Excuse me.. January 28, 2008

Most people when we go to immigration, there is always a degree of anxiety, hopefully that we are able to go across the border safely without any fuss or delay. The stories that we heard of immigration officers detaining people, how the people went through.. eventhough they did nothing wrong but still was detained was not an experience that we would like to experience.

Today, my parents came over to send us  our Chinese New Year cookies orders and while they were going back we took a ride from them, thinking that they are able to leave us at woodland immigration and we are able to walk to the other side of the immigration to take a bus to Causeway Point – Shopping center at Woodlands. However, we ended up at the car immigration and we are unable to go across.

Sadly we do not have our passports with us or we are able to follow up my parents across to JB and take a bus back. Therefore, we are stranded at the immigration. We tried to jay walk to the bus lane to cut across to the arrival hall however we were being detain by one of the officers. We were then have to wait a while for the officer to call another officer to escort us to their office.

Wow! What an experience man.. After some registration, the officer escorted us through all the official walkway and halls and bring us over to the arrival hall. Everyone must have seen us being escorted wondering what went wrong with us.. It is so funny, trilling and a very exciting experience! But it is not an experience that we would like repeat again! 

Poof..! January 24, 2008

Whenever we meet someone either by casual or officially, not everyone that we were being introduced will be come our friends. Some will remains as clients/colleagues or acquintances. When you find someone who you can talk to, comfortable with them are some that we might wish to keep in touch with.

 However, I have this ex-colleague who go MIA – Missing in action everytime she changes job and will only contact us when she has settled down in her new job. But when she leave her job again,  there she goes again.

The last time that she did that was about 1 year ago.. and we have not heard from her since. (which is quite normal for her!) But this time round her mobile number is no longer in use! When I finally got her home number and manage to call her mum today, only to find out that she has left the country! Sigh.. Now hopefully that when she does comes back for visit, she will contact us!

Learn to say NO! January 20, 2008

How often do we find ourself in a situation where we agreed to go or do something which we actually not willing to do but we still do it for obligation, friendship or relationship. This is due to we always dare not just outright tell them “No”  and trying not to affect our relationship or trying not to hurt their feelings. Most of us are more easy going whenever people ask us to do, we will always try to oblige them as long we have the time and in our capabilities to do so.  But if given a choice, we might not wish to do so.

Just yesterday, I went to watch a movie titled: 27 dresses. It is about a woman that has became a bridesmaid for 27 times with all different dresses or costumes. A very interesting movie on how this woman has always so obliging to all her friends by dressing all different costumes and doing anything to help her friends’ wedding a special day.

She is not just the bridesmaid but also the wedding planner. She plans all aspects of the wedding from wedding cakes up to the wedding menu. Up until she met a critic who later on she fell in love with that made her realize that at some point she has to start learning to say NO to her friends especially when she has to organize her younger sister with her boss who is she has a crush on.

But she soon realize that she is no longer content to just helping her friends but to search for her own happiness as well. It was a touching ending where all the brides came for her wedding wearing dress or costume that she wore on their weddings!

I myself has assisted one of my friend’s wedding as their bridesmaid but not as extensive as the main actress to organize the entire wedding for them, but it was a great feeling that I am able to assist in my small way in assuring their wedding went well on that day. But not to worry, that wasn’t done due to obligation but I actually wanted to assist with the wedding and sincerely hope the couple will have a long happy and wonderful marriage!  But of course it is always every woman’s dream to have our own wedding but that is only if we are able to find our Mr. Right!

Knock knock.. Hi Neighbour.. January 17, 2008

Everyone of us no matter where we stay, we will have neighbours. It is the matter whether you get good neighbours or bad neighbours.

However, I had 02 unique circumstances. When I was staying at my previous place, I have a colleague who stays just opposite my unit in the same block. Then, occasionally we will go down to have breakfast or lunch together during weekends. But after a few months, she quit the job and went to Shanghai.. and there goes my neighbour… so sad..

 When I shifted to my new place in AMK. I found out that my other colleague is also staying in AMK and just 1 block away! Hei.. How cool is that everywhere I go I got friends or colleagues nearby.

But even so after 1 and half month staying at the new place, I did not bump into her when going to work or has never go back together, eventhough we all officially finishes at 6pm. However today, we got the rare opportunity to go back together (that is also after the stress of me standing behind, breathing down her neck to hurry up so that we did not miss the bus).

We went back to AMK Hub to have some light dinner, and even though it was late and the place was quite full, we determine to have our dinner at Ah Mei Cafe – under Banquet chain. At first we thought that we will go somewhere else but at the end we still turn back there, trying our luck for the 2nd round to get a table. Voila..! there it is.. yes there is one!

