Its that time of the year again, when i'll look back at the year and think of where i was this time last year.
In 2006, i left my first company after 10 years to go to the very different world of private sector. This day last year, i was at the 2nd company and just learning to manage the guys. Lost one TO, hoping to find her replacement. Wondering when i'll ever get married.
In 2007, i replaced the TO, left the FM field and went to the QS line, did a spot of site co-ordination. Went for 2 operations, got married, left the 3rd company, was jobless for 23 days, enjoyed my tai tai days with S8 and am now working in my 4th company and trying to absorb the intricacies of working in the cleaning industry.
What have i learnt? That i pamper my husband too much. That the cost of running a home is high. That the grass always looks greener on the other side. That i do not like site co-ordination. That i do not like to be tendering for projects cos its a big pressure when you know the whole company needs the projects to continue surviving and you're the one doing the calculations. That i like doing work where i meet people. That i quite like cooking, though my skills have to improve if i want my dear to have good food, not just edible food. That, no matter how hard life is, i have my husband and my family to count on.
So it is with this that i am getting ready to usher in the new year; not at some street party with lots of people whom i don't know, but with my dearest and Horus boy with me. After all, it is family and your loved ones who are important.
May there be peace, happiness and contentment in the world for everyone! May you have what you need and be contented with what you have.
Thank you, 2007! Welcome, 2008!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The muffin man came!
Yup! The muffin man came by and helped the muffin lady to cream/whisk the mixture, and also during the folding-in of the flour. So all the muffin lady had to do was to pour the mix into the cupcake cups and bake them. Then the muffin lady did some icing on the muffins and gave one prettily decorated muffin to her dearest muffin man... :)
I must say though, that the muffins are very sweet! I think there is far too much sugar used in the vanilla cupcake recipe that i followed, but flipping through the whole book, the ratio is the same. sigh... got to find where to tweak the recipe now. Except that because of the high amount of eggs and butter and sugar used, i can't make it too often. Very fattening... :(
But dear & i had fun. Especially him; he enjoyed the whisking part. haha, he had to expend quite a fair bit of energy in that!
I must say though, that the muffins are very sweet! I think there is far too much sugar used in the vanilla cupcake recipe that i followed, but flipping through the whole book, the ratio is the same. sigh... got to find where to tweak the recipe now. Except that because of the high amount of eggs and butter and sugar used, i can't make it too often. Very fattening... :(
But dear & i had fun. Especially him; he enjoyed the whisking part. haha, he had to expend quite a fair bit of energy in that!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Have you seen the muffin man...
...who lives in Drury Lane?
Or at least, that's what i remember of this childrens' song. But then, is Drury Lane the correct lane for bakers? Hmm... Perhaps i should pester dear to bring me to London one day so i can visit Fleet Street, Drury Lane and all the lanes and roads we hear so much about in the childrens' songs!
Back to muffins, this came as an inspiration to me just now. I'll go get the book J gave me -- thanks so much J! :) -- and find a simple enough recipe. But i wonder what would constitute whisking by hand? Cos the recipes all call for whisking of the ingredients but its by machine, and i have no mixing machine at home. I wonder if creaming will do?
The basic recipes look easy enough. Equal amounts of butter, sugar and self-raising flour, with 2 eggs per 4 oz ratio. But quite scary, i think. Equal amounts of flour, fat and sugar! hmm... I think i'll try out the basic recipe, then if its ok, i need not buy those ready-portioned mix. Come to think about it, the time i bought the Betty Crocker muffin mix, i had to add oil (the fat) and eggs as well. Hmm... now that i know the basic proportion i can save money by preparing it myself.
Yay! I've the ingredients already, so maybe i'll try the basic recipe out tomorrow, after we return from breakfast at Kulai. Yup, got to wake up early again! This time to meet dear's friend at 2nd link at 8am... :(
It'll be the muffin book for bedtime reading tonight! :)
Or at least, that's what i remember of this childrens' song. But then, is Drury Lane the correct lane for bakers? Hmm... Perhaps i should pester dear to bring me to London one day so i can visit Fleet Street, Drury Lane and all the lanes and roads we hear so much about in the childrens' songs!
Back to muffins, this came as an inspiration to me just now. I'll go get the book J gave me -- thanks so much J! :) -- and find a simple enough recipe. But i wonder what would constitute whisking by hand? Cos the recipes all call for whisking of the ingredients but its by machine, and i have no mixing machine at home. I wonder if creaming will do?
The basic recipes look easy enough. Equal amounts of butter, sugar and self-raising flour, with 2 eggs per 4 oz ratio. But quite scary, i think. Equal amounts of flour, fat and sugar! hmm... I think i'll try out the basic recipe, then if its ok, i need not buy those ready-portioned mix. Come to think about it, the time i bought the Betty Crocker muffin mix, i had to add oil (the fat) and eggs as well. Hmm... now that i know the basic proportion i can save money by preparing it myself.
Yay! I've the ingredients already, so maybe i'll try the basic recipe out tomorrow, after we return from breakfast at Kulai. Yup, got to wake up early again! This time to meet dear's friend at 2nd link at 8am... :(
It'll be the muffin book for bedtime reading tonight! :)
Friday, December 28, 2007
I've been cheated!
Sigh... And i'm not happy about it. Very angry, in fact!
The morning still seemed relatively ok. Had sort of gotten used to waking up at 6am and reaching office at 8am. When i was looking around the office, i saw the noticeboard, and i noticed my name on the duty roster. That's right, i've been rostered for shift duty! 3 night shifts on Jan 5, 19 & 26! Start on 11pm that sat and end at 7am on sun!
I went to find Z, and he explained to me that we rotate and each must take on the weekend night shifts. What i didn't bother to highlight to him was that his name is missing and i was told by Cl that i'm on office hours with occasional night spot checks, averaging 3 to 5 per month. That was also what was told to the client. The main reason was that there were workers around and it isn't good to have such disputes in front of them.
I left soon for a quality service management course, part of the requirement before the building's staff pass can be made and while there, i messaged Cl. Cl called me and told me that, without talking to the snr ops mgr, he is unable to comment on me being rostered for night shift, but he advised me to take the night shifts in Jan as a learning experience of the night operations. He also told me that once i take over fully from Z, i can roster the duties and take myself out of the night shift.
I told Cl that while i can understand about the training part, i am not happy -- that's right, i told him that! -- that i've been rostered for night shift. It really came as a shock to me. Furthermore, i had asked him specifically at the first interview about the working hours and he told me its office hours, 5.5 day week with average 3 spot checks at night. This was also confirmed with the client when they asked him during my interview with them. So isn't it a total change?
Well, i've been advised to wait till mon when the snr ops mgr returns from his leave, to clarify with him and Z. I will lor... Somemore i left the last company partly due to the insane hours, so would i join a company and work night shifts when i was told twice its normal hours?
Meanwhile i'll continue to look for FM jobs. I don't think i will go ask the school that had called me on Wed -- regret telling them i'm no longer available! -- and hopefully will be able to go to a company that needs an FM mgr... sigh... Am i too picky?
The morning still seemed relatively ok. Had sort of gotten used to waking up at 6am and reaching office at 8am. When i was looking around the office, i saw the noticeboard, and i noticed my name on the duty roster. That's right, i've been rostered for shift duty! 3 night shifts on Jan 5, 19 & 26! Start on 11pm that sat and end at 7am on sun!
I went to find Z, and he explained to me that we rotate and each must take on the weekend night shifts. What i didn't bother to highlight to him was that his name is missing and i was told by Cl that i'm on office hours with occasional night spot checks, averaging 3 to 5 per month. That was also what was told to the client. The main reason was that there were workers around and it isn't good to have such disputes in front of them.
I left soon for a quality service management course, part of the requirement before the building's staff pass can be made and while there, i messaged Cl. Cl called me and told me that, without talking to the snr ops mgr, he is unable to comment on me being rostered for night shift, but he advised me to take the night shifts in Jan as a learning experience of the night operations. He also told me that once i take over fully from Z, i can roster the duties and take myself out of the night shift.
I told Cl that while i can understand about the training part, i am not happy -- that's right, i told him that! -- that i've been rostered for night shift. It really came as a shock to me. Furthermore, i had asked him specifically at the first interview about the working hours and he told me its office hours, 5.5 day week with average 3 spot checks at night. This was also confirmed with the client when they asked him during my interview with them. So isn't it a total change?
Well, i've been advised to wait till mon when the snr ops mgr returns from his leave, to clarify with him and Z. I will lor... Somemore i left the last company partly due to the insane hours, so would i join a company and work night shifts when i was told twice its normal hours?
Meanwhile i'll continue to look for FM jobs. I don't think i will go ask the school that had called me on Wed -- regret telling them i'm no longer available! -- and hopefully will be able to go to a company that needs an FM mgr... sigh... Am i too picky?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Its a small world after all...
Yup, its a small small world...
Was walking around to show the snr supervisor the places that i want cleaned, then left the restricted area. While outside at the doorway, i was looking left and right, wondering which toilet to inspect next when i heard someone calling me. It turns out the AP chief at the UFO building was posted out soon after me and is now posted as the dy head at my building. What a small world! I never expected to be working in this particular speciality and i am now colleagues with 2 of the staff who were previously attached at the UFO building, and now i meet Kh at my building. So now a total of 4 from the UFO building are here! :)
Was walking around to show the snr supervisor the places that i want cleaned, then left the restricted area. While outside at the doorway, i was looking left and right, wondering which toilet to inspect next when i heard someone calling me. It turns out the AP chief at the UFO building was posted out soon after me and is now posted as the dy head at my building. What a small world! I never expected to be working in this particular speciality and i am now colleagues with 2 of the staff who were previously attached at the UFO building, and now i meet Kh at my building. So now a total of 4 from the UFO building are here! :)
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Announcement
"... no smock-ing is allowed in the ... Those who wish to smock may do so at..."
wow... amazing announcement as heard at my workplace. I wonder if i can do cross-stitch if i'm not allowed to smock? heehee...
wow... amazing announcement as heard at my workplace. I wonder if i can do cross-stitch if i'm not allowed to smock? heehee...
Celebration at Kulai
We went to Kulai on Monday to celebrate my getting a job. Took the bike up, and it was so nice and romantic! Of course, you have to discount the bugs getting squashed against dear's helmet and bike from the romantic part... It was nice riding pillion when i try not to think about getting on and off -- he always complains and i have a fear of making him fall... -- and i can look up and see the full moon and the stars. If you have a chance to ride pillion at night along the North-South highway, you'll know what i mean. The stars really shine cos there's no other light to compete against. So pretty!
We reached there half an hour later after clearing customs. By then i was already very hungry and i could feel my stomach feeling very cold, a sure sign that i'll start snapping very soon if i don't get food inside me!
We ordered our food, then the auntie, who knows dear from his numerous trips up, asked the fruit juice uncle over. He asked us what we would like, then dear asked if he could make something red and green. The uncle gave a blank look -- i think he thought we were trying to be funny! -- then recommended green stuff (vegetable juice! Eeurgh!!!) or starfruit & orange. In the end, we asked for our usual, which is watermelon sago, which was also red.
We reached there half an hour later after clearing customs. By then i was already very hungry and i could feel my stomach feeling very cold, a sure sign that i'll start snapping very soon if i don't get food inside me!
We ordered our food, then the auntie, who knows dear from his numerous trips up, asked the fruit juice uncle over. He asked us what we would like, then dear asked if he could make something red and green. The uncle gave a blank look -- i think he thought we were trying to be funny! -- then recommended green stuff (vegetable juice! Eeurgh!!!) or starfruit & orange. In the end, we asked for our usual, which is watermelon sago, which was also red.
The juice took longer than usual to arrive, but when it did, i think uncle took the effort to give us what we wanted! We had green and red straws with a green spoon, white honeydew and red watermelon in our juice, which was white and which i think was honeydew sago. So christmassy! And its huge, too. Only RM$6.50!
Our super value drink! See the chicken essence jar of toothpicks beside the mug?
The food came, then i asked dear to take the photos. He resisted, saying its very "Singaporean", but in the end he obliged. So sweet! The meal, consisting of plain rice, steamed 1/4 ang go lee (red marble?), baby kailan, salad prawn and claypot tofu, costs us RM$50. We had a wonderful and enjoyable meal. 
Its a nice place to go, but the restaurant is not for those who are picky on the location. Its accessible, but there's a rather sleazy looking Blue Heaven Cafe opposite (but it looks closed leh). But for nice food, not bad what...
Seen and overheard...
Seen in Singapore...
Overheard on the Changi Airport MRT on 24 Dec 2007...
Mum (in cheena-accented Mandarin): This (train) so cool! (zhe zhen liang shuang ah!)
Son: Daddy, my backside so cool!
Dad (in cheena trying hard to speak in English accent): you know why? Because this is a NEW train! (there was an emphasis on the word 'new'. I think he meant there was no one on the seat before...)
Me (mentally smack forehead...)
In a shop, apparently its a Japanese made product...
Along a street...
At a hawker centre. What does it contain? Loose change? haha!
Overheard on the Changi Airport MRT on 24 Dec 2007...
Mum (in cheena-accented Mandarin): This (train) so cool! (zhe zhen liang shuang ah!)
Son: Daddy, my backside so cool!
Dad (in cheena trying hard to speak in English accent): you know why? Because this is a NEW train! (there was an emphasis on the word 'new'. I think he meant there was no one on the seat before...)
Me (mentally smack forehead...)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! 
Why wake up so early on Christmas? After all it is a public holiday and i can sleep in right? Well, Horus boy is hungry so he woke me up with his very sad and piteous meows for food. sigh... And having gotten up i might as well do the laundry and later iron the clothes.
But it was worth it waking up to feed Horus, cos i saw him again with his Christmas present. I bought a little mouse from a Japanese brand, Catty Man, from Pet Lovers Centre so we gave it to him last night. He likes his little cattyman mouse, and the new one is no different. After eating, Horus began to play with his mouse and was happily chasing and pouncing on it around the hall. haha!
CattyMan and Horus... "I got you trapped!"
This year, i seem to have a lot of food related presents! :) I received cookbooks, a fondue set, a casserole dish, a cat purse that's just nice for marketing, a body care set and of course dear's present. Thank you everyone, for thinking of me and getting me gifts! I'll use them happily, and do my marketing using the purse, prepare a main dish from one cookbook in the casserole and dessert #1 from the other cookbook, and i can have dessert #2 (chocolate!) with the fondue, then bathe using the body care set. Just nice too! Its so wonderful how everything got together, much like everyone who cares about me huddled together and got me complementary stuff. :) :) :) You guys can borrow my recipe books anytime! But expect some food stains. heehee!
Thank you everyone! I love the presents!!! :)
Monday, December 24, 2007
Exhausted!
Well, so ends my first day at work. I'm exhausted!
First of all, my work day starts at 8am. Then was reading the contract before spending 2 hours walking two floors. Back to office, then reading contract, then 1 hour half floor. Back to office again for lunch -- S ordered pizza; don't know if it is to welcome me or to celebrate Christmas! -- before continuing to read the contract. Came the change of shift at 3pm and the office became a market place. Popped in for an induction program, only it ended up as a sharing session for the supervisors as the first shift supervisors were asked to attend. Gave my 2 cents worth on my expectations, then i left office, ostensibly to go back but actually to prowl the building and look at the cleaning in progress. Discovered by the 2nd shift ARM -- one of my 3 assistant resident managers -- who then introduced me to the cleaners on her shift. All this while i was wearing heels! And they haven't brought me to the entire area covered in the contract! I can only enter the restricted area once i get my pass. It seems the building is 1.6km long (or is it wide?) and is much longer than the first... oh my goodness...
Dear called, so at the end of the day he came to pick me up. So sweet, he brought me to choose my Christmas present! Then when we came back, he brought me to our "schoolshoes" shop to buy pumps. Bought 2 pairs; 1 to be left in office to wear when walking in the building and the other to wear to work and to walk in. :)
Now i'm exhausted. Too exhausted even to bathe! Will rest a bit then go to Kulai for seafood to celebrate my getting a job... Just hope i don't doze off on the bike!
First of all, my work day starts at 8am. Then was reading the contract before spending 2 hours walking two floors. Back to office, then reading contract, then 1 hour half floor. Back to office again for lunch -- S ordered pizza; don't know if it is to welcome me or to celebrate Christmas! -- before continuing to read the contract. Came the change of shift at 3pm and the office became a market place. Popped in for an induction program, only it ended up as a sharing session for the supervisors as the first shift supervisors were asked to attend. Gave my 2 cents worth on my expectations, then i left office, ostensibly to go back but actually to prowl the building and look at the cleaning in progress. Discovered by the 2nd shift ARM -- one of my 3 assistant resident managers -- who then introduced me to the cleaners on her shift. All this while i was wearing heels! And they haven't brought me to the entire area covered in the contract! I can only enter the restricted area once i get my pass. It seems the building is 1.6km long (or is it wide?) and is much longer than the first... oh my goodness...
Dear called, so at the end of the day he came to pick me up. So sweet, he brought me to choose my Christmas present! Then when we came back, he brought me to our "schoolshoes" shop to buy pumps. Bought 2 pairs; 1 to be left in office to wear when walking in the building and the other to wear to work and to walk in. :)
Now i'm exhausted. Too exhausted even to bathe! Will rest a bit then go to Kulai for seafood to celebrate my getting a job... Just hope i don't doze off on the bike!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Apple Boat
I just finished baking the apple pies, but i didn't follow the recipe totally in the end. I decided to call them 'Apple Boat'. You'll know why looking at the shape...
I tried to follow the recipe but i think i had some conversion problems. In the end i had to throw away the dough as it became too wet & sticky and i couldn't figure out how to rectify it even though i added in more flour. Just as well, as the ratio of fat to flour was almost 1:1! I had to rush down to get more butter, this time falling back to the trusty old shortcrust pastry.
The first tray was a bit messy, and i thought i was a bit better at preparing the second tray. I also added the orange juice and butter just before popping it in the oven instead of finishing each boat as per the recipe, cos i found out the OJ was just leaking out. :(
That said, i could see the juices bubbling when i peeped through the oven glass door. Mine is at a just nice height as we bought the countertop model due to space constraints. Its the same Delonghi model in the Jan's issue of Simply Her! Wow! :) But mine is a slightly smaller model; don't think i paid so much?
Anyway... I was packing in the boatlets from the first tray in containers for later's dinner at bog seed's home. I thought the juices would make the boats soggy, but thank goodness not. They became sort of jelly-like so some of the boats are floating on their own little pond. heehee! I think you can see it in the 'after' picture. I wonder how they would taste? I made one for each person...
