New Hair Do.. October 18, 2009

After being here for about 2 months, which means its bout 3 months since my last haircut, so its no wonder my hair is in total mess.. When I made the decision to cut my hair its to cut away the fuss of tying up my hair, but short hair needs constant trimming.. which means more money I got to spend. I did think that I will let my hair be longer when I come to Macau thinking that it will be cooler here.. but then to my dismay, its not the case. So with this, I think it will be easier for me to keep my hair short!

Since I am at a new place, my housemate told me she saw there is a hair salon nearby our neighbourhood. Eventhough a bit skeptical but figured it will be cheaper than going to professional salons at hotels where you have the confident that the skill is at a level, but since my budget is quite low for this month, I decided to take a risk and give the  neighbourhood salon a try.

So for ladies haircut is from MOP 150 and if you get the master to cutthen it will be from MOP180. Actually for me, there is no preference but they thought i wanted the master to cut, so here comes the wait. Waited for about 30 – 40 minutes and in the mean time one of the staff washed my hair and to cut short of the waiting time. Finally the master came to cut my hair. So with some advise and there he goes.. snip.. snip.. The cut is only lasted bout 30 minutes and I am done!  Photos as below the side view, front view and back view! Nice?

A short getaway October 4, 2009

This week was a great week.. hmm.. do you think it’s because work related? haha. unfortunately no.. its because this week we have additional 2 days of off.. as last thursday we have a public holiday due to its China National day but I went back to work for a couple hours.. so its 3/4 day off for me.. then today and tomorrow we are off as well.. isn’t it great? today is our off day then tomorrow is our public holiday celebrating the mid-autumn festival. This is the festival where we hang lantern and eat moon cakes. Over here, this festival is one of the big event comparing to Singapore or Malaysia. Sometimes we even forget the dates of the event when we were in Singapore. We only know it when we realize that there are a lot lantern hanged and the supermarket, bakery and even Haagen Daaz are selling moon cakes! Here its so grand that we even have a public holiday because of it!

So my initial plan for these 2 days was to go to Hong Kong since its one of the destination that I was planning to visit for the longest time! But due to this festival, the accommodation is quite ex..so I decided to cut it short to just a day trip. The exciting day start at 9 am. I met up with one of my colleague, M and her bf at the McDonald below my apartment and then we took a cab to the ferry terminal. On the way I realised that I forgot to take the shopping list that my housemate gave me to help her to buy at Hong Kong. Even though I tried to texted her several times but no response as she off her phone when she is on duty. I have some vivid idea what brand that she uses and the color. So just hope for the best. We managed to take the 0930am ferry over. It was 1 hour ride and reached at Hong Kong at 1030 hours. As this was my first time in Hong Kong, M helped to plot a few interesting places on the map and then we go on our own way.

I contacted one of my friend, A who worked in HK for a few years. Actually ever since he came to Hong Kong I have always say that I want to go to Hong Kong and after so many years.. I finally made my way here! So we met up for lunch at one of the Hong Kong “cha chan teng” (tea cafe – direct translation). As he had some problem with his leg, he did not company me but gave me instruction as in how to get around and where to go. It was good to catch up with him after all these time.

After lunch I took the electric tram which cost bout HK2 per adult regardless which the length of the journey. It’s pretty fun.. since its my first time taking such transport. When you get up the bus you need to go thru a rotating gate then you pay when you alight. It’s very fun when you just alight which ever station you want then get up again. Of course whenever you go up you need to pay another HK2. I took it to the Causeway Bay(Wan Chai Station). After taking some pictures and walk around, I made my way to the lady’s street which is over at Kowloon area. The nearest MTLR station is Mong Kok, where I have to change at Aljunied station. Its so cute that their station name is almost the same with Singapore.

The ladies street is where the entire street was block for pedestrian or rather shoppers. Its quite nice where u go browse along the shops and stalls. There was a street where its full of stalls and here you can bargain.. haha which I hate to do so.. But funny part is when you ask how much is it and you ask again.. they will reduce the price automatically.. haha.. lucky me.. but I only bought 2 pair of shoes from there and a coin purse… This street is like Petaling Street in KL where they sells imitation bags and watches. But for all the shops, I realize that there are a lot of shops selling electronic goods, computers and mobile phone. Iphone the latest one is selling at HK6000 plus for 16 G and 32 G.. sorry forgot the exact price already..Here also I notice that they are a couple of hotels that goes by hourly basis.. wow.. does it really works? Is this the new era of hotels.. they don’t go by nightly basis but hourly… hmm. interesting rite?

