Office Move

No, your memory does not fail you.
Yes, you have read about an office move on my blog before.
Yes, it is happening again - soon. Apparently in Oct but till today an office space has not been found.

I told a friend I send an email to our "Can We Talk" - an annonymous venue for staff to voice out. It's not annonymous because HR reads it and if they share that email to the management team, how can you call it annonymous. This is not the first time I wrote to them via this channel anyways.

My friend laughed at me when she heard what I told her what I emailed. I don't know what is so amusing but I laughed along with her. She was funny being funny and it worked. I guess the reason why she laughed is because in my email to "Can We Talk" I listed down the following:

- the 2 venues that I suggested - one has lots of European offices and one American offices

- how robust each venue is - this includes upcoming projects and buildings and known brand moving to that area

- the additional costs that staff has to inquire - not a good time because of rising inflation and prices

And of course the part where she laughed out loud:

- the distance from the office space to an MRT station - to be exact about 500m-800m

But they are all good and valid reasons. So all one can do now is wait.

03-06-09

If everything remains at ceteris paribus, then come this date things will change on my end.
I've been thinking about it over the weekend - think hard. Plus I was reading a book called "Tuesdays with Morris" and there are a few things that I read made a lot of sense. I begin to question everything that I do professionally and I asked myself whether I am being selfish. I know I have admitted it before - where professional life is concerned but I also do feel guilty at times. I have been lucky because both parents have been very supportive of me and hubby.

It does not help either when I went to my regular religious class last night, the same issue was raised and the emphasize of having a balance is repeated. I have heard it before, I know it is right but why am I still stuck doing the same thing?

I've decided, come 03-06-09 I have to make one final decision - may be painful and scary but I will have to. Till then, I shall save as much moolah as possible.

Wait For Me!

Lil Adli is picking up lots of words lately.

Every morning, I would carry him up the stairs to the carpark. Sometimes he could climb up the stairs on his own. His father would be waiting for him at the car.

One of the mornings, he wanted Abah to climb up the stairs with him. So he said "Abah... Wait Or me! (as in Wait for me!)"... and this morning he said "Wait or Me! m coming!"

It was so cute but I could not laugh... in case he decides to not say it again :)

An Arrogant Guai Lo

I was introduced to a Guai Lo recently. He works in this industry, a Creative person and based in Malaysia. He came across as someone who likes the attention and super talkative. I never like talkative guys to begin with but I decided to chat this guy up - who knows, we could one day use his expertise, contacts and services should we have some business opportunities in Malaysia. He joined us for lunch. And our conversations went like this - he was seated in front of me...

Guai Lo: Ah, I get these kind of dishes in Malaysia... (he said to everyone at the table)

Me: but this one here is the best. You can't get the same anywhere in Malaysia

Guai Lo: of course you can, it's all Malay food. same

Me: No, they are not the same. This is from Padang.

Guai Lo: Ah, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, they are all the same. Malay. (all these while, he spoke arrogantly)

I decided to end the conversation because I was very close to saying "Are you saying that all Europeans are the same too? Dutch, German, Swiss?" I figured, I would have created a tense moment then... the best is to ignore such ignorant Guai Los and enjoy my food.

Barongan

The gamilan music was playing nicely in the background.
The dishes were served - everything looked really yummy.
The dessert table looked amazing, there were so many different kinds of kuehs, I saw my favorite putri salad.... told myself to leave some space in my tummy for that later.
I had my nasi briani and dalca ready... was about to eat when I heard the hadra
I looked up and the first thing I saw was the barongan.

I never liked Barongan - the first time I went to see a Barongan when I was in Bali - like 10 years ago. I remembered that night, I could not sleep well - had disturbing dreams.

I did not bother finishing my briani and neither did I take my putri salad. Instead, I carried my little one away and stayed behind a wall... looking at the nicely spread dessert and soon after left the wedding ceremony.

7 signs of Aging

No. This is not Olay's ad. This is what I see and experience today...

1) it takes me more than a day to recuperate from any overseas work trips. Longer if I travel further

2) i've started using serum on my face and neck and anti wrinkle cream around my eyes

3) it takes me twice the effort to lose that 1kg, no matter how often i hit the gym and run around my housing estate

4) i go to bed on most nights at 10-ish and wake up every morning at 6am. I used to sleep post midnight and stay in bed till late

5) is that another white hair i see? Oh no!!!!

