Yesterday I posted that I will be going to for a shopping spree..it turn up to be a very rushed 30 minutes shopping spree… Even though on Tuesday night I went for the trial run at our new restaurant – Mezza 9 which serve 7 types of food and have 1 wine cellar and a bar.. which is why their name have a 9. Today in the spa section as they are short of one person, they called me up and asked me to come over for dinner to make up to the number so there I go again. Most people will say “Lucky you!” Yes in a way very lucky coz get to eat a lot of delicious food twice!

So this afternoon I went over to Macau to get the clip earrings again, coz I lost one. hehe.. well.. a perfect excuse to go shopping right? But hei.. I did not do it on purpose ok..As usual I did not only come back with the items that I wanted to buy but I also added one more item which I LOVE it so much.. so here is the things that I bought today 2 pair of earrings (kiasee – scared to die in translation .. just in case I lost it again), 2 long sleeve shirts, 2 long pants, 1 fluffy stockings andthe best of all one soft fluffy bathrobe! Its so comfy and soft.. very very nice! (Pics above)

Then I took a cab back to the hotel for the dinner. Since its a table for 4,it has been determined a set dishes that we have to order accordingly. But we have a lot of food. We can’t finish all of them and somemore, we are seating near to the sushi again (not by request this time as we requested it on the night before), my friend is one of the chefs there .. so.. hehe.. we got extra 1 plate of yummy sashimi…hush hush ok..  its so fresh and so its so delicious and today we have the Taro also! Its the stumoch of the Tuna and its so soft and nice; apparently its quite expensive and we also tried the sea urchin .. but most of us don’t like the taste of the sea urchin. Its too fishy, and the F&B Manager gave us a bottle of portugal red wine apparently cost about 2k a bottle, the wine is quite smooth but only I finish my glass. hmm..But overall, after having these kind of luxurious food for 2 days.. I think its too much for me and please do count me out for the next time.. Food is good but its too much and too rich. If this goes on.. I seriously need to sign up for the yoga membership, which I am planning to sign it up next month. Really wonder how some people can eat these every day! Not sure if its good life or not.. just I wonder.. hmm….

Before I come to Macau, I checked on the weather condition to see what clothes to wear. Then many says that the winter here is not so cold and lowest temperature is only 7 degrees. So I only brought some sweathers, one or two long sleeve T-shirts, 2 scalves and my gloves, just in case, the only thing i did not bring is long pants and my beanie.. how I need them..

Even when we were looking at houses, the agent told us that the winter here is not so cold, but i believe its because the air condition in the house, there is no heater function as some other units have that. Even though I like cold weather but I like to have a warm bed and warm showers too. So when the weather turns cold last week, its so freezing cold. The degree turn down to below 10 degrees and due to the humidity here, it makes it even colder compared to the those country with dry climate.

This is when I realize that the clothes that I brought is not really enough and its really cold at night. As I have the habit of turning during my sleep so whenever I turn, I will wake up due to the coldness of the other side. I hope I don’t need to train myself to sleep at one position like what I did when I was in my uni days in Australia.This really remind me of the my Uni days even more – cooking, buying of grocery and now the cold weather.. really make me miss my uni days. How fun it was then! Then the cold also reminds me of my holidays to the cold countries like UK, Europe and New Zealand! oh how I wish I can go for holiday again!! sigh.. Looks like I got to wait for next year.. my next destination? hmm.. maybe Japan/Korea since its cheaper to go from here.. ehehe… yes yes.. mum I heard you.. I will still save some money.. but can’t help it.. I like to travel and see the world..

Up till yesterday, I can’t stand it anymore and I bought myself a heater.. yippee.. However once I bought it the weather turn hot.. sigh.. just my luck and my lousy timing. Today the weather is at 20 degree! The changing of temperature is really funny and some of them said that this year November is the coldest that they ever had. hmm.. due to the global warming, I wonder? Hopefully it will turn cold soon! Well.. Its kind of a dilemma for me.. when its hot weather, I want my bed to be cold, and now that its cold I want it hot..really can not be satisfied.. oh well.. just see how it comes.. Since tomorrow is my day off, I might take this chance to get myself some long sleeve shirts and pants! so yes guys.. its shopping time again! oh.. I even might buy an electric blanket also.. just in case the weather turns colder.. then I will have warm and comfy bed for me to slip into.

