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!

I have been in this country nearly to half a year, but shamefully, I have not really explore this country. Even though there are trips to local islands before but I have not thought of joining any of these trips.

Last Sunday, there was a trip to a local island – Ihavandhoo and since it was during my off day I decided to do some exploring. Eventhough one of my staffs told me that its not so nice and its very smelly, so I thought that I will be able to see the local cultures. So after getting signatures for my exit pass.. yes.. to leave this stupid resort I need security, HR and the GM signatures.. Really like a jail.. and after getting all these signatures.. and off I went.

The speedboat ride is about 15 minutes. Its a very short boat ride comparing to the one that I took from Harimadhoo to the resort which takes 45 – 50 minutes! Prior to the trip the image that I had in my mind for this shopping trip was like a street with some shops along the street.. But when I reach there, the first thing I saw was a big mosque. Ok.. acceptable la.. since this is a Muslim country.. but then followed with residential area, schools! So where is the shops?

I walked around for 30 minutes.. and guess what.. I’m Bored!!! nothing to do.. ayo.. I saw a grocery shop, went in bought some potato chip, a bottle of coke and some wafer and then scout for a place to sit down and guess what I found, some swings.. Gleefully.. like a small child sneeking into someone’s property.. looking around for any owner who is going to shout at me for trespassing, slowly foot by foot i approached the swing. Since it was rather peaceful, I lowered myself at the swing. It was real fun. The swing was tied on a coconut tree, feel real pitiful on the tree but that does not deem my excitements .. 1,2,3 yippee!! there I go.. (Photos below)

While on the swing, I am able to enjoy the view and relax with the sea breeze (with the salted fish smells) My staff was right, this island is really stinko.. This is where the salted fish comes from. Nearby to where I was I notice there are a lot of crows (a common bird in Maldives.. I think its their national bird.. Its a no wonder why they choose this bird .. coz its everywhere!). After a while, my curiosity beats me, I went to investigate.. There are so many fishes being “sun tanned” there with a layer of salt. There are even baby reef sharks in there. Who say only Chinese eat shark fin.. These people eat them as well! (Photos below)

Imagine, I have to wait for the boat at 1700 hours and I reached there at 1315 hour, so I have to be there for 3 hours and 45 minutes! After an hour, I notice the speedboat start to dock at the jetty. Hoping that I am able to spend the rest of the afternoon waiting in the boat was dashed by the captain as he is scared that I will get sea sick due to when the boat stops, it start to sway right and left.

So luckily one of the crew is kind enough to bring me around the island. So I walked the island again with him, but which is pretty cool, as I have someone to talk to and to ask him questions bout the island. I found out that in this island, there are about 4k local people and they have 6 mosques! wow.. are they so religious or what.. Apparently the local are very furious with one of the political party that won the election last year, as the party promised the people that they will build a very nice jetty for them, but till now, nothing was done, its a real wonder why they are angry. As what the crew member told me, the jetty is like the public toilet. (pic below).

With him, I get to see the boat yard, and one old man approached us to see if I want a shell or salted fish, I told him no for both but because I do not really understand what he meant by shell, he brought us to his home to show me the shell (pics below). It was a huge sea shell. Very nice.. but how to bring it home? and where am I going to put it… hmm.. nah.. thanks but no thanks..

Finally, the time to go back to resort finally came, it was a very good experience for me, but I have get to see how does the local people live. I have put up some photos of the kids going to school, their main road, their houses and how they earn their living. Most of the people here are fisherman, some you see some nettings next to their home where they cook the tuna fish and they sell it to the public..

Its real amazing! Now I am planning to visit another island also quite nearby but different than this island on the 27th July – 1 day after their Independence Day! Not sure if they have any fireworks, apparently there will be some celebration on the 27th so I might be able to see some cultural shows.. The only one that I saw was Bodu Beru.. the Maldivian dance… my almost last few weeks in Maldives!

Just a month ago, I was copying some songs from the DJ from the previous resort and I came across some Michael Jackson songs and I realize that Its been years since I last hear his old songs. But sadly after a few weeks, I saw in the TV that he has passed away.

Even though I wasn’t such a great fan of his. But I practically grew up with his songs.  Some of his songs actually touches your heart with the rhythm, lyrics like You are not alone, Heal the world, Childhood and Earth song and there are some songs, when I hear the beat of the songs from the radio, without fail my feet will automatically beat with the tempo – Billy Jeans, Trillers, Beat It or Black or White.

Even though I liked his older image better before he turn white, but from his songs and his stories (whether its true or not) he has a very caring heart to the earth, community and especially children, its very sad to see/hear that he left this world so soon. But eventhough he is gone, everyone will always remember this King of Pop and we will still continue listen to his songs which will bring back memories of our growing up years.

“Good bye Michael, we will miss your song, your dance especially the moonwalk and will remember you always!”

Well.. when people ask me what is my favourite thing to do.. and I will surely say travelling and when people ask me whether you would like to work in different places, without much hesitation, I would readily agreed. Well.. seems like my dream comes true..

This is the first time when I get to work far away from home. Its been 5 months I am at Maldives… How time flies! But within this 5 months, every 2-3 months, I change resorts. However due to this country consist of many islands.. Whenever I change resorts, I need to lug my luggages around to Male then to the next resort either by speedboat or by seaplane previously.

