Working Birthday !!!

Luckily my phone alarm trigger at 7:30am otherwise I would be overslept. I quickly went for shower and refresh myself. About 8am, I quickly bid them and went straight to office. It's not easy for me because I have to walk quite a bit to reach Promenade then transit in Dhoby Ghaut then alight at Clarke Quay, which may take half an hour or more.

So I reached office around 8:45am and seems earlier than usual but I'm quite sweating. Once I reach my cubicle, I saw there's a small gift at my laptop and it was from Jason, my neighbour. His sister gave birthday yesterday and gave our colleagues some candies. Look nice but I know it will be taken by my family soon. So attach here for remembrance ;)

Today is my actual birthday and also another working day for me. Sigh, I miss those days in KL whereby I can take leave on this very day. I promised myself that I will leave on the dot today and treat myself better, hopefully ;) I will visit the new shopping mall , NEX, at Serangoon MRT and I was told it was much bigger than VivoCity and they have cinema too. First thing strike my mind that this will be my new hang out place because it's along my journey home and just above the MRT station (no need to walk) and with cinema too ;)

While I was clearing my emails, I saw someone from Garfield sent me an email and I thought it could be a spam email so I've dump it but not long after, I saw another one and this round with subject "Happy Birthday Kelvin". So I went in to check and it's from my son. When I click the link, it's actually an e-card. Right after that, I dig up my thrash to recover the earlier email and it was from Violet. Phew, luckily I didn't empty it. This is how they look like (I mean the e-card) :-

Also my iPhone keep chiming because new message turn up about a while and it's all birthday wishes. Though I've to celebrate my lonely and cold birthday in SG but with all these care and wishes, it will never be the same. Thank you all for this ... especially I'm not in town.

As usual, my lunch set off at 12pm and plan to get something different, not rice but something soupy and have 2 colleagues join me for early lunch. Not too bad because I don't have to go lunch alone and I've chosen to eat Korean Ramen at S$3.50. Wanted to get other noodles but long queue :p

After lunch, went back to office and doesn't have much mood to work because most of them were pending from US and they were closed for few days, most of the staffs in office were on leave and some were chit chatting. So what I did was work a bit then chat a while then continue to work. I guess this week is real lose for me and how nice if my family can visit me this week instead of last week.

Once the clock strike at 6pm, as usual, pack up and leave office. In fact, I'm consider the last batch to leave office because some of them were already left since 5+pm. Next stop, NEX - new mega mall just above Serangoon MRT station. When I arrive at Serangoon MRT, I couldn't locate the exit to the mall so have to ask the MRT staff. I was told go via Exit B and when I got up, another challenge as I can't see where's the mall. Luckily I use my instinct and follow the path with most people, which is to the left.

When I turn and it's actually just beside the MRT entrance. From the main entrance, it doesn't look big to me but once you're in, it was so big and the design is a bit weirdo ... which so many path can lead you every corner of the mall. It was huge because they have FairPrice Xtra, KTV, Shaw Theatre, arcade/amusement parks/branded stores and more to count. One of them is The Ship Restaurant and I was so happy because I couldn't see one in SG and this is the first one. I asked the waiter at the main door if there's another branch and he said there are 2 branch, in NEX and another one in Shaw @ Orchard. Overall of NEX, I think it's almost as big as VivoCity.

First thing was to book the ticket and the next show in 7:20pm so just like before, have the movie then dinner. This round, I also got myself another 3D movie and this movie is talking about a mail man went into Bermuda Triangle and got trap into a mini world. Quite fun and I always like to watch the main actor in comedy movie.

I'm waiting ...

I'm seating C-8 in NEX 8 hall, lucky eh?

The 3D glass

Is there any 3D which isn't real?

After the movie, it's time to reward myself and guess what to eat? The Ship of course ... I already hinted earlier ;) When I walk into the restaurant, to my disappointment it's nothing like in KL. No decorative with ship design and it look a bit fake. Even their menu look like pirated version but their price tag isn't cheap either. No wonder it's not pack like in KL.