Oh well… last couple of weeks has been full of excitement and embarrassment for me. So other than I am doing something that I don’t really like but managing to stay on it which still a wonder for myself, probably I have not really done the tough part yet. Oh well.. Surely that day will come…hmm.. lets shall not go into that, shall we? Just last week our fitness manager, A brought me to eat some local food. We ended early since we went for the Hotel Expo and the Macau Travel Expo. So we decided to take the chance to leave early. However since we took the wrong bus, we ended up at the other side of the Macau.

Here she brought me to a local shop that sells noodles. Hei.. its not just any kind of noodles but its with pig’s brain. (Pics below)  Haha yes.. you heard it right.. Pig’s brain… as you  do realize chinese eats everything.. the entire part of the pig can be eaten! It taste very creamy and it goes with the noodles with chili. Not bad and its something new to try… but if its too exotic like turtle soup or snake soup or even monkey brain, that’s my limit. I will not go for that. Too gross and its too cruel especially when we heard about how they kill or prepare that dish.

The next day somehow, my stumoch is churning very badly, maybe its due to my monthly period that I fainted at work! yes yes.. i know.. what an impression and its so embarrassing. It all started like this. I was the hostess for the breakfast session and starting from the beginning my tummy to ache. But I thought I am able to stand till after the breakfast timing then I will go to the toilet and let the tummy finish processing as well. Little did I realize that it grew worse after 1 hour, that it started churning very badly. Therefore I hid at a corner near to the office and squat for a while for the pain to pass. But my error is when the pain pass, I just stood up and walked back to the hostess stand. That’s when I realize the entire place is turning around me and I held on to the stand. The next thing I knew, I was lying on the floor and I heard my colleague calling my name and running to get help.

When I started to sit up, the GC assistant manager, executive housekeeper, M and our training and development director arrived and helped me up and brought me to the office to lie down. Oh man..I felt so bad that because of me, they are now short of 1 person and so embarrassing. I was so touched that the concern that they gave me. M was arranging for some blankets for me and kept on checking on me. The GC manager called to my assistant spa manager, Y for some medicines and the assistant manager got me some sugar water. After resting a while and when I thought I am able to manage to, I went out to go to the toilet. When I came out, I saw our GM and he is very concern about me and M helped me to the toilet. My boss, Y and A also came to check on my status. Just because of me, created such a big fuss.. so touch yet so embarrassing. After that Y brought me home, however because of that she left her phone in the cab. I felt so bad for that. After resting that day when I went back to work the next day, everyone kept asking me how am I and if I felt better.. even when GM saw me after a couple of days, he asked me how am I! But don’t worry mum and dad, I will definitely take good care of myself so that this incident will not happen again.. geez.. once is enough!

As the GC is opening to public this week, we took the opportunity of going out for dinner on Sunday when it will be the last time where all the staffs will have the same off day. However, they wanted to go to Zhuhai, China, which I can NOT go!!! I have not receive my blue card as they canceled my previous application for another department and therefore they have to reapply for me. So now that I do not have it, I can’t apply for China Visa. So I thought that I will miss this outing and I kept grumbling and grumbling. Then one of my friends, maybe cannot stand my grumbling anymore just said that I am able to apply for the 1 day visa at the checkpoint itself. But have to pay over there. Hmm.. suddenly the sky gets brighter.. there is hope!!! So eventhough I had made plans with A to go out shopping again, but I hope she will understand.. So I met up with A in the afternoon and I got my new toy – Nokia E71..ok Ok.. yes mum i know .. I change phone again. But my previous phone kept on getting hang and its so slow. So after a few hours of walking around the city and the New Yaohan, I made my way to the checkpoint. Keeping my finger cross. I met up with 2 of the GSos who is going together. So when I got the the China side and I followed the sign and went to the office to apply for the visa. I paid about RMB160 for the 3 days visa and less than 30 minutes I have it! Yippee!! Now I finally able to enter into China! We went down to queue up to enter. Since there are a lot of people, I thought I will be taking a long time. But to my surprise the lane for foreigner is very short, I manage to clear it within 30 – 45 minutes! Cool eh…