With great dissappointment, I was not selected to work with Hilton together with another 3 other spa therapists. However, lucky for me, my GM able to transfer me to another resort, which will also be going to be taken over by the Hilton group under the brand of Waldorf-Astoria which is a much higher brand than Hilton in November or might be sooner. Oh well, since I am not able to be included in Hilton, there is not much hope to be accepted to be in Waldrorf. Therefore I will be here for only during the transition period, after that, seriously no idea. Its either I go home to Malaysia/Singapore or I start looking for another job over here.

Even though its sad to leave the previous resort – Irufushi, but its kind of a blessing in disguise. You can say its a way for me to avoid a messy emotional issue, it may be mean but it would be much better for all parties that I leave that place. Now, I am sure you are wondering what am I talking about..well.. you can keep wondering and guessing.. haha.. that’s the fun part..

When my GM broke the news to me that I was not selected to work under Hilton and I have to go back to my room to pack my stuffs, its such a mix feeling – sad, dissappointed, happy and free. You must be thinking.. crazy woman, how can there be so much feelings at one time.. Sad to leave, dissappointed that not able to work in a brand hotel, happy to escape and free from the stress…

Even after I have packed that night, I have to wait 2 more days which is after much persuasion and nagging at the HR manager to get me a seat for me to leave the island. So I spend about 3 nights in Male in a motel called Maafushige. Its a decent motel, clean sheets with a flat screen tv! Not bad huh?

When I got my flight confirmation for me to go to the new resort – The Beach House at Manafaru Maldives, it never occur to me that I have to take a domestic flight to one island and I have to transfer to the resort by a speedboat! Oh my god.. the journey will take a 45-minute journey by domestic flight by Maldivian Air (photo attached)  then followed by another 45 – 60 minutes of speedboat from the local island, Hanidmadhoo to the resort. So total, about 2 hours journey! Its so far away from Male, and my GM has told me that I will not be able to go to Male unless its for official or emergency matters. Now I am truely isolated, but at least I still have a job, phone and internet access. But the best thing, I have tried all types of transportation in this Island – Dhoni, speedboat, seaplane and now domestic flight and oh of coz international flight!

When my GM told me to come to this resort, the only one thing that came to me is I have to face the resort GM here which came from Irufushi as well.. Somehow or rather whenever he or his fiancee comes to Spa, there is aways problem either with him or his fiancee.. Its like he is the nemesis for me. Well, let’s see if these problems will follow me here. Upon reaching here, I ended up in the spa, which not really ideal as I am in my travelling clothes – Mickey mouse red color T-shirt and a 3/4 pants! What an image! The best of all, the operation manager came and to inform me that there is a journalists and their PR agents are here and would like to start the poolside treatment service and like either myself of the doctor to be there in case the journalist wants to talk to us with regards to the spa, while looking at my appearance. That is extreemly not helpful.

I was like.. Hello.. don’t you know I just arrived like not even an hour ago? Geez.. Don’t they have any consideration or no common sense? I have not even gotten familiar with the spa menu which is so different than the rest of the spas and their prices are different as well. Sigh.. what to do.. Luckily my luggages came. I went to my room which is very very nice, I have a “dressing” area and my bedroom with TV, sound system and a dvd player and the best part – a King Size Bed! It was an ultimately wow! oh I have a fridge as well. of coz they do not have an kettle which i seriously need one. (Photos below)

I brought along with me so many cup noodles and coffee and I have no kettle! again!. In the previous resort, I finally got my kettle and I left the place about 1 week after I receive that kettle. Not sure if that kettle is a jinx or what. Oh to get back to the topic, I went into my room, open my luggages and trying to find a not so crumpled work shirt, where there is none and I ended up with a plain brown T-shirt with a formal pants.. I tell you its a total waste of my time going through all these hussle. I went to the Infinity pool with the doctor (in the mean time got lost trying to find my way to the spa even though the island is indeed very small but being new and do not have the bearings of all the places yet, I have to create a manual bill, as the doctor told me that they do not have these kind of bill when they already have such bill in the computer!  A very good impression that I have on the doctor on my first day!!!) The journalists are all having their lunch and drinks with the GM and the Operation Manager, and did not even bother about us! what a waste of time.

After a short while, I left the area and went for lunch at the staff restaurant, the food here is much better than the previous resorts that I have been. After lunch I went to unpack partially my luggage and rest a while, go for tea break and went to the spa to start familiarize myself with the operations.

It’s much till that night that I went back to my room and call it a night. Now I am able to enjoy the plasma TV and due to ignorance, I tolerated a few days of cold shower, unknowing that they have to turn to the left for the hot water… haha.. Yes.. blur me..Now is just settling down to the momentum, and I am sure once I get familiarize with everything and everyone, its time to go again. Its seems that I shift resorts every 2 months.. how cool can this be, when I say I like travelling, this sure is! but to travel everytime with my 50kg luggages?..ops.. mum, I did not buy anything ok.. except for flip flops which is much needed and oh.. yeah.. I did buy a lot of food.. hehe.. instant noodles and coffee! sigh.. Well, we will see what the future holds for me. Regardless, I better enjoy these facilities that I am having now while it last! It seems I only have 1 month to enjoy as the news came that they will be taking over the spa beginning of 01 August.. sigh.. here I go again.. to home to somewhere else..?