Cozy Sunday

Not sure I'm tired or the weather just so cozy, I manage to sleep until 8:30am (normally I would wake around 7:30am) ;)

It was so happy to wake up, open your eyes and you saw your son sleeping next to you. It's priceless as you wouldn't know how long this can be last because he will grown up one fine day. That's why I really appreciate and feel glad for every moment with him.

About my daughter, as usual, at least 10:30am. That's even I've to knock at her door even move her to wake her up. Today, we've nothing to rush and we 'selamba' going for our breakfast around 11am. To where? It will be Pandan Cahaya, my ex-home area. We missed the place and food around there. So once a while, we purposely drive there for meals.

After breakfast, we do our weekly groceries then back to condo for some rest, games and even kids to do homework. About 7pm, gotta send them to pudu as I need to take train back to SG via KL Sentral at 11pm. By the time I reached home alone, it was 8+pm and I better take shower and pack up. I'm also worry what if there is no taxi and it take ages to book one?

So about 9:15pm, I've walked out and right after I passed the guard house, there was a taxi driver waiting for potential customer. Not sure if I was lucky or him, I've taken that. He look like Malay but he talked Mandarin to me, at first I thought misunderstood him as Malay but because he has 2 kids sitting in front and converse in Bahasa Indo+Malay, I was confused.

Anyhow it's not weird because I also have some Chinese friends married with Indo lady, so it's not tough for me to understand and accept it (anyway non of my business, isn't it?). Along the way, I keep thinking why this Father have to bring the kids while working, is it because their mom not around? Or the kids know their dad is going off duty soon and wanted to stick with their dad? Or am I the last customer before they went to fetch their mom/wife?

It suddenly made me recall when I was still running my own business at Sg Wang, working alone as my partner on leave and my daughter wanted to follow me to work. I feel very bad and worried about her because she was only 5 at that time and I'm doing retail business, meaning it's going to be long hour. What if I need to leave my store for a while to collect some stuff when she's alone in the store?

Anyhow, she was so obedient that day and enjoy playing those computer games. I've 101% attention on her and always ensure she's ok and feeded well. Though it's a tough and busy day but with her around, I really feel happy, glad and a precious memory because she's like working with her for whole day without any complain and nag. I also feel the God really treated me good for giving such precious daughter to me.

Along the way, she was naughty, naive and hurt me but that's the normal process where every parent has to go through. No matter what, she's still my daughter and I didn't think to ask her for any return but just being wanted her to be good and get a good life, that's all.

Right I've finished recalling those memories, I'm already at KL Sentral. Nice timing for me to wake up but it's only 9:40pm!!! Damn early but I guess it should be better than late and miss the train ;)
So just go around and saw a nice Deepavali floor mural and got myself a Sprite, wait and blogging at the gate. Hopefully it will be a good sleep trip and reach SG with strong body and mind. There goes another weekend.

Once I've got into the train, as usual will put my gears line up near the window but this round, I've a new toy ... very useful when the train air-condition isn't good (there are good times and bad times too).

Side by side and it's still 22:59 :)

Looks like Vitagen

Top cap was removed, so what's this?

It's actually a handy mobile plasticky propelling fan

Another busy Saturday

Sometimes the train schedule is hard to predict. This time, the train was late again as it only reached Kajang around 6:50am. Week before it was 7am. If you notice from my past blog, I can reach KL Sentral as early as 6:50am. I can understand if there is plus minus 5 to 10 mins but this seems more than half an hour.

Once touched down, I quickly go get my booked ticket then take taxi home. Gotta be quick because today will be another pack day as morning I need to fetch my family and have breakfast with them. Then I need to settle my payment/banking/bills. After that need to loan my camera to uncle as he need to shoot some of his restaurant signature dishes for advertisement and followed by fetching Violet from school.