Now to rest a bit before roasting the chicken at 1530, then i can bathe and we can go! Yay!!!
Before... with little pats of butter on top
After! i think i should have glazed the exposed pastry...
I tried to follow the recipe but i think i had some conversion problems. In the end i had to throw away the dough as it became too wet & sticky and i couldn't figure out how to rectify it even though i added in more flour. Just as well, as the ratio of fat to flour was almost 1:1! I had to rush down to get more butter, this time falling back to the trusty old shortcrust pastry.The first tray was a bit messy, and i thought i was a bit better at preparing the second tray. I also added the orange juice and butter just before popping it in the oven instead of finishing each boat as per the recipe, cos i found out the OJ was just leaking out. :(
That said, i could see the juices bubbling when i peeped through the oven glass door. Mine is at a just nice height as we bought the countertop model due to space constraints. Its the same Delonghi model in the Jan's issue of Simply Her! Wow! :) But mine is a slightly smaller model; don't think i paid so much?
Anyway... I was packing in the boatlets from the first tray in containers for later's dinner at bog seed's home. I thought the juices would make the boats soggy, but thank goodness not. They became sort of jelly-like so some of the boats are floating on their own little pond. heehee! I think you can see it in the 'after' picture. I wonder how they would taste? I made one for each person...
Now to rest a bit before roasting the chicken at 1530, then i can bathe and we can go! Yay!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Weather forecast
Today is Winter Soltice Day, or what my mum calls 'dang juay'. It is raining now, so my weather forecast for Day 1 of CNY is sunny weather!
My mum has this saying, or whatchamacallit, that if it rains on 'dang juay', new year 'chuay it' will be sunny.
I've remembered this "weather forecast" for a very long time, and it has generally been accurate. Is it because its a 50% probability of being correct? Is it due to the ancient wisdom of the Chinese culture? However, it is only recently that its not so accurate. So is it now the global warming effect has wrecked havoc on what was previously for so many years true? Hmm...
btw, interested in betting on the weather? The loser gets... drenched. haha! :)
My mum has this saying, or whatchamacallit, that if it rains on 'dang juay', new year 'chuay it' will be sunny.
I've remembered this "weather forecast" for a very long time, and it has generally been accurate. Is it because its a 50% probability of being correct? Is it due to the ancient wisdom of the Chinese culture? However, it is only recently that its not so accurate. So is it now the global warming effect has wrecked havoc on what was previously for so many years true? Hmm...
btw, interested in betting on the weather? The loser gets... drenched. haha! :)
Traditional ways
Somehow i like doing things the old traditional way. Maybe its cos doing things the traditional way is slower, so i have an excuse if i'm slow! haha!
I just finished making the traditional tang yuan, from mixing the flour to rolling the little balls. Took a picture of it too for remembrance. It makes a pretty picture! heehee...
I miss making it with my mum. When i was young, she would prepare the dough the eve of winter soltice, then she & i will be rolling the balls while watching TV. Somehow she manages to get it nice and round everytime, while mine will usually be with 2 sharp ends. Till now i can still produce a top-like tang yuan shape! As i grew older, i still helped her with the tang yuan rolling, except we made them on the day itself and we'll be gossiping or chatting while rolling the balls. I guess its a nice time for bonding, the 'in' word nowadays.
But for the first time today, i had to make it myself without anyone to chat with. And instead of just taking the prepared dough, i have to prepare the dough myself and try to recall what i saw when mummy was preparing it. I guess its the price of growing up...
Now many things are no longer done the traditional way ie by your own hand, from washing clothes to cooking. Clothes can be washed by machine, ironed, folded and kept by the maid. Food can be bought or if you're hardworking enough, the ready made meals can be bought and heated in the microwave. Biscuits and cakes can be made by pouring the mix in the machine and using the machine to churn out the mix for baking. Traditional food are now factory made.
I think we're paying the price for convenience now and traditional ways are being lost. What's the point in spending 1 hour to mix and roll the balls when you can buy the frozen balls in the supermarket? And get those with fillings to boot? When you put it that way, yes i agree that time was wasted. But this time can never be gained back, especially if you use the time to chat with your children. Its a pretty mindless thing to do; preparing the dough mix and rolling the balls don't exactly need rocket science and thus are perfect for little hands to help. Besides they can play with the dough if they're bored! That's what my mum will let me do if she sees i'm getting bored, and she can mind me at the same time. The same goes with washing clothes by hand. I'll help her, feel useful and can also bore her with my day's events. Same thing, we spent time together. Maybe its because i was taken care of by my nanny, so i treasure these times when i get my mum's full attention, but its these little snippets of time that you get when you do things the old fashioned laborious way, and inculcate your values to your child.
That said, it doesn't mean that i'll walk instead of taking the bus! haha...
I just finished making the traditional tang yuan, from mixing the flour to rolling the little balls. Took a picture of it too for remembrance. It makes a pretty picture! heehee...
The 2 big balls are to be cooked and placed on the stove. Don't ask me why...
I miss making it with my mum. When i was young, she would prepare the dough the eve of winter soltice, then she & i will be rolling the balls while watching TV. Somehow she manages to get it nice and round everytime, while mine will usually be with 2 sharp ends. Till now i can still produce a top-like tang yuan shape! As i grew older, i still helped her with the tang yuan rolling, except we made them on the day itself and we'll be gossiping or chatting while rolling the balls. I guess its a nice time for bonding, the 'in' word nowadays.But for the first time today, i had to make it myself without anyone to chat with. And instead of just taking the prepared dough, i have to prepare the dough myself and try to recall what i saw when mummy was preparing it. I guess its the price of growing up...
Now many things are no longer done the traditional way ie by your own hand, from washing clothes to cooking. Clothes can be washed by machine, ironed, folded and kept by the maid. Food can be bought or if you're hardworking enough, the ready made meals can be bought and heated in the microwave. Biscuits and cakes can be made by pouring the mix in the machine and using the machine to churn out the mix for baking. Traditional food are now factory made.
I think we're paying the price for convenience now and traditional ways are being lost. What's the point in spending 1 hour to mix and roll the balls when you can buy the frozen balls in the supermarket? And get those with fillings to boot? When you put it that way, yes i agree that time was wasted. But this time can never be gained back, especially if you use the time to chat with your children. Its a pretty mindless thing to do; preparing the dough mix and rolling the balls don't exactly need rocket science and thus are perfect for little hands to help. Besides they can play with the dough if they're bored! That's what my mum will let me do if she sees i'm getting bored, and she can mind me at the same time. The same goes with washing clothes by hand. I'll help her, feel useful and can also bore her with my day's events. Same thing, we spent time together. Maybe its because i was taken care of by my nanny, so i treasure these times when i get my mum's full attention, but its these little snippets of time that you get when you do things the old fashioned laborious way, and inculcate your values to your child.
That said, it doesn't mean that i'll walk instead of taking the bus! haha...
Savings
I just dug out my 'Twister' can. 'Twister' (its those chocolate love letter snack) was formerly sold in metal canisters but we can't find it now. Anyone knows where its still sold in the can?
Anyway, dear and i have been saving all our $5 notes in the Twister can. Our logic then was that we should start saving on a daily basis and of all the notes we seldom get the $5 note. So once we receive it in change, we would set it aside and drop it in the Twister can. Sounds good, huh? $5 adds up quite fast to $100 too.
Guess what? Once we made this decision, we began to receive $5 notes in change almost everyday! sigh... In a way it is a forced savings but it grows very fast. And we're growing broke very fast too...
In addition to our $5 note hoard, dear likes the old ship & bird series notes as he doesn't like carrying the face of a dead man with him. Since these series are quite rare now, once we get it we'll also stuff it in a glass jar. I wonder if S8 saw the jar beside the notebook? I even received a $1 note last week! Wow, that's really rare lor...
Anyway, dear and i have been saving all our $5 notes in the Twister can. Our logic then was that we should start saving on a daily basis and of all the notes we seldom get the $5 note. So once we receive it in change, we would set it aside and drop it in the Twister can. Sounds good, huh? $5 adds up quite fast to $100 too.
Guess what? Once we made this decision, we began to receive $5 notes in change almost everyday! sigh... In a way it is a forced savings but it grows very fast. And we're growing broke very fast too...
In addition to our $5 note hoard, dear likes the old ship & bird series notes as he doesn't like carrying the face of a dead man with him. Since these series are quite rare now, once we get it we'll also stuff it in a glass jar. I wonder if S8 saw the jar beside the notebook? I even received a $1 note last week! Wow, that's really rare lor...
Preparation for Christmas dinner
Big seed called me yesterday and said she wants to celebrate Christmas at her home on Sunday as she's packed with activities on Christmas Day itself. So i'm (no typo error here!) volunteered to bring along roast chicken as well as a pie.
I think i'll just do a simple roast chicken. As for the pie, i found this recipe on Woman's Day website for apple pie and it looks simple enough for me. Best part is, there's no need to cook the apples and instead of Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious is used! I changed it to Royal Gala as it is sweet too. The recipe, called Rustic Little Apple Pies is by Sarah Reynolds and can be prepared 1 day in advance. As it is individually made, there'll be no messy cutting up and so i think its ideal for the seedlings with minimal mess. If i can i'll take photos to record my baking feat. haha!
Luckily S8 was with me so she helped me to carry the stuff back from the local supermarket near my home. Heehee, by then i had already changed to t-shirt and shorts so i teased her by saying that she's my very well dressed maid, even better dressed than the employer! :P
Today is Winter Soltice, so i'll be making tang yuen from the flour i bought in the market. This, coupled with dear's favourite tang yuen with sesame filling, will mark Dongzhi. I'll marinate the chicken tonight before sleep, then make the pies tomorrow morning and then roast the chicken in the afternoon. The timing should be just nice i suppose...
I think i'll just do a simple roast chicken. As for the pie, i found this recipe on Woman's Day website for apple pie and it looks simple enough for me. Best part is, there's no need to cook the apples and instead of Granny Smith apples, Golden Delicious is used! I changed it to Royal Gala as it is sweet too. The recipe, called Rustic Little Apple Pies is by Sarah Reynolds and can be prepared 1 day in advance. As it is individually made, there'll be no messy cutting up and so i think its ideal for the seedlings with minimal mess. If i can i'll take photos to record my baking feat. haha!
Luckily S8 was with me so she helped me to carry the stuff back from the local supermarket near my home. Heehee, by then i had already changed to t-shirt and shorts so i teased her by saying that she's my very well dressed maid, even better dressed than the employer! :P
Today is Winter Soltice, so i'll be making tang yuen from the flour i bought in the market. This, coupled with dear's favourite tang yuen with sesame filling, will mark Dongzhi. I'll marinate the chicken tonight before sleep, then make the pies tomorrow morning and then roast the chicken in the afternoon. The timing should be just nice i suppose...
Friday, December 21, 2007
No more tai tai days...
Yay!!! I'm employed again!
Went for the interview this morning, this time with the client and with Cl sitting in. There were 3 of them, rather like the time i was being interviewed for the post of building manager for the 'UFO' building. Typical interview; i 'sold' myself, citing myexperience in the previous stat board that i will understand how the owner feels etc. Well, part of it is true, cos having been on all sides i can better understand each party's constraints and try to compromise where possible.
There was another guy waiting for the interview for the ARM post, which means he'll be my deputy. I didn't get good vibes about him, so i was glad the client told Cl to KIV him. As S8 said, i will have problems in future if this guy were reporting to me and he doesn't want to take instructions. Ya lor...
After the interview, Cl asked when i could start, and i told him anytime, so he said he'll put me down as having joined on 1 Jan for ease of salary computation and also i can enjoy the paid holiday. heehee... But later i met Z, whom i'm supposed to take over so Z can go back to the operations side. Z told Cl that i should go in asap as the building will be fully operational on 8 or 9 Jan 2008. In the end i'm to start work next Monday. That's right, i'll be working on Christmas eve! sigh... ok la, i'm glad dear & i didn't plan anything over this weekend lor.
Work starts at 8 ends at 5, though as RM i suppose i'm expected to stay a bit later and leave when i feel comfortable. But i hope i won't have to stay back too late lor, about 1730 would be ok for me cos it takes 1 hour to get back from the east, even though i take the MRT. Its a 5 1/2 days week, so Sat will be until noon. ok lor, at least i won't have to work till ungodly hours like the last company!
Well, this means my tai tai days are over and i can't go out with S8 as and when we like liao. :( But i'm glad i had this break, which was sort of like a clearing leave period, for me to bum around and do whatever i want and like.
But this means my wedding album will have to be done slowly... sigh... :( :( :(
Went for the interview this morning, this time with the client and with Cl sitting in. There were 3 of them, rather like the time i was being interviewed for the post of building manager for the 'UFO' building. Typical interview; i 'sold' myself, citing myexperience in the previous stat board that i will understand how the owner feels etc. Well, part of it is true, cos having been on all sides i can better understand each party's constraints and try to compromise where possible.
There was another guy waiting for the interview for the ARM post, which means he'll be my deputy. I didn't get good vibes about him, so i was glad the client told Cl to KIV him. As S8 said, i will have problems in future if this guy were reporting to me and he doesn't want to take instructions. Ya lor...
After the interview, Cl asked when i could start, and i told him anytime, so he said he'll put me down as having joined on 1 Jan for ease of salary computation and also i can enjoy the paid holiday. heehee... But later i met Z, whom i'm supposed to take over so Z can go back to the operations side. Z told Cl that i should go in asap as the building will be fully operational on 8 or 9 Jan 2008. In the end i'm to start work next Monday. That's right, i'll be working on Christmas eve! sigh... ok la, i'm glad dear & i didn't plan anything over this weekend lor.
Work starts at 8 ends at 5, though as RM i suppose i'm expected to stay a bit later and leave when i feel comfortable. But i hope i won't have to stay back too late lor, about 1730 would be ok for me cos it takes 1 hour to get back from the east, even though i take the MRT. Its a 5 1/2 days week, so Sat will be until noon. ok lor, at least i won't have to work till ungodly hours like the last company!
Well, this means my tai tai days are over and i can't go out with S8 as and when we like liao. :( But i'm glad i had this break, which was sort of like a clearing leave period, for me to bum around and do whatever i want and like.
But this means my wedding album will have to be done slowly... sigh... :( :( :(
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Interview tomorrow...
The interview with the client is tomorrow at 10am, and Cl has arranged to meet me earlier at about 0930. He confirmed that i'm being interviewed for the Resident Manager post. While it sounds very 'wah...', it actually is not. Oh well, i just hope i get it! Told dear that i'm getting bored staying at home. While it is well and good to stay at home on weekends or during long weekends/public holidays, i can't take this confinement too much if i don't have books to read, and i've finished the library books long ago! This makes me think that i'll have a tough time if i ever have a baby and have to go through confinement. sigh...
Pray hard hard that i get the job!
Pray hard hard that i get the job!
Christmas is coming...
I remember this simple jingle in one of my Christmas CDs. Its from an album sung by John Denver and the whole group of Muppets -- as in from 'The Muppet Show' -- but i don't have it now, so i can't say who wrote it. But here is how it goes:
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny then a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!
I taught the seedlings -- then there were 2 -- to sing it in 2003. According to big seed, the seedlings will sing it whenever Christmas is here and they have now taught the littlest seedling how to sing it. So i should be a kiddy teacher, huh? :)
But the song reminds me that Christmas is all about giving. Note that the 'old man' asks only for a little bit, and that if you don't even have that little ha'penny for him, he still wishes God's blessings upon you. Amidst all the hype and buzz about Christmas, i hope the true meaning of Christmas will remain in our hearts...
Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat!
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny then a ha'penny will do.
If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!
I taught the seedlings -- then there were 2 -- to sing it in 2003. According to big seed, the seedlings will sing it whenever Christmas is here and they have now taught the littlest seedling how to sing it. So i should be a kiddy teacher, huh? :)
But the song reminds me that Christmas is all about giving. Note that the 'old man' asks only for a little bit, and that if you don't even have that little ha'penny for him, he still wishes God's blessings upon you. Amidst all the hype and buzz about Christmas, i hope the true meaning of Christmas will remain in our hearts...
Christmas cards
Well, i've finally put it off too late. Now i'm wondering if the cards will ever reach the recipient on time!
Wonder what happened, that i delayed it till now? Frankly, i bought my cards in early November, but left it at home. Then i had the fantastic idea of making cards, so i went and bought the cardstock. Took me a while to locate the scrapbook embellishments left over from last year. Then the cardstock was left on the table, gathering dust. Finally i stuffed it all aside and took out the bought cards. And... guess what? All my contact details in my old nokia phone weren't transferred to my current sony ericsson phone!!! Luckily dear set up my notebook and i found some contact details in the software. Now i've collated what i can in MS Excel, and will see if i can have a better system.
sigh... So much for being a Brownie and having our motto 'Be Prepared' drummed into me for 5 years! (yes, i joined when i turned Pri 2. Was the most lau jiao Brownie lor, completed all my tasks and basically spent my P5 & P6 collecting the proficiency badges and helping my Owl. heehee...)
So friends, hope you won't mind if the cards arrive late. Its the thought that counts. :P I promise i'll post them tonight! At a post office!
Wonder what happened, that i delayed it till now? Frankly, i bought my cards in early November, but left it at home. Then i had the fantastic idea of making cards, so i went and bought the cardstock. Took me a while to locate the scrapbook embellishments left over from last year. Then the cardstock was left on the table, gathering dust. Finally i stuffed it all aside and took out the bought cards. And... guess what? All my contact details in my old nokia phone weren't transferred to my current sony ericsson phone!!! Luckily dear set up my notebook and i found some contact details in the software. Now i've collated what i can in MS Excel, and will see if i can have a better system.
sigh... So much for being a Brownie and having our motto 'Be Prepared' drummed into me for 5 years! (yes, i joined when i turned Pri 2. Was the most lau jiao Brownie lor, completed all my tasks and basically spent my P5 & P6 collecting the proficiency badges and helping my Owl. heehee...)
So friends, hope you won't mind if the cards arrive late. Its the thought that counts. :P I promise i'll post them tonight! At a post office!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Simple lives
I just read the news on Yahoo Singapore that FairPrice is offering a 5% discount on their housebrand items, starting tomorrow until end of February.
Dear and i have been watching our expenditure for quite a while, even before i left the last company. With me now at home, albeit temporarily, our simple lifestyle has no change and relying on 1 source of income hasn't really affected us much.
