Hougang Pasar Malam, here I come!

It seems the sunrise is quite late lately, about 7:30am still feel like 7am here in SG. It feels good because you don't get sweat when walking to MRT and make you feel arrive office early (when you still reach office around 9am) :)

As for work today nothing special because still need to deal with cow and bull. I have to use this term so that I will not require to pay much attention and patience with them because I rather to save it for something better or worth it. Even during lunch time, the sky a bit cloudy and windy so I've decided to eat hotpot again ;)

It's cheap and very filling if were to go with rice ... only S$3.50. This will be my 3rd choice after mixed rice and vegetarian rice. The soup is sweet and should be free/very less msg because I don't feel much thirsty after consumed it. Of course going lunch with those guys would need to have "package lunch" whereby to go dessert after lunch. For dessert, I took black sesame because I need something thick and sweet. I think my dream to slim down is going to be very tough as I'm starting to get used to SG lifestyle. Luckily I still walk to office/back home otherwise ..... FAT again!

About 7pm, I feel so tired and need to leave now and grab dinner as today I will have 8:30pm TC. So I rush back to Hougang and went to food court for fried slice fish noodle again but today I've changed to Yee Mee. Taste good and very jive with the soup.

After the dinner, I went to pasar malam to survey what they have there. Food varieties is almost the same as KL's pasar malam but they have few smelly tau foo stalls and all of them were doing good. So I bought one to try out and their local Ramly burger as my supper while watch PPS later ;)

About 8:15pm, I went home to attend for the TC. About 30 mins later, it's over and I tried to Skype with kids but failed. The program seems not working properly or corrupted. So I quickly re-install and managed to fix the problem. When I'm able to call thru the Skype, my son already slept and that time was only 9:15pm. It was so early and he looks like still struggle with long hours of schooling. Hopefully he will get over it by next week. Violet told me Kai Meng actually asked her if I'm not going back this weekend and I'm so surprised because Violet and Shireen didn't tell him before. How does he knows that?

I think he should be fine this week because he has substitute class on Saturday and Shireen will bring him out for some window shopping. If my dad called them for brunch, then it will be better too. I really feel bad for unable to return this weekend as I need to go Bali for team building. In fact, I was happy to know that I finally able to go there for the first time but at the same time, I will have to sacrifice my quality time with my family. I will try to call them every night when I'm in Bali to reduce the impact/hurt feelings.

About 10pm, I need to watch PPS and it's about the time I have to eat my supper because it's already cold and shouldn't be tasty anymore. Also it's not good to eat and sleep so soon as it will bloat up my stomach. In term of food wise, the tau foo is good (I'm sure it will be very nice while still hot) but the burger just so so only. I will not buy the burger again because the portion is a bit small and expensive, S$3 per pcs. I would rather buy noodle to eat.

If it's still hot and chilli is thicker, it will be very yummy!

Presentation is failed, small portion and expensive. Once for all ...

OMG! My post was missing!

I remembered I saved and posted for today 17-Jan-2011 but somehow it was gone! Did I forgot to save/publish? Blogspot issue? or I never write at all?! No, I can clearly remember I purposely stay late after I iron my clothes then blog before I sleep. Man, I hate this and my first time I have to re-write! If I can remember clearly, this is how it was (and being simplified cause as I just hate to recall and redo the same old thing) ...

As expected, the train was late and it only reach JB around 6:40am when it normally arrive at 6am. After the immigration checkpoint, the train departed around 8:10am and arrived at Tg Pagar around 9:10am. I already knew that I will be late for the kick off meeting as it begin at 8:30am. After adventuring around with my iPhone GoogleMap, I manage to arrive in 15 mins, not bad for first timer ;)

About 11am, the common session seems completed 1 hour before the planned timing. Since I'm not invited for lunch and piles of work awaiting for me at office, so I've decided to go back to office first ... also to join my lunch buddy as I feel more happy and relax to join them rather than those formal and serious lunch with the affiliates and project team. Somehow, they wanted to go BKT again but knowing today is Monday (no pork in market), so we ate at few stores away which is the Tiong Bahru Boneless Chicken Rice. I've tried here before and I forgot their food isn't that nice especially the curry fried pork, which I ordered again. Wasted money and I have to cross over to Central to buy the raisin & cheese bun as I don't really enjoy the food and stomach half full.

Food all over the table, including 'tah pau' ;)

Once back from lunch, my engine started and floored the pedal to the maximum. Clear 200+ emails and settle some high priority tickets and as well as answering and attending those non-serious-and-cumbersome-little-requests among the business and process teams. Also 5pm have to do daily status updates and resume work after that.

