sum it up

sum it up

Just now, my office server went kaput. Takde angin, takde ribut (not 'reboot').

Still got 2hrs till the end of the day. My collegue gotta leave early and my boss can't do anything. Told me to use the back-up data from his computer. Less than 10mins later, he switched off his pc and went back home. How to work like that? He's a funny man, my boss. Very funny.
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Almost wanted to kick myself when I let missed an almost empty bus. To appease the heart, I told myself that "Things Happen For A Reason". True enough. The 'reason' happened less than 5 mins later.

Those who know me well, will know what is it that makes me happy... Go figure. Heh.
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Anyway, many many thanks to that lovely newlywed couple, Tini & Odi (or Mr & Mrs Odi) for playing host and let me dwell in their abode for an overnight stay.

Dah lama kita plan, kan Tini kan? Dari time you belom kawin, lagie. Betol tak?




I woke up after a mere 4hrs of sleep when the warm sun rays beat down my face, only to realise that it's the first time I was in Punggol during the day. The other times I've been there had been at night, wasn't it? Macam jakun, gitu.





Then, I felt like your little sister as I tagged along when you did your marketing & grocery shopping, in anticipation of the special dish you promised to cook for me during lunch.






Later on, while you were busy cooking ...







... I was busy browsing thru' your wedding album.

Geez, I'm such a lazy bad guest. Pfft.




And during lunch, we feast on your 'Ikan 3 Rasa'-with it's dripping red sauce, while watching a horror movie. I know I've said it then, but I'll say it again. The ikan is sedaaappppp!!!






After lunch, you prepared a jug of kopi 'O' for your hubby & in-laws and we troop down to the nearby Punggol jetty, where they had been fishing, to check on them esp. after that heavy rain.

Tell your mum-in-law, her Kueh Kasu'i & rendang is superb, albeit a tad spicy but delicious, nonetheless. Can't believe she prepared all that just for the fishing trip. I guess it's you fellas who are lucky, eh?











I remember a line in your sms, sent on the evening after I went home, "...jangan serik tau. Datang lagie, eh..?" No worries, mate. Maybe next time, I'LL cook. We'll see.

And to a certain Ms. Diana, who was so eager to join us but was unable to; there shall come a day when our plans will go thru, cos' we've always enjoyed one anothers' company. There's no way we can leave you out, rite?

IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

Please don't take things or even anyone for granted.

Got this poem in an email regarding the recent demise of a certain someone.

And no, this is NOT that Ronan Keating song.

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IF TOMORROW NEVER COMES

If I knew it would be the last time
that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute or two
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming, you would know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything right.

There will always be another day
to say our "I love you's",
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do's?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget,

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance you get
to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear,

Take time to say "I'm sorry","please forgive me,"
"thank you" or "it's okay".
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Leo saves duo

forget that he's a celebrity, i wonder if anybody would have done this in S'pore?

July 24, 2006 -- LEONARDO DiCaprio, who plays the hero in movies, was a real hero to two wheelchair-bound Madonna fans the other night. Francesco Clark, 28, - who worked at Harper's Bazaar until a car accident left him a quadriplegic and now runs the Clark's BoTanicles skin-care company - had front-row seats to one of Madge's shows at the Garden last week thanks to his pal, Harper's Bazaar creative director Stephen Gan.

But when Madonna came onstage, the crowd rushed forward and Clark's wheelchair was nearly knocked over. "He couldn't see anything because people were all standing around him," said Clark's pal, WWD writer Elisa Lipsky-Karasz. "He tried to move to the front, but no one would budge, and nobody cared. Then the security guard came over and was being rude and told him to move." At that point, DiCaprio came over and said, "Why don't you come sit with me and I'll just move over?" The star was at the end of the catwalk in front of a no-standing zone.

Moments later, DiCaprio moved another wheelchair-bound person in next to Clark, saving her view as well.

sleepover

sleepover (long, long ago)

This is wat happens when one procrastinate. Goodness, this sleepover happened like over 2 weekends ago, man. Sorrylah Tini. I meant to document this but... as always, someone here never learns her lesson about the downside of procrastination.

That Friday evening started on a... pretty funny note, hasn't it? You forgot to tell me that you decide to go back to your Punggol home and I ended up waiting for almost 15mins at the carpark of your mum's home instead. We were both looking for each other until we realised that we're not in the same location.

Then I missed the entrance to the highway that will bring us to town and we ended up going around in loops, all in the WRONG places and spend like more than 1/2 hr being lost. I can never forget our relief when we finally reached our destination, wayyy past midnight.

