case back in 2006 when I really went for dozens of interview but with none wanting to hire me...

Since I came back from Malaysia, have been meeting up with Jane! Mostly we were busy doing our manuscript, yea our supervisor asked us to publish our thesis, so we have to shorten the thesis from 9,000 words to 5,000 words...and we went to places to meet up...haha...but we went to the zoo to chill on 29 January...

Our mini-trip to the zoo!

Myself and Jane

Jane and a nice picture

Me enjoying myself

Yesterday, we supposed to have a farewell gathering for Crystal who will be going back to Brisbane for her 2nd year of studies...we had a steamboat lunch, but in the end our dear Crystal couldn't make it, so we couldn't meet her and in the end it turned up to be only 4th MC's pre-CNY gathering...haha...but still having good times as it has been almost a year since we last met! But most importantly I am amazed by how we could still be close after so many years! It is already 9th MC in CSC, if I am not wrong...long live 4th MC! Thanks Gen for letting us use your house as the venue and the domestic help!

Our food

Busy cooking

The gang

Last words: Seems like it will be a good beginning after all!

Elaine & CK's wedding

2009-12-31T11:44:00.037+08:00

I wasn't feeling at my tip-top condition when I was on my way to attend Elaine's wedding, in actual fact, hasn't been feeling well since I touched down...must be the turbulence! Argh! Hate it, my back hurts like hell, but I just bear with it hoping that it will go away soon! Went to see a doctor just before leaving Singapore...was hoping that after I finish the course of medicine, I will be fine...

Anyway, we (Esther, XF, Elaine's brother and myself) met up at Kranji MRT and then we went over to JB to board our bus to Elaine's hometown...hmm, I thought the bus would be very comfortable coz the advertisement on tv looks great! A bit disappointed but anyway, the bus took around 10 hours to reach Taiping, it was around 9am when we reached and we started our journey around midnight...didn't have much sleep throughout the night...so from there our journey began...

We took this bus, but please don't buy the one departing from JB, it is not good (the one we took)!

XF and Esther and the luggages

4 December 2009:

Reached Taiping, Elaine and her youngest brother was already there waiting for us, after fetching us, we went for breakfast and then have a walk around Taiping, went to their new shopping mall, nothing much then went to Taiping's lake! Woohoo first time there! After that, we went back to her house...

Reached Taiping!

First stop, manicure for the ladies...except me...hehe

Taiping lake! I love this view!

Three of us visitors

Ain't this lovely?

That night, there was a buffet dinner at her house, something like a Bachelorette's party I guess, to celebrate the last day of her freedom? Anyway, during dinner, I felt giddy and missed out on all the fun! Argh! What the...I only ate a bit of food and took a panadol and went to bed at around 9pm! Can you imagine that? What a waste...and I was really amazed by myself that night as there were people singing karaoke in the living room, which was seriously loud and I still slept soundly...hmm...well done! Haha...

5 December 2009:

Nope, not yet the actual wedding day, so we also did mostly nothing on that day...there was a dinner at night but it was by bride's side...so we slacked around doing nothing until around 4pm when I went over to the venue to try out my slideshow...it works! Phew...so scared that everything will go wrong...but hopefully it doesn't...

Then when I went back to Elaine's house, we started to take turns to shower and ready for the dinner...and by around 5.30pm, we left the house towards the venue...it was quite near to her house, it is a school hall, yup where all of them used to go to school...ah, it reminds me back home...haha where we used to have wedding dinner in a hall in town...

The dinner started rather early, around 6.30pm...earliest and most punctual dinner I have ever been to! And the Karaoke started, with Elaine's mum and her friends sang lovely songs...I didn't really have time to take pictures of the food as I was in charge of the slideshow and was busy monitoring the laptop...

The venue for the dinner...Elaine's parent standing there greeting guests

Us posing in front of the hall

Bride's maids (with one of the bride maid's bf)

Us and the couple

Us, the couple and Elaine's brothers

Us and the couple again

The dinner ended around 9pm then part of the tea ceremony took part after that with the photo-taking session...it dragged till quite late when we finally reached home...but it was rather fun though my back is giving me problems...

6 December 2009:

Here comes the actual day...woke up early as the groom will reach around 7am and everything has to be done on time, last night before going to bed, we planned with the rest of the bride's maids what we wanted to do before letting the groom meet the bride, but all the plans were rather a waste of time as we didn't really have time to play...hmm my first time being being bride's maid though and I find this one to be not pleasantly fun...

Preparing

Bride's maids, maid of honour and the couple

Anyway, after the groom met the bride, the tea ceremony began and we just went out to have our breakfast while waiting to go over to Teluk Intan (the groom's side)...we left Elaine's place about 9am and we reached Teluk Intan around 12 noon, just in time for lunch...actually I was really tired but I really had a hard time falling asleep, well this is not unusual for me, I usually can't sleep while I am on the road...weird...so I took pictures of the scenery outside the window...