About 7:30pm, my brain started to slow down and kinda brain jammed. Since still some work remain, I've to force myself, crawling to it and complete it. About 7:50pm, my brain really can't work much and I've decided to call it the day. Luckily today's 8:30pm were cancelled so I can still relax and go home slowly. Once I got out from MRT, I really have no clue what to eat so ended up with KFC and Old Chang Kee again. Seems easy, tasty and filling dinner. I guess I've started to gain weight by now :p

After bought the dinner and walk home, I was so surprise to see the normally quiet and lonely pedestrian path has turned into fun fair with pasar malam. It was so happening that people walking around to buy food (they even have HK style Smelly Tau Foo) and kids enjoying at the fun fair section. Felt regret as I should have bought those new and more varieties food rather than my usual one. Sigh, better leave it for tomorrow.

Once home, it seems the home broadband got problem ... it's connected but no Internet connectivity. Tried for almost an hour but still fail so end up I use my own USB stick. A bit slow but still can use and I need to Skype with my kids. By the time I got into Skype, my son already slept. Was told his school started to end at 3:15pm (no more 12:50pm) and maybe still not getting used to it. But anyway, I still manage to chat with Shireen and Violet. About 20 mins later, I really need to eat as I'm soooo hungry and watch PPS as entertainment. So simple but really satisfying.

After the dinner and shower, it's time to iron clothes because I don't have any shirt to wear anymore. Like usual, it take me about an hour to iron 6 shirts and was ironically tired. Wanted to sleep but better blog it otherwise it will keep snow balling. That's why I'm so sure I've blogged this but no clue how it was missing ... better luck next time :(

I hate Sunday! It's a sad and crying day ...

It was so nice to have your loved one sleeping next to you, rather alone in SG. I missed the feeling when I can see Kai Meng once I woke up and play with him at the bed. We would try to impersonate each other, tickle around, act in some cartoon sense or even rush out to living room to compete for PS3 joystick ;)

As today I need to do some CNY shopping and brunch with dad, so we have to leave home by 10am. Firstly went to Giant to grab water and milk for Kai Meng then to Tai Thung near Leisure for brunch. After that went to Lot 10 for clothing shopping for dad, kids and myself. Bought 2 shirts with 50% and only cost around RM120. Will use it for CNY then convert it to my office wear. about 3:30pm, we have to leave as I still need to visit my mom and grandma. Will pass them some money for CNY. I really have to think twice on this because if I give them less, they might not enough. If I give them too much then they might think I'm doing very well and start to borrow money from me.

No matter what, just do what I think I should do and I will be defensive if they started to take advantage out of me. Reach home about 4pm and bought McD for lunch. We're a bit hungry and I'm sure my kids will love it. Also I won't be back next week so I really appreciate and treasure every moment with them. After the meal, I finally can grab some nap and woke up around 6pm.

Have to quickly pack up and shower Kai Meng otherwise I will be late to KL Sentral. During this period, I tried to talk and motivate him be strong and don't cry as I need to earn money for him and our family and he's grown up now. Once I sent them to Pudu, I can sense something wrong with him because he was quiet, tired and no mood to talk with anyone. When I leave, I bid him goodbye and joke with him (he looks ok by then).

Once I got into the car, I saw his shadow at window and waving at me. I quickly stop, winding down my window and bid him again. I heard him too but tone is alike crying. I know the same thing hit us again and I quickly call the mother once I reached. She confirmed he cried and look at the photos I took with him. The best thing was he saw and collected my hair and tell sister that he will keep and pack it up!!! OMG, so tough to know this. This also recall me that I also did the same when I was small and I have the same dilemma when my mom going back to work at Sabah. Can't imagine this thing will happen to my children but at least I always in contact with them, Skype everyday and back to KL on every weekend.

He even asked the mother not to tell me that he cried and my level of sadness and pain raised to the top. I don't know how to react but force to keep myself moving forward.

When I look at him thru Skype, he used his spiderman jacket to cover his eyes and his tone still a bit crying. He told me to play facebook games with him and asked me to online once I reach KL Sentral, which I agreed and pretend not knowing him crying. As I was very late too, I quickly end the call and prepared myself to KL Sentral as it's almost 10pm.

By the time I reached KL Sentral, it's already 10:30pm and when I call the mother, he already slept not long after the Skype session. I feel disappointed but relief at the same time at least he's ok now and can rest early because he will school tomorrow. On the other hand, I'm still puzzle and don't know how to tell him that I won't be back next week because he counted the days with me when I shower him earlier. Scared that he will become very depress and sad. I hope he will be ok and take it as another normal day for me in SG.

