Expecting my new lens ;)

For the past few days, I been calling the vendor but always being told in progress and supplier haven't deliver the stock yet. Initially he said only 2-3 days but end up almost a week without firm confirmation. To verify that, I actually called up few other camera shops but all of them do have the stock ready, which make me feel more annoying. I've just called them up and ensure I can collect tomorrow otherwise I will ask for refund. Luckily they told me the goods will be deliver by today noon so tomorrow can be collect once I'm back KL. Yes! Finally it arrived!

Today work seems average and feel so good that today not only I can leave on the dot but going for nice dinner with colleagues at MOF @ NEX. MOF stands for Ministry of Food where they serve fusion food like hot plate, oriental, western, dessert and more. One catchy thing is they serve flavoured Hoegarden like apple, strawberry, grape, etc and it's huge in size.

About 6pm, I'm the first to went off because I need to do last minute grocery as Shireen wanted the Ferrero Roche which I didn't manage to buy it yesterday. It was so cheap selling in SG compare to KL because Fair Price only selling at S$13.50 but KL selling about S$18! In addition, Lifebuoy 1L, KL is selling about S$8 per bottle but today Fair Price selling at S$10.85 for 2 bottles!!!

After that, I met them at MOF and ordered following food which is quite ok and I have to leave at 9pm to catch the train back KL. How I wish most of the Friday can be like this easy and enjoyable and I can meet my kids tomorrow (with my new lens too) :p

Mushroom soup - nice

Salmon salad

Hotplate - White wine with seafood

Cream of mushroom with spaghetti

Escargot with garlic

Grape Hoegaarden - See the size?

Mini grocery day

Maybe I missed the feeling fetching my kids to school and these few days I automatically woke up around 5:30am - 6am.  For sure it's not because of work pressure but I just can't tell. Anyway, it's good because by the time my alarm set off at 7:15am, I would just wake up and head for shower.

Also because of my recent change of timing arriving to office (before 9am), I feel very lazy and fed up to squeeze into the MRT because if you don't really push or force in, you'll never get into the train! It's so different if you take at 9am because it will be very less crowded. I wonder should I leave early but that would be the last thing I want to do.

Today, Carlo asked me for lunch at Chinatown because he wanted to buy hair gel and since I didn't went there last round, so I went with him in hope to get some cheap toileteries. To my surprise, I found the hair shampoo (380ml) that I normally buy at Fair Price at S$6.80 is selling here by S$4.90! In KL, it sell about S$8.25. With S$8.50, I can buy the biggest size which is having 670ml. Since it's that cheap and KL need to stock up, I bought 3 bottles with different flavour. Guess I will need to do another round of grocery when I'm home later because there are still few things need to be refill as well.

Shit ... the headache comes back again!

What's wrong with me? I've already been sleeping so early last night but why I still woke up with headache? I've been keep thinking to myself. I can only give myself 2 reasons. 1st, my body still tired after coming back from KL on monday. 2nd, I listen too much on headphone lately which impact my eardrum and brain cell. To further narrow it down, I better take more rest and have less heaty food. If this still fail, I guess will have to use external speaker for my favourite ghost radio programme :(

Due to my headache and have to iron my cloth this morning, therefore I only reach office about 9:05am which consider not too late ;) Wanted to get some breakfast but the work is piling up and my whole team need to complete all testing preparation by this week and ensure we don't face the severe issue during the last round as most of the user profiles went hare wire and cause a major disruption for testing on day 1. I'm sure the management is watching closely about us this round and few counter measures have been perform to ensure all the users and roles are properly maintained.

With just few blinks of eyes, it's already 12pm and Carlo asked for early lunch and today we will be going to the new place near Central Square which we have went there yesterday for the first time. Distance a bit far than usual but covered, cozy and windy ... so it's not that bad after all. The food varieties is ok and their food is so cheap and taste better. I'm quite liking this place and decided this will be another favourite lunch spot in the future. Today I will try their prawn noodle as it's only S$3!