The Menu - still ok la

Once flipped, white paper with black font - it's almost the same value in KL but in SGD

Even entrees also not cheap

Garlic bread - nothing like KL The Ship

Where's my cheesy gravy? So different here :(

Grill Ikan Kurau - so so only

Food overall is just so so and it's not worth it to dine here, to me ... After the dinner, went straight home to have a good shower (I never shower for a day) and settle down myself. Tomorrow still need to wake up early and pack up to return KL. Coincidence, I manage to took this snapshot ... did you notice anything special?

Last but not least, it's time for me to open up my birthday card from Kai Meng which I've received 2 weeks ago. According to his mom, he actually ask her to borrow money to buy me this card. Although there's some mistakes and simple drawing but I can feel the sincere and love :')

Guo Dong !?!?

Yep, today shall be a special and meaningful day for Chinese. This is the biggest festival for Chinese community, yes, it's more important than Chinese New Year. This is the day all family members gather and have a round table dinner, bid the winter and welcome the spring. Apart of normal dishes, they will also prepare "tong yuen" as dessert but I'm not a big fan for it ;)

Luckily I've early celebrated with my in law last Saturday so I don't feel that bad. Lately, more Chinese people rather to buy those ready made rather than make it from scratch. Maybe they were too busy and need more time to spend with family. Kinda lost the culture but at least they still try to maintain it.

Today office is very quiet ... indeed. Those training rooms normally filled with people and now, all of them were empty. Most cubicle were empty and everyone seems in holiday mood. Today will have team lunch at Ellenborough Market Cafe in Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel. Sounds cool and hope it will be a good food place. This is in conjunction of Christmas cum Year End lunch. Later tonight, I will meet up my ex-colleague from KL. They are here to visit SG as vacation and they will be staying at Marina Bay Sands Hotel. I've been long to visit this place and this time I have a reason to go there ;) I've prepared my camera and hopefully I can grab some nice pix and post it in FB. I heard it's not cheap and cost almost S$300 per night. If they don't bring GF, I will visit their room :P

Not long after, the head of GIS actually made a cake for our team and plan to share today but most of us suggested tomorrow because we will have a heavy lunch later. It's a fruit cake, look simple but I can feel the white Christmas mood.

Those beads are edible but not the flower ;)

The owner of the cake

About 12:30pm, all our team depart to the hotel for lunch buffet. We had 2 tables and as usual, I picked the table without bosses ;) Food there is ok and varieties also quite a lot. I took some pictures and can't upload here otherwise it will filled with pictures. So what I did was uploaded to FB and share with friends.

Today work seems ok, not too much so I manage to leave office around 6:15pm. As my appointment with them was 6:45pm, so I really need to rush as this is my first trip there and I need to take MRT and walk there too. I took the MRT from Clarke Quay then transit at Dhoby Ghaut then proceed to Circular Line for Promenade (dunno why the MRT operator pronounce this as Pro-men-nard).

After alight at Prome'nard', checked the map and I need to walk there and it should take about 15 mins. OMG, so far but it's ok because the view along the journey was good. I pass thru a mall (Marina Walk I guess) and saw they have a tower of instant noodles, cool.

I wonder how many cups in there

Some people said the top is like a boat but it look like a banana to me :p

And when I'm near Marina Bay Sands, I can't help myself and took a picture of it. I know it's not good with my phone camera but it was too troublesome to take out my dSLR. Because most of us were hungry so we went to opposite mall (with Casino in there) for dinner. As they don't have much choice, so we chosen Mozza - Italian pizza restaurant.

It look so expensive and front desk with 2 foreign ladies and computer as well. OMG, so high tech? It seems they have 2 section, one for fine dining and another for casual meal. Of course we pick the casual with a whole bunch of guys. We ordered few dishes and share and of course the pizza is a must. One feel bad about this restaurant was they expect everyone to read Italian because I can't understand anything from their menu! The only help we have was the waiter cum translator.

