RIP my dear BB 9000

Thanks for being my buddy for the past 4 years without giving me any major issues until recently, the trackball can't move the cursor down at all and most of the function/menu can't be used. Also the internal memory is extremely low due to the buggy design and BB OS core files are getting larger. I guess I will try to send it for repair before declaring the death for this BB ;)

So, what should be the pick? iPhone? Galaxy S2? These are the 2 picks and I don't really fancy with iPhone anymore because I already have iPad. Likewise, I'm very keen on S2 as I never had an Android phone before. Since the review is also very good for this phone, so I finally decided to purchase for Ori set in Times Square. Most of them selling around RM1850-RM1899 but I manage to get it at RM1750 with free screen protector. Confirmed original set and authorized by Samsung Malaysia, not AP set.

In order to get the white S2, I need to pay extra RM100 where I don't find it's worthwhile as the phone feature and base unit are identical except the color. Also the white body seems not sturdy to me and I'm sure it will get dirty or yellowish over a short period. So it will be black ... just like my iPad :)

LCD screen is larger and more sharp than iPhone4

8 mega pix ... self explanatory

So thin ... much thinner than iPhone (and lighter too)

Generally, I find it's cool and nice looking phone. Not only that but the technical spec is much greater than the iPhone. I do find iPhone4S look convincing with its new feature but I can see the resemblance of iPhone 3G/3GS. It's just minor upgrade and it will be totally different design and appearance in the Apple's next pipeline product ... probably iPhone5 :)

Another Sat returning to KL

So fast another 2 weeks passed in SG and it's time to come back to KL. This time, I've learned my lesson and start to depart from home around 6:58am and guess what, I reach Goldenmile around 7:35am. Much faster than last time and I just got out 10 mins earlier than last time. Sometimes it's hard to predict the journey time even you're in SG where all transportation are well plan and timely executed :p

About 8:10am, my bus still waiting for nothing and I really mad because the last round, I only late by 4 mins and the bus took off ... wtf. About 8:15am, then the driver only move his butt and only manage to get thru immigration checkpoint around 9:15am because the driver drive like a grandmother and traffic was relatively high at checkpoint.

No matter what, I heard something which really bother me as the co-driver told us to get a toilet break/breakfast at Machap R&R before heading to its destination at Genting Highlands. I quickly check both the bus plate number and destination are correctly indicated in my ticket. Don't give a damn and hopefully just like last time that they will drop us at Times Square then proceed to Genting Highlands.

Since the driver said the break would be 20 mins, so I went into the R&R for a quick bite and got attracted by this Kopitiam run by a group of Malay. I'm surprise to see this because their tea and soft boil eggs normally not-so-good compare to those Hainanese Chap ;)

Maybe my face really look like Singaporean because no matter how much I spoke with them in Malay, they still reply in English and I felt they treated me like a Singaporean which really pissed me off. But when the person behind me talk in English, then the cashier converse fully in Malay. I was like ... speechless and I don't see myself like one.

Complete breakfast set at RM6.80

The breakfast set I've ordered is rather disappointing even I've prepared myself because their egg not really well/freshly prepared and again, they gave me THICK soy sauce instead of the ordinary soy sauce. SO SINGAPOREAN STYLE !!!! Hello, I'm a 100% MALAYSIAN ok?

SMI Team Building - My 3rd experience

So fast it's already 6 months since the previous team building held on last April at Singapore Zoo. This time, it held at Fullerton Hotel near Raffles Place/Boat Quay. It is a nice building and I pass by few times and never been there too. Should be nice experience but never happy too early because team building doesn't really mean fun but to squeeze your brain for ideas/solutions to the management team. Dirty trick!

This time, the theme is The Chocolate Factory where the team will divided into few groups and each group will have their production line task. The objective is to deliver the chocolate custom requested by the customer as per the requested design and how much we can earn for the whole session. Target was 100 plates but the result seems not so bright for the first time, managed to sell 40+ plates which accepted by the customers and more than 40 plates were rejected (due to wrong results provided).

After the session, there is a short discussion before lunch and each of the team were given 30 mins to come out with the improved plan so that we can use it and make more earnings (and lesser rejected plates too) :)

After the ingenius and creative plan was ... to group all designers at the same area so that they can focus the drawings and Provider to furnish the plates with required chocolate and also handle special order. Finally another team to perform QC check and always align with user if the requirement is correct otherwise the whole production will have to stop and revise according to the new requirement.

Guess what, the 2nd time, we earn triple the first round and we manage to score 70+ plates. As expected, they need us to work as a team and not only doing repetitive things without asking and understanding what a customer really want. You can produce 100 items at cheap rate but if it's not require by the customers, not only you lose the business but wasted the goods as well.

This is the fun part and of course the management did throw some current issues within the team in hope for new ideas and 'work' the solution for them too. Smart arse ...

Dinner at North Border Bar & Grill @ Rochester

Few days ago, a colleague of mine told me there's another happening place nearby Buona Vista MRT and the food/ambiance is quite alike Dempsey. Since I started to crave for food in SG especially those at nice location ... of course will google around for more info then persuade those interested to join me ;)

Based on Google Map, if were by walking, it's just 7-10 mins from MRT and there are few restaurants in Rochester Park, range from Western to Mexican then to Chinese. Since today looks like a good day to leave office on the dot, so decided today will be the day!

Manage to reach there about 7:30pm and the crowd still not very pack. Though it's located along the main road but due to too many trees and bushes, you barely can see those restaurants and this make me feel that I'm out of town and having dinner at somewhere remote/country side.