After scouting a few cosmetic shops trying to look for the products that my housemate wanted, just when I nearly gave up, something caught my eye.. Its been calling me all along!The yellow brick shophouse with the shop name “Food Skin” was just at the entrance of the exit and I totally miss it! I went to the shop and all their products are all made from food stuff.. really amazing.. after getting the products and I got influence by the sales person to buy one more product to get more free gifts.. haha.. yes i know i am sucker for this.. and I get a free membership as well.. So I got myself a black sugar mask… so it exfoliate and its a mask also.. so 2 in 1 and it smells great too! But they only shops in Hong Kong but we are able to purchase thru internet… Go to www.skinfood.com.hk… Since I have been walking almost 3/4 day so I was thinking of going back home already.. so I took the train to Tsim Sha Tsui Station where I can go there to catch the ferry back to Macau.

But as usual being ladies, we tend to side track.. I saw a group of tourist taking picture of the Peninsular Hotel so I also take la.. don’t want to left out.. haha.. so kiasu.. then I went to another jetty where there is an observation area where we able to enjoy the view of Hong Kong from Kowloon  and I can see the local ferry. It’s like in the movies! Then on the right I am able to see Star Cruise dock at the cruise centre and waiting for passenger to alight… after taking some photos at the area, I decided to make my way to the ferry terminal. Somehow I ended up in another shopping mall.. But by then my legs is letting me know that I need to rest already. But even so I still manage to buy thing. I pick up a birthday present for A… Once all the chores been done, I find my way to the ferry and managed to take the 630pm ferry back to Macau.

Just like that, my day trip to Hong Kong ends.. Pics below.. The next trip to Hong Kong, I want to go to the Peak and Disneyland!!!..

Before I go..  I have also attached an odd pics.. thats my new bedsheet and quilt cover that I bought this morning so that I can wash the previous ones. But I like this one at least it gives my room some color and it make my room cozier!

Its not from HK but just from the local supermarket.. nice?

My Life in Macau October 4, 2009

Just imagine how time flies, it seems like I just arrived at Macau but now its been a month and half since I came to this country. The entire time was busy with trainings and trainings.. and dealing with all the attendence issues as well as minutes of meetings. Hmm.. seems like I became like a secretary, am I not? Oh well.. just take it as part of learning process. Better to have things to do than nothing to do.. or I will feel completely useless then.

Now that the hotel just opened about 200 rooms to capture the holiday guests, but the service staff and hotel is not really ready for it as yet. The entire place and the service level is still pretty raw. Even though all staffs are suppose to wear their uniform already but for some of us the uniform is not ready as yet  or the uniform need alterations. Sigh.. and they were saying that the uniform are very expensive but the quality seems not as good as it claims.. But now without the uniform, its hard for me to go around the hotel especially whenever I need to go to the office to do some paper work but the lift will take forever to come up or down and sometimes it will even skip our level. Its so frustrating to wait for the lift then whenever I take the stair case I will get lock outside the staircase and I have to walk one huge round to get back into the building . Just because we are unable to be seen in the front of the house (where guests are) wearing the purple T-shirt for room division and light blue for food and beverage. It was quite funny to see at the earlier time where we see purple and blue staffs..all color cordinated.. These Tshirt was the uniform for all of us during the pre-opening of the hotel and until our uniform is ready.

I have also attached some pics of all our uniforms that we took during our 1st staff party with a fashion show of all our uniforms from all departments. (Pic below)

But then whenever I am off or if my housemate is off we will try to cook at home.. The first meal was by my housemate. She made some Korean Sushi (The only pic I have of our home cook food). Its very nice and some korean soup. Very yummy.. the 2nd and 3rd time was prepared by me.. but just some simple chinese dishes.. and the last one was by my housemate who cook kimchi soup.. yumm… Its quite nice to have own apartment and you have your own kitchen.. It felt like I was back in my uni days where we cook and bring to uni our lunch and then we will rush back to cook for dinner. It was real fun.. But now its so long since I cook, sometimes I tend to forget what are the ingrediant.. haha.. but lucky till now.. no one get diahrrea yet.. haha..But then we will continue this.. at least not everytime eat outside with all artificial flavoring! Taste might not be fantastic but definitely healthier.. hehe.. hope so….

yum yumm.. very after that .. very very full!!