Things are at stake

When I woke up this morning, the sky still dark I thought it's still 5 or 6 am but about few mins later, my alarm set off at 7:15am. What?!? Why the sky is so dark? When I look out, it seems just sky is barely light up and still heavy rain. Sh*t I think to myself and hope the rain will stop when I go out later.

About 8:25am, I'm about to leave the house but it's still heavy rain. I should have buy the umbrella once I gave mine to Violet. With nothing much I can do, so I have to walk in rain. Luckily most of the pedestrian path is sheltered but still some stretch are open space. Once I reached MRT station, I'm already half wet and it was damn cold in MRT (with my body wet too). During the trip, I was too afraid to stand to close to others afraid they might not like when they found I'm wet but I've no choice. Luckily I was quarter to dry when I reach Clarke Quay station.

It's a gloomy morning and 9am also like 7pm!

Once I reach office, all my buddies were gone to 7th floor and surprisingly not much emails and tickets to work on. OMG, what am I suppose to do? It will be a long and boring day then. I would rather a busy day will pass like a wind rather than crawl to survive for the day. Not long after I started work, my dad called and ask me if I'm already at SG's office. I said yes and asked him why then he told me KTM has cancelled all train to/from SG due to flood and landslide in Kluang, Johor ... accordingly to local newspaper. I was so shocked and quickly check thru the Internet and really confirmed it's true.

http://www.chinapress.com.my/content_new.asp?dt=2011-01-31&sec=malaysia&art=0131mb31.txt

I feel so relief and lucky because if I were really in the train, I don't think I can work today and tomorrow as I will be stranded in Kluang. Either to take bus to Singapore or back to KL but this also have to depend on ticket availability because it's CNY and everyone will be rushing back to their home town. In worst case, I might need someone to drive down to Kluang and fetch me home, which cause me to spend more money, disappoint the company and I might need to take unpaid leave (which cost more money).

I don't know if this is consider a good start of the new for me but I'm sure I'm lucky this time. I guess I might need to take bus for my special trip like festive season, attending important event, etc. I know it's not KTM fault but I wouldn't want to put myself into jeopardy for important trip.

It's also another good thing for me because today I receive mandarin orange and angpow from the company. Even though it's not as much as I have back in KL but still good right? So, it's twin happiness today

Mini bag with BIG angpow ... not sure if inside also BIG

2 mandarin oranges and a angpow

Inside got ah 'huat' lo ... okla at least got some 8 inside

After work, went to visit a friend at Paya Lebar and had dinner at one of the popular mamak chain restaurant, Teh Tarik. It's not only has mamak food but others like Malay, Chinese and Western food as well. First thing that got my attention is their Kambing Sup (lamb soup). Of course I won't miss it and also ordered a Nasi Lemak too. Too bad the rice is cold but the santan taste still there. I believe it will be nice if can eat while it's still hot with the Kambing Sup. Perfecto!

The cili and anchovy are good

Too bad without roti ... miss those days

Meeting Chauvin

Woke up a bit late today as I slept around 2am last night, also not well. Thanks to the diarrhea and I’ve to keep watching movie to make me forget about it and sleep. Kai Meng also wake up at the same time and we suppose to play games together but I can’t as both Shireen and myself will need to do last minute housekeeping as I didn’t came back last week and CNY just few days ahead. Also I will need to have brunch with dad in conjunction to meet up Chauvin, my cousin who just came back from Sydney.

About 11am, we were already at the restaurant and not much customers but all staffs were busy, maybe shortage of staffs and they need to prepare for group lunch later. We only manage to order food around 11:30am, when my dad and cousin also arrived at that time. We ordered quite a bit because we don’t want to waste time to wait for replenish later and most of us were quite hungry, especially Chauvin hardly can eat such tasty dim sum compare to Sydney. Surprisingly, his dad bought him a Canon 60D and he seems started into photography. So I will have more topics with him in the future, maybe going out with him for some photography session before he leave on 3^rd day of CNY. I can still remember having web chat with him and his family during last CNY and now I can see him physically. Too bad my aunt couldn’t come back due to financial constrain.

About 12:30pm, I really need to make a move first because I need to bring them to do last minute shopping and Stephanie and his Seong will visit me around 2pm, to have some chat and discussion about her wedding preparation in mid Feb. It was very heavy rain and luckily they came to visit me because I can tumpang their car to Chorus Hotel and send my family to Pudu otherwise we will have to walk under rain with all luggages and take taxi. Have to buy Seong a lunch when I’m back for CNY later. Before I leave them in the car, I was observing Kai Meng and he seems ok. After half an hour, I called to Shireen to check him up and he seems really ok. I was relief and feel happy that he doesn’t have to cry this week. Manage to have some words with him before I hang up the call.