After checkout most of the restaurants there, my choice will be North Border Bar where their menu and drinks seems more convincing. Since we're not that hungry, so we just ordered few starters and a prawn spaghetti followed by few drinks.

Chicken wing is quite food. Sapu habis :)

Twisted Green Apple Martini

Food wise is just so so, nothing great and the drinks rather disappointing because it's quite diluted to me. Hopefully this is the only restaurant that doesn't meet my expectation and will try some other the next time ... if I've chance ;)

Dinner at Margaritas @ Dempsey

After another tiring busy day and guess it should be a day to pamper myself going dinner with close friend ;) Sine we didn't have any plan in mind so just went to Dempsey right after work and step into the restaurant that interest us. This time, Margaritas is the place!

It's a Mexican restaurant and everyone seems having margaritas and guess it's their best seller (or anchor product too). Based on their menu, if you order one glass of margaritas, it will cost about $19 and $62 for a pitcher (can pour for 4-5 glasses). Since we plan to be here for a while, a pitcher will be our choice as it's cheaper if you wanted to drink more right? ;)

The Golden Margarita

I quite like their glass. Did you see anything?

It's glass stand actually a form of cactus. Cool rite? (Sorry to flashy) 

For starter, I've order their (only) soup ... Spicy Chipotle Soup. At first, I was curious how a Chipotle can be a soup as it's like Roti Canai for Mexican and when it arrived, they actually sliced the Chipotle and serve together with their local recipe spicy soup. Kinda weird but taste not bad ... maybe I'm just a 'soup' person :S

After the soupy starter and here come the main course ... darn, I forgot the name but it's something like lime chicken blah blah blah :p They serve chicken fillet in round form, topped with sliced lime and their original Mexican sauce. Also provided another plate with one scoop of butter rice and some salads. The food is good and portion is just nice. I'm sure that I will come back soon to try other food from their menu :)

Photos from BCAP

During the last BCAP event, there was a shooting session where you can take photo with your colleagues/team at the showcase as remembrance. You can take as many as you want and they will print and frame it up the photo for you on the spot.

So now, I've place one of my favourite rights next to my laptop so that I can take a look whenever I lost focus, pressured or even just to 'wash' my eyes ;) Hopefully I will have more so that I can make a small/mini collage at my cubicle ...

Almost forgotten about my ever first body health check ;)

It was a busy Monday morning and I couldn't get a chance even just to drink some water but just clearing my work/attending to issues. About 9:45am, one of my colleagues ask if I'm going for the health check and I was totally shocked to realise my appointment suppose to be 10am !! Without wasting anymore time, I quickly ran down to 2nd floor to participate for that.

My initial idea is to participate only the basic free blood test as this is my first time and I prefer to visit those reputable lab test for details scan. Due to some influences and some explanation from the doctor, I was convinced to get the full check which cost about $157 incl gov tax and it will be ready in 2 weeks.

After waited for about 10 person, it's my turn finally and I did felt bit nervous ;) Normal lah, kena 'jab' right? My BP was ok and BMI seems normal but when come to taking blood sample, my nightmare finally arrived. Guess what, the nurse informed me that my vein is so prominent and it's tricky for her to jab the syringe into my hand properly. After squeezing the spongy ball, she finally found one and the process take place. Just less than a min, the nurse told me the blood flow is very weird, sometimes normal and sometimes slow. She advised me to keep squeezing the spongy ball in order to pump out my blood but it's still slow and the queue behind is piling up.

My poor left arm :(

Without any choices so she proposed to jab another hand in hope will be better. As expected, same situation and no choice but keep squeezing the spongy ball :( I couldn't recall how long it was (guess 5-8 mins?) and a while later, she manage to collect the right amount of blood and she said I didn't rest well and drink water sufficiently which I totally agreed because the day before I slept quite late and this morning I didn't get a chance to drink water. Now I'm really worried and hope this won't really impact my final result. I am keeping my fingers crossed now and see how it goes. Also, there were some colleagues asking if everything alright for me because I'm the only person who jab twice and having difficulties to collect blood sample :(

And my right one :(

Nevertheless, after a stressful and tension morning, I guess I should have a great lunch to pamper myself and also to DE-STRESS as health check already done and nothing much can be done now. Let's EAT !!!

Dim Sum !!!!!!

New collection for my wallet

After away for 2 weeks, look like I've got some snail mails with some hard object in it. Guess what, my NTUC discount and SPG member card finally arrived. I can still remember freshly when I first came here, I always ask NTUC counter for application form but they always give me the one with credit card facility which I don't want. All I wanted is just a plain NTUC card where I can accumulate points for redemption of free goods (to save money as well). After a year here, finally I manage to get that as I finally saw a counter near Hougang Fair Price giving out application form for just NTUC card ;)

In fact, their benefit not only the point collection system but they also provide free insurance and discounts for some resort/hotel within SG and every month they will only deduct $8 straight from my bank account. So I've finally signed up and they gave me this temporary card (which I don't really want to use as it look so fake and cheapskate) :p

Since my weekly grocery shopping isn't that high, so better wait for the real 'thing' before using it right? Like now, I have real SOLID card and at least won't feel paiseh anymore :p

With this, I can now book any Costa Sands resort/hotel at discounted price (including in Sentosa). I know it's not a great hotel but the deal is good (guess $120+ per night). On the other hand, I applied this SPG (Starwood Perferred Guest) before I flew to Sydney couple of months back because they have a promo where you'll get a night stay if you booked min 3 days consecutively and so happen I was staying 4 days that time. Too bad the promo just ended when I got there and have to cancel my extension as I'm not keen to spend too much for just one extra night. Hopefully I can use it another time in the near future.