Along the way

There are lots of these stones along the way

After lunch, we were placed in a resting house and the place was nice! I could easily said that it is much nicer than my own house...haha...but then again, I can't get to sleep! What the...I know I was darn tired but I just can't shut my eyes...so I just laid on the bed pretended to sleep by closing my eyes...after a couple of hours, we have to prepare for the dinner already...

The living area...isn't it nice?

We reached this restaurant in the area, it reminded me back home again...well, living in a small town is like that, everything is just similar...tonight, I didn't bring my slideshow along as Elaine told me the groom side doesn't like noise...so I thought it was going to be a quiet dinner, but not in actual case, there were karaoke too! Anyway, too bad for them, if not they would have a chance to look at the couple's love story...hehe...

The restaurant

The invitation card

The menu

Elaine's mum! She is GOOD!

The toast

After the dinner

The dinner ended and we left heading back to Selama...argh! Another 3 hours drive again...darn...I was thinking how am I going to survive the drive, but I did! How amazing! Today was like I am totally well! My back is not giving me a hell of a time and when I thought that I am going to have motion-sickness I didn't! Thank you body for behaving today! And so, we reached Selama after midnight...after cleaning up, we went to bed...

7 December 2009:

As usual we woke up very late and today my body is not behaving again, I couldn't eat anything as I felt like puking and so I really didn't eat much...after the brunch, Elaine's youngest brother sent us to the bus station and we took a bus to Georgetown...yea! We are supposed to fly to Bangkok from Penang tomorrow...

Taking a ferry over to Penang Island

Boarding the ferry

On the ferry

On the bus towards our hotel

Previously, we planned to tour around Penang today but due to the lateness in waking up, we reached Penang in the evening and there goes our plan...so we checked in to the hotel and went to a shopping mall while waiting to meet my friends at night for dinner...but just an hour before the meet up, I was having serious trouble, I felt very giddy and my whole body was trembling...I was really scared and don't know what to do...XF and Esther bought some things for me to eat and drink but it wasn't doing any good and in the end I had to call my friends and told them that I might not be able to join them and I need to go see a doctor...

It was so embarassing! I haven't meet Marjori, Say Hoe and Kok Wee in such a long time and when we finally met, they had to bring me around the island looking for a clinic! Well, Say Hoe was the one driving Marjori's car and Kok Wee was left behind at the mall as the car couldn't fit everyone of us...they weren't familiar with the town itself so we were driving in circles hoping that we could find a clinic, and we did but the clinic were full and might have to wait for hours...then in the end we went to another one...I tell you, this clinic will be forever in my black list! Know why? I went in and told the doctor I am trembling and I can't breathe, he just happily ignored the fact that I told him I can't breathe and just gave me some medicine for the tremors and some fever medicine as he said I have a very slight fever, 37.2 degrees...well done! No wonder the clinic is empty! So after the visit to the clinic, they fetched us back to the hotel and I felt very bad as everyone was busy over me and dinner came very late for them...

I took the medicine and tried to sleep but the medicine had no effect on me...I couldn't fall asleep...I laid on the bed until XF they all came back from dinner and still much awake...the whole night was terrible for me, I just couldn't get a wink of sleep...

8 December 2009:

We pretty much slacked in the room and fully utilised the bed until the extended hour, we finally checked out at 2pm and the flight was in the evening...I was starting to hesitate if I should fly...I really wanted to go travelling with the two of them but my body is just saying a big fat NO to me...my body is aching, I am having a hard time gasping for air...even when we reached the airport I am still procrastinating about getting on the plane, lots of images flashed through, the experience I had when I came back from Melbourne haunted me again...the thought of just stepping on the plane is killing me...and when we walked towards the check-in area, I have decided not to fly...so I went to check if I can get a refund of my air tickets...the two of them still persuade me to fly...I really wanted but the thought that my condition will aggravate in Bangkok also worries me a lot...now at least I am still in Malaysia, but if I were to go over and get very sick, who can I ask for help and I can't speak their language, I also don't want to make their trip a lousy one with a patient to take care of every now and then!

Just before checking out

XF and me in front of the departure gate

Esther and me

So after they departed, I informed Marjori and went back to her place for a night stay then will take a bus to go home the next day...I really can't thank them enough for being there when I need them, to think that we haven't even been in much contact for these years...