When it's arrive, another disappointment because the portion seems a bit less (in addition I was hungry this morning) and soup is quite dilute and plain. Maybe this is the SG style and I better give up on this in the future. Rib is basically meatless and tasteless, noodle just normal and prawn is less.

When back to office, my headache become more serious but still barely can work. So I decided to lock myself up in my cubicle and rush all the things assigned to me so that I can leave on the dot today. I was hungry around 3:30pm and wanted to get something to eat but seeing my work and my urge to home early today, so I've to forget it and focus back to work. Another reason that make me wanted to go home early because I received a Skype call from Violet around 5pm that Kai Meng injured his leg during school time and the toe seems can't move freely (also can see the wound mark along his calf).

Oh man, this is so tough for him and myself because today is just 3rd day to school and he already got bad experience. I'm worried that he might not be able go to school tomorrow and nothing much I can do from far distance so I rang Shireen and let her know about this. I've asked her to check in detail with my in law for the cause of this.

About 6:20pm, I was already at Hougang MRT and I quickly ran to buy KFC and Old Chang Kee for dinner not only I'm having bad headache or quickly chat with Kai Meng but it's also raining and going to be more heavy soon. By the time I reach the block before mine, the rain became so heavy until I hardly can see the path ahead so I took a longer route with covered to reduce myself getting too wet.

When I was home, I quickly took shower then eat my dinner because I not only hungry but STARVING too. By the time I finished the KFC, my stomach just tell me it's only half tank full so I've made a nisson bowl noodle for round 2. As for the chicken wings, will wait until later tonight for supper/snack. After that, finally have a Skype call with Kai Meng where I get to know from him that it's not that serious and tomorrow should be able to attend school. Later it was verified and confirmed by Shireen too. I was relief and feel glad to know about that ;)

My regular heavy dinner ;)

Round 2

Sesame noodle, not bad and I whack the soup as well

So I just play with Kai Meng for few FB's game and then continue my movie session with no more worries about Kai Meng. Hope he will learn more becareful and independent with his new journey and as well as less work hectic for tomorrow. Gotta sleep once the movie finish because the headache still haunting me :(

Welcome back ... to hell

Maybe it's Tuesday and most people would have return to SG on Sunday/Monday, the train today reached Tg Pagar quite early, about 7:50am (normally about 8:20am) which is good because it's a good and slow start of the day for me. Also I felt a bit hungry and decided to buy economy meehoon with fish cake and sunny side as breakfast, which cost me S$2.50 (not cheap).

Once I back to office, I received 130+ emails and it seems the work is gradually coming back and my honeymoon period is finally over.  Welcome back to hell ... that's what I told myself. Also it has few main tasks assigned to me, which is to create about 880 users and assign them with multiple roles which can hit about 5000 roles in total. Of course I can't do this manually within a day but to use script - automated macro to repeat the recorded steps. It may sound easy, automated but things never be so perfect. This process need full observation because it might stop in between due to some errors such as user not exist, role can't be found, wrong user name/typo and etc. Imagine when the script is running and you almost can't do anything with your laptop and all other work is pending.

But no matter how, I will still reserve sometime for lunch as I don't skip the main meals. So just went to new area led by Carlo and the chicken rice portion is quite big and very cheap, just S$3.50!

I do know the work is coming back but I never expect that I would have such heavy day for the first day I return to SG! I suppose to leave about 6:30pm but due to unforeseen issues, I can only leave around 7:45pm. Because I need to attend TC at 8:30pm so I can just tah pau mixed rice back home, shower then attend the TC. By the time the TC is over, it's already 9pm and that's when I can only eat my dinner while watching some movies. What a busy, moody and tiring first working day for 2011. Hope this will not be on going or too often in my future life as I really want to have work life balance, not work like a dog.