This is the casual area

Even table cover also with their message

What's in the envelope? It's the cutlery ;)

I can't recall the Italian name but it's good, with sliced cheese in there

The 20" meat ball pizza, look hideous but taste real good, not cheap too :p

After the dinner, we went straight to the roof top for some quick view and of course I took some pictures. Luckily I've hotel guess with me otherwise I would need to pay S$25 to get in there. At that time, I was thinking to myself, if I were to bring my family there then it will cost me S$25 x 4 = S$100. If I pay additional S$200, then I can enjoy a full day there with all facilities cum breakfast. So this will be more worth it right? Anyhow for some new and romantic couple who wish to see the view and windy environment, it's ok to pay S$50 too :P

After chatting with them for quite some time, I have to went into their room for my 8:30pm TC ... again! Also it took longer than usual so I only finished around 9:15pm. As soon as it ended, I went up to join them back and this time they started to order alcohol and first thing strike my mind is "Sh*t". They are a bunch a kaki botol and back to those days, we even go to nearby kopitiam for dozen of beers as 'refreshment'.

About 11+pm, I told them that I need to make a move otherwise I would miss the last train but they insist to grab some juices at their room and rest a bit before leave. Once we got in the room, they bring out whisky!!! OMG, I kena con already and they continue to drink and offer me a sofa if I were to stay back. Initially I thought just layan them then cabut but they purposely have few rounds of bottoms up.

Maybe I didn't drink for long so I was a bit drunk so no choice but to stay there overnight but before I can get some sleep, they have to finish the bottle first! I think after an hour, I can't take it and went to doze ...

Room key

It's only used one and not recyclable

Headache day ...

Last night, I had about 7 hours rest and I believe it's more than what I usually needed. But once I reached office not long after, I felt a bit dizzy and my head started to get heavy ... heavier by every minute. Shit, what's wrong with me? I'm not fever or not getting enough sleep but why? Could it be I'm too heaty with those fried/chilli food I had? No clue and have to struggle for the day.

After some moment, I must rest a while and do some stretching in order to keep in pace. How am I going to survive for another 6 hours? Be tough, be strong ... no matter what, better have some Vitamin C as precaution.

Hope it help ...

Work is getting slower by now and office seems getting colder but I still need to struggle for another 2 hours. I wonder why this happen because this normally come when I don't get enough sleep. Another thing that I can suspect is the bluetooth headset. I started to use it since last week and not sure if the signal generated by the BT disturb my brain or because of the food intake.

For observation, I will continue my normal diet and avoid to use that headset to see if this improve. Anyhow, I shouldn't have use it too much ... maybe once a while.

It's finally 6:15pm and without much word, I left office like a rocket and went straight home. Feels good to get out from MRT because it's still day light and I quickly went to buy my dinner ... chicken rice but this time tah pau. I'm surprised that they don't charge extra 20 cents for take away so it remain S$2.50 per plate/pack ;)

Guess what?

Look so so only la ... but it's cheap

Why are you staring at my food?! It's mine ok!

The moon! My entertainment while having dinner

Taste wise just so so and chicken portion is small but I also bought some snack just in case I get hungry later. Luckily I didn't buy Despicable me DVD last week as it was so expensive (S$28) and now I can find it in PPS with good quality. So I will have it as my side dish.

After the 8:30pm TC, I quickly went for a nap and rest because the pain still bugging me. About 10+pm, I woke up and lazy around on bed. Flipping thru the old photos when my kids still small. My head seems better and I went Skype with my kids and showing them the photos which they have a good laugh.

Before I sleep, I went to look at my early birthday present from my son 2 weeks ago and I've been keeping it since now. Will open it in 2 days time (I heard he made something out of clay today and will pass me when I'm back this week) ;)

Invaluable gift I would say ...

