I think I've made a hurtful remarks about wasteful my Auntie(currently staying in my grandma place) has made over her baked pasteries and cakes to my Uncle. It wasn't intentional but it hit right at the spot.

Sis came over to stay with us over 1 week at our place. We woke up one morning and as usual my uncle would tell us to eat the cake my auntie baked or bring to office for breakfast.... he himself declared that he din like to eat cake and prefered to have fried beehoon for breakfast.

After hearing what I said on how wasteful it was over the baked pastries and no one's eating, he took it seriously and went over to eat the cake and even told my sister that he was not going to waste food.... showing some anger over the fact I spoke "bad" of my Auntie wasting food.

Feeling perplexed .. should I tell a lie or the truth to express what I felt over this?

Finally, I could put up this presentation here~

Compiled
Uploaded by moonflyer00

Spent 1 day shooting, 2 days to edit~ Hope the hard work paid off eventually.

Ng
Uploaded by moonflyer00

There is an NG portion too~

kiosks at shopping malls...

Have you ever encounter kiosks at shopping malls selling stuffs you don't really need? Despite that these kiosks have the most human traffic and charged the highest rents as compared to other shops, the products they sell sometimes are not really appealing to me. One of the reasons is they are almost selling the same stuff from the other kiosks and their products are simply overpriced. You also notice that they hardly has discounts at all, it's because, they can't afford to slash down their prices with the high upfront renting the kiosks. Thus, it is not surprising to see a high turn-over rate on these kiosks.

I recalled a funny encounter with an Israeli guy(who claimed that he was) at Habourfront Shopping Centre where he and his partner were selling some deadsea mineral nail buffers. These handsome scavengers were roaming about in their perimeters, looking for young, female clients with bad nail management. Coincidentally, one of the guys managed to pick on me when I was walking past their kisoks, showing no interests at all to see what they were selling in the first place.

Kiosk Salesman: Hi, could I just looked at your hands? (Trying the break the ice)
Me: Sure. (He held my hand and began to scrutinise my badly cut fingernails)
Kiosk Salesman: Great nails! I have something to turn them even better, pls come with me... (and he dragged me to his kiosk at a corner)

He began to psycho me, asking about my name, what my profession was, how old I was... stuffs that guys asked you during your first dates, while trying to buff my nail. He told me the importance of keeping healthy nails, and his products worked amazingly with the natural deadsea minerals from his country. After all these, he concluded.

Kiosk Salesman: Do you believe in magic?
Me: Huh?
Kiosk Salesman: Tadah! (Flashing my buffed fingernail which is shiny and gleaming til I can see myself from it.)
Me: ????
Kiosk Salesman: We're providing a special promotional price for you, (refering to the package that conists of deadsea mineral hand lotion, nail buffer) just today for a price of S$49.90..

Me: Wow... that's expensive!
Kiosk Salesman: Or maybe you would like to get the nail buffer for S$20....? It is made of silk that will smoothen your nail and make it shiny.
Me: Where does this silk comes from?
Kiosk salesman: ..... Erhhh.... I dunno, from China perhaps?

After trying to hard sell, he still couldn't get me to commit to the sale. I walked away apologetically as he shrugged his shoulders from the huge disappointment that he could not pitch the sale.

Wrong target this time round. =P

Taking on a "roller-coaster ride" in my studies....




Am I expecting a decreasing trend for Yr 4?
... better work hard... =(

Mr Elite threw the white towel~

His last day will be the end of 1st week of Oct. Got a better job offer in Qatar and he gets to eat plenty of sand over there.

Best of luck!

Created some comics for my project ~ click above to the link

Bowling for URA


Became an accidental representative for the MND Sports Event, Bowling Tournament on Friday. Perhaps the first time ever in a bowling competition. Took on this sport as a very waste money one because you are like throwing your money into the drain....

I have not bowled for years... can't even recall the last time I've touched a bowling ball. The other teams were all very strong, amateurs but played really really well with their custom-made balls, shoes and even hand-gears, made us in this event looking like calefares. It was even mentioned that they formed teams long time ago, took up training in the CSC club every Friday. To them, it was their passion and commitment, to us, it sounded like a chore. Guess we are less of the sporting type where work and family comes first.

Win or lose, we still have to put up a good show. Here's my team, consisting of 4 lovely ladies... all singles!!


The balls looked more like balloons than 10 lbs balls... but actually they are quite heavy when posing too long.

Yep, our team played pretty well, some strikes... hmm.. no "turkeys".. hopefully not last at least.


p.s: I still can't figure out which weight of the ball is more suitable for me, the 8 lbs or 9 lbs. One of my teammates mentioned that I tend to "skip" everytime I threw the ball.. which looked awkward. Hmm, bad habits die hard.. I din even realise it myself. =(

I am imagining that I'll be having a free and easy trip to Japan this time round.