I’m on my way to SG, just after Sg Besi toll, blogging yesterday and todays’ blog. Weather seems cloudy and rainy since morning and got a bit of motion sick. Will take some rest and continue the blog when I got back SG home later. Maybe the meal will be serving soon …

Seems different chair design

Look a bit new but due to rain, I can see water leaking from the speaker unit

 

 

 

Lunch of the day

 f

Big Spending Day

Arrived early today, it's good because I will need extra hours today due to my busy schedule. First tasks, to pay management fee which accumulate close to RM800 (since Nov 2010) :p

Then we need to deliver final CNY biscuits to Shireen’s office and I take the opportunity to eat my favourite pork noodle near SS3 again ;) This round, we have to wait longer as the queue were too long, even the neighbour stall also busy like hell because some customers gave up to wait and turn to alternate food. Since I’ve got no choice because I’ve no extra time to find for other food and craving for it.

After waited for about 40-45 mins, it finally arrived but with a bit disappointment because it’s not very hot and taste not as strong as normal. It’s still good anyway. Next stop, to Low Yat because Shireen need to buy new laptop and I also need to buy a printer because Violet’s school work seems needed it so much and it’s been long while we don’t have one at home.

Once we reach there, there is a computer fair going on and we were so lucky at least we could either get a good price or slight cheaper price with free goodies. During the process,  Shireen bought a Toshiba and I bought another Acer … yes you heard me right and somehow there’s always a reason for me to buy :p

My loaner laptop in SG just returns to the owner and I find it troublesome to hook up all the wires  to my netbook every time I reach home and before I go to office. In long run, I believe my netbook lifespan would be shorter too. Since they still have 0% fee and flexi 12 months instalment, so I made up my mind. Next to get a printer, initially I wanted to get a low entry model which is or less than RM200 but later end up with RM285, a brother multi-function machine. The beauty of this unit is it has the feature of high end model but with just entry level price. 2 key features that I like is it’s Wireless  connectivity and with small display LCD where you can preview your photos when you slot in your media card into the unit. So you can actually printer directly without a computer!

After the purchases, finally met Violet and we went home together to setup the multi-function printer and before I can setup the new laptops, my dad called up for dinner and luckily it’s just nearby my house. After the dinner, we quickly check the laptop to ensure everything is in order because we can still catch the vendor the next day if something not in order. The laptops seem ok but my stomach because I had 3 purges within an hour and it came intermittently and out of sudden. Violet seems also got a bit but not as bad as me. I guess it should be the dinner but Shireen and Kai Meng were ok. Anyway, just take it as slimming program since I’m getting fat already :p

15" Acer & 14" Toshiba

New members to the family

Hopefully tomorrow will be ok otherwise I will have tough time in the bus going back to SG ...

My future seating ... "When" is unknown

When I arrived to office this morning, seems everyone is running around and busy. There was a signboard stood right in front of our lobby and only I know today is SMI.LE day 2 where all SAP process Power Users will explain to their users what's SAP and this project about. In fact, I'm part of the team but why I didn't receive the invitation? Very strange and after I've settled down, my HR colleague ask me to join because I'm suppose to be in there. I'm totally puzzled.

My tea break and free notepad

Event in progress

Smile with mandarin orange :)

It's balloon everywhere, even at corridor

Just because we have some big shot coming, I notice there were some fragrance set in the toilet and look like hotel. Also CNY decoration already up too, with real mandarin orange plant in our office. What a trendy and image cautious company it is.

Can you see me there? ;)

Seems a bit small but better than nothing

Mandarin orange also everywhere even at guest tables

As the event was overrun until 1pm, I was so hungry ... or should I say 'starving', I quickly went to have my lunch at different food court because this one is less pack and I never try before. I ordered their Pork Rib noodle and put some prawn powder ... it was FANTASTIC!!! I can taste the pork rib and prawn flavour at the same time. I'm sure will go there again :)

From a clear soup based become thick

When I was back after lunch, I was told my seating is already setup and just a matter for me to move up. I was like ... how come because I still didn't receive anything yet. Maybe after SAP Group 1 gone live? Really no clue and I went up to have a look for myself.

Not bad, my cubicle number is 18!

I can still smell the paint ;)

Not as luxury as 2nd floor but still nice, feel like homey

My new empty cubicle, with privacy

Before I leave office today, I also receive my CNY gift from Estee Lauder, not really free gift but my quarterly free product. Lamer cream and it's damn expensive if selling out there, almost 300+ for just a small bottle. So nice to earn women's money.

Always arrive at good timing

I might need to use this ... almost like Panda now

So long Toshiba ...