It's 11pm now and train still not arrive. Don't know which kiasu and stupid culprit walk down to the lane when the train still not yet arrive. F*ck up with those fella. It's smokey and smelly here, not to mention that I need to stand. Luckily I stood right under a big fan and it's windy. So it's not too bad but afraid will be smelly after that because the air below is smokey and the wind blow at me directly. Hopefully the train will come soon :(

About 11:23pm, announcement were made and mentioning the train will depart at 11:25pm but it's already 11:30pm and I can't even see the shadow of the train. WTF, I was hoping it will be early today as tomorrow I need to attend kick off meeting at 8:30am. Seems mission impossible now and it will look awful to reach hotel very late with luggage and CNY cookies. Sigh, wish me luck man ...

First Tae Kwan Do day for Kai Meng

When I was sleeping so sweet in the train, I was sudden awake by KTM announcement that we're now reaching Seremban station. As usual, I will check the time and to my surprised, it's about 5am and we were to much time ahead (normally reaching Seremban at 6am). So better optimise the sleeping time that I have remaining which is about an hour later.

Another announcement came and it's Kajang station. I know the train will reach KL Sentral in 30 mins and so I prepare to wake up, lazy around and pack up my stuffs. About 6:30am, the train finally arrived and this is the earliest train that I've ever take since my Day #1 at SG. Since the taxi counter not open yet, so have to grab some seat and book the taxi ticket once open at 7am. Along the way home was cozy and cloudy ... smooth traffic :)

Once I reached home, quickly shower then rush to Kai Meng's school because today was his first Tae Kwan Do day. Heard from the mom that initially he don't seems interested and wanted to give up but after some warm up and explanation from instructor, he tried and later pretty much enjoy the session which take only 1 hour. As for me, I can already hear his laughter when I was still walking in from the main entrance. I can already judge the level of his interest toward this martial art ;) So after the class, I simple hint and ask him about Tae Kwan Do and he said pretty enjoy and will come back for following session.

Due to next Saturday is a CNY replacement school for kids, so the Tae Kwan Do class will postpone to following week but unfortunately, I will not return to KL next week for the first time ever since I arrived in SG. I have teambuilding with my team for 4D3N and will have to burn my ticket for that particular weekend. I was thinking to give away to someone interested to visit KL next week but seems no one because everyone is busy about the testing ITRD4 which will end on mid Feb 2011.

After his class, I helped Shireen to deliver CNY cookies to Jln Raja Chulan and PJ City. Since I'm traveling to these area so I've decided to go for SS/3 Pork Noodle after Jln Raja Chulan then to PJ City. I've been craving for this nice pork noodle since I left and couldn't find any or close to this. During the brunch, there were so many people and we had to wait for few minutes for available table. Normal lah for the places with good food, this is human :P

Once everything done, have to go Leisure Mall for my own hair cut and buy printed label for both Hor Yan and Kai Meng since all school books/stationaries/etc can easily marked your name using all that. After that, we went for herbal tea and turtle jelly to reduce the body heat at the cost of RM17.30 (not cheap). About 2:45pm, we have to go home to settle down and rest because we will need to go out again around 4:20pm to fetch Violet from school. Really wanted to take some rest but Kai Meng insist me to company him to play games. When I can really sleep, it's already 4:20pm and need to fetch Violet, sigh ...

After fetch Violet, have to send them to Pudu to pack up then home because I need to rush for my friend's wedding dinner and someone will fetch me at 6:15pm. Before I go out for dinner, I had a maggi as backup because KL trend is getting very late nowadays, at least 8:30pm. As expected, the real wedding dinner started at 9:15pm and this is the worst that I had so far. Apart of late, my table only have 4 person and we have to eat 10 person portion. Sounds good but not cool. I started to slow down on the 3rd dish :(

About 11:30pm, they just serve dessert but I already ask my friends to leave to avoid jam and it's too late. I'm sure my son would either complaint or sleep by the time I got home. Wasted few hours but at least can mingle and reunion with some old friends. Before went to bed, took another shower due to the smoke and alcohol smell then fix up my screen protector. It looks very cool and worth for the investment. The step were easy too ;)

Getting ready, clean the screen before the process start

Unpacking the 'tools' and stick the holder around the LCD frame

Sliding in the screen protector with support from the stick done at earlier step

You can see the effect between filtered and unfiltered

Fully in, doesn't impact much of the quality from front view

Can't see anything from the right

And left either ... done!

What!!? I just late by 5 mins!

When I walk to MRT this morning, the paved road finally released after 2 weeks of development. It feel so nice compare to the past soiled, soggy and rocky path. Not sure how long this was being plan but this is a good initiative by their local authority. If this is at KL, I don't think it will come in years unless government need to do something for the general election, sorry to say that.

Neat and straight

My feet was here :)

I purposely maintain the early hour to reach office in hope to leave office on the dot but it never come true. At times when I've no intention to go early, somehow it would be an easy and relax day for me. Sigh, maybe I should do more reverse physicology things.

