Supply Chain Execution Development Program 2008

Yes thats right, supplychain Execution.

For the past 3 days we've been learning Supply Chain the Execution style *smirk*

No, no, no la. Supply Chain Executive Development Program.

It was a great experience! I learnt quite a fair bit. Not so much of the technical knowledge, but i learnt more of the .. Life-skills involved. The importance of networking, having a mentor, greatness of knowing Paul (hahaha), and the likes.

I thank Paul, for allowing us to sit in for this training even though we didn't pay for it. I'm so thankful, because i met great people there. I'm not gonna stop networking with these people because i know, someday, i'm gonna have to bank on these networks that i've built for myself.

Okay, due to the severe lack of sleep and rest, my throat is scratchy, i think my head feels a little hot, my tummy is rumbling, and je suis tres fatigue. I'm still amazed at how i wasn't late for the past 3 days of training! it sounds almost impossible! Its amazing! then again, maybe its because everyone was late and i was the least late. Which makes it seem like i wasn't late, but in fact I totally was/am/are/is/what?!.

Okay. okay. I need to go kick my own butt. :) Lovely.

Don't come back just to haunt and scare the living lights out of me.

Sometimes people in NS come up with the weirdest suggestions. Like how patching up would make their life better.

Some nice pictures to nullify today. Not making sense, am i?






















































Jian Wen. You're just gonna keep coming back, aren't you?

Vee-ay-el-yee-an-tee-ai-an-yi aprostrophe es.

This year's Valentine's day was GRRREAT! :)

Went out with Gavin and Aaron, my fellow egg-yolkers. We had Ma La Hotpot at Novena, its was so good - but the only thing i don't like about it, was that.... your poop following the meal will be piping hot.

Thats a little bit of information that is vital, so that you won't go into shock when you visit de toilette to find a burning butt.

As hot as all our poops were, we had a great time. Altho poor Gavin had a very bad bladder/tummy. And after we finished our hotpot, we proceeded next door - Hong Kong Cafe!

We had tea and coffee and Aaron ordered Bo-Luo Buns which were tres delicious! :D

And we talked about dogs, animal abusers, news, some people, brothers and sisters.

Then, this really weird couple came and sat beside us. The man was a very small and dark man, the lady was old - about 50+. She had braces on, and a frangipani flower in her hair. And she was wearing this sexy black halter dress. Very very weird.

:) Anyhow, i had fun. And i bought James Patterson's 4th of July.

This has been an extremely boring post. So, Tam Biet! Au Revoir! :)

SANDWICHES CAN BE BAD WHEN YOU'RE THE LETTUCE

O Come on, come on.

Don't keep me sandwiched. Its like.....

okay, i can't think of any good analogies. So, let me go meet up with GAG first.

Something's Wrong. With me

I don't know why, i just don't feel comfortable with you.
Maybe its because you've changed, or at least, i felt you've changed.
You used to know what you want. You used to stand strong, like an unwavering tree.
But a gust came along.
I know that gust, i know.
Trust me, when i say i know.
I feel like I've lost you.
I've lost you, my friend.

This is one of the MANY MANY reasons why i love animals more than Humans.

Judge me, however you want, on my language, my thoughts, my disgusting ways of expressing myself. Whatever, i don't give a fuck. As Zachary said it, this world is rotten. Rotten to its very core.

This post is meant for bear bile consumers. or anyone.

In all honesty I have to confess that i was once a bear bile consumer. My parents have heard that bear bile can cure my asthma when i was young and hence they purchased some for my consumption when we visited China. No, i'm not blaming my parents. I thank them for taking such good care of me. I can only blame me - for not educating myself to know the origins of bear bile. I can only blame myself for not knowing how the bile was collected and how much the bears have to suffer just because of my wheezing. I hate that I was a consumer, I feel so sick. If i can vomit whatever i've consumed from 12 years ago, i would. I am disgusted at myself for even visiting a shop that sells bear bile. I feel sick. I feel disgusted. I feel angry and sad. For that -even though nothing's gonna change- i am sorry. I am sorry. I am truly, truly sorry.

I honestly think that consumers of bear bile should have their own bile milked in the very same manner the milking was done on the bear. Have you any idea how painful the process is? have you ANY idea how SICK AND CRUEL the milking process is?

Educate yourselves. you can click here, here, here.

I don't even know where to begin. I feel sick, sick to my stomach, sick in my heart. So sick i don't even care about my committments in Singapore. i really don't care. if i can, i'd leave everything and fly off to China or Vietnam to save some bears. Say i'm dramatic and over exaggerating everything. Whatever, try having your bile milked the same way, when you start screaming, banging your head against the cage which is so small you can't turn or move, or when you start chewing on your own hands to distract yourself from the pain, or when your fingers get chopped off because you try to defend yourself from the milkers, please, please, just tell me not to DRAMATISE.

The procedure itself is pure torture. The living conditions are horrific and depressing. It can't get any sicker. It seriously can't.

Modern medicine has proven that Bear Bile DOES NOT improve medical conditions, it doesn't help the human body, and it has no effect on humans at all, SO WHY CAN'T THE BEAR FARMING STOP.

to those people who use/buy shampoos with bear bile as one of the ingredients, WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU. is your hair THAT important that you are willing to allow bears to go through such torture? JUST FOR YOUR FUCKING HAIR?

Let me show you some excerpts.

Okay forget it, i don't even feel like showing excerpts because i'd end up quoting the entire article.

I couldn't help myself, but i just had to learn more about this. And so i happened to chance upon a website and dared myself to look at some of the pictures. if you want to, just google something along the lines of "Milking of Bear Bile". I'm sure search engines will churn out something.

You can be indifferent towards this issue, you can choose not to care. But Please, I plead with you, Don't consume or patronise shops that sell or promote Bear Bile. Don't, because bears are suffering. They are suffering for a "medicine" that can easily be replaced by 54 other kinds of herbs. So please, Don't.

I have decided, i'm gonna save alot of money so that i can help the associations fighting to save the bears. For that, i will not go for the Jeff Chang Concert. I know its not a big gesture. But while i'm still working on my plans, i'll start small.


I will not stand by, helplessly. I will not stand by and watch. I will do something about this.




To the bears who died because of this inhumane practice,

I am truly sorry. Please be happy in heaven, and look after your fellow bears who are still suffering. Please tell them not to chew on their own paws, please comfort them and keep them from loneliness, despair and mental anxiety. If you can smack some Bile-milkers from heaven, please do so, I'm sure God will allow it.

Some pictures from the whole CNY Bonanza

Thats my table before spring cleaning.
















Thats my table during spring cleaning.
Note: Vinne the Vacuum Cleaner! :D













Thats Papa making Pineapple tarts.













Thats my work of art: Pineapple Squares to be used as filling for the Pineapple tarts.













Thats the first few batches of Tarts waiting to be cooled.














Thats some very nice tarts.

Things to do with Festivities

God Bless my CNY Shopping! :D I hope i get to find Good buys.


Just yesterday during dinner/coffee with Aaron, i was telling him about my CNY shopping, and i mentioned that i wanna get a jumper - so that i don't have to think of what to wear when i go for tutorials and lectures.

Then, i suddenly remembered, since there aren't classes this week, we only have one more week of tutorials and lectures. Nono, to be exact, 3 days of lecture and tutorials.

I can't believe Poly's ending. It makes me sad to know that i won't be able to meet acquaintances randomly. It makes me more sad to know that i won't be sitting with my gang for lunch, or meeting for project discussions.

I can't believe Poly's ending.

I was searching for Animal Web banners online. and i chanced upon a website www.protectseals.org

And i watched a short documentary on the clubbing of seals which i totally regret on one hand. On the other, the video has truly truly shown me just HOW SICK human race can be.

To say that i feel disgusted would be a total understatement.

I felt sick to my stomach when i saw how humans actually club seals. They do it as if they're playing golf, only instead of a golfball, its the head of a seal. A living seal. Just one heartless whack, and all you see is the snow around turn blood red.

I felt so disgusted, i had to learn more about this cruel process. Thank you, Wikipedia.

The typical method of killing seals is to use a Hakapik. A Hakapik is a heavy wooden club with a metal head to crush the skull of a seal, and a hook on one end used for dragging carcasses.


I am officially against the clubbing of seals.

What has this world become? Seal-clubbing, Horse Slaughtering, Dog-fighting, Puppy Mills, Animal Abuse, Research Chimps, Animal testing.

I wonder, if its best to not know such disturbing information, because it always leaves me feeling next to helpless about it.

YES. i've been extremely lazy since i've not been updating my brog, but it doesn't really matter. The past few days were a horror. The short period was filled with much rushing, typing, presenting, running, printing, arranging, binding, filing, editing, more running, queueing, more printing, and more running.

Of course, amidst this weirdly horrific-ly busy schedule, alot of money was spent. So much, i begin to wonder why should a report cost so much. -_- And its not like we can claim from a money pool or something.

