Two.:.Four.:.Six

It's been very much about work this year. I've clocked in more hours than I ever had, had several firsts and accomplished a lot more. To be honest, I think this is the best year since I joined 3 years ago. And I'm going to take a walk down memory lane now :) January Our first marketing retreat and my first trip to Penang.  The Chendul was superb! February Went for an interview at HBO but wasn't selected :( My first work trip to Hong Kong! After a 20 years hiatus, I finally returned. And again at the end of February with Mr. Grumpy and the Yaps. Spent four days in HK, met HS for dinner & shopping on the first night and she was off for her charity work. Returned again end Feb. At Sai Kung for JH's birthday celebration. It was also then that I had my first mini bus ride. March Second visit to the Philippines and who would have thought it would become my most frequent country in the months to come? First work trip to Jakarta. Went with an open min...

That I don't blog as much this year. And I've friends who stopped just like that one fine day. How can you just stop writing? I know, it's easy to give up because one's too busy, there's nothing interesting to write about, there's facebook, twitter, yadah yadah... and as much as I, too use the above as excuses, I still enjoy blogging. Not for others but purely an interest to pen down my thoughts. I look at all my entries once in a while and I can still remember those moments that made me cry real hard and laugh to my fullest; while some made me smile at my silliness. I see myself grow over the years through this little virtual space of mine and to the few who are still following, thank you.

Water and electricity were up yesterday and hacking of the kitchen wall starts today. The floors and main door were covered up, toilet bowls and sinks removed and it looks all ready for the renovation! After loitering at the empty new place for an hour or so, we cabbed down to Courts at Tampines for our mattress purchase. Cab fare was only $5+ - cheap thrill. Another hour spent on lunch at Ikea and 2hrs finding the 'perfect' mattress (perfection comes with a hefty price!), we were left with not much time for the last task of the day. So instead of finding the lightings, I suggested to eat. Off we went to Chinatown's popular Korean restaurant, which Mr. Grumpy didn't really like. But along the way, I confirmed the traveling time to work for me is only 25mins - another cheap thrill. Until Old School is gone that is. I guess it's just my luck - I've never stayed at anywhere near office. Anyway as we stepped out of the restaurant, we saw a man running across...

For the past 3 Christmases, I've not been at work. The first to prepare for our solemnisation. The second the wedding. The third because I had to clear my leave. While I thought this year would be different and I was starting to get a little depressed with so much work on hand and people saying their greetings on their last day of work in 2011, I was told I have to clear 4 days of leave by next week! It's partly my fault for not keeping track but I'm pretty sure the admin side made some mistakes along the way too. So here I am, on my 'holiday', totally unprepared. But I'm glad I managed to utter see you next year after all. I guess the difference would be while the past years I was busy preparing for happy personal events, this year would be including lots of work. Work + house reno = no joke. So I kowtow to those who made it for work + wedding + honeymoon + house reno. I'm counting down to the events at work and of course to the completion of o...

It started to pour when we left for Plaza Sing to check out the sound systems. We waited more than half an hour for a cab. We couldn't take the train because we weren't sure if it's working plus we were running a little late. We had to skip Plaza Sing because we would be late for the free movie sponsored by Mr. Grumpy's company - Mission Impossible 4 which btw, is good!. We took another half an hour or so to reach Lido, stuck in traffic with Sultan of Johor along the way. He was in the Range Rover and we joked that perhaps he was rushing to the movie too since it was organised by them. We had to alight about 100m from Lido because the queue in was horrible. The taxi uncle was apologetic but kept saying that it's better to walk since it had stopped raining. After talking just a few metres, it poured! And we ran. I don't run. But I had no choice. And so we reached Lido more than an hour later, unglam with the 'wet look'. Luckily the movie was g...

Until yesterday that is. Most people are going on leave and we are stuck with loads of work. It's my choice to not go on leave but the amount of work is just depressing. Where is the finishing line? It's near but getting there is just.... It's 'we' day today and work day tomorrow and the weeks that follow. What festive season? I want more 24hrs!

You know it's that time of the year when you sit down and look at what happened in the past year. Ok, maybe you don't. I do and I was trying to think hard... What have I done? Feels like a lot yet not much. Oh well, when it's time for that post, I guess everything will come back. Going to sign the contract with ID later and finally going back to check for defects. Have a good weekend :)

27 November 2011 was a beautiful day with overflowing love. The love from the couple to each other, from their parents', family and friends. Even those miles away and those who are no longer with us. Tear ducts were put to the tests (and failed of course). Question of who's next was especially painful. But all in all, it was a beautiful wedding. You will have a blissful marriage :) Was in love with the $55 make up & hairdo! Anita (her shop's at Dhoby Ghaut Exchange) is a genius. My eyes have never been that big and I woke up this morning with much disappointment that I'm back to reality. But at least I know it's true that make up does wonder. So thank god we, the not blessed with natural beauty ladies, can still be blessed in one way or another. Love the dress & earrings bought on the wedding's eve too - yes, I'm still that last minute person or in Mr. Grumpy's words, fickle-minded - and not forgetting those shoes bought in HK. I thi...

My younger-than-me-by-3-days dearest cousin is getting married tomorrow! Am so happy for her and them. Now, I just need to brush up on my Mandarin and not screw up at their dinner tomorrow. Quite a number of last minute errands to run today.... Have a good weekend everyone.

Another year has passed. No one knows what the years ahead will be but I'm thankful for the support given so far.

I should be in Naga (an island in Philippines) for an event now. I'm so glad I'm not. Especially when I saw them complaining on FB, calls & sms that it's no fun there. One more work trip in Dec and I'm done for 2011! Never have I been this thankful to NOT travel, ha.

After a 20 years hiatus, I returned to Hong Kong for the third time this year. Four days were packed with activities and as much as it was tiring, especially for me since I just came back from Seoul and work is as usual, rather crazy; I think we have enjoyed myself much! We have conquered quite a bit for a four days trip. Day 1 - lunch/apple store at IFC/The Peak Day 2 - Avenue of Stars/Macau Day 3 - Big Buddha/Shopping at Tsuen Wan & Kwai Fong/Dinner at Mongkok/Late night shopping & supprt at Mongkok (again) with HS Day 4 - Dim sum breakfast/heart attack/home sweet home  Taking the mini bus. My second, their first.  At the Peak.  At Macau which we didn't enjoy much. Don't mean to brag but you'll know what I mean if you've been to Venice.  Crazy girl dragged me to Mongkok for shopping at 10plus! Can you imagine? Mall closes at 12mn on a Saturday - me like it. But I wasn't feeling well and was dragged to Tsui Wah instead. Ended the n...

Last year this time, we were having our honeymoon in Europe and I've not stopped missing the places we went ever since :( This October, we went to somewhere nearer - Seoul. Took the Cathay offer and in the 2hrs transit in Hong Kong, we couldn't not eat the food. Although we have had dinner during the flight and it was almost 11pm, nothing could stop us. 2hrs transit is easy peasy, especially in an airport that has much to eat and see. After embarking on another 3hrs plus journey, we reached Seoul at 545am their time (they are 1hr ahead of us). Bus 6015 that would take us to Ibis Myeong Dong's doorstep. First bus only arrived at 6am and it took us about an hour to reach. I was snoozing in the bus after not sleeping much in the plane. Pro of arriving early - maximise time spent in the country Con - hotel room is almost never available Got a shock when they told me our room would only be ready at 2pm! I wasn't dressed for the weather, not made up and...