That's not about it because I need to go change money at Sg Wang as the rate is good and also I'll need to transfer money, better do it first. Also next week is Kai Meng's birthday, gotta book him a big birthday cake. Initially I thought he would get Spiderman or Transformer cakes but somehow he changed his taste and ended up with sport car :S

Once booked, we had our lunch at T-Bowl cafe as my daughter has been craving for that for so long. It's basically another HK cafe but with toilet accessories as theme where table is made of basin, toilet bowl as seat and cutlery used is alike bath tub, toilet bowl, soup holder, etc

As I need to fetch Shireen to salon at 3pm, gotta rush as if I'm really running against time as after sending her, I will need to fetch a friend from LCCT as she will need to settle some personal matters and take some of her belongings. By the time I reached there, it's already 4:10pm and then quickly fetch her to her ex-apartment to collect her stuffs then went back to Mont Kiara to fetch Shireen. It was 5:30pm by then.

Because my friend will need to fly back at 9:30pm, I've booked her a taxi at 6:30pm at pick up at my condo and again, I need to rush back before that. OMG, it seems more tough than working day!

Just right I've parked my car around 6:15pm, the taxi driver called and I've to ask him wait as I still need to help my friend to pack up. Time is running late as I only able to send her to taxi around 6:45pm and hope she will have a safe trip.

Now I can really at ease and reclaim my quality time with family. Since I've got my pay and it's been a while I never bring them out for good food, so I've decided to bring them to Chillies @ KLCC. Firstly that's the nearest and secondly, I will need to get my son birthday present knowing him being fussy and easily get upset if I buy the wrong toy ;)

It was a fulfilling dinner and we even 'tah pau' some food as my family appetite seems reduced, including me and we only consume RM110 for 4 person, with dessert. Which seems relatively cheap compare to the past.

By the time we reached home, most of us were weary and sleepy. Without much a do, most of us sleep after shower and it was around 11:30pm by then.

Yes, another Friday!

Though the work started to drown me but I still need to put it aside because I need work life balance and to spend quality time with my family as much possible.

Today I manage to reach train station early, well I'd say earliest so far, which is 9:50pm ;)

Today is also the day I had the most expensive meal (lunch and dinner) where my chicken briani + the tarik cost $7.90 and beef ball noodle as dinner that cost me $6. Also bought a special mamee cheese rice sticks which I don't see it in MY so far. The best thing is, it was made in Malaysia.

Such ridiculous and really Malaysia Boleh. Good stuffs sell abroad with cheap price and plain old stuff which sell higher in local market. Sometimes I wonder what do they mean by 'Rakyat didahulukan'? Maybe they mean rakyat first when come to b*ll sh*t? Prolly ...

Was chit chatting with an Indian uncle from Singapore where he will need to attend St Jude at a church in Rawang. Later he also bumped to his long friends who also doing the same. What a small world he said and I can see he is very happy to meet his childhood friend.

He said they already play badminton somewhere 1958 - 1960 back in paya lebar, where it was still a village. Gees, I wonder how things will be when I'm at his age, hopefully I can survive for that long.

Guess I should pen down now ... Kinda tired and sweaty. Ciao!

Not every day is Sunny day

Just yesterday I was so happy that I can reach home when the sky still bright but today, I only left office around 10pm. Sometimes you just can't speak things too soon. Supposingly I can leave office on the dot and have a great Thai dinner but due to last minute night TC, have to give up that ... Damn!

That's not all ... Was thinking to go dinner near Hougang MRT but need to withdraw money first because I'm totally out of cash. Once there, realised that the ATM was out of cash and can't withdraw. Great ... and this is all I've got at this very moment :-

Yes, it's S$0.50 cents

Since I'm not very hungry, then no choice but to walk home and eat some junk food. Being optimistic, just eat lesser so that I can slim faster (and also save money). It seems more late night TC will be coming soon ... Sigh

My dinner for tonight

Oh ... the day still bright!

After a rest, seems my flu is getting better but still cough. At least better than yesterday. Because I didn't iron my shirt last night, so have to do it this morning :(

Somehow it doesn't take much time as I'm getting more used to and comfortable with ironing shirt (ahem). Everything seems normal today and I had the same breakfast and lunch as yesterday, as I'm too lazy to think and need a budget meal. Work wise, today seems quite productive too as Akash and myself actually clear quite some tickets but next week, I might be die standing because Akash will on vacation for a week. I think he would probably going back to India to celebrate Deepavali, also he hardly go back to India after 8 years in US.