Here's what I've planned:

Japan North-east trip itinerary

Day 1 - 6 Dec 08

6am - Departure morning – 6am – reach Tokyo, 2pm

2pm - Tokyo Narita Airport– 东京-成田机场
Take express train to Tokyo Station
(About 1 hr)
3pm - Take Tohoku Shinkansen- 东北新干线 to reach Iwate Prefecture
(About 2 hrs)

Iwate Prefecture岩手县

5 pm - Morioka City Station盛冈駅 - 盛冈市
Shuttle Bus to Morinokaze Oshuku - 森之风莺宿
(40 min)
Check in Onsen hotel and dinner
It’s a beautiful hotel surrounded by mountains capped with snow and rivers below. Rest for the day~

Day 2 - 7 Dec 08

8am - Breakfast in hotel

10am- Kenji World
2pm - Lunch at Wai Wai – restaurant in Kenji World

3pm- Morioka Handi Works Square

5pm- Rest in onsen hotel/dinner

Day 3 - 8 Dec 08

Akita Prefecture - 秋田县
Niigata Prefecture 新泻县

8am - Breakfast in hotel

9am – Check out Hotel
Go to nearest station - Shizukuishi Station雫石町駅
Take Akita Shinkansen 秋田新干线

via Lake Tazawa- 田沢湖 (The deepest lake in Japan)

10am - Transfer at Amagari Station –大曲駅
12am- Akita Station - 秋田 - can visit museums, shrines and parks and have lunch at this area.

3pm- At Akita Station – Take Uetsu Main Line – 羽越本线
Travel along Sea of Japan coast

5pm- Reach Murakami Station – 村上駅
(About 15 min bus-ride to hotel near the sea)
Stop over Taikanso Senaminoyuononsen hotel濑波温泉- 大观庄
(onsen and dinner) Rest for the day~

Day 4- 9 Dec 08

Niigata Prefecture 新泻县
Tokyo

8am - Breakfast in hotel
9am - Check out

Take train to Niigata Terminal Station – 新泻駅from Murakami Station – 村上駅
Need to transfer at Shibata Station 新発田駅 to take Hakushin Line 白新 线,

11am – Reach Niigata Terminal Station – take Joetsu Shinkansen – 上越新干线 to Ueno Station Terminal
Transfer to Yamanote Line -山手線,
3pm - Stop at Ikebukuro Station – 池袋
Check in Hotel (Sunshine City Prince Hotel)

Day 5- 7 10 -13 Dec 08 (Haven planned to go anywhere else in Tokyo yet, maybe to Shibuya and Akihabara)

Tokyo – Ikebukuro-Return Singapore

Ikebukuro Station – 池袋 to Narita
Take train from Ikebukuro to Nippori (日暮里)
Take Keisei Skyliner to reach Tokyo Narita


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Estimated Cost for Japan Trip

JR East Pass Cost
Flexi-4 day travel in JR EAST (Green)
¥28,000

Hotel Stay
Day 1
Morinokaze Oshuku
¥25,000 <-- info from website, could be higher or cheaper, I just took the average

Day 2
Morinokaze Oshuku
¥25,000

Day 3
Taikanso Senaminoyuononsen hotel
¥25,000

Day 4
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 5
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro
Day 6
Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikkebukuro

Day 7
Return
¥112,344 <-- Price given by New Shan Travel (Hotels and SIA flight)

Food
abt $15 per meal x 3 x 7 days
¥31,250 <--- can be lesser due to hotels already provided breakfasts and dinners

There after totalling above = ¥246,594

Contingencies
Accounted 10%
¥24,659

Grand Total
¥271,253

$3,472.04<-- Singapore dollars!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

P.S: The air ticket, JR pass and hotel accommodation are the most important things you need to settle before anything else. In Japan, you have to plan your route very well so no time is wasted. Also make sure you rent a phone there because you may need to call your hotels to confirm room bookings if there is any delay.

I have yet to try this itinerary I've customarily brewed, but please feel free to copy or use it. Feedback me too if it works!

BTW the onsen ~) is compulsorily charged in those onsen hotels, even you do not get to enjoy it. So girls have to note when your menses are coming so it won't clash with the dates =)

A bit vain recently...

I bought a yukata (japanese summer kimono) from ebay. The order was US$50++ but total delivery charges added to US$85. Freakingly expensive hor? Yup, slap me hard on the face when I know it is made in China.

The parcel came in 3 weeks later~~~ due to some address error by the seller. Luckily I paid for registered mail so it wasn't too bad can still trace. Once collected, I can't wait to try it on.


Neat box~


Neat note~


Items messed up by me. Consist of the yukata, sash, obi (larger cloth) and a readily-made butterfly obi.

Pretty huh? OK, time to try it on.