Dear doesn't believe in eating in restaurants or fancy places unless its for a celebration. As such, our usual eating haunts are hawker fare, home cooked food or if we're in the mood and the weather is cooperative, we'll take a bike ride to Malaysia for zhi char.
We don't watch movies, preferring to rent the DVDs instead. If we're not watching DVDs, he'll be pottering around or fiddling with his notebook/bike while i'll be reading books/doing crafts. We don't go out much and pretty much keep to ourselves at home.
In a way, i got used to this sort of life while working in NBD, where there's strict company regulations on going out. Also, we had this problem of wondering where to go and what to do before getting married, and we had sort of resolved that once we have our own home, we can just stay at home, bumming around together.
Sometimes when i see my big seed and other friends who are busy with activities and are running around, i wonder if the lifestyle dear and i have is boring? Then again, looking at the cost of living in Singapore, i'm glad i'm used to this quiet lifestyle. Probably the bit of excitement i'll have now is to see which of the items on discount at FairPrice for their housebrand items can be used to help us save more... :)
Dear and i have been watching our expenditure for quite a while, even before i left the last company. With me now at home, albeit temporarily, our simple lifestyle has no change and relying on 1 source of income hasn't really affected us much.
Dear doesn't believe in eating in restaurants or fancy places unless its for a celebration. As such, our usual eating haunts are hawker fare, home cooked food or if we're in the mood and the weather is cooperative, we'll take a bike ride to Malaysia for zhi char.
We don't watch movies, preferring to rent the DVDs instead. If we're not watching DVDs, he'll be pottering around or fiddling with his notebook/bike while i'll be reading books/doing crafts. We don't go out much and pretty much keep to ourselves at home.
In a way, i got used to this sort of life while working in NBD, where there's strict company regulations on going out. Also, we had this problem of wondering where to go and what to do before getting married, and we had sort of resolved that once we have our own home, we can just stay at home, bumming around together.
Sometimes when i see my big seed and other friends who are busy with activities and are running around, i wonder if the lifestyle dear and i have is boring? Then again, looking at the cost of living in Singapore, i'm glad i'm used to this quiet lifestyle. Probably the bit of excitement i'll have now is to see which of the items on discount at FairPrice for their housebrand items can be used to help us save more... :)
Cooking experiments
Dear commented last night that my cooking has improved. Has it? Actually i didn't cook that much since i stopped working but was happy that he thought so. Its not that difficult, just a matter of throwing the ingredients in the pot/wok, stirring them, adding sauces etc. It helps that mummy is available for me to call and ask for directions on what to put in, add what etc. I've come to the conclusion though that all i have to do is just heat the oil, fry the garlic/onion till fragrant, add the meat/veggie, seasoning/sauces, stir and voila! I'm lucky too, in that dear will gamely eat whatever i serve up.
My favourite appliance is still my little slow cooker, which mummy bought when she came over to visit me in NBD. Its just nice for 2, and all i have to do is prepare the stuff, place them in the slow cooker, turn it to auto -- mine is a little pot so there's no slow function -- and then let the food cook by itself. No need to watch the flame, worry that the pot is overflowing, pot is drying up etc. Its also good cos i can use cheaper cuts of meat and still get a tender mouthful. Best part is, you get a nice homey smell when you come home! :) That's why i like the slow cooker and use it frequently when i was working. Guess it'll be pressed into service again on a regular basis once i start work. Woman's Day has some fantastic slow cooker recipes which i find very useful and will tweak to suit whatever i have at home.
I told S8 yesterday that i chopped up the water chessnuts by hand, or should i say knife? I like my Zwilling knife (the 2 little red men) and love the chef's knife. Its so sturdy and practical, and i have fun using it to chop garlic. I pivot the point then move the blade. Fast & fun! :) Guess its the influence in Home Econs when my school started us off by using chef's knife for everything. Not sure if that's what they teach them now though...
Although its tiring to think of what to cook, i'm still happier eating home cooked food cos i know what goes in and how the food is prepared. For this reason dear seldom orders veggies cos he doesn't trust that the veg is properly washed. I agree! Maybe i should just cook everyday...
My favourite appliance is still my little slow cooker, which mummy bought when she came over to visit me in NBD. Its just nice for 2, and all i have to do is prepare the stuff, place them in the slow cooker, turn it to auto -- mine is a little pot so there's no slow function -- and then let the food cook by itself. No need to watch the flame, worry that the pot is overflowing, pot is drying up etc. Its also good cos i can use cheaper cuts of meat and still get a tender mouthful. Best part is, you get a nice homey smell when you come home! :) That's why i like the slow cooker and use it frequently when i was working. Guess it'll be pressed into service again on a regular basis once i start work. Woman's Day has some fantastic slow cooker recipes which i find very useful and will tweak to suit whatever i have at home.
I told S8 yesterday that i chopped up the water chessnuts by hand, or should i say knife? I like my Zwilling knife (the 2 little red men) and love the chef's knife. Its so sturdy and practical, and i have fun using it to chop garlic. I pivot the point then move the blade. Fast & fun! :) Guess its the influence in Home Econs when my school started us off by using chef's knife for everything. Not sure if that's what they teach them now though...
Although its tiring to think of what to cook, i'm still happier eating home cooked food cos i know what goes in and how the food is prepared. For this reason dear seldom orders veggies cos he doesn't trust that the veg is properly washed. I agree! Maybe i should just cook everyday...
Friendship
Someone told me something recently in confidence, which from a high probability has now become reality.
Sets me wondering, is the opposite of love really hate? How do two strangers meet and become friends? Consider the probability: Taking only Singapore's population, how did S8 and i get to know each other? Or coboypb & i? Out of 2.7 million -- i'm using the old official figures that i remember from my school days -- how did two people from two separate families with two different sets of upbringing and mindsets ever have the possibility of being friends? Is it fate? Regardless of whether it is 'opposites attract' or 'birds of a feather flock together', there must be some mysterious force at work that brings us together.
If along the way, our paths no longer are parallel and must separate, must we start to bomb or destroy the other's path?
Sets me wondering, is the opposite of love really hate? How do two strangers meet and become friends? Consider the probability: Taking only Singapore's population, how did S8 and i get to know each other? Or coboypb & i? Out of 2.7 million -- i'm using the old official figures that i remember from my school days -- how did two people from two separate families with two different sets of upbringing and mindsets ever have the possibility of being friends? Is it fate? Regardless of whether it is 'opposites attract' or 'birds of a feather flock together', there must be some mysterious force at work that brings us together.
If along the way, our paths no longer are parallel and must separate, must we start to bomb or destroy the other's path?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Names names names...
Dear and i were at the Akemi warehouse sale on Sunday (boh pian, now a temporary housewife so got to look for bargains). While at one of the bargain bins, we heard this conversation between one (probably) temp Malay staff and another more lao jiao looking Chinese staff, just beside us.
Chinese guy: Eh, what's your friend's name ha? The one over there.
Malay guy: Who? Oh, Yunos.
Hah? Eunos??? As in Paya Lebar Eunos?
*snigger* Ya.
Dear looked at me and we quickly walked away, looking down and trying to control our laughter even though we weren't done digging through the bin. As i passed by the Malay guy, i glanced at him and saw him holding his stomach and chortling to himself.
Haha!!!
Reminds me of a friend of mine in poly who had quite a nice sounding name. Once when we were chatting, i commented S's name is very unique. S then told me that her father named her after the street where they lived when she was born. My other friend J -- we're a trio -- then interjected that S should be glad her surname wasn't 'Ang' else S would be called Ang Mo Kio! So now whenever i pass by that road -- and it is so near my big seed's home -- i can't help but remember this conversation. heehee...
Hmm... so by a twist of fate and very hardworking X chromosomes, i'm saved from being called 'Wenli'... Boon Lay! hahaha!
Chinese guy: Eh, what's your friend's name ha? The one over there.
Malay guy: Who? Oh, Yunos.
Hah? Eunos??? As in Paya Lebar Eunos?
*snigger* Ya.
Dear looked at me and we quickly walked away, looking down and trying to control our laughter even though we weren't done digging through the bin. As i passed by the Malay guy, i glanced at him and saw him holding his stomach and chortling to himself.
Haha!!!
Reminds me of a friend of mine in poly who had quite a nice sounding name. Once when we were chatting, i commented S's name is very unique. S then told me that her father named her after the street where they lived when she was born. My other friend J -- we're a trio -- then interjected that S should be glad her surname wasn't 'Ang' else S would be called Ang Mo Kio! So now whenever i pass by that road -- and it is so near my big seed's home -- i can't help but remember this conversation. heehee...
Hmm... so by a twist of fate and very hardworking X chromosomes, i'm saved from being called 'Wenli'... Boon Lay! hahaha!
The search is over...
Yay!!! The search is over!!! I finally found my Eva-02 model kit!!! Here's what it looks like...
I called the hobby shops yesterday. One of these shops, Achtung Japan Hobby, was answered by a Japanese sounding man. How i know? Its his accent lor. Having taught a Japanese boy before, i still remember the Japanese way of little exclamations. Another big hint was the way he pronounced Evangelion. We would normally pronounce it as 'e-VAN-gay-leon' but this chap pronounced it the Japanese way ie 'e-BANH-gay-reon'. So i thought, 'got chance liao!' Unfortunately, he didn't have it in his stock and he also told me quite a lot of people are looking for it too. He then told me to try OG as he heard the Bandai agent has some stock there.
I intended to try the OGs but S8 told me to call. I actually didn't want to cos the series is quite an obscure one, but i thought i'd give it a try. Sure enough, i was faced with quite a lot of question mark balloon thoughts when the toy departments answered the call. But who cares! In the end, i got it from OG Albert Complex. Yay!!!
For those model kit enthusiasts, i would recommend Achtung Japan Hobby for their helpfulness & friendliness! Even though i didn't physically go down, the guy was friendly and even recommended another shop without me asking, something the other hobby shops didn't do. All i got from them was a 'Don't have. *slam down phone*' So this shop gets full marks for helpfulness! :)
I'm a happy Horus tonight... :) laa la laa la laaaa...
ta-daa...
I called the hobby shops yesterday. One of these shops, Achtung Japan Hobby, was answered by a Japanese sounding man. How i know? Its his accent lor. Having taught a Japanese boy before, i still remember the Japanese way of little exclamations. Another big hint was the way he pronounced Evangelion. We would normally pronounce it as 'e-VAN-gay-leon' but this chap pronounced it the Japanese way ie 'e-BANH-gay-reon'. So i thought, 'got chance liao!' Unfortunately, he didn't have it in his stock and he also told me quite a lot of people are looking for it too. He then told me to try OG as he heard the Bandai agent has some stock there.I intended to try the OGs but S8 told me to call. I actually didn't want to cos the series is quite an obscure one, but i thought i'd give it a try. Sure enough, i was faced with quite a lot of question mark balloon thoughts when the toy departments answered the call. But who cares! In the end, i got it from OG Albert Complex. Yay!!!
For those model kit enthusiasts, i would recommend Achtung Japan Hobby for their helpfulness & friendliness! Even though i didn't physically go down, the guy was friendly and even recommended another shop without me asking, something the other hobby shops didn't do. All i got from them was a 'Don't have. *slam down phone*' So this shop gets full marks for helpfulness! :)
I'm a happy Horus tonight... :) laa la laa la laaaa...
Pies from Dona Manis #2
Here's some of my comments on the pies i bought yesterday:
#1: the apple pie has a nice apple taste! wow, a bit no-brainer. But really, i don't taste cinnamon in the pie. Great for those who can't stand the smell or taste of cinnamon, which is common in apple pie. After all, its apple pie, right? Not apple cinnamon pie...
#2: there's this clear jelly-like filling with the apple. No idea what it is, maybe someone can fill me in? haha, pun not intended!
#3: the banana pie has coconut, or what tastes like grated coconut to me, inside, with nuts sprinkled on top. Not for those who don't like coconut or with nut allergy i suppose. The taste is a bit of an acquired taste, i think. I personally like my pie fillings all to be of the same texture. So eating the smooth banana and the slightly resistant texture of coconut plus chewy nuts was not to my liking. But i like the banana taste. :)
That said, i still like the pies from Dona Manis. Have fun trying out the pies!
#1: the apple pie has a nice apple taste! wow, a bit no-brainer. But really, i don't taste cinnamon in the pie. Great for those who can't stand the smell or taste of cinnamon, which is common in apple pie. After all, its apple pie, right? Not apple cinnamon pie...
#2: there's this clear jelly-like filling with the apple. No idea what it is, maybe someone can fill me in? haha, pun not intended!
#3: the banana pie has coconut, or what tastes like grated coconut to me, inside, with nuts sprinkled on top. Not for those who don't like coconut or with nut allergy i suppose. The taste is a bit of an acquired taste, i think. I personally like my pie fillings all to be of the same texture. So eating the smooth banana and the slightly resistant texture of coconut plus chewy nuts was not to my liking. But i like the banana taste. :)
That said, i still like the pies from Dona Manis. Have fun trying out the pies!
Politically incorrect!
This is a politically incorrect post! If you would be offended, or think you would be offended, by reading the post below, please do not proceed!!! Don't kaypoh kaypoh, be curious and poke your nose into this post, then read and think "Wah lau!!! How can say like this!!! So insulting!!! Want to sue Horus liao!!!" (or something like this) In the first place you were warned...
I met a couple whom i worked with while overseas, last night during dinner with dear. Actually, the guy was my colleague while his wife was on accompanied posting. Both are Indians and i couldn't remember the guy's name, only his wife (whom i shall call Wife).
Dear was walking ahead with his friend to the table and i was looking down and picking my way -- floor was a bit slippery -- behind him. I heard a 'Hey!' as i passed a table so i looked up and recognized them. If you know me, you'll know my propensity for names is terrible. I can recognize faces but have difficulties placing a name to the face, so i've learnt the trick of conversing without calling the name and then try to drag the conversation to topics that might prompt the person's name from my foggy brain. So don't be insulted if you meet me after many months out of contact, and i can't call your name! S8 had that experience, though i wonder if she remembers it. heehee... but i digress...
Anyway, of course i can't remember their names, except for Wife. So i had a conversation with them, chatted a bit then about 5 minutes later, excused myself for dinner. Later at night, dear asked me what their names were. I told him...
Me: Actually i have no idea. I only remember the wife's name is Wife!
Dear: You should be ashamed of yourself! At least they remember your name!
No leh, Wife told me she can't remember my name.
Then how did they call you?
I heard a 'Hey!' and since there was no one around, i looked up lor.
Then you should tell them, ' "Hei" shi ni. Wo shi "bai" !' Haha!
sigh... *shake head*
Dear can be so corny at times!
I met a couple whom i worked with while overseas, last night during dinner with dear. Actually, the guy was my colleague while his wife was on accompanied posting. Both are Indians and i couldn't remember the guy's name, only his wife (whom i shall call Wife).
Dear was walking ahead with his friend to the table and i was looking down and picking my way -- floor was a bit slippery -- behind him. I heard a 'Hey!' as i passed a table so i looked up and recognized them. If you know me, you'll know my propensity for names is terrible. I can recognize faces but have difficulties placing a name to the face, so i've learnt the trick of conversing without calling the name and then try to drag the conversation to topics that might prompt the person's name from my foggy brain. So don't be insulted if you meet me after many months out of contact, and i can't call your name! S8 had that experience, though i wonder if she remembers it. heehee... but i digress...
Anyway, of course i can't remember their names, except for Wife. So i had a conversation with them, chatted a bit then about 5 minutes later, excused myself for dinner. Later at night, dear asked me what their names were. I told him...
Me: Actually i have no idea. I only remember the wife's name is Wife!
Dear: You should be ashamed of yourself! At least they remember your name!
No leh, Wife told me she can't remember my name.
Then how did they call you?
I heard a 'Hey!' and since there was no one around, i looked up lor.
Then you should tell them, ' "Hei" shi ni. Wo shi "bai" !' Haha!
sigh... *shake head*
Dear can be so corny at times!
Interview postponed...
Cl called me yesterday evening to inform me the interview, scheduled for today at 0830, has been postponed to this Friday. He sounded apologetic and asked me if its ok. What can i say? Of course 'no problem' lor... After all i'm the one looking for a job and i need the client's blessings before i can even think of getting one foot in the position. Luckily i have no plans for a super long weekend, as dear still will not take any leave.
Then it came to me. Thursday being a holiday, the client works a 5-day week, wouldn't there be a possibility the client won't be free on Friday too? So i asked Cl, 'Thursday is Hari Raya Haji, would Friday be ok with **** (insert client's name)?' I heard a pause on Cl's side, then a 'Oh ya hor, somemore the guy who needs to meet you is a M****! ok never mind, i'll check and confirm with you.' No need to check lor, the guy can just throw in mc if he wants. These guys have 30days medical leave in a year! sigh...
Its just as well. I can wait for the agent to call me tomorrow about any updates on his side. Though if i'm to be shortlisted for an interview, he should have called me already right? So i think its no news on his side too. Got to wait and hope for the eastern sector job liao...
Then it came to me. Thursday being a holiday, the client works a 5-day week, wouldn't there be a possibility the client won't be free on Friday too? So i asked Cl, 'Thursday is Hari Raya Haji, would Friday be ok with **** (insert client's name)?' I heard a pause on Cl's side, then a 'Oh ya hor, somemore the guy who needs to meet you is a M****! ok never mind, i'll check and confirm with you.' No need to check lor, the guy can just throw in mc if he wants. These guys have 30days medical leave in a year! sigh...
Its just as well. I can wait for the agent to call me tomorrow about any updates on his side. Though if i'm to be shortlisted for an interview, he should have called me already right? So i think its no news on his side too. Got to wait and hope for the eastern sector job liao...
Carrot head
I wonder if i have a sign that says 'carrot head' hanging from my neck everytime i go to the wet market downstairs?
I went at about 630 -- that's my usual time if i go to wet market -- to get the ingredients for tonight's dinner. Somehow i have the impression that wet market stuff are fresher and cheaper. Maybe this is from the impression of Boon Lay wet market? Can't blame me right, when i've been going there for how many years?
Anyway, in the end i managed to get my ingredients. Left home with 2 red & 2 purple notes & coins, came back with 1 green and 1 purple note & coins. wow... You do the maths, think if the ingredients below is worth it:
Slice of fish: $3.00
300g prawns: $3.00
Minced pork: $2.00
1 chicken bone: $1.00
Dried scallops: $5.00 (6 pcs, apparently from Japan. I don't get China food if i can nowadays...)