Going to office from home, not Tg Pagar ;)

Well, it feels good to have good rest on Sun night and go to office on Monday straight from home. I know Monday normally blue but at least not as sleepy as those Mondays where I came straight from Tg Pagar. The only thing is I've to cut short my quality time with family :(

While clearing my emails at morning, my homesick feelings strike me again. Checked FB and Skype and hope they were there but just disappointment. Luckily was emailing with Shireen to know more about the kids but not for long, she has to continue her work because she was on leave for the last whole week. During lunch time, wanted to take vegetarian rice but seems long queue and I believe it must be either 1st of 15th of lunar calendar. So went to have mixed rice instead and slowly review the photos taken last week via my iP4. Think a lot of things like recalling what we did last week today, where to meet, chat thru Skype, etc.

Suddenly, I saw Violet's Skype finally online and quickly have some chat with her. Surprisingly, my mom called her this morning saying today is her lunar birthday and said will pass by Pudu to pass her the angpow and some presents from my siblings. She seems financially is better now and she even went out shopping with friends. Hopefully she can at least maintain what she has now otherwise my burden will come back.

Since today not so busy, I've left office around 6:30pm and plan to have dinner at Hougang then attend TC at home. Again, my mood swing come again and my brain keep thinking last Monday, I went to meet up with them at VivoCity and enjoy our dinner there but today, approximately 7 days later, I have to go home alone and no where to go. When walking back home from MRT, keep think the way we used, the things we did or chat along the way, the spot where Kai Meng got scared by cat, waiting for the key from Shireen in the lift and the way how Violet lazy in the room.

As the meeting time is near, better cut and eat the jambu merah I bought last night and shower. After the TC, and some short movie, I started to chat with my kids and Skype with them because their mom went for dinner with her buddies. During the Skype session, we chat a lot, tease, joke and even play games together. Without realizing it, the video call lasted for 1:07:50 hours and seems the longest so far. Before I wanted to offline, Shireen is back and brought back the Lego that I asked her to buy from her friend because we can get 20% discount off the shelf price.

This will be Violet's birthday present but Kai Meng seems jealous and cried. Kids ... To solve this, I've told him that this is sister birthday and I will buy present for him, just like last month when I bought him his birthday gift. I told him that when I'm back next week, I will get him his favourite Kamen Rider arm weapon :(

There goes my money and really can't wait to reach Friday as I will be having half day and taking bus back to KL at 2pm. How I wish Santa will get me a teleport door as Christmas present this year ;)

My First Aerolining Day

I was surprised to know that I woke up at 10am and I can't really remember when I did this years before. Maybe I'm just too tired and have a good sleep with them. Facebook, make light breakfast and watching movies with kids was my brunch because all of us were very lazy and wanted this moment for more. About 2:30pm, we have to go out for brunch and have to take taxi send them home then to Chorus Hotel, for my Aeroline back to SG. A bit nervous because this is my first experience too and hope no obstacles and difficulties for this trip.

After lunch at McD (can't enjoy the cheap value meal as it was over 3pm when I bought it), we went down to the bus stop for taxi. From far, I can see few taxis already in queue. The one I got was Indian driver, which I don't feel good because I was advised by another driver before never take Indian taxi if possible. Since it's broad day light and I've few members with me, so I take the chance.

That fella must be young driver as he drove like monkey, indeed. Drove like his father bought him the road. Even he know from far he should turn to left exit but still at right lane. Right before he went pass to the exit then he took immediate left turn. There was once not sure if he purposely but he fail to turn into the junction so went to another route. I sensed something not right and hope he did it because of the traffic jam. But approaching another junction, he should have U turn but seems waiting for the traffic light and took longer route which is popular for its bad traffic. Before he went pass the U turn, I quickly asked him to U turn and took another way.

