5 mins of bliss

Dear came to see me while I was preparing to leave home for work on Monday morning.

There was only time for him to send me to bus stop from my block.

He told me ( over the phone ） that his brother's fan got locked in the cabinet and there were no keys.

I heard : his brother's friend got locked up in the cabinet with no keys. Instanteously tot of joey locked in his tv cabinet.

Shared with dear, we had a gd laugh. And there I was at my bus stop.

And there was : my 5 mins of bliss.

And somehow, you know : this is going to be a great week because of how it started.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The day I said " yes "

To what may be the most important question in my life : 19 oct 2009


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Shanghai - Hangzhou ( rather disjointed blog)

It's a hot Monday afternoon, I do not have luxury of having off-in lieu, so it's kind of a forced leave today, which i did not mind, having spent the last 8 days or so in Shanghai.

I had lots to unpack, lots to organize, photos to upload, memories to update. That is perhaps, the most tedious part of travelling - - the post moterm, and the re-settling back to your current lifestyle, work, place.

A couple of highlights from this trip==

One of the things which bugged me initially and which i've gotten better with practice was explaining/ repeating to people that i'm alone.

Eg: ( all in Mandarin)
At the cafe: Table for how many?
ME: 1
Waiter: 1 only?
Me: Yup, 1 Only
Waiter: ( glances around to confirm)
Me: Yup I'm alone

Or...
At the Taxi Stand queuing:

Group of guys (GOG): Miss, alone taking the cab?
Me: yup
GOG: That's so not economical, why dont we share?
Me: No, thanks
GOG: Where are you going? Maybe it's on the way?
Me: I doubt so.
GOG: Why are you alone?
Me:... * feign ignorance*

OR....
At the river cruise:
Boat man: How many of u miss?
Me: 1
Boat man: 1 only?
Me: Yup
BOat man: Want to book the boat?
Me: No thanks
Boat Man: Then you got to wait
Me: okay.. ( sits on boat and wait) While he questions why i'm alone at West Lake...

OR EVEN....
at the conference:
3mmer: When you heading back?
Me: 17 Oct
3mmer: Visiting Supplier??
Me: Heading to Hangzhou
3mmer: With your boss?
Me: No.. alone
3mmer: Alone?? a girl?

*Explains again...*

Anyway, back to the highlights!
1. Ventured out alone in the streets of Shanghai, the bund, had a nice cuppa coffee

2. Queuing up for cabs with the locals ( at night in Shanghai, and day at Hangzhou Train station)
3. Tried Beef Stomach ( would never have done that in Singapore)

4. Had 3 shots of Chinese Rice Wine (Lethal: 53% Alcohol Content)

(photo courtesy of Kristin, who insisted i drink (can see the flushed face) I believe, the arm behind me belongs to Brian.

5. Followed by chinese massage after that (Masseurs commented that we reek of alcohol)

The Chemical & Polymer Folks From Left: (representing US, China, Singapore), Mr Korea is still stuck at his massage. All of us with our messy hairdo.

6. KTV with Managing Director
7. Our bus got a traffic violation ticket from the Police (having drove into the wrong One-way Street)
8. Boss concocted Gin-tonic for me
9. Learnt a little about pearls

10. Tried Nan-Xiang Xiao Long Bao
11. Took Train to Hangzhou alone (with no itinerary in mind, except to go West Lake)

Ticket: Checked

Secured Seat: Checked

Breakfast?: Checked (got Hotel to pack a breakast bag for me since i left hotel at 5.30aM!)

Self Portriat as i enter the 1st class Cabin! WooYOO.

12. Made a friend (this lady from Hei Long Jiang) while cruising West Lake in the afternoon. So i was just quiet for the whole morning at West Lake. Haha.