We were only 15mins away from the next Pirates of the Carribean show which was 'selling fast' and by a stroke of luck, they sold us the reserved seats which were simply superb (high-level, centralised). But that show's duration is too long to be watched in the wee hours of Saturday morning. After a hard day's work on Friday, a 2 1/2hrs movie dun really do our tired selves a lot of justice. So we decide to skip supper and head for your home.

I decide to be a safe driver and drive at moderate speed (despite the almost empty roads). I was on the 2nd lane from the right and reaching Serangoon Road (where there're quite a no. of pubs), I saw a group of 6 standing on the right-most lane (yep, ON the road) and it wasn't long before I realized that ALL of them are drunk. And right when I'm about to pass them, one guy from the group actually STRAYED into my path. I slammed the brakes and blast the horn but that guy was soooo intoxicated that he just stood there. GOODNESS! My instinct told me to look back and thru' the rear-view mirror, I saw the car behind me braking really hard. I guess he was kinda' speeding before that. I was already mumbling, "Please, please don't bang into me..." LUCKILY he braked in time but I'm darn sure he's just mere inches from the boot of my car.

I dunno what made that drunkard look back and seeing me RIGHT BEHIND him, he got the cheek to wave a sorta' apology and God knows what he's mumbling. &%$#@!! As he staggered back to his group, I saw that ALL of them had half-closed eyes and everyone was propping the other by the shoulders. I candidly told Tini, "That's a VERY good reason why we're told NOT to drink. You might be soo drunk, you wouldn't even know you've died!"

That's not the end. At the next red-light, a black car stopped beside me and from the corner of my eyes, I knew that I was being stared at. Even Tini cautiously warned me not to turn to the right. I just told her, "Oh, that's the car behind me just now. I think he's pissed cos' he almost crashed into me. But I don't give a damn cos' if I didn't stop, I would have crashed into that drunk instead. Would he wanna bear responsibility for that? So he better buzz off." True enough, he drove away.

Throughout the journey back to Punggol, I was so relieved that nothing bad happened despite us being -->THIS<-- close to danger. This is a way to show that no matter how cautious you try to be, it takes another party's reckless act to wreck it all for you.

Funny, I had meant for this entry to document the good times I had when sleeping over at the newly-married Tini's new abode. But I guess something dark, even sinister has to come before the light. Till' next time, I guess.

considering...?

to be considered...?

Thanks ah, buddy. Been a long time since I exercised my thoughts.

I admit that I've been complacent. I've been taking things for granted. I relish staying in my comfort zone. Never have I bothered to look at (or even think of- for that matter), of other possibilities. The "WHAT IF'S" have never really crossed my mind.

My career has been a smooth sailing river ride. My intention was just to sail straight down and hopefully reach the sea in one piece. Till' you put a fork in my path. And yes, that detour is a job opportunity. And an irresistable one at that.

Your boss had promised a starting pay which is much higher than what is printed on my paycheque currently (and I've worked 4 years!) and recently, you told me that your boss is offering a 'rate' higher than the market price (the clock's ticking, I guess..). You told me of a possible opportunity to go overseas to help overlook that confirmed job your company has. You are even planning a meeting between me and your boss for us to 'discuss things'. So zealous were you in getting me to join your camp that it took me a while before I can put up the stop sign.

The opportunities seem good enough for me, that's why I'm considering. And the fact is- I'm CONSIDERING and not immediately typing my resignation letter as well as a resume. Cos' I LOVE my current job. This job is a dream come true. It lies along the same line as what I've learnt in school. My office is a mere 15 mins bus ride away and I have 4 different buses to take, DIRECTLY from home. My office is homely and my bosses are great, if not superb. They bought insurance for my collegue and myself and send us on diving trips. And many other things. Believe me, there's A LOT that I would have left behind should I join your camp. A lot. And I acknowledge the fact that it'll be hard for my boss to find my replacement. I admit there's a lot that's lacking in terms of job scope and challenges are pretty uncommon but I'm contented.

Believe me, Bas. I would really like the idea of joining your company. Our daily exchanges on MSN about our jobs, the projects we're currently handling, the emails you send me of your designs- asking for my opinions and of the job satisfaction you have. It's all tempting, believe me. I could have learnt a lot more over there. Things would have been my easier if my current job is a pile of crap and my workplace is a s***hole and my boss is the unsculpurous monster that I hated. But all's randy-dandy, I'm afraid.

I'll help you in your search. An Architectural Technologist, rite? Diploma holder? In that line? Possibly your assistant? Ok... And you're a designer in an architectural firm. Location in the city (central) zone.