I had no idea on how to put it on, so I surfed the net for info. Here are the methods. Pretty impressive huh?




Me without make-up. Spent almost 30min figuring out how to put on the sash.

That's not all.


I signed up for a makeover at Laneige for its new launch of Snow Crystal Makeup series. They invited a makeup artist from South Korea to conduct the makeover. Delighted over the fact that you only need to purchase a voucher of $50 (can be fully redeemed from products purchase) I took on the challenge.

When my friends saw the makeup artist, they find him looking pretty unprofessional, don't really have the "seh" of makeup artist. Well, in the end, I got my face "painted" by him. He put on some skin refining lotion and moisturizer on my face despite I've already put on sunblock. So, it end up my face turning quite heavily done. The snow crystal makeup don't really bring out my face well, just shimmery shimmery and very highlighted.... perhaps I was more used to the matte look.




After my makeover ... at a Hong Kong cafe. I had this feeling that people giving me strange looks, must be wondering why my face was "so like this"....

I thought I could at least end up like her. XP

* btw Evonne's not joining me for the Hokkaido trip as she cannot stand the cold that well...

The new term's starting next week!


It's going to be my 4th year and final year! How time flies, 3 years back, I was in the dilemma of whether to take up this part-time course in NUS Real Estate, considered the time to travel to and fro, assignments, projects, exams...... which probably "eat up" most of my youth. I truly felt time was not wasted, just that not enough time to exercise, go out with friends/family or even meeting new friends.... but a little bit of everything still was good enough.

During these years, I keep thinking, is it really true that we are so busy that we do not spend enough time with our love ones and enjoying the moments of being alone? Truly, we have time to eat and sleep and even surf the net and blog. It all goes with proper time management which I start to pick up and learn these few years.

Took up kick-boxing class (well, not really "kick" boxing.... it was more like a low impact aerobics) in the Bukit Merah CC on Fridays. The instructor was really a funny guy, a little sissy type but full of humour. He kept picking on me when I got all the coordination wrong during the workout then he exclaimed to all, "Never mind, even you can't keep up with the rests, as long as you all have a GREAT WORKOUT , it's fine!!!"... I've always had problems keeping up with the music and moving along with my hands and legs, when it's time to lift up the right leg, I moved my left, kind of thing. I don't really lose much weight after the exercise but I enjoyed myself doing the exercise at least a week, felt so much less guilty after some heavy meals. At least it was more fun than running on the treadmill.

My cousin broke his leg during his PE lesson, when training for his shuttle-run. His nasty friends kind of challenged him over the bean-bag run, instead of breaking the record, he broke his leg! Had an operation which involved inserting the plates inside his leg, he had to stay at home at least 1 month after leaving the hospital. It was such a pity as my aunt had wanted us to go for Northern Eastern Japan trip in December and due to this unexpected incident, she had to postpone it.

Thus this time round, I've planned to travel to Hokkaido with KK and Evonne. Booked the tour package with CTC, 7 days hokkaido winter special for $2565 pax. Due to overwhelming response, our tour was overbooked where the agency asked us to shift to an earlier date which most of us can't. After some persuasion and explanation, we managed to keep the the same date. Well, this time round, taking Northwest Airline instead of SIA or ANA/JAL because of the heavy taxes imposed due to fuel surcharges. Not compromising good flying experience, A330 from Northwest I've heard was not bad either.

After note: My sis found a cyst in her womb which she suspected her experience in eating too many chicken wings while staying in the States. Does eating too many chicken wings cause cysts?
BTW, she was dead worried and cried when telling my aunt that she will be going for operation next week.

Bintan~ the sea, the sand and the villa.

(Click on picture to see more photos, warning: bikini photos)

Stumbled upon Anna's message on this website where you get samples and just need to pay delivery charges. (Click picture to enter)








You guys/girls should check it out!

Referral Programme here~

Been weeks since I've moved into this new place.

Still hasen overcame the fact that I'm walking a longer distance to the MRT now, I took bus to work instead. But still had to walk about 600 m to my workplace and pretty strange to know there isn't any direct buses. Had to cross over traffic lights or sometimes an overhead bridge, over a few small dirty streets. You can't help it but smelt certain strange stench (urine, spit...?) and rubbish from bin centres along some dark void decks of the HDB blocks nearby. Been trying out the best detour to avoid these stench.

On a Wednesday morning, I woke up tired as usual and put on my new lucky covered shoes bought from Sole Lovers. It originally costs $70++ but with a special discount, i managed to buy it for only $17.90! Well, it was one of the last pairs left and that's the reason for the good offer.

Putting on my new heels, I pranced into the bus-stop and happened to see a rather lanky-looking fellow waiting for the bus too. The bus-stop near my place was relatively less crowded as buses usually came frequently but this pretty handsome fellow was acting rather fidgety and stretching his neck consistently to spot whether his bus was coming. Wearing a trendy shirt and cute black hair, he looked a bit like Wong Lee Hom, I can say, in his Bausch and Lomb commercial.