6) i'm attending "M" is back this August and I don't even know who's who... except for one group that's known for it's malfunction wardrobe

7) i write notes to remind myself what to do next - be it for work or home.

Gingko biloba... I need you!

System Overhaul

I had a 100mins long massage (or rather corrective massage) yesterday - 3/4 of the time, I was in pain and sounded like a hungry cow - my burps were really loud. The last time I had a massage was 5months ago and yesterday according to the Masseuse my veins are in knots and I have a lot of trapped wind in my body. I know because of late, no matter how much I ran and exercise, I continue to feel "heavy" (no not muscle) but today, I feel much much lighter and better.

Hubby called after my session and wanted to know how I felt. Told him exactly what happened... after asking if I am feeling much better, he said, "Wah, nampak je va va voom on the outside, on the inside, you need a major system overhaul!"

*sigh*

Okamoto - a Tyre Brand

I was thinking of bananas while on my away to meet my insurance agent. Why? Because the lil' one loves eating banana and last night at the petrol station he pointed to one and say "Mama, banana".

That's when I saw Okamoto Condom Ad... a Banana with the French Cap on.
Apparently the #1 selling condom in Japan and the world's largest manufacturer of latex condom in the world.

Why on earth use a Banana for the ad? Can't they come up with a better idea? The marketing guy or lady must be damn lazy to come up with such an idea. Isn't there a better idea for a condom ad? Is the ad also implying that men's ahem is like banana - ripe and yummy but it rots after a few days??

Constructions Everywhere!

Walking along Orchard Road is a real challenge of late. Other than the pedestrians, one has to maneuver their way around small cart shops, constructions and noise. The once wide pathways are now narrower and the once peaceful walk is no longer peaceful. It's frustrating and very challenging - it's like driving a car, you just have to be prepared to slow down, brake, change lanes or just bump into a person!

You cannot help but ask yourself whether all these constructions are necessary? Yes, it creates employment but the people construction companies employ are foreign talents. Yes, it makes Orchard Road beautiful and in the long run, everyone in Singapore would benefit - question is, would Singaporean appreciate it? Or are Singaporeans too busy in the rat race that they have forgotten to take a step back and look at the surroundings to appreciate the beauty of manmade environment?

A Great Chick Flick

"They Say Nothing Lasts Forever, Dreams Change, Trends come and Go But Friendships Never Go out of Style"

Yes, Sex & the City. I went to the preview screening with a girlfriend and yes, your girlfriend would love the movie very much. More so than your husband or boyfriend. I fell in love with SATC in New York City some many years ago! I have to admit, SATC was an obsession, a very bad obsession! I bought all the 6 Seasons of the series and spent hours after hours watching it and reading everything about SATC online! It is just darn funny!

The movie was a great chick flick - it evokes all emotions - from love, tears, passion, fashion, envy, lavish holidays, tenderness, anger and most importantly humor. For my friends who have not seen it, do it now.

No Sausages Thank You

I'm hungry, very hungry but all I'm having is a cup of warm chocolate. I went for a walk at the mall next to the hotel. Wanted to get Splenda for mom and PJs for my little one. I passed so many small shops selling sausages, bacon, meat, everything to do with meat. Got back to the hotel and wanted to order some room service. Guess what, I could not forget what I saw and have not ordered any food since.

Cannot wait for morning. I think I will make a quick dash to Starbucks and get my coffee and bagel.

My Little One

He had a blast I'm sure of it. 10 days with mama and abah, the little one kept kissing us. We had to tell him to stop. He loved the weather, the park, the skies, the birds(!), the playground, he loves the short vacation we took. Next one, not so soon but will try to squeeze something in again at the end of the year ;P

Today, I am a SNOB

Yes. I am a real snob today. Hubby is definitely not proud of me and at this moment, I'm not bothered. I hate having to travel for work over weekend or on a public hols. My little one sent me off today and he could not understand why his mama was in the cab, but he waved goodbye nevertheless. I hate the feeling and had to keep myself occupied during the ride.

At the airport, I was served by someone who could barely string a proper English sentence together. For pete's sake, we are at the airport here?! What is wrong with Singapore?! Everyone has to learn English for as long as I can remember and suddenly I have to deal with service staff who could barely speak English! That got me really angry.