Water chessnut & xiao bai cai: $1.00
Wanton skin: $0.40
onions, garlic etc: $2.90
The cost of tonight's dinner? After factoring in the ingredients, it comes up to...
Fish : $3.50
Wanton soup: $7.90 (i wonder how many wanton can i make?)
Veggie: $1.50 (from the ingredients in the fridge)
wow... Is the wet market really worth it? Or perhaps i just have to walk all the way to Tiong Bahru market to get the stuff? Would it be cheaper there? After a few encounters with the sellers here, i can only conclude that the stall holders see me with a 'here comes the carrot head' sign on my neck...
I went at about 630 -- that's my usual time if i go to wet market -- to get the ingredients for tonight's dinner. Somehow i have the impression that wet market stuff are fresher and cheaper. Maybe this is from the impression of Boon Lay wet market? Can't blame me right, when i've been going there for how many years?
Anyway, in the end i managed to get my ingredients. Left home with 2 red & 2 purple notes & coins, came back with 1 green and 1 purple note & coins. wow... You do the maths, think if the ingredients below is worth it:
Slice of fish: $3.00
300g prawns: $3.00
Minced pork: $2.00
1 chicken bone: $1.00
Dried scallops: $5.00 (6 pcs, apparently from Japan. I don't get China food if i can nowadays...)
Water chessnut & xiao bai cai: $1.00
Wanton skin: $0.40
onions, garlic etc: $2.90
The cost of tonight's dinner? After factoring in the ingredients, it comes up to...
Fish : $3.50
Wanton soup: $7.90 (i wonder how many wanton can i make?)
Veggie: $1.50 (from the ingredients in the fridge)
wow... Is the wet market really worth it? Or perhaps i just have to walk all the way to Tiong Bahru market to get the stuff? Would it be cheaper there? After a few encounters with the sellers here, i can only conclude that the stall holders see me with a 'here comes the carrot head' sign on my neck...
Monday, December 17, 2007
My Christmas tree!
My Christmas tree is finally up! I hung the two little angels which we bought at Daiso as the top of the tree is bare. Notice the front? Its different now. Thanks, J! :)Pies from Dona Manis #1
Dear likes the pies from Dona Manis, a little bakery in Katong Shopping Centre. I popped by just now to get the banana pie & apple pie for him so that we can have something sweet later. :) As its been a long while since we bought from the bakery, i thought i'd get some for him.
Coboypb told me she heard of this shop before and that it seems very popular on the Chinese channels. Hmm... I saw 2 articles on the shop wall, an English as well as a Chinese article. I'm no foodie, but i thought the pie is not bad. Their speciality is a banana pie, which sounds like it'll taste weird. Banana pie! But its nice. :)
Its expensive though, at $2.00 a slice. Don't bother to get a whole pie unless you have the company to eat it cos an entire pie, which will be sliced to 10 pieces, is $20.00. Now, that's what i like! There's no marking up the price if you get only a slice. The slice isn't exactly very big, though.
I bought 4 slices, and they are packed in the square-ish styrofoam box you associate with the packaged durian. If you're around the area, i recommend that you get a slice to try, and then decide for yourself if its worth the price.
Dona Manis is located at B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, at Mountbatten Road. Its near the escalator so you can't miss it. If you do, just follow your nose! The bus stop is conveniently in front of the shopping centre too, and you can take bus 10, 12, 14 & 32. Didn't see any other buses when i was waiting for mine, so perhaps there're more?
Can't wait for dear to come back soon so we can eat the pies. yum yum! :P
Coboypb told me she heard of this shop before and that it seems very popular on the Chinese channels. Hmm... I saw 2 articles on the shop wall, an English as well as a Chinese article. I'm no foodie, but i thought the pie is not bad. Their speciality is a banana pie, which sounds like it'll taste weird. Banana pie! But its nice. :)
Its expensive though, at $2.00 a slice. Don't bother to get a whole pie unless you have the company to eat it cos an entire pie, which will be sliced to 10 pieces, is $20.00. Now, that's what i like! There's no marking up the price if you get only a slice. The slice isn't exactly very big, though.
apple pies to the left and banana pies to the right
I bought 4 slices, and they are packed in the square-ish styrofoam box you associate with the packaged durian. If you're around the area, i recommend that you get a slice to try, and then decide for yourself if its worth the price.Dona Manis is located at B1-93, Katong Shopping Centre, at Mountbatten Road. Its near the escalator so you can't miss it. If you do, just follow your nose! The bus stop is conveniently in front of the shopping centre too, and you can take bus 10, 12, 14 & 32. Didn't see any other buses when i was waiting for mine, so perhaps there're more?
Can't wait for dear to come back soon so we can eat the pies. yum yum! :P
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Mr Brown Show & durian feast
Dear was listening to a massive amount of Mr Brown Show last night. As usual, the Mr Brown Show was being its sarcastic self. I'm fine with it and find it quite droll at times.
One of the podcasts had dear hunting down a quotation in the GeBiz. For those not familiar, GeBiz is an online govt procurement portal developed by DSTA for the procurement needs of the civil service. GeBiz does away with the need to notify individual companies as anybody with access to internet and with an account can respond to the invitation to quote / tender. Not bad, huh? (macham like selling the benefits of GeBiz!)
Anyway, with some help from me -- hey, i navigate GeBiz like mad when i was working at the last company! -- dear managed to turn out the quotation the Mr Brown Show was poking fun at. I can't believe a department of our boys in blue actually did call for, and awarded, an ITQ for the supply of superior grade durian, all 1,200kg of it! The quotation specifications were also saved in a very clear name: Specification_DurianFeast07. (This awarded quotation is now removed from the system. I don't know why...)
Is this what we're paying for now? The guys in blue, as well as the K9 unit, to have durian feasts? Yes, the GeBiz is to let them have the lowest price, source for a wider net of suppliers etc, but surely it should be for work related usage? Unless the durians are required for them to train how to deflect attacks by sharp-thorned projectiles and for the dogs to train how to sniff out drugs concealed within, or as the Mr Brown Show puts it, to sniff out pirated durians. Please lor...
I still remember what i was taught the first two weeks when i joined the civil service, and also my manager's creed: Don't forget that you're spending public funds and so you need to be accountable for it. Perhaps this is why i get rather offended when i read or hear about wastage in the civil service. Is this what i'm paying my taxes for? For civil servants to have a durian feast? If it is part of their work, ok lor. Maybe as i guessed, they needed durians to train how to deflect sharp-thorned projectiles and for the dogs to sniff out hidden drugs. But if it is for personal enjoyment eg a department's own year-end celebration, then i think it becomes a mockery. I'm paying taxes for the men in blue to enjoy durians!!! The specifications are saved in a very clear file name -- DurianFeast. And the delivery is to be after 1700hrs. After office hours? What more can i say?
But anyway its not for a year-end function. This quotation was called for and awarded in July. wow. Thanks to this group, i've lost my respect for the men in blue.
One of the podcasts had dear hunting down a quotation in the GeBiz. For those not familiar, GeBiz is an online govt procurement portal developed by DSTA for the procurement needs of the civil service. GeBiz does away with the need to notify individual companies as anybody with access to internet and with an account can respond to the invitation to quote / tender. Not bad, huh? (macham like selling the benefits of GeBiz!)
Anyway, with some help from me -- hey, i navigate GeBiz like mad when i was working at the last company! -- dear managed to turn out the quotation the Mr Brown Show was poking fun at. I can't believe a department of our boys in blue actually did call for, and awarded, an ITQ for the supply of superior grade durian, all 1,200kg of it! The quotation specifications were also saved in a very clear name: Specification_DurianFeast07. (This awarded quotation is now removed from the system. I don't know why...)
Is this what we're paying for now? The guys in blue, as well as the K9 unit, to have durian feasts? Yes, the GeBiz is to let them have the lowest price, source for a wider net of suppliers etc, but surely it should be for work related usage? Unless the durians are required for them to train how to deflect attacks by sharp-thorned projectiles and for the dogs to train how to sniff out drugs concealed within, or as the Mr Brown Show puts it, to sniff out pirated durians. Please lor...
I still remember what i was taught the first two weeks when i joined the civil service, and also my manager's creed: Don't forget that you're spending public funds and so you need to be accountable for it. Perhaps this is why i get rather offended when i read or hear about wastage in the civil service. Is this what i'm paying my taxes for? For civil servants to have a durian feast? If it is part of their work, ok lor. Maybe as i guessed, they needed durians to train how to deflect sharp-thorned projectiles and for the dogs to sniff out hidden drugs. But if it is for personal enjoyment eg a department's own year-end celebration, then i think it becomes a mockery. I'm paying taxes for the men in blue to enjoy durians!!! The specifications are saved in a very clear file name -- DurianFeast. And the delivery is to be after 1700hrs. After office hours? What more can i say?
But anyway its not for a year-end function. This quotation was called for and awarded in July. wow. Thanks to this group, i've lost my respect for the men in blue.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Wedding photos
I finally found the photos of our wedding. Yay! The ones i like best are those of the cats, but here are some of them. :)
Mr Kelvin Ong, our solemniser
Exchanging rings
'pang teh' to my grandma
'pang teh' to my parents
Notice you can't really see our faces? haha! The photos here were specially chosen on purpose... :)
Handsome boys
Dot took some great photos of Osiris & Horus during our wedding. Aren't they adorable boys? :)
New scrapbook tools
Went to Made With Love yesterday while waiting for the rest. Its a scrapbook store located at Level 3 Plaza Singapura. Bought some tools -- yay!!! -- and a rub on.
Finally started on a page for our wedding album. As you probably know, dear & i didn't want the gewgaws associated with a typical wedding, and we opted for a simple solemnisation and a lunch with family. Needless to say, we didn't go for the photograph package with fanciful attire and location etc. So dear agreed that i'd do a simple album to chronicle the day.
Well, that's the first page done! I just have to dig out the CD-ROM that Dot made of the photographs she took for us that day, and print out the photos i want. :)
See the little scissors? Its got a fantastic sharp and small tip, just perfect to cut the little itty bitty corners that i end up having. Changed the blade on the craft knife too, and i must say having new sharp cutting tools is a great feeling! But i need to ask dear to do something about the light. I used stencils to form the letters above, and will be using more of them. The light above the dining table is just not enough. Casts too much shadows and makes it really difficult to see. sigh...
Friday, December 14, 2007
Christmas class gathering
Our class organises 2 annual gatherings, one in July to mark the anniversay of our graduation and another in December to celebrate Christmas. As S12 is now in active service and works shifts, we accomodate her schedule. So we ended up celebrating rather early this year.
Met up at Plaza Singapura's Swensons and chatted a bit. In the end only S1, S3, S4, S5, S7, S8 & S12 turned up. The other sisters were busy and couldn't make it. :( A bit on the S-es: It stands for 'sisters' although S4 isn't a 'sister'. haha... We're arranged by age so we know at a glance who's eldest, but there's no notations for the age. phew!
There was the usual catching up with everyone but as we were seated in a row, it was rather difficult to have a conversation. Poor S8 couldn't hear S12's words as they were at the end and the restaurant was rather noisy.
A toast to our friendship!
We had gift exchange as usual, and placed our presents on the table. I noticed some amused diners, so i'm glad we provided some entertainment for them. :) Also, S1, S3, S4 & S12 were laughing at 2 of the presents as they were of the same size. They wondered if they were the same. Ended up the 2 presents are the same apart from the colour. haha! (the 2 are the boxes at the bottom; the red and pink boxes)
Piles of pressies! :)
Everyone with their exchanged present
S12 with mine. :) Hope she likes tea!
Grumpy Horus
Went out with S8 today before proceeding for the class dinner. Hope she didn't mind me changing the venue twice, from the original agreed Kinokuniya to the first amendment at Orchard Emerald bus stop to the final Parkway Parade. haha!
By the time i reached home, i was met by a very grouchy and hungry cat. I could hear Horus' wails from outside! Anyway, he's a grouchy boy as long as he has to wait for his food, but the poor boy had to wait so late to eat as dear is still out. After feeding him, i could still hear him grumbling and meowing to himself. Feel so guilty... :( :( :(
Now with a full tummy, the grumpy boy is lying on his back with his paws curled up and snoozing away. sigh... What a cat!
By the time i reached home, i was met by a very grouchy and hungry cat. I could hear Horus' wails from outside! Anyway, he's a grouchy boy as long as he has to wait for his food, but the poor boy had to wait so late to eat as dear is still out. After feeding him, i could still hear him grumbling and meowing to himself. Feel so guilty... :( :( :(
Now with a full tummy, the grumpy boy is lying on his back with his paws curled up and snoozing away. sigh... What a cat!
Its so sweet of S8 to get me a present, though i teased her by saying that its wrapped by the shop, cos i remember she wrote that she hates wrapping presents. Hope she didn't mind... :P So now its waiting under my little tree to be opened on Christmas. The box with the face is my gift from the class gift exchange, which S4 bought. The wrapping is opened cos we all open it there and then. Its a massager!!! Oh no!!! I'm ticklish though, so i'm wondering how i'm going to use it. haha!
What gigantic presents! Actually its just a very little tree...
The presents look huge, huh? Actually its just because my tree is little. I bought green felt and buttons, cut up 3 tree shapes and sewed them together. The buttons were sewn on to the tree shapes as the tree ornaments. Quite a fast craft, completed in 1 hour. Made it back in 2004 when i was stuck in NBD and dying of boredom... I'm too lazy to bring out my other tree, all 600mm of it, cos its inside the bed storage area, so the little tree is doing its job as a Christmas tree. heehee... :) :) :) But guess i'll rearrange the house tomorrow and bring out the tree. Then the little tree can be reassigned to another table. More festive air... :)
Good day for external works...
Today would be a good day for external works. It didn't rain yesterday -- at least the areas i went to didn't rain -- and so the ground condition would be relatively drier than usual. With the recent rains, external works would be near impossible as subgrade would fail, the premix would not be able to be laid etc. This will give the external works related companies lots and lots of headache.
I sms-ed AL to ask him how's life on site and if the project can be TOPed on 14 Dec (today!!!). He messaged back a 'haha, jing liang la'. Now knowing how mean B can be, i only hope that AL won't get into much trouble cos the LD for the site is $8,300 per day. It will all be reflected in AL's bonus come CNY lor...
I heard a familiar 'beep beep beep' just now while washing up after breakfast, shared happily with Horus. The naughty boy was nudging me for the muffin when i started to eat until i broke off bits for him, which he happily gobbled. sigh. In the end i refused to give him anymore and he just sat on the table and gave me a very reproachful look. Quite smart of him to choose a spot where he can see me, but i can also use my book to shield off any evil gaze. haha... :) But i digress...
Went over to the utility room window and saw the familiar machines. I saw the amount of premix being unloaded from the truck to the paving machine before it trundled off to the milling machine. So little! I couldn't believe it and continued observing. The Indian worker manning the traffic control on my side is just hopeless lor. He had to be horned at and even let the traffic build up till it spilled over to the main road. If LTA about this, the company will be in big trouble.
The area of work is so small, i think this company will 'tng kor' if they didn't price properly lor. Cos the cost of mobilisation and demobilisation will be charged by the premix companies if the area is less than a certain tonnage. And the cost is about $2,000...
By the time i went to get my phone to take pictures of the machines, the milling machine had parked somewhere out of sight. So i can only introduce the remaining machines for the benefit of all... *ahem ahem* (macham like school teacher like that! haha!)
Milling machine (not seen): to remove asphalt layer. Topmost layer is known as the wearing course and thickness varies according to LTA standards for different types of roads. Its a boxy machine with a long neck. When it is milling you can see a steady stream of black stuff, known as 'milled waste' coming off the 'neck'. The milled waste is the asphalt being removed.
Bobcat: a little but very manouverable machine with a roller brush in front. It brushes up the milled waste not picked up by the milling machine into its little scoop, which is then dumped into the waiting truck. In this photo, it is the little machine behind the truck.
Tack coat: a thin layer of oil sprayed onto the base course of the road to receive the new wearing course. Can you see a drum between the 2 machines on the lower right of the photo? Once applied its a sticky layer. Sometimes cars go over so you get the black tyre tracks on the road... Very very sticky. I walked on it when doing resurfacing 11 years ago. Drove me nuts...
Paving machine: It lays the new asphalt in a controlled manner. Accompanied by a gang of workers with shovels who would walk behind as the paving machine moves to scoop and return the stray asphalt to the work location. Its the 1st big yellow machine on lower right.
10-ton roller: The roller follows the paving machine and compacts the asphalt. Its behind the tack coat oil drum.
So... ta-daa!!! End of class. heehee...
I was introduced to these machines 11 years ago when i was supervising the resurfacing of a 4km long taxiway. Got rather sunburnt then, but couldn't wish for rain as the asphalt works needed good sunny weather. To all the external works companies, make road while the sun shines! :) :) :)
I sms-ed AL to ask him how's life on site and if the project can be TOPed on 14 Dec (today!!!). He messaged back a 'haha, jing liang la'. Now knowing how mean B can be, i only hope that AL won't get into much trouble cos the LD for the site is $8,300 per day. It will all be reflected in AL's bonus come CNY lor...
I heard a familiar 'beep beep beep' just now while washing up after breakfast, shared happily with Horus. The naughty boy was nudging me for the muffin when i started to eat until i broke off bits for him, which he happily gobbled. sigh. In the end i refused to give him anymore and he just sat on the table and gave me a very reproachful look. Quite smart of him to choose a spot where he can see me, but i can also use my book to shield off any evil gaze. haha... :) But i digress...
Went over to the utility room window and saw the familiar machines. I saw the amount of premix being unloaded from the truck to the paving machine before it trundled off to the milling machine. So little! I couldn't believe it and continued observing. The Indian worker manning the traffic control on my side is just hopeless lor. He had to be horned at and even let the traffic build up till it spilled over to the main road. If LTA about this, the company will be in big trouble.
The area of work is so small, i think this company will 'tng kor' if they didn't price properly lor. Cos the cost of mobilisation and demobilisation will be charged by the premix companies if the area is less than a certain tonnage. And the cost is about $2,000...
By the time i went to get my phone to take pictures of the machines, the milling machine had parked somewhere out of sight. So i can only introduce the remaining machines for the benefit of all... *ahem ahem* (macham like school teacher like that! haha!)
Milling machine (not seen): to remove asphalt layer. Topmost layer is known as the wearing course and thickness varies according to LTA standards for different types of roads. Its a boxy machine with a long neck. When it is milling you can see a steady stream of black stuff, known as 'milled waste' coming off the 'neck'. The milled waste is the asphalt being removed.