Surprisingly, I'm tired and sleepy now when it's just 11:10pm. It's been ages that I never sleep at this hour. Anyhow, it's good to rest a bit early because I still need to prepare myself for the next days of ITRD4 preparation.

School re-open for Violet and beginning of the new journey for Kai Meng

Surprisingly today both of the kids were able to wake up without any obstacles even though they slept around 12am last night. Speaking of that, I can still see some moody and weary look from Kai Meng but I've to be firm and let him know that this will be his new journey for years to come, depending how far he can go ... Secondary? Tertiary? Graduate? Master?

Farewell to his new toy

Look tired ... or no mood to school ;)

Get ready to school ...

Anyhow, I don't expect too much but just average would be fine for me. As for Violet, this will be another challenge year because she suppose to join J3G but due to recent structure change, all her classmate have been cascaded to few class so her regular gang will be history. It's not that bad at all, take it as a challenge and new change. Maybe she might improve and more behave with the new friends but it could be totally opposite so I still need to put her under observation.

Seems can't wait to school ... which is good :)

Today seems refreshing my memory because it's been months I never wake up early and fetch the kids to school then send Shireen to office. It's a bit tired but fun to experience this a bit. Drop Violet at school around 7am and reach Kai Meng's school around 7:15am.

Ok, no turning back, let's go to school!

Since we still have 15 mins before his school start, took him for some tour around the school so that he won't be panic and know where like toilet when he needed it. While waiting at canteen, took a pix for remembrance and hope he will have a good laugh or memory when he read/see this one fine day ;)

Mood seems better now ...

The finally bell rang, I've to send him to his class and find him a seat which is first come first serve basis and I'm sure the teacher will re-shuffle it later. One thing good about this school is it's not very popular and a bit old so they only have 1 or 2 class for each standard and about 20+ students within a class. With this, I'm sure the teacher will be able to focus and pay more attention to each of the students.

His first come first serve seating

Not really grumpy but teasing me

After settle down, both Shireen and myself went to Pusat Sumber for orientation session with the headmaster and asst headmasters where they explain their roles respectively and things we should know (and pay too) ;)

I think this is new to me because not only my time doesn't have this but none for Violet's time too. Seems the local school standard has gone to another milestone. The orientation and registration finished right about 9:50am and it's about the time for Kai Meng's recess. So I took the opportunity to queue with him at the canteen and guide him how to buy food with money. I know it's not easy and too early for him but I just want him to familiarise.

One sad scene is there was a malay girl in front of us and turn out to be Kai Meng's kindergarden classmate, queuing to buy food but she doesn't know what is money and need to pay for that. The best thing was her parent isn't with her so I've paid for her meal as I do really know how it feel. Not long after her father finally arrive to pay me back but I told him it's fine not because I want to show off but purely sincere.

I can still remember very clearly when I was at primary school day 1, I was left alone after my grandparent drop me and they never brief or guide me anything. During lunch time, I some how realise that I need money to buy food but I've nothing. Not sure if they forgot or think I shouldn't need to eat during recess. So I ended up wandering around the canteen to kill sometime. Luckily I met one of my classmate and he shared his 'kuih lapis' with me and it was such a special and unforgettable moment :'( So this is the reason why I can truly understand the girl's situation.

After we purchased the food, I show Kai Meng how to find a table and throw the rubbish after the meal. It was a nice session because he actually lean against me while eating his food ;) About 20 mins later, I've to send him back to his class and his seat was change to the seat on his right from his initial seat. Then I've to rush to his doctor at OUG to obtain his injection report for his health profile in his new school then head for brunch.

Little monkey in his 'cage'

After 12:50pm, I'm already at his school canteen, waiting for him to finish his day 1 at school. Too bad it was heavy rain but it's fun to walk with him with umbrella ;) Bought him Aunty Anne for lunch and his favourite too then went home to have some games and movies with him. I really wish that I can do this everyday or maybe more often. This feeling is so special and warm that you will earn it when you're not doing for the sake of doing it or to show off like other kiasu fellas.