9 December 2009:

Marjori sent me to Sungai Nibong's bus terminal and I took the bus by this company called Shamisha Holiday, a good bus, I would recommend to everyone! The seats are very comfortable and it is cheap (I think)! So I was on the bus for around 8 hours before reaching home...surprisingly I didn't feel any pain today...I was a bit sad coz I thought I might have recovered and that I should have gone with them...anyway, what is done is done, I should just go home and rest more...reached KB around 5pm and my dad came to fetch me...so glad that I am finally home...but since I made a detour, the souveniors that I was supposed to bring back was still left in Singapore...hmm...next time then...

The bus

The comfortable seats

Bye Penang!

On Penang bridge

Days after that, I was glad that I made the right choice of not travelling with XF and Esther, and I spent the rest of December recouping...it was amazing that this was the longest that I have to spent to recover from illness...

I went to the chinese doctor eventually since western doctors can't cure me...he said it is caused by 'wind' trapped in my body so I felt the backpain and unable to breathe...ate chinese medicine and still not recovering, so mum tried different things, like boiling ginger etc...but until today I am still not feeling 100% recovered...hope I will someday...

Last words: Happy New Year everyone! My new year resolution is to get myself recovered and stay healthy!

Hello again Singapore

2009-12-03T10:06:00.001+08:00

After the frightful experience, I am still having a bit difficulty getting back to normal pace...I felt as if I am floating around and it still doesn't seem real that I am already in Singapore!

On the Sunday just after my arrival, went out with Fred, Tiong, Shiyun for a steamboat lunch at Bugis...had a wonderful time with them! It has been 9 months since we last met...then after much catching up and done with the steamboat, we went to Bugis Junction for a photo before leaving...then they surprised me with a mango strudel for my belated birthday! Thank you guys!

Me and Shiyun and her kangaroo!

Me and my belated birthday cake (mango strudel, absolutely delicious!)

Cute candles!

Fred, me, Tiong and Shiyun with the christmas tree in Bugis Junction

Then after that, rushed over to Chinatown to meet up with Elaine, Alicia, XF and SF...I was still full with the steamboat and now going to eat dim sum with them! Haha...anyway, I don't mind, the important part is the meeting up and catching up...so happy! We sat in the shop for quite a while after our dim sum and drank tea and chit-chatted...then after that we changed place to continue eating as Elaine said she still felt hungry...haha so we went to those stalls outside and had something...and by around 10pm we left as
they all have to work the next day...

A lot had happened since then...went to close my bank account, visited NUS, shopped for clothes for Elaine's wedding, went over to my cousin's place for a dinner, rebonded my hair...woohoo!

How ironic! Didn't visit this museum until now...after graduated for years! Haha...

Something new! A amphitheater near YIH...with Fred in it...haha

And I will be on my way to Perak in a few hours time...Elaine's wedding will be on 5 & 6 Dec and then my trip with XF and Esther after that...woohoo! Busy busy...

I will try my best to update my blog when I am away...if not just stay tuned and I will update when I am back!

Last words: Stay tuned!

To Hell...and Back

2009-11-22T09:44:00.001+08:00

Finally it was Saturday! The day that I will be taking a flight back to Singapore! I should be feeling excited but yet I did not feel any excitement on that day, probably is due to the fact that everything happened to fast, all I know was that I still can't believe that this is it! I am done with the course and I will be reaching Singapore in no time!

Anyway, woke up early in the morning, did lots of last minutes clearing of things and packing and then waited for YC to come fetch me...initially we wanted to go to Carlton Garden to take pictures but she was stuck in the traffic jam on her way to my place so in the end we decided not to go Carlton Garden and went straight to the lunch venue...Jane joined us for the lunch! We had it at Southbank's vegetarian restaurant called Enlightened Cuisine...here are our sumptous meal!

Left: Buddha's bowl (or plainly yam basket), Right: Black pepper mock beef hot plate

After that we headed to the airport! I think everything still hasn't kick in yet, I really didn't feel anything...all I can think of was hopefully my luggages don't exceed the limit! Haha...

We reached the airport around 3.15pm and I went to queue up for the check in, since I already checked in online, I queued in the line for the internet check in line but the line was extremely long and when it was my turn, went to weigh my luggages, phew! They didn't exceed! Woohoo! At first the lady said I exceeded by 10kg! I was shocked and quickly told her that my limit should be 40kgs...then she checked and confirmed...my first scare...but since my total luggages only weighed 35kgs, I dumped in my bag pack as well to make it 40kgs so that I don't have to carry such a heavy bag pack on board...

Then we walked to the departure gate and took some photos...it was 4pm and I went into the departure gate...well, it was rather different from Singapore's and I was a bit confused and disoriented...because when going through the scanner, they asked me to take out my laptop from the bag...what the...what a fuss! And everything were a hassle...wonder why do they want to make us miserable when leaving...I remembered when I left Singapore I only passed by a custom and that was it, I could straight away proceed to the departure hall...I didn't expect any other things to happen so I was a bit disorganised by the time I reached the departure hall...they already started the boarding and the queue was extremely long again, like the lady who checked me in mentioned, it was a full flight...

