SMI APAC Teambuilding

Though this is the 3rd time that the management organise this team building but this is my first time. It seems one of the key topic would be how to identify the type of person you and someone that you dislike in the team so that you (or him) will work out a way to rational and accept each other. The first thing that strike my mind that this will be another trick used by the management to clear misunderstanding among the team and in hope the bonding among the team will be better after this so the project performance would be higher as well. One stone kill few birds.

Having to say that, I actually went googling to identify and locate the route/transportation to the hotel. Once I stepped out, another drizzling day. Luckily I wear colar shirt and jean, so it's ok to get wet a bit but will dry ver soon. Also I actually woke up at 6:45am because I need to leave the house by 7:30am as the event start at 8:30am sharp.

Ready and exercise material

View toward stage from my chair's angle

The reward after winning the movie/char guessing game :)

It's a small/medium size of ballroom with few tables (representing each team) and flip charts.Team were split around the tables and all module but be divided and grouped properly. From this course, it actually explain there are 4 type of common person we can see in the street and they are Driver (always led but sometimes in tolerate), Analytical (always refer to global policy and making decision/perform based on fact), Amiable (another word lalang - where they always follow the team, indecisive and YES Man) and finally Expressive (where they are mostly talkative, persuasive and always over compromise - good for being sales person). So the prop above actually help to provide you some idea who you are and which type of person you are then there will be a profile report generated before the event (we actually being asked to do a survey for the team building).

About 12:30am, we finally can go lunch but still around the hotel. Food and presentation is good for me but dish not sufficiently ordered (maybe costing reason) :(

Sliced chicken and duck with mango and honey dew

Shrimp wantan with nice seafood soup

Fried prawn with almond flakes

Tau fu with 'Wood Fish'

Hot and sour yee mee

Mango and lime dessert

About 6pm, the event finally end and I took bus to DG then NEX. Not because I can't afford a taxi but I want to know more about SG. Once in NEX, as usual just went for my favourite soup + rice ;)

Monk Jump Over the Wall @ S$7.50 with rice

What a calm Monday

As expected, the train delayed the arrival for almost 45 mins and the best thing was ... it was drizzling when I went out from train station. Luckily it's drizzle otherwise I would either late to work or pay for taxi. About 8:50am, I manage to reach office and really wanted to buy breakfast as I'm kinda hungry (maybe due to long trip) but I'm almost late and have morning meeting. Better eat more during lunch :(

Once I reach my cubicle, I finally saw Ken back from his 2 weeks vacation (re-union with his wife) at New York and bought us some choc. Heard that NY had very bad blizzard but luckily they can still visit around time ... not to mention went skiing and even to Mexico border. Hmm ... when will I have this opportunity?

Hershey's? Maybe bought it from Sentosa? :p

Since testing is around the corner so most of the process team members were busy to complete their test scripts and some take the last opportunity to home early before another round of nightmare begin. As no time have time to bother me so it's a calm and quiet Monday. Without any hesitation, I also leave on the dot and try to enjoy the remaining freedom but daily night TC still on going ... sigh

Welcome to Zoo Negara!

This morning, I've to force myself wake up around 8+am in order to wake the rest from sleep. Luckily Shireen also woke up at the same time so my first target will be Violet. Went to her room, knocked her door and call her to wake up. Her only reaction was move a bit then node a bit then back to sleep. I need to upgrade my level to continously set off the bomb alarm, which with bit of success but she still try to sleep. Then I need to upgrade to another level where I used two alarms this round and this time, she has no where to hide or escape but still try to cover over blanket. To ensure I accomplish the mission I need to upgrade it to another level, to snap her ugly face on bed and threaten her to post to Facebook, which I've succeeded ;)

About 9:15am, we're ready to go but need to grab a quick breakfast at McD. Initially wanted to dine in but I'm afraid the crowd today will be bad due to Sunday, so we went drive thru instead so we can eat during the journey and buy some time. Once there, to my surprise, it's not much people and I think only 20 cars in the parking. So nice and we continue our breakfast then start to browse around the zoo. As I got to know from their website that they will have sea lion performance at 11am, so I've plan for a route where we can enjoy the sight seeing and yet can attend the performance, cool right?

The zoo seems a bit better than few years ago. At least I can see some animal unlike flowers and trees last time. The lake water seems not as dirty as before and they even have mini train which will round the whole zoo. Anyhow nothing comes free because their entrance fee has significantly increased to RM25 for adult! I think 2 years ago was about RM8! Since we don't come here often, so give and take loh.

It was a nice experience because I can finally take long shot without moving much and it's another new level of photography. It's really worth the penny and took more than 400 photos. Of course not every piece is masterpiece and I have to trial an error, the final count of the photos is about 250 pcs :p

As expected my dad called me up for breakfast but I've rejected him and told him that we're still in zoo and will not finish at least 2pm. Must give him a lesson that I also have things to do and not everyday have to wait for his call. Hopefully I can reject him few more times and let him learn the lessons. I don't see much pain to inform few days or a week in advance if you really want to go breakfast with anyone. Not like call at 10:30am and ask people out at 11:30am. Hello? Who do you think you are? Show some respect will ya?