Anyway. My gang has planned for reunion dinner next monday night and DANG! I'M SO EXCITED! i can't imagine, the low-heying, the steamboating, the shouting, the cooking, the laughing.. I think this dinner is for all of us - we need it. Because FYP has taken such a toll on us, we need a recovery plan.

And o, i still can't find anyone to go to the Jeff Chang concert in March with me. If you're reading this, and you're interested (and have the financial capabilities) please please pleeeeaaasee let me know :(

Okay, the last thing i wanna brog about is about the OSIP sharing that Mrs Wee made GAG do. Well, i'm proud of GAG. Gavin Aaron Gen. The sharing wasn't the greatest, but i think we did motivate some of the juniors to go for OSIP, and thats the best thing that can happen from that little sharing, yes? :)

Vietnam is a beautiful country, and i can't even begin to say how much i miss Vietnam, how much i want to go back. I miss the people there, Anh Nhan, Anh Dong, Anh Hoa, Chi Hang, Chi Thuy, Chi Ngan, Chi Dang, Chi Van, Anh Trung, Anh Dung, Anh Phong, Anh Tung, Anh Trung, Anh Do, Anh Nhut, Anh Lap, Anh Khanh, Chi Tao, Anh Duoc, Anh Tinh, Anh Diem, Anh Canh.

O, so many of them. I miss them, i miss them so much. I miss the country, the culture, the people, the Love.

AH,

You guys are family. Family. <3>

Fish-duck-elephant

chicken-banana.

Your IQ Is 105

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Exceptional Your Mathematical Intelligence is Exceptional Your General Knowledge is Average

A Quick and Dirty IQ Test

And.............. i did this for fun:

Your Penis Name Is...

Little Juan

Penis Name Generator

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Uncle Paul (Mu Gui): Stop reading my blog! I'm sure you have better things to do, like............. find more companies for our career faire >:D

I am, a very bad cousin.

I encouraged my poxed-out cousin to eat and drink everything my aunt and grandma are keeping from her.

I even bought her Famous Amos Macadamia cookies. Apparently people with Pox cannot eat or drink - egg, any bean products, soy sauce, chicken, and 3659 more things.

HOWCANTHISBE?!

Thats why i secretly made coffee for her.


Because no one can do without coffee - unless you don't like coffee, but ha, thats just deception. Because Coffee - is one of God's best creations (to me, and Poxed-out Chloe).

:) God Bless Chloe!

Today was NAPFA Day!

Don't bother asking if i pass or fail, i couldn't even be bothered with how i scored, i just wanted to get it over and done with. When its time to stretch, i stretch. When they say run, i run. Ah.

The entire "event" actually brought us all together - Xuan, Gek, Nat, and GAG. We had tons of fun warming up together, talking about someone's boyfriend, discussing about RuiXiang's armpit hair, arguing about how my night out was/wasn't a date (it is NOT okay!), and discussing how music can help us run faster - and given the music Xuan listens to, we'll probably see her on all fours dashing about. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

BUT the system was so screwed up, we finished all our stations by 7pm (supposed to start at 3pm, but the rain kept going. So everything was delayed) and we had to wait TWO AND A HALF HOURS just to get our forms back and sign them - not 'them'. sign IT - it was ONE piece. There were SOOO many of us, and they JUST had to call out the numbers one by one. it was so frustrating. by the time we were done, it was already 9.30pm. And i didn't have any food in my tummy. All i ate the entire day was 2 small slices of luncheon meat i stole from my grandma's lunch (hehe. she cooked alot okay. and she couldn't even finish what she cooked.). So all in all, i was a tired, smelly, sticky, lumpish, flopsy, starving girl.

Emotions felt today:
Warm-and-fuzzy-feel
it-is-not-a-date-feel
i-stink-like-poop-feel
i-just-want-to-get-this-over-and-done-with-feel
i-need-my-inhaler-and-some-water-feel
Ooo!-curly-fries!!-feel

I signed up for my Church's School of Modern Levites, which is the Music Ministry, but this "School" is for musicians - drummer, bassist, acoustic guitar, keyboards and all. I signed up for the online lessons which will commence in May.



I need an electric keyboard with at least 4 octaves, and my budget is............... $300.

Okay. So i've got a type of conjunctivitis that can cause scarring of the cornea.

Shootz.

And today, i stole a stack of plain paper from Mr. Tan PC to print EIGHT sets of Templates for FYP Weekly Journal Submission. i think there're only 2 more weekly journals to submit. Why did i print 8 sets, you ask. I'm Singaporean.

I have to stop rubbing my eyes.

Ack.

Recently, i've stopped feeling someway about some people, but i've developed new feelings for some people. But once in a while, old feelings come back, while i try to hold on to the new feelings so that the old feelings would go away.

Sigh. my brother's turning 21. Chweny One. Feels so old. Like, when we were kids, i thought that people usually only live 4 to 5 years, and i didn't understand that being 8 years old means i've lived for 8 years and all. So can you imagine my mum's horror when i told her i wanna live for 5 years when we were in a non-aircon SBS bus one afternoon. Her eyes were as big as walnuts.

And now, korkor's turning 21. He's gonna be an adult. Soon it'll be my turn too. And all my friends' turns will come too (before mine). And then, we'll be hanging out as a bunch of adults, grownups. Our childish ways will be despised and our maturity levels will be judged.

Urgh.

School today was absolutely funny. We had a one hour lecture, then 2 hours of tutorial for Logistics Planning and Control Systems. Sounds like a whole lot of boring stuff. I think it is kinda boring cos its all tech-talk. BUT, today's tutorial was absolutely funny. For one, I was munching a curry puff and Xuan was crunching on Potato Chips throughout the lesson - which was weird cos, as usual, eating is not allowed in labs. but we were doing it as though there was nothing wrong with it. and Mr. Tan Poh Chuan (that funny little small man) didn't even bother.

Then halfway, Xuan started playing Bloons: Tower of Defense (mofunzone.com). So whilst we were watching the monkey shoot darts at the Bloons, Mr. Tan said we should be looking at him rather than the computer monitor. So we did.

THEN, i got distracted so i did this.



If you can't see the doodle clearly, here:

(Description: Chilli-Flake Poop with smelly green air attracting Rare blue flies.)


And then, Xuan complained, "Why are you always drawing poop."

So, i decided on something more.. pleasant,

A closer view at that work of art:

(Description: a back view of a doggie enjoying the light fluffy clouds, and feeling the cool breeze in his.. fur.)

AND THEN, Mr. Tan called us to the front to show us how the RFID system works. So we all gathered at the front. and he was showing us how inventory control could be made easier with RFID, cos the sensor would be able to sense what products were on the shelves and what wasn't, Or, if you put the RFID reader at the entrance of a warehouse or so, the movement of goods can be traced.

So, there were 4 readers/sensors-sort-of-thing. two on shelves and two on tripods. And that clownish Jonathan.................................................. my goodness. I laughed till my tummy ached and my eyes teared. Mygoodness. Couldn't stop laughing. He was either moving the tripods or moving the RFID tags that Mr. Tan was trying to explain with. So irritating.

Then after tutorial, Xuan, Gek, Nat and i went down to Marina Square's Waraku to indulge in some Japanese Cuisine :D WHICH WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. SO YUMMY.

I didn't manage to take alot of pictures, but i took these:

(Description: Chocolate Ice-Cream Cake)

and.......

(Description: Petite 5!)


I only wish Gavin and Aaron and Debbie were there.

i have nothing to brog about.

One of my favourite memories so far - was during the Christmas season just a few days ago.

I gave Zachary and Chloe their Christmas presents. i got Chloe slightly-better-quality earphones.

And i got Zachary a set of Espirit Towels. So he can dump his old fungus infested towels and use slightly better ones so his pox can be soothed.

And just when he thought that was it, i presented him with Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker for Nintendo DS.

And. hahahahhahahahahahha. he shouted "OMYGOD!!!!!!!!!!! OMYGODOMYGODOMYGOD!!!!!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!"

And he was jumping up and down as if springs grew under his feet.

And the next thing i knew, he was lying in bed, with his entire body under his blanket, revealing only his head. And he was holding the game and staring at it with gleaming eyes, as if it was some secret diary or something.

My goodness :D Zackee, its just a game. I'm glad you like your presents.


But it was then that i felt the Christmas spirit, the joy of giving. the warmth that arises within when you know you've made someone else happy. :)

Its amazing.

So. my 201st post for the 1st day of 2008. :)

Today was good :) i spent the past MANY days at my aunt's house with my cousins: Poxed-out-Zackee, Chlo Chan and Baby Jedd.

Jedd is growing up so fast. and he's becoming so clingy to me - its a strange matter. Everytime i come out of the quarantine room and he sees me, he shouts a "HA-ROW" (hello) and comes running towards me. sometimes when i'm around during his sleeping times he'll make me pat and sing him to sleep. And whilst doing that, the following will happen:

1. He'll hug my head. Such that my face will be in his tummy. (he's 2 years plus)

2. He'll rest his foot on my forehead.

3. He'll pinch my nose - that prevents me from breathing.

4. He'll cover my mouth with his palm.

5. He'll rest his head on my tummy.

Sometimes, when i'm hiding in the quarantine room, he'll bang on the door and make a HUGE fuss to force me to come out. so i can doodle dumptrucks on his Doodle Master.