Bobcat: a little but very manouverable machine with a roller brush in front. It brushes up the milled waste not picked up by the milling machine into its little scoop, which is then dumped into the waiting truck. In this photo, it is the little machine behind the truck.
Tack coat: a thin layer of oil sprayed onto the base course of the road to receive the new wearing course. Can you see a drum between the 2 machines on the lower right of the photo? Once applied its a sticky layer. Sometimes cars go over so you get the black tyre tracks on the road... Very very sticky. I walked on it when doing resurfacing 11 years ago. Drove me nuts...
Paving machine: It lays the new asphalt in a controlled manner. Accompanied by a gang of workers with shovels who would walk behind as the paving machine moves to scoop and return the stray asphalt to the work location. Its the 1st big yellow machine on lower right.
10-ton roller: The roller follows the paving machine and compacts the asphalt. Its behind the tack coat oil drum.
So... ta-daa!!! End of class. heehee...
I was introduced to these machines 11 years ago when i was supervising the resurfacing of a 4km long taxiway. Got rather sunburnt then, but couldn't wish for rain as the asphalt works needed good sunny weather. To all the external works companies, make road while the sun shines! :) :) :)
S8's interview
S8 called me after her interview this evening (or should i say last evening?). It seems like a pretty interesting job so i hope she gets it! :) S8, hope the HR calls you soon! Jia you!
As for me, will wait for next Tuesday's interview with the client. Dear said if he can he'll give me a lift to the meeting point. So sweet... :)
But at the end, i still hope i get the post the agency was 'selling' to me just now... *cross fingers & toes...*
As for me, will wait for next Tuesday's interview with the client. Dear said if he can he'll give me a lift to the meeting point. So sweet... :)
But at the end, i still hope i get the post the agency was 'selling' to me just now... *cross fingers & toes...*
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Baking muffins...
Bought a Betty Crocker muffin mix from CS after lunch with LYG. It looks simple enough, though dear will probably say that i'm lazy. haha! ok lor, i suppose i can make the muffins from scratch using coboypb's recipe -- in fact dear found the printout of the recipe in the car wash pail. oops... -- but i didn't have it on hand so no idea what ingredients are needed. Its not like i have a lot of baking stuff too... :(
Since it was getting dark due to the clouds having a pow-wow, i didn't feel like reading anymore. Pottered to the kitchen and started dragging out the stuff to make the muffins! Thought that dear might like to have some muffins for tomorrow's breakfast too.
After pouring the ingredients in, i realised i threw away my wooden spoon previously due to it being colonized by fungi. panic panic... Used a metal spoon in the end, hope there wouldn't be any metallic taste later! Realized too that i don't have oven mittens... yay, got excuse to tell dear to go shopping with me liao! :) :) :)
So now the muffins are being baked, the house smells of bananas -- its a banana walnut mix -- and i'm happily anticipating the end result. I must say though, that the look of my muffins aren't very professional. I thought they were supposed to crack open? Or am i getting them mixed up with huat kuay???
Since it was getting dark due to the clouds having a pow-wow, i didn't feel like reading anymore. Pottered to the kitchen and started dragging out the stuff to make the muffins! Thought that dear might like to have some muffins for tomorrow's breakfast too.
After pouring the ingredients in, i realised i threw away my wooden spoon previously due to it being colonized by fungi. panic panic... Used a metal spoon in the end, hope there wouldn't be any metallic taste later! Realized too that i don't have oven mittens... yay, got excuse to tell dear to go shopping with me liao! :) :) :)
So now the muffins are being baked, the house smells of bananas -- its a banana walnut mix -- and i'm happily anticipating the end result. I must say though, that the look of my muffins aren't very professional. I thought they were supposed to crack open? Or am i getting them mixed up with huat kuay???
Before...
After!
An (h)amusing conversation...
Went to our local supermarket at TBPlaza yesterday to get groceries. Stopped by the deli intending to get shaved ham...
Me: Do you have shaved ham? If yes, can i get some?
Counter staff: Yes, can. All here can.
ok. Can i have the apple ham?
No, cannot. Roll finished already.
oh, ok... Err... Can i have the breakfast ham?
No, cannot. All cut here already. See? So little. No more already.
oh right. How about the honey baked ham, then?
No, cannot. The honey baked ham now got no skin so cannot make shaved ham. Machine closed so all cannot make shaved ham already.
(*bloody hell, then tell me so la!*) ok. Then give me the apple baked ham. 100grams.
ok. Anyway apple ham also cut very thin one. See? Here got hole one. 100 grams... Na.
ok, thanks.
Bloody hell!!! No wonder big seed prefers to go CS to get her shaved ham!!! Why can't the counter staff just tell me she can't make shaved ham right from the start? I could have been out of there in a jiffy!!! Humph!
Me: Do you have shaved ham? If yes, can i get some?
Counter staff: Yes, can. All here can.
ok. Can i have the apple ham?
No, cannot. Roll finished already.
oh, ok... Err... Can i have the breakfast ham?
No, cannot. All cut here already. See? So little. No more already.
oh right. How about the honey baked ham, then?
No, cannot. The honey baked ham now got no skin so cannot make shaved ham. Machine closed so all cannot make shaved ham already.
(*bloody hell, then tell me so la!*) ok. Then give me the apple baked ham. 100grams.
ok. Anyway apple ham also cut very thin one. See? Here got hole one. 100 grams... Na.
ok, thanks.
Bloody hell!!! No wonder big seed prefers to go CS to get her shaved ham!!! Why can't the counter staff just tell me she can't make shaved ham right from the start? I could have been out of there in a jiffy!!! Humph!
Interview today
Went for the inteview at the agency today. Took a while cos the guy, Mr K, wanted me to give details of what i did and why i left. In the end, he asked me if i would consider the post for contracts officer located at the west. He said he knows the company's budget so will be able to ask for the limit, then if too high, to negotiate down. I agreed, cos its a permanent position -- yay!!! -- and is in the west, so much nearer than the other one.
Mr K also asked if i have submitted any other applications. I told him i'm now waiting for the other company to call for the 2nd interview with the client, so he promised to call me by mid next week.
Called S8 to update her. Hope she doesn't feel bad if i get it! Surprisingly she was up; i was going to hang up when she picked up the call. :) S8, hope i didn't disturb your beauty sleep! heehee...
Went to Robinsons & Isetan to check if they have the 02 Eva -- isetan had quite a number of it once! -- but don't have... :( :( :( dear will be disappointed, but since he doesn't know i'm looking for it, he wouldn't technically be disappointed! :)
Halfway on my journey to meet lao yao guai at Great World, C called. He asked me if i'm going for the interview with the client. I told him no one called me!!! So he called back later and told me he'll try to arrange, then let me know after 3pm. Sigh... LYG told me the client may think that i don't want to go for the interview or made them wait lor. sigh sigh sigh... I'm thinking of that too and think i'll be going in with points deducted. :( :( :(
Really really hope i get the job in the west lor...
Mr K also asked if i have submitted any other applications. I told him i'm now waiting for the other company to call for the 2nd interview with the client, so he promised to call me by mid next week.
Called S8 to update her. Hope she doesn't feel bad if i get it! Surprisingly she was up; i was going to hang up when she picked up the call. :) S8, hope i didn't disturb your beauty sleep! heehee...
Went to Robinsons & Isetan to check if they have the 02 Eva -- isetan had quite a number of it once! -- but don't have... :( :( :( dear will be disappointed, but since he doesn't know i'm looking for it, he wouldn't technically be disappointed! :)
Halfway on my journey to meet lao yao guai at Great World, C called. He asked me if i'm going for the interview with the client. I told him no one called me!!! So he called back later and told me he'll try to arrange, then let me know after 3pm. Sigh... LYG told me the client may think that i don't want to go for the interview or made them wait lor. sigh sigh sigh... I'm thinking of that too and think i'll be going in with points deducted. :( :( :(
Really really hope i get the job in the west lor...
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Job application
Applied for a personal assistant post to a CEO yesterday before the modem went dead. This morning at the salon, the company called and asked if i would consider contracts executive. I said ok so the lady said she'll then refer to the hiring manager. So far no call leh... S8 is going for an interview at this company tomorrow for this post. Wonder if we'll ever end up as colleagues? haha!
Later someone from an agency called. Seems i'm to go down tomorrow at 9am for an interview with them as they have 3 posts in consideration: a contracts executive, contracts manager and facilities management manager. I don't really want to do qs job anymore lor. sigh...
See how tomorrow...
Later someone from an agency called. Seems i'm to go down tomorrow at 9am for an interview with them as they have 3 posts in consideration: a contracts executive, contracts manager and facilities management manager. I don't really want to do qs job anymore lor. sigh...
See how tomorrow...
Hairy experience
The modem went dead late last night. Not having anything to do today, i went to do my hair since as S8 said, now got time why not do lor...
Reached there at 10am and guess what? It opens at 11am on weekdays, only at 10am on weekends & PHs. sigh... So i went and read my book at the bus stop. In the end i was at the shop for 6 hours!
Stephanie told me someone bought the shop when i asked her why the signboard was half covered. So stingy! I would think that you would want to display the shop's name proudly and not use plywood to cover the old shop name. What can be seen now is (plywood) Hair Salon. Wow...It just looks so cheapo!
I noticed a new lady. Rather startling in looks; she has a very bushy coloured hair and she wore animal print tight top. ok, she has a relatively slim figure, but she's not exactly young lor. Unfortunately i didn't have a good impression of her. It was really mutton dressed as lamb.
Halfway through the ironing part, Ms Mutton came over and kaypohed a bit. Stephanie & Janice were doing my hair and later Stephanie went off to attend to another customer. Ms Mutton continued to look then she picked up the iron and came towards me. My head was bent down but i kept an eye on her while reading my book. So when she approached me with the iron in hand, my eyes flicked up and i stared. Janice must have seen my eyes in the mirror -- not bad, considering my hair was covering my face! -- cos she immediately looked up and i heard her ask Ms Mutton the temperature of the iron. I tell you, my heart was in my mouth the whole time Ms Mutton was ironing my hair! Having had a very bad experience at a well known salon at Plaza Singapura Level 3 where the master stylist burnt my hair, i wasn't about to let anyone just touch my hair lor, let alone someone who had to stand and observe before approaching. Thank goodness for Janice! She kept touching up my hair towards the end of the session.
At the final part while rinsing my hair, i asked Janice who the lady was and she muttered 'lao ban'. oic...
So finally, $160 poorer, i went home, My verdict? The price is high, compared to another shop at the other end of the block that supposedly charges $69.90. But you never know if there are other charges, eg 'treatment' or what not, and frankly i'd rather go to one that i'm familiar with. Prices at Nexi (the former name) has remained the same since 2002 (in fact they lowered their price from $180 to $160 for my length). I like the scent of the serum. Its fresh and quite peachy! Janice is very experienced, so if you can, ask for her. Elaine is good too but she was having her day off today. Just don't go for Ms Mutton lor...
The shop is just opposite Bt Gombak MRT station. Cross the road, walk up about 4 shop fronts and you're there.
(plywood) Hair Salon
Blk 372 Bt Batok St 31
#01-366
Tel:68970669
Reached there at 10am and guess what? It opens at 11am on weekdays, only at 10am on weekends & PHs. sigh... So i went and read my book at the bus stop. In the end i was at the shop for 6 hours!
Stephanie told me someone bought the shop when i asked her why the signboard was half covered. So stingy! I would think that you would want to display the shop's name proudly and not use plywood to cover the old shop name. What can be seen now is (plywood) Hair Salon. Wow...It just looks so cheapo!
I noticed a new lady. Rather startling in looks; she has a very bushy coloured hair and she wore animal print tight top. ok, she has a relatively slim figure, but she's not exactly young lor. Unfortunately i didn't have a good impression of her. It was really mutton dressed as lamb.
Halfway through the ironing part, Ms Mutton came over and kaypohed a bit. Stephanie & Janice were doing my hair and later Stephanie went off to attend to another customer. Ms Mutton continued to look then she picked up the iron and came towards me. My head was bent down but i kept an eye on her while reading my book. So when she approached me with the iron in hand, my eyes flicked up and i stared. Janice must have seen my eyes in the mirror -- not bad, considering my hair was covering my face! -- cos she immediately looked up and i heard her ask Ms Mutton the temperature of the iron. I tell you, my heart was in my mouth the whole time Ms Mutton was ironing my hair! Having had a very bad experience at a well known salon at Plaza Singapura Level 3 where the master stylist burnt my hair, i wasn't about to let anyone just touch my hair lor, let alone someone who had to stand and observe before approaching. Thank goodness for Janice! She kept touching up my hair towards the end of the session.
At the final part while rinsing my hair, i asked Janice who the lady was and she muttered 'lao ban'. oic...
So finally, $160 poorer, i went home, My verdict? The price is high, compared to another shop at the other end of the block that supposedly charges $69.90. But you never know if there are other charges, eg 'treatment' or what not, and frankly i'd rather go to one that i'm familiar with. Prices at Nexi (the former name) has remained the same since 2002 (in fact they lowered their price from $180 to $160 for my length). I like the scent of the serum. Its fresh and quite peachy! Janice is very experienced, so if you can, ask for her. Elaine is good too but she was having her day off today. Just don't go for Ms Mutton lor...
The shop is just opposite Bt Gombak MRT station. Cross the road, walk up about 4 shop fronts and you're there.
(plywood) Hair Salon
Blk 372 Bt Batok St 31
#01-366
Tel:68970669
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Greedy Horus!
Horus boy was snoozing on the bed again this afternoon. Perhaps it'll be more accurate to say he was sleeping and not just snoozing?
I managed to open his cat treats -- its by Friskies and is in a crinkly foil packet -- without making any noise and i sneaked out one treat. Crept towards him and still saw him happily sleeping. I brought the treat right before his nose and ta-daa!!! His eyes opened up! Just like that! This greedy cat, he'll do anything for food! I can't believe he just woke up from deep sleep just by a whiff of his cat treat in front of his nose! That greedy cat! sigh... *shake head*
It was just like Sunday when he was sleeping in his little shoebox. It was already 6pm, so i went to place his food in the bowl. I placed some food quietly amd saw him still sleeping. Then i let the remainder of the scoop tinkle into his ceramic bowl and i saw his head just jerk up and he gave me an interested look. Immediately after that he sort of jack-knifed into an upright position and came trotting out of the box towards me. All in about 1-2 seconds, as in 'tng' *heads up!* 'tng' *hmm!* 'tng' *spring up* 'tng' *dinner! yumyum!! trot trot* Gave dear quite a start as the sofa is just beside the shoebox.
But the poor boy had his buttbutt poked by me just moments ago. I saw this little black thing there and thought that he must not have pooped properly. So i grabbed a wet tissue, caught him and proceeded to clean his buttbut thoroughly. Unfortunately, i couldn't remove it. Guess it must be a piece of his flesh then, cos i recall seeing a little black thing and cleaning his buttbutt every now and then. Will try to remember asking the vet about it when he next goes for his jab in March. But if it gets bigger then it'll be an immediate visit...
Got to go. My Lord Horus calls for his victuals... I'm a slave to that cat!
I managed to open his cat treats -- its by Friskies and is in a crinkly foil packet -- without making any noise and i sneaked out one treat. Crept towards him and still saw him happily sleeping. I brought the treat right before his nose and ta-daa!!! His eyes opened up! Just like that! This greedy cat, he'll do anything for food! I can't believe he just woke up from deep sleep just by a whiff of his cat treat in front of his nose! That greedy cat! sigh... *shake head*
It was just like Sunday when he was sleeping in his little shoebox. It was already 6pm, so i went to place his food in the bowl. I placed some food quietly amd saw him still sleeping. Then i let the remainder of the scoop tinkle into his ceramic bowl and i saw his head just jerk up and he gave me an interested look. Immediately after that he sort of jack-knifed into an upright position and came trotting out of the box towards me. All in about 1-2 seconds, as in 'tng' *heads up!* 'tng' *hmm!* 'tng' *spring up* 'tng' *dinner! yumyum!! trot trot* Gave dear quite a start as the sofa is just beside the shoebox.
But the poor boy had his buttbutt poked by me just moments ago. I saw this little black thing there and thought that he must not have pooped properly. So i grabbed a wet tissue, caught him and proceeded to clean his buttbut thoroughly. Unfortunately, i couldn't remove it. Guess it must be a piece of his flesh then, cos i recall seeing a little black thing and cleaning his buttbutt every now and then. Will try to remember asking the vet about it when he next goes for his jab in March. But if it gets bigger then it'll be an immediate visit...
Got to go. My Lord Horus calls for his victuals... I'm a slave to that cat!
Cat-friendly natural cleaning products
I've been thinking of using natural cleaning products for some time now, not mainly because they're environmentally friendly, but because they have less chemicals (and they're cheap!). Actually, now that i put it down that way, it seems the same reasons! But yes, my main drive is because they have less chemicals and not because i want to be environmentally friendly. Don't get me wrong, i'm not purposely throwing rubbish around, cutting down trees etc; its just that if by my actions i can be environmentally friendly, then all the better. I just don't go out of my way to do it, if you get what i mean.
I searched the net just now and saw the same kind of suggestions as the Woman's Day articles that i've read. Perhaps i'll give it a try soon, seeing that i have so much time to kill. Also, the smell of the chemicals in the cleaning spray i used yesterday could have knocked me out, let alone my poor Horus! I'm not saying its bad, just that due to the design of my little bathroom, there's not much ventilation so the smell gets very enclosed when i clean the wall behind the door.
While reading the article, i saw a link with suggestions on having a cat-friendly clean home. It seems very practical. All the more i should try it soon, so that my already old Horus may have a healthier life... :)
I searched the net just now and saw the same kind of suggestions as the Woman's Day articles that i've read. Perhaps i'll give it a try soon, seeing that i have so much time to kill. Also, the smell of the chemicals in the cleaning spray i used yesterday could have knocked me out, let alone my poor Horus! I'm not saying its bad, just that due to the design of my little bathroom, there's not much ventilation so the smell gets very enclosed when i clean the wall behind the door.
While reading the article, i saw a link with suggestions on having a cat-friendly clean home. It seems very practical. All the more i should try it soon, so that my already old Horus may have a healthier life... :)
Horus again
In the end i'm almost done with one book that i started yesterday. But while reading the book, i looked at Horus snoozing on the bed and couldn't resist taking some shots.
