Back In Singapore

Home Sweet Home!

It is great to be back!

Friday night, I was suppose to work until 11pm but then thanks to my team mates persuaded my team leader to let me go earlier. We went out for dinner and then finished off the night at a few local bars and couple of us only went home at 5 o’clock in the morning!

Next day, I have to meet my friends for Breakfast (which happened at 12pm only) and then I have to catch my flight at 3:40pm. Reached the airport and have to Q for almost 2 hours! Didn’t even have time to buy my 42 Below Vodka at the duty free. Worst still, I got stuck in the middle seat again.

After reached home at middle night, I quickly dumped my luggage and went out party with my Friends again till 4 in the morning. It was so nice to be home again and catching out with my good friends.

But the party doesn’t stop here. Wednesday, my friends and I will be going to BKK for the Christmas Weekend. That means more parties there!

Australia

After 2 ½ month traveling in Australia, finally, Sydney is my last stop. It has been great but unfortunately, I was sick for almost 2 weeks (still having running nose). Sydney is so different than 12 years ago when I first came to the city. I was young and innocent then. Honestly, I didn’t enjoy it last time. I find the culture here hard to accept. That’s why I returned to NZ to finish off my study.

This time, the country is a whole lot of different experience to me. I felt much ‘warmer’ than my last visit. I met couple of new friends and definitely enjoy my projects here.

I like Sydney now because it’s very vibrant. There are so many things you can do here and of course, lots of good parties happening here.

I’m really exhausted because this week I have been working at least 12 hours a day (while I’m still sick). Luckily, today is my last day and I’m flying home tomorrow. Initially I was thinking of extending my stay and party the weekend away. But, second thought, I needed some rest before my holiday trip to BKK next weekend (and partying as well).

It has been a great 6 month. Time just fly! I have been to 8 cities in 6 months. Luckily, I’m going to have a good 3 weeks off and one month off for my Chinese New Year.

Next year is going to be even more hectic! Until then, enjoy while I can!

Lost My Gold Bracelet

Last week, I lost my most valuable gold bracelet, a gift from my late grandmother.

I'm so upset because I never taken it off since the day my grandmother handed to me. Not mentioning about the $$ of the bracelet, but it is the last memory I had from my grandmother.

My grandmother is the greatest grandmother you can ever get in this world. She is loving, caring and generous.

I wish I still have the bracelet with me :(

Junior?! London?! Another Week In Melbourne?!

Yesterday, I just find out that I might need to return to London again?! I'm so hoping it is not going to happen because I wanna go Sydney for my next project. London is so expensive and is freezing cold now! But it's work and I really dun have much choice.

And I found out from my friend that Junior Vasquez is coming to Singapore for a gig! Damn! I wish that I could be in Singapore for his gig! He is one of the longest DJ that ever be around in the industry and I still like some of his hardcore tribal anthem housey dancing beat! And now, I can only listening to him on my ipod :(

This week has be a really busy week for me. Well, despite of the new schedule changes, I will still be in Melbourne for another week, and I'm moving into town. At least, I still have another week to check out the city.

Bye Auckland! Hello Melbourne!

Time just fly! After 4 weeks in Auckland and now I’m already in Melbourne.

I enjoyed Auckland very much. Beside a good project, I managed to meet up with my cousins, my old friends and make some more new friends as well. I love Auckland because people there are very friendly and easy going. I hope I can visit Auckland again in the future.

Now I’m in Melbourne. Although it is a very nice hotel and it is right in front of the airport, which means, it is very far away from the town. I have heard so much about Melbourne, how it is a nice city, etc. Unfortunately, because it is a short project and I don’t think I’d have much time to see the city at all.

The room is very nice and spacious. However, I have the view on the other side of the building (not facing the runway), which is facing a massive carpark. So instead of counting the flights, I have been counting the cars at the carpark….lol… But, frankly speaking, it is still a nice view because there was no building around, giving you a very open space feeling and I can almost see the city from here. The lights at night make it even more wonderful.

It is the horse racing carnival weekend here, which apparently is a big thing in Melbourne or in Australia. My team mates went to the race, where everybody will dress up, guys in suit, women each had a tastefully designed hair piece to go along with their dress. Of course, nobody really cares about the race; they are there to get pissed only. I didn’t go because I was really tired from my night shift last week and early flight that morning. So I slept in.