So.... anyone interested???

car parking menace

car parking menace

I ask you huh, just how many times have you discovered, as you come to your car in the car park; that the car beside you had parked wayyyyyy too close. Especially from the left side (where THEIR driver seat is).

EVEN in my own housing estate (not just the shopping centres, ok?). When I parked my car, everyone's well-spaced out. The next time I wanna drive out, some idiot would have took over the lot next to mine, and that idiot ought to be kicked back into driving school, I tell you. Haphazard parking - SLANTED or worse, TOO CLOSE to one car and too far from the other...

I've had MANY encounters when the idiots parked sooo senget that some of my car doors can't be opened due to the space constraint. If the passenger car door can't be opened, I dun mind. I can drive out and let my passengers get in later. But if the door that can't be opened is the DRIVER'S DOOR, you tell me..??! A couple of times, I had to get to the driver's seat FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. Urrgh!

And then, the even bigger issue. After parking too close, they opened their door like nobody's business and BANGED into your car and caused DENTS in the process. ON YOUR CAR. BLARDEE HELL, I tell you! I stick on custom rubber-pads on my cars doors just so I won't dent someone's car should I accidentally banged my door when opening & I even make an effort to open my car door slowly should the next car be a tad close. Why can't some IDIOTS be as considerate???

I only 'inspect' my car once a while and one time I notice this OBVIOUS-LOOKING DENT and it even have bits of red paint on it. The car next to me (wasn't there when I parked) was a tad close and the colour of the car? Yes, RED! I did not want to blindly accuse the other car to be the culprit but the tinge of red is pretty similar. The dark, blood-red type. Not the common, bright chilli-red. And yesterday, the car beside mine was replaced with a pick-up truck whick parked OUT OF ITS LOT AND INTO MINE. And I checked the part where, it's driver's door might come in contact with my car. True enough, there's an ominous scratch. Aaargh!!
I check the other side of the truck. It was wayyyyyy far from the other lot, ok?
Double aargh!!

I don't care. I'm gonna get the side strip to protect my car surface from these blatant idiots. Yeah, it's my own expense but I dun care. But thing is, it may prevent the OTHER CAR doors from banging directly into mine but I ain't too sure bout those pick-up trucks, though! Grrr...

Expo jam

expo jam

Is there anyone out there who made their way down to the Singapore Expo today? Around 2-3pm to be exact. ANYONE???? I'm sure there's A LOT who do.

My mum had wanted to check the Pesta Perkahwinan and there was a MASSIVE TRAFFIC JAM right there. In fact the jam starts right at the junction near the entrance of ITE College East. At that point, we have not EVEN passed S'pore Expo yet. My dad soon got tired of nagging & complaining and fell asleep (esp. after I tuned to Gold 90.5fm to ease the tension). More then 1/2hr later, I moved BARELY 300metres. Heck, I have yet to EVEN reach the overhead bridge, where the bus-stops are. MORE THAN 1/2HR LATER!!

My dad woke up and he was horrified to see that we're still there and shrieked (yes, my dad does that sometimes), "Why are we still here?! Forget about going there. Move out! Signal left and move out!!"

Until now, we're still in the dark. JUST WHAT WAS BEING HELD IN SINGAPORE EXPO TODAY??? I noticed that the carparks were VERY full and my guess that's what is causing the jam. I thought it was only the Pesta Perkahwinan that was being held over this weekend but I guessed wrong. Even when I drove past the OTHER side, they have a traffic jam similar to what I just drove away from. SO WHAT WAS IT??? Anyone with the answer? ANYONE?????

belakang padang

belakang padang

Okayyy.. This trip was last week actually, so I'm not going to pretend like it just happened. Last Saturday, to be exact.

However, for the WHOLE of last week, I was unable to find my camera's transfer cable so I was unable to upload my pics. When I dun have my pics, I dun bother to blog. See? That's a good enough explanation, isn't it?


Instead of the 'battalion' that I usually go with, this time it's just my parents & me. We didn't even tell my relatives over there.

Despite my parents informing me about this trip only in the last minute, I joined them anyway. A quick weekend getaway (read: getting outta' S'pore) won't harm, rite?

I know that the purpose of this trip was to visit a sick relative but the thing is, I have LOTS of relatives over there. It'll not be nice if we didn't drop by their place. And words DO spread fast on that small island. Somehow or rather, they'll know of our arrival.


Those living on the hill were indeed caught by surprise with our arrival. However, those on the ...erm... flatland. Well, they caught wind of our arrival (despite their closed doors when we rode by on the trishaw).

One after another, we were stuffed with food. Thank goodness they're all good cooks. The sea breeze blowing in, lulling me with the overly-stuffed belly to a tempting afternoon nap. I half-joked to my mum about spending the night there. Just too bad my dad insisted on going back that very day.