While taking those shots, i realized that its time to cut the fur between his little paw pads. Horus was grumbling all the while i was trimming his fur. Maybe he was afraid i'd nick his sensitive paw pads. Look at the pile of fur! btw, the fur was on a blue piece of paper, that's probably why the whole thing looks so blue.
But i think i should get a proper camera. The photos from my camera phone has a rather grainy effect... sigh... Got to get a job first!
Free time
Think i really have lots of free time to blog. Look at the others; big seed told me yesterday she has no time to rest let alone blog, despite her new blog being set up almost a week ago. I haven't seen any update on little plum's page either, and she's the one whom i had the impression would keep blogging! Coboypb has also been busy... So its only me who's so free! sigh...
Feel like i'm bumming around. Its so early -- little plum just sms-ed me and told me to go back to sleep! -- and its drizzling now, and i know dear would happily jump back to bed to continue his sleep if it had been the weekend. And yet my problem is that once i'm 'clearly' up, and not 'blearily' up, i find it difficult to get back to sleep again. So now i've to find ways to entertain myself. sigh...
What to do now? Cleaned the hall and bedrooms, wrapped & decorated the presents and ironed the stack of clothes last week, cleaned the bathroom yesterday, so i guess what's left is the kitchen? There's nothing much to clean lor, unless rearranging the stuff can be considered as cleaning. Yet if i do that, i'd get frustrated again the next few times i cook cos i'd have moved my stuff here and there and i'll have to recall where i moved them to! So guess its really nothing to do except read books and bum around. haha... Bet big seed would love to have that kind of dilema. :) But hey, there is such a thing as boredom!
Makes me glad i went to the library and borrowed books the day i met up with S5. What better thing to do than to snuggle up in bed with a good book? Unless of course, its snuggling up in bed with dear... and horus boy between us, both of us with books in companionable silence... :) And what were you thinking of???
Feel like i'm bumming around. Its so early -- little plum just sms-ed me and told me to go back to sleep! -- and its drizzling now, and i know dear would happily jump back to bed to continue his sleep if it had been the weekend. And yet my problem is that once i'm 'clearly' up, and not 'blearily' up, i find it difficult to get back to sleep again. So now i've to find ways to entertain myself. sigh...
What to do now? Cleaned the hall and bedrooms, wrapped & decorated the presents and ironed the stack of clothes last week, cleaned the bathroom yesterday, so i guess what's left is the kitchen? There's nothing much to clean lor, unless rearranging the stuff can be considered as cleaning. Yet if i do that, i'd get frustrated again the next few times i cook cos i'd have moved my stuff here and there and i'll have to recall where i moved them to! So guess its really nothing to do except read books and bum around. haha... Bet big seed would love to have that kind of dilema. :) But hey, there is such a thing as boredom!
Makes me glad i went to the library and borrowed books the day i met up with S5. What better thing to do than to snuggle up in bed with a good book? Unless of course, its snuggling up in bed with dear... and horus boy between us, both of us with books in companionable silence... :) And what were you thinking of???
Monday, December 10, 2007
Seedlings... :)
Went out with big seed and her seedlings today. It was an impromptu arrangement; she called me at 10plus, then we arranged to meet later. So she came and picked me up at my pick up point and we proceeded to Vivocity with her seedlings.
We went to Sushi Tei for lunch and i must say her patience impressed me. I doubt i'd ever be that patient with my kids! For me it'll probably be a 'you shut up now or i'll leave you here until i'm done!' then go off and come back only later. But she put my mental childrearing skills to shame lor...
Anyway, took some pics during lunch. All the food was yellow! Tamago sushi, corn nigri suhi, tamago handroll, tamago maki... Pity i didn't take pics of the food before the seedlings attacked the food. But you can imagine right?
Littlest seedling has a unique way of eating his maki. He pokes the maki stuffing out using his chopstick then eats the maki plain! Can you see the hole in his maki? Seems he's quite a vegetarian... :)
Middle seedling threw a tantrum then had to be pacified. Here he's eating his maki too...
Big seedling just didn't want to be photographed. Shy boy? Anyway, here's big seed and her seedlings. Managed to convince the big seedling to come over for a shot in the end. :)
After that, i saw dear's reply sms. He wants the 05 Eva cos i told him i saw the price tag and it was only $19.90. I bought the 01 Eva for many times the price lor! But can't be helped, it seems the 01 Eva is really rare and difficult to find. So now he's only left with Asuka's Eva, or the 02 Eva. If anyone sees a red Eva or a 02 Eva, let me know! I'll go there to get it... But i also left my name and contact with the shopowner so he can call me if he has the 02 Eva. Hopefully so...
For those wondering what that is, i'm refering to a Ban Dai model toy, but its actually the Neon Genesis Evangelion, an anime about giant machines called Evangelion that are piloted only by a selected few 14-year-old kids. What happens is that in the year 2015, Earth is almost destroyed and the enemy facing earth are Angels (who come one by one and are really ugly machines). The agency who can fight them is NERV, a division of the UN, who came up with the Evangelion machines. Try the link; i'm not sure about it but i found it online.
So anyway... Before we left Vivo, i went to buy the Eva. After discount -- there's a 20% discount! -- it was only $15.90. wow... :) Think dear will be happy with the Eva... :)
Connoiseurs of comfort
I've read it umpteen times that cats are connoiseurs of comfort and that to find the most comfortable spot in a home, to look for the resident cat!
Well, i certainly wouldn't go for anything Horus boy recommends...
The silly boy actually squeezed himself into a New Balance shoe box lor. See how expanded the shoebox is now? I gave it to him but never expected him to use it until this state! Poor Sam looks so abandoned now... Sunday, December 9, 2007
Children nowadays... *shake head*
I took the MRT from home to AMK yesterday to meet dear in his office. Saw some things on the North bound train that made me wonder if the MRT is a playground.
At City Hall, a group of people boarded. A pair of them were Chinese nationals from their accent. One of them was in a reputable girl's school uniform, in a light yellow blouse, blue-green skirt and school socks with CGS on it. The other was in civvies. What made them stand out were their cups of juice clutched in their hands.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't drink from it in the train. Hearing them speak, i thought perhaps they can't read English as the 'no food' sign could be written in English. Then i realised that, poor girls! They must be blind! Cos the signs are pictorial and both girls were wearing spectacles. So i should take pity on them and not remind them not to drink. Why? Because:
1. They're Chinese nationals. Foreign talent, you know!
2. They're blind. The signs are in pictures and they can't see...
And the reason that gets me most:
3. The station control people did not stop them. So who can blame them?
But really, the school should take some blame too. No doubt they are foreigners, but judging by the condition of the girl's uniform, one of them must have been here long enough. Shouldn't the school remind these kids of the basic stuff before school holidays start?
The second event that made me wonder about the behaviour of kids nowadays was that of the family beside me. I think our government must be proud of them, cos they have replaced themselves plus an additional boy to serve NS.
The eldest kid, a girl, was between swinging from the grab handles and scooting to her mum. The second, a boy, was squirming on the dad's lap and kicking my leg. Now Horus recently left some scratch marks about 3" and another 1" on my right calf, so that brat kicking my already tender calf didn't exactly induce feelings of maternal love for him. And what can i do short of yanking up my jeans and telling the kid not to kick my wounds? I just shifted and shifted my poor calf la! Then the youngest boy was imitating his sister and swinging from the grab pole ala pole dancer style and running between the spare seat beside his dad on my side and his mum on the opposite site. In case you think i'm getting all huffed up about little toddlers, the girl is about 11, the elder boy about 7 and the youngest about 4. And its years, not months.
I'm not sure if the mum got the message i was shooting her from my eyes, but she later told the kid not to swing and scream and run. But she did it in such a gentle tone! Might as well not say anything.
I think one word that is sadly missing from parents' vocabulary nowadays is 'No'. Kids are kids, not little adults as the thinking seems to be these days. No matter what you think, they need discipline. What better word that spells limits but the word 'No'? Why do you reason with kids? How did our parents discipline us? 'No!' right? So why the change nowadays? What's the point in telling them, 'no darling, you cannot shout and run and swing. The policeman will catch you.'? Just tell them 'No!' If they ask why, then tell them 'Because i'm your mum/dad and i say so!'
That'll probably be what i'll be doing to my kids, if i ever have any. 'No' means 'No'. Look at how well the word 'No' works with dogs and even cats! If the word 'No' can even penetrate the stubborn mind of a cat, then what more fantastic word do you need?
Children nowadays... sigh... *shake head*
At City Hall, a group of people boarded. A pair of them were Chinese nationals from their accent. One of them was in a reputable girl's school uniform, in a light yellow blouse, blue-green skirt and school socks with CGS on it. The other was in civvies. What made them stand out were their cups of juice clutched in their hands.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad if they didn't drink from it in the train. Hearing them speak, i thought perhaps they can't read English as the 'no food' sign could be written in English. Then i realised that, poor girls! They must be blind! Cos the signs are pictorial and both girls were wearing spectacles. So i should take pity on them and not remind them not to drink. Why? Because:
1. They're Chinese nationals. Foreign talent, you know!
2. They're blind. The signs are in pictures and they can't see...
And the reason that gets me most:
3. The station control people did not stop them. So who can blame them?
But really, the school should take some blame too. No doubt they are foreigners, but judging by the condition of the girl's uniform, one of them must have been here long enough. Shouldn't the school remind these kids of the basic stuff before school holidays start?
The second event that made me wonder about the behaviour of kids nowadays was that of the family beside me. I think our government must be proud of them, cos they have replaced themselves plus an additional boy to serve NS.
The eldest kid, a girl, was between swinging from the grab handles and scooting to her mum. The second, a boy, was squirming on the dad's lap and kicking my leg. Now Horus recently left some scratch marks about 3" and another 1" on my right calf, so that brat kicking my already tender calf didn't exactly induce feelings of maternal love for him. And what can i do short of yanking up my jeans and telling the kid not to kick my wounds? I just shifted and shifted my poor calf la! Then the youngest boy was imitating his sister and swinging from the grab pole ala pole dancer style and running between the spare seat beside his dad on my side and his mum on the opposite site. In case you think i'm getting all huffed up about little toddlers, the girl is about 11, the elder boy about 7 and the youngest about 4. And its years, not months.
I'm not sure if the mum got the message i was shooting her from my eyes, but she later told the kid not to swing and scream and run. But she did it in such a gentle tone! Might as well not say anything.
I think one word that is sadly missing from parents' vocabulary nowadays is 'No'. Kids are kids, not little adults as the thinking seems to be these days. No matter what you think, they need discipline. What better word that spells limits but the word 'No'? Why do you reason with kids? How did our parents discipline us? 'No!' right? So why the change nowadays? What's the point in telling them, 'no darling, you cannot shout and run and swing. The policeman will catch you.'? Just tell them 'No!' If they ask why, then tell them 'Because i'm your mum/dad and i say so!'
That'll probably be what i'll be doing to my kids, if i ever have any. 'No' means 'No'. Look at how well the word 'No' works with dogs and even cats! If the word 'No' can even penetrate the stubborn mind of a cat, then what more fantastic word do you need?
Children nowadays... sigh... *shake head*
Horus and rainy days
Horus really gives rise to the thought of 'scaredy cat'. He dislikes rainy days that are accompanied by thunder and lightning, much like me. Back at my parents' home, when there's thunder, he can be found either in the laundry basket or behind the toilet door, while Osiris would just pop under the sofa to wait out the rain.
Here, there isn't much room for him to hide and with the recent rains, he has been looking decidedly miserable. So now, i open the cupboard door and he'll pop into the lowest shelf by himself and he stays there happily till the thunder stops...
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Hemp Shampoo Bar -- 2nd review
Well, this is my second review of the same bar i started using this week. It lathers better now, probably cos its used. So i don't get so frustrated lathering it! But i wonder how long it can last...
One good thing about the shampoo bar is that it really cleans my scalp. And i mean REALLY. I used to have a dirty scalp that i can never seem to clean no matter what shampoo i use. I've tried various commercial and salon brands, clarifying shampoos, the L'occitane Lavender shampoo -- which is good and smells really great -- and yet no matter what i use, my scalp remains rather 'unclean'. I noticed that my scalp is now much cleaner since the third day of use! wow...
I'm not into organic stuff, but this shampoo bar really is worth the price. Maybe its the absence of the chemical gunk! Don't see it so simple and plain, what lurks within is nothing short of a miracle lor...
One good thing about the shampoo bar is that it really cleans my scalp. And i mean REALLY. I used to have a dirty scalp that i can never seem to clean no matter what shampoo i use. I've tried various commercial and salon brands, clarifying shampoos, the L'occitane Lavender shampoo -- which is good and smells really great -- and yet no matter what i use, my scalp remains rather 'unclean'. I noticed that my scalp is now much cleaner since the third day of use! wow...
I'm not into organic stuff, but this shampoo bar really is worth the price. Maybe its the absence of the chemical gunk! Don't see it so simple and plain, what lurks within is nothing short of a miracle lor...
Giving gifts
What'sthe protocol for giving gifts?
My presents are all wrapped and all i have to do is to give them to the receipients. For obvious reasons, i can't be holding them all at home and giving them all out on Christmas Eve. Think of the logistics! That'll be madness! I'm not Santa Claus!
And yet i don't want to give them now and have my friends think that i'm desperate to receive gifts in return from them. Would they have the same thinking as dear ie feel obligated to return a gift to me? That wasn't my thinking when i got them the gift! I just saw it, thought it would be appropriate for them and so got it for them.
For my friends reading this, please know that i don't expect anything in return. I'm equally happy receiving anything or nothing in return. So expect an sms from me soon asking to meet up... :)
My presents are all wrapped and all i have to do is to give them to the receipients. For obvious reasons, i can't be holding them all at home and giving them all out on Christmas Eve. Think of the logistics! That'll be madness! I'm not Santa Claus!
And yet i don't want to give them now and have my friends think that i'm desperate to receive gifts in return from them. Would they have the same thinking as dear ie feel obligated to return a gift to me? That wasn't my thinking when i got them the gift! I just saw it, thought it would be appropriate for them and so got it for them.
For my friends reading this, please know that i don't expect anything in return. I'm equally happy receiving anything or nothing in return. So expect an sms from me soon asking to meet up... :)
Housework and a cat
Cleaned the hall this morning. Not bad huh? Its only 1030 now and i've finished cleaning the hall! But wait, i live in a 3-room flat so cleaning the hall is a breeze! haha! :)
Anyway, i had company. Dear was of course snoozing in and ignoring my calls to wake up. So Horus the kay poh boy was with me, poking his little black nose into the little corner i was cleaning. When dear left, i changed the bedsheets. Of course someone has to check out the standard...
Can you find me? Just don't pop me into the washer...
Monitoring the process...
Checking out the completed bed!
After popping the bedlinen into the washer, i prepared the clothes for ironing. Look at the load i have! Almost 35 pieces! sigh... Notice the marks & spencer hangers? It seems m&s throws the hangers away, so i've asked big seed to ask for hangers when she goes there. We like the hangers cos they're wide and hangs the shirts very well. And we're recycling, cos the hangers will otherwise end up in the trash! :) :) :)
Lots of clothes to iron...
Short of sounding weird, i like ironing, though not in the sense of getting high. I get a sense of satisfaction as the pile of clothes goes lower and eventually disappears. I also like the satisfaction of seeing the creased article becoming neat. But i haven't reached big seed's standard yet, where i can watch tv programmes, drink shandy and iron. haha! Really got to admire her. Talk about multi-tasking! :)
got to go. the pile of clothes beckons... (but i want to laze and bum around... :( sigh...)
Wrapping presents! :)
Spent the whole afternoon preparing the components of the gift tags for the presents. I'm glad i only have 13 presents to tag! As it is, i spent almost 8 hours just preparing the gift tag components alone...
At the end of it, i made the tags and a card for dear's friend's new baby boy.
the gift tags
the card for Baby Keane. Any orders for cards, anyone? :)
the components to complete the presents
the completed presents!
I won't be using the bells for the boys. Think they may not appreciate it, but i like the merry tinkling sounds very much. :) Bought some mini cookie cutter shapes, so would be using those for them.
But with the time put in, i wonder if children appreciate it? They probably would just tear it up and disregard the additional frills. So perhaps for next year, i'll keep it simple and practical lor. Just reserve the decorations for a few friends who would be able to appreciate it more. :) Its not that i begrudge the children the frills; it makes more practical sense to reduce the frills to those who are of age to appreciate it! Then again, there was a sense of achievement having decorated these gifts...I guess i'll just see what's the reactions this year before deciding for next year... :)
For those who will be receiving the gifts, hope you like the packaging!
Friday, December 7, 2007
No interview today liao...
I'm not going for the interview today after all. I called the agency to ask if its for a residential property, and the lady later called me to tell me that my expected salary is out of the company's maximum range of 2k. Methinks the company is just looking for TOs. So i told Sonia that i'm looking for a managerial post and she said she'll keep a lookout for me.
The only thing is that company is at Pasir Panjang. Still quite close to home lei... sigh
Anyway, i think i may have insulted her accidentally when she called yesterday while i was in big seed's car on our way back. I know i'm a bit hard of hearing, and during part of our conversation, i asked who i should look for when i arrive for the interview. The conversation went thus:
Me: So when i arrive tomorrow, who should i look for?
Sonia: Sonia (but i heard 'For Nia'. !!!)
*pause...* So i look for Nia?
No! SONIA!
Sorry Sonia... oops... :P
But C's company called me just now. The HR Mgr told me that i'm cleared for employment within their company already, and they just sent my resume today to their client for consideration. If it is all right with their client, they will call me to arrange for interview. From what they told me on Mon, the site is to be fully operational ie 24hrs operation wef 1 Jan 08, so i will have to get there soon to learn all if i'm employed. For that they were glad i am immediately available. :)
Hope i get the job!
Told dear abt the salary mismatch and that i won't be going for the interview and he sms back a 'haha'. I sms back and told him not to laugh cos if i can't find a job, he'll have to support me. He said that it's ok with him. So sweet... :) :) :)
Luckily its manageable for us both to live on his salary with our current commitments. I just have to tighten my own expenditure a bit more. And i suppose if i really can't find a job and i get too warm or bored at home, instead of switching on the aircon or even the fan, i can just pop over to TB Plaza or BM library to 'blow aircon' and people watch or to read books. All within walking distance, and Orchard Road is a 20 mins walk away too! :) Wonders of this location. So i can save on electricity, get some physical exercise and work out my mind too. haha!