Nevertheless, he's growing up so fast, i think i should spend more time at my aunt's.

-

So! I dashed, rushed, ran, squeezed, scrambled and everything to catch a movie with JOEL LIM. i managed to:

Pack my bag, take a cab from Serangoon North to Yishun, Choose Clothes, Bathe, and head for North point in under 45 minutes. Am i good or what.

Movie was okay, but i thought the company was good. I enjoyed Joel's company - if only he didn't have to go back to camp :\ Turns out Joel is in the same camp as Sherwyn.



Joel: There's this guy from camp.. i think his name starts with S something... very broad shoulders, and his english damn slang one.. from Zhonghua.

Me: Err.. Sherwyn?

Joel: AH! yes. Sherwyn. Ya. Wah! his english damn slang la. Zhengwen said he's your ex-boyfriend..

Me: O.. Ya.. He is......... *Looks away*

Joel: *smiles.* Why're you so shy?

_

MY 200th POST. congrats-me-doo-doo-dum.


I spent one hour plus with Chlo dearest after church talking about stereotypes we dislike. Let me name a few:

1. Girls who don't act their age. 10 year olds pretending to have boyfriends who are asking them for sex and all, please.

2. Guys who have chopstick legs (already) but choose to further emphasize it to make them look like toothpicks by wearing SKINNIES. -disgusting.-

3. Girls who are 'Ah-lians' who act weak in front of guys. Please, when do guys ever dig that.

4. Guys who are such EMOs they take zi-lian pictures with stupid ugly dramatic poses.

5. Girls who photoshop their pictures and put STUPID BRAINLESS CAPTIONS. to name a few examples, "if love is a crime, i'll be your criminal" or, "You're my addiction". PLEASE. mygoodness.

6. Girls who pretend to be homoz. so AA please.

7. Girls who don't dress appropriately for church.

8. Girls who put so much mascara - their eyelashes look like a black chunk, AND they add on Fake eyelashes. Mygosh, are you trying to shelter your eyes from the rain.


all in all, i hate people like me, who stereotype people as stereotypes.


The irony of it all.

Today, i just got down to thinking about the darkest period of my life (so far).

Have you had a period in your life where - if you think back now, most of it would be gray, and painful to even think about.

I've had mine. 'twas several months after my mom passed away, at that point, i was also trying to recover from a breakup with someone very dear. That was the same period i had trouble coping with my studies (Sec 3. tough year.)

Year 2003.


That was the year i had suicidal thoughts. That was the year i broke the most dishes. That was the year i cried the most and the hardest. That was the year where i spent most nights crying myself to sleep. That was the year where i experienced wanting someone so badly. That was also the year i struggled most with everything at home. That was the year i considered dying - i thought about how i should die. And i wondered, would he come to my funeral if i died.


Ah, those adolescent years. those morbid thoughts. those dark days. those gray memories.


dtjw. its time i let go.



OKAY! enough morbidity. :) Jesus will save me.

Today's Christmas! :)

So, i'd like to bless you with two Hotpugs.

In case you didn't know, Pugs are my favourite breed. Their worried faces and flat noses are an absolute love-thing-sort-of-thing. Don't understand right? Never mind.



A Merry Christmas to all!

Even if you're stuck in the smelliest poop, wrapped in the sandpaperest skin, stuffed in the smallest container, smeared on the grossiest wall, juiced in the rustiest juicer, squeezed in the air-tightest ziplock bag,

I hope your Christmas has been meaningful, if not, i pray that your Christmas next year *long pause* will be more meaningful that all the Christmases that you've ever had!

Sometimes i think, i should forget.

But if i do, then there'll be a huge vacuum/hole/abyss/void in my memories.

Then i think, i should let go.

But if i do, then there might be a day i'd regret letting go.

So i think, maybe i should stay put.

But if i do, i'd decompose in my own flesh and rot in the memories of you. (morbidly un-true)

So. Tell me, what would you like me to do?

Because if i don't decide, the next time you come back, I'm gonna waver and lose my balance. And if i ever do fall, again, i'd be a branded a fool. The biggest fool for you.



THIS IS JUST EMO CRAP. SO PLEASE, IGNORE THIS. Go interest yourself with other stuff such as this.

Hello All! :)

Its Christmas Eve already. Too fast.

This year's Christmas - doesn't feel like Christmas. No idea why, but its something internal. I think.

I've been missing so many people (Majority Vietnamese), I've been so caught up with the D-arc ('Arc' for anime talk. 'Phase' for normal talk. 'D' is for me to know.). Thinking about D has taken up too much time, and i'm glad its gonna be over soon. Its a bittersweet feeling. I hate Bittersweet stuff - Except of course, Chocolat Noir.

I really miss Vietnam, the streets, the air, the people, the rooms, the places, the roundabouts, the pollution, the dogs, the tiles, the forklifts, the security guards, the tea, the coffee, the dinners, the homecooked dinners, the motorbikes, the rain, the 'neighbourhood', the Parksons Shopping Centre, the internet cafe, and. The Love.


Its all about the love.


My friends from Vietnam still call and stuff, and i feel so happy and warm when they call. But papa just told me that my 3-min call to Vietnam costed 22 bucks. So, i've decided, until i get a overseas calling card, i won't answer any more calls. And, it really pains me to leave a call (from Vietnam) ringing until all thats left is just "1 missed call".




And i hate to say that i don't feel Christmasy on Christmas Eve, because Christmas is my favourite season. And i'd have to wait a whole year for another Christmas - so i really don't wanna let this go.


Why am i not receptive to the Christmas Spirit. Am i missing the real meaning of Christmas?

I'm so screwed. How did i even get started on Bleach.. AGAIN.

URGH.

(thinks to self: there are 152 episodes on crunchyroll. and i'm at ep 132. which means i got 20 more.)

Ep 132 is a damn good filler :D even though its a filler, its a Good filler.

(Warning: Bimbotism comin' right up.)

HITSUGAYA IS SO COOL! WALA HALA HALA HALA. with that bleached hair and OMY!

AND O! KISUKE URAHARA! WALA WALA WALA WALA! (he's my phone wallpaper. >,<)

*throws heart-shaped confetti* (i got that from Xuan)





YOKAY. thats enough bimbotism for.... one day. teehee. toohoo.

Happy Hari Raya, Ros! and all other muslim friends reading ziz post. <3

TODAY, Papa has the day off, so he pestered me last night to help him clean up the house today. So i did. And since his shoulder hurt, i got assigned the mopping job cos its harder work.

So i mopped and scrubbed and mopped and scrubbed the kitchen floor. And now its SO MUCH CLEANER! mygoodness. but it was not an easy feat man, i think i burnt some calories back there. After all the scrubbing, Papa walked into the kitchen and exclaimed, "WOW! SO CLEAN AH!!"

I think i'm gonna forbid my grandmama to cook in my kitchen - ever again.

Anyway. There was a really funny conversation that went on whilst mopping. Papa was incharge of Vacuuming. So, he'd vacuum then i'd mop.

Me (Mopping and prespiring): Papa!

Papa (was done Vacuuming, so he was sitting and resting): Ha?

Me: You didn't vacuum the floor underneath the pail right >: (

Papa: I did! I did!

Me: NO you didn't! There was a dead fly and a dust bunny there. >: (

Papa: ... (some gibberish) (He was guilty)

Me: HAH! Trying to cheat ha!

-end of convo-

its funny to see how things have changed. usually for that kinda conversation, i'm the cheater.


OKAY. Papa's making me go bathe.

Cell was definitely great fun, watching all the ladies sing Christmas Carols at the top of their lungs. And how they'd try to gradually sing the choruses louder and all, Really peaks the Christmas mood!

To my project group, i'm sorry i wasn't able to join you guys in the afternoon :(

Just a bit of reflection. I was watching Channel 5, and Mark Richmond was giving updates for the ASEAN Games. And they showed this clip of Singapore's Proudest moments for this season of games. And i couldn't help but feel proud of Singapore - or maybe, i feel proud of the people standing with their Gold medals, with Singapore's flag on their backs, bowing to the cheering crowds.

Its pretty amazing. and it gives me goosebumps.

To you: I'm happy! :) I don't miss you that much anymore. And i'm happy about that :)


So. Today tons of stuff happened. I slept for two hours in the morning, then i woke up at 4am to continue working on my report. Then i bathed like madness, and i rushed down to school. Reached at 7am. and continued with my report. Then rush like mad again. And ah. Long story, but i managed to get my report submitted (30mins late).

Anyway, after all that mad-rushing, my adrenaline was all gone, and i was as grouchy as can be. I felt like all the fatigue accumulated from the past week chose to self-reveal today. its like, for the past week i've been sleeping 4+ hours every night. Plus, today morning i was plagued with a BIG bad flu. My voice is still a little off.