Me and YC

Jane and Me

I vividly remembered that when I was walking into the plane through the connecting tunnel, the guy who stood just outside the plane gate asked me if I am alright, because I was carrying quite a few pieces with my heavy laptop and I was extremely tired by the time I reached the gate...I smiled and replied that I am okay...but is this the sign of what is going to happen next?

The following section is NOT for the weak hearted:

When I was on board, the seats were mostly filled and I quickly scrambled to look for mine and found, so chucked all my things on the cabinet above...actually the one above my seat was full so I just put in the empty cabinet on top of the seats in the middle block...hopefully I don't fill up other people's space...

My seat was a window seat, I have no idea why I always am assigned a window seat, when I checked in online, there was not many seats left to choose from so I just sticked to what was given and will be regretting my decision later...next to me was a chinese girl and a chinese guy...then after I have settled down, I waited for the plane to take off...the plane was supposed to take off at 5pm, however due to some problem, the captain said that there were other planes taking off or touching down, so we have to wait...then it only took off around 5.15pm...I dreaded that...anyway while taking off, the captain announced that we might be faced with turbulence...gosh! What is that? I never went through that before...but anyway I am sure that I will be in safe hands...so I just tried to enjoy the facilities on board, the tv and movies...when we finally could used the tv, I switched it on and I found myself getting dizzy just looking at the menu screen, so I quickly shut it off and went to sleep...

After 1 or 2 hours of flight, the plane shook...gosh! That's the turbulence...I didn't panic but I was just afraid that I would throw up and I did went it continuously shook for quite some time...but I could find any motion sickness bags in the seat compartment and I knew it was too late to ask for one, so I quickly grab the headphone bag and deal with it, but I didn't realised that there were holes! Gosh! It spilled, eeewww...and then I quickly tore up the plastic sheet containing the blanket, took out the blanket and place everything in that plastic bag and continued throwing up...gosh! I was quite upset when I threw up coz I dirtied myself and the plane! Sorry I really didn't mean it...

Then the plane shook even more and I started to feel numbness in my hands, then my legs and I was thinking why was that...so I told myself not to panic (though I clearly knew that I was not, heart rate was normal) then took deep breathe...then suddenly the plane 'dropped' and everyone screamed! I was too busy attending to myself that I didn't care and was not scared...just focusing on making my numbness go away...but it didn't and the numbness got worst and my hands and my legs were paralysed, my face and my abdomen felt very tight and suddenly I felt that I couldn't breathe properly, I turned to the girl next to me and told her I couldn't breathe...she was freaked out I think, she didn't know what to do or what to say to me...then I repeated and then when she didn't react I shouted for help...then the guy next to her stood up when I shouted a few times and no one came for my rescue...coz the turbulence was terrible, the cabin crews were strapped down and they couldn't actually come to help me...he was asked to sit down by the steward and he did...then I continued to shout for help and eventually gave up...the only person who came for my rescue was the lady sitting in the middle block most right seat...she shouted over for the girl and guy on my row to coach me to take deep breathe...I already was doing that so I didn't think that it was useful but anyway I continued...I bent down slightly with my head touching the seat in front and slowly taking really long and deep breathe while praying in my heart...I told myself I couldn't die now, not here...I have to stay alive...I didn't panic and I knew what I was doing...I told myself I have to stop the numbness or paralysis getting to my heart so that my heart won't stop beating...

I did this for quite sometime...I don't know and never timed myself...maybe it took like 20 minutes because I clearly heard the captain saying that the turbulence will go on for 20 minutes...I asked myself: Will I die here? Can I even survive the 20 minutes? Then I told myself I have to! Slowly, the numbness in my abdomen went away and I regained senses on my hands and my legs...

The turbulence quieted down when I am almost regaining senses, then the cabin crews started to give out motion sickness bags...isn't it a bit too late? But anyway it was a bit in time for me to throw up the second time...Shit! I think because the muscles around abdomen contracted that the stomach was squeezed too hard that everything was pushed up...I threw up everything that was my lunch...there goes my last lunch in Melbourne...sigh...I really pity the girl sitting next to me...I really didn't mean for her trip to be such a horrible one...next time probably I should just avoid sitting with anyone...don't want to bbe a hassle to anyone...I am really sorry, I think the guy next to her doesn't like what I did...anyway it was not up to me...and I am seriously regretting sitting at a window seat...while I was busy throwing up, the cabin crews asked me if I needed anything, I asked for wet towels and I got quite a few and that was it! They didn't ask me further if I am feeling okay or that I need any further assistance...but when I was done throwing up, I cleaned with the wet towels and turned to the lady who 'helped' me, she was looking with concerned eyes and I smiled back at her...wanted to thank her but afraid that shouting will provoke my throwing up again so decided to keep my mouth securely shut...