However, in the evening, I met up with my team mates in town for more drinking for them. Actually, my impression of Australia before was not very good, I think it didn’t change much at all in Melbourne either. First, the weather was really shitty (even today) and secondly, I thought Singapore Taxi was bad, Melbourne is even worst!! It is very hard to get a taxi and when you got one, they just refuse to take you if you are not going very far!

Anyway, I still hope I will have a good time in Australia.

Bungy Jumping

Date: 26 Oct 2008
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Harbour Bridge, Auckland, NZ

Experience: 1st Time
Excitement Level: 10/10
Nervous Level: 11/10

Can't Wait.............

Nana Has Gone To Heaven

Nana (Mum’s side) has gone to Heaven 2 days ago. After much of struggling, she has passed away on Tuesday evening at 10pm. She has been sick for quite a few years. I remember visiting her during every Chinese New Year and for the first few years, she can remembered who I was but then she will asked again “Who Are you?” after 10 minutes later. Although she couldn’t remember much about the present day but she remembered every detail about my childhood. She will always comment it later that how fast I have grown up but hardly remember that I just visited her the day before.

This year, she has been really sick. She was lying on her bed 24/7 and required a lot of assistance with her daily activities. Mum has been visiting her on and off and taking turn to take care of her with my other Aunties. She has total of 11 kids. One son and ten daughters. 2 of her daughters were given away when they were babies. Although we managed found one of them but couldn’t locate the other one.

Grand-dad passed away almost 23 years ago. Now, she is together with him in the comfort of GOD’s hand.

Almost 10 years ago, my Grand-Father (Dad’s side) passed away when I was still studying in NZ. It came to me as a shock because I remembered him on the day I left M’sia and flew to NZ for my study. I always thought that I will see him again when I’m back for the 1^st year of studying. I was very upset then. I spent a lot of time with him when I was young.

4 years ago, my dearest Grand-Mother passed away out of sudden as well. It breaks my heart because she is the Greatest Grand Mother anyone could ever have. She is always very generous with her love to all her grandchildren and has been fair with anybody. However, I know I was her favourite grand son. She used to bought me heaps of stuff and always ensure that I’m not running out of money. When she was sick, I couldn’t make it to see her for the very last time. I missed her a lot and I wish she is still alive so that I could spend more time with her.

Family is always there for you. Life is too short and it is very important to spend anytime that you have with them. If you couldn’t be there all the time, a phone call will simply make their days and yours.

Auckland, NZ

After 15 hours of traveling and having turbulence all the way from KL to Auckland, got stuck at the custom, ‘striping’ all my luggages inside out by the custom officer, finally, I’m in Auckland again after 10 years ago.

It is nice to be back in this city again. I love NZ. The sky is still very blue, the air is so nice to breath in, the people are still very friendly, nothing much changed in the city except…..THERE ARE SO MANY FREAKING ASIANS HERE NOW!!!

I can’t believe it! It just felt like another Asian City in an Ang Moh environment setting! Of cox, there are a lot of Asian restaurants as well (which is good for me). I guess if it is not because of all these International students, Auckland could be still be a very boring city, just like 10 years ago.

The hotel is really nice and it is right in front of the Harbour. The room is very big and comfortable! The food at the restaurant is good. So far everything has been really good.

I’ve met up with my cousin and we spent some time together catching up all the gossips. I managed to make a few new friends here and went party and drinking together. It was a lot of fun.

Went to visit the Casino and lost some money there. The casino just like Genting! I reckon 90% gamblers there are all Asian (80% are Chinese, probably! So typical!).

Friendship

While I was away from home, I think the only one thing that really kept me going is my friends in Singapore. From times to times, I’ll chat with them on MSN or Skype, and email them occasionally from my loneliness hotel rooms. They kept me entertained and making sure that I’m not too bored or to the worst, talking to the wall. Sometimes, I received SMS from them just to tell me how they missed me, which is quite heart warming.

Friendship is one of the important elements of living a good life. You need true friends to be there for you when you are sad, lonely, bored or happy, and being there for them as well. However, to maintain a good friendship, we have to really go and ‘maintaining’ it. You always have to make it to a point to call them and check on them when you haven’t heard from them for a while, or simply you haven’t called them for a while. Ones must never be selfish or lazy to pick up the phone and making the good call.