Anyway. I was supposed to meet Joel for dinner today, but his camp called him back earlier. So :( we had to cancel. But i'm quite confident we'll go out again soon. :)

And FYP meeting was quite fun. :D all the ghost stories about dolls and pontianaks.

Then i came home, and i was surfing the net and then i heard from the TV outside my room - JEFF CHANG'S CONCERT NEXT MARCH! and they were playing all his oldies, and thats how i was able to recognise even though my room door was closed. I wanted to go, quite badly, but i knew Jeff Chang-ers my age were a RARE case. RARE.

So i went to youtube and started watching all his MVs, and of course, sang along with my ko-yak voice. Then Xuan saw my "i love JEff Chang" nick.

and.............................................................................


turns out she's a Jeff Chang-er too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THATS ONE OF THE TWO BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD SO FAR. WE GOT ALL EXCITED AND WE HAVE DECIDED TO SAVE UP FOR JEFF-CHANG'S CONCERT NEXT YEAR SO WE CAN GET GOOD SEATS!!! :D

Well. the Second really-good news is that........................................

I found out yesterday that G loves YANNI TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMYGOODNESS. YANNI Fans are rarer than rare. but i don't expect alot of people to know/like Yanni since his music is contemp Classical. But can you imagine my shock when i played one of his songs and i said it was by Yanni, and G gave me the wide-eyed look and said, "G, I love Yanni!"

WOAH WO-AH. WOOOO-AHHHHH.


Music is love, is life.

I remember, i wrote a song very long ago. Just two verses. But its who God is to me. So here:

His love is fresh like the dew drops in the morning,
His faithfulness is for eternity.
His joy is warm - like the warmest streak of sunshine in the sky
O, i'm so in love with Him.

Though there'll be trials and battles to fight,
I know my Lord will walk with my for life.
He'll hold my hand, and wipe my tears, He'll take away my fears.
O, i'm so in love with Him.

~

I'm...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................



Tired.

Although i've left Vietnam for more than a week already, it seems my blogger thingy is still... reminiscing. Look.



Anyway. it brings back memories of Vietnam :) kinda sweet.

OKAY. so i was reading up some stuff on Wikipedia. And after some clicking, i came to the article about "Bubble Tea".

I read the entire article.

Its weird to see how elaborated Bubble Tea can get when it is explained in proper english. I mean, its just a drink with Tapioca Balls in it. But Wiki has a whole article on it, explaining things like the special big straws, the gummy texture and size of the pearls, the different kinds of drinks and flavours offered, and how ice-blended drinks should be consumed faster than the tea-drinks cos the coldness would cause the pearls to harden which makes it "less enjoyable to chew". Quite funny ay. :D

O, and I always thought that the drink was called Bubble Tea because the Bubbles referred to the Pearls since they're round and they occasionally float around in the drink. ITS NOT AY! the "Bubble" refers to the bubbles floating on the drink as a result from shaking it to mix the tea with the syrup. >_< what a revelation.

Knock yourself out, CLICK.

My bum is collecting more fats because my brain refuses to tell my body to stand up and get moving.

But thats okay. i'm gonna go for a jog tonight.

My brain has not been thinking much since i got back. Adapting to Singapore Life has not been easy. Just like how when i went back to school yesterday - everything felt alien. Everything. The noises everywhere - which were once mere sounds - were too much to bear. The canteen, the benches, outside the LTs.. everywhere. I just miss the serenity of Vietnam. But then again, Vietnam is anything but serene. The traffic is one good and very big example.

SO.

Since i got back, my brain has been plagued with pieces of Vietnam. Then, just as if Vietnam was not enough, a piece of History came back. And so, for the past 6 days, my mind has been soaked through with Vietnam and that piece of History. and my body has been plagued with Nausea.

I was told to work at church this Sunday. At first i was quite okay with it, cos i wasn't really thinking when i agreed to work. Then after some time, i really wanted to attend Worship. At least Worship. But... i can't. Cos we're shorthanded. So. I'm praying that God will teach my Spirit to be obedient. I wanna enjoy work. I really want to.

Funny how everyone i've met so far carries the same expected conversation which would typically go like this:

Me: Hello ____!

Person: HEY! YOU'RE BACK!

My Evil Brain thinks: Doh. I'm standing in front of you.

Me: Yep :)

Person: When were you back?

Me: Sunday :)

Person: So, how was your trip?

Me: Loved it. Didn't wanna come back, but I was forced to. *smiles*

Person: *Laughs out loud*

My evil Brain thinks: I wasn't joking.




I can be quite evil. I know.

TROI OI. TROI OI. TROOOOOI OI.

I just revisited my Archives and read that One post about you that i blogged last year.


I CAN'T BELIEVE AFTER ONE YEAR, I'M BACK WHERE I AM.


I'm gonna rip my hair out. Either that, or i'll just sing Bic Runga's 'Sway' so loudly you can hear me from Mulberry Ave.

So. Today's only the third day of school, and i was stuck there till 10.30pm.

Although this term's timetable is EXTREMELY slackish.................

Monday: 1 Tutorial
Tuesday: No class
Wednesday: 1 lecture, 1 tutorial
Thursday: 1-hr lecture
Friday: No class

(Technically, "No class" doesn't mean no class, because we are supposed to visit our assigned company to work on our Major Project. BUT. Our company has requested us to go down as little as possible. They'd rather us do Tele-conferencing. So we can do our work ANywhere, so long as there's a speaker phone of some sort.)

BUT.... I can foresee a hectic (final) term. For one, i'm only on my first week and i have this much to do:

Thursday: Complete Vietnam Exhibition
Friday: Present Exhibition, and prepare for Presentation next day
Saturday: Oral Presentation for OSIP, meeting with YPC advisors and Committee
Sunday: Chiong OSIP Report
Monday: Hand in OSIP Report
Tuesday - Thurs: Complete FILA-thing for Major Project
Friday: Submit weekly report for Major Project
Saturday: Rest my butt off.


I can see why Aaron's so stressed.

Anywaay. To my two biggest loves in TP - Aaron and Gavin:

Aaron my love, don't worry please. You know you can count on the 2 Gs. We're your Egg Yolks, dude. Even if you don't do well, even if you screw up everything, You know we'll be there for you. I promise (on behalf of Prata-G, too.).

Gavin my prata-love. I loooooooooove you, Prata Boy!

I'm glad we met up.

I'm glad we talked.


Thank you.


-
Don't Stray.
Don't Ever Go Away.
- 'Sway' by Bic Runga

Its funny how people whom you think have disappeared for life can try to contact you when you're in Vietnam, and then just the day after you're back, they manage to get you on the phone.

Anyway. Much can be learnt from watching the National Geographic Channel, here's some valuable animally information for all you animal lovers:


Elephants

1. Elephants have the longest gestation period. While a typical human's gestation period lasts for 9 months, an elephant's last for 22 months.

2. Elephants were evolved from animals that live in the sea.

3. The elephant's trunk contains 39000+++ more muscles than in an entire human body. It can uproot trees with just its trunk.

4. A baby elephant takes about a year to fully learn how to control its trunk.

Dogs

1. It is possible for a litter of puppies to be from different dads. Because when a dog mates, the eggs from a female doggie is usually not 'ripe'. So the sperm will attach itself of the uterus walls to wait for the eggs to ripen. When the eggs ripen, the sperms will then dash to fertilize it. So, during the wait, mummy dog could have mated with different daddy dogs. Hieu Khong?

2. The largest birth from doggies so far is a litter of 24 puppies. SHOCKING.

3. When a puppy is born, the mummy eats the placenta - This is a crucial and important step to end the gestation period as the chemicals from the placenta will trigger the mummy's body to produce milk for her puppies. Hence.

4. A Dog's whiskers are more sensitive than a human's fingertips, and they serve to protect its eyes. According to Nat Geo, if you touch a Dog's whiskers, it will cause its eyes to blink. :D


Dolphins

1. Dolphins are the only organisms other than humans who can have sex for pleasure. In other words, they can mate 365 days a year, while other animals just mate when they're in heat.

2. Foreplay for Dolphins last a few hours, but the act of the intercourse itself only lasts a few seconds. Its too dangerous in the ocean.

3. Sea Water kills Dolphin-Sperms, so during the mating session, both dolphins would come so close to each other that it is.. water-tight.

4. Dolphin Ancestors are a breed of Dogs (in the prehistoric era) that used to fish in rivers but they live on land. Hence, during the Gestation Period, Dolphin-Foetuses grow legs, but the legs are retracted sometime before birth. Which means that Dolphins were once land animals.




If you're wondering why everything above has to do with Sperms, Eggs, Gestations, Mummies, Daddies and Babies, Its because i was watching 'In The Womb: Animals'.

I'm home. Singapore-Home.

Don't get me wrong, i love Singapore.

But Vietnam... feels so much like home too. So much.

I miss everyone so much.

My last moments outside the hotel were.. a little sad. There were some funny moments though. Like how our luggages were so heavy that when they were loaded on to the taxi, the taxi actually moved by itself.