Today I have to leave on the dot because I need to attend a TC at 8pm and I don't want to stay late again in office. I left about 6:05pm and manage to reach home around 6:40pm! Cool and I can't recall when was the last time that I reach home while the day still bright! (sarcastic)

From the meeting invitation, it was mentioned thru netmeeting (OC) but switched to telephone at the very last minute! If I knew this going to be this, I wouldn't have gone home early and bring my laptop back. WTF! Also I need to call from my Blackberry all the way to US! Luckily it's corporate line and I don't give a damn. Poor my ear and brain cell (dunno how many million cells died) as the call lasted for 45 mins! Also starting next month, I will have to attend 8pm TC every day until Dec, basically after the ITRD #3. Sigh ...

Sick like a dog ...

Last night, I started to have headache and flu and thought this morning would be better. Not after I shower, the damn flu come back again and seems getting serious. I really have things to rush and don't bother much and went to office.

Just checked and found my salary is finally out !!!! gracious almighty god ... Though it's out but still need to pay back some debts and monies loan from friend. So will have to manage it accordingly. Anyhow, just to celebrate for myself, I finally reward myself with a good breakfast which cost only S$2.40 ($1.20 for toast and another for barley).

I hope to have similar as breakfast but will try to have a lighter one, be it for my savings or diet programme :)
As for lunch, also the cheapest meal so far and I managed to buy at S$2.40 !!!

After lunch, I was assignment to write a script to create 300+ users with multiple roles assignment. If were to do manual, it would take ages. As I'm not feeling well, I wanted to leave at 5pm and take the late TC at home but things seems not easy this time. So have to struggle through lor ...

As this is my first time doing this, it actually took me the whole evening, with multiply failures, trial and errors. By the time I settled, it's already 7:40pm and I need to attend another call at 8pm but I was hungry. So no choice but to have another noodle cup and this round, have to choice but to take mushroom flavour (due to my body heatiness, ulcer in mouth and sick) and it's also taste good. I managed to check the price in Fair Price and it's selling S$1.50. If MY, it would cost around RM4+.

By the time I finished the noodle, the meeting also just started. Damn rush and so painful to my mouth :(
It was 9:15pm when the meeting over. Since I don't want to have late Skype with family, better I do that first so that I can take my sweet time home, have dinner then sleep. Today seems nothing much to talk with them and the call ended around 10 mins. Seems my son is getting talkative and keh poh by now ... Before I leave, I took a pix of my coffee machine and Shireen asked me to do so for few times. Hope she will be happy by now :-

Today, also consider another lucky day as I manage to get a seat from Dhoby Ghaut until Hougang. Anyhow, my stomach seems a bit hungry and went to have late dinner (or supper) and this just cost me S$3.20. Consider a good and economic day for me :) How about you?

God shared the same feeling as me

Arriving SG, makes my heart more heavier. When I touched down, the weather and sky seems reading my heart, gloomy and rainy.

Not sure if you can see the rain drop but anyhow, life still goes on and both myself and son have to be stronger and more independent. Luckily the rain isn't heavy so I can still barely walk to the nearest bus stop without much being wet.

Maybe last night I didn't sleep well, so today I feel a bit headache and heavy. Damn sleepy when my watch just strike 10:45am (OMG). Luckily today I've lots to do and use that to distract my unwell feelings and sleepiness. During lunch, I don't care and eat something that I like but a bit pricey. It's been weeks I ate mixed rice as lunch. So I ended up with Roasted Chicken Rice & Braised Egg, which cost me S$4.30.

As I really need to leave on the dot, or at least 6+pm, so I quickly finish up my urgent tasks and manage to leave office around 6:15pm. Dinner time again, and I also don't give a damn and have Roasted Pork Noodle for dinner, which cost me RM3.50 (surprisingly not very expensive).

When home, I really have no mood to iron my clothes and quickly go get shower. Guess will iron one piece for tomorrow then iron the rest on tomorrow night. As night still early, I better do my book keeping and update my blog then finish off with PPS movies ;)

Damn, I feel to cry

Today is a cloudy and rainy day, just like what my heart does. At morning, I'm so happy to see my son sleep next to me and because I need him to rest more, I slowly woke up and went watching PPS at living room. Not long after, my son walk out and greeted me "Good Morning".