About 2pm, we finally home and I've to make them lunch. Kinda hungry and lazy to eat out. So better do it at home and also can spend more time with family. As usual, about 8pm, have to send them back to Pudu and the same old feelings is back. While I was at Pudu, Kai Meng seems ok and quite playful and when I leave, he started to act a bit weird as when I walk down the stairs, he bid goodbye twice with me. When I get into the car, he and Violet were waving and play with me at the window. I felt something very wrong but I keep calm and told myself maybe I think too much.

Once I'm hope, thought to Skype them to ensure everything is ok but Violet told me Kai Meng cried from the moment I drove off until just now. Damn, my mood and feelings suddenly drop like bungee jump and I've to pretend and cheer him up over Skype. It's really touch to know someone miss you so badly but also mean to hurt them. Like I always said, I will try to observe after CNY and if things still like this, I have no choice but to return KL. Though 3 months in SG seems not too long but we have hurt for zillion times. I really feel waste if I have to give up now but I know what I want.

When I was taking taxi, I call Shireen's mobile and Kai Meng answered it with some flu sound and I believe he just finished crying. Man, this is so tough and again I have to distract him over some games and toys topic. Also when I reach train station, I called Shireen's mobile and he answered again. He really miss me so much and this make me really want to give up SG now. He sound better this time and we had a short chat because he need to get some sleep as tomorrow will have to go school.

Now it's 11:30pm and again they delay again. The announcement said will rescheduled to 11:10pm but now seems nothing but keep waiting. Hopefully it will not over 12am. Sigh ...

As I speak (or type), I called Shireen's mobile again and glad to know he slept after my earlier call. Another strong feeling hit me when she told me Kai Meng actually ask her sister to let him see all my photos especially those taken with him. Man, I'm totally speechless and my heart seems heavier by tonnes. I can also sense my eyes a bit watery and hope it was caused by my yawns while waiting for the train. The decision seems clearer by now but should I follow feelings or better future? I can't tell by now ... I really can't ...

Finally the gate open at 11:40pm which exceeded 30 mins from what they announce. It's norm for me by now, especially when you have been with them for 3 months or more. Hopefully the conductor can check my ticket earlier so I can quickly get some sleep. Hope the train will not crawl down to SG :(

My dear Nikkor 70-300, come to daddy!

It was a good sleep and the passengers at my deck were quite quiet, no kids or overnight chat ;) I manage to sleep after JB till Kajang without interruption. I also didn't awake when passby Seremban station which I'll be normally awake at that time. Maybe I had some beer last night which make me sleep so tight. Should do that more often ;)

After I went home, I quickly went shower, settle down then go to Pudu because I need to fetch my family and in law to Pudu Pasar because she need to stock up some raw material for CNY biscuits sales. After that, we went to May King noodle store for Lam Mee, where they have run the business for almost 40 years. To me, it's not very great to mention but just want to re-visit them. I can't really remember when was the last time I was there, perhaps maybe 3 years? It's not cheap either as the noodle cost RM6, each fish ball and fried beancurd is RM1! Once a while is fine for me but nothing more than that.

Lam Mee

Ipoh Hor Fun

Fish ball with cuttle fish

Deep fried bean curd

After settle down my in law, it's time for me to collect my lens :) Went there with excitement and hope but once I stepped in, that fella told me the supplier couldn't make it yesterday and will send today instead. They advised me to come around noon/evening to be safe. WTF, why don't you have the courtesy to call the customer if it's unable to reach yesterday otherwise I would safe a trip there. Without wasting much time, I have to leave with disappointment and send Shireen to Hartamas for 2nd round. Since she need to be there for few hours and her friend was there too, so I go home with Kai Meng as Violet still at school.

When I'm not with Kai Meng, as usual we fool around and play games ... which is very fun and relaxing. There was a moment where I fell asleep at sofa and he actually sleep on top of me. It's a bit uneasy but feel very nice and warm. I wonder how long we can sustain at this because I used to do this with Violet too but the ship has sailed. Not her fault but she has grown up and physically matured ;)

About 4pm, the camera shop finally called me and inform me the lens is ready for collection, at last and I rang Shireen up few times for status check but still not ready. Both Kai Meng and myself were already hungry because we didn't go for lunch as we thought Shireen would be back by 3+pm but end up around 5pm. I was mad at that time because she can always tell me that she will be a bit late and I can go ahead for lunch if hungry but she didn't.

I've to fetch her up at McD and have no choice but to buy a nugget set to share because dinner time ois around the corner. Kai Meng was very hungry and he almost eat up the whole set. Since the lens is already ready, so I went to fetch Violet then park my car at roadside to do quick collection. Tested and verified the lens before I go and I'm very happy with the condition and performance of this lens. I'm sure tomorrow will be a good day to test drive it because I will visit Zoo tomorrow. With the long zoom lens, I should be able to take close up photos with the animal. In addition, Kai Meng never been there before :(

Length at 70mm

Length at 300mm

300mm with hood

Rear view

After that, we went to KLCC for some CNY shopping for kids and go for a nice dinner at our favourite restauant, The Ship at Jln Bkt Bintang. Also Shireen will buy us the dinner as she just received her bonus. Another nice and easy day for me ;)

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 :(