The only thing is that company is at Pasir Panjang. Still quite close to home lei... sigh
Anyway, i think i may have insulted her accidentally when she called yesterday while i was in big seed's car on our way back. I know i'm a bit hard of hearing, and during part of our conversation, i asked who i should look for when i arrive for the interview. The conversation went thus:
Me: So when i arrive tomorrow, who should i look for?
Sonia: Sonia (but i heard 'For Nia'. !!!)
*pause...* So i look for Nia?
No! SONIA!
Sorry Sonia... oops... :P
But C's company called me just now. The HR Mgr told me that i'm cleared for employment within their company already, and they just sent my resume today to their client for consideration. If it is all right with their client, they will call me to arrange for interview. From what they told me on Mon, the site is to be fully operational ie 24hrs operation wef 1 Jan 08, so i will have to get there soon to learn all if i'm employed. For that they were glad i am immediately available. :)
Hope i get the job!
Told dear abt the salary mismatch and that i won't be going for the interview and he sms back a 'haha'. I sms back and told him not to laugh cos if i can't find a job, he'll have to support me. He said that it's ok with him. So sweet... :) :) :)
Luckily its manageable for us both to live on his salary with our current commitments. I just have to tighten my own expenditure a bit more. And i suppose if i really can't find a job and i get too warm or bored at home, instead of switching on the aircon or even the fan, i can just pop over to TB Plaza or BM library to 'blow aircon' and people watch or to read books. All within walking distance, and Orchard Road is a 20 mins walk away too! :) Wonders of this location. So i can save on electricity, get some physical exercise and work out my mind too. haha!
Little things do matter...
How time flies! I just read J's blog and she said she's sending her Angel for spaying.
I remember reading her blog when she found Angel abandoned at her block. At that time Angel was so small, his eyes weren't opened yet. My first impression of him was a little scrap of fur, all scrunched up, as newborn kittens look. Yup, J saved Angel from certain death by bringing him home and caring for him. Now, if you go to her blog to read, Angel has changed so much in the 6 months since! He's so healthy looking, with glossy fur and faint but visible tabby markings. If you can find the first post of Angel with his photo and compare with Angel now, there is such a difference.
Of course, Angel has grown so there would be changes. Perhaps what would be not so apparent is the care given to him. You can see the difference between a house cat and a community cat, aka stray cat. The house cat is better maintained with glossy fur while the community cat's fur is often hard and slightly dull.
Have you watched 'The Cat Returns'? Its an animated show by Studio Ghibli, and i recall the girl once fed a white stray cat some crackers. She later told her mum that she spoke to the cat and the cat told her that life is hard out there.
AL and the Cisco guards at my previous site once asked why i would bother to feed the cats at the site. To them i'm wasting my time and money on these cats that are so common. But for me these cats need food and since it doesn't cost me much time and money buying the food for them, then why not? My only additional cost is some blood donated to the resident mozzies while waiting for the cats to finish their meal. Life is already so hard for them, so why not make it a bit better while its within my means?
It doesn't matter to me, but i think these little things do matter to the cats...
To all the community cat lovers and carers out there, i salute you!
I remember reading her blog when she found Angel abandoned at her block. At that time Angel was so small, his eyes weren't opened yet. My first impression of him was a little scrap of fur, all scrunched up, as newborn kittens look. Yup, J saved Angel from certain death by bringing him home and caring for him. Now, if you go to her blog to read, Angel has changed so much in the 6 months since! He's so healthy looking, with glossy fur and faint but visible tabby markings. If you can find the first post of Angel with his photo and compare with Angel now, there is such a difference.
Of course, Angel has grown so there would be changes. Perhaps what would be not so apparent is the care given to him. You can see the difference between a house cat and a community cat, aka stray cat. The house cat is better maintained with glossy fur while the community cat's fur is often hard and slightly dull.
Have you watched 'The Cat Returns'? Its an animated show by Studio Ghibli, and i recall the girl once fed a white stray cat some crackers. She later told her mum that she spoke to the cat and the cat told her that life is hard out there.
AL and the Cisco guards at my previous site once asked why i would bother to feed the cats at the site. To them i'm wasting my time and money on these cats that are so common. But for me these cats need food and since it doesn't cost me much time and money buying the food for them, then why not? My only additional cost is some blood donated to the resident mozzies while waiting for the cats to finish their meal. Life is already so hard for them, so why not make it a bit better while its within my means?
It doesn't matter to me, but i think these little things do matter to the cats...
To all the community cat lovers and carers out there, i salute you!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Christmas presents -- a joy or an obligation?
Big seed said something today that set me thinking. She wondered out loud what to get her friend's twins, commenting that all the while her presents have always managed to be 'spot on'.
Dear doesn't like receiving gifts. To him, it creates an obligation to the presenter and he does not like that feeling. It even extends to me!
As for me, i like wrapping presents. I like making it pretty, dressing it up if i have the ribbons for it. If not, then i'll try to wrap it and make the joints as seamless as i can, which is why i use double sided tape so much. But while cooking dinner just now and ruminating on big seed's words, i began to wonder why i like presents so much.
Is it the surprise within the wrapped package? It could be, as i find it a rather deflating experience to open a gift where i know its contents. Is it being thought of by the one giving me the gift? It could be, cos i don't mind what i'm given cos i presume someone thought of me and what i like before getting me stuff. Is it the cost of the gift? It isn't, cos i treasure what is given me no matter if its the Tiffany pendant that Daisuke (my previous Japanese student) gave me before leaving Singapore, or the little plastic frog wishing me good luck that little plum gave me when she was only 6 years old, that is still in my old room.
Generally, i like the warm fuzzy feeling i get when i receive presents. Similarly, i like the warm fuzzy feeling i get when i look for presents for people i love and care about. I try to think of what they like or at least their character before searching for their gift. This makes it easier for me to get stuff for dear or my family, but getting stuff for big seed's 'soil' (wherein sprouted their seedlings, haha!) or little plum's 'seed' (think she calls him her 'baby', and plums have seeds...) stumps me cos i really have no idea what's suitable for them.
Nowadays, i see Christmas getting more and more commercialised. It already was when i could begin to recall it, but it seems worse now. Decorations getting more elaborate, gifts getting more and more outrageous and expensive, food and drinks getting pushed out earlier and earlier. Just take a look at today's issue of 'Urban'. So is it that Christmas gifts are now a joy or an obligation to give?
I don't know where the tradition of Christmas gifts started. Is it from the tradition of St Nicholas? He supposedly gave a man dowries for his three daughters three years running (or so i recall...). But i think it started with the 3 Magi giving Jesus gold, frankincense and myrhh. (And no, the 3 Magi did not come on Christmas Day. The 3 kings, as they are also known, did not appear until Epiphany which is sometime around Jan 6). The significance of the gifts, if i recall correctly, are: gold for a king, frankincense for God, and myrhh for embalming.
But what do you think of Christmas gifts? Do you get a joy out of giving them or do you find it an obligation? If it is an obligation, then why give? I think your receipient would not like being an obligation, and for all you know, they may be happier not having to receive and give anything at all!
Do you remember the Christmas song, 'Little Drummer Boy'? The little drummer boy sings that he has no gifts to bring that's fit to bring before a king, and in the end what he gives are himself and his drum. Likewise, in the Bible Jesus says that the widow who gave 2 little pennies, which constituted all that she had, has given more than the rich man, who gave a lot, but gave out of his excess.
Therefore, if you want to give, don't just give anything you can grab that's within your budget because you have to. Give of yourself; spend time to think what your loved one might like and you may just find that Christmas gifts may not be such a chore after all.
May the joys and peace of Christmas be with you always.
Dear doesn't like receiving gifts. To him, it creates an obligation to the presenter and he does not like that feeling. It even extends to me!
As for me, i like wrapping presents. I like making it pretty, dressing it up if i have the ribbons for it. If not, then i'll try to wrap it and make the joints as seamless as i can, which is why i use double sided tape so much. But while cooking dinner just now and ruminating on big seed's words, i began to wonder why i like presents so much.
Is it the surprise within the wrapped package? It could be, as i find it a rather deflating experience to open a gift where i know its contents. Is it being thought of by the one giving me the gift? It could be, cos i don't mind what i'm given cos i presume someone thought of me and what i like before getting me stuff. Is it the cost of the gift? It isn't, cos i treasure what is given me no matter if its the Tiffany pendant that Daisuke (my previous Japanese student) gave me before leaving Singapore, or the little plastic frog wishing me good luck that little plum gave me when she was only 6 years old, that is still in my old room.
Generally, i like the warm fuzzy feeling i get when i receive presents. Similarly, i like the warm fuzzy feeling i get when i look for presents for people i love and care about. I try to think of what they like or at least their character before searching for their gift. This makes it easier for me to get stuff for dear or my family, but getting stuff for big seed's 'soil' (wherein sprouted their seedlings, haha!) or little plum's 'seed' (think she calls him her 'baby', and plums have seeds...) stumps me cos i really have no idea what's suitable for them.
Nowadays, i see Christmas getting more and more commercialised. It already was when i could begin to recall it, but it seems worse now. Decorations getting more elaborate, gifts getting more and more outrageous and expensive, food and drinks getting pushed out earlier and earlier. Just take a look at today's issue of 'Urban'. So is it that Christmas gifts are now a joy or an obligation to give?
I don't know where the tradition of Christmas gifts started. Is it from the tradition of St Nicholas? He supposedly gave a man dowries for his three daughters three years running (or so i recall...). But i think it started with the 3 Magi giving Jesus gold, frankincense and myrhh. (And no, the 3 Magi did not come on Christmas Day. The 3 kings, as they are also known, did not appear until Epiphany which is sometime around Jan 6). The significance of the gifts, if i recall correctly, are: gold for a king, frankincense for God, and myrhh for embalming.
But what do you think of Christmas gifts? Do you get a joy out of giving them or do you find it an obligation? If it is an obligation, then why give? I think your receipient would not like being an obligation, and for all you know, they may be happier not having to receive and give anything at all!
Do you remember the Christmas song, 'Little Drummer Boy'? The little drummer boy sings that he has no gifts to bring that's fit to bring before a king, and in the end what he gives are himself and his drum. Likewise, in the Bible Jesus says that the widow who gave 2 little pennies, which constituted all that she had, has given more than the rich man, who gave a lot, but gave out of his excess.
Therefore, if you want to give, don't just give anything you can grab that's within your budget because you have to. Give of yourself; spend time to think what your loved one might like and you may just find that Christmas gifts may not be such a chore after all.
May the joys and peace of Christmas be with you always.
William Tell Mom
Went to big seed's home today and she showed me a YouTube clip of the William Tell Mom. For those who listen to classical music, you'll have an idea how the melody goes. And it is really fast! Somehow this lady managed to sing almost as fast as the tempo. She condensed a typical mom's sayings / nags into the song. I'd post it here so all can hear, but have no idea what's the policy. If you'd like to hear, then go to YouTube and search under William Tell Mom.
It takes 3.15 minutes, but its worth the time. :)
It takes 3.15 minutes, but its worth the time. :)
Interview!
I got a call this afternoon! Its regarding the application i sent out this morning and the agency is asking me to go for an interview tomorow. According to S8, its really fast. But she's got a call of her own and an interview tomorrow too. So good luck to us both!
But before i go down tomorrow, i think i should call them to ask if the post is for a residential property. If so, then i won't go cos i don't want to do residential. Will call tomorrow...
But before i go down tomorrow, i think i should call them to ask if the post is for a residential property. If so, then i won't go cos i don't want to do residential. Will call tomorrow...
Job application
I guess i'm not very into the job hunting thing. I just realized that i was introduced to the 2nd & 3rd jobs, and that probably accounts for why i'm at such a loss looking at the job websites. sigh... Now i just hope that i get a call from C's company to go for the 2nd interview.
Do i regret leaving before finding a job? yes, if you consider the salary coming in. But no, when i consider that i have no more stress, having to field off calls from WW and B. In the end i felt that B was rather like a small boy, playing at 'my friend is more important than yours, nya nya nya!' So yes, i am relieved to have left and to have ended any association with this company. :)
If i still cannot find a job, i will have to look at the neighbourhood jobs, temp-ing or ask dear if he can afford to keep me at home... ;)
Do i regret leaving before finding a job? yes, if you consider the salary coming in. But no, when i consider that i have no more stress, having to field off calls from WW and B. In the end i felt that B was rather like a small boy, playing at 'my friend is more important than yours, nya nya nya!' So yes, i am relieved to have left and to have ended any association with this company. :)
If i still cannot find a job, i will have to look at the neighbourhood jobs, temp-ing or ask dear if he can afford to keep me at home... ;)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Mushroom dinner
I went to NTUC to get groceries for tonight's dinner after returning from town. With a whole day's rain, i thought of cooking something brothy and warm for dear to eat when he got back. Bought a packet of 3 mushrooms -- Portobello, button & brown -- and sort of cooked the whole dinner around them. In the end, i really used mushrooms in every dish...
Doesn't look like it, but this dish is long beans. Again with a bit of mushrooms... But it didn't turn out 'nua' enough. :(
That was the main dish -- chicken thigh and mushroom soup. Cooked on stove and continued in the slow cooker. :9
Broccoli, carrot, mushrooms and shredded chicken... My tumbler of barley water is peeking at top right. :)
Doesn't look like it, but this dish is long beans. Again with a bit of mushrooms... But it didn't turn out 'nua' enough. :(
The last dish was soup. Threw the remaining ingredients at home into the soup. Actually, that is how i usually make my soups! haha... What went into this was tofu, carrots, mushrooms (again), meatballs, onion and wolfberries (gou qi zi). Not bad, but we couldn't finish it in the end. So its being kept for tomorrow's dinner... :)
Quite enjoyed cooking, but not the cleaning up. Must say that i'm glad we live in a 3-room flat. Much easier to clean. haha... :)
Rainy day outing
Finally went out with S8 today after much planning. The rainy day made me change my plans somewhat, with dear sending me to Bedok Library to await S8, since his plans to visit an island got cancelled due to the rain.
Read books, borrowed books then got a bit lost navigating Bedok Central while going to station control to RV. After that, was a train ride and a leisurely lunch. We actually took our lunch from 1200 to 1430! haha... we later commented on living a life like this, but S8 said we'll have to have friends who are also not working, else we'll be bored. true true...
After lunch, we braved the rain to go Ngee Ann City. Bought my Woman's Day from Kinokuniya. Luckily the latest issue arrived! :) :) :) Then went to Takashimaya to get 3 Gundams for dear's Christmas pressies. 20% discount. heehee... no choice, have to save somewhat.
That done, went to L'occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn. They don't have what i want! sob sob... :( :( :(
Bummed around a bit with S8, chatted at McDonald's then we went back.
Had a fun time with S8, getting my errands done and having her company. S8, thanks! Hope you enjoyed your day too! :)
Read books, borrowed books then got a bit lost navigating Bedok Central while going to station control to RV. After that, was a train ride and a leisurely lunch. We actually took our lunch from 1200 to 1430! haha... we later commented on living a life like this, but S8 said we'll have to have friends who are also not working, else we'll be bored. true true...
After lunch, we braved the rain to go Ngee Ann City. Bought my Woman's Day from Kinokuniya. Luckily the latest issue arrived! :) :) :) Then went to Takashimaya to get 3 Gundams for dear's Christmas pressies. 20% discount. heehee... no choice, have to save somewhat.
That done, went to L'occitane and Crabtree & Evelyn. They don't have what i want! sob sob... :( :( :(
Bummed around a bit with S8, chatted at McDonald's then we went back.
Had a fun time with S8, getting my errands done and having her company. S8, thanks! Hope you enjoyed your day too! :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Hemp Shampoo Bar
I bought some products from Simply Peaceable after hearing J rave about it on her blog. Its an online shop that brings in a line of organic products from Australia. Bought 3 soaps as gifts and a shampoo bar for my own use. After finally finishing my shampoo, i used the Hemp Shampoo Bar for the first time today.
I had worries about using soap after not using it for so long. One thing I recalled was it usually had thick scum as a result of it being wet. Surprisingly, the soap bar did not form any scum. I'm not sure if its because today was the first use? Anyway, it took quite a while to work up any lather on the bar and i was beginning to despair, even contemplating to rub the bar on my head! After a while -- not that long la, i suppose it was about 1 minute? -- I managed to get quite a bit of lather up and to transfer it to my head. But once on my head, it worked up a very nice and dense lather. :) :) :) Really liked that part!
The lather felt different from the shampoo from the bottle. Its not so bubbly, but was a nice and firm lather. Huh??? You have to try it to understand fully what i mean. Suffice to say, i love the lather feel very much. Also, the wash really feels very clean, much like a clarifying shampoo. Luckily i didn't buy any clarifying shampoo. Guess this will do!
Apparently it will take a few washes before the full effects of the shampoo bar will be seen. Hmm, will wait for that too.
One thing i need to try is to use a vinegar rinse in place of conditioner. It sounds dubious, and i wonder if the vinegar rinse will condition my hair, but i suppose there's no harm in trying. I've already apple cider vinegar at home, so i'll just have to scrounge up a 2 litre bottle to do the mix for the rinse. But i must say, the thought of having to mix up the rinse every night is rather bothersome... The pamphlet that came with the bar said the vinegar smell will last only while my hair is wet. hmm...
Will post my review of the vinegar rinse once i try it. In the meantime, if you're interested in getting the shampoo bar or just visiting the website, please follow the links in the first paragraph. Don't worry, i don't get an commission so its my own review of the product i've used. Happy exploring! :)
I had worries about using soap after not using it for so long. One thing I recalled was it usually had thick scum as a result of it being wet. Surprisingly, the soap bar did not form any scum. I'm not sure if its because today was the first use? Anyway, it took quite a while to work up any lather on the bar and i was beginning to despair, even contemplating to rub the bar on my head! After a while -- not that long la, i suppose it was about 1 minute? -- I managed to get quite a bit of lather up and to transfer it to my head. But once on my head, it worked up a very nice and dense lather. :) :) :) Really liked that part!
The lather felt different from the shampoo from the bottle. Its not so bubbly, but was a nice and firm lather. Huh??? You have to try it to understand fully what i mean. Suffice to say, i love the lather feel very much. Also, the wash really feels very clean, much like a clarifying shampoo. Luckily i didn't buy any clarifying shampoo. Guess this will do!
Apparently it will take a few washes before the full effects of the shampoo bar will be seen. Hmm, will wait for that too.