After the horrible experience, I was tired and fell asleep...actually I shouldn't have experienced the motion sickness and throwing up coz I already popped a motion sickness pill which should last for 8 hours! And for the 'panic attack' that I experienced, I have no idea where it came from! I think I should go for a check up soon! My sleep wasn't sound, I woke up here and then when the stewardess pushed the cart for drinks and meals...when she was at my row, and asked the girl and guy next to me what they want for dinner, she asked me if I want to eat...please! Where is her common sense? Eating solid food after you are sick? She should have asked if I feel like eating or is anything that I want? I said no and turned away and continued my sleep...anyway can't blame her...she had to attend to so many people...

Then afterwards, they came again for the refreshment...I was feeling a bit okay and decided that I want to take something in, if not I will be starved, so I asked for the chicken pie...but when I put it in my mouth, I couldn't really get it down...so I stopped...then the turbulence came again...I was like not again! I quickly closed my eyes and took deep breathe and at the same time I felt numbness coming up my hands and legs again...so I quickly did a massage for myself to loosen the muscles...I think the girl next to me must have thought that I am weird...I kept massaging my shoulder by myself and then my hands and legs...when the numbness finally went away I was happy so I took a nap again...

Finally, it was 8.30pm, I was so happy as we will be landing around 9.35pm...so I sat up but then I felt my hands and legs went numb again! I was like not again! So I did the massage again, this time I stayed awake and continued doing that until we landed...haha...I noticed that the girl next to me kept looking over to me but I just kept doing...then just before landing, I felt an urge to throw up again...I quickly reached to for bag and there it went...all the apple juices and the chicken pie came out...gosh!

By the time I got off the plane, my stomach was as empty as can be...but I felt perfectly okay, not dizzy or sick when I stepped into the airport...and I was so glad that I am still alive and kicking! But I am just a bit disappointed that the girl and the guy next to me didn't even ask me if I am feeling okay when the plane touched down and they were taking their luggages...the guy helped the girl to take her luggage but not mine...so I concluded that he must have hated what I did...and I didn't have a chance to thank the lady because she left the plane while I was busy cleaning up the mess I made...

Anyway, when I reached the custom and before collecting my luggages, the custom officer was the one that was really nice that night...coz I took a trolley when I saw one didn't realised that it was for transit passengers...then when he was done with my passport, he told me very nicely that the trolley I was using was for transit passengers and that I could exchange for a bigger trolley just outside the custom and he pointed to the trolleys and said that I could just leave the small trolley at the side...I thanked him and left...I incidentally felt a warm feeling...I am home!

Though still not feeling 100% well coz I could still feel the numbness in my hand...then I realised that it is due to the long hours of not having enough space to move my limbs that's all not another panic attack...then while collecting my luggages, I only took less than 10 minutes! Woohoo! So happy! When I reached Melbourne, I could remember standing in front of the conveyor belt for an hour waiting for my luggages to come out...then I realised that I am in Singapore! Efficient as always! Haha...

Walked out of the arrival hall and searched for my aunt and uncle...saw them but didn't tell them what happened...they asked me if I had dinner and I told them I didn't and that I was too sick to eat and told them abou the turbulence...but since they didn't notice that I look sick...I just pretended that nothing happened...we went to Clementi for some food and went home...when we reached home it was half past midnight...quickly wash up and went to bed...

Last words: I am glad that I am still alive and kicking!

Last exams

2009-11-20T22:45:00.001+08:00

Argh! After such a farewell party on Sunday, I really have to force myself to get back to books! Hmm exams starting in a few days time and I didn't even feel the anxiety...

From left: Oksana, Me and John (my landlord)...I requested for a photo-shoot and John brought Oksana (his partner) over on Tuesday night just for this! Haha...

Hid myself at home until Wednesday! The day is finally here! But the ethics exam was at 6pm! Gosh, how come they want to torture us like that...and the exam was open book! Gosh! The whole day I never really did anything but to relax myself and not tire myself out too much so that I would have much energy to deal with the exam...since I have nothing better to do, I left the house early and reached the venue an hour earlier...haha...so just sat outside and saw a few friends came and we chit-chatted! Finally it was 6pm...went in and just wrote non-stop! 8.15pm and we were done! Woohoo! One down! But my right hand felt like it was going to be dislocated!