Ahhh, how long I didn't hear this and this was a wonderful breakfast for me. Instead of asking me to change to cartoon programme, he sat quietly and watch the series with me. I really missed this feeling and hope we can do it more often.

I do regret to leave him working abroad because this is the time where he need me so much. When he reaches Standard 6 or above, I doubt he will do the same to me as he will grow up and independent one fine day.

What should I do? Why am I being a weak and emotion man? This could due to my upbringing and I truly understand how it feels like.

I've tried all possible ways to play and spend quality time with him today. I even study ejaan with him. Although some he still not very sure but I still try to joke and encourage him. Not sure if this is correct but I just want to portrait good impression for him.

Evening finally arrive and I had to send my family and have dinner at Pudu but before that I insist to play Command and Conquer with him as this is our all time favourite game :)

After I've had dinner, it's so tough for me to get into my condo as I keep thinking things we have done since yesterday but I told myself to be strong. When I was in taxi, on my way to train station, Shireen called me and told me that my son is so sad and cried because missed me so much. He even asked his mom how to write and spell my name.

At this moment, it was so pain until I forgot how pain should feel it. Also speechless and my eyes was so watery. I really wanted to quit and stay with him but knowing my objective to work in SG, I've no choice but to force myself to do what I suppose to do. I hope he will be fine after few more weeks (same goes to me). His birthday will come soon and I will try my best to spend more quality time with him ...

Train's gate will open soon and will board soon. I will try to calm myself and switch my brain to 'Working' mode. Good night, Kai Meng ...

Btw, I finally able sleep at lower bunk after travel for almost one month and it's actually more spacious and convenient. Hope I can get lower bunk for the remaining of my trips.

Today is early :)

Unlike last week, today I already reached Kajang at 6am. Last week, I only reached Kajang about 7am. As this round is so early, I already reached KL Sentral around 6:45am and also the first person to queue at ticket counter. I've got 3001 (1st) :-

Once done, I quickly took cab go home to settle down as I can't wait to see my kids. Also tonight will be my son's graduation night.

It's very weird and my first time come across graduation perform before the year end exam. What are they going to award and how they know which kid will out perform?

Education nowadays is funny and filled with 'Malaysia Boleh' attitude :S

Here's a glimpse of the graduation event. As usual, he's got attitude and always not joining the crowd :(
This round, his school actually prepared a small pinky jumbo photo album where first few pages were the words from headmaster and teachers, then followed by his friends listing and then words from parent (which I've already wrote to him few weeks ago. In fact, teacher said will type it out but end up I saw the same piece of paper that I wrote). The remaining will let him put his class pictures, group photos and graduation pix.

KTMB having some upgrade

Yes, finally Friday again. This weekend should be another busy one as tomorrow will have to attend Kai Meng's graduation day then tomorrow will have brunch with dad then visit my grandma & mom. By then it should be 4pm then home to rest for a while then send my family to Pudu.

How I wish I can idle at home for the weekend but too many things and person have to be taking care of. Otherwise you will hear some harsh statements ... Even weekend also I have to wear mask.

Nothing much for today but it seems KTMB has recently upgraded or added a safety bar to the upper deck bed. Looks cool but damn irritating. Before this, it's not easy to climb up and now with this safety bar, make thing worst. Pity those old and big size fella :(

Now I'm back to 2nd class and hopefully I'll get a good sleep tonight ... and hope the same goes to you too :)

Tiring day ...

Today seems a long one and filled with activities. During office hour, seems hard to get errand for water and restroom because my team need to deliver few hundred roles with mass change before this week as our testing preparation for Round 3 is around the corner.

How I wish can leave on the dot today but due to TC at 7:30pm, hence no choice but to continue work until the TC start. Right before the TC, my stomach finally warn me and my colleague told me that the company actually provide instant noodle. OMG, why only now they tell me but it's never too late as I quickly grab one and wanted to eat during the TC (of course with the handset being mute) :)

When I opened, I was surprised to see that all the seasoning and dried vege weren't pack and spread over the noodle. So basically I just need to pour hot water, wait for few minute then eat. Cool and no need to get my hand messy.