But then, i was supposed to meet someone for the last time before I leave. I told him i was leaving at 6am, so if he could make it before 6, he'd call. Then i called him at 5.50am. The line got cut off halfway. I had the impression he overslept. So we left for the airport. At 6.17am he called me, just when i arrived at the airport. I told him i was at the airport. And he said "Oh... Anh.. Hotel." He sounded so sad, i could feel the sad-waves transmitting thru the phone. Turns out he rushed to the hotel. But we left.

Then when i reached Singapore, i felt a little depressed. But thank God for my famille. My dad, Korkor, aunty leng. They were all there to pick me up. And everyone was happy and chatty, made me feel better. We had lunch and all. Then when i got home, i totally dreaded the unpacking part. Totally. I hate unpacking.

Everything smelt like Room 504, the clothes, the books, the bags, the plastic bags, the socks, the papers. Everything. Then, he called. And he asked how was i. And the normal stuff. But i started tearing. And i couldn't stop!

Everything was all grey. gray. I went to my kitchen, it was drizzling. And i stood by the kitchen window for a little while to smell the air - as usual. Everything i smelt, everything i saw. Everything in reality, was replaced by memories of Vietnam.
I said a little prayer to God, asking for strength, asking for his protection for the people i love and left. I prayed that i would not be overwhelmed by memories.

And thats how much i miss Vietnam.

i'm 2 + 5 + 3.5 + 2.2 + 1.8 + 4.5

I think that adds up to 19. If it doesn't, then cancel that. I'm 19.


First of all, THANK YOU NAT. I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOOOOU.

It was the night of 15th November. And we decided we were not gonna sleep that night. So we dropped by the bookshop to go crazy a little. We ended up buying 32 pens for our friends at the office. It was GREAT shopping. :D

Then, Nat insisted on buying cake to Happy-Birthday me, so we went to Gloria Jeans, I got Chocolate Cake, and she got Tiramisu. Then... we realised we had no Candles. So we went back to the bookshop to get candles. But since we didn't know where the candles were, Nat suggested i look on the second floor while she took the first. And so, we got candles!

Then we went back to the hotel, continued with Project:Pen. Then, at 12am, We celebrated me turning 19! :D It was a simple but absolutely wonderful celebration. I loved it. THANK YOU LOVE.

Then after Nat was done singing my birthday song, she presented me with my present! It was the 2008 organiser i was eyeing at the bookshop. And guess when she got it. When i was up there looking for candles on the 2nd and 3rd floor. HOW SLY SIA. :D LOVE YOU FOR THAT, BABE.

THEN we watched Supernatural, freaked ourselves out a little. And we slept. and went to work! :D

So, as we entered the warehouse, as usual, all the Security Guards were all there, plus the Store Assistants. Then I walked in.. and some of them started applauding and singing Happy-Birthday!!! I got so embarrassed. Hehehe.

Then for the rest of the day, the Security guards were all saying happy Birthday and all. extremely sweet. :D

THEN!! OUR COCONUTS ARRIVED! :D WOOHOO! o. i forgot to mention, we (nat and i) decided to buy coconuts for everyone. as a surprise of course, to celebrate my birthday. and we ordered 35 Jelly Coconuts! :D So everyone got a coconut. And we were both very happy people. :D

So the day went on, and i was discussing some work stuff with my Supervisor, then, the Supplier Lady (who works at the office too. who happens to be very rich.) came and discretely asked my Supervisor for my name and Age. Then about half an hour later, SHE CAME BACK TO THE OFFICE WITH A HUUGE CAKE. O MY GOODNESS.

BEfore i knew it, all the porters outside gathered just outside the office to take pictures and all. MY GOODNESS. Then, before i knew it, the Warehouse Leader started looking thru their CD collection for their version of Happy-Birthday. And he played it on so loudly!! my gosh.

Then all the staff gathered to sing Happy Birthday. And i gave half the cake to the Security Guards and Porters outside, the other Half was shared among the staff inside the office.

These are the people i wanna thank and hug (if possible):

Nat love.
Ms Thuy (Supervisor)
Ms Thuy (Supplier)

(Sister) Chi: Ngan, Tao, Van, Dang, Luan, Thuy.

(Brother) Anh: Trung, Trung, Duy, Yan, Giau, Do, Duoc, Dung, Tung, Phong, Tinh, Diem, Khanh, Canh, And so many more.

I love all. Love love love love all.


So much, i can't even bear the thought of leaving Vietnam.

This post shall be read discretely and left undiscussed.

For that brief moment 2 actually sounded serious. Which left me baffled. How else am i supposed to respond. There was You, and there was me. If you're saying it just as everyone else is, then i'll treat you like everyone else. But don't say it, and turn around and ask me. Because it changes everything.



Tam Biet Anh Do.

Alo Alo! :)

This week has been great. Work has been a breeze plus some nice clouds and wind.

Since our Supervisor didn't have ANYTHING for us to do at all, we (nat plus me) decided to just go and station ourselves at some places to learn the operations/kill time.

SO, i figured the office stuff would be boring, i moved myself outside, to the security desk where customers collect their goods there and inspection is done. I LOVE IT THERE! okay, other than the smoking which gave me a few asthmatic problems, everything is good. I love it. The people there are a crazy bunch. The Security guards, store assistants, and Customers, and Drivers, and Porters. Love love love them all.

It saddens me to know that only when we're leaving Vietnam, then we start to really know every single Porter. Because i love them all (especially... HEH HEH HEH.). I feel like now, those whom we aren't that close to initially are slowly opening up. And they joke and play with us and ask us to eat with them at meals.. they let us try their food. They make me drink their tea with them, and taught me to shout "Jiam Feng Jiam!" when i drink tea. They listen to my MP3, they take my lonely planet and attempt to learn English. They are so.... them. <3

Today Nat and i went shopping, Clothes - yes, but the highlight of the day was... STATIONERY. CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW HAPPY WE WERE WHEN MOST OF THE PENS COST ABOUT 40 cents. MY GOODNESS. WE WERE ON A FRENZY. At one point NAt was carrying so many pens in one hand, she couldn't hold another. And some man gave her a basket to put her pens. but the pens look quite... obiang. BUT WHO CARES. THEY WRITE WELL AND THEY ARE CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP. :D

After we FINALLY walked out of the bookshop, we were all groggy and so tired because of the Adrenaline rush we had buying pens.

Anyhow. Next friday's my 19th. and somehow. All the Porters seem to know, Plus the Security Guards. and they keep reminding me about it. Funny. They would say, "Genevieve, Moey Sao, Hey-pee-Birt-Day!" Of course, Genevieve sounds more like.. "Cheh lee fee" :D Totally love it. And someone called me one day and said in Vietnamese that he'll be going to the Warehouse on the 16th to celebrate my birthday! AH!! i'd better not get my hopes up. My aoratic pump has no room for disappointment.

Okay. I miss Singaporeans tons. Okay! Tam Biet! :D

WOW. SO MANY TAGS. :)

Nice to hear from fellow Singaporeans.

For this week, i've been watching ALOT of Discovery and Nat Geo and Animal Planet.

So much that i know, the Airbus A380 - world's biggest Airliner, has been delayed for 2 years, But Singpore - the Launch Customer is still staying faithful with our purchase of 10 A380s, in fact, Singapore intends to buy 9 more. Way to go Singapore!

Anyhow, it surprises me to know that everytime i hear Singapore's name on any of the channels, i feel a teensy bit pround, and homesick. Not so much of the homesickness though. I like Viet.

Like, i heard Singapore on Nat Geo's 'World's busiest Port'. Then i heard alot of Singapores during the 5-hour run for the Airbus A380 thing. Singapore's quite good ay.

Sigh. feel a little moody today. i need some..... Ca phe Sur da. Coffee with Milk and ice. Or rather. i need some Jesus.

So Many issues i need to deal with. I'm worried about the presentation for the company - Presenting to the Board of Management is no small deal. I'm leaving Viet soon.. Somehow i feel stressed. then there's the report, even more stress. and the School's Presentation, More stress. YPC - thats some subconscious Stress. and Some.. other Stress - Stress due to fear that i will be disappointed. Stress knowing that i'm gonna miss some people so so so much when i leave. Stress knowing that i MIGHT never come back again.

The thing is, i don't miss Singapore that much because i know i'll have to go back someday - and that day is coming so soon. And even IF one day i migrate somewhere else, i'll still be part of Singapore. But i KNOW i'm already missing this place because when i leave, i May never come back again. Argh. i feel weak when i think of leaving this place.

O yes, when you're in different countries, you look different. Yes or no? When i'm in Singapore, People think i'm from Indo, China, Cambodia, Myanmar..

But when i'm in Viet. People just Assume i'm Korean or Jap, and they say.. Konnichiwa. and Arigato. And some other Jap stuff i dont understand.


I'm Singaporean. A Proud Singaporean.

Today's Mummy's 5th Death Anniversary. :)

And its the first time i'm not in Singapore on this day.

Ney. Its nothing much.

I miss my mummy. Of course, not just today. I miss her everyday.

I miss how she used to spend so much effort cooking dinner. She can't really cook well, My dad cooks absolutely wonderful, but my mum - not so much of a cook.