Then continued studying on Thursday for Friday's Counselling Psychology paper, last paper! Can't wait till 4.10pm when they asked us to stop writing! As usual I reached the venue early coz at home was like an oven...might as well get out of the place earlier...when it was 2pm, went in and started writing like mad...my hand hurts after the first questions, which took me an hour to write, can you imagine writing very very fast for an hour? The first paper already killed my hands...when I came out of this one, my hand hurts even more but I am just glad that it is finally OVER! Woohoo!

So after the last paper, Kathy, Wendy, Jane and myself went out for a meal! Since I will be leaving tomorrow, this will be our last gathering...since Kathy drives, so she drove us to the city with me as the one giving direction, isn't this weird? Haha I am just there for a few months and I am directing an Australian around! Actually coz YC always drove me back so I know...hehe...we decided to go to Pancake Parlour...I was rather shocked when I saw her car! Haha...it is a sport car! We took almost an hour and a half to get to city! My goodness! The traffic was horrendous! But anyway, I was so happy with the pancakes! It was delicious and sinful! Hahaha...Here are the pictures:

Kathy's car!

Wendy, Jane and Kathy with the car

The Pancake Parlour on Bourke Street

This mirror is cool! Just outside of Pancake Parlour

Four of us...haha we shrank!

The menu

Our Chocolate Jubilee! Isn't it look sinful?

Kathy and her Chocolate Jubilee

I like the old-age looking decoration

Do you know this? Is the machine that is available in arcade, the one where you put in token to try to pick up a candy or soft toy

Don't know what is this

Jane trying her luck

Last words: Thanks Kathy for the pancakes! Yeay! We are officially done with the course! Congratulations to all 4th years!

Farewell again

2009-11-15T23:11:00.001+08:00

After my birthday celebration with Jane, it is time to hit the books again but I just can't get my mind back to them...but I forced myself...

Anyway, I went over to YC's place on Saturday and watched a movie, 2012 with her! Woohoo! Watched it in Highpoint...I thought the movie was quite good, though the progression of the movie is quite predictable, but I like the effects and the humanity of the movie is what I love the most...it really sent a huge message, will you go all the way to help someone when you yourself is in danger? I am not sure I can...but I hope I will...regarding the effects, it is something like Independence Day + Titanic (there was a part which reminds me of this) + Knowing = a huge disaster...

2012 - I like it though a lot of people said that it is over-rated...

Just now, Ann threw me a farewell party! It is so nice of her! So before that, YC and myself made some food...she baked a chocolate mud cake and I did jellies...then in the afternoon, Helen came over to YC's place to make Vietnamese paper roll...we helped her! It was quite fun! Haha...

YC hard at work

The ingredients

Firstly and most important - the rice paper roll, have to be dunked into the water before wrapping to make it soft

Crushed cashew nuts, can also use peanuts (better)

Mint leaves

Salad leaves

Carrots

Rice noodle (bee hoon)

Mock chicken

Helen teaching us how to make...first take the paper roll and dip it in the water

Then put the paper roll on a flat plat, put salad leaves, mint leaves, rice noodle, crushed nuts and mock meat...then wrap, before closing the wrap, put some carrots

YC wrapping her roll

Our end results

We made all these!

When it was almost time, we drove over to Ann's house...a lot of people whom I knew were invited...there were lots of food...here are the pictures:

Christine mixing her pasta

Start digging in!

Look at all the main courses (Dumplings on the left from Fuji, Ivan and Daryl; Pasta from Christine; Rice rolls from Helen with YC and my help, hehe; Fried noodle from Yan)

Ann and Meifong's curry

The dessert table! (Put zai gou from Yue er; Chocolate mud cake from YC; Coffee cake and loquat from Betty; Water chestnut cake from Suet jie; almond jelly and strawberry jelly from Me!)

YC and a baby (hmm, don't get the wrong idea, not hers)...haha...Danny's son (Samuel)

Diana and Me...YC said we look alike in this pic...haha

After the party, YC sent me home...

Last words: Thanks to everyone who has been taking great care of me!

Turned 26

2009-11-12T20:33:00.001+08:00

Yup! I have already left the half way point of 20 - 30...hmm, but I don't feel sad or anything...I am just happy that I received lots of wishes from my family and friends! I am really grateful and appreciate their efforts in leaving birthday wishes on Facebook or smses!

Initially meeting Jane at Glenferrie (around my place) for lunch but then in the end we changed to meeting in the city because I am sure both of us already tired of the food here around my place...haha...so she said she will be bringing me to some place nice!

Reached the city at 1.10pm and Jane brought me to this Japanese restaurant for lunch...we get to make our own bento! How exciting! Haha...half way through our lunch, Wendy joined us, but since she already had lunch with her bf, she didn't eat anything, but sat and chatted with us...she is so nice, she bought a present for me!