It's quite tough because my TC start at 7:30pm and I only prepare the noodle around 7:28pm. So I've to choice but to start the TC first before I can enjoy it :(

Actually the portion is quite ok, unlike those in KL whereby it's relatively small or not enough.
Taste wise is ok la, maybe I was STARVING at that time. Around 8:30pm, it seems the meeting still on going and probably overrun due to the amount of things to discuss and luckily my cousin told me that he will be late and mostly meet up with me around 9pm at Clarke Quay. In my mind, I hope I can finish faster but in reality, the meeting dragged until 9:20pm !!!! OMG, I'm damn late and my cousin already call me twice when I was about to leave office.

Luckily the rendezvous isn't far from my office and it just took me 5 mins walk and we decided go for some drinks at Clinic (fancy pub where they serve drinks in syringe and other form of hospital supplement). Initially we thought order something fancy and once the drinks came, taste suck like cough syrup and some vodka taste. But when the bill come, it's a bomb as each packet cost SGD$50 !!! Fine, just for once and that's it man.

The syringe looks real but it's meant to suck, or sip. Consumption method, release the knob (like a switch under my thumb) and push it downward then the drinks will flow out. So you better put that syringe into your mouth before doing so. Once you're done, just push up the knob and the flow will stop. I think it's more like a cocktail but because we suck it directly from the syringe, seems the alcohol react faster and my cousin seems a bit tired and a bit tipsy (poor him as he already walking around in SG since morning and never get back to hotel) and so we decided to leave around 10:30pm.

In fact, I was damn hungry because I just had instant noodle as dinner/snack but still not enough leh. So no choice but to take MRT back to Hougang Food Court for late dinner (or supper) but when I'm there, most food is either out or long queue. For quick meal, no choice but to go McD and then quickly home because I started to feel bit tipsy and tired too (also tomorrow will need to travel back to KL). That's it for today ... what a fruitful one :)

Alright, the corporate BB finally arrive

After 3+ weeks, my corporate BB finally arrive and let me introduce you BB Bold 9700. In fact, this model is the most sleek and stable, not to mention the best functionality among its family.

When compare between Bold 9000 and 9700, I still prefer the LCD of 9000 but 9700 is more ergonomic and smaller in size which makes it easy to carry around. Here come the first and second generation of BB Bold.

As of now, I will use Bold 9000 for usage in KL and Bold 9700 in SG (not to mention iPhone4 as personal line in SG), actioooonya :p

Not really that because if the company told me that they will provide me a corporate phone, I wouldn't have bought iPhone4 and signed for 2 years contract. Sigh ....

Another bad day ... or IT finally gave up on me?

Today is just another day, nothing much special until after lunch time, when I was about to go pantry to get some water, suddenly I felt my left shoe seems very loose and almost touching the floor. I wonder why I've this strange feeling? When I look down, I saw the shoe 'smile' at me WIDELY and whoever walk pass me will sure notice it. After refilled the water, I quickly walk back to my cubicle to check the actual damage to my shoe and this is how it look like :-

I did tried to fix it but the damage seems too serious and I couldn't find any super glue to temporary hold reduce the damage spread. So I have to try stay put in my cubicle and avoid walking around but due to unforeseen matters, I need to walk quite a bit. When clock strike 6+pm, I quickly pack up and get ready to leave but once I reach the main entrance, the whole rubber came out !!! It's not only giving me problem to walk further but damn ugly & awful. Luckily that time not much people therefore I quickly go back to my cubicle and think of alternate solution. Finally, I got this idea and it manage to allow me leaving office and walk to nearby mall to buy new shoe.

Once I got out from building, I quickly walk to People's Mall and stop by a cobbler to ask for cost of repair and he said S$55 and it's almost as good as buying a new shoe. So I've no choice but to visit shoe store which is right next to it. Without wasting much time, and recommendation from the store keeper, I finally got this with S$69.90. According to the owner, this is a durable and genuine leather shoe. Though the outlook isn't very attractive but can last at least 1 - 2 years. At that moment, I suddenly felt the reason of my shoe's damage could be the walking I've done in SG is soooooo intensive and everyday at least 30 mins walking. Back in KL? Mostly will be driving and walking? The most 10 mins? Hopefully the new shoe really can last me longer so that I can save some money here :-

Bad start of the week

I believe, this round is my worst trip so far, even in 1st class. On top of the sound generated by the aging train, this time, with a lot of India's Indian walk, talk and keep going in and out from the room and this is about 1am!!!
Can't they just be more considerate as others might want to get some sleep, like me who require to work the next morning.