After everyone joined our group we proceed to our next destination. We made our way to a chinese restaurant for dinner. Here we have to go and buy the seafood from other place and bring it to the restaurant for them to cook.. what a weird system. So anyhow, 5 of us stayed back and the rest went to buy the seafood. We had prawn, shellfish, fish, oysters, scallops and they are all very fresh and very delicious! They had some Chinese white wine, which I don’t like the taste at all.. We had fun gossiping about another colleague who did not manage to join us and we really had a good laugh as well.

The night continue with bar hopping. When we were at the first bar, a couple of us left. I stayed behind with the group. We went bar hopping till 5am and went for foot massage that we slept till 9am and only then we decided to leave and return home. It was a very tiring day but its fun! I reached home around 11 am and slept till 530pm. Then I meet up with 2 GSos to go for the food festivals, which is near the Macau Tower. They have a lot of food stalls there. Here we ate all kinds of simple food – Japanese sashimi, thai tomyam soup, fried chicken, Chinese fried buns, Crocodile satay, hot dog bun for main course, bread papa, chinese peanut and sesame paste and banana crepes for dessert and it end with a cotton floss which leave my hands all sticky! It was very nice and very very cold!! We were shivering while eating all the yummy food! But after that, we have to wait to next year to go for the food festival again!

Sometimes you will never know what you end up doing, which is out of your league. Even though 6 years ago, I did some food and beverage stuff but deep inside I do knew that I am not food and beverage inclide person, however after 6 years later, by fate, I ended up doing food and beverages again!

When I came to Macau, all I thought I will be doing is in the spa, at the reception. I do not mind working late or do something different once a while but little did I expect that I will be hed to Grand Club for several months! This is all because the spa is not ready at the moment and there was a delay in the opening due to the design of the spa that was not up to standard. Well.. it was a totally mess… and all we can do now is do the best that we can.. which means I have to tolerate to be in the F&B!! Sorry nothing against it..  but its just not for me.. the tray is so heavy.. lucky last few days and today I was doing the hosting.. which means I just greet and escort the guest to the table. But I think tomorrow they will switch my place and I have to carry those heavy trays! urgh…which also means from tomorrow onwards my arms going to be paining!

Now I am also helping them to dry those drink glasses and cutleries after they wash it. We have to dry it as soon as its still hot as its much easier, as once it cools, it leave water stains and its hard to remove them! Then we have use hot water to re-wipe them and need more energy..Especially when you wipe the glasses, hands quite painful due to the friction and the heat. Even today one of the staffs broke some glass as one of the server tray fell on the floor as the trayt wasn’t placed on the table properly and she cut her hand while trying to clean up the scattered glass ! This really reminds me to be extra careful with the glasses and the tray.. sigh.that is my biggest worry – that I will drop the entire tray! urgh.. touch wood! hope not…. I remembered I broke my mum’s plates during one of the new year eve dinner, when I slipped while carrying a stack of plates..a total nightmare.. of coz also remembering my mum’s scolding for my carelessness.. I hope the history don’t repeat itself over here..

A total challenge for me and one that I need to handle and cope for the coming months! The first time I got to do a split shift – working at 0700 – 1100 then 1500 – 1900 hours. the middle part I came back to sleep!! haha.. but damn weird feeling.. oh well.. I suppose there will be more to come!

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?

]]> http://funkiegal.wordpress.com/2009/10/18/new-hair-do/feed/ 3 funkiegal http://funkiegal.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/a-short-getaway/ http://funkiegal.wordpress.com/2009/10/04/a-short-getaway/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 18:36:15 +0000 funkiegal http://funkiegal.wordpress.com/?p=624 ]]>

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!

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….