After school effect, refreshed and ready to play!

About 3:30pm, again I've to drive down to fetch Violet because her class finish at 4:10pm. Honestly I'm not bias with my kids and I treat both of them fair and square. It's just that Violet has grown up and not as close with me as before to which I can understand. It was super pack at her school and it's not only double but triple parking and even to park at further roadside will need to walk about 5 mins, darn ... :(

Anyhow I still manage to fetch her at about 4:20pm then went home and make her soup for some snack because she will normally hungry after school. Since my in law is cooking today, so just make her some simple food because no point to go for mail meal when you will need to have dinner in 2 hours time.

First day to school seems no tiring and exhausted for them :p

It's evening now and the sad and missing feelings grew stronger and I've to hold it as firm as I could because I don't want to affect Kai Meng too. While I was busy packing up my stuff, he came to me and asked me when I will finish my work in SG and return to KL? I was so stunned and my emotion weight thousand tonnes. I hold my feelings and answered him that I will need to work there a bit longer because I need to save money and buy him toys (I purposely use toy to counter his feelings because kid will normally accept/do for toys) but he told me that he already have so much toys and doesn't need anymore. OMG, I really feel to cry but I just keep smiling and told him something to distract him :'(

What am I doing now? And what should I do next? Come back to KL? Ignore him and continue to save money in SG? Bring them over to SG? Or what? Without much words, I've called them to leave for Pudu for dinner. After the meal, I'm going to use FB to distract Kai Meng when I'm leaving for home to prepare myself to KL Sentral. Luckily it worked and at least I feel a bit better.

It's 10:30pm now and the thought the crowd would be less because it's Monday and school re-open as well but I was wrong and there are 2 groups of student seems having some rombongan. Hope they don't make much noise so I can grab some sleep because I woke up at 5:30am this morning and no chance to take nap. Good night and I will be back in 4 more days ;)

Budget Sunday and Babysit day too

Today we suppose to go Putrajaya for some biking session but everyone seems very tired and overslept, as expected before I went to bed last night. Already told the kids to sleep early otherwise they will not be able to make it but stubborn. If that's what they want, then they deserve it ;)

When everyone's awake, they were so lazy to eat out so I've cook them yee mee soup as breakfast. Luckily I still have some food left from last week steamboat. Not to self praise but I find it very nice, plain and comfy breakfast because I like soupy stuff and yee mee is one of my favourites. This is consider fast and budget breakfast, at least not maggi mee ;)

After the breakfast, the kids have to get ready because their mom will need to do haircut and perm at Sri Hartamas, as usual. Around 12:30pm, we left the house and I propose to drive thru McD for brunch because the haircut will take a while and we were about to hungry too (also McD value lunch still valid). It seems Violet also wanted to try out that salon so both the mother and daughter went into the salon while Kai Meng and myself went to hang out at nearby KFC. Not so boring while waiting for them.

About 1.5 hours later, Violet have done her haircut but the mother still need few hours. Since her friend will be joining her soon so she decided to take lift from her friend to Pudu while myself and kids went home first. Which I would prefer too because I can spend time with kids and stay at home. Once home, I thought I can rest a while and do things that I wanted to do when I was as  SG but I need to babysit them by playing games and watch movies with them ... sigh, thought I can get some rest but ... never mind, quality time mah.

About 7:30pm, Shireen finally called me and said she's on her way to Pudu. So I also asked the kids to stop with the things they were doing and dress up because we need to have a quick dinner then fetch Violet to Sg Wang to do a quick shopping for her pencil case. So what I did was to drop them at the front entrance near Nandos and Violet with her mom went into the mall and get it. They took quite a while and as usual reasons, pack and long Q :(

After that, we will have to rush home for singing competition programme held in HK where all Chinese contestant will meet up and compete against each other there. I took the path cutting thru Jln Bkt Bintang on purpose because it's been a while I never pass by there and to update myself of the recent changes. The whole street become very pack and messy. It's filled with foreigners and massage parlour. To me it seems like a red district but using massage as bait. Unlike last time with a lot of hotels and shops selling souvenirs, electronics and restaurants too. That's life and how the world evolve to survive.