There's May! A very bubbly girl who travelled on her own, she vistied Xiamen before making her way to Hangzhou, she was in Hangzhou for 2 days on her own now and boy, were we glad to have found each other for company as we cycled along West Lake. I rem a guy commenting on the bus (he overheard our conversation, cant help as the bus was crowded) (yes, May taught me how to take the public bus (it cost only 2 Yuan (Slightly over 40 cents)) that both of us are so detailed in trying to learn out more about each other as we chatted about our families, our work, our schooling system, our vegetable costs.. Yes (vegetable costs).
My rented bicylce. May teaching me how to lock.. Of cos, i wasn paying much attention.

Morning scene on a Friday Morning.

Self-Peddle Boats.

13.Took a Stranger's car ride up to Long Jing Mountain to buy Long Jing Tea Leaves ( negotiated fare: 10 Yuan equivalent to about slightly more than 2 SGD)

14. Cycled around West Lake

15. Made a few international friends ( all 3Mmers), actually we all corresponded through emails some point in time, but it's really nice now, to be able to put a face with the name.

Was really fortunate to be able to go for this trip, to meet and learn from the commodity leaders. I really enjoyed myself, and never knew that i would explore anywhere alone ( in China).

Having called my mum ONLY after i reached Hangzhou station that i will be spending the night there alone. ( Her reaction was mixed, worried and at the same time surprised that i was capable of doing that! I guess all the while, she assumed i was just thinking aloud, not intending to do that since i did not make any plans or research whatsoever).
*****************************************

Back to Shanghai's 1st Night:

I really enjoyed myself on my first night, having reach the hotel at about 6pm, i settled down and left the hotel at about 8 pm to ask for recommendation of where to go at the bund for dinner!

I reached the river, and i just started snapping away, as i reckon ( once my boss, my boss's boss is here in Shanghai, there's probably alot of entertaining and meetings, and other obligated visits), and i took like hundreds of pictures that night? No doubt, i was really silly taking self portraits, much to the amusement of those beside me.

I've never been to Shanghai before this, and the first thing i noticed when i reached was how much constructions were going on, be it residentials, commerical buildings, roads, highways, train lines. All hyped up and scheduled to be read for the World Expo 2010 that's happening in Shanghai next year.

Not sure if i'll have a chance to visit Shanghai for the conference again, i highly doubt so, since i believe, they will send my other colleagues this time.

The pace is fast, it's very modern, it's really safe to take cab anywhere by yourself and the cab fares' relatively cheap.

Video taken on the 1st Night.



This video took me eons to upload onto blogger, but i really wanted to share it, It's not exactly a fanstic video,rather grainy effects . However, I was enchanted if you may, by the violinist and she was also part of the reason i parted with 30 yuan to buy a cup of coffee and sat by the river, enjoying the music in the relatively chilled air in Shanghai. Yes, no doubt, i was feeling alone, but strangely, that was also the nicest part of it as i sat there.

No obligation to check if anyone want to leave for shopping, or wanted to sight-see elsewhere, or wanted to just go indoors because it was cold! It was just me, myself and my trusted camera. Hiaks. Was deliberating whether to bring my DSLR, but mum advised not to since this is afterall, still a business trip and what's a girl lugging so much stuffs? (on hind sight, very wise advice)

Sadly, maybe because there werent much guests outdoor, the very talented and pretty violinist ended her act shortly and took her leave. I too then ventured off else where after watching several boats past me.

(more pictures)

Haha, after taking this shot, i was thinking to myself: This is my 3rd Tower Shot i took this year. I had one at Tokyo, one at KL and the 3rd in Shanghai!

Pearl TV Tower?
KL Tower. ( I just took the pic from fB, hence the small pic)

Tokyo Tower.

*** to be continued.

Apple post

My 1st blog on iPhone. Gotta get used to it. Excited bout impending shanghai trip.

"women your age"

What is that magic age when one changes from being flattered to flattened hearing "women your age"?

Maybe Magic is not the best word for it, since it's heading for the negative reaction instead of wonderful concoctation.