Izakaya Chuji

Ooppss...actually I wanted to take the Cheapeats logo...yup, it is one of the places with reasonable price...recommended!

The interior, very Japanese-ish

Our order! We just have to circle one from each category to make our own bento! Left: Mine, Right: Jane's...can see what we ordered?

The miso soup which came with the bento, well my first time seeing miso soup with bean sprout...

My bento! It is really huge!

Jane's bento

Then after the lunch, Wendy left coz she still has to accompany her bf, he just finished his exams for the day...yup! No worries! So Jane and myself continued our session at a tea house...sort of...the place is really comfortable and nice!

Yup they have these seats which are like swings! Interesting!

Jane

The other seats

They call it soft cake...it seems like ais kacang to me...

My strawberry milk tea...not the nicest one I have tried

After drinking for 2 hours and our girly talk, we finally left...when I reached home, it was already 5+pm...haiz...have to get back to books again...

Present from Wendy...what do you think it is? The paper bag says Mecca cosmetics...

Don't be fooled! Haha...it is a kaleidoscope! 万花筒

Last words: Really had a great day! Thanks to Jane and Wendy for accompanying me! Thanks to Jane for the treat and Wendy for the present!

Joy ride

2009-11-08T20:13:00.010+08:00

Stayed over at YC's place on Friday night coz on we had class that night...

First time in my life seeing how loquat (枇杷）looks like! I bet you haven't seen them fresh before too! The only 枇杷 I have ever known is 川贝枇杷膏 (the chinese medicine you eat when you have sore throat)...Haha...I was feeling sick with sore throat, so Ann and Meifong passed some to me...they are nice! Realised I learnt a lot of new things since I reached Melbourne...good!

Yesterday, went on a joy ride with YC...haha early morning, went to shop for our groceries then went to the Chinese practitioner to had my last dose of herbal medicine, since I am sick, I might as well get a check up and get some prescription for my acne problem when I go back...

On our way to meet the Chinese Practitioner...on West Gate Bridge and saw this new structure...

Actually we don't know what is it for...haha a bit extra

After that, we supposed to meet YC's cousin, but since we were early as over at the chinese practitioner, we were very quick! We didn't expect that there were no other patients when we got there...which is a bit unusual...so I called my aunty who is staying around there...since I am going back soon, have to inform her about it and say goodbye to her...luckily she were around and free to meet us, so we dropped by her place for an hour before heading to collect our herbal medicine...

Then after all that, we went to YC's cousin's place...but since we were a bit early, we just sat around to rest...after an hour of chatting, we started our journey to Doncaster for our dinner...reached the place at 5pm...luckily the place was already open! So we had an early dinner...by 6pm we already left the place...this is the earliest dinner I have ever had if I am not wrong...

Vegie Mum

Thai warm salad, nice!

龙凤圈...recommended by the waiter...but not very nice...

石榴鸡...this is also recommended but is definitely nicer!

Then after sending her cousin back, YC sent me home...can you imagine, we spent almost a few hours on the car itself...haha but I don't mind, I just don't feel like studying yet...

Last words: I think when I go back, this activity with YC will be the one that I will miss the most!

Last class of the year

2009-11-07T18:03:00.012+08:00

Was early when I came back from Monash University yesterday, so popped by the Asian grocery to get myself some Malaysian snack for Counselling tutorial later...we were supposed to bring food/drink that has personal meaning to us...so I bought something made back in Malaysia...I was contemplating if I should go to class after the trip down to Monash University because I was seriously not feeling well, with my sore throat and the flu...don't know what happened...must be the weather, hot a day then very cold the next...no wonder I have been feeling tired and energy-less the past few days...

Then after the last lecture, we went up to our usual tutorial room, after we were given tips on the exams, we went back to the lecture room for our 'feast'! Everyone brought something either bought or made...actually we were supposed to present briefly on the reason we brought those stuff we brought, but since we already started even before everyone is here, so Roger started the ball rolling by introducing the food he brought and asked anyone who would like to volunteer to tell us their reasons...of course I didn't volunteer, haha...not my type of activity to speak in front of a huge crowd, unless I was forced to...so I just enjoyed the food and took pictures with practically everyone I knew!

At first I thought I wouldn't miss many people from the course because was not close to them before this semester, but I was wrong...by the end of the day, photo-taking session and most of them asking me if I am going back for good, I felt a bit sad...I think I might even come back for my graduation even if my results are not good...haha...I already told my mum that if I didn't get the results I expected, I will not come back for graduation coz I don't want to waste anymore money...but I think I would come back afterall...what do you think? Should I?

Anyway, that's a question that I will be thinking about for the next couple of months before the graduation...let just see...

Here are the photos that we took! Still waiting for Jane and Kerry to upload their photos...so here are some that I took...