There was once, she cooked dinner, and we didn't touch one of the dishes. And she happened to cook Alot for that dish. And she got so upset cos we didn't eat it. :( I miss her. I still remember what that dish looked like. its Ma-Po Tofu.

I remember, when i was in Primary school, she came back during her lunch hour to have lunch with me, and then bring me down to wait for the school bus. But she came home to find me crying, because i didn't want to go to school cos there was this guy - he hit me really hard on my head. Big bully. And my mum was so angry (with that boy) she brought me to school that day, and went to talk to my teacher. My mum's so good.

I remember, when i was young, in Primary school, she'd pick me up at school every Friday to bring me to Piano class. And i'd look for her face in the crowd at the school. And she'd always be smiling and waving at me. :D I miss her so.

I remember, there was once we bought pineapple, and she cut it for both of us. And, turns out it wasn't ripe. So we both got our tongues Numb. And we both went to bed with Numb Tongues. It wasn't much, but it's a memory i love.

I remember how she would make coffee every morning in her Big Pale Green mug. and she'd teach me how to make coffee. After i tried Coffee and totally loved it, she'd allow me to have coffee on weekends. :) Thank you Mummy for letting me drink Coffee.

I remember when i was younger, and she was cutting my nails for me, and because i fidget-ed a little cos i was trying to write with my other hand, She cut off a chunk of flesh from my finger. And i was bleeding so much. She felt so bad, she dried my hair and put me to bed. When i asked her, "Mummy, how come don't need to wash?" (Cos i hated the washing part. Especially when the wound in on the knee.) She said, "Don't need to wash, meimei, Cos there's too much blood." And i remembered looking at the plaster which was already soaked. I Love her for that memory. :)

There was another time, she was bringing me downstairs to wait for the school bus, and she closed the door with my fingers in the hinges. She again, felt so guilty. I love mummy.

I miss how she would kiss me goodnight, and then stay a little longer,lie in my bed, and we'd talk about school stuff, and i would make her laugh. I miss her kisses.

When i entered into Secondary school, she knew of this guy who liked me, and he'd always sms me. And she got so worried that she wrote me a letter, to tell me how sad she was because i was growing up so fast, and how she knows what its like to be in love, but i shouldn't trust guys too much too fast, cos the bad ones only want sex. And then she signed off, "Love, Papa and Mummy. (Mummy do the writing)." I'll always remember that. The letter's still in my drawer.

I remember. After i got my BCG, i went home with really high fever and the fever just wouldn't go down, she got so worried, she brought me to the Chinese Physician. And the physician poke the skin around my thumb-nail with a fat needle, and twidled in round and round. I screeeeamed like nobody's business, didn't care if the room had no door and everyone outside could hear me. But my mummy hugged my head and comforted me. i think she bought me ice-cream after that. :D Of course, the fever went down within 30mins.

I miss how she'd tell me how my hair smelt.

I miss mummy.

Mummy.

O yes. Something I LOVE about Vietnamese.

They are quite particular about Personal Hygiene.

Weird stuff Singaporeans will find amusing(okay, only some are amusing):

1. They don't fancy long nails, even if its clean long nails, most men here have really short nails. I like :)

2. People here dig their noses openly. Digging of noses/ears are as common as People Smsing in Singapore. Yes, Dig that.

3. Unlike Singapore. People here have no qualms about Sneezing openly and loudly. In Singapore, you have to sneeze as softly and as gently as possible, else you'll gather some stares. But in Vietnam, Just do it Babe.

4. People here litter like nobody's business. Like, i was drinking a coconut whilst walking along the streets one day, and i couldn't find any bins. (Yes, they don't have Bins, unlike Singapore) So i asked a lady where can i dump my emptied Coconut, and she pointed to... the ground. And Yes yes, you can say "Nah! i won't be shocked, i'll just litter la! Its more convenient anyway!" YES BUT I'M TELLING YOU, this "No Littering" Thing that the Singapore Government has birthed into every Singaporean is SO DARN EFFECTIVE. You don't even realise that the whole No-Littering thing is already programmed in your brain.

I felt so unconfortable leaving my coconut in the middle of the pavement. It was just out of my system. >.< And then the other day, someone went out to buy plasters for me, and he helped me put on the plaster in the middle of the street (Sugar Sweet) and he just threw the little wrappers and papers. Okay he didn't throw, He.. Let them fly in the wind. Yes. And i gasped whilst watching the little scraps dance in the night wind. And he looked at me all weird. Of course, i gasped with Sound.
So, even when Nat and i throw our ice-cream wrappers on the streets, we do it discretely with Guilty and uncomfortable faces. >.< We are SUCH Singaporeans.



O Yes, back to the Sneezing thing. Today i finally got it out of my system. And whilst i was waiting for the porters to Pick the goods, I felt a sneeze coming so i just .... Let go. and it wasn't even that loud. - I sneeze louder in Singapore Prease. And then they all turned and stared at me, cos they've never heard me sneeze. And i said "Xin Loi! (Excuse me)" softly. And they all laughed -_-.

So. i'm totally enjoying myself with all the new.... Practices - If i can call it that.

I'm lovin' it. Quoted from Mr. McDonalds.

HELLO BROG.

Past weeks have been okay. i'm starting to think about the last week i'm gonna spend here in Vietnam. And everytime i do think, i get very sad. I fall into Depression. NEH. heh. Not that bad yet, but i think as the day nears, it'll get worse. I can only pray that God will protect me from any form of negative emotions/feelings. Sigh.

Yesterday was good. We secretly went out with two of the hotel staff we're closer with. D and N. And they brought us out (on bikes, yes) to District 7. Cos Nat wanted to learn how to ride a bike, so N taught her, and D brought me (on his bike) .. and we just rode, around the area. It was really really nice. Really. Very. I can't stress it more. That short ride just made me fall deeper in love with Vietnam. District 7 is more ruralish, and quieter - Absolutely lovely.

And D brought me around this little neighbourhood, of pretty well built houses, like a private housing area in Singapore. But it was really quiet, and nice. and simple - like a really easy and quiet life. I adore that kinda life. Adore is the word.

Then after that, D brought us to his uncle's house which was nearby. THAT was definitely an experience to remember. His uncle rears Pigs. AND O MY. i saw the biggest pig in my entire life. Not pig - Sow. A mommy pig with 13 piglets. She's so big, i think she's as long as if i lie down. SHE'S HUGE! SO BIG. And it was such a sight, to see all her piglets feeding, and the mommy lying down. Something i'd never forget. Never.

Okay, aside from Pigs, there were also VERY SMALL puppies. and Chickens with CHICKS!! tons of them. and 3 big dogs. And O my, it was just a brilliant trip. :D i feel honoured to be brought to a Vietnamese home. Everyone should try it - of course, i'm not saying everyone will like it, but everyone will remember the experience. Its not Singaporeish, for one.

Okay. after that, we took a 30mins trip back to District one - which is the District thats most advanced, crowded, packed, singaporeish. And Yay! we had dinner. Dinner WAS GOOD. GOOD GOOD GOOD. Beef never tasted so good. Its the simplest fare, we had Beef Pho (Pronounced FUH). SO GOOD. *Slurrrp* I bet papa will Loooooove it. Its very different from the Beef Kway Teow in Singapore though. I'm not comparing which is better and all, but they're all good in their own sense/taste. :)

Then. after dinner, we were supposed to return back to our Hotel since one of them had to work. But one of them learnt that i LOOOOVE/Adore Coffee. So he brought us to have coffee by the Saigon River. SO LOMANTICA. And we just sat, and enjoyed the night sea breeze, and sipped Coffee, and talked, i guess. Totally lovely.

I enjoyed every single bit of that Sunday. Its the bestest. And we're going out with them again this sunday! :D


Sigh. See, its wonderful yet simple experiences like these that make me love Vietnam even more.




Vietnam Love. Em Yeu Viet Nam.

Do i look like a peach or something.

I've had one kiss. and two attempted kisses.

My goodness. Hahahhaa.

Someone plopped one on my hand today. So cheeky, my gosh.

And someone attempted to, last night. Even cheekier. My gosh.

Anyhow. there was a flood here last night. The rain was SO GOOD. SO HEAVY.

The flood was about knee deep - in the worst areas. And IT WAS SO COOL. Dang, Singapore will probably never have floods like these.

It was so flooded, that everyone was stuck wherever they were. People in shops were stuck in shops. People at cafes were looking out at cyclists who were pushing their bikes since the water level was too high up.
POKAY.



Taxi's here. gotta run. Bye! Don't interrogate me about the kisses.

It's a needless-to-say fact that Vietnamese love Coffee.

But i've realised they also like to ask people out for coffee, ey? :)







S'that a date.

OKAY! NO updates. Sorry!

Life is good, Vietnam is good. I love it here. and i don't wanna go home.











NEH. Kidding!










But i really don't wanna go home.






NEH!! hehe.