My alarm set off at 7:30am but after I've off it, I was too tired and felt asleep and had a weird dream. I dreamt I was washing face at toilet and saw few big 'blackheads'. So when I pop it out, instead of oil/wax, it was maggot!!! It was quite big like cendol and it's still moving. After popped few maggots, it seems my face is better but still got some more. Before I pop out the rest, I suddenly woke up and it was 7:50am already !

Sh*t, I told myself because I will have 1 to 1 meeting with my US manager. So I rush like mad and by the time I left house, it's already 8:25am. Every minute seems pass like second and when I'm almost reaching office (still in MRT), I receive a re-schedule meeting for my 1 to 1 meeting to next week. Damn, I don't mind if you postpone it but not at very last minute right? Since I'm almost there, so just take my sweet time to walk to office while listening to my iPod :(

Today I will be having lunch alone as my gang will have lunch with big boss, the one that I had 2 days ago. So just grab a quick lunch to settle my work as today seems quite occupied too. About tea break time, Duan brought me some dessert as they have some 'left overs' but since it's FOC, who cares right? It look nice and tempting though. I normally don't really fond of dessert but the appearance seems attractive so I've tried their strawberry moose and Bakerzin's tart. Taste wise? So so to me la as I'm not good at dessert :)

About 6:30pm, I will have to rush home, had my dinner then attend the 8:30pm. Also today I received my friend's sms, who loan me the laptop, that I will need to return back to the owner. Since I've already loan for some time and I already bought my new laptop, so why keep it right? Feel sad to return but it's people's property. If I have extra cash, I might consider to get a big laptop for use in SG's home. So long Toshiba and thanks for serving me for these wonderful 3.5 months :(

Peeping at new office at 7th Floor

Since few months ago, I have already heard our department, GIS, will have to extend to 7th floor due to space limitation. I felt a bit sad because I'm quite like the current floor which is spacious and trendy but when the time my gang really move up except me, kinda sad and felt left behind. According to the management, they said although I'm part of GIS but heavily involve in SAP, so will only move me up when my assignment is over, which is at least another 3 years :(

On the other hand, I often being left out by SAP team as well ... maybe they think I'm from GIS and unsure whether to involve me or not, or maybe I'm not sitting close to them. So it seems I don't really belong to either team ... so still stick to my own golden rule: be humble, don't mind sitting at corner, no one noticing you and just ensure payroll is on time :) Seems this will make me feel better.

Before going for lunch, manage to get some sneak preview and seems almost ready to be occupy.

In term of cubicle and furniture is almost the same as 2nd floor

Mini conference room

Patching network switch and cable

The pantry

Side view of the pantry

Foldable training roonm remind me the good old days of Novartis

Propose to store beer, wine and whisky ;)

It used to link 7th Floor and 7A floor but since we don't, it's permanently sealed

Right after lunch, colleagues wanted to go for dessert and today I've tried the new menu, Sesame and Almond paste. Not bad and cost S$2.50.

Crawl to work ...

After a long and tiring trip (also slept late due to unpacking), it really makes me crawl to work this morning. No matter what, I will have to reach office before 9am as I will have 1-to-1 discussion with my manager at US. Once I reached office, there were 350+ emails awaiting for me and I can see a long list of system administrator emails saying my account is oversize. While clearing the emails, finally got the call from my manager but he wants to postpone it to somewhere next week as he stand in for me during weekend support.

Anyway, I'm fine too as I've lot emails and work to catch up. It was a short morning as I never got chance to get water or to toilet until 12:20pm, when I was call for lunch. Oh yes, I suppose to have lunch appointment with some big shot from GIS Belgium. Wanted to skip as I really have lot to catch but have to show face for the sake of our team in APAC (and also free Japanese restaurant for lunch ;)). The lunch was relatively boring because my gang in GIS will have lunch with the same guest on Thursday. I was so disappointed to know that I was split from them and excuse given were today's group of people were less, so have to balance out. If were to eat with them, I'm sure it will be more enjoyable.

Ebi with mango

My set finally arrived

Beef burger and marinated beef

Miso soup

Cawan Mushi

About 2:15pm, I finally got back into office and continue my non stop work until 6+pm. Today was a productive day for me as I really clear a lot of things, at least most urgent tickets/requests were done. Of course along the way some people were trying to find fault and show off how capable they were but I think I've immune on that and doesn't really give a damn. Also, it was sad to know my colleague at UK just tendered her resignation and not sure if I will need to cover some of her work as APAC time zone is quite near UK. Hopefully they will get someone else ...

While I was walking home tonight, suddenly feel to walk around shop houses behind my HDB and spotted McD finally bring back Samurai burger. What?! This was one of my favourite burger back in KL during my secondary school days but gone forever after their first release. Maybe it wasn't popular and pricey back to those day? But I really can't stop myself to buy it for snack later with PPS. Once I bite it, I really found that taste back but not as good as those days. Not sure if they have changed recipe or I've ate a lot of good food?