Am I at that trigger age already? Or perhaps, still a few years to play with before i hit the big "3"0.

To me, it's really not a big deal, it's part of the fun, acting as tho it matter so much, that you wish time will just creep, or better still, for ever 2 years forward you move back 4 years backwards. This way, you gain the wisdom, and lose the wrinkles.

I'm down the garden flu. That's what my doc said. And pretty much bed-ridden. Psychologically, i feel i'm getting sick more easily than i did in previous years. Mum said i lost the fighting spirit.

Yesterday, when i was at the clinic, i saw this girl who was waiting outside the clinic along with the rest of us who formed a small queue. She was pacing up and down, dragging her slippers in her AJC PE-Tshirt and carrying a laptop with some notes. She gave out this negative vibe as though she's frustrated.

So when the clinic opened, we all walked in, and she actually cut my Queue. Without any shame. She took her card and placed at the counter when i have done so. The lady over the counter asked "Who's next?"

She actually said "me". Much to the first couple (who got queue #1)'s surprise. So that AJC girl got #2, and i got #3.

I cant be bothered to fight it out with her, although i was pissed myself. And then i found out she was from T$%% ( a wafer fab company). She's actually working!

When i told Allan this, he was like "what made you think she was younger?", and to my surprise, i told him " I guess, i started noticing more people younger than me now ".

That's the truth.

A night of sheer coincidences

I was on my way back to the north east line from Dhoby Gaut north south line when i saw a friend who recently got married. No, i wasn invited to her wedding, as we arent really close. And secondly, i knew she was married recently because i saw her facebook.

She was on the phone smiling sweetly. It was about 7 ish pm and i was thinking she's probably calling her hubby? In anycase, i did not go up to her and she walked past me, not noticing my presence. At that split second, we crossed path. I knowingly, and she, in the unknown.

I continued my walk to the train, thinking to myself how many of my friends have embarked the married journey, and how many are going to.
"It's that age", i think to myself. People either get married, getting married, or they dont.

It's something you see people doing, and sometimes, you wonder why haven you.

Before i could embark on that train of thoughts, i was interrupted by the approaching train and i boarded.

I took out my book " eat, pray, love" and continued reading. Liz has reached Bali - the third leg of her spiritual journey. And i casted my previous thoughts aside.

As i reached sengkang mrt, i pondered a split sec whether to get fast food(basement) or food court (4th level) for dinner. Yes, one of those days, mum decided not to cook my share and asked me to settle by myself.

As i turned towards the gantry gate to the mall instead of the usual for home, i saw yet, a familiar face.

A face from my past. A face which mattered alot for a good amount of my adult years. He was with a girl, facing the gantry as though about to enter. And i hurried with the crowd, trying to walk away from him in case he saw me, but the other gantries were not for exit, and i had to make my exit with him just inches away in the crowd.

He was talking to the girl beside him. And once again, i passed another familiar face by as i walked way. ...

And then i turned back to look. He was making his way in, and they were going up the LRT. I smiled at the sheer coincidence, never would i have imagined bumping into him at my home MRT station, ends from his place. And what're the odds? This was not my usual time when i reach home. Heck, i dont even alight at the MRT, i alight at the bus stop. And it just happens i wanted dinner hence i head for the gantry at the mall side.

With thoughts in my head, and still seeing him as he board the escalator while taking out his mobile, i whipped out mine immediately as well.

I popped him a msg : "hey, saw you.=)" and left it as that as i walked off..

Seconds later, he called me. We laughed at the coincidence, he told me he was going to visit an old friend with his ex-colleague, a girl from Power Supply, which in fact i knew. And i told him i was going to get dinner, din call out to him in case he was with his gf, whom i quite wanted to see too.

And it ended like that. I smiled at our short exchange. Our 1 short encounter, face to face. I smiled at how often, we let moments like this pass, and how insignificant it may seems. Yet today, it didnt feel insignificant for some reason. It's quite undescribable.