Being a good friend to someone, you should always be able to sense their sadness or happiness, even though you are half way around the globe (now, that’s powerful ‘power’). Sometime, they just want a listening ear. Other time, they needed your advice. Friends are the supporting bone of our day to day lives.

Sometime, you don’t need a lot of friends. You just need a couple of good friends. A true and genuine friend.

End of UK Projects!

Finally, after 3 month of traveling in England, Ireland and Scotland, it has come to the end of my UK project. My last project was the most memorable and fun one. This is because I’ve learnt much more than my first few projects as my team mates were willingly to share their knowledge and they were crazy and funny people as well. They have a good heart J

Last weekend, my best friend was here to check on us because it was her project. But the fact is her main priority is here to see me, before I returning back to Singapore. We went to Edinburgh visited another friend of ours and we watched Rugby (All Black) in a local pub and see some interesting places. Edinburgh is a lovely city compared to Glasgow.

Next week, I still have 2 days attachment at the International System Support Center in Glasgow and then I’ll be going to London on Wednesday. Initially, I’m flying back on Wednesday to Singapore immediately. But then, thinking to myself, I never really visited London. So I changed my flight to Saturday and hopefully, this time, I can really ‘feel’ the London.

Meeting Up Ex-Colleague

On Thursday evening, I met up with one of my ex-colleagues from my previous job. She was my surpervisor before. We have been on the phone for the past 2.5 years but we never really had a chance to meet face to face. Finally, I’m in Glasgow and I do not wish to miss this chance. So I called her up and we met at my hotel and have dinner at the hotel’s restaurant and catching up over a few drinks at the bar. It was a lovely evening, except, the fire alarm later in the morning (refer to my below post).

Another One!!

Another one?!?!

It's Thursday and it's 230am! The fire alarm went off again! I really don't know what the F*ck is going on! This is the second time within one week?! Why is that so many fire in this hotel?! (FYI, last one the fire was from the kitchen. Apparently one of the Chefs forgot to turn off the oven after shift) I wonder what is it this time?!

Once again, we were gathered at the hotel car park in front of the hotel main entrance. There wasn't much of action going on again. Can't see any fire (by the way, the picture above was just a random pic) This time, we were back into the hotel after 20 minutes.

Sigh....not sure when is the next one again....

Fire Evacuation!

After a long day, got a headache and took 2 panadols and went to bed at 1am.

At 2am, I was waked up by the fire alarm.

“What the F*ck is that noise?!”

I though I was dreaming but then I heard some noise outside my door as well. So I put on my jumper and head down to the lobby.

Everybody gathered at the car park, some still in their party cloths, others are in their pajamas and some girls were wearing their sexy silk lingerie. Three fire trucks outside the hotel main entrance but didn’t really see any smoke coming out from the hotel building.

A hotel staff was shouting to check the room numbers. But then, my room number was not in the list.

“Oh Great! So nobody knows that I’m dead in the room” thinking to myself and standing freezing cold at the car park.

About 45 minutes late, everything was clear and we were allowed to go back to our room. Jumping into my warm bed and trying to sleep but only realized that, if there was really a fire just now, I left my room with nothing. So I told myself, I must pack a small bag with my passport, credit cards and cash in it. In just of any emergencies, I just have to grab the bag and run.

Oh! Of course, I have to grab my music hard disk as well!

Goodbye Ireland! Hello Scotland!

Done Templepatrick and now moving on to Strathclyde.

Finished work at 7am and went to airport at 9:30am to catch my flight at 11:10am. As usual, I’m worried about my overweight problem. I’ve been praying and hoping that God will help me with this. I’ve cut down my suitcase body fat by 7kg but it’s still quite heavy.

Upon check-in, weighting my suitecase, it’s 27 kg. Luckily the girl was quite nice and she didn’t charge me anything but warned me that I’m quite heavy and need to watch up when I’m coming back. Proceed to clear the custom and only realized that I forgot to put my swiss amy knife into my check-in bag. The officer advised me to check-in my hand carry as well, which to my worry that the reason I have a hand carry is to put my most heavy stuff into it so I won’t be ‘too’ over weight. So either I have give up my knife or check-in my hand carry. So I decided to check with the counter again. I told the girl that I forgot to pack my swiss amy knife into another suitcase and the officer advised me to check-in my hand carry as well. Thinking to myself, “Oh No! She is going to find out that my hand carry is too over weight as well…”. She just proceeds with the check-in procedures (my hand carry weighted 15 kg) and past me back my boarding pass. “?!?!?!” I thank her immediately and couldn’t believe that she didn’t charge me anything or even lecture me at all.