Because of them the immigration at SG took more than 30 mins than usual and as usual and classic case, where some would pretend dunno anything like fill up immigration card in hope to pass the immigration without any issue but when they were stalled by the officer, then only they fill and some even can't speak English and use body language. Not to mention those come with BIG family.

Another strange scenario was the aircond this time is really freezing and felt like in ice box. Even with long pants, sock, double layer blanket but still freeze like hell. Poor that guy sleep above me as he had to cover his face with blanket. Initially I think to myself, is it that cold but after a while, I need to do that too because it's cold until your face feel a bit pain. Luckily I put the extra pillow on top of my body and at least it's help to reduce the coldness.

When almost reach station, the train just stop for a moment, then drive slowly until to the station and another thing that puzzled me. With all these factors, I only managed to arrive train station around 9:15am. Last week, I reach my office around 8:25am! See the differences! I really don't want to talk so much about this anymore and just hope my days ahead will be a good one.

Last but not least, today I finally tried the hot and sour pan mee near Hougang Mall and it really taste like Maggi Asam soup but a bit diluted than that. Just so so and don't think I will eat that again unless I need something sour. Later home, will need to iron my shirts and this really make me feel more tired. Hopefully I can finish all these and sleep well tonight.

Hope the same goes to you ... good night!

Balik kerja ...

Ok, this is it, back to reality. Today I've already early reaching the station at 10pm and found the whole Gate B is flood with India's Indians. I believe they must be on vacation as Deepavali is near and also the main cause why those train ticket sell like hot cakes. Really need to thank them!

Guess I will need to suffer for few more weeks and hope the crowd will be subside :(

Like yesterday, today we have another round of gathering with Shireen's secondary mate and initially should be a short stay but ended up 4.5 hours there. Supposingly wanted to have KFC after that but they serve steamboat again and we were full though we didn't eat much.

Once we left, not much time remain and I've to quickly get home, let them shower and pack up before sending them to Pudu. To appreciate the remaining quality time, I tried to spend sometime with the kids as I really miss them so much.

Now still waiting for the gate to open but my heart reluctantly tell me pls focus and prepare yourself to work tomorrow. Hopefully I could ...

Damn it, today train got delayed. It suppose to open gate around 10:45pm but tonight at 11:05pm. Because they are late, today the train seems take off so fast, not even wait for 5 mins. KTMB really sux, BIG TIME! Not sure if it will cause me delay in SG as well. My mood already down and with this thing happen, absolutely speechless ...

Busy weekend

Last night, didn't get much sleep as my room's door in the train seems insecure. It opened by itself whenever there is any big motion. Wanted to lock the door but afraid someone might check in during the journey. Also some high pitch noise. When woke up about 7am, my train still at Kajang! Why so much difference when I was already at KL Sentral last week? This time, I only arrived around 7:30am. Delayed more than 30 mins.

Once out from gate, quickly reach out the ticket counter to buy next week or after's ticket. This round only manage to book for 2 weeks as they have recently restricted the advance booking up to 30 days only. Though I'm doing advance booking but still need to buy 1st class deck. Damn it!

Whatever it is, better get home and fetch my family as I will need to attend a steamboat dinner cum gathering for my primary mates. Hopefully won't be too tiring for me as I still need to spend time with my family.

Balik kampung day

Today it should be another busy day whereby office work is getting more and today one of the big shot Lauder's family visiting my office and all those busy body and shoe polisher started to act busy and preparing bouquet because the event start at 5:30pm. Camera man, ushers, caterer and committee running here and there. One of my colleague even wear so formal just to get a photo with the big shot and even FFK my team to go bowling. I doubt he could do it because all those higher management and shoe polishers would have surrounded him. Good luck mate.

Back to mine bowling game, it took place at Superbowl near Kovan station (behind Heartland mall) and the setup seems a bit old and worn out but still okla. We had a great game and this round it seems I'm far more better compare to the last bowling session with ex-colleague. At least thid round I either got 9 pin per session, spares and even strike :)

Anyhow I had to leave around 9pm (after 3 games) as I need to catch train going back to KL. As I still haven't take my dinner therefore went into Heartland mall to buy some water and junk food. While I was in Cold Storage, I suddenly recalled the glue gun that I saw earlier was at this mall, not Hougang or Dhoby Ghaut. So I quickly grab it and head to MRT.