The rugged countryside never failed to intrigue me. Especially my first experience at using the 'outhouse' (left). That- shall be another story altogether.

p i c s .:. h e r e

morning quote:3x whammy

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morning quote:

Wahlau... Yesterday it was sore throat. Then I start to run a temperature. And today I got the 'big-P'.

Triple whammy! Gah!
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creative

let's get

A friend of hers had told her that Creative is having a sale so we checked their local website. True enough. Most of their products are going at 50% off (do you know that? HURRY! cheap, u noe!).

She told Sri (my collegue) & I, to give the model name of the product that we're interested in. She'll then relay it to her friend. I wonder if her friend is able to give us further discounts on top of the available bargain. Hmm.. It's was Friday then and by the time we left the office, she no longer made a mention about our order so we assumed that she's forgotten about it. There's always the next week. Bah!

The weekend come and goes and today, I CAME LATE only to find that THEY CAME EARLY! Ouwh!!! Thank goodness it's Monday.... And THANK GOODNESS there's no match yesterday. I don't want them to quickly assume that my tardiness was due to World Cup (actually I was frantically searching for my purse which got lost in a pile of laundry). Anyway, in my sheepiness, I was still able to hold a decent conversation with her about... what else..? WORLD CUP.

Then she was like, "Oh ya! I almost forgot. Here's your advance birthday presents." And passed each of us an orange paperbag with the CREATIVE logo. Huh?? I looked in and saw the product we ordered the week before. With my mouth agape, I was like, "Wow! Thanks!" Eh, wait.... Goodness! She bought us the UPGRADED model! You should see her grinning. I guess that's why she likes to spring surprises like that. Yes, it's not the first time she's done this and I hope it's not the last. Right, Sri??? *winks*

Now, just how do I get about thanking my boss's wife..?? Made me VERY paiseh, ok? I come late and still got present. What more, at the end of the day, I forgot that I came late in the morning and sought to leave the office early. Aiyoh!!!

superman!

Brandon freaking-hunky-dory Routh

All throughout their promotional period, I (and I believe, MOST women) have been treated with a feast for the eyes in the form of Mr Brandon-oh-so-gorgeous-Routh. I've heard that his name rhymes with 'South' so why do I still hear his name being mentioned as 'Ruth'? Geez.

Anyway, back to him being almost EVERYWHERE. It comes to a point that it's unbearable. Never one to watch a movie on the weeekend that it opens but this shall be an exception. I REALLY wanna watch him in that ridiculous costume of his (yar, yar.. one can't really get over that RED briefs being worn OUTSIDE), getting all heroic and making ladies all over to swoon and pine for him. Not really one to jump on the bandwagon but I WANT TO SEE HIM!!!!

So I got my like-minded cousins to join me with 3 of my cousin's kids in tow. Booked a day in advance and already, almost 1/2 the cinema has been booked! What more, my 1st choice team to hoist the World Cup-Argentina lost early this morning and I was even more eager to see that eye-candy. Treat my heartache, come on!

Definitely a sight for sore eyes. I guess I amused my cousins to bits when I sighed with everytime he came onscreen (as Superman). That little curl hanging on his forehead... Can I PULL? Pleaseeee...??? I LOVE it when he float elevate himself vertically.

I know that is SO like, Magneto of the X-Men fame. But it's another thing to see a young stud doing the same thing, ok? Besides, Magneto is not even comparable. He's.... shrivelled wrinkled OLD.




Ouwh, that sculpted body! Yar, I know that the costume is padded. But I also heard that he enthusiastically worked out before the filming and end up straining the (now maroon-not-red & blue) costume at the seams, what with his buffed bod and the paddings combined. And that overrated tale about his 'package'?? Forget it. If they (the producers) really did fork out millions to reduce the size onscreen, I guess it works.

I thought I can use the hour-long bus journey back home to unbashedly imagine myself to be the one Superman pines after. To be the same one who gingerly stepped on his (Redwing look-alike) boots and hang out (literally) with him beyond the stratosphere. Sigh.... Wouldn't THAT be nice..?

All THAT dreamy thoughts came to a halt when I end up taking a crowded bus. So packed that I stood beside the bus driver captain for a few stops. And stood mostly. By the time I sat down, I was too sleepy due to the deprivation cause by continuous watching of live soccer matches. Darn!





Anyway, eat your hearts out, ladies. Mr Routh here is happily attached to his long-time girlfriend, whom he met back when he's very much unknown.

Courtney Ford is one LUCKY woman.