HELLO! XIN CHAO!

i'll only (definitely) be online every SUNDAY evening. We're making it a point to visit the internet cafe next to our hotel every sunday. So. you can find me online then. :)

I've got tons of blurry pictures :D but i can't post them up since they're in my lap. and the comp i'm using to come online is.. at a whole other place.

ANYHOW. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACHARY! :) I love love love and miss you so very much.

AND HAPPY ONE-WEEK-AFTER-YOUR-BIRTHDAY CH-LOE CHAN!! I LOVELOVELOVE and miss you too!

Vietnam has been great. i'm really loving this country. (might not wanna return home though. TEEHEEHHEE. If only.)

It seems people here like to .. bring us out. or ask us out. "people" excludes the female race.

The guys at the warehouse are really cheeky.

We taught two security guards how to play Tai-tee despite the language barrier. we had to Charade it out.

Okay. no time to give a full update when i've got 7 Msn windows open, 58 mails to read, and a blog to update.



Once again, to Chloe:

I love you so much. You are nothing less than a sister to me. I'm sorry your birthday slipped my mind. I can't wait to watch and discuss anime stuff with you again. I miss you! :)

to Zachary:
MY dear dear dearest Zachary. I'm so proud you grew up this way - so weird and warped. It runs in our family yes. I love you so much. I'm so thankful you're family. And i can't wait to sit with you at the glass table with our laptops again.

So today’s Friday – 4th day in Vietnam. To all readers, i’m sorry i didn’t brog earlier.. We came and realised our hotel charges USD$2.50 per day for internet usage. SO. Nat and i decided that we’ll use only on weekends when we’ll be in the hotel for most of the day (provided we don’t go shopping or sight seeing.)
So, the first evening when we touched down in Vietnam, it was okay. I really really thank God that I wasn’t affected by the pressure, my ears didn’t pop. AMEN! So we got into a car, and the driver drove us to our hotel, turns out we aren’t in the same hotel as the guys, They’re in a province about an hour’s drive away from us.  So we dropped our luggages and headed out to get a Calling card and some groceries. We found a small small teeny tiny shop selling call cards JUST beside our hotel. AND O MY. Language has been proven to be one of the greatest barrier. COMMUNICATION WAS BROKEN, shredded, shrivelled, disjointed, crumbly, whatever. It took us forever to get the calling card and everything. And then when we finally got it done, We tried calling Singapore, and some recorded woman’s voice kept saying something – in Vietnamese, and then in English. But i.. couldn’t understand the English at all. -_-. So in the end, i decided to use the hotel phone to call Papa in case he was waiting up. By then, it was already almost 12.30am or so i think. And we touched down slightly before 8pm. O, Nat had diahorrea. Is that how you spell it.
Anyway, the hotel’s okay  We had to rearrange the furniture to get access to the power points. We imagined shocked faces from the hotel staff because we shifted the beds and all. The hotel staff are nice people, they gave us good recommendations! And they taught us a little bit o’ Vietnamese.. and there’s a piano downstairs where Nat and i can play.
So the first day at work, our supervisor was supposed to pick us up at 8am. But she only came at 9.15am. But she’s nice! Very motherly and she keeps assuring us that we can ask her anything. So she brought us to MyDuc Ceramics’ Showroom – ‘twas really classy, like an art museum of some sort. Their tiles aren’t like normal tiles, they’re more like art pieces. They use Swarovski crystals and melted glass to decorated their tiles. Wooo. So, pretty cool. We were introduced to the service team manager and most of the staff. Nice people – who smoke alot. Alot, if i may stress. But they’re nice 
Then we were brought to the warehouse – where we were stationed at. We had lunch with the staff there – almost all women. Food was good! Really simple and non-oily. I ate alot of Kangkong. :D
So we went back, and YAY! GUESS WHAT. The company’s providing transportation to and fro from work. AND WE GET ALLOWANCE!. DOUBLE YAY! Its not alot, but I’m still very happy about it. Well, we ended early on our first day since there was really nothing for us to do. We had KFC for dinner. I have not seen a single branch of MacDonalds in Vietnam. It appears KFC as monopolised the fastfood market here. O, there’s also Lotteria Fast food or something. KFC costs SO CHEAP here. Lets see.. Nat and i had 2 Zinger Meals with Ice Milo, totals up to SGD$7.50, Gek will love it here.
THIRD DAY.
Wooo. Third day – Yesterday. Was good. We had Breakfast, and went to work, didn’t really do much, our Supervisor wants us to get a overview of the entire picture. So we read the SOPs and we stalked some of the documents to see what actually goes on in the office. I shall not talk about what we’ve observed lest i bore some people out. But its all very logisticky, - Invoices, Picking, forklifts, Suppliers and everything else. We went out for lunch, and wehad to cross a road to get to the foods, IT WAS SO SCARY MY GOODNESS. I was so scared i just held onto one of the staff as she crossed the road, i didn’t even dare look left or right. Singaporeans will just die when faced with Vietnam’s traffic. Everyday i look out and my amazement with regards to their traffic conditions is renewed. AMAZING. I can’t even describe it.
Motorcycles, TONS of them. I MEAN TONSSSS. TONS. Bikers don’t wear helmets. It is Only common to find four people on a bike. Very very common. Its like a norm. Kay lemme try describing the traffic conditions. People do U-turns ANYWHERE. ANY-WHERE. And Horning – Is like background music, constantly playing, Nat and i tried counting how many times our taxi driver horned in one journey, we gave up halfway. They horn to say – Hey, i’m here. Or.. Hey i’m gonna do something (i.e. Stop or go left/right) Not like Singaporeans when horning is usually accompanied with a bit o’ Swearing. So the roads in Vietnam have no separators, like two-way roads in Singapore would have a fence sorta thing in the middle.. No, Vietnam roads have no such thing. The only thing showing that its two way is probably the almost-fading lines painted 2 million years ago on the roads. Dig this: Even if its a one-way street, its only common to find vehicles driving in opposite directions in the same road. If its a two-way road, bikes driving in opposite directions cut each other’s lanes like nobody’s business. O wait, there aren’t any lanes at all. Okay. So, Vietnam doesn’t exactly have big Cross-junctions like Singapore does. Their junctions are small, their Big ones are .. Roundabouts. Kinda like that of Serangoon Gardens, but maybe twice or thrice that size. Its big, and think – Drivers are driving in opposite directions. There’s no.. synchronised direction, Drivers just go whichever way is shorter. And trust me, Traffic is VERY heavy. Need i stess more.
I’m trying to get a good vid of the traffic situation 
So. I had my first experience riding on a bike yesterday. I was thinking, My goodness – I didn’t even ride a bike in Singapore where traffic is safe as Boiling water is hot. AND MY FIRST BIKE EXPERIENCE IN VIETNAM where traffic is...... refer to previous paragraph. The staff wanted to bring us to shop for shoes, and they insisted we take their bikes. So Nat got on one, and i got on another. When we alighted, think “Green faces and Jelly-Welly legs”. We were the only ones screaming in the traffic, the rest were.. honking.
AND TODAY, my hair’s still wet. BECAUSE after work, Nat and i wanted to go to Ben-Thanh Market to shop. So we got back to our hotel, dumped our Laptops and documents, and got out. It was raining, So we asked this hotel staff.. A man. Quite geeky. We got directions and we were worried that the market might not be sheltered. That man seemed to understand a bit of English, so here’s our conversation (With actions. You might wanna try it out.):
Me to Man: Is the place sheltered?
Man: *looks lost for a while* Yes.. yes.. (sounding unsure)
Nat: *Puts hands over head like a little roof* Got Shelter??
Man: O Yes yes (Now we’re unsure)
Me: *Uses hand to do raining action and said “Hua la Hua la Hua la...” and then did the same Roof Action as Nat did. * Shelter???
Man: YES! YES! YES! (sounds excited.)
SO, assured that our Vietnam –lives were gonna be enriched by a night of shopping, we got in a taxi and left for Ben Thanh Market.
And then.
THERE WAS NO SHELTER. We had no poncho, no umbrella, no whatever.
We shopped in the rain. People stared. They must think we’re weird. And we were laughing and all. It was hilarious.
We got back, and we laughed our way into the hotel lobby, and HAHA. It seems the hotel staff still didn’t realise his mistake. Or rather the miscommunication we had. SO he laughed along as well. O my.

ANYHOW, Vietnam has been great so far. Everything is CHEAP. 5 of us had lunch at a restaurant/pub place for SGD$12. The pens here all cost less than 70 cents. Nat and i had dinner at a restaurant with really nice ambience and Food for less than SGD$10. Totally worth it. A typical Main course would cost less than SGD$2.
THE COFFEE HERE IS GREAT. It makes Singapore Coffee taste like crap. Coffee lovers like GEK, CHLOE AND AARON SHOULD TRY IT. ITS LOVELY. LOOOOOOVELY.

OKAY. If you read the whole post, you’re too free.  HAHAHA.