For the first time, I don’t have carry a heavy hand carry bag. Thank you Lord!

Hilton Strathclyde is about 30 minutes away from Glasgow. However, a single taxi fare will cost me 22 pounds. After check-in into the hotel, settled down in my room, I proceed to check-out the hotel gym. To my surprise, this is the most equipped gym by far of all the hotels I’ve been to. It’s like a mini California Fitness Center and they have many classes as well. So I signed up for the Body Pump class in the evening.

Team Photo at Templepatrick

Drinks at the Bar

Drinks under a sunny day

More Beers Please!

Looking Good!

I'm Additive to Heroes!

This is what I have been doing for the whole weekend. Watching Heroes! OMG! It’s so good and addictive! I had this DVD in my suitcase for a while but I didn’t really bother to watch it. It was from a friend, supposedly to be given to another friend, but it ended up in one of my clubbing bag before and I had it since.

As I couldn’t go anywhere this weekend and the weather was miserable, so I decided to kill my weekend with this DVD. I’m not sure if Singapore is showing this but if it does, everybody must watch it! It is like X-Men cum Lost cum Desperate Housewives. It is so dark, mysterious, funny and yet interesting!

If I could have one of the powers now, I’d want Hiro’s ability to tele-port himself. Then, I could travel through time and spend my time will all my favourite people. I was thinking about the ‘Flying’ power, but I think it will be too cold for me to fly half way around the globe with the current weather now.

Irish Coffee

I just had my very first Irish Coffee (coffee with whiskey) at the bar and my goodness! It was really good and strong! One sip of this coffee and I can already felt it kicking in! I think this is such a good pre-clubbing drink, because u get the caffeine and yet you are getting high! It's such a good drink to prepare you for a long night out!

Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club

Checking-in into the hotel at 3:30 pm and the hotel is quite impressive. The room is nice, the bathroom is big, the view to the golf course is refreshing and the health club is up to my standard.

Unfortunately, I think I’m falling sick. I’m already homesick and I do not need this. I’m taking some pills now and hopefully will feel much better tomorrow.

"U See Me?"

The Corridor

My Room

My Room

My Window View 1

My Window View 2

The View From The Bar

The Bar

Me Feeling Sick

"Shh.....Baby Is Sleeping....."

Project 2: Mission Accomplished!

Another completion and many more to go. Today will be the last day staying at this wonderful hotel. I’m going to miss the staffs (funny & friendly) and the food (5 stars quality) here. Apparently, there were many celebrities stayed here before. From Justin Timberlake, Dolly Parker, Mel C, Gabrielle, to Bill Clinton. Although I didn’t spotted any while I was here. But there must be reason why these people choose to stay here.

Belfast is an up-coming hips city which is currently under a massive transformation. In another 10 years time, she will be one of the cities that you wanna visit in Great Britain.

Next stop, Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club, which is 10 miles away from Hilton Belfast. It is a golf resort. Too bad I don’t play golf and I can’t never understand the fun of hitting a ball and you have to go and find it? I just hope that they have a well equipped gym facilities awaiting for me there.

Here are some pictures I took last weekend.

City Hall

City Hall

City Hall - Front View

City Hall - Side View

One of the City Building

Another City Building

Belfast Street

St George Market

Inside St. George Market

Singing No Women No Cry In Irish Folk Version

A Church

Side View

Another Amazing Church

Me Smokin'

Love Me!

Dunno What is it. But Another Nice Building

The Merchant Hotel

Irish 'Ben'

"So Crowded? What's Happening Here?"

"Ahh.....It's Pride Parade."

Rainbow Flag

Party On A Bus

"OMG! Big Women! Big Thigh!"

"Boy Boy"

"Crazy Woman"

"Put Your Hands Up In The Air"

"What The Hell Is That?"

"Wow! So High!"

"OMG! It's An Overweight Wonder Women! & An Overweight Nobody!?"

"Police Women In Pink Tie"

"Oh?! I Didn't Know Pink Panter Is Gay?! Is He In The Limo?"

"Vogue! Strike A Pose!"

Lunch At A Teppankayi Restaurant

Gielse & Ciaran

Sarah & Rebecca

Laura, Karen & Rebecca