Luckily I'm local and know all the turn and junction and pity for those foreigners. This is exactly how they rotten our name in the traveling industries. I do know not all were the same but 50% of my past experience weren't good. I hate to admit this because our taxi driver would have changed during recent years but ... speechless. For single ladies out there, try to avoid these drivers unless no choice. For additional safety, act to mark/remember their driving plate and pretend to call someone to let them know the taxi number you've boarded. Not 100% fool proof but it's better than nothing.

First stop was Pudu, to drop my family first. Once they got down, I wanted to bid them goodbye but that driver seems in rush and speed off. In order to avoid him to detour, I asked him to use Tun Razak toward Chorus Hotel. I don't even need him to U turn as I told him to drop me off right opposite of Chorus Hotel. The damage is RM17.40 but I gave him RM18 instead. While walking toward the hotel, I get to see some scenery such as the Quan Yin temple which I visited 20 years ago and now they have grow and renovated.

It used to be old and aged. It has some mural about hell too

Now 2nd challenge, where to board the bus. I've seen Aeroline buses drop/pick up customers at the taxi stop right in front of Chorus Hotel. So I thought I would just need to sit there and wait but somehow, something just make me walk to the hotel lobby to ask around. Luckily I did that because the bell boy told me I need to check in and the counter located at the left side of the hotel main entrance.

See the taxi/bus stop? That's the boarding area

Feel like checking in at the airport because they need your confirmation sleep and credit card for verification and the best thing is they have a complimentary tea/coffee. So you can just walk into the hotel's coffee place and redeem it. It feels like you're entitle for golden lounge at airport. Besides complimentary coffee/tea, they do sell some pastries with reasonable price. Now, I get to enjoy a tea, air-conditioned coffee house seat while waiting for the bus. See, you pay peanut, you get peanut ... I always believe this.

The coffee table ... hospitality table ;)

My boarding pass. Take a look at lower right corner

This is the coupon for redemption of complimentary tea

There it goes, in fact there is some smoke from the tea

Aeroline Hospitality Lounge (sub-rent from Chorus Hotel :p)

It doesn't look like check in counter, rather look like bell service counter

About 4:30pm, the bus has arrived and everyone started to park their luggage into the bus while I went to gents before that to avoid having too much pee during the journey. It was a double decker bus and all seatings are at upper deck. There was a small room with few sofas and small toilet at the lower deck. Cozy and nice. This round, I got 7A, a single window seating, spacious and aircond is just nice.

Here it come ...

Kiasu lang rushing for boarding (going for re-incarnation?)

Front view before I get in

The stair to upper deck, see that room right in front?

It's a 2 by 1 seating layout

They even have free electricity for your electronic devices

Free Sky Juice

You need to buckle up too, just like in air plane

Free rental of blanket

and headset for the in bus entertainment ... TV and Radio, no game :p

When it's driving off, they broadcast a slow sentimental music, which make my feelings become blue and down. My brain keep replaying the things and moments since last week. Also because I'm not driving and in day light, I get so see so many places along the way to highway like places I went with my family, places I've been and visited during school days, some relatives house that near highway. Keep thinking what they will do at this moment, what's their dinner later and imagine if I take train, I'm still enjoying the quality time with them. Sigh, I really hate this feelings ... not sure if you can really understand.

Back to the coach, it's space and cozy transport. At first, they really broadcast stuff that we heard in plane like who's the crew, trip duration and even fasten your seat belt for safety. After that, they deliver the blanket and headset for music and movie. Talk about movie, it's a bit disappointed because they only have 2 small TV (maybe 21"?). One in front and one at middle. The front look very small to me and the middle it right next to me. I can't see both clearly so I've decided to watch movie with my own laptop and write this blog ;)

About 30 mins later, they started to serve meal (or dinner) which is way too early for me. But anyhow I will still need to eat now and if I really hungry later, then I can eat dinner cum supper when I'm back to SG home. The dinner is very disappointing because it look like left over from lunch buffet to me. Cold white rice with some stir fried vege and tomato chicken. See the picture and it tell you how it taste.

Arm rest?