When home, the kids were busy packing up and preparing for tomorrow school re-open. Violet will promote to Form 3 this year while Kai Meng will start his primary education, Standard 1. To Violet, she is very independent and will not allow myself or Shireen to accompany her unless she really can't handle it but Kai Meng as usual will be homey and paranoid person. That's why I will send him to school tomorrow and company him for his first day. Hope he will get used to it ASAP and doesn't encounter any culture shock. Not sure if it's true because the mother told me that he complaint to her a moment ago that he isn't feeling well, here pain and there unwell but he dare not to tell me all these.

I will ignore and pretend knowing nothing about all these and ensure he will be in school as expected. Gotta sleep soon as tomorrow will have to wake up before 6am. I miss this feeling because I used to do it when I was working in KL. Didn't realise that I will have this chance again ... better appreciate and memorised it well. Good night my children and wish you guys all the best for the new semester ... love you :*

So long 2010, Hello 2011 !

Clock just strike 12am and I've just reach Woodlands. My train was stopped near Bukit Timah for some traffic diversion. So instead of celebrating it in the train now I have to do it in the checkpoint. New and special experience eh? I can hear some firecracker sound but no visibility because there isn't any window there. Not too bad because at least there are were hundred of people celebrating with me and accompany by some firecracker sound ;)

After got back into the train, continue with my movie via laptop then sleep. This round, my deck seems like old folk home because there were so many senior people and they were so talkative and noisy. Luckily they slept before I finish my movie otherwise I might condemn the whole night again.

About 7:30am, the train reached KL Sentral and not too late indeed. Went to get my train ticket then home for some rest first because the kids were still sleeping and Shireen need to help my in law to make some biscuit. About 11am, I went down to Pudu and company the kids while awaiting Shireen to get ready to move. We will have brunch with dad (last minute invitation again) at Brem Park. This is a new location and thanks to my dad's poor interpretation and direction so I have to search for few rounds then found the restaurant. The food just so so but not cheap too, from RM4.80 onwards. I still prefer Min Max still ;)

After the brunch, went to change my SGD to RM and bank into M2U for my monthly expenses then back to Pudu to pack up and go home. While we were at Pudu, decided to do some survey at DigitalsMania in Pudu Plaza for the lens and battery grip. It seems they didn't stock up and I've to get them to order. the lens cost is much cheaper than SG and almost different by RM100. Luckily I didn't buy it in SG yesterday.

To my surprise, they don't need any downpayment/booking fee for the lens. According to the boss, Tony, this isn't first time and lesson learnt from their past experience. They have encounter a case whereby his very regular customer booked the lens and still wanna pay full selling price as deposit but because of his supplier having some stock issue, he can only deliver the lens to the customer after 2 weeks. Of course that customer wasn't happy and went to online/facebook to defame the shop.

So now, they rather not to accept anything but still to order the lens. They prefer customers didn't turn up to collect it rather than disappoint them. As this isn't my first deal with them, I've decided to pay in full and collect on following weekend ... since I'm not that hurry too.

Once I got back home, decided to install the battery grip for my camera and it look much professional now ;)
Too bad because Nikon doesn't produce a original one for D5000 therefore I have to get it from third party brand. If I can get my lens today, I'm sure it will be totally new look and more professional outfit for my medium range camera :p

The standard camera unit

Battery grip with 2 batteries compartment and 2nd shutter button (useful for potrait shooting)

Where the 'juice' is ... like M16's magazine eh?

Battery grip installed, front view

Battery grip installed, rear view

It's ok ... I'm not that professional either but at least I don't have to be shy when I go to take some performance/fashion event in the future ;)