Unfortunately, I queued at a wrong counter as that cashier was a trainee and taking her own sweet time to punch the items. The best thing is those normal lanes with lot of trolleys were faster than my express lane ... Damn it! I was so worried as the time was already 9:20pm and I'm still in the queue. The journey from Kovan to Harbourfront would need 30 mins then detour to train station via bus 145 where I will need to cross the highway. Also the bus will pass at every 12 mins and not to forget the train gate will close at 10:20pm.

With various challenges, my worries became heavier and every tick meant a lot to me. Once I paid my stuff, it's 9:25pm and I quickly ran to MRT. About 2 mins, the MRT came and head towards Harbourfront and that time was already 9:30pm. Maybe the crowd is lesser and the train seems travel faster, maybe less time taken to stop at each station. I finally reach Harbourfront around 9:50pm. Once alight, again I rush out from Vivo City and cross the street then head to the bus station. Luckily the bus came when I reached the bus stop.

Last challenge, where to get off? To be sure, I turn on my google map and monitor each turning, junction and bus stop. Less than 5 mins, I'm already get off at Tg Pagar and head to train station within 2 mins. By the time I reach the gate, it's already 10:10pm and everyone started to queue up. I was so glad that I. made it again and was damn soaking wet, as if I'm just showered.

Once I got into my 1st class deck, I started to have my junk food dinner and prepare the immigration procedures.

It's 11:50pm now and I'm already at JB. Guess they will depart around 12am. Better get some sleep as the weekend will be very precious to me. Good night and happy reading as THANK GOD IT IS FRIDAY :)

Feast day ...

Today seems the God of Food had visited me and I'm now few kg heavier :(
For lunch, I went to Annalakshmi in Chinatown Point with my Indian colleagues and found the setup is almost the same as KL in MVM. The food is ok but varieties wise ... limited. Environment is cosy but you can't stay for long as there will be a lot of people waiting at the podium for tables.

Papadum is quite nice, the rest just normal

My daily budget seems over when I had to pay S$10 just for the meal (I even didn't refill or asking for extra juices) but what to do when you're with those guys either earn high or used to have such meal for lunch. So better eat cheaper for dinner. During tea break,my neighbour just passed me this peanut donut (similar to JCO in KL) and it's real fattening but taste not bad as it's filled with choc fudge ...

See the fudge?

When comes to dinner, my colleagues invited for dinner at Cartel Cafe @ Dhoby Ghaut and I've reluctantly accepted the offer because it's bad to turn down people and this is the time where I should get to know my colleagues ... right? (excuses I know)

The food is not bad and portion is just nice for me, it gives me a feeling like Manhattan Fish Market back in KL but here they serve free sky juices ;)

We had a great time, chit chatting and the dinner adjourned around 11:15pm. The damage is about S$21 where it include a salad, garlic bread, soup and main course. I keep forcing not to do the conversion otherwise I will be damn regret ... Sigh ...

Chicken Soup with bread

Chicken & Dory in hotplate

What?!?! Raining again in the morning?

Ya, that's how it was this morning ... rain isn't heavy and too much to use umbrella so no choice but to walk in rain. Luckily I can use the path with shelter so that it won't cause me wet much. You can see the pix below how people walk like ant ...

For my entire life, today is the first day that I really bought those vitamin bars (full wheat) and eat it as breakfast. To save money and for healthier life ... I guess :) Just one piece is filling but I still prefer those hot and soupy breakfast (but fattening too). As usual, lunch I went for mixed rice @ 168 where it only cause me S$2.60 until S$2.90 per visit. Like today, I ordered steam egg, sliced potato and cabbage, it cost me RM2.60 ... portion isn't big but just nice. Hope I can slim down very soon :)

Work wise seems more today where I need to setup CUA but things seems not perfect where some steps were missing from instruction and my access is restricted where I need to look for someone to grant me the access. WTF, I have the access but can't do it ... what to do, compliance issue mah ... I'm security and should enforce the policy. I suppose to finish it by today but due to insufficient access issue and person that able to do that has left office ... also I've dinner appointment hence no choice but to leave around 7pm plus.