Finale at Bali

As normal, last day finally come and we always recall the first time we step down and carrying excited and happy mood to this beautiful island but when come to leave, it's always heavy hearted and would keep thinking when to return ;)

Since today is last day and no more 'work' for us, so we took the chance to rest a bit longer and enjoy our breakfast until they close at 10am. Then we went back to our room to pack up respectively then meet up at lobby at 12pm. There are more places that I want to visit but really have no time ... I guess I will have to come back in the near future but no clue when will it be. I want to be very soon but I need to save money and be realistic. Maybe should find a job there :p

Once we've checked out, went for their local delight, Wong Solo. I heard he have 4 branches throughout Indonesia and each branch dedicated for each wife. Yes, meaning he has 4!!! It's actually a big wooden restaurant serving local food, as usual tempe and bean curd is there. It's consider ok but we were chase off by rain drop due to heavy rain because it's a open concept restaurant.

Grill chicken

Sweet and sour chicken

Fried Beancurd

Fried Kangkung

After that, we were brought to Toko Bali, a place where they sell local products and I'm sure this is the last chance for our tour guide to 'earn' some commission. When we get out from the coach, each of us were given a stick with common number. I believe this is the identification to the tour guide as whenever we purchase anything, our number will appear in that receipt so that he can claim his commission later. Smart but their stuffs there consider okla, not to say very expensive.

When we finished shopping there, it's almost 2:45pm and we need to arrive airport by 3:45pm because our flight was 5:50pm. Since we still have some time left, so we just take a visit to their local mall for some window shopping and look see look see around. Can't go to places a bit far as we will mostly miss our flight when we get back. It was quite a tiring trip but it's a nice place to visit ... especially with a group of buddies.

Reached Changi around 8:30pm and went to T3 for dinner. It seems they have opened a Kopitiam there and food price is almost the same as city. I'm sure most of the crew or even travellers will dine here as it should be tasty and price very affordable ... we're talking about in airport ok ;)

Day 2 - Visitation Day

Before setting off for tour of the day, for sure need to do some 'work' where each team have to conclude yesterday discussion and how to achieve team. After that, we went for our first destination ... Tanah Lot. It was located on hill and quite a bit of journey from town, about 45 mins (all roads are small, no highway here). The scenery was calm and there's a big lake surrounding the temple. Luckily when I reach there, there were some praying ceremony and there's a big group of people wearing traditional clothing.

I think it's their God ...

The temple and little island on the lake look so calm and weather was just nice ... chill and windy. Some people also take the opportunity to have some boat ride. The water level is quite high and it's almost reaching the height of the shore. If there is any boat pass by, the little water wave will splash over the shore and cause the ground near to it become wet. So those who take photo right next to the lake will have to be extra careful. Anyhow, the water seems shallow around that area ;)

To me, it's a fusion of Chinese and Java

The water is about to wet the shore

Now with Japanese feel too ;)

After that, we went to nearby restaurant for buffet lunch. Dish is rather simple and limited, fried noodle/rice, breaded fish, rendang chicken, dessert, spring rolls, etc. Crowd seems getting more when the lunch time approach near. Luckily had it early otherwise will have to fight with other tourists. Once done, we will have to travel to another far place, which is Uluwatu.

Poor lil' Eli

Oklah, at least it's a pair of Eli

Simple lunch

It was really an eye opener and I never seen such nice view with my own eyes, mostly thru Discovery or postcards :p The cliff, seaside and waves were so perfectly designed by the Almighty. Wave is strong enough to let some surfers enjoy their 'private playground' as public are not allow to enter that area. I think I'm able to spend whole day there enjoying the cozy environment and amazing scenery. About 6pm, we will have to depart for our dinner near beach side, Jimbaran (another bomb location few years ago).

See that structure? Amazing

The gulf, awesome ...

The Holy Temple

Can you guess how high is the wave?

See for yourself ...

While I was happily finding my seat and try to snap some nice photo, I only realize that my camera's battery was totally flat and what a disappointment!! I hardly hit with this scenario because most of the events, I still left at least 2/3 of the battery. Since nothing much can be done, I will have to use my iPhone to snap but it was toward night and iPhone camera doesn't perform well at night. Food is just so so but pricey and basically you are paying for the view. About finishing the dinner, the rain suddenly strike us and force us to move into the restaurant itself. As the rain become smaller, we took the opportunity to rush into our coach then back to hotel.

There goes another night there ... Wanted to go out with those guys but rather to spend some time to rest at room and watch their local TV programmes ... then sleep :)