Then this cute guy spitted on the floor....


Gross!!!


Hmm, so never judge a book by its cover.




I never had poor health since I've stayed in the old place, I got hit by a flu bug recently in office. I'm still having it and despite seeing the doctor, I felt worse. Hopefully to recover by next Fri.

And did I mention that I was going to Bintan next week? I won the bid for our company owned villa in Bintan. It is really a very big bungalow with a private swimming pool and buggy!! Qing mentioned she wanted very much to try out the buggy, wondered if you need a license to drive one? Anticipated but trying not to pin my hopes too high, the ferry tickets are sooo.... expensive!!!! $59 plus return. Blame the US for spoiling the oil market now everyone's affected....

I shall update more next time as I have to catch 5 seasons of Sex and the City and try to recover from my flu as soon as possible.

Had compiled a report on my Shanghai trip, purely for academic purpose.

Why are you acting like a child?
And with those immature thoughts?
You want me to commit and yet you don't?
This is not fair, have you ever thought of the things you did and you didn't?
I need some breathing space, please leave me alone for a while, thank you.

kok keng been complaining that I've not been putting any attention on him so I shall put in something here for him.


Last look from the old place from here~

Just moved into my late grandma's house last Sat, handed over to the crazy landlord the other day, and got back my deposit. Just wondered if she had tried using my electricity and water to clean up the place as the cut-off date is supposed to be the next day~ Anyway, thanks to kok keng and his brothers' help in lending us the pick-up, and helping to move. Sis, bro-in-law and bro's gf helped out too.

The new place is a little small, as compared to the previous one.


new place kind of messy because just moved in


the previous flat




Breezy view from here with shade from the angsana tree in front of my bedroom. Tiong Bahru is a pretty mature estate, you get to see big trees such as angsana, rain trees that provides ample shade. One disadvantage is such trees tend to drop alot of leaves and choked the drains, causing mosquitoes breeding. Talking about drains, there is a big canal in front of my flat too.



I kind of missed the shouting from the regular satay man shouted "Weiii~~~" under the flats. Instead, there is an otah man selling quietly along the pedestrian pavement.

Got 2 free tickets for "Sex and the City" and Evonne and I watched it. Overall was pretty good, but I felt it was like a big-scaled fashion runway with glamorous clothes, killer high-heels, hairdo, makeup. Trust me, you will never see Sarah Jessica Parker wearing the same clothes the next minute, except for the wedding gown (by Vivienne Westwood). Acting wise, I sensed the acting was only from Miranda and her husband, Steve when he confessed he was cheating on her. And he really looked pathetic like a drug addict. The others... neh.... quite superficial and perhaps some comic relief from Samantha and Charlotte had made me chuckled a bit (making a sushi dinner and drinking water from Mexico had caused her sick stomach).

Some pretty nice quotes learnt.

Big: "Should I get you a diamond?"
Carrie: "No, just get me a really BIGGgg closet... "

and he did!!

Miranda: "She is 3 years old and she doesn't know about sex, I am 40 and I don't know about sex either."

Miranda: "The only 2 choices for women, witch and sexy kitten"

Samantha: "You know me, I don't believe in marriage.. except botox, it works everytime."

I've moved house again~

This time round to my late grandma's place. My uncle and auntie will be occupying the Master bedroom while me and bro will be using the common rooms.

The place is fully furnished with wardrobes so we won't be getting anymore furniture. Moving house is always a headache especially if you could not get a right vehicle. Was lucky to get KK involved where he called his brothers for help. Sis and bro-in-law helped out too, Bro's gf also.

Study Trip in Shanghai


Click on pic to see more pics!!!!

Or refer to these : Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 and 6.

Should have worked harder...

GSS

Saw "RED" everywhere!!! The GSS is back and with outrageous discounts. The more credit cards you have, the more undesirable credit card bills you get once you get the "slashing" going on.

I was amazed by the sales going on, really!!! And coincidentally, the announcement of the Pedra Branca ownership, launch of the Draft Master Plan 2008 and GSS hit on the same day, 23 May is indeed a popular day to start things going. Guoqing wants us to meet at Orchard Road that day after work and after dinner, the 3 hours of window-shopping is really not enough for you to browse around.

There has been one item which I want to purchase, that is the the Brazilian brand IPANEMA sandals by supermodel turned designer , Gisele Bundchen.

http://www.ipanemagiselebundchen.com.br/

Such sandals however were not on discounted prices, considering $33.90 for a pair of sandals was too pricey, I was waiting for the price to drop down in the GSS. However, it din happen!

Shall look out for these sandals in the wholesale market in Shanghai, yah? I pretty much liked the blue one with white base. =)