Got on the plane and everyone around me thought I am Filipino. Ignore, ignore except that the guy who sat next to me was SLEAZY!!! He kept looking and smiling even though I had my ipod on. He looked at my screen when I was watching Sex and the City! C'mon, use your own screen you moron! He insisted on moving out while I was having dinner and before I could stand up and move out, he rubbed his back on my knees!!! Yikes! At that moment, I swear I could have thrown my tray into his face! He was short and when I stood up, I just glared and looked down on him.

From that second on, I was a complete snob. No smile, no hello, no thank you and definitely no Mabuhay to anyone!!

This Used to Be my Playground

Bibra Lake. It was once beautiful - deep blue waters with lots of swans ducks and water birds. It was peaceful. There would be families enjoying the quiet, the kids running on the grass, the birds chirping in the background. I used to jog round the lake when I was there. 3 times per week, I remembered. I would take in the clear blue skies, clean air and enjoy the scenery. I would run as fast as I could when I felt uneasy, I would sit with my friends and listened to their problems.



I saw it again last week. The park still looks the same but the lake is almost gone now! There were swans, ducks, seagulls and other water birds... sadly, not big enough water body for them to enjoy...

My Sweet Tooth

I love dessert but I cannot have too much of it. Why? Too much sugar gives me a headache. All I just need is a bite and I would satisfied. 2 of my favorites are Creme Brulee and Sticky Date Pudding. I had the latter recently when I was on vacation. It was YUMMY, sinful but who cares right? I can always go on the treadmill tomorrow.

Oink Oink

I don't get it. Just because Muslims cannot eat pork/ham or touch pigs, that does not mean one cannot watch it on TV right? Have you seen some animated series featuring pigs as the main characters? They are soooo cute, the story is great, the animation is fantastic but I cannot acquire it because our friends in neighbouring country would not allow it! Oink Oink Oink! In pig's language, it means HOW ANNOYING!

Solid Gold

The US dollar has depreciate and I've been hoping that it would depreciate even more, then I'll buy some and keep. I've also been watching the gold prices... the more US dollar depreciate, the more expensive gold become. A part of me wished I had lots of gold now, then I would be making lots of dough. Another side of me am thinking of buying some gold now and store... ala old times when I remembered following my mom to Yong Sheng to buy gold jewellery. She used to tell me it's a good investment, can sell if we need money or in case of emergency. Should I buy or should I wait till US dollar appreciate then buy... decisions decisions...

Then I read in a magazine of this facial therapy that uses gold to moisturize and detoxify the skin! My oh my... does this means one's face would look like a gold statue when gold is being applied to your face?

I have not even gotten any answers to the above when I came across an article featuring a restaurant in NYC that serves Frozen Haute Chocolate made from 28 cocoas infused with edible 23Karat gold, served in a goblet with more edible gold(!) and that costs USD$25K! OMG!

What is the world coming to?!

Dharmawangsa Oh Dharmawangsa

I usually follow my instinct but this time round succumb to peer pressure to try this new hotel. I guess I am also used to familiar things/routine so to do something out of the norm usually will take me a few days to decide. So, I decided that I will give this boutique hotel a try and…. I wished I had listened to my instincts. The hotel is so far away from the airport and by the time I get to this hotel, I was irritated already. It does not help that the traffic was bad. I told a colleague and she said I'm the only one from office who does not like it there, I beg to differ. She then told me that because I am the Gucci, Prada kind of person, that's why I like Hyatt! Listen babe, Dharmwangsa is a five star boutique hotel, located in a posh housing estate - the houses in that area is HUGE! and you have your own butler per room! So Prada and Gucci aside, who is the atas one here?

The room was probably the size of my living room at home and the toilet is the size of my master bedroom.... and my master bedroom is pretty big. Can you imagine, there was a vanity top for him and her? I could sleep in the toilet and do cartwheels in the bedroom!

That aside. I am a practical person. I don't need a big room when I am on business. The usual corporate hotels are good enough for me. I don't like to waste time in the car while traffic crawls. I would rather use that time to do work or take a quick scroll around the area to see the city. Location is key for me - convenience is important. Also, how can I enjoy the luxury of life when I get in the car and I see kids and their moms knocking on the car windows asking for moolah?! I cannot help but feel guilty.

Zakat

Saw this Ad in KL last week. I thought it was good. simple and direct.

Rumah Besar Dah Ada

Kereta Pun Ada

Gaji dah lima angka

Zakat Harta bila?

The MEENACHI in MOI!

I am Malay but I also have some Indian blood in me. Does that mean there is a MINAHCHI (or meenachi) in me?!