Somerset's Food Republic is the place that I had my dinner and this round, I've tried their signature Balestier Bak Kut Teh ... premium BKT some more. It has pepper in taste and some sweetness but compare to SekMeChoy back in KL is way to much different as if it's diluted pepper BKT from SekMeChoy. Meat? hard and tough to chew. The other dishes are normal like braised eggs, pork knuckle, peanut and salted vege.

Pepper BKT

Pork Knuckle

 Braised eggs with bean curd

 Braised peanut with salted vege

Maybe I've expect too much or just crave for BKT but this one just 2 out of 5 to me. This whole dinner cost S$18 for 2 person. Not pricey and guess will not try again in the near future ...

Rainy Tuesday

As usual, I left my house around 8:15am and the weather seems a bit warm but once I got out from Clarke Quay MRT station, it seems raining !!! How come it was so different after 20 mins (my journey from Hougang to Clarke Quay).

One thing good about my office is that there are few path to reach there without getting wet. One of them is thru the overhead bridge and basically I don't need to use umbrella, eventhough I've bought one :)

Once I reached office, there were a Clinique kiosk park next to my table because my colleague is testing it. It's powered by a small form factor HP PC, with lighting system and as well as a mini printer ... not to mention the screen is touch-screen type. From the front seems cool but when you see the 'intestine' from the rear ... not tasty.

While I was walking back from pantry, I found the pix of my name tag would be nicer with this angle and before I forgot and need to move soon, better take it down as remembrance :)

Work seems gradually more now but still ok ... I can't imagine once my US colleague leaving me in mid Dec as I will be terrible busy. So just enjoy the time now as much possible ... Sigh

Today, seems not tired but boring, dunno what to do so directly head back to home after work (lucky the late TC call off today). Once out from MRT, was thinking to try the chicken store near Hougang Mall as I always see long queue there and found out it's dirt cheap, only S$2.50 for just chicken rice and because I add roasted pork (siew yoke) and it's ended up S$3.50. Guess I will visit this store much often than before :)

1st Class Sleeping Deck -- Sux

Well, there goes my RM139 with my very bad experience with 1st Class bed seating. I don't mind to walk to the far end (2nd deck from the last) and once I went in, I can see some 'high class' carpeted lobby. Though the carpet is a bit old but what you expect from KTMB for running these for so many years?

So once I was there, I was puzzled because I can see room number 1, 2, 3 ... 6 and mine was 1B !!! What the heck is that? Is it typo error or what? Without much choice left and the train is leaving soon, have to be thick face and knock on Room no. 1 and surprisingly, no one there. I saw 2 bunks as well, similar to 2nd class but a bit more spacious and with double pillow and a true blanket.

Then immediately I spotted A and B right next to those bed and then I realised 1B meaning Room No 1 and lower bunk :p

Anyhow, the room is basically EXTREMELY small and even smaller than First World Hotel. It can barely hold 3 person in there. There are TV with control panel but NOT WORKING.

A private toilet which isn't hardly can fit myself in and look alike those in plane

Control panel and study light switch from upper bunk

Control panel and study light switch from lower bunk

This I can still tolerate but the most annoying things are :-

1. High pitch buzzer (probably from machine behind my deck
2. Bitten by mosquitos
3. Noisy and shaky compare to 2nd class deck

 In my opinion, I'd rather to stay 2nd class deck as it's most clean and silent ... What to do? Train ticket as usual sell like hot cakes. In brief, the train left around 11:10pm and reach SG around 7:15am (including custom/immigration checks) and I still have ample of time to put my stuff in office and went down for breakfast. The whole day? DAMN TIRED AND SLEEPY and I got almost knock out while reading some documentation today. Luckily today no TC and I can home early but that's not about it. I still have to iron few shirts and pant washed last week and sweep the floor as it's quite dusty.

The best thing is, my landlord told me his home broadband should be ready by Tuesday and if he ever told me earlier, I wouldn't have subscribe to my mobile broadband ... Kinda tired now, gotta get some sleep ... nite mate