To all who’s still overseas – Sam, Jiajia, Aaron (I MISS YOU.), G-Babe, Waiyiu, Jasper and Hisham (We’ll be going over to your side soon!) I HOPE YOU’RE ENJOYING YOUR INTERNSHIP!  BE SAFE!
To Papa, Kor, Ee, Zach-Chlo-Jedd-Bloss, Nanny and Family, Xuan, Debbie Tay, Everyone at church, I MISS YOU ALL! LLOVEE!!
OKAY. I’ll post again soon. With pictures.

I expected more from you, and thats why i was disappointed. You just don't see.

I'm attempting to pack my (big) bag for Vietnam, but it seems that the more i pack, the more i feel my bag isn't big enough. Whilst i drown in my insecurities, i decided to msg Nat hoping she could assure me, But reply, She has not. I hope she does - soon.

Today's work was quite... Bad. Cheryl said i wasn't myself, I was really restless. I guess i was a little - no idea why.

Then halfway, my aunt (spiritual mommy) Msged informing me that Kongkong (Her father, my grandfather, my mum's dad) was admitted to Changi Hospital for Pneumonia, and the Doctor told us to be mentally prepared.

I felt myself crack inside cos it just reminded me so much of my mum, and whatever happened to/with her. I felt really sad,bad,horrible,scared,worried,anything negative. And when i'm upset/stressed, i either talk ALOT, or i don't talk at all. Today's effect happens to be the latter. So:

Auntie Laigek: Ay. Why today your face same colour as your shirt.

(i was wearing a black polo)

I love Auntie Laigek. it seems she sensed something was wrong and followed me to the toilet (Auntie-Stalker, teehee) And then sometime later she hugged and prayed for me.

Today was my last sunday at work before i get vietnamed for 10 weeks - The longest break i've taken so far. And somehow many people knew, so they all came and patted my arm, like a friendly gesture, and nagged a little here and there, i know they meant well :) I'm gonna miss them all. But they didn't know that my arms were still aching and sore from the VICIOUS VACCINATIONS i took the day before. So i kinda cringed inside everytime someone patted me :D But i Still do, very much, appreciate the gesture.

JONATHAN (GKIDZ, not korkor): If you're reading this, Hello there! :D Some things to note:

1. Don't let Karthi bully you. I'm EXTREMELY sure he will. :)

2. Don't WORRY. and STOP PANICKING. Especially when you panick in front of grouchy parents who want their way, you'll let them walk all over you. Must remain calm and Steady. Thats what S-people are good at. :) Even if you panick, don't show it babe.

3. Its okay to make mistakes. I'm not gonna be all cliche/cheesy as i already am and say "Just learn from your mistakes". I'm sure you already know that. ITS OKAY TO MAKE MISTAKES, JUST RECOVER ASAP, or at least try to cover your butt until you get help from Cheryl or Karthi, or Aunt LG, or Lynne :)

4. HAVE FUN Dearest.

5. 1000-word report to me every sunday. >:D


Anyhow, i'd better get back to packing lest papa continues nagging. I still gotta teach him how to use Skype. heh.

To my loves:

CH-LOW, ZACKEE, BLOSSOM, JEDD - I'm definitely gonna miss you (all). and i promise i'll buy nice stuff for you all. I might consider setting up a brog for Vietnam :D

Ee (S. Mom) - I LOVE YOU. and be Strong okay! IF anything happens to Kongkong or anyone, i believe its all God's will. I'm gonna miss your nagging! :)

Papa, Kor - MY TWO GREATEST MEN. :( I loved Dinner today. it was superbly heart-warming. I love you. Kor: Please teach Papa to use Skype or MSN, i don't think he knows how to "add" me or see if i'm online. Heheheh.

XUAN, GAVIN, AARON, DEBBIE, GEK - Ah, almost all of us are going overseas, To XUAN and Deb, i Love you both so much. Please PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE CARE. I WILL MISS YOU.

G-Babe: STOP FLIRTING, You. >:)

Aaron, dearest: I LOVE YOU! i promise i will watch BROTHERs AND SISTERS, CSI and maybe even Family Guy. I love love love you. I have always thought you were So brave to go OSIP even though we're not going together. :) You'll survive. I know it. YOU'd BETTER SURVIVE I TELL YOU.


ROS: I love you. Always will. Please take care, and EMAIL ME If you've got problems okay :) You know i'll listen.


Okay. This post is so long. :)


I'm gonna go pack already. And NAto has not replied. :(

I can't say it better.

I'm SO THANKFUL i went to the Zoo today with Xuan. I TOTALLY LOVED IT. EVERY SINGLE BIT OF IT.


WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! Today was ABSOLUTELY GOOD. The weather was great (Thank you God!), The animals were great, the schedule was great, EVERYTHING WAS GREAT.


(Photos will be up when Xuan sends me the photos.! )

And i'm so happy i went. Because this trip has rekindled my love and passion for Animals, and it has also reminded me that there are animals still suffering out there. So i've decided, when i retire one day, i'm gonna work PT in the Zoo, and do my part in Animal Conservation!

If possible, i would wanna find a job - operations manager or something- in the Zoo.






Life is all about God, Animals, Music and Love.

So, i met someone, and some stuff happened which resulted in some stuff and now i'm thinking of some stuff which shouldn't be the case, but some stuff just has to happen, so some stuff is still stuck in my head because of someone.

Schedule for Zis week (And a little bit of last and next.):


Sunday (Passed) - Church, then dinner with Marvin.
Monday (Passed.) - LOM DAY dry/wet run, Dinner with Choy.
Tuesday (Today) - LIG Exco Outing! YAY! Dinner with Jessie, HQ, Yuwen, Gek.
Wednesday - Zoo with Xuan in the day, Dinner with Aaron.
Thursday - Meet Zackee to get haircut, Dinner with Ros Love.
Friday - YCH Site Visit, Shopping for amenities, Dinner with Cell Ladies.
Saturday - FREE (WOOHOO.) either that, or i've forgotten what i've arranged for that day.
Sunday - Work and Church, Dinner with Family.
Monday - SIP Launch, LOM Day, and Chalet.
Tuesday (DEPARTURE DAY!) - FYP Leaders' Training, Then i'm Flying off!


Sigh. I have a feeling i'm gonna miss someone very much - but. weo;innnafwegfgbvjksfbasefuiawhgowvufihweiofnsdkcfhnhaoeirhawwwfbasjfweriwoatniof.

That was intended Technical Error.

SO. i just came back from dinner with Marvin. I really really enjoyed his company. in a weird way. It felt/feels different. Just Different. :) I like it. makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

I think i'm gonna miss him when i am vietnamed.

And i do hope we really get down to learning driving together when i come back. :D

SO. i'm thoroughly booked for the next few days - from LOM Day dry runs.. right down to getting haircut with my beloved cousin, Zackee.


Today, everyone at church made me feel so sad.. So much so that for a moment i felt like i could forgo the Vietnam trip.

Like after we were done with work, I was talking with Aunty LaiGek and Pastor James. And they all gave me the next-week-is-your-last-week look. plus the we-will-miss-you look. and i'm not being thick skinned please >: )

Sigh. I think i'm gonna miss Church the most. I love Church. Its like my whole life is there. I really really really am gonna miss church. Church - not the place. Church - The body of Christ, His people. Cheryl, Lynne, Aunt Laigek, Li Li and Ailee, Uncle JitKiong and Adrian, Jonathan, Adele, Pastor Taitong, Wendy and Kangyin and Muntai, Michael, Peter, David, Uncle John, Pastor James, Pastor Jas, SO MANY PEOPLE. I'm gonna miss them all.

Next sunday's gonna be my "last" before i get vietnamed. I'm hoping they won't make me cry or anything. I'm not going to. Cos if i do, it'll probably be a bucket's worth. :"(

So i missed the MaLa session. :(

I do hope we go again before i fly off.

EXAMS ARE Fye-neh-lee Over.

FINALLY.

Today after exams ended and my body+brain finally found time to slow down (not being drama). ALL sicknesses started to creep in. i had a flu, had a bit of Sore throat, My eyes got watery and irritated so i rubbed, and then i must have burst some vessels cos my Eye (one only.) got very very red, and tears were pouring out. kay. i'm exaggerated the tearing. But i felt awful. just awful. and i had to go for cell meeting - which was quite a joy, cos we had discussions and stuff. 'twas all good. But i missed MaLa. :(


Anyhow, i realised my body was quite stressed because of the exams, the unspoken pressure from so many people (shall not name them) , all my worries about Vietnam and all, everything.

But now that exams are over, feels good. But not as good as expected cos the sudden sense of.. "freedom"? feels.. off.

On a happier note,

I just baked 2.5 batches of cookies. its quite tiring. it doesn't look as appealing as usual 'cause they are in all shapes and sizes. Heh. BUT. the chocolate Oozes out. Very good. If you wanna see who has eaten cookies in this household, look out for those with dark-brown lipstick.

OKAY. There's so much to be done within the next few days, i should consider listing down all my to-dos. For now, gotta settle some YPC and LOM-day stuff before i list down ALL my stuff i wanna buy/settle for my Vietnam trip.

And everytime i think atbout Zooing and Tamagotchi-shopping with Xuan on wednesday i get so eggcited. I CAN'T wait. YAY XUAN! :D