My plan for today after work is movie at 7:40pm then quick dinner and rush to train station. I reach Vivo at 7:10pm and when I reach GV, it's very long Q for Internet booking. When come to my turn, the cashier said I was late by 5 mins and my seat was released. Booking via iPhone app will need to collect the ticket 30 mins in advance but I was in the long Q and just late by 5 mins! I tried to explain but they can only book as fresh order and I was put in 3rd row from front!! WTF, why do I need that and I went off with disappointment.

Since I've so many hours before boarding the train, so decided to go for long dinner. So went to food court and try out their mini streamboat at S$5.30. Not pricey and it taste good. The fish literally boneless and the fire was very strong when I take it to my table. If I'm late by 5 seconds, I would have drop it as the smoke irritated my eyes and I can hardly breath due to the smoke blowing towards my nose. It's a filling dinner.

Can you see the flame

After the dinner, still another 1.5 hours so went to window shopping. So happen I passby Challenger and found privacy filter for my netbook. I've been looking for this for sometime because some vendors rather to keep common model like 14" or 15" but mine is 10.1". So it's kinda odd. Bought it at S$52.90 as I'm a member. Non member is S$59.90. Will stick it up tomorrow ... aftter I 'shower' my netbook ;)

After the shopping, still another 40 mins so I've no choice but to visit Toastbox for some tea break. Also I miss their eggs too :) Set like this only cost me S$4.50 where it include a coffee/tea, bun/toast and 2 half boil eggs. About 9:40pm, I went to train station and just like the other normal day, just took me 10 mins to reach Tg Pagar. I've boarded the train now and will Skype with my kids for a while then proceed to Woodlands. Can't wait to go home :)

Day 2 of ITRD4

It seems I only get 5 hours sleep and kinda tired. One thing funny was, I first woke up at 7:15am and off the alarm. Wanted to lazy around but fell asleep without noticing it. Then I had quick dream which I can't really recall and when the dream finished, the 2nd alarm triggered at 7:30am. Therefore, I had a full dream which take only 15 mins? Cool ;)

No matter how, still need to go office a bit early today as I've some bad feelings that it will be another tough day. Manage to reach office around 8:35am and before I can make myself breakfast, issues start coming in. After started work for a while, really hungry and can't focus much on work so quickly make oat for myself. Before I can eat it, people start intercepting me ... sigh

Without realizing much, it's already 12:30pm and Jason already asking for lunch. He is craving for BKT since last week and wanted to go there today. I feel hesitated because I'm really in rush but since I've promised him, so have to company him :( After lunch, he still want go to buy the raisin cheese bun but I need to make a move first as I still need to rush work. Anyhow, I did asked him to buy one for me as I like it too ;)

Once back to office, work seems flooding me and time pass very fast. When I thought it's about 5pm but it was already 7pm. So have to leave otherwise I will have problem to eat dinner and attend 8:30pm call. Where to? NEX again lor since on the way and their food still fresh to me.

When I was walking home, I realised that Skype for iPhone has new update and brought some enhancement to it. It's now truly support video conferencing just like you do it via desktop. It make use of the front camera to web chat with your caller. Performance is moderate and acceptable ;)

ITRD4 Finally started !!!

It's finally Integration Testing Round #4 and this round I'm going to handle alone. Once woke up this morning, I sensed something not right but without think anything beyond this, I've decided to leave home early and try to reach office earlier.

In my heart, was thinking will the same user profiles were messed up like earlier round but this round seems ok. Not to happen too soon because this morning, the testing server was extremely slow and quite a number of testers/process team/end users simply change the password without cascading to the team. If another test ask to reset password for the same ID, that person will change to something else but this is not right. They have been doing these for few rounds and we already have define 2 standard password where User Type A will use test4!gr and Type B will use Hedg@456. In addition, some testing IDs password were totally different. While it's still early, I quickly ran a script to reset all ID to the default one. Luckily with scripts otherwise I will need to do it manually until evening :(

Because of stupid, confusing and like to make noise users, first half of my morning were just fixing the user passwords issue and the second half was to clear my emails and attending the team for authorization issues, defects and some enquiry. Even lunch time also just took 15 mins in order to buy more time for my first day testing.

By the time I finished the urgent ones, it's already 7+pm and I better go grab dinner before my 8:30pm kick in. Also went to buy some groceries and went for dinner at NEX as well. This time, I tried their fried fish meehoon with milk. It's not bad and selling at S$4.30. After the dinner, went down with colleagues to yougurt shop to try out their new flavour mango. The store concept is similar when you buy Slurpee at 7-11. You will take the yogurt ice cream at your desire amount and once you're done, just send to the cashier to weight and pay accordingly. For 205gm, I need to pay S$6.20 ... not cheap eh? What ever it is, just go home after that to Skype with family and prepare for the Day 2 ITRD4. Wish me luck mate!

Fish soup noodle

Rabbit shape grass

Rabbit is trying to steal my yogurt!