Cover can be open. See something?

The multipurpose board has emerged

There it goes ... ready for meal

The left overs ...

Hashbrown, baby corn, slice carrot and mushroom

It's chicken in thick gravy/soup. So tomato and tasteless

Shall I eat or not to eat? No choice it seems

All in one, simple and easy to eat (pig food?)

After the meal, I continue my blogging session then watch TV. I wonder what will happen few hours later when the bus reach Woodlands :S

About 7pm, when I was about to doze off, another announcement is out and this round we will be having 20 mins toilet break at Pagoh Rest Area. Initially I don't feel to go down but after some thought, better go down for some walk to relax and also offload some water ;) After coming out from toilet, went pass some fruit stall and their jambu merah really attracted me. Bought a pack of 7 at RM8 and plan to eat it tonight at room. After that, I also feel to grab some tid bit so ended up with a cashew nut @ RM2.60 and 100 plus @ RM2.20. I did some survey and all stalls seems have common agreement where all their price tag are the same. Hmm ... no good for consumer :(

The hawker center area, so stuffy and crowded

I thought R&R mean Rest & Relax for the past 33 years. Rupa-rupanya Rehat & Rawat?

At the same time, someone suddenly strike my mind ... how nice if I'm traveling with my family because I can stop at those rest area along the highway and had some snack/dinner with them. I wish I can really have a long weekend trip with them. Start drive in the morning, visit the cities along the route and a relax trip where we don't have to rush here and there. Sleep, eat, rest, visit some popular places and have movie. I think the earliest would be somewhere mid or end next year because Kai Meng finally in primary school and afraid he might not cope up with the education and Violet will be having her PMR ... sigh.When I return to the bus, it seems both driver and conductor were away too so better take a sit at roadside and call up the family (also took this photo) :-

When the bus continue its journey, I notice tonight is a bright full moon. Suddenly made me feel down as I will be apart with them for sometime. I really wonder if I can see them thru the moon especially during the coming "Guo Dong" and birthday? Anyway, I can really understand one of the Chinese poem which make me feel the moon was a webcam and thought/imagination is medium to deliver the message in the ancient time. This is how it goes :-

It suppose to be a nice view. If I ever have my dSLR at that time ...

床前明月光

chuang qian ming yue guang

(the moonlight before my bed)

疑是地上霜

yi shi di shang shuang

(leads me to believe it is frost upon the floor)

舉頭望明月

ju tou wang ming yue

(I lift my head to gaze at the moon)

低頭思故鄉

di tou si gu xiang

(but my thoughts are with my home)

About 8:50pm, my bus finally reach 2nd link MY immigration checkpoint. To my surprise, not much people there and the whole bus, I'm the only one using the automatic gantry for M'sian passport. Sh*t, am I spending too much for the bus? About 10 mins later, we continue our journey and entering SG immigration but the queue was too much. It was started way before the bridge that lead us to the immigration checkpoint (I can't even see that building) and I think to myself, "That's it, I will caught here for at least an hour". It seems my prediction is correct because I only reach Harbour Front around 11pm. After this experience, I feel by train isn't that bad because bus took 6.5 hours and train is about 8 hours but you can sleep in train and doesn't require to queue for immigration checkpoint which may take 15 - 60 mins.

See the buses? From far look like traffic light but IT'S NOT!

Crowd in 2nd Link (Causeway)

The bus is awaiting for us and I'm the third one to reach there ;)

Ok, I'm home now and it's clocked at 11:20pm. Once I opened the door, my wish to see my family there turn sour and feel very lonely and down. I imagine as if Kai Meng playing computer on my desk, Violet playing her computer at her spot and Shireen resting on the bed :'( Guess it will take a while for me to come over this. Hmm ... I better go shower and had instant noodle as dinner. After the supper and when I went to bed, again I imagine Violet and Kai Meng were beside me and this feelings really tough. Hopefully I can wake up early tomorrow :(