One thing i need to try is to use a vinegar rinse in place of conditioner. It sounds dubious, and i wonder if the vinegar rinse will condition my hair, but i suppose there's no harm in trying. I've already apple cider vinegar at home, so i'll just have to scrounge up a 2 litre bottle to do the mix for the rinse. But i must say, the thought of having to mix up the rinse every night is rather bothersome... The pamphlet that came with the bar said the vinegar smell will last only while my hair is wet. hmm...
Will post my review of the vinegar rinse once i try it. In the meantime, if you're interested in getting the shampoo bar or just visiting the website, please follow the links in the first paragraph. Don't worry, i don't get an commission so its my own review of the product i've used. Happy exploring! :)
Is it my fault?
Asked P if he's interested in working as a supervisor in a cleaning company, seeing that's he's retired and basically just bumming around at home. He said ok and i told him to call C this morning, at the same time also telling P that C is the Ops Mgr & rather strict.
Guess what? P called me around noon and started shouting at me. He said he called C and C asked him to meet someone at NTU. When P reached NTU, the guy had to leave as a worker fell and fainted, and so he had to send the worker to the doctor. So P called me and shouted at me, and then said he wants to go and not wait for the guy. The tone he used was that its my fault in asking him to call C.
I told P that if the guy said he had to send the worker to the doctor, then it probably is true. I also told him that if he doesn't want to wait, then at least have the courtesy to call C to tell him the situation before leaving. The only thing i didn't tell P is that he is just being too picky and petty. He can't seem to remember that he once had a worker involved in an accident during work and he also had to scramble to find others to cover the guy's duties.
For goodness sake, he's already 62 years old! If he cannot realize that C is doing me a favour by asking him to go to meet this NTU guy, then at least he should have, along the 62 years way, picked up some manners and tell C he will be leaving instead of having me point this out to him. Does he really think he's that grand? If anything, he should know that, since i told him i know C, C is doing me a favour by asking P to call him!
Anyway, this is the first and last time i will ever volunteer his name to any company. If he really wants to work, then let him have the headache of finding a company willing to hire retirees. No way am i going to help and then have my head snapped off in such a manner. Never. Ever. Again.
Guess what? P called me around noon and started shouting at me. He said he called C and C asked him to meet someone at NTU. When P reached NTU, the guy had to leave as a worker fell and fainted, and so he had to send the worker to the doctor. So P called me and shouted at me, and then said he wants to go and not wait for the guy. The tone he used was that its my fault in asking him to call C.
I told P that if the guy said he had to send the worker to the doctor, then it probably is true. I also told him that if he doesn't want to wait, then at least have the courtesy to call C to tell him the situation before leaving. The only thing i didn't tell P is that he is just being too picky and petty. He can't seem to remember that he once had a worker involved in an accident during work and he also had to scramble to find others to cover the guy's duties.
For goodness sake, he's already 62 years old! If he cannot realize that C is doing me a favour by asking him to go to meet this NTU guy, then at least he should have, along the 62 years way, picked up some manners and tell C he will be leaving instead of having me point this out to him. Does he really think he's that grand? If anything, he should know that, since i told him i know C, C is doing me a favour by asking P to call him!
Anyway, this is the first and last time i will ever volunteer his name to any company. If he really wants to work, then let him have the headache of finding a company willing to hire retirees. No way am i going to help and then have my head snapped off in such a manner. Never. Ever. Again.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Verbal diarhoea
Think i'm a bit addicted to this now. I suppose with no one to talk to, this is the next best thing? My last blog was called verbal diarrhoea too. Guess old habits die hard...
Went for an interview today. Dear said i'll get it especially as C was the one who called me to go. Would i really get it? Hmm...
The interview went well, i thought. Now all that remains is for the client to interview me. And they didn't say anything about the salary being too high! I guess they had expected it, as the site i'm to be based at is very very far. Its a 8-5 kind of job, either 5 or 5 1/2 days week, and i'm either to be the mgr or the asst mgr. sigh... Don't get me wrong; i just found it perplexing that the Exec Dir didn't seem to be clear which post i'm being interviewed for! *scratch head* The HR mgr told me they'll forward my resume to the client and hopes to call me soon for the second interview. I hope so too!
Nothing to do now except to bum around and play games cos my housekeeping mood has ended with the sun. heehee!
What would i do tomorrow? Continue to clean the house i suppose. And then do some more cards, but i think i might need to bring back the rest of my scrapbooking stuff from BL. Was very frustrated with what tools i had while making the gift tag for AL. Not exactly very proud of the product but i guess it'll pass. Though i really wonder if it is the fault of the eyelet brand that i used? It was the same problem as when i used it last year. sigh... it would be such a waste to throw the whole batch of eyelets away! Maybe this'll teach me to use the known brands. But Making Memories is really expensive in Singapore... :(
Any one interested in scrapbooking or making cards? Check out the really pretty and professional scrapbook pages & cards from Making Memories...
Went for an interview today. Dear said i'll get it especially as C was the one who called me to go. Would i really get it? Hmm...
The interview went well, i thought. Now all that remains is for the client to interview me. And they didn't say anything about the salary being too high! I guess they had expected it, as the site i'm to be based at is very very far. Its a 8-5 kind of job, either 5 or 5 1/2 days week, and i'm either to be the mgr or the asst mgr. sigh... Don't get me wrong; i just found it perplexing that the Exec Dir didn't seem to be clear which post i'm being interviewed for! *scratch head* The HR mgr told me they'll forward my resume to the client and hopes to call me soon for the second interview. I hope so too!
Nothing to do now except to bum around and play games cos my housekeeping mood has ended with the sun. heehee!
What would i do tomorrow? Continue to clean the house i suppose. And then do some more cards, but i think i might need to bring back the rest of my scrapbooking stuff from BL. Was very frustrated with what tools i had while making the gift tag for AL. Not exactly very proud of the product but i guess it'll pass. Though i really wonder if it is the fault of the eyelet brand that i used? It was the same problem as when i used it last year. sigh... it would be such a waste to throw the whole batch of eyelets away! Maybe this'll teach me to use the known brands. But Making Memories is really expensive in Singapore... :(
Any one interested in scrapbooking or making cards? Check out the really pretty and professional scrapbook pages & cards from Making Memories...
Birthdays & life
Went for my Tua Yee's 60th birthday celebration yesterday and it set me thinking...
Is a birthday the celebration of one year less in your life, as is dear's opinion, or is it a thanksgiving of having lived one year in your life, as is mine? Chae told me once that she will celebrate the first year of her children's life ie 1st birthday cos there are so many dangers in the first year, regardless of the medical improvements. To her, celebrating the 1st year is important as she feels once the 1st year is over, there is a greater chance of living. Methinks she's reading too much into infant mortality, but that's her view...
Isn't the birthday celebrations we always celebrate, the mark of the end of that year? Is it only me who thinks so, or is it that people generally take it as the start of the year they're celebrating, ie 60th birthday = start of 60th year of life? Example: If you're born on 1 Jan 2000, isn't 1 Jan 2001 (though technically it should be 31 Dec 2000, but that's just making it more confusing...) the end of your first year? So when you celebrate on 1 Jan 2001, it should be the start of your 2nd year isn't it? Or am i just being pedantic?
Is there anything to celebrate at all? Hey, i'm not attacking my tua yee here... But seriously, is there anything to celebrate at all? What have i done that, when i die, i can look back and say with pride, 'I did this'? Or is life just a meaningless series of days melding into weeks, months and years, until we reach the end of our life? Why do we work and look for high pay, good benefits etc (and i'm going for my interview later!), all the while trying to outperform our peers? What do we gain in the end?
Sure, when we get good pay and benefits, our peers will envy us and our life will be more comfortable. (This vaguely seems like what i've studied before, about man's needs and once fulfilling the basic needs we look for more. Is this guy Maslow or something like that?) But apart from fulfilling our basic needs, and then going for more, why are we working so hard? Career? But why? Does it go with you when you die? Apart from being your own boss, will your company mourn you when you die? If not, why work so hard?
I believe in giving a fair day's work for a fair day's wage. After that, my time is my own to spend as i will. That is one reason why i do not bring my work back. What you do with your own time is then the mark that you leave behind. It may seem small and meaningless, but it matters. While not disparaging the politicians, policymakers and all the important people, what the common people do also leaves their mark.
What is so important about Jacin & her mum feeding the community cats? After all, the gardener probably thinks she's wasting her money on animals that don't appreciate her. The Cisco guards at my previous site also commented on why i would waste money on feeding the cats at the site. But is it? It may seem a waste of money and that the animals don't appreciate us, but it matters to Bush, Shadow, Noisy, her Fat Cat and gang. They depend on her for a regular meal, and though they may not express their gratitude in ways we can understand, they are appreciative. And it matters to them.
Its like the short story i read once about someone asking a boy who was throwing back the starfish into the sea. Can he save all the starfish along that whole stretch of beach before they die? The boy knows he can't, but for those that he can, it matters to them.
So this is my guiding priciple; no matter what you do, regardless of how meaningless others view it, if you feel it is right, then it probably is.
Is a birthday the celebration of one year less in your life, as is dear's opinion, or is it a thanksgiving of having lived one year in your life, as is mine? Chae told me once that she will celebrate the first year of her children's life ie 1st birthday cos there are so many dangers in the first year, regardless of the medical improvements. To her, celebrating the 1st year is important as she feels once the 1st year is over, there is a greater chance of living. Methinks she's reading too much into infant mortality, but that's her view...
Isn't the birthday celebrations we always celebrate, the mark of the end of that year? Is it only me who thinks so, or is it that people generally take it as the start of the year they're celebrating, ie 60th birthday = start of 60th year of life? Example: If you're born on 1 Jan 2000, isn't 1 Jan 2001 (though technically it should be 31 Dec 2000, but that's just making it more confusing...) the end of your first year? So when you celebrate on 1 Jan 2001, it should be the start of your 2nd year isn't it? Or am i just being pedantic?
Is there anything to celebrate at all? Hey, i'm not attacking my tua yee here... But seriously, is there anything to celebrate at all? What have i done that, when i die, i can look back and say with pride, 'I did this'? Or is life just a meaningless series of days melding into weeks, months and years, until we reach the end of our life? Why do we work and look for high pay, good benefits etc (and i'm going for my interview later!), all the while trying to outperform our peers? What do we gain in the end?
Sure, when we get good pay and benefits, our peers will envy us and our life will be more comfortable. (This vaguely seems like what i've studied before, about man's needs and once fulfilling the basic needs we look for more. Is this guy Maslow or something like that?) But apart from fulfilling our basic needs, and then going for more, why are we working so hard? Career? But why? Does it go with you when you die? Apart from being your own boss, will your company mourn you when you die? If not, why work so hard?
I believe in giving a fair day's work for a fair day's wage. After that, my time is my own to spend as i will. That is one reason why i do not bring my work back. What you do with your own time is then the mark that you leave behind. It may seem small and meaningless, but it matters. While not disparaging the politicians, policymakers and all the important people, what the common people do also leaves their mark.
What is so important about Jacin & her mum feeding the community cats? After all, the gardener probably thinks she's wasting her money on animals that don't appreciate her. The Cisco guards at my previous site also commented on why i would waste money on feeding the cats at the site. But is it? It may seem a waste of money and that the animals don't appreciate us, but it matters to Bush, Shadow, Noisy, her Fat Cat and gang. They depend on her for a regular meal, and though they may not express their gratitude in ways we can understand, they are appreciative. And it matters to them.
Its like the short story i read once about someone asking a boy who was throwing back the starfish into the sea. Can he save all the starfish along that whole stretch of beach before they die? The boy knows he can't, but for those that he can, it matters to them.
So this is my guiding priciple; no matter what you do, regardless of how meaningless others view it, if you feel it is right, then it probably is.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Cats!
I guess Edna gets to have good pictures of Mr O as she's with him all the time. For me, i can only post photos of Horus. He likes to squeeze into this little A4 sized box with his toy bear Sam. Is A4 really that small? Yes, in comparison with Horus...
The last photo was taken when we brought her to the vet to check her swollen right forepaw. See the little black part on her paw? It hurts when i cleaned her paw cos she'll give a gentle 'peep' and try to pull back, but she'll let me clean it. Feeding her the antibiotic was another story though. I had a nasty bite from her that got infected...
Horus was fascinated with the washing machine when we bought it. Can't blame him as we've been using the top load machine since he was a kitten. The first time we used the machine, he came running to stare at it. I think he finds the tumble movement interesting! Even now, he still comes along to peep at the machine, especially when he thinks we aren't aware of him...
I told J that there're quite a number of missing cats, including FatCat at my block. She kindly linked me up with the rest at CWS and i found out where FatCat likely is. Dear doesn't want me to go visit her cos he feels i'll be too sad to leave, so all i have are some photos of her. I really miss her and her very char-bor 'meow' when i call her. I find it a very nice sight to see her and to greet her when i come back, but now her spot is empty. sigh...
Work work work... (or what's left of it)
Well, B finally came to office well after 10am. Guess he's the boss...
Met up with B, Tan & Chng to 'handover'. Tan went through the VOs, then as he came to the hacking VO, i explained why SS was still considering the payment for the backfill. B asked why, Tan elaborated and i could see B acting blur (when AL did the 'dirty job' upon B's instructions!). Halfway through Tan's explanations, B cut in and told Chng that he need only focus on the site work and to leave the claims to the next qs. haha... Guess he felt uncomfortable having Tan bring out the issue!
Anyway, i'm free already. Yay!!! I'm now a jobless and poor tai-tai... :)
C called me again just now to arrange for an interview next Monday. S8 did tell me to consider as its a cleaning company and would have lots of complaints. That i would agree, but i guess i should also go for the interview and listen to what they have to say. Also, i suppose S8 has never really done maintenance -- S8 if you're reading this, sorry! -- and to have her company throw her to an MA job and to do a residential area, probably made her feel maintenance is full of complaints.
Methinks S8 got a bad deal in her last job. To do residential areas is the worst deal and for a rookie to do that, and to manage contractors and face bloody residents, takes the cake. Despite my experience, i do not want to do residential areas as i've heard so much about it, and yet she could endure for 3 months. I really admire her having the gumption to do it!
So back to the cleaning job... I'll go on Monday for the interview, see what it is all about... Just hope i get it lor. As i told S8, the building is a very prominent one with very hefty LDs imposed very every little thing. I doubt the company will deploy any TD&H so it should be interesting...
And also, i don't think i can handle staying at home for too long!
Met up with B, Tan & Chng to 'handover'. Tan went through the VOs, then as he came to the hacking VO, i explained why SS was still considering the payment for the backfill. B asked why, Tan elaborated and i could see B acting blur (when AL did the 'dirty job' upon B's instructions!). Halfway through Tan's explanations, B cut in and told Chng that he need only focus on the site work and to leave the claims to the next qs. haha... Guess he felt uncomfortable having Tan bring out the issue!
Anyway, i'm free already. Yay!!! I'm now a jobless and poor tai-tai... :)
C called me again just now to arrange for an interview next Monday. S8 did tell me to consider as its a cleaning company and would have lots of complaints. That i would agree, but i guess i should also go for the interview and listen to what they have to say. Also, i suppose S8 has never really done maintenance -- S8 if you're reading this, sorry! -- and to have her company throw her to an MA job and to do a residential area, probably made her feel maintenance is full of complaints.
Methinks S8 got a bad deal in her last job. To do residential areas is the worst deal and for a rookie to do that, and to manage contractors and face bloody residents, takes the cake. Despite my experience, i do not want to do residential areas as i've heard so much about it, and yet she could endure for 3 months. I really admire her having the gumption to do it!
So back to the cleaning job... I'll go on Monday for the interview, see what it is all about... Just hope i get it lor. As i told S8, the building is a very prominent one with very hefty LDs imposed very every little thing. I doubt the company will deploy any TD&H so it should be interesting...
And also, i don't think i can handle staying at home for too long!
Sigh...
In the end i'm back in office. Dear said that B has already shown his words are untrustworthy, so i should go back lest he says that i did not fulfil the notice period given in my letter and therefore withhold my salary. If that happens, then it goes to show how petty he is, right? I mean, he's the MD for goodness sake!
That brought to mind something else. Heard from SS that when B called her last week, he asked her if she knew where her company obtained a 'scanning camera' that was installed at their other sites. When SS told me about it, she was amused and disgusted with B. Actually, the whole site office listening to her telling me about this was also disgusted with B. Seems this 'scanning camera' is to check on the site, much like a webcam.
As for my reaction, I'm disgusted too. The company is already so small and yet he cannot trust the stafff? Then how in the world would his business grow? Does B ever realize that what he does to his staff, the staff will do it back? Although the staff are just 'staff', that doesn't mean they are all stupid.
I think i'm a bit karma-ish in my thinking. I believe that what you do to others will come back to you someday. What B is now doing to me will somehow go back to him, just that i wouldn't get to see it. But there's satisfaction in knowing that. haha...
ok la, i suppose the Christian way is that how you judge others, God will use the same measure to judge you. Moral of the story is, don't judge! Why? Because God is forgiving and if we use our own petty measures to treat others, then we lose out right? That last phrase is my opinion and does not reflect the Church's teaching; for those non-Christian reading this, please don't think it is a sanctioned thinking! Just my way of thinking that guides me.
I digress... Goes to show how much verbal diarrhoea i still have!
Anyway, i'm now waiting for B to return to office. sigh...
That brought to mind something else. Heard from SS that when B called her last week, he asked her if she knew where her company obtained a 'scanning camera' that was installed at their other sites. When SS told me about it, she was amused and disgusted with B. Actually, the whole site office listening to her telling me about this was also disgusted with B. Seems this 'scanning camera' is to check on the site, much like a webcam.
As for my reaction, I'm disgusted too. The company is already so small and yet he cannot trust the stafff? Then how in the world would his business grow? Does B ever realize that what he does to his staff, the staff will do it back? Although the staff are just 'staff', that doesn't mean they are all stupid.
I think i'm a bit karma-ish in my thinking. I believe that what you do to others will come back to you someday. What B is now doing to me will somehow go back to him, just that i wouldn't get to see it. But there's satisfaction in knowing that. haha...
ok la, i suppose the Christian way is that how you judge others, God will use the same measure to judge you. Moral of the story is, don't judge! Why? Because God is forgiving and if we use our own petty measures to treat others, then we lose out right? That last phrase is my opinion and does not reflect the Church's teaching; for those non-Christian reading this, please don't think it is a sanctioned thinking! Just my way of thinking that guides me.
I digress... Goes to show how much verbal diarrhoea i still have!
Anyway, i'm now waiting for B to return to office. sigh...
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