Most people are not so lucky that able to get a job so soon after they left the previous job even with all the various job hunting and I was lucky that I got a job before I left my previous company. I have always wondered what does it feel like to work in city hotel and to work with an international chain hotel.. and my wish came true. I applied, interview and got the job as a team leader for the reception for the spa at Macau with Grand Hyatt! wow!

After 2 weeks at home, I continued by career path to Macau.. The weather here is even more humid than Malaysia/Singapore! The day that I arrived, the humidity is around 80% and the next day is 90% .. seriously.. you do not need to do anything but just stand outside the building and you will start sweating.. hmm.. then I really wonder do they really require sauna or even steam room her since they have a natural one outside..

Upon arrival, I was being picked up by our Spa Manager, Serena Rogers. I never expected the spa manager will come personally to pick up staffs .. I wondered then if she does it for every employee? hmm…. But nevertheless, felt honored too! She brought me to the hotel to do some further registration at the HR. Once I completed everything, I was being brought to the hotel that I will be staying. Prior to my arrival, after checking and I thought that I will be put into the hostel which they provide for all the employee from China, but they arranged for me to stay at a hotel at Taipa area – Hotel Taipa(Best Western) I shared a room with a korean lady, J who is my current housemate. The company actually arranged a half day city tour for all the staff.. very good eh.. So I went around Macau for half a day and after that the orientation and trainings starts.

I managed to catch up with a friend who is working here and through him, I know a property agent who help to find my current house. Its quite centralize, eventhough its not a new apartment but the house is clean and sufficient for 2 ladies. After staying for 2 weeks at the hotel we moved into our home. Its great to finally able to unpack everything! Now its shopping time.. buying things for the house and for the room – comforter, pillows, bedsheets, pillow cases, quilt covers then for the house, kitchen items and bathroom items. Most importantly arranged for my broadband which finally arrived last Saturday! yippee.. and that is also why there is such a long silence!.. :p oh .. some of my house photo as below.

After 6 months away from home, eventhough when I left with the thought I will only be back after 1 year, it feels good to be back to familiar grounds again.

When I came back last week, I am able to satisfy my food craving for some of my favourite food – Bak kut teh, mee rebus, thosai, laksa, satay, roti plata, fried carrot cake, rojak, fried kuey teow with crockles, fish ball noodles.. yum… but I over do it at the beginning and also due to the visits to the general hospital for my medical check up, I am down by the normal flu.. Let me stress again.. normal flu.. and not the ever spreading virus H1N1!…

Sigh.. even though I am recovering already with doctor prescription of anti biotics, but I have to obstain from many food. So there are still many food I have not eaten this trip – grill ray fish, Ah see won ton mee, chicken rice,  indian rojak, mee goreng, mee siam, nasi lemak .. oh well.. at least there are still food that I can look forward for the next visit home.

During the short period of time home, I also able to make a short trip back to Singapore to catch up with friends and ex-colleague. Eventhough its a very short period back and also my flu, its a great to be back home, able to recover under my parents concern and my mum cook my favourite dishes.. yummy.. so I am not deprive of my favourite foods even though I am sick!

Now that I will be going to Singapore later this afternoon and will be flying to Macau tomorrow another start of my life journey and challenge. There goes my short holiday..Oh well..at least there are  always things for me to look forward to when I come back next time round.

While reading many friends blogs and then realized that I was being tagged by MNHL and SP .. so here it goes…

The tag is about childhood memories.

1. Ever favourite nursery rhymes : london bridge is falling down

2. Pet Name : Meowmy.. a cat that I had during secondary school.

3. Favourite treat : KFC and canteen fried drum stick

4. Milk in your bottle / Sippy cup you miss most : Chocolate milk packet tat we have to order from school

5. Favourite TV show : Singapore Chinese series

6. Place you love your parents take you the most : Supermarket

7. Adult thing you used to mimick : Wearing a wig, necklace and earrings..

8. Most embarrassing to recall : standing on the chair for not finishing homework.

9. Game with a sib you reminisce most : knee race from parents room to kitchen

10. Most unforgettable candy you used to take : Tic Tac

Voila! Now my turn to tag.. for those who is reading this blog and has not done this tag before!