Preparation...exhibiting own food

Roger asking people to introduce their food

Stephanie's cupcake...cute & nice!

Daniel's fairy bread! Interesting story behind...

Wendy, Kathy and myself

Pamela & myself

After we left the class, went to the city with my syndicate group "The Secret Squirrels" for a dinner gathering! Woohoo! Went to Old Town Kopitiam...had a wonderful meal but too bad I had to rush a bit because I had to go to YC's place for class...

The menu

The fish head bee hoon...the nicest one I have ever eaten! Love it to bits!

Penang Assam Laksa, erm...not the nicest I have ever eaten but still quite nice and hot...

Last words: End of classes, can't wait till end of exams! Hope that I could get well soon, I need all the energy to study...

Visit to Monash University

2009-11-06T20:21:00.000+08:00

A week before thesis is due, my supervisor told me that I better go and get the book that I am referring to instead of basing my argument on the article that quoted the book...I almost freaked out due to the short notice...hmm well actually I should have done that earlier but I was just too LAZY (which is what I am not supposed to do), you see, my school's library has tonnes of book BUT whatever that I need, they don't have...this is a conclusion that both me and my supervisor came to...so, what I did was to quickly locate the book...there are only 3 universities in Melbourne which own a copy of the book...RMIT, Deakin University and Monash University...I thought oh RMIT has a campus in city which is near to me might be good, BUT it didn't turn out the way I want it...the campus that owns it is in Bundoora...where the heck it is? Then my second choice, Deakin University has a campus in Burwood too, BUT also didn't turn out the way I expected it...the one with the copy is in Geelong! Where the heck it is? Both the campuses will need me to take V-Line...my goodness, I couldn't just take a normal train which runs in Melbourne, this train runs inter-city (something like that)...faint! So in the end, I tried to check the Monash University, I am in luck! The one which has it is in Clayton! Woohoo! I have heard of this place! But it is in Zone 2, but heck, at least it is nearer than the others...

So I quickly got on to what I have to do, went down to Caulfied to meet up with a friend to have lunch before heading to Clayton campus as he said that I could catch the shuttle bus from Caulfield...so after having lunch, waited at the bus stop and my friend went for his class...then when the bus is here, I saw everyone walking up the bus and showed their ID card, gosh! I don't have ONE! Of course I don't, I am not even a student there...so I freaked and backed out from the queue...out of panic, called my friend, but just realised that he might not be able to pick up the phone, so smsed him, he told me to tell the driver that I forgot to bring my card, but it was too late, the bus left...so I have to walk to the train station and take a train to Huntingdale station and catch a bus to Clayton...what a waste of time! Anyway, I still manage to get to the place in a piece...

Caulfield station, which is situated just opposite Monash University Caulfield campus...

Caulfield campus from the station

Walked a bit coz the campus is far bigger than my university's...and I love the environment there! It doesn't feel like I am in a university, it felt more like a garden! Seriously! Everywhere is plants! Then finally reached Hargrave-Andrew Library...you must be wondering, how can I borrow a book from a library not under my university? Well, there is a very special case in Melbourne, once you signed up for the Caval card, you practically can borrow books from any library in Melbourne, so there I am, with my card, found the book and handed the card to the person at the loan desk and she put on a barcode on my card! Cool! Then after that, I am out of there!

Clayton campus - look at all the trees along the pathway...it looks like a garden or park...love it!

Hargrave-Andrew Library in Clayton campus

The decorations on the wall outside of the library entrance...I find it nice but to think about it, it is rather inappropriate...how come skeletons in a school compound especially library?

The glass panel next to the entrance, ooppss...can't really see the nice designs from this pictures...there were words on the glass actually

Nice! The interior

This time I boarded the shuttle bus at Clayton back to Caulfield and with the excuse that I forgot to bring my ID card! Haha...I was a bit nervous and tried my very best to stay calm and look indifferent...once I told the bus driver that I forgot to bring the card, he was a bit upset and said that everyone must bring the card around, blah blah blah, I said sorry and told him I will do that in the future...yea like real! Haha...ooppss...

It was already 1.45pm! My class starts at 2.30pm! I still need to change a train at Richmond! Gosh! I seriously dislike the transportation here! Probably too used to the convenience of Singapore! So I really reached back in school late! But luckily the lecturer only started the lecture not too long when I stepped in, it was already 2.45pm...phew!

Okie, that's the borrowing part, then today, I went back to return the book, the last day to return the book...met up with my friend again, but this time I don't have to run all the way to Clayton, I could just drop the book in any library of Monash, so I did it in Caulfield as it is still in Zone 1 and it is way easier...

After dropping the book and a lunch, I came back to school and was still early for class!

Last words: What a journey for just a book!