I felt at ease, and it felt good. I wanted to blog it to remember that moment.

How many times have you bumped into a familiar face, dismissing it as just coincidences? I'm a die hard romantic, i like to think people bump into each other through some works of fate. Through some intricate interactions that's way beyond our control.

I bumped into my dear once too, when i was on the way to Outram MRT (North east) from the East West. Back then, i din call out to him too, but i texted him. And it made my day too.

Haha, seems like i always encounter this via MRT interchanges...

Open Water Dive- 11-13 sept 09

Been wanting to blog about my diving trip. Kept relishing the few days when i woke up to morning skies ( 6ish am), making our way to the communal area, to have our breakfast with droopy eyes, being briefed on our dive before setting out... * still daydreaming*
A pose by the showerheads before setting off.
Instructor briefing us. Giving us the face.. " oei dont take pictures first, listen to me..."

Of course, I did had like my last minute kinda doubts before setting off for the trip.
our scuba tanks. Our comrades we carry.
Things like:
" will i have difficulty equalizing? will i experience extreme pain like i did on the plane?"
" will i run out of oxygen? will i panic underwater? Will i hold my breath?"
" why did i sign up for this?"

However, all these were cast off the moment i depart from Mersing. It's not exactly the most comfortable ride, starting at 12am till about 4ish am? 3 of us girls slept a top deck (one bed), with the boat bumping to the breeze, with the cold sea wind across our faces...

I donned on my socks (the black and red BUM socks) in the middle of the night, as i attempt to cover as much of me as possible with my sweater. Pink socks belonging to meryl, the only lucky girl who escaped unharmed, no bites, no stings, no scratches. erm, nope, if we were to include nose-bleeds, we all bleed for this trip.

I still wear it underwater.. for fear of stings and cuts. And i still kena! In fact, that small exposed area ( as one can see) just above my ankle! My instructor is just pure amazed. And i din even realize! until i kept my scuba tank and saw the blood. Just little.

We will shuttle from sampans to boats, vice versa. Alot of interaction.

2-3 diving groups in sampan. Mostly were NUS students (some enjoying their weekend diving leisure , most of us taking our OW.) A tad cramp, but haha, eye candies for the guys when the ladies don their bikinis.Back in the evening, after dinner, it's sharing of post-dive experiences, chilling over beer for some. For us, it's saboteur after logging down our dives. I enjoy it. Oh, our group ( 5 of us)went on a small hike around the island, to Diver's Lodge. That's me using alternate air source! Trying hard not to hyperventilate as i have the tendency to float up!

That's me clearing my mask, as part of the training.

Practicing some of our hand-signals on land. You will be surprised how useful all these come in, when u cant talk, when u cant express your delight as seeing "NEMO!, DORY!", my buddy and i came up with more hand signals, like" slow down, calm down, feeling high( oxygen toxication), which eventually, we mostly just pat on each other, doing the "ok!" sign.

I so badly wanted to take pictures underwater!! I played with Jellyfish, starfish, saw a few humpheads, a friendly batfish, trigger fish, moray eel!
On our way back, looking all rich and happy.

Diving is not a clean, luxurious kinda sport. It's wet, sandy, tho not very tiring, exhilarating, very interesting kinda sport, as you subject yourself to breathing underwater. I like the fact, everyone who went on the trip had a common purpose, to share their passion, the interest for diving. To have their fill, knowing they will need the energy for the next dive, to have a good rest, knowing they will need to be alert for the next dive. To be well-equipped, watching out for each other. Buddy system.

To navigate using a compass underwater, to help each other out, should one run out of oxygen, to constantly be on the look out, for small or big creatures, to play with the fish as they circle around your legs.

It's a shiok feeling. to hear nothing, but the sound of your breathing... to know how a jelly fish feels likes, how a starfish feels like.

I'm glad i went. One thing off my list. Yeah.