We were extremely lucky. Want to know why? We got the last 2 cups of coffee, and the last 3 pieces of Roti Canai as they are closing soon! wow.. that was real close. whew! If not we will end up at one of the coffeeshops near our blocks. The plata taste good coz it was made specially for us! That was also because they accepted our order and after paying the money, the casher realize that the Roti Plata is finished. So since paid, they have to do new ones for us.. Yumm yumm…

Burb.. opps.. excuse me… After chatting and finished our dinner, we took the same bus home. It is a nice feeling to be able to go back together.. But we only have a few months to go before we move again.. sigh… dreading for it..

Wheweet.. taxi! January 15, 2008

Nowadays, all the prices for everything goes up and why is it so? Just because of the oil prices goes up it affect most of the daily products and of course the transportation..

Now when you take a cab it cost very much more. Now when it comes to peak period, before the taxi start the journey will coz you about 5 bucks then if you call a cab additional $2.50 then if you go to the expressway or town area, there are those irritating ERPs. It is a never ending story.

Of course, there are several taxi companies operating in Singapore with different types of cars. Some uses the Toyota/Nissan cars for their standard taxis, some major companies has upgraded some of their standard taxi to Hyundai and of course you see some mercedez taxi on the road as well. Without saying these new and the mercedez cabs charges higher than the normal Toyota or Nissan cabs.

 Many people always wants to sit on the mercedez cab as some of them are used as limousine for VIPs. They do not mind to pay slightly more for the comfort of the seat and space.

 But for me, I would much prefer to the normal standard cab. Not just they are cheaper but I find they are more convenient to get in and out from the cab. Mercedez cabs the seats can be very comfortable but they are quite low so when you get out from the cab, I feel like as though I have to crawl out from the cab.  So when we are carrying things, it is quite a hussle getting in and out from those cabs. 

Like today, when I was walking towards the taxi queue and there is one lady getting into the 1st cab and next is a mercedez cab. Dreading to take the cab, but since that is next in queue, so I went and wanted to open the door, there was another lady that was waiting at the line shouted. She was just standing there to wait for the 1st cab to drive off and for the 2nd cab to drive in front of her to take the cab. It is a ridiculous, is just a few steps away and she rather wait there for the cab to drive up to her. Should the 1st cab takes bout 10 minutes, really wonder will she be willing to just wait there? Hmm.. But then I ever willing to let her have the mercedez cab, I pay less and much convenient for me to go to the older cabs! Yippee!

Work out.. January 13, 2008

Everyone says everyone needs frequent exercise to keep ourselves fit and healthy. Of course me too! Which was why I join the yoga session. But these few months, have not been going, due to the schedules, work loads or a few times not fit for exercise.

Now with the additional work and the begining of the balancing of 2 jobs, I find my time schedule has not really stabalize it. Once I get the rhythm of my time, I will definitely make the effort to start going for classes and to start exercising again! Ok ok.. I admit.. those are my excuses.. most of the time because of laziness that I did not go.. Will try to start next week.

Just recently some people ask me how I manage to stay so slim.. hmm… I have no idea, I eat and I don’t exercise so often.. lucky my shape still stays.. of course there are still some fats that I want to burn off even till not I have not have the courage to step on the weighing scale…

Does it really matter whether you are fat or thin, whether you are 80kg or 40kg? As long as you are healthy, and you love live life to the fullest that makes you happy, who’s to judge? As long you are happy in your own skin, then no one are able to interfere in your happiness. So go on out, eat what you want, do what you want (as long is lawful) and enjoy!

Start Up.. January 9, 2008

The beginning of a new challenge is always the hardest to cope.. The changes of your normal routine, less time for yourself, less relax is sometimes a challenge by itself.

 When I chose to come into this brand new field, I have predicted of these changes. Even though there were only 5 days has passed since I had advertised my first ads last Saturday; it has been a hectic days. The process of calling, arranging the suitable time for viewing and checking on the availability of the units and the travelling is something that I have to do but not something that I enjoy doing… ok I heard someone saying.. who does?

But the stage where we meet the client, talking to them, bringing them to view the units and able to see other people units are ones that I enjoy – so far.. up till I meet some nasty ones! Hope not so soon, but it is predicted to happen, can’t expect everyone to be nice person, can we?

Even though after just a short period, I get to experience in dealing with all types of agents, some secrative ones, some helpful ones and slowly picking up the rules of the game. With my director’s coaching, hopefully I am able to pick up fast. One thing that I have learnt.. I have to be Ka poh, and keep probbing and asking till I get the answers either from the Client or agent, which I had a hard time trying to.. coz I am not a busybody person and I do not try to press people for answers by nature and I have to be both. Realize there are a lot of areas I need to improve of!

Hope over time I will be able to be better.. Even though now I am kind of a little regret of choosing Toa Payoh as my first case study coz now almost everyday I have to bring clients there to view flats and I stay in Ang Mo Kio. Lucky was it was quite near but it is still tire me out…trying to balance my full time and my part time job.

 Now all that I can do is… GAMBATTE!

Encore… January 7, 2008

 There are a lot of things that people enjoy during their free time, some do sports, some goes for movies, and some goes for musical plays or concert.

Last night I get to attend one of my favourite artist from Hong Kong - Jacky Cheung’s concert. Even though I had just attended once last year, but I enjoy going for his concert and able to hear and see him dance and sing. It is very memorable as we listen to his songs since we were in our teenage years. Though he is not as handsome as some other male singers, but we like his songs.

When he sang some of the older songs, it brings back bitter sweet memories of our school times or the time we spend with our friends. Even though he is already 46 years old and still able to dance and sing at the same time in tune with the catchy song. He is very successful after 23 years in this industry after holding 500 concerts, sang about 1000 songs and able to write an album of songs for himself and became popular worldwide. It was quite an accomplishment! The touching part of the concert was when he said bout the lost of his friends in 2003 and when he spoke of his wife and 02 daughters.

Really wonder if he will be retiring soon as this concert is an extension of this world tour 2007. Hopefully we still have the opportunity to go for a few more of his concert before he retires!

Newbee.. January 5, 2008

In order to win the war, well preparation has to be done. With that and with plenty of practices, it will help to win the battle. In one’s life there will always be some days that we will remember. The day when we go for a “battle” and how we deal and fair at the end of the day will always be the one most memorable.

Today is a day where I will always remember. This is because today is day I went for battle, my first step out from my comfort zone, into a brand new area. Even though I had attended the classes and training to prepare for THIS day, but when it comes to the time where I really have to put it into practice is a different matter all together.

When I had called the newspaper to advertise a “dummy” act to find buyers to serve last friday, still have not felt the urgency. Up till this morning, when the ad is publicize. Even though I had prepared some materials with my director’s coaching, I still find that what I know is insufficient and still lack of confident. Before 9am, my phone starts to ring to enquire about the flat that I had advertise. Wow!

It was lucky my director gave me a prep talk the night before on how to handle the phone calls.. So manage to stay cool and handle the calls quite well. The entire morning, I received numerous of calls either from direct buyers and agents. Finally one buyer responded and wanted to view the other units that I had prepared.

Suddenly the panic mode sets in, questions floats in my head: What should I say? How to present? How to start? When I meet up with her what should I say/do? What if they ask questions, and I do not know how to answer?

As the time approaches, the more I get nervous, frogs starts to jump and butterfly starts to take off in my stumoch. Nearer to the appointment time, I receive a sms that brought me such a huge relief! Was really really thankful that my director able to make it and join me for the viewings. Whew! What a relief! I observed how he does the presentation and explain the entire process up till we meet up with the other agent that brought us up to see the flat. At least for the next appointment, I might be able to handle with lesser panic.. hopefully..

Well, now for tomorrow I will be meeting another buyer to view one of the flat that I had shown earlier.. Hopefully I am able to handle the viewing without much hiccups! Wish me luck!

2007 – 2008 January 1, 2008

Today is a start of a brand new year. Time just flew pass very fast. I can still remember last year we welcome the year of 2007 at DragonFly, when that was the hotspot in town. Last night we welcome 2008 in another pub called Ministry of Sound. This is not the new hang-out place in town but has been one of the night spot for a couple of years. Though this is not my first visit but it was my friend’s. It has 05 different rooms but I always unable to find the last one. There is: R&B, 70s, HouseMusic (which is the largest room) and there is a also a room for trance music.

With the fun and excitement of the occasion, it is also a time to reflect on our achievements and goals that we set for ourselves for 2007 and to plan what we wish to achieve for 2008. To think back to what I had achieve for 2007 can be quite little as to what are the things that happen during the year..

My achievement in 2007:-

* Join ERA – A new challenge

* Shifting out from my cousin’s place and renting a room

My resolution for 2008

* Do well in my new career while focusing on my current job

* To achieve my first target (My course fee)

* To find a new room in mid of the year with my aunt’s approval

* To go back hometown more often

Hope I will be able to achieve all my goals for next year. Wish me Luck!